Clear Lake - Mrs. Emma KIMBALL, Gold Star mother of World War I who lives at the Alter apartments, 500 W. State street, has donated $50 to the soldier's memorial fund in memory of her son, Pvt. Harry A. KIMBALL, who made the supreme sacrifice in the battle of the Argonne, France, Oct. 3, 1918.

Pvt. KIMBALL was born June 4, 1896, on a farm northwest of Clear Lake, son of Mr. and Mrs. Morton KIMBALL. He was gradauted from Clear Lake high school before entering the service July 14, 1917. He trained at Camp Lewis, Wash., from where he left for overseas June 20, 1918, with the 363rd machine gun compnay. The Argonne was his first battle. The body was returned to the states after 3 years and is buried in Clear Lake cemtery. Another son, Shirley, served and was wounded in France.

Although an armchair invalid for several years because of a hip injury, Mrs. KIMBALL is vitally interested in all that pertains to the welfare of Clear Lake and its war veterans. She has now 4 grandsons in the service, Cpl. Robert E. KIMBALL, Pueblo, Colo., son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl KIMBALL, Clear Lake; Cpl. Maurice E. KIMBALL, hospitalized in Santa Fe, N. Mex., after having been wounded in France, son of Mr. and Mrs. Shirley KIMBALL, Clear Lake; Virgil McKIBBEN, seaman 1/c, now in the Aleutian Islands, son of Mr. and Mrs. Will McKIBBEN, Clear Lake; and Capt. Morton KIMBALL, now in Belgium, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy KIMBALL, Kingsford Heights, Ind.

Mrs. KIMBALL is a charter member of the Clear Lake unit of the American Legion auxiliary and served as its president in 1929-30. She was also its chaplain for a term.

In announcing the gift to the memorial fund, Mrs. A. B. PHILLIPS, chairman of the permanent committe, said, "Perhaps there are others who would like to honor the memory of their sons in this way. A veteran of any war may be so remembered. Clear Lake has at present about 600 men and women in the service. The families of these service men and women do not need to be reminded now of the sacrifices being made, they know them full well.

"But in future years, the boys and girls of a new generation will need to be reminded who gave them the freedom they enjoy and at what cost. How better could this be done than through a beautiful memorial in the form of a community building, in down town Clear Lake? Every time they gather there, the purpose of the memorial will again be brought to their attention. Our fund is now $8,254.80. Who will be next to contribute?"

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2013