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West Union Argo-Gazette
West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa
April 23, 1919
Page 3, column 1 and 2
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DECORATE CAPT. W.H. FOX
Recognition by Serbian Government of Waucoma
Doctor Who Died on Washington's Birthday
FOX HOSPITAL NAMED Letters Tell of Affection
Felt For Him by Serbians, and of Funeral Honors Paid |
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Dr. Walter H. Fox of Waucoma, who as a
captain in the medical corps of the United States army died in
Serbia on Feb. 22, was decorated by the Serbian government, and a
military hospital has been named in his honor Dr. Fox spent most
of his life in West Union, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. J.
Fox, are residents of this city.
Recent letters
received by Dr. Fox's widow, Mrs. Bess Fox of Waucoma, have been
forwarded by her to Dr. Fox's parents here. One of them is
written from Belgrade on Feb 25 by Lieut. Col. Thomas W. Farnam,
commissioner for Serbia of the American Red Cross, and addressed
to Col. Anderson of the Balkan commission, at Rome. It is as
follows:
"I wrote you hurriedly, in long hand,
on Washington's birthday in order to take advantage of the
courier leaving that afternoon. That evening I received a
telegram from Smederevo announcing the death of Capt. Walter H.
Fox, who was in charge of our unit there.
"Captain Fox
had been ill for a week, and as soon as pneumonia developed the
doctors felt that his case was hopeless. Everything that could be
done for him was done. Three of our best nurses were with his
unit, and we sent two doctors from here.
"The Serbian authorities at Smederevo
held an impressive memorial service there, and marched with the
body to the boat when it was brought to Belgrade Sunday
afternoon. Through the courtesy of the Serbian government, a
military funeral was given Dr. Fox yesterday afternoon, here. All
the officials were present, or sent representatives. We all
marched to the cemetery under escort of a full company of Serbian
soldiers. At the cemetery a volley was fired and American 'taps'
were sounded by one of the Serbian buglers. The funeral services
were very impressive, and the kindness and sympathy of the
Serbians were very much appreciated.
"Dr. Fox was
awarded a decoration by the minister of war in recognition of the
fine work that he had done during the short time he was in our
service here."
Miss Harriet L.
Leete, chief nurse for northern Serbia, who was chief nurse in A.
R. C. military hospital No. 5 when Dr. Fox was there, writes to
his widow as follows:
"Before this
you have received the cable from Lieut.-Col. Farnam telling of
Capt. Fox's death. I cannot tell' you how my 'heart aches for
you, even though he gave his life for others. His memory is a
blessed one, for he had made the people for whom he worked love
him. The nurses who were with him will write about his life at
Semendria.
"Capt. Fox was with us at No. 5
military hospital, so Lieut. Regan, adjutant at No. 5, and I,
went down to see Capt. Fox on Saturday. He knew us, and smiled
back, even though he was so desperately ill that we knew he could
not recover. The only flowers we could obtain in Belgrade were
some white wild flowers which were sent into Belgrade for the
first time on Monday. The doctors and nurses took all the florist
had, and made two wreaths for him. We also made an ivy, blanket
for under the casket One of my nurses will write you about the
flowers from Semendria. I was especially touched by the flowers
they arranged around the head of the casket, as I know you would
have been. I tried to take some pictures of the funeral
procession for you, but the pictures here have hot been very
successful, so I am nit sure whether they will be good or not. If
they are I will send them on to you, also will send the films. It
will be several weeks, as they cannot be developed at once. I am
also sending some flowers from the casket. Under the wreath given
by the Serbian people was placed the little American flag, and
over everything a large American flag was stretched, The funeral
was entirely military, with an English clergyman officiating. At
the last, the bugler blew our own 'taps'. The sorrow and the
sweet sympathy were beautifully expressive of appreciation for an
American who had died in service for them. I wish you might know
how greatly he was appreciated by this country, and I know that
when the nurses who were with him write you about his illness you
will get a picture of their devotion to him."
The news
concerning the naming of the "Fox Hospital" for Dr. W.H. Fox
comes to Mrs. Fox from Mrs. McPherson of Kansas City, whose
husband, Dr. McPherson, is Dr. Fox's successor in charge. |
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