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Source: Fayette County Leader, March 21, 1918, pg. 7 |
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Every day brings the war home
to us with greater force, and once again within the space of a few
weeks West Union is called up on to mourn the death of one of her brave
soldier boys, one who enlisted in the service of his country less than
one month ago, but who nevertheless gave his life on the altar of
patriotism.
John Earl Harper was born in Union township, Fayette
county, Iowa, January 29th, 1898. He attended the public school in this
city and all his young life was spent here with the exception of one
year during which the family lived in South Dakota. For the past two
years Earl was employed at the Rock Island station fitting himself for
work as telegrapher. Less than a month ago, he heard "the call to
arms," and went to Jefferson Barracks where he enlisted, later being
transferred to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. From the time of his arrival
there he was ill, pneumonia developing, and he passed away Monday
afternoon, March 11, at 3:30 o'clock, in the Fort Hospital, his mother
arriving at his bedside three days before the end came.
On
Tuesday afternoon military honors were accorded the young private in
the Episcopal chapel at the Fort the members of his company, headed by
the company band, making in all a procession over a mile long, escorted
the casket to the station. The body arrived here yesterday noon,
accompanied by his mother and Sergeant King, a non-commissioned officer
of the same Company as the deceased. He will remain here until after
the funeral today, the service being held in the Methodist church at
two o'clock, conducted by the Rev. G.S. Lackland.
Private Earl
Harper has entered that "low green tent whose curtain never outward
folds" clad in the uniform which he hoped to wear with honor to his
country and credit to himself. The flag for which he gave his life,
will be placed on his body. Every patriotically minded citizen will
hear of his untimely death with a feeling of sadness. he gave his all,
let us hope that his sacrifice is not in vain.
Earl is survived by
his father, Charles Harper, his mother, Mrs. George Mott, and two
sisters, Mildred and Margery. To them is extended the sympathy of the
entire community. The following appeared in the Daily Leavenworth
Times, Tuesday, March 12.
" John E. Harper, 20 years old,
telegrapher, member of Depot Company 1, Signal Corps, died yesterday.
His mother from West Union, Iowa, was here when the death occurred. The
body will be transferred today from Fort Leavenworth to the Burlington
station in this city and shipped by the Sexton Undertaking Company to
West Union for burial. Military honors will be bestowed at Fort
Leavenworth." |
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John
Harper