Soldiers Stricken in Camp

25 October 1918

The Humboldt Republican
Humboldt, Iowa
25 October 1918
Page 1

Humboldt Soldiers Stricken In Camp

Melvin "Babe" Adams and Rushmere Christensen.

By The Spanish "Flu"

Adams Remains Returned to Humboldt for Interment -- Christensen Buried in California.

     Two more Humboldt soldiers have gone the way of all flesh.  Melvin (Babe) Adams who was in training at Camp Dodge and whose sickness and death were mentioned at length in this paper, and whose remains were brought to Humboldt for interment, and Rushmere Christensen who had been living for some time in California and whose parents here left at once to attend the funeral.  Rushmere had been living some time in California and while his parents knew that he was in a cantonment there, so we understand -- the Christensens left for California before they could be interviewed -- they did not even know that he was ill.  The telegram announcing his death, therefore, was like a bolt from a clear sky, and was a terrible shock.  The word came Friday, and the parents left the same day for the funeral. (Contributor note: Many editing problems.)



The Humboldt Republican
Humboldt, Iowa
25 October 1918
Page 1

Death of Melvin Virgil Adams.

     Melvin Virgil Adams, son of Daniel H. and Berta Adams was born in Bradgate, Iowa, Feb. 12, 1897.  In Nov. 1902 he came with his parents to Humboldt.  After studying in the Humboldt schools he took a business course in the Capital City Commercial College at Des Moines.  On the 6th day of September last he went with some 56 other drafted boys to Camp Dodge at the call of his country.  He was in Company 57, 15 B. M., 163 R. D. Depot Brigade.  On October 10th he was taken with influenza, which developed into pneumonia, and passed away Friday, Oct. 18th.  He was born on Friday, went to Camp Dodge on Friday and just six weeks later on a Friday passed on into the larger life.  He leaves beside his father and mother, two brothers, Thomas Milford, who is now on the water on his way to France and Paul Arthur the younger brother at home, one sister, Eva Alberta, and two grandmothers, Mrs. A. Hutchinson and Mrs. R. J. Johnson, to mourn his loss, miss his happy presence and remember his joyous active, growing life.  His special friend, Curtis Hanson, who is in the same company at Camp Dodge returned with the remains and is here present.
     Melvin or "Babe" Adams as he was familiarly and affectionately called by everyone lived a short life, but long enough to endear himself to a multitude of friends.  The memory of his active generous life, just beginning to come into its full power will ever remain a precious heritage to his parents and loved ones.  He was liked by everyone.  For these 21 years he has been a ray of light and joy to his home and now God in his inscrutable wisdom takes him unto himself.  Babe did not go to France but he made the great sacrifice of offering his life that America, that you and I, that the world might have those sister blessings, true liberty and a permanent peace.  We can say of him as we can of all our brave soldiers, "God be praised for such noble men.  They are true Americans."