Iowa
Old Press
The Elgin Echo
Elgin, Fayette Co., Iowa
December 5, 1918
LETTERS OF SYMPATHY ON THE DEATH OF WALTER FREIBURGHAUS.
Who Died in France October 18, Commended By His Captain and
Comrade, Earl Randall.
------
Veterinary Hospital No. 10, Advance Section, Service of Soppy, A.
E. F., France,
A. P. O. 720. Oct. 22, 1918 ----
Mr. Gottlieb Freiburghaus, Ramona, S. Dak. --
Sir:
It grieves me very much to inform you of the death of your son
Walter, who died October 18 at camp hispital this station. He was
in my command since July, 1918. He was a splendid soldier, always
willing, and faithfully performed his duties. The officers,
comrades and commanding officer send their heartfelt sympathies
and share with you our grief. Your son's death was due to cerebro
spinal meningitis, contracted in the line of duty. The body
received a military funeral at this station. His personal effects
and records have been duly cared for. Trusting that these few
lines will afford you some confort. I was his commander. Capt.
John R. Stffer.
Received November 13, 1913.
"Poor Friburghaus won't come home with me as he had spinal
meningitis and died Thursday or Friday. The funeral was
yesterday. He was only sick since last Sunday night. The last I
saw of him was Sunday noon. As I was off duty in the afternoon he
fed my horses at night, came home and did not feel very well, but
wrote to his sister before going to the infirmary, from which
they took him to the hospital, where hey did all they could for
him but to no avail. He seemed such a strong hearty boy it don't
seem he could go so quick. But we never know when we will be
called to go. He was a good boy and I wish I had been with him
all the time. We have not roomed together since he came back, as
Peyton and I had a room together and he was with the bunch that
came back. He said just before dinner Sunday that he and
Cornelius, that was his pal from Canton that had been with him
all the time, were going to find a room for the four of us and
then we would all be together. But the poor fellow never had the
chance. The funeral was conducted by the Y. M. C. A. section
here, and a large band played, also a cornet solo. If were not
for losing him as a friend I would be feeling as good as I ever
did. Am all right bodily, only broken up over it. We don't know
who will be left to go home, but I pray that I may and also all
the other boys. They are all ready to go when the war is over, as
the U. S. looks good to us all."
The above was written October 20, and received November 6, 1918.
Walter C. Freiburghaus was born at Elgin, Iowa, October 4, 1890.
In the spring of 1907 he came to this state with his parents,
where he remained with them at home until called to service. He
leaves to mourn his loss, his parents, four sisters and two
brothers -- Mrs. Frank Frautschy, Mrs. G. H. Raschdorf, Mrs. Will
Helling, Will Freiburghaus, and laura and Wibert at home.
FUNERAL OF WALTER FREIBURGHAUS
Funeral services will be held for the late Walter Freiburghaus,
who died in France of spinal meningitis, as soon as the
quarantine is raised. Every honor is due this young soldier who
gave his life for his country's sake. He was an honest young
christian man, loved and respected by all who knew him. His last
letter that he wrote home was dated October 13 and it was sent
home unfinished and his name signed by different handwriting, and
according to the way Earl Randall writes, Walter was suddenly
taken ill as he was writing home. The community extends sympathy
to the grif striken family, who received no word of the young
man's demise until three weeks after his death. The government in
some way failed to notify them. The shock is almost more than the
family can bear, as the mother is in ill health. He leaves to
mourn his loss his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. Freiburghaus, two
brothers Will and Wilbert; four sisters, Mrs. Frank Frautschy,
Mrs. Gustav Raschdorf, Mrs. Will Helling, and Laura who resides
at home. --- Madison (South Dakota) Daily Sentinel.
[transcribed by C.D., May 2011]
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The Oelwein Register
Oelwein, Iowa
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 1918
Page 3, Column One
HAZLETON NEWS
-- Mr. and Mrs. Fred Underwood of Kansas City visited his
brother, Ham Underwood the past week, who is still very feeble
from his recent stroke of paralysis.
-Mrs. Keith Lawrence returned Saturday from Iowa City where she
went for a surgical operation. Her husband is very ill with
influenza at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. D.
Lawrence.
-Lieutenant H. H. Hunt returned Saturday from Fort Benjamin
Harrison, Indiana, having received an honorable discharge from
the service and has already resumed the practice of his
profession.
-The schools of Hazelton were closed Wednesday of last week for
the second time this year on account of the influenza, and all
public gatherings have been prohibited and the stores of the town
ordered closed at 7 o'clock.
-S. A. Mahuran arrived here Tuesday of last week having been
honorably discharged from the service. He and his wife were guest
in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Gerstenberger and
left Monday for Mason City where his position on one of the
papers of that city was awaiting his return.
- Miss Lora Simek spent the past week in the home of her uncle,
Edward Miquet, west of town.
- Porter Gallup enjoyed a visit the past week from his sister,
from Sanborn. His mother returned with her on Saturday and will
spend the winter with her daughter.
- Miss Dorothy Otto of the High School and her mother left the
first of the week for Waterloo where her mother will make her
home and Miss Otto will visit until the re-opening of school in
Hazelton.
- Mrs. James Wilson visited relatives in Independence a few days
the past week.
- Mrs. B. S. Munger and daughter, Edna, and son, Leonard, autoed
to Independence Saturday for a visit with relatives and Miss Edna
went from there to Waterloo for a visit with friends.
- Mrs. Sadlachec of Palo, who has been nursing her sister, Mrs.
A. Strube, returned to her home Thursday and Mrs. Strube is now
staying in the Charles Bahmler home for a few days.
- Dr and Mrs. Ralph Slater of Lamont are staying in the home of
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Slater north of town, where
the doctor is very ill with pleurisy.
-Mrs. Mary Sadler returned Friday from a week's visit in the home
of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Allen in Waterloo.
-Mrs. Will Nelson made a family party Wednesday, Dec. 4th in
honor of their little granddaughter's first birthday and her
husband's 51st. The cake held one candle and 51 candles as a
compliment to both of them.
- Joseph Gerstenberger, son of Geo. Gerstenberger is reported
missing in action, since Oct. 22.
- Miss Kate Carey returned with Dr. and Mrs. M. C. Mannion to
Waterloo Sunday for a weeks visit with them.
- The W. C. T. U. met with Mrs. Henry Suhr on Tuesday Dec. 3rd.
The work was packing a box with quilt, towels and handkerchiefs
which the ladies had made to send to the reconstruction hospital
at Fort Des Moines after the work was accomplished a nice lunch
was served to all present.
- Joseph C. Thomas passed away at his home in Hazleton, Saturday
morning, Dec. 6, after an illness of only a few days duration
with that dread disease pneumonia. Mr. Thomas has been a resident
of Hazleton for about twenty years and was engaged in the
restaurant business being well known to all the traveling public
as Little Joe as he was peculiarly adapted to the business. He
leaves his wife and one son, Donald, to mourn the loss of a
devoted husband and father. The funeral was held from the home
Monday morning on
account of the guarantee and was conducted by the pastor, Rev.
Father Homand. The interment was in St. Mary's Cemetery.
FAYETTE LETTER
-The first college convocation of the year was held in college
chapel Sunday December 8, 10:30 a. m. No services in the other
churches. Many were out to hear Hon. Lafayette Young Sr. who
delivered the address, which is highly commended by all. The
commanding officer, Lieut. Jack, was out with the S.A.T.C. boys
who made a fine appearance in their new uniforms and with faculty
members and seniors with their caps and gowns, with other
students out in a body made a very impressive ceremony. The
following in the program
-- Processional Dr. C. D. Neff, Hymn, Responsive Reading by Rev.
J. Arthur Young, Gloria Patri, Prayer Rev. D. M. Parker.
Scripture lesson, Dean J. W. Dickman, Song "Angels from the
Realms of Glory." U. S. A. girls Glee Club, Miss Emma
Griesel Violin solo. Address Hon. Lafayette Young Sr., Violin
solo, Mrs. Alma Brown, Hymn. Benediction, Rev. A. B. Curran.
Recessional, Dr. C. D. Neff.
- Fred Shaffer who recently went to Oelwein to work in a barber
shop, we hear has purchased an interest in the shop. He was home
for an over-Sunday visit with his mother and his sons Echer and
Max.
- Born on Tuesday December 3, 1918, to Sergeant and Mrs. Arthur
Lowe, a son. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe are of U.I.U. 1918 and 1914 and
Sergeant Lowe came from Camp Gordon, Ga., for a ten days furlough
with his wife and son who are with his parents at Volga City.
- Mrs. B. F. Simonson received the sad news of the death of her
only brother John Ross of Huntingsburg, Indiana from pneumonia
influenza.
- Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Fussel returned home Wednesday from Clear
Lake, called there to attend the funeral of a nephew. They also
spent about a week with relatives in Charles City and Mason City.
[transcribed by C.D., December 2011]