FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
June 6, 1918
Farragut News
Miss Genevieve Williamson, teacher in the Pleasant Grove school,
gave a splendid program and Red Cross sale Wednesday evening. The
patrons of the district donated the articles for the sale which
amounted to $12.50 which was given to the Farragut Red Cross
society....
A. I. Reid returned from Red Oak the past week and Mr. Reid is
improving nicely, but will not leave for their new home at
Hemingsford, Nebraska, for a week or two. His son-in-law, Ross
Lamb, and Miss Mildred Reid left Wednesday for Hemingsford,
Nebraska, and will take charge of the farm until Mr. Reid is able
to go.....
Friends here received word of the death of Mrs. J. L. Wright of
Abilene, Kansas, which occurred recently. The Wright's lived here
a number of years ago. He owned a hardware store here at that
time.....
Miss Stella Rea arrived home Thursday morning from Hamilton,
Missouri, where she had spent two weeks visiting at the home of
her sister, Mrs. Sam James. Miss Ruth James accompanied her home
for a visit with relatives here and in Shenandoah.
AWARDED A BRAVERY CROSS.
Edwin Todd Remembered With Croix du Guerre and Brigade
Mention
TABOR BEACON: Tuesday evening Mr. and Mrs. Q. C. Todd
and family received from France the French Croix du Guerre
awarded to Edwin Todd for his bravery in action March 9. They
also received the abstract of the brigade order and a letter from
Captain Casey. The war cross is to be placed in the window in
Stuhr's store, where everyone may see this emblem of honor that
was awarded to a Tabor boy. Following is the letter from Captain
Casey, also the copy of the abstract of brigade:
May 6, 1918.--My Dear Mrs. Todd: Your sincere letter reached me a
few days ago and I was surprised that you had not received my
message, also one from the chaplain of our regiment. The loss of
Edwin was a blow that broke our hearts. Our love and sympathy
went out to that mother back in Iowa. Our loss was an immediate
one, her loss everlasting. Edwin was a soldier, every inch of
him. Everyone had learned to love and respect him. On the very
day we lost him I had put him in a position of great
responsibility. He did the work with great courage and without
fear--so much that the French government has decided, and
rightfully, to award the Croix du Guerre, with a brigade
mention, a token which any soldier or parent can be mighty proud.
The accident happened after our work was done. The night was very
dark, the column was moving very fast. When nearly to our
destination a bag of grenades exploded, causing Edwin's death. At
the same time I lost one other boy and had many wounded. Rules
forbid going into detail, but I know God will be good and allow
someone to return to relate to our dear ones the causes. God
knows my sympathy for you, Mrs. Todd, and your one comforting
thought can always be that Edwin gave his life for the cause he
thought was just.
Good-bye and God bless you.
--Charles J. Casey, Captain 168th Infantry.
128th DIVISION, INFANTRY STAFF. Abstract of
Brigade Order No. 108
Colonel Girard, commanding the infantry of the 128th division,
mentions in the brigade orders the following private: 168th
American infantry regiment, first-class private, Todd, Edwin C.,
Co. F. Has shown great courage and coolness during the
preparation for the attack of the 9th of March, 1918. Has
constantly secured the liaison between his captain and his chief
of platoon, by crossing many times a ground shelled by the enemy
artillery. The 18th of March. 1918. Colonel Girard, commanding
the infantry of the 128th division. Signed: GIRARD.
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THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
June 20, 1918
VIC CLELAND DIED AT CAMP DODGE. Second of the
Fremont County Boys to Pass Away in the Service of His
Country." --By DR. S. C. HATTON.
We want to say something of the death of Victor S. Cleland of
Riverton, which took palce at Camp Dodge in the hospital June 13.
This young man was a product of Riverton. He was born March 6,
1895 and was 23 years 2 months and 27 days old at the time of his
death. He was not in camp long when he came down with pneumonia,
and never was much better during his nine months of serious
sickness. He was an American soldier, and the hardships he
endured during the nine months will never be known. His body
arrived in Riverton Monday morning. It should have arrived
Sunday, but by mistake the body of another soldier who died at
camp was sent and the mistake was immediately discovered and
rectified. The funeral services were held in the city park at
Riverton on Monday afternoon, the sermon being preached by Rev.
J. P. Thomas, pastor of the Baptist church of Sidney, to a very
large audience, the preacher taking for his text Acts, xxil 28:
"With a great sum obtained I this freedom." The
services were of a military character. A quartet sang
beautifully. Six young men friends of the deceased, in military
attire, were the pall-bearers. Taps were sounded and the military
salute was given at the grave. The floral tributes were many and
beautiful. I knew this man from his infancy, and he was a good
boy in the greatest sense of the term. "Vic", as he was
well known by all the people, was respected by all who knew him.
All the people were his friends, and knowing he was seriously
sick from the beginning were shocked when the dispatch came
announcing his death. The people of Riverton and surrounding
country left their respective places of business and furnished
everything to make the solemn occasion one long to be remembered,
and they surely did--sent to Farragut for the fine hearse at that
place, flowers in profusion, the music and exercises of every
character were fitting for the occasion. The old, the young, the
middle aged, were present with some token to make the solemn
ceremony pleasing to his people and a last sad tribute of respect
in keeping with the fullness of the hearts of the people. Full of
vigor and health as he bade farewell to aged father and mother,
brothers and sisters, as he stepped on the train to take his part
at Camp Dodge, many eyes were filled with tears, and little was
it thought that in a few months his lifeless form would be sent
back to be placed in the Riverton cemetery. The beautiful and
solemn services rendered at the pavilion and those at the grave
were certainly very touching to everyone present. Yes, Vic, there
are other young men--call them boys--who are sleeping the long
sleep with you. You knew them and we knew them, and it brings
tears to our eyes when we think of such solemn occasions. The old
people who can live only a few more years are bowed down with
grief, but it was certainly a great help to them to have the
people of Riverton and vicinity take such deep interest and make
the burden as light as possible. To them and the family we extend
our sympathy, and let him who doeth all things well shadow them
with his tender mercy and loving kindness.
DOUBLE WEDDING CEREMONY. Misses Julia and Hatie
Goodner and Charles and Edmond Schaaf United
On Wednesday afternoon, June 19, 1918 at 2 o'clock occurred one
of those rare occasions in which sisters are married to brothers.
The brides in this case were Misses Julia and Hattie Goodner, and
the grooms are Charles and Edmond Schaaf. The wedding took place
at the country home of the brides' parents Mr. and Mrs. C. E.
Goodner, about five miles northeast of Sidney. Rev. C. A.
Calkins, pastor of the Methodist church of Riverton, officiated.
The house was prettily decorated with pink and white flowers and
smilax. At the appointed hour "I Love You Truly" was
played on the victrola and the happy couples took their places
beneath an arch in one corner of the room. They were united by
the beautiful ring ceremony. Congratulations followed, and the
guests went to the dining room, where refreshments of ice cream,
cake and punch were served. The brides were attired in white silk
gowns, wearing veils, and each carried a bride's bouquet of white
roses. They are graduates of the Sidney high school and have been
successful teachers in the rural schools. The grooms are
progressive young farmers and are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Schaaf
of Sidney. They are industrious and successful in their line of
work. After a short wedding trip the happy couples will go at
once to the homes which await them on farms near Sidney.
Congratulations are extended to them from their host of friends
in Fremont county and elsewhere.