Iowa Old Press
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
June 2, 1921
p 1 col 1
Charles Gilgash
We are sorry to announce the death of Mr. Charles Gilgash Monday
morning. Mr. Gilgash was an old resident of this vicinity and was
well liked by everyone. He leaves to mourn his untimely
departure, two daughters, Mrs. Frank Dopp of Spirit Lake, and
Mrs. Eugene Grant of Calumet; one sister who resides in Chicago;
two brothers, one in Maryland and the other in Wisconsin. Mr.
Gilgash was born in Germany 57 years ago and came to this country
with his parents when 6 years old, going to Wisconsin. His wife
preceded him in death twelve years ago. The funeral took place
Wednesday, interment being made in Waterman cemetery at
Sutherland.
p 1 cols 3 & 6
Calumet Resident Dead
Charles Gillgasch who has been ill for about ten days passed away
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Eugene Grant, in Calumet,
Monday morning, May 30th, 1921, the cause of his death being
heart failure which was contributory to edema of the lungs.
The deceased was born in Germany, March 7th, 1864, and his age at
the time of his death was 57 years, 2 months and 23 days. He came
to America with his parents when 6 years old. He was united in
marriage in 1891 to Miss Bertha Langkand. To this union two
children were born, Mrs. Laura Grant and Mrs. Clara Dopp, both of
whom survive their father. Mrs. Gillgasch died May 20, 1909. He
is also survived by a brother, a sister, a grandson, and a wide
circle of friends. He was a member of the Lutheran church and was
a man honorable in his dealings and a good neighbor. He was also
a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, Empire Lodge No.
202, at Sutherland, a large number of the members of which
attended the funeral services in a body.
The funeral was held from the Eugene Grant home in Calumet
Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. A. A. Pittenger
officiating. Interment was made in Waterman cemetery at
Sutherland.
Card of Thanks
We wish to express our gratitude to the many friends and
neighbors for their assistance and sympathy during the illness
and at the death of our father, Charles Gillgash, also for the
beautiful floral offerings, thanking especially the Knights of
Pythias Empire Lodge No. 202.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Grant
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dopp
p 1 col 3
Killed In Auto Accident
R. H. Nell, of Estherville, was killed in an auto accident some
time about noon Wednesday, June 1st, and as he was alone at the
time details of the accident will probably never be known. He
motored down to Sutherland with his wife Tuesday, bringing the
latter here to visit at the home of her mother, Mrs. Dora Weise,
and also to assist in caring for her sister, Mrs. Leslie Parks,
who ha been quite ill in the past week. He left for home, leaving
Sutherland at 9:00 o'clock Wednesday morning and was found about
1:00 o'clock by a farmer, dead beneath his car on the road, which
has been newly graded, one mile east of Superior. A telephone
call brought the terrible news immediately to his wife here. No
further particulars could be learned concerning the odd accident
before going to press. Mrs. Nell has the sympathy of the
community in her great sorrow.
p 1 col 4
Married at Spencer
Miss Urehil Cobb and Mr. George H. Waggoner, both of Sutherland,
were quietly united in marriage at the home of the bride's
grandmother, Mrs. Alice Diggins, in Spencer at 10:00 o'clock
Wednesday morning, June 1st, Rev. W. H. Hurst, pastor of the
Church of Christ, was the officiating clergyman. The following
young people of Sutherland were present at the wedding: the
Misses Alice Cobb, Mae Waggoner and Ludema Haye, and Everett
Warren, Frank Burns and Otis Huiser.
The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Cobb. She is a
graduate of the local high school and for the past year has been
clerking at the W. A. Plager Dept. Store. Her amiable disposition
has made her popular among her friends. The groom is a son of Mr.
and Mrs. Jacob Waggoner, one of Sutherland's pioneer families. He
is an industrious young man, upright and honorable, also a
graduate of the Sutherland High and since at time has been
engaged in farming in this vicinity.
The bridal couple left on a short trip to Eldora, Iowa, where
they will visit at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. George
Ibach. Upon their return they will be at home to their many
friends on the old Waggoner homestead, five miles north of
Sutherland. The Courier extends best of wishes.
[transcribed by A.N., December 2011]
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Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
June 9, 1921
p 1 col 1 & 2
Pay Honor To Memory of Dead Hero - Albert E. Behmer,
Killed in Action Overseas, Laid to Rest in Home Soil Sunday -
Largest Funeral Held Here
[article is accompanied by photograph of Behmer, in civilian
clothing]
The first body of Sutherland men to die in action, arrived here,
Saturday, June 4th, on the eleven o'clock train. The remains was
[sic] met by an escort from the local Legion Post, who conveyed
it to the local undertaking parlors. Here it lay in state under
cover and armed guard until the funeral.
Approximately two hundred ex-service men and two thousand
civilians of Sutherland and nearby towns attended the funeral
services at 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, June 5th, at the local
Methodist Church for Corporal Albert E. Behmer, a member of the
Co. M. 168th Infantry, who was killed in action March 9, 1918,
near Baddonvillers in Lorraine.
The funeral services were under the auspices of Sutherland Post,
commanded by commander Thomas D. Kas, Rev. Harold Lancaster of
Paullina, a former class mate of Behmer's officiated. Led by the
firing squad and colors, the procession marched from the
Methodist Church to Waterman Cemetery, where the hero was laid to
rest beneath the sod for which he gave his life. Three volleys
were fired over the open grave and "taps", the call
that bids the soldier rest, were sounded.
Albert E. Behmer
Albert E. Behmer was born March 6, 1893, in Sutherland, where he
was reared and grew to young manhood. He graduated from the
Sutherland High School in 1911, and entered Morningside College
in the fall of 1914. There as at home, he won many friends and
was soon considered one of the most popular boys in the school.
In his first year in college he won fame on the basketball floor
as well as in the track. In 1915 he won considerable fame on the
gridiron as the maroon quarterback. He was considered by the
Morningside enthusiasts as the little "big hope" of the
team. The following year he fought his way to the all-state team.
It was while in Morningside he won the name of "the little
Methodist general" by which he was known among football men
all over the state.
Al enlisted in Co. M 2nd Iowa Infantry at Cherokee, April 10th,
1917, and was transferred to Co. M 168th Infantry in August. He
went with the division to Camp Mill, New York, where he stayed
until October 18th, when the Rainbow division sailed for France.
On March 9, 1918, about 4 a.m., "Little Al", as he was
familiarly known from boyhood, and his squad lay in the trenches
near Baddonvillers awaiting the orders to "hop off".
The defensive barrage thrown on the O. D. lines was terrific and
one shell finally crept into the trench, killing outright
Corporal Behmer and Fred Turner of Atlantic, mortally wounding
Ted A. Butler and burying Wm. Klema. Little Al's lifeless body
was carried back to Pexonne to a little French cemetery where it
was buried beside his comrades with full military honors.
It is said by witnesses that as they lifted the body from the
debris although his head was crushed almost shapeless by the
impact of a shell fragment, those silent lips still bore evidence
of the smile by which many will remember him.
That smile was characteristic with him. No matter what might
happen his view was always the optimistic side of the occasion.
His troubles were something to be joked about. J. M. Saunderson,
the athletic director at Morningside, at one time referred to him
as the "kid's idol". He said that in the locker rooms
at the gymnasium where "the gang" sang the old familiar
songs, Little Al was always the ringleader, and always had a new
song to teach them. And so it was in the army. When things looked
dull, the mud was heavy, the march long, the rations scanty,
Little Al just smiled and sang a new song. Scarce a man
throughout the regiment but what knew that smile. The smile that
was so prominent in Sutherland and Morningside was carried to the
battle-scarred fields of France, where even then with all his
death dealing devices and death itself, could not wipe it away.
He was the very spirit of the courageous democracy for which he
gave his life.
The pallbearers were all men to Co. M., two of them having been
but a few feet from him when he was killed. He is survived by his
father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Behmer, a sister, Hilda, and
three brothers, William, Otto, and Herman, all of Sutherland, and
all of whom were present at the funeral.
---
An excerpt from a letter received by his mother at the time of
his death, Chaplain Winifred E. Robb says:
"We buried him in the little cemetery on the hill which
overlooks the battle field and there he sleeps tonight besides
his comrades."
The following poem was written as a tribute to his memory by one
of his college professors at Morningside:
A little grave they made him
With his comrades on the hill.
'Neath a wooden cross they laid him
There his fiery heart is still.
Heart forever restless, burning
To inspire our hearts anew,
Optimistic, hopeful, yearning
For a harder task to do.
All that was the earth's is buried,
Buried in his cherry smile,
All the skill and strength he carried
Must lie quiet for awhile.
But the flaming of his spirit
Stands to stem the Hun advance -
Soon the anxious ear will hear it
Roar to victory in France.
- J. J. H.
p 2 col 1
Mrs. Grace Negus and son Roy and Audry attended the military
funeral of Albert Behmer at Sutherland Sunday and had supper with
Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Flinders.
A good many from here attended the funeral services of Albert
Behmer, one of the Sutherland boys, who paid the supreme
sacrifice on the battle fields of France, having been killed in
action in March 1918. The remains arrived in Sutherland Saturday
morning and military services in the Methodist church Sunday
afternoon in charge of the American Legion. The church was
crowded and many had to remain standing. The floral tributes were
beautiful and extensive. Interment made in Waterman cemetery.
An item of interest to this community occurred last Thursday,
when Miss Minnie Peterson of Gaza and Mr. Will Flick of North
Dakota were married at Spencer. The bride is a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Hans Petersen and is well and favorably known here by
her pleasing personality, and having spent practically all her
life in and near Gaza. The groom has been employed in Primghar a
part of the year, but is not so well known in this locality. They
departed Saturday morning for their new home at Black Hills, N.
Dak. The best wishes of their many friends to with them for a
long and happy life.
p 3 col 3
Mrs. Dora Weise, and sons Ralph and Henry, and Leslie Parks of
Sutherland, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Selk of Larabee attended the
funeral of the former's son-in-law, H. H. Nell in Estherville
Sunday.
[transcribed by A.N., December 2011]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
June 16, 1921
p 1 col 2
Miss Florence Schultz, a June Bride
The following account of the marriage of Miss Florence Schultz, a
former resident of this place, taken from last week's issue of
the Brookings (S. Dak.) Register, will be of much interest to the
Courier readers. Her many Sutherland friends wish her every
success and happiness.
A very pretty wedding took place yesterday morning, June 8th, at
9:00 o'clock, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Barnett when Miss
Florence Schultz, a sister of Mrs. Barnett, and one of Brookings'
most popular and winsome young ladies was united in marriage to
Arthur R. Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. N. Johnson, of
Brookings, Rev. James A. G. Waits read the ceremony. The young
couple were attended by Andrew M. Allison and Miss Esther O.
Johnson. The bride was dressed in white georgette and carried a
bouquet of roses and sweet peas.
Only the immediate families were present. After the ceremony a
delicious two-course breakfast was served and the happy couple
left on an auto trip for points in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The
groom holds a responsible position with the Farmers National bank
of Brookings, while the bride has been employed in the Bank of
Brookings. They will make their home on Ninth avenue on their
return. Heartiest congratulations are extended by their many
friends.
p 1 col 5
Gaza Couple Weds in Wyoming
Announcements have been received of the marriage of Miss Irene
Webster to Cleve O. Fisch, former young people of Gaza, which
took place at Buffalo, Wyoming, Monday, June 6th. The bride is
the youngest daughter of Mrs. W. R. Webster of Harris. She is
well known here, having been a successful teacher for several
years here and in Calumet. Cleve is the youngest son of Mr. and
Mrs. Jacob Fisch and has spent practically all his life in and
near Gaza. He was in government service nearly two years, one
years being spent in France. Upon his return, he settled on a
soldier's claim in Wyoming, near Clearmont, where the happy
couple will make their home. Congratulations and best wishes for
a long and happy married life.
p 1 col 6
Infant Son Dies
Robert Francis Tierney, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Tierney,
passed away Friday, June 10th. Funeral services were held at the
W. C. Bryant home Sunday afternoon, Rev. A. J. Barkley of
Hartley, conducted the services. The little one was laid to rest
in the Grant cemetery. Though only a few days old he leaves a
vacant place in the hearts of the mother, father and little
brothers left to mourn his loss. We extend our sympathy to this
family in their bereavement.
"There was never a smile in a weary while,
And never a gleam of joy;
But the world seemed dim since we dreamed of him,
A little bit of a boy."
Card of Thanks
We desire to thank the many friends for the kindness and sympathy
shown us at the death and burial of our dear Baby.
Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Tierney and family
Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Bryant
p 3 col 1
Eva Harris visited from Wednesday till Friday at the home of her
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Harris at Sutherland.
The James Farquhar family visited at Tom Talmadge Sunday.
p 3 col 3
On Tuesday of last week occurred the marriage of Stanley Norland
to Alice Leese, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Leese of Windom, Minn. We extend congratulations to the
newlyweds.
[transcribed by A.N., December 2011]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
June 23, 1921
p 1 col 3
Clerk Little issued a marriage license Monday to George Arenz, of
Wason Flats, Montana, and Gladys Moore, of Jackson, Mich.
p 1 col 6
Will Hold Military Funeral On Sunday
Mrs. Effie Butler received a message Wednesday from the Graves
Registration Service Bureau at Washington, D. C., notifying her
that the body of her son, Ted A. Butler, which arrived at
Hoboken, H. Y., several weeks ago, had been shipped to
Sutherland, leaving Hoboken Wednesday morning. It is expected
that the body will arrive here Friday and will be taken to the
Mrs. M. Boyles' home, where it will lay in state until the
funeral. Sutherland Post No. 152, American Legion, is in charge
of the arrangements for the funeral, which will be held at the
Church of Christ, Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock. Interment
will be made at Waterman Cemetery with full military honors.
p 3 col 2
Miss Alice Lucile Lees and Mr. Stanley Norland were united in
marriage at Windom, Minn., Tuesday, June 7th. The bride is a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lees of Westbrook, Minn., and has
taught school several years near Paullina. The groom is the son
of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Norland of Oskaloosa, former residents of
Gaza. They will make their home in Paullina where Stanley is
employed in the Ewoldt and McCauley garage.
p 4 col 2
Peterson Patriot -Mrs. E. L. C. White of Spencer
entertained Thursday in honor of Miss Gladys Summerbell, whose
marriage takes place to Mr. Adlai E. Anderson this month. A
delightful three course dinner was served. The center of the
tables were decorated with Ophelia roses. Needlework, music and
conversation furnished plenty of diversion for the evening.
p 4 col 3
Mrs. Wm. Pickrell and son, Merwin, were called to Aurelia,
Friday, because of the death of Mrs. Pickrell's niece, Mrs. Hulda
Kast.
Mrs. J. W. Pickrell and daughter, Miss Lorene and son, Merwin,
motored to Aurelia Sunday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Hulda
Kast, a niece of Miss Pickrell.
[transcribed by A.N., December 2011]
-----
Sutherland Courier
Sutherland, O'Brien co. Iowa
June 30, 1921
p 1 col 1 & 2
Hero Given Full Military Honors - Ted A. Butler, Who Died
Overseas From Wounds Received In Action, Was Laid To Rest Sunday
[article is accompanied by photograph of Butler]
The pleading tones of taps floated softly out on the still calm
of last Sunday when Sutherland Post laid their second comrade who
died from the effects of Hun fire, in his final resting place,
here in the homeland. The body of Ted A. Butler arrived in
Sutherland from France Saturday on the eleven o'clock train, and
was conveyed to the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Boyles, where
the remains lay in state until the funeral Sunday. The services
which were held in the park, owing to the heat and the immense
crowd, were conducted by the local American Legion Post, Chaplain
Hopkinson, of Primghar, officiating. Approximately two hundred
ex-service men marched behind the fallen hero as he followed the
colors for which he gave his life to his little green tent of
eternal rest, and about two thousand civilians paid tribute to
one who gave his all for them and our country.
Ted A. Butler, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. butler, was born in
Sutherland, August 2nd, 1897. He grew to manhood in our midst and
as we remember him from boyhood, he was as boys go, merry and
good humored, always ready to see the bright side of things. If
the boys were up to a practical joke, Teddy was with them. If
they were out to do some one good, as usual he was there, a
favorite and a leader.
He enlisted in Company M, 2nd Iowa Infantry, at Cherokee, April
5th, 1917, being the second volunteer from Sutherland, after the
declaration of war. August 17th he was transferred to Co. M 168th
U. S. Inf., at Des Moines, leaving for Camp Mills, New York, in
September. October 18th he sailed with his division for France,
where intensive training and work were endured in the cold
highlands of Haught De Marne all through the winter. Through all
the hardships here, Ted only developed a stronger devotion to
duty and a deeper courage instead of weakening under the strain.
He was known among his comrades and officers as an ideal soldier,
ready at the call of duty to perform the hardest tasks that war
may thrust upon a man. February 22nd, he moved forward with the
division when the first elements went into the front line. After
the bombardment of March 5th, when Dean Parrish was killed, M Co.
marched to the rear for offensive training preparatory to a
retaliation raid which was demanded by the American troops. The
afternoon of March 9th, M. Co. started over under cover of the
America barrage, but in the counter barrage, one shell fell on
the O. D. lines, killing outright Corporal Albert E. Behmer, of
Sutherland, bunk-mate and buddy of Ted's, and Fred Turner, of
Atlantic, and mortally wounding Ted. He was taken to a hospital
in Baccarat, where his left arm was amputated and fragments of
shell were removed from his chest, but the shock was too great
and the morning of the eleventh, he passed away. Before his
death, he knew that "Little Al" was gone, and this
seemed to worry and distress him considerably, as he often
mentioned the fact.
His body was taken to the little cemetery on the beautiful, green
hillside, overlooking the town, where amid full military honors
he was laid to rest until the end of the strife. It is said by
his attendants at the hospital, that his dying words were of home
and mother, which goes to remind us of his unfailing devotion to
his best friend on earth - "mother." From boyhood, his
greatest thought was of her. "For greater love hath no man
than he that he lay down his life --." He is survived by a
host of friends, a mother, Mrs. Effie Butler, of Sutherland, and
a brother, Dr. Albert J. Butler, of Prentice, Wis.
"It is hard for us to give him up as a comrade, and I am
sure it is harder for you to give him up as a mother." -
Extract from a letter from Chaplain Robb to Mrs. Butler
Sleep comrade, sleep and rest
On this Field of the Grounded Arms,
Where the foe no more molests,
Nor sentry's shot alarms!
Ye have slept on the ground before,
And started to your feet
At the cannon's sudden roar,
Or the drum's redoubling beat.
But in this camp of death
No sound your slumber breaks;
Here is no fevered breath,
No wound that bleeds and aches.
All is repose and peace,
Untrampled lies the sod;
The shouts of battle cease,
It is the truce of God.
Rest comrade, rest and sleep!
The tho'ts of men shall be
As sentinels to keep
Your rest from danger free.
Your silent tents of green
We'll deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Card of Thanks
We desire to express our heartfelt appreciation to our many
friends and relatives, and especially to the American Legion boys
and the Women's Auxiliary, for their many acts of kindness and
kindly expressions of sympathy, at the time of the arrival and
funeral of our dear beloved son and brother, Ted. We also wish to
thank those who gave the beautiful floral tributes.
Mrs. Effie Butler
Dr. A. J. Butler
p 6 col 4
Summerbell - Anderson
The marriage of Miss Gladys Summerbell of this place, and Miss
Adalia E. Anderson of Spencer, will be solemnized today
(Thursday) at the Congregational church in Sioux City. [sic -
surely this should be Mr. Adlai Anderson and not Miss Adalia]
The bride, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Summerbell, was born
and raised in Peterson and has hosts of friends here. For some
time he has been employed in the Farmers Trust and Savings Bank
of Spencer in the capacity of Assistant Cashier and has given her
employers the best of satisfaction.
The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Anderson, formerly of
Mitchell, S.Dak., but now of Spencer. He is an ex-service man,
having enlisted at Minneapolis, April 21, 1921 [ sic - per 1917
date below, this cannot be correct], while a junior at South
Dakota State College. May 12th, 1917, entered first officers'
training camp at Ft. Snelling, Minn., he was commissioned second
lieutenant Cavalry U. S. A., August 15th, 1917, and was sent to
Camp Dodge, Iowa, for duty with the 350th Infantry. On August
24th, 1918, he received a commission of first lieutenant of
infantry U. S.A., and from September 1918 to February 1919 was a
member of the 55th Division Machine Gun division. He is now
employed by the lumber firm of Schoeneman Bros. at Spencer.
The young couple will spend a short honeymoon in Denver and will
later be at home to their friends in Spencer.- Peterson
Patriot
[transcribed by A.N., December 2011]