Corp. Earl T. Conaway
FUNERAL HELD AT THE PARK
LARGE CROWD GATHERED TO HONOR WORLD WAR HERO, CORP. E. T. CONAWAY
With nature cooperating with one of those ideal autumn days, a large number of friends gathered in the park on Sunday afternoon to pay a tribute to the memory of Corp. Earl T. Conaway, one of the Sanborn men who served in the 168th Infantry of the Rainbow Division and who made the sacrifice o his life in action on October 14, 1918, in France.
It had been planned to hold the exercises in the opera house, but when the day dawned bright and warm those in charge deemed it better to hold them out of doors. It was a fortunate arrangement, too, for not one-third of the crowd could have been accommodated at the opera house.
Conaway's body arrived in Sanborn on Saturday morning in charge of Private Francis Biggett, who is stationed at Fort Des Moines.
The number who turned out has been variously estimated at from 1,500 to 2.500, and it is safe to say that nearly 2,000 gathered at the park.
The procession formed in front of the Enenbach undertaking parlors and proceeded to the park, where the casket was placed in front of a bank of beautiful flowers presented by the various organizations, business men and individuals.
The pall bearers were E.W. Mayne, GLenn Watters, Will DeGooyer, Lloyd McDonald, A.W. Parker and V.G. Powers and following them in the procession came the firing squad and a company of ex-servicemen in uniform under command of R.E. Colvin, commander of the American Legion Post, following them care the Ladies Auxiliary, the G.A.R. and W.R.C. who were given places of honor near the speakers stand.
The services were opened with the singing of "Resting Today" by a mixed quartet composed of Mrs. E.W. Mayne, Mrs. C.D. Barber, Rev. J..S. Swank and C.D. Barber. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr. Swenk. Miss Irene Johnston sand "One Sweetly Solemn Thought," after which Rev. .L. Shroyer delivered as eulogistic address on the service of the decedent and his comrades in the great conflict. Following that address, Commander Colvin closed the service with the ritual of the American Legion. A large number in autos followed the remains to the Primghar cemetery, where Earl T. Conaway now rests beside his wife and baby.
At the grave the ritual service of the American Legion was carried out and a firing squad fired a salute of 3 volleys. Rollin McDonald, an ex-service bugler, sounded "Taps."
Relatives from out o town who came to attend the funeral were a brother, Charles Conaway, of Sutherland, and cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Dunn and Miss Rose Wadell, of Cherokee, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Arnold and Mrs. Bussesy and son of Storm Lake.
From The Sanborn Pioneer October 19, 1921
