October 1918
The Boys Are Writing Letters from the Barber County boys who were in the big battle in France on September 12th and survived, are arriving daily. Recent ones heard from are William Mader, Chester Hagerman, Milton Case and L.H. Sommer. Mr. Mader was wounded in the leg quite seriously by shrapnel but not critically. He was close to Willis Nixon who was fatally wounded and died a short time afterwards. The letter indicates that William remained with his young comrade until death relieved him of his suffering. The other Barber county boys, excepting Clark Reeves, who also lost his life, went through the big fight without being injured, so far as heard from, but they all report very thrilling experiences. -- Barber County Index, October 1918.
Courtesy of Jim Giles. (Jim notes: William Mader is my other uncle who was over there with my uncle Chester Hagerman, in fact in the same Infantry except different companies.)
SOLDIER'S LETTERS: Letter from Chester Hagerman, dated 10 Sept 1918, Barber County Index, October 23, 1918.
Barber County Index, October 16, 1918. Lieutenant Known Here
In a recent list of casualties appears the name of Lieutenant Wendell Hay killed in action in France. Lieutenant Hay was well known here and in the Sharon vicinity. He was employed by M. P. DeWitt on his farm near Sharon about ten months a few years ago and was admired by all who knew him. He was an industrious, upright young man and had all the qualifications of a good soldier and citizen.
His home was at Elgin, Illinois. He entered the service in April, 1917, with the National Guards.
-- Contributed by Shirley Brier.
Barber County Index, October 16, 1918. Died in Camp
News was received here Monday morning of the death of Elmer Moss, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Moss, at Camp Funston on Sunday. He died of Spanish Influenza. Elmer was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Moss but had never resided here. He was employed in Wichita before going into the service.
The family have the sympathy of their friends in this sudden sorrow.
-- Contributed by Shirley Brier.
Barber County Index, October 23, 1918. Somewhere in France,
Sept. 30, 1918.Dear Mother:
I am well at the present and hope this finds you all the same. Well I am in the front and can hear the big shells go drifting by every day. I got my bed in a side of a hill and it is a good place to sleep, but of course I have had a better place than this but this is good enough for these times. This is the darndest place for rain I ever saw in my life and mud knee deep.
Goodbye to all, Write soon.
GEORGE HOGARTH.
-- Contributed by Shirley Brier.
Barber County Index, October 30, 1918. Geo. Fitzgerald in U. S.
Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Fitzgerald of Nippawalla township received the glad tidings last week of the landing of their son, George, at New York. H is receiving treatment in a hospital in Virginia. George has been wounded in battle twice and was very near death's door. He was returned to America with other wounded soldiers whose condition is such as to make the period of treatment quite long.
George will probably be in the hospital for some time but his recovery seems sure. When he finally returns to old Barber county he will receive a joyous welcome.
-- Contributed by Shirley Brier.
Barber County Index, December 4, 1918. Sergeant Gilham Wounded in Action
Sergeant Charles B. Gilham was wounded in action in France October 28th. His wound is in the left hand, degree undetermined. Sergeant Gilham is a son-in-law of J. _. Thomas. Mrs. Gilham received the news in a letter from her husband on Saturday. Sergeant Gilham is now in an army hospital.
Sergeant Gilham closed his letter by saying that he hoped to get back with the boys in a few weeks. From that it is inferred that the wound is not of critical nature.
We earnestly hope that the complete use of his hand will be restored.
-- Contributed by Shirley Brier.