The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1917-06-28
RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM
Dead Marine Is Eu1ogized in Funeral
Grafton by Father Nickel and Carried
to His Grave by Officers and Pri-
Yates of Local Infantry Company.
(From Wednesdays Daily

FROM wednesday IS daily
Under crucifx and the HStars and
Stripes" Alloys F. Gross was buried
from st. Georges Church this morn
ing with patriotic and religious cere-
monies appropriate to the nature of his
life and the manner Of his death. Flags
flashing in the Pickering lights Of can
dies, and brilliant against the sombre
coloring Of the sanctuary, furnished a
fitting setting for the last rites for one
who had lost his life in the service of
his country. The requiem high mass
was sung with a reverence and fervor
which made deep impression upon the
large audience of soldiers and friends,
who were present to pay their last re-
spects to the dead marine.
To the strains of solemn music, issu-
ing from the pipes of organs and the
Threats of choir boys, the remains Of
the young patriot were borne to the
chancel rail by his comrades in arms,
Captain Ed. Dayton, Lieutenant Fran
els Singer, James McGinn, Joseph
Mayer, Lawrence Mellsbusch and
Sheridan Gallagher. The pail bearers
were dressed in the khaki uniform of
the United States army and so gave
a military touch to the funeral services
which followed AS soon as the coffin
had been placed in position before the
sanctuary the soldiers took the seats
reserved for them in the front of the
church while the priests and acolytes
began the last services for the dead.
After the usual ceremonies had been
performed, Rev. A. J. Nickel delivered
a masterful funeral Grafton over the
body of the young soldier. Taking as
his text the words of Jacob, "Bury
me with my fathers he explained
that this had probably been the desire
of Alloys F. Gross, and that for this
reason his body had been brought from
Panama to be laid among his friends
in the holy ground of st. George $
cemetery. "He served his country
even unto death" the Father declared
with solemnity, "and she reciprocated
by wrapping his body in the Stars and
Stripes and sending it back for burial
among his family and his friends. His
life was an exemplifcation of the prin-
ciples of sacrifice and service, which
are the very essence Of religion and
patriotism. He died beneath a flag
which symbolizes the red blood of
heroes, the blue beauty of eternal
truth, and the white purity of the
Christian religion. He served his
country and his friends and for this
reason Kenosha welcomes her fallen
soldier-boy with honor and with pride. y
Father Nickel concluded his address
with an appropriate allusion to the
doctrine of the atonement which gives
promise of life and Immortality
to those who, like Alloys Gross,
have given their lives in the service
of country and mankind.
Following this inspiring eulogy, the
body of the dead patriot was carried
from the church with the customary
rites and taken to ST. Georges GENE
terry for interment. Here, as at the
funeral, soldiers in khaki assisted in
the last ceremonies for one, who, like
themselves, had heard the call of
country and responded with his life.
Burial was made in the family plat and
the floral offerings which covered the
grave spoke eloquently of the gratitude
of an appreciative family and friends,
Marine Gross was drowned while in
the service of the United States gov
eminent near Colon in Panama. Al
though only seventeen months in the
marine corps he had already been adj
vaced to the position of head of the
signal corps and was in line for still
further promotion. He has several
times been warmly commended by his
general and this is ample justification
for the high honors paid him in the
funeral of this morning. He was
patriotic and self sacrificing and con-
sequently thoroughly deserving of the
religious and military burial which
he received.