Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-30
The remains of Corporal Sigvart

Y
Tolstad, who passed away at Fort
Bliss, Texas, Monday, Jan. p, arriv-
ed in DEBORAH last Thursday night,
accompanied by the bereaved father
who went to Fort Bliss when he re-
ceived news of the illness of his son,
who passed away after five days ill
ness from pneumonia. The father ar
rived at Fort Bliss at seven o'clock
in the evening and the son passed
away at four o'clock that morning.
Sigvart was born in DEBORAH, Aug.
16, 1896, a-so1 of Olaf and Ragna
Tolstad, and DEBORAH had always
been his home.
When the call for volunteers came
at the beginning of the war he was
one of the first to offer his services
and enlisted early. He had been sta
toned at Fort Bliss, Texas, practical
ly all the time, and had developed in
to one of the best soldiers at this
camp. He was a member OF Troop G,
eth U. S. Cavalary. His captain told
Eigvart's father that he was one of
the best soldiers in the troop and
was one man out of SO he hated to
see go. He was one of the best riders
in the company and crack shot and
won quite a few medals. He rode a
dark bay horse and one of the best
animals in the company. That he was
one of Uncle Sans best men is a
source of satisfaction, not only to his
| father but to all his friends here. He
was always a fearless young fellow,
and when he was put to the test he
was not found wanting.
All the memberSof his company
turned out when the body was taken
to the train at Fort Bliss. His horse
was led behind the funeral car, with
his gun and sword tied on the saddle.
The horse was led by Private OTIS
Aim, DEBORAH soldier boy, son of Mr..
and Mrs. Chris Aim. Robert Reming-
ton, another DEBORAH soldier boy was
one of the pail bearers. The process
sion was big one and fine tribute
was paid their departed comrade by
the members of his troop
The remains arrived here Thursday
night and were taken to the under
Iii ri nf o.
the funeral was held Sunday after
noon from the Norwegian church.,
Rev. o. Glesne officiating. The re-
mains were escorted to the church by
the DEBORAH Merchants Band, who
were preceded by Major L. l.. Cad
well, as flag bearer, and three SOL
diers IL uniform, Captain A. J. Swe-
zey, AID Lieutenants Drs. c. P. Wilson
and Kinley Orr. Then came Mayor E.
j. Hook, members of the City Coun-
ell AID Rescue Hose Co. No. /. The
pail bearers were Messrs. Raymond
Hjerleid, Harold Mckinney, Claire
Mckinney, Emmett Hoare, Gilbert
Business and Al Anderson. They walk
ed along side of the hearse three on
either side.
When the remains arrived in the
church the band played an appropri-
ate piece and the choir sang, after
which the pastor delivered a very
fine sermon and paid a glowing tri-
butte to the departed soldier boy.
Mayor Hook, on behalf Of tAe city,
also spoke, and paid another fine tri-
butte. The funeral was perhaps the
largest ever held here, as nearly one
thousand people were in attendance,
and passed through the church and
viewed the remains. Many were I'M
able to gain admission and stood on
the outside.
The floral offerings were many and
beautiful. The remains were placed in
the vault at the Norwegian cemetery.
The deceased is survived by the be-
reaved father and five sisters, Mrs.
Ida Espe, Ruby. Gerda, Anna, and
Hazel, and they have the sympathy
of many friends here in the loss of
this fine young son and brother.
| -O-----