The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-11-21
Number 20
Death of Otis Crooks
Newberry Herald and News.

NlIS. L. VI. MCSuilOuRl Oh lfllS ClLy
received the sad intelligence Friday
afternoon, November l, that her
brother Otis had died of pneumonia in
French hospital He had been dead
one month to the day before the dis
tressing news reached his relatives
here, having died the first of October.
Otis Lawton Crooks was the son of
MIR. and Mrs. j. l.. Croaks Of the
Broad river section, and was in the
Gath year Of his age. He left New
, berry the latter part of last July and
went overseas as q member of the 54th
Pioneer Infantry. He died for his
country, making supreme sacrifice as
Il brave soldier who was willing to risk
his life in defense of America and the
nations associated with her in the great
struggle for freedom. Otis was an ex-
ceptionally affectionate son and brother.
who was greatly loved in return by all
the members of the family for the rich
love he bestowed on each. This char
acteristic bespoke the nobility of his
ter above mentioned he leaves other
relatives, among them being First
! Lieutenant w. T.. Crooks Of the medi.
cal corps of the u. S. navy, who is now
with the u. S. S. Dixie. He also leaves
a faithful sweetheart miss Elma,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs j. H. Clay
ton, of Liberty, S. C.) who was en-
gagged to be married to him on his re-
turn. Much sympathy is expressed for
them in their bitter grief for the loved
one dying far from home without the
tender care of mother, father, sister,
brother or sweetheart; all the more bit
ter from the fact that he was dead and
buried month before they knew that
he had died for them; for in that sad
month, had they but known, tears
would have taken the place of the gay
laughter that was in the eye and the
light words would not have been spoken
by lips which then would have been
only ready for the cry drawn in agony
from the pierced heart
Gust before sailing overseas.)
Ode to My Sweetheart.
Since now the hour is come at last
When you and must part;
Since now our dream of bliss is past
1t cuts me to the heart.
| On! may we part to meet again
/ This side the distant shore;
! For then | shall have lived in vain
! If you | see no more e.
f! Well, we have passed some happy
| hours.
! Their memories are SO sweet;
If God will only spare your life
My JOY will be complete.
For thus my eyes are dimmed with
Because ] did love you;
And will thru all the coming years,
On God! the fondest one, adiue
written, after landing in France, to
0. L.. C.)
II is the dusk Of the evening.
III breathe IA heartfelt prayer
And invoke the blessings Of heaven
On my sweetheart "Over There
For faster than letter or cable
Our thoughts and our prayers can
meet;
And how much it means to each other.
think it is wondrously sweet.
thank God for loves winged power
That's waited on the breeze:
And to you my love is extended
And will follow you across the seas.
could spend my time in weeping,
And mourning and longing for YOU:
Bat | must be little patriot
And keep on the defensive, too.
Now, dear, leave you to ponder
And weigh this in your mind
For my love for you is greater
Than any Of its kind.
f, Now twilight is fast approaching,
I Daylight fading away;
My thoughts are growing sweeter.
! Thus ends this perfect day.
written after the death of her sweet
4 hearty
Farewell until we meet again
Beyond the portal bars;
Our wedding will take place in heavenly
Above the shining stars.
Wen live forever with the angels
NO sorrow we shall know:
Our home in heaven will finer be
Than any here below.
SO help me, God, to walk with Thee,