South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-24
URGES CHILDREN
TO Do THEIR BEST
Mother of Seven Soldiers
Writes Inspiring Letter TO
Only Daughter not Serving.

CLEVELAND. o.. May "A - The
letter OF patriotic American
mother has just been made public
here because OF the inspiration It
contains. Sentiments Of greater
sacrifice have not been uttered since
the war began. The letter was writ
ten by Mrs Katherine O'Brien OF
New York city. 10 a daughter. Mrs.
Grace McCutcheon. OF Cleveland.
Mrs. O'Brien sent five sons TO
France. two Of whom have given up
their lives a sixth has just enlist
ed; a daughter has lost a hand while
acting as q Red Cross nurse on the
battlefield. and another daughter is
training for the Red Cross.
Mrs McCutcheon. the third daugh-
ter. obtained employment in a store
here when her husband left for avia-
ton service in France. The letter
follows.
Ny darling daughter:
Just wired your sister and you
- your brother Thomas Death.
which know will undoubtedly upset
YOU a great deal. But. my dear, YOU
must not let 1t worry you. Just
think as / do. it was the will of our
Father In heaven and that our cause
is noble one and that We cannot
give too mitch. Where we love and
live We must be willing TO sacrifice
in all that we can.
My dear, the loss OF Larry was
hard for me, as he was the first TO
20, and in less than four months to
lose our other boy is a great deal.
But / have only one regret-that 1
have not more sons to give.
Paul went down this afternoon
10 enlist. / did not want him 10 go
Just now, as ne is too young, but
pray for him and ask. the Lord to
give me strength 10 go to him and
say, My son, want you to go and
do just as your mother has done
and. If God wills. give every drop of
blood for a cause that ] will feel
proud Of.
My dear. / do not want you to
wait any longer but go and do your
dtuy, as they need you over there
for the sake Of your three other
brothers and the one to go. Also
think Of your husband. for you
may be able 10 see them all.
IL il were possible for me TO give
a helping hand at the cost of my
life I would do so. We give all our
time to the Red Cross, hardly take
time to eat. And I know that you
are doing your share. You say you
are working at the William Taylor
Son & Co. and ) hope with what
you earn and can spare you are
buying bonds.
You say YOU just got your third
one. That is not enough. When
you answer this Letter write and say
you got the extra one and say you
also are on your way over there TO
help those you can. Florence is
taking a short course at Roosevelt
hospital and Will go over as soon as
she can.
Understand me, daughter! Do
your bit in everything Let nothing
go by you where you are not a help
er in. / do not want you to grieve
over your brothers but be thankful
YOU have had so many to give Also
think of the sister YOU have over
there. At what a price she is
there!
80 do not let your mother-oId
and gray-plead with you 10 go il
YOU are able. but go, On God grant
that you, too. will be able 20 get
YOUR heart and soul into this ana
have me the proudest mother in this
land OF all lands.
we are sad now but in my heart
7 am more than glad TO know my
lads are the SraveSt boys in New
York
BE like your mother. Do give
and sacrifice all taht is in you. Be a
bright an dsweet girl and do your
best DO not worry over il, but buy
lother bond and do it now.
Father had an operation Tuesday
and we have not told him Of Thorn
as death. With love and sincere
wishes, Your loving.
MOTHER. %