Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-11-13
ON THEALTAR OF COUNTRY
VERNON COUNTY SOLDIERS DIE
ON FRENCH SOIL
Towns of jefferson and Clinton Grieve
for Their Patriots Who Respond
90 Last Taps

supreme SACRIFICE Oh lOESlSu SUI anu
in environments at home. The latest
are two of our best young soldiers.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gilbert C. Olson of
Esofea, without knowledge that he was
i'll, received a letter telling them of
the death of their son, Clarence Gar
field Olson, aged "a years, born on
the home farm at Esofea. He left
here with the second Vernon county
consignment of soldiers in September,
1917, and was retained at Camp Grant
as a drill master till about six weeks
ago, arriving in France early in Sep
TENDER. His last and only letter from
overseas was dated September %.
which was in happy and contented
vein. The shock to Mr.. and Mrs. Oh
son and their neighbors is a severe
one. Carl was a strong young fellow
in body and mind, respected and liked.
The Lieutenant's SorrowfuI Letter
France, October 5, 1918.
My Dear Mrs. Olson: 1t is with the great
est regret and deepest feelings of sympathy
that have to rte you of the deEth Of your
son, Corporal Clarence G.. OlsOn, of the Ma
chine Gun Co. 3List Infantry. Corporal 0lsGn
died yesterday morning at about 10 O'Clock Of
pneumonia, brought by a bad cold and
attack of Spanish influenza, mere Familiarity
known in the United States as grippe lie
h&d Eeen Ill Tor about nve days. Dut lbs case
was not considered serious until about twenty
four hours previous 70 mis- death, when pneu-
monia developed accompanied by high fever.
It became necessary TO remove him from the
hospital at this place to another about seven
miles away, in order to provide better facli-
titles for Eis care, but he died just he was
into the hospital. ] am glad to be able TO
say that he received the very best of care pos
sibie under present conditions. during his ILL
ness. This | know. for l visited him several
Nh he ua IA A. 10
it that he was >made as comfortable as vas
possible | was not with him at the moment
of his death, but Chaplain Karl Miller of this
regiment was, and has no doubt also written
ycu.
Corporal Olson was buried with full military
hOnOrs, Chaplain Miller conducting the fun
eral services, assisted by the band of this reg
iment, and a company Of Infantry forming
the funeral escort. His remsinE laid
away 10 rest in an American military cemetery
about twenty-five miles from his former place
of duty. / regret that / am forbidden BY the
orders of censorship 90 give the exact location
of the cemetery However, the grave is Of
course accurately located by records row in
the hands of military authorities. You will
receive this information by application TO the
my understanding that his remdin3 viii later
be removed to the United States for perma-
nent burial.
Again, L wish to assure you. Mrs. Olson.
that yOur son who as truly sacrificed his life
TO his country as though he were in the front
line trenches, which he was never destined TO
iigiOu3 ceremony which is possible for civ
ilized nation TO offer to its dead, and his last
moments were made easier by the presence
of protestant chaplain
1t was my pleasure to have Corporal Olson
in my platoon for nearly the entire length Of
service in the army. / always knew him as
fine man, with highest ideals and great en-
thusiasm for his work during his hours Of
duty. | think it likely that his unwillingness
to surrender his duties, even when physically
exhausted, by the long trip across the ocean,
in order to go TO the hospital and thus re-
main absent from his company and his work
even for short time weakened him physically
and perhaps decreased his chances Of recOv-
cry. lie was ore of the best commits
siered efscers i the company ard We all exc
pected great things of him on his field Of bat
tle
Again wish to express to you. Mrs. Olson
my deepest sympathy and assure you that if
can be of any sery4r- TO you in any way,
either hereafter, in your bereavement,
it is my greatest wish that you will call upon
me, always at your service.
Sincerely yours,
STUART M. SHOTWELL,
Second Lieutenant, 34lst, Infantry, Com
manding Machine Gun Company.
AMONG THE PRECIOUS DEAD
The Cashton Record gives facts
concerning a town of Clinton soldier
death:
Pearl Mcdaniel of the town of Clinton.
passed away few days ago just after reach
ing France. He contracted influenza board
ire transport ana shortly atter arriving pneu-
monia set in and nothing could be done to
save his life. The deceased leaves a young
wife and baby about four weeks old, which
he had never seen. His father, James Nc
Daniel, is soldier of the Civil and the
sad death of his falls heavily upon him
in his declining years. Pearl leaves several
sisters and brothers. His mother died many
years ago.
ed ones and went forth to give his life for
Mr. Mcdaniel left his happy home and low
any an f manu- "''' more ''''' ''N S>As' u
Clarence Howard, son of James
Hanson, of Ferryville section, died in
Camp Shelby, Mississippi, where he
went ten days previous. Funeral was
largely attended at Freeman church
last Sunday, conducted by Pastor Fin
stad. This soldier boy was 81 years
old.
A second sad blow comes to the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. ]. II. McDon-
aid of this village, in the shape Of a
telegram from the adjutant general
at Washington, telling of the death in
France, from influenza, of another
brother of Mrs. Mcdonald, namely,
Ulysses Smith who lately went over,
making a second brother to be claim
ed by the epidemic within the week.
Mrs. McDWald's parental famiiy, too,
are also I'll Frustrated with the dis
ease at their home in Belle Center
DeSot Argus.