Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-11-21
AS | Knew Him.

As | Knew Him.
Since the news of Russell Riggs
death came to us many beautiful
thoughts have been expressed con-
cerniug the Acroism attached TO the
mahing OF this supreme sacrifice and
surely We should praise and honor
uim tor giving himself tor us and for
humanity.
But my mind waaGcrs back 20 Rus
sell, the high school boy, possessing
then IS now, those traits Of character
thai made CT him the leader Of his
fellows. Coming to Ironton III the
fall Of 1915, my attention was early
directed to Russell, then a youth OF
sixteen years, as the one to whom
both boys and girls turned III matter
Of decision. We're q proposition
presented to the student body, in
rariabIy his attitude, though seeming
~ IN ~unassuming one, decided the
issue.
When the athletic association was
organized there seemed not a ques-
ton in the minds of the boys but that
Russell should be given the captainey.
When he went On the field and played
a good game, as he usually did, his
comrades covered him with glory and
held him "A prince of players. But If,
perchance, be were bested in the
game, they shielded him and without
question, attributed his defeat to foul
play of his opponent and not inferior
sportmanship.
In dramatic work we found him
equally loyal and efficient. Ready to
lend a hand and to fit into any char
acterization that presented itself,
playing with equal efficiency any part
from that of the Beau Brummei of a
modern society play to Tony Lump
kin, the fool, in "She Stoops to Con-
quer.'
In the enthusiasm preceding the
construction of your present high
school building no boy worked more
tenaciously than Russell. At6 O'Clock
when victory was proclaimed it seem
ed only fitting that he should lead the
flock in a celebration and that hls
voice should sound above the Others
and that he should pound bis pa!
with Just q little more vigor than die
his comrades.
Go with me then to his home ant
see him there associated with his i'm
mediate family, the help about TIT
Home, and best OF all with 25 or 3
old people ranging in years from 80 Il
s0--nonstantly joking, teasing ant
tormen:ing the entire force but in
way that good will had to reign an
make of him q general favorite wit
them all. One dear old lady Of S
years, when news of victory reache
US last Friday, put her arms about m
. and with streaming eyes said, so, "
are SO happy, and still so sad becaus
our boy can't come back"
!: Those OF you who knew Russell bel
. will remember that his leadership !
FRANKS, fun and school-boy misdt
meators stood out as did his leader
ship in other lines. Bubbling owe
with mischief and the exuberance an
activity that 60 with the adolesce'
he frequently erred. But his mistake
were to me purely mistakes OF judt
!! ment and youth and never wiltu
z Tho sweetest remembrances l la,
:. of Russell are the heart to heart tall
!: have had with him when | have trit
!: to show and lead lis energy In VIII
I: seemed to me the right channel.
4; successful in leading him to an unde
y: standing, a more submissive, repen
ant and appreciative boy could n
n be found. And AZ hc has so Oft
q. looked up at me with those earnc'
:E frank and genial eyes and said, mi