The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1918-09-12
DEHAVEN WAR
HERO, DIED
CALAMITY
Y. M. G. A. Worker Writes
to Widow at Boise, of
Circumstances.

At last relatives and friends of Ern-
est DeHaven have received informa-
ton regarding his death from wounds
received on the battle front in France
on the 10th of July. About three weeks
ago James DeHaven, father of the boy.
received a telegram from his daughter
at Boise stating that Ernest had died
in France from wounds received In bat
tie The message did not purport to
come from the war department and Mr.
DeHaven was 10th to place and con-
hdence in the report and continued to
hope that his son was still alive. The
message received here last week to the
effect that Ernest was well was soon
followed by a letter from relatives at
Boise conveying the news that the
widow had received official notice from
the war department or the death of
her husband. A Y. NJ G. A. worker,
VIM. A. Crozier, with whom Ernest
had become acquainted, has written
Mrs. DeHaven regarding the circum-
stances Of his death. The letter fol-
lows:
Paris, France, July 81.
MY Dear Mrs. DeHaven Il sup
pose by this time you have received
from the government official MITIGATION
of your husbands death. AS / was
with him number of times after his
injury and at the time of his decease.
felt you would like to know some
thing of his going
Il was in Y. NJ. c. A work in an
other sector when | met your husband
1t was in April that | first came to
know him, and he was, after the duties
Of the day. helping my predecessors in
Y. nj. c. A. work. Naturally when l
took over the work at that place, he
continued helping and soon we grew
to be warm friends and l admired his
sterling qualities and trusted him in
every way. After a month he was
called back to join his outfit and l had
not heard from him after he changed
localities, but often wondered where
he was. Later l moved to a new sec
tor and after a few days decided to
visit hospital in the town You may
imagine my surprise when 1 found
your husband was there and had been
for a week or more. He first discov-
cred me, for he heard my voice and
called to me. He had been severely
injured by an exploding shell about
July i or 2. The doctors did all in
their power for him. and his own won
derful grit and courage kept him fight
ing to the end. vet he was no able t.
regain his strength, and he passed
away peacefully on Friday, July 10,
at II 80 a. IN.
Il visited him frequently, and be-
lieve me- | was able to comfort him
somewhat and get him the little ex-
tras which are the privilege of friend
ship.
HE spoke often of his home and
you and made noble effort to come
back to you. but somehow God al
lowed it to he otherwise ami he sub
mitted graciously. like the fine chap
he was He had. during his illness
and injury, thought of many things
and had come to clear fellowship
with God You would not have it
otherwise had you been here, and
while | realize how hard it is to give
up those we love, yet it is often best
that they should go. l pray His
blessing upon you. Your husband
was one of the war heroes, and he
is now safe from all harm. Perhaps
you would like to read the 14th chap
ter of John. 1t was the last / read
to your husband.
with deep sympathy and always
to interest myself III your welfare
sincerely"