The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-13
HEROIC PRIEST SAID
HE FELT END NEAR
Letter From First U. s. Catho-
lie Chaplain Killed in War
Comforts Mother.
CAPTAIN BAKER is DEAD
wounded, Don't Worry Mes
sage Sent by Capt. .Harri-
gan, Former Actor.
CAPTAIN BAKER Is DEAD


and with the roar OF cannon in his ears
Chaplain Edward J. wallace. former as
.sIstant post chaplain ut Fort Hamilton.
had a premonition Of death and wrote
a letter to his mother, Mrs. Mary Wal
lace Of 1866 Dean street. Brooklyn.
which he mailed to the Rev. John Long
with instructions to deliver II IL he
should be killed. "As write these lines"
he said In the letter, Il am under or
ders to 60 to the danger zone and want
you to know that my thoughts and feel
ings are of you and that dearest spot on
earth called home. have recommend
ed myself to the sacred heart OF Jesus,
which has been my greatest comfort and
consolst ton all through life. - have
found a refuge Of consolation in His d.
vine heart in life and I have the same
hope that He will grant me an eternal
refuge in the sacred heart In Heaven.
IF God do will, dearest mother and
Mary, that should be called home to
Him do not grieve for me nor murmur
against His holy win. Remember He
gave me to you and has an absolute
right to call me when and where II may
please Him. One could not fall In a
more beautiful cause than to die for my
God and my country. A. write I can
hear and see the glare Of the cannon.
Yet have no fear, since God 10 my pro-
tector. I have already told you
of my love for my regiment and my
work among my soldier boys. They
have been a comfort and consolation to
me- can't tell you too much of what
splendid fellows they are. and know
they will DO a credit to their church and
country"
Poisoned Gas Killed Priest.
Chaplain Wallace died Of gas. which
he inhaled while ministering to the
American wounded on the battlefield. He
was the first American Catholic chap
lain to be killed in France. His rank
was that Of First Lieutenant Chaplain
Wallace was the first priest OF the
Brooklyn diocese to receive his commits
sion. Before entering the service he
was assistant rector of st. Patrick's
Church at Fort Hamilton. He was born
1t Haydenville, Mass. on April II. 1885.
He was ordained for the priesthood at
st. Johns College, Brooklyn. June 1,
1912. His first assignment was to St.
Anthony's Church. Greenpoint, as an as
sistant to the Right Rev. Mgr. OHare.
After three years he was transferred to
81. Raphael's Church, Blissville, sQd
later to st. Patrick's Church at Fort
Hamilton. where. acting as chaplain at
Fort Hamilton. he saw the great need
Of Catholic chaplains in the army and
navy.
Capt Charles d. Baker, Company E.
fs5th Infantry. who held a commission
in the Sixty-ninth Regiment even before
Il became the 165th, Is dead OF wounds
received In action. He was twice hon.
ored for gallantry. He was decorated
with the Croix de Guerre for gallantry
and conduct at the battle Of the Ourca.
where, although his ear drum was pune
tured and he was suffering excruciatlng
pain. he led his men across the river and
placed his forces with such sound Judg-
mont tina. he won special commentator.
Capt. Baker was also commended by the
United States Navy Department for per-
sonal bravery on the transport In the
voyage across the Atlantic. Something
cracked In the engine room of the trans
port and piece of machinery loosened
plate below the water line. The pumps
were helpless against the leak and the
water rose to the level of the deck on
which 100 mules were stabbed. At the
risk OF his own life Capt. Baker devised
. plan which enabled repairs to be made.
Capt Baker was the son OF Stephen
Baker Of 8 East Seventy fifth street He
was graduated from Hill School and from
Princeton University. He was formerly
cashier of the Bank of the Manhattan
Company. Services in his honor will be
held next Wednesday at st. James's
Episcopal Church, Seventy-hrst street
and Madison avenue.
Ned Harrigan's Son wounded.
Mrs. William D. Harrigan Of a West
Forty sixth street, Manhattan. has heard
that her husband. Capt. William d. Har-
rigan. formerly an actor. has been
wounded. Wounded. Don't worry"
was the message she received from her
husband. who. II is believed, was a MEM
Der OF the battalion under command OF
Major Whittlesey which was rescued af-
ter being surrounded for five days In the
Argonne Forest. He Is the son OF the
late Edward Harrigan.
Lieut. Benjamin Redman. a Columbia
University student. a member OF tho
British Royal Flying Corps. had a mi
racuious escape in a drop from the sky
while doing scout duty over the German
lines in northern France.
Lieut. Bedell Neubert, who had been
training in aviation in France for about
q year. 10 reported to have died of
wounds received in an airplane accident.
The War Department advises his mother.
who lives at 351 West 114th street, that
his death occurred on September s.
Lieut.. J. Arthur Toole. 20. an Ameri-
can aviator. has been missing since Sep
TENDER ~, according to advices which
have been received by his father. John
J. O'Toole OF 625 Pavonia avenue, Jersey
City.
Sergeant James II. Ames Of COZ East
ern Parkway. Brooklyn. Company d,
S07th Infantry, died September 9, a short
time after he had been cited for con-
spIcuous bravery In general orders for
distinguishing himself by covering the