The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-11-06
MAJOR FL. SHUMAN DEAD IN
FRANCE; BROTHER OFFICER is
FIRST TO BREAK THE SAD NEWS
Letter From Captain in Deceased's Battalion
Brings Terrible Tidings to Widow of Prom
inent Telephone FIX ecutive.

| Bismarck was daZed this morning
| by news Of the death in France more
than two weeks ago Of Major f. L..
Shuman, former district manager of
the North Dakota Independent Tele-
phone Co.. and one of the capital
city's best known leaders ii CONNER
| cial and community develO1ment.
These tidings came in letter receiv-
ed by Mrs. F. L. Shuman from Capt.
Donald B. Robinson, who wrote to ex-
tend the sympathy of brother Off
/ GERS OF the deceased, under the i'm
preston that Mrs. Shuman already
had been advised Of her bereavement
| by the war department. No notice Of
any kind, indicating That Major shu-
man was even Ill, has yet come from
the war department:
Capt. RobinsOn's letter written with
the American Expeditionary force in
France on October 20, follows j..
! Dear Mrs. Shuman: BY the time
you get this letter, you will no doubt
have had news from Washington or
the cable sent to the majors brother
at Camp Devens..- wish to express
my sincere sympathy for you in your
trouble. 1t was quite a blow to us,
and we feel the loss of very good
friend. '-3s.&
81 know you will want to hear the
details, so am writing them in hopes
it will help you to know that every
thing was done that could be done,
and that the services were very beau
tiful The major was taken to the
hospital a, week ago today with a
case of pneumonia, and was getting
fo1o ,b1v, 90 I'M Il ha
was not, strong enough to stand it.
We received notice of his death yes
terday afternoon, and the funeral was
at this afternoon. He was buried in
the military cemetery at town about
l6 miles away. The staff, a rifle
company, band and the signal battal-
ion were there. Many beautiful flow
ers were presented, and the body
buried with military 4honors. ...,
1 !. ''His personal effects are packed and
will go to the headquarters, American
! E. f.. where they will be forwarded
to you. wish to express the sym
pathy of the officers and men of the
battalion, and we know how we will
miss him., as he was the friend Of
every officer and of every man under
his command. There was not man
that would not have followed him any
place, and his influence was always
a factor in the efficiency offthe or
ganiZation. regret very much that
have had to write this sad news,
but having known the major and you
so well, l know you would wish to
know all.-Yours lin sympathy, DON
AID Z. ROBINSON, Capt. y. s. A.,
A. e. F., France.
| Here Ten Years.
| Major Frank L. Shuman came to
Bismarck ten years ago from La
Crosse, Wis, to become local manager
for the North Dakota Independent
Telephone Co. He won rapid promo
ton to the post of district manager
for this company, and shortly before
he received his commission as ma
jor in the signal corps, he bought the
Mandan exchange. which he added to
the circuit under his direction. Five
years ago in September he was unit
ed in marriage with Miss Minnie Lar
son, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Louis
Larson Of Third street, who, with
Lieut.. Col Shuman. brother now sta
toned At Camp Devens, survives. Ma
jor Shuman from the beginning of his
residence here took an active interest
in community development. He
served for years as director Of the
Bismarck Commercial club and he
was one of the most aggressive lead
ers. He also was q steward of the
First Presbyterian church and was
active in religious work. He offered
his services to the nation soon after
Americas declaration of war on Ger
many. He was commissioned in
June, 1917, and spent more than u
year in training at Camp Zachary
Taylor, Ky, going thence to Chilli
cothe O.. and finally, about two
months ago to France. Mrs. Shuman
had been with her husband constant.
ly until his departure for France, and
since his arrival overseas sshe had
received number of letters from
him: The last. dated October 4, in
dicated that he was in the. best OF
health, and Mrs. shuman was wholly
unprepared for the blow which fell
today. IT.
\