Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-09-05
TWO HARRISBURG
BOYS KILLED IN
BATTLE ACTION
Casualty List Shows Local
Soldiers Are Taking Part
in Offensive

the presentation of the largest cas-
ualty list of youths of this section.
Nine names are contained in it.
Two more Harrisburg youths have
made the supreme sacrifice in the
mighty conflict with the Hun. Both
of them laid aside their own inter-
ests shortly after the declaration of
hostilitieS to take up the gauntlet
for the safety of humanity They
are Charles Edward Weitmyer, 1871
North Third street, and Lieutenant
James Gault Elder, of PaXtang.
Three other fatalities. two of them
of county youths and one of for
mer Harrisburger, with four wound
ings, have been reported to swell the
casualty list of this section.
Charles Edward Weitmyer
Landing in France on May IA and
fighting hard in the very front
trenches along the western front
since then. Charles Edward Welt
myer, private in the Hospital Corps
of the 112th infantry, son of Mr..
and Mrs. ]. H. Weitmyer, 1921
North Third street, was killed in ac-
ton on August s. Official notifica-
ton of his death has just been re-
ceived from the War Department by
his parents. He was 80 years old.
Enlisting in June, 1917. Private
Weitmyer received his training for
the stern duties of war at Camp
Hancock, Ga. A former student at
Central High and the School of
Commerce, he had been employed as
a salesman at the Globe Clothing
Store before entering the military
service. OF high ability and amiable
disposition, Weitmyer had host OF
friends in Harrisburg.
Benjamin Strouse, of The Globe,
received letter July 2, from Private
Weitmyer in which he writes in part:
Since our arrival in France we
have been billeted in most any kind
of a building. from a chateau to
barn, but for all that it is a very
enjoyable life.
so far 1 have seen quite a few
army battles and, believe me, they
are exciting to witness. This morn
ing l saw five German planes pass
over camp in a bunch, but 1 guess
old Jerry did not know our locations.
otherwise 1 imagine we' would have
been visited by few bombs.
"It seems strange to retire at night
while it is yet daylight, but as 1T
stays light until 10 o'clock and
knowing that a. m. comes around
very quickly, we, as rule. are In
bed by that time"
Lieut.. james Gault Elder
Lieutenant James Gault Elder.
who was killed in action, July 81,
was almost the last of an old fam
ilv of fighting stock which was
nronoinent in the early history of
Paxton Presbyterian Church, Pax
tang. He was the son of the late
Mr.. and Mrs. Matthew B. Elder, of
the old Elder home at what is now
Ellerslie, Derry street. near PaXtang.
He is survived by a brother, now in
the army; three aunts. Mrs. Robert
welsh, 242 Harris street; Mrs. Ar
thur H. Bailey, Paxtang. and Mrs.
James Walker, and an uncle, j. Q.
A. Rutherford.
When the war broke out he was a
student at Princeton and went to
Fort Niagara, II. Y, for training in
the First Reserve officers tralnlng
camp. He received commission as
second lieutenant. and was sent to
Gettysburg and then Charlotte. N.
G. He went overseas with the Attn
infantry in May.
In a letter received recently, dated
July %, Lieutenant Elder said: Il
am assigned to field duty. II is
likely that you will not hear from
me for some time, but do not worry
as I will have little time to write.
If YOU do get bad news it will be
too late to worry. And I will have
done what any young man should be
proud to do-give his life for his
country"
John Andrew Yanoscak
Only IT years old. John Andrew
Yanoscak, of Coaldale, near Lykens,
was killed in action early in August.
Enlisting shortly after the break
between the United States and Ger
MANY. he participated in several big
battles before the one which result
ed in his death.
Bryant Ralph
Rrvant Ralph, of Williamstown, /:
the third county youth who is re
ported killed in action along th'
western front. A member OF th'
Engineers Corps, he was formerIN
employed by the SHsquehanna Goa
Company.
Lue G. Martin, we'll known IN Har
risbure, son CT Mr.. and Mrs. F.
Martin, Pittsburgh, formerly OF Dc
troit. was killed in action N France
in July while serving in the 7. M
q. A. service. He was but eightecl
wears old. Mrs. ]. A. Plank. of Per
dix, an aunt, first received notlc
to this effect.
Charles L. Waltman
Serving as wagner in the Ma
chine Gun Battalion of the 112th III
fantry, Charles J.. Waltman, son o
Mrs. Irene Waltman, 1880 CoWdel
street, was severely wounded whll
in action, Tie enrolled with Compan,
D. of the Eighth Regiment of IN
/ old PENNSYLVANIA National Guard.
Clarence Hoover
| Another casualty among the mem
hers of the old Pennsylvania Ma
tional Guar.l is recorded in the SC
we're wounding of Clarence Hoover
22-year-old son of Mr.. and Mrs. Ben
jamin Hoover, Highspire. Oficia
notification of his injuries on Angus
s have Just been received.
/ Eugene Buckingham
! One of the first Middletown draf
tees to reach the front, Eugen
! buckingham, of that borough, is suf
fering from the results of being gass
ed while in action. He is conhne
to a base hospital. No details hav
been received of the extent of his IN
juries.
Harry I. Sloathour, 5S7 Soutl
Front street, in service in Franc
with the first American troops to g
over last June. has been wounded il
action and is now in a hospital a
Newport News. according to com
munication to. his parents, Mr.. an
Mrs. John w. Sloathour. Efforts ar
being made to have him brought t
the hospital at Carlisle which ha
Just been established there. Youn
Sloathour enlisted at the age of Is
l., 49,