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

pure aud vigorous manhood, 'and to-
day he has proved himself.
When be decided that he shCuld like
a business OF his own and DIR. Riggs
came to his assistance financially he
again showed his love and apprecia-
ton. In talking and planning with
him for his new Undertaking he told
me in u general way the part his
father had had in making the business
possible and closed with q remark
typical OF the boy-"Well, | don't
want to be a preacher, but l wouldn't
mind beng a man just like my Dad"
His Dad--his hero, his example, his
model.
With a life like this preceding We
are not surprised that when a call for
the defense Of humanity reached his
ears, though still a youth, he could
not resist but felt drawn to the con.
ilict. AS he wentin for school athletics
to win 80 he did in his army training
His ambition was act an officers
training camp, a commission or any
position of rank, but a cali for the
marines wherein he might be quickly
trained, put into an overseas battalion
and then across into the midst Of the
fray. When he was on the range he
won the sharp-shooter badge and only
lacked Eve points Of being an exper,
riieman. When he went to Quantico
and was tried on The long range
shooting he was put with the experts.
lie wrote, 81 was proud when forty
of us we're made the QUALIFIED Snip
ers' Is The battalion, but felt so bad
~ iorthe eight who had to be drop
ped.n
Since coming to the valley | have
= read all OF his letters-both those Of
the American environments and owe
seas, and through them all runs that
spirit OF unsalfscness, absolute con
tentment with his lot and a decided
sentiment Tor home and parents.
! want to quote Just a few exact
quotations from his letters which
bring out the general tone OF them
all:
:, 81 can't imagine anyone not want
ing to be in the service"
"Ine band vas there and the colors.
~ And when that band began playing
-, and we marched off with ''eyes right
= / sure felt good. ! could feel shivers
running from 10y heels to the top OF
y, my head and believe if the Kaiser
" and bis whole army had come that
=" way he would have been out OF luck. .
$ "I'm getting real settled. | don't
~. even like to go to y. The boys around
=, camp cali me the old man."
" at seems a long time since ! last
- wrote you but it was only night be-
tore last.n
:" ~ got fifteen letters to-day, but
' yours, dear mamma, was best OF ALL
Don't send me eats very often
but when you do send enough thai
~ all the fellows can have a taste, be
cause SO many do not have anyone
r who cares enough to send then
= things. Pm sure in luck to have you
mamma"
~ "Last night, ! got the testamen
you sent me. think the pictures o
- you and papa are 80 good and | will
~ keep it wherever l CO."
81 sure do like to look at yours ant
~, papa's pictures
"Lost everything | had in the fgh
M except what / had in my pockets an
my testament. | think | shall kee]
that always"
We find his thoughts while owe
there reaching toward home, parent
and heaven and without doubt plac
~ ing an absolute trust in his Master
We loved Russell and tbe memory c
his short, useful life with those c
"' other comrades will stand out q
30 factors in making it possible for peac
-. to reign on the earth.
r Our hearts go out in love an
,aI sympathy to DR.. and Mrs. Riggs an
the boys. But such courage l ha,
never seen--crushed completely b,
never a murmur Of complaint, nevt
a word Of r%eproach, but rather givir
u%tterance to such expressions
"Were it not for Russell and con
-, rades like him victory could not |
~ ours" 81 could not wish it another
son but he IL ours, ours, ours" Nv
must not think OF our grief but Il
liberation of the Belgian and Frent
homes.'
May God richly bless and strength
w. en- them in this the greatest crisis
~" their lives. Miss DUvAL.