The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1918-04-12

sago. The article follows:
North Dakota's first victim of the
war died like a hero.
True, there have been other North
Dakota boys called by the cause of
right to an early enlistment in the
Canadian or British armies, who have
paid the ultimate price, yet Louis
Ousley of Wilton was the first VOL
unteer out of the old First or Second
North Dakota regiments to meet death
somewhere in France.
The cables long since brought you
news Of his death; in fact papers have
already been received here carrying
the report. However, the dispatches
failed to say how he died. Perhaps
this belated eulogy will be of interest
Died In Effort to Save Another
For Louis Ousley died on one of
the most thrilling and heroic efforts
of the war and II e'er man deserved
eulogy, it is he. The pity Of it is that
he will never hear the plaudits.
Where the affair occurred is not
essential. If you knew you might
look up on your French map and puz-
zle over the pronunciation of the name
but the speck would mean nothing to
you. 1t was just Somewhere" on
the American front.
The German forces essayed raid
upon the positions held by the Ameri-
can troops. Ousley was with a small
detachment in an advanced position
when the Boche turned loose the ma
chine gun and shrapnel fire. The scant
handful of men started to drop back
to the main first line trench.
Lieutenant Of the til in
fantry was sorely woundede
Ousley had started back with the
rest of the party when his attention
was called to the condition of the Of
fcer
Back Through Hail Of Bullets 4~
Throwing his gun to a comrade he
raced back through the hail Of rifle
balls, machine gun fire and bursting
shrapnel, seemingly oblivious to the
danger and bent only on reaching the
stricken lieutenant and to bear him to
4 place of safety.
He gained to where the fallen officer
ay and picking him up and shoulder
ng the inert body he started for the
American trench
Twice he stumbled and almost fell,
or his burden was heavy one and
he terrain was pitted with shell holes
md covered with debris of war of all
linds. The lieutenant was heavy, a
lead weight, and Ousley was but of
Medium build. Yet he staggered on
lnder his load and had almost gained
afety when a shrapnel she'll burst be-
ide him.
1t was one of the cruel turns of the
Wheel 10 Fate
He died.
Comrades Complete His Work.
Comrades, thrilled by the heroic SELF
acrifice, completed the task Of bring
ng in the officer, and then secured
be body of the stricken boy who now
ests peacefully, fallen hero, Some.
here in France"
The officer lives.
His is an example that has fired
very son of the northwest, and his
ct was truly one to be written in the
istory of any army. His deed is in
eed an heritage to leave behind, for
e died true soldier. 1t was not neces
ary that he secure this lieutenant, for
'ounded men oft have lain in the bat
e-scarred No-man's land, but he saw
uty and carried it to the end. Death
as robbed him of personally receiv-
:g the laudations and the plaudits of
lends and comrades, but death gain.
d only a hollow victory. ,
Lawrence Ousley lives and will live
l the memory of the soldiers of the
as long as time is time.
Yes, you long time since received
le press dispatches telling of his
cath, but will it not be a wonderful
ceiling that will surge through the
linds and beings of his parents on
lat Wilton farm when they know the
nth of the way the name Ousley is
onored. Death inexorable, gained
victim, but death is robbed Of its
ing"
During one week recently fifteen
ritish ships were sunk by submarines.
his sounds big at first thought, but
uring the same week there, were two
g.