Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-27
TWO OFFICERS FALL.
ON BATTLE FIELDS
WITH LIEUT.. KELLY
SHOW HEROIC YOUNG oTTA.
WAN WAS ACCOMPANIED ~
GALLANT MEN AND cOllEA.
CUES.
This is a story OF three MEN.

This is story OF three MEN,
And Ottawa "rides itself that one
OF this heroic three is her own
Lieut. Harry F. Kelly.
The linking OF the three names TO
sether forms story rich with real
life, love of adventure and patriot.
ism to the nth degree in loyalty and
heroism. When completely woven
into q story based entirely on fact.
II will be one OF the great epochal
time written into American history.
Ottawa's blood runs warmer. il
thrills with pride. and its head is held
higher because one of its boys was
one Of this trio OF brave dauntless
MEN.
Letters received by Mr.. and Mrs.
Henry NJ. Kelly yesterday make pos.
sihle the weaving OF this story. The
letters, in themselves, are stepped in
interest. They show the Lieutenant's
consuming desire 10 get a, the enemy,
his faithfulness TO duty and devotion
TO his men. Written before the bat
rle In which he was brought down by
tain the names OF two men, whom the
German shell. these missives con
Ortawan lauds highly for their bray
cry aud soldierly conduct. This
mornings casualty lists contain all
three OF these important names
Captain Henry II Worthington, Lieut.
Orlando c. Brown and Lieut.. Harry
+. Kelly. They appear under the cap
lion Severely Wounded
No appeal is necessary to'the imae.
leading their troops forward to battle
against great odds--and then 10 pay
he supreme sacrifice with their own
blood. The letters form one Of the
connecting links In this story and
here they are:
March 12. 1918
Dear Father:
There has been many changes since
the writing Of my last letter to yon
and | am no longer IA second Lieuteu.
ant going TO school bu. am now Lieut.,
Kelly in command OF the second pla
toon. Company l., 9th Regiment.
am afraid, father, that this will
not be joyful news at home since you
alr seemed 20 be laboring under the
impression that was to return to the
States al the completion of my course
OF training here In this school.
The idea did not seem TO appeal to
me very strongly and while | have
been here have never had any hopes
OF the time arriving for my return
ing so soon. Yet did not know just
what was going TO happen
When I got my orders to report to
my regiment did not think would
have charge of platoon. | thought
might he assigned to a company as
supernumerary something like the
way things are at present al Rock
ford
Imagine my surprise when reported
at noon to my company Commander
to receive orders to take charge Of a
platoon and to take charge of them
for that afternoons work do nor
think tina, will he ever called upon
TO deliver in a hurry In law courr
like vas in this. had "a platoon
to drill for the first time--and not a
platoon OF rockies but bunch Of old
timers. This without an hour to get
the lay Of the land or to find out just
what was expected was indeed going
some. got along first rate. however,
that afternoon and now am begin.
ming to feel like an old timer J
think the men realize tina. they are
under lieutenant that means bust.
ness.
don't think you realize what it
means to be responsible for fifty.fye
men, knowing that you will be called
down for any DEFICIENCIES in that
platoon. n anything goes wrong
:here is. no quibbling about it, the
lieutenant in charge is held response.
bic, have seen considerable SER
vice in the last year since have been
in the army but ! yet had no idea
twas the Job II is. But know you
will be glad TO be informed hat |
have started right and hope to have
a platoon back OF me before many
days that will follow me to the last
ditch am more than conten-ed
now. There Is nothing but work from
morning uptil night and slaves WORK
at that, but It is what have been
looking forward to and hoping and
praying for tor some considerable
lime. | know it viii be the greatest
experience. the greatest training and
schooling ! could ever get. 1t may
sound queer to you but have greater
confidence in myself the last two days
than ever before In my life. | feel
As though ! had been given real
mans Job and that am able to do II
as real man should do H.
| am billeted in a french house and