The daily Alaskan., 1918-05-10
BOY BURIED WITH
 HONORS

burial in a little French cemetery near the scene where he fell victim to the Hun WAS received to- day by Mrs. Ora z. Wilgerson' 271l Garfield. avneue, Kansas City, Kans.' from Major Ruby D. Garrett, 117th field battalion, signal corps, 0f Wnic tho young man was member It was the first official notification Mrs Wilkerson had received of her sons death. l The letter, written March l9, the day of the young soldiers funeral tells of the presence of Secretary of War Baker at the grayesi6'e; of two major generals who paid tribute to his galantry on the battlefeild, and of a French officer who decorated the boys casket wtht the "Cross Of War" one of the highest honors the French government awards for bravery.
 "It is with feelings of the deep- est regret that I write you of the death of your son, Wilbur" Ma.or Gsrrett wrote.
 At 12 o'clock, midnight, March 16. 1918, 69 men of the battalion with your son, began the construc- tion of lines of communication near the front. At shortly after 5 o'cloR in the morning, March IT, ths en- emy opened terrific bombardment and shells began falling nsar the area In which our men were work ing.
 "They were under the immediate command of Capt. Richard T. Smith who commands the company of which your son was 6 member CaDtain Smith at once directed tfa mea to cease work and start for place of safety. When within about 5Oyds.of the trench leading to the dugout toward which they wera max ing, a large shell burst among the men, fatally wOunding your son, wourding one Fother man, tearing the clothing of four Or five men ana Knocking several to the jground.
 Captain Smith carried your son through the trenches until he fell exhausted. First aid treatment was 2iye2 as soon as a place of safety was reached, and men were sent out for the nearest medical aid.
 "He was treated by French doators who were nearby and then by A merican medical officers. He reach ed the hospital early in the morn ling. and died, at 1O:05 a. m. Your Son, at the time he was wounded, was talking to Private Maxy Phillips Of ComDalE B, this battalion, of letter he had just written to you. With the company Wilbur was a favorite. The boys loved to gather around and listen to his violin. But thcv loved most his splendid, genial istraightforward, clean personality. ] have examined his record in this baS taiion and it is clean. He did no thing while with us that he coulU Iuot have explained to you. It IS your honor to be the mother Of the first boy belonging to the American signaI troops who has given, his life to the great cause
 "We buried him this morning in i O little French village near the place where he fell. He was buried in a neat oaken casket, purchased b the battalion, and across its head was draped the American flag and across it's foot the French tri-color' and oyer it were the beautiful offer ings of flowers bought In loving memory by his comrades.
 Tt was a remarkable funeral. A band from an infantry regiment volunteered to furnish music. AS the procession moved from little village church through 8 part of & French village, the streets were lined with the soldiers of our allies, with old mel, women and children. Just before We reached the grave nine little children, carrying large bcuquet of eyergeen and followed by four women, stepped into tho proces sion and followed the casket.. I do not know who they were, but the flowers were on the coffin and now rest on his grave. When we reach eG the grave We found there the commanding genral of this division; another major general and the sec retary of war.
 The chaplain who baptized your hoy at Camp Mills, N. T., conduct is not only to be pleased, but to be