The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-07-23
DYING SOLDIER
DENOUNCEs HUNS

Mondays Salt Lake Telegram con-
tanned the following story concern
ing Hector Williams of Idaho Falls,
who enlisted with the marines q year
ago. Investigation fails to reveal
any marine corps volunteer by the
name of Hector Williams from this
section, therefore the authority of
the story is somewhat In question.
Here is what the Telegram says:
Blended grimley into the sacred
silken folds of it's fadeless red is
q CHASTITY blotch of crimson blood;
its stripes are ripped and punctured
and its stars are torn apart; the
simmer of its brilliance is lost in
dull stains of human blood; 1t is
disheveled and stained and ruffled
and battle scarred-but with it all
it still is the Stars and Stripes, the
immortal symbol of freedom for all
mankind.
1.-THE grimmest message yet to
come out of the war zone from one
who gave his life for the flag ar
rived today in the form of small
silken flag. It was received by the
local marine corps recruiting sta
ton, and came from that far of land
of death and sorrow where it was
worn by valient Billy Blue.
"The flag was worn on the breast
of Hector Williams Of Idaho Falls,
Idaho, who enlisted in the marines
at the local recruiting station last
year. Young Williams died June 10
Of wounds received In action.
However, before he forfeited his
life in a hospital after an encounter
with the Huns, he sent the flag to
Sergeant Carl Roberts, recruiting Of
! ficer Of the marine corps at Idaho
Falls. Sergeant Roberts was from
erly "bunkie" with Williams at Mare
Island and in Texas.
with the flag also came portion
of German finger and small Teu-
ton coin taken from one Of the cap
tured prisoners, and message that
bespeaks the irresistible courage
and bravery displayed by the marines
In their stand against the German
hordes.
The blood-stained national emblem
worn by the dead hero turnout the
bitterest engagements. was sent to
Sergeant Roberts by Williams from
one Of the base hospitals. AS proof
of the spirit the marines in their
stand against the Hun, Roberts sent
it to Captain A. M. Robbins of the
local recruiting station for exhibi-
ton in Salk Lake.
Following is an excerpt from the
letter received by Sergeant Roberts
from his wounded "bunkie," written
apparently only few days before he
died from his wounds:
az am in the hospital, but the
boche is making fertilizer. I am not
going to get well, but | got some of
them, and for every marine that
went there are at least five Germans.
And ! got my share, old man, and l
still want more. guess / done all
I can, so will call it finished.
When you come over, old corps,
you will have to finish the job. Best
Of luck to you, and come over strong
because God knows we need you, and
the sooner you get here the sooner
the war and suffering will be over.
Don't hesitate to kill, and don't let
a d German bluff you by saying
'kamerad.' They tried that here
once and nearly made us believe it
until we got wise to their dirty
tricks.
There isn't grain of good in any
German that have come in contact
with. They are all dirty, low lying
cutthroats, and the women are just
as bad when it comes to dirty tricks"