Warren sheaf., 1919-05-21

deep gloom by the sad news contained
in a telegram received by Mrs J. Lind
quist some time ago. 1t reaG as fol-
lows: ill.,.
Washington, D. c., April 8, 1919.
Mrs. J. LindQuist,
Viking, MINI.
Deeply regret to inform you that it
is officially reported that Elmer G. 7.
Lindquist, infantry, died of pneumonia
meningitis, April End.
Harris, The Adjutant General.
This sad news brought deep grief to
his parents, a brother and sister, and
also to his many relatives and friends
who were anxiously looking forward to
a happy day when he would return.
Elmer was born. in Gaylord, Minn.,
Aug. 80, 1895, hence was only % years,
mis- death. He was but little tot
when his parents moved to farm in
Viking, where he spent his boyhood and
youth in the peaceful environs of this
place, assisting his father with the
farm work. Here he attended the pub
lie school and here he was confirmed
in the Swedish Mission church by Rev.
Drotts, the pastor.
He was called to the colors May 27,
1918, going to Camp Jewish, Wash,
where he remained till July 3rd, when
he was transferred to Camp Kearney,
Calf, and thence to Camp Mills, N. Y.
on Aug. 9Th. After receiving this
course of military training, Elmer, like
thousands Of other American youths.
was hurried overseas to match his skill
and power with the trained soldiers and
veterans of the European armies, and
he with little or no military training,
has we'll stood the test. In the front
deadly diseases, he has proved his valor
and patriotism, even unto death.
Elmer belonged to Company G., 12Sth
Infantry. Many were the trials and
hardshipss he endured. He was at the
front when the Hindenberg line was
crushed. In one of his letters written
home, he says: "The hardest day of
fighting experienced was Sunday, the
10th, still I know I've laid on the front
21 days in one stretch, day and night.
under terrible fire. but this last day
made it so hard because we had had
only one meal in five days. We hiked
so fast our kitchen couldn't keep up
with us, so we ate cabbages, raw po-
:tatoes, beets and anything we came
across. Well. Sunday, the 10th, we
commenced by swimming a river
through shell and machine gun fire, di-
Tectly into the German lines. OF
scourse, some Of our Company were cap
tured and others killed, but escaped
very luckily. I never got scratch.'
In one fight Elmer was gassed and was
laid up in a hospital for seven weeks.
He remained in France till the armis-
tice was signed, but was then together
with his Company sent to Germany to
help guard.
10 say the telegram was a severe
shock to us all is putting it in mild
form, as letters had been received from
him dated the 9th of March. in which
he said he was feeling fine and expect
sed to sail for the United States in May.
4 AAO AOAAO"AAl di CAlldCl Ii Olu
representative of the Home Community
Service of the Red Cross in Coblenz,
Germany: II saw your son every day
during the time he was patient at
our hospital. He came to us March 31st,
from field hospital No. 12S, with a bad
case of meningitis. In spite of affec-
-tiOnate care and skillful attention of
competent nurses and doctors, he was
unable to make the last supreme fight
and passed away at five-thirty-fiye
O'Clock, April End. / wish might con-
vey to you some tender messages, but
from the time your son came to us un-
conscious, we were unable to get any
words from him for the dear ones at
home. We buried him in a beautiful
cemetery OH the side Of a hill. His
name and number mark his last rest
ing place, and you may be sure, al
though he sleeps so far from home. his
grave will be given constant care
His parents also received number
Of war relics belonging to Elmer, which
he had captured from the Germans.
They were sent here by one of his
chums who had been with him for sew
eral months This friend also said he
attended Elmer's funeral.
TO die in a strange land among
strangers many thousand miles from
home without a mothers sweet voice
TO cheer or soothe his fevered brow,
and without a father standing by to en-
him in the last big fight, such
was the fate Of Elmer Lindquist. Had
he died at home he would, of course,
been missed by those nearest and dear
est to him for a time but that would
have been all. Now his name will be
for all time on the scroll Of the
nations brave defenders. His memory
will be cherished as one Of the brave
heroes from Viking who sacrificed his
life for the extension Of liberty and
instice throughout the world.
The Immediate mourners Of the de-