The Mankato free press., 1919-01-10
DIED FOR HIS COUNTRY
HAROLD J. HOBBS MADE THE
SUPREME SACRIFICE
Life Story Of Splendid Young
Man Who Was Killed In
Action

September 49,"
This was the message received by
his parents on December 2S from the
war department, breaking silence
of nearly four months.
Harold ]. Hobbs, the youngest son
of DR.. and Mrs. C. A. Hobbs, now
of Mankato, Mimi, was born at Del
avan, Wis, April &c, 1888. He grad
uated from the Michigan City high
school and later was in attendance
at Kalamazoo college.
In July, 1916, when the Mexican
border trouble threatened, he enlist
ed as a private in the regular army.
In one of his letters to the home
people, he expressed his belief that
something bigger than the Mexican
trouble was likely to develop and
said that he wanted to have a part
in it. His desire was gratified for
in September, 1917, his division was
sent across the sea and his letters
began to read Somewhere in
France" Soon came the news that
he had been selected to enter the
Army Training school, and then upon
his fathers birthday as present
to him, came word that he had Sc
cured his commission as second
lieutenant. Displaying special apti-
tude he was sent from company to
company as an instructor in one of
the lines of preparation for the. new
soldiers. While he threw himself
with energy into the work, he wrote
that he much preferred to be an of
ficer of the line
Later he was assigned as second
lieutenant to company /, 105th
United States Infantry. He was
proud of his work and as a chival-
rous young man, brave and gal
liant soldier took great satisfaction
In the service for the mighty cause
of liberty. He was proud to command
good men ard had the faculty of win
ming their confidence.
On August 81, 1918. while under
going an attack of influenza in one
of the hospitals, he wrote his par
ents in the last letter they received.
expressing his anxiety to be at the
front Evidently that wish was full
nDed, for the next news that came
to the parents was the telegram,
three months after his death, tell
ing them that he had died as he
would have wished. "in action" Thus
this versatile, brilliant youth has
added his sacrifice to that of others
for high ideals.
AT the age of nine, Harold was
baptized into the membership of the
First Baptist church of DeIavan. Wis.
In his developing manhood he show
ed spirit of helpfulness in the Bap-
ust churches at Michigan City, Ind,
and Mankato, Mimi. His later let
ters from France showed maturity
and a mellowing Of heart to all good
things.
There survive him, his parents, DR.
and Mrs. c. A. Hobbs and his sister
Gladys of Mankato, Mimi, and his
two brothers, DR.. C. A. Hobbs of
Minneapolis, Mimi. ard Rev. R. w.
Hobbs of Fargo, N. D.
last last letter From Lieutenant Hobbs.
Inc Following is the last letter received
by the parents from their SON. Lienten.
ant Hobbs:
Saturday, August 81. H. ]. Hobbs sd
II. COMPANY ]. 1O5th Infantry.-Dear,
Dear owed Ones at Home: Well, what do
you think? In all this excitement and
chances to get killed or wounded in many
eXtraordinary ways. had to go and get
shipped back to one of the advanced hos
pitals. I've been here two days now, and
VIII probably be out in another day or so
r,adm ahd meain,walie. e,ii,E the Germans have
the excitement attendant on that. Prob
apIy that will involve a similar withdraw
a, on another front, so there should be
plenty of activity in the near future.
Was up in the front lines for seven
days, front lines" being the proper
Words-this time before I came out sick.
I've had my little share of different va
rieties Took out 3-man patrol myself
one hlght, as far as our wire, but as the
night was very bright moonlight, we
couldn accomplish anything to speak of
we did definitely establish the positions
OF two boche machine guns that we had
suspected before-by the simple method
OF getting shot at by Them
l tell you j don't envy these pillow
punishers who nave the soft jobs back o,
the lines their jobs. for what can they
we little second leutenants in the line
nave gained? Now, with no boasting at
all. and along with many other of INV
preIhren pref l know that | can run pla-
toon In the trenches that I'm equal TO
most any problem that comes up that
I'm not afraid to take out a patrol and that
my platoon will fight right with me when
ever the chance comes. And what more
can You want?
Any man who says he isn't scared of
shel-fire is either liar or a creature of
you hear a distant moan heighten to a
piercing Shrek which just at its zenith
bursts into terrific deafening crash
Just ahead of your trench-and then an
other just behind-and you're expecting
the next right in the trench-well Won
are generally trif1e scared 1 was
That was the second morning we were
in this time. 1t was just about a. M.
and We thought the boche were coming
over. ! got all the men standing to- and
kept the Sentres watching, but Pm
ashamed TO say. my voice was shaking
any my knees clicking about ANYWAY
we would have been ready for EN- That's
some comfort.
| located. with my observers. positions
of three machine guns, a s1iper and a
German trench mortar-all around some
old iron huts. and square water tank.
about hundred yards ahead of our lines
and cent in a report to our artillery with
very gratifying results
Well, by this time you must be back
and settled in the fiat; r. WIS will he
up in Fargo and everything will be set
tling down again. Sorry Gladys that
you didn't get any summer SCHOOL, got
my share of school for the family / guess.
Mother. doE.'t you be working too hard
I'm glad no furnace to attend to this
winter. Father. cheery-O-we'I have
many experiences to exchange when I
come back.-Lots of love, Harold
II. S. / wear exterior Mexican border
badge. September 21 l can put on two
American Expeditionary service stripes
ts;.X months each.)
Hermanson Versus Railroad.
The case Of N. NJ Hermanson of