Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-08-28
tThe Baptist Home.)

Russell Riggs, second son of DR..
and Mrs. Milford Riggs, was born
June 80, 1899, in Joplin. He attended
school in Lexington, st. Louis and
Ironton, graduating in the Ironton
High School with the class of 1917. In
December of that year, when but
eighteen years of age, he enlisted in
the United States Marine Corps, in
st. Louis. The above picture was
taken the day he enlisted. After
training during the winter at Paris
Island and Quan tico, he shipped for
France on the boat Henderson, reach
ing France March 26, 1918. Because
of his Workmanship he was made one
of the forty qualified snipers of his
battalion. When taken up to the front
he was placed in the 55th Co., 9th
Regiment, U. s. Marine Corps, and
fought with that historic regiment at
Belleau Wood, st. Mihiel, and at Blanc
Mont Ridge on the Champagne Front.
In the last engagement he was killed,
on October 9TH.
Friends have proposed contri-
button to the New Building Fund Of
the Home in his name. Mrs. j. M.
Deck, Of Glen Allen, writes: II saw
in your paper that there is amemorial
fund started for ministers who have
/. given their lives for Christ. Then I
saw that your dear son had given his
life for his country, our country, and
for us, and wondered why not start
memorial fund for him who was so
dear to you. I am willing to start
the fund with ten dollars, and I trust
others will be willing to help in this
cause. We should make this Memorial
Fund success, as we owe it to
Brother and Sister Riggs who are also
giving their lives to care for the
Home. Let's begin now and start the
Memorial Fund for their son, Russell
We have our sons, but they have Civ
en- theirs for our freedom l pray
every one will respond freely and
give to this noble cause.n
Miss Celia Martin, Of Ironton, says:
HAs friend of the Home and mem
Der of it's Board of Trustees, / am in
heartiest sympathy with Mrs. Decks
suggestion of contribution to the
Building Fund in memory Of Russell.
have often thought that this ought
to be done, and have talked with 9TH
ers who were of the same opinion.
am glad it has been started, and
want to add my contribution"
e. L. Cook, Secretary Treasurer Of
the Home, writes: "The Missouri
Home for Aged Baptists, which has
gathered to itself in its limited quar-
ters some of the aged Baptists Of Mis-
souri,, has had vision. Where now
only comparative few of these old
people can come together in the quiet
of this Home to watch the sun go
down upon their lives, soon it Is hop
ed much larger building may rear
itself to make home for many more
aged ones who need Christian fellow
ship and care. | have heard will
pleasure of the donation of $1,000
from one who has seen this vision
Mrs. J. M. Deck, of Glen Allen, Mo.
has sent $1,000 to the Home with the
provision that it go into fund tt
build memorial room or wing In
this enlarged building to Russell
Riggs. This memorial to Russell il
being built not only because he die'
In action in the Great War which |
giving liberty to the oppressed and !
helping to move the world littl
closer to Christ, but also because o
the fact that while Russell was still
member of his father's family in thi
Home he was drawn to the old VIII
needed little attentions, and the oil
were drawn to him because OF the kind
ness of his heart. The old folks at th
Home who knew Russell remembe
the many little unexpected acts .
courtesy which he extended to then
Is it any wonder that their heart
warm at the remembrance OF Russell
What more fitting thing than that !