The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-06-09
Col. Galbraith, Commander
in Chief Of LegiOnnaires,
Dies in Accident at
Indianapolis
FIGHTING LEADER
OF FIGHTING FIRST
WON TITLE WHEN HE LED 147TH
THROUGH GERMAN LINES IN
a HE'LL OF FIRE AT Be
GINNING or THE END

Indianapolis June 9.-F. W. Cal,
braith, Jr., national commander Of the
American Legion was killed, and
Henry J. Ryan Of Indianapolis, ma
tional director of the legion's Ameri.
canism commission and Nilsson j.
Foreman Of Chicago, national COM
mitteeman of the legion from Illinois,
We're injured when an automobile in
which they were riding went over a
steep embankment here early this
morning. =
The three men Wee returning to
the city from the country club in Mr..
Ryan's car. The car failed to make
slight turn in the road and ran
over the curbing across the sidewalk
and turned over several times, landing
at the bottom of 20 foot embank-
ment. All three men were thrown
clear of the car as it went down.
Mr.. Galbraith suffered a fractured
skull in the fall and died on the way
to the hospital.
Mr.. Ryan. who was driving the car,
declared he believed defect in the
steering apparatus caused him to lose
control of the machine. He and Mr..
Foreman were only slightly injured.
Coroner Paul F. Robinson, who made
an investigation Immediately after the
accident, said an examination of the
wracked machine showed a broken
connection Of the steering wheel.
The three men were driving TO the
union station here from the country
club, according To Mr.. Ryan, where
Mr. Galbraith, accompanied by Mr..
Foreman and William Q. Setliffe. adj
! jutapt OF the department of Illinois
Of the American Legion, We're TO have
caught an early morning train for
| Chicago. Mr. Setliffe and Mr.. Fore
man were returning there after at
tending a meeting of the national IL
nance committee OF the American Le-
gion here while Mr. Galbraith in
tended stopping there preliminary 10
starting on u speaking tour in behalf
of legislation before congress spon-
sored by the American Legion.
Mr.. Galbraith was about 30 years
old. The accident occurred about 80
this morning.
Col. F. W. Galbraith, Jr., was elect
ed national commander OF the Arnerl-
can Legion on Sept. 20. last. During
the war. he served In command Of the
first Ohio national guard at Camp
| Sherman, Chilllcothe. subsequently he
was transferred to the l47th infantry
and embarked FOR overseas in June
1915 BY leading his regiment through
| the lines of the Germans under fire,
he won the title OF the Fighting Col
onel OF the Fighting First"
As head Of the American Legion.
he aas been active in behalf OF the
campaign urging legislation favorable
10 eN-service men His public addresses
have been marked with forceful utter
| ancos against alleged mistreatment Of
wounded soldiers and in defense OF the
/ legion's plans for their relief.
ln civilian life. colonel Galbraith
/ was president OF the Western Paper
/ Goods Company OF Cincinnati. He
was a Republican. but never actively
engaged in politics, and was never i
candidate for public office. In Cincin-
natl however. he was active in civic
movements for more than 20 years.
As youth. the legion head was 4
| sailor He once passed the entrance
examination to Annapolis, but never
ma .riculated.