Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1921-08-04
LOCAL HERO
LAID TO REST


vicinity of Payette was submerged
in sorrow at the event of paying thu
last respects over the mortal remain!
of one OF Payette's most valiant sol
dier boys who gave his life for his
country upon the battle fields OF
France.
Promptly at eleven o'clock III the
forenoon the flags throughout the
city were lowered to half mast as
the flag draped casket containing
all that was earthly of Alfred Mord-
horst was placed upon the caisson
for transmission to its last resting
place in the Riverside Cemetery. The
cortege assembled at the sound OF
the bugle at the Y. NJ. c. A and con-
sisted of a beautifully draped caisson
drawn by four jet black horses and
accompanied by a full military es-
cort. together with hundreds OF ci-
Gillian mOurners in as many automC-
biles. The horses were ridden by
soldiers in full military uniform in
true army style. The helmet, coat
and, rifle of the dead soldier proceed
ed him 20 his last resting place.
IE Dbul was dIeblll Dti-L4Eu ~ lllE
cemetery by the largest procession
attendant upon any funeral hereto
fore held in the city, the line of We
hicles being over a mile in length.
Upon arriving at the cemetery the
usual form Of Infantry funeral was
held. Appropriate music was offer
cd by male quartet. Upon behalf
of his comrades fitting remarks were
made at the grave by Major Harry
Lewis and Lieutenant Albert Z.
White, commander of the John
Webster RhOades Post. OF the Amer
lean Legion, of Payette. The funer-
cal service was read by the Reverend
Ashworth of the local Episcopal
Church. WheTeupOn the ceremonies
we're completed in true military style
by the usual firing squad, taps were
sounded. the flags removed from the
the beautiful metal Casket and the
body of our beloved hero was laid
to rest in the bosom of his own and
native land. Reluctantly the
hundreds of mOurners slowly re-
turned to their homes and places of
business, their minds filled with
thoughts, thoughts which brought
home to them again the supreme
sacrifice of this beloved and hOnOred
son who had made the spreme sacri-
flee and had laid down everything
that was dear to him at the feet Of
liberty, had given up the sweetest OF
all, his very life, in order that they
could continue the enjoyment of the
liberty of Gods sunshine and free
dom during the years to come,
thoughts that are wholesome,
thoughts that are the very nucleus
and foundation of our nation an dthe
freedom which we enjoy
Comrade Alfred Mordhorst was
born upon the goth day of September
1894 at Arcadia Iowa, he came to
Payette Valley with his parents
about twenty years ago, where. he
grew into manhood and became the
magnificent. manly material which
is the backbone of our government !
in every hour of need He entered
the military service of our country
upon the 29th day OF May. 1918, and |
was taken to Camp Lewis where he !
became the excellent and faithful
soldier that he was. Later he was
transferred to Camp Kearny, Cali !
fOrnia, and on July 20 of the same !
year to Camp Mills, sailing a few /
days later for France. He was a !
member of Company l., 10th Regi- |
ment of the 2Sth Division. He was
killed in action in the historical bat |
tie of the Argonne Forest in which !
the American troops played so i'm !
portant and glorious a part. Upon !
the 5th day of October, 1918, Com |
pany L and Company NJ were order
ed to advance down hillside and to |
charge a small village on the oppo- !
site side of river in the midst of |
this famous forest. reach the
village, which was occupied by the
ermans. il was necessary for the !
troops to ford this river, which they
did, wading water waist deep amidst
bursting shells and intense machine |
gun fire. Having reached the op-
posite bank, drenched with water.
these worlds bravest troops charged
on a run, this village amidst the
machine gun fire which was mo-
mentarily becoming more intense.
Before reaching their objective the
enemies fire became impenitrable
and our troops were ordered to seek
shelter in shell holes, which some of
them did.
It was in this last mad rush that
our friend and comrade Alfred
Mordhorst was pierced by five ma
chine gun bullets. AS soon as pos
sible he was carried back behind the
lines and died on his way to the first
aid station.
Nothing too grand or noble could
be said of this departed comrade,
whose only regret at the time of
his death was that he could not
cary on" with the others of his COM
pany to their ultimate and unre-
stricted victory. He took his mis-
fortune with the calmness and con-
fidence of one who insists that short
" he will be restored to life and
health; but he had run the race, he
had fought a good fight, he had
kept the faith and his work was
done. Il
Alfred Mordhorst is gone. But
his spirit, his soul, and the purposes
for which he was created and lived
ppas marching on IL has been