The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-09-01
Memory OF Knox County's
Hero In World War Is To
Be Perpetuated
IMPRESSIVE PROGRAM
ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Portrait OF Smithhisler Is Ac-
cepted BY Mr.. H. L. Devin,
Library Trustee

One of the most beautiful and i'm
pressive events Of the year was the |
special meeting, given under auspices
OF the American Legion auxiliary, |
at American Legion club rooms Wed.
nesday evening. The rooms were ar
tistically decorated with red, white
and blue bunting, and American flags. |
Conspicuous on the platform was
the large picture Of Paul Smithhisler,
who received the greatest honors OF
any Knox county man in the world
war. During his enlistment he was
the recipient OF both the Croix de
Guerre, awarded by the French gov.
ernment for noteworthy action and
bravery, and the much priced Belgian
War Cross.
The picture Of Smithhisler was pre-,
sented to the Mt. Vernon public Ii
brary SO that 1t may be in a place
where the children of future genera.
tions may see it and revere the men,
ory of one who was exemplary of the
service given and sacrifices made by
Knox county heroes and others during
the Great World War.
Lieutenant Smithhisler was men,
Der Of the 112 Engineers during the
war and received one of his medals by
swimming across river under Ger
man fire and obtaining information
from the Germans for the allied fore
es. He is now employed as teacher
in Cleveland.
The program for the evening, which
was patriotic in form and inspiring
to all those who heard it, was in
charge Of Mrs. Margaret Headington
who presided during the evening. The
program was as follows:
America Congregation.
Address of Welcome-Mrs. F. w.
Loney, Of the American Legion Auxil-
iary.
Solo-Geoffrey Errett, accompanied
by Mrs. Harry w. Errett
Reading-Miss Millicent Kern.
Solo-Mrs. Harry Wootton, accom-,
panied by Mrs. Errett.
Presentation Of Portrait to Library
Rev. Father Mulhane.
Acceptation Speech-Harry G. Dew
in, representing trustees of the lib
rary.
Short speeches were made by the
following, Col. George Neal of the G.
A. r. post, George S. Harter of the
Sons of Veterans, Mrs. 0. p. Foote of
Daughters of Veterans, Mrs. Henrietta
Levy, of the Womans Relief Corp,
Captain Julius w. Headington and
DR.. John r. Claypool of the American
Legion.
The meeting closed with the sing.
ing Of The Star Spangled Banner by
the congregation.
One feature of the evening, which
was greatly appreciated by all those
present, was the contributions made
by the drum corps of the G. A. r. who
rendered their services.
The attendance at this patriotic af-
fair was excellent all of the patriotic
organizations of the city being we'll
represented together with many
friends and people who were interest
ed.
After the program was finished a
committee, of which Mrs. Faye Davis
was chairman, presided in the club
rooms and served iced tea and small
cakes to the guests during the social
hour to the guests.
Those who were present departed tC
their homes inspired anew by the
songs and patriotic speeches. Th af
fair was valuable in community life
to keep the memory of the pain ant
sacrifices that our soldiers endured
during the war fresh in the minds O
all lest we forget the debt we owe
them.
Under the photograph, handsome
enlargement by Tinkey, the photog.
rapher, in handsome oak frame, ap-
pears the following inscription:
'Sergt Paul M. Smithhisler, 112
Engineers, 37th Division, A. E. F.,
was awarded the American Distin-
guished Service Cross, the French
Croix de Guerre, and the elgian
War Cross for gallantry in action.
During the afternoon of November
2, 1918, under fire he swan the
Egcuat river at point near Neu-
VEL elgium, penetrating the ene-
mics lines for one-half kilometer
and obtained valuable informa,
tion concerning the roads for mill
tary traffic" ~ .ys.~s. .ssk