The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-07-31
PRIVATE JOHN oREN EARNEST
LAID TO REST WITH ALL MILL
TARY RESPECT.
Former Service Men and Friends OF
Boy Twice Decorated for Bravery
- Turn Out in Tribute.

Boy Twice Decorated for Bravery
- Turn Out in Tribute.
Nth the Observation-Disclosures
post No. S45. Veterans Of Foreign
Wars. Wheeling chapter OF the SerT-
ice Star Legion and the \. \. Noun
tain post No % Of the American Le-
sion collaborating IN honor of the last
Of Wheeling heroes TO come home
frdrh Flanders field. impressive serV-
ICES were held yesterday afternoon Tor
Private John Oreu Earnest. local
Young man whose body arriving hero
Winds up the toll OF Wheeling boys
who made the supreme sacrifice.
The services were carried out In full
military style, with the Rev. .. J.
Terry officiating The funeral was
attended by a host OF relatives and
friends and many OF the soldiers low
ing comrades. Following snort
service at the Latter Day SAINTS
church. Forty-sevepth street. the mill
tarY procession proceeded TO the NC
Msohen cemetery, where the oody
was laid to rest, and at which time q
firing squad OF World war veterans
fred three volleys as their last tribute
to the dead hero.
70 will be recalled that Private
Earnest left Wheeling on September
20 1917, his twenty-fourth birthday.
with a number Of local boys who made
up the 314th Field Artillery and whose
station was at Camp Lee, Virginia.
After eight months training his CON-
pany was sent overseas. and on June
1e-Wss lighting the front lines In the
Arspnne Forest region. A sad coin
cidance Of his death, which came on
October 81. 1918. was Just eleven days
previous to the signing OF the armi'
stfee. Private Earnest had the dis
tinction OF serving with one OF the
best brigades In the U. S. army, the
14Tth Infantry, machine gun company.
witch outfit saw some Of the hardest
fighting OF the World war.
Twice Decorated.
The local hero was twice decorated
by the French government for brav'
cry, He was che son OF Mrs. John W,
Yates OF No. l1e Sixteenth street. and
was affiliated with the local Order OF
Moose.
The following lines. written by a
local author In memory OF Private
Earnest, and which were published In
Tho Intelligencer Of October 81. 1919
are again offered herewith:
I" farewell, Mother"
:: BY Kenneth Mansen
written in memory Of and dedicat'
ed 10 John Oren Earnest, killed In the
ArEpnne Forest October 81. 1879
Twas only a message to mother,
From her boy across the sea;
Built brought back worlds or sorrow
And tears to her and me.
!,
Ohs,such a manly son. sir
A,mothers' pride and JOY:
Put; freedom called for sacrifice,
Ebr her share she gave her boy.
The lines that came were written,
Under our flag so true.
Meath stars and stripes OF freedom
- The Red. White and Blue,
His words were. farewell mother,
I fell In battle today.
FlSUlluE lOI YOU duu O4u NAOAs
IN France, far away.
8.
Hes said farewell. dear mother.
Weep not. but pray for me;
For have lived for America,
O, land OF liberty.
y
ever loved It's mountains.
And every rock and tree:
lived to die for its honor.
Ny Country 'Tis OF Thee.
leave with the inspiration.
To die for humanity;
To lead Us on forever,
United may we be.
And though I have to leave you,
My heart and soul made free
VIII gaze from Heavens portals.
Watching and waiting for thee.
pray God watch DER you,
Though I sleepeth yet:
The sun Is going down. dear.
Farewell, dear mother. forget