The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-09
Roy Nj. AlvOrd, of Jewell, Kan,
Tries to Find Brother.
EnIists Aid of Headquarters of
American Legion.
He COVERS THREE STATES
Joe AlvOrd Reported Killed in
Action in France.
Former Service Man Says He
Saw Him i'm Hospital.
az INC Associated Press.l

(By The Associated Pressl
A search for his brother which has
extended over three years and taken
him to all parts of Oklahoma, Mis-
souri, and Kansas is the experience
of Roy NJ. Alvord of Jewell. Kan. AL
word is in Topeka this week enlisting
the aid of state headquarters of the
American Legion in carrying on the
hunt for Joe AlvOrd. who went over
seas with Company I, 18Th infantry
Of the 35th division, was reported
killed in action on September Is, 1918,
at the beginning of the Argonne drive,
have been seen in New York and Fort
sill. Okla.
Reported Killed in Action.
Records of the war department at
the adjutant generals office here YER
ify the report of Alvord's captain that
he was killed in action The report
also says that his Identification tag
was found, and Roy Alvord says that
Joe's father and mother, Mr.. and Mrs
George Alvord of Glen Elder, Kan,
who are l. visiting in Illinois and
Wisconsin, have received a picture
from the Red Cross of what is thought
TO be the brothers grave in France
Roy Alvord reports that a conference
with Capt. Matt Guifoyle of Herring
ton, under whom Joe served, has dis
closed the fact that the report of Joe's
death came from the company burial
committee. Members of the burial
word say they do not remember bury
ing Alvord. Men of Alvord's company
have told the brother of seeing
giant shell hit near Joe on the day
he was reported killed. and it is be-
lfeved the report of is death grew out
OF this.
No Record at Hospital.
A former service man returned to
his home near jewell after being dis
charged and reported to Alvord's rela-
tives that he had seen him at Walter
Reed hospital in Washington Com
munications with the war department
were started and the monthly allow
ance received by the mother was dis
continued for a month or two while
this report was Investigated. No rec
ord of Alvord was on file at the hos
pitaI. however, and the pension was
started again Then Lester D. Fike
of Piainville, Kan, a friend of Al
words, returned home and reported
seeing the missing man at Fort Sill,
Okla. This was in September, 1920
Roy Alvord went Immediately to Fort
Sill where he met First Serg- James
S--tft of what was then the 4th field
artillery. Sergeant Swift told Roy,
the latter said. that he knew Joe and
that ne had been in the hospital at
the fort. The sergeant also said that
in August, 1920. he went north on a
recruiting mission and was informed
upon his departure by Joe that he had
been offered a position at an oil sta
ton near Tulsa, Okla, and that he
Intended to try for discharge and
accent the lob. This is the last heard
of Joe until this week when Roy re-
ceived a tip that Joe Alvord was at
Pierce City. No The brother said
he intends TO so there to search for
him.
To Use Posters.
The American Leg on headquarters
arc having cuts and posters made for
distribution thruout the state to aid
In the hunt. RCy AlVord had stack
OF posters printed bearing a picture
and description of Joe. These were
posted at TUT a, Fort Sill, Oklahoma
CITY, FL Reno. Enid and other Okla
hunna towns. he said y canvass was
made OF the oil country around Tulsa
but no trace could be found OF joe
Billy Sunday, the evangelist, was at
Tulsa one day while Roy was there
aud upon hearing of the case made an
appeal from his pulpit urging every
one to Join in the search
The search Mr.. Alvord said today,
had carried him to practically every
section OF the three states. He has
been at one point searching, only to
receive a report that his brother had
been located in some far off point.
One instance was given as follows:
He was in oklahoma when he re-
ce.ved a telegram from St Joseph
Mo, that it was believed Joe Alvord
was there He went to st. Joseph,
found the man believed to be Alvord,
was disappointed and returned to take
up the hunt in Oklahoma.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvord believe their
son is still alive and that he is a vic
tim of shell shock and suffering a
loss of memory.
Here is the description given OF Joe
Aivord: 50 years old; height, feet,
10 inches; weight about 165 or 40
pounds; dark hair. gray eyes. He was
single when he went to war, Roy said.
SHnpT cIpGIIIT IN STREET cAPI