The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-04-24

to the first volunteer soldier in
Vermont that made the supreme
sacrifice in the world war.
Long before the hour Of three
o'clock the crowd began to as
semble on the street and promptly
on the hour the Armory was filled,
the various organizations occupy
ing nearly all the seats and hun
dreds being unable to enter the
building. Over 1900 people We're
in the Armory and the building
never held a larger audience, The
entire services was in charge of
the William K. Knapp post of the
American Legion, Lieut.-Col. John
W. Tinker commanding. The ush-
ers were Earl Clark, Albert
Lynch, Webb Batchelder and
Dean p Mcclellan.
Standing as guards at each end
of the casket were the representa-
tivcs of the army and navy, Mel
son Richards and Samuel Matson.
The casket was covered with the
American flag with the colors at
the head and foot Beautiful floral
tributes surrounded the casket
contributed by Company d, V. n.
G., William r. Knapp Post of the
American Legion, and Canton
Crescent, No. =, |. O. o. +. The
American Legion Auxiliary and
the Danville Post of the American
Legion gave floral sprays while
the relatives contributed cross, a
pillow, wreath and other flowers.
The service began with singing
"Nearer, my God to Thee, by d
quartette consisting of Mrs. Rich
ard Levasseur, Mrs. Helen Belk-
nap, Ralph f. Howes and Paul
tarnham.
Prayer was offered by Rev.
Chauncey A. Adams of Danvllle,
chaplain of the l01st Ammunition
Tram, after which Mr.. Adams de-
livered the following tribute;
eve are met today to honor one
who has paid the supreme sac1-
flee for his fellow men, and who
stands as the representative of all
from this town who died. No
words that may be said can add 10
or detract from the glory which
is his as one of our soldier dead.
"Sergt. William X. Knapp was
a member of Old Co. ID and was
one of the many Nermonters who
eagerly volunteered in the early
days of the war, leaving behind
loved ones and the satisfaction of
civilian life.
an the confidence of perform
ing his duty he cheerfully and
willingly went forth into the
great adventure.
With the 102nd Machine Gun
Battalion he drilled in the Neuf-
chateau area, entered the lines at
Chateau dcs DANES and later in
the Toul sector, where the enemy
attempted to make the Amencans
sick of the war In April, 1918, at
the battle of Seicheprey, forever
famous in the annals of American
history, our soldiers met and over
came the Germans.
"In that battle on April 20 Sergt.
Knapp gave his life for the great
cause 50 dear to the Allied people,
He was one of the first-the sec
ond Nermonter in fact-tO fall II
action. His death served to send
forth to battle the men of his ba-
talion with even greater enthus-
iasm and determination to achive
victory. Though dead he yet lived
and his influence went marching OF
| in the courage and devotion of his
| comrades.
81 am sure Scrgt, Knapp met
death with a smile. Those of u
who have lived within the area OF
arriving shells know what 'ren-
devious with death means. The
question had been settled for hin
long before Chateaudes-Dam
He had listened to the angry cry
of the 'Arivee;' he had seen the
havoc caused by the shells eXplos
ion, and had stood, perchance, be
side the torn body of some soldier
"And he learned that he lived un
der the halo Of the supreme sac
rifice-and he was content.
$50 it seems to me that recorC
of a fellow soldier speaks for it
self. We do well-indeed it is oul
privilegc-to come together toda!
to pay the highest military honor
to our dead.
with the most tender pride
and deepest sorrow we viii escort
the body of our iilustrious com
rade to the village cemetery, there
| to ga - IN "a ,Io+ that will bs