Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 223, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1918 — FORMER ASHLAND BOY DID ACT OF HEROISM [ARTICLE]

FORMER ASHLAND BOY DID ACT OF HEROISM

Among the splendid deeds of heroism accorded to the American soldiers in France few equal that one accomplished by a former Ashland boy, who, by his quick forethought and noble self-sacrifice, saved the lives of a large number of his comrades a short time ago. Ferris Abbett, son of Rev. J. T. Abbett, a former clergyman of the local Methodist church, was in action on one of the battle fields of France, when a grenade was thrown by a German near the trench where these American troops were stationed. Ferric caught the grenade in his hands, threw. it L on the ground, dropped his tin hat on ’it and stood on it, while his comrades made theii; escape. The bomb exploded, severely injuring the heroic boy, but none of his comrades in that section were hurt. The above is taken from the Ashland (Oregon) Times. The father of this brave boy is a brother of Mrs. Ben D. McColly, of this_city.