Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 280, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1919 — IN MEMORY OF LONNIE DAVISSON. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IN MEMORY OF LONNIE DAVISSON.

I Lonnie was the son of Mr. and । Mrs. Amos and Lydia Davisson. He was born Nov. 1, 1895, in Jasper county, Ipd.; departed from this life Oct. 8, 1918, at evacuation hospital No. 9, France. He enlisted in the service of his country Jan. 8, 1918, at Indianapolis, Ind. He j was willing and anxious to do his . part fqr the cause of democracy and 'expressed his sentiments in

these words: “I would rather die than live a slacker.” He was sent to Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., where he was in training two months, then .to Camp Devens, Mass., where he finished his training. With his organization, Co. C., 317th Field Signal battalion, he sailed for France July 9, 1918. Shortly after his company entered the Meuse-Argonne offensive, he went with a forward detail to establish lines of communication with the forward units, and while engaged in this work, which necessitated exposure, he contracted lobar pneumonia, which resulted ip his death. His body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Vanbacount, Bar-le-Duc, Dept, of the Meuse, section M., grave 117. In z the neighborhood where he was he proved himself to be a young man of sterling worth, with qualities which attracted many friends and' made for him a name that will long survive him in the memory of all whose good fortune it was to have known him. His mother is proud to say that he never in all his life gave her a cross word. His captain said of him that he was “a real American soldier at all times, courteous and obedient and his action while under fire was always commendable.” ■ During the revival services held by Bro. Conn and Bro. Crider, the winter of 1913, Lonnie united with the Rosebud M. P. church, but expressed himself as not satisfied with his experience. But while at Camp Devens he was truly converted and experienced a deeper work of grace. Christ died thai nfen might be free and have truth. In all ages since men have had had to fight for these things.; Lonnie died fighting a part of this fight. » The great struggle is won, but it has cost the lives of millions of boys, one of which is Mr. and Mrs. Davisson’s boy. This brings them into comradeship with the fathers and mothers of the world who have given sons for the world’s freedom, and thus, through their grief, there shines a pride that their "boy „was one of those to offer to. fight the world’s great fight, and that he did his part and did it well. The sentiments of Bro. Davisson and family art fittingly expressed in these words: “More and more each day we miss you. . Friend? .may healed, _ But they little know the sorrow . That lies within our hearts con--cealed. If we had you at the last And held your dying hand, And heard the last.sigh from your heart, We wpuld not feel so bad. We did not know the-pain you had, We did not see you die; We only heard you passed away And could not say ‘good-bye.’ Peaceful be thy rest, dear Lonnie, It is sweet to breathe thy z name! In life we loved you dearly, In death we do the same.” , Always so loving, tender and kind, what a beautiful memory he has left behind. z

LONNIE DAVISSON.