Newspaper Story

The memorial services held Sunday (16 Feb 1919) in honor of Edwin L. Gregory, Frank Silva and Joseph Solus of Montague or vicinity in the Wallbridge warehouse in Montague was largely attended by people from near and far despite the weather. They came out for love and respect to the memory of these noble men who made the supreme sacrifice while serving their country. Two of these sons lie buried in French soil. Their graves are carefully watched over by brave mothers of France. Another of the sons died at Camp and all that is mortal is resting here in a grave at home. The line of march was formed in front of the Montague Hotel, the Montague–Yreka band leading, followed by returned soldiers, the Red Cross, the K.P. Lodge, the school children, then citizens bringing up the rear.

Dr. G.W. Dwinnell was the chairman for the occasion and made very appropriate introductory remarks. Invocation was offered by Rev. Homer Gallagher of Yreka. The Star Spangled Banner was sung by Miss MargueriteToms accompanied by the band. Sergeant Robert R Smith of Montague, who had the misfortune to lose his left arm in a battle in France and who only recently arrived in the U.S.A. and since has been at the Presidio Hospital, came home last week on a furlough and was the next speaker introduced. He began his most interesting address by the Roll Call of returned soldiers. These responding included: Sgt. Robert R. Smith, Bugler Charles Turre, Private 1st Class Ray Deter, Private 1st Class Joe Foster, Private 1st Class Zachary Barnum, Private 1st Class Jess Barba, Private Lyman Williams, Private Edwin Gregory, Private Lloyd Hitchcock, Private Frank Meek, Private Louis Merrill, Private Frank Silva, Private Ira C. Smith, Private Joseph Solus, Private Earl Tucker, Private Allen Williams, Private William Barba, Lieut. Chas. Pius, Private Will Barba, Private Willard Schaffer.

Through Sergeant Smith the audience learned much they had been wanting to know of camp life, of the voyage of our boys across the sea, of submarine attacks, of trips through foreign lands and of the life of the men in the front line trenches, and a close touch with battles that gave one a chill to the marrow of his bones. The Sergeant told it all in a nut shell, very modestly and without any affectation. Mrs. Charles Scock, Jr. sand “The Hills of God.” Lieutenant Colonel E. E. Kelly, of Medford, and only lately home from France, made the memorial address. He is a fluent, forceful speaker and the picture of our boys in foreign service and their noble deeds were most vividly presented in his audience showing the stern realities of war and death. He also brought smiles by his original humorous stories of the sunny side of life that comes up even amid such surroundings. Dr. Dwinnell spoke of the faithfulness of the Montague-Yreka band lending its service in season and out, day or night, simply as a patriotic duty. This was followed by one of its excellent selections. The meeting was brought to a happy conclusion by a solo “Face to Face” by miss marguerite Toms. “The Long, Long Trial” by the school children and the playing of “America” by the band.

Yreka Journal Feb. 19, 1919