Clinton County, Missouri - Chapter 13: World War, 1923

Chapter 13: World War

It is not in the province of this history or within the purview of this short chapter to attempt a history of the great World War which threat¬ ened the very foundation of civilization and affecting every nation in the world.

President Wilson, in his speech before Congress, April 6. 1917, used the following eloquent and forceful words which found a spontaneous response through all America:

"Let everything that we say, my fellow countrymen, everything that we henceforth plan and accomplish, ring true to this response till the majesty and might of our concerted power shall fill the thought and utterly defeat the force of those who flount and misprize what we honor and hold dear.

"Germany has once more said that force, and force alone, shall decide whether justice and peace shall reign in the affairs of men, whether right as America conceives it, and dominion, as she conceives, shall determine the destinies of mankind.

"There is, therefore, but one response for us; force, force to the utmost, force without stint or limit, the righteous and triumphant force which will make the law of the world, and cast selfish dominion down in the dust."

The following list of those who served in the World War from Clin¬ ton County is furnished by the Adjutant General's office at Jefferson City and is as nearly complete as is obtainable.

Elston Amos was born Sept. 16, 1899, at Gower, Mo., a son of Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Amos. He enlisted Feb. 17, 1917, in the United States Navy. He died June 12, 1918, on Hospital Ship Mercy and is buried in Allen Ceme¬ tery, Gower, Mo.

He enlisted at St. Joseph and was in training at Great Lakes. He was transferred to the U. S. S. Missouri March 30, 1917, on which he served until the time of his death June 12, 1918, on U. S. S. Mercy. His body was shipped from Portsmouth, Va.

Forest Bear, son of W. T. and Maggie Bear, of Lathrop, Mo., died on board ship on his way to France. His body was returned home and buried in Lathrop Cemetrey.

Private Roy Eberly Beechner was born Sept. 25, 1896, at Bethany, Harrison County, Mo., and moved to Cameron with his parents in 1898 and resided there until his entry into the service, Aug. 8, 1918. He was trained at Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas, in Company C, 4th Infantry Replacements. He left Camp McArthur Sept. 16 for Camp Merritt, N. J., was transferred to Company 20, S. A. R. D. He sailed Sept. 22 on "The Princess Matokia", a captured German liner. He died on this ship Oct. 6, 1918, a few hours before landing in France. His body was transferred to S. S. Black Hawk, and without being taken on shore, was returned to America arriving at his home in Cameron Oct. 23, 1918. His funeral was conducted at his home by Lieutenant Rogers of the S. A. T. C., of Missouri Wesleyan College, Oct. 25, 1918, burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Cameron, Mo.

Emmett Emmanuel Binstead was born near Plattsburg, May 28, 1893. Died Dec. 26, 1917, Fort Riley, Kas. He was a member of Company F, 356th Infantry. Went to training camp at Funston, Sept. 19, 1917.

Capt. Henry Robinson Clay, Jr., was born in Plattsburg, Nov. 27, 1895. "H. R.," as we called him, grew to young manhood here, graduat¬ ing from our high school and making his start in the Christian life at this place, under the direction of Rev. J. P. Pinkerton, on May 29, 1910.

He was deservedly popular with both young and old and made many warm friends, who watched with interest and pride his rapid advance¬ ment through a short but well-spent life.

Two months after our country's declaration of war, he enlisted in the ground school of aviation at Austin, was ordered to New York in July, and sailed August 15th for England, where he received training. He was put over the German lines April 6, 1918, ranking as second lieutenant, and was soon advanced to first lieutenant and then captain. July 1st, 1918, he was made flight commander of the 148th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, by which he was credited with 13 German planes. He was off duty during his service but 10 days. He stood third in the list of American aces, was recognized as the leading American aerial strategist and had been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross of the Brit¬ ish. After the armistice, at the earnest request of Col. Harold Fowler, chief of air service of the army of occupation, he remained in Europe as one of his staff, denying himself the longed-for joy of returning home. In December he went to Chaumont, France, to assist in writing a manual on air service tactics. Feb. 1, 1919, he reported for duty on the staff of aviation at Coblenz, but discovering that Captain Clay was not well, the chief of staff ordered him sent to the hospital, where, after six days, his illustrious career closed.

Leonard Cunningham was born at Cameron, Mo., Aug. 7, 1892. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Trueman E. Cunningham. He had one sister, Mrs. Mellie Packham, with whom he made his home after the death of his parents. He was called to the service of his country July 5, 1918, going first to Jefferson Barracks, where he remained until July 9th, when he was sent to Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas. September 16th he was sent to Camp Merrit, arriving September 22nd. On September 23rd he sailed for France, arriving on October 6th at St. Nazaire, where he died in a hospital just two days later of pneumonia. His body was returned Nov. 17, 1920; the burial was in Cameron, November 23rd. He was a private in the 22nd Company, S. A. R. D.

John Callahan, Jr., familiarly called "Ted," son of Mr. and Mrs. John Callahan, was killed in action, Nov. 2, 1918, somewhere in France at the front. He was born near Converse, Mo., April 26, 1894. He went from Plattsburg to Jefferson Barracks, July 16, 1918, from there to Camp

John Callahan, Jr

McArthur, Waco, Texas, trained five weeks, and was given choice of going to the front or remaining as instructor. He was a sergeant. He chose to go overseas, sailing about Sept. 24, reaching the front Oct. 20. He had two brothers also in the service.

Morton Dixon was born in Cameron, Mo., in 1892, son of Silas L. and Della Dixon. His mother died when he was three years old, and he was taken into the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Ward, who raised him. He enlisted at Douglas, Ariz., at which place he was work¬ ing at the outbreak of the war, and was sent to Camp Funston, Kas., for training. He served during the entire period of the World War and was at LeMans, France, waiting for a homeward-bound ship when attacked

Elmer Ellis was born Jan. 14, 1895, at Cameron, Mo., son of J. N. and Della Ellis. He attended Cameron schools. He was a member of Company 82nd, 6th Regiment, U. S. M. C. He died Oct. 4, 1918, and is buried at Cameron, Mo.

George Maurice Fallis was born at Gower, Mo., May 10, 1894, and died Nov. 5, 1918, in base hospital from wounds received in Argonne drive. He enlisted Nov. 12, 1917, and was sent to Jefferson Barracks, was soon transferred to Fort Hancock, N. J., and sailed for France on his twenty-fourth birthday. He was a member of Headquarters Company, 57th Artillery, C. A. C. He graduated from Gower High School April 19, 1912. He was a son of George W. Fallis and Minnie Pryor Fallis.

Paul Raymond Gipson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace A. Gipson,, of Lathrop, Mo., was born Feb. 6, 1901. He enlisted March 9th in U. S. Navy and died March 28, 1918, at Great Lakes Training Station. He was buried March 30, 1918, at Mt. Zion Cemetery.

William Floyd Genson was 31 years of age. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Genson, of near Starfield, was a member of the 33rd Engineers, and received his training at Camp Funston and Camp Dodge. He went to France in August, 1918, and died of influenza October 9th the same year. His funeral was conducted by Rev. C. A. Burkhardt, at Lebanon church, and his burial was in Lebanon cemetery, the John Calla¬ han Post paying the last honor to their comrade. He is survived by his parents, three sisters, Mrs. William Baker, Mrs. Homer Young, Mrs. Min¬ nie Watkins, and two brothers, Roy and Frank. All except Frank, who lives at Hunter, Mo., are of this county.

Kelly Gage, of the S. A. T. C., was born at Cameron, Mo., Nov. 24, 1898, and was a son of James S. and Fannie (Kelly) Gage. Kelly Gage died at Fayetteville, Ark., Oct. 21, 1918, and is buried at Cameron, Mo.

Willie Earl Hawks was bom Nov. 8, 1891, and was a son of John and Sarah A. Hawks. He attended the public schools in DeKalb County, Mis¬ souri. He was a member of Company F, 356th Infantry, at Camp Fun¬ ston, Kas., and died Nov. 21, 1917.

Frank Arthur Imbler was born in Plattsburg, Mo., Nov. 5, 1893. He spent the years of his boyhood in Plattsburg, growing up in the Christian home of John D. and Lizzie Imbler, with his four sisters, Ida, Millie, Daisy and Bessie. It was in Plattsburg that he went to school and to Sunday school and to the church, where he made confession of his faith in Jesus as the son of God when he was a boy some 14 years old. Here he worked and played, made friends and entered into the life of the community. He is remembered as a quiet, rather earnest, but genial boy in these early years. Sometime after the death of his father, in July, 1911, Frank went to Nebraska, where he spent a year, and later, probably in 1914, went further West, where in the latter part of 1914 he took a government claim in Montana. With the exception of a brief visit home in 1915, he spent the time in the West proving up his claim until the time of his enlistment in the service of his country. It was on July 25, 1917, that he enlisted in the 3rd Wyoming Infantry Regiment, in Company D. He was trans¬ ferred in September, 1917, to Battery E of the 148th Field Artillery. He was fatally wounded by the explosion of a shell on Aug. 5, 1918, and died August 6th at Tueleries, France. His body was returned to the United States and buried at Plattsburg July 13, 1922.

Rufus O'Brien Kincaid was born in Clinton County, Sept. 2, 1891. He went to Camp Dodge, Iowa, May 28, 1918, and to France in August with the 350th Infantry, Headquarters Company. He gave his life in the service Oct. 10, 1918, at the age of 27 years. He is survived by his par¬ ents, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Kincaid; two sisters. Misses Mary Lillian and Edna, and four brothers, Howard, Eugene, William and Alvis.

John McCabe was born near Keystone, Mo., in 1893, a son of Edward and Josephine McCabe. He enlisted April 28, 1918, at Plattsburg, Mo. He served in Company G, 354th Infantry, 89th Division. He died Oct. 21, 1918, in a French hospital, the name of which is unknown. The body was returned to this country and interred in Graceland Cemetery, Cam¬ eron, Feb. 26, 1920.

Andrew J. McCarren died as a result of wounds received at the front in France. He was about 27 years old when the war started. He was assigned to the 353rd Infantry and went overseas with that contingent. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Sergt. Roy E. McComb was a son of W. E. McComb, and was born July 26, 1892. He died in Argonne Forest, in France, Nov. 4, 1918, while serving in 356th Machine Gun Company, 89th Division. He was cited for bravery and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Nov. 4, 1918, he led a section of machine guns with great courage under heavy enemy artillery and machine gun fire, silencing three hostile machine gun

Clinton McFarland Marsh was born in DeKalb County, Missouri, Dec. 8, 1896. He came with his parents to Clinton County when three months old. He enlisted in U. S. M. C. Aug. 9, 1917. Left home for camp at Paris Island Aug. 22, 1917, where he was in training until Jan. 10, 1918, when he joined 119th Company, 1st Replacement Battalion, Quantico, Va., and with this organization was ordered to France, arriving Feb. 26, 1918. From port of disembarkation this company was sent to Chattion- Sur-Cher. In March, 1918, Private Marsh was sent to Havre, France, for guard duty. This detail remained until September, 1918, the guard being returned to Chattion-Sur-Cher, joining the 30th Company. After the Champain operation and the capture of Mont Blanc, the 30th Company joined 4th Brigade Marines as a replacement unit. Private Marsh being assigned to 66th Company, 5th Marines. He was assigned to duties of company runner, which duties he performed in the last offensive until Nov. 8, 1918, when he was assigned to the Battalion Headquarters as battalion runner. He was with the battalion group the night of Novem¬ ber 10th, when the River Meuse was crossed by 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. He was wounded on the night of November 10th, from which he died Nov. 15, 1918. He was buried in France, but the body was returned to America, and on Aug. 21, 1921, was buried at his old home church ceme¬ tery, Mt. Zion Baptist, near Lilly, in the southern part of Clinton County.

Otis Nelson, from Cameron, was born July 7, 1898. He was a mem¬ ber of the 4th Company, 7th Regiment, 164th D. B. He died at Camp Funston, Oct. 17, 1918.

Corporal Floyd R. Pearson of Company F, 356th Infantry, enlisted at Plattsburg, Mo., Sept. 18, 1917. He was born July 2, 1893, on a farm in Clinton County, Missouri, son of Oliver and Nettie Pearson. He died in camp hospital in France and was buried near Paris. .

Roy Plumb was born April 5, 1892, and died at Fort Riley, Kas., Dec. 17, 1917. He was a member of Company F, 356th Infantry. He was a son of N. R. Plumb, of Cameron, Mo.

John A. White was born in Ralls County, Missouri, June 13, 1890, a son of J. W. and Ollie May White. He enlisted July, 1917, at Hannibal, Mo. He was a private in Company A, 5th Machine Gun Battalion. He died in France June 24, 1918, and was buried in France. His parents live in Cameron.

We heard them whistling down the country lanes And saw them in our village streets, nor guessed That deep beneath their careless laughter lay The gold of which the hero's soul is wrought.

Would shed their hearts' blood in their country's cause; These, too, have sacred mirrored depths of soul Where God may look, finding His image there.