These are marriages and deaths from THE BALTIMORE NEWS, Tuesday, October 22, 1918:
15 DIE OF PNEUMONIA IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
(Special Dispatch to The News)
Hagerstown, Oct. 21—Despite every effort being made to stamp out the influenza epidemic here pneumonia is still exacting a heavy toll of human life. Fifteen persons have died in Washington county of the disease since yesterday. The wife of City Councilman George B., Alexander, aged 35 years, died at her home. Other deaths were: Chester C. WIDDOW, aged 26; Charles L. KNEPPER, Clearspring; Mrs. Mary K. ESMER, matron of the Orphans’ Home, aged 37; Rossa TRIPOULA aged 25; Clarence EICHELBEGER, 37; Mrs. Earl DOUP, 35; Mrs. Mary GARLING, 36; Mrs. Marie L. FEHRS, 60; David KNODE, 30; Mrs. Stanley GLADHILL, 19. There are 78 patients at Emergency Hospital.
SERGT. NEWCOMER KILLED
(Special Dispatch to The News)
Hagerstown, Md., Oct. 21—Information has been received by Mrs. Lutie P. NEWCOMER of Halfway, this county, that her son, Sergeant James Baker NEWCOMER, of the Three Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infantry had been killed in action in France. Sergeant NEWCOMER and another soldier were killed and 10 wounded. Sergeant NEWCOMER was buried on the east bank of the Moselle river, near Pont Amousson. Mrs. NEWCOMER, who is a widow, has three other sons in service in France, and another son in an officers’ training camp in this country.
CAPTAIN ALLAN WAITE KILLED IN ACTION
(By the Associated Press)
Yonkers, N.Y., Oct. 21—Capt. Allan WAITE, a son of Byron S. WAITE of the United States Board of General Appraisers in New York and former judge of the United States Circuit Court in Michigan, was killed in action, September 29, according to a cable message received by his father today from a friend in France. He was recently promoted from lieutenant. Captain WAITE was 23 years old. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1915.
HAS PROOF THAT U.S. SOLDIER WAS CRUCIFIED BY GERMANS
Washington, Oct. 21—Senator POINDEXTER of Washington read to the Senate today a letter from Dr. T. H. HOWARD of St. Louis stating that a brother of Sergeant A. B. COLE, of East Liverpool, Ohio, who served with the Canadian forces in France, had affidavits to prove the widely circulated story that the sergeant was crucified upon a door with German bayonets. Senator POINDEXTER produced the letter during a speech criticizing the Committee on Public Information, which, he said, was seeking to spread the belief that German atrocities have been discontinued. The Committee recently denied the crucifixion story.
BALLPLAYER DIED A HERO
"Ed" GRANT, Once a Giant, Killed Trying to Rescue "Lost Battalion"
With the American Army Northwest of Verdun, Oct. 21—Capt. Edward GRANT,
former third baseman of the New York (National League) Club and attached to the
Three Hundred and Seventh Infantry, was killed by a shell while leading a unit
to the aid of the famous "Lost Battalion."
The battalion was surrounded for five days in the Argonne forest and Captain
GRANT was killed during one of the attempts to reach it.
(I do not know if this person survived, but thought it might belong here.)
Influenza Victim Attempts Suicide
(By Cable to the Associated Press)
Hagerstown, Md., Oct. 21—Michael STIVATTI, an Italian employed at the plant of the Security Lime and Cement Company, cut his throat this morning in an attempt to commit suicide. He was rushed to the Washington County Hospital and is not expected to recover. STIVATTI had been ill with influenza and became despondent over his illness. He was prevented from ending his life with a knife by other workmen.
SHOOTS WIFE; KILLS SELF; CALLS IT LOVE
Private Horace BRITTINGHAM Of Camp Meade Uses Army Pistol In Double Tragedy
MAN DIES AT HOSPITAL
Quarrel Over Money And Jealousy Said To Have Been Cause Of Shooting
"I die for love—I—I die for love," moaned Private Horace BRITTINGHAM of the Military Police at Camp Meade as he lay in a dying condition at University Hospital yesterday, where he had been taken after he had turned his big army pistol upon his young wife, sending a 45-caliber bullet clear through her body, and then shot himself. BRITTINGHAM died at 11:30 A.M.
At Mercy Hospital, Mrs. Catherine BRITTINGHAM is close to death’s door, the bullet in its passage having gone through her right lung. Surgeons say she cannot get well. The shooting took place at 9:30 o’clock this morning.
Money and Jealousy
Money and jealousy—suspicious jealousy on the part of the husband—are at the bottom of this tragedy. The police learned at the home where the shooting occurred, 1000 Hanover street, that Mr. and Mrs. BRITTINGHAM had been quarreling over his failure to send her a portion of his salary each month and also about a certain man.
"What do I want with another man?" Mrs. BRITTINGHAM is alleged to have said to her husband when he spoke to her about this other man. "You are enough for me—too much, in fact—for half the time I don’t want you."
But money was the issue between the husband and wife immediately before the shots were fired. Mrs. BRITTINGHAM was fussing with her soldier husband because he had not sent her any money.
And Then The Tragedy
"I don’t send you any money," retorted BRITTINGHAM, "because I don’t get any."
"That’s funny," replied the wife. "I’m going right out and telegraph to your commanding officer and find out why you don’t get any."
Whereupon Mrs. BRITTINGHAM started up as if she were going to put her threat into effect, when BRITTINGHAM glowered at her and said threateningly:
"I’ll be damned if you ever leave here!"
"I’ll go or die!" defiantly cried the wife.
The quarrel was taking place in the second-story back room of the Hanover street home, and, delivering her defi [sic], Mrs. BRITTINGHAM moved toward the door. BRITTINGHAM, who was wearing his full uniform, quickly drew his pistol. The wife then ran into another room, with her husband following. He caught her, dragged her back into the room which she had just left and then shot her.
Falls Dying In Street
Screaming in terror and pain, Mrs. BRITTINGHAM fled down the stairway and into Hanover street. Crying "Murder! Murder!" she dropped to the pavement.
BRITTINGHAM, it is said, rushed down the stairs behind his wife, but when he saw her lying prostrate on the pavement he turned and rushed back upstairs again.
Neighbors were soon beside Mrs. BRITTINGHAM and she was place in an automobile truck. The driver hurried to the Southern Police Station, which is a few blocks away, and from there she was taken to the hospital in the police auto patrol.
Patrolman George MAY was patrolling his beat on South Charles street when a man ran up to him and breathlessly exclaimed:
Policeman Finds Wounded Man
"A woman has just been stabbed on Hanover street near Hamburg!"
Patrolman MAY sprinted to the scene and at the door of the home a man cautioned:
"Look out, officer; he’s up there at the top of the steps with a big gun."
But MAY, a square-jawed, fearless policeman, went up the steps two at a clip and found BRITTINGHAM sprawled out on a bed in the second-story back room bleeding from a wound in his chest. His army pistol was lying beside him. In a few minutes Patrolman Fred JOHNSON also came up on the run.
BRITTINGHAM is a tall husky soldier, but MAY decided that the man needed attention mighty quick, so with the help of JOHNSON and Charles MORGAN, a passerby, he carried him into the street. Halting the automobile of William NEILL, 1301 Light street, MAY placed the soldier in the tonneau.
"Get to University Hospital," ordered MAY, "and never mind the speed laws."
From Pocomoke City
While he lay upon the operating table BRITTINGHAM, with great difficulty, answered the questions put to him by Patrolman MAY. He said that he was 27 years old, that he was from Pocomoke City, Md., and that he was a member of the Military Police at Camp Meade.
"How did you get your wound?" asked MAY.
"I shot myself," promptly answered BRITTINGHAM.
"Did you shoot anyone else?" was the next question.
"No," groaned the soldier.
"Who shot your wife, then?" queried the policeman.
BRITTINGHAM closed his eyes for a moment and remained silent; then he said:
"If my wife is shot—then I did it."
"Do you think you are going to die?" May wanted to know.
"Yes, I’m going to die," declared the young soldier. "I’m going to die all right—and I—I die for love—I die for love."
Wife From Somerset County
Mrs. BRITTINGHAM has been living with her sister-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth FORD, at the Hanover street address, for the last four months. She came to Baltimore with her husband from Marion Station, Somerset county, Maryland, where they had been living.
It is thought that BRITTINGHAM, upon seeing his wife lying on the pavement, decided to take his life. He must have stood beside the bed when he fired a shot into himself and then fell heavily across the bed, for it had broken down. He also had stopped to remove his overcoat and uniform blouse, as they were lying on the floor where he had flung them.
Mr. and Mrs. BRITTINGHAM had been married four years.
FUNERAL OF J. F. WAGNER
Brother of Basil WAGNER Is Victim Of Influenza-Pneumonia
Funeral arrangements are being completed today for James Fisher WAGNER, brother of Basil WAGNER, president of the Alford Sporting Goods Company, who died yesterday at the home of his brother-in-law, F. Stewart DAVIDGE, 1610 Park avenue, following an illness of 10 days from influenza-pneumonia. Mr. WAGNER was 41 years old.
He was connected with the American Agricultural and Chemical Company as purchasing agent, and at the time he was taken ill was awaiting a commission from Washington in the military service. He attended the Plattsburg training camp. Mr. WAGNER also was a prominent member of the Baltimore Club, Baltimore Country Club and the Baltimore Yacht Club.
Surviving are his brother and sister.
STEAMBOAT MAN WHO DIED AT HIS HOME
George W. EFFORD
Mr. EFFORD was superintendent and chief engineer of the Rock Creek Steamboat Company. He died Saturday at his home, 133 North Milton avenue. He was a native of Richmond and was well known along the local waterfront. He was formerly employed by the York River and Clyde Lines and in 1892 was one of the organizers of the Rock Creek Steamboat Company. He was a member of Junior Order United American Mechanics and Washington Lodge of Masons. He leaves a widow and three children, Charles and Harry EFFORD and Miss Alice EFFORD.
These are excerpts from the NEWS OF MARYLAND AND THE VIRGINIAS column:
MARYLAND BRIEFS
ASHTON—Miss Virginia McPherson STABLER, daughter of the late Philip T. STABLER and Mrs. Cornelia STABLER of Sandy Spring, and William E. E. TYSON of Detroit, Mich., were married Saturday at the residence of the bride’s sister, Mrs. Maurice T. STABLER. Mrs. STABLER was the bride’s attendant and her husband was best man. Miss Florence STABLER of Baltimore was maid of honor.
---------------------------------
WESTMINSTER—Funeral services were held here for Mrs. Hilda Bennett THOMAS, who died of pneumonia, aged 36 years. She was the wife of W. Frank THOMAS and a daughter of the late Francis Worthington BENNETT and Mrs. La Motte Anna BENNETT of Baltimore. Three children survive, with her husband.
---------------------------------
TANEYTOWN—Lieut. John A. ALEXANDER of the aviation service, who came home from Texas suffering from influenza, died at the home of his father, Reuben ALEXANDER.
---------------------------------
WESTMINSTER—Mrs. Arthur F. BLIZZARD, a daughter of Charles B. HUNTER, died here of pneumonia. Her twin sister in Philadelphia succumbed to the same disease.
---------------------------------
MYERSVILLE—Mrs. Susan M. MOWEN, wife of D. H. MOWEN, a Hagerstown jeweler, died in her eightieth year. Interment was made here yesterday in the Lutheran Cemetery. She is survived by her husband, one sister, Mrs. Mary RENNER, West Milton, Ohio, and one brother, Rev. H. A. KOOGLE, Chapinan, Kansas, and five step sons, John H., Charles W., Frederick D., of Plainfield, N.J., and Waldo R., of Rochelle, N.J.
---------------------------------
IN THE VIRGINIAS
EXMORE—J. Lee WINDER, who was well known on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and for many years a prominent merchant, died after a long illness at his home here. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. MOORE of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Burial was made in Franktown Cemetery. He is survived by a widow and seven children.
E. K. BRUCE A Victim
Cincinnati, Oct. 21—E. K. BRUCE, First Assistant United States District Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and a former member of the lower house of the Ohio State Legislature, died at his home here last night from Spanish influenza. He was 32 years old and was a son of John E. BRUCE, an attorney who is widely known in baseball circles as secretary of the National Baseball Commission.
EIGHT DIE IN CUMBERLAND
But No New "Flu" Cases Are Reported; Believe Epidemic Over
(Special Dispatch to The News)
Cumberland, Md., Oct. 21—Eight deaths were reported last night from influenza, including Thomas LINDNER, aged 40 years, a café proprietor, and Miss Mildred EYLER, niece of former City Councilman Charles R. EYLER. Her father Harry T. EYLER, died Wednesday. Many cases are being discharged from the two emergency hospitals, with no new patients being received. The authorities believe the backbone of the epidemic has been broken and are now considering an early calling off of the order closing saloons, churches, schools, etc.
Frederick DUDLEY, Republican leader at Eckhart, died of influenza.
College President Dead
(Special Dispatch to The News)
Vancouver, B. C., Oct. 21—Dr. F. WESBROOK, president of the University of British Columbia, died here yesterday following an illness of several months.
Jacob A. HERMAN Stricken
Jacob A. HERMAN, one of the operators of the Baltimore office of the Military Intelligence Bureau, who was formerly a police sergeant, died at his home, 718 North Collington avenue, Saturday, from pneumonia following the influenza. As a member of the police force, Mr. HERMAN was assigned to the Western district for several years until about two years ago when he was promoted to a sergeantcy. At the time of his promotion he was the youngest sergeant in the Baltimore Police Department. He resigned from the police force early this year to become one of the Government operators.
BRAVE MARYLANDERS WHO HAVE "PAID IN FULL"
Theodore SANDERS
Private Theodore SANDERS, who was the son of Mrs. A. S. SANDERS, 1528 Clarkson street, was killed in battle on September 1, according to a telegram received by his mother from the War Department. Several days prior to the telegram announcing his death Mrs. SANDERS received one saying that he had been severely wounded. He went to Camp Meade on December 5, 1917, and was transferred to camp Merrick on March 13, 1918. A few weeks later he sailed for France, where he "paid in full." He was a member of the Three Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment.
Willard T. PRICE
Word has been received in this city of the accidental death in France of Willard T. PRICE, 20 years old, son of Rev. and Mrs. Alfred A. PRICE, now of Broom’s Island, Md., who lived in Baltimore until recently. The young man who was a member of the Machine Gun Company of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment, was killed on September 9.
He enlisted in the old Fifth Regiment in April 1917, and went to Camp McClellan for training. When the regiment was reorganized he was assigned to the machine-gun company, and went to France in June. In writing his parents of Mr. PRICE’s death, Lieut. John M. WEIR, Jr., commander of the machine-gun company, lauded the young soldier’s ability, as follows:
"His record as a soldier was one to be envied of all men and he always led a good, clean life. You must be proud of such a son and in the day to come you will be more than proud to know your son gave his life to the cause we are all fighting for."
Herman A. BARTH
Corporal Herman A. BARTH was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman BARTH of Cambridge, Md. A message to his father said that his son died of pneumonia September 24.
Corporal BARTH was 24 years old and spent several years in Baltimore, formerly living at 2143 West North avenue. He was a graduate of the Maryland Institute and was engaged as a sculptor in stone.
He enlisted in May, 1917, in Battery C., Maryland Artillery Brigade and was later sent to Anniston. He sailed for France last spring.
These are excerpts from the Society column:
Mr. and Mrs. John W. PEALE of New York have announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Betty PEALE, and Mr. Daniel Le Roy DRESSER. Mr. DRESSER is a mechanic in the Six Hundred and Forty-second Aero Squadron and has been in France since August, 1917. Miss PEALE recently joined the Red Cross. Mr. DRESSER is the son of Mrs. E. Burnham DRESSER and the late Daniel Le Roy DRESSER and a nephew of Mrs. George W. VANDERBILT.
---------------------------------
A special train will leave Wilmington, Del., at 2 P. M., October 26, for the convenience of the guests at the wedding of Miss Miriam HUBBARD and Lieut. George MAURICE, which will take place at Widehall, the home of the bride’s father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur W. HUBBARD, in ??estertown, Md. The Baltimore guests will take the train leaving Union Station at 12:05, which will connect with the Wilmington train.
BURIAL SERVICE AT CAMP FOR SOLDIER
Private Edward CLARK, From Canada, Victim of "Flu" At Meade
(Staff Correspondent of The Baltimore News)
Camp Meade, Md., Oct. 21—The first funeral in the history of this cantonment took place this morning in the main hut of the Knights of Columbus when a requiem high mass was celebrated for Private Edward CLARK, who died some days ago from influenza-pneumonia.
The young soldier was a native of Canada, and relatives who attended the funeral said they were unable to take his body back home for burial. Accordingly the funeral was arranged at Camp Meade, and following the services CLARK’s body was taken to National Cemetery at Arlington for burial.
Chaplain John J. BONNER officiated at the services, which were attended by a large number of friends of CLARK and a number of his relatives.
The camp authorities today are investigating the stabbing affair of Saturday night in which Corporal Robert E. NELSON of Vandling, Pa., was killed at the breakfast table by Private Jeff LANKFORD of Ridgevale, Tenn. LANKFORD is being held, and will be given a trial before court-martial in a short time. He faces the most serious charge ever placed against a soldier at Meade.
Many men of the company witnessed the stabbing, which is said to have been provoked by a quarrel the previous evening. LANKFORD is alleged to have driven his knife into NELSON’s back, and as the corporal fell backward he is said to have plunged the blade into the other man’s heart. NELSON was pronounced dead at the camp hospital a few minutes later.
