8/31/1898 Indiana County Gazette Front Page
Our First Soldier To Die
With the firing of the military salute and the blowing of taps all that was mortal of Joseph Blakely, of Company F, Fifth Regiment, Pa. Vols., the first Indiana county soldier to die in the war with Spain, was laid to rest in the West Lebanon cemetery, on Sunday afternoon.
It had been known for several days that Corporal Blakely's condition was serious, but when on Friday morning a telegram was received from Hon. John P. Elkin, from Camp Thomas announcing that the sick boy's hours were numbered, a hush fell over the town; and when a few hours later another telegram was received announcing his death., the people were brought face to face with the awful results of war, and everywhere were heard expressions of regret and heartfelt sympathy. The news spread like wild fire and soon every place in the county that could be reached by telephone, was notified that Joseph Blakely was dead.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blakely, of Armstrong township, were immediately notified of their son's death, and arrangements were made for receiving the body. Mr. Blakely is an old soldier and he expressed a desire that his son be buried with all the honors of war. Arrangements were made accordingly and when the 11:15 train arrived on Saturday, Company B met the body at the train. A detail of six men was sent out along to his late home, where final arrangements for the funeral were made.
Not in the last 30 years has such a large number of people assembled in this county to pay their last tribute to the dead. They came from miles around and when the hour came for transferring the body to its final resting place, it is estimated there were 1,200 people assembled at the home of sadness near West Lebanon. This did not include the people, who seeing that it would be impossible to get near the house, had gathered at the cemetery.
There were no services at the house, and as the cemetery lies between the house and the church, the interment was made before the funeral services at the church. THe Indiana cornet band was present, as was a number of members of Company B. The detail included three members of company B and three of the dead soldier's comrades who are home on furloughs: John D. Wilson, Zenas Harmon and Ben Marsh. As the corpse was carried to the hearse the band played "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and the detail took their positions, one at each wheel and two immediately behind the hearse. Then the march to the cemetery began.
The band played a funeral march, and as the long procession wound slowly up the hill it made a scene never to be forgotten, the solemnity of which was almost overpowering. When the advance of the funeral procession was nearing the grave the house could be seen over a mile away and all the carriages had not yet formed into the procession.
The services at the grave were very short. After the band had played 'Nearer My God to Thee," Dr. Waller made a prayer; then the services were given in charge of Major D.W. Simpson. Three volleys were fired over the grave, the bugle sounded taps and the soldiers dropped their flowers into the grave, concluding the services.
Joseph Blakely was aged about 22 years, and went to the front with Company F at the first call, having been a member of the company for almost five years. Four years ago he was appointed corporal. He was known as an industrious and never complaining soldier. He graduated from the Normal last June, having previously taught two terms of school in Armstrong township. Corporal Blakely had not been in his usual health for some time, but he kept on in his work, until two weeks before his death, when typhoid fever developed in its worst stage and he was placed in the regimental hospital. At that time his condition was not considered serious.
On the removal of the Fifth Regiment to Lexington, Ky., he was taken to the Sternberg hospital, where he received the best of treatment, but in the removal he contracted spinal meningitis. He grew steadily worse and lapsed into a comatose condition in which state he lay several days previous to his death, which occurred on Thursday evening.
Our First Soldier To Die
With the firing of the military salute and the blowing of taps all that was mortal of Joseph Blakely, of Company F, Fifth Regiment, Pa. Vols., the first Indiana county soldier to die in the war with Spain, was laid to rest in the West Lebanon cemetery, on Sunday afternoon.
It had been known for several days that Corporal Blakely's condition was serious, but when on Friday morning a telegram was received from Hon. John P. Elkin, from Camp Thomas announcing that the sick boy's hours were numbered, a hush fell over the town; and when a few hours later another telegram was received announcing his death., the people were brought face to face with the awful results of war, and everywhere were heard expressions of regret and heartfelt sympathy. The news spread like wild fire and soon every place in the county that could be reached by telephone, was notified that Joseph Blakely was dead.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blakely, of Armstrong township, were immediately notified of their son's death, and arrangements were made for receiving the body. Mr. Blakely is an old soldier and he expressed a desire that his son be buried with all the honors of war. Arrangements were made accordingly and when the 11:15 train arrived on Saturday, Company B met the body at the train. A detail of six men was sent out along to his late home, where final arrangements for the funeral were made.
Not in the last 30 years has such a large number of people assembled in this county to pay their last tribute to the dead. They came from miles around and when the hour came for transferring the body to its final resting place, it is estimated there were 1,200 people assembled at the home of sadness near West Lebanon. This did not include the people, who seeing that it would be impossible to get near the house, had gathered at the cemetery.
There were no services at the house, and as the cemetery lies between the house and the church, the interment was made before the funeral services at the church. THe Indiana cornet band was present, as was a number of members of Company B. The detail included three members of company B and three of the dead soldier's comrades who are home on furloughs: John D. Wilson, Zenas Harmon and Ben Marsh. As the corpse was carried to the hearse the band played "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and the detail took their positions, one at each wheel and two immediately behind the hearse. Then the march to the cemetery began.
The band played a funeral march, and as the long procession wound slowly up the hill it made a scene never to be forgotten, the solemnity of which was almost overpowering. When the advance of the funeral procession was nearing the grave the house could be seen over a mile away and all the carriages had not yet formed into the procession.
The services at the grave were very short. After the band had played 'Nearer My God to Thee," Dr. Waller made a prayer; then the services were given in charge of Major D.W. Simpson. Three volleys were fired over the grave, the bugle sounded taps and the soldiers dropped their flowers into the grave, concluding the services.
Joseph Blakely was aged about 22 years, and went to the front with Company F at the first call, having been a member of the company for almost five years. Four years ago he was appointed corporal. He was known as an industrious and never complaining soldier. He graduated from the Normal last June, having previously taught two terms of school in Armstrong township. Corporal Blakely had not been in his usual health for some time, but he kept on in his work, until two weeks before his death, when typhoid fever developed in its worst stage and he was placed in the regimental hospital. At that time his condition was not considered serious.
On the removal of the Fifth Regiment to Lexington, Ky., he was taken to the Sternberg hospital, where he received the best of treatment, but in the removal he contracted spinal meningitis. He grew steadily worse and lapsed into a comatose condition in which state he lay several days previous to his death, which occurred on Thursday evening.
8/31/1898 Indiana County Gazette Front Page
Our First Soldier To Die
With the firing of the military salute and the blowing of taps all that was mortal of Joseph Blakely, of Company F, Fifth Regiment, Pa. Vols., the first Indiana county soldier to die in the war with Spain, was laid to rest in the West Lebanon cemetery, on Sunday afternoon.
It had been known for several days that Corporal Blakely's condition was serious, but when on Friday morning a telegram was received from Hon. John P. Elkin, from Camp Thomas announcing that the sick boy's hours were numbered, a hush fell over the town; and when a few hours later another telegram was received announcing his death., the people were brought face to face with the awful results of war, and everywhere were heard expressions of regret and heartfelt sympathy. The news spread like wild fire and soon every place in the county that could be reached by telephone, was notified that Joseph Blakely was dead.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blakely, of Armstrong township, were immediately notified of their son's death, and arrangements were made for receiving the body. Mr. Blakely is an old soldier and he expressed a desire that his son be buried with all the honors of war. Arrangements were made accordingly and when the 11:15 train arrived on Saturday, Company B met the body at the train. A detail of six men was sent out along to his late home, where final arrangements for the funeral were made.
Not in the last 30 years has such a large number of people assembled in this county to pay their last tribute to the dead. They came from miles around and when the hour came for transferring the body to its final resting place, it is estimated there were 1,200 people assembled at the home of sadness near West Lebanon. This did not include the people, who seeing that it would be impossible to get near the house, had gathered at the cemetery.
There were no services at the house, and as the cemetery lies between the house and the church, the interment was made before the funeral services at the church. THe Indiana cornet band was present, as was a number of members of Company B. The detail included three members of company B and three of the dead soldier's comrades who are home on furloughs: John D. Wilson, Zenas Harmon and Ben Marsh. As the corpse was carried to the hearse the band played "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and the detail took their positions, one at each wheel and two immediately behind the hearse. Then the march to the cemetery began.
The band played a funeral march, and as the long procession wound slowly up the hill it made a scene never to be forgotten, the solemnity of which was almost overpowering. When the advance of the funeral procession was nearing the grave the house could be seen over a mile away and all the carriages had not yet formed into the procession.
The services at the grave were very short. After the band had played 'Nearer My God to Thee," Dr. Waller made a prayer; then the services were given in charge of Major D.W. Simpson. Three volleys were fired over the grave, the bugle sounded taps and the soldiers dropped their flowers into the grave, concluding the services.
Joseph Blakely was aged about 22 years, and went to the front with Company F at the first call, having been a member of the company for almost five years. Four years ago he was appointed corporal. He was known as an industrious and never complaining soldier. He graduated from the Normal last June, having previously taught two terms of school in Armstrong township. Corporal Blakely had not been in his usual health for some time, but he kept on in his work, until two weeks before his death, when typhoid fever developed in its worst stage and he was placed in the regimental hospital. At that time his condition was not considered serious.
On the removal of the Fifth Regiment to Lexington, Ky., he was taken to the Sternberg hospital, where he received the best of treatment, but in the removal he contracted spinal meningitis. He grew steadily worse and lapsed into a comatose condition in which state he lay several days previous to his death, which occurred on Thursday evening.
Our First Soldier To Die
With the firing of the military salute and the blowing of taps all that was mortal of Joseph Blakely, of Company F, Fifth Regiment, Pa. Vols., the first Indiana county soldier to die in the war with Spain, was laid to rest in the West Lebanon cemetery, on Sunday afternoon.
It had been known for several days that Corporal Blakely's condition was serious, but when on Friday morning a telegram was received from Hon. John P. Elkin, from Camp Thomas announcing that the sick boy's hours were numbered, a hush fell over the town; and when a few hours later another telegram was received announcing his death., the people were brought face to face with the awful results of war, and everywhere were heard expressions of regret and heartfelt sympathy. The news spread like wild fire and soon every place in the county that could be reached by telephone, was notified that Joseph Blakely was dead.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blakely, of Armstrong township, were immediately notified of their son's death, and arrangements were made for receiving the body. Mr. Blakely is an old soldier and he expressed a desire that his son be buried with all the honors of war. Arrangements were made accordingly and when the 11:15 train arrived on Saturday, Company B met the body at the train. A detail of six men was sent out along to his late home, where final arrangements for the funeral were made.
Not in the last 30 years has such a large number of people assembled in this county to pay their last tribute to the dead. They came from miles around and when the hour came for transferring the body to its final resting place, it is estimated there were 1,200 people assembled at the home of sadness near West Lebanon. This did not include the people, who seeing that it would be impossible to get near the house, had gathered at the cemetery.
There were no services at the house, and as the cemetery lies between the house and the church, the interment was made before the funeral services at the church. THe Indiana cornet band was present, as was a number of members of Company B. The detail included three members of company B and three of the dead soldier's comrades who are home on furloughs: John D. Wilson, Zenas Harmon and Ben Marsh. As the corpse was carried to the hearse the band played "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and the detail took their positions, one at each wheel and two immediately behind the hearse. Then the march to the cemetery began.
The band played a funeral march, and as the long procession wound slowly up the hill it made a scene never to be forgotten, the solemnity of which was almost overpowering. When the advance of the funeral procession was nearing the grave the house could be seen over a mile away and all the carriages had not yet formed into the procession.
The services at the grave were very short. After the band had played 'Nearer My God to Thee," Dr. Waller made a prayer; then the services were given in charge of Major D.W. Simpson. Three volleys were fired over the grave, the bugle sounded taps and the soldiers dropped their flowers into the grave, concluding the services.
Joseph Blakely was aged about 22 years, and went to the front with Company F at the first call, having been a member of the company for almost five years. Four years ago he was appointed corporal. He was known as an industrious and never complaining soldier. He graduated from the Normal last June, having previously taught two terms of school in Armstrong township. Corporal Blakely had not been in his usual health for some time, but he kept on in his work, until two weeks before his death, when typhoid fever developed in its worst stage and he was placed in the regimental hospital. At that time his condition was not considered serious.
On the removal of the Fifth Regiment to Lexington, Ky., he was taken to the Sternberg hospital, where he received the best of treatment, but in the removal he contracted spinal meningitis. He grew steadily worse and lapsed into a comatose condition in which state he lay several days previous to his death, which occurred on Thursday evening.
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