The Burns Herald
Thursday, October 24, 1918

CLARENCE MASON MAKES
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE

This whole community was shocked
and saddened Saturday on hearing the
news of the death of Clarence Mason
at Camp Lewis, Washington. Word
had been received that he was very ill
with pneumonia following an attack of
influenza and yet all hoped for his re-
covery. Death came Friday, October
18th, 1918.

Clarence was the youngest of the
four sons of Mr. and Mrs. M. Mason
in training at Camp Lewis. The others
are Elmer, Louis and Gerhart, all of
whom will be allowed to return home
for the funeral services. Arrange-
ments have not been entirely completed.
As it is considered inadvisable to hold
a public service in a church at this
time, a private service will be held at
the home, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock
and a public service at the cemetery.

A military escort from Cheyenne
will accompany the body and appropri-
ate military services conducted.

The sympathy of the entire com-
munity goes out to Mr.and Mrs. Mason
In this hour of deep sorrow. Their
son is the first from this community to
give his life for his country.

**************************

The Burns Herald
November 11, 1918

IN MEMORIAM
Obituary of Clarence Mason

Clarence Mason, son of Mr. and Mrs.
M. Mason, was born at Story City,
Iowa, December 2, 1895,
and died at Camp Lewis, American Lake,
Washington, October 18, 1918, aged twenty-
two years, of pneumonia, following an
attack of influenza.

The deceased was the youngest of
four brothers in training at
Camp Lewis, he and Elmer being of the 250th
Ambulance Corps, Louis 76th Infantry,
and Gerhart 44th Infantry.

The body was accompanied home by
Elmer and Gerhart. Funeral services
were held on Friday, October 25th,
private, at the home and public at the
Burns cemetery. A large concourse of
friends accompanied the body to its
last resting place, headed by a firing
squad from Cheyenne. The casket,
wrapped in Old Glory, rested on a
caisson drawn by four horses, while
six pall-bearers acted as guards. Ser-
vices conducted by Rev Heie, Swedish
Lutheran minister from Longmont,
Colo., were of a patriotic nature. He
was assisted by Rev. D. R. Burr of
Burns who spoke along the same lines,
paying a loving tribute to all those
dying in camp or on the battle front.
Mr. Splcer, an old time friend of the
family added a few well chosen words.
A quartette composed of Mesdames
Schmoker and Sibley, and Messrs.
James and Fenwlck sang "Abide with
Me."

The firing of the salute and sound-
ing of taps was a fit ending to this
impressive service. Clarence was laid
to rest In a bower of flowers with Old
Glory standing guard over all.

This young man, in the flower of
his youth, made the supreme sacrifice.
"Greater love hath no man than this —
that he lay down his life for his
friends."

The Golden Prairie Red Cross, the
Divide Red Cross, North Burns W.C.
T.U., Clara Barton Red Cross, Mr.
and Mrs. Chas. D. Carey, Cheyenne,
Freida, Lucinda, and Helena Steege,
Harold Towns, Lloyd Miller and Mr.
and Mrs. A. Werner sent lovely floral
pieces to the bereaved family.