| Harry Swift Is Buried Today
Military Honors Paid Washington Vet Of The World War
Funeral services were held this morning at nine o'clock at St.
James Catholic church for Harry Swift, 37 years old, veteran of the
world war, who died suddenly in Washington last Saturday afternoon.
Services at the church were in charge of Father Joseph H.
O'Donnell. The church was filled with friends, including his fellow
members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Military Honors
Military honors were paid the dead solder at the grave in Elm
Grove cemetery, where a firing squad of Leon Beatty post members, in
charge of Capt. Jay Brown, fired a volley over his grave and
"Taps" were sounded.
Pall bearers were Palmer Wilson, Howard Freshwaters, Charles Minick,
Floyd Banks, Dale Denison and Clayton Neiswanger. The first five of the
bearers were his "buddies" in France and the sixth is
commander of the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Following his sudden death Saturday, when he fell to the pavement
on South Marion avenue near the Dr. Reid veterinary office, the body was
taken to the L. A. Jones funeral home where funeral arrangements were made.
Gassed At Chateau Thierry
No soldier of the war was held in higher admiration by his
comrades than Harry Swift, during the time of his service and since. He
was one of the first to go from this community and served throughout the
war, most of his service being in France.
He was gassed at the battle of Chateau Thierry July 27, 1918, and
ever since the war was has suffered from the effects of that experience,
his health being seriously affected, and that probably contributed to
his untimely death. Despite this handicap, he did a man's work,
uncomplainingly and courageously, operating a farm three miles southeast of town.
Enlisted in 1917
Soon after war was declared and recruits were sought for Company
K, Washington's unit of the National Guard, which was called into
service, Harry Swift volunteered, May 25, 1917, and became a member of
Company K, 168th Infantry, a part of the famous Forty-second or Rainbow
Division, which saw much active service in France.
The regiment landed overseas December 1, 1917, and soon afterward
was in the front line trenches. After the armistice in winter he and his
company were in Germany with the army of occupation before being sent
home and discharged at Camp Dodge, May 17, 1919.
Was Born Here
Harry Swift was born here Sept. 26, 1896, a son of Francis and
Nellie (Boyd) Swift. He spent all his life in this community with the
exception of the two years he was in the army during the war and
attended the Washington schools being graduated from that school. While
in school he was catcher on the high school baseball team, excelling in
that branch of athletics, the only thing in which he took an interest.
Leaves Wife, Daughter
He was married Nov. 29, 1921, to Elsie Richards of Ainsworth, who
survives him with one daughter, Patricia, eight years of age. He also
leaves his mother, Mrs. Nellie Swift, and one sister, Mrs. Clarence
Wheelan of Cedar Rapids. His father died July 7, 1930.
He was a member of Leon Beatty post, American Legion, the
Washington post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the St. James Catholic church.
(Washington Evening Journal, Washington, Iowa, December 26, 1933) |
