The First Emmitsburgian to fall in WWI
by James Rada, Jr.
The United States entered World War I when Congress declared war against Germany in April 1917. At that point, the fighting in Europe had been going on for nearly three years.
The Weekly Chronicle ran editorials supporting the U.S.’s involvement, and also began running articles that summarized the war events of the week.
The June 8, 1917, Chronicle ran a front-page display of the first area residents to join. Francis Elder, Joseph Felix, Joseph Adelsberger, Benjamin Topper, George Wagerman, Louis Stoner, Clarence Myers, Charles Sharrer, Carroll McCleaf, and Earl Weikert enlisted in Company A, First Regiment of the Maryland National Guard. Frank Bouey, Quinn Topper, and William Bowling enlisted in the army, and Simon Klosky enlisted in the Aviation Corp.
To get the Emmitsburg men to the departure point, the Frederick County Exemption Board arranged for rail cars of the Hagerstown and Frederick Railway to convey all of the men from Frederick City to Thurmont to meet the Western Maryland Railroad train to Baltimore and eventually to Fort Meade.
“There was no fuss and feathers, there were no public ‘sad farewells’ – at least on the part of Emmitsburgians – when these boys started on the first lap of their journey. They received their orders and, like the soldiers they are, obeyed them without a murmur, without a word of criticism. We feel assured that all of Frederick County’s assignment will be up to the standard; we know that the squad from here will give a good account of itself; for the personnel of that squad ranks A1. Each man in it has a clear conception of the responsibility that rests upon him, each man is much in earnest – determined to do his full share. These selectmen – that’s the name, and an honorable one – and also those from Emmitsburg who heretofore volunteered their services to their government, will not be forgotten by those who they have left behind,” the Chronicle reported.
The Emmitsburg doughboys went off to train and fight. Pvt. Francis X. Elder had been in France since June and had fought in several engagements since then.
Pvt. Elder wrote to his family and kept them up-to-date on what was happening with him. In October 1918, even as World War I was winding down, his company once again prepared for battle; he wrote to his mother:
Dearest Mama,
As I am about to enter the big fight for Democracy it is my desire now, whilst I have the opportunity to pencil you a few lines briefly, and bid you, Papa and all, a sincere farewell and may our dear and most precious God always protect you in this life, and knowing this, I will die cheerfully for a good cause, if it to be His holy will, otherwise it will be the happiest moment of my life when I can once more kiss those motherly lips. If the worst happens to me, take the news, courageously be brave!, as I am going to try and be. If I come through O.K. I will write at once and let you know.
Hoping for the best and trusting I will see you all on earth, or that we will meet in Heaven. I am your most affectionate and loving son.
The American Expeditionary Force, commanded by Gen. John J. Pershing engaged in the largest and bloodiest battle of the war. Germans and Americans fought along the Western Front from September 26 to the end of the war on November 11.
Even as Elder had written his mother, he had been engaged in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. During this battle, 28,000 Germans and 26,277 Americans would die.
Elder fell on October 11.
Not knowing this, his family continued to wait for word from their son and praying that he was safe. It wasn’t until November 18, a week after the war ended, that the Elders learned Francis had not survived.
A Western Union telegram arrived that read: “Deeply regret to inform you that Private Francis X. Elder Infantry is officially reported as killed in action October Eleventh.” He had been buried in the Cousevoye Woods by Father McLaughlin, who was his company chaplain.
He had been the first man from Emmitsburg to enlist in the War to End All Wars, and he was the first man from the town to die in the war.
