Page 4 - Articles in the Papers - Albert C. Funkhouser

HONOR FOR FUNKHOUSER
Corydon (Ind.) Republican, June 20, 1919.

Evansville, Ind., June 18. - The body of Lieut. Albert C. Funkhouser, who
died Monday in a government hospital at Newport News, Va., arrived today
and will be buried tomorrow. The service will be held at the Bayard Park
Methodist Episcopal Church. By order of the county commissioners, the flag
will fly at half-mast over the court house during the time the funeral
is held. The Vanderburgh County Bar Association today passed resolutions on the
death of Lieut. Funkhouser, who was a member of the local Bar. The death of
Lieut. Funkhouser, following that of his brother, Lieut. Paul Funkhouser, who
was killed in action in France, has given impetus to the move to name the
Evansville post of the American Legion of Honor the "Funkhouser Post," out of
respect to the memory of the two brothers who gave their lives for their
country.

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CHURCH FILLED AT FUNKHOUSER FUNERAL
Evansville Courier, June 20, 1919,

Friends Attend Final Services for Army Officer Who Passes Away in the East

The Bayard Park Church yesterday was the scene of one of the most solemn
funerals ever held. There, services were conducted over the body of Lieut.
Albert C. Funkhouser, whose death occurred at the Army hospital at Newport News,
Va., while the young soldier was returning home from the French battleground.
His brother, Lieut. Paul, lost his life fighting in the Argonne Forest, and
Lieut. Albert was the last of the two sons.

Many were unable to get into the edifice even after the spacious Sunday School
rooms adjoining had been thrown open. Approximately fifty soldiers in uniform
were present, having marched from the Service Club at Second and Locust Streets.

Rev. C. C. Edwards of Boonville, formerly of the Bayard Park Church, and Rev.
J. E. Murr officiated. They spoke in affectionate terms of the dead soldier. The
pallbearers were: Lieut. Val Nolan, John McNeely, Bert Horn, Lieut. Roy Foster,
Walter Weber and Louis Legler. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery.

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FUNKHOUSER HID FACT HE WAS WOUNDED
Evansville Press, June 20, 1919.

Death of Lieut. Albert C. Funkhouser Was Brought on by Gassing
Only Lynn McCurdy Knew Facts

That Lieut. Albert C. Funkhouser, son of Attorney and Mrs. Albert W.
Funkhouser, 920 Washington Avenue, who died at Newport News Monday of pneumonia,
had been wounded three times and that he wore two gold wound chevrons, did not
be come known until Friday the day after the young officer had been buried with
full military honors.

His death was brought on by a severe gassing which he received in the last days
of the war. Young Funkhouser had been in a French hospital for some time,
convalescent from the gassing when he started for home. He was eager to get
home, started while his lungs were yet weak, and contracted double pneumonia on
the transport, from which he had no hopes of recovering.

Bullet in Knee

"I wasn't exactly sick when I left France for home; I just ached all over,"
Lieut. Funkhouser told his parents who were constantly at his bedside until his
death.

On the young officer's overseas uniform were two gold wound stripes one for the
gassing and the other for a machine gun bullet wound in one knee, his parents
learned.

Never in all his constant correspondence with his parents, sisters and
relatives through the war, did he mention the fact that he had been severely
wounded.

Once he sent his mother a snap-shot of himself in which he carried a cane.

Explains Away Cane

But he assured her that he did not need it and "only wore a cane because all
overseas men did."

"And it's better to get around over here with a cane too," he apologized to his
mother. That was just after he had partially recovered from the knee wound.

The third wound a minor casualty was the loss of the end of one thumb, for
which he did not receive a chevron.

"Well, mom," he wrote his mother once, "I got a little wound enough to wear a
wound stripe anyway."

Lynn McCurdy Knew

His constant correspondence and his care-free letters even at the time he was in
the hospital never let his parents suspect how badly he was wounded.

Only one of his friends, Lynn McCurdy, knew that he had been gassed.

"I've only one favor to ask of you, Lynn," he told his college chum and
fraternity brother when writing of his wounds, "don't tell my parents."

Arranged Body Return

He made the fullest arrangements for the return home of his brother, Lieut. Paul
Funkhouser, he told his mother.

"Don't worry, mother," Lieut. Albert said. "I put Paulie's body in a metallic
casket. I know it was he because I looked at him. The casket is marked so
plainly that there can be no mistake." Lieut. Paul Funkhouser's body probably
will be one of the first returned home.

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GRADUATION EXERCISES NO LONGER STIFF
Evansville Press, June 20, 1919.

* * * Each graduate received an ovation as he or she walked across the stage to
accept the diploma from Mayor Bosse. But the clapping ceased suddenly and there
was a hush, followed by a low murmur of sympathy, from the packed house when the
mayor called the name of Alta Funkhouser. She was absent. Her soldier brother,
Albert, had been buried only that morning.

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"FUNKHOUSER," NAME SLATED FOR LEGION
Evansville Press, June 20, 1919.

The naming of the local post of the American Legion the Funkhouser post honoring
Lieuts. Albert and Paul Funkhouser who died in the World War, and at the same
time paying tribute to the patriotic work of the young officers' parents was
slated by leaders as the main part of the program of the meeting of all former
service men of the city, at 8 P.M. Friday, at the Service Club at Second and
Locust Streets.

"Everybody who wore the uniform be there, please," urged the president, Noble
Johnson, Friday.

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PROPOSES NAME OF "PAUL AND ALBERT"
Evansville Press, June 21, 1919.

The ship which Evansville was given the honor of naming for Victory loan work
may be named the "Paul and Albert" in memory of the two Funkhouser brothers who
gave their lives in the war.

The name "Paul and Albert" was sent by Loan Chairman Nolan Saturday to the
Eighth Federal reserve headquarters following receipt of a letter from the
shipping board which rejected the name of "James Bethel Gresham" for the ship
because a shipping board order prohibits the naming of any craft after an individual.

Nolan stated that he did not think the "Paul and Albert" name would be
considered as individual because both names are common.

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NAME LEGION POST FOR FUNKHOUSER
Evansville Journal-News, June 21, 1919.

Funkhouser Post was selected as the name of the local post of the American
Legion at the Service Club Friday night. The name was chosen by the legion in
honor of Lieuts. Paul and Albert Funkhouser, both of whom died in the service of
their country.

President Noble Johnson announced Friday night that admission to the legion can
be gained by applying to Paul Schmidt, treasurer, at his office in the Old State
Bank, or by mail. The initiation fee is $1 and annual dues are $1. Nine new
members joined Friday.

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LEARN LAST RESTING PLACE OF HERO SON
Evansville Journal-News, June 24, 1919.

Funkhousers Hear Body of Paul Buried in France to Be Brought Home

That the body of Lieut. Paul Funkhouser is buried in the American Cemetery at
Sur-de-Meuse, France, has been learned by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Funkhouser through
a letter from Lieut. E. A. Caswell, in the graves department of the A. E. F. The
body is interred alongside that of three officers who are buried there, all
killed by the same shell, one of them being a nephew of J. Pierpont Morgan.

Prior to this final interment, Lieut. Albert Funkhouser told his parents after
they had reached his bedside at Newport News, that when the armistice was signed
he obtained a leave of absence and went to hunt up his brother's grave. He could
get railway transportation only as far as Verdun, but as he stepped off the
train there he met Lieut. William E. Barton, a young attorney of this city, and
after greetings had been exchanged Lieut. Funkhouser informed Lieut. Barton of
the object of his visit. Lieut. Barton was in charge of transportation trucks
and volunteered to take men and go with Lieut. Funkhouser, which was done and
the body of Lieut. Paul Funkhouser was found and reinterred at Ferm de
Madaleine. Lieut. Albert C. Funkhouser went fifteen miles to the nearest town
and procured a heavy oak casket lined with metal, and the body was
placed therein and interred. The reinterment was finished at night with the rain
falling, and by candlelight. The body was later removed to its present resting
place in the American Cemetery at Romagne.

Mr. Funkhouser has been informed by the War Department that the bodies of all
soldiers will be removed to this country after peace has been declared unless
relatives desire that they remain buried in France.

Lieut. Albert Funkhouser's death was superinduced by being gassed, a fact not
known by the family until his father and mother visited him at Newport News. He
then told his father and also told him that there would be no hope for his
recovery, as the surgeons in France had warned him to keep clear of colds
because the kind of gas he had inhaled would be fatal if his lungs became
affected.

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LISTING ATTORNEYS WHO SERVED DURING THE WAR
Evansville Courier, June 26, 1919.

A list of all the members of the Vanderburgh County Bar who served in the great
war is being prepared by Judge E. Q. Lockyear, pursuant to a clause in the
resolution passed by the Bar Association at the time of Lieut. Albert C.
Funkhouser's death. The judge has the names of thirteen men who served. The
names will be placed on a scroll and hung in the Superior Court room.

"Every one of the members of the Bar who went volunteered," said Judge Lockyear.
These are the members who went:

Walter E. Barton, Albert C. Funkhouser, Theodore T. Hull Charles H. Miller, Val
F. Nolan, John W. Spencer, Jr., Arthur C. Stone, Paul H. Schmidt, Henry B.
Walker, Richard C. Waller, W. Lee Smith, Louis L. Roberts and Edward E. Meyer.

Most of the lawyers were commissioned officers. Lieut. Funkhouser was the only
one who met his death in the war.

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WAS RECOMMENDED FOR CROIX DE GUERRE
Evansville Courier, July 9, 1919.

Captain Tells of Record Made by Lieut. Albert C. Funkhouser on Western Front

Lieut. Albert C. Funkhouser, who died at Newport News, Va., after passing
through the varied experiences on the Western front, had been recommended for
the French Croix de Guerre, according to a letter from his captain, B. J. Homer,
San Antonio, Tex., received by his father, Albert W. Funkhouser. The letter
follows:

"Dear Sir,
It was with great sorrow that I learned of the death of a true friend
and comrade in arms, your son. Brave, generous and self-sacrificing, he was
greatly beloved by all and in the name of his brother officers and men of his
regiment let me offer you our heartfelt sympathy in his loss.

"Shortly after the regiment's arrival overseas, Lieut. Funkhouser was sent to
the corps school at Gondecourt and on his return was assigned to Company "F" and
it was largely through his untiring efforts that this organization was made into
the splendid fighting machine that it proved itself to be.

"On duty with Company "F", 144th Infantry, which on Oct. 10 as part of the 72nd
Brigade passed through and relieved the 71st Brigade and advanced thirteen and
one-half miles to the Aisne River, Lieut. Funkhouser repeatedly distinguished
himself in the severe fighting against the rear guard action of the Germans and
proved himself to be a brave, efficient and resourceful officer, and was
recommended for the French Croix de Guerre for his gallantry. At all times
cheerful and uncomplaining he did much to keep up the morale of the
organization.

"Allow me once more to extend to you and your family my sympathy in the loss of
your son and assure you that I will gladly render any assistance or give any
information that I am able to do. I beg to remain,
"Sincerely yours,

BERNARD J. HORNER,
Captain, U.S.A.,
705 Camden Street,
San Antonio, Texas

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DEAD SOLDIER'S WAR CROSS COMES
Evansville Journal-News, July 13, 1919.

Trunk Brings French Military Decoration Bestowed on Lieut. Funkhouser

Personal property of the late Lieut. Albert C. Funkhouser' arrived in Evansville
Saturday and was received by his father. Albert W. Funkhouser, 920 Washington
Avenue. A Croix de Guerre awarded Lieut. Funkhouser for services with the Fourth
French army was among the relics and is highly prized by the family. Lieut.
Funkhouser died at Newport News from complications brought on from gas sustained
in France.

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WAR MOTHERS PLANT REMEMBRANCE GROVE
Baltimore Sun, October 9, 1919.

Ambassador and Mrs. Jusserand, Governor and Mayor at Impressive Ceremonies

Organization Changes Its Name and Makes Plans for Expansion - Cardinal Makes
Address in Druid Hill Park - Many "Gold Star" Mothers at Dedication

Amid silence broken only by the sobs of the "gold star" mothers, and in the
presence of a distinguished company, including Ambassador and Mrs. Jusserand of
France, Governor and Mrs. Emerson C. Harrington, and Mayor Broening, a grove of
trees in Druid Hill Park was dedicated yesterday to the fallen heroes of the
World War by the visiting delegates to the convention of War Mothers of America,
which is being held at Hotel Emerson.

Shortly after the "Grove of Remembrance" * * * had been dedicated by the War
Mothers, resuming their business session at the hotel, voted to change the name
of the organization to the Service Star Legion.

Ceremony Was Impressive

The ceremony was not only deeply impressive, but it was one of the most
beautiful ceremonies ever held in Baltimore

* * * the ceremonies were carried out without a hitch, and so inspiring was the
scene that Cardinal Gibbons, who came only to pronounce the benediction, was
moved to make an address, paying tribute not only to the Grove of Remembrance
but to the motherhood gathered at its shrine.

At the head of the parade marched 1,000 school children
* * * each carrying an American flag. Behind them came twenty War Mothers * * *
carrying the flags of the Allies. * * *

Delegates from the states followed, carrying their state flag or banners * * *
Indiana headed the delegates.

A detachment of Grand Army of the Republic veterans
* * * was next in line. It was followed by a group of Red Cross workers. * * *
At the end of the procession were automobiles with twenty men from Fort McHenry,
serious faces bespoke remembrances of comrades asleep. ~

Following the reading of the poem by Joyce Kilmer.
"A Tree," by Mrs. Boaz Crawford of Evansville, Ind., who is a "war sister," the
procession continued to the memorial grove, where the French ambassador threw a
spadeful of earth upon the tree planted in memory of the dead of France.

For the tree planted in memory of Indiana's dead, Mrs. Albert W. Funkhouser
(chairman of the constitution committee of the national convention) of
Evansville, cast the first spadefuls of earth. She wore gold stars for two sons
First Lieut. Albert Craig Funkhouser of Company "F," 36th Division, and Second
Lieut. Paul Taylor Funkhouser, Company "B," Seventh Machine Battalion, Third
Division. Mrs. W. E. Gymer also participated in the ceremony in memory of her
son, Lieut. Alfred K. Gymer, 335th Infantry, 84th Division. * * *

The program concluded with "A Gold Stary" by Sousa, which was dedicated to Mrs.
Theodore Roosevelt in memory of her son Quentin. * *

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DEDICATE TABLET ARMISTICE DAY
Evansville Journal-News, Nov. 11, 1919.

Vand. Co., IN Bar WWI Memorial

The above tablet, surrounded by an American flag, to the young attorneys of
Evansville who participated in some way in the great World War, was dedicated
with ceremonies Tuesday morning in the Superior Court room and with a program
that called forth a fine spirit of patriotism. American flags were draped about
the bench and upon the walls.

Judge Azro Dryer was called upon to preside, and in his address reviewed history
in its warlike aspect and spoke of the entry of our own country into the world
cataclysm brought upon his neighbors by the German emperor. He spoke of a visit
to Germany in 1900, and said that even that far away the German nation shadowed
forth its intent in the militaristic atmosphere that prevailed. * * *

Judge Dyer paid a tribute to the young men of the bar who had gone out to answer
their country's call, and said that it was unfortunate that Judge Alexander
Gilchrist, the only living member of the bar who is a veteran of the Civil War,
was not able to be present at the meeting.

Judge Elmer Q. Lockyear of the Probate Court responded for the bar, and paid
high tribute to the spirit of patriotism of the young men that had impelled them
to go forth in the cause of their country. * * * In speaking of the gold star
member of the group, Albert C. Funkhouser, he said that his name will remain
imperishable as one who had given his life in the cause of his country in her
hour of peril, and that while honor was due all who had gone, he had paid the
supreme price.

Walter E. Barton, who spent several months in France, responded for the young
men who had been honored by the bar with the imperishable tablet. * * * He
believed that a great work is yet to be done before this country can be made to
understand the blessings of free government. He declared that the immigration
laws should be made so that people who come to make their homes within our
hospitable shores should be made to learn to read, write and speak the language
of the country before they be admitted to citizenship. The American Legion, he
said, is taking up the problem of Americanism and proposes that the propaganda
shall be so widespread that it will mean all that is demanded. There are eight
million people in this country who neither read, write or speak the American
language. These must be taught that they are in a country that demands that they
shall know the country, and its laws, and its manner of living. Two thousand men
are known who tore up their first papers to prevent their being called to the
colors. These, he said, the American Legion is going to demand be deported.
Attorney Barton closed by paying a tribute to the young men whose names are
inscribed on the tablet. In attempting to speak of the gold star name, Albert C.
Funkhouser, he broke down, and it was for several minutes he could not speak.
Tears streamed from his eyes as he attempted to relate his personal experience
with his comrade, and was forced to desist.

The scene was most dramatic and there were many of the large number of attorneys
present who joined with young Barton in the fullness of his heart, and shed
tears with him.

Following a few moments of silence the meeting adjourned.

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GRIEF HALTS RECITAL OF HERO'S FUNERAL
Evansville Press, Nov. 11, 1919.

Attorney Walter E. Barton began to tell members of thc Vanderburgh County Bar
Association Tuesday how he had helped Lieutenant Albert Funkhouser bury his
brother, Lieutenant Paul Funkhouser, in France. But he could not finish. He was
too deeply moved. Lieutenant Albert, a member of the bar association, died in
the service later. Their father, Attorney Albert W. Funkhouser, was in Barton's
audience.

The occasion was the dedication of the bar's bronze tablet bearing the names of
service men.

Barton was replying to Judge E. Q. Lockyear's presentation.

Judge Azro Dyer presided. Superior Court room was decorated with flags for
the service.

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Source:
Funkhouser Memorial
c. 1920
pp. 40-58

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