CAPT. SCOTT R. BREWER
U.S.A., Morrison, Virgina

I just read in the Indianapolis News today of your great loss. Nothing that I can say, I know, can make it seem less, but I want to tell you that my sympathy goes out to you and Mrs. Funkhouser in this hour of your grief.

You have the consolation of knowing that both of your boys never shirked their part and I envy them and you for being able to make the sacrifice while peace left me stranded at the port of embarkation. If pride in good deeds well done can lessen grief, your burden should be lightened with the knowledge that your son was a hero who was not afraid to do his duty no matter what the cost.

MISS ALLIE E. BUTLER
Red Cross Nurse, Great Lakes Naval Hospital

I just heard of your bereavement.

My heart goes out to you and your family at this sad time. I cannot express to you what I would like to say, words fail me because I know what sorrow is.

I know the sympathy of others is appreciated but that words seem empty.

But the honor, the glory of knowing that the sacrifice was not in vain, will help you bear the great loss.

LIEUT. LEROY S. FOSTER
U.S.A., Fort Sill, Oklahoma

I hardly know what to say to you at this time. I know what a shock it was to you and Mrs. Funkhouser, as it was to all of Paul's friends, when the sad news came from the War Department.

I have felt that I have kept in closer touch with Paul and Albert than any of the other boys "overseas," as I have read all their letters in the Courier. They have both given good accounts of themselves and have shown the true American spirit from the day war was declared.

While it is very, very hard for you and Mrs. Funkhouser to bear the thought of not seeing Paul again, still I know you are proud and happy to feel that he died fighting like a man and did not stay at home as so many others did and let some one else do the fighting for them.

My wife and I want to extend our heartfelt sympathy to you and Mrs. Funkhouser in your hour of trouble. Paul's memory will always be fresh in the minds of his friends and will always stand out as the true, red-blooded American that he was.

ARTHUR GUY FUNKHOUSER
Great Lakes, Ill.

(Paul's Cousin)

Just a little note that you may know that my heart is aching with yours. From the viewpoint of a man in uniform the honor which has come to Paul can only be considered as an investment, but I know how hard it is for you to take that attitude. That is the attitude Paul would have you take. The cities celebrate and the people fly their flags, but only a few who sit silently in their homes and look longingly at his picture know how dearly peace has been won. All honor to those silent few.

So know, during this sad Thanksgiving season, that all your friends and relatives are thinking of you, and that you have their most sincere sympathy.

LIEUT. RALPH M. FUNKHOUSER
M.C., Camp Zachary Taylor

(To His Uncle, Arthur F. Funkhouser, Evansville)

Since learning of Paul's death, several weeks ago, I have felt too badly about it to write to any of my Evansville relatives. Your letter reached me yesterday, and I feel as you do, that it will be some satisfaction to have more specific details later on.

I cannot write to Uncle Albert. I know that I could say nothing to lessen his grief, and I feel that any letters or messages coming to him now from an Army camp would only call more vividly to his mind our lost soldier boy.

I was in Evansville long enough to become well acquainted with Paul. He visited my office many times, and aside from his splendid young manhood and winning personality, his mind was ever keen and alert, and his heart always right. I loved Paul as though he had been my brother, and can only say that I am proud and glad that he partly belonged to me.

Several of my men here are from Evansville, and their expressions of sorrow upon learning the sad news proved to me how well Paul was loved and admired by his old associates. One of the sergeants brought the paper to me and said, with husky voice, "Doctor, he was a prince; we'll never have another Paul." This sergeant was a man who had been in his classes at high school.

While we all know that this life was given in the highest possible cause, we cannot help but feel that it is not just and right that such a life is lost to the community while so many of the unfit are permitted to exist.

But God knows best. My children shall always revere the name of their hero cousin, and in the years to come we should all bow our heads at twilight hour and say a prayer to the memory of our soldier boy who gave his life that right and justice should prevail.

MISS MARY KEENEY
U.S. Gen. Hosp., Ft. McPherson, Georgia

I have just heard about Paul, and as I always liked him so much I must write to you to tell you of my very deep sorrow. I am now in the hospital at Ft. McPherson and there are so many returned soldiers here.

If you could see the pitiful condition some of them are in and will be that way for life I am sure you would be thankful that Paul was taken and will not have to suffer any for the rest of his life.

Words are shallow, but I just wanted you to know how I felt.

LIEUT. L. H. LEGLER
Camp Hancock, Georgia

I have read of the death of Paul. There is so little I can say, but I am with you in your hour of bereavement. In the death of Paul, I am losing a true friend, and I feel the loss keenly.

But please try to be comforted. Paul died the death of a hero. I knew him from a little boy on, and he was afraid of nothing. He went to death without flinching. I am sure he must have died in some gallant charge. He was always generous, courageous and the very soul of truth.

All honor and glory to Paul. His memory will live as a precious heritage to all of us. He is gone, but his spirit will live forever.

SERGT. LYNN H. McCURDY
New York

(Telegram)

Charlotte and I wish to express our sympathy to you both on the sad news just received. Albert's last letter to us was dated Oct. 19 and he was in fine shape. Give my love to Mrs. Funkhouser. Tell her I wish I could be with her at this time.

PRIVATE SHELDON MALONE
Camp Jackson, South Carolina

Mother informs me that Paul's life has been offered up on the altar of Freedom - freely sacrificed that this world might not be controlled by the damned fiends who threatened it. And yet some sentimental fools are already preaching that we should be easy with Germany. I am not going to try to tell you in many words how I sympathize and sorrow with you, as words could not express it. Just realize that my whole heart goes out to you, and that Paul's memory will ever be dear to me and that my respect for him will never die. Let your grief be tempered by the knowledge that your boys proved men among men, and that Paul's life could not have been given in a better cause and that he did not die in vain. God grant that Albert will return safely.

JOE WARD NEIMAN
Chief Ins. U.S.A. A.O., Plant No. 3
St. Louis

My heart is sad and I extend my most heartfelt sympathy to you all in this, your hour of grief.
The news reached me today that an honorable leader and soldier fell in action. It is with a heavy heart that I continue my duties today, as I have carried both Lieuts. Paul and Albert in my heart these past ten years.

It is pot our will, but God's will be done.

LIEUT. VAL F. NOLAN
Columbia, South Carolina

(Telegram)

Am shocked at news of Paul's death. Accept my sincerest sympathy.

MRS. JEANETTE COVERT NOLAN
Columbia, South Carolina

I have just learned through a letter from home of Paul's death. I cannot tell you how deep my sympathy for you and his father is. Of all the boys I went to school with - ;who were little boys when I was a little girl - ;I liked Paul best, and I have always felt the keenest interest in him. Val and I have each much enjoyed the letters from him which the Courier has printed from time to time, and we often have talked of the splendid things which both of your boys are doing.

It seems just now that, in spite of the coming of peace for which we have worked and hoped and prayed so long, there is a great deal of unhappiness in the world, and almost every home is touched with sorrow. It is hard to believe that every thing is all for the best and a part of God's plan, isn't it?

I am sure it is a consolation to you and Mr. Funkhouser to know that Paul died as he did - ;in the performance of his duty. He was a splendid soldier; so fine and manly, so clever and so likeable.

I am only one of a host of friends who mourn his death.

MAJ. CARL J. ROHSENBERGER
68th Field Artillery, Camp Knox, Kentucky

I received your letter and I am so very glad if the flowers cheered you one bit in your terrible moment. I wish I knew what I could do or say to lessen your burden. Words are so inadequate to express one's thoughts. In a time like this, it is not for us, the living, to call back the dead. I would have writ ten you sooner; in fact, I did write a letter, but in comparison with my sentiments it sounded ridiculous.

Dad sent me the paper telling of Paul's death, and at first I couldn't comprehend that it was true. Peace had been declared and I was counting the days when we would all be together.

You have lost your son; I have lost my pal. Beside your loss, mine fades into insignificance. He was the best friend I ever had, too. How I regret that I didn't get to see him when we were so close together in back of Chateau Thierry, last July.

I know how futile words are to you both, but always re member Paul did the most honorable thing that man can ever hope to do: "He gave his life that others might live!" He did this for you, for me, for all of us that live under "Old Glory," and realizing the nobleness of this act of his I know that you are just as brave as he was in his last hour.

PAUL H. SCHMIDT
U.S.N. A.R. School, Evanston, Ill.

My good wife has just sent me the sad news of your son Paul's unfortunate end on the Field of Honor. Our hearts go out to his mother and you, and anything we can say or do in this hour is too small; but I know you are conscious of the rich heritage, the greatest honor and the worthiest tradition which this noble son has bestowed upon you, his parents, and in this sense we hope that your grief may be greatly assuaged.

LIEUT. JOHN W. SPENCER JR.
Camp John Wise, San Antonio, Texas

Word came today of Paul's supreme sacrifice. Frances and I want to extend to you our sympathy. Knowing him as we did we can appreciate your loss, tempered though it is by the eternal respect that will be paid to his memory.

CAPT. GEORGE H. STEEL
U.S.A., Hattiesburg, Mississippi

I just learned through the Army and Navy Journal, and had the information confirmed by Geringer, of our commandery, who is working with my outfit, of your loss of Paul.

There is nothing can be said by any of your friends that can make a thing like that any easier to bear; as for Paul him self, as an officer and a gentleman, I can safely say that I am voicing the sentiments he would express himself that when he had to go he would want to go that way. I should myself; I know that. He was an officer and a gentleman and he did his duty to the very utmost, and the supreme sacrifice was made by him, I know, cheerfully and bravely.

I know the boy - I had a talk with him before he got into the game, and he had the right stuff in him; he felt the necessity for him and every other man who could going into it.

You can feel only the sorrow of your personal loss; right now, it's those of us who are left behind who have that part of things to stand up under. I'd like you to know, thoroughly know, how much I and all your friends grieve with you - not for him, he doesn't need it; but for the loneliness and heartache which you have to bear.

He's all right, never fear that. A man who gives all he has or the extension of Freedom and decency, and the extension o the things God calls on us to fight for won't be found standing far from the throne of Grace. If he could make him self understood to you as he is today, if he could some way pierce the thin veil which seems to separate us finite beings from those who have the great privilege of passing beyond the finite limitations, he'd say that as for himself if it were all to be done again, he'd do just as he did and be glad.

We're nearer those we love who have passed across than some of us altogether realize. I know that; and some way I know and feel that we'll be surprised at the simplicity of it all when we really do know.

I can't say anything that would help. I only wish I could, As I say, I simply want you to understand and know that your friends wherever they are would help if they could, and they are thinking of you.

MISS MARY TYNER
Red Cross Nurse, Camp Meade, Maryland

I received clipping mailed by Uncle Arthur today telling of Paul's death. Words fail me in expressing my feelings to you. I have been very proud of my fine boy cousins since their enlistment, and to think of this happening so late seems unjust, but such thoughts must not be entertained for I am sure Paul would not have any of us feel that way but would want us to be proud of him. That we surely are, indeed.

Remember me to Aunt Alta, and I want you to know that Paul's sad death was a blow to me, and my deepest sympathy is with you at this time.

MISS MILDRED WOODS
Columbia, South Carolina

I know that nothing I can say or do will lessen your grief. But just a word to tell you and your family that I, as one of Paul's friends, share your grief and your pride.

MRS. ROSE HEILMAN WOODS
Augusta, Georgia

It was not until John's father wrote us that we knew of Paul's end. If it had to be, I know you are glad it happened the way it did, that he was one of the heroes of democracy. It seemed doubly hard, I know, to get the news after the fighting was over. I just want to tell you that John and I both extend to you and Mr. Funkhouser our sincerest sympathy. We are proud to say that we knew your son.