JUDGE ERNEST B. ANDERSON
Owensboro, Kentucky

I noticed in our paper the other morning that your boy had been killed in France. You do not know and I cannot tell you how shocked we were, and how much we sympathize with you. I remember what misgivings you were having in March of this year when he started across. I certainly do sympathize with you, but you have, however, to comfort you the fact that he lost his life in the holiest cause that any soldier ever fought for. I extend my sympathies, as well as that of Mrs. Anderson, to you and your wife.

MRS. MARTHA B. BARTON
Washington, D.C.

It was with great sorrow that I read my husband's letter telling of the death of your fine son. I am, indeed, happy that Lieut. Barton was fortunate enough to be at his friend's side to render what comfort and assistance he might in looking after Paul's grave.

May I extend to you and yours the heartfelt sympathy of Lieut. Barton and myself?

MRS. HARRY D. BALDWIN
Akron, Ohio

Have just received the sad news of Paul's death. I am unable to write to you my feelings, but I want you to know that my thoughts are with his dear little mother, whose heart is torn with anguish at the thoughts of her boy whose life should end when it really was just beginning. Be comforted and be proud of the fact that he was a noble and brave son of dear old U.S.A., and that he died for a cause in which his whole heart and soul was centered. We pray that God in his infinite mercy will sustain and heal your broken hearts.

MISS MARIE BOICOURT
Carnegie Hall, New York

I am taking the liberty of sending you a page from yesterday's New York Herald, which might otherwise not be brought to your attention.

I was very deeply grieved at the sad death of Paul and as sure you that yourself and family have my sincere sympathy.

COL. SAMUEL L. BRENGLE
S. A., Arlington, New Jersey

Commandant Staiger of the Salvation Army has written me about the death of your son, Paul, in the last engagement between the Americans and Germans. His death in battle would have been painful to you under any circumstances, but it seems peculiarly so in view of the fact that the close of the war was right at hand. I write to assure you of my tenderest sympathy and prayers for you in your great loss. You have suffered what many of us feared we might suffer, and for which we sought to prepare our minds and hearts, and while we now rejoice in the safety of our loved ones we bow our heads in tears with you, and look upon you with solemn awe as you bear your proud sorrow.

God bless you and comfort you. My only boy is a captain in Porto Rico and was most eager to get to France, but his troops were tropical and unfit for the climate of France and Flanders, and so he did not get across.

Your boy made the supreme sacrifice, while mine and others are now confronted with the great tasks of reconstruction and peace, and for them we must pray that they may have wisdom and high and holy courage.

REV, and MRS. W. H. BRIGHTMIRE
Indianapolis, Indiana

I was quite overcome with grief yesterday when I was apprised of the death of your dear Paul. You may remember that the night that he went to the "officers' training" I was at the depot as he went with my Willis and they always seemed great chums. I have cut the report out of the Courier and mailed the same to Willis at his headquarters in New York City.

I wish that I might say something to comfort your poor, broken, bleeding hearts in this awful hour, when we seemed at the apex of victory and peace and then to be apprised of his death, and to think that his manly form and sweet sunny face is to be seen no more in Evansville seems almost too sad to conceive, and yet he made the supreme sacrifice for his country and democracy and the Freedom of the world. His death was not in vain and he sleeps the sweet sleep of the just in blood washed, redeemed France. I have had three sons in this awful war, and all are living so far as I know, but I know something of the separation and yet not what you are experiencing; but the great God will hear your prayer and heal your broken hearts. God bless you and remember that Mrs. Brightmire and I are deeply and profoundly touched with your great loss.

MISS MARGARET BURNS
Mt. Vernon, New York

Mother wired me a couple of days ago about Paul, but I simply didn't feel equal to writing. You can't realize how deeply this has affected us here, Charlotte, Lynn and me. We can't realize it's true, that our sweet Paulie won't come back to us. It seems such a short time ago that we took him down to the ferry, the afternoon before he sailed. We knew then, of course, the chances that he was running, but we never can tell or realize how awful these things really are until they are on us. This coming so close to us makes the war seem even more horrible. Thank God it is over, and Albert has been spared to us. I know he will try to make up to you, in some measure, the loss of your dear, sweet, baby Paul. Oh, it's too horrible to think of men such as Paul dying so young; but my! what a glorious way to die. I know you are proud even now that you gave one son, both sons, but that one was left to you. It must be a glorious feeling, even with your grief and sadness, to know he died in action, on the Field of Honor.

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Don't grieve too much; remember you still have Albert.

Best love and deepest sympathy.

LA VEGA CLEMENTS
Attorney-at-Law, Owensboro, Kentucky

I read in the paper this morning that your boy had been killed in France. There is no person who can extend to you and your wife more heartfelt sympathy at this time than Mrs. Clements and myself. Our boy who was at Camp Sherman, O., answered the final call last month. He was our oldest and my law partner. Words from one's friends in hours like this can do little to ease the grief and pain of a torn heart, but I can as save you, old man, that having gone down into the valley of shadow, where you are at this moment, I can readily mingle my tears with yours for "our boys" who have gone West, and for whom the Service Flag will hereafter bear a bright golden star.

Accept these few words in sincere sympathy for your loss; and whilst our loss is great and the blow is heavy, let us still hope and pray that some other fathers' and mothers' boys may come back safe. Our boys have performed their duty as citizens, patriots and Christian men, and having performed their work worthily and well we can sincerely hope and believe that they have crossed the river to a better and happier land where sunshine and happiness with their God will be their lot forever.

MRS. JUDGE HERDIS F. CLEMENTS
Mt. Vernon, Indiana

I just picked up the morning Courier and read of your sorrow. I could not read farther till I write you how sincerely we sympathize with you. I have read his letters each time in the paper and really thought of you when the glorious peace message came. His letters seemed so like a real man, yet like a mother's boy.

But parents who can claim such noble manhood will, I'm sure, look to the right source for comfort. God will not give us more than we can endure; and you will have the sympathy of so many for whom he died.

Mr. Clements is in Indianapolis, and I know he, too, will join me in this expression of sympathy.

HON. LINCOLN V. CRAVENS
Hammond, Indiana

I was shocked as well as greatly surprised at the news of the death of your brave son, Lieut. Paul Funkhouser, and my heart goes out to you and your good family. I realize, as I know you do, that words are idle when they attempt to express courage and hope to the bereaved, and yet, my dear friend, such a death as Paul's was glorious, and it is much honor to be the father of such a boy. I can only say, "Be brave !" in this great sorrow as Paul was brave in his great sacrifice. May the God of our fathers ever be with and comfort you and yours.

MRS. ESTHER KARGES DAUS
New York

I just had a letter from mother telling me the sad news about Paul, and you don't know how sorry I am for you all and how much I feel for you. It just seems too dreadful that our boys have to go, but there is one thought to help you all, and that is that he gave his life for the country. Paul was a mighty fine man and everybody respected and thought so much of him.

It doesn't seem right that a man like Paul who had his whole life of so much promise before him must go so soon; but the only thing we can do, dear Mr. and Mrs. Funkhouser, is to do as Eddie says: "Pack up our troubles and smile, smile, smile!"

I know it is hard, but try to bear up as best you can, and remember that he gave his life to his country; and lived and died like the gentleman and hero that he was.

Please accept John's and my deepest sympathy, and know that we think of you and feel for you all in your sorrow. Lots of love.

MR. SILAS A. DAY
Tennyson, Indiana

I have read, with pain, the news of the death in France of your son, Lieut. Paul Funkhouser.

I have followed, as with a personal interest, the military careers of your two boys, since I feel that the proximity of our nativity makes neighbors of you and me.

I can fully sympathize with you in your bereavement, as death five times has touched my little ones with icy fingers, chilling my heart also, and I know how human sympathy can help to alleviate the pangs of sorrow. (My last and greatest loss is too sacred to share with any but our God.)

In the case of my children, sweet memories of their innocent way; their sweet, childish manifestations of love, "the touch of vanished hands" did much to assuage my grief, and you also shall recall many incidents of Paul's life, which will by their sweet compulsion draw your thoughts to his life and obscure your vision of his death.

You were justly proud of your service stars, this one has not been dimmed, but by the Divine touch has been transmitted into gold.

Oh, the stars, the golden stars, that light "Old Glory's" field of blue!

Turn your eyes away from the grave and fix them on your star, looking beyond unto Him, the work of Whose fingers are the stars in the Heavens, and you shall find comfort.

HON. GEORGE K. DENTON
M. C., Washington, D.C.

I called on Col. Parker of the adjutant general's office, who has charge of the casualty lists, and he tells me they get no information in his department except just what is reported at the time to the parents, and he advised me to tell you to write to the commander of the company.

You gave me the company, and I am writing the commander myself today, thinking that perhaps he might give the matter more prompt attention by receiving a letter from a member of Congress.

I have instructed him to write you, and also to have any one who may know any of the facts to also write.

If I can be of any further service to you at any time, do not hesitate to call on me.

JUDGE J. L. DORSEY
Henderson, Kentucky

Just a word to say how much I sympathize with you on account of the loss of your dear boy. I have two boys in the service, one in camp and one on the ocean, and I pray that God in his goodness and mercy may bring them back to me.

I know you are proud of the memory of your boy - ;you have every right to be - and there is only one thing to do, bear the loss philosophically, and remember, as Job said, "Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble." We all have our griefs to bear. Accept my sincerest sympathy.

EX-GOV. WINFIELD T. DURBIN
Anderson, Indiana

Permit me to assure you of my profound and deep sympathy in this, your hour of bereavement. No words I can pen will relieve your almost broken hearts. You must go to and rely upon Him who doeth all things well for comfort and consolation. No other relief is worth while. It is, however, a comfort to know your son loved his country and answered the call to duty, and served in the hottest of the fray, and at last placing himself on the altar - precious thought and remembrance. May our God give you and Mrs. Funkhouser strength to bear your loss bravely, is the prayer of your friend.

REV. AND MRS. C. C. EDWARDS
Boonville, Indiana

I see in the morning paper the account of Paul's death. I need not tell you that this was to us a great shock. We can hardly realize that so long after his death the news has come. It is inexpressibly sad to have them give up their lives, but more so in the very end, when the war has finally come to a close. But such is war. I was just thinking the other day that it was very unusual that none of the Bayard Park boys had given up their lives in the war. Paul, from what I know, must have seen more actual service in battle than any of the other boys. I do not know what to say to you. One has to pass through an experience to know what it means. I want Mrs. Funkhouser to know that Mrs. Edwards poured out her mother tears with hers when she heard the news, and we want you to know that you have much to be proud of in your brave, manly sons, and that you have tasted the bitter with the sweet in this great sorrow. May God comfort and sustain you and help you to be resigned to His will. Yours fraternally and in deepest sympathy.

MRS. NELLIE BENZ ESHMAN
Rankin, Pennsylvania

Words fail to convey my feelings of sorrow on receipt of the news of the death of your beloved son. It sure is hard, and to think he held such a dangerous position all through the war and when near its end was his last also. It is for a cause, and we will never know, and may the Almighty in His goodness console you in this dark hour of your tribulation.

MISS EVA EULER
Denver, Colorado

I can't begin to express to you how sad it made me feel when I heard about Paul. To think how brave he has been all along and after peace had been declared to receive such word as that. Of course, we know he gave his life willingly and for a good cause, but still it doesn't seem just. If we were only strong enough to understand these things but all we can do is to pray to the Lord to help us understand. I hope Albert will come home soon, as I know he will be such a comfort to you and he can help make your burden lighter.

I can't realize that Paul is really gone; to me he is still alive and like I knew him when we used to play together.

My love to you all.

JOSEPH FORSYTHE
Banker, Grandview, Indiana

It is with deep sorrow that I read in this morning's paper the loss of Lieut. Paul. I have been reading the letters from both of your boys the past few months with a great deal of satisfaction and pride. I was so in hopes the boys would be returned to you, sound and well. It, however, could not be. Lieut. Paul has paid the price. It certainly will be a comfort to your self and Mrs. Funkhouser to know that such boys as yours are the kind that pay the price, being brave, true to duty, honorable, upright and willing to face death and die for their home, fire side and country.

I wish to extend to you and Mrs. Funkhouser my sincere sympathy.

FOSTER AND MESSICK
Indianapolis, Indiana

We feel like we must tell you how genuinely grieved we are to hear of the death of your son Paul in France. We only wish that something we could say would really lighten the grief of yourself and family.

These are the losses that really constitute the cost of the war. Military glory is, of course, scant consolation to a parent, but it must be some comfort to feel that he went out while giving the highest, finest service any man is privileged to give.

We hope time will assuage your sorrow.

DR. L. T. FREELAND
Seymour, Indiana
(Telegram)

Our hearts very much touched by evening newspaper report of Paul's death. You have our sincere sympathy. Loss on part of people of Bayard Park Church seems always to be our loss. There is a family-like tie that binds us to you and all our friends in that community.

MRS. KATE DOUGLASS FUNK
Princeton, Indiana

With aching heart I read this morning the account in the Courier of the death at the front of your brave son Paul. I have not the words to express to you, to your dear wife and daughters, my sympathy. In these days of deep distress words are a mockery, but allow me to mingle my tears, and offer my prayers, for I, too, have three boys in France.

JUDGE FRANK E. GAVIN
Indianapolis, Indiana

I cannot find words to express to you my sympathy for the loss of your dear son. The hearts of both Mrs. Gavin and my self go out to you and Mrs. Funkhouser. Mrs. Gavin desires me especially to say to Mrs. Funkhouser that with a mother's comprehension she sends to her a mother's deepest sympathy. We know that words are not balm to heal or even soothe the aching of the hurt, but we do know that the consciousness of his duty so bravely done, the knowledge that he made the supreme sacrifice with such lofty motives of patriotism, these will help to uphold you now and the Great God above may soothe the pain and bring comfort to your hearts until these come, and it will in no event be long, a reunion which will not be broken. To you and his mother, the remembrance of his loyalty to the highest ideals, his brave and unselfish devotion to the cause of the right, will, as years go by, become a treasure beyond price.

MR. AND MRS. WILL GLEICHMAN
Chicago, Illinois

When the news was received that this terrible war was over we were so happy to think that all of the fourteen boys belonging to the dear friends of the Neighborhood and Sewing Clubs, who were in the service, were safe, not one being even wounded, that we were going to write a letter of congratulation to the two clubs, when the next issue of the Courier (which we receive every day) brought the sad tidings that your beloved son Paul had given his all for "Freedom and Democracy" just before "Peace" was declared, which gave us another example of the adage that "We know not what day may bring forth."

You have lost one out of four, while a great many others have lost their only one, some leaving a widowed mother.

Our hearts go out to you in this sad hour more than we can express in writing, and are sorry that we are not able to give you a heartfelt and sympathetic, true, clasp of the hand, which would express more than words.

We must try to console ourselves with the thought that his time had come, and that he died doing his duty, and gave his life that "Democracy" might live, and that we may have "Freedom for All Forever."

We are sure that if Paul could speak he would say, like Lieut. Ely, the aviator, wrote to his parents: "In case I should die I do not want you to weep or mourn for me, as I consider my life an investment for my country, and you ought to be proud of it."

This letter was received by them two days after they received word of his "supreme sacrifice."

We know you will bear your loss bravely, like true Americans, as many other fathers and mothers have done.

GOV. JAMES P. GOODRICH
Indianapolis, Indiana

It is with sincere regret that I learned of the death of your son Paul, while fighting for this country in France.

No mere words can adequately convey to you my sympathy, nor can they in any way lessen the grief you feel at this time. I hope, however, that this natural feeling of sorrow over so great a loss will be tempered by the knowledge that he did his full duty and gave his life to the cause of humanity. As the years come and go, this fact, I know, will be a source of peculiar pride to you and make it easier for you to bear your loss.

JUDGE EDWARD GOUGH
Boonville, Indiana

I want you to know that your friends here are deeply touched by the sorrow and distress that has come to your home. Their souls go out to you in wordless sympathy.

Amid the enveloping gloom two facts are clear as the sun light: Nature has a balm for every torn heart, and your brave boy's life was sacrificed for his fellowmen.

MR. HERBERT A. GRAHAM
Grand Ins. F.A.M., Indianapolis, Indiana

I was shocked to hear of the death of your son, and I ex tend my deepest sympathy to you and your family in your bereavement. I can appreciate how keenly you must feel this loss, yet, knowing you, I am sure your sorrow is lightened by the consolation that he gave his life in the defense of Liberty and justice, a glorious sacrifice so willingly offered by the best boys of our American homes,
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I am sending the notice to my daughter and her husband, at Waco, Tex., as they were both well acquainted with your son, and I have heard them speak of him many times.

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