MRS. NORMA HAAS
South Bend, Indiana

It was with pain and grief that I heard of the death of your dear soldier boy Paul. Though I knew that no words of mine can bring comfort to your sorely tried hearts, yet I cannot refrain from writing to you to express my deep and heartfelt sympathy. I have always spoken and read with pride the letters of the boys, and felt such a personal interest in them that I was, indeed, greatly affected over Paul's death. I wish I could have been with you and told you just how deeply I feel for you. Raymond is a sailor lad in a Navy school for officers, and he, too, feels so bad about the death of his friend. Indeed, the entire family - mamma, Fred and Milton - wish to be remembered.

There is, however, a higher source of consolation than earthly friendship and commending you to Him, I am, as always, your friend.

MISS KATHERINE B. HAHN
Bloomington, Indiana

I have just heard of Paul's death and I want to sympathize with you in your sorrow.

Every other word heard on the campus today was "Paul." Of course, most of the people who knew him are gone, but it seems as though everybody has heard of or knew of "Funkie." He certainly made a host of friends at Bloomington, and we will all miss him.

One of the lieutenants down here is from Northwestern, and he called me up this evening to tell me about Paul because he heard that I was from Evansville and felt sure that I must know him. He said that, although he wasn't an intimate friend of Paul's, he felt that he knew him quite well because they had been in the same classes.

I know that Paul met a noble death and that you all are very proud of him, as you have every right to be.

JUDGE JOHN W. HANAN
La Grange, Indiana

I have just learned that your son, Lieut. Paul, has met the soldier's fate in his valuable services in the defense of his country, humanity and civilization. You, your good wife and family have my profound sympathy in this sad hour of your bereavement, but you have a great consolation in the memory that your son fell while fighting bravely for the democracy of the world, the liberation from bondage of millions of souls and for the principle that all men are created equal, that God is no re specter of persons. Words are useless under such bereavement as you now suffer, but you may have the assurance that not only myself but the entire country is today in sympathy with you.

I assume you have learned that I have been appointed United States district judge for the canal zone, and I shall leave for my new post about the 12th or 15th of December. My ad dress will be Ancon, Canal Zone, Panama, and when you find yourself in a condition so that you can write me I shall be very glad, indeed, to hear from you. I remember you with the greatest kindness and appreciate your ability and great service to our country.

DR. AND MRS. O. E. HAWN
Indianapolis, Indiana

News reached us yesterday about the death of Paul in France. It so completely shocked us that words cannot express our grief. We followed the list closely and so rejoiced each day that Paul had escaped, and that the war was over, and our own dear ones would all be back. Your loss is so great that no word from us can console you, as all comfort comes from a Higher Power; but let us say, we are so sorry.

MR. VERNON C. HARDESTY
Los Angeles, California

In looking through the Army and Navy Journal a few days ago I saw that Paul T. Funkhouser was listed among those lost in action in France. If this be true, my folks and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to all of you.

Will and I were in France, and Lucian in Siberia. The three of us were very fortunate in returning home in excellent health.

I would write this letter to Albert direct to transmit to all your family, but fear that he may not have returned home from the Army yet.

Please give Albert our sincerest congratulations upon his safe arrival back in "God's country" if he is back, and if not back when he does arrive.

I would appreciate a line from one of you stating whether or not the report of Paul's loss was correct, and, if so, again we wish to express our profound sympathy to you, only adding that we hope the sacrifice of such courageous young man as Paul was not in vain.

Hoping you are standing the loss as brave Americans and feel ennobled for your great sacrifice, I remain, a boyhood chum of Albert and Paul.

HON. L. B. HOLLEMAN
Indianapolis, Indiana

I was shocked when I saw your son s name among the casualty list in the Indianapolis News of the 27th issue. I extend to you my heartfelt sympathy in these sad hours of your bereavement. The last time I saw you we talked about our sons. We are thankful that our son got through without harm. May the future be better to you, is my wish.

N. B. HUNT
Attorney, Henderson, Kentucky

I note in the morning paper the sad news of the death of your son "over there." I extend to you and yours my deepest sympathy.

Doubtless his return home full of honors was a moment you looked forward to with the greatest of pleasure and pardonable pride. This is denied you, but you have the next greatest pride - ;the knowledge that he ungrudgingly paid the highest sacrifice in defense of world Liberty, the noblest thing any man could do.

I wish I were able to offer consolation; that is beyond words. I am sure, however, your exalted patriotism will find for you a sweetness in your sorrow.

JAMES KILROY
Attorney-at-Law, Poseyville, Indiana

With a feeling of sadness I have just read in the morning paper of the death of your brave boy in France. I sometimes think that only he who is daily and hourly expecting the same such message can sympathize with you and yours in such an hour.

And yet, Mr. Funkhouser, when one thinks of the holy cause of such sacrifice, though it cost us the lives of our two million boys "over there" (and I have two among them), is not the prize still worth the price? A thousand times yes.

Realizing, then, that the boy fell fighting for the Freedom of all men for all time, must alone comfort and console.

JUDGE J. H. LANE
Mcleansboro, Illinois

I have just learned with great regret that one of your sons has paid the supreme sacrifice in this great war.

My dear Mr. Funkhouser, I wish I could say something to you that would, in a measure, console you in this, your great loss. You have given more than I can give, for I have no fine young son to sacrifice to this great cause; but I think those of you who have given sons have given them in a worthy cause, however great the sacrifice.

I know how eagerly you looked forward to the day of this fine young son's returning to you and the hearthstone, and how proud you would be of him, but this fine anticipation has all been shattered, and the only thing we can do in this hour of affliction is to trust in Him that "doeth all things well."

MR. AND MRS. AUGUST LEHNHARD
Kennewick, Washington

We were sorry, indeed, to hear of the death of your dear son Paul. Our son wrote us that he was a dear friend of his and felt very sorry that he had been killed "over there." We extend out sympathy to you in this sad hour.

JUDGE FRED P. LEONARD
Mt. Vernon, Indiana

Accept the deepest sympathies of one who has a little lad "over there."

MRS. LYNN H. McCURDY
Pelham, New York

What can I say? The paper just came which confirmed the wire from home which we wouldn't believe.

This is our second anniversary, and it started out such a happy day, but there is no more joy left in it. I can hardly see to write you, and can't think of anything to say, but knowing your heart is just about dead within you, the least I can do is make an attempt.

Margaret wrote you last Spring what we think of Paully boy, and you know we all love him. I can't think of one boy in our crowd who is better liked by every one, and who has had the close friends whose hearts are just aching and longing to be able to do something to that German bunch of murderers.

Will you let me tell you something I saw about a week ago? It's not a pleasant story, but it has helped me a lot, and I'm hoping it will do the same for you. We sat at a table in a cafe next to one of the "Six Brown Brothers," who are famous saxophone players, and who played with Montgomery & Stone.

Well, this boy had been in service overseas for eighteen months; went over with the first 50,000, and was a sergeant-gunner. I never have seen anything half so horrible in my life as that boy's face and hands. He'd been gassed and caught in liquid fire, and his face and neck and head were one mass of deep scars, and even his eyes were drawn out of place. His hands were so warped and mutilated he could hardly handle a fork. As I looked at him I thought, "If I thought my little boy would live to have an affliction like that, I would easily kill him now." And so I think about our Paul. It's so much better to have a quick death than to go through life wishing God had been merciful and killed one outright.

I simply couldn't bear the thought of our sweet, good looking Paully having such a fate. Of course physical beauty amounts to nothing at all except as it is an index to the character which shines out from it, but Paul's good looks aren't only skin deep. There never was a sweeter, more lovable "goodee" big boy, and I only hope my little fellow will be as much of a man. After we come home I'll give him to you - to your heart, of course - and I hope you can help me bring him us as fine a chap as your two boy-men are.

We would give anything, honey, to be with you to give you such small comfort as we could, but I want you to know your other boy (big Lynn) is going to be more than ever one of your boys.

Just a world of love to you and Paul's father and the girls.

R. E. SIR GEORGE S. PARKER
Indianapolis, Indiana
Grand Commander, K. T. of Indiana,

I learned today with regret of the great loss you have sustained and the most heart-breaking sacrifice you contributed to to the end of the great war.

Be assured, my dear friend and brother, that my sympathy and love go out to you and your good wife in this hour of your great bereavement. Words can convey little to soothe your grief, but if friendship and knightly love help to soften the feelings of sorrow, be assured that the full measure of it comes to you now.

PHI DELTA THETA
Bloomington, Indiana

Max W. Billman, Secretary

In behalf of Indiana Alpha of Phi Delta Theta, I wish to extend to you and your family, in this hour of great sorrow, our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your noble son, our brother. Your prayers have been our prayers, that he might have a safe return; and the news of his great sacrifice, although the greatest man might give, and the most noble, cast a cloud of gloom over our midst, which shall never be forgotten.

Paul was everything that a Phi should be, and the oaths which he assumed upon uniting with Phi Delta Theta, in your presence, was upheld to the last. This is brought to my mind by the ritualistic question, which was my honor to ask him, "Wilt thou, like the good valiant knights of old, be ever ready to volunteer thy services in defense of virtue and the maintenance of right?"

As a personal friend I had none better, however, he was a best friend to all who knew him. Paul is the sixth Phi to give all in our great cause, in order that humanity might not perish from this earth, and may you find consolence in the fact that he was all a son could be. Phi Delta Theta stands ready to be of any possible service to you.

MR. CALVIN W. PRATHER
Indianapolis, Indiana
Grand Secretary F. & A. M. of Indiana

I was most sadly grieved this morning on receipt of a clipping from an Evansville paper, of the 20th day, giving an account of your dearly beloved son and the great sacrifice of his life in the horrible war that has just closed. How my heart goes out to you in sympathy in this, perhaps, the saddest hour of your lives. I cannot find words to express myself and can only extend my sympathy, and hope you will have solace in the knowledge of his faithfulness, of his true American man hood and the wonderful record he has made at his age in life and the pride you have in what he did and what he accomplished, though in the last hours of the desperate struggle he gave up his life. My dear brother and Mrs. Funkhouser, accept, please, my deepest sympathy and affection.

My only son is a first lieutenant; a grandson is a second lieutenant; another grandson a sergeant in artillery, only 18 years old. I am proud of them. I am glad, of course, that they have escaped fatalities and are at present in good health and will soon return to their homes.

JUDGE ROSCOE RIPER
Boonville, Indiana

My deepest sympathy goes out to you and yours because of the death of your distinguished son on the field of battle.

He was a part of the historic Army which was fulfilling the destiny for which our beloved country has been built.

MR. WILLIAM F. STORK
Huntingburg, Indiana

I read in today's Courier where in your address at the dinner given at the cathedral you made mention of your joy at the anticipated home-coming of your sons, and of your receiving a telegram an hour later containing the sad intelligence that one of them, Lieut. Paul Taylor Funkhouser, had fallen in battle in one of the recent actions in France. Having myself unexpectedly lost a son away from home, I know how you and your estimable wife feel.

Having on numerous occasions heard me speak of you and being acquainted with your likeness in the Scottish Rite class picture, Mrs. Stork has a sense of having met you personally, and joins me in extending to you and yours my profoundest consideration.

You and your family are stunned; the future as you now look at it holds nothing for you, I know. But time, the great pacifier, will assuage your grief. Slight consolation, you may say. Not so! Your son has joined the martyrs; is one of the sainted dead; has died for a cause that is holy. That fact ought to cause you happy reflection in this sad and trying hour.

I exhort you not to lose sight of Him who doeth all things well.

JUDGE ELBERT M. SWAN
Rockport, Indiana

I was greatly grieved to hear of the death of your noble boy, Lieut. Paul.

While I know that words are weak and unavailing to bring comfort and assuage the anguish of the broken-hearted family, I cannot refrain from expressing the deepest sympathy of my wife and myself for you and Mrs. Funkhouser and the family in your great bereavement.

It may be but poor consolation, but you have the proud joy of knowing that your son made this supreme sacrifice in the glorious defense of his country and flag - in the cause of right, civilization and humanity.

MRS. MOLLIE SONNER SHERRILL
New Amsterdam, Indiana

You certainly have my deepest sympathy in the sad news of your precious boy giving his life that we may live in peace. Evan spoke of Paul as a fine, intelligent boy, and it seems al most impossible to give up our fine boys, but it seems it must be.

Evan wrote me from France that if it was his lot to fall on the field of battle that God would understand and make it right for him; so let us hope and believe it will be true of all. After all, the life in the next world is the main thought. Evan was at the front on the first of November.

Thanks for your sympathizing letter of a few weeks ago.

So I trust you and your wife will be comforted in time, but I know no one can ever take the place of your fine boy. Oh! what a heroic death.

My prayers and best wishes are for you, my friend and schoolmate.

JAMES M. SHERRILL ESQ.
New Amsterdam, Indiana

Just learned of the death of your dear boy Paul, who was killed in action in France. Words fail me to express my sympathy for you. Oh! that I could say something that would lessen the sorrow. How I would like to grasp your hand and say some word that might express my sorrow, for your Paul was a noble boy. I heard my son, Evan, who was with him at the officers' camp at Indianapolis, speak of him, of his good qualities.

With deep sorrow, I remain your sympathizing friend and old schoolmate.

MISS MYLA THORNBURG
Martinsville, Indiana

I simply can't write - my heart aches so! Dear, it is so very hard, but as Paul faced his duty bravely - ;even to the supreme sacrifice - so must all those dear to him. Sometimes today he has seemed so close to me here that I feel he understands and with his lovable way is trying to help the hurt of it.

SENATOR JAMES E. WATSON
Washington, D.C.

I am shocked at the news of the death of your honored son, which I have just learned. Some one from Greencastle sent me a copy of the Evansville Courier of Nov. 20 announcing his death, and I hasten to extend to you my profound sympathy in this hour of your very great sorrow.

Of course the knowledge that he died for our country and fighting for the Stars and Stripes will be a source of pride throughout the remainder of your lives, but it can only partly assuage the grief that is yours because of the irreparable loss that comes to you as father and mother.

It will always be a source of consolation to you that you were the father and mother of a genuine hero, one who was willing to go to the extreme limit upon his country's call. Undoubtedly this will be a source of great gratification to you in the years to come, and as time tends to heal the wounds that now so tear your hearts, the recollection of his life will be to you a beautiful halo that will crown your final days with a peculiar joy.

Again I assure you of my profound sorrow over the death of so noble a son.

MRS. KATHERINE G. WELLS
Bloomington, Indiana

The picture of your hero son, Paul, was not received in time to present it to the chapter; however, two devoted friends of both your noble sons, Floyd Roberts and George Schenck, accepted this beautiful picture for the chapter. Truly, it will

"They shall be remembered forever,
They shall be alive forever,
They shall be speaking forever,
The people shall hear them forever."

HON. JOHN C. WORSHAM
Henderson, Kentucky

On my return home last night I learned of the death of your son, Paul. It was, indeed, a great shock. I had always thought he was certain to come back, and knew the pride you and the members of your family would feel at his splendid record and achievements.

Now that he is gone I realize the difficulty of adequately expressing my sympathy. But I want you to know it is, in my opinion, a wonderful thing to have been a parent of such a son. All your life you will glory in the proud and imperishable record he made as a soldier, and your sorrow will be softened by the knowledge that he gave his life that others might live as free men. I would that he might have been spared, but since it was ordained otherwise, I know you will find much comfort in the thought that he lived and fought and died as a true American; and greater praise there could not be.

UNION W. YOUNGBLOOD
Boonville, Indiana

I saw the account of the death of your son Paul in the paper the other day, and did not write you my sympathy and condolence at the time because I fully expected to be in Evansville and see you personally.

Of course, not having had such an experience myself, I cannot fully appreciate your feelings, yet I know that you and your good wife must have aching hearts that nothing but time, the great healer, can cure. If there was anything that I could do or say that would in any way alleviate or tranquilize your feelings or comfort you and your wife in your great bereavement, I feel that you know that the deed would be done or the word would be spoken.

Your son, together with the other brave boys that have given their lives, have made the one great sacrifice for their country. We, the whole people of America, and so far as that is concerned the civilized people of the whole world, owe a debt of gratitude to your boy, and to the other boys who have saved civilization, a debt of gratitude that can never be paid. The sacrifice has been great but the cause for which the sacrifice was made was certainly worthy of the great sacrifice, and if one must needs sacrifice his life, no more worthy cause nor occasion ever presented itself to mortal man than to have died in the historic Army of the United States, fighting for his country, for humanity and for everything that sacrifice holds dear.

Please accept from me my heartfelt sympathy for you and your family in this great sorrow.