MR. CRAIG T. ALLEN
Bowling Green, Kentucky

We were terribly shocked and grieved upon receipt of paper telling of Paul's fate and you have our deepest sympathy during these sad days, and we are so glad grandma was with you at this time, as we know she will comfort you.

We have watched the casualty list daily and were just congratulating you, in that the boys had both escaped, and it is quite hard for us to believe different.

This sad news comes when our hopes were brightest and brings the war home to us,

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We know you hate to give him up but it is an honor to have given him in this cause, and Sadie and the children join me in extending our sincere sympathy.

MRS. DORA CRAIG ALLEN
Leavenworth, Indiana

We were so shocked and sad to hear of Paul's death. It does not seem that it can be true; still hope there is some mis take. I have been thinking for some days how you would plan for the boys' return home, * We had a letter from Bethel yesterday. He is at Camp Jackson, S. C. He thinks he will be discharged soon. He asks in every letter about Albert and Paul, and I know he will feel very sad when he hears of Paul's death,

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I know how grieved and troubled you are, and I want you to know how much we grieve with you. I send you a sister's love and sympathy.

REV. AND MRS. JESSE A. BREEDEN

Worthington, Indiana

We just received the paper announcement of Paul's death. You certainly have our heartfelt sympathy. We had thought of your sons so often when reading the casualty list and always felt relieved when their names did not appear. Now that Paul is gone, we know that you cannot help but feel the sting of sorrow, but you have reasons to be greatly comforted in the thought that he has fallen on the right side of a great cause. He is one of the number that the world is indebted to for what has been wrought through their sacrifice. May the good Father whose only Son gave his life for the welfare of others greatly comfort you in your present sorrow.

We hope that Albert will be spared to return to you. Dark as the hours may seem to you, remember that you have a great deal to be thankful for. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you all.

MRS. NELL E. BREEDEN
Decatur, Illinois

There are hardly words to express our great sympathy for you all. My heart goes out to all parents in these days of great sorrow. This day of Thanksgiving, which is one of great rejoicing to some, is a day of sorrow to you, I know, but may the dear Lord help you to bear it, and look on the brighter side of these things, and as your son Albert has said, Paul was "every inch a hero." Oh, such a comfort in all your sorrow! He gave his dear young life for his country and for us. I sincerely hope that your other dear boy may be returned to you safely.

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MRS. LUCILE CRAIG
Farmington, Missouri

I received the paper today with the account of dear Paul's death. You have my deepest sympathy. I am so sorry and grieved very much. It is, indeed, very sad. I know it is so hard on you.

I was just telling Robert the other day about the time I went through Evansville when he was a baby, and about Paul meeting us at the train. I thought so much of Paul.

SERGT. ROBERT M. CRAIG
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri

Received the word of the great sorrow that has come upon you all, and it certainly grieves me more than I can say. I can't seem to realize the fact and I don't know why, but I still hold to the belief that there has been some mistake made and that Paul will turn out to be all right.

It never entered my mind that anything would happen to either of the boys, and I have always thought of the time when they would be home after the war. So I can't help but think that everything will be all right, and that some mistake has been made.

But if it should be true, in your sorrow you can have the consolation of the knowledge that he died like a man, for his country, and what could be a more glorious way of passing out into the great beyond?

We have always been proud of Paul and his achievements in life, and the manner of his death makes us all the more proud of him. He has given his life for his country and freedom, and earned the thanks of the whole nation and undying glory for his name.

I know your grief and the grief of all is great, and I feel it more myself than mere words can tell.

And I want to assure you of my sincere and deepest sympathy in this time of sorrow to you.

MR. HUGH C. FUNKHOUSER
Indianapolis, Indiana

(Telegram)

We have no words to express our deep sorrow. Paul fought like an American; died a hero. Our sympathy to all the family.

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I took the clippings from our city papers and sent to Delbert and Ralph. Am enclosing Ralph's reply. He loved Paul very much. Edith and Tot loved him as a brother, and in our telegram to you we expressed our true feelings. It is well for you that time will assuage your grief. I am sure that you and your family will bear up bravely in view of what Paul did, and in common with the great multitude of others who died for Liberty. I say they will have a great reward. You have made a priceless sacrifice. May our good Father bless and keep you, and bring your other boy back in safety. We all send our best love.

REV. JAMES L. FUNKHOUSER
Hartsville, Indiana

I just got the notice of Paul's death in the line of duty. I need not tell you that you have out' deepest and profound sympathy. Now, may I tell you what I have never said before:

Paul was my favorite nephew. His heroic spirit and unselfish breast always appealed to me. Poor Paul! He paid the price for Liberty.

We had no boy to give, but we have paid to the utmost of our ability to help the boys that went away.

I cannot write. I am too deeply moved. Accept our sympathy.

MRS. LAURA FUNKHOUSER
Indianapolis, Indiana

Would I could say just one word to comfort you in this the greatest sorrow of your life, but I well know that is not possible.

My heart is aching for and with you, and I know you feel that the sun will never shine so brightly nor the old world ever be the same and that nothing is worth while any more since your dear boy has gone.

This war has been a cruel, wicked thing and many fathers and mothers all over our land are grieving just as you are, and no one can help them.

Just when we were feeling so thankful that this war was ended and our loved ones would soon be with us, like a thunder clap come the awful news that caused our rejoicing to seem a farce. Maybe time will help us to know that our heroes have not died in vain; but at present we cannot help feeling that we have paid a terrible price.

Let us hope that no more of our boys will be left "over there" and no more homes made desolate.

Even in our grief we are proud to think of Paul as one of our first young men to willingly go forth to win the greatest battle of the world, and they won it, thank God.

We will not allow ourselves to think of him as sleeping in far away France. Such noble souls do not die. Somewhere he is waiting for you and glad to know he has given his life in so brave a cause.

We all send love, pity and sympathy, and pray that you may have strength to bear your great sorrow and that time will heal your bleeding hearts.

MRS. MAUDE B. FUNKHOUSER
Brown's Valley, Indiana

I realize how irretrievable this loss is to Aunt Alta and you and to Ruth and Alta; for even the short time I've known Paul, it has affected me deeply and I cannot find words to express myself. I feel, too, that the community has suffered the loss of a very valuable man.

However, with all the feeling of grief and loss,] have a feeling of pride and reverence; and to you, his parents, it must feel a sacred privilege to have reared and given so splendid a character as Paul, whose memory will be revered in my heart and home.

I pray that my son will have some of the fine characteristics develop in him sometime that Paul T. showed and proved so early in life and death.

MR. WILLIAM E. FUNKHOUSER
Mauckport, Indiana

We have just received the news that your son Paul has been killed in action in France. You certainly have our sympathy in your greatest trouble. We can appreciate your sacrifice, for, we too, have two sons in France. One of our boys is a surgeon in a base hospital, organized at Indianapolis. The other boy is a dentist, but has seen service at the front for a long time,

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They have not seen each other since they left Ft. Harrison in December, 1917. So many of our finest young men have given up their lives on the battle fields of this great and horrible world war,

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O, I am glad it is over, and hope those responsible for this crime may be suitably punished.

I send you a cousin's sympathy and love in this, your time of great grief.

DR. W. H. FUNKHOUSER
Madison, Indiana

The news of Paul's death makes my heart so sad I can hardly write to you. I can think of nothing else. He will never be forgotten by any of us. Death comes to all - sooner or later - Paul has but preceded us. He died gloriously, but I can never think of him again with any but a bleeding heart.

I hope Albert will return safely. They are both splendid boys, and their country owes them a debt of eternal gratitude.

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MRS. MARY HIGHFIL

Tolu, Kentucky

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Was so sorry to hear of dear Paul being killed. It was only a few days after we heard of his death that we received a telegram that our son, Guthrie, had been killed in action on the 12th day of October

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Please send us a picture of Paul. We thought so much of him, I am sending lots of love and sympathy.

FRANK S. TYNER
Westport, Indiana

Have been so overcome by the sad intelligence of what had befallen your dear boy that I felt I could not meet the task.

While we had not enjoyed so much of his companionship, yet I know him as a tot, as a boy in the "teens," and in his young manhood. I know of his ambition and his endeavor to do things, to be somebody; and to play his part well. I know of your hopes centered in him. I know they were being realized.

The fond hope of his safe return, which it looked like would be a reality, has been dashed to the ground. If it were possible the sad intelligence might have been less crushing had it occurred earlier.

I know you have heard much of his making the supreme sacrifice - he could not have done more. I know that in a way consolation will come to you due to that fact. His high aspirations, his unselfish and worthy ambition, his willingness to be of service are and will be sources of consolation and satisfaction. This will be true in greater degree as time lessens the intensity of your grief. What time will do is, indeed, a thing of mercy. Were it not so such sad happenings as has been yours would drive us mad.

This dear boy will live in our memories; in fact, he is only a memory now. Many acts and deeds of his are facts and his short life has not been without fruitage.

If I could say a word that would assuage your grief, how gladly would I do it. In passing through such dark hours, one's friends can go only so far. We want to go with you to the fullest extent in sympathy and to share with you the sadness and loneliness of the hour. We hope and pray for the safe and speedy return of Albert C. and that your two daughters and yourselves are well.

MRS. ETTIE WOLFE
Normal, Illinois

I was so shocked to read the large black headlines that told of Paul Funkhouser winning a gold star by giving his life in action in France. An ache went through my heart, and I shed tears of sympathy for you.

Words cannot express how sorry I am for you, because words are such empty things. What could I say to help you? How I wish I could see you. But I assure you we extend to you all our tenderest sympathy. I know this falls heavily on you. Yet what a hero you have given.

We all think his picture so fine looking. Perhaps it is but natural that we would think so, but all the family remarked, "What a fine looking soldier!"

I remember Paul more as a boy, but I can see a familiar look about him still. We had heard he was in France and had been in a great battle soon after his arrival overseas, but had not heard anything for a long time and I was just thinking about all of you just a few days ago. We did not know Albert was in France, too, and I sincerely hope he will soon return to you now that the fighting is over "over there."