Barber County Kansas

The Barber County Index, October 30, 1918.

William Painter, Jr., Dead.

Victim of Influenza While in Military Training at Lawrence, Kan.

The sad news of the death of William Painter, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Painter, of Lawrence, Kansas, reached Medicine Lodge relatives on Monday. William entered the mechanical department of military training at Lawrence the first of this month and had already risen to the non-commissioned rank of corporal. He took sick with influenza a little over two weeks ago and pneumonia developed soon after his taking ill. His case became critical in its early stages and although he made a brave fight, he could not withstand the attack and passed away at 8 o'clock Monday morning.

The body was taken to Conway Springs where the family resided prior to going to Lawrence, where the funeral was held on Monday.

William was nearing his 21st birthday. He was an exceptionally bright young man, a graduate from the Conway Springs high school, one year in the State University and had fine prospects before him. He was a young man of fine Christian character and a joy and blessing to his parents on whom his death falls with crushing sorrow.

The father, Wm. Painter, is a son of D. F. Painter, a brother of C. C. Painter, Mrs. C. E. Adams and Mrs. U. C. Herr of this city. The family resided here before going to Conway Springs and this was Willie's birth place.

We are very sure that the sympathy of the people of Medicine Lodge goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Painter in a large measure in the sorrow that has overwhelmed them in taking away from their home their only child, the pride of their lives and their fondest hope for the future, but they have the consolation that they have given their all to their country for Willie made the sacrifice as completely as though he had died in the conflict on Europe's battle field.

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Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!

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