Mr. and Mrs. P. D. Humphrey of Irondale received a letter this week bearing the sad news that their son, Jake, age 28, had died of wounds received from a schrapnel shell in the Argonne battle in France. He was wounded in November and had been in a hospital ever since.
Jake was well known in Flat River, having been a graduate of the High school here. After his graduation he taught several terms in the Elvins school. He had been teaching in Moorehouse prior to the time he entered the army. He was a young man of exemplary character and the news of his untimely death has been received with profound regret in Flat River.
Besides his parents he is survived by two brothers and four sisters, Mrs. A. J. Knight of Mitchell; Mrs. Luther Blackwell of Bonne Terre; Miss Nellie, who teaches in the Esther schools; Miss Vada, who teaches at Primrose; Sherman of Flat River; and Homer, who is attending the University of Columbia.
Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey have not yet been officially notified by the War Department of their son's death. The news of his death was contained in the following letter from Lieut. Dowson, written from the hospital at Mesves, France:
"Dear Sir: -- You have no doubt already received notification from the War Department at Washington of the death of your son, Jake Humphrey, which occurred at this hospital on the 2nd of February.
"As a Red Cross worker in this hospital center, it is my duty to visit the wards, and I thus became acquainted with your son, who had a private ward. He was a very sick man from the first, and although everything was done to save his life, the complications resulting from his wounds were so severe that he passed away at 2:30 a.m., February 2. He was unconscious most of the previous day. When the end came he did not suffer.
"The nurse tells me that she had written to you for him and that your letters were a great comfort to him. She speaks very highly of him and says that he was very patient during his illness. You may rest assured that he had every possible care and attention from the doctor and nurses in charge.
"The funeral was held this morning in charge of Chaplain Fox at the American cemetery near the village of Mesves, where a great many other boys are buried.
"At the head of each grave is erected a cross, on which is inscribed the name, number and regiment of the deceased, so that identification is easy. The cemetery is well cared for and is situated in a very pleasant part of the country.
"Please allow me to express my deepest sympathy in your sorrow. Your son did his duty faithfully to his country, and while like many other parents, you are called upon to suffer his affliction, you will always have the satisfaction of knowing that your boy did not die in vain.
"With kindest personal regards,
Yours very truly,
Lieut. J. L. Dawson.
"P.S. -- The number of your son's grave is 683."
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