Franklin and Marshall College - Oriflamme Yearbook (Lancaster, PA)

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LIEUTENANT ELLIOT CRITCHFIELD WELLER

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ORIFLAMMEV 31 1'1tlVA'1'111 SAMUEL MICIIAICI. SIll'll.l.Y Pvt. Samuel M. Shelly died on September 29, 1918 from wounds and shell shock received in action at the hattle of Monnt Faneon in the Argonne drive. Pvt. Shelly was horn Oetoher 1, 1890, at Steinsharg, Pa. Ile prepared for College at Pcrkiomen Seminary, 1'ennslmrg', Pa., entering Franklin and Marshall in the fall of 1911. VVhile in college he took an active interest in literary work as a mem- her of the Goethean Literary Society. ln his Sophomore year he won first prize in the Goethean Literary Society Oratorieal Contest. lle was a memher of the Sigma Pi and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities. After graduation he was an instrnetor in Franklin and Marshall Academy and in the puhlie schools of Pelmsylvania. He entered Camp Meade, November 1917, and sailed for France on July 7, 1918. He was a memher of the Headquarters Company, 316th Infantry at the time of his death September 29, 1918. Pvt. Shelly was one of the most earnest and pains-taking students that ever entered Franklin and Marshall College. I 1

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ORIFLAMME 33 l.lEU'l'ENAN'1' l'il.l.I0'l' CRl'l'Cl-lFIl5l.D Wl'iI,I,ER Lieutenant Weller was among the first to answer Americafs call for volunteers. llis was a type well fitted for the army. Known as the miracle man in athletics he proved his worth as Regimental Athletic Director. VVhen his Captain was wounded, l.t. Weller directed the Company and under his leadership it captured the town of Chouy. l.t. Weller was seriously wounded during the engagement by shrapnel and when the regiment retired he was sent to the rear for medical attention and rest. llc died however in a hospital train July 25, 1918, from exhaustion and wounds. Lieutenant Weller prepared for College at Franklin and Marshall Academy. lle matriculated at F. and M. in the fall of 1907. He was an excellent athlete, being on the Varsity foot ball team in his Freslnnan and Sophomore years, and on the Scrub base ball and basket ball teams. Ile was a member of' the Paradise Club, the Green Room Club and the Junior Ilop Committee. llc had an excellent record during his college days. After graduation, hc studied Law at the University of Pennsylvania and coached Football in one of the schools in Philadelphia. Soon after America entered the war he enlisted and was sent to Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. l'le was soon given a clmnce at the Officers Training Camp at C-amp Green, S. C., where he won his Lieu- tenant's Commission. llc was attached to Co. F, 39th Regiment, 7th Brigade, 4-th Division of the Regular Army. During the absence of the Captain Lt. VVcller ful- fllled all the duties of that ofiice. His ability in athletics and his popularity among thc men brought him thc title of the miracle man and also made him Regimental Athletic Director. His duty was to take charge of 5,000 men and select from them the athletes best fitted to represent their respective companies in athletic contests. 'l'he Fourth Division em- barked in May, 1918 just in time for thc first great American offensive. During the engagement on July 17th, Captain Fisher of Co. F was wounded and l.t. Weller took command of the Company. Under his direction Chouy was captured, but Lt. Weller was fatally wounded by shrapnel and died in a hospital train July 25th, 1918. Lt. Weller had good red American blood in him and was a worthy representa- tive of all that America stood for in the war. lle had been recommended for pro- motion and it is interesting to notc that the lit. who succeeded him is now a Major. Captain Fisher in writing to Lt. Wcller's mother said, The entire regiment loved your son, he was a perfect officer, and you can feel certain that you gave as brave a man as any left on the battlefield.