Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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14 Paxton High School Reflector rado. where he had for a number of years been engaged in some branch of the public telephone service. He was immediately assigned to the 19th Com- pany, Infantry, at Fort I,ogan, Colorado. After about three months’ training at Fort Logan, he was transferred with his company to Madison Barracks, New York City, evidently to be in readiness for transport to France. On February 14th, a letter was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Ferris, informing them that he had safely arrived in France. He gave a graphic description of the exciting journey through the submarine danger zone. His letters at all times reflect a strong, bouyant spirit of patriotism, along with a full realization of what it all may mean to him. CLASS OF 1911. The class of 1911 has sent five of its twelve boys to participate in the World War, or as it may be more appropriately named “The War of the Na- tions.” Two of the five are already in France. In till® particular, the Class of 1911 is distinguished above all others. The two who represent this class in Frarce are Sergeant Lvnn Corbly and Lieut. Gustaf Lindstrom. Sergeant Lynn Corbly, '11. Mr. Lynn Corbly enlisted early in September as a special quarter- master clerk, and was assigned to Fort Eer.jamin Harrron where he was given the rank of Sergeant. After being on duty here for about a month he was transferred to Fort Jay, Governor’s Island, N. Y. During the greater portion of the time he was at Fort Jay, his chief duty (and a . ery responsible one) was censoring the U. S. mails at Hoboken, N. Jersey. On December 2nd, lie left for France. He has been assigned to im- portant clerical work at one of our Army Supply Stations there, an 1 reports that he has comfortable quarters, and is very well satisfied with his work. Mr. Corbly after graduating from P. H. S. entered ilie University of Illinois and graduated from the law course in 1915. Until hi: enlistment, he was successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Champaign. Lieutenant Gustaf Lindstrom, ’11. Gustaf Lindstrom was a successful applicant for admission to the first Reserve Officers’ Training Camp at Fort Sheridan. He completed the course and was awarded the commission of Second Lieutenant in August. He was then assigned to duty somwhere in the East .and what seems to be authentic information is to the effect that he is now in France. Elam Stewart, '11. Elam Stewart’s military career began in 1915 or '16 while he was at- tending school at Valparaiso, Ind., by his joining a company of Indiana Mili- tia that was organized among the students of the University. When troubles

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Paxton High School Reflector 13 Battalion Sergeant Major Neil Kerr, '10. ;)n July 23rd, 1917, Neil Kerr of the Class of 1910. enlisted in the chine Gun Co. of the 3rd Illinois National Guard. He is now Battalion Ser- geant-Major or the 129th U. S. Infantry, and is stationed at Camp Logan, Ho.!, ton, Texas. Though he enlisted as a private, his military aptness and a i:.y were speedily recognized as evidenced by the official rank which has so uoor teer. given him. Mr. Kerr, after graduating from P. H. S. entered the -sleyan Law 3 lir.oi at Bloomington, graduating therefrem with honors in 1913. A little later as a result of a single and successful encounter with the examination • Cs‘'ons of the State Examining Board, he was admitted to the Bar. For t-.v- v?'rs thereafter, he was engaged in the practice of his profess.on in con- nection with the law firm of Kerr Lindley of which his father. Judge H. H. Kerr is the senior member. Three years ago he removed to Pontiac. 111.. where he onened an office, and where he was rapidly building up a large and pro.ltal le practice, when the hour came that he felt that he could no longer resist the call, no matter how great the personal and professional sacrifice might be. Harold Ferris, ’10. Harold Ferris enlisted September 1st. 1917, at Grand Junction, Colo-

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Paxton High School Reflector 15 arose on the Mexican border, his company was mustered into the Federal service, and he was sent to Texas for training and participation in such act»V3 service as the exigencies of the situation might require. He remained here as a member of the 3rd Indiana Infantry until about Christmas when, no longer needed, he was given an honorable discharge. WItn this backgroud of military training and experience, covering nearly a year, it is not strange that Elam should be among the first to seek some form of service in the Nation’s greatest hour Of need. He therefore re-en- listed. and was assigned to the Lilly Base Hospital branch of the service—a department of the service in some official way affiliated with Red Cross work. He was sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison, and later to Ft. Riley. Kan- sas for training. About the first of January, 1918. he made application for entu.nce into the Third Reserve Officers’ Training Camp, and was accepted. He was assigned to Camp Funston. Kansas, where he now is undergoing the most trying, yet wonderfully effective training for an officer’s commission. Lieutenant Charles Cunningham, '11. Charles Cunningham, after graduating with the class of 1911, entered the Wesleyan Law School, and was duly graduated therefrom in 1914. Soon thereafter he successfully passed the Illinois State Bar Examination and began the practice of his profession in Paxton, his home town, where he was ra’dd.v winning a reputation as a successful attorney at law, when the war with its varied opportunities and attractions changed, for a time, at least. ! r pians for a career in professional Ufe. He made successful application for admission to the Second Reserve Officers’ Training Camp at Fort Sheri- dan. i nd was duly graduated therefrom in December with the Commission of Second Lieutenant. He was assigned to duty at Camp Dodge about the first of December, and was still there at the last report. Ralph Wascher, ’ll. Ralph Wascher, like so many others of the Paxton High School repre- sentatives. decided not to await the uncertainty as to the workings of the se- lective draft, especially as to the time of getting into the service and the as- s -mnent thereafter. He therefore, some time about the first of October, en- listed in the Signal Corps, and was ordered to report for training at Fort 1 ea enworth, Kansas. October 19th. He was then assigned to Co. C.. Fifth Field Battalion. He is now a first-class private and motorcycle orderly. He was given leave of absence for a few days during the holiday week, which he spent in Paxton visiting with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. A C. Was- cb-r and in exchanging pleasant greetings with his many Paxton friends. He reports that he is enjoying the vigorous training that he is being oiven to insure efficiency when he is called upon to take part in the “Big C.ame” over the sea. Recent word has reached relatives that Cheater Birkett «a'£h. 'v f- and Leonard Asperaren are now at an eastern port ready to embark tor France.