DAVISON, Arthur October 16, 1894 October 31, 1918-----Last Wednesday at 2 p. m. the citizens of Kemmerer paid a touching tribute to one of its sons, who paid the supreme sacrifice for his native land while fighting for the cause of liberty on  Flanders field.

Arriving at the depot at Kemmerer exactly 926 days after he fell in action, he was accorded all the honor that could be given a hero.

The body of the dead representative of Americas great fighting force laved in state at the Town hall until 2 p. m., when his former comrades, many of whom marched side by side with him in the Argonne, escorted his body to Cooks Pavilion. Among those who had donned the uniform of the greatest commonwealth on earth the events of his military career and ultimate death passed as if on the silver screen.

Like those who have returned, his military life was uneventful, leaving here on May 6, 1918, passing through the early training of the camp life, and finally embarking from Hoboken, N. J. July 16 just 20 days later being upon English soil; and a few months later being in the first line of trenches, where in the Argonne he underwent his baptism of fire.

Through the terrific fighting in the forest, where the Germanic foe took so heavily a toll of the American youths end on to the Belgian front at Flanders, went the young Wyoming soldier. Here on October 31, his regiment went over the top.  and in the heavy fighting that ensued he was seriously wounded.  With the grim stoicism that made the American soldier respected and feared he refused to retire, only to be mowed down a few short hours later by fire from the Hapsburg troops.

Then for a seemingly endless time he rested in the cemetery in Flanders, obviously forgotten by his country. There in the course of time he was, with thousands of his fellow dead, brought home to receive his just deserts, and final worldly honors.

To all who witnessed the impressive military ceremonies it must have been humanizing and gratifying to see that America had not for-gotten one in the long list of dead.  To all who saw the tears, the respect showered for the dead it must have been absolutely certain that he had not died in vain.

Kemmerer made the day of the funeral an occasion to be remembered. Business was suspended, and the largest funeral crowd in the history of the city attended the services, which were conducted by Reverend J. E. Williams, pastor of the Methodist church.

The program of the day was as follows:

Address by Arthur Calverley, post commander of the American Legion, Kemmerer Post No. 17.

Song, Nearer My God to Thee, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Mason, N. W. Reynolds, Miss Julia Platt and Mrs. Ed. Barrett, pianist.

Sermon, O, Death, Where is Thy Sting, 0, Grave Where is Thy Victory. The eulogy being delivered by Rev. J E. Williams, pastor of the Methodist church.

Song, Mustered Out, One by One, choir.

The pallbearers were all former comrades of the dead soldier, W. 0.  Chamberlain, R. H. Embree, James Vicars, H. H Moyer, M. S Reynolds and H  L Goff.

Following the pallbearers came the color bearer, J. S. Humphrey and the color guards, Paul Acton and William Whitcomb, with Commander Calverley in command.

Then came the firing squad, under command of Sergeant Peter Bosone, consisting of William Taylor. Paul Nott, James Kallos, Ben C. Bell, Fred Pfeiffer. Frank and Fred Jones.

The funeral procession wended its way to the cemetery where the veterans formed a hollow square and following a short ceremony, followed by Taps and three volleys, Arthur Davison, who gave his life for his country, was entrusted to the tender mercies of nature and his maker.  Kemmerer Camera May 25, 1921

---

 

DODGE, Raoul ----Funeral services were held over the remains of Raoul Dodge, who drowned in Green River a week ago Monday, at the Kemmerer Cemetery yesterday morning. The body was taken from the undertaking parlors of the Kemmerer Hardware and Furniture company to the cemetery were the services were held in the presence of the family and a few friends. Rev. Clower of the Methodist church officiated.

Raoul Dodge was 20 years of age, having been born at Cora, Wyoming, on the 14th day of April, 1897, he had resided in Lincoln county all of his life. He was the son of Ira Dodge, well known in the county and one of the old settlers. He is survived by a brother, Harold, who still lives near Kemmerer, three sisters, Irene, Muriel and Marjorie, and his father, who are residing in Pocatello, Idaho . Cokeville Register July 7, 1917

---

DRANEY, Harmon T.----Last Sunday, one of the largest crowds ever assembled in Star Valley on a similar occasion gathered at  Auburn where  the    funeral of Harmon T. Draney who fell fighting in France was held.

The Afton post of the American Legion together with Bishop Wood look charge of the funeral ceremony.  At 12:30 the body, borne in state by ex-service men entered the .church followed by the mourners and former soldiers.

After the services in Auburn the body was taken to the Fairview cemetery for burial. The coffin carried by its uniformed bearers was taken to its last resting place, passing between two rows of ex-service men standing at attention. The services at the graveside were conducted by Post Chaplain Osborne Low, Jr., after which three volleys were fired by the firing squad and taps was sounded by Ernest R. Crook. 

Harmon T. Draney entered the service on October 4, 1917, and went to Camp Lewis. In July, 1918, he sailed with the 91^st Division for France and was immediately placed on the front line in the Argonne. He was transferred from the Argonne to the Flanders front and was killed in action on November 3, 1918.  Harmon Draney was the last man killed outright in the 91st Division.

A Croix de Guerre, awarded by the French government was received by relatives of Private Draney last year. This medal awarded by a grateful people, speaks louder than any words of the bravery and courage of the boy who stained the soil of Flanders with his blood for the freedom of the world.

Harmon T. Draney was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel E. Draney.  Kemmerer Camera June 1, 1921

---