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Source: Fayette County Leader (Iowa), March 14, 1918, pg. 7 |
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West Union - The death of
Alfred H. Clapp of West Union, who was on the battle front in France,
became known here Sunday afternoon, and spread sadness among the people
of the city. His death occurred Friday, March 1, from tuberculosis.
Alfred Clapp was the first West Union soldier of the present war to
give his life for his country. He was the first Fayette county soldier
to die at the front, and the first volunteer from this county to die
since war was declared. It was not known here that Alfred was ill till
the word came of his death. His last letter home was written on Jan.
27, and received on Saturday, Feb. 16. In it he did not say he was
well, which was the first letter in which that statement was omitted,
but he did not say he was not well. He told of the duties in the siege
artillery, to which he belonged, being very arduous. While not
especially strong, he had been free from illness throughout his life,
losing only an occasional day from his work.
Miss Edith Clapp,
who is teaching at Wheatland, Iowa, came home Monday evening to be with
her mother and sister, following the news of the death of Alfred Clapp
in France.
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