Manchester Press
Manchester, Delaware Co., Iowa
Thursday, August 15, 1918
Vol. XLVII., No. 2162
Page One
The Only Cash-In-Advance Stop-at-Expiration Paper in Delaware County
LUCIEN A. RANN DIES IN SERVICE
Passed Awat at U. S. Naval Hospital,
Brodkly, N. Y., Last Sunday Evening. Parents With Him.
LOSES HIS LIFE
BY SAVING OTHERS.
Contracted Severe Cold While Helping Rescue Comrades
in Peril, There Laying Foundation for the Disease That Proved Fatal.
Another star on the service flag of Delaware county has been changed to
gold by the death of Lucien A. Rann. which occurred at the United
States Naval hospital in Brooklyn, N. Y. on last Sunday evening after
long weeks of pain and suffering.
Born in Manchester.
Lucien, son of Howard L. and Gertrude A. Rann, was born in
Manchester, Iowa, May 2., 1898. At the age of eighteen he graduated
from the Manchester High school, and entered Beloit college the same
year. In the spring of the following year, 1917, he, like thousands of
other young men, felt the urge toward the battle front, but was finally
persuaded to finish the school year. As soon as this was completed, he
enlisted in the navy and was sent to the Great Lakes naval training
station.
Volunteers for Rescue Work.
In November, 1917, there came to him an opportunity to demonstrate
that he possessed the qualities of a true sailor. A violent storm was
raging on the lake, and a boat containing a number of young men from
the station was in great danger. Volunteers were called for to go to
the rescue, and Lucien responded
with others. The weather was cold and sleety, and his clothing was
drenched long before the work was accomplished and the party returned.
Up to this time his health had been excellent, but in the adventure he
contracted a sever cold, which brought on an attack of pneumonia. When
convalescent, he spent some weeks at home on a furlough, and although
he seemed to, recover, he never regained the
rugged health that had been formerly his.
On the Way to Europe.
He returned to the naval school however, and completed his course of
training. He was then assigned to duty on a merchant vessel and started
for overseas. When several days out the ship was damaged in a collision
and was obliged to return. In doing guard duty, Lucien contracted
another hard cold, and upon his arrival in port had to be sent to a
hospital at once. An examination revealed the fact that tubercular
trouble in an aggravated form had developed, and from the first his
physicians held out but little hope for his recovery.
Lingers for Many Weeks.
He was soon removed to the base hospital in Brooklyn. From here his
parents received a dispatch on Sunday, July 7, stating that he was in a
critical condition. They started at once, and from that time until his
death on Sunday, August 11, they remained at his bedside. The sympathy
of the entire community had gone out to Mr. and Mrs. Rann, as they sat
during the weary days by the side of their son, seeing him pass slowly
down into the valley of shadows, but the agony of that long waiting,
only those can know who have passed through a similar experience.
Died in his Country's Service.
It was not Lucien's fate to do his part on the battle lines, or hear
the thunder of the enemy's guns, as he doubtless hoped to do; but he
gave his life in sacrifice for his country as truly as do those other
sons of our nation who are in these days fighting and falling in the
trenches of France. All honor to his
memory as that of a brave sailor lad, who lost his fight with death
only that he might win imperishable renown as one of the glorious host
who have given their all for their country and for humanity. And all
honor to the father and mother, who with bowed heads but brave heats,
bear this stroke of ill fortunate, knowing that they have given their
son to the greatest cause that ever claimed the sacrifices of men and
women. It is all the harder for them after losing their other son four
years ago, but they will bear this added misfortune with the same
fortitude which they displayed in facing their earlier trials. They and
their
daughter, Mrs. Amy Bradley, may be assured of the profound sympathy of
a host of friends.
The funeral services were held at the home on Thursday afternoon at
4 o'clock, Rev. C. K. Hudson, the pastor of the family, being assisted
by Rev. W. J. Suckow and Rev. Clifton Keagy of Clinton. A large
gathering of friends and neighbors was present in spite of the rain,
which doubtless made it impossible for many others to be there. The
service was simple but impressive. The casket, surrounded by beautiful
floral offerings, was draped with a fine American flag of Japanese
silk, provided by the navy department for such occasions. It will
remain in possession of the family. Messrs. E. W. Williams, A. R. LeRoy,
Harold Dunham, Clarence Brown, Dayton Burr and Raymond Phelps acted as
pall bearers, the latter two having been Lucien's college mates at
Beloit. As the casket was carried to the hearse, and again from the
hearse to the grave, it was preceded by two representatives of the
navy, Herbert Wolcott, now home on furlough, and B. H. Nicholas,
boatswain's mate, second class, who was the recruiting officer under
whom Lucien enlisted. These two young men carried appropriate floral
emblems.
Quietly the remains of the young sailor lad were laid to rest
beneath the shade and the greensward of beautiful Oakland cemetery. His
memory will live in the hearts of his friends, and his spirit has gone
to join that immortal host of heroes who, by the sacrifice they made
for home and country and humanity and
God, constitute the only genuine and impermissible aristocracy the
world will
ever know.
~~ NOTICE TO READERS.
Owing to the funeral of Lucien Rann on Thursday afternoon. The Press
will be one day late his week. We feel confident that all our readers
will accept the explanation as a sufficient apology for the delay. |