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Corp Craig Elmer Fleming

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Corp Craig Elmer Fleming Veteran

Birth
Clarion County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death
16 Sep 1918 (aged 26)
France
Burial
Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, USA Add to Map
Plot
Section 4 Lot 541
Memorial ID
View Source
FLEMING Craig E. and GATHERS Lewis - September 1, 1921 - Last Tuesday Mrs. Myrtle Fleming, of South Sixth Avenue, Clarion, received a telegram that the body of her son, Corporal Craig E. Fleming, had been shipped from Hoboken, N. J., and would arrive here that evening. At the same time Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Gathers, of Grand Avenue, Clarion, received a wire that the body of their son, Private Lewis Gathers would reach this place that evening. These two young patriots gave up their lives on the battlefields of France.

Corporal Fleming was a member of Co. K, 30thInfantry, 80th Division. Private Gathers was a member of Co. K. 110th Infantry, 28th Division, or "Iron Division."

The bodies were met at the 6: 15 train Tuesday evening and escorted to the homes of the respective families by members of the Craig E. Fleming Post of the American Legion. According to present arrangements the funerals will be held Sunday afternoon. Private Gathers' will be held in the First M. E. Church at 2:00 o'clock p.m. Corp. Fleming's will be held at his late home on South Sixth Avenue at 4:00 o'clock p.m. Both funerals will be in charge of Craig E. Fleming Post of the American Legion and full military honors will be accorded to the remains with religious services. It is expected the Clarion American Legion, which was named after Corporal Fleming, will be assisted by the Legions from other places such as Knox, Rimersburg, New Bethlehem and East Brady.

(Issue of September 8, 1921): (photos) - In Memoriam ­Corporal Craig Elmer Fleming, Private James Lewis Gathers - The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo; No more on Life's parade shall meet The brave and fallen few. On Fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread, And Glory guards, with solemn round The bivouac of the dead. (Theodore O'Hara) - Clarion and vicinity was stirred to an extraordinary degree last Sunday when the bodies of two of her choice young men, who had given up their lives on the battlefields of France in the World War to save humanity and civilization were laid to their final resting places in Clarion cemetery amid the ceremonies of full religious and military honors, but more especially amide the quiet hush of many sorrowing hearts which were given expression by the ceremonies. The bodies of Corp. Craig E. Fleming and Private James Lewis Gathers arrived at Hoboken, N. J., on August 25, 1921, and were forwarded to their homes in Clarion, arriving here Tuesday, August 20th. The arrangements having been placed in the hands of Craig E. Fleming Post, No. 66, which had been named after Corporal Fleming, the bodies were met at the railroad station by the Legion and escorted to their former homes where the caskets were viewed by many former friends of the deceased in the time intervening to the time of the funerals. The time and place for the funeral of Private Lewis Gathers was fixed for Sunday, Sept. 4th at 2 o'clock p.m., to be held in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, with which the family is connected, and that of Corporal Fleming was set for the same day at 4 o'clock pm., to be held at the home of his mother, Mrs. Myrtle Fleming, on South Sixth Avenue. This was afterwards changed to be held at the park in front of the Court House. The streets of the town were parked with literally hundreds of automobiles driven in to attend the two funerals and a mass of several thousand people were at the church and scattered along the route of procession to the cemetery, at the Park and in the cemetery, an evidence of the sacrifice the two young men had made. At about 1 :30 p.m., Sunday the Craig E. Fleming Post with other service men to the number of about 150 men headed by the Clarion Concert Band and followed by the members of Clarion Tent of Red Men and other citizens, marched to the Gathers home on Grand A venue, where the body had rested in state since its arrival. Almost the whole length of the avenue was lined with automobiles furnished for the family and relatives. The processing was formed at once and took its way to the church. On arrival there the streets were packed with people and almost every available seat in the church was filled, leaving only seats for the family and relatives and the soldier boys. The church was filled to its utmost capacity, there probably being over a thousand people therein, while the streets were filled outside. The services were very impressive. A male quartet composed of Messrs. 1. C. Clough, F. E. Mahey, Wayne M. Moore and Jas. L. Fitzgerald, with Mrs. Clough at the organ, furnished the music. The opening number was a splendid rendering of "We'll Never Say Goodbye in Heaven" followed which Rev. F. S. Montgomery, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, led in a tender and heartfelt appeal to God for his blessing upon all. The pastor of the church then delivered an able, eloquent and impressive funeral address, in which just tribute was paid to the young man, and all others who sacrificed their lives for the good of their country and humanity. The quartette sang "Remembered Yet" as the closing number in a tender and touching manner. The funeral procession then formed and with the band playing a funeral dirge marched to the cemetery where the body was committed to its last resting place, the firing squad fired a salute, and "Taps" were sounded in solemn farewell. James Lewis Gathers was the son of H. M. and Opey (Watkins) Gathers. He was born in Clarion township December 18, 1892, but came to Clarion when his parents moved here. He attended the public schools at this place. He was attracted to the glassblowing occupation and learned the same. He had been employed at Wilcox, Pa., about three years when called into the service from Ridgway, and went to CampLee Feb. 25, 1918. He was assigned to Co. K, 1 10th Infantry, 28th Division, and went across the sea and through the campaigns in which the division engaged up to his death. On the night of August 23, 1918, after being in battle all day driving the Germans, Private Gathers' company were bombed about midnight and a piece of shrapnel struck him on the head inflicting the wound from which he died. The surgeon wrote Mrs. Gathers that he had removed a piece of shrapnel from her son's brain. He said he died without recovering consciousness. Two comrades also wrote her telling about the night raid and the bombing of the company. Private Gathers is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Katherine Mack, Buffalo, N. Y.; and Charles, Wilkins, George, Samuel, Edith, Lucinda and Benjamin, all at home. The American Legion, as soon as Private Gathers had been buried, proceeded to the late home of the comrade from whom they received their name, and in the presence of hundreds of people placed the casket in which his body reposed on the caisson which in the Civil War won fame as a unit of Knapp's Battery, and escorted it to the Park in front of the Court House where the funeral service was held in the presence of over two thousand people. By this time it had clouded up and threatened a storm and the people began to scatter. The services conducted by Dr. John Ballentine, assisted by Rev. F. S. Montgomery, had to be shortened all that was possible, and Dr. Ballentine precipitately closed his address, and the line of march was resumed to the cemetery. The Legion committed the body to the grave, the salute was fired and "Taps" were sounded. Craig Elmer Fleming was born May 9, 1892, in Clarion township, near Mechanicsville, son of John and Myrtle (Frampton) Fleming. He moved to Clarion in 1910 with his mother, attended the Normal School three years and then went to work in the Westinghouse Co., Pittsburgh, attending Carnegie Tech at night, completing one year, when he was called into service Oct. 3, 1917, going to Camp Lee. He was transferred to Camp Green, and assigned to Co.K, 30th Infantry, 3rd Divison, on Dec. 19, 1917. On July 15, 1918, he was terribly gassed and was in a hospital for some time; then transferred to guard duty in Red Cross Hospital. He wrote a letter on Sept. 7, 1918, from replacement camp at rear of front line, and on Sept. 16, 1918, was killed in a bombing raid at night. He had participated in battles-Aisne, Marne, Aisne-Mame, S1. Mihiel, and Defensive Sector. He leaves his mother and one brother, Samuel Fleming, of Wilkinsburg. While the ceremonies at the grave were being observed Aviator Lieut. Parker Cramer flew overhead and scattered flowers for the dead heroes. A touching tribute was paid by Mr. and Mrs. Thos. P. Howard, who placed beautiful flowers on the monument in the park, on which the names of the two dead soldiers appear. - Soldiers rest, they warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking; Dream of battled fields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking. (Sir W. Scott)
FLEMING Craig E. and GATHERS Lewis - September 1, 1921 - Last Tuesday Mrs. Myrtle Fleming, of South Sixth Avenue, Clarion, received a telegram that the body of her son, Corporal Craig E. Fleming, had been shipped from Hoboken, N. J., and would arrive here that evening. At the same time Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Gathers, of Grand Avenue, Clarion, received a wire that the body of their son, Private Lewis Gathers would reach this place that evening. These two young patriots gave up their lives on the battlefields of France.

Corporal Fleming was a member of Co. K, 30thInfantry, 80th Division. Private Gathers was a member of Co. K. 110th Infantry, 28th Division, or "Iron Division."

The bodies were met at the 6: 15 train Tuesday evening and escorted to the homes of the respective families by members of the Craig E. Fleming Post of the American Legion. According to present arrangements the funerals will be held Sunday afternoon. Private Gathers' will be held in the First M. E. Church at 2:00 o'clock p.m. Corp. Fleming's will be held at his late home on South Sixth Avenue at 4:00 o'clock p.m. Both funerals will be in charge of Craig E. Fleming Post of the American Legion and full military honors will be accorded to the remains with religious services. It is expected the Clarion American Legion, which was named after Corporal Fleming, will be assisted by the Legions from other places such as Knox, Rimersburg, New Bethlehem and East Brady.

(Issue of September 8, 1921): (photos) - In Memoriam ­Corporal Craig Elmer Fleming, Private James Lewis Gathers - The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo; No more on Life's parade shall meet The brave and fallen few. On Fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread, And Glory guards, with solemn round The bivouac of the dead. (Theodore O'Hara) - Clarion and vicinity was stirred to an extraordinary degree last Sunday when the bodies of two of her choice young men, who had given up their lives on the battlefields of France in the World War to save humanity and civilization were laid to their final resting places in Clarion cemetery amid the ceremonies of full religious and military honors, but more especially amide the quiet hush of many sorrowing hearts which were given expression by the ceremonies. The bodies of Corp. Craig E. Fleming and Private James Lewis Gathers arrived at Hoboken, N. J., on August 25, 1921, and were forwarded to their homes in Clarion, arriving here Tuesday, August 20th. The arrangements having been placed in the hands of Craig E. Fleming Post, No. 66, which had been named after Corporal Fleming, the bodies were met at the railroad station by the Legion and escorted to their former homes where the caskets were viewed by many former friends of the deceased in the time intervening to the time of the funerals. The time and place for the funeral of Private Lewis Gathers was fixed for Sunday, Sept. 4th at 2 o'clock p.m., to be held in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, with which the family is connected, and that of Corporal Fleming was set for the same day at 4 o'clock pm., to be held at the home of his mother, Mrs. Myrtle Fleming, on South Sixth Avenue. This was afterwards changed to be held at the park in front of the Court House. The streets of the town were parked with literally hundreds of automobiles driven in to attend the two funerals and a mass of several thousand people were at the church and scattered along the route of procession to the cemetery, at the Park and in the cemetery, an evidence of the sacrifice the two young men had made. At about 1 :30 p.m., Sunday the Craig E. Fleming Post with other service men to the number of about 150 men headed by the Clarion Concert Band and followed by the members of Clarion Tent of Red Men and other citizens, marched to the Gathers home on Grand A venue, where the body had rested in state since its arrival. Almost the whole length of the avenue was lined with automobiles furnished for the family and relatives. The processing was formed at once and took its way to the church. On arrival there the streets were packed with people and almost every available seat in the church was filled, leaving only seats for the family and relatives and the soldier boys. The church was filled to its utmost capacity, there probably being over a thousand people therein, while the streets were filled outside. The services were very impressive. A male quartet composed of Messrs. 1. C. Clough, F. E. Mahey, Wayne M. Moore and Jas. L. Fitzgerald, with Mrs. Clough at the organ, furnished the music. The opening number was a splendid rendering of "We'll Never Say Goodbye in Heaven" followed which Rev. F. S. Montgomery, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, led in a tender and heartfelt appeal to God for his blessing upon all. The pastor of the church then delivered an able, eloquent and impressive funeral address, in which just tribute was paid to the young man, and all others who sacrificed their lives for the good of their country and humanity. The quartette sang "Remembered Yet" as the closing number in a tender and touching manner. The funeral procession then formed and with the band playing a funeral dirge marched to the cemetery where the body was committed to its last resting place, the firing squad fired a salute, and "Taps" were sounded in solemn farewell. James Lewis Gathers was the son of H. M. and Opey (Watkins) Gathers. He was born in Clarion township December 18, 1892, but came to Clarion when his parents moved here. He attended the public schools at this place. He was attracted to the glassblowing occupation and learned the same. He had been employed at Wilcox, Pa., about three years when called into the service from Ridgway, and went to CampLee Feb. 25, 1918. He was assigned to Co. K, 1 10th Infantry, 28th Division, and went across the sea and through the campaigns in which the division engaged up to his death. On the night of August 23, 1918, after being in battle all day driving the Germans, Private Gathers' company were bombed about midnight and a piece of shrapnel struck him on the head inflicting the wound from which he died. The surgeon wrote Mrs. Gathers that he had removed a piece of shrapnel from her son's brain. He said he died without recovering consciousness. Two comrades also wrote her telling about the night raid and the bombing of the company. Private Gathers is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Katherine Mack, Buffalo, N. Y.; and Charles, Wilkins, George, Samuel, Edith, Lucinda and Benjamin, all at home. The American Legion, as soon as Private Gathers had been buried, proceeded to the late home of the comrade from whom they received their name, and in the presence of hundreds of people placed the casket in which his body reposed on the caisson which in the Civil War won fame as a unit of Knapp's Battery, and escorted it to the Park in front of the Court House where the funeral service was held in the presence of over two thousand people. By this time it had clouded up and threatened a storm and the people began to scatter. The services conducted by Dr. John Ballentine, assisted by Rev. F. S. Montgomery, had to be shortened all that was possible, and Dr. Ballentine precipitately closed his address, and the line of march was resumed to the cemetery. The Legion committed the body to the grave, the salute was fired and "Taps" were sounded. Craig Elmer Fleming was born May 9, 1892, in Clarion township, near Mechanicsville, son of John and Myrtle (Frampton) Fleming. He moved to Clarion in 1910 with his mother, attended the Normal School three years and then went to work in the Westinghouse Co., Pittsburgh, attending Carnegie Tech at night, completing one year, when he was called into service Oct. 3, 1917, going to Camp Lee. He was transferred to Camp Green, and assigned to Co.K, 30th Infantry, 3rd Divison, on Dec. 19, 1917. On July 15, 1918, he was terribly gassed and was in a hospital for some time; then transferred to guard duty in Red Cross Hospital. He wrote a letter on Sept. 7, 1918, from replacement camp at rear of front line, and on Sept. 16, 1918, was killed in a bombing raid at night. He had participated in battles-Aisne, Marne, Aisne-Mame, S1. Mihiel, and Defensive Sector. He leaves his mother and one brother, Samuel Fleming, of Wilkinsburg. While the ceremonies at the grave were being observed Aviator Lieut. Parker Cramer flew overhead and scattered flowers for the dead heroes. A touching tribute was paid by Mr. and Mrs. Thos. P. Howard, who placed beautiful flowers on the monument in the park, on which the names of the two dead soldiers appear. - Soldiers rest, they warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking; Dream of battled fields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking. (Sir W. Scott)


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