Of Pneumonia and Influenza

Oct. 9 Memorial Services Held Sunday Evening

Memorial services in memory of Calmer Carlson were held Sunday evening in the Ft. Ridgely and Dale church and owing to the beautiful weather the church was filled to its utmost capacity.

The church was fittingly decorated with red, white and blue streamers leading from the alter and half way toward the balcony. The altar was draped in white trimmed with evergreen and flowers. In the center of the ring was a table decorated accordingly and supporting a picture of Calmer Carlson which was surrounded by roses and carnations. Directly above the entrance to the alter hung two flags, the United States flag to the left while the service flag with 16 stars hung on the right side.

At 7:30 the strains of “Drooping Flags” memorial march by Winthrop was sounded and presently the doors in the rear of the church opened while the Home Guards were seated Miss Enger of Minneapolis sang, “Recessional” by Rudyard Kipling. Next came Devotion by Rev. Rognlie. Then came a solo by Miss Johnson of Hector, entitled “God by with our Boys To-night”. Scripture reading by Rev. Oppegaard was now in turn after which a battle hymn was sung by the congregation.

Rev. Rognlie now preached the memorial sermon choosing his text from 2^nd Thim. 4. 6-8. After the sermon Miss Enger sang the old touching song, “We are Tenting T0-nigh on the Old Camp Ground”. Another song was now sung by the audience after which Miss Johnson sang, “Just Break the News to Mother”. The companies’ buglers jow approached the entrance to the alter and sounded “Tap” while the Home Guards stood at attention and the assembly remained standing until the Gold Star had been pinned by Captain Carver of Fairfax. This having been done Calmer’s obituary was read as follows:

Calmer Melchior Carlson was born March 10, 1891 and died Oct. 9, 1918 of influenza and pneumonia. He reached the age of 27 years, 6 months and 26 days. Calmer left for Camp Wadsworth, Spartansburg, S.C., July 25 last and later was transferred to France arriving there about Sept. 6. His family believe that he was sick all the time after arriving there as no word was heard from him after arriving there, while as Camp Wadsworth he wrote frequently. He was preceded in death by his father and two sisters, Sina Mathilda and Marie. He is survived by a sorrowing mother, five sisters and three brothers. The sisters are: Olga at home, Mrs. Ludvig Dahlquist, Mrs. Axel Dahlquist, Mrs. Mathew Weikle, all of Bandon; Mrs. Meiner Mork of Palmyra. The brothers are Carl and Martin both of whom are at home and Hakkon of Minneapolis.

Calmer was one of the estimable young men of the community and because of his kindness, honesty of purpose and manliness he held the deep respect of a large number of friends.

Miss Johnson of Hector now sang “The Vacant Chair”. The Lord’s Prayer and Benediction next preceeded the closing hymn by the audience. After which fitting tributes in behalf of the bereaved family and the congregation was paid by Rev. Rognlie to the Home Guards, Miss Enger and Miss Johnson for their presence, thus showing their sympathy toward the bereaved family and also helping to make the evening a very pleasant gathering.

Miss Rognlie now played “Memorial Day March” by J. L. Bottman. The Home Guards again marched out while the audience shortly followed.