Palmer Adwell

Message Received Tuesday Evening States That Palmer Adwell Was Killed in Action In France

Everyone was going about in the even tenor of his way, reading the dailies on the war situation, meeting the expense of bonds, Thrift Stamps, Red Cross, etc. with scarcely a thought of the toll of human life that hung in the balance on the different fronts occupied by American soldier boys overseas until Tuesday evening Wm. Adwell received the following message from the war Department:
Washington, D. C.,
July 2, 5:36 p.m.
William Adwell
Renville, Minn.
“Deeply regret to inform you that cablegram from abroad advises that Private Palmer Adwell, Marine Corps, was killed in action between June second and tenth. Body will be interred abroad until end of war. Please accept my heartiest sympathy in your great loss. Your son nobly gave his life in service of his country      Geo. Barrett, Major General commanding.”
This brings the war right home to each one of us, and should make us redouble our energy in every way to aid the government in the prosecution of the war to a successful termination. Every man and woman at home regardless of all else should put their shoulder to the load and by unanimous and united action of all to the end that success will crown our arms in the briefest space of time possible.
Palmer Adwell was born at Iroquois, Illinois, on April 16, 1898. When ten years of age he came to Renville with his parents in 1908. He attended our schools and for some time worked for Bottge & Hassinger. When the call was made for troops to go to the border at Leo Grande, Texas in 1916 he enlisted in Company H of the Third Regiment National Guard, at Olivia. At the end of that campaign he was honorably discharged and returned home.
In April of last year when President Wilson issued his proclamation of war against Germany and called for volunteers Palmer was among the first who responded to the call by enlisting in the Marine Corps. He was stationed in California for a time and then was sent to Quantico, Va. While here he was granted a furlough to come home and spend Christmas with his folks. He looked so well at that time and met a hearty welcome home. Early in the spring he left for France and gradually worked to the front line trenches where he was giving a good account of himself until the final summons cam on the field of battle. Palmer was a good and fearless soldier, one who would never flinch when going “over the top” and he met his death like the true soldier he was. This is only the first fatality. With so many “over there” we know not what a day may bring forth.
Memorial service will be held on his death at the M. E. church on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o’clock.