1918 Mar 7– Willie Miller dies in France last Friday of pneumonia. He lived in Pt Washington but his
family had moved to another part of the county or state. The telegram announcing his death
has so far been undelivered and still remains at the Western Union office. Anyone knowing
where some of his people are this paper would be glad to get a little history of this man who
was among the first to give his life for his country.
1918 Mar 14 — Lee Muterspaugh, a former Walton county boy, died in New York according to a telegram
received this morning from the commandant of the Brooklyn yard and the commander of the
vessel on which he was serving. Cause of death not stated. The deceased enlisted in the Navy
last December and at time of death had a rating of first class fireman. He was about 24 yrs
of age and survived by mother, 3 brothers and one sister. (second obit) says he died of
natural causes and body was shipped to Freeport for burial on Sunday.
Mrs Sarah Laird 86 yrs of age died at home of son in law W J Wilkerson at Glendale last
Friday (March 8, 1918), burial taking place Sunday in Gum Creek Cemetery. She was the mother of 11 children,
4 girls and 7 boys. Grandmother of 82 children and great-grandmother of over 100 children.
Last week Henry J Dorwart introduced himself to a Recruiting Officer and told him he was a
deserter from the army. He was placed in jail and will be detained until orders are received as
to what shall be done with him. Mr Dowart was member of 6th Div. HQ Staff and was
stationed at Fort Sam, San Antonio, TX and deserted something like 3 months ago.
War death toll heavy in the county!
Henry Peake Walker, eldest son of W H Walker, who enlisted in navy about 2 yrs ago died in the League Island Hospital near Philadelphia, Pa last Sunday from pneumonia (March 10, 1918). The body was being shipped Monday night for Pensacola where burial will take place. Mr Walker was 23 yrs old, and held the position of first electrician on the U S Handcock.
Jim Tom Edgar, son of Mr & Mrs Stewart Edgar who was member of machine gun company in
France was killed in action on Friday last (March 8, 1918). A telegram to that effect being received Sunday
night from war department. He was 20 yrs of age and enlisted a year ago last Christmas,
before the hostilities. (further article says he died in hospital not killed in action)
1918 Mar 21 Murial Watts, the 4yr daughter of Mr & Mrs Frederick Watts died at the family home Saturday
and was buried Sunday in the city cemetery. Several of the other children of the family
have been quite sick. Card of Thanks: Mr & Mrs Watts wish to thank the citizens of DeFuniak
for the roses & flowers on their darling little girl’s grave. Mr & Mrs Watts, Sandy Creek
Stock Farm.
Miss Sarah A Long, born in 1832 in Ala, was united in marriage to Mr Laird and moved to
Florida (see March 14) and at the age of 86 died at home of son in law March 8th.
Remains of the late Henry L Peake arrived last night on the late train coming here from
DeFuniak where it was shipped by mistake. From the depot it was moved to home of his
Uncle, H Hahn. The remains will be born to Christ church at 2:30 and thence to St. John’s
Cemetery where interment will be make. (Pensacola Journal, Saturday) (No doubt the mistake
in names caused the delay.)
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson