World War I

Since we are observing the first anniversary of the tragic 9-11, 2001 terrorist attack, I think it's highly appropriate that we pay tribute to some of our Marshall County Veterans who helped insure our freedom.

Woodville, which was just a couple of miles south of the present Alberta Creek, was a small town, about 300 people, when World War I occurred. I think it's significant that approximately 30 percent of its citizens were involved in defending our country. Three of those brave soldiers gave their life that you and I might later enjoy life. One was killed in actual combat and the other two died before reaching the battlefield.

Fred McGarr, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.H. McGarr was born in Newport, Texas on November 23, 1892. He enlisted May 25, 1918, Bat. F, 132 F.A., Camp Bowie, Texas. After eight weeks of training he was shipped to France and four weeks later was wounded at the battle of St. Mihiel. He died on September 3, 1918, at Camp Coetquidan (near Brest) and was buried in France. One year later, his remains were exhumed, returned stateside, and re-interred at the Woodville Cemetery.

William Grider, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Grider was born in Grayson County, Texas on March 24, 1894. He enlisted July 15, 1917, Bat. E, 113 F.A., 36th Division, Camp Bowie, Texas. He died in camp of pneumonia, October 14, 1918 and was buried at Woodville on October 17, 1918.

Russell Marrion Meyer, son of Mrs. Lou Hudson, was born May 2, 1895 in Marshall County, Oklahoma. He enlisted September 20, 1917, Co. M, 358 Infantry, 90th Division, Camp Travis, Texas. He died in camp of pneumonia, January 14, 1918 and was buried at Isom Springs, Oklahoma on January 17, 1918.

There were eighteen other gallant and courageous men from Marshall County who also gave their lives. They were: Benjamin Criswell Ward, Robert Marion Halford, Charles Boggess Burke, Homer R. Armstrong, Grover Samuel McConathy, W.A. Sperry, Monte C. Fuller, and Ross Herndon all from Madill; Leslie L. Mitchell, James Bertie Wheeler, and Clarence Denton of Aylesworth; Nobel Lewis and Budd Lewis of Durwood; George R. Anderson of McMillan; Humphreys Colbert of Shay; Lewis Elmer Coffman of Oakland and Lorenzo D. Herron of Willis.

Of the 122 people from Kingston who served either at home or abroad, it's somewhat miraculous that none were killed. One of those from Kingston that I knew was my old neighbor (from 1949 until his death) and hunting buddy, Russ Thompson. A few others from Kingston were: Bill Hoggard, Walt Landram, Overton Bounds, Ernest Chestnut, Silas Gorrell, Ross Stroman, Ben McDuffie, Vassie Teel, James Dowdy, Cleve Lasiter, Rat Buck, and Berry Durham.

Some of the men from Woodville whom I knew or names familiar to me are: R.L. Hume, Paul Hume, Ben Hume, Ott Vann, Herbert Henry, Tom Usery, Benjamin Thomas French, Charles A. Dillow, Monroe Tinkel, Frank Webber, Jodie McGarr, Odis Lemmons, Leland Lemmons, William Bostic, and Tom Steel. The African-American citizens of Woodville who served in the war were: W.R. Sims, Cal. Colbert, Al. Edwards, Geo. Fisher, S. Dotson, D.R. Roberts, Gilbert Gray, T.E. Sims, J. Randolph, Henry Barr, A. Mathews, McCoy Mathews, and M. Walker.

I hope the names of so many were not boring to you. I can assure you that their service during the trench warfare in France was far from boring to them. The source of this information is and old book published by the Kingston Oklahoma Messenger, Editor J.C. Hopkins. Thanks to a loan of the book, "Honor Roll" from Doyle and Virginia McGarr, who have The Book End on Hwy 70 North in Kingston, the book is now housed at the Genealogical and Histrical Society in Madill.

Yes, we will remember 9-11, 2001, but let us also remember 11-11, 1918, at 11:00 A.M. the truce went into effect. From the "Honor Roll" I quote: "American flags were raised by the soldiers over their dugouts and guns at the various headquarters. Individual groups unfurled the Stars and Stripes, shook hands and cheered."

Let me close by saying, "GOD BLESS AMERICA" and "Service men and women, past, present, and future, we salute you."