Angel of the Hills

DULCE DECORUM EST
~ ACCUSTOMED, CEREMONIOUS ~

Pvt Samuel Gordon Lindsey
(January 5, 1893 - July 31, 1918)

with his mother

Sarah Elisabeth Hartman Lindsey
(August 19, 1856 - September 29, 1937)

The following artice was written in 1936,
shortly before Sarah died. I'm not sure who wrote it,
but I imagine it was for a local publication,
such as the Caney, Kansas, newspaper.
"When her son, Samuel Gordon Lindsey, was killed in action in the World War, Mrs. Sarah Elisabeth Hartman Lindsey, who lives near here [the Cascade Hills in Chautauqua County, Kansas] decided that the qualities which had endeared her son to all who knew him, his generosity and kindliness, could find continued expression through the war insurance which she receives monthly.

"Sums ranging from two dollars to one hundred dollars have been lent to worthy applicants for aid.  A man whose house, barn, and stock were burned was given a "stake" to enable him to get on his feet again.  A boy desiring an education was given money for books and his luncheon provided for during the school term.  A widow struggling to make a livelihood for herself and children on a barren forty acres has been helped over many rough spots.  A young man faced with bankruptcy following the Crash of 1929 was given money enough to ease the load and satisfy his creditors.  

"Countless relatives also have been the recipient of aid at different times.  No interest is charged those to whom loans are made and no principal has been lost.

"Her desire to help others has enabled this woman, now 80 years of age, to express usefulness at a time of life when useful activity might be difficult for many. Small wonder she is lovingly referred to as "The Angel of the Hills" in her community."

*************

My Great Uncle Sam had a very serious side,
but never lost his sense of humor.

A month before he died, Sam wrote home to his mother:

"I surely hope you are not worrying about me and trust you are not because I am faring fine so be easy as possible. I figure this is a cause worthy of an easy mind, although the outcome might be unfortunate for a boy, it is well worth whatever loss he meets, is simply why I can set steady in the boat. I want you to see it is so, not for the good old US alone but for humanity's sake in general, and I know you do of course and . . . see where we are fighting for Right and it's not near as much trouble for you. For me, I am not bothered a bit -- can't be bothered haha!

. . . You know it doesn't seem like I am as far from you as I am but when the sun comes up back there it's nearly noon here so it's some little ways, eh? Well Ma dear I must close for now and I will write more often. . . . I want you to think about what I have said.* If you have any little Kodak pictures of yourself I wish you would stick one in when you write. I lost the one you gave me.**
Hoping this finds you all well.
Your loving boy
Pvt. Sam. G. Lindsey
Co. A - 47 U.S. Inf. (Reg.)
American E. F. (Via New York)

*Emphasis added.

**In an earlier letter -- to his sister Mabel, in February -- he has written across the top of the page: "Thanks for the picture of mother." Perhaps this is in reference to the one that got lost.

In a final letter to Mabel -- mailed on July 11, 1918, exactly 3 weeks before his death -- Sam wrote, with what was to become the saddest irony:

"My Dear Sister and family,

You may think I am dead but
now think again ha, ha."

Dear Uncle Sam,
Rest in Peace
I will try, as you implore your mother,
"to think about what [you] have said."
But I cannot promise to agree.

In honor of Veterans Day & the Armistice,
I shall allow Eleanor Roosevelt the last word:
"I have sketched briefly the short trip to Europe after World War I, and yet I think that trip had far - reaching consequences for me. I had known Europe and particularly France, with its neat and patterned countryside, fairly well. The picture of desolation fostered in me an undying hate of war which was not definitely formulated before that time. The conviction of the uselessness of war as a means of finding any final solution to international difficulties grew stronger and stronger as I listened to people talk. I said little about it at the time but the impression was so strong that instead of fading out of my memory it has become more deeply etched upon it year by year." ~ from her Autobiography
*****************

To read more about Sarah . . .

Faded Autographs
Great - Grandmother's Day Book

To read more about Sam . . .

My Grandfather's Brother
Veterans Eve
Uncle Samuel
Back when Kansas was the Wild Wild West!
Two Fine Families

Time to Write A Letter
Talking About the Homestead
Thus Far Our Experience
Getting Almost Homesick

And more about Veterans Day . . .
Collected on the Quotidian Kit

Next Fortnightly Post
Sunday, November 28th

Between now and then, read
THE QUOTIDIAN KIT
my shorter, almost daily blog posts
www.dailykitticarriker.blogspot.com

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KITTI'S LIST
my running list of recent reading
www.kittislist.blogsppot.com