Clark County NV Archives Obituaries.....FOWLER, Reuben "Bob" July 18 1918
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Gerry Perry missgerry@cox.net August 24, 2004, 10:52 pm

Las Vegas Age - 2/5/1921


WAR HERO NOW SLEEPS IN SOIL OF AMERICA



REUBEN "BOB" FOWLER LAID TO REST WITH IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES AND HONORS



    Reuben "Bob" FOWLER now sleeps in the soil of his country, for which he

gave his life on the fields of France.

    He was employed as a fireman on the Salt Lake road, running out of Las

Vegas.  On the morning of September 19, 1917, 26 Clark County boys marched

down the streets of Las Vegas, escorted by the Grammar School band and many

citizens.  At the back corner the procession was halted and a brief address

of farewell delivered by Judge LILLIS.  Comfort bags, made by the women of

Las Vegas were presented each, and the little band departed to the train,

bound for Camp Lewis, Wash.

    After a training period they went across the sea among the very first.

    After weeks of active service in 1918 on the French battle front, where

"Bob" served a machine gun in the engagements of Montididler, Noyos, the

battle of the Alane and the battle of the Marne, he was fatally wounded at

Solssons, July 18, 1918, and died shortly afterward in a hospital near the

front.  At Solssons, where the 18th regiment won a citation for its valor in

the heavy fighting which opened the first great American drive of the war,

FOWLER's company of machine gunners preceded the infantry, fighting back the

enemy machine gunners and enabling the regiment to gain the distinction of

establishing itself farther in enemy territory than any other unit on the

opening day of the big rush.

    We reprint the following, by Msgner WHITE, from a San Diego paper:

    "His hands folded, and his eyes closed in the last sleep, Reuben "Bob"

FOWLER, garbed in the uniform of his country, has come home from the great

war."

    "Bob" was laid to his last rest today in Greenwood cemetery with

military honors.

    "A few short years ago, he was just an American citizen of humble life,

one among many - a fireman on a railroad out of Las Vegas, Nevada.  But

today as he lies sleeping, "Bob" has attained the greatest station of

respect that can come to an American citizen - he is a hero.

    "He died in France, at Solssons, July 18, 1918 - his face to the enemy.

He was attached to a machine gun company.  It was found after the eventful

day on which "Bob" fell with others of his company, that this company had

established the most advanced line toward the enemy.

    "The young man was first buried in France, but his mother, a sweet

souled, gray haired woman, longed for him.  So he was brought home.

    "Under the aupices [sic] of the American Legion the funeral was held

today.  The body was taken from the Bradley & Woolman parlors, where it had

reposed since arriving from France.  Many friends of the boy went with his

mother and sisters to the grave.  Committees from Los Angeles railway

brotherhood of which he was a member were also present.

    "The pallbearers, all members of the American Legion, were:  G. A.

BISSELL, F. FERGUSON, James O'BRIEN, T. O'CONNOR, J. B. MIDGLEY and J. B.

CUMMINGS.

Brief Service

    "Maj. Joseph L. HUNTER read a brief service, and in words beautifully

chosen paid tribute to the young men of the nation who, as has "Bob" paid

the supreme sacrifice in the nation's service.

    "A firing squad from Fort Rosecrans gave the military honors.  Mrs.

Sadie FOWLER, the boy's mother, and Mrs. Ethel INGLE and Mrs. Harriet HUTCH

of San Diego, his sisters, stood at the grave.

    "And so, Reuben "Bob" FOWLER, once a railroad man in Nevada, the son of

Mrs. Sadie FOWLER, a hero of the great war, who gave his life and left his

memory written in the national achievement of victory, was laid to rest."





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