Beckham County, OK - Obits: Morris W. Gray, 1918
21 Feb 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

 ************************************************
 Copyright. All rights reserved.
 http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
 ************************************************

GRAY, MORRIS W.
(29 Aug 1918, Thursday, Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
Morris W. Gray, son of J. F. Gray, who lives south of Texola, was the
first Beckham county boy to be killed in action.  The following telegram
was received by his father under date of Aug. 11th.
"Morris W. Gray, died of wounds received in action July 20th."
He went into training Sept. 1917 and sailed for France about May 1, 1918. 
It is supposed that he received his fatal wound in the counter offensive
at the Marne.
The deceased was a highly respected and christian young man.
(30 Jun 1921, Thursday, Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK):
Body of Morris Grey Given Military Burial.
The remains of Morris Grey (sic) arrived at Texola, Tuesday, June 28th,
being one of the fallen heroes, who gave their life for the cause of
Democracy in the World War, and was laid to rest by the hands of his
comrades in battle, the Erick Post of the American Legion having been
called on Monday to officiate in burial services, and the following
ex-soldiers of Erick paid their last tribute of respect to one of the
crusaders for the cause of humanity.
Dr. R. C. McCreery was in charge of the Post Boys and was assisted by Dr.
J. E. Yarborough.
Archie Hamilton, color bearer, and Claude Griffin and Albert Hutto, color
Guards.
Jabe Hill, Dr. Bonifield, Adolph Velvin, Jay Storts, Dalas Boland and Wm.
C. Thiemer, pall bearers.
The remainder of the boys from here marched behind the corps in a column
of two's.  They were Floyd Hutchins, Wm. B. Stuffs, P. A. Smith and Lew
Murray, with two Texola boys and the escorts from Army headquarters, with
Cyrus Miller, buglar, at left column.
When the corps (sic) was lowered into the grave, taps were sounded and the
boys stood at attention.
(30 Jun 1921, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
The body of Morris W. Gray, the first Beckham county boy to make the
supreme sacrifice on the field of action, arrived at Texola, Tuesday
morning from France, and was buried Tuesday afternoon in the cemetery at
Texola.  The funeral services were held under the auspices of the Erick
Post of the American Legion.  Before his departure to the training camp,
Private Gray took more than usual care to get his business in good
condition, and upon one occasion, remarked to Sheriff Francis, a member of
the board, that he felt that perhaps he would be among those who would not
come back.  The first man in the county killed in action and the first to
be brought back to be buried beneath the sod of his nativity.

----------------------------------------------------------
Return to Beckham County Archives:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.htm