OBIT: Harvey S. RITCHEY, 1918, Blue Knob, Bedford County, PA

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SAILOR DROWNED

  Harvey S. Ritchey, a resident of Blue Knob, yesterday received from 
the war department at Washington, a telegram announcing the loss of his 
son, Francis B., who went to the bottom when the Toronto was sunk by a 
German submarine on Oct. 6.  Young Ritchey was 20 years old and had 
been in the navy for about three months, having volunteered his 
services.  His family was not aware exactly where he was, and were not 
even fearful that anything had befallen him until the fateful message 
was received.  The news was a great blow to the father, sisters and 
brothers, the mother being dead.  He is survived by his father, four 
brothers and three sisters: Robert and Edwin, soldiers in active duty 
in France; Clarence of Bens Creek; Mary, Effie, Annie and Dean, all at 
home.  He was a fine young man, well known and greatly beloved and his 
untimely death will be mourned by many people.

Altoona Times, Altoona, Pa., Monday Morning, October 28, 1918