Harry William Petrie (1895-1943)

Two More Soldier Boys

Harry Petrie left Monday morning for Ft. Wayne, where he goes to enlist in the army. He will go in the field artillery.

Ed Metcalf went to Ft. Wayne Tuesday, where he will enlist in the U.S. army. He will enter the Quartermaster's department as a chauffeur.

Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Petrie permit us to take the following extracts from a letter received from their son, Harry, who is in the field artillery:

Ft. ____ Ky., June 26, 1917

Dear Folks:

Received your letter today and sure glad to get it. I guess I hadn't told you of very much about life here, so will answer you questions. The weather is very hot here, much hotter than there, I imagine. Today our black suits come in play again. Yesterday we drilled all day and then took a five mile hike, and it was hot. But today we were placed on fatigue duty, which is a polite name for slavery. Our squad was ordered out at 7:30, went over a very steep hill, you could hardly walk on it, and picked up brush that had been cut, piled it up and burned it. Maybe you think it wasn't hot. I never did such hard work in my life. Tomorrow we get our second innoculation and don't have to work for the simple reason we can't, our arms will be too sore. Here is our routine: 5:25, bugle blows to get up; 5:40, bugle blows for revelie, which is lining up for roll call; 5:50, mess; 7:30, 1st drill call, which is kept up all day unless on guard or fatigue duty; 11:20, 1st mess call; 1 o'clock, 5th drill call; 4:40, call for retreat, same as revelie in the morning; 5:20, mess call; 9:00, lights out, and 11 all must be in.

After we leave here, which will be in about a week, we don't work much but drill all day long. The board is good, better than I expected, except that everything is mixed up. I kind of like the life here, but its far from being home. I am about dead tonight.

I enlisted for three years or the duration of the war. I am in the field artillery. Will be glad when we leave here. I'm not homesick yet, but lonesome at times, although I believe I will like the excitement of it. I'm not my own boss and its not home. Vic. Roberts and "Runt" Hayhurst have a surprise awaiting them if they think they can go right to work at their trades. There are 2 barbers, 1 blacksmith, 5 mechanics and me, a harness maker, in our company. Everybody has to drill and do the other work. Must close as 2 sheets of paper is all that is allowed us. Write soon.

As ever, your son,
HARRY PETRIE

S.H.Petrie and daughter, Ada, and Mr. and Mrs Byron Metcalf went to Chicago Tuesday evening to see their sons, Harry Petrie and Edgar Metcalf, who were being transferred from Ft. Thomas, Ky., to Sparta, Wis. The boys were both enjoying good health and liked army life fine.

Petrie - Hayhurst

Harry Petrie and Miss Ruby Hayhurst were married in Crown Point last Wednesday. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Petrie and is a young man who has a host of friends. The bride is the daughter of E.N. Hayhurst and is a most estimable young lady. For the past two years she has been teaching in the schools of West Creek township. The newly married couple visited relatives in Chicago for a few days. They will make their home in Lowell where the groom is engaged in the harness business with his father. We join the many friends of the young couple in extending congratulations and best wishes.

HARRY W. PETRIE PASSED AWAY AT HINES HOSPITAL

After being in poor health for some time, Harry W. Petrie passed away at the Hines hospital at Maywood, Ill., Tuesday, where he underwent a major surgery on Saturday.

He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Petrie, and made Lowell his home from childhood until a few years ago. After seeing service overseas in World War I, he and his father were in the harness business for some time, and following this he entered the insurance field. The family lived in Portland, Maine, and Indianapolis for several years, and a year ago they moved to Jeffersonville, Ind., where he held a government position until his health failed.

He leaves his wife and two daughters, his aged parents, four sistersHe leaves his wife and two daughters, his aged parents, four sisters and one brother.

Funeral services will be held at Weaver funeral home, 2:30 Friday.

Harry William Petrie, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Petrie, was born on July 21, 1895 at Wheatfield, Ind., and passed away at Edward Hines hospital at Hines, Ill., January 20, 1943, at the age of 47 years and 6 months.

He was a graduate of Lowell high school and attended Northwestern university. He was one of the first in the community to enlist in World War I and served in the 16th field artillery, saw action in the battles of Aisne Marne, Meuse Argonne, St. Mihiel and Chateau Thierry, and served in the Army of Occupation for one year at the conclusion of the war. He was the first Commander of Lowell Legion Post 101.

He was united to marriage to Ruby Hayhurst on Nov. 24, 1920. To this union were born two daughters, Patricia Ann, 18, and Nanette Lou, 17.

He was in business with his father for a number of years, after which he entered the insurance business. The family lived in Portland, Maine and Indianapolis for several years, and two years ago moved to Jeffersonville, Ind., where he held a government position until his health failed.

The deceased is survived by his wife and daughters, his parents, and four sisters, Mrs. Ada Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Ethel Veach of Marion, Ind., Mrs. Bessie Smith and Mrs. Dorothy Armstrong, and one brother, Hal Petrie, all of Lowell.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 22, at the Weaver funeral home, with E. L. Worley officiating. The American Legion held services at the mausoleum, with salute and taps. Internment will be made in West Creek cemetery.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to thank the many friends, relatives, neighbors and the American Legion for the many floral offerings and their kind thoughts and deeds at the time of our bereavement. It will always be remembered.

Mrs. Harry W. Petrie and Daughters
Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Petrie and Family

Another article on column 2 of the same page provides the following information:

Those attending the funeral of Harry Petrie here last Friday from out-of-town were: Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Johnson, of Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Veach, Marion; Mr. and Mrs. Herm Purdy, Mrs. J. Will Belshaw and daughter, Mrs. Fred Turner, of Hammond; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hayden and Charles Palmer of Harvey, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Strickland and C. A. Grayson of Crown Point.