05/27/2024
Our genealogy society has cared for a pioneer cemetery named Evergreen since about 1986. As I placed flags on the 50 known veterans, I thought of one whose family I know well..Joseph Christman.
(The Colville Examiner - Saturday, March 1, 1919) PARENTS GET LETTERS TELLING OF SON'S DEATH
Joseph Albert Christman, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Christman of Orin, was killed in action October 4, 1918. He was one of three sons to go into service during the year 1918. Few particulars had been received by the parents until recently.
A letter to Mrs. and Mrs. E.B. Christman under date of December 17, from Capt. F. Whiteherd, commanding the 67th company of the U.S.M.C., is as follows:
"Answering your letter of inquiry regarding the loss of your son, allow me to recite the attacks he went through with this, his company. From June 1 to July 16, the company was at Belleau Woods; July 16 to 19, in the big drive at Soissons; September 12 to17, in the first "all American" drive at St. Mihiel, and from September 26 to Oct 4, at Champagne. On October 4, at about 1:30, his battalion marched across a machine gun swept valley to extend our threatened left and at some period in the advance, your son was stricken, just when and where I am unable to state for I was wounded and inquiries among the men fail to disclose one who actually saw him fall. He died in an attempt to help out others who were threatened by the common foe. Accpet my sympathy in your great loss."
Another letter from Senator Wesley L. Jones, who met Joe Christman when he was visiting his friend Ward Hunt in Washington, D.C., and entertained him at his home, enclosing one from the commandant U.S.M.S., states in part:
"The muster roll of his company which was recently received, shows that Joseph participated in the offensive operations in the Champagne sector and in the battle of Blanc Mont Ridge from October 1 to 4 and that on the latter date he was killed in action."
Senator Jones adds: "I am more sorry than I am able to say that the report of the death of this young man has proven to be true. You have my deepest sympathy, but I know that even in your grief, you must feel a deep pride that he died so bravely on the field of battle, fighting to maintain the honor and glory of his country. The American boys who sleep today in France did not die in vain and the heroic conduct of the U.S.M.C. in the battle which took your son's life will fill many pages of the history of the greatest of all wars."
(The Colville Examiner - Saturday, 9 Nov 1918 pg 1 col 6) JOE CHRISTMAN KILLED IN ACTION
excerpt:
Joe Christman, as he is well known by his many Stevens county friends, graduated from the Colville high school with the class of 1914. While in school he took a special interest in football and played on the teams of 1912-13. His school mates said of him that Joe was always there when there was a good game in sight "and as game as they make them." They little knew how he was destined to show his "gameness" in the big war game for democracy. The picture above was taken at the time of his high school graduation.
He Held a position with the Standard Oil company at Pullman before his enlistment in the marine corps December 10.
Mrs. Fredrika Christman, grandmother of Joseph Christman, lives in Colville on south Maple street. She was very proud of her five grandsons in the service, the three sons of Mr. & Mrs. Elbert Ball Christman and the two sons of Mr. & Mrs. Henry.E. Mills of Hunters.
