 John
J. Snadden, aged 30, son of John Snadden of
Hesperia street, died on October 24 of pneumonia
in a base hospital in France where he was serving
as a stretcher bearer in the medical department
of the Thirtieth Infantry. News of young
Snadden’s death was received by the family
here in a brief official telegram sent Sunday by
the war department at Washington. It contained no
details and the family is without information as
to their son’s sickness.
The last word
received here direct from Snadden was written
September 25. Prior to that he had written on
every available occasion. Owning to the fact that
he had been almost constantly in action since
arriving in France, however, he sometimes had to
delay writing.
Snadden’s
letters disclosed the information that he had
seen action on four fronts in the short space of
four months. It is not known where he was at
engaged. He often wrote that he would be able to
tell his relatives many interesting things on his
return home.
Snadden left
Collinsville in the first draft group on Sept.
19, 1917. He was first stationed at Camp Taylor
and later was transferred to Camp Greene where he
remained for several months. He sailed for
overseas duty on June 19, arrived in England on
July 1 and within a few days was in France. He
went into action in the Marne department on July
22 and was kept busy from then on. His duty as
stretcher bearer took him into many perilous
positions, but he always escaped injury. He often
wrote that the weather was rainy and it is
presumed that exposure brought on his death.
 Young
Snadden was born and raised in Collinsville,
being the son of John and the late Hannah
Snadden. He attended the Catholic schools and
graduated from the Township High School. He was a
member of the Catholic church and of the Knighhts
of Columbus from the time of the organization of
the council here, being the first Snadden. He
worked about the mines in the city, and was for a
time assistant clerk at Lumaghi No.2 and later on
at Lumaghi No. 3.
He is survived by
his father, two brothers, Joe and Leo, and seven
sisters, Margaret, Jennie, Mary, Elizabeth,
Rosella, and Ruth. One other, Anna, died about
twelve years ago while serving as a teacher in
the public schools.
Snadden is the
fourth Collinsville boy to die in France, being
preceded by Leighton Evatt, Richard Dukes, Frank
Stucker, all but Stucker dying of pneumonia.
Snadden was well
known all over the city, and there are countless
friends who will join in sympathy for the family
of the fallen young hero.
|
