Dr. Lafferty Offers Eulogy for Dr. James Williamson Squires, Who Died in World War I

Eulogies were offered for five physicians at the April, 1919, meeting of the State Medical Society. James Williamson Squires and John Edwin Ray Jr., died in the war; Edgar W. Lassiter and George Heman Sadelson, died of the flu; and Dr. Charles E. Walker, died unexpectedly. In all, North Carolina lost seven doctors in World War I and 17 during the flu pandemic.

James Williamson Squires

By Dr. Robert H. Lafferty, Charlotte

“Captain Squires fulfilled my ideal of the Southern gentleman” was the remark made to me a few weeks ago in New York by a young roentgenologist who was associated with him “over there.”

Born of a stock of fighters, James Williamson Squires throughout his life was a fighter. First, since, like most Southern boys, he had little money, he fought for his education, and he won. Then he fought with unlimited energy and enthusiasm for success and a reputation as a roentgenologist, and he won. Then he fought to save the lives of our boys injured in the terrible war, and no one knows how often he won. He fought a brave fight in his last illness and, at first, he won. Even in the relapse the last thing he said to his Colonel was, “We will win out yet,” and we pause to ask, Did he not win? His reward? “Well done, good and faithful servant”; “Soldier, rest, thy warfare’s o’er.” But while he won, we have lost—lost a friend, an ardent and enthusiastic member and physician and roentgenologist, who was always interested in the advancement of medicine and the progress of science.

Dr. Squires was born at Matthews, N.C., November 2, 1888. He graduated from the Charlotte High School in May, 1906, and although he spent most of his afternoons at work, he led his class. In 1911 he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the North Carolina Medical College, and after additional work at Johns Hopkins and Rockefeller Institute, he became associated with his uncle, Dr. A.J. Crowell, in Charlotte. He was married in 1912 to Miss Eunice Jeffries of the same city.

In 1913, after special work under some of the best roentgenologists in this country, he decided to give his entire time to this specialty, and it was as roentgenologist for the Yale Mobile Hospital No. 39 that he was serving his country in France at the time of his death, December 16, 1918.

As a roentgenologist, he ranked with the best men of his country, and he spared no energy in working and developing his line of work in this section of the south. When the call came to arms he was ready, and having received his commission as captain, he left for Fort Oglethorpe June 16, 1917. From there he was transferred to the X-ray school in New York, and sailed for Europe the 21^st of August, the very day his second son was born.

Many and glowing reports came to us of his work overseas. His ceaseless activity, his unlimited energy, his enthusiasm, and withal, his gentlemanly bearing, made him a favorite with the unit with which he worked.

Far away in the sunny land of France, still desolate from savage hordes, there are many graves tended by the grateful hands of the maids of old France in recognition of the great service rendered them. But there is one mound upon which we would to-day shed a tear, for our friend was there laid to rest.