Service Flag of First Baptist Church With 29 Stars Lowered, Oct. 6, 1919

From The Hickory Daily Record, Oct. 6, 1919

Service Flag at First Baptist Lowered

The service flag of the First Baptist Church was lowered yesterday morning following the regular service with exercises that were simple and impressive. It was out of deference to the wishes of the young men of the congregation that the service was simple, but it was memorable nevertheless. There are 29 stars in the flag, one of them a gold one for Sergt. Chester C. Williams of the 42^nd division, who, with Lieut. Orin M. Sigmon, was killed in an accident while being transferred from St. Mihiel to the Argonne.

Master Ward Williams, brother of this fallen solder, and little Miss Virginia Fox lowered the flag, which was received by Rev. W.R. Bradshaw. A feeling talk was made by the pastor.

Mr. Joseph L. Murphy, who served in the same company with Sergeant Williams, had been asked by Mr. Bradshaw to deliver an address, and Mr. Murphy spoke briefly and feelingly of the war, the valor of the soldiers, and their sacrifices. He recited the annals of the great war simply and many eyes in the large congregation were wet before he mentioned the name of Sergeant Williams, whose soldierly qualities, whose manliness, and whose sacrifice Mr. Murphy recited in a straight-forward manner.

The service will be remembered by all members of the congregation as an event in the life of a church that contributed its part in all the activities of the war.