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http://www.jeffersonhistoricalsociety.org/show_date.php?date=1918-02-20
1918-06-05 27 Official Information Showing How George A Reinhardt Lost His Life: Headquarters Co. F. 6th Bn., 20th Engrs. A E F, May 6, 1918. To the parents of George A Reinhardt: It is with deep regret & heavy heart that I write you regarding the death of your patriotic son George, who was a member of Co. F 6th Bn. 20th Engrs. As you know, we were aboard the ill-fated steamship Tuscania, which was torpedoed off the north coast of Ireland at 5:50 PM, Feb. 5, 1918. On this particular day George was well & in fine spirits &, when we were struck, marched to his life boat station with coolness, got off in the boat assigned to him, & got safely away from the ship. When a short distance away from the ship, the lifeboat became overturned in some way, precipitating the occupants into the water. By this time the sea had become rough, &, being dark, it was next to impossible to resue every man. Though all were equipped with, & had on life belts, they were of little use in such a rough sea. George's body was recovered the next day, &, together with others, was buried with military honors by the survivors, assisted by the Scottish authorities & the people of the Island of Islay. The kind Scottish people were very tender in their care of both living & dead, & lavished a profusion of flowers on the caskets of those who are no longer with us. Poor fellows, now sleeping this last sleep with the solemn music of the ocean, beating against the sturdy rock cliff; this will be their requiem. Gone, but not forgotten by loved ones at home & comrades abroad. Further information may be obtained from Colin Campbell, HCW No. 7 Charlotte St., Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland. this gentleman stated that he would be very glad to hear from the people of the men who rest in Port Ellen, & that no expense would be spared to grant their wishes so far as possible. In extending you my sympathy for your loss, I wish you to take comfort in the noble cause in which your son lost his life, & his patriotism in offering himself to this country in her hour of need. We who survived will not forget those who were lost &, while our time may come later, hope we may be spared until we can render some payment to the pirates who caused so many to go prematurely. Yours very truly, CE Hetrick, Captain, 20th Engineers. Commanding Co. F. 6th Bn.
1918-02-20 16 First Jeff. Co. Boy to Lose Life In World War: George A Reinhardt: A wave of deepest sorrow swept over the city of Jeff. last Wed. afternoon when it became known that George A Reinhardt had lost his life when the Tuscania was torpedoed by a German submarine offf the coast of Ireland on Tuesday, Feb. 5th. The first message was received by the Banner at 12:20 PM., an Associated Press dispatch which the Milwaukee Journal transmitted to us. It stated that George A Reinhardt of Jefferson, Missouri, was dead & buried in Scotland. The Journal man informed us that that he had returned the message to Washington to ascertain whether the name of the state should be Missouri or Wis. & that if they received any further word he would notify us. We were hoping against hope that it might not be our George who had lost his life, but an hour later we were again called to the phone to hear this sad message: "George A Reinhardt of Jefferson, Wisconsin, lost his life when the Tuscania was torpedoed. He was the 19th body buried on the coast of Scotland in a grave containing 78 American Soldiers." This report was confirmed next morning by wire to Lynn H Smith, chairman of the Jeff. Chapter of the American Red Cross, from the headquarters at Washington & on Sat., Mr. Smith received the following letter from the same source: The American Red Cross, National Headquarters, Washington CC., Feb. 15, 1918. Dear Mr. Smith: The official announcement which I wired you this morning of the death of George Reinhardt leaves no question of doubt. May I not express to you & his family my honest sympathy. Sincerely yours, WN Castle, Jr. The Reinhardt family was officially notified in a dispatch from Washington last Sunday evening. George A Reinhardt was born in Chicago, 11/16/1893, being the oldest son of George Reinhardt. When about 2 years old he came to this city where the family has since resided. He received his education in St. John the Baptist's school & Jeff. High School & at the age of 19 went to Chicago where he attended night school to become an accountant. For the past 5 years he was employed by the Armour Packing Co., by which firm he was highly regarded. He resigned his position & spent a few months at his home in this city before enlisting at Madison on 12/12/1917, in Company F, Battalion 6, Twentieth Engineers. Leslie Roessler of this city & Chas. Reul of Helenville enlisted in the same service at the same time. The former was also aboard the ill-fated Tuscania when it was torpedoed, but was fortunate enough to escape with his life. From last reports he was safe in Scotland. Chas. Reul did not sail with the other 2 young men & when last heard from was stationed at Washington, DC. George Reinhardt was a son & brother of which his family might well be proud. He was handsome, bright & friendly, & at all times courteous. It is sad of course that he had to be taken from this world at such a young age, but there be some consolation to know that he gave up his life in the service of his country. Had he been privileged to meet the enemy face to face on the European battlefield, we doubt not that he would have given a good account of himself, but as it were, he, together with many other brave American boys aboard the doomed ship had not a fighting chance. It is only one more case of the ruthlessness of German Submarine warfare. Before many months have elapsed, perhaps, other Jeff.county boys may be fighting at the front & they will avenge the death of George Reinhardt, the first Jeff. boy to lose his life in this great struggle. His name will go down in history as one of the heroes of this great war for democracy against autocracy. Long may his memory live in the hearts of the people in Jeff. county. As soon as the report was verified the flag on the Court House tower was lowered to half mast & it still remains in that position. Together with that of all the citizens of Jeff. the Banner extends its most sincere sympathy to the bereaved family. Those left to mourn are his fond parents, 2 sisters Miss Celia of Madison & Miss Elsie at home, 2 brothers John of Chicago & Francis at home, also many other relatives of which we cannot fail to mention his Aunt, Miss Cecelia McAdams, with whom he made his home while in Chicago & who is heartbroken over his death. A solemn requiem high mass was held for the deceased at St. John the Baptist's church Monday morning at 8:00, Father Kessler officiating. "There is no death! The stars go down * To rise upon some fairer shore; And bright in Heaven's jeweled crown * They shine forever more."
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