Decatur County Journal Leon, Iowa Thursday, May 6, 1920 In accordance with the Governor's proclamation, that the people of the State of Iowa set out a tree or trees on April 30th, and dedicate it to the memory of our soldier dead, I have the following to report. As I had no forest tree at hand, such as oak, hickory or walnut, I used a small cherry tree and set it out to the memory of GEORGE MCJIMSEY, the son of my neighbor and friend, JASPER MCJIMSEY, who gave his life to the cause of world freedom and since I cannot decorate his grave, because he sleeps in a foreign country, in a strange land among a strange people, I am resolved to place an American flag by this little tree on each Decoratiion Day in memory of him to whose honor it is planted and I have appointed by little grandson, WILLIAM TUTTLE, to take care of this tree in years to come, when I have passed to my reward, and decorate it as I have done, not only to the memory of this one but to the memory of all who gave their lives to the cause of world democracy and freedom. In conclusion I will say all honor to the boys that have returned home and my earnest prayer to God is that they will cast their influence on the side of right and good government. -- F. WILSON FIERCE, Van Wert, Iowa. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert May 4, 2010 iggy29@grm.net