BEDFORD WEEKLY MAIL BEDFORD, INDIANA FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1902 John B. Lowder, aged 21, a son of Cyrus Lowder, of Popcorn, died of typhoid Saturday, at Fort Adams, near Newport, R. I. He was a Quartermaster Sergeant in Co. 110, U. S. Coast Artillery, and had been in that branch since September, 1901. He also served in Cuba and Porto Rico during the Spanish-American War, as range finder in Battery B, 4th Light Artillery. He was an excellent and promising young man highly respected at home and in the Army. ************ POPCORN Dr. Lowder received a message that his son Burgess of Rhode Island is seriously ill of typhoid fever. ********** CENTER OF THE EARTH The friends of J. B. Louder were grieved to hear of his death which occurred last Saturday. Though not unexpected the sad intelligence has cast a gloom over the entire neighborhood. The bereaved family have the sympathy of all in their great affliction. ********************* FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1902 OBITUARY. John B. Lowder, son of Dr. Cyrus Lowder and Ellen Lowder, died April 19, 1902, at Fort Adams, R. I., of typhoid fever, developed by over work. He was born on the old Lowder farm near Springville Sept. 16, 1880. His age being 21 yrs. 7 mo. and 3 days. He was of Scotch and English descent. His father's people being English and Quakers and her (his) mother a descendant of the Scottish Highland Douglasses. He entered school at the age of 5, advanced rapidly in his studies and in his early years showed a very patriotic spirit. In the school entertainments he would always represent Uncle Sam in both dress and speech. He loved such books as "The History of Life of Gen. Grant," "Grant's Memoirs" and Charles King's "Cadet Days at West Point." When war broke out with Spain, he pleaded with his parents for permission to go, obtaining it he started next day for Louisville, where he failed to get in on account of his age. He took the next train to Indianapolis where he enlisted. He was sent to Columbus, Ohio, then to New Orleans, Chickamauga and Tampa, Fla. From that place he sailed for Cuba under Gen. Randolph as range finder for Battery B 4th, Light Artillery which position he gained on account of his quick and accurate calculation. He stayed only a few days in Cuba when they sailed for Porto Rico. Provisions ran short on ship board and the weather was extremely hot. For three weeks they were only allowed three tablespoons full of tomatoes, one half pint of water and some hard tack once every 24 hours. In Porto Rico he saw actual service in the storming of San Juan Heights and the battle of Coamo. When he got the guns all aimed in the former, the Captain told him he could go back over the hill out of danger. He went but he could not stay where he could hear all the tumult of battle and not see it. He rushed back and offered his service to the Red Cross Society and went to work ferrying out the dead and wounded. The reporter to the Indianapolis paper stating that he deserved praise as he never stopped to eat nor sleep until every wounded man had been properly cared for, working continually for 36 hours. When acting as orderly between his Commander and Gen. Miles, he was badly hurt by a horse and was carried to a hospital in an unconscious condition. The doctor unusually kind and told him he must not stay there in the fever hospital for fear he contracted the disease, but must go to the Hot Springs. He started on the way he met with a Porto Rican, who addressed him in good English. The man invited him home with him, and nursed him until he was well proving himself a good friend, never letting J. B. Lowder want for anything as long as he stayed in Porto Rice. When he returned to camp, he was put in charge of the Hospital at Coamo, and was given the keys to the medicine chest. He remained there about 4 months, but was not well, so they sent him home on a hospital ship. When they arrived at New York, Helen Gould had conveyance then to take them to her mansion, there being 72 of them. They remained there until they got some new clothes and furloughs home. He remained at home about two moths when he was ordered South, where the southern people with their great hospitality made reception after reception for him. He spent the following winter at Fort Riley, Kansas, but he was not well, and was dissatisfied because he was not in line of promotion and wanted a better education. He was discharged and rested at home a short time, then entered college for a year. He reenlisted early in the fall of 1900 and went to Fort Adams R. I. where he remained until his death. The desire of his life was to be 2nd Lieut. He went to New York City and passed examination for that position the 1st of April. While there he was taken ill and carried back to Fort Adams, a very sick man. His dearly prized omission was issued 24 hours before his death. He had a bright cheerful disposition and an indomitable will writing to his parents and friends assuring them that he would be well. He wrote his parents on Friday before he died on Saturday saying": "I am glad you did not come, I will be home in six weeks," then added "Don't be surprised if another writes the next." His future looked very bright and promising but he was stirred by a noble ambition that went far beyond his strength and he has passed through the portal which we call "Death." He was very entertaining and possessed great conservational powers, seldom losing a listener when he began to talk. He had not been at Fort Adams long when the soldiers were brought out for inspection and premium offered for the neatest, cleanest and best dressed soldier. He wrote home saying" "Mother, the ribbon was tied on my arm." His body was first given to the Presbyterians and they held funeral services. Then the soldiers of Fort Adams took the body and held their service. The procession consisted of 500 solders, 200 sailors and 200 citizens. They seem to love him as a brother, buying him a lovely casket and presenting bouquets beautiful beyond description. The remains were then sent to Washington City with one of his comrades accompanying it. Whither the father and only brother had gone to witness the last sad rites. The two daughters, Mrs. Lottie Blackburn, of Oolitic, and Mrs. Nettie Jones, of near Harrodsburg, remained at home with the mother who did not feel able to go. The body was taken off the train at Penn depot and placed in an ambulance drawn by two white horses, and driven down past the White House to the arsenal. From there they went on across the Potomac river to Gen. Robt. E. Lee's mansion and stopped. Then they drove on and placed the body in the vault. Just after noon the caisson wagon and 31 soldiers were brought out. Six of them were marched to the vault, got the body and placed it on the caisson wagon with the floral ladder at the foot and the large hoops of flowers at the head with the other leading against the sides of the casket. They stared for Arlington then with the caisson wagon drawn by six black horse with riders and one out rider, one horse with saddle and no rider, and the pall bearers on either side, the Captain and other soldiers in front, the father, brother, comrades and manager in a carriage next the caisson wagon. The soldiers had red saddle blankets, blue clothes, white gloves and white leggings. Arriving at the grave they took their place. The Chaplain read the ceremony. The father and brother were allowed to view the remains. Sixteen soldiers forming half square fired the farewell salute. The remains of John B. Lowder were placed in their last resting place by the same battery that he went to Cuba with as Range Finder, Light Battery B, 4th Light Artillery. "And though at times impetuous with emotion And anguish long suppressed, The swelling heart heaves moaning like the ocean, That cannot be at rest. We will be patient and assuage the feeling , We may not wholly stay, By silence sanctifying, not concealing, The grief that must have way."