Source, Rutland,Vt Daily Herald--Thur. Sept.12, 1918. RUTLAND, Vt. GEORGE SWINNERTON KILLED BY SHELL. Letter Giving Details of Rutland Boy's Death Received. The letter from Sergt. C. Johndalh of company D, 306th machine gun company, American Expeditionary forces in France which tells of the death of George A. Swinnerton, son of Judge and Mrs. Frederick G. Swinnerton of North Main street has arrived in Rutland and it evidently confirms the belief that this popular Rutland young man lost his life in the service of his country on August 15.   Friends of the family have held out some hope that there might be some mistake, since no official communication has been received by his relatives in this country although his death is said to have happened 27 days ago. Mr. Swinnerton left this city several years ago to take up work in Buffalo, N.Y., where lived his sister, Mrs. George H. Drake. While here he established an enviable reputation as an athlete and for three years held the world's record in potato racing, while he also won a loving cup for doing a 1000 yard dash in the record time of 2:30 1/4. The story of the life of the young man, who was 24 years old was told in yesterday's Herald. The following is a copy of the letter received by Mr. Drake in Buffalo ;    Friday , Aug. 16, 1918.  " Somewhere in France ". Dear Friend George,   I am certainly regret writing to you under these conditions but thought it my duty to inform you of G. Swinnerton's death which happened on August 15th at 4:30 p.m. We moved in to a hot fighting sector and immediately started to build our dug out to protect ourselves against shell fire but before it could be complected, George and I were out of luck. I am at a field hospital with shrapnel wounds in my side and expect to be here for some time, as there is one hole as big as your fist. George's head was hit with almost a direct hit, the shell chopping down a tree and glancing off, so he suffered no pain. You can't imagine how bad I feel as he was the best boy I had in my section. He was promoted to a first class private about three weeks ago and I expected another promotion for him shortly. Well George when I get in shape I will clip off many of those Hun dogs, for what they have done. Will close for now, Remember me to all the boys. As ever, Sergeant C. Johnahl.