Local Boy Dies in Action on French Front

From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, March 12: “Deeply regret to inform you that Corporal Ralph R. Flora, infantry, is officially reported killed in action March 8.” This brief message, received late yesterday by Ellis and Rebekah Flora, 1616 E. Washington St, brought news of the first Indianapolis man in the American Army killed in battle against the Germans. Seventeen-year old Corporal Flora joined the regular army here on March 15, 1917, and was among the first to go to France. He was a member of Co L, 28th United States Infantry. His father operates a bakery at 1620 E. Washington St. In addition to his parents, Corporal Flora is survived by four brothers, Earl Flora, 26; Otto Flora, 24; Theodore Flora, 14; and Ellis Flora, Jr, 9, and three sisters, Mrs. Ruth Hunsucker, Mrs. Lillian Cox, and Mrs. Esther Bergland.

“Local Boy Dies in Action on French Front,” The Indianapolis Star, 12 March 1918, p. 1:1

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Carrying of Weapons Decreases in the City

From The Indianapolis News, Monday, March11: Carrying concealed weapons is one of the most dangerous practices with which the public has to contend, says George Coffin, chief of police. Under his instructions, police have arrested forty-one persons in the past two months each of whom was found to be carrying some sort of weapon, either a revolver, knife or black jack. Judge Walter Pritchard of city court agrees with the chief’s policy. Of those arrested, thirty-four have been found guilty, and most have been fined $100 (2017: $1,659) and costs. “If a man must carry a gun, why let him go to Europe where shooting is good. Uncle Sam needs and will take all, but Indianapolis is not in the war zone. I will fine anyone appearing before me who is found guilty of carrying deadly weapons,” said Judge Pritchard.

“Carrying of Weapons Decreases in the City,” The Indianapolis News, 11 March 1918, p. 19:2

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Lot Forgotten in Greenlawn

From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, March 8: While discussing plans to develop the remaining eight acres of Greenlawn Cemetery into a park, members of the board of park commissioners learned yesterday that some Confederate graves had been forgotten. An 1894 ordinance instructed the board of public works and the board of health to remove the bodies from the plot. Commissioner Charles Coffin deplored the forgetfulness that had obscured the burial place of the Confederates here, and told how women in Vicksburg, Mississippi organized each year to decorate graves of the Federal dead there. “I believe as patriotic American citizens we should do as much for the Southern soldiers whose last resting place is in Indianapolis,” said Coffin. Board attorney Walter Myers said he would bring the matter to the attention of several Indianapolis women from the South whom he knew.

“Lot Forgotten in Greenlawn,” The Indianapolis Star, 8 March 1918, p. 15:5

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