Caddo Herald, October 7, 1921
Body of Phil Harris Buried Here Monday
The remains of Phil C. Harris were buried in Caddo Cemetery, Monday afternoon at 1:30, Rev. Butler of Durant performing religious rites, and the American Legion performing patriotic rites.
Phil Harris was 23 years of age when he died. He lived with his father, M.L. Harris near Nida; was a member of Co. K, 141st Infantry, 36th Division which trained at Ft. Worth; was in the Campaign fighting and Oct. 8, 1918 was killed in battle. His number was 1504772. His remains were disinterred and brought home, arriving Sunday in Durant, and were brought here by Holmes Bros. undertakers.
He was buried beside his mother in the Caddo Cemetery. He is survived by his father, sisters, and brothers. He had many friends in his home community and quite a number were present at the funeral.
The Caddo Legion was largely represented. The firing squad of five fired the three volleys, and taps were sounded by Tom Gross. A touching tribute was the large wreath sent by the Ku Klux Klan of Durant. Among its principles there appears to be no stronger one than that of patriotism and it was their tribute to the boy who gave his life in battle.
All the stores and shops in Caddo were closed during the ceremonies as a tribute, also to the patriotism of the deceased, and a very large crowd attended the exercises at the grave.
This is the first soldier who died in France to be buried in Caddo Cemetery, and while he was not exactly a Caddo citizen, still our people felt that what they did was small enough recompense for the great thing this boy did. He was a comrade of every American Legion member; he was a patriot who gave his all upon his country’s alter; he was a young man of which any community might be proud. It is altogether fitting that we should pay tribute to one who made the supreme sacrifice.
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