Name/Title
Carl Specht Funeral ParadeEntry/Object ID
2017.70.40Description
Black and white photograph of Carl Specht's funeral procession passing by Letherman & Sievers, on Lincolnway in Valparaiso. Specht, the son of Claus Specht of the Specht Finney store, died of typhoid after enlisting for the Spanish American War. Per the Chesterton Tribune, his obituary:
"Carl B. Specht, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Claus Specht, died Saturday morning, aged 19 years. Carl, at the breaking out of the war, enlisted in Troop --?-- 1st Illinois cavalry, and was in camp Chickamauga until three weeks ago when the regiment was returned to Chicago and came home on a furlough. He was sick with fever when he came home, and in three days was down with a genuine case of typhoid fever, which caused his death. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, and never in the history of northern Indiana was such honor paid to the memory of a departed citizen. At 2:30 p. m. the corpse moved to the German Lutheran church, where Rev. Rehwaldt preached an eloquent sermon in German, to an audience which filled the beautiful church that had been fittingly decorated.
After the sermon the casket was opened and hundreds passed through the aisle to take their last look at the remains. From the church the procession moved to the public square where thousands of sympathetic friends and acquaintances were already congregated to do honor to the dead hero. Here Mr. Hertzberger, of Hammond, made one of the most eloquent addresses ever heard in this city. He paid a splendid tribute to the American soldier, and spoke words of cheer to the family and friends. Members of Chaplain Brown Post G. A. R., Volunteers who are home on a furlough and hundreds of students acted as an escort. The floral offerings which were elaborate completely filled a wagon. All business houses and public buildings closed for the afternoon and the crowd in attendance was variously estimated at from five to eight thousand."Acquisition
Accession
2017.70Source or Donor
Found in CollectionAcquisition Method
Found in Collection