Jennings Harris Obituary

Cliffside, Sept. 5—This evening at five o’clock Jennings Harris was paid the last honors due a soldier of the World War when his body laid at rest in the grave in the cemetery after funeral services held in the Cliffside Baptist Church, with the Pastor, Rev. Mr. Smith, officiating.

The deceased veteran was on his way to Oteen, the hospital which the U.S. Government maintains for the ex-soldiers who have tuberculosis, when he was thrown from an automobile and died in the Rutherford Hospital a few minutes after his admission to that institution.

The Funeral Procession.

The handsome gray casket, covered with flowers, was gently placed in the hearse, which stood in front of the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Harris, and then followed the family and the many friends of the deceased. At the church the coffin was borne by the pall bearers into the sacred building and placed before the platform. Space for the father, mother, brothers and sisters of the dead soldier was reserved in the center of the church, which was filled to overflowing.

The Pastor preached a powerful and touching sermon and after many beautiful hymns had been sung by the choir the services were concluded and again the mournful procession formed and the casket was taken to the cemetery and there the last, final rites were said.

The Soldier’s War Record.

Jennings Harris was born on August 26, 1897, and after the usual schooling he worked on a farm until he was almost twenty. On June 11th, 1917, he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 105th Ammunition Train, a part of the famous 30th Division, A.E.F. Before embarkation for France the Division received its training at Greenville, South Carolina.

After the arrival of the 30th Division in France the Artillery Brigade and Ammunition Trains were sent to the South to join the American Army while the line regiments remained in the north of France and saw service with the British. Thus the late Jennings Harris was in the Meuse-Argonne offensive and many other battles. He was give an honorable discharge.

Developed Tuberculosis.

Shortly after his discharge from the Army the deceased contracted consumption and after examination was sent to Oteen for treatment. He improved greatly and was allowed to go to Johnson City, Tenn. It was here he married, about nine months ago, Miss Rosie Oliver. Becoming worse the late Jennings Harris returned to Oteen and then went to a U.S. Hospital in Atlanta for an operation. It was while he was recuperating from this operation that he was ordered to appear before a Board of Examiners in Charlotte. This Board decided it would be best for the soldier to return to Oteen.

Relatives Surviving.

Besides his widow, who was unable to be present at his funeral, the deceased is survived by the following: Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Harris, his father and mother; Miss Sallie Harris, of Cliffside; Mr. Walter Harris, of Yancey County; Mrs. Cordelia McPeters, also of Yancey County; Mrs. Pearl Stapleton, of Cliffside; Mr. Rolly Harris and Mrs. Polly Wolf, both of Cliffside, brothers and sisters of the dead soldier.

This item was printed in The Sun on September 9, 1926.