Private Arthur Paul Whitesell, son of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Whitesell, who reside on a farm southeast of Newton, was born near Scranton, Iowa, July 9, 1898, and came to Newton in March, 1909. He graduated from Newton high school with the class of 1916. He worked in the civil engineering department of the Santa Fe railway in Newton after graduation, up to the time of his enlistment in Co. K Kansas National Guard.
He was assigned to the intelligence department, and was doing duty as an observer on outpost when he met his death in the battle of the Argonne Forest on September 27, 1918, aged 20 years, 3 months and 18 days. Private Whitesell’s death was a heroic one. After his comrade and chum, Private Lauren Finnell, had been seriously wounded by a high explosive shell, Private Whitesell remained with him, while his comrades proceeded in the advance on the enemy, and to await help to get his wounded comrade back to a dressing station. It was while thus engaged that another high explosive sell came, ending the life of both brave lads. That was on September 27, 1918. He sleeps where the poppies bloom near Charpentry, France, the army chaplain having conducted a burial service and carefully marked the grave on October 1, 1918.
There bodies were shipped back from France and arrived back in Newton on September 14,1921.On Sunday September 18, 1921 the American Legion was in charge of a military service at Greenwood, where both boys were returned to Kansas soil almost three years after being killed in France.
VFW Post #971 was named after Whitsell and Finnell. (c) Harvey County Genealogical Society. Information provided by Julian Wall.
