Person:Roy Massey (3)

1890 Jan. 26, Gridley, Coffey Co., KS. Lydia Love Massey wrote her sister Jane Love: "Roy has been harty untill a While Back / he has been chilling / his teeth hurt him / he has 9 / will be 17 months old next Sunday / Walks but cant talk and if he aint a Bad one / I'm a Liar / I am going to get his and Zeb Picture taken to gather for you Just as soon as I can get the money . . . Roy is Kicking / he is rough on eats and some times old miney slap him" Correspondence from the family letters and papers of Jane Love and her cousin, Lillice Jones Harper, courtesy John, Danny, and Dave Harper in 2001 and 2004, transcribed by Brenda Boyer

death notices from Coffey Co., KS, newspapers: PVT. ROY E. MASSEY / DIES AT CAMP DIX / --BRING BODY HOME

 Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Massey have received a telegram stating that their son Roy E. Massey died at Camp Dix, New Jersey at 5:35 yesterday morning of pneumonia, and that the body would be sent to Burlington for burial.  Roy was a member of Co. B, 134th Infantry, in the 34th division, and was about ready to sail for France when he was taken sick.  They had a letter from him about a week ago.  The telegram did not state, but it is the impression that he had the Spanish influenza, turning into pneumonia, as so many cases did.  The telegram said that the body would be sent home under escort.  The earliest possible time it could reach here would be Monday evening, and it probably would not get here until Tuesday.  Further particulars are expected tonight or tomorrow.

 The community was sorry to hear of the death of Private Roy E. Massey at Camp Dix, N. J.  Roy was born and grew to manhood in this neighborhood.  His parents moving to Burlington only a few years ago.

MASSEY FUNERAL / TOMORROW AFTERNOON

 The body of Roy E. Massey who [died] at Camp Dix, N. J. did not arr[ive] [to]day and is expected tomorrow [instead] on the north bound Katy.  The [funeral] will be held at the home of his [parents] Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Massey at 3 o'cl[ock] tomorrow afternoon unless the weather is bad, in which case it will be held at the M. E. church.  Mr. Massey was just ready to start to France with his company when death overtook him.  While the funeral comes at a very inconvenient time for most people on account of the fair, it is expected that a large number will pay their tribute of respect to the soldier dead.

from the Burlington Republican, October 13, 1918 Stirring Message From Roy E. Massey "I am going to France: Do not worry for me, for God willing, I am coming back. I have faith in God, Uncle Same, my officers, my comrades and myself."

 Such was the message sent by Roy E. Massey to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. ISAAC MASSEY of Burlington, in the last letter they received from him from Camp Dix, N. J. just a few days before his death from pneumonia, following an attack of Spanish Influenza.  It is a message which should come close home to every citizen.
 ROY ERNEST MASSEY was born in Coffey county five miles southeast of Gridley, September 8, 1888.  He died September 27, 1918 at Camp Dix, N. J. just as he was ready to sail with his company.
 Roy first enlisted in the National Guards September 1917 in Loveland, Colorado and was sent to Camp Cody, New Mexico and placed in the Sand Storm Division.  At the time of his death he was a member of Company B 134th Regular Infantry, 54th Division.  This soldier boy was also a home boy and was constantly sending relics and mementos to his loved ones.  His last letter home was full of high courage and beautiful in its expressed devotion.  He was suddenly stricken with that strange malady, Spanish influenza which quickly settled into pneumonia which called him from the ranks of life in a few short days.
 This soldier leaves in sadness the loyal citizenship of Coffey county, his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. ISAAC MASSEY and one sister, Miss ESTELLA MASSEY all of Burlington, and three half-brothers, Joseph Massey, John Massey, and I. Z. Massey all of Woodson county.  Besides these there are eighteen nieces and nephews.  The deceased was a faithful member of the Masonic Lodge of Gridley and of the Modern Woodmen of America at Crotty.
 The burial was in Graceland cemetery in charge of the Gridley lodge of Masons assisted by the Burlington lodge, with W. J. Armstrong acting as master.  Impressive services were held at the Methodist church in charge of Rev. C. W. Odom, the music being furnished by Messrs. W. M. Scott, John Redmond, E. M. Young and Chas. A. Scott, with Mrs. Wm. Scott as accompanist.

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/coffey/obits/obitnotes1915_1919.html#Massey%20Roy%20Ernest

from transcription of Graceland Cemetery M.W. Flag Mason Emblem on top Roy E. Massey Sept. 2, 1888-Sept. 27, 1918 Co. B. 134 Inf. 34 Div. (American Legion)