George William Christopher Pearson was born December 15, 1891 in Cullison, Kansas. He
worked as a grocery clerk at Farnsworth Mercantile in Cullison, and was described as being of
medium height and build with gray eyes and black hair. He would enter Camp Funston, Kansas
on September 19, 1917 and become a member of Co H of the 353 regiment, which had been
organized at Funston on September 5, 1917. On February 18, 1918 he would marry Lavenia
Isabel Burns, a Pratt County school teacher.
On April 25, 1918 he would sail to France aboard the transport ship Shropshire as a private in
the Headquarters Company of the 140 th Infantry. His letters below were written to his mother
Drusilla. He was mortally wounded by a shell during the Battle of the Argonne September 28,
1918 and died in a few minutes. He was initially buried in Charpentry, Meuse. His body would
be moved to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in 1919. George’s body was disinterred
on August 4, 1921, arriving in Kansas October 28, 1921. A dispute arose between George’s
mother Drusilla and his widow Isabel over the proceeds of George’s life insurance. Isabel would
eventually agree to a settlement she considered less than equitable. Drusilla would pass away
on June 24, 1932 at the age of 78.
Isabel would marry Lawrence Iserman in October of 1920. They would have two children. In
the 1930’s the Isermans would move to Florida where Isabel would work as a bookkeeper. She
was widowed a second time in 1978, before passing away herself December 3, 1983.
Camp Funston Kas
Oct 25-1917
Dear Mother & all:-
Will try and answer your welcome letter of last eve was glad to hear from and hear that you
were as well as you are. How is everybody by this time. We are all well yet. We took two shots
in the nose to-day we sure hadn’t ought to take the disease. illegible is out on guard to-night
we have a guard on each side of the barracks day & night but he only has to stay on one hour
and then off four hours.` It is rather disagreeable yeah for it has been raining ever since about
eleven oclock this morning. We didn’t go out this afternoon at all. But a person isn’t very
comfortable in here for we haven’t had any heat all day. We’ll have to go to bed I guess to keep
warm. Say mother you know that jersey sweater of mine that has the pearl button on. I think it
is in my suitcase would you mind taking out the sleeves and send it to me. I believe it would
help a whole lot, don’t you? Have you had any rain down there yet? We are still under
quarantine don’t know when we will get out hope so in a few days. We’re close now and write
again soon.
With Love to all
From your Son & Bro Chriss
Camp Funston Dec 21-1917
Dear Mother & all:-
I received your most welcome letter yesterday. But as I knew then it wouldn’t do any good to
write last night and expect you to get it before you left. If you should come I was glad to hear
you had decided to come up & hope you make it all OK. I’m glad it is such nice weather and
hope it stays this way for a while as it feels awful good carpentering. It was awful cold for a few
days. I hope you are feeling better by this time. Some of the boys are going to get to go home
on the train to-morrow five per cent & five per cent in the cars. The ones that are close enough.
I might have gotten a pass if I could have had someone come up & get me or hire a car. But I
didn’t know anything about it until to-night & that was too late to think about it. I feel pretty
good physically if I don’t get another cold & I hope I don’t fry don’t have as much trouble with
colds while I am at work over at the regimental building probably don’t get so warm & sweaty &
cough so sudden. War I feel pretty good physically if I don’t get another cold & I hope I don’t for
don’t have as much trouble with colds while I am at work over at the Regimental building
probably don’t get so warm & sweaty & cool off so sudden.
I hope you’re all well. Is Bethel still helping legible.
I got a box of candy from Clara Fogle the other day. I also heard from Edna Duek and she told
me about the basket ball game. Between call Cullison & illegible am glad Culison won I didn’t
hear how much. Will close now & mailed us anyway. But don’t suppose will know until to-
morrow about whether you are coming up or not.
With Love to all
From your Loving Son &
Bro Chriss
A Merry Xmas & Happy New Year
Winsor Illinois
April 13 -1918
Dearest Mother & all:-
Well try & write you a few lines I sent you a card yesterday from KC. I hope you got it all OK. I(t)
is rather hard to mail anything as we are not allowed off & and don’t get to illegible very often
either. We stayed a few hours in KC while the(y) filled up with water & charged engines. We got
in St. Louis about six this morning & stay there until after ten but we didn’t get off the train.
They change cars there and give us sleepers so maybe we will be able to sleep a little better
tonight. I was on guard from 7 until 12 this morning but it wasn’t much of a job as there is one
at back end of our car. We are riding on the New York Central now. I’ve been on several
different roads since I left. I hope you folks are all well & as I feel pretty fair I thought would
have a headache but haven’t had one yet. Will close now & mail this as soon as I can. We may
stop again soon. I may send you a telegram when I get to where I’m going if I stay there long
enough. I was ever your loving son & Bro Chriss.
Camp Mills
April 23-18
My Dear Mother & all:-
I received three letters from you to day I was sure glad to get them too. For it seems like an
awful long time not to get any mail. My mother dear it was nothing to what it will be. I am glad
you are all well & hope you stay that way. For it will be most to(o) far to even think of ever
getting to come home until this is over. I would like to have seen you folks before I got ani
further away but if I get to hear from you pretty often that will help some. I got a letter from
Watson & one from Clarence Hall to day. But I’ve never heard from Isabelle since I left up at
Funston. I thought sure I would get a letter to day from her but didn’t. Ma(y)be the mail got
mixed up. For she always wrote most ever(y) day while I was at Funston. Has Blanche ever
heard from her yet since she wrote the letter to her when she wrote to me. It hasn’t rained
here any since Sunday. But the wind has blown all day pretty hard. I am down at Hempstead
now writing in the Y.M.C.A. we have such a poor place up at camp just a board & no light only
the candles if we write at night. I think we will leave here sometime tomorrow. But we have
most everything packed. I reckon if you still send a mail here that they will send it to me one
day. They haven’t never sent me the package yet or if they have it has been lost or misplaced.
Well clothes now & write a few lines to Watson for it might be very last chance for a while. I
was ever your loving son & Bro Chriss.
P.S. no I didn’t get my pay I’m pretty short but guess will make it as some of them are illegible
broke. If I had had jack I would have liked to have seen New York. It only cost $.70 to go up
cross the river & all. Quite a number of the boys went up at evenings. Yes there are 8 or 10 of
the boys from our Co at Funston in the same Co as I & the rest of them are in the same
regiment so we can see them pretty often if they just keep up that way. Well close now again &
wish you all the good luck & happiness possible. Did you get the illegible I sent. Will write as
soon as I can again. As ever
With Love Chriss
Somewhere in England
May 6 – 1918
My Dearest Mother & all:-
Will write you a few lines this eve. I hope you’re all well as this leaves me pretty well at present.
But the trip for a while didn’t seem to agree with me. I sure was a sick kid. I can’t say whether I
were seasick or land sick but I guess it is about all the same. I have had a real nice time the last
few days and will still make it all right if I can get enough to eat fries sure was hungry when I got
to feeling better. Clifford Pedigo & I are still together & hope we will get to be for it is quite a
help. I have just got throu hearing the band play. We have a real good one & I sure like to hear
it. I am not able to tell you much news this time but hope I will next time as news was rather
scarce on the water. But of course I could tell you some periods I judge you have gotten the
card by this time. Have you heard anything of Isabelle or seen her yet.
I don’t suppose will get to see Aunt or any of the folks now for don’t know where will be. Send
me her address I know the old one but she has moved hasn’t she. I expect will get some mail
from you soon that was left. Will close now. Write when ever you can & I will do the same. As
ever your Loving son
& Bro Chriss
Address Pvt G.W.C. Pearson
Hd. Q. Co. 140 Inf
Am. Exped. Forces vas New York
France
Sept 16 1918
My Dear Mother & all:-
I’ll try and write you a few lines. I haven’t received an email now for over a week. But I expect
some one of these days. It has been several days since I have written to you. But as the mail
hasn’t been going out very regular here lately thought it useless to carry them for they are hard
to carry without getting them wet and soiled. I hope this finds you all well as it leaves me about
the same. We are sure having a lot of rain over here. Wish you could get some of it there and I
believe it would do you more good than it does to us. But this is an ideal day the sun is real
warm it makes you want to hunt for the shade.
I expect everyone is real busy out there about now if it isn’t too dry pulling in wheat. Is Blanche
up at Hutchinson yet or has she come home. Does she hear from Oscar pretty regular.
I have only heard it once. Art Bren seems to be very well satisfied where he is at. He said he saw
Bill Wolfe the other day.
Did Isabelle stop off there. When she came back she said many would have to stop there as she
came back. I’ve never heard from her since she left home. The last letter was written Aug 10 th
the same time that you was.
Oh yes did you ever receive the package that I had sent to you. You had offered to have gotten
it at least by the 20 th of Aug. I never think to say anything about Pedigo hardly ever but as long
as I don’t you know he is all right. He sure don’t write but a very little has only written Opal
once since he has been here as I know of.
It looks like it would be pretty warm to illegible all summer. I’ve never heard from him since I
have been over here. Will close now for this time and try to write again soon.
Love to all
Your loving son & Bro
Chriss
France
Oct 22/18
Mrs. Isabel Pearson:-
I am writing you a few lines to let you know that I saw your husband buried and cared for the
best he could be. He was hit by a shower and died in a few minutes. The chaplain of our
battalion was present and the boys dug a grave and buried him with a marker at his head. I
have a ring and watch that I took off him which he requested that he wanted you to have and if
I can get it to you it will sure be yours. That was all he had on him. I found some old letters in
his knapsack with some pictures. I have destroyed the letters and I’m sending you the pictures
by mail. The watch and ring I will see that you get it as soon as I get a chance to send it safely
and if you do not get it before I come home I will take good care of it and see that you get it
done. As we cannot register any parcels over here I do not want to take the chance of mailing it
to you now so do not worry about it I will see that you get it. Now if it is some time before you
hear from me and you hear that the regiment is coming home you write me a letter giving your
address. My address will be one at home John H Pleasant, 3923 Tracy Ave., Kansas City, MO.
I was George’s lieutenant in the trench motor platoon. Unless you want to ask some question
regarding your husband it is not absolutely necessary for you to write me until I get home
unless you want to write me a letter sooner fry will not depart with the watch and ring until I
know that it is going to you. With a share of your grief, I remain,
John H. Pleasant
1 st Lt. N.G. 140 th Inf
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.
Nov. 16, 1918
My dear Mrs. Pearson:
I was indeed, sorry to read of the death of G. W. C. Pearson and write this note to assure you of
my deep and heartfelt sympathy in this, you’re sad hour. He and his comrades, by the bravery
and their loyalty, I brought new glories to the stars and stripes and I know all your friends join
with you in mourning his loss. He gave his life for his country and all are proud of his record.
Again assuring you of my heartfelt sympathy I am
Very truly yours,
Charles Curtis
Joulette Shouse
7 th DISTRICT KANSAS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON
February 28, 1919
Mrs. D. Pearson
Cullison, Kansas.
My dear Mrs. Pearson”
Your letter of February 24 is received today and has been ride with interest and with sympathy.
It is the intention of the War department, according to my information, to bring back to this
country as soon as conditions (including transportation conditions) will permit the bodies of our
soldiers who have died overseas, except in cases where a specific request is made to have the
bodies left there.
Just how soon it will be possible to bring them back I am unable to say. I am asking the Adjutant
General to write you concerning the matter.
With kind regards and assurances of my desire to be of any possible service, I am
Sincerely yours,
Jouett Shouse
Pvt Geo W. C. Pearson
Hdq Co 140 T.M.
May 20, 1919
Mrs. Geo W. C. Pearson
Cullison, Kansas
My Dear Mrs. Pearson: we are told by the commanding officer that private Pearson was killed
in action by Shell fire in the Argonne Drive, bottom of her being near German artillery
placement 500 yards west of road west, by south from hill 258 Map ref:-Map Verdun A, 17, 45.-
77,25.
The funeral was conducted by Chaplain J.Oliver Bushnell of the 140 th Inf.
You will receive the exact location of the grave from the grave registration service in due time.
Private Pearson’s last words were: “I am hit, tell the boys goodby(e).” Died easy.
The Red Cross deeply sympathizes with you in your great sorrow.
Sincerely yours
W. R. Castle, Jr.
Mtn Grove, Mo.
Apr. 12. 1920.
Dear Mother: I am home again and it seems as the being gone was only a dream and that I’ve
just woke up. I found a letter waiting for me here that was quite a problem to me to know what
to do so I am sending it to you. When I left there last` Wed. I felt as tho you didn’t want to
settle with me concerning Chriss’ property and you let me come and go without mentioning it
to me. But if I have missed judged you mother, please forgive me but I really could not help
feeling somewhat hurt which was only human. I have never tho’t but what you folks intend to
give me a square deal and still think you do. But I really think there should be some kind of a
settlement and I wish it could have been while I was there as I believe we would all have felt
better about it. I know Chriss intended for me to have what was coming to me if he should
return for he told me all about his business before he left Camp Funston.
Now I don’t believe Watson is trying to beat me out of a cent. For I know he is a gentleman and
I don’t know why Ed seems to think he’s not going to play fair with me. I didn’t know what to do
so I am writing to you. Please write to me as soon as possible. I have not written to Ed at all.
Lovingly Isabel
Cullison, Kans
Aug 15 1920
Mrs. Isabell Pearson
Mt. Grove, Mo
Dear Isabel:
Mother received your letter and did not have time to answer it before she went to Hutchinson.
She received a letter from Minnie the same evening that yours came saying that she was going
to the hospital at Hallstead that evening and was operated on yesterday morning so my mother
left on the train yesterday morning and does not expect to be back till Monday night.
Mother asked me to write you a few lines you are mis judging mother when you say she took
Chriss’ property to buy the tomb stone, lot and etc.
Chriss’ part of the building stands just like he left it in the car is yet in the country and that is all
Chris had you know but that note and mother has nothing to do with that what ever.
Mother offered you the cash what these things are worth and all they will bring on sale and
that is more than most anyone would do, to pay the cash and lay out themselves not knowing
whether she will be able to get her money back or not.
About all there is left to do is for you to come out and settle these things for yourself and I
guess as this is the best she can do and we also want you to see and understand that she is
certainly not pleasing us but is trying to make things right with you.
Mr. Hutchinson says the insurance is not part of the property and would not be considered so
under any circumstances.
Mother kept Chris for practically nothing just like she did the rest and there is no reason for her
giving up everything and that was not Chriss’ idea either he had plenty of time to change his
policy if he wanted it to be before he left the U.S. He talked to a few about it.
Isabel you were not so unreasonable until some one else interfered in the deal or rather
settlement.
That letter Mary wrote has certainly cost considerable grief in this family and is not settled yet
As ever
Blanche
I am asking you Bell to sign an affidavit for me as to this settlement so that there will be no
misunderstanding from here on as I settled with you once fair and square. You said you didn’t
want his money that was not what you married him for but I am overlooking all of that and I’m
trying to settle so as to be satisfactory to everybody so please sign and return and I will send
you money.
Pittsburg, Kans.
Oct. 2, 1920
Dear Mother:- as I am very much in need of some money I’m sending the paper which I have
signed. I like my work here fine but I have found that I cannot possibly make ends meet on $25
per month. Please send the money as soon as possible as I have just $1.04 to go on until I gets
here. I do not feel that this is a fair settlement but I should have had a more complete
understanding with you long ago. I had so much confidence in you tho I didn’t think it
necessary. You always trying to give me the impression that you were anxious to do the right
thing by me always. You have always taken Morant from the confectionery building and never
said anything about it. Perhaps if it were your daughter in my place you would see things from a
different angle. If Chris had lived things wouldn’t be as they are now and I cannot help but feel
that the time will come when you’ll see that I am not getting what should’ve been mine.
Hoping to hear from you soon I am as ever
Isabelle Pearson