Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA 

Obituaries for 1918

Submitted by Gale Stroud 23 Aug 2007
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Hays Elija B 181109 p1
Local Boy Sacrifices Life on Battlefield: Elijah B Hays; Flags at Half Mast Honor First of Patterson s Hero Dead
Patterson has paid its first tribute in blood on the battlefields of France that America might live.  A lad who but a few
months ago donned the khaki and proudly shouldered his rifle in the great cause of liberty has paid the supreme sacrifice
without murmur. The few terse words of the causality list, the brief announcement of an official telegram have conveyed
the news that Elijah B �Lige' Hays laid down his life in action October 1. A son of Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Hays, pioneers of
Patterson, who now reside in Olympia, Lige Hays was one of the most popular young men in this district, a kind word for
everyone and everyone a good word for him.  Half masted flags testify to the depth of feeling of his fellow townsmen.
Brothers in Service  Registering in the first draft, Lige was not called to the colors until eight months ago, when he was
sent to the 364th  Infantry at Camp Lewis, a regiment in which his two brothers, John and Raymond, were already
serving.  After a short training, he was ordered overseas, and in his letters to friends and relatives here told of his
eagerness for the day when he should take his place in the firing line. On September 27 but three days before his death,
he wrote a long letter to Miss Verna Smith, a cousin, telling her of the life in France, and generally expressing the
optimism and cheerfulness which is so characteristic of the "American soldier's letters home.  At this time he wrote of
seeing his brothers, who were assigned to A Company while he was serving in Company M, every few days.  This letter
is thought to be his last before the end. Doubtless his brothers also fought in the same engagement, as several brigades, in
which the 363rd Infantry as well was incorporated, are known to have been in action on this date. Relatives Here
The news of his death became known first locally through a telegram from the bereaved parents to Mr. and Mrs. C. T.
Smith, uncle and aunt of the deceased, who is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Kreps and Miss Orpha Hays, and a
brother, Peter. Mr. B. W. Hays moved to Patterson with his family six years ago and engaged in the real estate business,
selling to O. M. Kirk and removing to Olympia, Washington, in order to be nearer his sons while they were in training.
Lige Hays was employed here by W. Hurd, in well boring and in cement work.