Clarence Jay Morris

Headstone says:
Clarence; Son of R. & M.; Killed in France; Mar. 17, 1888-Sept. 27, 1918

OBITUARY
Kingsville--Private. Clarence Morris, killed in action [World War I] [end]

Clarence never married, according to M. K. Morris, Sr. in Feb., 1997

Compiled by M. Keith Morris, Jr., Feb. 13, 1998

Recently discovered is an original newspaper clipping written by Clarence Morris during his days in boot camp during World War I. The top corner of the newspaper clipping is torn off but the entire text of the article is as follows:

"The following letter from Clarence Morris, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Morris, of Kingsville, tells of routine life at Camp Funston in an interesting manner:
Camp Funston, Kan., Sept 30, 1917. Warrensburg Star-Journal:--As I am one of Johnson county's drafted boys, I will write a few lines for your paper. As you know, there were seventy of us who left Warrensburg the 20th of September at 5:50 p.m., and we did not get here until the next morning at 7 o'clock. All had a good time on the way. The first thing after we got here we were given a cold shower bath and clean underclothes. Then we were given our dishes, which are aluminum, and consist of a skillet, a lid, a cup that holds about a quart, a knife, fork and spoon.
Saturday is always inspection day so everything must be clean and nifty; also the boys must be clean shaved and their clothes in good shape.
There are here in our barracks, about 160 men, counting the minor officers. We get up at 5:45 and assemble for roll call at 6. Then have breakfast and at 7:15 get out and drill until about 10, when we come in for 20 minutes' rest, then go and drill again until 11:30.
After dinner we go out at 1 o'clock and come in at 4:30, and have retreat at 5:10. Each fellow does his own dish washing, and at present, his own washing, as the laundry is just in course of construction.
I have been told there are at present about 28,000 men here--just about one-half of the boys that will be here. Each barrack when full will have 250 in it.
The boys all seem to be learning fast, and the drilling and exercises and regularity of eating, I believe are good things for all of us. Hoping you publish this so the people back home may know what we are doing,
I am,
Clarence Morris
Co. G, 356th Inf." [end]

copied by M. Keith Morris, Jr., May 9, 1998

Virgil Morris sent Keith Morris his original picture of Clarence (picture in Army uniform with no hat). The inscription on the back of the picture states that his whole name was Clarence Jay Morris.
M. Keith Morris, Jr., Feb. 16, 1999