OAKDALE
CLOSES DOORS TO ATTEND THE SERVICE - MASONS
AND EX-SERVICE MEN JOIN IN EXTOLLING MEMORY OF FIRST VICTIM OF WAR
Oakdale paid a final tribute Saturday to the memory of the late Stanley
L. Collins, the first of those from this section to be sacrificed during
the World War. The body of the young man arrived from Scotland, where it
has been interred after his death, following the torpedoing of the
Tuscania, Friday, and the funeral services were held Saturday afternoon
at Knights Ferry, the boyhood home of Stanley. As a mark of respect
Oakdale business houses closed during the hours of the funeral and
hundreds went from Oakdale to Knights Ferry to attend the services. The
little church was crowded to overflowing and hundreds stood outside. The
casket was literally buried beneath the beautiful floral pieces, the
tribute of Masonic lodges from Sonora, Stockton, Modesto, Oakdale and
Knights Ferry, and from other lodges and from the legion of friends. On
difference to the wishes of the family there was no military burial the
service being in charge of the Knights Ferry Masonic Lodge, of which the
deceased was a member.
Stanley L. Collins Post, American Legion furnished a detail of overseas
men to act as pall bearers, and they appeared in uniform. The pall
bearers were Charles N. Gray, Chester Byington, Earl Anderson, Granville
Prowse, John L. Light, Leland B. Taylor. "Citizens, judges, senators and
our governor have paid their highest tribute to the honor and memory of
the departed one. Hence we feel that any effort we might make by way of
eulogy would be weak and feeble." The internment was made in the Knights
Ferry cemetery. The Masons were in charge of the service at the grave.
