Body of War Hero Laid To Rest At Home. The Body of Seth McConkie Brought from Overseas for Burial - Military Funeral Held Sunday in Tabernacle with Large Crowd Attending.

Saturday evening, the body of Private Seth McConkie, Machine Gun Company, 362 Infantry Regiment 91st Division of the World War with Germany, arrived in Vernal under escort of Leon J. Beckwith of Fort D.A. Russell. Private McConkie was killed in a railroad accident in France on July 23, 1918, shortly after arriving on the foreign shore, as the soldiers were being sent to the front.

The wreck in which he was killed was one of the sad accidents of the war, and from accounts was avoidable. Seven cars loaded with soldiers at the rear of a train standing at a station was crashed into by an oncoming train and nearly all the occupants were killed or maimed. This was at 12 o'clock noon and at 2 p.m. Private McConkie was dead. It is told of him that when the surgeon came to where he was lying suffering from his mortal injuries, he said. "Go to those that need help worse than I do. I'll get up and help get the other boys out from under the wreck." A short time afterwards he had passed away.

Seth McConkie was born in Vernal, November 2, 1895, his parents being Charles W. McConkie and Viola McConkie. He left for Camp Lewis October 3, 1917. During the next summer he came back on a forty day furlough but had only been home 11 days when he was ordered back to the Colors. He left for overseas June 20, 1918 being killed July 23, 1918, in the accident shortly after arriving.

Before leaving he was in the employ of James Hacking and was helping him while home on the furlough. He told Mr. Hacking the one thing he dreaded was the thought of taking life in battle, but that he would do his duty whatever the cost. He was saved that necessity.

Upon the arrival of his body Saturday evening it was taken in charge by an escort from the Witbeck Post No. 11. American Legion. With relief every six hours, two were on guard until the corpse was taken from the home in Maeser to the Uintah Stake Tabernacle for burial services Sunday, August 7, 1921 just three years to a day when the news of his death in France was flashed over the wires to Vernal.

His wife Eva McConkie was not at the funeral being on a mission in Kansas. She desired to remember him as she last saw her husband in life.

Bishop Joseph Bodily of Maeser Ward had charge of the services which were held at 4 p.m. The opening prayer was offered by Bishop M.M. Batty and closing prayer by President Ernest Eaton. The music was furnished by two quartets. The misses Josephine and Lucille Hacking, Beatrice Stringham and Jessie Hislop sang. "Sometime We'll Understand" and I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go." Miss Mima Davis, Mrs. C.J. Neal George L. Woodbury and Merrill Bennion sang, Jesus, Lover Of My Soul," and "Oh My Father," by request. The speakers were Wilbur Sowards, Bryant Stringham and James Hacking each paid glowing tribute and told many touching incidents of the sterling character of the deceased.

Interment was made in the Maeser Cemetery where grief military services were held at the graveside including firing of the salute of volleys by ex-service men and the blowing of taps by Charles H. Carter. The grave was dedicated by O.D. Allen.

The tabernacle was crowded by those who desired to pay their last respects to the departed hero, for such he was in the truest sense. There was a profusion of beautiful floweres. Four young ladies in uniform of the local Red Cross took charge of the flowers both at the tabernacle and at the graveside and made the floral decorations.

-Vernal Express, August 12, 1921