Lives of the First World War

3rd September 1920

Free-trader Journal, 3 September, 1920: "John D Hoar, 31 years old, of La Salle, a former member of the 'Princess Pats' regiment, killed himself in a south side rooming house today by inhaling gas. The body was discovered by the landlady. Hoar lost both legs in France. On his return his sweetheart insisted on marrying him despite his handicap. They were married last March. The young woman told the police her husband had been despondent because he could not contribute to their support. She had been working to support him and herself and was without funds this morning to notify his parents at La Salle. Mrs Hoar was notified at the home of her mother on the north side, where her husband was to have joined her today. Hoar, a former United States marine, was La Salle county's first wounded hero of the great world war. He went to Canada and enlisted with the Princess Pats shortly after the world burst into a flame of strife, being among the earliest to go from the county as a volunteer for service overseas. Shortly after he was sent into action word was flashed back that Hoar had been wounded. His father, John Hoar, who conducts the Harrison house barber shop in La Salle, later was informed his son had lost both limbs. For weeks and months the young man lingered at the point of death. Then came a turn for the better and he was sent home. After recovery he spent many months about his home, and then went to Chicago where he married his former sweetheart. ... The body probably will be brought to La Salle for burial."

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