Sgt. Kitchen
Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, November 29, l900
C.E. BLAIR, of Lamoni, was in Leon Thursday and informed us that Lt. EDWARD KOONTZ, First Lieutenant Co. F of the 44 U.S. Vols. had been shot and killed in the Philippine Islands. He was the companion and friend of his son Lt. WILL BLAIR, Second Lieutenant in the same regiment, and his death will probably result in Lieutenant Blair being promoted from Second to First Lieutenant. No particulars have been received, but it is supposed Lieutenant KOONTZ was shot by natives.
Later particulars show that Lieutenant KOONTZ and Sergeant KITCHEN both of Co. F. were pierced by native spears while going to relieve an outpost at Bugason, Island of Panay.
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
January l4, 2003