How Old is the Rose?

The legend of the rose:

Growing in the Waitsburg City Cemetery is a little old moss rose bush.  The original bush was brought to the American colonies from Europe.  This rose was blooming in the Carolinas when Colonel William Heath and Sergeant William Jasper were heroes in the Revolutionary War.  In the early eighteen hundreds, it was "slipped" and transferred to Kentucky where Polly Heath married John Jasper.  In 1847, the little rose was again "slipped" and was brought across the Oregon Trail by the Jasper's, by ox team to the Williamette Valley.  In 1856, Albert G. Lloyd, while serving with the Oregon Volunteers in the Indian Wars, found a piece of ground on the Touchet River that was to his liking.  He returned to the Williamette Valley, married Lois Jasper, and in 1859, left on horseback with his bride to the land that was to be the first pre-emption in the Touchet Valley.  Again a slip from the rose was in the saddle bags.  This little rose was first planted as were the first corn crops in the valley, in the mounds of dirt thrown out of the ground by the gophers.  In 1865, the City of Waitsburg was incorporated, and a cemetery laid out.  The Lloyd's twins, Clara and Freddie, who died in infancy, were buried there.  The little rose was again dug up and put at their headstone as a living memorial, and now a hundred years later, it is still blooming there. 
Headstones in the cemetery bear out this history:
A. G. Lloyd
Lois Jasper Lloyd
Polly Heath Jasper
Lois Heath

(The story was written by Eric N. Aldrich, grandson of A. G. and Lois Lloyd.  It was published The Times, Waitsburg, WA, 30 September 1965)

I often wonder if the legend is true, or is it just a family story.  But the rose meant a lot because it is on the graves of Lois Lloyd's babies.  Fredy & Clara died in 1877, 138 years ago.

Morgan and Jace Kuntz, at the rosebush in Waitsburg City Cemetery

They are the 4th great grandchildren of Albert G. & Lois Lloyd

The rosebush in Huntley

Mother gave me a slip of the rosebush for my home in Huntley.

The year after she died, was when it bloomed the best.  

Now I need to learn how to "slip" a rose so that I may give plants to other family members.

Any tips would be appreciated!

Tony Lloyd

A grandson of my great grandfather, Albert Gallatin Lloyd, died in a Japanese POW camp in World War II.

This picture was in LIFE magazine.  

 Tony was a First Lieutenant, USA, assigned to Battery H. 60th Coast Art. Reg., Corregidor, Phillipines.  He was taken a POW when the island was captured by the Japanese during WWII.   He died January 7, 1943 in the Kokura POW Camp, Shioku, Japan.

"The Waitsburg Times"     Lt. Tony Lloyd Dies in Japanese Prison Camp- News Arrives Here of Death on January 7, 1945 

A telegram from the War Department has just been received by Mr. and Mrs. Wesley A. Lloyd notifying them of the death of their son, First Lt. Tony Boynton Lloyd in a prison Camp in Japan, January 7, 1943.  Tony Lloyd was born at the old farm home west of Waitsburg, March 12, 1915.  ................"

Telegram Following is the text of the message received:  

"The Secretary of war has asked me to express his deep regret that your son, First Lieutenant Tony B. Lloyd, died in Japan, January 7, 1943, as a result of malnutrition while a prisoner of war of the Japanese government.  I regret that unavoidable circumstances made necessary the unusual lapse of time in reporting your son's death to you.  Confirming letter follows.

 Tony was with General Wainwright at the time Corregidor was captured.  He was with a Coast Artillery anti-aircraft outfit.  These men of Corregidor were marched down the streets of Manila in wretched condition to prove to the silent thousands of natives that the Japanese conquerors were superior in every way.  They were led to Billibid prison were the Americans were separated from the Filipinos and taken to Cabanatuan in May of 1942.  From the story of Tony's existence must be left to the imagination until further information can come from the lips of those who survived.  The picture below was clipped from a captured Japanese newsreel film showing the surrender of American troops on Corregidor.  The man on the extreme right has been identified as Lt. Tony Lloyd.  (I don't have this picture)

 Tony was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on Corregidor in March of 1946.  The Silver Star Citation reads:  "For Gallantry in action on Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 28 April 1942.  During a heavy Japanese artillery concentration on a battery position, the electrical power transmission cables were destroyed.  Completely disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant Lloyd, Battery H, 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-aircraft) left cover, exposed himself to enemy fire for two hours, and repaired these vital cables thereby bringing the battery back into synchronization.  By his sustained gallantry and courageous devotion to duty, Lieutenant Lloyd rendered invaluable aid to our forces during a critical period of operation." (newspaper clipping from the Waitsburg Times)

-DEATH NEWS ENDS YEARS OF HOPING-Parents Learn Son Died, Victim of Jap Cruelty.  (see pictures page 12) Waitsburg, Wash., Jan 3---For Mr. and Mrs. Wes Lloyd, pioneers of this community, a weary period of alternate hope and despair, extending from Wainwright's surrender on Corregidor to V-J day and the months immediately following, came to an end with the advent of the Christmas holidays.  A telegram from the war department informed them that their son, Lt. Tony Boynton Lloyd, died in a Japanese prison camp on January 7, 1943.

   Born March 12, 1915, at the family home west of Waitsburg, Lt. Lloyd as a small boy played among the Indian tepees which dotted the traditional camp site near the ranch buildings.

Among First Settlers

   The Lloyd family was one of the first to settle here.  Curiously, Wes Lloyd once sold a horse to "old" Capt. Wainwright of the cavalry when he was stationed at Fort Walla Walla.  By coincidence Wes Lloyd's boy later served under Capt. Wainwright's son, Gen. "Skinny" Wainwright.

   Esteemed by the Indians as being the oldest son in a family whose friendship dated back to the 1850's, Tony acquired much native lore, various buckskin garments, numerous headdresses and the ability to carry on ceremonial and war dances long before he reached the proper age for entering elementary school.

Was Noted Marksman 

He attended Central grade school here, graduated from high school and completed four year at the University of Washington, majoring in chemical engineering.  While there his natural skill as a marksman won for him signal recognition.  Equally adept with rifles or revolvers, a painstaking artist who loaded his own ammunition, Lt. Lloyd was prominent in rifle team activities during his entire university career.

   He was a member of the rifle team that won national collegiate honors and the Hearst trophy in 1936.  He also won the individual intercollegiate rifle championship in 1938.  As a representative of the university he competed in the national rifle matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, winning top honors for his R.O.T.C. team and qualifying for that highly coveted position, a place on the President's Hundred.

Called to Colors Early

   Called up with other reserve officers in August, 1940, he reported for duty with the coast artillery corps at March field, Calif., and a year later was transferred for duty in the Philippines, at Fort Mills, Corregidor.

   That he was taken prisoner there was strikingly revealed on the screen of the Waitsburg theater when a newsreel flash prepared from Japanese war films was shown.  One scene featured several American prisoners, hands in air, awaiting the next command of their guards.  The parents were positive one of the captives was their son, and when a special reprint was made from the film any lingering doubts were removed.

   It was thought he later escaped.  Consistent rumors had him serving with Filipino, and later, Chinese guerrillas, where his resourcefulness and skill with weapons were being utilized against the common enemy.  Now it is known that following the surrender he was variously at Billbid prison, Cabanatuan and finally Kokura, Japan on Shokuku island.

Died of Starvation

   His death there was due to malnutrition, but of the events during the preceding months it is thought nothing further will ever be made known, except by survivors, or through later war department releases.

   Lt. Lloyd, now established as the first Waitsburg man to die in the service of his country, was affiliated with Tau Kappa Epsilon, was a member of the national military honorary organization, Scabbard and Blade, the Ammonii socii, a chemistry professional honorary, and the Masons.  He is survived by his parents, and a brother, Milton Lloyd, recently discharged from the army and now residing in Walla Walla. (Newspaper clipping presumably from "The Waitsburg Times")

MILITARY: BG Wainwright met with his parents after WWII and confirmed the above information.  Additionally the last pictures the family has of him were captured Japanese news reels that showed the surrender of BG Wainwright's staff at Corrigodore.  Information that I have found would indicate that he was awarded the Silver Star for action at Corrigodore

OBITUARY: Tony Lloyd A Jap Victim Waitsburg - First Lt. Tony Boynton Lloyd, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley A. Lloyd, died in a Japanese prison camp January 7, 1943, according to word just received by his parents.  Death was due to malnutrition.  He was born in Waitsburg March 12, 1915, graduated from the Waitsburg schools and attended the University of Washington where he was a member of the R.O.T.C.  He was also a member of the National Rifleman's association and made two trips to Camp Perry, Ohio as a state representative.  He enlisted in the army in 1940 and went overseas in September, 1941 with the 78th coast artillery anti aircraft outfit.  He was with Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright at the time Corrigedor was captured. His parents last heard from him in November, 1941.  The telegram received Thursday was signed by Edward F. Witsell acting adjutant general of the army and said:  "The secretary of war has asked me to express his deep regrets that your son, First Lt. Tony B. Lloyd died in Japan January 7, 1943 as results of malnutrition while a prisoner of war of the Japanese government.  I regret that unavoidable circumstances made necessary the unusual lapse of time in reporting your son's death to you, confirming letter following."  Besides his parents, he leaves one brother, Milton Lloyd, who recently received his discharge from four years service; three aunts, Mrs. C. C. Mellinger of Tacoma; Mrs. Carl Kinder of Kirkland, Miss Opal Boynton of White Plains, N.Y.,and one uncle, Ralph Lloyd of Waitsburg.  His grandfather, the late A. G. Lloyd and wife were among the first settlers of this valley. (newspaper clipping presumably from the Waitsburg Times)

Because it is Veterans Day...in honor of my Dad and uncles who served in World War II.

My grandmother, Della Kurtz Shaffner,  had 3 sons in the South Pacific at one time.  She saved every letter they wrote home.

Walter was the oldest son and was killed in action in 1944

Don, my father, served with the 163rd Infantry, which was a National Guard unit from Montana that was activated.  He mostly served in the New Guinea theatre of action and was often a clerk since he could type.  He told stories of flying over "the hump" with a bag of money to pay the soldiers.

Dean, the youngest, served with the Headquarter unit under General McArther.

I have a scrapbook of information that I just briefly went through.  (more to scan)  Of course, my dad kept a scrapbook!