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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 22, 1916 ... Tiger trout to battle chubs in Diamond Lake ... Leader of armed group at wildlife refuge speaks to FBI ... Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 22, 1916 ... Tiger trout to battle chubs in Diamond Lake ... Leader of armed group at wildlife refuge speaks to FBI ... Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 21, 1916 The following news items were drawn from the archives of the Mail Tribune 100 years ago Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Jan. 21, 1916 BILLY ERSKINE OF MEDFORD HERO IN WAR HOSPITAL The difference between shingling house roofs in Medford and fighting Austrians in Europe prompted "Billy" Erskine, who once enjoyed the former employment here, but who went to the war and got shot and now lies in a London hospital, to write to his friend, Harry Rheinerberg, a plumber of this city, and tell him about some of his thrilling experiences while enjoying the war game. Erskine left Medford about two years ago, going to Canada. In that country he heard the call of the big noise in Europe and at once enlisted to fight for the cause of the Britons. He became a cavalryman and had many experiences at the front that taught him the vast difference between peaceable industrial pursuits and the grim occupation of slaughtering his brothers with shot and shell, poisonous gas and liquid fire. In a terrific charge into the enemy's lines, where the lightning flashes of death-dealing missiles of murder were blinding both man and beast, a shell killed Billy Erskine's horse under him and tore a few pounds of flesh and bone from his body between the shoulder blade and the hip. Men and horses screamed and pitched and fought and struggled all about the wounded and dying, the cursing and praying, the men of fierce frenzy and fighting fury, while Billy lay there, unable to move or call, or be heard, if he had the strength to call, watching the frozen field of battle being drenched with blood. There he saw, in all their ghastliness, the horrors of wanton war on the one hand, and loyal sacrifices on the other. However, Erskine survived the battle, was picked up, received first aid and is now recovering a London hospital. His letter to Rheinerberg indicates that he yet has enough of the fighting spirit in him to go back to the front and stay until the fatal moment comes for him, too. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501