Floyd Clute was born in Madison County, Nebraska, on January 6th, 1892. He lived in Boyd County much of his life, a son of Civil War veteran Charles Clute. He was one of twelve children.

 

After graduating high school, he studied to become a teacher, and got a job in Charles Mix county, South Dakota. When the war broke out, he left his job and volunteered for the war effort. He left for Europe June 4th, 1918, and served at the Naval hospital base in Plymouth, England.  He was ranked  PHM-3 (Pharmacists Mate 3rd Class).

 

Clute contracted tuberculosis and died November 24th, 1918, on a hospital ship. His body was returned back to Butte for burial. His grave can still be found today in the Butte, Nebraska cemetery, lot 125.

 

Source: Butte Gazette 

 

 

                                                League Island, Penn.

                                                                    Feb 4, 1918.

 

Dear Mother:-

            Your letter was received the other day, and I have neglected to answer it until now. I have been very busy lately, sometimes working until late at night. I received all the mail you mentioned, and so far as I know all the boys have received their mail all right. We hear a lot of stuff about the training camps, but if they are no worse then what I have struck so far, the men must be a bunch of babies.

 

            I am working at the laboratory now. This is very interesting work. Most of the work now is examining men for meningitis. Carriers are isolated, and if they don’t get rid of the bugs, they are discharged from the service.

 

            Yesterday two of the fellows were transferred to a Hospital unit in France. I guess about half of the fellows are new at the training station have gone to sea. Probably my time will come soon.

           

            The weather has been pretty cold lately for Philly. It’s only about zero but is damp, and feels cold. There doesn’t seem to be much chance for furloughs now. They don’t grant many, and they are only for short times. When I go home, I want a good long time, for it is so far to go.

 

            Don’t worry about me, for if I leave here I will let you know, and if I get sick you will hear about it.

 

            I have been made a third class pharmacist’s mate, which is about the same as a corporal in the army.

 

            The aeroplanes are flying around quite a bit now. The craft will be tried out here before it is sent across.

 

            Your loving son Floyd

 

Butte Gazette February 14, 1918

​

 

                                   

                                   

                                                U.S. Naval Base No. 27,

                                                    Europe, July 8, 1918

​

Dear Mother and all:

    This will just be a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and happy.

​

     I hope Ed is better by this time and that everyone is well.  You need not worry at all about me as I am in a fine place and eat United States chou(sic) all but the war-bread, which isn't as bad as it sounds.  It's rather heavy, though, and if a bullet ever hits a soldier in the stomach it won't do any damage unless it glances.  That's the good feature.

​

    There are many things here that seem very odd.  The buildings are all of stone.  There are high stone walls everywhere.  The people do not seem to trust one another and build these high stone walls between their back yards.  Everything reminds my that we are in a foreign country.

​

    The people do not drive on the right side of the road but on the left.  That is not right unless they are left-handed.  Then besides, they haven't any teeth.  This is a hard cruel thing to say, but God love me if it isn't the truth.  But teeth or no teeth they are good people, most of them, and many of them like the Americans and America on the Fourth of July, the Stars and Stripes waved beside the other flags."

​

    They all use "bloody" for a swear word.  They use that word more than any other.  And judging from the black crepe and cripples one sees on the street, they have a right to use it with much feeling.

​

    Sometimes you see a  Scotchman with his booms only half rigged and his funny cap listing to port, and his clothes camouflaged checker-board fashion like a man-o'-war.

​

    I guess that's about all that I can write that will get by the censor.

​

       Write soon to

                            Your loving son,

                                           Floyd Clute.

​

​

  Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Clute have recieved the news of the serious illness of their son, Floyd, who is a sailor on a hospital ship.  Floyd's many friends here anxiously hope that he may soon recover.  He has been in the service ever since the war began, resigning his position as a school teacher in Charles Mix county, S.D., to go in.  He has been in the medical department.

​

Butte Gazette

​

​

 

                                                            Death of Floyd Clute             

 

     Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Clute received the sad news Saturaday of the death of their son Floyd, who was a sailor on a hospital ship in Europe.  He died November 24th of tuberculosis.  The body is being brought to the United States but as yet there is no news of its arrival.  The body will be brought to Butte for burial.

 

     Floyd Clute was born in Madison county, Nebraska, January 6th, 1892, and was 25 years, 9 months and 18 days old at the time of his death.  He lived in Boyd county until after he graduated from the Butte high school when he engaged in teaching.  At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the navy, going first to Great Lakes and afterward to League Island, Penn.  June 4th he left for Europe, and was at the naval hospital base until his death.

 

    Floyd was a fine upright young man, a credit to his parents and the community and his death brings sorrow to many friends.  His parents have the heartfelt sympathy of all. 

 

 

Butte Gazette December 5, 1918

 

 

                       Sailor Laid to Rest.

 

   Last Friday, at the Opera Housein Butte, the last service was held over the remains of Floyd Clute.

 

   A large audience was present to pay their last respects and show their sympahty for the bereaved family.  Rev. W. E. Caldwell had charge of the services, assisted by Rev. W. DeBenham, a union choir furnishing the music.  Soldiers in uniform bore the body to Butte cemetery, where it was laid to rest with military honors.

 

   Splendid floral tributes were furnished by the Red Cross, W. R. C. and citizens.

 

   The obituary was published by the Gazette at the time his death was reported. 

 

 

Butte Gazette