Brothers in arms

“War is not nearly so dangerous an occupation as tradition and our more or less romantic viewpoint leads us sometimes to believe. It is safe to say that the mortality rate is not greater than that of the average large city.”

These words were spoken in an address given on Sept. 26, 1918, by Lt. Joseph Rodman at the Crazy Theatre in Mineral Wells, Texas.

Rodman was one of the first men from Huntington Beach to land on French soil during the last days of World War I. Wounded in battle, he had recovered sufficiently to make a public address about the American soldiers in Europe.

Recently I read about a young Marine killed in Iraq who had wanted to follow his brother into the military, and how in the end he lost his life.

It reminded me of another young man who went to great lengths to follow his brother into the service of his country.

The “war to end all wars” began in Europe in 1914, but it was not until 1917 that American troops entered the fighting.

The residents of Huntington Beach were willing to do their part. City Atty. Alex Nelson, City Treasurer C.E. Levering and attorney Lewis Blodget were kept busy registering our boys from Huntington Beach for service.

Plumber H. Mose Tolson was the first Huntington Beach resident to be drawn for service. Others included John Eader, Oswald Dennis, Kyle Howard, Roy Blodget, Jack Given, Leonard Livernash and Walter Rigdon.

Walter’s father, Frank H. Rigdon, owned the drugstore on the corner of Main Street and Ocean Avenue (now Pacific Coast Highway). Walter had no problem getting drafted into service and was sent to Camp Merritt in New Jersey. His brother Carlos, however, had a hard time becoming a soldier.

Carlos Eshelman Rigdon was born on June 22, 1887, in Marion, Ind., and was over 30 when the war began.

Early in his life, Carlos lived in an artistic atmosphere of classical music, art and books, and he ended up running a photography studio on Main Street and playing in the Huntington Beach Municipal Band.

Carlos was anxious to join his brother in the service, but he failed the physical examination. He traveled to Fullerton to take it again, but again he was denied. He made several trips to Los Angeles and San Diego in hopes of inducing officials to accept him, but each time he was rejected.

Eventually Carlos met an officer who told him to enter the Civil Service Department, promising him that he could be transferred to a fighting unit.

In August 1918, Carlos left Huntington Beach for Washington, D.C., with high hopes that he would be able to be part of the regular Army.

But on Oct. 12, 1918, Carlos died in Washington D.C. without realizing his dream.

A memorial concert was held for Carlos in Circle (now Farquhar) Park, and the Huntington Beach Municipal Band, of which Carlos was a member, provided the music.

The Rev. C. Carey Willett from the First Baptist Church said a prayer, after which the band played Handel’s “Largo.”

City Clerk Charles R. Nutt spoke about Carlos’ short life, paying high tribute to his memory.

This was followed by “Abide with Me,” sung by a local sextet, and a closing prayer was given by the Rev. A.S. Bash from the First Christian Church. As for Joseph Rodman’s glowing remarks about war not being dangerous, he too would not see his beloved Huntington Beach again, for at about the time Carlos died, Rodman passed away in Washington, D.C., of a severe wound he received in action.

These two, like so many to come in future wars, would never again feel the warmth of Huntington Beach’s sun.