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Continued: Robert Leslie Morton registered for the first WW I Draft on 5 June1917 in Charleston, MO., which is the same draft that Willie Hudsonregistered for. This draft included all men between the ages of 21and 31 who were born between 6 June 1886 and 5 June 1896. At thetime, Robert listed himself as single, working for the St. Louis IronMountain & Southern Railroad performing section labor. Robert'smilitary records were partially burned in the Military PersonnelRecords Center fire on 12 Jul 1973. The edges are scorched.
Robert had previously married Ella Cox on 23 January 1910 inCharleston under the name "Will" Moton. They had a daughter,Gerelein, born 20 September 1912 who died 22 January 1913 inCharleston, MO. Gerelein is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery inCharleston. Robert Leslie Morton and Ella Cox were married by Rev.C.P. Comings, Minister of the Gospel in Charleston, Mississippi Co.,MO. There was no record of a divorce. Ella may have died inchildbirth or from one of the diseases common at that time.
Robert Leslie's physical description on his draft registrationindicated that he was of the African Race, of medium build, weight,156 pounds; height 64-1/2 inches, chest 34 and 37-1/2 inches; stout,dark brown eyes, black hair, slightly bald, with no missing limbs orteeth. Robert's vision was 20-50 in both eyes and later 20/100 inboth eyes. He was certified physically fit for duty on 16 Apr 1918.Robert Leslie's surname was spelled "MOTON" and he signed his draftcard with a mark similar to a check, leaning to the right. He gavehis home address as 602 W. Cypress in Charleston, MO., the same as hisbrother Albert. Robert listed his date of birth only as 1889; he didnot indicate a day or month. All of the draft registrationinformation was handwritten for Robert, including his name, by theregistrant, O.W. Seslyn? Robert was inducted on 1 August 1918 andassigned Serial Number 4259663.
Robert Leslie Morton was discharged from the Army Draft on 4 August1918 as follows: "To all whom it may concern: This is to certify,that Leslie Moton, #4259663, is hereby discharged from the MilitaryService of the United States by reason of Epilepsy and Moron (literalinterpretation) prior to enlistment. Said Leslie Moton was inductedinto service from the jurisdiction of the Local Board for MississippiCounty, Charleston, State of Missouri on the 1st day of August 1918.While this certificate discharges the person named herein from hispresent obligation to serve in the Army, it do (sic) not operate as apermanent bar to his subsequent entrance into the military service.Under Section 5 of the Acts of May 18th, 1917, all registered personsremain subject to the draft unless excepted or issued as in ? actprovided. Therefore, this discharge does not excuse the holder fromobedience to the process of Exemption Boards".
Given at Camp Funston Kansas, this 4th day of Aug 1918, by order ofMajor Reilly. Paid in full, $24.87, Office of the Camp Quartermaster.
On 14 Feb 1936, Robert Leslie applied for a duplicate dischargecertificate from the Army. He said he lost his certificate out of hispocket while working on T.R.R. Association, St. Louis, MO. *Hisfingerprints appear at the bottom of this application with ahandwritten note as follows: "These are made of left hand as bibbedpart of fingers recently cut off of middle fingers, right hand". Thisapplication was signed with an "X". Robert's age was listed as 48years; a farmer, of medium complexion, black eyes, 5 feet, 4 inchestall and partly bald.
On 7 Apr 1936, Robert Leslie and wife Fannie were living at 1514 South9th St., Mt. Vernon, IL. Robert Leslie applied for benefits under theprovisions of the World War Adjusted Compensation Act, naming Fanniebeneficiary. Robert Leslie had learned some writing and signed hisname. Fingerprints identified as from his right hand appeared on theapplication*. He listed his year of birth as 1887, date unknown. On10 Jul 1936, Robert's claim was disallowed as he was discharged fromthe draft on 4 Aug 1918.
In April 2000, I forwarded copies of Robert Leslie, Fannie andConnie's death certificates, his marriage licenses, and militaryservice records to the Military Personnel Records Center here in St.Louis, MO to inquire about the placement of a military marker on heand his family's graves in Oak Wood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, IL. I amstill waiting for a response. Robert Leslie served four days in themilitary in 1918 and was released for medical reasons of epilepsy andmoron.
Marriage License: Robert Leslie Morton, a Tie Carrier, age 28,parents, Frank Morton and ______Palace and Fannie Moore Delashment, awidow, age 29, parents David Delashment and Diana Kimball, weremarried by Ollie L. Sever, JOP, in Mt Vernon, IL. It was the secondmarriage for both Robert and Fannie. Witnesses to the marriage wereR. Clark (Russell, Lila's husband?) and Harry Williams. Robert Lesliesigned the marriage license with an X; Fannie signed her name.
Robert Leslie Morton died of Peritonitis (Appendicitis, acute) at 9:25AM at Mt. Vernon Hospital. Todd P. Ward, MD attended Leslie from 28Dec 1936 until his death.
Myers-Baril Funeral Service of Mt. Vernon, IL handled the funeral.Leslie's funeral costs totaled $227.60. Robert Leslie, wife Fannie,and daughter Connie Mae lived at 1415 S. 9th St. in Mt. Vernon, IL atthe time of their deaths. The triple funeral services for the familywere held at 3:30 PM on 3 Jan 1937 at the Colored Presbyterian Churchin Mt. Vernon, IL. Rev. Johnson Long officiated.
Frencella and I found and photographed a broken, home-made headstoneof cement in the Colored Section of Oak Wood Cemetery where RobertLeslie and his family are buried. It reads: "Robt. L. Morton, BornSep 7, 1888; Died Jan 1, 1937; At Rest".
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