Submitted by Stephen Mathews
| Charter Members | Past Commanders |
| Camp Officers |
Camp No. 38 Membership Roster |
| Deceased Members |
Auxiliary No. 6 Membership Roster, etc. |
The amalgation was promulgated, and became effective April 18th, 1904.
Page #3:
"The Camp and Auxiliary were named to honor Claude L. Herbert, who served
in the Spanish-American War in Co. "B", 159th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and
who sacrificed his life in the disastrous Havens and Geddes fire at Fifth
Street and Wabash Avenue, December 19th, 1898.
Claude L. Herbert was taking the part of "Santa Claus" in the toy department in the basement of the building when the fire started, and at once set to work assisting women and children out to safety. He worked from floor to floor until the building collapsed and buried him in the debris.
To honor his memory, and as a tribute to his heroism,. Claude L. Herbert, Campl No.38, sponsored and erected a Public Drinking Fountain Memorial at Fifth Street and Wabash Avenue, the site of the fire. The dedication was held August 3rd, 1905. Due to an automobile accident the "Memorial" was torn down October 21st 1914. It was rebuilt and rededicated November 11, 1916. In 1926 another automobile accident completely destroyed the "Memorial Fountain". As the "Fountain" had been constructed of Bronze and Iron, and was now damaged beyond repair, a new "Memorial Fountain" was erected in 1929, built of solid Rock of Ages Vermont Granite at a cost of two thousand eight hundred dollars. This "Memorial Fountain" still stands, a tribute to our heroic comrade, a historical spot to the city, the pride of every Spanish War Veteran in the Wabash Valley, and a boon to the public, where ice cold drinking water may be obtained twenty-four hours of every day throughout the necessary seasons."
10 Aug 2001