Sergeant Herbert L. Legg never lived in Grant County, but he died in Barrett, MN, and is buried in the Barrett Union Cemetery. His is a story of the special bond between veterans.
Sergeant Legg had been honorably discharged after served in Company I, 76th Infantry during World War I. On Friday, November 16, 1928, between Norcross and Charlesville, he fell from a flatcar he was riding and fell under the wheels of the train. With both legs severed, he was taken by a passerby to Dr. Leland in Herman. The doctor had him taken to the hospital in Barrett, where he died the next day. His parents promised to pay the costs of his care and burial, and asked that he be buried in the cemetery there.
Sergeant Legg was a stranger in Grant County, with no nearby friends or relatives. The Carl A. Hanson American Legion Post took charge of the funeral arrangements The funeral service was conducted by Reverend Ivar Sandberg of Our Saviors Lutheran Church at the Haugen undertaking parlor. Six veterans Sergeant Legg had never met were his pallbearers. He was buried at Union cemetery with the volleys fired over his grave in final tribute to a good soldier.
Veterans take care of their own.
By Don McCollor 1.12.22
SOURCES
Grant County Herald November 21, 1928 “Both legs severed by train. Former Service Man Met With Fatal Accident Friday.
Grant County Herald November 28, 1928 “Died Among Strangers; Buried With Military Honors”.