A MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE TO PRIVATE EDWARD R. PRICE

In the small town of Lattimore, there is a distinct monument that is located beside of the Price Community Center on Main Street. This marble obelisk rises about ten feet above the ground and has only one word on the front – PRICE. This hallowed ground is a reminder of someone’s son, an American patriot, a Lattimore hero. His name was Edward Rintels Price.

Edward was born on May 7, 1891 and was raised in Lattimore. His father was Gideon Price, a well-known man in the area who served as as postmaster and depot agent in a newly established town. On the corner of Price and Peachtree Streets, Gideon maintained an immaculate tulip garden that was the talk of the area every spring. People would drive many miles to see this beautiful display of flowers.

One of the few documents that remains to tell the story of Edward’s life is a draft card that bears his signature dated June 15, 1917. In his own handwriting, he listed his occupations as farmer and assistant letter carrier.  Another area resident named Clephane Greene registered for the draft on the same day as Edward. It was very likely that these two close friends decided to go together to see J.B. Lattimore to register for the draft.

An article published in The Shelby Star told that Price was assigned to Company A in the 322nd regiment of the United States Army. While preparing to deploy in New Jersey, Edward contracted the measles. Instead of deploying to France with the rest of his company, he was boarded a ship to go to Liverpool, England. On that voyage, he contracted the Spanish Flu, an illness that would eventually claim the lives of an estimated 20 to 50 million people worldwide.

Edward passed away in a Red Cross hospital on October 3, 1918 while separated from friends and family. Every Memorial Day, freedom continues to ring thanks to men like Private Edward R. Price.