John Francis Doherty, known to his comrades as “Jack” Doherty, was born in Tuscarora, Elko County, Nevada, December 24th, 1893. His early life was passed in Tuscarora, after which he moved to Goldfield in Esmeralda County. Jack was well and favorably known in Goldfield; he was employed in the office of the “Goldfield Tribune” there. After spending three years in the gold camp, he returned to Tuscarora for the purpose of locating some potash property, and having completed his work, again started for Goldfield. On his way he stopped at Aurora to visit his elder brother, and it was while there that he entered the Service. (June 15, 1918)

Very little is known regarding his army life, excepting the circumstances of his death which were written to his mother by E. R. Walsh, Commanding Officer of the 141st Company, Motor Transport Corps of which Jack was a member. In his letter the officer wrote: “On the afternoon of February 6th, your son together with his friend and companion, Richard A. Schneider, applied for a pass, it being their day off. They signified their intention of visiting a nearby village for the purpose of securing a few souvenirs to mail home.
“The pass was granted and they evidently went to La Gorp, a small village about two miles from this Camp. On their way back in the evening, about five-thirty, they walked along the tracks of the French Railroad. This is a double track road and in the passing of two trains, they seemingly became confused, stepping out of the way of one into the path of the other, resulting in their deaths. Their funeral was held on Sunday afternoon, February 9th with full military honors, ‘taps’ being blown just as the sun was setting. As many of their comrades as could be spared from duty were present, the pall bearers being men of this Company and intimate friends of the boys. The last rites of the Catholic church were solemnized. The remains were laid to rest in the little American Cemetery in the municipality of Carbon Blanc (Gironde). A large fund was contributed by the boys of this camp, providing appropriate flowers and leaving a substantial sum to be turned over to the Carbon Blanc municipality for the purpose of maintaining the graves in good condition. Jack F. Doherty was a good young man; and a good, clean soldier, his discipline and obedience excellent, and loved by his officers and comrades.”

Later the soldier’s body was returned and laid to rest in Goldfield, Nevada. Fraternally, Jack was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Nellie Doherty, of 723 —7th Street, Sacramento, California, and Roger Patrick, James Aloysius, Francis Joseph and Adelaide Gabriel Doherty, all of the same place.