Big Boulder Marks Merle Hay Road in Honor Iowa Hero

Des Moines, May 18 - An immense boulder has been placed along the Merle Hay road just at the city corporation line as a marker and will be dedicated by appropriate exercises on the afternoon of Memorial day, May 30. Inscribed on the boulder are the words, Merle Hay road and the date, 1917. The boulder is to stand as a monument to Merle Hay, the first Iowa boy to lose his life in the world war and for whom the paved road leading to Camp Dodge was named. Lafayette Young, publisher of the Des Moines Cap8ital, will be in charge of the dedicatory exercises. Mrs. Hay of Glidden, mother of Merle Hay, will be on hand at the dedication and will unveil the marker.


~source: Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette May 18, 1921