Editor's Note: The following is the 19th installment of the Stories That Live Forever series. The series originated in 2007 to commemorate Memorial Day and honor the names listed on the Washington State University Veterans Memorial at the WSU campus. Beginning Veterans Day 2008, the scope of the series was expanded to include Washington State student-athletes who have served, or are serving, the United States in the military. To access the entire series, please click HERE.
The "Stories That Live Forever" series' 19th chapter is about Ford Fisher. Fisher's sacrifice occurred during the 19th century, during a war not represented on the WSU Veterans Memorial. He holds the distinction of being the first Washington State letterman and, most likely, the first Washington State student, to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
By Jason Krump
"A strong all-around player" is how the Daily Evergreen, the Washington State student paper, introduced Ford Fisher, right tackle on the football team.
Several years later, the Chinook, the Washington State yearbook, devoted two of its pages to the former student.
Fisher is described as a universal favorite, an excellent mathematician, who always was first to "get an idea that would turn an idle moment in one of hilarity, and many a dull hour was made joyous by his fund of pure humor."
Near the end it stated: "His courage was of that which knows no fear."
Fisher was killed, May 1899, during the Philippine–American War.
The piece published in the 1903 Chinook served as an "In Memoriam" in his honor.
Those who remember Fisher while he was a Washington State student and the years immediately after his death recall the quality of person he was.
Over a century later, Fisher can also be remembered as the first Washington State letterman, and most likely the first Washington State student, to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
The 1895 football team. Note the caption below. Ford Fisher is is farthest to the left, sitting, with the 'A' visible. (Courtesy WSU Manuscripts, Archives & Special Collections).
Football
Fisher graduated high school in Salt Lake City with high honors. The book "The Utah Batteries: A History" said Fisher was known for having an efficiency in mathematics and a liking for civil engineering, which he studied at the Washington State.
He also had a liking for athletics.
Washington State Agricultural College played two games during the 1895 season, just its second season of existence.
In its recap of the 1895 season, published in its June 1896 issue, the Evergreen gave an explanation why the team played two games, against the University of Idaho and Spokane Amateur Athletic Association.
Top: The June 1896 Evergeeen published a recap of the 1895 football season. Bottom: The Evergreen text about Ford Fisher. (Courtesy WSU Manuscripts, Archives & Special Collections).
"Unfortunately, for the lovers of this sport, football is a comparatively new game in this part of the state and it was impossible to arrange for more than two "meets," and the results of these were: W.A.C., 10, U of I., 4; and W.A.C. 20, S.A.A.A., 4."
The Evergreen piece then went on to give summary of each player on the team. It said of Fisher:
"Victor Ford Fisher, right tackle, has played in both the Salt Lake City High School eleven and the Seattle High School team. He is a strong all-around player, but his particular forte is in interference. He is 6 foot tall and weighs 165 pounds. He is 19 years of age and a member of the freshman class."
There is also evidence Fisher was on the baseball team. Fisher is mentioned playing left field in the box score of a game against Idaho in the Evergreen's May 1896 edition. Washington State defeated Idaho 6-4.
Records indicate that Fisher was enrolled as a student at Washington State for one year, 1895-96.
The War
After the spring of 1896, there is no documentation found about Fisher's activities for the next couple of years. Perhaps it was to return to Salt Lake City to be with his family. Or maybe to enlist in the National Guard. In the book, "The Utah Batteries: A History," it said of Fisher:
"At an early age Ford, as he was better known among his associates, came to Salt Lake City with his parents. Here he attended the city High School, from which he graduated with high honors. While at the High School he was noted for his efficiency in mathematics and here he developed a liking for civil engineering, which he later studied at the Washington State University. For some time prior to the breaking out of hostilities with Spain he had associated himself with the National Guard, and when the President's call came too much patriotic blood flowed through his veins to admit of any second appeal, and he enlisted with the batteries."
The hostilities with Spain referenced in the above passage is in regard to the 1898 Spanish-American War. The United States defeated the Spanish forces in naval and land battles in the Philippine Islands, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
After the war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898, the United States then became embroiled in a conflict with the Philippines, which the United State acquired from Spain as part of the treaty. Fisher, enlisted as a sergeant with the Battery A Utah Light Artillery, was sent overseas.
In the United State's War Department records, he is mentioned as being under command of a 3.2 gun with a unit that attacked the city of Mariquina, March 6, 1899.
Ford is referred to as "distinguishing himself for his gallantry in battle and was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers. His voice ever sounded as a note of cheer and his ringing command never failed to infuse with new life."
In "The Utah Batteries," Ford is quoted as saying he witnessed "a Filipino sharpshooter behind a rock fire six times point blank at the gunner as he was sighting the piece."
During May 1899, Ford was part of a crew sent on a patrol expedition. As the boat traveled up the river, no enemy hostility was observed initially.
But the peace and tranquility did not last long.
"The Utah Batteries" described what happened:
"…a long line of straw hats and the bores of fifty rifles were seen facing the boat from the port side, no more than fifty yards away. Lieutenant Webb was scanning the opposite shore with his glasses, when the lookout discovered the enemy on the port side. Sergeant Ford Fisher called out a sudden warning to the Lieutenant and reached out towards him. Just then the volley came. Fisher reeled backward with a bullet piercing his brain."
The fighting lasted a half and hour.
"When it was over Ford Fisher, who was still breathing, was placed on board the "Oceania," which had remained about two hundred yards in the rear during the fighting, and almost at the moment he was laid on the craft he expired."
The Utah Batteries remembered Fisher.
"The Utah artilleryman remember the stalwart figure of Sergeant Fisher as it loomed up in the forefront at Santa Mesa, Mariquina and Sexmoan. He was an inspiration to the wavering spirits of the Utahn in twenty hard encounters. His voice ever sounded as a note of cheer and his ringing command never failed to infuse with new life. Always attending to his new duties he expected the same of others; his soul was too great to stoop to anything base; his heart was honest, open and free. He was a pleasant companion and a true friend. He was blessed with an abundance of original humor which made him doubly loved by the soldiers during the lonely hours of barrack life."
The 1903 Chinook's "In Memoriam" tribute to Ford Fisher
Not to be Forgotten
In the April, 1900 edition of the Evergreen, the following was published.The reference to "Pres. Bryan" is Washington State President E.A. Bryan, who served in that role from 1893 to 1915.
"Pres. Bryan last week appointed a committee of six to take action toward a suitable memorial for Sergeant Ford Fisher, who fell in the Philippine insurrection. Those appointed are Prof. Beach, Prof. Barry, P. Brown, 'oo; W. D. Outman, ’01; · H F Blanchard ‘02; and B. A. Stimmel, '03."
The April 1900 Evergreen published a paragraph (top center) about President E.A. Bryan forming a committee to establish a memorial for Ford Fisher. (Courtesy WSU Manuscripts, Archives & Special Collections).
It is unknown what became of a memorial for Fisher (the Washington State Veterans Memorial displays the names of Washington State students, faculty and staff who gave their lives in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.)
However, the Chinook's "In Memoriam" piece eloquently summarizes who Ford Fisher was, and why he must never be forgotten:
"His courage was of that which knows no fear. Perhaps his utter disregard for danger was in a measure responsible for his death, but he has won the laurels of a brave man. It is out of such material as he that great nations are created and great deeds crystallized. Whether in high school, in college, or beneath the burning sun of the tropics, he was always the same noble, loyal-hearted fellow, ever mindful of others and ready to do an act of kindness. The world is better because he lived. Ford, we loved you; the memory of the past will ever be dear to those who knew you, and above all, to those who shared your hardtack with you.
Good-by, old man, good-by."
