The Last Gift

05/07/2026

04/27/2026

Do you know what a Potter's Field is? Did you know there is one in the Le Mars City Memorial cemetery?

https://www.lemarsiowa.com/716/Potters-Field-Block-11C-Memorial-Cemeter

11/24/2025

Today we remember and honor Night Watchman Samuel H. Hamilton of the Le Mars Police Department. EOW: November 24th, 1888. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.

ODMP Write Up:

Night Watchman Samuel Hamilton was shot and killed as he confronted a group of men who were creating a disturbance.

The men had just left a club room and were walking south on Main Street and making a great deal of noise. When Night Watchman Hamilton attempted to quiet them, a fight broke out, and one of the men opened fire with a pistol. Night Watchman Hamilton was killed instantly.

The shooter was later arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 years in prison December 26, 1889.

Night Watchman Hamilton was 27-years old, and had served with the Le Mars Police for a year and 3 months. He was survived by his wife.

11/14/2025

Today we remember Plymouth County’s Fallen Deputy Maxwell.

Today we remember and honor Deputy Sheriff William Maxwell of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. EOW: November 14th, 1919. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.

ODMP Write Up:

Deputy Sheriff William Maxwell was shot and killed by one of five prisoners making their escape from the county jail in Le Mars.

Deputy Maxwell and his father, who was the sheriff, had entered the jail to feed the prisoners when one opened fire with a smuggled pistol. Deputy Maxwell was killed and his father was seriously wounded. All five subjects were captured near Maurice two days later.

A week later all five prisoners were convicted of Deputy Maxwell's murder and sentenced to life. On December 25th, 1920, three escaped from Fort Madison Penitentiary. Two were recaptured and one was shot and killed. One died in prison on January 13th, 1943. One was paroled February 9th, 1939, and another was paroled in 1957. The subject who provided the pistol was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Deputy Maxwell was a WWI veteran. He went to work for his father as a deputy after being discharged from the Army in April of 1919. He was survived by his parents and two sisters.

08/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19krP5E3Ek/

08/06/2025

A great story out of Milwaukee.

A 10-year-old Milwaukee boy has cleaned 12 gravestones in two years, including veterans' memorials, hoping to inspire others to preserve history through this unique form of community service.

05/31/2025

Many people have asked where they can make donations.
Please send your tax-deductible donations to:
The Last Gift
P.O. Box 221
Le Mars, Iowa 51031

05/27/2025

What do coins on Veterans Headstones mean?

Each coin has its own meaning.

1) A penny placed on a headstone indicates a visitor has been there.
2) A nickel displays that the visitor attended boot camp with the veteran.
3) A dime shows that the visitor served with the veteran.
4) A quarter signifies that the visitor was present when the veteran died.

05/22/2025

https://www.nwestiowa.com/sentinel/a-life-remembered-an-officer-honored/article_d3fe5d5d-4a55-488c-93df-70d14ca58dbd.html?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKbcJxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHn_0X1EJsAze08u_44AieYgS6iJxuy7STOJBO9k4ggQfxLtQsPHWI-h1LbzW_aem_U7x6s0jRG-kf17fZ6Oj5Fw

LE MARS — A small group of law enforcement members and others gathered on Wednesday, May 15, at Calvary Cemetery to honor a fallen peace officer, Samuel H. Hamilton, with

05/17/2025

Photos from the dedication of Night Watchman Samuel Hamilton’s headstone. Take notice of how many stars are on the flag next to the headstone. Thank you Stu.