Alexander and William Day, Vermilion County

Alexander and William Day were sent west by the New York Juvenile Asylum in separate companies according to the letter published in the 1906 Annual Report. Corporal O'Day wrote to the asylum: "Day was badly wounded at El Caney (Cuba), on the second day of July, 1898 and died on July 6. Just before he died he told me he had two sisters living in New York City, and asked me to tell them of his fate. I promised him, on his death bed, to locate them, and I have been trying ever since, but without success. If you can help me, please do it. He was my best friend, and I was beside him when he was wounded." Corp. O'Day knew all Alexander's history, of being sent to East Lynne and the existence of his brother, William at the same place.

Along with Patrick O'Day's letter, the asylum printed a letter from William Day, who was living in Davenport, Iowa and working as a saddle trimmer. He was married and proud of his three sons. William left his job with the arsenal and was working at a foundry when he received an injury that would end his life. His little finger was scratched at work and after an infection set in, William reportedly refused to have his arm amputated and died of the infection. He left behind four sons and his wife Katie.

The parents of Alexander and William were Alexander Day and Mary Jane Langdon and they were buried at the Greenwood Cemetery according to Patrick O'Day's letter. In 1870 the Day family was intact and living in New York City. Alexander was a ship carpenter.