Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, June 25, 1918, Page 6

. Pmamnsn -,Assncmmmmw . Miss Elizabeth Huntington Made Treasurer—Association De- cides to Conduct Same Number of Playgrounds as Last | Year — No Membership Campaign Will Be Conducted This Year. PRSI A meeting of the Norwich, Play- grounds association was held Monday afternoon at 5 o'clock in the rooms of the Norwich Chamber of Commerce to consider plans for the coming séason. In the absence of the president, Horatio Bigelow, Jr., L.. O. Smith pre- sided. The reports of. Secretary ‘Ar- thur L. Peale and Treasurer John M. Lee were presented. The work of the association for the vacation period was discussed and it was decided that it would be best to try and operate the same number of playgrounds as were used during the season of 1917, The report of the tréasurer, John M. Tee, showed that the association was in good financial condition. Following+ is a summary of the treasurer’s re- ort: % 4 Receipts. Balance on hand July 1, 1917.. Received from National League $18.43 for Women's Service ...... 45.79 Received from memberships.. 31.0) From city appropriation ..... 500.00 Total receipts Disbursements. Tor supervisors For apparatus and incidentals Total disbursements ........ $88.04 It was decided by the meeting that Balance on hand June 2 to the many calls that are being SOLDIERS AND SAILORS What Eastern Connecticut Boys Are Doing In Various Branches of the Service. Mike Aldi Sees Action. Private Michael Aldi: son of Joseph Aldi of 96 Chestnut street, has seen considerable action on the front, ac- cording to the following letter written 1o a friend in this cit Somewhere in Tance. May 23, 1918, ines from a soldier who has been up and at them in and out for the last four months, and I can assure you that it has been no picnic. Our first trip was very interesting, but the next one was more thrilling, with the bursting of G. I cans and fron foundries, then once in a while somebody would yell Gas! and believe me you would hear steel helmets fly- ing in all directions. "That is only a mere trifie towards what was awaiting us.. After walking about 10 kilometers halted. Then we were taken to our positions, where we had to stand too for the remaining five hours. That was continued until we were relieved. The barbed wire which was in front of ys seemed to be moving all the time and before the night was done we imagined that there was a whole regi- ment of Boche there. Ithough we boys were very much fatigued, there was no grumbling amongst us. The night before we moved to the trenches everyone had his hair cut short. but there was one especially who shaved it off, and I call him the Bald Headed Wop from Benzine Corner. The enemy’s planes come over quite often but are readily checked by our anti-ajrguns; have seen some good air battles, and some of them proved fatal. to_the enemy. I am writing this letter in a shell- torn building, and there are more ruins in the vicinity. 1 suppose you know all about the battle a few weeks ago, so I need no: go into details. Kindly excuse the pencil, as ink is very scarce, and remember me to all the bowlers. By what I've seen in the paper, I guess I'd be S. O. L. bowling against them, and I haven't had a dance since I left the Rose of New England. I do hope that I can come back and have a few more hops in T. A B. hall. Do you see my dad very often? If you do, tell him I'm fine; have just finisheq writing him a letter. 1 think I've mentioned enough, so I close, remaining Your friend. MICHABL J. ALDIL P. I forgot to mention the fact that T met Rip Morgan and have heard from Frank Rinella “over here.” Today I happened to run across some of the hoys. that were doing" guard . around there some time last winter. They are in the same regiment. Bogue is stay- ing with them and is in good health. MICHAEL. Had Fine Care at Hospital. rgeant Francis H. Keeley of Nor- Town has sent the following let- ter from “over there” to his mother. He has just been in the hospital for s treatment for inflammatory rheuma- tism: France, May 28, 1918. My De: Mother:— I received your letter and was so glad to know that you are enjoying good health. T am out of the hospital, but I am still lame. That rheumatism is a bad thing to have. 1 received fine care in the hospitai, and I hope’ that I will fully recover, now that I have zot a good start. I have-been in quite a few cities and towns, and I have traveled a great many miles. You can’t imagine how glad I was when I received vour letters. .T was in. bed in tHe hospital when the first one came. It was inflammatory rheu- matism that T had the misfortune to get this time. My ankles, knees and eihows swelled up and I suffered a £o0d “deal for a time.. But I séem to be getting along good now. A priest same to the hospital and I went to confession and then Sunday I went o communion. I go to church every Sun- day. So you see, mother, I am doing the best 1 can. I get awfully home- sick sometimes, so please write often, as I am always thinking of home. I haven't been paid in three months on account of being away when pay day arrived. But I still have some money left, as 1 brought $50 with me. L bought a nice wrist watch while J was at the hospital. It cost 50 francs and it's dandy. In regard to sending packages over here. T don't think that we can get permission to have them sent at all Is a new_ order that just came out. But have father find out at the post- sffice, as the order may be changed. T received Mary's letter also and I will answer it soon. We are very busy days, and nights T am very tired and I don't feel like doing anything at all. [ miss you all so much and I wish T could see you once more. Give my love to all and don't worry about me, 4¢ 1 am getting along all right now., Well, mother, T will say good night and send vou all my Jove. Your loving son, FRANKIE. Shook Hands With Pershing. ‘classes of members: made upon the people of the city for contributions to the various move- ments connected with war work that it would be inadvisable to make ‘a membership campaign this year. It is hoped, however, that the members will not neglect to pay tk'}eli‘r annual &\:g: ation. ere are e O Life members, dues $25; sustaining members, dues yearly, and active members, yearly dues $1. Membership dues may be forwarded to the treasurer, John M. Lee, and,will be very helpful in carry- ing on the work of the association during the summer. Following the meeting of the asso- ciation, a meeting of the directors was held and the annual election of officers took place, as follows: : President, Miss Elizabeth Hunting- ton; vice presidents, Hop, T. C. Mur- phy, Miss Adelaide L. Butts; secretary, Arthur L. Peale; treasurer, John M. Lee; directors, Miss Elizabeth Hunt- ington, Mrs. W. H. Shields. Mrs. C. D. Noyes, Mrs. J. D. Hall, Mrs. W. H. Palmer, Miss Helen B. Royce, Mrs. Charles H. Osgood, M: Adelaide L. Butts, Mrs. Willis Austin, L. O. Smith, T. H. Beckley. T. C. Murphy, J. B. Stanton; John M. Lee, Herman Alofsin and Arthur L. Peale. It was voted that the executive com- mittee, which consists of the presi- dent, vice presidents, secretary and treasurer, be instructed to prepare plans for the work of the association during the coming season. in one of which he speaks of a visit to the regiment by General Pershing. “Real man and a soldier,” ‘says the doctor of General Pershing, with whom he had the pleasure of shaking hands when the regiment was in- spected. The following are extracts from Dr. Flackmar's letters: Sunday, April 28. The sun shone this forenoon and we officers took advantage of the op- portunity to climb the hill at the end of the village street and attend ser- vice in the only church in town. Beautiful in architecture (Gothic), built in 1607 of a sort of'light colored clay, the high arches stretch up and reach over to each other, and the al- tar and windows add to the beauty. Inside the place was packed. Wo- men in black dresses (I have seen no others in France), French and Amer- ican soldiers in uniform, olive drab, blue and red and children ard old men. A large choir of twenty or more sang with indescribable sweetness and one girl had a very sweet high Yoice for the Sanctus. The priest was a wonder, both in his French pronun- ciation and his earnestness. The ser- Vice was punctuated by the boom, boom of the guns fifteen or ‘twenty miles away and once we heard an air- rlane go over. It was a service and an experience that I shall never for- set. This village had a population- of about 750 before the war. The people here are absolutely guileless and oyr men have thus far behaved themselves in a perfect manner. We are the first American troops to go through here, and the inhabitants have not vet learned to fit their prices to the Amer- ican pocketbook. The nights are lonz and lonesome. Darkness settles down soan after cight, and we have to be off the street and no lights,It would hardly do to make | ourselyes a target for a plane on-a hombing experition, so ne lights are lowed in the lLouses except candles and those carefully guard: and shut- ters draw! I tried to read and study the first few nights, but it is too dark. We are being instructed by French officers and soldiers, apparently se- lected for their knowledge of English as well as oth qualifications; One acts as interpreter when I call on my landlady. who has pneumonia. I have quite a practice here: have been asked to come in and look the people over in several instances. I admire the French for their po- Iiteness and patience. One would think | himself their best friend or patron until he sees them do the same thing with the next. They are past master in_the art of intensive farming. Such pretty and well kept gzardens! Peas and salad are. flourishing. 2 May 2. Peciliar custom here for May Day. Every house that contains a 'mar- riageable girl has a large green branch of a tree sticking out of the leader pipe from the eaves. suppose _the young swain (there are mnone here now) climbs up and retrieves the branch. and then goes in and claims the girl. The sun shone all day ves- terday, and bids fair to do the same today—to our great satisfaction, as | it has rained at some time every day | we have been here. 2 Six weeks since we landed and we have received no mail from the states. Am getting more and more anxious to_hear from home. I wish I could write you of condi- tions here in France. but that would too nearly approach military informa.- tion. which of course is absolutely forbidden. But I can assure you that rreparation has, and is being made on an enormous scale. I am orly a sma'l atom in this great mame, and shalll play it {o the end, and do my small | share. All my love to both of y: JOHN. Thursday, May 9. My dearest Ones:—Ascension. day and a holiday here. I inspected company this morning, and then went to church.” The music appea's: very strongly to me as well as the eloquence of the padre. The voices are very sweet indeed, and during the offertor the orzanist played Men- delssohn’s Spring Sonz with fine ef- fect. 1 suppose it is the general at- mosphere: of the place that makes one’'s thoughts take a serious turn: Our men and officers are probably no more religious.today than hefore: but T think all realize how near or how far thev are from their Maker it the present time. Some of the officers and non-ecoms 2o Saturday to the front for five days instruction. but Divon just told me T was not amonz them. Don't know why, for I should think we needed in- struction in our lire too: however, we are under'the'French, and do as we' are told. We were issued our zas masks ves- terday, and beein tn drill tomorrow % put them on aquickly. When the £as comes one must not take a breath until. the mask is adjusted. Tt looke no more like war here today than at Camp Stoart but on a dri'l day there are ‘constant explosions because .of training in the vee of hand grenades, machine guns and automatic rifles. Tell Edward and Harold if they are still ‘there, that American camps are a heaven for a soldier. When T return T can give many surorising accounts, but at nresent cannot speak of any- thing of a military nature. T haven't the Jaast doubt that the Boches know all about us, who we are, where we | | i Capt. John S. Blackmar, regimental sprgeon of -the .372nd infantry with the American Expéditiohary’ Foree in France, has written several letters re- cently to his wife and mother here, came from, and all the rest: bhut or-. ders -are orders, snd no information st come through me. . ; MORE AFTER 9 A. M. Stamp collectors. frem————— An Event of Great Importance To You! - 2000 S.&H.” Stamps Extra Today 20 EXTRA TO THE FIRST 50 CUSTOMERS MAKING PURCHASE OF $1.00 OR Now ~I'ni Full Swing At HE MANHATTA 20 EXTRA TO THE FIRST 50 CUSTOMERS MAKING PURCHASE OF $1.00 OR MORE AFTER 2 P, M. Today (Tuesday) 2,000 “S. & H.” Green Stamps will be divided amongst 100 early shoppers. By that we mean 20 extra stamps will be given to the first 50 customers making a purchase of $1.00 or more after 9 a. m., and 20 extra “S. & H.” Green Stamps to the first 50 customers making a purchase of $1.00 or over after 2 p. m. This is certainly a most liberal distribution of these valuable tokens and one which will be taken ad- vantage of very quickly. Be sure to be amongst the early shoppers today — the early shoppers get the “S, & H.” Green Stamps. If you have not yet guessed how many stamps are on the costume of the Jubilee Queen in ‘our show window, do so at.once. Guesses are free. - Today is certainly a big day for “S. & H.”™ WEDNESDAY 10S.&H.” Green Stamps FREE to Start Book .Queen of the':" Jubilee MISS THRIFT THE Guess the numbe? or ners. FOR TODAY. TODAY ONLY $6.50 VALUES to $12.50 e Women’s and Misses’ Summer Splendid assortment of Cotton Voile, derful values. anthar - 12}1-1 25 Main Street, Norwich, Conn. Anderson Gingham and Novelty Sum- mer Dresses. Attractive styles, won- art Stamps on her Costume. in our show window. s Valuable prizes. to win- EVERY DAY THIS WEEK WE OFFER SPECIAL SALES FOR ONE DAY ONLY cclor. Perhaps they d&o ‘not put on colors_ tiil* this holidgy. - 4+ ° I should be so glad to hear a wo- man ‘speak English again. The young- er men have their little private French Classes in the- evening- on the door- sieps, and some of them get- ,along very well, but-the English théy get in return seems very queer and forced, Lieut, ——— was hit on the leg terday by a piece of ‘grenade during practice, so we have had our first wound. Doesn't amount to anything but it gives him a wound chevron. Some French Singhalese came thrNugh the other Hay and were wick- ed-looxing men. Blacker than the blackest, many with slight beards like a Zulu, and with long scars on tHeir cheeks, (tribal marks) they loeked very warlike. They look you straight in the eye when they salute, and are apparently well . disciplined.” Tater: 17.15 p. m. Joy of jovs! Mail!! Nos. 2, 3 and 4, and two from mother have come! Had heen interrupted half a dozen times in writing’ the previous: pages, when suddenly in came Hannan with mail; and I have had a beautiful time since, reading. Call for retreat now sound- ing. P . 9.0'clock. " Just returned_ from subper - apd| smelled the lilacs blooming " in "the By the way, T noticed today for the first time that the women wore some mayor's yard; seemed like a breath of home. I am so happy tonight af- ter my -mail. Physically, I haven't been better in years. Got very soft on the boat and at » but am bardening up again. Love to all, 'JOHN. May 11. Dearest Mother: Now to answer your most welcome. letter.’ Mail from Lome means so much to a soldier. You wondered if I got that storm any- where. We got two different days on the water that I thought were awfui, but the .officers said it was only a ‘“choppy sea.” . When a bcat as big as ours goes down. in the trough of a sea so that only the stacks and masts can be seen by another boat a pislol- shot away, I think it is some sea. I am all right now and-expect to stay so. If anything should go wrong I shall be in.good hands. As an ex- ample, a French sergeant who rooms next door in this house: has. just brought in a beautiful big bunch of lilies-of-the-valley. They grow wild here. 2 Sunday, Mother’s. Day. I salute you, dearest of mothers; and drop a tear on this letter as I write it. It is a tear of joy .that I am able to do my part in this great work, as well as:one of.regret that I -am sep- arated from you at- this time. It is a great experience, but T am sure I will come through all right. God is with us, not “Gott mit uns” and my trust is in. Him. I have but two thoughts; unmeasured love for my dear ones at home, and desire to do my-duty, and so far I know I have made good. This is simply a job that nobody likes, of course, but it has to be done. Sunday Afternoon. It-seems that Gen. Pershing sent a communication to the men about Mother's Day,” so they are all writ- ing home tod: we saw some French batteries .of artillery going up and some U. 8. troops returning -to rest. >They passed in this village. The French ‘were clean and dapper; the U, §. dirty, and tired looking af- ter their six weeks' stay. They surely looked business like. Of course bath- ing facilitips are bad at the front. Bad enough® hete, but practically none there. .. When we go uUp We go to a seetor” that -is ‘fairly ‘quiet at present. iBest love to all. JOHN. 1 May 14, My dear ones:. It has been a big af- ternoon. The General has been here and gone. I have shaken hands and talked with Gen. Pershing. He has an eagle eye that looks right through Yol and is every inch a soldier. He came. in. a_Loco- limousine: with two aids, “and was met by our lieutenant- colonel and staff, consisting of Stuart myself, Dixon and Derbyshire. The rest are “up the line.” Gen. Linder of the 13th Corps (French) also came in to meet him, and we inspected the long line for half a mile or ‘more. His eyes were everywhere and. how . he smiled when the band played a rag- time piece. He asked me a few ques- tions about the sanitation and health of the regiment, and said “Very, good. “X very good record,” and his hand clasp’is- that #-a 'big-live’ man: we saluted as they drove away! real man, and a_soldier. Your No. 1 létter’ cume yesterday; but I shall not attempt to answer it now, for I am tired atter the.inspec- tion, but felt I must write of that while it was fresh in my mind. He is. a wonderful man. A + May 15. It is a beautiful day with .plenty of white clouds in the sky, which make hiding places for airplanes, and we saw part:of'a-battle this morning: Puffs of smoke, and a plane streaking it for the line. with another in pur< seit. - They are ‘scouting. -for ‘there is a movement of troops, and they wish. to know what it is. i My~ lilies ' of -the vvalley- are ;very fragrant, and partly offset the odor of a comembert on the floor in the corner. /[They are real cheeses, and.:l wish I could send ‘some home. * i Have a couple of pictures of yes- terday, but as it was a dark day they are not very good. Can }'O\l ses the General saluté the colors,” and the regimental standard dipped in- salut- ing -him2 Old - Slory;~you notice, _is erect, ‘alid dip§ to ng one.' If .the pic< ture had taken ih ode more man o the right, I.sheuld have been in it, be< ing right behind the general's last aid. It was a great honor to be Vis- ited by the commander-in-chief. Had peonies on, tbe. mess table to- day, and I s&w. g, child with a big branch ef snowballs. yesterday; made me think of Memorial-Day, which will be past-by the ‘time this reaches you. Hope. I get some mail soon. though ¥ suppose it will comg in a bunch when it does arrive. - < " Saw them shear ‘shéep by hand yes- terday; the woman- must have beem 72 yearsh old :mg she. used. regular sheep sheats ;likeTour "grass sh g She would nip kiri"nnue':ejn a &?e and- he would *“Ba-a”; Sheep raising here seems to be a' community “affair. One man will take out several flocks and bring them baclé at might. Gaing out he halts at 4 road. blows his horn and soon down: the street will come’ the sheep. He yells at them and on- they all go. Some have a red spot tainted -on - their backs, some have' green, etc..and on the return home: they separate the different herds, and. all green go up one street, all red up another, ete. 5 2