USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Athol > History of Athol, Massachusetts > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
Isaac Stevens-appointed July 13, 1841. I would guess that Isaac Stevens had the post office in his law office which was at about 1418 Main Street. Esq. Stevens came here from Middle- boro and practiced law here until his death in 1866. He served two years on the Board of Selectmen and was our Representa- tive in 1858.
William H. Williams-appointed September 5, 1842.
Benjamin Estabrook-appointed December 30, 1847. Son of Rev. Joseph Estabrook, he held most of the important town offices, was Selectman for eleven years, our Representative for four years, and our State Senator in 1843. He died in 1872 in the house in which he was born at 2094 Main Street.
Stillman Simonds-appointed August 25, 1849.
Isaac Stevens-appointed June 10, 1850.
John H. Williams-appointed May 13, 1854.
Samuel Lee-appointed March 27, 1858. Samuel Lee with Charles Horr were the builders of the Summit House. Later he was a merchant uptown in retail hardware business. He was postmaster until 1862, tax collector for a time, and town treasurer for nineteen years, the same length of time his father had held that office long before.
Thomas H. Goodspeed-appointed June 25, 1862. I do not know where Mr. Goodspeed had the office when he was first appointed, but not many years after his appointment he erected a building at 1462 Main Street where the office re- mained at least until Mr. Raymond was appointed.
Franklin H. Raymond-appointed June 23, 1885.
James F. Whitcomb-appointed June 11, 1889. A native of Claremont, New Hampshire, he spent his early life in Templeton where he learned the bootmaking trade. In 1863 he entered the employ of Jones & Baker here and remained in Athol the rest of his long life. He was long Secretary of the Agricultural Society, Postmaster from 1889 to 1894 and for several years one of the Board of Assessors. He was a promi- nent Mason and a leader in Athol Grange.
440
POLITICAL
Edwin B. Horton-appointed March 20, 1894.
John H. Humphrey-appointed March 4, 1898. When John Humphrey was appointed he took the office into his father's drug store at 1485 Main Street. When this office lost its identity as an independent unit on February 1, 1902, Mr. Humphrey became its first manager under contract.
SOUTH ATHOL
Established on May 2, 1872. I think the Post Office here has been in the same general location all the time that it has existed.
POSTMASTERS
Henry H. Rice-appointed May 2, 1872.
William H. Snow-appointed February 4, 1896.
George C. Bolton-appointed March 23, 1904.
Dennis C. Collins-appointed January 4, 1905. Clark A. Hamilton-appointed June 5, 1906.
Almon E. Fletcher-appointed November 8, 1910.
William W. Meuse-appointed October 19, 1911. Clark A. Hamilton-appointed January 30, 1912. Miss Mary L. Jaquith-appointed November 4, 1912. Mrs. Grace M. Woollett-appointed October 7, 1914.
Miss Charlena B. Powers-appointed February 26, 1916. Miss Cassa M. Lindsey (Acting)-appointed February 8, 1940. Miss Cassa M. Lindsey (Regular)-appointed August 21, 1940.
1
Mrs. Esther M. Black (Acting)-appointed September 22, 1949. Mrs. Esther M. Black (Regular)-appointed March 23, 1950 to date.
441
CHAPTER XXVII SPANISH WAR
UR people had a sympathetic interest in the troubles of the Cuban insurrectionists who in the latter years of the 19th century were attempting to throw off the yoke of the de- generate and over-tyrannical government of Spain, but little realized that these troubles could affect us directly.
But on the morning of February 15, 1898 when the Boston papers came in telling of the destruction of the Battleship "Maine" in Havana Harbor, we suddenly realized that we might be called upon to do something more than sympathize with poor Cuba.
We watched with much interest the diplomatic negotiations in Washington and were gradually reconciled to the thought that our country must again declare war upon an old world power.
From its first organization on Thursday evening, February 26, 1885 at Orange many Athol young men had affiliated with Company E. Second Massachusetts Regiment. By April, 1898 it was so evident that war was a certainty that a great attempt was made to build Company E to its full strength and twenty- eight young men offered themselves to this Company, most of whom were accepted.
Mr. William H. Mellen, a Grand Army veteran and Select- man of Athol, offered himself to raise a company and again enter the service of his country, but the authorities at Wash- ington courteously denied him this privilege as they were confining their army at that time to members of the regular army and the State Militia.
Company E speedily went into camp at Framingham, pre- vious to which on May 1, a beautiful Sunday afternoon, a huge farewell service was held on the steps of the Orange Town Hall, at which addresses were made by several prominent men in- cluding George W. Horr, Esq., and Rev. E. F. Martin, both of Athol. This Company after training for a time in Framingham was shipped to Lakeland, Florida; from there to Tampa, and from there was with the first American troops that invaded Cuba. Although our men were preceded by members of the
442
1
SPANISH WAR
regular army, yet the first civilian corps to step upon Cuban soil were members of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment.
As war was an absolute novelty to most of the citizens of Athol it is little wonder that there was a tremendous wave of patriotism spread over not only Athol but the entire country. Funds were raised for the soldiers and every activity centered around the war activities. We scanned the papers for news and were restive because action was so long delayed. At length in early August we learned of the invasion of Cuba and the news of the casualties began to appear. We were plunged in gloom as each death was reported. In a few short weeks the tension was relieved because we knew that the war was practically over and that our men were headed for more congenial climates. While the troops were quartered at Montauk Point committees of our citizens visited them and rendered all possible aid, bringing home the invalids as fast as they could be released.
Before many months the bodies of those who died in the service were brought here and buried with appropriate and largely attended services. Then came the Philippine insurrec- tion and invasion. A few of our men entered the service for that but we were spared any casualties in those campaigns.
It was many months before our returned soldiers were re- stored to anything approaching normal health but they were tenderly watched over and there was general rejoicing at seeing them home. I give below a list of all who served from this town in the service with a short excerpt of their military activities.
Barry, William-Born Athol, Oct. 1, 1866. Reported April 17, 1898; assigned to Plattsburg, N. Y. Pvt., 21st Rgt., U. S. Inf. Discharged Aug. 15, 1899. Died Jan. 15, 1929.
Barton, Elwyn W .- Born Rouses Point, N. Y., April 20, 1875. Athol resident beginning 1892. Enlisted May 3, 1898; service in Cuba. Corp., Co. E, 2nd Rgt., U. S. Inf. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass.
Bemis, Joseph T .- Born Westmoreland, N. H. Reported May 3, 1898; age at enlistment 25. Pvt., Co. E, 2nd Mass. Vol. Inf .; Corp. at dis- charge. Service with 5th Army Corps or Army of Invasion at Santiago. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass.
Betterley, Clyde R .- Born Newport, Vt., Feb. 17, 1878. Enlisted Oct. 2, 1898, residence Athol. Corp., 43rd Rgt. of Orange. Discharged July 5, 1901 at Presidio, San Francisco, Calif.
Betters, Fred J .- Born Belmont, N. Y., April 7, 1867. Enlisted May 3, 1898; service in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1; night attack San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Pvt. Dis- charged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass.
Burdick, Herbert F .- Born Sterling, Conn., Dec. 25, 1876. Enlisted May 3, 1898; service in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1; San Juan, July 2;
443
HISTORY OF ATHOL
siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Pvt., Co. E, 2nd Mass. Inf. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass.
Cheney, Sylvester Osgood-Born Athol, Jan. 9, 1880. Enlisted May 3, 1898; service in Cuba. Battles of El Caney, July 1; San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Pvt., Co. E, 2nd Rgt. Mass. U. S. Vol. Inf. Discharged Nov. 19, 1898 at Springfield, Mass. Died Nov. 23, 1946.
* Coburn, Ernest L .- Born Winchendon, Mass. Enlisted May 3, 1898 at 20 years of age. Battles of El Caney, July 1; night attack at San Juan, July 2; wounded at siege of Santiago. Co. E, 2nd Rgt. Mass. Inf., U. S. Vol. Discharged Nov. 8, 1898. Enlisted in U. S. Marine Corps for 5 years on Dec. 20, 1899. Died of variola, Feb. 23, 1902, at U. S. Naval Hospital, Chelsea, Mass.
Cooke, Oliver D .- Born Wendell, Mass., Jan. 22, 1868. Enlisted May 3, 1898; service in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1; San Juan, July 2 and, 3; siege of Santiago, July 10 to 14. Pvt. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass. Died Feb. 13, 1937.
Crossman, Leon H .- Born Athol, Dec. 10, 1876. Enlisted May 6, 1898, residence Fitchburg, Mass. Sailed July 8, 1898 from Charlestown, S. C .; arrived Guanico, Puerto Rico, July 25, 1898. Arrived Boston, Oct. 27, 1898. Pvt., Co. B, 6th Mass. U. S. Vol. Discharged Jan. 21, 1899 at Fitchburg, Mass. Died October 5, 1951.
Davis, George L .- Born Peterborough, N. H. Enlisted May 3, 1898; service in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1; night attack of San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Pvt., Co. E, 2nd Mass. U. S. Vol., May 10, 1898. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Spring- field, Mass. Died Oct. 1, 1942.
* Davis, Hugh Goddard-Born Royalston, Mass., Aug. 10, 1878. Graduate Athol High School, Class of 1896. Enlisted Co. E, April 29, 1898 and died of embolism in a hospital near Santiago, Aug. 11, 1898.
Dennis, Harry E .- Born Athol, Dec. 2, 1879. Enlisted May 3, 1898; ser- vice in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1; night attack of San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16. Pvt., Co. E, 2nd Mass. Inf., U. S. Vol. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass.
Doane, Harry L .- Born Athol, June 23, 1871. Joined Co. E, 2nd Mass. Vol. Militia, Sept. 6, 1896. Ordered out May 3, 1898. Corp. Promoted to Serg., May 10, 1898. Served in Cuba in battles of El Caney and siege of Santiago. Served as Major in France in World War I, retired as Lieut. Col. Died Sept. 17, 1950.
Frye, William A .- Born Athol, June 1, 1869. Enlisted April 19, 1898. Assigned to Batt. B, 2nd U. S. Art. Discharged May 1, 1899.
Haskins, Ernest W .- Born Athol, July 23, 1872. Enlisted May 3, 1898; service in Cuba. Battles of El Caney, July 1; night attack of San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Pvt., assigned to Co. E, 2nd Rgt. Mass. Inf. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass.
Hastings, Fredric A .- Born Athol, May 23, 1871. Enlisted May 3, 1898; service in Cuba. Battles of El Caney, July 1; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16. Two wounds received in action, one severe in ab-
444
SPANISH WAR
domen and hip. Arrived Camp Wycoff, Montauk Point, L. I., Aug. 20, 1898. Pvt., Co. E, 2nd Rgt. Mass. Inf. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass. Died May 15, 1944.
COL. HARRY L. DOANE 1871 - 1950 Veteran of Spanish War, Mexican Border Patrol and World War I Active in local work during World War II
Hutchins, Harry O .- Born Lewiston, Maine; first came to Athol in 1896. Enlisted in U. S. Navy, June 9, 1898. Assigned to U. S. S. Huntress to do coast patrol work. 2nd Cl Quartermaster. Discharged from Navy, Aug. 31, 1898. July 17, 1899 enlisted at Worcester in U. S. Army, Co. H, 26th Inf. Service in Philippine Islands. Engagements all on the Island of Panay, P. I .: San Blaz, Nov. 20, 1899; Agsarab, April 17, 1899; Calinog, Sept. 13, 1900; Cabatanss, Dec. 15, 1900; Massin, June 9 and 10, 1900; Tinayoga, April 29, 1900. Discharged May 13, 1901 at Presidio, San Francisco, Cal.
King, Charles I .- Born Shawn, Mass., Oct. 18, 1870. Enlisted July 23, 1898. Assigned to 7th U. S. Rgt. of Inf. Pvt. Discharged Feb. 16, 1899 at Ft. Sheridan, III.
* Knight, Harland K .- Born Phillip.ton, Mass., Jan., 1877. Came to Athol when very young; attended the public grammar school. When war broke out was employed at C. M. Lee Shoe Shops. A member of Co. E for over two years and was considered one of its best shots, having represented it at State tournaments on several occasions. Soon after reaching Cuba he was taken ill with malarial fever from which he never fully recovered. Died Sept. 21, 1898.
Littlewood, Albert-Born Worcester, Mass. Reported May 3, 1898 at 22 years of age. Battles: El Caney, July 1; San Juan Hill, July 2; siege of
445
HISTORY OF ATHOL
Santiago, July 10, 14. Sick in hospital on "Mobile" Aug. 13 - Aug. 20; and at Montauk, Aug. 20-26, 1898. Co. E, 2nd Rgt. Mass. Discharged' Nov. 3, 1898
Lucier, George H .- Born Buffalo, N. Y., Feb. 23, 1876. Enlisted Aug. 27, 1898. Assigned Batt. E, 2nd U. S. V. Heavy Artillery. Service in Havana, Cuba. Discharged May 12, 1899.
Luey, Lester L .- Born Athol, Aug. 17, 1881. Enlisted May 3, 1898. Ser- vice in Cuba. Battles of El Caney, July 1; night attack San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Pvt. Dis- charged Nov. 3, 1898 at Orange, Mass.
McRae, Thomas H .- Born Athol. Enlisted Feb. 21, 1893 in Co. E, 2nd Rgt. of Mass. Inf. Discharged Jan. 20, 1894. Re-enlisted in same Co., May 3, 1898. Battles: El Caney, July 1; night attack of San Juan: Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Dis- charged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass. Died May 13, 1916.
Morse, Chester E .- Born Athol, Oct. 25, 1881. Enlisted Aug. 7, 1899 .. Assigned to Co. H, 26th Rgt., U. S. Vol. Service on Panay Island, P. I. Battles: Expedition under Gen. Hughes, Nov. 9 to 30, 1899; San Blaz, Nov. 20, 1899; Agsarab, April 17, 1900; Calinog, Sept. 13, 1900 .. Pvt. Discharged March 9, 1901. Died July 6, 1945.
Morse, Halbert V .- Born Whitingham, Vt., Feb. 14, 1873. Enlisted May 3, 1898. Assigned to Co. E, 2nd Rgt. Mass. Inf. Service in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1. Pvt. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Spring- field, Mass.
* Pike, William L .- Born Worcester, July 8, 1874. When about four years old his parents moved to Athol and William completed his education in the Athol Grammar School, after which he was employed in different shops in town. When war was declared he enlisted in Co. E at Orange. Died Aug. 7, 1898 at Santiago of malarial fever.
Plunkett, Thomas-Born Athol, Nov. 25, 1871. Enlisted March 19, 1901. Assigned to 11th Inf., Mar. 25, 1901. Service Philippine Islands. Bat- tles: Villa, Real Samar, P. I., Dec. 25, 1901; Morocco; Mountain Samar, Dec. 31, 1901. Transferred in 1908 to 5th Inf .; to 30th Inf., Oct. 20, 1914. Discharged San Francisco, Cal., Mar. 14, 1904; Mar. 20, 1907; Mar. 22, 1910. Enlisted again Mar. 31, 1912. Corp., June 15, 1901. Discharged Feb. 1, 1915.
Rainey, Frank H .- Born Bedford, N. H., Oct. 17, 1872. Enlisted May 3, 1898. Assigned to Co. E, 2nd Rgt. Mass., U. S. Vol. Service in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1; San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Springfield, Mass. For many years leader of Athol's Brass Band. Died Nov. 10, 1952.
* Rivett, William H .- Born Hinsdale, N. H., Dec. 25, 1874. At outbreak of war enlisted and went with Co. E (of which he had been a member for nearly a year) to Framingham and through the campaign in Cuba. Re- turned home from Camp Wykoff with others of his company a little in advance of the regiment, suffering from typhoid fever. Died Aug. 31, 1898.
Robbins, Oren Lewis-Born Orange, Mass., Feb. 16, 1879. Enlisted May 3, 1898. Assigned to Co. E, 2nd Rgt. Mass. Inf. Service in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1; night attack San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and
446
SPANISH WAR
surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Pvt. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass.
*Seveny, Paul-Born Manchester, N. H. Mustered in Dec. 6, 1898; age 23 years 11 months. 12th U. S. Inf. Band. Pvt., Corp. Died at sea on the transport "Thomas" of chronic dysentary, Dec. 4, 1901.
Smith, James D .- Born Chester, Mass., March 23, 1877. Service in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1; night attack San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Pvt. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield, Mass.
Smith, William L .- Born Athol, June 22, 1874. Enlisted May 3, 1898. Assigned to Co. E, 2nd Rgt. Mass. Inf. Service Cuba. Battles: El Caney, July 1; night attack San Juan Hill, July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago, July 16, 1898. Pvt. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Spring- field, Mass. Died Sept. 21, 1909.
Sweezey, Adolphus-Born New Brunswick, Aug. 9, 1876. Came to Athol first in May, 1884 and lived here about 20 years. Enlisted in May, 1898. Battles: El Caney, night attack of San Juan Hill, and siege and surrender of Santiago. Corp., Co. E, 2nd Mass. Rgt. Discharged Nov., 1898. Died Oct. 6, 1948.
Thomas, Everett L .- Born Rymford, Maine, July 23, 1877. Enlisted Aug. 8, 1899. Assigned to Co. H, U. S. V., 26th Rgt., Aug. 20, 1899 as Artificer. Service in Panay Islands, P. 1. Battles: San Blaz, Nov. 20, 1899; Agsarab, April 17, 1900; Cabatuau, June 9, 1900; under Gen. Hughes, Nov. 9-30, 1899. Transferred - detailed with Capt. Butts' mounted scouts one year before discharge. Discharged May 13, 1901 at San Francisco. Died April 13, 1928.
Thompson, Henry L .- on list of Spanish War soldiers who gave their resi- dence Athol at time of enlistment.
Young, Leon E. C .- Born Athol, April 6, 1878. Reported June 16, 1898. Assigned to Co. B, 6th Inf. Service in Puerto Rico. Discharged Jan. 21, 1899.
Wheeler, Frank E .- Born Dummerston, Vt., Nov. 30, 1875. Came to Athol in 1897. Enlisted May 3, 1898 Co. E, 2nd Mass. Inft. Service in Cuba. Battles: El Caney, San Juan Hill, siege and surrender of Santiago. Pvt. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898 at Springfield.
Whitcomb, Byron J .- Born Readsboro, Vt. March 10, 1869. Enlisted May 3, 1890. Co. E, 2nd Mass. Inft. Service in Cuba, battles of El Caney, July 1. Night attack San Juan Hill July 2; siege and surrender of Santiago July 16. Pvt. Discharged Nov. 3, 1898. Died Jan. 14, 1944.
* Died in the Service
447
CHAPTER XXVIII WORLD WAR I
B UT four weeks after the Austrian Crown Prince, Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were shot at Sarajevo by a native of Serbia, World War I began. This oc- curred in July, 1914 when Athol was floundering in a major economic depression, which continued until well into 1915 when European contracts for war purposes began to come to our factories.
Public sentiment was in no sense united in support of either the Allies or the Central Powers, and in the election of 1916 the vote for the Democratic Presidential Electors showed that more than a few normally Republican voters had endorsed Woodrow Wilson for re-election evidently because of the slogan, "He kept us out of war."
The sinking of the Lusitania seemed to crystalize our sym- pathies with the Allies and pro-German utterances were no longer popular. In June, 1916 our Co. E, 2nd Massachusetts Infantry National Guard, was called to Framingham barracks and on June 21 left there for the Mexican Border but through the long summer that they were away we still devoutly hoped that this was as near to actual war as we would ever get.
Our hopes were not realized. Athol was the first town in Massachusetts to have a Public Safety Committee appointed at Gov. McCall's request with a strong auxiliary unit of women. While a meeting of this committee was in session at the Poquaig Club on March 25, 1917 a call came to one of the con- ferees, Capt. H. L. Doane, to mobilize his Co. E at once. The militia call was promptly sounded on the fire alarm and the members of this company from that hour were soldiers in a world war.
When the first group of our young men reported to Devens in November, 1917 I went there representing our Public Safety Committee and found Athol youths wading around in the snow. After securing approval by my committee associates I bought in Boston one hundred or more pairs of overshoes. We took these to Devens and distributed them. Then my mother, who was eighty-three years old, took the control, the laying out, and planning time for seventy knitters. These good women knitted
448
WORLD WAR I
comfort kits, sweaters and stockings, for every Athol boy who was drafted.
The Public Safety Committee functioned largely through its Executive Committee who were W. W. Woodward, Arthur F. Tyler, William G. Lord, Frank P. Hall, and William M. Welch with Mr. John F. Hayden as secretary. In many towns the Red Cross or some other organization eventually took over the war work, but Athol's Public Safety Committee was its dominating force until the war was over and the soldiers discharged. It was the clearing house for all of our activities except the Se- lective Service.
When the Selective Service Board was constituted George F. Lord became its first clerk. Then when the chairman of the district located in Winchendon resigned, Mr. Lord was ap- pointed in his place and carried through to the end. While there were reflections on some boards and bitterness in some communities, he carried it so impartially and effectively that there never was a whisper and hardly a complaint.
Conscientiously, if not willingly, we observed gas-less Sun- days and heat-less Mondays. We planted and tended our war gardens and submitted to a rigid rationing of our sugar. In fact, we were the first town to have sugar coupons. Although a manufacturing town, Athol had in the year 1918, 1,700 adults' war gardens, 125 municipal gardens, 425 children's gardens and a Municipal Canning Station all doing their part to increase and conserve the food supply. The year 1917 was an equally good record.
Since the beginning of the war until November 11, 1918 when the Armistice was signed. Athol sent over six hundred and fifty of her men to the service and had eighty more ready when hostilities ceased. Twenty-four of them gave up their lives for our Country and the Cause.
Long before daylight on November 11, 1918 we knew of the peace terms that had been agreed upon in the railroad car in France and forthwith awoke the town. With no planning or preparation we celebrated our first Armistice Day, November 11, and were settled back into normal life when other munici- palities were celebrating on the 12th.
Athol was the first town in Massachusetts to erect a public "Honor Roll" for the men in the service. While our Memorial Building commemorates the services of all our soldiers since Colonial days yet it is particularly a World War | Memorial as it was planned and completed in the years succeeding that war.
449
HISTORY OF ATHOL
It stands today as a constant reminder of the war period of 1917-1918, "erected by a grateful town in honor of those who went from Athol in service of their country."
One of the great afflictions of the war period came with the autumn frosts of 1918 when the Spanish influenza raged here. It is well written in every detail in the Town Report for the year ending December 31, 1918, pages 150-159. All public places were closed, even congregating in the streets was forbidden, and stores dispensing soda and ice cream were notified that all sales must stop. This ban was lifted at midnight November 2, 1918. In the meantime, there were about 2,000 influenza cases in Athol, approximately 1,000 at a time, the largest num- ber of new cases for one day being 148. While this epidemic was under town control, with the Chamber of Commerce as a clearing house of information on the conditions of cases, the total number of deaths recorded were 48. The total cost of the epidemic as per bills received was $5,094.52.
Our company of State Guards, organized in the early sum- mer of 1917 with Frank P. Hall as Captain, rendered its most effective service from September 10 to October 10, 1919 when it rallied to the call of Gov. Coolidge to police a portion of Boston until the Police Strike was broken.
Since our town already has a fine record of World War I published by the American Legion, the above is but a short resume of this first world conflict and its effect on Athol. Fol- lowing are the names of those men and women of Athol who served:
Adams, Louis
Bacigalupo, John
Adamson, Henry W.
Bacon, Charles L.
Agnelli, Joseph
Baggiolini, Joseph
Aldrich, Byron J.
Baily, Harold S.
Allen, Perlie F.
Baker, Frank A.
Allen, Ralph F.
Balciunas, Anthony
Allison, Robert
Balcom, Carroll S.
Anderson, Herbert R.
Ball, Gerald L.
Apostalapoulos, Paul
Ball, Wilfred L. Barnes, Frank L.
Armaitis, Albinos
Barney, Albert W.
Armienti, Lorenzo D. Armienti, (Armon) Tony
Bassow, George W.
Armstrong, Elmo D.
Bedard, Albert J.
Artioli, Arthur U. Ash, William E.
Begin, Walter C. Begor, Clarence C.
Aubrey, Edward T.
Benson, Harold P. Bernard, Rodolphe Berry, Louis R.
Ausgztulis, Wladas Avery, Webb R. Avery, William F.
Bianchi, Gerolamo
450
Balcom, John H.
Ames, Edwin C. Anderson, Clarence
Baldwin, Glenn L.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.