New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the world war, 1917-1918, Part 5

Author: Wall, John P. (John Patrick), 1867-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: New Brunswick, N.J. : S. M. Christie Press
Number of Pages: 246


USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > New Brunswick > New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the world war, 1917-1918 > Part 5


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Although some of the thousands who filled the sidewalks seemed to take the occasion not seriously, there hundreds more-men, women and children- who wore solemn and sad faces, and many of them wept, for it was either their sons, brothers or cousins that filled the ranks.


In the ranks of the men, many were to be seen laughing and joking as though they were on their way to an outing, yet there were still others who had a tear in their eye and a lump in their throat, as they saw their fathers and mothers in the big crowd waving a fond farewell and wishing them Godspeed.


The boys were ordered to assemble at 8 o'clock, but long before that hour, they began to assemble at the local exemption headquarters. Simultaneously the boys of the Second and Fourth Districts were meeting at their headquarters to make ready for their departure. When the roll was called there were but few absentees, and for these, alternates were provided.


The local exemption board officials were greatly handicapped by the massive crowd that gathered on Livingston avenue in front of the headquarters. The crowd refused to remain on the sidewalks as com- manded and as a result, the exemption board officials were greatly interferred with.


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Headed by the Boy Scouts' drum corps, "Our Boys" paraded down Livingston avenue to New street, to Kirkpatrick street, to Bayard street, to George street, to Albany street, to the railroad sta- tion. Mayor Edward F. Farrington, Commissioner Edward J. Houghton, Rev. Edward Hall and Dr. I. Cronk and Elmer E. Connolly paraded at the head of the delegation.


Monroe Taylor acted as captain of the local dele- gation and was ably assisted by several corporals.


All along the line of march, thousands surged from the sidewalk to the street, leaving little room for the boys to march. Upon reaching Albany street, the crowd reached such proportions that the boys were compelled to break four abreast and march in twos. All traffic was held up by the gigantic crowd and as the boys reached the railroad station, they were greeted by the shrieking of the claxons, sirens and other noise making devices which was deafening.


Making their entrance to the railroad station on Easton avenue, the boys were put on the offense for the first time, for the mob of people that gathered there refused to give way even for them to pass. Everyone, apparently, had a brother, son or a dear one in the ranks and was eager to say a last farewell.


A rush was made by the surging crowd for the railroad platform, but they were driven back by the pclice, who had their hands full in keeping them from breaking through their guard. Automobiles clogged all traffic on Easton avenue and for a half a block away from the station, autos lined up in zig zag fashion.


The boys, on reaching the platform, were marched to the Somerset street entrance where they were lined up and given instructions. Fully 160 composed the local increment and of this number 164 were selected to make up our quota of forty per cent. Fully 135 men made up the Second District's delega- tion and of this number 118 were selected to board the train.


As the train rolled into the station, there was a mad scramble to get aboard the train and disregard- ing all advance orders, every conscripted man on the platform apparently jumped aboard. Unable to cope with the situation, the local exemption boards per- mitted all hands to continue their journey to Camp Dix, where matters were finally adjusted and the surplus sent back.


The boys were all eager to get into service and at the First and Second Board headquarters, there was a unanimous feeling that the sooner you get into service, the better it will be.


Although hundreds of relatives and friends of the boys were denied the privilege of bidding the boys farewell on the railroad platform, they gathered in large numbers on Wall street, Somerset street, on the Rutgers College campus and on the railroad em- bankment on George street. At these vantage points they cheered the boys to the echo.


When the train quickly disappeared out of sight, the cheerful look that many men who gathered on the platform had forced gave way to one of serious- ness. Many of the women's eyes outside the station were red from weeping. They tried to be brave but here and there was one who would turn away when spoken to. She dared not answer for fear she would give way to tears. Her heart was in the train,


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speeding on its way to camp-in the keeping of someone who would don the khaki and before long be in the trenches beneath the flying shells.


Promptly at 10 o'clock, the troop train pulled out of the local station and then there were more cheers and tears. The men quickly entrained as stated and as many as could leaned from the windows to con- tinue their talk with the few who succeeded in evad- ing the police guard. The boys were in high spirits as the train pulled out of the station and from the rear platform of the last car came shouts, "We'll get the Kaiser." On one of the coaches was the inscription "To H- with the Kaiser."


FIFTY-FIVE MORE FOR DIX


Fifty-five sound men and true, went out of New Brunswick November 19, 1917, into the great school of the National Army to be fitted for soldiers' part in America's war for world freedom. Accompanying the local lads were forty men from the Second Dis- trict Board.


There couldn't have been more auspicious condi- tions than those under which the boys left this city for Camp Dix. Although the skies hung low, the sun taking only an occasional peek from the clouds, the day was an ideal one from the selective's point of view. The populace of the city was there by the thousands, the city's representative men were there, the Mayor and City Commissioners and the Board of Trade, and, of course, the mothers, and sweet- hearts and the kid brothers and sisters to give the valiant sons of Uncle Sam a fitting au revoir. There were sixteen carloads, including the local contingents and those from various points of North Jersey. They left this city at 11:30 o'clock exactly eighteen min- utes behind schedule.


It was one of the impressive incidents that will always remain in the memory of those who witnessed the passing of these boys to the Great Adventure, to do their part in the strafing of the Hun, to make the world safe for democracy. Under such conditions the emotions run riot and are all according to the peculiar makeup of the individual, but in the aggre- gate there can be no question but that there was a strong feeling, deep and sentimental that brought tears to the eyes of the women folks and caused a very preceptible tightening of the muscles of the throats of the sterner sex.


There was laughter and tears, but no hysteria. Men and women cried but softly that the departing loved ones might not be depressed. Sweethearts struggled heroically to make the farewell a smile, but the tears would come, now and then, despite the determination not to. But the departing men were cheerful outwardly at least, concealing the pain of separation that many must have felt.


The last farewells were brief. The departing waved cheerfully, lifted their hats and called out cheering messages. Knoll's band played the "The Gang is All Here" while the men boarded the train,


and as the train rolled out of the station, it was the dominant note.


The draftees gathered their kits and their friends at the local Exemption Board headquarters. The Second District boys met at the county court house. In the main they were a very happy aggregation of young patriots and a mingling among them failed to overhear one single word that might indicate anything like bemoaning their fate. All were, in fact, apparently eager to get to camp and to training preparatory to "going over" to help the valiant Polius and the Tommies and the sons of Italy wal- lop the barbarians who massacre under the guerdons of Bill the Frightful.


At 10.45 o'clock the line of march was taken up with Andrew Rappleyea in the lead impersonating Uncle Sam and carrying a large American flag. He was followed by a detail of police and then came the City Commissioners and Mayor Farrington. The band came next in line, followed by six school girls carrying a large American flag, and the Spanish- American War veterans with their colors. The members of the local Exemption Board came next and after them streamed the boys on their way to real war, the city and then the county boys.


Marching with the men were many women and children. One woman pushing her baby in a small carriage trudged along with its brother. Mothers clung to the arms of their dear sons. Two or three of the selectives walked arm in arm with their fam- ilies to the station. These sights moved more than one to emotion.


Before their departure from the Exemption Board headquarters, the local men were presented with complete comfort kits, sweaters, mufflers, etc., by the local chapter of the Red Cross, and a tobacco kit by the Soldiers' Farewell-Welfare Committee.


The line of march took the men down Livingston avenue to New street to Codwise avenue to Bayard street to George street to the railroad station. At the railroad station, hundreds had gathered to bid the boys a last farewell. Th local police and rail- road detectives were at both entrances of the station and they refused to permit anyone to trespass on the platform without a pass.


There was a great cheer as the men struggled through the crowd and stopped for an interval at the station entrance. Many relatives and friends struggled with the police to get upon the platform but they were denied permission. After much push- ing, all the selectives succeeded in getting upon the platform. Many relatives and friends, too, got by the officers who had their hands full in handling the rush.


The crowd became so large that the police were swept aside at the foot of the stairs leading to the platform and then there was a mad rush up the stairs to the platform. The crowd was only to be thwarted in their efforts by another strong arm


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squad at the imemdiate entrance to the platform who held them in check.


But along came the hour, 11:30 by the clock, and the engine began puffing and blowing and some stentorian voice shouted, "All aboard," and those who were taking their farewells hopped on the train just as it began to pull out of the station. Every window displayed a young patriot's face, mostly smiling, sometimes just a bit indicative of late and excusable tears. Hands waved, flags fluttered here and there as down the iron bound track the sinuous line of coaches wended its way, off toward the training camp. And so they passed until the faint echo of the puffing locomotive could just be discerned in the distance carrying its precious freight to the strange world of intensive training and preparation for the part Uncle Sam was to play in giving the knockout blow to the barbaric hosts of the Kaiser.


ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE OFF TO "CAN THE KAISER"


With the band playing, with thousands of rela- tives and friends assembled on the streets surround- ing the railroad station waving flags frantically and cheering them on lustly and with city and county officials, members of the clergy and men and women of prominence bidding them Godspeed from the rail- road platform, the New Brunswick contingent of the National Army departed for Camp Dix, Wrights- town, on February 25, 1918 to begin a vigorous course of training preparatory to taking active part in defense of democracy.


One hundred and twenty-five composed the New Brunswick contingent and it was a truly representa- tive company. One hundred and one boys from the Second District also accompanied the local contingent and they, toc, represented all walks of life.


Shoulder to shoulder they marched to the railroad depot. All on the same plane and all determined to cross the seas for that which is holy. There was no class distinction in the drawing of the boys for the army. All were given the same chance and they who went forward represented the true red-blooded American.


The boys showed signs of tiredness as they moved along the railroad platform, after climbing the steep stairs but it was not the tiredness brought on by physical exertion but because of the. heart-rending and nerve-racking duty of parting with those they loved and held most dear.


Reville was sounded for the second time at 9 o'clock and every member of the contingent answered the roll call. Knoll's band assembled at the Exemp- tion headquarters.


The Red Cross Chapter was represented by a corps of good women who saw that every boy was comforted with a sweater, wristlet, helmet, socks, and a comfort kit. It was just one event after an- other for the soldier boys. Mayor Farrington delivered a message bidding them Godspeed and then


the men assembled on the steps of the Free Public Library andI had thir pictures taken.


It was 10:15 o'clock when the rumbling of the drums was heard and to a martial air, the soldier boys began their first march as members of the new National Army. Andrew E. Rappleyea, impersonat- ing Uncle Sam, led the procession and he was follow- ed by the Spanish-American War Veterans who carried their colors. The City Commissioners, the Soldiers' Welfare and Farewell Committee and the members of the local Exemption Board acted as an escort to the men.


Marching four abreast the new soldiers paraded down Livingston avenue to New street, to Codwise avenue to Bayard street where they met the men of the Second District with their Exemption Board as escort, and then proceeded down the thorough- fare to George street and thence to the railroad sta- tion.


As numberless as the sands upon the seashore appeared to the soldiers the crowd that surged the parade route and jammed the main arteries of the city. The people literally banked the streets and compelled the soldiers to force their way through. Business was practically closed down. The clerks of the various department stores thronged the thoroughfares, while hundreds of factory employes left the plants at 10 o'clock, practically suspending operations tor the day.


The newly inducted soldiers were cheered all along the route and at various intervals the men broke ranks to embrace some loved one who happened to be on the edge of the surging crowd. Many pathetic scenes were enacted on George street where the largest crowd assembled.


At the corner of Church street, one aged woman was so overcome by the sight of her son who marched along burdened by heavy luggage that she fainted. She was removed to a nearby store and was later revived.


A large icrce of police under the charge of Chief O'Connell were on hand, but the crowd grew to such large proportions that they were unable to handle it. At the railroad station, thousands of people gathered and mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers in their determination to see their beloved ones, blocked every channel that led to the railroad platform.


Upon arriving at the station, the crowd was so large that it was decided to march to the corner of College avenue and Somerset street and then coun- termarch. This change in the program attracted a big crowd from the station entrance, but when an- other attempt was made to gain an entrance, the crowd completely swept the details of police off their feet and made passage for the men utterly impos- sible.


After the 10:27 train had passed through here, a call was made to the men to proceed. The men re-


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sponded under many difficulties, for the crowd made a rush for the railroad platform. The police ordered the crowd back and to make an opening for the soldiers, but this command was heeded but little. Finally the crowd did make a narrow passage way through which the men marched.


Upon reaching the railroad platform, the Welfare and Farewell committee of which Mayor Farrington was chairman, met them and presented each with a comfort kit.


Once reaching the platform, the men had little time to wait and at 11:05 the big troop train pulled - into the station while the band played "Over There." When the train came to a standstill many of the North Jersey boys on the same train alighted and in a democratic way met the local boys.


The train pulled out of the station at 11:15 o'clock well crowded with over a thousand young huskies. The pulling out of the train was a signal for a wild demonstration. Hats were hurled into the air, women waved their handkerchiefs, others waved flags while the boys standing on the platforms of the coaches bid all a last farewell.


That demonstration will never be forgotten by the boys. It showed that the patriotism of the citizens of New Brunswick was not dormant and that New Brunswick was alive to the fact that the United States was at war to a finish.


MAYOR FARRINGTON BIDS FAREWELL TO THE BOYS


The Mayor's message to the new National Army men follows:


On this solemn occasion, when you stalwart young men-125 strong-are about to depart from this city of ours to begin a new life, one that requires courage, it behooves me, as Mayor of New Brunswick, on behalf of the citizens, to bid you Godspeed and at the same time offer up a prayer that the God Al- mightly will bring you all safely back to your dear ones at home.


You men are going to assume greater responsibili- ties, and upon you the eyes of every loyal citizen of our city will be focussed while you are in the training camps, and later upon the battle scarred fields of France.


While you men are at the front, the men, women and children who remain at home will do their utmost to supply you with the many comforts which are not provided by Uncle Sam. The good women of the Red Cross who are untiring in their efforts to make the soldier boys happy, will continue their splendid work. Today they provided you with warm sweaters, wristlets, comfort kits, etc. Oh! how grate- ful are we to this great Red Cross Army.


Today America is in a war for democracy. We seek no indemnities, but only ask that the poor and weak nations be not down-trodden. You young men, Uncle Sam is sending forth to do battle with our


enemy and to prove to them once and for all that although America is a peace-loving nation, still these United States stand for all that is righteous, and are prepared to stand upon her honor to the end.


In this war we must keep our zeal at white heat and our heads perfectly cool, and if we should have to drink from the cup of suffering, let us drink in silence, as Belgium has done. There is no heroism like quiet heroism. There must be universal self- dedication to downright hard work.


Two years ago the world was scarred and cursed by the most awful crime ever perpetuated since our Blessed Lord was taken by cruel and violent men and crucified on Calvary. Over a thousand peaceable and law-abiding citizens, including 114 of the citizens of the United States, were suddenly sent to their death by the sinking of the Lusitania. That deed was hatched in hell. If peace were declared tomorrow, the shame and disgrace of that awful crime would remain written in scarlet letters across the German Empire.


At first Germany tried to discount her own de- pravity by the statement that the vessel was power- fully armed, but later she had to admit the falsity of her plea. I have yet to learn that any leading German statesman, ruler, thinker, or even preacher has given to the world one sentence of disavowal of that deed. No-the crime was followed by the merry pealing of church bells, by the granting of holidays to shcool children by public celebrations of the event, and according to well authenticated reports, by honoring of the captain of the submarine that fired the torpedo. Well, one thing is certain, that awful crime has injured Germany far more than it has injured her enemies. For long, long ages to come, it will be remembered.


That act and many other acts perpetrated by our enemy have enraged the peace-loving people of this country to war and today, you men and hundreds of thousands of other young men throughout this country, are called upon to revenge these acts and to uphold the honor and dignity of this country.


America is at war, but America has scarcely be- gun to fight. We must keep our zeal at white heat, and our heads perfectly cool. Let us keep together. For the time being we must be united. The Govern- ment must be absolutely sure that in every wise and worthy step it takes, it can depend on our united and willing support-no matter what that support may cost.


Let me remind you further, boys, that when you enter the camp, you live clean, decent lives, for Uncle Sam wants only fire, clean and strong boys. If you want recreation look to the agencies that exist in the camp. Don't seek immodest pleasure, for they only terminate in ruin.


While at camp it is your duty to attend the ser- vices of your church. If you are a Protestant, chap- lains of your own church will be there to meet you.


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If you are Catholic, the good priests will assist you. If you are of Jewish descent, the good Rabbis will aid you.


And here I would pause to utter a warning to all who love their country, lest they be deceived by the plausible reasoning so current in these days. Re- member that those groups who have essayed and are still endeavoring to take God out of His world, are also aiming to take the love of country out of the hearts of the people. The same men who have denied God also deny the reality of patriotism. They have said that religion is only a survival of primitive fear, and that love of country is a survival of savagery. When, therefore, they have destroyed one they will attack the other. Hence, my friends, if you would preserve in your hearts the love of freedom, the love of country, be careful that the knowledge of God and His attributes are not allowed to die out of your lives. Never forget that the impious group who would destroy the love of God would also, if unhind- ered, deny the love of country.


To you, young men, members of our new National Army, I want to say that it is an honor under the selective draft law to have been proven mentally, morally and physically worthy to wear the uniform, to carry the rifle and to represent before the nations of the world, the American idea and American ideais.


There is nothing under the present system that in any way reflects upon the courage, character or the patriotism of those whom the Government calls into its service.


With great care, with the endeavor to adopt every wise precaution, determined only that the armies we send forth shall be composed of those best able to perform great and important duties, governmental machinery has been devised and placed in operation to select the worthiest and the best.


And so, members of the new army, with all my heart I congratulate you on having been found to be fit defenders of our faith.


You are picked men-chosen for your worth-the fower of our city. You stand for your country. You stand for liberty and freedom and progress, just as surely as Alexander stood for Greece, Caesar for Rome or Napoleon for France.


You are going forth to fight against an idea that is wrong-a system that is wrong-a dynasty that is wrong-a country that blindly following a despotism gone mad, has committed itself to the wrong.


History knows two Germanies. There is a Ger- amny which is very dear to the descendants of the sons of the fatherland, and they may be found in every country on earth-hosts of them in our own. It is a Germany of love and romance, of poetry and song, of music, of art and of literature, the Germany of folk love and folk life.


It is a Germany that has been transformed by a despotism that has filled the world with terror, a Germany committed to the proposition that might


alone makes right-a Germany that must go down if peace and righteousness are again to prevail on earth.


God grant that our beloved country may share in the stability and endurance of the Church of God, that she may soon emerge from this disastrous war endowed with renewed life and vigor; that she may inaugurate a new era of lasting peace, that may be emblazoned on her escutcheon. And then may we behold the sturdy emigrants coming to our hospitable shores from the various nations of Europe, being assimilated to the native population, becoming bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, contributing by their industry to the material prosperity of the republic.


Above all, may we behold them enriching their adopted land with blessings of Christian faith, and uniting with us in building up the walls of spiritual Jerusalem.


Let me say in conclusion that we do not know when this disastrous war will come to an end. But of one fact I am certain, that you boys who stand before me, as well as the people of this country, have an abiding faith in the wisdom and judgment of the President of the United States. Let us earnestly pray the Father of Lights that He would mould and shape and temper the minds and hearts of the Chief Magistrate and his associates in the prosecution of the war, so as to lead us to an early, a permanent and an honorable peace.




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