New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the world war, 1917-1918, Part 7

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 7


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Captain Smith and his gallant boys were welcomed home with such a demonstration as has seldom been witnessed in New Brunswick. From noon thousands of persons thronged the streets waiting for the re- turning heroes to parade and when the lines of khaki- clad youths finally swung through the streets, they were viewed by fully 25,000 men, women and child- ren, residents of New Brunswick and surrounding sections. Throughout the entire line of march the local boys were greeted with shouts of appreciation.


The parade formed in front of the Free Public Library a few minutes before 5 o'clock. The big throng, although compelled to wait for an hour, did not grow impatient and when the Company H boys came marching through the lanes of men, women and children they were lustily cheered and showered with confetti and streamers.


Mayor Morrison, Commissioners Houghton, Con- nolly, Jaques and Feaster, and the members of the World War Welcome Home Association, headed the procession. The entire membership of the fire de- partment was also in line with their apparatus.


From every building floated flags and banners. In the center of the town confetti, streamers and flow- ers showered down on the men from the higher buildings and smiles of appreciation from the sol- diers testified that they were glad to be home again.


HOLIDAY IN HONOR OF THE BOYS


In honor of the welcome home to New Brunswick's own company every factory in the city closed down at 3 o'clock to enable their empolyes to join in the celebration. The various department stores closed their doors for an hour and the school children, re-


leased from studies at 3:30 o'clock, were also enabled to view the demonstration.


It seemed that everybody just poured out of their offices, homes and places of business to be on the side line when the brave lads of Company H, came tramping along. When the parade got under way all business in the city was practically at a standstill.


The fire apparatuses added to the din of noise for the parade. The factory whistles were blown at 4 o'clock, the hour the parade was scheduled to start. The church bells also joined with the factory gongs in sounding the city's welcome.


All in all it was a great demonstration. The people were proud of the return of the boys. The boys were as happy as larks. It was a great day for them; a day that they had looked forward to since their departure from here at the outbreak of the war.


The parade was not without its touch of sadness for in the ranks of the company were vacancies. Some of the men who marched away to war with this company did not march on its return, not be- cause they are with cther living units, but because they are sleeping peacefully in the fields of Flanders. To some it was a happy moment; to others it was one of sadness for it brought back to them memories -yes, sweet memories-of those who made the su- preme sacrifice.


From Livingston avenue the boys paraded over a short route and returned to the War Camp Com- munity Service Club house on Bayard street, where a delicious banquet was served by the women's committee, of which Mrs. Henry Seiffert was chair- man. Here the boys proved themselves at home. When the many good things had been disposed of, Mayor John J. Morrison, in behalf of the people of the city, extended to the men a most hearty and cordial welcome. He said: "The boys of Company H glorified themselves by their courageous conduct, and New Brunswick feels justly proud of its own company. Too much praise cannot be given to you for your service in defense of justice and humanity. The people of the entire city have been thrilled with a feeling of pride and appreciation for the heroic deeds of you men and neither today's reception nor the one which will be accorded you on the Fourth of July, can adequately express the depth of our feeling of gratitude.


"Captain Smith and members of Company H, again I welcome you. You have served your city, state and country faithfully and nobly, and the services that you and your gallant men have rendered will


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BOY SCOUTS IN MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, MAY 30, 1918


SCHOOL CHILDREN IN WELCOME HOME PARADE


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SCHOOL GIRLS IN JULY 4TH, 1918, PARADE


HERE LIES CROWN PRINCE


UNDERTAKERS HARDING AND QUACKENBOSS BURY THE CROWN PRINCE


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M


CROWD AT CORNER OF ALBANY AND GEORGE STREETS ON DAY ARMISTICE WAS SIGNED


IN THE WORLD WAR


long be remembered by a grateful and loving people," concluded the Mayor.


Captain Smith, on behalf of Company H, responded with words of praise for the boys of his company and voiced a debt of gratitude to the citizens of New Brunswick in arranging a welcome home celebra- tion in their honor.


How the tides of victory and defeat ebbed and Mowed with Company H in the service fighting in the Argonne Forest, how they went through all the complicated labyrinth of deviltries of the Hinden- burg line, how, in the bloodiest battle of the west they fought with a cool, skillful, steady intelligence and displayed resistless enterprise and daring-Cap- tain Smith told those who gathered around the fcs- tive board at the club house.


Captain Smith also cited the letter of Major Gen- eral Morton, of the 29th Division to Governor Edge in which he said:


"You may be sure that the troops from your State have made a wonderful record; one which they and the people of New Jersey may and will remember with pride always. Some of your gallant officers and men have fallen in battle with their faces to- ward as stubborn a foe as the world has ever seen. Their memory will be sacredly preserved. Their


relatives and friends have the sincerest sympathy of those who have come out alive. More have received honorable scars, to which they can point with pride."


The words spoken by Major General Morton tell the whole story, Captain Smith said: "The boys of New Brunswick did their share in this war and the people of this old city can rest assured that there was no braver company in France. They all did their part. Theer was no slacking and I am proud of them."


PRESENTATION TO CAPTAIN SMITH


One of the most pleasant features in connection with the home-coming celebration was the presenta- tion of a gold watch by Mayor John J. Morrison to Captain Smith on behalf of the members of the com- pany, who in this way showed their appreciation of the manner in which they were treated by him dur- ing their military career in France.


The gift came as a complete surprise to Captain Smith who was so moved that he was able to say but a few words, upon accepting the time-piece from the Mayor.


The presentation was made at the dinner given to the boys by the citizens of New Brunswick at the War Camp Community Service club house.


HOW TO GET A MEDAL IN THE 29TH DIVISION


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NEW BRUNSWICK


The Boys Are Home Again


Great Welcome Tendered the Returned Soldiers


MAJOR-GENERAL WEIGEL LEADS THE PARADE


When the fateful eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918, came at last and the advance of the Hun was checked, and the ceaseless thunder of the big guns was stilled, New Brunswick's sons were in the front lines.


How they comported themselves when once arrived in France and thrown against the Germans trained to bearing arms almost from the cradle, what acts of heroism and valor they displayed can not be told now, in fact, there is not room to tell all the acts of individual heroism, all the epic stories. Blind Homer smiting his lyre in the dust of the Hellenic roadside must turn in his grave with envy, for he had but Ulysses to sing about, and Ulysses could not hold a candle to these wanderers, many of whom migrated to America from the old world and then went a-crusading to the old world again to carry back the doctrines of the new.


Proud in the consciousness that they had been en- trusted with a sacred task and had fulfilled it well, they set their faces toward the Atlantic and set their feet to marching down to the sea and the ships that would bear them home again.


As they marched over the streets of their home town in the glory that was born in the battle anguish and the dark hour of pain and torture across the sea, one saw two parades. There was the procession of untrained men in civilian attire, fresh from factory bench, from clerk's desk and counting desk, from tenement home and from palatial house-the proces- sion that with its flags over its shoulders marched down Livingston avenue from the local Board's office before going into training at Camp Dix. And there was the procession on the old town's recep- tion day to the men who covered themselves with un- dying glory and who left many a comrade under the


plain white crosses that dot the fields of northern France. What a change! Who would ever dream that the untrained men of yesterday would make the erect and stately soldier of today.


No wonder that New Brunswick was proud of the 800 or more "doughboys," "gobs" and men from other branches of the service who turned out for the parade on Saturday, June 28, 1919, and as they marched through the city's streets there was a tri- umphal progress.


The whole city had apparently turned out en masse to welcome the boys back, and as each unit ap- proached this was the signal for a storm of clapping, applause, and the tocting of automobile horns.


Flags, streamers and "Welcome Home" banners lined the streets along the line of march and flut- tered from every window. In the downtown section the business houses were all especially decorated, and while the parade was passing the merchants closed their doors.


Service flags were everywhere in evidence, and here and there a gold star told of a New Brunswick lad who did not return for the city's welcome but is sleeping the long sleep on some French field.


According to announcement, the parade started promptly at three c'clock. The service men had gathered early at the Armory, and there Capt. Smith of Company H, had arranged them in their respective organizations.


As the long blast on Johnson and Johnson's whistle pealed out, the head of the long column swung off along Handy street, crossing Codwise avenue.


General William Weigel, commander of the 88th Division, marched on foot at the head of the parade, immediately following the platoon of police that act-


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IN THE WORLD WAR


ed as escort. Behind the General were the members of his staff.


Major George Wilkinson, who served on the Gen- eral's staff overseas, served as Chief of Staff. The other members of the staff were Captain W. B. Twiss, Captain J. B. Kirkpatrick, Dr. J. P. Schure- man, Dr. Gruessner, Dr. H. W. Nafey, Lieut. William Wall, Lieut. J. M. Perron, Lieut. P. H. Benz, Captain Robert W. Lufborrow, Lieut. Harry Edgar, Lieut. Edwin Florance, Lieut. Miles Ross, Lieut. Rush Van Sickle, Lieut. Monroe Taylor, Lieut. Joseph Edgar, Lieut. Klemmer Kalteissen, Lieut. Russell Bergen, Lieut. Thomas Brynes and Lieut. Craig Denman of the Navy.


Following General Weigel and his staff were the members of the City Commission and the General Committee of the Welcome Home Celebration.


Then came the gray-haired veterans of the Civil War, and as the "boys in blue" rode by in automo- biles the crowd went wild with enthusiasm and gave them a tremendous ovation.


The Spanish-American War Veterans, about forty strong, also drew considerable applause from the by- standers as they marched through the city streets.


A company of soldiers from Camp Raritan led the uniformed ranks of service men. With them was a detachment of about fifty marines on active service who were stationed at the Naval Radio Station here and about as many more sailors in blue uniforms., in contradistinction to the city's own service men, now discharged, who marched without arms, were grim reminders of the dark days that were so safely passed and of the perils and dangers through which our own boys-or most of them-have come without harm.


Then came a band, followed by the veterans of Allied Armies. The French had the post of honor, as they had the largest number out.


A delegation of fifty men who had served in the ranks of the French Army during the long montns before this nation went in represented the sister Republic, and about half of these wore the horizon blue of the French poilu. They were given a tre- mendous ovation everywhere. They carried French and American flags. They were commanded by Capt. Cholet.


There was also a delegation of British and Cana- dian soldiers who went from this city before the United States joined in the battle against Germany.


The appearance of the Company H men every- where was the signal for redoubled applause and shouting and tooting of horns, for the organization had retained more of a local New Brunswick charac- ter than any of the others in which New Bruns- wick men served.


Behind Company H marched a delegation of local


men who saw service in the Marines, and they were followed by men who had served in regular army divisions.


Then came the city's aviators with Lieutenant Franklin M. Ritchie and Lieutenant Percy Cunnius, in command of a detachment of about twenty enlisted men who had served in the manifold capacities re- quired by the ground work of caring for the 'planes.


The Air Service men made a fine turnout, and they were warmly greeted all along the line of march.


They were reinforced by a detachment of twenty- five engineers who marched with the Air Service as they had no officers of their own.


Captain Charles Reed, wounded in action in France, headed the New Brunswick men of the 78th Division. This was the largest single organization in the par- ade, as the majority of New Brunswick boys saw ser- vice with this division.


As the boys marched past proud parents and re- latives and now and then a sweetheart called out to the boys, and, discipline cast aside, they called back.


The 78th Division boys represented New Bruns- wick. They were called from every section and from every class and condition of the city, and as they passed, the crowds seemed to realize more closely than with any of the other units just how this city was represented at the front.


About 100 men who served in other divisions dur- ing the war followed the 78th or Lightning Division men and swelled the total of New Brunswick's quota.


The colored soldiers of New Brunswick, about eighty strong, made a splendid showing, and as they swung blithely along, whistling and singing, the great crowds that lined the the streets realized what their race had done as its share in the battle for democracy. A big reception was given the dusky fighters, and as they passed through the colored sec- tion in the vicinity of Remsen avenue they were cheered mightly.


Ensign John Conger commanded the naval detach- ment, and he had about seventy five "gobs" in line. The sailors made a fine showing and they were ac- corded a royal reception.


After the rows and rows of khaki that had passed in what became a seemingly endless blotch of uni- form color-except to those who spotted here and there the face of one near and dear to them-the blue uniforms and white hats of the representatives of the navy made a pleasing change. The naval officers wore white uniforms, presenting a natty ap- pearance, and there was a small detachment of "gobs" in whites.


The New Brunswick representation in the navy was somewhat of a revelation to those who had thought that most of the local service men were in the land or air forces, and the crowds everywhere


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NEW BRUNSWICK


greeted the sailors with applause. There were two Naval Air Service men with the sailors.


Company E of the New Jersey State Militia, carrying rifles, followed the service men. The mili- tiamen had a big turnout ,and they were given a good reception as they swung along. They were commanded by Captain Ralph Gorsline.


This brought up the rear of the uniformed men, the line stretching close to half a mile. They were followed by the war workers who have been busy at home while the boys were away in camp and on the sea.


About 150 Red Cross women workers in their natty white uniforms were in line, and they made a big hit all along the route of the parade.


With the Red Cross delegation was the new ambul- ance belonging to the local chapter of the organiza- tion, and this attracted much attention from the by- standers along the line of march.


Then came the school children. From the little youngsters who were barely able to toddle along with the procession to the bigger boys and girls who en- joyed the parade and were keenly conscious that they were honoring their big brothers of the city who had borne the brunt of the city's sacrifice, all were there, and about 1,000 of the youngsters were in line.


They marched by schools, the pupils from each school wearing a distinctive paper hat. The various shapes and colors of the hats lent interest to the spectacle. Each child also carried an American flag.


A most interesting feature of this division of the parade was the delegation of the Ecole Francaise of Milltown. About eighty of these youngsters, dressed in the national costumes of various French provinces, were in the parade, and all along the line thev made a big hit and attracted attention from the big crowd, as well as lending color and variety to the scene.


CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS


Following the school children came the uniformed guards of Goodwill and Good Intent Councils, Junior O. U. A. M. of this city heading the civic organiza- tions that had turned out to honor the service men.


First place for the civic organizations was held by the Elks, headed by Voss's band of Newark. First place went to the organization that got into line first and there was much rivalry about it.


Headed by Grand Knight Finnegan, the New Brunswick Council, Knights of Columbus, paraded second in line in the fraternal division. The Knights turned out three hundred strong and wore dark clothes, straw hats and carried small American flags. The Perth Amboy Italian band furnished the music for the Knights who marched four abreast an ! made a neat appearance.


Following the Knights came local Italian societies Sixty-eight


with their own band. The Foresters with their colors paraded behind the Italians and following in line were the Red Men who appeared in their Indian costumes. The Jr. O. U. A. M. including Goodwill Council and Good Intent Council were headed by bands and were largely represented. The Juniors wore red, white and blue hat bands and carried "welcome home" pennants.


The local Greeks made an impressive appcarance. The Greeks who had served in the army marched in the front of the local societies and were warmly applauded throughout the line of march. Paraskivos Stamulos and Margus Councils, Balkan war veterans, in their Greek uniforms, carried the flags.


The Loyal Order of Moose had a large delegation in line. The Moose carried small flags and were attired in dark clothes. The local colored Elks were attired in flannels, white shirts, purple ties and socks and white shoes. They wore straw hats and were escorted by a colored military band.


There were numerous other fraternal, civic an .* social organizations in line including a delegation of firemen from the fire department who turned out with their apparatus. Assistant Chief Louis Sass led the firemen.


The turnout of the various organizations was very gratifying. The men paraded well and made an ex- cellent showing. In only a few instances were local organizations not represented. Most of the organi- zations carried their banners at the head of their processions together with Old Glory.


THE FLOATS


The Greek float made a big hit. It carried several girls dressed in the flowing costumes of Greece of classic days and allegorically representing Greece's part in the war.


The first was Macedonia, a former Greek province captured by the Turks, calling to the Allies to join . her mother, Greece. Epirus and Thrace were then shown calling the Allies to join Greece in the battle for liberty from the Turk. The third represented Smyrna seeking liberty and sympathizing with her allies. Then was Asia Minor, with a population of 3,000,000 subjugated Greeks, calling to her mother, Greece, for liberty, and the fifth represented Greece and the Allies joining for liberty and Greece con- ferring a wreath upon Woodrow Wilson, the "Father of the War," and Eleutherios Venizelos, the "Father of Greece."


Miss Blazakis represented Macedonia and Miss Evagelides represented Epirus and Thrace. Mrs. Stella Verurakis was Smyrna, Miss Elizabeth Boice was Asia Minor and Mrs. Irene Leontaridis was


Greece.


The floats were a most interesting feature. The War Camp Community Service had three good floats in line. Two of them showed how the men from the camps were entertained by having games and


IN


THE WORLD WAR


luncheons for them during their leisure hours, the floats being fixed up like rooms. The third one was a truck with the large bell from the India Rubber Company on it.


The Golden Rod Council, of the Daughters of Lib- erty, had a float on which were a number of girls in white and huand rim hats with guns, who were


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THE DINNER


But while all this celebrating was going on down town, up at Buccleuch Park, a corp of women were working like beavers to have everything in trim for the feast these same boys were to have at the end of the marching. These women worked under the supervision of Mrs. Henry Seiffert, whose able ser- vice in arranging for the home welcome won for her the gratitude of the city.


Upon reaching the park, the women were in wait- ing. Following a short address by Major General Weigel, the service men were escorted over to the pavilion, and there they were served with luncheon.


Narly 500 men- were to be seen gathered around the pavilion eating at one time. It was a most pleas- ant sight to behold.


When they had finished their meal, the boys roam- ed about the park and enjoyed a band concert. Hun- dreds of folks flocked to the park and a regular municipal picnic was in progress from the time of the terminaiton of the parade until evening when there was another pilgrimage to Livingston avenue where block dances were enjoyed.


The signing of the treaty made the selection of the date for the parade a particularly happy thought, and the two celebrations were combined in one-one. that was well worthy of this city and of the men who represented it.


The war is over. May the memories of the boys who thought no sacrifice too great to protect their homes and the memory of this welcome that the. city gave those of them who returned never perish.


The committee in charge of the Welcome Home reception was made up as follows:


Edward J. Houghton, chairman; John J. Morrison, treasurer; Philip H. Bruskin, secretary; William C. Jaques, Joseph J. Feaster, Frank A. Connolly, El- mer E. Connolly, William A. Grobin, Alexander Gold, John Clark, J. Fred Orpen, Nicholas Cantore, John P. Wall, Fred Schumacher, Mrs. Henry Seifert, Fred- rick Gowen, Eugene Gedney, Charles Jackson, Jesse Strauss, Frank Deiner, Simon Shannon, Harry Perry, Levin Cephus, E. Theofil, William H. Everson and Charles H. Morris, assisted by a number of men and women connected with the Red Cross Canteen of the W. C. C. S.


LIEUT. THOS. BYRNE GOT THE HUN COMING AND GOING


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greeted the sailors with applause. There were two Naval Air Service men with the sailors.


Company E of the New Jersey State Militia, carrying rifles, followed the service men. The mili- tiamen had a big turnout ,and they were given a good reception as they swung along. They were commanded by Captain Ralph Gorsline.


This brought up the rear of the uniformed men, the line stretching close to half a mile. They were followed by the war workers who have been busy at home while the boys were away in camp and on the sea.


About 150 Red Cross women workers in their natty white uniforms were in line, and they made a big hit all along the route of the parade.


With the Red Cross delegation was the new ambul- ance belonging to the local chapter of the organiza- tion, and this attracted much attention from the by- standers along the line of march.


Then came the school children. From the little youngsters who were barely able to toddle along with the procession to the bigger boys and girls who en- joyed the parade and were keenly conscious that they were honoring their big brothers of the city who had borne the brunt of the city's sacrifice, all were there, and about 1,000 of the youngsters were in line.


They marched by schools, the pupils from each school wearing a distinctive paper hat. The various shapes and colors of the hats lent interest to the spectacle. Each child also carried an American flag.


A most interesting feature of this division of the parade was the delegation of the Ecole Francaise of Milltown. About eighty of these youngsters, dressed in the national costumes of various French provinces, were in the parade, and all along the line thev made a big hit and attracted attention from the big crowd, as well as lending color and variety to the scene.




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