Memorial Day 1921

Sherman S. Leavenworth around 1920.

Veterans of the Civil War and Residents Remember the Dead
Impressive memorial exercises were held in the Shohola, Barryville, and Eldred Cemeteries on Memorial Day.

The Veterans of the Civil War, Valentine Hipsman of Shohola; Theodore West of Yulan; and David Crandall and Sherman Leavenworth of Eldred, formed a guard of honor and identified the graves of their comrades; the school children decorated the graves of our heroes with flowers, after which the G.A.R. service was rendered. Jay Lass sounded taps. A community memorial service was held at Sunshine Hall, Eldred in the evening. H.J. Rixton was chairman.

Program:
Overture: Orchestra
Star Spangled Banner and Battle Hymn of the Republic: community singing.
Invocation: Rev. Fidor Ether, Barryville; Rev. Balmer, Glen Spey.
Violin solo: F.A. Schwarz, Glen Spey.
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: F.J. Lewis, Barryville.
Vocal solo: Mrs. Minnie Myers, Eldred.
Reading: Rev. Fidor Ether, Barryville.
Violin-Piano Duet: Franz Schwartz and Miss Beatrice Covart, Glen Spey.
Address: Hon. Guernsey T. Cross, Callicoon.

Mr. Cross gave a complete history of Decoration Day, now called Memorial Day. He laid special emphasis on the character of its observance and on our duty to perpetuate its memory by living for the country our war heroes made possible.—Republican Watchman.

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September 25, 1918

In the following letter, my grandmother wrote my grandfather who was on jury duty.

Jennie Austin, Eldred, to C.M. Austin, Monticello, N.Y.
September 25, 1918
Dear Mort,

Received your letter tonight and will write a few lines. You have been away 2 days and it seems about that many weeks.

You got another nice letter from Raymond. I will send it with this. He has been moved to Balboa. I think that is on the Pacific coast. Wasn’t Balboa the one who discovered the Pacific Ocean? I only wish we could feel as easy over Mac as we do him. I paid Raymond’s Red Cross money over today. They was after it.

Elizabeth still gets along well in school. Willie is feeling alright again, so don’t worry about him or us. We are feeling fine, but only wish you were here. Still it is a good rest for you and likely you will have to work hard all winter.

I will certainly be good, for I have no chance to be bad.

Take good care of yourself. With lots of love, Jennie

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September 1918, France

McKinley Austin, 11th U.S. Inf., France, to Jennie Austin
September 19, 1918
Dear Mother,

I was glad to hear from you. I have been busy lately and have not written as I should. I am well and feel as if I will be lucky. I only wish that I could tell you more about where I have been during the past couple of weeks. You wouldn’t blame me for not writing more. I certainly thought enough about you when I was laying in a shell hole with the German shells throwing dirt and stones all over me.

They are tricky fighters without much idea of honor. Their artillery and machine guns are fair, but their infantry is not much good. It may be I have not seen their good troops yet, but I think we can lick them anytime we have half a chance.

I got a letter from Raymond, a few days ago. He seems quite well satisfied. I think both of us will be more contented with home when we get back.

We are not allowed to get parcels without having permission from some officers and I don’t know as I need anything much now anyway. It is surprising just how little a person really needs. I hope George Dunlap was not badly wounded. Well, I will close with love, Your son, McKinley

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Battle of Romagne-Sous–Montfaucon

Postcard showing the Kronprinz’s Observatory before and after the battle in Aida Austin’s Collection.

Montfaucon, France, October 12 and 13, 1918
McKinley’s outfit arrived in the vicinity of Montfaucon on October 12.

They suffered casualties as a result of heavy shelling from enemy guns the next day. The 11th Infantry took up a position around Ferme de la Madeleine that evening, the night of October 13.

Battle of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France, October 14–17, 1918
At the Battle of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon (October 14–17), the Americans launched a series of costly frontal assaults that finally broke through the main German defences of the Hindenburg Line.

The enemy waiting until the forward movement is commenced, throws down a terrific barrage upon our front so that the division going ‘over the top’ at daylight (October 14th) with the 9th Brigade (60th and 61st Infantry) on the right, and the 10th brigade, 6th and 11th Infantry on the left, is immediately plunged into a perfect storm of shell fire which inflicts heavy casualties in its ranks at the very outset of the advance.—Moss and Howland, p. 287.

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St. Miehl, France 1918

Ambulance Corps that Irwin Briggs was with. Photo courtesy Mary A.

My grandfather Irwin Briggs, a medic, went to the front lines to get the wounded and the dying during the St. Mihiel battle. He would also help at the next major battle, the Meuse-Argonne. This is a photo of some of the ambulances in his group. McKinley Austin’s outfit was in the same area of France.

St. Mihiel, Sept. 12–19, 1918
Our [11th Infantry, McKinley Austin’s group] barrage started at 1 a.m. on September 12. The regiment got in position for jumping off at 4:30 a.m., and the attack started at 5 a.m.

The Division Front was held by 10th Brigade. The 11th Infantry was on the right, the 6th Infantry was on the left, each regiment had one battalion in the front line. The 357 Infantry (90th Division) was on our right.

The 3rd Battalion, an assault battalion, followed and then 2nd Battalion Regiment reached all objectives on scheduled time, taking 100s of prisoners…

On September 13, a short, but fierce counter attack of the enemy was broken up by the regiment. About midnight September 15, the regiment relieved by 61st Infantry, moved into an intermediate position and remained there until September 16.—Sergeant John G. Popp.

The French Renault tanks designed to cross 6-foot trenches in dry weather, had to navigate trenches 8 feet deep and 10 to 14 feet wide “in horrible mud.”

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Another Soldier Boy in WWI

Raymond Austin with his mother Jennie Leavenworth Austin. Photo in Austin Collection.

Mac Austin’s brother Raymond finally was able to enlist. Raymond served in the Panama Canal Zone. (The Austins weren’t the only family to have more than one son in WWI.)

Raymond Austin, Camp Gaillard, Panama Canal Zone,
to Mort and Jennie, Eldred

August 3, 1918
Dear Folks,
This is the wet season here. It rains some every day and the roads are all sticky and slippery. I have heard old veterans speak of Virginia mud, but Panama mud is a reality to me now in fact, big clods of it are sticking to my shoes.

We are quartered in tents now which remind me of Ft. Slocum. But our food is ten times better. We have to eat outside and today we ate in the rain. Nevertheless, I got enough.

I haven’t had any letters from you since the 27th of June and I am beginning to be quite worried. Have you heard from Mac yet?

I wish you would send me a bundle of “Democrats,” “Rural New Yorkers,” “Farm and Homes,” and any other papers except “Lone Scout.” Save them ’til I come home.

Has any one else volunteered since I left? What kind of crops have we this year? I’m going to write grandfather as soon as I can afford it. With love to all, Raymond, 33rd U.S. Inf. Continue reading

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1949 Orchard Terrace Ad

Does anyone know:
• If the Orchard Terrace in the following 1949 ad was the Abel Myers’ Orchard Terrace which was the Eldred School from approximately 1926 to 1942?
• Who F. Stickel was?

Orchard Terrace, Eldred. Beautiful location; quiet, high elevation. Modern, large rooms; private lake, bathing, boating excellent home cooked meals. $35 weekly. $6 daily Tel Barryville 2568. F. Stickel.

Posted in Boarding Houses, Farewell to Eldred, Info/photo request | 2 Comments

McKinley in France

On left: a friend, Elizabeth, Bob (Robbie) and Art Austin. Photo courtesy of Mary A.

McKinley, France, to Jennie Austin, Eldred
August 9, 1918
Dear Mother,

I hope you will pardon me for not writing sooner. But when I had paper, I did not have time and when I had time, I could not get paper. Have you heard from Raymond lately? I have had one letter from him.

I don’t suppose there are so many city boarders up this year.

Aunt Aida sent me a couple of pictures of the children saluting. They certainly looked comical, especially Robbie. Is Willie still working at Proctor’s?

Tell Grandfather that I will write him sometime. When I get back home, we will have some time swapping war stories. Raymond will talk for a week steady when he gets back.

I am getting along well. Except in a big drive there is not much danger, so you need not worry about me. Give my love to all.

Your loving son, Mac

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Anne Rassine from Astoria, Ore.

S.S. Tuscania. Photo: wikipedia.org, public domain.

The S.S. Tuscania was a luxury liner named after a town in Italy. She was torpedoed February 5, 1918, by the German U-boat, UB-77 while carrying 2,013 American troops to Europe. Over 200 people were lost, mostly American troops.
—worldwar1.com

Anne Rassine, Astoria, Ore., to McKinley Austin
February 8, 1918
Dear Friend,

I’m staying in Astoria now till the end of this month. Astoria is a large city and besides it is a seaport city. This city is on a hill and of course part of it is built on Columbia River. Columbia River is about six miles wide at the part right opposite Astoria.

The men all have come to work in Astoria at the ship yards. Astoria has three large ship yards. And each one has three large ships under construction at present. My father is coming to work at the shipyards also, next Monday.

Well, how are you making it out there? When will you have to go to France? We have had great discussions about that ship, Tuscania that was torpedoed now lately. I hope to goodness that such a fate will never be yours as it was for those who perished in that disaster. Continue reading

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