By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | September 15, 2019
In this year, we encounter returning Great War soldiers (mixed throughout), the death of a Milton Mills native inventor, ice for sale, a Milton Mills nonagenarian’s advice on longevity (and other matters), a visit from Rev. S.F. Goodheart, camp sites for rent, a farm for sale, West Milton squash pie, Mrs. Lessard’s restaurant auction, a barber wanted, and a maple syrup mail mishap misreported.
The Great War having concluded in November of the previous year, relatives of soldiers sought information from newspaper columns as to where their soldiers might be and when they would be coming home.
This was also the year in which the Eighteenth Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture or sale of alcohol, was passed (January 16, 1919). It took effect on January 17, 1920.
“Many Thanks” of Milton made an inquiry about the status of the 314th Ambulance Company. He or she presumably had a friend or relative in that unit. Vacheronville was near Verdun, France, scene of several sanguinary battles.
WHAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT. Anonymous communications will receive no attention, nor will any notice be paid those of undue length. Denominational or sectarian questions will not be acceptable. Location of Divisions.
Many Thanks, Milton, N.H. The 314th Ambulance Company is attached to the 79tb Division. Was at Vacheranville Nov. 28 (Boston Globe, January 23, 1919).
N. Nelson of Milton made an inquiry about the status of Battery F, 106th Field Artillery. He or she presumably had a friend or relative in that unit. Montford was in Normandy, France.
About Soldiers Overseas. N. Nelson, Milton, N.H. – Battery F, 106th Field Artillery, was at Montford Jan. 2 (Boston Globe, January 28, 1919).
Charles E. Wootton of Milton Mills, who appeared in the news as a Canadian casualty (illness), had a varied and unusual backstory.
Charles E. Wootton was baptized in Southwark, London, September 4, 1892, son of Osborne C. and Alice [(Huggett)] Wooton.
Charles Ernest Wootton, a hawker, b. Westminster, London, January 18, 1891, enlisted as a “boy sailor” in the Royal Navy, at the age of sixteen years, June 6, 1907. He served in a short time on a variety of ships, including several state-of-the-art British battle cruisers: HMS Ganges, HMS Cochrane, HMS Sutlej, HMS Vivid, HMS Isis, where his “character” was rated “V.G.” (very good), and where he was promoted to Ordinary Seaman, and HMS Defence. There he was separated from his ship for twenty-eight days (the reason is difficult to read). He was transferred to HMS Argyll, August 14, 1909. His character was rated “fair” on HMS Argyll, right up until he “run” or “ran,” i.e., “jumped ship,” when the ship was anchored near Grant’s Tomb at New York, NY, October 2, 1909. (He missed thereby Wilbur Wright’s ground-breaking flyover of the city, Statue of Liberty, and HMS Argyll four days later. Yes, that Wilbur Wright, one of the Wright Brothers).
He married in Milton, NH, December 27, 1910, Jennie S. Wentworth, both of Milton. He was a [shoe] vamper, aged twenty years (b. London), and she was a shoe stitcher, aged twenty-three years (b. Milton). O.J. Faunce performed the ceremony. She divorced him in Carroll County, NH, November 28, 1913.
Charles Ernest Wootton of Acton, ME, registered for the WW I military draft in Acton, ME, June 5, 1917. He was an alien, having been born in London, England, January 18, 1891. He was single and self-employed as a farmer. He was of medium height, with a medium build, blue eyes and brown hair.
But Wootton did not wait around to be drafted, nor did he enlist in any U.S. force. Charles Ernest Wootton of Acton, ME, enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force (CEF) at Frederickton, New Brunswick, June 15, 1917. He was assigned to the 236th O.S. Battalion, also known as the “Sir Sam’s Own” New Brunswick Kilties. His attestation papers include a separate undated marginal note identifying a wife, Mrs. Violet [(Lapsley) Bell)] Wooton, with an address 42 C[raig]foot Terrace, Bo’ness, Scotland. The medium height of his U.S. draft registration was given here as 5′ 8″; his complexion was fair, eyes blue, and hair brown. He had a “Tattoo of a girl’s head or snowshoe and a sailor and girl embracing, bird with letter, and hands clasped on right arm. Snake and eagle in fight on left.” Presumably, his “tats” were souvenirs of his time in the Royal Navy.
The 236th Battalion (CEF) was absorbed into the 20th Battalion (CEF) in France in March 1918. The 20th Battalion (CEF) participated in the Battle of Amiens, in August 1918, which was the opening phase of the Last Hundred Days offensive.
CANADIAN CASUALTIES. OTTAWA, Feb. 10 – C.E. Wootton of Milton Mills, N.H., and W.F. Bevan of Wallingford. Conn, are ill, according to today’s casualty list (Boston Globe, February 10, 1919).
Having recovered from his illness – likely the Spanish flu – he received his discharge, May 2, 1919. He appeared in a US immigration pre-clearance record, taken in St. John, New Brunswick, as intending to travel from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to the United States on board the Regina, May 30, 1919. He was then a telephone lineman, aged twenty-eight years. The Canadian military paid his fare.
Charles E. Wootton, a blanket mill weaver, aged twenty-eight years (b. England), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Violet [((Lapsley) Bell)] Wootton, aged twenty-seven years (b. Scotland), and his step-children, Violet B. Bell, aged seven years (b. Scotland), Margaret C. Bell, aged five years (b. Scotland), and Hugh Bell, aged four years and nine months (b. Scotland). They were all classed as Aliens. He had immigrated to the US in 1909, as we have seen, while his second wife and her children all came over from Scotland in 1919. That is to say, they all joined him when he returned from his Canadian service. Charles E. Wootton owned their farm, free-and-clear. It was on the Horn’s Mills Road, in Acton Corner.
Wooton’s parents appeared also in Acton, ME, just doors away from their son. They had immigrated in 1912. Osborne C. Wootton, a blanket mill napper, aged fifty-seven years (b. England), headed an Acton, ME, household in 1920. His household included his wife, Alice Wootton, aged fifty-two years (b. England), and his grandson, James O.N. Mucci, aged two years and one months (b. NH (parents born Italy and England)). Osborne C. Wootton owned their farm, free-and-clear.
Charles E. Wootton, a painter, aged thirty-nine years (b. England), was in Wolfeboro, NH, in 1930, after which he eludes us. His wife was there still in 1940, while his parents were in Buxton, ME, in 1930 and 1940.
A Milton “Mother” made an inquiry about the status of Co. N, 21st Engineers. She presumably had a son in that unit.
Soldiers Overseas. Mother, Milton, N.H. – Co. N, 21st Engineers, is not in the Army of Occupation. Has not been ordered home (Boston Globe, February 11, 1919).
Albert L. Simes of Milton Mills made an inquiry about the status of Co. D, 401st, Tel. Br. He presumably had a friend or relative in that unit.
Soldiers Overseas. A.L. Simes, Milton Mills, N.H. – It is not announced when Co. D, 401st, Tel. Br., will sail (Boston Globe, February 18, 1919).
David F. Hartford, a Milton-native shoe machinery inventor and manufacturer died in the Dorchester district of Boston, MA.
His father, David P. Hartford, a wood farmer, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary [((Hurd) Thurston)] Hartford, aged forty-one years (b. NH), John G.C. Thurston, a wood turner, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Mary C. Thurston, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Sarah F. Hartford, aged eight years (b. [Milton,] NH), David F. Hartford, aged six years (b. [Milton,] NH), and Thomas F. Hartford, aged four years (b. [Milton,] NH). David P. Hartford had real estate valued at $800.
D.F. HARTFORD. RETIRED INVENTOR, DIES, AGED 75. David F. Hartford of Alban st., Dorchester, a retired machine inventor, died yesterday at his home, in his 76th year, following a long illness. He lived in Boston 50 years, during which period with his brother Thomas he conducted a business house under the name of Hartford Brothers on South st. He was a shoe machine inventor. Mr. Hartford retired from active business 12 years ago. He was born in Milton Mills, N.H., in August, 1843. He made his home in Dorchester for 20 years. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Augustus Bickerson of Milton, and a stepson, Edmund Tarbell. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the residence (Boston Globe, February 23, 1919).
David F. Hartford, a shoe machinery manufacturer, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his housekeeper, Nellie Kelley, a private family housekeeper, aged twenty-eight years (b. Ireland (Eng.)). David F. Hartford owned his house at 52 Albans Street, free-and-clear.
FOR SALE. ICE. PURE New Hampshire Ice, direct from water, ready to ship now. Full Information at PORTER MILTON ICE CO., Reading, Mass.; phone Reading, Mass., 144, or Milton, N.H., 25. Sud3t* f23 (Boston Globe, February 23, 1919).
Note that the Porter Milton Ice Co. had shifted its base from Marblehead, MA, to Reading, MA. The founder, John Oliver Porter, of Marblehead, MA, retired at about this time. The company continued, but with other hands at the helm.
A Milton “Sister” made an inquiry about the status of 18th Company, Transportation Corps. She presumably had a brother in that unit. The newspaper had little with which to alleviate her concerns.
Soldiers Overseas. Sister, Milton, N.H. – The location of the 18th Company, Transportation Corps, is not announced. Not ordered home. (Boston Globe, March 15, 1919).
Asa Merrill is here said to have been a school teacher in Lebanon, Sanford, and Berwick, ME, and Milton Mills, NH. This can only have been the late 1840s and early 1850s. He was already in Massachusetts by the mid to late 1850s.
Asa’s father, Nathan Merrill, a farmer, aged sixty-one years (b. ME), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Sally [(Brackett)] Merrill, aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), George W. Merrill, a farmer, aged twenty-three years (b. ME), John Merrill, a schoolteacher, aged twenty-one years (b. ME), Asa Merrill, aged nineteen years (b. ME), and Nathan Merrill, Jr., aged twelve years (b. ME). Nathan Merrill had real estate was valued at $2,500.
SAW WOOD AND LIVE TO BE AS OLD AS METHUSALEH. That Is Advice of Asa Merrill of Milton Mills, N.H., Who at Age of 90 Tackles Brockton Woodpile. Special Dispatch to the Globe BROCKTON, March 6 – There’s nothing like a little exercise for keeping young. That’s why I saw wood every day. If more men, as they advanced, would do a little something, instead of “sitting in a chair all day, they would feel better and live still longer,” said Asa Merrill, who has just arrived at the 90th milestone. He was a guest of honor at a dinner party in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Lawton, 24 Tilton av., In recognition of the anniversary. He was a veteran teacher in the Boston schools. Mr Merrill lives in Milton Mills, N.H. His wife enjoys just as remarkable health. Mr. Merrill, besides being remarkably active, is a student of current events. His eyes are unimpaired after his 90 years of long activity and he reads without glasses. Some of his pithy sayings are: “If a man keeps active and exercises both mind and body, ordinarily he will live to a ripe old age. “Keep smiling. There’s nothing like health with all the worries banished, particularly in these times when the world pace is maddening. “I’d wished most of all to see the war end, and now I’m at rest. But I hope they give the Kaiser his just reckoning. But may all our boys be home soon. “Teddy Roosevelt was a great man. I was deeply grieved when he died. “This country owes a great deal to Wilson. He is a wonderful man in the right place. Nothing we could ever do would pay our debt to him. “I don’t know but what prohibition is a good thing after all. Liquor is a curse to millions and a trial without it won’t do any harm.” “Yes, I believe in woman’s suffrage. There are hundreds of thousands of women just as intelligent as men.” Up in Milton Mills, where Mr. and Mrs. Merrill live, there is a small backyard garden each year, rows straight, no weeds and well cultivated, the pride of the local nonagenarian and his thrifty wife. Mrs. Merrill does her own housework. Mr. Merrill was born In Acton, Me. in 1829. He was graduated from Parsonfield Academy, Parsonfield, Me. after which he taught school in Lebanon. N.H. [ME?], Berwick and Sanford, Me, and Milton Mills, N.H. He later went to Boston, where he also taught school, making a specialty of bookkeeping. Later he accepted a position as a bookkeeper in a mercantile house in Boston. About 30 years ago he bought a farm in Union, N.H, living there for a while until his age made it impossible for him to work the farm longer. He then removed to Milton Mills, N.H. Winters Mr. and Mrs. Merrill pass with Mr. and Mrs. Lawton here. After hanging about the house for several days Mr. Merrill dispatched Mr. Lawton to purchase a pair of overhauls for him. Mr. Lawton did. A day later Mrs. Lawton heard the swish of the saw in the cellar and started to rush down. “Leave him alone!” Mrs. Merrill warned. “He’s got to have his exercise” (Boston Globe, March 17, 1919).
Asa Merrill married (1st), circa 1855, Susan C. Mudgett. She was born in Acton, ME, January 26, 1832, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Cram) Mudgett. The Boston phase of their life was shorter than it might appear in his telling. He was a trimmer in the Roxbury district of Boston in 1860, but was a tailor in Ossipee, NH, by 1870. They were in Wakefield, NH, i.e., Union, by 1880, where he was again a tailor, and a farmer there in 1900.
Susan C. (Mudgett) Merrill died in Union village, Wakefield, NH, October 20, 1903. Asa Merrill married (2nd) in Milton Mills, October 25, 1904, Susan F. (Randall) Titcomb, both of Wakefield. Rev. E.W. Churchill of Milton Mills performed the ceremony. She was born in Great Falls, i.e., Somersworth, NH, circa 1837-38, daughter of Benjamin and Melinda (Stillings) Randall. They were retired in Milton Mills by 1910.
Asa Merrill and his second wife were recorded twice in the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. John W. Lawton, a lumber dealer, aged fifty-nine years (b. MA), headed a Brockton, MA, household on January 3, 1920. His household included his wife, Emma F. [(Randall)] Lawton, aged sixty-four years (b. ME), his daughter, Florence R. Lawton, a City of Boston clerical worker, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA), his brother-in-law, Asa Merrill, aged ninety years (b. NH), his sister-in-law, Susan Merrill, aged eighty-one years (b. NH), and his hired man, Anthony Arzekawski, a jobbing teamster, aged fifty-four years (b. Poland (Lithuania)). Lawton owned their house at 40 Tilton Avenue, but with a mortgage. Arzekawski resided in a shed in the rear [!].
Asa Merrill, aged eighty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Milton household on January 21, 1920. His household included his wife, Susan Merrill, aged eighty years (b. NH). They appeared in the enumeration between the households of Robert S. Pike, a retail butcher, aged sixty years (b. NH), and William Cronin, a Town laborer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH). (Merrill appeared in the Milton directory of 1917 at “9 Highland, Milton Mills.” Pike appeared at “18 Highland, on hill, Milton Mills).
Lloyd Francis Ellis of Milton registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, June 5, 1917. He was an ice man for the Boston Ice Company, aged twenty-one years (b. Milton, April 17, 1896). He was a single man, of medium height, with a medium build, with blue eyes and brown hair.
NEW ENGLANDERS OF 26TH ON THE AMERICA. Completion of Names of Soldiers Who Arrived Saturday. Following are additional names of New England soldiers arriving in Boston Saturday in the troopship America. The units not given in Sunday morning’s Globe are printed this morning.
CO. E, 103D INFANTRY. LLOYD F. ELLIS, Milton, N.H. (Boston Globe, April 17, 1919).
George E. Ellis, a Boston ice company seam straightener, aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920 Federal Census. His household included his wife, Gertrude I. Ellis, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), and his children, Lloyd F. Ellis, an Met. ice company ice puller, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Ethel M. Remick, a leather-board skiver, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Nellie B. Ellis, a leather-board skiver, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Ruby Ellis, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Myrtle M. Ellis, aged twelve years (b. NH), Rosalie A. Ellis, aged six years (b. NH), and Edward G. Ellis, aged four years and eight months (b. NH). They resided in a rented house on Lower Main Street in Milton Village.
Corporal George Wentworth Drew, of Company A, 125th Infantry [Regiment], 32nd Infantry Division, son of Ina [(Wentworth)] Drew, home address Milton, NH, appeared in a list of 125th Regiment soldiers aboard a transport ship in Hoboken, NJ, February 18, 1918. It was a typewritten list, composed mostly of Michigan men. They were bound for France.
ONLY ONE DEATH IN 55 CASUALTIES. Most of New England War Losses Slightly Wounded. The casualty list released for publication this morning contains 311 names, classified as follows: Killed in action, 5; died from wounds, 4; died from accident and other causes, 4; died of disease, 14; wounded severely, 11; wounded (degree undetermined), 36: wounded slightly, 233; missing in action, 4. New England casualties number 55, of whom one died of wounds, one is wounded severely, 10 wounded (degree undetermined), and 43 slightly wounded. There are seven corrections. Following are the named of New England men in the official casualty lists, with some sent in by relatives in advance of the official announcement.
WOUNDED SLIGHTLY. DREW, George Wentworth, Milton, N.H. (Boston Globe, April 17, 1919).
The 32nd Infantry Division fought in the Second Battle of the Marne (July-August 1918), the Battle of Oise offensive (as part of the French 10th Army), and the Meuse-Argonne offensive (September-November 1918).
George W. Drew married in Detroit, MI, September 20, 1919, Izetta Olysworth, both of Detroit. He was a salesman, aged twenty-six years (b. NH, son of Samuel and Ina (Wentworth) Drew); she was a clerk, aged twenty-two years (b. MI, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Forbes) Olysworth). Their marriage record had, as did many on the same page, am interlineated notation: “In war against Germany.”
Mark L. Thompson appeared in the Milton directory of 1917 as a painter and Spaulding employee, with his house off South Main street, near Spaulding’s mills. His mother, Lizzie S. Thompson, widow of Otto S. Thompson, resided on South Main street, near Spaulding’s. (His father, Otis S. Thompson, who died in 1911, appeared in the Veterans Schedule of 1890).
LIST OF NEW ENGLAND TROOPS ON THE PATRICIA. Following is a list of New England boys returning on the Patricia.
HEADQUARTERS AND SUPPLY DETACHMENT, 101ST FIELD SIGNAL BATTALION. Corp. Mark L. Thompson, Milton, N.H. (Boston Globe, April 18, 1919).
Mark L. Thompson, a building foreman, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Beverly, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary I. Thompson, aged twenty-four years (b. MA), and his child, George M. Thompson, aged one year and nine months (b. MA). They resided in a three-family dwelling at 26 Cabot Street.
Rev. Simon F. Goodheart, who had transferred to a parish in Shirley, MA, in the previous year, returned to speak at a Brotherhood meeting in April.
Shirley Locals. Rev. S.F. Goodheart, Mrs. Edwin H. Conant, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Conant, Mrs. W.H. Coddington, Mrs. Herbert E. Lawrence and Mrs. Nellie W. Holbrook attended the meeting of the Middlesex Association of Congregational Churches at Dunstable Wednesday, Mr. Goodheart giving one of the addresses of the day. Mr. Goodheart left yesterday for Milton, N.H., where he was to speak before the Brotherhood, which he organized there in 1916 (Hollis Times, April 25, 1919).
George Lawrence Tanner of Milton registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, June 5, 1917. He was a laborer in the shoe counter factory of J. Spaulding & Sons of North Rochester, NH, aged twenty-eight years (b. Farmington, NH, September 18, 1889). He was a single man, of medium height, with a medium build, and blue eyes and brown hair. He had served previously for three months in the NH Guard.
NEW ENGLAND MEN WHO CAME TO BOSTON ON SANTA ROSA. Following is a partial list of New England passengers who arrived yesterday on the U.S.S. Santa Rosa, some of the named not being obtainable from the ship’s papers last evening.
BATTERY B, 302D FIELD ARTILLERY. George L. Tanner, Milton, N.H. (Boston Globe, April 27, 1919).
Mary A. [(O’Hara)] Tanner, aged fifty-four years (b. Ireland), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. Her household included her children, Eva M. Tanner, a shoe shop stitcher, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), George L. Tanner, an ice company laborer, aged thirty years (b. NH), Marion L. Tanner, a shoe shop stitcher, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Stanley C. Tanner, an ice company fireman, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), Charles Edwin Tanner, a leather-board laborer, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Consuelo Tanner, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), Patrick J. Tanner, a tire repair shop owner, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Eleanor T. Tanner, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Audrey Y. Tanner, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and Herbey C. Tanner, aged fifteen years (b. NH); her daughter-in-law, Vila L. [(Kimball)] Turner, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and her grandson, Lloyd C. Turner, aged eight months (b. NH). Mary A. Turner was a naturalized citizen, having immigrated in 1892. They resided on Charles Street in Milton Village.
Box 42 in Milton had some tent sites and good fishing on the Lebanon side of North-east Pond to rent to rusticators.
SUMMER RESORTS. TO LEASE – Camp sites on shore of North-east Pond, Lebanon, Me., fine boating and fishing, home of the black bass and pickerel, scenery unsurpassed, beautiful spring of mineral water; land to rent tor tenting. Box 42, Milton, N.H. Su2t* my4 (Boston Globe, May 4, 1919).
Mrs. Fred W. Badger of Milton made an inquiry about the status of the 318th Engineers. Her husband was with that unit.
Alwida Clara McFarland married in Windsor, VT, April 17, 1915, Fred Wells Badger, she of Milton Mills, NH, and he of Windsor, VT. She was born in Newark, VT, circa 1896-97, daughter of Aldea B. and Jessie M. (Foster) McFarland.
Fred Wells Badger of Windsor, VT, registered for the WW I military draft in Cornish, VT, June 5, 1917. He was a chauffeur for Charles A. Platt of Cornish, VT, aged twenty-five years (b. Barre, VT, October 20, 1891). He was a married man, of medium height, with a medium build, and brown eyes and black hair.
Private Fred W. Badger, of the 318th Engineers (Sappers), sailed from Hoboken, NH, May 8, 1918, bound for France on board the troop transport America. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs. Alwoda Badger, of Milton Mills, NH.
Requests and Answers. Mrs. Fred W. Badger, Milton, N.H. – The 318th Engineers were not sent home with the 26th Division. It has not been announced when it will be ordered home (Boston Globe, May 15, 1919).
Sup. Sgt. Eng. Fred W. Badger, of the 318th Engineer Train, sailed from Brest, France, June 5, 1919, bound for Hoboken, NJ, on the USS Leviathan. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs. Alwoda Badger, of Milton Mills, NH. They arrived on June 12, 1919, and the men were sent to Camp Mills.
Fred W. Badger, a State highway civil engineer, aged twenty-eight years (b. VT), headed a Montpelier, VT, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Alwida C. Badger, aged twenty-three years (b. VT), and his child, Fred W. Badger, Jr., aged two years and five months (b. VT). They shared a rented two-family dwelling at 107 State Street with the household of Edwin C. Gitchell, a general contractor, aged forty-eight years (b. NH). Three other residents on their census page were also State highway civil engineers, one was a State highway stenographer, and several others held other State positions.
Carl Howard Keene (temporarily) of 824½ W. Second Avenue, Spokane, WA, registered for the WW I military draft in Spokane, WA, November 7, 1917. He was single, a farmer, employed by Harry Bester of McLeod, Alberta, Canada, aged thirty years (b. Boston, MA, August 15, 1887). He was of medium height, with a slender build, blue eyes, and brown hair.
Carl H. Keene enlisted in the US Army, June 28, 1918. He began with Co. G of the 158th Infantry Regiment, 40th Division, with whom he left New York, NY, August 10, 1918, on board the troop transport Olympic (sister ship to the Titanic). He transferred to Co. L of the 308th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, September 20, 1918.
The 308th Infantry Regiment was part of the famous “Lost Battalion” unit surrounded for five days in early October during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Carl H. Keene left St. Nazaire, France, with Convalescent Detachment 68 (Sick and Wounded), February 25, 1919, on board the troop transport Nansemond (arriving March 11, 1919). He was still a member of 308th Infantry Regiment. He received his discharge April 4, 1919.
21 MORE CASUALTIES FROM NEW ENGLAND. Army Reports 95, Marines 19 in Checking Up of List. The official casualty list released for publication today contains 95 names from the Army and 19 from the Marine Corps, classified as follows: From the Army – Killed in action. 3; died from wounds, 6: died of accident or other causes. 12; died of disease. 3; wounded slightly. 64; missing in action, 7. From the Marine Corps – Killed in action, 6; died of wounds, 5; died of disease, 2; missing in action. 7. Of the 114 names reported for the whole country 21 are from New England, 20 being Army casualties and one Marine, with the following classification:
Corrections. WOUNDED, DEGREE UNDETERMINED. KEENE, Carl H. Milton, N.H. (previously reported missing in action.) (Boston Globe, May 22, 1919).
Hervey W. Dorr, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Catherine M. ((McKenzie) Keene) Door, aged fifty years (b. England), his step-son, Carl H. Keene, a Milton Ice Co. laborer, aged twenty-three years (b. MA), and his boarders, Dan H. Craig, a Standard Sand Co. laborer, aged twenty-three years (b. VA), and Marion E. Craig, aged nineteen years (b. MA). Hervey W. Dorr owned the farm, which was situated on the Plummer’s Ridge road, free-and-clear.
A local couple must have been devoted fans of former Milton minister Rev. S.F. Goodheart, as they traveled all the way to his new parish in Shirley, MA, to be married by him.
Jeanettie A. [(Rhines)] Page, widow [of George W. Page], appeared at 6 Remick street, off Silver street, in the Milton directory of 1917. Two of her children, Bernis L. Page, a shoe operative, and Mavis L. Page, resided with her.
Samuel Mayrand of North Rochester, NH, USA, enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force in Montreal, Canada, August 7, 1918. He was an unmarried shoemaker, aged thirty-four year, eleven months (born in Canada, September 25, 1883, son of Eleazar Maynard (residing in 1918 at 22 Rabbit Street, Woonsocket, RI, USA)). He was 5′ 9½” tall, with medium blue eyes and brown hair. He was assigned to the 2nd Depot Battalion, of the 2nd Quebec Regiment.
Shirley Locals. Miss Mavis L. Page of Milton, N.H., and Samuel E. Mayrand of North Rochester, N.H., were married Tuesday by Rev. S.F. Goodheart at the Congregational parsonage. The bride is a former parishioner of Mr. Goodheart, and the groom has recently been discharged from the Canadian army (Hollis Times, August 1, 1919).
Another West Milton farm went on the market It was equidistant from both Hayes [South Milton] and Milton stations and two miles from Farmington village.
THE REAL ESTATE MARKET. HOUSE AND BARN, with about 25 acres, 10 tillable, balance pasture and wood; blueberries and wild berries galore: house furnished, seven rooms, with toilet, refrigerator and sink rooms additional; altitude 800; scenery unsurpassed; water and air unexcelled, the coolest place in Summer; porch screened in, 16×12, view for 30 miles; suitable for all year around, particularly for Summer boarders; no trouble to fill house, it has always been used privately; location, West Milton, N.H., two miles from Farmington, three from Hayes and Milton, N.H., stations; price on application; telephone connection. W. H. LOSEE, J. MILLER, R.F.D. 1, Farmington, N.H. (Boston Globe, August 10, 1919).
The advertisement mentions its possibilities for Summer rusticators, having the features that attract them: high altitude, scenery, cool air, screened porch, wild berries, proximity to train stations, a telephone connection, and even an indoor toilet.
In late September, a Mrs. Field sought some squash pie advice from the readers of the Boston Globe’s Household Department column.
Requests. Will the sisters tell me how I can make a squash pie like you see in a bakery? I would like it thick, and brown on top, but the ones I made no one could eat. They were about a quarter of an inch thick when I took them from the oven. My husband just looked at them. He would not eat them. Will some one please help me to make a good pie? Field (Boston Globe, October 2, 1919).
Annie Louise was first to reply to Field’s request.
Squash Pie. For Field – One and one-third cups sifted squash. 1 even tablespoon flour, 1 egg, good half cup sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, salt. Beat together, add 1 1/3 or 1½ cups milk. It depends on the dryness of the squash. If possible use part cream, if not add a little melted butter before you put the milk in. I build my crust up like a custard pie, binding it around with a strip of cloth, then there is no danger of it falling down. After the pie is ready for the oven add two tablespoons of cream or top milk. Do not stir, but with the back of spoon spread over the top. This will give it the nice wrinkly brown look. Bake quickly at first until crust and top begin to brown, then let finish baking more slowly or it will boil and that spoils it. Will be pleased to hear what success you have if you try my way. Annie Louise (Boston Globe, October 6, 1919).
A West Milton, N.H., woman offered her own “tried and true” recipe on the following day.
Squash Pie. Requested by Field. – One cup stewed and sifted squash, 1 pint milk, scalded, 3 crackers rolled fine and sifted. Mix together, then add 2/3 cup sugar, ½ teaspoon ginger (less if strong), ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt. Bake in a moderate oven. Squash and pumpkin pies do not sour so soon when milk is scalded. I always line a deep plate with paste, build up an edge which I keep from falling by wrapping with a narrow strip of wet cloth, pasting the ends together with a bit of dough. Remove the cloth before serving pie. This recipe is tried and true. West Milton, N.H. (Boston Globe, October 7, 1919).
Field thanked Annie Louise, and all the other sisters who had replied to her request, including the one from West Milton, NH.
Acknowledgements. I wish to thank Annie Louise for her squash pie recipe. I tried it and it came out just as I wanted. You don’t know how grateful I am to you, Annie Louise, and wish I could only help you in return. I also wish to thank “Robbin’s Grandma,” West Milton, N.H., “Almost Forty-One,” “A Little Mother” and “Conn Ema” for their kindness in sending squash pie recipes. Field (Boston Globe, November 10, 1919).
One sister questioned whether Field’s pie plate had been perhaps too large. Another suggested sprinkling cinnamon on top of the pie before baking.
A wood-fired “moderate oven” translates to 350° to 375° in a modern oven. Naturally, no times were given: anybody worth their salt just knew that. Some modern recipes suggest covering the pie’s edges with tin-foil, rather than wet cloth. They suggest baking at 350° for fifteen minutes, removing the tin-foil, and then continuing to bake for a further 35-40 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
This sister is still wondering how one goes about sifting squash. Perhaps I should write to the Boston Globe?
[Ed. note: your meat grinder, clamped to a countertop, and with the proper screen insert, would sieve your squash. Now, perhaps, you might use an electric blender].
(See Milton in the News – 1918 for Mrs. P.W. Merrill’s Milton squash pie and walnut cake recipes; also Milton Cookies of 1895-96, Milton Mills Oyster Fritters Recipe of 1895, and Miss McClary’s Candies and Such for some Milton recipes of a generation earlier).
A Mrs. Lassard (or Lessard) of Milton, NH, had something to do with an apparently short-lived (1918-19) Portsmouth, NH, restaurant. (There were several Mrs, Lessards in Milton in this period, none of whom identified themselves as restauranteurs).
Little’s Restaurant. 502 Islington Street, Opposite Gale Shoe Co. Regular Board by Week. Also Meal Tickets. Lunches put up to take out. All Home Cooking. A Little Out of the Way, but It Pays to Walk (Portsmouth Herald, February 16, 1918).
The Little’s Restaurant advertisement employs several turns of phrase that, while still used, are now separated from their original context. Here we find the “regular board” of “room and board,” meaning meals. Also, the concept of a “meal ticket,” literally a ticket of pre-purchased meals, which was to be “punched” as one ate them. Missing is the “Blue Plate Special.”
Little’s Restaurant had “location, location, location” as regards the lunchtime crowd from Gale Shoe, but needed other customers to walk a bit out of their way. But it would be worth it, i.e., it would “pay to walk” there.
At Public Auction. Instructions from Mrs. Lassard of Milton, N.H. On Wednesday Next, Oct. 8, 1919. Contents of the Restaurant at Islington St., Opposite the Gale Shoe Company. Comprising large ice refrigerator, National Cash Register, gas stoves, tables, chairs, bar and stools, clock and such articles as are used in restaurants. Sale at 1015 A.M. For Further Particulars apply to S.D. Eastham, 86 Congress St., Tel. 86 (Portsmouth Herald, October 4, 1919).
Mr. J.O. Porter would be glad that Little’s was using a large ice refrigerator, i.e., an ice box. The National Cash Register (NCR) company had been founded in 1884. (IBM’s founder, Thomas J. Watson, Sr., worked for NCR at this time). A gas stove. The bar and stools suggests a lunch counter.
The Federal Reserve banking system was imposed back in 1913, while several Milton barber shops were competing for barbers. The market rate for a barber in a country town was then $13 per week, but competitive offers of $14, a half-day off, and even commissions, began to appear in that year and the next.
MALE HELP WANTED. BARBER at once; good workman, steady job, ½ day and evening off; $21 per week. Address C.L. BURKE, Milton, N.H.; Lock Box 3. Sud3t* o19 (Boston Globe, October 19, 1919).
The effects of the Federal Reserve’s monetary inflation – and, to some extent, wartime shortages – may be seen here already in its early days: proffered wages for Milton barbers in 1919 have reached 150% of their 1913 wage rates. The asking prices for farms and other advertised items have also risen greatly over this period. It was not that services and commodities had suddenly become more valuable, but rather that the dollars used to purchase them had become less valuable through expansion of the money supply. The U.S. dollar has lost about 95% of its value since the Federal Reserve gained control of the money supply in 1913.
A Boston Globe editor or typesetter confused his units and measures in their article about a Milton postal mishap.
Odd Items From Everywhere. There was trouble at Milton, N.H., when the postmaster, opening a sack of his having a hundred bushels of maple syrup, sent by parcel post, had exploded in the bag (Boston Globe, October 16, 1919).
They noticed their error, and printed this corrected version on the following day, with a gallon of maple syrup substituted for the original hundred bushels.
Odd Items From Everywhere. There was trouble at Milton, N.H., when the postmaster, opening a sack of mail, found that a gallon of maple syrup, sent by parcel post, had exploded in the bag (Boston Globe, October 17, 1919).
The Waterville Sentinel, of Waterville, ME, had noticed it too, as presumably had thousands of readers, and teased her sister newspaper a little bit.
It Was Printed All Right Next Day. Says the Boston Globe: There was trouble at Milton, N.H., when the Postmaster opened a sack of his having a hundred bushels of maple syrup, sent by parcel post, had exploded in the bag. If this is a true account of what actually happened, we should say it might have been called trouble. Waterville Sentinel (Boston Globe, October 21, 1919).
Mr. S.D. Plissken contributed to this article.
Previous in sequence: Milton in the News – 1918; next in sequence: Milton in the News – 1920
References:
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