100 Years Ago: Two Belleville Boys Gassed, No Authority for Beef Stew

The Intelligencer August 31, 1917 (page 2)

“Belleville Soldiers Gassed by Huns. Official news has been received from the Director of Records at Ottawa that Gunner W. C. Burgiss, and Bombardier Stephen A. Sword, both of Belleville are in military hospitals suffering from the effects of German poison gas. The official telegrams are as follows:

Ottawa, Ont. Aug. 30th, 1917. J. W. Burgiss, 111 Foster Ave., Belleville, Ont. Sincerely regret to inform you that 40286 Gunner W. C. Burgiss, artillery, officially reported admitted to No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station Aug. 18, 17. Gassed. Will send further particulars when received. Director of Records.

A. Sword, 12 Pope St., Belleville, Ont. Sincerely regret to inform you (40501) Acting Bombardier Stephen Alfred Sword, artillery, officially reported admitted to First General Hospital, Aug. 20, 1917. Gassed. Will send further particulars when received. Director of Records.”

The Intelligencer August 31, 1917 (page 6)

“No Authority For Beef Stew. Ottawa. The Food Controller’s office issues the following: The Food Controller has been informed that the managers of certain restaurants throughout the Dominion declare that they have been given authority to serve beef in such dishes as beef stew on Tuesdays and Fridays. No such authority has been given. …

While it was the intention of the Food Controller to allow managers, proprietors, etc., of public eating places sufficient time in which to adjust their establishments to the new regulations, continued infraction of the regulations will result in early prosecution, and the act will be sharply enforced.”