The Intelligencer October 4, 1917 (page 2)
“Christmas Presents for Soldiers. The report of the Red Cross Society for the special Red Cross Penny Bag collection is as follows: We did not quite reach our desired amount for the boys’ Christmas packages in our Red Cross penny bags this month. In fact we have delayed this report in the hope that the few necessary dollars to make up $400 might be collected.
There is, however, a very substantial increase over the usual monthly collection. Several of the wards have doubled their collection of last month, all of which is to be used in sending individual Christmas packages to our soldiers.
Will anyone whose bag was overlooked, or who wishes to add a little more for a Christmas offering, kindly send their money to Miss Mary Yeomans, or notify her by telephone (375) and the money will be collected? We would like very much to make up the $400.00.”
The Intelligencer October 4, 1917 (page 2)
“Won Military Medal. Mrs. B. L. Stewart, who resides at 298 Coleman street, Belleville, was yesterday in receipt of a military medal from her son Sapper R. Stewart, of the 4th Signal Canadian engineers. The medal in question, was won by Sapper Stewart for bravery exhibited upon the field of battle. It is needless to state that the medal is highly prized by Mrs. Stewart.”
The Intelligencer October 4, 1917 (page 6)
“Druggists Warned Re Invalid Wine. That the druggists of the city will hereafter be called upon to discriminate between those to whom they sell invalid wines, and will be prosecuted if they sell it to those who purchase it for purposes other than as a medicine, became known today through a warning given them by Inspector R. Arnott acting on orders issued by the Board of License Commissioners of the Province. …
Notice was served on the local druggists and the law explained to them by Inspector Arnott, and hereafter it will be more difficult to secure the wines. It will take more than a big thirst to convince the druggists that a bottle of wine is necessary to the health. In cases of bona fide use for tonic purposes there will be no difficulty in getting it, but the case must be well established else the druggist must bear the consequences.
At least one druggist in the city is not selling wine and others may do likewise. It was reported that a doctor’s prescription would be necessary in order to secure the wine, but there is nothing in the order to confirm this.”
The Intelligencer October 4, 1917 (page 7)
“Former Bellevillian Killed. A telegram from Montreal was received in the city last evening by Mr. E. H. Laroche, which stated that Lieut. Frank Quinlan, of Montreal, had been killed in action. Lieut. Quinlan was well known in Belleville where he was born. He was the second son of Mr. Hugh Quinlan of the well-known contracting firm of Quinlan & Robertson.
The brave young officer was connected with an engineering corps at the front and previous to enlistment was following his profession as an architect. He was an exceptionally clever young man and deservedly popular. His many friends in Belleville will regret to learn of his death, but his life was sacrificed in a worthy and noble cause.”
[Note: Lieutenant Francis Timothy Quinlan died on September 29, 1917. He is commemorated on Page 312 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]
The Intelligencer October 4, 1917 (page 8)
“Foolish to Disobey Call. Ottawa. One man in five only, coming within the first class of recruits, will be called to the colors under the Military Service Act. Estimates show that at the present time there are 493,187 bachelors in Canada between the ages of 20 and 34. Consequently, out of every five men in the class one will be called and four will be left at home. …
Any man who resorts to what is sometimes called ‘passive resistance’ will be acting contrary to his own interests. By so doing he will render his selection for military service inevitable, and that, under conditions of ignominy. He will also throw away the opportunity of being one of the four bachelors out of every five who, in complying with the act, are relieved from the necessity of serving the country under arms.”
First World War Belleville 