The Intelligencer September 15, 1915 (page 7)
“Electric Irons $2.00 Not Fancy But Good $2.00. We have received quite a collection of old razors for the front. Send us in the one you don’t use. It will be made over and put to good use by some brave soldier. We Do Plumbing. The Smith Hardware Co. Phone 204. 314 Front Street.”
The Intelligencer September 10, 1915 (pages 1, 3)
“Coleman Ward Rallies to Flag. That the residents of Coleman Ward are not only patriotic but alive to the important matter of recruiting, was evidenced last evening, when hundreds gathered upon the spacious lawn of Mr. W.B. Northrup, K.C., M.P., on North Front street. … Men, women and children of all classes were present and took much interest in the proceedings. The beautiful grounds were appropriately decorated with Chinese lanterns for the occasion and Mr. and Mrs. Northrup did all in their power to make it comfortable for all present. …
Mr. J.W. Johnson, M.P.P., was the next speaker. … Peace can only be secured by trained fighting men properly armed, fed and equipped; dismiss the thought of any other possibility. … What would be left of the conditions we have enjoyed, that have made life the delight it is in this now free land, if we lose; but if we win this fight for humanity we shall end war on earth. …
Col. Ponton, who was accorded a hearty reception, referred to his son, who has recently returned from the front and who is going back again. … He had a personal message for Coleman Ward, and that was that it was doing its duty, and at least one life had been sacrificed at the front, namely Leo Ross, a member of the 34 Battery, whose parents reside in the ward.
Where are the young men who should enlist? There are many in Belleville who should enlist, but had not done so. Those who have gone say to those left behind ‘Come.’ Their message is ‘Come’ and our message is ‘Go’. … In conclusion he said that this is a conflict and a challenge. Go and help win the victory and keep the old flag flying. We will conquer and we will keep Canada for the Empire and the Empire for Canada. (Applause.)
The band rendered ‘When Jack Comes Home,’ the chorus being sung by all present. The gathering closed with the National Anthem and cheers for the King.”
The Intelligencer September 7, 1915 (page 2)
“Recruiting Campaign Canvass of the City. The executive of the Speakers’ Patriotic League and the ward committees met at the Armouries last Saturday evening. …
A resolution was passed providing for a canvass of the men of the city apparently available for enlistment through the ward committees. It is not intended that the ward committees shall use any pressure or adopt any means of persuasion. The committee has to complete the lists already prepared and find out how many on these lists are willing to enlist, handing the names to the executive.
Where a man declines to enlist the committee will endeavor to obtain his reasons as fully as possible and report the same to the executive so that, if possible, the difficulties in the way of enlistment may be removed. It is believed there are many men who would go if difficulties—financial and otherwise—could be relieved.”
The Intelligencer September 4, 1915 (page 1)
“Patriotic Rally in Foster Ward. Under the auspices of the Speakers’ League of this city a patriotic meeting was held last evening at the canning factory building, Foster Ward. There was a good attendance and some excellent recruiting speeches were delivered. The 15th regimental band was present and rendered selections outside and inside the building. …
Mr. E.G. Porter, K.C., M.P., was chairman and was the first speaker. In his opening remarks he stated that this was a meeting to stimulate recruiting. Similar meetings had been held in other wards, and Foster Ward was by no means the least of the Wards or less patriotic. …
We are proud of our pals at the front and let us make our pals at the front proud of us. Canada has been asked for 500,000 and it will be necessary for Belleville to send 800 of this number. Toronto stands first as having sent the largest number as her population and the town of Cobourg comes second.
Mr. Porter referred to the fact that the ladies of the city had procured one machine gun and would procure another. They were also looking after the comforts of the soldiers. The meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem.”
The Intelligencer September 3, 1915 (page 1)
“Call for Recruits by Liberal Leader. Napanee, the central town of the historic U.E. Loyalist Bay of Quinte district, witnessed today one of the largest and most successful of all the patriotic meetings held in the past year in Canada. Special trains brought in large crowds from Kingston, Picton, Belleville and all the surrounding country. Fully 3,000 people were packed into the armories where the main meeting was held, while an overflow meeting was addressed in the market square. …
In his closing words Sir Wilfrid appealed to the young men to enlist. Only the brave deserve the fair. He hoped every boy before him would go and enlist with the sweet image of a dear girl on his heart. He did not believe in conscription or in making military preparations the chief business of the country, but this present war must be fought to the bitter end, not for glory or for booty, but to redress the wrongs of Belgium, to compel Germany to respect treaties, and to ensure to the small nations of the earth the same right as the big nations, to possess the land and the sunshine that God had given them.”
The Intelligencer September 2, 1915 (page 7)
“War Relic. A very interesting relic of the European war is now on exhibition at Mr. P. Smith’s barber shop, 30 Market Square. It is a British shell which was used at St. Eloi, by the British Artillery which was supporting the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry. It is the property of Mr. Richard Yatman, 82 Mill street, who recently returned from the front. It is one of the many shells used so effectively against the Germans and is certainly worth seeing.”
The Intelligencer September 1, 1915 (page 2)
“Knitting Soldiers’ Socks on Sundays. The Editor Daily Intelligencer:—Kindly permit me space in your valuable paper for a few thoughts. During these times of war and stress, as everyone knows, nearly all the ladies are engaged in knitting to supply the ever increasing demand for socks for our soldier boys—knitting on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday—yes, and on Sunday. To some this appears to be a most terrible crime; they regard it as a great sin, and those who indulge in the practice of knitting on Sunday are ranked as sinners.
I believe some of the Belleville ladies are knitting on Sunday. Just what view they take of the matter or what defence they offer for their evil doing, I am not prepared to say, as I do not live in Belleville; but suffice it is to say that I commend them for their action, for I am a sinner—I knit on Sunday. My firm belief is that it is just as right for us to knit on Sunday as it is right for the soldier boys—our sons and brothers—to fight for not their rights, but our rights, on Sunday; and not only our rights, but our homes. Why should we not continue making supplies for our boys on Sunday as well as on Saturday? Wherein lies the crime of sitting quietly knitting a few rounds on the sock that will keep some poor fellow’s feet from being cold? We are convinced that we cannot work fast enough to supply the need. Our boys are working nobly for us—giving their all, if need be—should we sit with folded arms just because it is Sunday? …
It seems to me that if the ladies even went so far as to take their knitting with them to church, and though their eyes be on their work, their ears be on the preacher; even then, I say, they would be able to repeat the text, instead of telling you that Mrs. So and So has a new hat, and Mrs. So and So’s dress is altogether too bright. … I attend to my church duties (for I am a church member) as heretofore, and knit between times, and thus far I have felt no prick of conscience, nor yet feel that my standard in Christian work is lowered in the least. …
I invite a discussion on the subject and trust that through the medium of your paper, some broad-minded citizens—not knockers—may air their views. Thanking you, Mr. Editor. I have the honor to be, A RED CROSS WORKER.”
The Intelligencer August 30, 1915 (page 2)
“Many Letters to Soldiers Mis-Sent. ‘Address the letters to the soldiers carefully,’ writes an officer of the Canadian Postal Corps, at Shorncliffe ‘as over 300 ‘blind’ letters come to my hands for tracing every day. It is very difficult, and delay is caused when the units and the regimental numbers are not given. The addresses on some of the letters would make you laugh, others make you tear your hair. Some I must trace by the least clue, such as the Canadian post mark of a certain town. A French name would of course first be traced through the corps where Frenchmen predominate. …
If people would take the care and trouble to write the Battalion or Battery, it would save us endless trouble. Numerous letters come, though carefully stating the soldiers’ name, number, platoon, company and contingent but not a sign of the Battalion to which he belongs. One might just as well address a letter to Pte. B. Jones, No. 4562 Canadians.
I wish the newspapers would be kind enough to call attention to this so as to give the friends and relatives of soldiers the hint to be sure to put the Battalion or Battery on the envelopes. Few letters would then go astray.’ “
The Intelligencer August 28, 1915 (page 12)
“What the Siege Guns Teach. These diagrams of a modern siege gun and the three different types of automobile engine valves in general use clearly reveal the logic of the “Valve-in-head” principle in automobile construction. … Branch at Belleville, P.J. Lee Mgr. McLaughlin Carriage Co. Limited. 1916 Models $1,085, $1,385, $1,325, $2,125.”
The Intelligencer August 27, 1915 (page 1)
“Patriotic Meeting at Thurlow. One of the most interesting and enthusiastic patriotic meetings ever held in this section was that conducted under the auspices of the Queen Mary Patriotic Club which assembled in the grounds and school of the Third Concession of Thurlow on Thursday evening, the 26th inst. Under the capable leadership of their energetic President, Miss Laura Phelps, the ladies had made every provision for the comfort and pleasure of their guests, so under the circumstances it is not to be wondered at when we say all present thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Splendid music was furnished by the Foxboro band and patriotic songs were sung by Messrs. S.C. Gay and Bruce Martin, and interesting and instructive addresses were delivered. … The meeting closed by the singing of the National Anthem and cheers for the army, navy and ladies of the Queen Mary Patriotic Club.”
The Intelligencer August 27, 1915 (page 3)
“Food for the Business Trenches. It takes the highest type of nerve and endurance to stand the strain at the battle front of modern business. Many fail. And often the cause is primarily a physical one—improper food—malnutrition. It is a fact that much of the ordinary food is lacking in certain elements—the mineral salts—which are essential to right building of muscle, brain and nerve tissue.
Grape-Nuts Food made of whole wheat and barley, contains these priceless nerve- and brain-building elements in highest degree.”
First World War Belleville 