The Intelligencer February 15, 1915 (pages 1, 8)

“Auspicious Opening of the Madoc Armouries. …  The armoury is a very neat, imposing, brick building, and speaks volumes for the contractor Mr. Lucius E. Allen, of Belleville. The building, which is a large one, was packed to the doors with about 1,000 people.

Sharp on the stipulated time, Dr. Harper, Reeve of the village, called the gathering to order. Seated on the platform were Major-General Hon. Sam Hughes, Hon. J.C. Doherty, Sir Mackenzie Bowell, W.B. Northrup, K.C., M.P., Robt. Cooke, M.P.P., Lt.-Col. Ketcheson, 49th Regt., Ex-Mayor Wills. …  Dr. Harper …  welcomed the very large crowd, as this was possibly the most important meeting that had been held in Madoc.

He then read an address of welcome to Major-General Hughes …  On behalf of the municipalities in Madoc Township and Madoc Village we desire to express to you our sense of the great honor conferred upon us by your visit to this locality at a time when you are undergoing many duties and great responsibilities. …  We also wish on this occasion to express to you, and to the other members of the Government our great appreciation for this splendid armoury which you have erected here and which you are doing us the honor of formally opening. It is a building which we trust will be used for the Arts of peace as well as for Arts of war, and in the years to come we have no doubt but that it will be a valuable adjunct to the life of this community. …

During the afternoon the speeches were interspersed with splendid music from the 49th Regimental Band. The singing of ‘God Save the King,’ and three cheers for the King, General Hughes and Sir Mackenzie Bowell brought this very pleasant and successful event to a close.”

The Intelligencer February 15, 1915 (page 3)

“Farewell to Colonel Rathbun. At Deseronto, on Saturday night the opera house was filled with an enthusiastic audience of well-wishers to Col. Rathbun and his gallant comrades, who are going to the front with the guns of the 6th Brigade. An address was presented by those associated with him from boyhood, and patriotic music by local talent, led by Mr. Hercher Aylesworth—a host in himself—stirred all present.

Colonel Ponton, of Belleville, carried the greetings of the Bay of Quinte District and comrades-in-arms west of Deseronto, and congratulated both the gallant Colonel and the Town on having the honor of furnishing a commander of a Brigade, which General Lessard has pronounced one of the best ever inspected in the whole Dominion in organization, spirit and efficiency.

A bountiful supper was served at the close and another of Canada’s soldier sons left for the post of duty.”

The Intelligencer February 15, 1915 (page 7)

“Passed Vote of Thanks. At the annual meeting of the Quinte Chapter of the Daughters of Empire, held on Friday afternoon, February 12th, the ladies passed a hearty vote of thanks to the business firms whose generosity made it possible to open a tea-room and conduct it successfully for a month, without expense.

The Ritchie Co. most generously offered the Chapter the use of the millinery department, and the courtesy and interest of the firm and employees were greatly appreciated. The Trenton Electric Co. installed and loaned an electric range, and donated the electricity; Mr. W.B. Riggs loaned a victrola and records, Stroud Bros. dishes; Tickle & Sons, and Thompson Furniture Co., chairs and tables.

The Chapter was most grateful for the interest shown by a number of ladies of the first six concessions of Sidney, who very kindly donated a quantity of homemade cookery, which was sold, the amount realized being nearly fifty dollars.

The Chapter desires to thank those patrons of the tea-room who so generously gave donations of money, thus adding so materially to the financial success of the undertaking, also the press, which made frequent mention of the tea-room without charge.”

[Note:  See also the article from January 12, 1915 about the opening of the I.O.D.E. tea room.]

The Intelligencer February 13, 1915 (page 4)

“Most Extraordinary Christmas on Record with Fighting Men Fraternizing Between the Trenches. London. Feb. 12. …  ‘We are having the most extraordinary Christmas day imaginable, …  A sort of unarranged and quite unauthorized but perfectly understood and scrupulously observed truce exists between us and our friends in front. A regular soldiers’ peace.

The thing started last night soon after dusk when the Germans started ‘Merry Christmas, Englishmen’, to us. Of course, our fellows shouted back, and presently large numbers of both sides had left their trenches unarmed, and met in the debatable, shot-riddled, no-man’s land between the lines …  one could see dim shapes wandering about or standing round in groups, English and Germans, where it would have been death to have shown a whisker an hour or so before.

The men were all fraternizing in the middle (we naturally did not allow them too close to our line) and swopped cigarettes and lies in the utmost good fellowship. Not a shot was fired all night.”

The Intelligencer February 12, 1915 (pages 1, 8)

“The presence of Major-General the Hon. Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia, in the city today caused much interest in military matters. The Minister arrived in the city at an early hour this morning and was provided with apartments at Hotel Quinte. He was accompanied to the city by Sir Mackenzie Bowell.

At nine o’clock the Major-General, who is an active man, was about, and in company with Col. Ponton, of Kingston, commanding officer of the 39th Battalion, which will be mobilized here, Col. Marsh, commanding officer of the 15th Regiment, Col. Ketcheson, commanding officer of the 49th Regiment, and other officers who are connected with the Third Contingent, made an inspection of the Armouries, and also visited the canning factory building on Pinnacle Street, where the volunteers of the 39th Battalion will be quartered.”

The Intelligencer February 11, 1915 (page 2)

“Enlisting continues, and within the past few days a number of new recruits have been added to the 15th and 49th Regiments. The work of clearing out the canning factory premises on Pinnacle St., which will be used for mobilization purposes, continues. Upwards of 25,000 cases of canned goods have been removed and today the removing of empty cases, empty cans and parts of packing cases was completed. The building is now in readiness for the preparation of the soldiers.

The ground floor of the Canning factory will be utilized for the dining room, and some 30 feet at the south will be partitioned off for a kitchen. The second and third floors will be utilized for sleeping apartments. Bunks are being prepared and plumbers are at present engaged in placing in lavatories and bath rooms. When completed the interior will be in an excellent condition for the men.”

The Intelligencer February 8, 1915 (page 2)

“Military Wrist Watche. That Friend of Yours Going to the Front will surely appreciate having a reliable time piece with him. It will be treasured in the future as a reminder of the donor. You get a complete guarantee and a free inspection and adjustment with every watch you buy at this store. This month we offer special prices to any one in service uniform. Angus McFee, Jeweler, Optician. The Store with the Big Clock.”

The Intelligencer February 8, 1915 (page 7)

“Off to France. The Red Cross Supply Committee has just sent a box containing the following articles to Col. Shillington’s Hospital at La Touquet (near Cologne), France, where Miss Ethel Ridley, a Belleville girl, is head of the nursing sisters: 20 sets of pyjamas, 38 pillows, 7 doz. pillow cases, 19 doz. handkerchiefs, 9 doz. bandages, 1 doz. scarfs, 25 pairs bed socks, 2 pairs of knee caps, 18 pairs socks, 6 large bars of castile soap, boxes of candy by private subscription. A nice donation was received from Albert College.

The work in preparation for the ‘Sick Shower’ goes steadily on. An excellent programme is being prepared, also refreshments. A good time is anticipated. Admission, a pair of socks, hand knit, factory knit, or cash equivalent.”

The Intelligencer February 6, 1915 (page 7)

“Major-General Hughes and Other Cabinet Ministers to Deliver Addresses. The official opening of Madoc Armouries will be held on Friday, Feb. 12th at 2.30 p.m. by Major General Hughes and officers of the 49th Regiment of Hastings Rifles. Addresses will also be delivered by the Hon. C.J. Doherty, Hon. T.W. Crothers, A. Meighen, Sir Mackenzie Bowell, Hon. H. Corby and W.B. Northrup, K.C., M.P. It is not often that Madoc is favored with such an array of public men, and it is to be hoped that the armouries will be crowded to the doors on this occasion.

In the evening a grand military concert will be given in the armouries by the 49th Regimental Band, assisted by Mr. A.M. Chapman, of Belleville, and other artists. As the proceeds of this concert are to be used for patriotic work we trust the public will show their appreciation by a large attendance. Madoc Review”

The Intelligencer February 4, 1915 (page 7)

“Airs of the Several Powers Now Fighting our Enemies in Europe. The Intelligencer has received so many inquiries concerning the National Songs, Hymns and Anthems of the Allied Nations now at war with Germany, Austria and Turkey. The Intelligencer is now able to offer its readers the opportunity of procuring them in a convenient book form, set to music for the piano, and in their own language and also English side by side.

The National Songs and Airs of the Allied Nations comprise those of Britain, France, Belgium, Servia, Russia and Japan, and, in addition, contain the two Canadian National Songs—’The Maple Leaf’ and ‘O! Canada’—the latter in both English and French. The cover is lithographed in four colors with the flags of each nation represented, and complete collection contains sixteen pages, lithographed on good paper and in every way first-class.

They are obtainable on and after Feb. 4th, at the counter of The Intelligencer for 10¢ each, along with heading of the page of any current issue of the Daily Edition, but, if to be forwarded by mail, 12¢ will cover all, which includes wrapping and postage.”

 

The Intelligencer February 2, 1915 (page 1)

“In order that the premises of the Canning factory, in this city, situated on Church street, may be prepared for the reception of the troops for the Third Contingent, it is necessary that 25,000 cases of canned goods be shipped away. The shipping of same has been left in the hands of Mr. T.H. Coppin, the genial and efficient G.T.R. station agent here, who is doing all in his power to have this large shipment taken away as rapidly as possible. The goods will be shipped westward, under the supervision of Mr. Coppin, who is in every way capable of superintending same. It will require, at least 25 cars to take the shipment away.”

[Note: G.T.R. = Grand Trunk Railway]

The Intelligencer February 1, 1915 (page 1)

“Recruiting for the third contingent is steadily progressing in the city and the County of Hastings. …  Up to the present time two officers, Capt. W.H. Hudson and Lieut. P. Allen, and 68 men have enlisted under the banner of the Fifteenth Regiment. Five officers and 76 men have enlisted with the Forty-Ninth Regiment. They are from various parts of the county.

The new recruits, who have joined the two regiments, are a fine body of young men, and are rapidly growing efficient in drill. Drilling takes place at the Armouries in the morning, afternoon and evening.”

The Intelligencer January 28, 1915 (page 1)

“Upon invitation of Col. W.G. Ketcheson, commanding officer of the 49th Regiment, the members of the County Council yesterday afternoon visited the regimental quarters on Church street. …  Col. Ketcheson in welcoming the members expressed his pleasure at their presence to see the headquarters and also the men of the regiment who had volunteered for the third contingent. This was an excellent opportunity for the Councillors to inspect the boys who were going to the front to assist in the fighting for the Empire. …

The 74 recruits were drawn up in line and were minutely inspected by all present, after which brief addresses were given. …  The proceeding closed with the singing of the National Anthem.”