The Intelligencer August 21, 1917 (page 2)

“Welcomed Returned Soldiers. Mayor Ketcheson extended a warm civic welcome to three soldiers who have been invalided home with wounds from the war zone and arrived in Belleville Saturday. Pte. Varley, a G. T. R. employee, went overseas with the 21^st Battalion, and saw active service in many important engagements. He was severely wounded.

Pte. Phillips, whose wife and five children reside on Yeomans street, went overseas with the 39^th Battalion. He was wounded in action but is recovering nicely.

Pte. Schmeld, of Eldorado, was attached to the 38^th Battalion leaving Canada and was severely wounded.”

The Intelligencer August 20, 1917 (page 1)

“Month at Christmas for ‘First’ Soldiers. London. The oldest troops continue greatly stirred over rumors of possible special home leave for men who have served at the front since the beginning.

The authorities declare any general scheme of leave impossible, but are heartily sympathetic towards the proposal that members of the first contingent who have done much actual fighting should receive possibly a month or six weeks’ Christmas holidays, or as soon after as possible. The proposal is only nebulous, but continues to arouse debate and anticipation.”

The Intelligencer August 20, 1917 (page 5)

“Seaford, Sussex. July 26^th. From Corp. C. E. Roberts. Dear Mr. Editor:—I am writing for the Belleville boys in our hut. Some of the boys have received a number of your papers which I read over a dozen times. Some were dated the 3^rd of July. We are all glad to hear that Mayor Ketcheson’s son has arrived in Belleville.

You ought to see the 254^th Band and Bandmaster Hinchey drilling hard every day. They had the laugh on us when we used to drill in Belleville, but we have the laugh on them now for they are a lot clumsier than we are in their drill; in other words, they are like old women. All that we can hear around here is ‘fall in,’ ‘fall in,’ ‘fall in,’ from morning till night, and then we have to sit down and shine brass from suppertime till bedtime, for the O. C. Parade in the morning. …

Some Canadian mail has just arrived, so I will have to close; all the Belleville boys send their best regards and best wishes to the people of Belleville. We certainly get lonesome at times for dear old Belleville, especially for the Mothers and Sweethearts, which we left behind. I am Yours Truly, Corp. C. E. Roberts.”

The Intelligencer August 17, 1917 (page 2)

“Helping the Farmers. A large number of the professional, business and tradesmen of Stirling, responding to a Patriotic appeal to help garner the bountiful harvest of this year without loss or waste, turned out on Wednesday afternoon in every direction from the town and spent their half holiday in ‘Faithful Service to Their King and Country,’ by helping the farmers in their harvesting operations.

So far as we know everybody was delighted, and it is not likely that this will be the last time, for the citizens of Stirling are awake to the needs of the Empire and always realize the importance of a bountiful harvest.”

The Intelligencer August 17, 1917 (page 7)

“Belleville Soldier Won Military Medal. James Marshall, of Belleville, who went overseas with the 33^rd Battery over a year ago, has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry on the field of battle. In a letter to his aunt, Mrs. Chas. Gibson, Victoria avenue, the young soldier incloses a section of the ribbon which accompanied his decoration.

He modestly disclaims any credit for anything but discharging his duty to the best of his ability. He has been on active duty in France since August, 1916. Many friends in Belleville will be pleased to hear of the honor won by this popular young soldier. He is now attached to the Signalling Corps.”

 

The Intelligencer August 16, 1917 (page 1)

“Eating Places Are Regulated. Ottawa. An extra issue of the Canada Gazette bringing into effect the order in council regulating eating places was published yesterday:

The order in Council, passed at the request of the Food Controller, prohibits the serving of beef and bacon on Tuesdays and Fridays, and at more than one meal on any other day. Substitutes, such as corn bread, oat cakes, potatoes, etc., must be provided at every meal at which white bread is served. The use of wheat in the distillation or manufacture of alcohol is prohibited, except for manufacturing or munitions purposes, and then only after obtaining a license from the Food Controller.

Heavy penalties are provided for violation of the regulations. Proprietors, managers and employees of public eating places are liable upon summary conviction for the first offence to a penalty not exceeding five hundred dollars and not less than one hundred dollars, or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months, or to both fine and imprisonment.

Any person violating any of the provisions regulating the use or distillation or manufacture of alcohol is liable upon summary conviction to a penalty not exceeding five thousand dollars.

The regulations go into effect with the gazetting of the order in Council to-day. Copies of the order can be secured from the Food Controller’s office.”

The Intelligencer August 16, 1917 (page 6)

“Golden Opportunity For Young Canadians to Join Royal Flying Corps. Mr. F. C. Ritchie, secretary of the Aero Club of Canada, is in Belleville today, his mission being to secure the formation and inaugurate the activities of a local committee to assist the club’s work in the Belleville district.

The Aero Club has been formed and is operating in conjunction with the Royal Flying Corps to assist in recruiting its ranks. …  This is now the senior and best branch of the service, and the education derived will, doubtless, be of greatest advantage after the war. It is now possible for any deserving young man possessing the right qualifications to go through without expense to himself. …

A local committee was formed and young men interested in the aviation service can get all information and application forms from Mr. A. R. Walker, Public Library.”

The Intelligencer August 15, 1917 (page 1)

“Hill 70 Captured by the Canadians. The British pushed their lines into the northwestern environs of Lens in a semi-circle around the eastern side of Hill 70. …  Hill 70 itself, which dominates Lens and the Loos salient, was captured by the Canadians. …

The capture of Hill 70 ranks in importance with the biggest military operations this year. It was the last dominating position in this section which remained in the hands of the Germans and from it a wide territory can be controlled.”

The Intelligencer August 15, 1917 (page 1)

“Meatless Day But No Fines. Ottawa. Yesterday was the first meatless Tuesday in Canada under the terms of the Order-in-Council promulgated last week by the Government at the request of Hon. W. J. Hanna, Food Controller.

The hotels and public eating places at the Capital, including the Parliamentary restaurant, declined to serve beef or bacon when it was asked for, and the same rule will apply to Friday.

Any failure this week to comply with the new regulations will not subject the offenders to the penalties provided because of the fact that the regulations have not yet appeared in the Canada Gazette. They will be printed in the Saturday issue, however, and subsequent to that date the penalties will go into effect. It is expected that there will be a general voluntary compliance with the regulations this week.”

The Intelligencer August 15, 1917 (page 4)

“The Frankford Way. The citizens of Frankford have set an example which may well be copied by other communities, large and small. The Wednesday half-holidays, when all the stores close, is one of the most popular features of life in Frankford, as in many other places. Wednesday is naturally the favored day for picnics and similar outings, but it remained for the business men of Frankford to set the pace for the rest of Canada with an entirely new form of outing containing every needed feature of delightful novelty, exercise, and usefulness.

The business men of Frankford got together and decided to give production a boost, so a general invitation was issued to spend a Wednesday afternoon in the harvest fields helping the hard-pressed farmers. The response was hearty and generous and a fleet of motor cars conveyed the willing workers to the fields where their services were gladly utilized by the farmers. …  It is worthy of note that the men of Frankford refused pay for their services and even refused to be fed on the farms, bringing their huge appetites home with them. …

The idea should be taken up by patriotic production organizations—many people are ready and eager to answer the call, only waiting for a lead. Get busy!”

The Intelligencer August 15, 1917 (page 5)

“Free Lessons in Cooking and Preserving. In the spring of the year citizens were all asked to plant, so that there would be extra production of vegetables, fruit, etc. Now all are asked to can and preserve these vegetables and fruits, so that nothing will be wasted. In order to do this in the most thorough and best methods, the Department of Agriculture is sending skilled demonstrators throughout the Province.

Miss Williams of Toronto is in Belleville at present, and is demonstrating the latest, simplest and best ways of canning and preserving and drying all kinds of vegetables and fruits. …  Two demonstrations were given in the City Hall yesterday, namely afternoon and evening, and many ladies were in attendance and were profited by the experienced demonstrations. Miss Williams will remain in Belleville until tomorrow night, giving demonstrations this evening, tomorrow afternoon and evening.”

The Intelligencer August 14, 1917 (page 1)

“Wounded in Action. Mr. Thomas Morris of this city, is in receipt of the following telegram, which explains itself. Ottawa, Ont., Aug. 11, 1917. Thomas Morris, 94 Station Street, Belleville. Sincerely regret to inform you 636563 Private Walter Morris, infantry, officially reported admitted to No. 10 Field Ambulance, July 29, 1917. Concussion. Will send further particulars when received. Director of Records.

Private Morris left Bellevilled with the 155^th Battalion. Previous to enlisting he was employed at the G. T. R. shops.”

The Intelligencer August 14, 1917 (page 1)

“Soldiers and Nurses Will Have a Vote. Hon. C. G. Doherty, Minister of Justice yesterday introduced a bill entitled ‘The Military Voters Act of 1917.’ …  A change was to be made in the qualification for military voting. It was proposed to extend the vote not only to men of age, but to men under 21 who were overseas.

It was also proposed that not only should men in the Canadian forces vote, but men who had enrolled in Canada and who were now in the Imperial units. This applied particularly to the aviation corps and naval units.

It was also proposed to do away with any distinction  of sex among those engaged in active service; nurses would be included. The fact that a soldier might be an Indian, moreover, would not prevent him from voting. …

The bill, said Mr. Doherty, provided for complete machinery overseas to take the vote. As though an election were actually being conducted there.”

The Intelligencer August 14, 1917 (page 3)

“Ontario Can Be ‘Bone Dry.’ Ottawa. Ontario and other prohibition Provinces get the right, through their Legislatures, to put the ban upon the liquor advertising. The mails are denied to circulars and letters soliciting orders for liquors. The publication of liquor advertisements within those Provinces may be made a punishable offence, moreover—which is the most radical provision—any prohibition Province may prohibit the entrance of any newspaper, published outside its territory, which contains liquor advertising.

The new ‘temperance bill’ making these provisions went through committee and received its third reading in the House on Saturday. …  The bill goes to the Senate on Tuesday.”

The Intelligencer August 14, 1917 (page 3)

“Learn How to Prevent Waste. The Educational Bureau of the Food Controller’s Office, issues the following bulletin which contains much useful information:

There is bound to be a great waste of fruit and vegetables this season unless people are forewarned in time. In the towns and cities where backyard garden movement was most successful, the danger of waste is most imminent.

Early in the spring Canadian city folk betook themselves to the backyard with hoe and spade to convert that ‘Slacker’ into a back garden. Their faithful work is bringing results in fine crops of fruit and vegetables. But the problem of taking care of those crops before they spoil is now pressing for solution.

The Food Controller has said that Waste and Defeat are synonymous at the present time, and surely this end of the fight rests on the shoulders of the women. Every bean and pea, every ear of corn, every berry, and every other ripe fruit and vegetable gazes reproachfully from the new gardens and demands to be popped into some place where it can stand in line and do its bit.

Unlike their sisters in the country, who harvest their garden crops in boxes and bottles against the long winter months, city women have not been trained to store vegetables and fruits. …  Those who are interested in food conservation and methods of canning, preserving, drying and storing should write for information to G. A. Putnam, Esq., B.S.A., Superintendent of Institutes, Department of Agriculture, Toronto, Ont.”

The Intelligencer August 13, 1917 (page 3)

“10 A.M.—and Sunlight Sue, her washing through, is knitting Socks for Soldiers.

Think of wash-day as a day of SUNLIGHT. Forget all about old-time trials, troubles and hard work. Look forward to wash-days as to other days, because you use Sunlight Soap.”

The Intelligencer August 13, 1917 (page 5)

“He’ll Be Happy When He Gets This. Whether ‘Jim’ is on a man-of-war or in a trench, he’s going to have long-lasting enjoyment and a lot of benefit from Wrigley’s. The Famous Chewing Gum. The Flavour Lasts!”

The Intelligencer August 13, 1917 (page 5)

“Conservation of Food Supplies. A meeting of the Organization of Resources Committee, Hastings County Branch, was held in the City Hall on Saturday. …

Mayor Ketcheson occupied the chair and introduced Dr. Parks of Toronto, organizer of Resources Committee for the County of Hastings. Dr. Parks, in addressing the meeting, referred particularly to three important subjects: organization, production and waste. …  Dr. Parks eulogized the women of Ontario for the splendid work they had accomplished and for their enduring patriotism and believed if the men would work as consistently that the object the committee had in view would be realized. …

Warden McLaren, on behalf of the county of Hastings, assured the meeting of the county’s co-operation in furthering the interests of the committee. …

Mayor Ketcheson was confident the city of Belleville would do everything consistent with the public welfare to insure the success of the movement.”

 

The Intelligencer August 11, 1917 (page 1)

“Food Conservation Organization. Government Expert Will Instruct Belleville Women in Canning and Cooking. A well attended and successful meeting was held in the City Council Chamber Friday afternoon. In response to the call of Mayor Ketcheson, presidents and representatives of all the local Women’s organizations were present to discuss plans for Food Conservation.

All churches and societies are invited to co-operate and every housekeeper must take a personal interest. The government is sending a demonstrator and the following course of instructions will be given at City Hall.

Tuesday, August 14, 3 p.m.—Canning of vegetables. Tuesday, August 14, 8 p.m.—Canning of fruits. Wednesday, August 15, 3 p.m.—Canning of meats. Wednesday, August 15, 8 p.m.—Breadmaking and biscuits. Thursday, August 16, 3 p.m.—Substitutes for meat. Thursday, August 16, 8 p.m.—Substitutes for white flour.”

The Intelligencer August 11, 1917 (page 10)

“Where You Cannot Prophesy—Prepare! Money saved and loaned to Canada by Canadians is a two-fold safeguard for the future. The lenders will benefit directly from the excellent interest return and absolute security—and indirectly because the interest thus kept in Canada will help to keep business good after the war.

Canadian War Savings Certificates are issued in denominations of $25, $50 and $100, repayable in three years.

The National Service Board of Canada.”

 

The Intelligencer August 10, 1917 (page 1)

“Pte. Hitchon Died of Wounds. Mr. Joseph Hitchon of this city, Sunday last received a message from the military Director of Records at Ottawa, stating that his son, Marson, had been seriously wounded on August 1^st, and had been admitted to the 33^rd Casualty Clearing Station. This morning another message was received conveying the sad intelligence that he died on August 2^nd, as the result of wounds received.

Marson Hitchon left Belleville with the Signal Section of the 155^th Battalion, and was one of the first of that section to be sent to France, and had only been there a short time before he was wounded. He was a young man only 20 years of age and previously to enlistment had been engaged in a vulcanizing establishment here.

He was a very bright and cheerful young man, and while a pupil of the Belleville High School was very popular with his companions. He was an athlete and had won many prizes at the annual field days in connection with the school. The news of his death will be learned with deep regret by all who knew him.

In addition to the parents a brother, Allan, and a sister, Jean, both of Belleville, survive. The heartfelt sympathy of all citizens will be extended to the bereaved relatives.”

The Intelligencer August 10, 1917 (page 2)

“Officially Reported Wounded. Pte. George Hoppings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hoppings, Dundas Street, Deseronto, who went overseas with the 155^th Battalion, was officially reported wounded on July 25^th with gun shot in the left leg. He has been admitted to the General Hospital, Letreport.”

The Intelligencer August 10, 1917 (page 6)

“Take Off Your Coat and Give the Farmer a Hand! When, three months ago, we called upon Ontario’s farmers for mighty efforts to avert the threatened Famine and World-Hunger, they responded splendidly.

Aided by Providential weather, Ontario’s Crop is one of the biggest in her history. The farmer has done his part.

We Town and City Men must do our part.

Belleville Men Register at Mayor’s Office.”

The Intelligencer August 10, 1917 (page 7)

“From Leslie Yerex. 33^rd Battery. July 13. Dear Mother:—As this is the anniversary of my arrival in France I thought I would celebrate it by writing to you first thing this morning. It is just six o’clock and I have finished my breakfast, consisting of a spoonful of porridge (I don’t know what it is made of), two pieces of bread, and some tea. …

I received two Top-Notch magazines the other day, also scrap book Elsie made, two magazines from Aunt Bert, received two letters and parcel from you yesterday. They were welcome indeed. Everything in the box was good, but was sorry the cake was not bigger.

Tell Dad if he cannot send more than that he must not make it so good, as then I would not like it and a small one would do. Now don’t mind this little kick, for it’s Dad’s fault for making the cake so good. It was fine. I would much rather have it than canned goods. You see about nine-tenths of what we have at meal time consists of canned stuff, including dried vegetables from R. J. Graham’s.

They are all good, but we do like the home-made things for a change. I have enough cocoa to last me a while yet. The maple sugar was great. Well, I guess this is all for this time. Les.”

 

The Intelligencer August 9, 1917 (page 2)

“Corporal Michael H. Gorman, who left Belleville with the 155^th Battalion, has been officially reported wounded. The following telegram was received by Mrs. Gorman: Ottawa, Aug. 7, 1917. Mrs. E. Gorman, 34 Bettes St., Belleville. Sincerely regret inform you No. 155131, Corp. Michael Harry Gorman, infantry, officially reported admitted to general hospital, Camiers, July 20, 1917. Gunshot wounds, multiple. Will send further particulars when received.”