The Intelligencer April 8, 1915 (page 2)

“Soldiers Under Bacteriologist Test. …  Surgeon-Captain Amyot, Provincial bacteriologist, Drs. Palmer, Fraser and Hudge, of the Second Division, arrived in the city yesterday for the purpose of conducting an investigation into the outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis which has occurred here amongst a few members of the 39th Battalion, resulting in two deaths. After making every arrangement for the test, etc., Dr. Amyot returned to Toronto this morning.

Dr. Palmer, at the Armouries today, made a test of over 100 members of the Battalion for the purpose of detecting any trace of this terrible and fatal disease. To a representative of The Intelligencer Dr. Palmer stated that a thorough test of the men’s throats and noses was made for the purpose of ascertaining if any germs of the disease were being carried by reason of the men coming in contact with those who had died. …  If there are any such cases special treatment will immediately be given by drawing off the fluid from the spine.

Dr. Palmer stated that there was no need whatever of the fear of the disease spreading, as the precautions now being taken were such as to prevent this happening. Every agency known to medical science will be used to stamp out the disease here.”

The Intelligencer April 3, 1915 (page 3)

“The New Military Boots for Women. Laced or Button, Sand, Battleship Grey and Taupe. $4.00. $5.00. See them in the Windows. Advanced Spring Styles await your inspection. …  W.H. Adams, The Shoeman.”

The Intelligencer April 3, 1915 (page 8)

“War! War! Mr. S.N. Dancey, Canadian War Correspondent who has just returned from the Front will deliver an Illustrated Lecture in Griffin Opera House, Monday Evening, April 5, 1915. Mr. Dancey has over 200 Lantern Slides depicting many of his most thrilling experiences. Don’t miss a real genuine treat. ADMISSION—Reserved

Seats 50 and 35 cts. General 25 cts. A share of the proceeds will go to the Patriotic Fund.”

The Intelligencer April 1, 1915 (page 2)

“Marsh and Henthorn Receive Order for War Shells. We are informed by Col. Marsh of the Marsh & Henthorn foundry people that his firm has received an order to manufacture a large quantity of an 18-lb. high explosive shell. This shell is not of the shrapnel variety. The firm are to immediately instal the necessary tools and machinery and then the manufacture will be proceeded with in about two weeks. The firm expects to give employment to from thirty to forty extra hands when the work is fully under way.”

The Intelligencer March 30, 1915 (page 3)

“Many on Sunday attended a memorial service which was held at the Anglican church in the village of Frankford, Sidney Township, in honor of Private Ross Herman, member of the 49th Regiment of Hastings County, who was killed in action in France on March 2nd. …  A number of the members of the 39th Battalion were present, as were also Col. Ketcheson, commanding officer of the 49th Regiment, and officers of the regiment. …  Private Herman was a resident of Frankford and joined the 49th Regiment at the outbreak of the war. He was a young man who was much respected by all who knew him. On Sunday evening a similar service was held in the Methodist church in Frankford. …  A large number were present to take part in the service.”

[Note: Private Robert Ross Herman is commemorated on Page 19 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]

The Intelligencer March 27, 1915 (page 1)

“Patriotic Campaign Workers Entertained. Grand Spread Provided by the Ladies. …  Col. Lazier said he was delighted to say a few words on behalf of the ladies who had provided the repast. He congratulated all the teams on the canvass, and the measure of success they had achieved. $30,000 was the amount aimed at in this campaign, but upwards of $37,000 had been obtained. …  Reports from the various captains of the teams of the money collected were then presented …  Each captain referred in complimentary terms to the members of their committee, who had done grand work in the campaign.”

The Intelligencer March 27, 1915 (page 2)

“The soldier boys of the 39th spent another merry concert evening in the Battalion Mess Room last night. …  To the onlooker the most impressive feature of the gathering last night was the spirit of absolute loyalty and good-will which existed between the officers and the men. …  No less than three times during the evening the shout was raised, ‘Three cheers for the Colonel,’ to be followed by cheers of the true British type, such as shook the ‘china’ on the mess room shelves. Further cheers were given in general for the officers. The present spirit of the Battalion certainly augers well for its future.”

The Intelligencer March 27, 1915 (page 2)

“Last night at the Old Stone Church in Sidney, which accommodates over 400 people a crowded audience listened to a varied programme of vocal and instrumental music and to stirring addresses by Colonel W.N. Ponton, Mr. H.F. Ketcheson, Mr. N. Vermilyea, (Ex-Warden of the County) and Reverend Mr. Sharpe, in connection with the Patriotic, Red Cross Funds, and Recruiting. …  The Sidney campaign promises to be a strong one.

The death of Sergeant Herman of the 49th Regiment, the first Sidney boy to fall in the trenches, was feelingly referred to by the speakers.”

 

The Intelligencer March 26, 1915 (page 1)

“Nearly $30,000 Collected the First Day, Fund Will Remain Open Tomorrow to Give Everyone a Chance. Are we down-hearted? No! No! Such were the sentiments of the patriotic canvassers last evening when they met at the Y.M.C.A. at 6.30, where the Women’s Canadian Club provided supper for a tired lot of men. …

Enthusiasm ran high. The success of the first day’s work surpassed the expectation of the most sanguine. The captains reported a most cordial reception of the canvassers by the citizens. Many had their subscriptions ready and waiting.”

The Intelligencer March 26, 1915 (page 1)

“Owing to inclemency of the weather yesterday, sufficient ground was not covered by the canvassers. Therefore, with the limited number of workers it will be impossible to canvass everyone to-day. …  The Fund Headquarters are at the Corner of Bridge and Pinnacle Streets, opposite the Post Office. They will be open until MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND ALL DAY TOMORROW—SATURDAY. …  LET YOUR MONEY DO THE SHOUTING.”

 

The Intelligencer March 25, 1915 (page 1)

“TODAY IS THE DAY TO PAY! PAY! PAY! …  TODAY, 64 of Belleville’s Citizens, of Belleville’s busiest Citizens from every walk in life, will leave their various businesses and occupations to call upon YOU and receive your donation. …  They will explain how you can give MORE than you can afford; and that’s what must be had. MORE than you can afford. Because our lads in the trenches are giving more than they can afford for us. …  Picture these men, who are there in France, suffering privations, hunger, sickness and even death to preserve for us that FREEDOM which makes it possible for us to GIVE.

BELLEVILLIANS BE BRITISH, AND GIVE. GIVE. GIVE. WE MUST HAVE $30,000 TODAY AND TOMORROW. YOUR BIT WILL HELP IT.”

The Intelligencer March 25, 1915 (page 1)

“WATCH THE THERMOMETER. The heat of the campaign will be registered in front of the FUND HEADQUARTERS at Pinnacle and Bridge Streets, as a huge thermometer has been placed there for the benefit of the citizens. Watch the mercury climb towards the $30,000 mark. Also take to heart the inscription, ‘What are you doing to raise the mercury?’ DO YOUR BIT.“

The Intelligencer March 24, 1915 (page 2)

“Patriotic Window Display at Ritchie’s. A Splendid Showing of the Original Recruiting Posters. The contents of the window are the property of Col. Ponton, and make an extremely timely and unique display; bringing home to us here in Belleville the methods used in the Mother-country to secure soldiers for defence of the Empire.

Many of the official recruiting posters shown were sent to Col. Ponton by his son, Lieutenant R.D. Ponton, before leaving England for the firing line; while some of the latest ones published have just been received from Arthur Playford, London, England. They are indeed works of art, with the one appeal to you—’Enlist Now, your King and Country need you’; one particularly striking one being a little larger than the rest entitled ‘Remember Scarborough; Enlist To-day’.

In Britain these posters are also reproduced in photographic slides, and shown throughout the length and breadth of the land. Throughout the window there are several other paintings and photographs of timely interest, making a very striking and interesting display.

Col. Ponton informs us that these recruiting posters will be shown in prominent Toronto and Ottawa stores after Belleville citizens have viewed them in the South window of the Ritchie Co. store.”

 

The Intelligencer March 24, 1915 (page 5)

“This Shall Not Be a War Upon Our Women and Children. …  Give Without Measure To the Belleville Patriotic Fund. …  Give! Give! Give! Thirty Thousand Dollars in two days. …  Remember the War. Will you help the soldiers by helping the wives & children. What Will Your Answer Be? We never had such a war. We never had such a drafting of our young and lusty men. We never had so many wives and families left without their natural protectors. We have promised to care for those left behind. Let us not fail in this great and sacred duty. FALL INTO LINE”

 

The Intelligencer March 24, 1915 (page 7)

“Captain O’Flynn Writes Home. Says Belleville Boys are Well and Always Ready for Action. …  he says that the experience in the trenches is such a novel one that one never will forget it. The Germans are a cheerful bunch of fellows and they often hear them singing at night and at times not a shot is heard, nothing but an awful silence, which is much worse than a fusilade of shots. At times if it were not for the casualties one would imagine they were all actors playing a part for the movies. …  He says he never was so proud of the British soldiers as he is to-day. It is wonderful what they have gone through during the long winter months.”

The Intelligencer March 23, 1915 (page 4)

“A hearty endorsation of the Belleville Patriotic Campaign was given last evening when the City Council unanimously voted a grant of $5,000 to the Belleville Branch of the Canadian Patriotic Fund. At the Campaign Headquarters the workers gathered last evening and decided to lay the matter before the Council, and at 9.30 a deputation of some twenty-five representative citizens marched to the Council Chamber, where they were kindly invited to explain their proposition. …  The speakers pointed out that grants ranging from one-half to two mills on the assessment had been made in other places, and suggested that Belleville would do well to give not less than one mill. …

The grant of $5,000 represents less than one mill on the dollar, which will mean that through the taxes the citizens of Belleville will contribute less than one dollar per $1,000 assessment to the Patriotic Fund. With this hearty endorsation on the part of our City Fathers the local campaign has a promising outlook.”

The Intelligencer March 23, 1915 (page 5)

“They Shall Not Want. …  These Must Be Days of Brotherhood. These are times of standing together, working, thinking, fighting together. The challenge of an enemy provokes quick response in every breast and proclaims the brotherhood of rich and poor. …  Dad’s Fightin’!—What Will You Do For Us?”

 

The Intelligencer March 22, 1915 (page 5)

“Give! Give! Give! A Call to Belleville in Name of Women and Children. The tramp of the bread-winners is in the streets. They are going to the front. They are leaving families behind.

Every man with women of his own—every man with little children—knows what a tragedy to the home is the going of the bread-winner. We call on the people to rally to the protection of these mothers, sisters, wives and children so suddenly deprived of their natural protectors.”