Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-30
DIR. GOODRICH Who
RETURNED S A I.
FRO N EUROPE
TELLS OF TRIP

DR.. Edison E. Goodrich. who has been
away since Feb 9 as one of the Anleri-
can surgeons who have been assisting
in hospital work in England and France
arrived home Saturday. DR.. Goodrich
came home sooner than he expected
on account Of reports in Europe that
war between the United states and Eu-
rope was about to be declared. let
ter from Mrs. Goodrich, one of the
few that got through, stated that the
Maine Medical corps was making prep
arations for active service, and on top
of this Information the Paris edition
of the New York Herald published on
May IS. with glazing headlines, the
statement that owing to the attitude
Of the Carranza government war be-
tween the two countries would soon be
declared. Dr. Goodrich is an officer of
the Maine Medical corps, and he felt
that it was his duty as an American
citizen to return at once, which he ac-
cordingly did. DR.. Goodrich left Wa
terville February and had to go to
Washington, d. c., to secure his pass
port, on account of the strictness which
had been put in force with regard to
issuing such papers. Returning to
New York he sailed from that city on
the Cunard steamship Orduna on Feb.
10. The ship was loaded with automo-
bile chassises and aeroplane stock, so
1t was reported in the press at the
time. DR.. Goodrich. as was told in a
letter from him to Mrs. Goodrich, was
at q onff civ
en- for the benefit of the Sailors Or
phans home, about five pounds being
raised by contributions. At Liverpool
the American surgeons and nurses
were given the glad hand, and after
two weeks preliminary service in a Lon
don hospital, DR.. Goodrich was assign
ed to base hospital in France. He
saw service in several field hospitals.
but owing to the strict secrecy enjoin-
ed upon him, similar to that enjoined
on other returning soldiers and SURGE
ons. he cannot give names or locations.
Suffice to say that DIR. Goodrich told
a journal man enough at his home on
Main street Sunday evening to convince
the reporter that war is indeed what
General Sherman said 1t was and then
a whole lot more. One Of Dr. Good
r1ch's most cherished possessions is a
ring. made by one Of the souvenir maxi
ers who are doing a thriving business
DR.. Goodrich operated on one poor fell
low, removing a piece Of brass frag-
ment of shell from his right femur
thigh bone). The soldier had a piece
OF aluminium from German aeroplane
AIDED to the brass, the whole being
made up into the ring, which he left
Tor DR.. Goodrich after his partial re-
covery from his wound.
DR.. Goodrich was through several ZEN
pelin raids, and close enough to some
other kinds of experiences to make his
friends rejoice that they are on the peace.
full side of the Atlantic His work at the
hospitals took him into many difficult
places. He weighed 2ls pounds before
sailing from New York. Just before re-
turning he had reduced to 1870 pounds,
put Is now back to a weight of aD5. On
his return he left his post "sonewhere
IN France" and left Paris May Is, SAIL
ing on the steamship Vera at Havre for
southampton. He left London at IL 30
midnight on May 16 and reached Liver
pool at 6 O'Clock the next morning. Here
an unpleasant surprise awaited him. His
passport which had been already viseed
did not protect him from the most search
Ing examination on the part of secret SER
vice men, who were none too courteous
IN their treatment of all Americans. All
OF DR.. Goodrich's letters containing name,
or references to places were torn up be-
fore his eyes; souvenirs which were
cherished on account of their associations
with his active service were confscated.
even a letter from boys in the trenches
whom he had served in a professional
way were destroyed. DIR. Goodrich be-
lieves that he was to be congratulated on
with a whole skin, and is glad
to be at home once more. He returned on
the White Star steamship Lapland, leav-
ing Liverpool May II and arriving in New
York May Is.
w. W. Roderick went to Portland
h,,e