New Britain herald., 1917-10-27

Beneath a sky that beamed with
blue radiant glow. the "boys of IT"
arrived back in their native city this
morning shortly after 10 o'clock. and
Us they marched to the State Armory,
they presented a sight that VIII be
remembrance for many years. Straight
shouldered, with heads erect, they
looked neither to the right nor to the
left as they marched to the armory,
the building they left with hearts
filled with expectancy of the life they
were to enter at Camp Devens.
The coming of the boys was herald
| ed far and wide. but the exact time
was not known, and only few were
on hand to greet them when they de-
| trained from the special train from
Aver, Mass. Lieutenant Higgins was
in charge of the three companies in
line, Companies B, G, and D. The
members of the football eleven that
go forth this afternoon to do battle
on the st. Mary's gridiron at 2:30
o'clock were taken to the Y. M. G. A.
where they deposited their playing
togs and then repaired to the armory
to partake of luncheon. A bountiful
repajt it was due to the splendid re-
sponse of local women who have an
swered the appeal from the commit
tee for foodstuffs One of the boys
as he tasted the meal. said it re-
minded him of home, but that the
army life was the life for him after
all. The spirits of the boys was buoy
ant, and the opportunity offered them
to visit home once again was deeply
appreciated All the familiar faces
were in line
The officers arrived at City hall in
a car driven by Charles Mccarthy
shortly before 10 o'clock and were
introduced to the committee, Mayor
Quigley, A. F.. Corbin, DR.. T. E.
Reeks, J. j. Watson, members of the
exemption board, and other leading
citizens. This party consisted Of Cap
tain j. H. DAILY, commanding Com
pany G, 301st Machine Gun Battalion,
Lieutenant r. G. Daily, Lieutenant w.
L. Mcdaniel, Lieutenant C. G. Gam
mons, Lieutenant ]. J. Mullaney and
Lieutenant w. r. Pitt. The officers
expressed themselves as overjoyed
with the reception they received and
were amazed at the preparations for
the celebration. The officers had
planned to be the guests of the Off
cials Of Landers, Frary & Clark but
ucldy IlctuS CulS l1upOs3SlUlo. Inc Olll-
GERS were rendered an invitation to be
the guests of Mayor Quigley during
their stay here. Mrs J. A. Traut and
other citizens also planned to care for
the officers during their stay in the
Hardware city.
Early morning trains brought hun
dreds of visitors to the city, and at IL
o'clock it was estimated that several
Thousand visitors were within the Dor.
tails of New Britain. The bright sun
shine had It's effect on all and at 1890
o'clock the curbs were crowded.
Along the line Of march Old Glory
was thrown to the breezes. "r s.
The reviewing stand at Central
park, which accommodated the guests
Of Mayor Quig1ey, General Cole and
staff and Colonel Burpee Of the Home
Guard, accompanied by his staff, was
thronged. Members of the clergy, the
exemption board, and prominent oiti-
zens were among those occupying
seats.
Mayor Qulgley received word this
morning from Bristol that the Home
Guard of that city would not be in
line, but other patriotic citizens of the
Bell city attended.
Mrs. j. A. Traut presented to the
boys at the armory 500 packages OF
cigarettes. Owners Of automobiles
contributed their cars this morning In
securing the food from private homes
and at an early hour John w Lynch
and A. N. Rutherford were indus
triously engaged in this end of the
work. A. F. Corbin of the exemp-
ton board rendered the use of the