The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-09-20
25,0OO SEE LOCAL BOYS
 OFF TO WAR
Crowd Storms Railroad Sta tion For Farewell View of $50 Recruits For National Army.
son To Berlin" the Slogan of the Draftees Leaving Today = Cops Hands Full.

More than g, 900 persons as- ,sembled in the heart of the city today to give cheer and say farewell to the thousand men who left today for Camp De- vans.
 So dense were the crowds at the station that extra police men, summoned to cope with the frantic rushes of mothers, lsisters, brothers and friends had difficulty in restraining the multitude from rushing the ears and delaying departure if not endangering life and limb.
 The Dig assembly of men began at o'clock this morning in six rendez- tvous centrally located. The fathers, mothers. sisters, brothers and friends lbesieged the westerly station plat dorm where a special tarin was in waiting as early as 5:30 o'clock
 At 8s3e when the Third division contingent, about 175 Strong, came :1narcking down Gold street to entrain the situation had become so serious on the station platform that the heavy inch ropes had been broken by the surging mass of humanity and but a single line of men could get through to the trains.
 Mayor Wilson and a delegation of EranS Army of the Republic veterans in uniform were unceremoniously 1aauled and pushed while police re- serves were being ordered upon the platform by Police Superintendent Redgate.
 I. When order had been established Efhe mayor and his party were per- rn4tted inside the enclosure. They participated in the, demonstration.
 At 9:01 when the Second division, the last to entratn, was boarding the cars, 1t was estimated that fully 4,00o persons had managed to gain en- france to the west platform, and other thousands extended far onto the main i1ine tracks causing concern to rail- way officials because of the approach of scheduled express trains. The po- Eice quickly shifted the burden to the east platform which also had it's quota of expectant witnesses to the biggest celebration recently enacted here. Fal up on the station tower, roof, the shed roofs and upon the tops o1 buildings as far, distant as The Strat. field crowds occupied points of want. age.
 Thirteen cars, each holding approx amately ,75 men were required to talk, khe Bridgeport contingent. The bit Pacific type engine 1887 was selected to draw the train to New London Special car inspectors with all appara nus necessary for the repair of engin' and cars in case of mishap wevt
 
 and. rear guards were provided at tn instance of Station Master Peter Hun who had charge of the arrangement and was responsible for placing tn ears on the Berkshire division to per init of better dispatch.
 When the big train began its jour ney at 9:15 to be temporarily checked by the arrival of a through expres and again resumed it's journey at 9:21 nearly every car had been chalke, with the slogan "On To Berlin am the draft contingent had absorbed tn Bpirit of the momeat, shouting an cheering that America would win.
 Though there were thousands o women, children and even men il 2 tears, and the sight of big men kissin and batting each other upon tn shoulders became familiar sight, tn spirit that dominated the great assem- bly seemed to be that of victory"
 Water street and Gold street wer filled with surging masses that coul mot reach the station. Likewise tn station concourse held several thou Hand persons well roped off from tn platforms.
 About the rendezvous places O. Hast Main street. the High school. At !, 1antic hotel, Y. M. c. A., armory an khe McE1roy warehouse, additions sfhrongs assembled to big goodbye t zfheir loved ones.
 As each contingent marche' 1[through the streets 1t was greete Awith cheers Caps and khaki, suit \ cases and armlets were the mos Flprominent articles of wearing appare Kin evidence. Nearly every man car %ried a satchel or suitcase. Many wor caps and nearly every leader appear Eed in khaki having been selected be reause of previous military experience 1s Drafted policemen although draft cd from various districts soon foun each other and seated themselves to eether. One double seat includes Toe Karparelk, John M. L.avin an Daniel Dunn.
 .(Coutiuued on Page Two, A &L (