The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-10-04
HoMESICK SOLDIERS HERE
Motored From New London, Conn, to
Barre and Found Police Waiting.

Soldiers of the l0lst machine gun bat
talon, stationed in Mantle, Conn, pulled
into town yesterday afternoon and
straightway found themselves between
the upper and neither millstones of mill
tary and civil authority, for officers Of
both branches had anticipated their com
ing and were ready to intercept them for
being absent without leave. What the
Barre police did not expect-and they
had been advised as to what course
should be pursued-was to see an anti
quated taxicab of the vintage of 1901
roll into town and drop anchor in front
of the Bolster block. Chief Sinclair saw
the outfit as it brushed past Prospect
street around o'clock. Hurrying down
North Main street, he reached the Boil
ster block just in time to greet the kha
ki-clad travellers as they stepped blithe-
ly down from the ancient carry-all.
Privates Henry W. Carroll, Frank Will
fore and Joseph E. Bussiere of this city,
Leo T. Crowley of East Barre and Au-
gustus Roleau of Websterville were the
military members of the crew, and the
chauffeur, garbed in multi, gave his name
as Joseph Mckernon of New London,
Conn. Chief Sinclair's first query was
concerned with passes, None was pro-
duced. whereupon the entire party was
packed off to police headquarters for an
extended interview. Chief Sinclair had
in his possession a dispatch from Com
manding Officer Howard of the l0lst ask
ing that the civil authorities be on the
watch for l3 Vermont men who had left
camp without leave. Apparently the
IS ho ,obt diI IaaI
through Barre, for the five who made the
trip to this city stated that the others
struck out for Boston and New York.
Ensued a considerable exchange of tele
grams between police headquarters and
Mantle, with the result that Chief Sin
clair was directed to return the missing
soldiers to their camp. Although not
locked up, the men were detained over
night and permitted to visit their homes.
To-day they were reporting at the police
station again and it is expected that the
return of the good ship 1901 will be made
to morrow morning.
The young soldiers say they are not
of any real wrongdoing. al
though they are aware that the military
rules have been violated. They left
amp Tuesday night, boarded an electric
ar at $50 o'clock and were in New Lon
lon a half hour later seeking transpor-
alton to Barre. IL is said that ticket
gents must be shown pass before they
will sell railroad fares, and the home
iek Nermonters steered clear of the rail-
way stations They bargained with Nc
lernon to take them to Barre and back
t SIS per head The trip was gotten
nder way Immediately and the taxicab
vas almost constantly on the move from
he moment it left New London until it
topped in front of the Bolster block yes
erday to permis the crew to get their
hoes shined.
In extenuation of their unmilitary de-
arturo the soldiers say that Vermont
roops have been refused passes, as the
attalion expected to leave for an un
nown destination at any time and that
asses were issued only to soldiers who
ere within easy calling distance Of the
amp. Their anxiety for a farewell visit,
he soldiers say, prompted them TO make
bold stab for Vermont in the night.