New Britain herald., 1917-10-04
RETAIN CONNECTICUT THURSDAY, OCTOBER
CITY BIDS ADIEU
 TO DEPARTING MEN

O~~~ AA " AA SSAsS AA1o
 BIG CROWD AT DEPOT Business Houses Suspend Operations
 and Factories Close As National
 Soldiers Parade to Train, Prepara-
 tory to Start For Aver.
 Approximately 200 more New Brit ain boys, called to the colors under the selective service act, entrained this morning at 9:3O o'clock for Camp Devens, Aver, Mass, while the busi- ness of the city was suspended and crowds of people, including relatives and friends of the departing soldiers, thronged the streets as final tribute to, these boys of 1917 who have now abandoned their usual peaceful pur- suits to don the khaki of war in the world battle of democracy against aristocracy. While todays farewell celebration was one to be long remem- bered it was by no means as gigantic spectacle as that which took place two weeks ago today when the other contingent of 200 men left. Where 3O,000 people assembled to say good bye two weeks ago, hardly more than 5000 gathered today showing that the sad memories of the pathetic and heart-rending leave-takings of fort night ago are still vivid in the mem ories of all and that the public as whole did not care for repetition.
 The new soldiers gathered at the armory shortly after g o'clock this morning and without any confusion prepared at once for the parade and march to the train. The City Guard and the two Home Guard companies also turned out as an honorary escort as did the Grand Army Veterans and @ small squad of Spanish War Veter- ans. The parade was headed by Col. W. W. Bullen of the City Guard, fol- lowed by Chief William J. Rawlings and a platoon of police composed of Officers Charles Johnson, Herbert c. Lyon, William O'Mara, William Strolls, William P. Hayes and Hanford l.. Dart. The Philharmonic band, play ing stirring music followed with the two Home Guard companies in charge of Captain Samuel H. Magson and Captain Frank H. Johnston, respec-
 
 the wake of the Home Guard and 9 dozen gray haired and feeble Civil War Veterans, some of them in their uniforms of 50 years ago, as well as a squad of Spanish War Veterans also marched. More music for the march CTS was furnished by the Tabs Drum Corps and then came the two divisions of National Army soldiers. The sec ond district soldiers came first, head ed by their exemption board, John w. Allen, Dr. w. O'Connell and Stephen Robb. A. F. Corbin, Dr. T. E. Reeks and J. J. Watson marched at the head of the first division men. Some of them carrying suit cases, some carry ing paper parcels and others with nothing but the clothes on their back, the National Army contribution trudged along. Business men, office clerks, and one or two men independ- ently well off, marched along should CT to shoulder with the factory hand and the street laborer. Never better demonstrated has been the true de- mocracy of America. The parade went up Main. street to East Main street, thence down Center street to Commer- cial street where the soldiers en- trained.
 Join Other Drafted Men.
 The New Britain boys had three special cars which were attached to another special train of eight cars bearing the. soldiers from Ansonia, Naugatuck, Derby and Waterbury and promptly at 9:3O o'clock the big train pulled out. There was absent that blaring of factory whistles as the cars began to move but great shout went up from the assembled crowd, the band struck up, the soldiers smiled last farewel1s from the car windows and from the platforms of the cars scores of men waved their last good-byes. As the train rounded the curve towards Hartford the sun. which had been making heroic efforts to appear all morning, suddenly went behind cloud and a fine drizzle began to fall.
 Mother Unable to Reach Son.
 Although there was a big crowd out and all the factories as well as stores and business offices closed during the time of departure, the turnout was not as large as the first. At no place about the Center were the sidewalks congested and even the school chill dren did not congregate in front of the Grammar school building as they did before. AL the QepOC, nOWeFeT' tueio . was a big crowd practically ali those who came downtown at all gathering there. As before, however, the folly of this kind of celebration was mani- fested as hardly any of those who had relatives or friends leaving were able to push their way through the seeth- ing crowd to be near them. Particu- larly noticeable was mother Who fought frantically to reach the plat form of one of the cars where her SOL dier son was standing with sad But expectant smile awaiting her. Try as she might, the elderly woman was un-