Putnam patriot., 1918-08-02
Private Edward M Barbour, of East Thompson,
 Whines and Begs for Mercy on His Knees
TRIED TO GET S1OO FROM RED CROSS ON SYMPATHY FOR AGED MOTHER.-TAkEN BACK TO
 CAMP UPTON BY OFFICER GAGNE
Woman Came From Boston Monday, Said She Was His Wife
 Had One Wife With Him.

When Edward NJ. Barbour of East Thompson, a private from Camp Up ton, was questioned at the office of the local exemption board and told that he bought two pork chop dinners for 40 cents. he was told that he lied. Afterwards he was given the lie many times. When he finally wilted he was one of the most pitable and detestable objects of humanity that the local board members have ever looked up on or ever hope to look upon again. He fell on his knees and begged for mercy, he threw his arms about the neck of the clerk of the board and begged not to be sent back to camp, he raved and shouted and Whined and threatened He said that one could not imagine what the life of soldier was, and said that if he was sent to France he might never come back to see his poor old mother The man shook like leaf and was apparently nearly frightened insane at the thought of again returning to his company.
 Barbour was in the city with a wo- man whom he claimed was his wife. Since he was taken back to camp second woman has appeared. She came from Boston and called at the town clerks office and showed a cer E f +o nd said that he had been at town in Massachusetts where she lived with woman whom he claimed was his wife. This wife number one was seeking certificate of Barbour's marriage to the woman he had with him Saturday, but there was no record of the mar riage in this city and she left for East Thompson.
 Barbour was first brought to the at tention of the local board when it was learned that he was in East Thomp- son making statements that they would never get him. He was sent ouestionnaire and told to report. He did so, was examined and passed the physical test. He told the board that he registered in Brooklyn, N. Y, and the board there, when informed that the man was here, told the local board to induct him into the service, which was done
 Saturday morfing Barbour appear ed before John G. Johnson and told a pitiful story of mother who needed his support He said that he wanted hundred dollars from the Red Cross, ten of which he was to use to get back to camp. Mr Johnson call ed up a member of the local board and was asked to bring Barbour to the office. This was done and he repeated his story. MT. Johnson loaned the man S10. Barbour was asked why he did not eat at home instead of in Putnam restaurant if he was so hard up for money. He said he only paid 40 cents for pork chop dinners for himself and wife.
 After he left the clerk of the board called up the restaurant where Bar bour ate and was informed that he paid so cents. Thinking that If the man lied in this instance he lied Tn others, the clerk went in search of Barbour Barbour had previously said that he was stationed at Camp Dix. While the clerk sought Barbour Camp Dix was communicated with and it was found that Barbour's com pany was at Camp Upton Barbour had also said he had a furlough good to the 26th and it had been extended on account of his wife's illness until Monday the 29th These statements were found to be false.
 Meanwhile the clerk and MT. John son had overtaken Barbour and de manded the $10 back, which he quick ly handed over. Barbour was asked to return to the boards office but re- fused. An officer was summoned and after a short chase Barbour was ap- prehended. When he returned to the office he immediately wilted upon be- ing confronted with proof that he had lied. He then began to beg for mer- cy. He even fell on his knees and besought the board members to let him go, saying he would return to camp. He berated the board and ln- suited the members with his talk When the officer was told to take him over and lock him up at police head quarters he began to shout and cry again to be allowed to go to East Thompson to see his poor old mother. The clerk of the board told the man that he, the clerk, would get his moth CT and bring her to see him, but Bar