Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-17
Ehrtttttg Glat

Thanks to the intelligent and en-
ergetic manner in which Major Will
liam G. Murdoch, the States chief
draft officer. has taken hold of the
work OF compiling the history of the
draft in Pennsylvania, this state
VIII have probably one of the most
complete chronicles of a wonderful
military achievement of any in the
Union. Just what it would have
pecn worth to this State to have
secured such information in the
closing days of the Civil War can
be realized by many q veteran and
members of families who have
struggled to establish military re-
cords. The records as far as Har-
rlspurg Is concerned will be splen-
did and when placed in the State
library will be accessible for years
to come. Major Murdock has taken
a personal interest in the compila-
tlon OF the records of the Dauphin
county boards, as their members
were in almost daily touch with
nm and the work done was related
10 headquarters in many ways. To
TINS fortunate circumstance people
living here will be able to obtain
Iacts about service of members of
their families who were in the Ma
tlonal army without difficulty. The
work of the Dauphin boards at
tracted considerable attention as the
gathering of the men of draft age
at Elizabethville last summer under
auspices of Dauphin board No. 8
was one of the first moves of the
kind and was most beneficial in it's
results. 1t was soon followed by
by Steelton board No. l and the
PaXtang board No. 2, members of
the reserve organizations rendering
men for instruction, while doctors,
lawyers and insurance men helped.
The joint efforts of the Dauphin
county Historical Society and the
Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce
will collate the history of the yari
GUS activities of the county in the
war and the story of the draft
operation will be one of the great
features because of the patriotism
and efficiency which characterized it.
Owing to requests of a number
of draft boards the time for filing
the histories of the operation of
the selective service law in this
state Will be extended a short time
longer by Major Murdoch. In some
instances, members of boards have
asked for a little more time to pre-
pare their data, while others have
been adding to what has already
been filed. I'VE wish to close up the
histories of the draft in the State
as soon as possible and to have a
complete record" said Major MUIR
dock. THE information which, has
been sent in will be of inestimable
value in the future and there is
nj yI.sA
come here that can not be found
anywhere. Thanks to the interest
taken Pennsylvania will be able to
furnish to people in years to come
not only the names and records of
the men in the great system, but to
show contemporary activities, the
patriotic support given to the draft
and the men who helped make it
so valuable a branch of the national
defense" Major Murdoch said that
it was desirable that as much "local
color" be put into the histories as
possible, especially unusual and
humorous incidents. Some of the
sketches have been too brief. "A
number of boards have forwarded
complete files of newspaper clip
pings, which tell the story of the
day and will be of immense value;
photographs of the contingents and
the names OF Ine volunteers IN their
districts for army and navy service"
said the major. This information
is what we want. The history of
each board will be a part of its
record and it Will not be complete
without it. An interesting history
came from Forest county which told
the story of the Forestry Regiment
in France, a number of whose men
were recruited in that county. We
want individual cases coming under
observation of members Of boards,
because valuable information for the
future can be thus obtained"
History of Market Square Pres
byterian church which yesterday OBJ
served the 125th of it's establishment
has been marked by several long
pastorates. notably those of the
Revs. Drs. William r. Dewitt,
Thomas II. Robinson and George
B. Stewart. DR.. Dewitt. who was
closely related to Harrisburg by his
marriage with a granddaughter of
| William Maclay, was one of the big
| figures in Pennsylvania Presbyte-
| rian affairs and the ministers who
succeeded him have been men of un-
usual force and ability, who have
attained prominence not only in de-
| nominational. but educational affairs
| of more than statewide impor-
tance. There are few churches in
| this section whose spiritual guides