Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-05

activities cannot embody anything OF
worthier public interest In an open
ing paragraph than a sketch of its
valiant and courageous captain who
was beloved by his subordinates in
the strenuous fighting days and is
now honored and loved by the men.
women and children throughout all
Somerset county. Because OF his
modesty in taking to himself any
more credit than the most humble
private, the sketch of Captain Healy
must be largely devoted to sta
tistical review Of his military career
In the narration of the events OBJ
tanned in connection with the notes
of Company e it is to be remembered
that wherever his men were there
also was Captain Healy, keen and
alert, directing with wiseness and
forethought the onslaught against
the German advances in the thickest
Of the fray when men were being
shot into the tree tops and the
ground was strewn with the dead and
dying and horribly MANNED.
Born Of a pioneer family and the
grandson Of John Weston. a forty
miner who wrestled with fate for the
Weston Healy inherited disposition
to do and dare. His mother is Mrs.
Lizzie Weston Healy and he is mar
ried and has two children. daugh-
ter and a son. The daughter is the
result of Capt. Healys first marriage,
his deceased wife having been Miss
Lois Cool While the second wife.
formerly Miss Leila Wyman is the
mother of his son.
Capt. Healy became actively
identified with the military move
ment in 1904. when he enlisted in
Company E at Skowhegan. He re-
manned with that organization until
1906. accompanying the local militia
to the Virginia maneuvers in that
year. During those years he was
corporal, and it is believed was made
a sergeant just before his retire
ment, for from 1906 to 1913. he was
not member of the company. In
1913 he re-enlisted however. and was
made sergeant of Company E. In
May of the following year he re-
ceived his commission as I'd Lieu
tenant having passed the rigid ex-
animation with higher honors than
any other man up to that time in the
National Guard. He accompanied
Co. E to the Mexican Border as Sec
ond lieutenant but in April. 1917. re-
ceived his commission as first lieu
tenant. On. August II. 1917. Cap
tain Marston having been called to
the Boston headquarters, Capt.
Healy was put in charge as COM
mander Of Company f and con-
tinued to hold that responsible posi-
ton during the remainder of the
Company's stay in the United States
and until June 6. 1918. when he re-
ceived his captains commission
overseas.
Since his return and discharge
from the service. Capt. Healy has
been experimenting his fine farm
and good herd of II head Of cattle.
He purchased this property which is
on the Madison car line following his
retirement from the employ Of the
American Express Co. but only few
months prior to the outbreak Of the
Mexican difficulties. Capt. Healy's
career in the interim of his depar-
ture overseas and his return to his
family may be followed in the story
Of Company Els brave part in the
great conflict herewith briefly out
lined.
Company E Overseas.
Company E after its mobilization
in Skowhegan. its subsequent re-
moval to the camps at the State
Capital and thence to the Westfield,
Mass, camp, sailed on September
%. 1917. from New York and landed
at Liverpool on October %. The
troops remained at Camp Borden for
ten days and on about the Goth
sailed from South Hampton across
the channel for La Havre. France.
They boarded the train at La Havre
and were transported to La Fola-
grande where the winter was spent
in training up to February. AS in
Maine the winter Of 1917-191S was a
severe one in France, colder than
that country had ever before expert
enced. The army discipline was
very severe, supplies were short and
consequently rations were likewise
short. Sometimes the men were
cut down to two-thirds rations and
sometimes bread and bacon was the
limit and then in sparing quantity.
During that winter the men put in
several nights in system of
trenches. They were under French
instruction. a French Regiment be-
ing stationed near. Many long hikes
were taken and there was much drill
and range work. The men learned
how to throw grenades and were
taught new methods Of warfare.
While there one man Of the COM
pany, Scott Merrill Of Madison died
Of pneumonia. He was buried at
Neufchateau.
Company E went into the lines in
February with the French near
scissors in the Chemin de Dame
regions. They remained in and out
Of the lines until about the last
Of March and were relieved just be-
fore the big German drive which
came through there. The Regiment
who relieved them was annihilated.
Six men from Company E had been
wounded but none had been killed in
this encounter. After being relieved
the Company went back to Lafola-
grande as they could not entrain at
scissors because the Germans were
ShelllQg the city Several hits were