Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-04-24
vermont BOYS
WELCOMED HOME
Governor Clement and Party at
Commonwealth Pier, Boston,
to Greet Soldiers Returning on
the Patricia
SHIP AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Boys Had Unusual Experience ON Way
Over-RepOrted That German Tried
to Set Fire to Ship and Made Attempt
to Sink II

Boston, Mass, April 1.-THE best in
formation that can be obtained tonight
Is that the Winifredian will dock at 7:a9
o'clock Tomorrow morning Boats will
leave their respective docks at 800 a. m.
The Vermont boys in the Patricia arrived
in fine spirits to-day the boat being
about two hours later than was expected
Most of these Vermonters on this ship
were from Rutland and st. Adams al
though there were few from Barre,
st. Johnsbury and southern towns In the
State.
The boys had an experience according
to their story. that will be remembered
namely that of an effort to short circuit
the electrical apparatus of the boat by
German officer one Of four on the ship
who accompanied the Yankee crew for
the purpose of interpreting instructions
relative to the boats operation. Soldiers
also stated that this man pulled the
water plugs on one side of the boat when
they were in mid-ocean and that the
vessel listed badly to one side. The man
was placed under arrest they stated.
Governor Clement, Major Goodell,
Adjutant-General Johnson and many
others from different parts of the State
were present to welcome the boys. The
! Governors party went to the Common
| "Soith Dici WHERE several Oh the Dogs
were convened including Lieutenant
Tenney, who was in German prison
for some months and who had to 20 to
an American hospital after he was re-
leased from the German prison.
The arrival of the Patricia one day
ahead Of its expected schedule prevented
many who had planned to come here
being present. Col. w. j. Keville, COM
manding officer of the 101st Ammunition
Train was commanding officer of the
soldiers on the vessel.
Major j. NJ. Ashley, who was formerly
associated with Colonel Keville, was
present. Colonel Keville greeted his
aged mother at the pier Mrs. Keville
is completing arrangements for the well
come of the 101st Ammunition Train next
week. Rutland boys with whom the re-
porter talked stated they were feeling
fine, but they wanted to get home. They
stated that Brest is now as one of the
best camps in France and that improve
ments have been marked in the last few
weeks. Captain Munsell. formerly OF
Company *, Springfield. was recently
promoted to major. Captain Woods Of
st. Adams taking his place in command
of Company c, 108rd Machine Gun Bat
talon. Members of the 1O2nd and 1o3rd
Machine Gun Battalions. Signal Corps,
and casuals arrived tO-dhy. No speeches
were made on the boat.
Boston. April IA German agent on
the transport Patricia to look out for
German property, attempted to set fire
to the vessel as 1t was nearing Boston
with more than 1900 American soldiers ac-
cording to Major Frank w. Cavanaugh,
one of the officers on board.
The man had been locked in a state room
because of his actions. When a guard
left the room, the German. whose name
was given as Fisher. Is alleged to have
manipulated electric wires in such a way
as to start blaze In the stateroom. The
guard found a lively fire burning when he
returned. '.
Members of the crew extinguished the
fire and Fisher was placed in irons. The
German was one of five Of his country
men placed on board the Patricia by con-
sent of the allied governments to watch
the Hamburg American lines property.
He was formerly a second officer on a Ger.
man merchant ship.
The Patricia, which halls from Ham,
burg. is one of the first German merchant
ships turned over to the allies, and she
, was put into the transport service at
Brest Major Cavanaugh said Fisher has
acted strange ever since they left the
French port.