New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-01-18
PLAINVILLE. NE
USHER HOME after
SERVICE OVERSEAS
Served as Member Of Atlantic
Mosquito Fleet
HOPKINS IS RELEASED
Local Soldier Had Been in German
Prison Camp-Board of Appeal to
Mcet-Has Surprise Parfy-Brief
Items OF News.

James Usher, gunners mate, first
class, |. S. n, is at his home here on
a - hours leave. He has been in the
service for 20 months, enlisting May 7,
l9l', iii New Haven as a seaman He
mas not had a furlough in that time
lie mas had many exciting and thrill
ms experiences, spending most of his
rlme IN the service with the submarine
cllasers in the Atlantic The chasers
are known as the mosquito feet and
'heT patrolled the coast of France,
with Brest as the home port. When
the Meet sailed. the Atlantic was in
rested with subm arines and the trip
was Splced with danger, but they ar
rived at Brest safely and since that
time Osher's work was lively and in
t@Tcstlng. He became 'first-class
Sunner's mate some time ago. He took
q photograph of the steamer Florence
IL, showing the powder boxes ex-
ploding and the American sailors en-
gagged in rescue work.
Previous to his enlistment Usher
was emf loyed in the office Of Landers.
Frary and Clark in New Britain He
expects his ship to go into drydock in
the Brooklyn Navy Yard and in that
case he will get another and longer
Through.
Out of Prison Camp.
Relatives OF Private Douglas Hon
kins have received word that he has
been released from a German prison
camp. He and Private Randolph
Stewart were the only Plainville men
who were captured by the Huns, and
Stewart was released some time ago
Nothing was heard from Hopkins
however, and his relatives and friends
We're inclined to doubt as to whether
he was living.
Hopkins and Stewart were captured
at the battle of Seicheprey. Stewart
went over the top with about rs men
and they went too far into the German
lines, so that when they turned to 20
back to their trenches they were sur
rounded. Hopkins was in an army post
office at the time Stewart went over
and he heard the story Of his pals
capture. He Went over later and was
captured also. The two were placed
in different prison camps and have
never met since their capture
Hopkins wrote to his relatives on
the day he was captured, but the let
ter did not reach them for four
months, and they had heard of his
capture before receiving the letter.
Private Stewart has not commune
Gated with his parents since being re-
leased from the prison camp.
Board of Relief Meeting.
The board of relief will meet at the
town clerks Office on Saturday after /
noon, February I, at 100 o'clock, and
at the same time on Saturday, Febru- !
airy and Is, and Friday, February p. +
All appeals from decisions of the as !
SCISSORS Of Plainville and all requests !
for deductions from any list of in
debtedness may be presented to the
board. Such appeals must be present (
ed at the first meeting on February I :
or at some adjourned meeting held
within 20 days from that time
Given Surprise Party
About 20 schooImates OF Miss Eliza
beth Ewo1d surprised her last evening
by q visit to her home on South !
Washin gton street. The evening was
spent in music and games. Refresh
ments were served. All the children
present had a very enjoyable evening.
Advertised Letters.
Letters for the following people are
advertised at the post office: Mrs.
Nellie Chamberlain, Mr.. Robert Mes
senger and the U. Z. club.
Church Notices.
Congregational church. An offer 1
ing will be received at the morning