The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-08-21
co. M CHEERED ON
RETURN FROM CAMP
Met at Station BY Band and Crowds
Given Dinner at Quarry
Bank Hall.

held the traditions OF the city at the
encampment Of the l72d infantry at
Camp Governor Hartness, the boys re-
turned to their homes here on the noon
train Saturday.
Nothing in the way Of royal wei
come for them was omitted. Crowds
were at the station to cheer them as
their special car rolled in and the Barre
City band was playing as it had never
played before, all for the purpose OF
showing Barre's appreciation Of their
work while in camp. Lieutenants Leavitt
and Dowers soon had the boys off the
train and lined up behind their standard
bearer and with the band still playing
they were escorted to the Quarry Bank
hall, where Chef J. H. Roberts, ably
assisted by Gordon Watson, o. q. Aver
lill and Harold Bancroft, had big
dinner awaiting them. The meal, which
consisted Of roast beef, potatoes, corn,
cake, coffee and ice cream, went to the
hearts Of the boys and the Board Of
Trade, under whose auspices the vel
come was given, was amply repaid Tor
its efforts One youngster, TO whom
military life was evidently something
new, was heard to remark: BY G-< II
seems good to sit down to real iced
again." and the entire company hearth
ly seconded the motion. During the
meal short speeches by Charles Wish
art, James Mackay and President =.
p. Carter Of the Board Of Trade were
in order, each taking the opportunity
to thank the boys for their efforts in
making such fine showing af the EN-
campment and complimenting them on
their fine, spirit.
Following the repast heavy packs
which had been constant companions
for over two weeks were turned back
to the ouartermaster and aside from a
few of the boys who volunteered TO
help unload their baggage from the
train the hall was cleared and the boys
on their way home to get back into
scivies."
When asked what they thought OF
camp life most of them agreed that
they enjoyed ii and from the looks OF
the lean tanned faces which they pre-
sented the public was inclined TO be-
lieve them. The question of mules was
brought up by someone and the men
tion of them seemed to be standing
Joke for most Of the boys remembered
what happened TO one OF the oiflcefs
when he attempted TO catch one which
had bolted. All expressed a relief at
being home again and were pleased At
the welcome which they had received.
What they had least expected was TO
find a band playing on the platform
when they arrived. Two of the officers
who had been at the camp evidently
had become attached 10 the local boys
for they had raced the train to this
city and were on the platform TO greet
the men when they arrived here. They
were Major Rich of the 5th infantry,
chief instructor at the camp, and Cap
tain Rice, 5th infantry, machine gun
instructor.
Captain Neale Hooker, who COM
mands the local company, wished the
following statement made 70 the people
of Barre and the Board Of Trade: The
officers and men of Co. NJ, l12d infan-
try. wish me TO thank the people OF
this city and the Board Of Trade for
their very warm reception. hospitality
and dinner. The record of the company
has been at camp among the first in
the regiment, not only in the science OF
firing the machine gun, but also in
Camp sanitation. which in itself is very
important to camp life. The success
of the company is due to the intelli-
pence Of the enlisted personnel and the
cooperation with the officers OF the
company. Let me again express our ap-
probation to the people Of Barre
In regard to the record of the Barre
bows in camp Major Buzzell, command
inc the Sd battalion of Newport, called
Co. NJ the best machine gun company
in the regiment. while Colonel Gibson,
commander of the entire regiment sent
the commander a personal letter Of ap-
preciation of the efforts Of the Barre
company to make the regiment the sue
cess that IL Is.
When the boys went into camp they
drew their allotment of nine mules and
three horses from the remount stations
of the 7th field artillery at Fort ETHAN
Allen for use with their machine gun
and ammunition carts. II was not
great while before they had begun TO
learn the first rudimcnts of handling
mules. A class in equitation for the
mounted officers of the regiment was
held each morning and Co NJ upheld
it's reputation even in this difficult art.
Z During the days that the company
was on the range both machine gun and
pistol practice was in order, the men
Of Co. NJ rating high in both, Second
Lieutenant bowers and First Sergeant
McRae doing especially well Lieuten-
ant Leavitt had charge of pistol in
sfuuction and. under his careful guild
ancc. n number Of the men qualified as
marksmen.
Taking everything altogether the en-
was grand success even
though the first few days were marred
bv several thunder showers which add
ed greatly TO the hardships of the boys.
Most of the time the weather was very /
pleasant however. and the company is
looking forward to the next encamp- 1
ment-
Captain Hooker to-day received the
following letter from Colonel +. w.
Gibsors
CAPTAIN Nesle Hooker,
Commanding Co. NJ.
l72d Inf. First VII