Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-25

well vcrsed on war records as is
Miss Geachell. That has been her
| work and her hobby-in charge of
| the records of service men. During
her work, Miss Getchell has passed
! through the hectic days of three
| disturbances, the Spanish war,
| which was in progress when she
entered the office, the Mexican bor-
der trouble and the great World
War. Not only has her work taken
| her into the annals of these three
troubles, but she has seen the rec
ordS of the Civil War and the War
of 1872 whipped into shape, pre-
| served for future generations and
| brought up to their full value. Dusty
Old Civil War records have been
| taken from their archives and
| backed by sturdy linen cloth. Rec
| ords of 1872 have been put into a
| good state of preservation. And
even though Maine did not become
a State until 1920. there are in the
| Adiutant Generals office. today.
records of commissions dated in the
year 1903.
VERY exacting and trying" is
how worker Classics the splen-
did work which Miss Gctchell is do
| ing. 1t calls for much patience and
!
ellis task to follow through" keep
| ing in mind the slender thread of
evidence which finally results in an
adequate record.
| Miss Getchell is n native of Au-
gusta and graduated from Cony
high school in 1893. When she en-
tered the Adjutant Generals office.
General John r. Richards of Gardi-
ner was at the head. During the
past - years the Adjutant Generals
who have been in Office were:
1897. John T. Richards. Gardiner:
| 1902, Augustus 3. Farnham. Ban
1913, Albert Greenlaw. PASSPORT;
1915, George Mclean Presson,
Pennington; 1927. John A. Hadley,
| Rumford. The present Adiutant
| General is Major James w. Hanson.
! Belgrade.
The Adjutant Generals depart
ment was located in the northwest
room at the State House. now a part
| of the state AUDITORS department.
| The Office was maintained there I'M
! til they moved into their new build
ing. with the exception of 1919.
when they were installed in the
Blaine Mansion.
When Miss Gctchcll entered the
! office. the force included nine or ten,
| including the chief clerk, bookkeep-
or and stenographers. Now there
are IL stepographers. beside the
| officers of the department. The
work of the department has perhaps
| shown. it's biggest increase through
| the National Guard supervision.
When the same was changed over
! from the State Militia. the work be-
came more complex.
| The detailed work of the National
| Guard records is a part of Miss
Getchell's work. All records of the
World War were sent direct to
Washington and the records at the
Adjutant Generals Office have been
kept up through the newspaper
items AL during the World War,
Miss Getchell clipped newspapers
for any and every mention of ser
vice man. Now the National gov
eminent is giving to the State indi-
vidual records of each person in the
World War. This means between
81 and 80 thousand records. BY
comparison. Miss Getchel declares
that the state records were found
to be in a most admirable condition.
This is a tribute to newspapers.
A year ago, Miss Cetchell was
presented with Il gold medal, bear
ing a gold bar. This was in recog-
milton of her "A years of service.
such as is presented soldiers for
that length OF time in the service.
Miss Getchell is u descendant of
the Getchell Brothers who settled in
Vassalboro on land granted to. them
by the King of ngland and is now
known as Getchells Corner. Men,
bers of the family served in the
Revolutionary War and in the War
of 1872.
Dinner Party for Miss GetcheII
Friends and co-workers gave Miss
Getchell q dinner party, Tuesday
evening at the Augusta House in
honor of her 25th year in the Ad-
iutant Generals Office. Letters of
congratulation We're received and
read from Gen. Elliott c. Dill of
New York. Col. Albert Greenlaw,
Major John A. Hadley. Col. !. J..
Huncaker, Major Francis II. Far
mum. Major James l.. Moriarity.
An orchestra furnished music.
Dancing and games were enjoyed
and the event proved to be a most
delightful affair The words of
praise which were received by Miss
Getchell from former heads of the
Adjutant Generals department.
speak well for the high esteem in
which she is held.