Lowell in World War One: August 12, 1918 to August 23, 1918

REMEMBER – This coming Saturday, September 1, 2018, is the “Lowell in World War I” Lowell Walk. It begins at 10am at Lowell National Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street and lasts 90 minutes. Free. Just show up for the walk.

Two weeks worth of Lowell in World War One posts today. This is the 65th installment of my Lowell in World War One series which commemorates the centennial of the entry of the United States into World War One. Here are the headlines from 100 years ago this week:

August 12, 1918 – Monday – 75,000 Germans captured in Foch’s two great drives. More Lowell soldiers severely wounded. Private Edwin Brown, son of Mr and Mrs Edwin A Brown of 13 Jewett street was severely wounded in France on July 19. Brown enlisted in April 1917 in Co G, Sixth Regiment, now 104th Infantry. He worked for the Cartridge shop before enlisting. Another member of Co. G, 104th Infantry, Private William J Riopello, was severely injured in France on July 22, his eighteenth birthday. Blind worker. Sightless girl expert as bullet packer at United States Cartridge plant. Jennie Linscott smilingly does her bit to help win war for democracy. Linscott, of 357 Worthen Street, was a student at Perkins Institute for the Blind in Watertown, but now works at the Market street plant of the cartridge company. Commissioner George Brown of the fire and water works department said today that a new fire house should be erected in Stevens street to supplement the house in Westford street in taking care of the Highland district. Mr. Brown also stated that the chemical in the house at Westford and Lane streets was not out of commission even though several of the horses from this house have been put out to pasture. Brown says he expects the chemical at this house will eventually be motorized.

August 13, 1918 – Tuesday – Allies advance in new attack on 25-mile front in Picardy. Yanks in fierce battle. Lowell soldier wounded in France. Private Albert B Branco, better known as Albert Brown, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Brown of 73 Summer street was wounded while serving with Co. G, 104th Infantry. He is 19 years old and had previously worked in the Massachusetts mills. He was born in Portugal and came to this country as a child.

August 14, 1918 – Wednesday – U-Boat sinks steamer at gates of New York Harbor, another off tip of Cape Cod. New draft call. All who have turned 21 since last June 5 must register on Saturday, August 24. Still another Co. G man of the old Sixth, now the 104th regiment, has been wounded in France. Private Armand Lemieux, son of Mr and Mrs George Lemieux of 2 Coolidge street is reported wounded in action.

August 15, 1918 – Thursday – Up to US to win war. Must extend draft ages to bring struggle to victorious end. Housing Bureau. Commissioner Morse recommends tract of land in Woodward Ave for homes. Federal real estate manager says site is too far from munition plants. Morse argues that the parcel was recently sewered and is served by two street car lines. Private Frederick Hickey dies in France from wounds in battle. He was 23 years old and served with Co G., 103rd Infantry. His brothers, John and William Hickey live at 187 West London street.

August 16, 1918 – Friday – Representatives from US Cartridge Co will visit munitions plants in England, France and Italy to study techniques used there since production here needs speeding up. Big day tomorrow at Anne Street Market. The vegetable season is in full swing and recent rains ensure that the vegetables coming into markets are of the best quality.

August 19, 1918 – Monday – French advance on nine mile front. New draft bill to be considered Thursday. No general exemption for married men. Secretary Baker says married men who fail to support families and who are not engaged in useful occupations will be called. Plan to defer call of boys under 21 years of age. Private William Molloy dies of wounds. Molloy, son of Mr and Mrs Michael Molloy of 23 Corbett street, died of wounds received on June 22. He entered the national service in May 1917 and was assigned to a machine gun unit. He was 22 years old and was formerly employed at the US Cartridge Co plant. Another Lowell man has given up his life in France. Private John M Warren of headquarters company, 101st Infantry, died July 22 of wounds received in battle. He was 24 years old. Private George Page severely wounded. A member of the Canadian overseas forces, he is the husband of Mrs. Catherine Page who lives at 9 Chestnut street with their three children. Private Page had previously worked at United States Cartridge company.

August 20, 1918 – Tuesday – French launch new attack and hurl Huns back along ten mile front. Municipal council votes to appropriate $15,000 for City Hall boilers.

August 21, 1918 – Wednesday – British launch big drive. Haig opens attack on Huns along ten mile front southwest of Arras. Constable John McManus held his 18th annual outing for youth of the city at Spalding park today. Children gathered this morning at Merrimack square for rides on special cars to the park. Once there, the children sat in the grandstand benches and ate from their lunch boxes with Constable McManus providing lemonade, cake and ice cream cones.

August 22, 1918 – Thursday – French stand before Noyon. Fall of key to whole German line west of Somme near. Private Frank Y Bale of 20 Chestnut Street, was severely wounded in battle in France while serving with Company K. A cotton waste shorehouse at the corner of Newhall and Chambers street was totally destroyed by fire last night. It was owned by the Walter Coburn Cotton Waste Company.

August 23, 1918 – Friday – British and Germans locked in mighty battle on 25-mile front. Another Lowell boy killed in France. Private Joseph Henry Maille of 19 Lilley avenue enlisted in the Canadian forces three years ago and has been serving “over there” ever since. He is survived by his mother, five brothers and one sister, all of Lowell. No hearing held. Lowell counsel ready but Judge Loring postpones to Sept. 10. For third time, charter litigation gets temporarily shelved.