This is the sixteenth weekly 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 one hundred years ago this week:

July 23, 1917 – Monday – Lowell exemption boards meet. The two Sixth Regiment battalions which are on the way from Framingham to Ayer are expected to reach their objective tonight. The start was made Saturday and yesterday the outfit had reached Acton. The soldiers struck the hottest days of the summer for their little jaunt, and it will undoubtedly be with a sigh of relief that they lay down their heavy equipment this evening.

July 24, 1917 – Tuesday – Kerensky names new Russian cabinet. McAdoo wants war tax bill to authorize an additional five billion dollars. Battery F goes to Boxford. On Their Way to France. Approximately 1500 men forming the New England contingent of the United States reserve engineers will break camp at Salem, NH and will go to Halifax by train and then to France. Lowell is interested in this unit because Cpt Frank Pelletier of Co B is from Lowell. He was the yardmaster of the B&M railroad in Lowell for a number of years, and later traffic manager of USCCO

July 25, 1917 – Wednesday – Russians are still in retreat. French victors in long struggle on Aisne front. Lowell Battery Mobilized. Money appropriated for Agricultural Fair.

July 26, 1917 – Thursday – Entire Division of traitorous Russian troops blown to pieces by own artillery. Two German ships sunk and two captured. Battery F away tomorrow. Company K wants ten more men at Ayer. Bids opened on Bartlett School Addition.

July 27, 1917 – Friday – Russian Premier Shot. Kerensky ends battle, but is wounded. Lowell Boy promoted in Regular Army. 1SGT Edward J. Higgins was promoted to Lieutenant. He has already spent seven years in the army with extensive service in Panama. 22 Negroes held in bail for trial. Chester PA. As a result of riots here last night. Rioting renewed at Chester PA. A negro who was shot may die. He was walking past the Chester Ship building company, past a group of work men who fired at him twice.  Crowd at Depot this morning to see men of Battery F off to Boxford.

July 28, 1917 – Saturday – Another contingent of US troops arrive in France. Guards in control in Chester PA. 9000 in state guard says Butler Ames. Local men join mounted military police. Lowell’s public vegetable market opened in Anne Street Today.