47.0°,
Overcast This Week in Freeport- 100 years ago
Goings-on in Freeport as reported in the Nassau Post, published in September 1917
MORE MEN LEAVE FOR CAMP UPTON: Nine Freeporters were among 58 conscripted men to leave from the Hempstead train station for Camp Upton for basic training preparatory to their service in the US armed forces. Members of the Freeport Home Guard Battalion provided an honor guard to the departing men, which accompanied the new soldiers from Hempstead Town Hall to the train depot. Edwin Holmes, Samuel Albro, Robert George Colthurst, Frank Ziegler, Fred Senf, Russell Smith, Otto Bartlett, Leslie Penny, and Charles Jordano were the draftees from Freeport who left with this group for Camp Upton.
FREEPORT CARING FOR THE SOLDIERS: A canteen for soldiers passing through Freeport was set up at 13 Railroad Ave. The Ladies Committee of the Freeport Federation provided refreshments for the past weekend, during which time about 200 members of the armed forces were served. Reportedly there were plenty of magazines to go around but donations of phonograph records, cigarettes and fudge were sought by the group. Cash donations were also sought to cover the costs of opening and running the canteen, which cost approximately $15.00 per week. The latest contributions were reported in the article: F.E. Story contributed $25.00, Jere Brown gave $5.00 and Edwin Jackson donated $10.00. Henry Raymore loaned his piano for use by the soldiers during their stay at the canteen.
WANT CURFEWS FOR LONG ISLAND TOWNS: A curfew for children 16 years old or younger was proposed by the Brooklyn Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Nassau and Suffolk Counties Committee. They cited the instances of increased juvenile delinquencies in countries involved in the Great War and expressed hope that, with such a curfew, the same problem would not affect the villages of Long Island.
Fred Pitterman of 74 South Main St. ran an advertisement for meat sold in his market, and touted it as “Positively the Best”. The advertisement also cites his fourteen years in business in the village.
LITTLE HOPE OF EARLY PEACE: The Nassau Post reported on a comment by Pope Benedict in which he expressed hope for the war’s end by Christmas of 1917, but sees fulfillment of that wish only in complete defeat of the German forces, which, to date, had not yet happened.
WANTED: In the “Help Wanted” section of the Post, the firm of Serentz and Goldberg, located at 143 East Merrick Rd., advertised for a girl who had expertise in the use of a power sewing machine to apply for work at their company. They also mentioned that girls who were good with needle and thread could also apply for work sewing buttons.
Adolph Levy and Son, a clothier located at 60 South Main St., advertised new suits ranging in price from $15.00 to $25.00. Some of these suits were designed along the lines of an army officer’s uniform, according to the advertisement.
TRIED AND TRUE reads an advertisement from Chubbuck’s Drug Store in reference to a product called Penslar Beef, Iron and Wine. These three ingredients listed in the name of this tonic are combined to invigorate the user and build up his blood.
VILLAGE BOARD IN REGULAR SESSION: The main topic at the last meeting of the Freeport Board of Trustees was to enforce the laws concerning the sale of milk in Freeport. Each dealer had to take out a license to be allowed to continue to sell milk in the village; any dealer who disregarded this law would “be liable to arrest and prosecution.” Health Officer Runcie was charged with enforcing this directive. Employee Henry Rider was given a $5.00 per month raise, bringing his salary up to $90.00 per month. Attorney E.N. Edwards appealed to the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Freeport Railroad Company to allow the company to discontinue service between October 1, 1917 and the following June due to financial concerns.
