20 Dec 1917
Page 1
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 29 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Barre Daily Times
Location
Barre, Vermont, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1917
Page
1
Reports from Petrograd say central powers will seek peace with the Allies. The Germans informed Bolshevik headquarters that peace could be discussed on nonannexation terms but self-determination remains impractical. Ukrainian Rada rejects a Bolshevik ultimatum amid ongoing clashes.
Extreme fighting rages in northern mountains and along the lower Piave as Italians resist five separate crossing attempts by the enemy near the Sile. A crown was taken but repulsed. in the San Lorenzo Pass and east of the Brenta, the Italians retire as the battle for the vital plain link intensifies.
Geneva reports 576 pale starving Austrian children aged seven to nine arrive at the frontier. They came from Vienna and other towns and will be cared for in Switzerland until their health is restored. Their condition reflects severe malnutrition and prolonged hunger from bad bread and little milk.
London date: fourteen British merchant ships over one ton sunk or captured by mine or submarine in the past week with three under that tonnage also sunk. one fishing vessel and one steamship damaged but reaching port. Paris report notes minimal French losses. no fishing craft sunk.
At Camp Devens soldiers are cheered up for a four day stay with meals and entertainment arranged. The details are unclear due to damaged text, but readers can expect organized relaxation and activities during the stay.
Washington December 20 complaints say American merchant ships have not cooperated with naval commanders. The navy seeks strict adherence to naval instructions, with license withdrawal for disobedience. In matters of navigation and crew discipline merchant captains retain authority, while sobriety aboard crews is emphasized. The dispute arose from navy efforts to man all transports and army supply vessels, with merchant crews remaining on passenger ships and nonmunitions cargoes. Senate probes into shipping board operations and Army service rules loom, as Maj Gen Sharpe testifies.
Cardinal Gibbons in Washington DC approved a plan for Roman Catholic miners to take Christmas Day and New Year’s Day off. He also suggested saloons close from 0 to 8 a.m. to support the observance during the Christmas and New Year season.
Washington D C Dec 20 Only 71 weavers were lost out of more than 300 000 carried on American ships during the fiscal year ending June 30 the annual report yesterday of the steamboat inspection service shows The total deaths on American vessels including those who went down with torpedoed merchant craft was 582 but personal crisis reports and nevidental drownings accounted for 210 of these The year s total was 684 less than that of the previous year when 600 persons were lost on the steamer Boatland at Chicago
Boston Massachusetts December 20 The Boston and Maine railroad facing a fuel shortage plans additional passenger train curtailments to avoid disrupting war freight. Receiver James H Hustis says reductions will aim to minimize public inconvenience and maintain inbound and outbound commuter service while fuel reserves decline. The railroad entered winter with large stock but daily fuel use now exceeds 6 000 tons and recent deliveries average about 2 000 tons daily. If relief does not arrive via government aid, fuel will run out by February, forcing greater reliance on freight movement.
The readable parts refer to several names and places like Bulent lyse Deere Velr Shing Ver Fens and Sahil, but the overall event or outcome is unclear. The passage appears as garbled OCR with no coherent narrative or verifiable facts to summarize.
Washington D C December 20 The investigation of the governments shipping board and the emergency fleet corporation activities under a Senate commerce committee resolution will begin tomorrow afternoon with Chairman Hurley as the first witness The inquiry is led by Senator Harding and aims to examine wartime shipping programs and policy decisions
James L. Lynch, known as Vin Lynch, serves in the American ambulance service in France attached to Samtaite 66 under the French government. In a vivid letter to Goddard seminary mentor Charles L. Hoernle he describes front-line life, rest periods, and the horrors of shellfire as his unit moves with a division and aids wounded soldiers amid the brutal gunfire near occupied towns.
Lyndonville December 20 Universalist church extends a call to Rev Honey Ledyard of Cortland New York to fill the vacancy created by Rev Hl H Niles move to Concord. Ledyard previously served in Northfield Cortland and Little Rock as a Universalist and later in the Linker denomination. He served in the Spanish American War and Philippine Islands. He is married and is expected to assume the pulpit January 1.
Boston December 20. A cargo of 1 000 000 pounds of raw sugar from Louisiana reached Boston, first this month, with refiners expecting it to be the last Louisiana product this season. Cuban sugar was anticipated to move north within ten days.
The last 15 men of Addison county’s quota of 123 left Middlebury for Fort Constitution Portsmouth. Reverend Elbert B. Holmes addressed the group at the station before they boarded. A net check was presented for a new use and railhouse music accompanied the departure. Fred W. LaBonu of Vorgonnes named to lead the detachment with Charles B. Rae of New Haven as assistant. two substitutes joined as stand ins for absentees Duncan and Mandigo.
Testimony given before the federal regional milk commission in N H details the relation between feed costs and milk prices. Joseph P. Landay of Massachusetts Agricultural College describes the near exact ratio showing farmer margins were small. Professors Davis Story Bronson and others from New England colleges testified on the morning session at the State House.
Fragmentary OCR text about a private clan and dated actions, with garbled phrases and uncertain references to people and places. The legible parts do not form a coherent event or named entities suitable for a full summary.
Montpelier opened the basketball season with a 3 to 1 win over Bethel Whitcomb High. Kragran and Lager sparked the offense while Grama contributed early buckets. Reagan played through illness in the second period as Montpelier pulled away and solidified lead with solid defense and steady scorers.
Washington Dec. 20 The War Department has met most Surgeon General Gorgas recommendations for firing camp health and foresees a general health uptick as field sanitation officers report gains. Baker noted previous reports were received two weeks or more late. Miss Bessie May McDonald of Plainfield died at 2 this morning after living in Washington and Vermont. She was 23, educated at Northfield High and active in the Grange and Rebekah lodge. Surviving are her father and brother in Plainfield. Funeral services set for Saturday at the McDonald home and 1 p.m. at the Universalist church in Washington with interment in the family lot.
Huntington Nev reports a district quota of 100 Vermont men trained for artillery entrained to Fort Constitution Portsmouth NH. Names include Amos Lavinix Michael Costella Francis Mahar William Cook Waldo White Lewis White Lauriston Wilcox Joseph DeDilio Andrew Cadoret Gilbert Charlton and Bennington volunteers. A small crowd saw them off after a Red Cross knit garments and village luncheon. They traveled by Rutland railroad Cheatham division to Petersburgh-Tanen NY then to Boston and Maine.
Private Parker of the 101st Ammunition writes to his sister Mie Sf Waterman of Richardson. He mentions rain, apples, fried potatoes, and eggs costing 106 Gwh. He notes meals, letters from Flutene, and his sense of life far away, closing with warm regards.
Over-age service Colsone acting adjutant general rewired the tele mt to urge recruiting officers to fill a call for fifteen thousand men for U S guards to protect utilities in an emergency. The appeal targets former service members including Spanish American War and Philippine War veterans, Boxer Rebellion veterans, and those with Army Navy or Marine experience. Married men may be eligible with appropriate papers, and recruitment efforts should align with department commanders on local availability.
Fragmentary OCR style text references men in Rutland and West Rutland, a meeting or council, and mentions fear revolt and unfair treatment, but lacks coherent details or names. Readable content is limited to scattered phrases about local people and a possible court or board.
A Canadian operating company transfer is likely for N MacDonald, formerly Graniteville, now with the British forces in France. He reports letters to his mother detailing hopes for a transfer, recent care parcels from home, and a search for fellow soldiers including Allen, Mundo McAuley, and Herb Dusley.
A son, Charles McCarthy, in the navy aboard the UV SOS Chester, sends a letter to his mother from London. He describes three days ashore at the YMCA, meeting Dr. Barnett, sights of Africa and Europe, a Thanksgiving dinner on board, uncertain return around June, damp foggy weather, and asks about life at home while noting weight gain and not hearing from friends Annie and Mary.
Campaigning in Washington county builds as Red Cross fundraising pushes toward the quota. Reports cite 3,000 active workers, 14,000 enrolled, and 1,000 volunteers monthly, with 13,000,000 surgical dressings and related items sent to camps and cantons. Red Cross units, hospital services, and comfort kits expand across bases, ships, and France, underscoring support for democracy amid war.
Mason and Stone of the fuel administration say many towns face dwindling coal supplies. After October Boston talks, Vermont should speed wood cutting or have wood hauled in as coal runs low. Next year may see more wood use and a shift from coal. some towns lack access to wood and even green wood may be used.
An obituary notes Charlie B Townsend a long time Barre resident who died after a brief illness. He leaves siblings Frank Townsend of Condira Alecks Calvin Townsend of Fairtante Alaska and others in California and Los Angeles. Funeral details were announced at a meeting of arrangements.
A filing lists Dew Reatland as editor and publisher of a Caledonian paper in bankruptcy. Creditors seek relief totaling about 400 dollars with stock and other assets set to be valued, while the court reviews claims and the newspaper’s financial status in New York City.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.