Nov. 15, 1918
November 2019 No. 376 Letters to Her Son Hopedale in November Draper shop pictures - Thanks again to Bob Anderson for the pictures he rescued in the last days of the Draper plant in Hopedale. Here are the additions since last time: Page 5 (office workers, executives and meetings) Page 6 (loom assembly) Page 7 (people) Page 8 (shuttle department) Page 9 (salesmen's book - captioned photos) Page 10 (the rest of the salesmen's book) Early years of Hopedale Boy Scout Troop 1 – Thanks to Phyllis Foley and Matt Dykhoff for forms that include the names of the first leaders and boys in the troop, from way back in 1920. Hopedale photos from the 1930s to the 1950s – Thanks to Ingrid (Anderson) Colby for them. Additions to existing pages on hope.1842.com: The Wilmarths and the Water Cure House (Thanks to Eric Prouty for a letter written by Dr. Wilmarth in 1850.) Recent deaths <><><><><><><><><><> Twenty-five years ago – November 1994 - A letter by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, announcing that he has Alzheimer's disease, is released. Georgia Representative Newt Gingrich leads the Republican Party in taking control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in midterm congressional elections. The first passengers travel through the Channel Tunnel. Fifty years ago – November 1969 - A group of American Indians, led by Richard Oakes, seizes Alcatraz Island as a symbolic gesture, offering to buy the property for $24 from the U.S. government. A longer occupation begins 11 days later. The act inspires a wave of renewed Indian pride and government reform. Sesame Street airs its first episode on the NET network. Independent investigative journalist Seymour Hersh breaks the My Lai story. The SS United States, the last active United States Lines passenger ship, is withdrawn from service. 250,000–500,000 protesters stage a peaceful demonstration against the war, including a symbolic "March Against Death". Dave Thomas opens his first restaurant in a former steakhouse in downtown Columbus, Ohio. He names the chain Wendy's after his 8-year-old daughter, Melinda Lou (nicknamed "Wendy" by her siblings). Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean land at Oceanus Procellarum ("Ocean of Storms"), becoming the third and fourth humans to walk on the Moon. The first ARPANET link is established (the progenitor of the global Internet).
years ago. <><><><><><><><><><> I’m sending this ezine a few days earlier than usual, because it tells what was happening in Hopedale on the date that was first observed as Armistice Day, and now as Veterans’ Day.
November 10 and 11, 1918 The letters here below have been put online as part of Charlie Dennett’s work on his family genealogy. Here’s what he wrote about them. I was given a collection of letters, most of which were written by my grandfather, Mortimer C. Dennett to his brother, Winburn A. Dennett. The letters are from 1917 and 1918. My grandfather was in the army stationed at Camp Devens, Massachusetts and later in France. His brother was a student at the University of Maine, Orono and after graduation in 1918 enlisted in the Army. He was at the Syracuse, NY Recruit Camp and later at Madison Barracks in Sackets Harbor, NY. There are also three letters written by Charlie’s great-grandmother, Annie Corbett Dennett. What I’ve included here begins with about half of one she wrote to Win the day before the war ended. I’ve just included the half of it that covered what was happening in Hopedale as it became clear that the end of the war was near. The next day, after the war’s end had been announced, she wrote to Win again on the date that would later be celebrated as Armistice Day, and now, Veterans’ Day. November 10, 1918 It looks now as if the war would soon be over. Last Thursday afternoon and evening they had a celebration. The rumor was that Germany had surrendered. I did not feel that it was true so I did not enter in to it with any spirit. I had to go to the post office when I got to the hose house the torch light parade came up Dutcher St from the Town Hall. When they got to the hose house the hose trucks full of young folks joined them. In the parade I saw Dana Osgood and wife. Mildred Nutting beating a small drum and Edgar Bacon a big drum and Mrs. E. Bacon [?] Heath and a friend of Mildreds. There was a pile of people in it. In the afternoon they said George Albert [Draper] and his daughter was in the parade. I did not see it as I went to Milford on the four o’clock car. They closed the shops down. The girls and fellows were acting so the directors thought it better to close down. I think it is much better to wait till the President says so and we know it is a fact. The daily papers all goes up to two cents and the Sunday papers to seven. I guess I shall have to cut out the Sunday paper because that is quite a lot to pay for three papers a week. What kind of papers do you get where you are now. Mr. Sheldon told me last night that Elbert Marso got a letter from Mort Sat and that he is well. I hope Elbert is satisfied now. You know he felt very bad because he did not have a letter from Mort. I hope when I get your letter you will be all over them jabs. How much do you have to pay for a glass of milk? Now dear I shall have to close as I have to write Mort. Had a letter from Mrs. Williamson yesterday inquiring for you [?] she wanted your both addresses. She is working in Ammu factory. I should thought Mable would not let her mother in there. She gets 22 1/2 cents a hour. But they are after the mighty dollar. I am feeling fine. God bless and keep you well. With loads of love and kisses for my son. How I would love to see you today From your loving Mother xxxxxxx Monday evening 6:15 PM. Nov 11th 1918 My Dearest Son:- I went down early this morning thinking I might have a line from you saying how you were. I was anxious for I did not know but you might be feeling bad on account of getting three jabs at once. I was so happy to get your letter this afternoon and to see by your letter that you are better. Oh! my son when that whistle blew eight at four o'clock this morning, I just cried with joy I could not help it. I am so happy I do not mind if it is quite a while before my boys come home. I can wait as I know they will not have to fight. This is what I have been praying for. And I guess all the mothers of the country has been doing the same. No one can relize[sic] what this great victory means more than a mother. And of course, the boys know what it means. This morning I got up at twenty minutes past four. I could not lay in that bed, did not go out though because it was very cold. I thought I better be careful not take cold. About quarter of eight I went down to the P. Office. When I got to the shop there was a big parade of the girls and men. They had any old thing to make a noise keeping time by drumming on their dinner pales old pans kittles boxes. The Armenians, Italians and Syrians made a good showing this afternoon. This morning when I was coming back home Mrs, Burnham called me. The people was then coming up Dutcher St. She asked me if I did not want to go and parade so we marched up Dennett St down Northrop and stopped at the hose house a while, while they filled the fire trucks with children. Then they marched down by the main office and up again to Dutcher and them to Milford. I knew if I marched to Milford I would be all in and Mrs B did not want to go so we dropped out. This afternoon they had a auto parade. Mrs. Bacon and I rode in one of the fire trucks. Hopedale lined up with fire trucks in front and joyned[sic] the Milford parade at the corner of Dutcher and Adin. There were thousands of Milford people in the parade. I saw Doris marching. They continued their march up Dutcher St and around by the pond to the park and over the bridge to Hopedale St and down by the P.O. and up Adin St. Hopedale paraders left them at the corner of Adin and Main St. It was after the parade I went down and got your letter. Say son I am sure you are happy over the outcome. I have been wondering all day how the boys are celebrating over there. They are going to have a huge bonfire on the island tonight. Governor McCall proclaimed Thursday as Victory Day and all places are to close. The shop didn't keep here today. As I am writing this now I hear drums. The Kaiser and his gan[g] had to swallow a bitter pill. A pesky rat has got into the house he is now running up the wall now as I write. I do hope dear that you got the other box today as I know you will enjoy it. I am so glad I sent you that two dollars in yesterdays letter. I am so sorry that you do not get very good food. If you get that box all right I will send you some more and also a few apples. It surely is too bad that you have to work so hard especially shoveling coal. I won't write any more as I want to mail this tonight. Mailed you some papers this morning. I marked in the Globe about Main[e]. Heaps of love to my big soldier son. from your loving Mother xxxxxxxx The whistles are blowing I only wish you were here to help celebrate. The Dennett Family genealogy site Mort Dennett Ezine Menu HOME |
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Hopedale News - November 1919 |
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