100 years ago in The Record
Thursday, Sept. 20, 1917
Samuel Stein is one of the Troy draftees ordered to leave for the Camp Devens training facility in Ayer, Massaachusetts, this weekend. Stein has a slight problem: he’s “entirely willing to go,” but he’s stuck in Niagara Falls with no funds for a return trip to the Collar City. Stein should make it to Troy before the latest draftee cohort boards the train for Ayer on Saturday, thanks to Mayor Cornelius F. Burns. After learning of Stein’s plight in this morning’s newspapers, the mayor has made arrangements “out of his own pocket” for Stein to board a New York Central train at Niagara Falls. “I feel that I should help a youngman who is willing to go out who is temporarily unable to get here,” Burns tells The Record, “He is willing to serve his country. It is more proper for him to be sent from this city than from Niagara Falls, which might have been done. It does more credit to Troy.” Roll of honor The mayor believes that Trojans like Stein deserve more public recognition for their service during the war against Germany. By the latest count, more than 1,000 Trojans are serving in the U. S. military. Burns sends a communication to tonight’s common council meeting urging aldermen to make provisions for the installation of a roll of honor in City Hall. The honor roll would prominently display the names of all Trojans currently serving their country.
“We, as individuals, understand and appreciate that these young men are making the greatest sacrifice that is humanly possible,” the mayor writes, “We are proud of the various activities in which our citizens are engaging for the comfort and welfare of our fighting men, and for the great and patriotic zeal with which the people of Troy are supporting every effort of the government in the prosecution of the war.
“It is fitting that the city of Troy itself should make some official recognition of its soldiers and sailors and of its gratitude to them for what they have done, and its appreciation and confidence in them in what they may be called upon to do.”
High school football
The Troy High football team is stunned by today’s news that their captain, Marty Barry, has transferred to an Albany school. The Record’s sportswriter gives no reason for Barry’s move. He had just been elected captain of the Troy High basketball team as well after a star season in both sports last year. The favorite to take Barry’s place as captain is fullback Benton Bryce, who leads a “stiff practice” in Prospect Park this afternoon.