100 years ago in The Record
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 1918
The 16th annual state convention of police patrolmen convenes at the A.O.H. Hall on Congress Street this afternoon, The Record reports. “That the question concerning the present wages paid the Troy men will be a matter of important discussion is not denied by the officials in charge of the convention,” our reporter writes. Increasing police pay statewide is at the top of the agenda, along with lobbying for a state law regulating police pensions. The convention opens “without any formal demonstration.” Mayor Cornelius F. Burns is unable to give his typical welcoming address because he’s in Albany attending the funeral of the daughter of that city’s mayor, James R. Watt. Overall, the convention will be a toned- down affair. “Previous years the convention ended with a clam steam,” our writer notes, “but this year, owing to the high cost of materials for a steam, a supper will take its place.” Mayor Burns is expected to attend the supper tomorrow.
Boys of 105th Tell of Life in Trenches
More local soldiers from the 105th U.S. Infantry regiment are writing home to describe their first round of combat in Europe. The Troybased regiment, formerly the Second New York National Guard, spent eight days in the trenches on the western front in late July.
Tommy “Stockings” Conroy is “one of the most popular little fellows that ever slipped on the mitts in this city.” Accordingly, excerpts from Conroy’s letter to his mother appear in today’s sports section.
“The Germans are very dirty but when they saw our good old 105th infantry boys they sure did run,” Conroy writes, “They put the Bavarians in front to stop the Americans, and to get us, but oh boy! What beating we gave them.
“That grand old flag of ours will soon fly over Berllin and the 105th boys will be able to sing the Star Spangled Banner. Don’t worry, we will soon be there for there isn’t a Hun in Germany that can beat an American.
“While I am sitting here resting the Huns are hovering over us with three airplanes and a little way off approaching is a fleet of fifteen allied planes after them. Gee, mother, it’s just like the movies.”
With allied troops on the offensive, Conroy expects to be home for Christmas. Corporal Albert Munton is less bombastic, telling his correspondent, Mrs. Martin Roddy, that life in the trenches “was some experience.”
Munton finds a rest camp “very agreeable after the excitement of the trenches” but is anxious to return to action “so that the Boche may be forced back where he belongs as soon as possible.”
--Kevin Gilbert