100 years ago in The Record
Thursday, Nov. 14, 1918.
Trojans celebrated the triumphant end of the world war three days ago, but the war isn’t really over yet for many families of local soldiers as casualty reports from weeks ago continue to come in.
It’s become clear that the Troy-based 105th U. S. Infantry regiment saw heavy fighting at the end of September. Three Troy soldiers and one from Watervliet were killed in action on September 29, according to telegrams received today from the federal war department.
The Troy dead are Private Joseph E. Matera, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Matera of 255 Fourth Street; Private Richard Pillsworth, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Pillsworth of 104 Ida Street; and Private David J. Conroy, whose sister, Dorothy Conroy of 283 Ninth Street, receives the telegram. Also confirmed dead is Corporal James T. Danaher of Watervliet, according to a telegram received by his aunt, Elizabeth Coghlan of 1554 7th Avenue.
The government also confirms that Private Joseph Burke of 5 Madison Street and Sergeant Joseph L. Richards of 251 Second Street have died of pneumonia, most likely resulting from the Spanish flu. Burke passed away on September 19, while Richards, who served in the 910th Aerial squadron, succumbed on October 15.
Workmen Depart From the Arsenal The war definitely is over as far as hundreds of Watervliet Arsenal workers are concerned. Hundreds of employees quit their jobs at the end of their day shift today, The Record reports. Major L. B. Runk isn’t sure how many hands have quit, but he estimates that at least 350 have left their jobs. Rumors have set the number closer to 700, but Runk tells our reporter that the real number is “considerably below that.” “The exodus had been anticipated,” Runk says, “The arrival of peace must necessarily result in a large number of resignations.” A major factor in the number of resignations today, our reporter notes, is the scheduled “relapse into the eighthour schedule, with the alluring surplus in overtime compensation thus removed.” While mass resignations were anticipated, the arsenal has no immediate plans to cut its workforce. “It is expected to fill the places of any necessary employees who leave, and the arsenal is ready to give employment to almost any number of skilled machinists,” according to Runk. “The principal event probably in the arsenal’s history” is expected to be an athletic meet on Saturday, November 16. An arsenal football team is scheduled to play their counterparts from a Watertown arsenal, while a track and field competition will be held on the athletic field just off Broadway.