100 YEARS AGO IN THE RECORD
- Kevin Gilbert
Friday, Nov. 22, 1918. The fighting in Europe may have stopped, but the world war isn’t really over for soldiers’ families as casualty reports from last month continue to pour in. The Record reports today that First Lieutenant Benjamin Buckley of Company C, 105th U. S. Infantry, was killed in action “while trying to gain shelter in a shell hole” on October 18. Relatives in Troy get the news by telegram from the federal war department this morning. At age 40, Buckley was a veteran who rose through the ranks of the former Second New York National Guard Infantry. A native of England, he enlisted in August 1904, became a corporal in1907, and a sergeant in 1912. He received his commission as first lieutenant in May 1914. In civilian life, he worked for Cluett, Peabody & Co. and served in the Stanton steamer volunteer fire company. “In a letter written a few days before his death, Lieutenant Buckley stated that he had been made acting captain in place of Captain Bradshaw, who was made acting major,” our reporter writes, “He also gave the information that he had been commissioned a captain, but that he had not as yet been informed officially.” The 105th saw its heaviest fighting of the war at the end of September and in mid- October. On October 17 Sergeant Francis J. Martin of the regimental headquarters company was killed in action, according to information received today by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Martin of 2 Wait Place. The 22 year old enlisted in May 1917, shortly after the U. S. declared war on Germany.
Also confirmed today is the death of Corporal Ernest Jewett of Company B. A former Cohoes resident, he moved to Lansingburgh after marrying the former Marion Smith. A machinist for the Delaware & Hudson railroad, Jewett enlisted in the Second New York in 1915 and took part in the regiment’s border – patrol duty in Texas in 1916. A telegram informs Mrs. Jewett that her husband was killed in action on September 29. No More Lightless Nights The casualty reports aside, life in Troy continues to revert to peacetime conditions. The federal fuel administration has given the states discretion to rescind the wartime “lightless nights” fuel conservation policy, and the sate fuel administration has ended all restrictions effective today.
On “lightless nights” businesses were limited to the minimal electric lighting necessary for identification, direction and public safety. “An ample supply of bituminous and ‘ steam size’ anthracite justifies the order” ending the restrictions locally, our reporter explains. Remaining limits on coal consumption are expected to be lifted shortly.