100 years ago in The Record
Friday, Dec. 6, 1918
Rev. Joseph H. Odell has resigned from the pastorate of First Presbyterian Church in Troy, The Record reports. Odell has been pastor of First Presbyterian since 1915. “Coming to this city virtually a stranger, Dr. Odell has taken leadership in many lines, especially the war philanthropy campaigns, and by his intellectual and convincing addresses has assisted materially in placing the city with the foremost in the country in its patriotic response,” our reporter writes. “More and more in recent years my thoughts have turned in the direction of public service,” Odell writes to his congregation, “When I came to Troy it was with no thought other than to settle down to the pastorate for the rest of my life, but many demands have been made for my services in other directions.” During the world war Odell touredAmericanmilitary camps as a correspondent for The Outlook magazine. He’s leaving First Presbyterian to become director of the Service Citizens of Delaware, a public-interest organization recently founded by industrialist Pierre DuPont. “It is not a greater work than the work of this church, but it is different and it seems better suited to my temperament and qualifications. I believe it is a practical effort to realize the meaning of the Kingdom of God on earth or I would not consider it,” Odell writes. As for First Presbyterian, “This church has been upon my heart and mind, particularly the kind of ministry it needs during the next few years. And I am convinced that a man of another type, one who can concentrate his attention closely upon organization better than I.”
Heavy Snowfall
“The first real snow storm of the season began about midnight last night and continued throughout the greater portion of the day,” The Record reports. While the weather delayed trains arriving in Troy from Montreal and Vermont, commuter traffic within the Collar City experienced “comparatively little interference,” thanks to the prompt deployment of street sweepers by United Traction Company. For those who don’t have to commute through the snow, “Good sleighing is reported throughout this sector.”
Lansingburgh Boy Dies
Nearly a month after the end of the world war, local families are still just learning about the deaths of loved ones in uniform during the final weeks of fighting.
Mr. and Mrs. David R. Alston of 7 21st Street, Lansingburgh, receive word from a French military chaplain this morning that their son, Private David R. Alston Jr. of the 105th U. S. Infantry regiment, died of disease on November 2. His death has not yet been confirmed by war department telegram.