100 years ago in The Saratogian
Saturday, Oct. 27, 1917
“A million dollars may be the subscription of Saratoga Springs for Liberty Bonds,” The Saratogian reports on the final day of the Second Liberty Loan.
While a million is a nice, round number, it will still be short of the $1,381,500 quota set for the Spa City by the federal government. As an alternative to higher taxes, the government is financing the war against Germany in part through sales of Liberty Bonds that can be redeemed with interest after the war.
A front-page report projects that Saratoga Springs will pass the million mark before the campaign ends officially tonight, based on the $961,300 total reported before this evening’s edition goes to press. The Spa City raised $440,000 for the first Liberty Loan earlier this year.
Smaller communities are having more success meeting their goals. Today’s front page reports that Schuylerville has surpassed its $117,000 quota, while Corinth and Mechanicville also expect to meet their quotas by the end of the day.
High school football
Glens Falls High School hopes to avenge an earlyseason loss when Saratoga Springs High comes to town today, but the game ends up a 6-6 tie.
The home team scores on its first possession after a bad Saratoga punt starts them on Saratoga’s 40 yard line. Failure to convert an extra point leaves Glens Falls ahead, 6-0. The score remains the same at halftime when poor clock management strands Saratoga on the Glens Falls three-yard line as time expires.
After a scoreless third quarter, a fourth-and-six pass brings Saratoga to the Glens Falls one-yard line. It takes all four downs before they finally force the ball into the end zone. An extra point would have won the game for Saratoga, but the kick misses the mark. Their final drive takes them to the Glens Falls 30, but the game ends on an interception.
Charles W. Brackett
History knows Charles W. Brackett as an Academy Award winning screenwriter, but in 1917 he’s just the son of former state senator Edgar T. Brackett, a leading attorney and banker.
The Saratogian reports today that after numerous failed chances, the younger Brackett is finally getting a chance to serve his country in France.
Brackett was rejected by physicians when he tried to join the military at his alma mater, Williams College. He was then discharged for physical reasons from an officers’ training program. His father had enough political pull, presumably, to secure Brackett a diplomatic post as vice consul in the city of St. Nazaire. He accepted it only after submitting to a physical at his local draft board, and flunking it.