FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE FREEPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

This Week, 100 Years Ago

Goings-on in Freeport as reported in the Nassau Post, published on Sept. 27, 1918

Posted

Will Open The Liberty Loan Rally With a Bang: Starting on Sept. 28, 1918, Freeporters witnessed the commencement of the Freeport Liberty Loan Rally.  In the afternoon, there was a scheduled parade of 500 soldiers from Camp Mills accompanied by the 151st Infantry Band.  In the evening, another parade was scheduled.  This one was to include members of many local civic groups marching alongside the soldiers from Camp Mills.  Members of the Freeport Fire Department, Red Cross, Pioneers and the Home Defense were slated to march along with the Liberty Loan Committee members in this evening parade.  Stephen Pettit was named the marshal of the evening parade.  After the evening parade, a meeting was scheduled and wounded members of the armed forces spoke.

Supt. W.C. Moon Going To France: Ward Moon, the superintendent of the Freeport schools, was selected to go to France as a member of the commission on Educational Administration of the Young Men’s Christian Association to offer educational opportunities to the men in uniform.  The commission was looking into the feasibility of setting up schools at each camp; attendance by the soldiers would be on a voluntary basis unless their commanding officer deemed otherwise.

Red Cross Wants Special Donations: The Freeport branch of the Red Cross was tasked with collecting towels, handkerchiefs and sheets within a ten-day period.  An appeal for these items, or donations of cash to purchase it was issued by the Freeport branch. All donations were to be sent to the attention of Mrs. Alfred Davison of 110 Pine St.


Protect Your Money: An advertisement from the Freeport Bank exhorted the benefits of opening a savings account, to not only protect funds from theft and loss, but also against the temptation to spend the money.  The advertisement boasts that the bank has $30,000 in capital and $75,000 in surplus.  The bank’s address is given as Main Street with John J. Randall and D. Wesley Pine noted as president and vice-president.

Don’t Delay: Oliver E.U. Reynolds, a plumber with his storefront at 52 North Main St. in Freeport advertised the benefits of installing gas fueled appliances in the advertisement he ran in the Daily Review.

Fire Alarm Calls: A description of the types of alarms and a numbered list of intersections was printed in the Daily Review for the edification of the public.

Freeport Village Directory: A list of civic, religious, governmental and fraternal organizations was printed in the Daily Review for reference purposes.

Fraternal Orders: The Daily Review posted a short article describing the goings on of the local fraternal and civic associations.  The article in the September 27, 1918 issue described the activities of the Patriotic Circle, the Progressive Council, Sons and Daughters of Liberty, Odd Fellows and the Royal Arch Masons.