Vol 22. No. 1
Prints; at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass.
lay, 1918.
Entered November 23, 1903. at Boston. Mass. as S?cond-cass matter, under Act of Congress of July 16. 1894.
Truit Cms
One morning when we were in the School
Room, Mr. Bradley came in and told us that he
had something different for us that morning.
He said that an expert had come to show us how
to prune our fruit trees and also to advise us
what trees to save and what ones to destroy. We
marched down into the Assembly Room and
Mr, Brown got some pruning shears and saws.
When we reached the orchard the expert was
already there with the farm instructors and
several of the farm boys. We went around
with him at first, and he showed us how to trim
up the tree, and then how to cut ba;k the twigs
that were very high. He showed us how to trim
out the tree, leaving the center clear, and cut-
ting off all the twigs that were inclined towards
the center. He also told us to cut off all the
water sprouts, and if we saw any limbs that were
growing toward each other to cut off one of them
so f^at when they were full grown they would not
rub. If three branches were growing together
in a fork, we were to cut out the middle one
if possible, also any small limbs that were not
branching off. If we saw any dead limbs on the
tree they were to be removed. He said that
breadth, not the height, would make a good
fruit tree, so we cut off about half of the
last year's growth if they were too tall. We .saw
two trees that had been girdled by mice; one
of them, was too near dead to be saved, but
the other was healing over. He told us to do
nothing more on the big trees except to cut off
the dead limbs. We were told later that the leaf
bud was long and oval in shape while the fruit
bud was shorter and stubby.
Gordon H. Cameron.
Cbc Cisjcrty Eoan Parade
On Saturday afternoon, April 6, 14 fellows
went to town to see the Liberty Loan Parade.
When we reached Summer Street ther? was a
crowd, but we stayed there and saw part of thf-
parade.
The first thing we saw was companies cf
soldiers. While we were watching the parade
someone called, "Look at the airplanes!" People
began to look up, and those that did not, saw
their chance and moved up to the front; here we
could see better. After that we had a better
place from which to see the parade.
The Home Guard, the Ambulance Corps
and some machine guns came by us. The place
became so crowded that we decided to move and
we separated, with one fellow in charge of six
others. The boys that I was with went down to
the corner of Kingston and Summer Streets.
We stood on the sidewalk, and as there was not
a big crowd here we could see well. Here we
saw many different companies, the telephone
company, the different insurance, coal and meat
companies such as John P. Squire Co. and Swift
and Co.
The thing that everybody wanted to see and
which we saw was the tank. It locked as if it
had seen active sevice, and ii .lad. As it was
very near time to start back, we walked down to
the South Station. While waiting for the car
we met the other bur ch of boys. We came
down to the Landing .ogether and were soon
back at the Island.
We had a very enjoys' le afternoon and
thanked Mr. Bradley for it.
Lawrenc . E. Walters.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Harney's Bath
After the moving pictures. Thursday even-
ing April 4th, Mr. Bradley selected three fellows
to help prepare a bath for the dog, Barney. He
is a handsome big St. Bernard dog.
We went out to the north side of the Main
Building and there we found an iron bath tub.
Its dimensions were about six feet long and three
feet wide. This tub we carried into the Wash
Room.
We then filled it half full of warm water, and
to this we added about a pint of sulpho-napthol.
The watchman then brought in the dog from
the dog house outside.
We found the water a little too hot for the
dDg so two pails of cold water were put in.
Then Mr. Bradley took hold of the dog's
front paws and the watchman took the hind ones
and together they lifted him into the tub,
We then helped to hold him there while the
watchman took a pail and dipped water from
the tub and poured it over the dog's back.
When it came to the head a towel was put over
the dog's eyes to keep out the sulpho-napthol as
much as possible. Barney seemed to enjoy his
bath very much.
When we were through Mr. Bradley told
us to step to one side, and then he took hold of
the chain that held the dog and let him jump
out. Kow he did shake himself! Mr. Bradley
fastened him to a small iron post in the Wash
Room and then he shook himself a great deal
more.
We then dumped all of the water from the
ub and took care of the tub. Mr. Bradley took
a hose and washed part way across the floor.
Then we finished it and cleaned out the drain.
We put out the lights and went to bed,
happy for doing a kindness to a dumb animal.
Rupert F. Calkin.
Planting Peas
One afternoon Mr. Dow told two other boys
and me to get rakes and go to the big garden
and level it off. When we finished that the in-
structor ploughed four rows. We took the loose
dirt out, then he took some peas and put them
in the rows, and we covered theni and patted the
dirt down.
When we finished that the bell rang.
Lawrence G. Bray.
EauKbing Boats
Thursday, April 4, I was instructed to go
down to the beach with some other boys and
launch the Mary Chilton and the Life Boat.
The Mary Chilton is kept in a house on the beach.
We procured some rollers and rolled it down to
the water .When we had it in the water two fel-
lows rowed it out to the south side float where
it was made fast.
Then we were to launch the Life Beat.
This boat is kept on a truck when not in use, and
may be launched easily by backing the truck in-
to the water until the boat is afloat. This we
did and hauled the truck on shore again. The
Life Boat was made fast to the Mary Chilton
and five two inch planks v/ere laid across both.
They were taken out near the dolphin
where a mooring was raised.
Frank E. Woodman.
Kcpairing the Koad
A part of the road that has been washed a-
way is being repaired.
We first dug a shallow trench into which
we rolled big logs. Then we dug on both sides
of these logs.
After we finished digging the holes we start-
ed putting posts in the holes on one side. Finish-
ing that, we started putting on layers of logs.
At the lowest point we placed two layers of logs
anj the highest point four layers of logs We
then placed pests en the other side, as it was
not finished.
Raymond S. Metcalf.
masbing Ceilings
The kitchen ceiling has just been washed.
The rising smoke and steam has made it very
dirty.
The articles used are a step ladder, a pail
of wat5r, a small pan of powderd soap and a
cloth.
The cloth is nipped into the wate-, most of the
water wrung out of it, dipped in the soap, then
the dirt washed off the ceiling. I was told to use
a stick with a cloth on the end to get the ceiling
clean above the pipes.
Malcolm E. Cameron.
THOiS^PSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Class Pins
Each member of evei-y graduating Class
that leaves this School Carries with him a class
pin. Each class chooses its Own pin. These
are of gold, with blue or gold enaniel, represent^
ing the School colors, on each one. The
design is neVer like that en any previous
class pin. The date of graduating and the
letters F. T. S. are on each one.
Each cla.^s is encouraged to have as small
a pin as possible and of plain design, as a fancy
carved pin is apt to be hard to Clean, and besides,
a Urge pin never locks welK This pin is not
an advertisement; it isjust a small memorial of
the School and the members of the class and
serves to signify both brain and manual work;
for in order to earn the right to own and
wear one of these pins every one of us works
both our brains and our hands. When our
diplomas are wcr.i out by being looked at so
much or in some other Way, t^ese pins may be
our proudest and most prized possessions. They
Vill serve to remind us of the School and the boys
and the good times We had with these same
boys at the school on Thompson's Isle.
Lis^iE M. Calkin.
Oforkiiid on the Cimc
April 26, the farm boys started spreading
lime on a piece of plowed ground near the south
end of the Islandv The 25 tons of R.-R> land
lime, which came about two weekL ago and
which was stored under the Stock Barn, was
carried to the fieldw In order not to put too
much lime on one place the piece was marked
off as follows; beginning at the lower edge, the
bags were put in rows, the first bag was placed
20 feet in from the side and 20 feet from the end,
the second bag was placed 20 feet from the side
and 40 feet from the first, and so on until enough
bags were put there to cover the piece of ground.
There were two teams hauling the lime, and
each canied three loads, with fror: 20 to 25
bags in each load. Each bag weighed 100
pounds. I worked on one of the \Vagons until we
finished hauling lime, then I helped spread it.
Charles F. Weymouth.
Balind Paper
!t is hny regular w&rk before School to bale
W^aste paper in the basement of Gardner Hall.
The paper is taken down from different parts
of the house and put in barrels. My work con-
sists of picking it over, and separating the
different grades. I get a barrel of paper and
set it in front of me. Then I take two empty
barrels and set one on each side of me. 1 tf ke
all the caidboard and put it in one barrel and
the newspapers, letters and circulars in the
ether banel. If 1 have enough cardboard 1 make
a bale out of it, if I have not» I leave it in the
barrel until 1 have enough.
To make a bale, 1 fill the baler and press
it down to allow room for more. More is added
until the bale is large enough. When it is, I
press it down as hard as I can and bind it with
three wires.
The bale made, it is taken to the Storage
Barn and put up in the junk room, where there
are many other bales.
AlBXIS L. GulLLEMIN
maKing a 6aracn
As the first days of April were very nice
some of the boys began to work on their gardens
and 1 thought I would take one. So I asked Mr,
Brown if I might have a garden. He said that
I might, and 1 found one I liked and stoned it-.
After that 1 went down to the barn and got some
manure and put it en my garden ard turred ever
the soil. Tb.en 1 took a rake and smoothed it
all over and raked it. Next I took all the stones
out and now my garden is all ready to be plant-
ed. Jean Guillemin.
$ortlng Potatoes
The other day Mr. Dow told two other boys
and me to go over to the Root Cellar and sort
potatoes. First we went up to the Farm House
and got a lantern. Then we got in a bin and
began sorting potatoes. The rotten and so-ft
ones went into one basket-, while the good ones
went into another bin. When we had a basket
full of bad ones we put them in a bag. At
4:45 o'clock we came out and took ttie lantern to
the Farm House. Theodore B. Hadleys
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbompson's Tsland Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Vol. 22. No. 1,
Mqy I91S
Subscription Price - 50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
ACTING PRESIDENT
Richard M. Saltonstall
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles P. Curtis
TREASURER
Arthur Adams
1 35 Devonshire Street
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
Brookline, Mass,
MANAGERS
Melvin 0. Adams
Gorham Brooks
I. Tucker Burr
S. V, R. Crosby
George L. DeBlois
Malcolm Donald
Thomas J. Evans
Charles T. Gallagher
Robert H. Gardner, Jr.
N. Penrose Hallowell
Henry Jackson, M. D.
Charles E. Mason
Roger Pierce
Philip S. Sears
Francis Shaw
William S. Spaulding
Moses Williams, Jr.
Raplh B. Williams
Charles H. Bradley, Superintendent
Carelessness is a habit of doing something
with our hands -vhile our heads are somewhere
else, it's main object is to destroy or maim; it
takes all and gives nothing.
The man of this day who really grows is
the man who knows, and by knowing does things
accurately. The more he knows and acts ac-
curately, the faster he grows.
One writer tells us that carelessness is more
powerful than the combined armies of the world;
has destroyed more men than all the wars of
the nations and is more deadly than bullets. It
is estimated that in our United States careless-
ness steals over $300,000,000 each year. It
spares none of us and lo'ms up to such propor-
tions that it's effect is felt over every field of labor
and in every walk of life.
The best way to cure this habit of careless-
ness is thought. Don't work without thinking, or
think without working; think of your work, then
apply the results of such thoughts later on. A
continual neglect of the details of our work de-
velops a willingness to let part of our opportunities
go by us unimproved.
The man that lead and is recognized by
the world is the man whose head, heart and
hands are united in his work We may not all
possess a wonderful brain, but each one can
have a thoughtful mind, and he who thinks most,
lives most.
Calendar
April 1. New beach road leveled.
Firsc plowing of the season at South End.
Mr. Joseph Williams here to inspect boilers.
Eldred W. Allen, '16, spent two days at the
School.
April 2. Root cellar unbanked.
Hotbeds prepared for planting.
Basket ball game in the evening.
Dorniant spray used on the new orchard.
Harold S. Curtis returned to his relatives.
Leslie E. Russell left the School to take a
position in Billerica, Mass.
April 3. Filled roads with gravel at South
End.
Dormant spray used on the old orchard.
Ivers R. Allen, '16, visited the School in
the afternoon.
April 4. New asparagus bed top-dressed.
Spaaed the rhubarb and fertilizer put on it.
April 5. Farm house unbanked.
April 7. Twenty-five boys attended church
in town.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
April 8. Mr. Johnson, representtaive of R.
& J. FaroLirar & Co. visited the School and
instructed the boys in the care of the orchard
April 9, Burned meadow below the orchard
April 11, Nine boys were admitted to the
Schocl on trial: Gordon K. Aborn, George H.
Barrus, John M. Ely, Jr^, Aldevin A. Lammi,
V/illajd H. Malcolm, Fr;nk H. Mann, Edward J .
Robertson, Joseph C. Scarborough, Wyllis A.
West
South End dike filled in.
Dug out stumps at Whales Back.
April 12. Heavy snowstorm.
Carrots cleaned out of Root Cellar.
1 he instructors and boys enjoyed a sugar-
ing off in the evening.
,^pril 13. 28 barrels of snow stored in
Root CelUr.
April 14. Several boys attended church in
town.
April 15. Grubbed blackberries.
Stereopticcn views of Panama in the even-
ing.
April 16. 15 tons of lime came.
April 17. 10 tons of lime came.
April 21. Mr. F. Clifford Shaw visited the
School over night.
April 22. Incubator set.
April 23. Sheep put in cot.
April 24. Planted six quarts Telephone
peas.
April 26. Manager Arthur Adams visited
the School.
A horse, given to the School by Miss Mary
Bowditch, was brought across to the Island by
way of Squantum at low tide.
April 27. Captain A. L. Dix visited the
School.
Seeds received from R. &. J. Farquhar &
Co.
April 29. Radish, lettuce, cabbage, cauli-
flower and tomato seeds planted in the hotbeds.
April 30. 100 horseradish sets planted.
Four rows of peas planted.
Strawberry bed uncovered.
Emerson S. Gould, '17, left the Schocl to
take a position in Milford, Mass.
Jfpril mctccroiogy
Maximum temperature 72° on the 2nd and
30th.
Minimum temperature 30^ on the 27th.
Mean temperature tor the month 45.77*^
Total precipitation 2.66 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours, 1.48
inches on the 21st.
9 days with .01 or more inches precipi-
tation, 6 clear day, 20 partly cloudy. 4 cloudy
days.
Total number of hours' sunshine, 139 and
35 minutes.
Che Tarm ana Craacs Scbcol Bank
Cash on hand April 1, 1918 $1063.92
Deposited during the month $12J4
$1076.04
$34.25
Withdrawn during the month
Cash on hand May I, 1918 $1041.79
my morning's Ulork
One morning Mr. Dow told me to go dowi
to the woodpile and pick up the scattered pieces
of wood and put them in a pile. When I finish-
ed that I went to the barn aiid was told to
clean out the drain in the barn-yard. This work
finished I reported and was told to help a boy
get some coal. After we got the coal I went up
to the barn and washed the cow m.angers. At
10:45 o'clock I went over to the South End to
get the boys that were sawing wood. Then I
went up to the house for dinner.
Osmond W. Bursiel
mashing Ulindows
One morning Mr. Brown told me to wash
the windows in the Assembly Room. I waited
until he had given out work to the remaining
boys, and then he gave me a pail, cloth and
some soap. I went down to the basem.ent of
Gardner Hall and get a small ladder and a cloth.
1 first put some soap on my smallest cloth
and washed the window. Then I took a clean
cloth and wiped the water and soap off. 1 washed
as many as I could before the bell rang, then
1 put my pail away and the ladder back in the
basement. Josep.-; T. Gould.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BgACON
Rowing
Recently some of the boat crew boys have
been going out to practice rowing in the Mary
Chilton, a 10 oared boat.
When we get settled the captain gives the
commandi"stand by oars." We put in our oar-
locks and have our oars ready for the next order.
"Up oars'' is the next order, and we extend our
oars into the air with the butts in the bottom oi
the boat. "Let fall," is the next command and
we drop our oars and feather them, get our
grasp and are ready to "give way together",
which is the next order.
We row up and down in front of the wharf
and get good practice. We like rowing and
when the captain calls for a volunteer crew
there are usually two or three extra fellows, so
the captain picks the highest numbered fellows
for the Crew and the extras can ride and take
turns at the oars. Rowing, if done right, is good
exercise. Lawrence A. Murphy.
illy new worR
One night Mr. Brown told me that I need not
go into the kitChen any more and that I was to
go down to the farm to work.
I was very happy and responded with a will,
I went down to the farm the next morning with
the farm line. Mr. Dow told me to help Mr.
Peterson over in the field near the Farm House
where the ground had been ploughed some.
1 helped him hitch the horses Dolly and
Colonel to the plough. I drove the horses
while Mr. Peterson ploughed. After we finish-
ed that piece, we went over to another piece
by the Obsei-vatory. We only had time to
plough a little before the bell rang.
David B. LeBrun,
mv UlorK all Day
My work all day is as follows; I rake the
Avenues in the morning then go to school. In
the afternoon I help to take care of the cows.
We take them over to the corral. We have
to keep walking around and watching them in
order to keep them away from the fence, for
they might break through. At four or half past
we take them to the barn and put them into the
stanchions and sweep the runway.
Robert H. Michols
making Sofa Pillows
Last vacation 1 worked making sofa pillows^
They are made of blue felt for the foundation and
yellow for the monogram, in order to represent
the School colors.
First two pieces of felt 23 inches square
are Cut out. Then the monogram is cut cut,
pinned on about In the middle of one of the blue
pieces of felt, basted and then the pins taken
out. Then it is stitched on with yellow silk.
After that ths two pieces of blue felt are
placed together and evened off with the shears,
Three and a quarter inches from the edge of their
a row of pins is put in. The two pieces are
basted together where the row of pins is found-
Then it is stitched together with blue silk-
After it is stitched together the basting.?, are taken
out and it is all finished.
1 like to make sofa pillows very much.
George R. Riggs.
matcrittg Plants in the 6yttfna$iuni
The other morning the supervisor told me
to go into Gymnasium, dig up tlie soil around
the plants, give them plenty of water and
then put them outdoors so that they would get
plenty Of sun and air, as they had not been put
out this winter. I asked to get a little more
soil, and put on them as there was not quite
enough. After this work was finished it was
almost time to get ready for school.
Chester T. Smith.
transplanting trees
One day Mr. Brown told four boys and me
to go over by the Farm House and dig out s
tree and bring it up to the house before school.
When we got over there we dug all around the'
tree and cut the roots. While we were working
Mr. Brown came over with another boy and we
got the tree up to the house. As there were not
not enough boys to lift the tree, more help
was sent for, and we got the tree up to the
house just as the bell rang. We put the tree
in a hole and shoveled in some dirt, and watered
it. We then got ready for school.
Louis R. Croxtall.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
my lUorH Before School
One day Mr. Brown told six boys to follow
him. He took us over near the Farin House.
The first two fellows had to work on the
first tree, the next two on the second, and the
last two of whom I was one, on the last.
He told us to get about three feet away
from the tree and rem.ove the sod that was
there, and then dig around therocts and becare-
ful not to injure them.
Just before tie left he told us to be sure
and cover up the exposed roots so that they
would not dry up for they were going to be
transplanted.
We worked on them until 2:!0 P. M, and
then we went up to the house to get ready for
school, but before we went we covered up the
roots.
Raymnod S. Metcalf.
Preparing Rbwbarb Tor Sauce
As tlie rimbarb is taken fronl the farm to
the kitchen, it is prepared for sauce and pre-
serves.
First of all it is washed in cold water.
Next one inch of the red end is cut off and the
skin peeled off on one side. After this is done,
the green end is cutoff in the same way. When
it is all cleaned it is cut up in small pieces about
one inch long. Some sugar is added and the
whole is put in an aluminum kettle and set on
the stove to cook. The rooking is usually dDne
in the morning and it is served to us for supper.
The boys like rhubarb sauce.
AL'-XIS L. GuiLLtMIN.
f)m\m €oai
One day recently Mr. Dow told Charles
Weymouth and me to haul coal from the coal
pile to the Power House.
We hitched Colonel to the dump cart, and
weighed the cart and horse, which gave us the
tare. When we had the load on we weighed
that also, which gave us the gross. Subtracting
the tare from the gross we found the amount of
coal we haa in each bad. When we got to the
Power House we unloaded. We hauled about five
loads and then it was time to unhitch the horse.
Carl F. Benway.
Drift Ulood
One evening Mr. Brown asked for a dozen
volunteers to go around the beach to pick up the
drift wood. When about a dozen fellows had been
selected, Mr. Brown put one in charge of six
fellows and another in charge of the rest. When
we picked up the wood we threw it up farther on
the beach so that it would not float out again. We
finished our work in an hour and then we went
to bed. Walter Lind.
UlorKing 0}i the Gardens
One day recently the supervisor told two
other boys and myself to go up to the gardens
and work on the School gardens. The three of
us started to work on the same one. The boy
in charge told me to rake all the loose dead
grass out.
We worked there until the supervisor came
up and told one of the boys to go over and sepa-
rate the grass from the good loam. We had half
of one side finished then. After the two of us
finished both sides Mr. Brown came up again and
told mie to take up the piles of dead grass and loam.
I went down to tne toolroom and got a bag. I
took up two piles and was told to separate the
grass from the loam. He told me to put the
grass in a pile and the loam in a school garden
Arthur W. Gaunt.
Driiiing
For drilling the Sohocl is divided into two
companies; Co A and Co B. Company B
drills in the morning. Company A at night. We
do our drilling on the playgrounds. Each boy
carries a wooden gun in orderto have real practice.
The officers of Co B, are as follows:
Captain George McLecd
1st Lieutenant Lawrence Walters
2d " LeRoy Parsons
1st Sergeant Rollins Furbush
2d " James Carson
1st Corporal Warren Noyes
2d " Rupert Calkin
Si-d " Gordon Martin
4th " Leslie Calkin
5th " Herbert Antell
6th " Louis Croxtall
A-eert Anderson.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbe Jlluninl Association of Che farm ana traaes Scbo^
William N. Hughes. 59. President James H. Graham. '81, Vice-President Solomon B. Holman, '50. Vice- Presiden
Dorchester Boston Dorchester
Mbrton p. Ellis, '97. Secretary
2 5 Rockbale Street, Mattapan
Richard Bell, '73. Treasurer
Dorchester
Alfred C. MaLM, 'CO. Historian
Melrose
William G. Cummings, '97, Department of
Accounts, National Headquarters American
Red Cross, Washington, D. C. writes a very
interesting account of his work which consists of
co-ordinating and supervising reports from their
various divisions all over the country covering
supplies used and sold in America and every-
thing which is shipped abroad. He tells of the
immensity of the Red Cross work and its rapid
development in the last year.
Harold W. Edward's, '10, writes from
U. S. S. Delaware and tells of the life on board
the ship. They have with them, at the Base, a
theatre ship which is in use most of the time.
Several fighting ships including the Delaware
have organized theatrical parties from among
their crew. He writes that the Delaware was
complimented on its smart appearance and bat-
tle efficiency.
Perry Coombs, '14, left Boston, in 1915,
joined an Irish Regiment, and was captured in
Trone's Woods on August 8, 1917. He was
believed dead until November, when a card came
from him saying he was at first taken as a pris-
oner of war to Dulham, Germany, where he was
in a German prison for some months, then later
he was transferred to Camp Munster 1 i Westf.,
mail reaching him in care of Chief Postal Cen-
sor, Strand House, Portugal Street, London, W,
C. England. Friends received a letter from
him on April 18, 19 18, dated DecemberSl , 1917.
He enclosed a card photo of himself in a German
uniform. He was looki g healthy and fine only,
it was thought, beginning to look like a German.
It is supposed he is working in a coal or salt
mine in Westphalia, east of the Rhine, in Cen-
tral Germany, "sometimes 2000 feet below the
surface.." He writes he is given nothing in the
way of clothing or food by the Germans, but the
British Goverment sends supplies. "He always
writes cheerily only occasionally speaking of the
long time". His last address is No. 5082 8 Irish
K L. R. Munster 1 i Westf., Detacht., 40.
George W. Casey, '16, sends greetings to
the School, alsohis'photograph. His present ad-
dress is 2d Naval District Receiving Barracks,
Newport, R- 1.
Charles 0. Rolfe, '15, sends his new ad-
dress as Battery B, 81st Field Artillery, Camp
Fremont, California. The change of camp is
very agreeable and everything possible is being
done by the government to make the life at camp
healthy and pleasant.
Forrest L. Churchill, '15, has been trans-
ferred to Co A, 26th Machine Gun Bn., Camp
Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky. He enlisted April
25, 1917.
mcndittd Uniforms
In mending a pair of uniform pants, the
buttons are looked over. When buttons are miss-
ing, new ones are put on and ^the loose buttons
are tightened.
The buttonholes and linings are mended if
necessary. When the stripes are ripped, they
are backstitched down or stitched on the
machine. When the bottom of the pants are
turned up they are hemmed if needed and the
torn places are darned by hand. In mending
the uniform coat, the buttons, button holes,
stripes and torn places are fixed in the same
way. Hooks and eyes are sewed on where they
are needed.
All places on uniforms are mended by
hand except the stripes. 1 like to mend uniforms
George R. Riggs-
Vol 22. No. 2 Printed AT The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. June, 1918
Entered November 23, 1903. at Boston, Mass. as S=!cond-class nnatter. under Act of Congress of July 16. 1894.
One Sunday Mr. Bradley suggested that
we take a hike around the Island.
We lined up in two companies, A and B,
and went up to the front of- the gardens
and took off our hats while the flag was being
lowered and the bugler played "Retreat". One
of the lieutenants of Company B was left at the
house to bring the dining room and kitchen boys
down to the Wharf to meet us. We went down
to Willow Road and on to the beach where we
'were told to be at ease.
Mr. Bradley then talked to us and told us
to try to notice everything. We walked a little
way and Mr. Bradley told us where the willows
came from. He told us that he got them at the
village of Grand Pre, about v/hich we read in
"Evangeline."
When we reached North End ! looked
across the water towards the end of Long Island.
The sun was shining on it and it looked like
a long. sheet of gold with another one on top.
Every once in a while there was a large
log which the fellows rolled up further on the
beach so that the tide would not carry it out
again. Our walk continued without interruption
until we reached South End where we got to talk-
ing about the ship yard across from us. Then
beyond the Cemetery we all made a rush at the
telephone booth as though we were rushing at a
tribe of Germans,
At the east side Mr. Bradley told us how
this Island was discovered, and something of its
history.
At the site of David Thompson's- cabin we
were told that he was the first cne ;f the white
men to settle in this district,
I think this a very interesting way to jpei d
a Sunday afternoon. '
Ddnald B. Akerstroi/i.
The new flagpole given by Lieut. Arthur
Adams which is to take the place of our old wood-
en one that blew down, was brought over in the
Scow, "John Alden," May 15. About a dozen
boys went over to City Point, where the pole
was to be delivered by the manufacturer. As
the pole had not arrived when we reached the
Point, we weie compelled to wait quite a while
for it to come.
It camein threesections. Thelargestpiece,
the base, was about esght inches in diameter. An-
other,the next largest, proved to be themiddlesec-
tion. The other, which was the top section, was
very small in comparison with the first two pieces,
being about four inches in diameter. The pieces
tapered gradually so that the pole was much bigger
at the base than at the top. It is 86 ft. 4 in,
high. The pieces were put lengthwise en
the scow, and brought to the Island and laid on.
the beach on one side of the Wharf.
There is no cross-trees to this new pole as
there was to the other one, and it cannot be
made taller or shorter as there is no top- mast.
It has a small inscription on it at the base, which
bears the name of the manufacturer. "Walworth
Steel Flagpole, Walworth Manufacturing Co.,
Boston, Mass."
This new pole seems to be very durable,
and will probably last much longer than the wood-
en ones of the past. The day of the first flag-
raising on this pole will be celebrated by us
with fitting exercises. Roscoe Barid.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Getting fertilizer
"y/ednesday, MaySth, the steamer boys had
to get the scow alongside the steamer and make
it fast.
- , We had to go over to City Point for fertil-
izer.' _A few-boys who go to school in the afternoon
came to help us load the scow.
The scow was put along the end of the float
and the lines made fast. The two deckhands
had to stay in the scow and put the bags of
fertilizer in right while the other boys had to
fetch the bags to us.
When we finished loading the steamer, we
went back to the Island v/ith the fellows to go to
school. I had to stay by the scow and see that
it did not get aground as the tide was going.
At 5:00 o'clock the steamer came back and
we got the scow. We spread tarpaulin over the
fertilizer so that it wouldn't get wet from the
spray. A bridle was made and put on the bow
of the scow and another line was made fast and
taken through the stern chock of the steamer
and made fast to one of the bits. As weneared
the front of the Wharf I let the line that was
hitched to the scow go as the steamer could not
make a landing if the scow was towed behind.
After we landed, the scow was hauled astern of
the steamer and lYiade fast.
After supper the steamer was strung out
and the scow brought alongside the float where
it was unloaded. After it was unloaded, it was'
hauled around the front of the Wharf and down
the south side to her mooring where she was
made fast. Then we coiled down the lines
and went to bed.
Laurence A. Murphy.
Stripping Basket Ultliows
Wedne.sday, May 8th, we went over to
the root cellar and stripped willows from 2:30 until
5:00 p. m. When we got over there we found
some instructors and Mr. Curado, who is an ex-
pert, and who shov-ed the boys how to strip
willows.
First he took some pruning shears and gave
them to the boys. Then he cut a few willows
and told the boys to do as he did and cut them
close to the ground. After they were all cut
down, the boys brought them up to the willow
brake, which is a piank about six feet long and
has a piece of iron on the end cf it which is
shaped like a circle with two straight pieces of
iron running up to it. The boys pull the willows
through it, thus stripping off the bark. Two boys
began stripping. As soon as the willows were
all stripped we spread them on the roof of the
root cellar to dry, and then spread the bark all
over the grass to dry, because the bark is used
for medicinal purposes, such as antiseptic wash,
etc. Arthur J. Schahfer.
Cbe first Uisiting Day
Wednesday, May 1st, Mr. Bradley announc-
ed in the Assembly Hall that the first Visiting
Day of this season was to be Thursday, May 16th.
1 thought I could never wait that long, but 1 did.
When the day dawned we thought the old saying
"Red sky in morning, sailors take warning"
would come true as there was a red sky. But
it did not; it was a lovely day. The morning
seemed as if it would never end. We had our
dinner at the usual time and then we got ready
to greet our friends and relatives.
At about 2:30 the boat came and we were
at the Wharf. When the people were off the
boat we started to march with the beat of the
drums. We had not gone far when the drum-
mers were given the signal to roll off. Then
the band played the "American Favorite" march.
When we got to our destination they played
other pieces. Frank E. Woodman.
mowing Cawns
Almost every day it is my work to mow lawns.
The frcnt lawn is the largest although there are
two other lawns.
I always get the largest lawnmower and
after getting it oiled up 1 go to work.
When 1 am mowing I mow in a straight
line across the lawn all the time as this makes
it look neat. When mowing I overlap one-half
the width of my lawnmower on every strip.
Lawn mowing is a good job and I hope to
continue to have it.
Louis R. Croxtall.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Bn evening in Chapel
Monday evening, May 6, when we marched
up to Chapel, Mr. Bradley had candy passed
around to the instructors and boys. He then
read the grade for the week. Then he present-
ed the Sears basketball shield and individual cups
to the best team and players. Every year thece
Cups and shield are given by Manager Philip S.
Sears and the boys appreciate his kindness very
much.
The players of team D, who won the shield,
are:
Lawrence Walters R, G., Capt.
Walter Cole L. G.
Frank Woodman L. F.
Joseph Kervin C.
James Carson R. F.
LeRoy Parsons Sub.
The boys who won the cups are:
Lawrence Walters R. G.
John Slinger L. F.
Emerson Gould C.
George McLeod R. F.
Heman Landers L. G.
Joseph Kervin C. Sub.
Gordon Martin R. G. Sub'.
Rollins Furbush R. F. Sub.
Rollins A. Furbush.
mw\m the Tncubator
1 was working down in the orchard when
Mr. Dov/ told me to come along with him in the
freight cart. We went up to the Power House
to get the incubator.
The first thing we did was to take all the
things off the incubator, and then we lifted it into
the cart. I held it while we drove over to the
Farm House.
When we got there Mr. Dow backed the
cart up to the porch, ard we set the incubator in
the corner of one of the rooms. Mr. Dow took
a level to see if it stood even. It did not, so 1
got some sticks and put them under the legs of
the incubater ur?til it did.
Then 1 was sent to the barn to get a pair
of scissors and a small screw driver. When I
came back 1 took the level up to the Power
House. George J. Lennon.
Scfting Peach Crecs
One afternoon I went with an instructor
and some other boys to set peach trees. The
h.Mes had been dug before. Mr. Dow came
over to show us how to set them. First, he
put a tree into the middle of a hole, spread out
the roots so they would grow well, and then he
put in some dirt. He told us to pour in some
water and then he shoveled in some more dirt,
then some more water and so on until the hole
was full, the dirt being tamped firmly in around
the tree each time, to make it solid. The stones
were all taken out as this would improve the tree.
The boys and I each took turns getting the
water. We set about 40 trees.
Eugene S. Ramsdell.
B Purple 6racH[«
A few days ago as 1 was washing windows in
the instructors' dining-room I heard a purple
grackle. I looked out and saw him perched on
the end of a high branch, a very good shot for
any one with a gun. Mr. Bradley and the men
instructors, when they see a purple grackle, a
blackbird or any other bird that harms or destroys
the iiests of beneficial birds, almost always try
to shoot them.
Mr, Brown was passing at the time and I
called his attention to the grackle and he got
the gun and loaded it. He took aim and fired
but missed the bird. As soon as the gun was
fired, the grackle flew away as if nothing had
happened. Everett B. Leland.
I)dulind Coal
Not very long ago it was my task to hitch
Colonel to No. 2 cart and draw coal from the
coal pile to the Power House. When I got him
harnessed up, I went to the scales and weighed
the horse and cart, and then 1 went down to the
coal pile and loaded on coal and ^rougnt it up to
the scales and weighed it. It weighed 2010
pounds.
1 took it up to the Power House and put it
down the man-hole where the coal is kept for
the use of the Power House.
I took two leads and then put up my horse
for the morning. Norman Moss,
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Do3!i?son's Island Beacon
-- Published Monthly by
t'lp FARM AND TRADES SCHOOI
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Vol. 22. No. 2.
June 1918
Subscription Price - 50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
ACTING PRESIDENT
RiciiARD M. Saltonstall
VICE-PRESIDENT
■ Charles P. Curtis
TREASURER
■ Arthur Adams
135 Devonshire Street
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
fifookline, Mass-
MANAGERS
Melvin 0. Adams
GORHAM Brooks
\ Tucker Burr
S. V. R. Crosby
George L. DeBlois
Malcolm Donald
Thomas J. Evans
Charles T. Gallagher
Robert H. Gardner, Jr.
N. Penrose Hallowell
Henry Jackson, M. D,
Charles E. Mason
Roger Pierce
Philip S. Sears
Francis Shaw
William S. Spaulding
Moses Williams, Jr,
Raplh B. Williams
Charles H. Bradley, Superintendent
On May 5, 19 18 at 10:45 A. M. was held
the anniversary centennial service of the Hawes
Unitarian Congregational Church, and the obser-
vance of the 28 year pastorate of Rev. James
Huxtable.
For nearly 28 years Mr. Huxtable has been
in close touch with The Farm and Trades School,
officiating at many of the special services and
making many pleajant visits to Ihe Schccl, jo it
seemed very fitting 11 at Mr. ard Mrs. Euc'ley,
the instructors and the boys of The 'Farm and
Trades School should attend this anniversary
service.
The service was opened by a well rendered
organ prelud 3, followed by several beautiful vocal
numbers, and a responsive reading. Following
these, Mr. Huxtable gave the history of the
Church, beginning Feb. 19, 1818, when it was
incorporated under the name of Hawes Pl^ce
Congregational Society, and later on April 3-
1888, by an act of Legislature, he name was
changed to the present one, Hawes Unitarian
Congregational Church, which name it hasretain-
ed through the years and up to the present time.
After he finished the historical reading he made
sbmevery complimentary remarks concerningThe
Farm and Trades School, and expressed his appre-
ciation for all the pleasure it had afforded both
himself and family. His interest a.nd deep feeling
for the School is best expressed in his own words
when he said, "My school and my boys."
Hon. Charles T. Gallagher, representing
the Board of Trustees of John Hawes Fund,
then made some interesting remarks. As he
has been a member of the Board of Managers
of The Farm and Trades School for 18 years it
was very natural that he should also speak of
the School and its work, which he did in his
kind and effective manner.
Rev. Samuel A. Eliot gave the closing add-
ress, speaking in the highest terms of Mr.
Huxtable and his work in the church and com-
munity.
No one lives entirely to himself — his influ-
ence in the community may be of great service.
Mr. Huxtable's has been very valuable. His
associations with this School have been espec-
ialypleasantand gratifying. He has given his ser-
vices constantly for the love of doing for others.
His contribution to the moral and religious
uplift of our people in all these years is a
monument to his name. His calm, thoughtful
and effective talks, addresses and prayers will
long be held in sweet remembrance by hundreds
of our boys and their friends.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
£nUnUY
May 1. Mr. A. L. Curado here, teaching
the boys to strip wiiljws.
100 bags of cement came,
Msy 2. George Larsson, '17, visited the
School over night.
Dug the last of the parsnips.
May 3. The hoi se, Jim, humanely disposed
of.
May 4. Plowed two acres by the Observa-
tory.
May 5. Entire School attended cliurch in
Boston.
May 6. Tiansplanted tree: in the West
Grove.
Basket ball cups and shield given out.
Planted five rows of swee corn.
Planted radish, lettuce and spinach.
May 7. Limed land near Observatory for
wheat and barley.
May 8. Howard C. "Cook returned to his
mother.
Cut the willows at Whales Back.
Eight tons of fertilizer came.
May 9. Planted six acres of oats and peas
at South End.
Set 25 peach trees.
Mav 10. Leslie H. Barker, '13, Charles
R. Jefferson, ' 1 4, and Ivers R. Allen, ' 1 6. visited
the Scfiool.
Apple trees set out in the orchard.
May 1 1. Herman L. Lindsay and Harry
P. Chesmore returned to their parents.
Incubator hatching.
May 14. Planted three fourths of an acre
of onions.
12 rows of parsnips planted.
May 15. Stesl flag pole brought over to
the Island.
Planted carrots, beets, leek, lettuce, cress,
radishes, melon and cucumbers.
May 16. First Friends' Day of the sea-
son.
250 visitors present.
The launch put in the water.
Planted peas and beans.
Sowed one acre of oats and peas at South
End.
May 17, Melons, sui'iimer squash and
cucumbers planted.
May 18. Mr. Gustaf Larsson and his 1918
sloyd class visited the School.
Plants placed in the Court.
Planted 1 -2 acre of beans, also three kinds
of winter squash'.
May 20. Mr. E. C. Britton here to exam-
ine the bees.
Planted one acre of sweet corn and 1 1-3
acre of potatoes.
May 2 1 . 2-3 acre of carrots planted.
May 22. Potatoes sorted.
Seed corn sifted.
First radishes brought to the house.
May 23. Mangels and field corn planted.
May 24. Concert by the boys led by Mr.
Howard B. Ellis, '98, and followed by a dance.
May 25. Leslie E. Russell, '17, visited
the School over Sunday.
May 56. Memorial services at the cemet-
ary, conducted by the boys.
May 27. Nine boys and several instruct-
ors attended the circus.
Planted potatoes.
May 28. Earl S. Smith returned to his
mother.
Tug brought a coal barge to the Wharf.
Manager N. Penrose "Hallowell visited the
School in the afternoon.
May 29. Hauled coal.
Planted potatoes.
May 30.' Memorial Day ball game in the
afternoon between the instructors and boys.
Score 5-1, in favor of the boys.
May 31. Second Friends* Day. 135
friends visited the School.
Itlav nictccrologv
Maximum temperature 85° on the 7th.
Minimum temperature 42° on the 31st.
Mean temperature for the month 48.75°
Total precipitation 1.81 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours, 1.01
inches on the 1st.
9 days with .01 or more inches precipi-
tation, 13 clear days, 16 partly cloudy, 2 cloudy
days.
Total number of hours' sunshine, 178 and
10 minutes.
THOMPSON'S iSLAND B£aCON
Cbc farm and trades School Bank
Cash on hand May 1,1918 $1041.79
Deposited during the month $78.86
$1 120.65
$308.19
Withdrawn during the month
Cash on hand June 1, 1918 $812.46
my UlorK One Saturday
One iTorniiigMr. Brown told another fellow
and me to go over to the nursery and dig a trench
a shovel wide and a shovel deep. 1 got a
sod cutter, a shovel, a plank, and a trowel. 1
cut about five sods around a place where
a tree had fallen, then filled it up part way, and
put the sod down again. I got the plank and
stamped down the sod level with the ground.
Then 1 put away my tools and that finished my
work for the morning.
Luke W. B. Halfyard.
J\ Pleasant Eoening
One Wednesday night we lined up and filed
up to Chapel and sang songs from our new books.
After we sang a few songs we had motion pic-
tures. Between the reels we sang more songs.
After the motion pictures Mr. Bradley announced
the first Friends' Day. We all enjoyed the
motion pictures and the singing, but the an-
nouncement of our first Friends' Day pleased
us the most.
Glenn R. Furbush.
Cbe Boys' Dining Koom
The boys' dining room is located in the
southeast wing, on the first floor of the Main
Building, and contains 17 tables. At the front
of the room oii the southwest side is the dish-
washer, in which the dishes are waslied after
every meal. In front of it there is an iron table
on whichthe dishes are set to be washed. The
dish closet is near the dishwasher in which the
dishes are kept. On the other side of the
room is the bread closet, the sink, and bread
table on which is the bread cutter.
The tables are in three rows, the first row
containing five tables, the second, six and the
the third, six. Every table seats six boys.
There are three radiators which heat the room.
There are also a number of pictures hanging on
the walls which help to make the room more
attractive. Eugene S. Ramsdell.
iUDat T do Before School
Every morning after breakfast the fellows
'ine up for work. The first line is the shop, then
the farm, the house line and then the line
for work before school. My work is to clean
the tool room. First I sweep the floor and clean
the tools and oil them. At 8:00 o'clock another
boy and 1 put up the flag. Sometim.es 1 finish
before the bell rings and have to do odd jobs
such as raking gravel, shining brass or cleaning
off the grass. As soon as the bell rings the boys
wash up for school. John N. Burns.
Cieantnci the Schoolrocm
One morning the schoolroom boy was sick
and 1 was told to go up to the first schoolroom
and take his place. When I got there I began
to sweep the floor under the boys' desks and
then emptied the waste baskets. When I fin-
ished the work assigned to me 1 was lold to re-
port to Mr. Brown. 1 worked for him until
it was time for school.
Chester T. Smith.
Picking up Cwigs
One afternoon Mr. Brown was over to the
city and Mr. Bradley was in charge. He gave
out the work and saw that it was done properly.
Four other boys and myself were sent to pick
up twigs, stones, leaves, etc.
We got rakes and started to work but we
found the amount of rubbish too small to be
raked, so we picked it up*with our hands.
When we had gathered a pile we brought it
down to one side of Highland Road and then
returned for more. We did this until 2:15
o'clock and then came up to the house and got
ready for school.
Osmond W. Bursiel.
my mork in the Uegetahle €ellar
One morning when I went down to the farm
Mr. Dow toid me to go over to the Vegetable
Cellar and sort potatoes. I went over there and
sorted all the potatoes that had mold on them
from the good ones. All that were good I put
in a bin by themselves and put the bad ones in
a pile by themselves. I sorted about 10 bush-
els that morning. Henry C. Lowell.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Claming out the Boat Rouse
One afternoon the other steamer fellows
and n^yself u-ent to the boat house shd took out
the two boats that were in there, and all the Hnes,
anchors, oars and old rubbish and put them en
the grass. Then we swept it out and put back
everything that was iny gccd and the two boats,
and then we closed up the boat house. We then
tock all the old rubber hose, etc., over to the Sto
rage Barn. Donalo W. Ellis.
In the early spring one of tiie farm jobs is
to saw wood. One afternoon another boy and I
were given that job. The other boy went to the
to! room and got a big saw. Down at the wood
pile there is another pile of weed that came ever
from the sorting grounds to be sawed into three
foot lengths. While the other boy was fixing
the saw horse I goi some wood from the pile to
be sawed. After w.e sawed some wood we made
a separate pile of it.
At 4:45 o'clock a boy came down from the
barn and told us that it was lime to stop working.
Theodora B. Hadley.
Blras of Our Bland
We see a great many birds on our Island.
1 will tell you about some of them.
The bluebird is a small song bird very com-
mon in the United States. !t is one of the earl-
iest birds we have. The male is blue with a
reddish breast. It is related to the European
robin. As it flies it calls, "thief! thief!"
The barn swallow hgs a blue back and is a
brownish red on the wings, breast and above the
beak. Its song is a continuous rapid twitter.
The robin has a red breast, a black head
and a brownish back. It seems to sing, "cheer-
ily, cheerup, cheerily, cheerup!"
We protect the birds all we can by feeding
and providing shelters for them.
Desmond Anderson.
tnaking Ulindow frames
One noon 1 asked Mr. Brown if I might go
down to the Shop and make some new window
frames. First 1 got a piece of wood ai d meas-
ured the size of the frame and then sawed it.
Then with a plane I made the grooves, and next 1
glued the parts together, and nailed them. They
are the first window frames 1 ever made.
Fred H. Fleet.
Che new Rorse
We have a new horse at the School. It is
a chestnut color. It is called a pacer.
It was hard to get the horse over here.
Mr. Bradley, the Supervisor and five boys went
to City Point to get him in the scow but as he
did net watit to get abojrd the scow the Super-
visor took him around to Squantum. There a
grope of beys helped to pull him acro.ss to the
Island. John Goodhue, J"^.
maKind an Gggnog
In making an eggnog ths white of an egg
is separated from the yoke and beaten stiff.
Next, the yoke is well mixed in the white.
When this is done the flavor and a teaspoonful
of sugar are added. It is put in a glass and
enough milk to fill the glass is well mixed with
it.
I like to make egg nogs as well as drink
them. Alexis L. Guillemin.
Setring up telephone Poles
One morning when 1 was working in the
corn barn a boy came and told me to report to
the instructor in charge, who was over at the
Barn. When I reported to him he told another
boy and me to go with the mason.
We went over to South End where there
were some telephone poles to be put up. The
tools, cement and gravel werealready over there
for us.
The first thing that we did was to see that
the holes were four feet deep and in line. Then
we started mixing the concrete. We used 40
shovels of gravel to a bag of cement.
When we got one batch mixed we stood
the pole up and one of us held it while the other
put the concrete in and filled the hole up. Then
the mason saw that it was plumb and propped it.
We finished two poles that day and two the
next. When a pole was cone the mason put a
form on, and had it extend up about a foot above
the ground and about a foot in diameter. We
let them stand about three hours and then took
the forms off and smoothed them up.
There were about 10 poles in all and it took
us about a week and a half to finish them.
Norman F. Farmer.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEaCCN
Cbe J\\nmn\ J!$$ociaticii of the Tarm ana traacs School
William N. Hughes, 59, President Jambs H. Graham. '81, Vice-President Solomon B, Holman, '50. Vice-President
Dorchester Boston Dorchester
MsRTON P. Ellis, '97, Secretary
.52 Rockdale Street. Mattapan
Richard Bell, '73, Treasurer
Dorchester
/iLF-RED C MaLM, 'CO, Historian
Melrcse
Frederick]. Barton, '09, ■writes fromhis occasionally takes his turn in the front line,
home in Farmington, Maine, that he has been Misaddress is, Private Clarence F. Burton, Air
ordered to Washington for "special service as Section 105, Aero Sqd , Headquarters Detach-
bugler.'" ment, American Expeditionary Force.
Clarence F. Burton, ' 12, has been trans- Leslie E. Russell, '17, is home with his
fered to the aviation section of the Army, He father in Billerica, Mass,, and works at job paint
is stationed within seven miles of the front and ing the same as he did here.
mork In m Dining Room
In the morning after the boys get up and
wash for breakfast, the boys who work in the
dining room go in and put on the breakfast.
After breakfast the dining room and kitchen boys
stay in. There are five d'ning room boys and five
kitchen boys in the morning. There is a dining
room boy who runs the dishwasher, one who wipes
the dishes, and three each of whom have a row of
tables to take care of. I have a row of tables to do.
The first thing we do is to bring in the dishes
and pitchers. After that we crumb our tables,
sweep our floor, wash our tables and put on the
nece,ssary dishes. After that we move our tables
and scrub. We generally get done with our tables
about half past eight. We scrub until about ten
o'clock. After that we do extra work until about
quarter of eleven when we get washed up for
dinner. At quarter past eleven the dinner comes
in and we put it on.
Fredrick E, Munich.
maKing monograms
The Sewing Room boys have been making
monograms to put on sofa pillows. We put the
pattern on a piece of gold felt and trace it around
the outside. Then we cut it out, trace the rest
of it and cut that out also. We all like this work
very well. After we do these we have to mske
some for F. T. S. pennants.
Robert L. Clark
Sbips Passing the Tslana
Ships passing cur Island sre very inter-
esting. Seme are battleships, transports, cattle
boats, mail boats, submarines, submarine
chasers, destroyers, tugs, barges and pleasure
crafts.
As the battleships sail past, we sometimes
see the jackies lined up on the deck. The trans-
ports are interesting on account of their camou-
flage. The cattle boats are small camouflaged
boats. The submarines are shapedlike awhale's
back when seen in the harbor. Some of the
submarine chasers are about the size of our
steamer Pilgrim and some are larger. The
destroyers are sometimes camouflaged, others
are plain gray. The tugs are used for hauling
barges from one place to another. The barges
carry mud, sand, coal and lumber to different
places. Robert E. Nichols.
Bnnm lUorK
In the morning when I do not go to sloyd, 1
sometimes clean the Front Avenue and some-
times 1 clean the Rear Avenue. First 1 rake
the avenue to get all the large stones, paper,
leaves, twigs or anything else that does not
make the avenue look clean. Then I take up
my pile of dirt and take it down to the dike. If
I have any time left, ! sweep the gutters.
El-wood S. Chase.
SUPPLEMENT TO
The Farm and Trades School, Thompson's Island, Boston, Massachusetts. June 8, 1918
IN THE SERVICE
ARMY
Eldred W. Allen, '16, March 15, 1917,
19th Co., Coast Artillery, Fort Banks, Winthrop,
Mass.
Frederick]. Barton, '09, May !4, 1918,
musician, Co. A., 62nd Eng. Fort Benjamin Har-
rison, Indiana.
Raymond H. Batchelder, '15, May, 1918,
1st Replacement Eng. Reg. Co. G, Washington
Barracks, Washington, D. C.
Edmund S. Bemis, ' 1 3, December 3, 1917,
104th Infantry, 26th Division, American Expe-
ditionary Force, France.
Edward M. Bickford, '10, Sept. 4, 1917,
Edric B. Blakemore, '12, Sgt., reported
from either Fort Banks or Fort Warren, Boston,
Mass.
Charles A. Blatchford, '04, April 1918,
Quartermasters Division, United States Army.
Charles H. Bradley, Jr., '03, May 15,
1918, 3rd Officers Training Camp, Camp Devens,
Ayer, Mass.
Clarence F. Burton, '12, March, 1918^
Air Section 105, Aero Squad, Headquarters De-
tachment, American Expeditionary Force,
France.
Forest L. Churchill, '15, April 4, 1918,
Co. A, 26th Machine" Gun Bn., Camp Taylor,
Louisville, Kentucky.
Perry Coombs, '14, December 31, 1917,
1-8 Irish K. L. R. Munster 1 i Westf., Detach.,
40.
Lester E. Cowden, ' 1 6, February 2, 1918,
11th Machine Gun Battalion, Co. A. 4th Di-
vision, 7th Brigade, Charlotte, N. C.
Will lAM E.Cowley, '13, Corporal, May
11, 1918, Company A, 104th U. S. Infantry,
Brigade Division, American Expeditonary Force,
France.
Louis W. Darling, '08, August, 1917,
Aviation Corps.
Clarence H. DeMar, '03, May 27, 1918,
Fort Slocum, N. Y.
Stephen E^^ton, "10, at Camp Devens,
Ayer, Mass.
William J. Flynn,'03, January, 1918, Co.
F, 6th Engineers, American Expeditionaiy
Force, France.
William W. Foster, '10, 1st Lieut. Avi-
ation Section, Signal Corps, United States Re-
serves, 88th Aero Squad, American Expe-
ditionary Force.
Victor H. Gordon, ' 15, Corporal, Company
M, 104th Infantry, American Expeditionary
Force, France.
Franklin E. Gunning, '14, Headquarters
Troop, 26th Division, American Expeditionary
Force, via New York,
Charles Hill, '02, May, 1917, musician.
George M. Holmes, '10, March 13, 1918,
154991, Company B, 1st American Engineers,
American Expeditonary Force.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Warren Holmes, '03, May, 1917. mu-
sician.
Walter R. Horsman, '13,. August, 1917,
Corporal, Battery C. 6th Providence Regiment.
Carl D. P. Hynes. '14. May, 1917, mu-
sician.
Alf.^ed W. Jacobs, '10, May, 1918, Co.
A. 42nd Engineers. An;erican Expedit'onary
Force.
Charles R. Jefferson, '14, Corporal,
March 7, 1918, Co. C, 3rd Reg., Pioneer Inf.,
Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C.
Cecil O. Jordan. '12, 24th Company, 6th
Battalion, Depot Brigade, Camp Devens, Ayer,
Mass.
Ceorge R.Jordan, '13, July, 1917.
Herbert H. Kenney, left Scliool ' 10, May
10, 1918, Co. B, 5tli Pioneer Regiment.
Daniel W. Laighton, '01, February 1,
1918, Ordnance Dept., 6th Co., 152nd Depot
Brigade, Camp Upton, New York.
Fred J. Mandeville, ex ' 1 5, December 6,
1917, Company M, 34th Infantry, American
Expeditionary Force, Pier 1, Hoboken, N. J.
John H. Marshall, '1 1, October 8, 1917,
1 1 1936, R. F. A., 91 Siege Battery, R. G. A.,
France. B. E. F.
William M. Marshall,' 10, Sept. 7, 1917,
Co. E., 6th Eng. Regiment, Belvoir, Va., care
of Wasliington Barracks.
Philip S. May, '07, Sgt. 303rd Fire and
Guard Co. 2 M. C. Port of Embarkation. Ho-
boken, New Jersey.
Thomas G. McCarragher, ex '07, Feb.
20, 1918, Quartermasters Corps, Camp John-
ston, Jacksonville, Florida.
Henry F.McKenzie. '99.00. K, 50th In-
fantry, East Potomac Park, Washington, D 0.
Earle C. Miller, '14, Co. I, 101st Regi-
ment, American Expeditionary Force, France.
Reported severely wounded ^'une 8, 1918.
Theodore Miller, '09, August 2, 1917,
Barracks 0, Newport Training Station, New-
port, R. I.
Theodore Milne,' 1 4, November 21 , 1917,
Aviation Signal Corps, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
TH0M'^s Milne, '12, January 19, 1918,
103rd Field Hospital, 26th Div. American Ex-
peditionary Force, France.
Elmer E. Moore, '16, No. 3357 Co. C,
Camp Fort Edward Windsor, Nov9 Scotia. No.
3357 Company C, Canadian Expeditionary
Force.
Bernard F. Murdock,'11, December 5,
1917, Company D, 101st Reg., 26th Division,
U. S. Engineers, American Expeditionary Force,
France.
Dexter L. Noble, '13.
Charles H. O'Conner, '04, Sgt., Feb. 10,
1918, Asst. Band Master, Headquarters Co.,
303rd Infantry, Cimp Devens, Ayer, M^ss.
William F. O'Conner. "07, Sgt., Feb. 10,
1918, Headquarters Co., Band, 301st Infantry,
Camp Devens. Ayer, Mass.
Gkoffrey E. Plunkett, '14, April 1918,
Post Signal Detail, Coast Artillery Corp.<^, Fort
Standish, Mass.
EvARisTE T. PoRCHE ,ex '07, March, 1918,
Camp Dix, New York.
Joseph L. Roby, ex '07, Nov. 21 , 1917.
Quartermasters' Corps, North Eastern Depart-
ment, American Expeditionary Force, reported
promoted to lieutenant.
Charles O. Rolfe.'IS, April 1918, Bat-
tery B. 8 1 St Field Artillery, Camp F'remont, Cal-
ifornia.
James H. Sargent, '97, Sgt., Canadian
Fourth Artillery , wounded September 12th, 1917.
sent back to Canada probably disabled for life.
Now at Boundary Creek, New Brunswick.
Paul C. A. Swenson, '13, U. S. Ambul-
ance Corp.^, No. 25, Camp Logan, Hou-ton,
Texas.
Clarence L. Taylor, '05, March 25,
1918, 25th Regiment Engineers. Co. 0, Am-
eric'-in Expeditionary Force, via New York.
Levi N. Trask, '12, Corp., 1st Vermont
Reg., Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C.
Roy D. Upham, '12, Feb. 10. 1918, Signal
Platoon, Headquarters Co., Camp Devens,
Ayer, Mass.
Karl R. (Brackett) Van Deusen, '15,
Apr. 2, 1918, Co. C, 107th United States Infan-
try, Camp V/adsworth, Spartanburg, S. 0.
THUMPSON'S ISLAND BEACO'M
Fri-dprick E. Van Valkenburg, '14,
Nov. 20, 1917, Co. K, 64th Iiitaiilty, Fcrt Blis?,
El Paso, Texa5.
Peri.&y W. White, '13, Jan. 1918, bugh r.
C ") C. lOlst U. S. Engir:eers, American b x-
peditionaty Force, France.
GnoRGE P. V\ ILEY, ex '06, killed by .^hel!
f ragmen', battle of Vimy Ridge, April 1917.
Frederick]. Wilson, '09, Feb. 20, 1918,
Co. A, Squad 19, Officers I'r^.ii ing Cair.p,
Spartanburg. S. C.
NAVY
George J. Balch, '09, Sept. 1917, boiler -
maker, U. S S. Delaware, care of New York
Postmaster.
Lesi IE H. Barker,'13. June, 1918, U. S.
U. R. F. Woods Hole. Mas.'^.
Edson M. Beki^, '13, December 26, 1917,
N:-ival Resei ve. Training Cr.mp, Hiii^h un.-Ma^s.
Ai-FRED H. Casey, '13, June, 1917, mu-
sician, U. S. S. Geori^i'i, care of New York
Postmaster.
GsoHGt W. Casey, ' I 6, 2nd Naval Di.:ti ict
Receiving Barracks, Newport, R- 1.
Robert Casey, "13, August, 1917.
Wii I lAM B. DEANE,'13,Sept. 1917, U.S. S.
Nebraska, care of New York Postmaster.
Nerbert a. DiERKES, "06, Ociober 26,
1917, U. S. S. Celtic, care cf New York Poit-
master.
Harold W. Edwards, ' 10, U. S. S. Dtla-
w^re. Signaler, Division 10, Overseas.
JoHiJ O. Enright, '12. October 6, 1917,
U . S. S. Drayton, care of New York Po:itmaster.
Bernhardt Gerecke, '12, Ensign, Feb.
1918, U. S. S.Celtic, care of New York Post-
master.
Robert W. Gregory, '09, St. Julian
Creek Detail, 5th Naval District, Co. A, Nor-
folk, Va.
Ralph G. Hadley,'!4, July. 1917, U.S.S.
Delaware, c^rc of Neu- Yoik Pi .^tira.sttr.
Frederick Hynes, '12. March 1918, Tor-
pedo Boat Fireman. Lives ?t 499 Thames
Street, Newport, R. 1
Harold Y.Jacobs, '10, January 13, 1918,
musician, U. S. S. Mis;ouri. rare (f Po-M-
master. Fortress Monroe, Va.
WiLLi.^M N. King, '15, Ap.il 29, 1918.
2:id cla.^s seaman. Newpcrt, R. L
FiuBERT N. Leach, '16, Febiuaiy, 1918,
Depot Co. F', Signal Corps, University cf
Vermont, Burlington, Vermcnf.
John LeStrakge, '11, May 12, 1918,
U. S. S. New Ycrk, Over.^eas. ■'
Llewelyn H. Lewis, '14, June 6, 1917,
bugler.
Cecil E. MacKeown, ex '11, January,
1918, U. S. S. Richmond, care of New York
Postm ^ster.
Frederick W. Mar£HAll, "08, October 8.
1917, eleclriciMi, U. S. S. America, U. S.
N. R. F., care cf Ntw York Postmaster.
EvtRETT W. Maynard, ex '14, Febiuary,
1918, Barracks 233. Navy Yard, BoJcn.
Jackson C. Nielson, ex '16, Decen ber
17, 1917. Naval Reserve, Comnissary Scliccl,
DivLLn I, Section 3, Receiving Ship, Con mon-
wealth Pier, Boston, Mass.
Bkuce L. Paul, '07, Augist 10, 1S17,
U. S. S. Kearsarge, care of Ntw Yi rk [-osi-
master.
Jos^-PH L Pendergast,'16, June 1, 1918,
U. S. S. S. C. 70 New London C nin.
Frank A. Farbeli ,'13. January 23, 191 8.
U. S S. Celtic, care of New York Postmaster.
Herbert F". Watscn,'08, Radio Cpera'or,
went down on the U. S. S. A.ntilles, October
17, 1917.
Please help us to make this list as crnplete and as a:curate as possible.
Vol 22. No. 3 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. July, 1918
Entered November 23. 1903. at Boston. Mass. as S'-cord-^lass matter, under Act of Congress of July 16. 1894.
Graduation Day
Graduation day came on June 14. Prep-
arations were made for the day which was a good
one. The boat arrived at 2:15 P. M. and the
guests came to the Front Lawn where we awaited
them. They were seated in front of us, the Man-
agers of the School and their friends sitting near
the graduating class.
The lawns were decorated with School ban-
ners flying from poles. We were fortunate in
having with us on our graduation day a number
of the Managersof the School, President Richard
M. Saltonstall, Managers I. Tucker Burr, Thomas
j. Evans, Charles T. Gallagher, N. Penrose
Hallowell, Henry Jackscn, M. D., and Francis
Shaw.
President Richard M. Saltonstall introduc-
ed the speaker of the day, Mr. Charles Evans, a
graduate of '66.
Mr. Evans spoke of the service which Mr.
Bowditch, our late president, and his family have
done for the School, and in many other ways.
After the exercises we were dismissed and
went about with our people until 4:45 P. M.
when the boat came.
In the evening the class of 1918 gave a
dance in the Assembly Hall which was beauti-
fully decorated for the occasion. The dance was
attended by Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, instructors-
graduates and friends. Thanks to all who helped
in making it a successful and happy graduation.
The exercises were as follows:
Salutatory Our Weather Bureau
Lawrence Earl Walters
American Hymn Keller
Schoo
Class Prophecy
Leslie Martin Calkin
School Song F. T. S.
School
Valedictory The Farm and Trades School
Gordon Herdman Cameron
To Thee, 0 Country ! Eichburg
School
Remarks, Richard M. Saltonstall
Acting President of the Board of Managers
Address
"The Indebtedness of The Farm and Trades School
to its Board of Managers as exemplified in the
service of its late President. Alfred Bowditch."
Mr. Charles Evans, '66, Chicago, Illinois
Presentation of Diplomas
Charles H. Bradley, Superintendent
The American Soldier Band Myers
The Star Spangled Banner
ESSAYS PREPARED BY OTHERS
OF THE CLASS
Aida
Prayer
Band
Rev. James Huxtable
Verdi
The Laundry .... Alton Parker Bray
The Sports of the School Rupert Fleming Calkin
Th^ Power House Rollins Augustus Furbush
The Birds .... Joseph Tyleston Gould
Agriculture on the Island WebsterSylvanusGouId
The Trees of the Island Frederick Vernon Heald
The Flower Gardens Franklin Pierce Miller
Boats of the Island Laurence Arnold Murphy
The Printing Office . LeRoy Alvin Parsons
Places of Interest on the Island
Eugene Smith Ramsdell
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
The Art of Drawing George Raymond Riggs
Sloyd Frank Elery Woodman
GRADUATING CLASS
Alton Parker Bray
Leslie Martin Calkin
Rupert Fleming Calkin
Gordon Herdman Cameron
Rollins Augustus Furbush
Joseph Tyleston Gould
Webster Sylvanus Gould
Frederick Vernon Heald
Franklin Pierce Miller
Laurence Arnold Murphy
LeRoy Alvin Parsons
Eugene Smith Ramsdell
George Raymond Riggs
Lawrence Earl Walters
Frank Elery Woodman
Frank E. Woodman.
Concord and Cexindton Excursion
The annual excursion which our Treasurer,
Lieut. Arthur Adams, gives the graduating class
tookplacethisyear onjune 15. We first put onour
uniformsandwent to the office, and Mr. Bradley
told us if we went to the front of the house he
would take our pictures. Then we started for
City Point on the Steamer Pilgrim.
We had with us Mr. T. J. Evans, our
Manager, his brother, Mr. Charles Evans, who
spoke at Graduation, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, Miss
Dale, Miss Ferguson and Mr. Brown. The
driver of the car is also manager of the Town
Taxi Company and a graduate of the School and
had a man to tell us about the historical places
that we passed. We went into Boston where
we met Lieut. Arthur Adams, who went with
us. We then started on our way to Cambridge,
passing over the Charles River. From there
we went to the old Washington Elm in Cam-
bridge, where Washington took command of
the American troops, then to Harvard Square,
around Harvard College, the speaker telling us
about the different buildings, among them the
Phillips Brooks House. We then started on the
route that Paul Revere took on his famous ride
and saw houses at which he stopped.
We went through Somerville and Arlington,
picking out the historical places and from there
we went to Lexington, stopping at Lexington
Center, where the minutemen stood in the field
in the year of 1775. The place where the old
North Church stood was shown to us. We
passed the house where the first shot of the Re-
volutionary War was fired. We passed the
Monroe Tavern which was standing during the
Revolution and inside of the walls are still
bullets and bullet holes. We then rode along
singing and cheering everybody and having a
jolly time. We passed a place where they sold
strawberries and Mr. Evans bought some straw-
berries and onions with long green tops known
as Iowa lilies. We stopped at Concord Bridge,
where we saw the statue of the minute man
as he left his plow in the field and took his gun
to join the other minute men. The statue was
posed for by five different mien. There is also
a tablet telling about a fewBritish soldiers, who
were shot and buried there. We were treated
with candy and had our pictures taken again.
From there we went to the Concord Reform-
atory and were shown about.
We then started on our way home, stop-
ping at Concord Center where we had ice cream,
candy, oranges and bananas and gave three
cheers and a tiger for Mr. Evans. We passed
through Lexington and other places singing and
having a jolly time. We came along Common-
wealth Avenue where we saw the Blue Devils from
France, in autos. From Commonwealth Avenue
we went up Beacon Street where Mr. Adams left
us. Our next stop was the South Station where our
teacher left us, and we gave three cheers and a
tiger for her, then we started for City Point
where we took the boat to the Island.
When we arrived at the Island we had our
supper and went to bed, feeling that we had had a
splendid time. We wish to thank Mr. Adams for
his kindness in giving us this excursion and Mr.
Bradley for helping give us such a good time.
Rollins A. Furbush.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Jllumni Day
June I 7, this year as usual was observed
as a field day and a day of recreation for the
boys as well as the members of the Alumni.
At about 10 o'clock the members of the
band marched to the Wharf, where they await-
ed the arrival of the steamer and the John Alden,
which had a short time before gone to City
Point to bring the visitors to the Island.
As the boats neared the Wharf the band
greeted them with a march which the graduates
who had been in our band must'hsve recognized
as, "Our Director".
After all were safely landed they marched
up the Avenue to the front of the Main Building
where they either gathered under the awning or
sat upon the lawn. The band then played a few
selections and they were seated, to listen to the
remarks of Mr. Bradley, Mr. Evans, Mr. Hughes,
who is the Alumni President, and others.
After listening to some very interesting as well as
humorous remarks, all the boys were excused to
mingle and talk with old friends, many of w^'om
they had once known as boys at the School.
/.ft'?r dinner the afternoon's fun began. It
started with a sack race, which was both comical
and exciting. During the course of the after-
noon the boys had a good time either by taking
active part in a i 00 yard dash, a shoe race, pony
express, snake race, barrel duel, spar contest or
in one of the other sports which had been pro-
vided for the pleasure of the day. The winners
in these were awarded suitable prizes. To end
the sports of the day, the u.sual baseball game
between the married and single men of the
Alumni was played. This game as it generally
is, proved to be very interesting, as most of
the graduates had not lost much of their old time
skill at playing which they had learned here.
Most of the Alumni spent the last of the
afternoon in visiting the Cottages, Band Hall,
and the different departments where they had
worked when boys here Some stayed on the
playground and played catch or knocked out flies.
Also, some new sports were added to the already
large list, one of which was a shoe shining con-
test, the winners being given their brushes as
prizes.
The Old Elm was not forgotten and
some of the older of the Alumni sat around it
and talked and thought of the pleasant times they
had had when they were boys here at the School.
Pinally warning was given to the tired but
happy graduates, that it was time to leave,
and soon they were all aboard the boats and
bound for their homes.
This day is looked forward to by the
boys every year, as they know that they are sure
to have a good time.
RoscoE Baird.
Cm Inspecting
One night after the boys came out from sup-
per Mr. Brown asked who would like to be tree,
rat. bird, fly or mosquito inspectors: Alexis
Guillemin, Arthur Schaefer. Alfred Pickles and I
were chosen out of about six boys to be tree in-
spectors.
We look for the eggs of gypsy moths and
the moths themselves, also borers or bugs that
eat into a tree and kill it. We also saw off dead
limbs and branches. If the tree is infected
with gypsy moths, on the under part of a limb,
where it joins the tree, there is generally a small
hollow where a kind of black matter something
like cotton is found. Under the black is a white,
in which are the eggs. The eggs are a yellowish
orange and are about as large as a pinhead.
There are about 100 in a cluster.
We can tell where the borers are by saw-
dust on the tree which they have thrown out.
They are about 1 l-l6thsof an inch long, 5-16tlis
of an inch wide and about l-^thof an inch thick
when full grown. We take a straight piece of
wire about six inches long and for the boring.
We find holes in the bark of a tree and run our
wires in. It the tree is not badly infected we
take off the dead bark up to where they are and
then kill them.
We keep a record of how many hours we
go out inspecting. We can go out noon or night
hours or Saturday afternoons, with permission.
Frederick E. Munich.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbomp$on'$ Island Beacon
Published Monthly by
TfiE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOl
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUFPCRTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Vol 22, No. 3.
July, 1918
Subscription Price - 50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
ACTING PRESIDENT
Richard M. Saltonstall
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles P. Curtis
TREASURER
Arthur Adams
135 Devonshire Street
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
Brookline, Mass.
managei^s
Melvin 0. Adams
GoRHAM Brooks
I. Tucker Burr
S. V. R. Crosby
George L. DeBlois
Malcolm Donald
Thomas J . Evans
Charles T. Gallagher
Robert H. Gardner, Jr.
N. Penrose Hallowell
Henry Jackson, M. D.
Charles E. Mason
Roger Pierce
Philip S. Sears
Francis Shaw
William S. Spaulding
Moses Williams, Jr.
Raplh B. Williams
Charles H. Bradley, Superintendent
Very fitting tribute was paid to the memory
of Alfred Bowditch, late president of The Farm
and Trades School, on the afternoon of Friday,
June 14. It was graduation day. Thompson's
Island was at its zenith of verdant beauty. The
Island and the School upon which Mr. Bowditch
had devoted so much of his life, as had also his
brother, contemporaneously, and their father be-
fore them, stood as proud monuments to all those
who by their counsel, co-operation, time and
means, brought it to that hour.
The Board of Managers had already spread
upon their records their appreciation and esti-
mate of his character and work. Now ths
School itself was to pay tribute. Seated on the
South lawn, under a sunlit sky, flanked on either
side by large leafy trees, with the historic Bul-
finch front of the Main Building as a background,
the company assembled for the service.
It was also Flag Day, and Flag Day in the
midst of a great war, and the flag of the Nation,
with the flags of the State and of the School,
floated proudly in the afternoon breeze.
Included in the company were the hundred
undergraduates of the School, the instructors,
many graduates and their families, members of
the Board of Managers, and members of Mr.
Bowditch's immediate family. The gathering
itself was a tribute to the appreciated and grate-
ful service of the late president. Yet there were
some things that surely should be spoken. His
life to the undergraduates and the graduates was
the synonym of integrity and his service was an
inspiration. To those who knew him in official
relations, he was considerate and honorable in
the finest sense. Of a family bearing a name
great in American history, he had added unto it.
The president of the Board of Man-
agers, Mr. Richard M. Saltonstall, spoke of the
vision and wisdom of Mr. Bowditch in his rela-
tion to the corporation. The superintendent, Mr.
Charles H. Bradley, spoke of an association
of 30 years, a relation that had developed into
something much more than formality.
To deliver the eulogy, the Board of Man-
agers had selected one who was fitted for the
occasion by a rare combination of circumstances.
A graduate of the School of half a century ago,
he had began his life work in the Boston Athen-
aeum (of which Mr. Bowditch had been for many
years the treasurer and which shared with The
Farm and Trades School his devotion and inter-
est), he had since become one of the leading li-
brarians and bibliographers in America, and had
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
retained a close association with his boyhood
school. Not only that, but his own brother had
been honored as the first graduate of the School
to have a membership on the Board of Man-
agers.
Mr. Charles Evans, '66, of Chicago, was
one among a thousand, to be the orator at this
memorial service, and the high expectations of
the day were finely fulfilled.
What Mr. Evans said is given herewith,
and his words were eloquent with simplicity,
sincerity and dignity.
Calendar
June 1. Treasurer, Lieutenant Arthur
Adams, visited the School in the evening.
June 2. Several boys attende church in
town.
June 3. Hauled new submarine telephone
cable across from Squantum to the Island.
June 4. Our band assisted the band of the
Second Congregational Church, Dorchester, in a
concert for the benefit of the Red Cross Work.
800 cabbage plants transplanted.
June 5. Commenced putting up awning
in front of the house.
June 6. Ivers R. Allen, '16, visited the
School.
500 tomato plants set out.
June 7. 5,000 celery, 500 tomato and
100 pepper plants set out.
June 8. Finished planting potatoes.
6,000 celery plants set out.
Mr. Charles Duncan, 7 1 , visited the School,
as usual tuning and putting our pianos in good
shape.
June 9. Rev. and Mrs. James Huxtable
were guests during the day.
Several boys attended church in town.
Commenced decorating chapel for gradu-
ation dance.
Plowed south end bar for submarine tele-
phone cable.
June 14. Graduation day. Mr. Charles
Evans, '66, of Chicago, was the chief speaker.
President Richard M. Saltonstall also made
an address.
June 15. The graduating class had their
annual automobile trip over the historical route
to Concord and Lexington. Mr. Charles Evans
and Thomas J. Evans, '64, and Lieutenant
Arthur Adams were among the party.
June 17. Alumni Field Day with about
100 present.
June 18. William B. Cross, '17, left the
School to take a position with The Boston Woven
Hose and Rubber Co. Cambridge, Mass.
Last of marsh hay drawn to barn.
June 19. Mr. Josef Sandberg here to in-
struct the boys in sloyd.
June 20. Planted Oak Knoll with beans
and sweet corn.
June 22. Rupert F .Calkin, '18, left the
School to work with his father in Bellingham,
Mass.
June 24. Herbert L. Dudley, '16, left the
School to take a position as fireman on the New
Haven Railroad and is stationed at Taunton, Mass.
Mowed young orchard.
June 25. Plowed young orchard.
June 26. First hay in barn.
June 28. First turnips from gardens.
Last picking of strawberries.
Blacksmith here to shoe horses.
June 29. First peas from gardens.
nunc mctccroiogy
Maximum temperature 88° on the 1st.
Minimum temperature 50° on the 21st.
Mean temperature for the month 63.13°
Total precipitation 1.57 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours, 1.18
inches on the 22nd.
6 days with .01 or more mches precipi-
tation, 12 clear days, 16 partly cloudy, 2 cloudy
days.
Total number of hours' sunshine, 180 and
20 minutes.
CDc Tarm and Cradcs School Bank
Cash on hand June 1, 1918 $812.46
Deposited during the month $82.40
Withdrawn during the month
Cash on hand June I, 1918
$894.86
$65.27
$829.59
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Kattind
A little over a month ago Mr. Bradley ask-
ed who would like to be rat inspectors this year.
Three other fellows and myself were chosen for
the job. After about a week had passed we were
given about 50 official rat traps. We then went
to the kitchen and got some bacon rind and old
cheese to bait them. After they were baited we
got the dog we use to find rats with and started
out to find out where they lived. Wherever
the dog thought there were rats we set traps.
Every morning we go around and look at the
traps, take out the rats and rebait all of the traps.
After seven o'clock at night we take the
dog and some sticks and hunt for rats v/hich come
out to lookforfood. In the daytime we take shov-
els and the dog anddig them out. So far we have
caught about 200.
Charles F. Weymouth.
Bird Inspecting
One day Mr. Brown asksd who would like
to be a bird inspector, I was in the dining room
and could not step out, but as 1 had been an in-
spector before he let me become one again.
The work we have to do is to protect the
birds which do good, and find the nests of birds
which do harm such as English sparrows, grack-
les, starlings, crows and blackbirds. We take
the eggs of these birds and break or blow them.
We put up bird houses in the spring and take
them down in the autumn. It is very interesting
to watch the mother birds feed their young. 1
like the work. William T. Marcus.
Spraying tbe 1)cn Pens
Before we spray the hen pen, we clean out the
straw, and then sweep the pen clean Wiien it
is clean, we take the hand sprayer and fill it with
kerosene and spray the hen pen inside and outside.
After spraying it all over, we take some instant
lies killing powder and sprinkle some of it into
the nest and conersr. When it is sprayed and
powdered, we put clean straw in the pen and clean
shavings into the nest. Now it is ready for
the hens.
John Goodhue, Jr.
Cbe Graduation Dance
The graduation dance was held the evening
of graduation day in the Assembly Hall. The
dance began at eight o'clock and lasted until
twelve.
The hall was decorated v/ith red, white and
blue crepe paper which came from different points
in the room and met in the center. In the back
of the room was a large piece of blue felt with
our motto, "All for our Country," in large gold
letters upon it.
In about the middle of the dance the grad-
uates threw rolls of blue and gold crepe paper all
over the hall.
Refreshments were served throughout the
dance. Music was furnished by a colored
orchestra from town.
Laurence A. Murphy.
Banking
Banking is carried on in the East Base-
ment. Every evening from 6:30 tc 7;00 o'clock
the boys can buy thrift stamps, deposit money,
make out checks and also request slips. A
record of the daily sales and the boys' accounts,
telling how many thrift stam.ps the boys bought
or racsi/ad fro n thsir friends, is kept by the
Secretary.
About 12 of the fellows have pledged
themselves to sell thrift stamps until December
31, \?\?. ir.il new laws have been made.
There is a receiving teller and a paying teller
who sells the thrift stamps, receives the money,
makos an account of it and puts it in the book.
The Banking Room is on the plan of a bank
in the City, all enclosed. A table is in the room
where writing is done and checks are made out,
Rollins A. Furbush.
Scrubbing Day in tbe Caundry
Monday, in the laundry, is always known as
scrubbing day. When we first go in we start to
scrub the aprons and jumpers, then the ladies'
clothes, next the mens' clothes and last of all
the stockings and underwear.
After everything is scrubbed they are put
in bags and put in the washer to be rinsed.
After they are rinsed they are put in the extrac-
tor. Then they are ready to be ironed.
Everett B. Leland
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Jllunual Ticid Day
(continued from page 8)
those present is as follows:
Alcott, William and Mrs.
Miss Louise Alcott
Roger Alcott
Allen, Ivers R.
Angel), Wesley C.
Austin, Ernest W.
Mrs. M. A. Austin
Miss M. Austin
Mr. and Mrs. Riesinger
Mr. and Mrs. H. A, Austin
Miss Irene Austin
Miss Ruth Austir
Mr. and Mrs. Phelps
Master Phe"ps
Mrs. Ccupard
Mr. Jack Austin
Babcock, Lorin L.
Bemis, Elwin C.
Bell, Richard and Mrs.
Alice M. Bell
Mr. and Mrs. George Downing
Bete, John E. and Mrs.
Channing Bete
John Bete
Raymond Bete
Miss Ora Ward
Brasher, Sherman G.
Mrs. J. H. Brasher
Mrs. Elizabeth Bartlett
Bridgham, Charles H.
Mrs. Lillian F. Marden
Bryant, Frank G.
George Bryant
Capaul, Mrs. Edward
Miss Myrtle J. Capaul
Miss Emma Brooke
Catton, Ernest M. and Mrs.
Clarke, Joseph and Mrs.
Dudley, Robert E.
Duncan, Charles and Mrs.
Miss Barbara Duncan
Mrs. F. S. Currier
Charlotte Currier
Helen Currier
Dutton, Almond H.
Ellis, Howard B.
Howard B. Ellis, Jr.
Helen I. Ellis
Ellis, Merton P. and Mrs,
Evans, Charles
Evans, Thomas J.
Fearing, Arthur D. and Mrs.
Fearing, Frederick P.
Graham, James H. and Mrs.
A. Farley Brewer
Green, Elmer W.
Gregory, James G. and Mrs.
Mrs. E. M. Fuller
Hartmann, George K. and Mrs.
Charles Honigbaum
Miss Krinski
Haskins, Douglas A.
Mrs. M. D. Haskins
Miss Esther Haskins
Miss Ruth Haskins
Holman, Solomon B.
Mrs. W R. Holman
W. R. Holman, Jr.
Miss Alice Holman
Hughes, William N.
Ingalls, Richmond P.
Kirwin, Walter J.
Larsson, G. George
Lochrie, Howard F.
Morrison, William P.
Mrs. H. C. McBride
Miss Dorothy Bevens
Miss Elaine Bevens
Pratt, Albert E. and Mrs.
Russell, Charles W. and Mrs.
Sherman, John L.
Souther, Herbert A.
Stokes, Henry M.
Wallace, Edward A.
Wallace, Frank W.
West, Elbert L.
Wilkins, Ellsworth S.
Wyatt, Ernest V.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
CD J Jllumni Jlsscciation of Cbe farm and Crades School
William Alcott '84, President James H. Graham, 79, Vice-President Henry A. Fox, '79. Vice-President
Everett Boston Allston
Merton p. Ellis, '99, Secretary
25 Rockdale Street. Mattapan
Richard Bell, '73, Treasurer
Dorchester
Alfred C MaLM, '00, Historian
Melrose
Tn memoridtti
Alfred Bowditch, died in Boston, Massa-
chusetts, February 22nd, 1918.
The above is a simple statement of fact
but what a world of meaning it holds for gradu-
ates and members of The Farm and Trades
School.
Our friend, the sincere, quiet, unassuming
friend of everyone connected with our School.
The regret we have at his passing is allevi-
ated somewhat when we think of the perpetual
monument he leaves to his memory, the School,
the young men who have gone from it and those
who are yet to come, all receiving and to receive
the great benefit of this sterling character and
life.
A priceless treasure to us is the memory of
him.
We, the Alumni Association of The Farm and
Trades School desire to place on our records our
tribute to our friend, Alfred Bowditch, with grate-
ful hearts for having had the privilege of know-
ing him.
BmM Ticid Day
The Tenth Annual Field Day of the Asso-
ciation was held on June 17th at the School.
Members with families and others gathered at
City Point and left at 9:30 by the steamer Pilgrim
and the scow. The band met us at the Wharf
and we gathered on the Front Lawn. Gradu-
ate Charles Evans of Chicago, who delivered an
able tribute to Mr. Alfred Bowditch on gradu-
ation day was with us and spoke, as well as his
brother. Graduate Manager John Evans, and
Mr. Bradley. On behalf of the As.sociation a
check for $250 was presented to Mr. Bradley
by Treasurer Richard Bell to be added to the
Alumni Fund, making a total of $2850.00. The
usual gift of $25.00 for the benefit of the boys
and a hat collection of $40.00 was given to Mr.
Bradley. "Jim" Graham as usual had charge
of the collection department. Pictures were
taken of the gathering after which a short inspec-
tion was made of the main buildings. H. C. L.
being abroad in the land, the Entertainment Com-
mittee changed the programme this year and
had each member bring a basket lunch, liquid
refreshment being furnished by the School. This
change was voted to be a success, no one run-
ning the risk of going home hungry as Jimmy
Graham brought a large(?) basket with him to
take care of the bachelors. Races of all sorts
were held by the boys after which the ball game
between the married and single of the graduates
was held with the same old story for the score.
Those wishing to know this will confer with
Arthur Fearing. President Hughes was busy
during the afternoon gathering in applicationsfor
membership and received 16. This day might
be termed Alumni Inspection Day as every part
is well inspected although no report is turned in.
The weather on the field day is generally made
to order and those who remain across the bay
miss a lot. Changes for the better are being
made all the time and one needs to pay at least
an annual visit to keep up with the times.
The renewal of old aquaintances at the School
and among school-mates and the bringing of
one's family to his boy-hood home are pleas-
ures that can only happen at one place, and when
the other pleasures are added, the good-by can
be said to be the end of a perfect day. The
return boat left soon after five with the usual
cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Bradley. A list of
(Continued on Page 7)
-Mc ji memoTR *^
SU PPLEMENT TO
The Farm and Trades School, Thompson's Island, Boston, Mass. July 14, 1918
Bv
€barlc$ €van$
When 1 left The Farm School, as these
young men are doing to-day, 1 began, through
the influence of Dr. Samuel Eliot, what was to
be my life-work in the Boston Athenaeum; and,
for the next seven never-to-be-forgotten years
of my life, 1 had the daily privilege of meeting,
in the freedom of a great Library, the men and
women who made the decade succeeding the civil
war the goldsn age of scholarship and literary
accomplishment in this country. Nearly every
name famous in American literary history of
that period passed through its doors during this
time, often accompanied by European celebri-
ties; and some of the greatest names were
among its almost daily visitors. Through its
eyes it was given me to see, to know, the true
Boston — the Boston of the fathers, and the fore-
fathers of New England. Is it any wonder then
that when the claim of distinction for any Boston-
ian is made Ihat 1 should put it to the test of a
proprietorship in the Boston Athenaeum.
Put to this test, the name of Bowditch
shines in the clear white light which beats upon
the throne Bostoniae. From the year 1826
there has never been a time when a Bowditch
was not on the directorate of the Boston Ath-
enaeum. Just as there has never been a year
for over three quarters of a century when the
name of Bowditch has not appeared upon the
directorate of The Farm School.
The life of the late Mr. Bowditch's grand-
father, Nathaniel Bowditch, should always be
an inspiration and stimulus to the ambition of
American youth who desire to supply the
defects of earlier years.
He came of an ancestry of seamen, a voca-
tion which his father abandoned to engage in the
business of a cooper. He was the fourth in a
family of seven children and, at the age of ten
years, — the minimum age when boys are ad-
mitted to The Farm and Trades School — his
school education ceased, as the family necessi-
ties compelled his assisting his father in the shop.
Soon after he was apprenticed to a ship-chandler.
So great was his thirst for knowledge, so accu-
rate his powers of observation, and aptness for
mathematics, that he arranged an Almanac,
complete in all its parts, at the age of fifteen.
Finding a copy of Newton's "Principia", when
he was sixteen he began the study of Latin that
he might read it. And he afterwards taught
himself French, Italian, Spanish and German so
that he might study the valuable mathematical
works in those languages. For a course of
reading in English he read the two folio volumes
of E. Chambers' "Cyclopaedia" through from
beginning to end.
But the unresting fever of his sea-loving
ancestry was in his blood. He had been taught,
by a retired sailor, the elements of navigatiou;
and, after attaining his majority, he made fonr
voyages to the East Indies, and one to Europe.
He took such interest in instructing the sailors
in navigation, that it became a strong recommen-
dation for a sailor to have sailed with him, and
often the cause of his promotion.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
During this period of his life, he published
his "New American Practical Navigator" which
had an immediate success, passing through
some thirty editions, and becoming the stand-
ard work on this subject in this country, and to
a large extent in England and France.
Happening to be detained in Bos'on, by a
contrary wind, on the Commencement Day
of Harvard, he strolled to the church where the ex-
ercises were held, and this self-educated man
had the surprise and gratification of hearing his
name called as a recipient of the degree of
Master of Arts! It was the first and most wel-
cotne of a series of similar public recognitions
from learned bodies.
After he had passed his fortieth year, he be-
gan what was to become his life-work, and the one
with which his name will be forever, insepara-
bly connected. This was the translation from
the French, with emendations, of Laplace's
great work, "Mecanique Celeste". So well did
he succeed in doing this that he drew from the
distinguished Frenchman the remark: "I am
sure that Dr. Bowditch comprehends my work,
for he has not only detected my errors, but has
shown me how 1 came to faH into them".
When the work was ready for the press,
Dr, Bowditch realized that the expenses of
publication would make heavy demands upon the
family income, and that its sale promised only
pecuniary loss; but his noble wife, to whom the
work is dedicated, and without whose encourage-
ment, he often declared, his work would never
have seen the light, urged him to publish it,
and promised to make any sacrifice necessary
to accomplish it. His children also urged him
to go on, saying: "We value your reputation
more than your money". And sustained by
their unfaltering faith and courage, this scientific
achievement of an American scholar was given
to the world, in four quarto volumes, of nearly
a thousand pages each, after a labor of nearly a
quarter of a century from its inception. In it,
he charted the Heavens, as he had before charted
the Oceans; and, in allusion to this, as well as to
his moral qualities, he was familiarly known as
"The Great Pilot."
At the time Dr. Bowditch began this work,
it is said that there were only three persons in the
country capable of reading the original work
critically. In forty years spent in libraries,
among scholars, 1 have never known but one
person to ask for it for purposes of study. This
single exception was the late Francis Blake, of
Boston and Weston, whose invention of a
transmitter of speech perfected the telephone
invention of Alexander Graham Bell. Mr. Blake
at the time, was engaged by the United States,
Coast Survey, in determining differences of lon-
gitude between the different Observatories in
the world. And 1 well remember his expressions
of gratification when his calculations were verified,
and the hours of study he found necessary to de-
tect his error when his conclusions varied from
the tables of logarithms in tliis authoritative work.
Dr. Bowditch's mother's maiden name was
Mary lngersoll,andher name must have been dear
to him as all four of his sons bear her family name
of Ingersoll as a middle name. A practice of
continuing the distaff connection in family
names which has now almost become a custom
in New England.
His eldest son, Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch,
was his father's biographer. As a conveyancer,
he was noted for his accuracy and industry. It
is said that scarcely a transfer of real estate
was made in Boston without his examination
and approval of title. Through thiswoik he be-
came interested in the many curious names he
met with, and his sprightly and ingenious work on
"Suffolk Surnames," passed through three
editions. In common with all the members of
this family, he gave much attention to public
institutions, and wrote and published a "Histoiy
of the Massachusetts General Hospital". To
Harvard University he made the then munificent
gift of seventy thousand dollars, as a foundation
for sixteen scholarships. Dr Lottirop, his biogra-
pher, estimated that this gift would add, in a
century, fotjr hundred men of character and ability
to the liberally educated workers in the communi
ty. The Bowditch Fund for the purchase of books
for the Boston Athenaeum, and a similar fund for
the purchase of books for Harvard College,
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Library will also perpetuate the memory of this
public spirited citizen.
Another son, Henry Ingersoll Bowditch, was
distinguished as a physician, as a writer on
scientific subjects, and as a philanthropist. The
sight of William Lloyd Garrison being dragged
by a rope through the streets of Boston, in 1835,
made abolitionists of the whole family, and both
he, and his brother, William Ingersoll Bowditch,
worked earnestly, and wrote fearlessly for the
anti-slavery cause. In speaking of Dr. Henry
Bowditch, Frederick Douglas once said: "He
was the first in Boston to treat me as a man."
And, as a family they not only showed an ab-
horrence of slavery, but when the struggle finally
came their sons, inspired by the faith of their
fathers, fought bravely on many a well-contested
field, even to the extent of the supreme sac-
rifice.
Another son, Jonathan Ingersoll Bowditch,
followed in the footsteps of his father's business
career, as an actuary of insurance companies,
and is especially entitled to remembrance, on this
occasion, for his distinguished services to The
Farm School, as its fourteenth Treasurer, and its
eighth President, and as the father of Henry
Pickering Bowditch, distinguished as a physiolo-
gist, and for a number of years a Trustee of the
Boston Public Library; of Charles Pickering
Bowditch, distinguished as an archaeologist,
and the eighteenth Treasurer, and tenth Presi-
dent of The Farm School, whom, while we honor
the dead, we also hold in living remembrance; and
of the late Alfred Bowditch, whose eminent
services and enthusiastic devotion to the inter-
ests of The Farm School, as the nineteenth Trea-
surer, the thirteenth President, and for thirty-six
years a member of the Board of Managers, is
commemorated here to-day.
This, in brief, is Mr. Bowditch's ancestry.
And this, in brief, the heritage of an unbroken
line of high literary activity, untiring and system-
atic industry, conspicuous ability, great civic vir-
tues, spotless humanity, devotion to duty, with
which he dowered The Farm School by his con-
nection with it. For institutions seem to take
on, in the estimation of the people, the person-
ality of their governments, and become for the
time, the embodiments of their spirit.
Judge Daniel Appleton White, of Salem, in
his Eulogy of Dr. Nathaniel Bowditch, relates
this anecdote: "A late venerable lady, as remark-
able for her sagacity, as for her love of goodness,
after her first interview with Dr. Bowditch ob-
served, "1 admire that man, for he is a live man."
"And," continued Judge White, "he was truly a
live man in his whole nature and ccnstitulicn,
in his mind, conscience, soul and body. Life
was in his every thought, feeling and action."
And, so wonderfully true is the transmission of
hereditary traits, that the same characterization
can, with equal force, be said of his grandion
here to-day. He was truly a live man!
Regarding the details of the various changes
and improvements made at The Farm and
Trades School, during the administration of Mr.
Bowditch. 1 hesitate to speak before those who
know them so much better than 1 can know
them; but it is only fair to his memory to say,
that he would be the first, modestly to disclaim
personal credit, for what could not have been
accomplished without the earnest co-operation
of his associates on the Board of Management,
and without the direction, supervision, and often
the initiative, of their executive officer at the
School, Superintendent Charles H. Bradley, to
whom no one was quicker to express his obliga-
tion than Mr. Bowditch.
The increased resources of the School, are
an indication of confidence in the manage-
ment, and in the value of their work to the com-
munity. The erection of new buildings as the
work of the School enlarged; the providing quick-
er means of communication to conserve time
and labor; the provision of a supply of pure
wholesome water for all time, ate a few only of the
varied activities. The sound, practical good
sense, for which Mr. Bowditch was noted among
his business associates, is shown in each accom-
plishment. Everything is permanent, durable,
useful, and all tending to the greater ccnfort,
and efficiency of the School, as an education-
al force. There has been, also, it would seem,
greater concentration in its aims, more definite-
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
ness in its purposes, while it appears to have
taken on more of the idea of a school and less
that of a home.
Of the old Boston-the Boston of the fathers-
almost the only thing now remaining to us, im-
pervious, alike, to the mutations of time, and a
changing population "who know not Israel", are
its institutions; which, through the wise fore-
thought of their founders, were saved to us by
the self-elective principle in their constitutions,
against which the waves of self-interest, and
political patronage, beat and break, in many
instances the management of these institutions
descends from father to son, and to grandson,
and becomes as much a matter of family duty,
and family honor, as their religion. Their an-
cestry, personal character, ecucalicn, ability,
wealth, social standing, friendships, family con-
nections, in a widely increasing circle, are free-
ly given for the benefit of this work. These
are all things that cannot be bought. They are
not for sale. Any offer to purchase this interest
would be spurned. There can be no personal
gain, for the position of the giver is already
assured, and there is no desire, or wish for re-
ward. Why they give their time and energies
to the philanthropies of the city, perhaps they
do not know themselves. God and good Angels,
only, know the motives that inspire the human-
itarian. Fortunate, indeed, is the institution
which can show so solid an array of sponsors as
The Farm and Trades School can boast.
Plato, in his fabled Atlantis; Sir Thomas
More, in his "Utopia"; both agreed that the con-
ditions for an ideal Commonwealth could only be
found upon an island. And, by this same token,
all islanders should be Utopians — believers in a
better, a truer, a holier, and a happier life fcr
all the people. And it was with this relief, that
those men of vision — the Founders of the Farm
School — wisely chose, as a location for their ex-
periment in the government of youth, an island.
They chose an island rich in historical associa-
tions: the landfall — the first spot pressed by the
civilizing footsteps of the white man, in what is
now the city of Boston; an island dedicated,
by the forefathers, to the cause of education.
And there their infant colony has grown and
flourished, through many vicissitudes, for over
a century, always guided by the same principles
of ideal citizenship; industrial thrift; useful occu-
pation; the co-education of mind and body; and
the inculcation of those traits of sturdy manhood
which distinguish the New England character.
It was an axiom of Sir Thomas More that,
in an ideal Comnnonwealth every child would be
taught the principles of agriculture, and every
boy would learn a trade. There we have the
germ of the fundamental principles upon which
TheFarmand Trades School, on Thompson's Is-
land, is being conducted to-day. But it took our
slow-moving world just three hundred years to put
in practice what the clear vision of Sir Thomas
More saw, in the year 1516, and a half century
more, before the philosopher's dream was fully
realized.
There are supreme moments in all our lives.
They may be, they well may be, God's test of
our souls. Let us contemplate for a moment
how Sir Thomas More met this supreme test.
He lived in an age when the line cf thought,
along which the mind of man must travel, was
marked so narrowly as to be almost unbelievable
to us who live under the freedom of republic-
an institutions. He was a scholar, a states-
man, a philosopher, and he looked beyond, and
spoke, and wrote of what his mental vision had
seen. The legal penalty was death; the form of
punishment, the block. As he knelt to receive
the blow, he motioned for pause, and. bending
over him, the executioner saw him carefully re-
moving from the path of the axe, the strands of
his long white beard— the badge in every land,
among a\\ peoples, of wisdom, and reverence—
and heard him gently utter, "It has not commit-
ted treason." In this scene Sir' Thomas Mere
touched, he nearly reached the height of philo-
sophic calm, and peace, of our Saviour, at his
crucifixion.
In the early half of the last century, it pleased
our little world to smile, and make merry, at
what it was pleased tocall Boston notions. But if
you will trace the history of many of these
Boston notions, you will find them now firmly mi-
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
bedded as fundamental principles, in the social and
political life of our people.
It was a Boston notion, that you could take
fatherless, motherless boys who, in the nature
of life in large cities, might become public charges
upon the community, place them in healthful,
happy surroundings, train their hearts and hands,
their minds and bodies, in useful, homelike duties
of farm life, under competent instruction, and
fit them to take their places in the world, as
loyal supporters of Republican institutions, skill-
ed in the industries which benefit the Common-
wealth. And this Boston notion, so success-
fully carried out, for over a century, by philan-
thropic effort, has now become part of the system
of state education, by the establishment of Agri-
cultural and Mechanical Colleges, which differ
only in degree, from the germ of the idea, in
the mind of Sir Thomas More, and its fulfill-
ment, in The Farm and Trades School.
It is this fact, of state supported colleges,
for the higher study of agriculture and the
mechanic arts, which arrests attention in con-
sidering what place, in this new scheme of state
education, will The Farm and Trades School
occupy. Will it go on its present way, useful
and admirable as it is, or will it reach out, and
grasp this opportunity, to so co-ordinate its own
scheme of education, as to fit its pupils for en-
trance into these colleges. Educators areagreed
that it is a waste of time and energy for institu-
tions of higher education to undertake to give
primary instruction. And this would seem to
make this opportunity The Farm and Trades
School's own. To do this, it may be necessary
to modify at both ends the good old rule of, "Not
too young to be dependent; not too old to be
independent", which has governed the ages of
pupils; but, 1 believe that the time is not far dis-
tant, if it is not already here, when a diploma
from The Farm and Trades School, will open
the doors of Amherst, Orono, Durham, Burling-
ton, Kingston, and Storrs, or anyone of the
forty-three other State Agricultural and Mechan-
ical Colleges, to its graduates. The tendency of
our times, emphasized in the present crisis, is for
intensive, rather than extensive training — the
ability to do one thing well, and not a number of
things fairly well.
When the Centennial exercises of The
Farm and Trades School were held, four years
ago, the one notable absence, regretted alike by
his associates, and other friends of the School
gathered there, was that of President Bowditch
who had been such a power in its progress for
over a quarter of a century. We had hoped
that he would tell us something of the labors to
give the School an enlarged life; and something
of the plans and hopes for its future. 1 think
that the one thing that touched me deepest, on
that occasion, was the reference which the
distinguished President of Harvard University
made to The Farm School graduate, in whose
business ability his father had placed so much
trust and confidence. And it was characteristic
of Mr. Bowditch, that he should show his belief
in the integrity and ability of its graduates, as
to take them into confidential relations in his
own business. These two instances, have been I
many times multiplied, to the mutual benefit of
employer and employed. Employers of labor all
tell, how difficult it is to find an active intelli-
gence, adaptable, faithful, of good moral charac-
ter, honest and dependable — the qualities taught
at The Farm School — combined in any youth,
seeking an opening for a business career. And,
knowing the care in selection, the thoroughness
in preparation, the code of school boy honor
which exists, and the many who have justified
their school training, I can say, with confidence,
that anyone who secures the services of a Farm
andTrades School graduate, in any line of work,
is fortunate.
Vol 22. No. 4 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. August, 1918
Entered November 23. 1903. at Boston. M^ss. as 5 'copi-class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16. 1894.
Cur Tcurtb of 3uly Celebration
The Fourth of July dawned bright and clear.
At 5:00 o'clock reveille sounded. All of the
fellows leaped out of bed and quickly got dress-
ed. Everybody was happy for they knew that
they were to have a good time.
We had our breakfast at the usual time,
and then we did the necessary work. At 9:00
o'clock all of the fellows were free and the
swimming races were in order. Then we
went down to the Wharf where we received a
programme and a small American flag. We
all went in for a swim after the races were over.
When dinner time came we marched up tc
the House. We had a fine dinner. At 12:30
o'clock we went up to the playground, and played
around the apparatus until about 1 ;30 o'clock.
Then we all lined up and went around to
the stock room, where we received peanuts,
horns and caps.
At 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon we had
our playground races, which lasted until 3:00
o'clock. Then we had the Beach Road sports.
At 5:00 o'clock we came up to the House.
After supper We had motion pictures, and ginger
ale. The motion pictures were of the Island
and the sports we have. We all went to bed
after the pictures, tired but happy.
PROGRAMME
5:12
Morning
Flag Raising
Reveille
6:30 BREAKFAST
9:00 Aquatic Sports by the Landing
High Tide 8:28
1 1 :30
2:00
3:30
5:30
8:24
8:30
Diving
Swimming, under 15
Swimming, over 15
Swimming on back
Swimming under water
Chasing the ball
Pushing the barrel
Walking the greased spar
All swim
DINNER
Afternoon
Sports and Races on the Playground
Cross Country Run
Obstacle Race
Sack Race
Crab Race
Shoe Race
Snake Race
Pony Express
Races on the Beach Road
Mile Run
1 00 -Yard Dash, over 15
i 00 -Yard Dash, under 15
220 -Yard Dash
Wheelbarrow Race, over 15
Wheelbarrow Race, under 15
Relay Race
Three -Legged Race
SUPPER
EveninC
Retreat
Taps
Robert E. Nichols.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Gardner ^all
To the east of the Main Building is the build-
ing called Gardner Hall. It is two stories high
with a basement. The painter's supplies are in
the basement and also the storage batteries.
On the first floor is the Printing Office and
the Laundry. In the Printing Offi:;e there are
six machines and many kinds of type. All the
School jobs and also outside jobs are done here.
The Laundry has five machines and three iron-
ing boards. Here all the washing is done for
the School.
On the second floor is the Gymnasium where
the boys play in the winter time or when it is
raining. The Gymnasium has parallel bars,
a climibing rope, swinging rings, traveling rings,
ladder, guns, dumb-bells, and Indian clubs. In
winter basketball is played in the Gymnasium.
Gordon S. Martin.
Capping Sbocs
The first thing you do in tapping shoes is to
take off the worn piece of leather and then pull
out all the nails and hammer down all the nails
you can not pull so they won't make a hole
through the leather.
Then you take a piece of leather for the
soles and hammer about two nails around the
center and then cut around the leather, so it will
be shaped something like the shoes.
Next you put nails all around it. After all
the nails are in it you spoke shave it and then
file so as to make it smooth.
In fixing the heels you take off all the worn
parts and take out the nails. Then you take a
piece of leather and put on the heel and cut and
shave it. Then you file arcnnd it and black
the shoes. Daniel E. Smith.
Che Old Elm
The Old Elm grows near the east side of
the Main Building. It is the largest and oldest
tree on the Island.
There is a seat built around the tree
where the boys take great delight in sitting.
Many good times have been enjoyed around this
tree in the summer time.
Joseph C. Scarborough.
Drills
During the summer months the fellows are
divided up into two different military companies,
Co. A and Co. B. These companies are taught
the regulation army drills and calisthenics, and
every morning before breakfast, Co. A may be
seen going through these drills under the super-
vision of its general and the supervisor. At
night about 6:30 Co. B receives its drilling.
This company is composed mostly of the milk-
ers, steamer, dining-room and kitchen fellows
who are unable to be on time for the morning
exercises. Often this company has the drums
and bugle, with which to keep step, thus enabling
the boys to keep in better marching order. There
is a little rivalry felt between these two compan-
ies and each tries to excel the other in the per-
formance of the drills.
Besides the calisthenics and marching drills,
gun drills are practiced, and these gun drills are
liked better than either of the other two exercises.
In winter, the snow and ice prevent us from
using the playground as our drilling ground, and
the gymnasium is used for this purpose. As
the gymnasium is not very large, our space is
somewhat limited, and the exercises have to be
practiced on a smaller scale. These drills are
very helpful to us as physical exercises, and al-
so help us to give a better appearance on Friends'
Days, as we march to the Wharf to receive our
visitors.
On special occasions such as Alumni Day,
and sometimes on a Friends' Day, we give a
dress parade. The exhibitions are always well
received, and we feel that- our time has not
been wasted in the practice of these drills.
RoscoE Baird.
Cbc Beacon Chart
Every Friday each boy writes on some
topic for the "Beacon." The best articles are
sent to the office.
In each schoolroom there is a Beacon chart
with the names of all the boys in the room. If
a boy gets his article printed in the "Beacon"
he has a star placed after his name on the chart.
Arthur W. Gaunt.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
C^c Ouscrwtory
Near the southwest corner of our Island
Is the Observatory which was damaged by the
cyclone which passed over the Island August
7. 1918.
The deck of the Observatory was injured,
also the following instruments : an anemome-
ter which records the wind velocity, two wind
vanes, a zero setting rain gage, the thermome-
ter box , thermoscope , hypo-thermoscope , a
sunshine recorder , and aUo a maximum and
minimum thermometer.
The inside of the Observatory was not harm-
ed at all nor was the outside, except for the
above named.
The deck was built very strong and
rested on the roof. It has been through a 60
mile an hour gale without stirring in the least.
Had the storm lasted much longer the
danger might have been worse. The storm
lasted about 15 minutes, and was a typical west-
ern cyclone.
Some of the instruments h^ve been replac-
ed and the others will be as soon as possible.
Russell A. Adams.
morKing at tbe Scrfina Grounds
One day I was told to help another fellow
to pile wood over at the sorting grounds. We
went over and began to pile logs. First we got
the small ones and put them in one pile and
the larger ones in another pile. When we got
the logs piled we began piling blocking.
When we finished piling wood we were told
to get rakes and rake the large stones from the
gravel. When we finished we took a wheel-
barrow and wheeled all the large stones up to
the dike where we dumped them along the side
of it. Robert J. Giesf.
my Ddy'$ Ulork
In the morning at 7;00 o'clock Mr. Brown
gives me the job of doing the wash room, toilet
and assembly room. The first thing I do is to
■ sweepthefloor of the wash room and take care of
the dirt. Then I turn the hot water on in the sink
for about two minutes so as to scald it out good
and clean and next 1 wipe it down good and dry
and oil it. After that I empty the waste basket
and get a step ladder so I can prick the shower
and shine the brass. I get this done about 8:00
o'clock.
Then I sweep the floor of the toilet. After
that I take a pail of water with a little sulpho-
napthol and a broom and pour the water on the
floor and sweep it down into the drain. When
1 have this done I get a cioth and oil and wipe
down the slate slabs and shine the brass if it
needs it. 1 get this done about 10 o'clock.
I then sweep the Assembly room floor.
When I get it swept clean, I scrub the wash sink,
pick up the book cupboard and shoe blacking box.
Desmond Anderson.
Playing Tor the Red Cross
One day the band had the chance to play for
the Red Cross. Mr. Ellis, our leader, is the
leader of a boy's band of the Second Congrega-
tional church in Dorchester. They have an aud-
itorium where we played. We left here after
supper in the steamer and landed at the South
Boston Yacht Club. In front were six auto-
mobiles which carried us to our destination.
The concert opened by the Dorchester band
playing a few pieces, then Mr. Ellis and another
man played a cornet duet and our band played
a few pieces. We ended by both bands play-
ing a march and "The Star Spangled Banner."
Then the Dorchester boys escorted us to the base-
ment of their church where we had ice cream
and cake. Then we went back to the Point in
automobiles and then to the School feeling very
thankful for the fine time we had had.
Richard H. Hall.
Dismissal of the Cines
The boys form in line for work every morn
ing and noon. There are lines for the different
branches of work. There are shop, farm, sloyd,
house and dormitory lines. Each line is dis-
missed separately. Fellows who work in no par-
ticular place are assigned to work where needed.
The fellows pass to their work in an orderly way.
Waldo E. Libby.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
DoMtpso;i's IslarJ Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOI
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Vol. 22. No. 4. - - - - -August. 1918
Subscription Price - 50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
ACTING PRESIDENT
Richard M. Saltonstall
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles P. Curtis
TREASURER
Arthur Adams
1 35 Devonshire Street
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
Brookline, Mass.
MANAGERS
Melvin 0. Adams
GoRHAM Brooks
I. Tucker Burr
S. V. R. Crosby
George L. DeBlois
Malcolm Donald
Thomas J. Evans
Charles T. Gallagher
Robert H. Gardner, Jr.
N. Penrose Hallowell
Henry Jackson, M. D.
Charles E. Mason
Roger Pierce
Philip S. Sears
Francis Shaw
William S. Spaulding
Moses Williams, Jr.
Raplh B. Williams
Charles H. Bradley, Superintendent
The annual excursion of the graduating
class, over the historical route made famous by
Paul Revere, must bring a thrill to every gradu-
ate who is privileged to make this trip. Know-
ing, as we do, the unselfish impulse which
prompted this patriot to perform so great a service
for his country, we feel that the same lofty pur-
pose is again given living expression in the re'
sponse our boys have made in this great world war.
When the records of these boys have been
written they will stand in splendid testimony,
and serve to remind other pupils who will come
here, of their dedication to this just cause to
which our country is pledged. As the name,
Paul Revere, is a living vital memory, so shall
thoughts of our boys who are taking part in this
titanic struggle, inspire other graduates yet to be,
to vigorous allegiance with the sound principles
of right and justice.
But few years have passed since they were
here as boys; now they are "over there" and the
places they have left are filled by others here.
These, our students, are now travelling the same
paths over which others have passed. The same
struggles, the same achievements, the same plea-
sures, the same disappointments, have in turn
been experienced by those who have gone before,
and in those experiences, boys have become
men : men prepared to meet life's difficulties and
surmount them : men who did not flinch when the
final summons came, but with dauntless spirit
went on, putting their souls, minds and bodies in
one grand triune and contributed a full measure
in bringing freedom and hope to mankind.
Other schools have miade a splendid record
in this worlds' war and The Farm and Trades
School has given living testimony to its great
worth in the struggle: may the gifts she has
given and the sacrifices she has made be not in
vain, but may they stand forth in the full light of
a new day coming, as her contribution which
shall help to bring a just and lasting peace to
the nations of the 'earth.
Calendar
July 1. Third Friends' Day of the season.
Lieutenant W. H. Dickson, four years in
France, with Mr. W. H. Porter, visited the
School over night. Lieutenant Dickson gave
an interesting talk on his experiences.
July 2. George H. Barrus, ex '19, re-
turned to his mother.
Finished the drinking fountain between the
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Main Building and Gardner Hall,
July 3. The steamer "Pilgrim" hauled up
on blocks to have her winter sheathing taken off.
Sidney C. Varney, '17, left the School to work
as pressman in the job department of Courier
Citizen in Lowell, Mass. His address is 41
Humphrey Street, Lowell.
Mr. A. L. Dix, former instructor here,
visited the School.
July 4. Dr. W. B. Bancroft present with
his famous peanuts.
Usual celebration with water sports in the
forenoon, ard races en the playgrctrd ?nd en
Beach Road after dinner.
July 8. Eldred W. Allen, "16, training at
Fort Banks, Winlhrop, here for the afternoon.
Leslie M. Calkin, '18, left the School to
enter high school and to live with his parents at
154 Main Street, Milford, Mass.
July 10. A load of grain from Sumner
Crosby & Son, Inc., containing 1000 lbs cracked
corn and 20 bu. oats.
July 11 Mutual Boiler Insurance Co.
man here to examine steamer.
July 14. Appropriate exercises for the
holiday.
July 15. Began unloading year's coal
supply.
July 16. Load of cement and lime came.
Load of shaving came.
Veterinary here to see sick horse.
July 17. The court marked for tennis.
July 18. Launching of first submarine
chaser, the Delphy, from the Victory Plant.
A party from the School in the Pilgrim to see
same. Rest of School watched the launching
from South End.
July 19. LeRoy A. Parsons, '18, left to
live with his uncle in Washington, where he
will study with the intention of trying for An-
napolis. His address is Hotel Logan, Iowa
Circle, Washington, D. C.
July 20. Our manager. Dr. Henry Jackson,
visited the School.
Eldred W. Allen, '16, Howard F.
Lochrie, '16,. and Ellsworth F. Wilkins, '17,
here for over Sunday.
Mr. Arthur Bean, secretary of Phillips
Brooks House, Cambridge, and former instruc-
tor here, visited us over Sunday.
July 23. New cable booth at Squantum
being put up.
July 25. Blacksmith here to shoe horses.
Present of clams from one of our instruc-
tors in Maine.
July 27. Lawrence Cobb, '14, with his
mother here for the afternoon.
July 29. Fourth Friends' Day. 154
people visited the Island.
The Shaw Conduct and Temple Consolation
Prizes given out.
July 31. Man here from Walworth Mfg.
Co. in regard to the new steel flag pole.
Cbe ?drm and trades School Bank
Cash on hand July 1, 1918 $829.59
Deposited during the month $87.82
$917.41
$169.88
$747.53
Withdrawn during the month
Cash on hand August 1, 1918
July meteorology
Maximum temperature 94° on the 28th.
Minimum temperature 51° on the 10th.
Mean temperature for the month 67.16°.
Total precipitation 1.98 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours, . 1 1 inches
on the 14th and 18th.
9 days with .01 or more inches precipitat-
ion, 10 clear days, 18 partly cloudy; 2 cloudy
days.
Total number of hours sunshine, 1 60 and
15 minutes.
Cbe Tirst School Room
The first school room is situated in the
Main Building on the second floor.
It contains 34 seats, a teacher's desk, five
blackboards and a number of good pictures. The
room has 10 windows and five doors.
In the back of the room there is a book
case and one radiator. In the front of the room
there is a stand and fern, three plants on a shelf
near the window, a table and a radiator.
William T. Ma.rcus.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Care of Plants
The plants are placed in the court in the
summer, and are brought into the schoolroom
just as soon as cool weather comes. Most of
them are southern plants and they have to be
where it is warm.
Different fellows are appointed to take care
of the plants. Their duties are to keep them
well watered, dirt loosened around the plants,
and to keep them clean. That is, we have to
take off the dead leaves and blossoms.
Charles D. Smith.
Drift Ulooa
Drift wood comes to our Island from wharves,
vessels, saw mills, and other places. Almost
all of it is good to use.
We pick it up in wagons, and take it to the
South End where it is sorted. Some of the
wood is good enough to make things of. We
often find planks, logs, barrels, and boxes
Sometimes boats and rafts are washed ashore.
Wood that cannot be used for any other
purpose is sawed up and used in the bakery
oven. George J. Lennon.
lUftcrc the flag U Seen On Our Island
At a time like this the American Flag
should be visible in all parts of the United
States. The American Flag is always visible
on our Island.
On our Island the flag is seen on the main
flagpole, on Cottage Row, and in the Cottages.
In the chapel there are eight flags, the
American, English. French and Italian Flags, the
Massachusetts State Flag, the Union Jack, the
School Flag and cur Service Flag.
The American Flag may also be seen on the
steamer, launch, and in the two school rooms-
Donald B. Akerstrom.
I)OW T Clean a Room
The first thing I do when I clean a room
is to get the vacuum cleaner and then plug it in
a socket. I clean the mats, pictures, chairs and
radiators. When that is finished I pick up the
mats and put them in the next room.
Then I sweep the floor with a soft brush and
wash the floor, windows and white paint. After
that I put the mats down on the floor, put the
chairs in the right places, dust, and then my
work is all done.
Fred H. Fleet,
Kepairing Roads
Places in our roads have been washed away
and it is my work to repair them.
1 brush out these places and wet the bottom
so the clay will stick. Then 1 take clay and put
it in all the washed out places and tamp it hard,
I finish it with a shovel to give it a smooth sur-
face.
When gravel is put over this, it is impos-
ible to tell that any repairs have been made.
Franklin P. Miller.
School Gardens
The Gardens are situated northeast of the
Main Building, with a hedge on two sides.
Every fellow in the School who wants a
garden has one. Besides the fellows' gardens
there are 22 gardens called "School Gardens."
The School Gardens are under charge of
the supervisor. There are 90 gardens and all
the gardens together form a square. Every fell-
ow has a chance to have a garden and seeds to
put into it. Flowers are planted in the summer
time which make the place look very nice. The
boys who have the 10 best gardens receive prizes
for them.
Jean Guillemin.
Screening Jlsbes
One day the farm instructor told another boy
and me to go over to the Incinerator and screen
some hard coal ashes.
First we took some ashes and threw them
as far up towards the top of the screen as we
could. The fine ashes went down through the
screen on the ground. The coarse ashes slid
down on the other side. After we had a large
pile of coarse ashes we put them in a separate
pile. At about 4:50 o'clock we stopped and
got ready for supper.
Theodore B. Hadley.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Che Cayiiid of the new Cement lUalK
A new cement walk is being laid down
by the Wharf.
The first thing done was to dig a trench
about three feet wide, two and a half feet deep,
and the length of the Stone Wharf.
Then a mason and helper came. The
mason and the helper built some forms for the
concrete. One of the sides was straight and
the other slanting inward. They then filled them
with concrete, with stones sticking out of the
top. They put these form's on lop of the stones
so to make the cement finish level, for the
stones were lower than the ground.
There is a place between these forms that
is about two feet wide, and they had to fill it with
cinders. They used cinders because cinders do
not take the frost as easily as the dirt would.
The cinders had to be tamped down hard.
The carpenter then made some forms for
the cement finish. These forms were about
half a foot deep and made in the shape of an ob-
long. They then put in the cement and leveled
it off.
After the cement was hardened we had to
finish putting cinders into a space three quarters
of a foot wide, which we tamped down hard.
Raymond S. Metcalf.
Ulorklnd us Cow Cender
In the morning when 1 go down to the farm
Arthur Schaefer and I go out with the cows.
The first thing we do is to let the cows out
into the barnyard to drink. When they are
through drinking, we take them over to the corral.
About a half an hour afterwards a load of
corn stocks is brought to the cows. At half
past nine another load is brought.
At 10:30 we take the cows back to the
barnyard to drink and and wait until 1 :00 o'clock
when we take them out again to the corral and
wait until two o'clock, when another load comes
over for the cows. At 4:00 we take them back
to the barn, and at half .past four we stanchion
them, and sweep the floor and mangers. When
that is done, it is time for us to go up to the
house. John H Schippers.
mrum on the Corral Tencc
One afternoon at 1 :00 o'clock Mr. Brown
told Alfred Pickles and me to go down to the Shop
and report to Mr. Robertson. When we got
down there he gave Pickles the hammer and
nail box and he gave me a saw. He told us we
were going to work over at the corral, fixing the
fence.
When we got over there he looked the fence
over. It was in pretty bad shape near the gate.
First he sent Pickles over to the Shop to
get a sledge hammer While he was gone we
started to work on the gate. The gate was
broken so we had to fix it. We fixed the fence
as we went along.
Then at about 4:40 we started up to the
house. I like this work very much and hope
to be able to do it again.
Walter W. F. Mann.
mauing mallets
Recently 1 have been miking mallets on
the lathe. We make our mallets of maple with
oak handles. Our maple is 4 x 4 inches so we
make most of our mallets 3 and 1-2 inches indiam-
eter at the largest part, and 3 inches at the end
which is the smallest part. The hanalesare 13
inches in length and 1 inch in diameter at the
largest part. I am making six mallets of that
size and four smaller ones. The smaller ones
are 2 and 3-4 inches in diameter, tapering down
at the ends to 2 and 1-2 inches. These are 3
inches long with a handle in proportion.
Frank E. Woodman.
Crimmiug Cawns
One morning Mr. Ferguson assigned me to
work at trimming lawns.
We had already marked out with a line
where he wanted me to trim. After I had cut
the lawn, I had to rake all the grass into a pile,
separate the dirt from the grass, spread the dirt
around and put the grass into a bag and take it
down over the bank. After I had finished that
lawn I had to do another the same way.
Chester T. Smith
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbe fliumni flssociation of Cbe farm and trades School
William Alcott '84. President James H. Graham, 79, Vice-President
Everett Boston
Mbrton p. Ellis. '99. Secretary
■25 Rockdale Street, Mattapan
Richard Bell, '73, Treasurer
Dorchester
Henry A. Fox. '79. Vice-President
Allston
Alfred C Mslm. '00, Historian
Melrose
Edric B. Blakemore, '12, July 8, 1918,
Battery D, 71st Reg., C. A. C, Fort Andrews.
Mass.
Fred J. Colson, '81, July, 1918, U.S.S.
Connecticut, care of New York Postmaster.
Charles A. Blatchford, '04, July 8, 1 9 1 8,
City Sales Commissary Depot at 12th E. 5. W.
Washington, D. C, Quartermasters Division,
U. S. Army.
Harry L. Fessenden, '14, July 2, 1918,
Co C, 33 1st Brigade.Tank Corps, Gettysburg, Pa,
Daniel W. Laighton, '01, July 2, 1918,
4th H. M. 0. R. S., 2nd Regiment, Camp Han-
cock, Augusta, Ga.
Carl D. P. Hynes, '14, Chief Yeoman,
U. S. S. Torpedo Testing Barge, No 2, Newport,
R. 1.
Benjamin L. Murphy, '15, July 10, 1918,
Casual Co 1 , Tank Corps, Camp Colt, Gettys-
burg, Pa.
Rats On Our Island
There are many rats on our Island. They
are generally brown in color. Their fur is very
soft and their tails are scaly. They have bright
eyes and large ears.
Rats find their way everywhere. They
gnaw and burrow through almost all obstacles.
They can run, jump, climb, and swim. They
live on anything they can get, in the line of
food. They are very fond of corn. Their
sense of smell and hearing are well developed.
Rats do much damage by their burrrowing,
by gnawing things and by eating food which they
are not supposed to touch. They sometimes
kill poultry.
Rats dig holes large enough for them to
get into. Sometimes the holes are three or
more feet long and have two entrances.
It is fun to go "ratting". The rats are
sometimes driven out of their holes by water,
smoke or gas. Rats usually die in the holes
when gas is forced into them.
Luke W. B. HaifyarDv
Baling Paper
in the morning before school I go down to
the basement of Gardner Hall and bale oaper.
I put the cardboard in one barrel and the
paper in another. Then 1 make a bale of paper.
When I have a full bale I put wires around it to
keep it together and put it to one side. Then 1
put all the cardboard in the baler and bale that.
Then 1 sweep the floor, put the barrels in order
and go to school. Osmond W. Bursiel,
my Ufork in the Dining Koom
In the morning before breakfast 1 go into
the dining room and cut the bread and help to
put on either the milk or cocoa. After break-
fast I run the boys' dishes through the dish
washer. After I have finished that and taken
care of the dishes, I go ahead with the instruc-
tors' dishes, as they are up by that time. After {
have run the instructors' dishes through I am
ready to scrub the floor.
Some days I scrub all the morning. Other
days after 1 have scrubbed a while I do such work
as washing windows, lights, scrubbing pails, etc-
Heman a. Landers-.
Vol. 22. -! ^°" f Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. September \ ^jg
( " 6 October \
Entered November 23. 1903. at Boston. Mass. as S^cond-c'ass matter, under Act of Congress of July 16, 1894.
B mw Cable
One afternoon Mr. Bradley came out at
1:00 o'clock to speak to the fellows and he said
that he was going to have a new submarine cable
laid between the South End of the Island and
Squantum.
He then told us to go over to the South
End and wait for him. When he got there, he
went over to Squantum to talk with the elec-
tricians. A small wire was passed over to the
Island and strung through a pulley, which was
hitched to a telephone pole. One end was
hitched to an auto truck which was at Squantum
and the other end was hitched to the cable
which was also at Squantum. The cable was
then slowly pulled across the channel and up to
the cable booth. The tide which was coming
in became so high that the work had to stop.
The next afternoon we went again and the
fellows pulled the cable over further until there
was enough cable to reach the new cable booth.
Then some of the fellows went over to Squantum
with picks and shovels and dug a ditch about two
feet wideand one and onehalf feet deep, into which
the cable was put and covered over with sand.
Then the fellows came back and we all started
digging another ditch from the water up to the
cable booth on our side, and then it was cover-
ed over. It took about two afternoons to bury
the cable. After it was buried, stakes were
driven into the ground about one hundred feet
apart so as to show where the cable was buried.
The ends were then put into the new cable
booths on both sides and attached to the tele-
phones, Charles F. Weymouth.
Our 6amc$
In the afternoon, when I am excused from
my work in the dining room, my play time begins.
In the summer we play baseball, tag, run a mile,
and many other games.
In the fall we play foot ball and play tag on the
rings in the gymnasium. Generally, there are not
enough fellows to make two whole teams for foot
ball, so we choose up sides. One fellow tosses up
a coin of some kind, while one fellow calls "heads
or tails." The fellow that gets two out of three
gets first pick of the men. There is a center and
two back fielders on each team. The rest are
in the line.
Playing tag on the rings is a good game.
There are three rings, the middle ring is for the
one that is "it," the other two are for two other
fellows who are trying to keep away from him,
yet they have to swing. If the middle fellow
tags or catches the other fellow or the ring, the
boy that had the ring is "it."
In the winter we play basketball, skate,
coast, have snowball battles and play "Fox and
Geese. Robert E. Nichols.
Screening 6ravcl
One day Mr. Brown told some other boys
and me to go over to North End and screen
gravel. When we got over there we found the
tide was low enough for us to get the gravel.
We had four barrels by 10 o'clock and as
there were no more barrels over there, we came
up to the House.
That was my morning's work and I liked it
very much. Joseph C. Scarborough.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
CaKing out Library Books
Every Wednesday and Sunday the boys who
want Hbrary books go up to the Chapel. One of the
instructors has charge of the books. The in-
structor has two boys at her desk to help her.
First she takes the books that were taken out and
writes the number in a small book and crosses
out the number on the boy's card and gives it
back to him. Then he goes over to the book
cupboard and picks out the book he wants, shows
it to the boy in charge and then to the instructor
who writes the number in her book.
Daniel E. Smith.
my Ulork for m Jirrcrnoon
One afternoon another fellow and I were
assigned to haul gravel.
We first went down to the barn, got a horse,
harnessed her, took her down into the barnyard
and hitched her to a cart. We then went down
on the beach and started shoveling in gravel.
The middle of Back Road had been washed
out, and every time we got a load of gravel shovel-
ed in. the other fellow took the team up there
and dumped it.
After we had about four loads shovel-
ed on, taken up and dumped, a boy came
down and told us to get a dozen bags of cement
and take them up to the flag pole. After we
finished that, we put up the team and the other
fellow went to play baseball, and I went into
the Laundry. Raymond S. Metcalf.
mild DUCKS
There are many wild ducks on our shore
all the year round. There are more of them
than usual this year because there has been a
law passed forbidding the shooting of wild ducks.
Sometimes the east shore is almost black
with them. We feed the ducks in the winter
time when it is hard for them to get food. Corn
is scattered along the shore for them.
Sometimes they make much noise, espec-
ially when they are frightened. They sound
something like hens cackling.
Chester T. Smith.
Cbe Band
Mr. Ellis is our band leader and comes over
from the city almost every Friday night to drill
the boys.
Usually on Frioay night and Saturday
morning the old band goes out to practice.
There are cornets, clarinets, trombones,
baritone, alto, tenor horns, basses, drums, and
cymbals.
When a fellow makes a mistake in playing
a piece, Mr Ellis stops the band and plays with
him until he gets his part learned.
Robert J. Giese.
my UlorR Tn Cbc Poultry l)Ou$c
1 think the poultry house is the best place
to work. In the morning I feed and water the
hens. At night I feed the hens ag^in and
collect the eggs.
There are six pens. Some are allowed a
half a quart, some pens one quart, according to
the number of hens they contain. When 1 finish
my work I bring the eggs to the house.
Charles D. Smith.
Cicaning Carriages
September 24 Mr. Brown told me to help
Wallace Bacon. He told me to go down to the
Barn. When I got down there 1 was told to get
a brush to clean the cushions on the buggy.
When I finished that he told me to get some
cloths and do the wood work. When I finished
that he looked it over and by that time we were
all through for the morning for the bell was ring-
ing. Harry W. Gould.
maRing Carrot marmalade
To make carrot marmalade you take about
three pounds of carrots, scrape them clean and
grind them. Then you get a few lemons, take
the seeds out and cook the lemons and carrots.
When that is ready you put seven pounds of
sugar in with the carrots and put the lemons,
carrots and sugar together. Next you let them
boil. When it is cooked, you put it in cans and
the carrot marmalade is ready.
Willis M. Smith.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
milking
We get up at five o'clock in the morning
to milk the cows. When we come down
stairs we wash up, get our milk pails and go
down to the barn.
There are five of us fellows who do the
milking, and there is also one milk carrier.
There are 19 cows that we have to milk
now. We have them divided up, three cows
apiece for four of us and four cows for the fifth
fellow.
We weigh the milk and write the weight
down on a milk sheet which has the number
of the cow, name of the milker and the date.
We have to milk at 5:00 o'clock at night as
well as in the morning. It takes about 35 min-
utes to milk all the ccws. Then we feed the
cows and sweep the barn floor. 1 like to milk
and have three good cows to milk.
Wallace A. Bacon.
making 1)a$b
One morning Miss Longley said we were to
have hash for dinner the next day. So we had
to pare enough potatoes for it.
The next morning when 1 came out from
breakfast 1 was told to put the potatoes in the
perforated baskets and then put them in the
steam cooker.
While the potatoes were cooking, 1 had to
grind some meat for the hash. When I got
that done, the potatoes were cooked. 1 got a
tank and a masher. Then 1 took a basket of
potatoes and mashed them in the tank, sprinkling
in a little meat now and then.
After all the meat yas put in and the
potatoes mashed, 1 began to mix it. 1 put in
a half a cup of salt and a little milk to moisten
it. Then it was put in pans to be baked.
At 11:15 it was taken into the Dining
Room. Hhnry C. Lowell.
mv UlorK Before Scbool
Every day before school 1 clean the
Assembly room. 1 pick up the clothes around the
room, sweep the floor and the tower and tidy the
book cupboard, the shoe box and clean out the sink.
Arthur W. Gaunt.
Doctorind a €ow
One day a cow got a nail in one of her
feet. After the doctor had taken it out, 1 had
to help Mr. Brown fix her up each day for about
a week.
The way we did this was first to put on a
halter, then a rope from the halter with two half
hitches around her body. Upon pulling the other
end of the rope the cow would fall down. Then 1
would hold on to her head and hold her down
while Mr. Brown bathed the foot and put on a
flaxseed poultice. Often Mr. Brown would strike
a tender spot and the cow would try to get
up. In this way 1 had many a good fight.
Warren F. Noyes.
KaUiitd tbe front JlVJenwe
There are two avenues on our Island, the
Front and the Rear Avenues. It was my work
one afternoon before school to rake the Front
Avenue. While raking it, 1 took care to keep
the gravel out of the gutters on both sides of the
avenue. Then 1 got a bag and picked up all the
stones that could not go through a quarter inch
gravel screen. As 1 had plenty of time, 1 dug
the weeds and various other things out of the
gutters which improved the looks of the avenue.
I liked this work very much.
Glenn R. Furbush.
CDe Old 6ray Owl
A large gray owl lives all alone on our Island.
He stays with us all the year around.
In color he is light gray with black spots
and is about three feet wide with his wings out-
stretched. His body is about two feet long and
his head is about as large as a cocoanut. His
eyes are dark yellow, and his beak is short,
hooked and sharp. He flies lightly with very
little noise.
The owl is very quiet in the day time be-
cause he cannot see very well. He hunts for
his food in the dark.
His food consists of rats, dead fish which
he finds on the beach, and smaller birds.
John Goodhue, Jr.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cboi!tp$on'$ Tsiand Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Vol. 22. No. 5 & 6, September, October, 1918
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
ACTING PRESIDENT
Richard M. Saltonstall
vice president
Charles P. Curtis
TREASURER
Arthur Adams
135 Devonshire Street
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
Brookline, Mass.
managers
MeuV'n O. Adams
I. Tucker Burr
S. V. R. Crosby
George L. DeBlois
Malcolm Donald
Thomas J. Evans
Charles T. Gallagher
Robert H. Gardiner, Jr.
N. Penrose Hallowell
Henry Jackson, M. D.
Charles E. Mason
Roger Pierce
Philip S. Sears
Francis Shaw
William S. Spaulding
Moses Williams, Jr.
Ralph B. Williams
Charles H. Bradley, Superintendent
How often have we admired the quiet ease
with which a team of well broken horses moves
a heavily loaded wagon. What strength, what
suppleness, what purposeful endeavor is there
represented. In them the joy of accomplishment
finds expression in an harmonious unison of ef-
fort till the task is finished. Then consider the
wasted strength and mis- directed effort of the
badly broken animal : here we have no defin-
ite aim, no concentration of effort, nothing but
a display of wilful inefficiency.
The animals first mentioned, trained and
able, inspire a feeling of confidence, while the
latter bring only a feeling of contempt, scarce
tempered with pity. There is a lesson to be
learned in the preceeding comparison, a lesson
which should demand the careful attention of
educators and those being educated. The world
is a vast storehouse of knowledge: much that
is good, some that is bad: it is the function of
the educator to select and present in classified
order the essential information needed by the
student. With the body well nourished and the
mind stored with useful knowledge, the way to
success is open.
The boy at The Farm and Trades School
finds an environment filled with opportunity to
learn about many useful activities that will have
a vital influence upon him. Here he can acquire
the training and knowledge which will serve him
well ; here are taught, among many other useful
subjects, the sound principles of good citizenship,
and the foundation is laid for a life of worthy
achievement. Each day brings some new idea,
some valued experience, some lesson learned,
and as the days pass by, each bringing its useful
lesson, the time soon arrives when the boy will
claim his right to complete citizenship.
The measure of his success is indicated by
the manner in which he accomplishes each task
in life's journey. His training has taught him
to avoid wasting efforts in an aimless manner.
The joy of accomplishment should be his and
the goal of life attained through persistent appli-
cation of the lessons he has learned. In traveling
this road his interests must be consistent with the
interests of others: a journey along which all
are seeking the universal good, and at the com-
pletion of the journey, he has left a highway more
clearly defined and easier for travel by the citi-
zens of the world.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Calendar
August 2. Treasurer Arthur Adams visit-
ed the School.
August 3. Mr. F. Clifford Shaw visited
the Island.
August 6. Ernest V. Wyatt, '13, left to
take a position as second officer on a ship.
August 7. Managers, George L. DeBlcis
and Ralph L. '^illian'iS visited the School.
Plumber here.
A. L. Curado here to instruct in basketry.
Terrific cyclone which did considerable
damage.
Mr. Arthur Jacobs passed the night here.
August 8. Captain A. L. Dix visited the
School in afternoon.
Gordon H. Cameron, '18, left the School to
attend high school.
August 9, Clifford G. Leonard, ' 1 6, visited
the School over Sunday.
August 10. William Barry Dean, '13,
visited the School.
Twenty-five white leghorn pullets came.
Emerson S. Gould, '16, and Theodore J.
Gould, '15, visited the School.
Weston S. Gould, '18, left the School to
attend high school.
Hoisted new flag pole,
August 11. Mr. Eben W. Gaynor and
Mr. James A. Glass spent the day at the School.
August 13. George -B. McLeod, '17, left
to take a position in a machine shop.
Tested cows for tuberculosis.
Howard B. Ellis, '98, here with three men
repairing roof.
Set up cable booth at South End, weight
1 175 pounds
August 16. George Buchan, "97, visited
the School over Sunday.
August 17. Leslie E. Russell, "17, and
Carl H. Collins, '17, visited the School.
August 18. Mr. Bradley took a trip to
Beverley to see Major P. S. Sears, our manager.
August 19. Four cows and a bull sold to
Sturtevant and Haley, Beef & Supply Co.,
Somerville, Mass.
August 20. Launch taken to George
Lawley & Co. for repairs.
August 21. Norman R Wyatt, ' 16, visit-
ed the School.
August 23. Walter Lind, ex '19, left the
School.
August 27. Fifth Friend's Day. 190
present.
August 31. Leslie M. Calkin, '18, Rupert
F. Calkin, '18, William B. Cross, '17, Donald
S. MacPherson, '17, and Wesley C. Angell,
'17, visited the School over Sunday and Labor
Day.
September 6. Veterinarian and black-
smith here.
September 6. Tested out telephone cable
and connected instruments in cable booths.
Septem.ber 6. Mr. E. C. Britton here to
inspect bees.
September 7. Gordon K. Aborn, ex '21,
left the School.
September 10. Naval men inspected the
Island for a possible camp site.
Located Island telephone lines both New
England and private. New wiring fur private
line.
September 11. Mr. Arthur Jacobs spent
night here.
September 12. Byron E. Collins, '15.
visited the School.
September 14. Herbert L. Dudley, '16,
and Robert E. Dudley, '16, visited the School in
the afternoon.
Joseph T. Gould, '18, left the School to at-
tend Tilton Academy.
September 19. Alton P. Bray, '18, and
Lawrence G. Bray, ex '21 , left the School, Alton
to attend high school. *
H. R. Farwell, '82, visited the School.
September 23. Notice postponing Visiting
Day on account of the Spanish Influenza sent
out.
September 25. A load of shavings came.
Victor H. Muse, '17, left the School to take
a position.
Herbert S .Tibbetts, ex '2 1 . left the School.
September 28. Captain A. L. Dix here
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
for the day.
James R. Gregory, '10, died of the Spanish
Influenza.
September 30. Load of lumber came.
Cbc Jum and trades School Bank
Cash on hand August 1, 1918 $747.53
Deposited during the month $38.73
$786.26
Withdrawn during the month $64.97
Cash on hand September 1, 1918 $721.29
Deposited during the month $37.34
$758.63
\Vithdrawn during the month $21.13
Cash on hand October 1, 1918 $737.50
mmt lUcteorolcgv
Maximum temperature 96° on the 14th
Minimui.i temperature 54° on the 22nd.
28th, and 29th.
Mean temperature for the month 71.22°.
Total precipitation 1.11 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours, .56 inches
on "the 9th
Four days with .01 or more inches precip-
itation, 15 clear days, 16 partly cloudy, 0 cloudy
days.
Total number of hours sunshine, 175.
September meteorology
Maximum temperature 98° on the 3rd.
Minimum temperature 43° on the 24th,
26th, and 30th.
Mean temperature for the month 59.67°.
Total precipitaion 1.74 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours .50 on
the 13th.
Six days with .01 or more inches precipi-
tation, 6 clear days, 20 partly cloudy, 4 cloudy
days.
Total number of hours sunshine, 153 and
15 minutes.
Caring Tor Cbe dorses
There are seven horses here and they
require two of us boys to care for them.
The work to be done is as follows : clean
the stalls, put down fresh bedding, water the
horses and feed them hay and grain. If some
horses come in after 5:00 o'clock it is our duty
to take care of the harness, and let the other
fello.v go to supper.
Both fellows try to see who can clean his
horses the better. At 5:45 P. M. the grain is
fed and then we get ready to go up to the house
for supper.
If there is any freight at the Wharf the in-
structor tells us what horse to take and we get
the freight and put it where it belongs. If we do
not get this done early enough for supper, a fellcw
who has had supper takes care of the team.
At 7:15 P. M. I go down to the barn and
water the horses and shut off the water.
Russell A. Adams.
Cuttind 6la$$ for the Corner Cigbts
One morning I was assigned to fix the cor-
ner lights. I went down to the paint shop, put
on my jumper and took a ruler and a step ladder
with me. Then I went around the Main Build-
ing to find the broken panes of glass.
The first light 1 stopped at had a piece
broken out of the door. I took the dimensions,
then I went back into the paint shop, and cut a
piece of glass to fit it. It was in the shape of a
trapezoid, the wide part going to the top of
the door.
I went around the next corner and found
that the bottom piece was gone.
I fitted 12 panes of glass that morning and
did some other work in the paint shop.
Alexis L. Guillemin.
Kitchen Ulork
At 5:00 o'clock in the morning I get up
and work in the kitchen. I usually grind coffee,
make the cocoa and take the milk into the
dining room.
When I make cocoa, I get a big pan and
put in one and a half quarts of cocoa and three
and a half quarts of sugar. Then I put in one
quart of hot water and stir it. Then I take this
and two or three cans of milk into the dining
room where the cocoa is made. Next I wash
the milk cans and sterilize them.
Eric O. Schippers.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Our new flag Pole
Just lately a new steel flag pole has been
erected. It is 75 feet high.
The way the new flag pole was put up is
as follows. A wooden pole was erected beside
the temporary flag pole and a block and tackle
were fastened to these two poles and to the new
flag pole. Then all the fellows got hold of the
rope and pulled the flag pole up. The new flag
pole was then lashed to the two wooden poles
while it was being straightened. After this was
done there was a form made, so there could be
a concrete base put in. The base was made
about four feet high.
James A. Carson.
the Down Stairs Dinind Room
Every morning after 1 get up and wash 1 go
into the dining room and ask the instructor what
the breakfast is to be so I can take the dishes
that I need, up into the kitchen. After 1 take
up the dishes 1 go in the dining room and have
some breakfast and then 1 go out into the wash-
room and wash my hands.
Then I go into the kitchen and take down
the food and wait on table. When the people
get through eating, 1 take what food there is left
up to the kitchen and the soiled dishes up to the
boys' dining room to be washed. The dishes
that have no handles go through the dishwasher.
The dishes that have handles and the glasses
and silver ware 1 have to wash by hand.
After the dishes are all washed up stairs I
go down stairs and crumb the table, sweep
the floor and set the table for dinner. Then
1 sueep the halls and scrub the floor matting
and then 1 am through down stairs. 1 next
scrub in the boys' dining room until it is time
to take up dishes for dinner, and then [ have
my dinner.
Arthur J. Schaefer.
trees On Our Island
We have many different kinds of trees on
our Island.
In French Grove there are pine and birch
trees. In Bowditch Grove there are pine, spruce,
cak, maple and elm trees.
On the Front Lawn there are elm, maple
birch, acacia and horse-chestnut trees.
The Old Elm in the back yard is a favorite
tree. It is about 77 years old. The boys have
a great many good times around it in the sum-
mer time. Two lights are attached to it so
that the boys can read there in warm weather.
George J. Lennon.
Crimmins trees
One afternoon Mr Bradley came into the
back store room and told me to get a pruning
saw and hatchet.
We went to the tree opposite the hitching
post and Mr. Bradley marked with the hatchet
the limbs which he wished cut, He left me
and came back about 4:00 o'clock and told me
to saw off all the limbs he marked with the
hatchet. 1 did quite a few that afternoon. The
next afternoon, with the same implements I fin-
ished what I did not do the afternoon before.
When I had all the limbs cut off I got some
black paint and painted over the wounds.
1 liked the work very much because it gave
me good climbing exercise.
Nicholas M. Suarez, Jr.
tbe Trame Ulork of the Corn Barn
The first thing to do was to build forms for
cement posts and then make the posts. After
that was done the floor timbers were put up
which were of hard pine, four by eight, 30 feet
long.
When the floor timbers were all in, the side
posts were put up, one in each corner and two in
between on the side. The sides are not straight
but are a foot wider at the top than at the bot-
tom. The next thing to do was to put up a stag-
ing and put the timbers on the top of the side
posts. After that was done the corners were all
braced.
The next thing was to put up the roof.
The rafters were all cut the length and bevel
wanted and were put about two feet apart and
nailed. The next thing o do was to put on the
boards.
Clifton H, Sears.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbe fllumni flssoclation of Che farm and Cradcs School
William Alcdtt '84, President
Everett
Merton p. Ellis, '99, Secretary
2.5 Rockdale Street, Mattapan
James H. Graham, 79, Vice-President
Boston
Richard Bell, '73, Treasurer
Dorchester
Henry A. Fox, '79, Vice-President
Allston
Alfred C MaLM, '00, Historian
Melrose
Joseph A. Colscn, '83, who lives at 80
Bellevue Ave., Winthrop, and is one of our best
graduate musicians, has received word from
France that his son, Melvin E. Colson, has
been commissioned a second lieutenant. He is'
with the Machine Gun Battalion of the 101st
Infantry.
August 4, 1918.
On Active Service.
Mr Charles H. Bradley,
My Dear Friend : -
Surely it will interest you to know that one
of your boys led a platoon in this last drive in
the Chateau Thierry sector and the pace was
sure fast for it seemed as though we'd never
catch up to Jerry. His "To the rear march"
must have been done on the double time, how-
ever, Hun machine gun and shrapnel raised hell
in the ranks and took not a few officers. How-
ever, the advance was wonderful and being with
the regulars I sure saw the results of wonderful
discipline. We've got it and the Boche haven't
a chance. As a result of my platoon's work I
understand that I am on the list for promotion.
Not so bad a record. Private last August 9th,
Corporal in November, Sergeant in December,
Officer's Training School from January 5th to
April 22nd. Two months. May and June, on
the front in Belgium asa Sergeant, commission-
ed on the front and sent to fill a vacancy on the
attacking front with our shock troops, the best
division in France, the Third.
Our Mottos "Never Retreat" "Hold at any
cost" "Ask no quarter, give none," Our boys
have a host of thrilling stories and I have not a
few myself, for I more than emptied my auto-
matic in the air. Wonderful lads. Uncle Sam's
and 1 love 'em.
Hoping to hear from you soon, I am
Sincerely,
Lieut. Frederick J. Wilson.
Co G, 7th Reg A. E. F., France.
Frank S. Mills, ex '12, is working for the
Mohawk Cadillac Garage, 38 Hope Street,
Greenfield, Mass. His mother and sister both
live in Westfield, Mass.
France, August 1, 1918.
Dear Mr. Bradley:
It has been quite a long time since 1 last
wrote to you. We have been so busy lately that
writing has been out of the question altogether.
I am always on the watch for the Beacon when
the nnail comes in but it hasn't come lately.
We have had only one lot of mail in nearly tuo
months.
By the time this letter reaches you, 1 guess
you will have read all about the fighting in the
papers. There has been some hard fighting,
too, but there is not a German alive that can
break the spirit of the American troops. When
one of our comrades falls the rest only fight all
the harder, and the F. T. S. is right in the
middle of all the scraps. The first three days
we went over the top four times and after we
were going for a few minutes "Fritz" didn't stop
to shake hands. I lost all of my squad the first
time we went over. They were a fine lot of fellows
and 1 hated to lose them. I got mine the fourth
time that we went over and I am thankful that
1 am still alive. When I got to the hospital the
first person I met was Edmund Bemis. He is
just as full of fun as ever. He told me that
Victor Gordon was in the band. He is playing
the same instrument that he played in the school
band, the clarinet. I hope he makes good.
Well, I think I have written enough for just
now. Please remember me to all the fellows and
instructors. Wishing you and Mrs. Bradley the.
best of luck and hoping to hear from you soon
I remain
Your old pupil
Corp. William Cowley,
Co A, 104th Inf. Brig. Div. A. E, F., France,
Vol. 22
( Nc
No. 7
^ ^ -no r-> »jr November) ,_,,o
Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. Q^^g^ggj^ r 1918
Entered November 23. 1903, at Boston. Mass. as Second-class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16. 1894.
ChanR$9ii)in9 Day
Thanksgiving morning for breakfast we had
coffee, biscuits and butter. After breakfast
when all the necessary work was done, everybody
was allowed to go to play anything they wished.
It had been the custom every year to have
two games of football, one in the morning be-
tween the smaller fellows, the two teams being
called Harvard and Yale and another in the after-
noon between ihe bigger fellows, the two teams
being called Harvard and Yale. This year there
were no games on account of fellows just getting
over the Influenza.
For dinner each table had a turkey, (six
fellows at a table) mashed potatoes, gravy,
squash, dressing, nuts, raisins, apples, oranges,
mince pie and cranberry sauce. We all en-
joyed the dinner very much.
In the afternoon there was two games of
basketball, two fellows choosing up each time, and
the fellows who did not play in the first game
played in the second game, if they wished to.
In the evening we had motion pictures and we
were all given chocolates. After the pictures
we went to bed after having a good time.
Heman a. Landers.
1>aulin9 up tbc Swimmind Tloat
After the swimming season is over, it is the
job of the steamer fellows to haul up the swimming
float. The swimming season being over, I asked
Mr. Bradley's permission to haul up the float and
he said it was all right to begin as soon as we
could.
Then at high tide we towed the float around
the Wharf with one of the row boats and fastened
it with lines in the position we wished to have it.
We then blocked up the end that was in the
water, so that when the tide fell we should not
have to jack up the float.
The beach was cleaned and made as true
as possible for some planks to rest upon. These
planks were laid in double rows on both sides of
the float. Rolls were then fetched from the
Storage Barn and placed under the float across
the planks.
A bridle was made from a rope and a block
and tackle attached to it. The other end of the
rope was fastened to the winch and the float was
lowered to the rolls. When this was done a bey
began to turn the winch: the rope tightened, the
float quivered and began to move slowly, i^sit
was moving forward we kept replacing the rolls
and planks. After the float was up in the position
wanted, it was blocked up, so the ice and snow
would not cause the timbers to rot. When we
had taken care of the planks and rolls we cleaned
up around the float. We were then through
with it till next spring when it will be put in the
water for another swimming season, which I hope
comes very soon. John A. Robertson.
Usually I feed the pigs. The pigs at th?
old barn are fed swill, and if there is no swill we
feed them grain. There are eight large pigs and
eight small ones over at the South End pig pens.
I feed the large pigs grain in the morning and
corn at noon and night. 1 feed the small pigs grair
in the morning and at night. 1 like to fefc
the pigs. George J. Lennon.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
1)allowc'en
A short time before Hallowe'en I was
asked to take part in the entertainment, which
was to be that evening. 1 said I should like to,
so I was told that another fellow and 1 were to
represent the "Gold Dust Twins." We were
made skirts of gold colored cloth and little black
tights to wear.
Hallowe'en we went up to the Office to
dress for the entertainment. ^Vhen dressed, we
were blacked with burnt cork. Then, while the
other fellows were lined up in the Assembly
Room, we took a round-about way to the Gymna-
sium where the entertainment was to be held and
took our places. When the other fellows came
the "Sleepy Hollow Orchestra" played a few
selections. This orchestra, which was com-
posed of about 10 fellows dressed as Charlie
Chaplin, Huckleberry Finn, Italians, a Jew,
a farmer, a Mexican and a colored station agent,
played upon combs, tin pans, drums, etc.
There was also one fellow who took the
part of a clown and another was dressed up as a
girl. Two of the instructors told fortunes, one
was dressed up as an Indian the other was a
Gypsy.
The Gymnasium was decorated with stream-
ers of black and orange crepe paper, jack o'lan-
terns, black cats and witches, There was a
booth where the following refreshment were for
sale :
PIE OF MYSTERY $5.00
DRINK OF EVIL SPIRIT 1.00
PEANUTS, ROASTED WITH THE KAISZR .25
CIRCLES OF SATAN .10
FRUIT OF FATE .05
PICK'-ES, NOT ALFRED .01
The fellows had all been supplied with toy
money sufficient to purchase any refreshments
they might desire. We all had a pleasant time
and wish to thank the instructors who made it
possible for us to spend such a pleasant evening.
William T. Marcus.
Oetting I)ay
One morning we were told that we were to
go over to City Point to get a load of hay. We got
the scow, John Alden, alongside the steamer and
made her fast. Then some fellows came down
from the farm and we left the 'Island about 9:00
o'clock and went to City Point. When we got
there the hay had not arrived. We had to wait
about 15 minutes when two double team loads
came. We loaded the hay on the scow but
before we got it all loaded, three single loads
came. It was quite easy work loading the hay,
because we had a skid to slide the bales from
the wagons down to the scow.
In about an hour and a half we had loaded
the 214 bales which weighed 15 tons all to-
gether. The bales were piled up and about ten
put above the deck of the scow. We had
about eighteen inches freeboard on the scow on
the way back to the Island. When we got back
it was about 10:45 o'clock. We then started
to unload it and kept up unloading until the
bell rang at 11:15. Then we went up to the
House for dinner. It was the largest load that I
have ever seen on the scow. We finished un-
loading that afternoon.
Ralph L. Langille.
makiitd Christmas Presents
Every noon and night during our play time
some fellows go down to the Sloyd Room and
make Christmas presents. 1 am making a paper
knife for my mother. I am making it out of
maple and the piece of wood is about 10 and one
half inches long, one and a half inches wide and
three eights of an inch thick. First I planed it
down until it was a quarter of an inch thick and
one inch wide. Next I cut the length to len
inches. Then at one end of the piece of wood
I measured one sixteenth of an inch down on
both sides and drew a curve up to the center.
This formed one end of the handle. I sawed
along the line, then 1 took a round file and filed two
little grooves, one on each side of the wood, three
and a half inches from the top. This marks the
other end of the handle. The rest of the wood
is planed and shaped for the blade. When this
is done the paper knife is ready to be sand-
papered and shellacked.
Frank H. H. Mann.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbc Potato Digger
This year the School was given a new ma-
chine, a potato digger, which is a great saving
as it does not cut any of the potatoes.
The potato digger is drawn by four horses.
At first we tried them four abreast, then, as they
stepped on the hills of potatoes, we put them two
abreast and used two pairs.
1 have been driving ihe leading pair while
the instructor drives the other pair and attends
to the levers and gears.
The potato digger hasTour wheels, two main
wheels, which are about three feet in diameter^
and two smaller ones about one foot in diameter
down by the eveners.
The way the potatoes are dug is by a large
piece of solid steel shaped like an arro\v which
runs under the hills and throws all the potatoes,
dirt and weeds, on to a revolving bottom which
sifts all the dirt out and carries the potatoes
and weeds along. The potatoes drop off behind and
the weeds are thrown off to one side. 1 think this is
the most interesting farm machine we have and
1 like very much to run it.
Warren F. Noyes.
makind Bins for the £orn Barn
The first thing 1 did in making bins for the
corn barn was to cut and nail 18 pieces, 2 by 3
spruce for floor pieces, as there v/as to be a space
of a foot between the floor and the bottom of the
bin.
The boards were then placed on the two by ■
three pieces at the bottom of the bin and spaced
about three quarters cf an inch apart, the boards
being seven inches wide and seven eights of an
inch thick, planed on one side.
The iDottom of the bin is about two feet
wide and' the top .about three feet. Three
boards were laid on the floor and eight boards
on the side of the bin, spaced about three quart-
ers of ah inch. The back side of the bin was
the outside wall of the corn barn.,_
There are' two of these, bins. They are
lengthwise with the barn,- .which is about '30
feet long.-' ■=?■; ,,. .|,.,
In the middle of each bin, is an op'ening so
that anybody can get inside of the bin by remov-
ing the boards. The opening is about four feet
wide and the boards can be moved up and down.
Clifton H. Sears.
making €ake
One morning in the kitchen I had the
privilege of making a cake. The cake was
named Boston Favorite.
The first thing I did was to cream two
thirds of a cup cf butter and add two thirds of a
cup of sugar. After that was stirred, 1 added
one cupl^i milk and stirred again. Next I sepa-
rated four\ggs and beat up the yolks and added
them to the milk, sugar and butter. Then I
added three cups and a half of flour, five spoons-
ful of baking powder and one half of a teaspoon
of salt and mixed it all together. Next 1 beat
up the whites of the eggs and added them. I
put the mixture in a pan and then in the oven to
bake. After the cake was baked 1 frosted it.
John E. Kervin.
Raking 6ra\>cl
One afternoon Mr. Brown told me to rake
gravel around the Main Building. First 1 raked
around by the kitchen door. After 1 had finish-
ed that I raked the triangle by the Old Elm. I
also had time to rake up by the gardens. Then
1 saw that if I didn't take up my piles scon, I
should be late for school.
I got a bag and took up all the piles. I
then took them down to the dike.
I had just put my bag away when the bell
rang for school.
Thfodore B. Hadley.
my lUork in the Barn
Every afternoon it is my duty to work in
the barn. First I put the hay into the mangers
for the cows. Then 1 clean 12 cows, a calf
pen and part of another pen. After that is done
the cows are let out into the barn yard for water.
While the cows are out I shake out alfalfa for
the next feeding time. There is one bale taken
down each day. I bed the ralf pens witn salt
-hay which. IS also k^pt upstairs. Then the cows
are let in and the barn is cleaned up for the
afternoon.
"VStUrir
Norman Moss.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Dontpson's Island Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS.
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Vol. 22. No. 7 & 8, November, December, 1918
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Richard M. Saltonstall
vice-president
Charles P. Curtis
treasurer
Arthur Adams
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Melv'n O. Adams
1. Tucker Burr
S. V. R. Crosby
George L. DeBlois
Malcolm Donald
Thomas J. Evans
Charles T. Gallagher
Robert H. Gardiner, Jr.
N. Penrose Hallowell
Henry Jackson, M. D.
Charles E. Mason
Roger Pierce
Philip S. Sears
Francis Shaw
William S. Spaulding
Moses Williams, Jr.
Ralph B, Williams
Charles H. Bradley, Superintendent
The greatest war of history is ended. It
was the greatest war because it involved so
many things and so much of each of them; be-
cause the decision which it was fought to estab-
lish was fraught with such enormous consequences
to the entire human race; and because of the
personal and intimate interest which so many
millions of men, in all civilized lands, had in the
struggle. The "sport of kings" is obsolete, for
war has become the affair of the peoples.
Now this greatest of wars is ended. The
armed forces of the United States are returning
to their homes, and Americans everywhere,
content for the present with the decision of arms,
are watching in hopefulness the development of
the greatest peace.
As the war was a matter of vital importance
to every human being, so the peace which is to
be built upon it is of vital importance to every
man; and as tne war was each man's business
while it was in progress, so the terms and con-
ditions ana the actual establishment of peace
become the duty of the individual.
During the months of struggle we heard
much of morale, that indefinite spiritua^l power,
a power made up of many elements, including
the "Will to victory", the cheerful sacrifice of
everything to the great end, and a high faith in
the rightness of the cause of America and the
Allies. Morale was the determiningfactor which
won the war at last.
And morale will be the determining factor
in the peace which will emerge from the recon-
struction period through which we are now pass-
ing. These are stupendous times, times that
demand of the individual that he look beyond the
horizon of his personal affairs and think in larg-
er terms of life and the development of the race.
We shall miss the effective stimulants of physical
contest. The elements of our present service
are less spectacular than those of war. But we
must still over-subscribe every endeavor for right
development and for the establishment of right
as we over-subscribed the Liberty Loans.
There must be no "flatting" from the perfect key
of our intent. And there will be none, of course,
if we all succeed m attaining the true pitch.
For the present, then, the attainment of
this true pitch, under the changed conditions, is
the duty and the privilege of each one of us,
according to his lights. Let us remember our
enthusiasms and endeavors of the past months
and continue to strive, confidently and with faith,
as we have striven during the great conflict, that
the victory of peace may be no less renowned
than the victory of war.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Calendar
Oct. 1. Chose up for football.
Finished pulling onions.
Played last game of baseball.
Oct. 2. Motion pictures in the evening.
Oct. 3. Steamer Pilgrim taken to Lawley's
for repairs.
Oct. 4. Load of lumber from E. G. Pond
Co. for new corn barn.
Oct. 5. Marked out football field.
Oct. 7. Banked celery.
Removed partition about meat cellar.
Oct. 8. Flag pole painted.
Oct. 9. Stereopticon pictures on Yellow-
stone Park.
First frost of the season.
Commenced digging potatoes.
Oct. 10. Completed the cement founda-
tion of the flag pole and commenced grading.
Oct. 1 1. Husked corn in the barn in the
evening.
Oct. 12. Two games of football.
Oct. 14. Veterinarian and blacksmith
here.
Oak lumber came.
Oct. 16. Stereopticon pictures on Sweden
and Norway.
Commenced cementing north side of West
Basement.
Oct. 17. 100 bags of cement and some
lumber brought over.
Oct. 19. Played two games of football.
Oct. 21. Blacksmith here.
80 bags of grain came.
Painted hydrants and cannon balls.
Oct. 22. Potato digger came.
Oct. 23. Telephone men here putting in
new local telephones.
Oct. 25. Man here to demonstrate potato
digger.
Oct. 26. One hundred bales alfalfa came.
One game of football.
Oct. 30. Put in concrete step at Observa-
tory.
Oct. 31. Hallowe'en party in the Gym-
nasium. Some boys and instructors in costume.
Dancing and refreshments.
Nov. 6. Digging potatoes near Power
House.
Nov. 7. Digging potatoes near Root
Cellar.
Nov. 8. Picked the last sweet corn.
Nov. 9. Two football games.
Load of lumber came.
Walter L. Cole, '17, left the School to take
a position with the Boston Belting Co., Boston,
Mass.
Nov. 11. Dedication of new flag pole and
raising of new flag on pole.
Nov. 12. Victory Day. Entertainment
from town. Dance in the evening.
Nov, 14. Lieutenant Colonel William A.
Brooks, acting chief surgeon of the Massachus-
etts State Guard, came down to look over con-
ciiioiii: and suggest methods of prevention and
of treatment of Spanish Influenza cases.
Nov. 15. Twenty light cases of Influenza
among the boys and three instructors ill.
Load of lumber came.
Nov. 16. Load of grain came.
Building six shacks for outdoor patients.
Nov. 18. Manager Dr. Henry Jackson
visited the School.
Nov. 19. Fifty-eight boys with light cases
of Influenza. Eighteen recuperating.
Nov. 20. Drew pumpkins to barn.
Nov. 25. Shipped some vegetables.
Five tons of grain came.
Sorting potatoes and drawing corn.
Nov. 28. Thanksgiving Day. All boys
and instructors out and recuperating from
influenza.
Two basket ball games in the afternoon.
Motion pictures at night.
Nov. 29. Frederick V, Hall, '13, with a
friend visited the School.
OctoDer ItUteorology
Maximum temperature 72" on the 1 1th.
Minimum temperature 38° on the 9th, 20th
and 25th.
Mean temperature for the month, 53.23°.
Total precipitation .59 inches.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours .20 on
the 6th, 6 clear days, 24 partly cloudy, 1 cloudy
day.
Total number of hours sunshine, 134 and
25 minutes.
noveitibcr meteorology
Maximum temperature 63° on the 22nd.
Minimum temperature 25° on the 28th.
Mean temperature for the month 62.63°.
Total precipitation .26 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours . 1 4 inches
on the 14th.
Four days with .01 or more inches precipi-
tation, 1 1 clear days, 10 partly and nine cloudy
days.
Total number of hours sunshine, 73 and 32
minutes.
Cbc Tarra and trades School Bank
Cash on hand October 1, 1918 $737.50
Deposited during the month 27.66
$765.16
Withdrawn during the month 55.50
Cash on hand November 1, 1918 $709.66
Deposited during the month 36.46
$746.12
Withdrawn during the month 2.22
Cash on hand December 1, 1919 $743.90
Sea eulls
We see sea gulls in great numbers around
our Island most of the year. They have webbed
feet and can swim and dive like ducks.
They are very greedy and will eat almost
everything. '^They feed chiefly on fish and mol-
' lusks. They sometimes carry a clam high inthe
air and let it fall on the rocks to break the shell.
There has been a law passed forbidding the
shooting of sea gulls. • The patrol boat is always
on the lookout for people who insist upon shoot-
ing them. 'i
During the war the sea gulls were of great
help to our riavy. When our ships were patrolling
in European waters a submarine could sometimes
be located by the flocks of sea gulls hovering over
it, Robert E. Nichols.
my new lUork
One night the boys went up to the Assembly
Hall where the work scheduled for the coming
year was read.
My new work is in the Laundry. My first
week in there was sort of hard, but now that I
am accustomed to it, I am getting along fine.
The first work 1 did was to help put the
boys' sheets through the flatworker. When
these were done they were folded and taken up
to the dormitory. Then the handkerchiefs and
towels were put through. When this was done
the handkerchiefs were folded and taken down
to the clothing room and the towels into the sew-,
ing room. Sometimes I iron the instructors'
things, such as shirts, aprons, dresses, hand-
kerchiefs, etc.
On Thursday morning we are generally
through with our work, so we clean the machinery,
scrub the clothes tubs, shine the brass and scrub
the floor. After that we report to the supervisor.
Alfred A. Pickels.
Baseball at tbe School
Baseball is one of our favorite sports. Our
baseball series began May 25, 1913, and ended
Sept. 3L 1918.
There were four teams A, B, C and D,
We chose our own captains and the captains
chose their men, team D having first choice, C
next, then B and A.
Most of our games were played on Saturday
afternoons but in order to finish the eighteen
scheduled games. Mr. Bradley let us play on week
days. D has won all her games and will get the
shield. Philip M. Landry.
my mork In the Bakery
Every afternoon I work in the bakery.
The first thing 1 do is to scrub two square boards
which coyer the flour.
Then 1 scrub the table, sweep the floor and
scrub it. If there is any' bread! it. is taken into
the Dining Room'. ' At night if there is bread to
mix, I, mix it.
In the morning another boy and myself get
up at 5:00 o'clock and put the bread in the tins.
Malcolm E. Cameron.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
(Continued from page 8)
submarine. Erwin Coolidge, '15, is in the
N ivy and was at the Naval Training Station at
Newport, R. 1. 1 don't believe he is there now
Jibe or Harold Carlton is not in the Navy or
was not when I met him in Newport. He was
working at some ship yard and I don't think
he has enlisted at all.
1 see by your list that you have Carl in the
Army as a musician. • He is in the Navy and is
a Chief Yeoman (Carl D. Hynes, U. S. S.
Torpedo Testing Barge, No. 2. Newport, R. 1..
is hisaddrejs) He v/ill te paid off Jan. 4, 1919,
and as that is but a little more than a month from
njw, he will soon be a civilian again. It doesn't
seem as though he had served four years.
I thirik you must have made a mistake
about Theodore Miller. If he was at Barracks
2, Newport Training Station, he must have been
a sailor instead of a soldier. They have no
Army men at that Training Station. It is all
Navy.
I have just returned from spending five days
in Vermont with my wife. I had a fine time
but five days passes so quickly that one doesn't
realize that he has had a furlough.
Well, Mr. Bradley, I have made five trips
to France and the sixth one will come in a few
days and will be a matter of history. We are
going to carry the President and his party to
Europe and I am glad that I am to be one of
those that go with him. It will be something to
remem'oer and brag of, always.
Yours sincerely,
Frederick S, Hynes. '12.
my lUork in the Jiftcrnoott
After the boys go out from dinner I stay in
and go to the kitchen. The first thing I do is
to go to the wood cellar, take off my coat and put
on my apron.
Then I come up and go to washing dishes,
as I am dish washer. When I get the dishes
washed, 1 get my scrubbing things and start in
scrubbing. When I get my scrubbing done, I
take down the garbage and then 1 am through. I
like to work in the kitchen pretty well.
Joseph C. Scarborough.
f)U$kin9 Corn
One evening after seven o'clock as the
fellovs lined up, Mr. Bradley tol.i us that he
would like to have us go down to the Barn to
husk some corn. A few benches were brought
down to the Barn from the Gymnasium and As-
sembly Room and placed in front of the corn
which was piled up on each side of the main
flooi'. As it was husked, the corn was put in
bushel boxes and taken to one end of the Barn
v/here it was sorted. The soft and blackened ears
would not last very long and were put in barrels to
be used right away, while the harder and better
ears were saved for future use. The very best
were saved for seed. As the fellows husked,
some began to sing different songs which added
greatly to the fun of the evening.
When all the corn was husked, the fellows
returned to the House and prepared for bed.
First Mr Bradley had refreshments distributed
and soon afterward taps was sounded.
RoscoE Baird.
Trying Cii)cr
One morning in the kitchen I had the job
of frying liver.
We use both cow's and pig's liver. The
liver, before it is cooked, is in large wide strips.
It is cut off into smaller strips about half an inch
thick, covered with flour and put into the frying
pan. As soon as the pan becomes free from
greese it is buttered so that the liver will fry
easier. When it is done thoroughly on one side
it is turned over with the assistance of a two-
tined fork. It takes about three minutes to cook.
It i^ necessary to fry a pan full to supply the boys.
Richard H. Hall.
"Tox and 6ecse"
One morning when we were dressing, we
looked out of the window and saw snow en the
ground.
In a few seconds, one of the fellows said.
"Who wants to play 'Fox and Geese'?" The
fellows who wanted to play went up by the gard-
ens and formed in line. We made a large
circle and divided it into halves and then into
quarters. It takes five fellows to play and one
of the fellows has to be "it". Then there are
bases. The fellow who is "it" tries to get a
base, while the rest of the fellows are running
around. Willis M. Smith.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbe Jllumni J1$$ociaticn oT tbe farm and Cradcs School
William Alcott '84, Prasident
Everett
M8RT0N P. Ellis. '99, Secretary
25 Rockdale Street, Mattapan
James H. Graham, '79, Vice-President
Boston
Richard Bell, '73, Treasurer
Dorchester
Henry A. Fox, '79. Vice-President
Allston
Alfred C Mslm, '00, Historian
Melrose
Harold W. Edwards, '10, who has been
signaler on the U. S. S. Delaware, is now in the
supply office on the same ship, with a desire to
become a yeoman.
Edson M. Bemis, '13. is now a 1st Class
Quartermaster on the U. S. S. Submarine
Chaser 151, U. S. Naval Force in Europe.
Carl L. Wittig, ex '05, has just written
the School from North Eastern Co. 2, Camp
Joseph E. Johnston, Florida.
Camp Sevier, Greenville, S. C,
October 8, 1918.
My dear Mr. Bradley :
This letter no doubt, will be somewhat of
a surprise to you. 1 have just received the sup-
plement to the Beacon, forwarded to me from
Washington, D. C, where 1 was stationed when
with the 50th Infantry, as an enlisted man.
While there I had the pleasure of running
across Charles Blatchford at the Commissary
where 1 happened to be detailed on guard that
night. We had not seen each other for some-
thing like 1 8 years and were brought together
through a previous issue or rather a previous
supplement of the Beacon which he had.
1 enlisted in Boston, March 31, 1918, was
made a Corporal on June 27th and on September
5th I was commissioned Second Lieutenant and
assigned to my present regiment and company.
My brother George is Sergeant in Head-
quarters Co., 33rd Inf., Camp Catun, Canal Zone.
He is still playing the trombone or was when 1
last heard from him five or six weeks sgo.
I don't see many of the boys' names in the
supplement, who were there on the Island with
me, but there are no doubt many in the service
who are difficult to locate, for if my memory
serves me well they never dodged anything
which looked like a good fight.
For the past twelve >ears previous to my
coming into the service, rhy time has been spent
as a travelling salesman throughout the eastern
part of the country.
I used to see Tom Brown once in a while
when he was at the Parker House and about three
years ago I saw Alfred Malm, and later still,
when I stop to think, I used to see Charlie Spear
occasionally.
I have often had a desire to visit the School
in recent years, but it has rarely been possible
for me to do so, however, after our present work
is finished, I hope for the pleasure of renewing
some old acquaintances there on the Island.
With kind regards I am
Sincerely,
Harry MacKenzie
2nd Lt., Co I, 89th Inf.
On Board the U. S. S. George Washington
Nov, 26, 1918.
Dear Mr. Bradley:
I have just received >our letter of Oct. 29th,
and am much pleased to hear from you. I saw
by the capers that the influenza had taken quite
a hold at the School. I hope every one will get
well and that no lives will be lost. It is too bad
that it had to find its way to the Island after you
had withstood it so long. We had nearly 200
deaths aboard ship, mostly among the soldiers,
and I can't tell how many hundred were buried
at sea from the other ships that were with us.
That was the trip before last and we never had
a case last trip.
Harold Morse, ex '12, is a First Class
Machinist on the L. 9 which is a submarine.
I don't know where he is now but he was at
Newport when I met him and I went all over his
(Continued on page 7)
Vol. 22. -I °^ Printed AT The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. ^'^ V 1919
{ " ^^ February )
Entered November 23. 1903. at Boston. Mass. as Second-class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16. 1894.
€i)ri$tttia$ Day on the Tsland
Christmas Day is regarded as the best
holiday for the boys on the Island. Beside the
many greetings and good wishes, Christmas
brings us many presents of all kinds from our
friends. The School also gives us a small but
appreciated gift.
After breakfast, a few fellows did necessary
work while other fellows were gathering a com-
pany to meet the guests.
The company being formed, we marched
down to the Wharf with a band composed
of a cornet, snare drum, bass drum, clarinet,
trombone, and a pair of cymbals.
The remainder of the boys carried guns
and were dressed in army coats used in the
Civil War. When we reached the Wharf, the
steamer could not be seen on account of a thick
fog, but we knew it was coming for we could
hear the whistle. When the steamer hove in
sight we all shouted "Merry Christmas" and
Dr. Bancroft answered by blowing the whistle.
We waited for him to land and then he took the
bass drum and all marched up and around the
house twice. Everybody was happy and shout-
ing "Merry Christmas" as we passed.
The company halted in front of the House;
the doctor and Capt. Dix went in and the com-
pany was dismissed.
.^t 10:00 o'clock we went up to the Chapel
for the Christmas concert and to receive our
presents. The Chapel was decorated to repre-
sent a pine grove; on the trees were hanging all
sorts of packages, large and small. Capt. Dix
came in and gave us a little explanation about
Santa Claus being delayed. While he was
talking we heard the sound of bells and Santa
came in and told us an adventurous story as to
how he happened to land on the Island which
made everyone laugh. He then distributed the
presents. When the trees were relieved of
their heavy burden, the chocolates, which are
given by Mr. Bell of the class of 73, were pass-
ed. At the end we gave three cheers and a
tiger for all good friends and managers of the
School.
Just before we left the room Capt. Dix told
us that Lieut. Arthur Adams had provided an
entertainment for the afternoon.
Shortly after, we went to dinner everybody
being happy to have so many gifts from their
friends.
Dinner being over we went to the gymnasi-
um and played games we had received, until it
was time for the entertainment.
At about 2:30 we dressed in our uniforms
and went to the Chapel. . The entertainment
was very good. In the evening we had movies,
which were very interesting and chocolate was
given out after each reel. We had five reels
and at the close we went to bed feeling very
happy over the good time we had had but very
sorry that Mr. and Mrs. Bradley and Lieut.
Arthur Adams could not be with us.
Every one wishes to express his thanks to
those who made it possible to make the day a
perfect one. Alexis L Guillemin.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Our Christmas Concert
Every year a Christmas concert is given
by the boys of the School. *Ve enjoyed it very
much this year, both the speaking and singing
being good. The following was the programme:
SONG - - - - Glory to God
School
PRAYER
Mr. Starbird
RESPONSIVE READING
Leader, John A. Robertson
SONG Once More Awakes a Joyous Strain
School
RECITATION - The Christmas Spirit
Norman F. Farmer
SOLO
SONG
The New Born King
Osmond W. Bursiel
- Wonderful Joy
School
RECITATION - The Adoration of the Wise Men
Everett B. Leland
SONG ----- Long Ago
School
RECITATION - Christmas Carol
Louis R. Croxtall
SONG - - - - Oft in the Night
School
RECITATION - The Night After Christmas
William T. Marcus
SOLO - - The Babe of Bethlehem
Malcolm E. Cameron
Accompanied by Warren F. Noyes, Violin
RECITATION - The Same Old Story
Theodore B. Hadley
SONG
DUET
Heralds of Mercy and Light
School
The Christmas Tree
Malcolm E. CAMERon
Nicholas M. Suarez, Jr.
SONG - - - Star of Bethlehem
School
RECITATION - The Flag of the Future
Robert E. Nichols
SONG - Ring Out Sweet Bells of Peace
Osmond W. Bursiel and School
CORNET DUET - - Silent Night
Richard H. Hall and David B. LeBrun
REMARKS - - - - Capt. Dix
Return of President lUiison
On Sunday night January 23rd., some
of the fellows saw a ship lying in Presidents'
Roads and wondered what it was. The next
day we saw destroyers and scout patrol boats.
Then we knew that the President was here.
Just before we had our dinner we saw the boats
moving about. The President went from the
George Washington to the destroyer Ossipee.
All the boats in the harbor had their flags
flying. Salutes were given in the morning by
the cannons, flags were dipped, whistles were
blown and people cheered.
When the Ossipee went up the harbor with
her escort of other destroyers, submarine
chasers and patrol boats, some areoplanes came
over head and flew in Boston above them.
When the boats went by the Island the flag
salute was given. The Ossipee went to Com-
monwealth Pier and the starboard gang plank
was lowered. The President, Mrs. Wilson and
officers walked ucon a green carpet which was
spread upon the gang plank.
All around were men, women and children
cheering. The President entered an automo-
bile and rode slowly away to the hotel, guarded
by secret service men.
Mr. Wilson is the 13th. President who has
visited Boston.
William T. MacDonald
Our Canary
Every morning when I go upstairs to do
my work as office boy I take care of the canary.
The first thing I do is to take out the bottom
of the cage and wash it. Then I fill the dish
with new bird seed and put some water in the
glass.
One day I put a small mirror in his cage
and sat down to watch him. He didn't quite
understand it. He looked at himself in the mir-
ror and then he would look around to see where
the other bird was.
Every time he hears anyone whistle or the
piano plays he starts to sing. He has a very
sweet voice. Waldo E. Libby.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
mn^u €barta
On the wall in our school-room there are
several pictures and one of them is the Magna
Charta.
This picture is about two feet wide and
about three feet high. The border is white and
the center which is closely written on is yellow
and about one foot square. At the top rnd sides
of this yellow center there are 29 small shields
of different colors. They were formerly the dif-
ferent coats of arms of England. At the bottom
there are 23 seals of the English government.
The original Magna Charta, of which this
picture is a copy, was signed in the year 1215,
by the wicked King John of England and estab-
lished justice for the common people. It is this
which created the democratic freedom of the
English-speaking races.
Arthur J. Schafer.
Bcgimiins of School
As our country has been at war and all
the available ground has been planted to help
raise food for our own use and for others
during this coming winter, more felloWs than
usual were needed to work on the farm last
summer. As this would take many fellows from
the school-room, it was decided that school
should not be opened until the planting and har-
vesting seasons were over.
Now the winter has come and all farm
work is over and as we have no more Spanish
influenza to stop us, school has once more
commenced.
One evening as we went to the Assembly
Hall to hear the grade read, the Superintendent
also read the change of work, giving almost
every fellow a new job and told us of which
class we were to be members.
He also talked to us and explained, that as
we have a much shorter school term than usual
it would be necessary for each one of us to do
our best, in order to complete a successful year.
RoscoE Baird.
eetting Ready for Tlour
One morning as I was working in the stock-
room, the supervisor came in. He told me to
move all the things out of the northeast part
of the room.
When I had moved all the things I could
move alone, a boy came in to help me. The
supervisor, after making a platform of half inch
boards to keep the flour from absorbing moisture,
told us to put some bags of flour that were en
hand on the platform. There was some sugar
which had been in the stock-room for quite a
while which was moved into the front store-room.
About eight o'clock we had all the things in the
fore part of the room except a stove and boiler
that were stationary and the bags of flour which
were at one side.
At 12 o'clock, after dinner, the supervisor
had the two carpenters and 1 go into the stock-
room. About 12:30 the instructing carpenter
came in. He had 12 two-inch by four-inch
boards placed at even distances apart. Then
he had some half inch boards put on top of the
two by four boards. The boards that were too
long were sawed off and the short ones pieced.
Later I found out that this preparation was
for the flour which was expected 'the following
afternoon. About 9:30 o'clock some fellows
went over to City Point in the scow. When
they got over there they found cut it was too
rough and the flour would get wet and hardened.
The next day it was also too rough. Saturday
brought a good day and a crew of fellows went
over and got the flour. In the afternoon it was
stored in the stock-room.
Monday afternoon a fellow helped me
straighten up things. We put the old flour in
front of the new and then replaced the things
which we had moved the preceding Thursday.
Nicholas M. Suarez, Jr.
Cibrary Boors
One Sunday afternoon the Superintendent
asked the boys if they wanted any library books
given out. We all said we did, so he
took us up to Chapel and gave us our library
cards. We got the books we wanted and wrote
the numbers of other books we wished to have
later. The books are very interesting as there
are some new ones which have just been put in-
to the library. Erik O. Schippers.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbompson's Tsland Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Vol. 22. No. 8 & 9, January. February, 1919
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Richard M. Saltonstall
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles P. Curtis
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Arthur Adams
Melvin O. Adams
1. Tucker Burr
S. V. R. Crosby
George L. DeBlois
Malcolm Donald
Thomas J. Evans
Charles T. Gallagher
Robert H. Gardiner, Jr.
Henry Jackson, M. D.
Charles E. Mason
Roger Pierce
Philip S. Sears
Francis Shaw
William S, Spaulding
Moses Williams, Jr.
Ralph B. Williams
Charles H. Bradley, Superintendent
One of the big world jobs has passed thru the
initial stage. The work of destruction began
among the fair cities and towns of Europe.
This cutting, tearing, slashing war has shaken
the nations of the earth, till reeling from the
shock, they have gathered themselves for the
conflict.
Men have gone forth to take part in this
work and millions have dedicated it with their
lives. Those who have emerged from the con-
flict were ready to carry on till they in turn
should give all in this great struggle.
On European fields met the living vital
expression of two ideas. One idea was that of
world domination, an idea born of oppression
and injustice. The offspring of such parents
can assert itself by force and spend a brief life
of violence, a life in u^hich death makes early
promise In the minds of other nations the
antithesis of this idea sprung into being; a
creation of the spirit of humanity, clothed in
love and devotion for the races of men.
As we believe the universe to be founded
upon the principles of harmonious truth and
justice, and that the jangling discord sounded
by the Central Empires must be silenced, so
there went forth from our Country the flower
of its manhood, pledged to fight this "Made in
Germany" idea, until it should have no place
among the nations.
Success in our achievements at arms,
glory in the womanhood of our country, who by
their devotion to the cause gave inspiration to
our defenders and made victory more quickly
assured, shall now carry us on to complete the
great task we have thus far advanced.
Now the work of reconstruction must begin;
and the time has arrived when the specifications,
written ages ago by the great Architect of the
universe should be studied, that there may be
in this new structure no faulty or mis-shapen
material. Though humanity is facing a mighty
task, may we still hope that the sacrifices already
made, this great destruction wrought, shall not
have been made in vain, but rather shall we
hope that the idea which won shall so dominate
the nations, that that which has gone before
may be a preparation for the foundation of the
temple of humanity which shall be reared in the
souls of men, majestically beautiful, an inspira-
tion to all and a symbol of unity in a brotherhood
of nations.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Calendar
December 1. Began practicing music for
Christmas.
December 2. Commenced school after
long vacation on account of the epidemic.
Concert in Chapel by the boys' band.
December 3. Hauled gravel to East Side
dike.
December 5. Grain and flour were brought
to the School.
Rehearsal for Christmas Concert.
December 6. First heavy snowstorm.
December 7. Butchered a hog weighing
225 pounds.
December 9 Hauled more gravel for
East Side dike.
Sorted onions.
December 10. Sorted apples.
December 12. Sorted potatoes.
December 13. Load of grain and lumber
arrived.
December 16. Disposed of two cows.
December 18. Load of lumber arrived.
Veterinarian here.
December 19. Sorted turnips.
Hauled beach wood.
December 21. Twenty - five hoys and
several instructors went to see the French paint-
ings at Horticultural Hall.
December 22. Christmas concert.
Miss Eleanor Baker a guest of the School.
December 23. Butchered two hogs,
weighing 586 pounds.
Hauled gravel and beach wood.
December 24. Carols were sung and re-
freshments served to carolers.
December 25. Usual Christmas celebra-
tion.
December 28. Continued drawing gravel.
January 1. New Year's dance in the
Assembly Hall.
January 2. Sorted apples and squashes.
Jaruary 3. Sorted potatoes and turnips.
January 7. First good skating of the
season.
Janury 8. Annual Alumni dinner at Copley
Hotel.
Load of brick arrived from Parry Brick Co.
January 9. Load of grain arrived from
Sumner Crosby Sons.
January 10. Boys gave a band concert
in the Assembly Hall.
January 13. Cleaned the root cellar.
Killed a pig which weighed 235 pounds.
January 16. Sorted onions.
January 18. Several boys attended the
Poultry Show.
January 20. Hauled gravel for new road.
January 24. Killed a calf.
January 28. Sorted carrots.
January 30. Pruned apple trees.
January 31. Killed a pig which weighed
140 pounds.
December IlleteorolodV
Maximum temperature 59" on the 15th.
Minimum temperature 13° on the 7th.
Mean temperature for the month 33.5°.
Total precipitation 2.295 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours .77 on
the 1 1th.
Seven days with .0 1 or more inches precipi-
tation, 10 clear days, 12 partly cloudy and nine
cloudy days.
Total number of hours sunshine 86 and
25 minutes.
January meteoroiodv
Maximum temperature 53^ on the 2nd.
Minimum temperature 7° on the 1 1th.
Mean temperature for the month 17.7°.
Total precipitation 2.19 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours 1.18
inches on the 24th.
Three days with .01 or more inches precipi-
tation, 12 clear days, 13 partly cloudy and six
cloudy days.
Total number of hours sunshine, 63 and 25
minutes.
Che Tarn and trades School
Cash on hand December 1, 1918
Deposited during the month
Withdrawn during the month
Cash on hand January 1, 1919
Deposited during the month
Withdrawn during the month
Cash on hand February 1, 1919
Bank
$743.90
35.80
$779.70
36.23
$743.47
46.13
$789.60
158.35
^1^25
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Jin Entmaiiimcnt
One day last week we were told there was
to be an entertainment in the evening. All the
fellows were happy and expecting to have a lot
of fun.
When 7:00 o'clock came we put on our
uniforms and went to the Chapel. A few min-
utes later some one began playing the piano and
the curtain rose as six colored boys walked in
and sat down in a row. One began to play a
snare drum and then all began to sing. They
sang several songs, cracked jokes and said witty
things about each other, the boys in general and
the instructors in the audience. After that one
of boys gave a few tricks with cards, another
sang a solo and all sang again.
When the show was over there was a dance
and everybody went to bed happy.
It is the best entertainment the fellows of
our School have given for some time. We
hope to have others just as good.
Charles F. Weymouth.
CDe Craaind Company
There are no stores on Thompson's Island,
but there is something as good as a store. It is
known as "The Farm and Trades School Trading
Company".
When the Trading Company first started
it occupied a room now used as the instructors'
sitting room. It was then moved to a room
adjoining the boys' clothing rooni. Lately a
part of the room has been partitioned off for the
Farm and Trades School Bank and a part on
the right for the Trading Company.
The Trading Company is open evenings
between six and seven o'clock and Saturdays
between 2:30 and five o'clock.
The Trading Company sells scrap books,
mucilage, glue, paste, harmonicas, clappers, jews'
harps, shaving soap, Farm and Trades School
pencils, watch fobs, pillows, pennants, etc.
When a boy wishes to make a purchase at
the Trading Company, he shows the clerk what
he wants and makes out a check. The clerk
looks it over and if it is all right he gives the
purchaser his goods.
Donald B. Akerstrom
mr. Torbusb's Uisit
One day I was asked to meet Mr. Bradley
at the Wharf with horse and buggy. When Mr.
Bradley came up the gangplank, another gentle-
man was with him. This was Mr. Forbush.
Mr. Bradley introduced him to me and told him
that 1 was one of tne boys who look after the
rats here.
We went over by the garden where Mr.
Bradley told ms to show Mr. Forbush the best
places to get the rats. We went along by the
corn field to the bank and up by the East Side
dike and up Willow Road. We got four rats by
digging them out of their holes.
After dinner Mr. Bradley told five of us
fellows to go with Mr. Forbush and the super-
visor to learn how to use carbon- bisulphate gas
for killing rats. We went around North End
that afternoon and dug out and gassed two or
three holes. The way Mr. Forbush showed us
to use the gas was to take a bee smoker and
force some smoke into one of the holes. Then,
if there were more then one hole, we could see
where to put in the gas: we selected the highest
hole (as the gas is very heavy) and put dirt into
all the other holes.
Mr. Forbush also went down to the barn
and gave directions where to put the grain, so the
rats would not eat it. At 4:00 o'clock Mr.
Forbush had to leave for the city, so we came
up to the Main Building We were very glad to
have him come down to show us all the interest-
ing things about rats and we wish to thank
him very much for doing so.
Wallace A. Bacon.
Sorting Potatoes
One night the supervisor sent some boys
down to help finish sorting the potatoes.
First we took baskets and picked up all the
good potatoes and put them into bushel bags.
Then we picked up all the ones that were speared
and put them into bags separate from the others.
Next we took up the small ones and put
them in bags by themselves. After we had
them all in bags they were takenoverto the root
cellar. Frederick V. Heald.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
(Continued from page 8)
N. Y., 1905; Arthur Bean of Saltersville, R. I.,
1910- ; fyiiss Fanny L. Walton of Newburyport,
1907-1914. Also there were messages from
Dr. W. B. Bancroft and Rev. James Huxtable,
both of South Boston, who have each had pro-
fessional relations with the School for more
than a quarter of a century.
The greetings from representatives of the
superintendents comprise a letter from Mrs.
Augustus E. Fuller of New York, daughter of
Robert Morrison, who was the superintendent
from 1841 to 1856; remarks by the following:
William Austin Morse of Melrose, son of
William Appleton Morse, superintendent from
1856 to 1888; Lieut. Charles Henry Bradley,
Jr., son of the present superintendent, and by
Capt. A. L. Dix, who is in charge of the School
in Mr. Bradley's absence.
On the program for responses from repre-
sentatives of various classes were the following:
Soloman B. Holman, '50, of Dorchester, the
oldest living graduate of the School; William N.
Hughes, '59, of Dorchester; T. John Evans of
East Weymouth; Charles A. Smith, '69, of
Cambridge; Henry A, Fox, '79, of Brighton;
Arthur D. Fearing, '84, of Wollaston; Silas
Snow, '94, of Williamsburg; Thomas R. Brown,
'99, of Belmont; Frederick P. Thsyer, '04.
of Dorchester; Frederick J. Barton, '09, Com-
pany A, 62d. Regiment T. C, A. E. F.;
Lawrence M. Cobb, '14, of Cambridge.
The memory of the four classmates who
had made the supreme sacrifice was honored at
the beginning of the dinner, when at the toast-
master's request, all rose to their feet, remained
in silence for a few moments, and then joined in
repeating the blessing which for many years had
been said at the School before meals, and which
is as follows:
"We praise, O Lord, Thy gracious care.
Who doth our daily bread prepare;
Come bless this earthly food we take,
And feed our souls for Jesus' sake."
The dinner was in charge of the entertain-
ment committee, composed as follows: Thomas
R. Brown, '99; James H. Graham, '81, Merton
P. Ellis, '99, George J. Alcott, '80, and George
B. McLeod, '18,
The members of the Board of Managers
present, in addition to Messrs. Saltcnstall and
Adams, above mentioned, included I. Tucker
Burr. Tucker Daland, Thomas J. Evans, Hon.
Charles T. Gallagher, Dr. Henry Jackson and
Maj. Philip S. Sears.
The following alumni were present: George
J. Alcott, William Alcott, Wesley C. Angell.
Lorin L. Babcock, George L. Bell, Richard
Bell, John E. Bete, Frederick F. Blakeley,
Charles H. Bradley, Jr., Sherman G. Brasher,
George E. Bridgman, Thomas R. Brown,
Edward Capaul, George W. Casey, Lawrence
M. Cobb, Walter L. Cole, William B. Cross,
Herbert L. Darling. Robert E. Dudley, Charles
Duncan, Howard B. Ellis, Merton P. Ellis,
Harry A. English, Arthur D. Fearing, Frederick
P. Fearing, Walter B. Foster, Henry A. Fox,
Rollins A. Furbush, James H. Graham, Douglas
A. Haskins, Alden B. Hefler, Soloman B.
Holman, Otis M. Howard, William N. Hughes,
Walter J Kirwin, G. George Larsson, Howard
F. Lochrie, Clarence W. Loud, Alfred C. Malm,
Edwin L. Marshall, Louis E. Means, George B.
McLeod, Edward A. Moore, William P.
Morrison, William A. Morse, Walter D.
Norwood, John F. Peterson. Frederick W.
Piercy, Albert A. Probert, John A. Robertson,
John L. Sherman, Clarence E. Slinger, John
L. Slinger, Charles A. Smith, Charles F. Spear,
Frederick P. Thayer, Edward A Wallace, Frank
W. Wallace, F. Chester Welch, Frank E.
Woodman.
Beacon Proofs
When the boys write Beacon articles in
the s':hool-room they are first corrected by the
teacher, then sent to the office where they are
looked over. From the office they are sent to
the printing office, where they are set up in a
composing stick. After a stick is filled, the type
is put on a galley, a metal tray, open at one end.
After a galley is full it is taken over to the proof
press, where ink and a piece of paper is put on
the type. A large roller is then rolled over the
type and the result is a proof.
Gordon S. Martin.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbe Jllumni dissociation of Cbe farm and Crades School
William Alcdtt '84, President
Everett
Merton p. Ellis. '99, Secretary
2.5 Rockdale Street, Mattapan
James H. Graham, '79, Vice-President
Boston
Richard Bell, '73, Treasurer
Dorchester
Henry A. Fox. '79. Vice-President
Allston
Alfred C MaLM, '00, Historisn
Melrose
Charles H. Bradley, Jr., '03, is now a
second Lieutenant. Camp Intelligence Office,
Camp Devens, Mass.
Matthew H. Paul, '06, is in Camp Dix,
N. J. He is a Corporal of the 24th. Co., sixth
Training Battalion, 153rd. Depot Brigade.
William F. O'Connsr, '07, is a Sergeant
in Headquarters Co. Band, 30ist. lnf?ntry.
Camp Devens, Mass.
A card has been received from Alfred
W. Jacobs, '10. Alfred is in Co. A, 42nd. En-
gineers, A. E. F., and wrote from Paris where
he was for a fev/ hours enjoying the sights of
the city.
Jllunini J1$$ociation'$ JInnual Dinner
The annual dinner of the Alumni Associa-
tion of the Farm and Trades School was held
on Wednesday evening, January 8, at the
Copley Square Hotel, Boston. It was marked
by the largest attendance of graduates in the 20
years' history of the association, and likewise
by the largest attendance of members of the
Board of Managers as guests. Enthusiasm ran
high, and the spirit of good fellowship pervaded
everything. Yet there was one check in the
general gayety, and that was the first absence
from an alumni dinner of Superintendent Charles
H. Bradley, who was detained by serious illness.
During the evening a message of greeting was
sent to him, the vote to send it being taken by
a rising vote.
By a happy combination of circumstances
the association found itself in the same hotel
where the first alumni dinner was held, in 1906,
and by another coincidence the same person
held the office of president of the Board of
Managers as when the association was formed
on September 19, 1899 — Richard M. Saltonstall,
and he was present to bring the greetings of the
Board he represented, and to congratulate the
association on 20 years of achievement.
Dinner was served at seven o'clock. The
room was decorated with flags of Nation, State
and School, while the service flagVf the School,
bearing 104 stars, of which four were gold, hung
at the head of the room. William Alcott, '84,
president of the Alumni Association, escorting
Mr. Saltonstall, led the procession to dinner, the
guests following escorted by former presidents of
the association.
Instruinental music and community singing
were prominent features of the affair. Howard
B. Ellis, '99, was in charge and the brass quar-
tet a-nd piano gave a number of beautiful selec-
tions and led the singing of war camp songs and
old time melodies. The orchestra was com-
posed of Wesley C. Angell. '17, William B.
Cross, '17, F. Chester Welch, '04, and Mr. Ellis.
The after-dinner exercises comprised four
features: Greetings from the Board of Managers,
which Mr. Saltonstall brought, from former in-
structors, which comprise a bunch of very inter-
esting letters read by the secretary; greetings
from representatives of the superintendents; an
address on "Some School Assets," by Melvin
O. Adams of the Board of Managers; and re-
sponses by word and by letter from graduates of
quinquennial classes.
Messages came from the following former
instructors: Henry C. Harden of Newton, 1848-9
Lewis F. Hobbs of West Medford. 1859-64
Francis A. Morse of West Roxbury, 1864-73
Walter S. Parker of Reading, 1871-2; Harvey
L. Boutwell of Maiden, 1884; Mrs. Mary
Winslow Hazen of Boston, 1890- ; John
Anthony of Melrose, 1897-99; A M. Vaughn of
Shelburne, Vt ; 1901-4; Charles E. Littlefield of
Cambridge, 19 - ; Albert M. Mann of Ithaca,
(Continued on page 7)
SUPPLEMENT TO
The Farm and Trades School, Thompson's Island, Boston, Mass. January 1, 1919
IN THE SERVICE
ARMY
Eldred W. Allen,' 16, No. 576733, Nov.
10, 1918, Units, Separate Automatic Replace-
ment Draft. Boston Coast Artillery Corps,
American Expeditionary Force, France.
Frederick J. Barton, '09, Oct. 5, 1918,
bugler, Co A, 62d Reg. T. C. Camp de Grasse,
American Expeditionary Force, France. A. P. O
717.
Raymond H . Batchelder, ' 1 5, No. 407 181.
Co L, 115 Eng., A. P. O. 733 American Expe-
ditionary Force, France. Oct. 12, 1918, report-
ed, "Died of wounds, Sept. 12, 1918."
Edmund S. Bemis, '13, Aug., 1918, Co E.
104th Infantry, 26th Div, American Expe-
ditionary Force, France. In hospital in France,
wounded.
Edric B. Blakemore, '12, July 8, 1918,
Battery D, 71st Reg., C. A. C, Fort Andrews.
Mass.
Charles A. Blatchford, '04, July 8, 1918,
City Sales Commissary Depot at i2th E. S. W.
Washington, D. C, Quartermasters Division,
U. S. Army.
Charles H. Bradley, Jr., '03, Dec. 4,
1918, 2nd Lieutenant, Camp Intelligence Office,
Camp Devens, Mass.
Louis C. Buettnhr, '91, Nov. 1, 1918,
Quartermastars Corps, Cambridge, Mass.
Clarence F. Burton,' 12, March, 1918,
Air Section 105, Aero Squad, Headquarters De-
tachment, American Expeditionary Force,
France.
Forest L. Churchill, '15, Aug., 1918,
Co A, 26th Machine Gun Battalion, American
Expeditionary Force, France.
Henry Cleary, '89, Oct. 1918, Captain,
Engineers, U. S. Army.
Perry Coombs, '14, Dec. 31, 1917, 1-8
K. L. R. Munster I i Detach., 40. Wrote from
England in Nov., 1918.
Lester E. Cov/den, '16, Aug. 26, 1918,
chief bugler, Co A, 1 Ith Machine Gun Battalion,
4th Div., 7th Brigade, American Expeditionary
Force, France.
William E. Cowley, '13, Corporal, Aug.,
1918, Co A, 104th U.S. Inf., Brigade Division,
American Expeditonary Force, France. Wound-
ed. Now back in service.
Louis W. Darling, '08, Aug., 1917,
Aviation Corps.
Clarence H. DeMar, '03, May 27, 1918,
Fort Slocum, N. Y.
Stephen Eaton, '10, at Camp Devens,
Mass.
Harry L. Fessenden, '14, July 2, 1918,
Co C, 33 IstBrigade, Tank Corps, Gettysburg, Pa.
William J. Flynn, '03, Jan., f918, Co
F, 6th Engineers, American Expeditionaty
Force, France.
William W. Foster, '10, 1st Lieutenant
Aviation Section, Signal Corps, United States
Reserves, 88th Aero Squad, American
Expeditionary Force.
Ralph L. Gordon, '97, 1st Sergeant.
Sept. 9, 1918, Co C, U. S. Guard, Paris
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Street Gymnasium, East Boston, Mass.
Victor H. Gordon, '15, Corporal, Co M.
1 04th Inf., American ExpeditionaryForce, France.
Franklin E. Gunning, '14, June 23, 1918,
Headquarters Troop, 26th Div., American Ex-
peditionary Force, France.
Charles Hill, '02, May, 1917, musician.
George M. Holmes, ' 1 0, No. 1 5499 1 , March
13, 1918, Co B, 1st American Eng., American
Expeditionary Force, France.
Warren Holmes, '03, May, 1917, mu-
sician.
Walter R. Horsman, '13, Corporal, Oct.
4, 1918, Battery C, 6th Providence Regiment,
American Expeditionary Force, France.
Alfred W.Jacobs, '10, Oct. 27, 1918, Co
A, 42nd Engineers, American Expeditionary
Force. A. P. O. 705.
Charles R. Jefferson, '14, Corporal,
March 7, 1918. Co C, 3d Reg., Pioneer Inf.,
Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C.
Cecil O. Jordan. '13. Nov. 13. 1918,
Central Officers Training School, Camp Grant,
111.
George R. Jordan, '13, July, 1917.
Herbert H. Kenney, ex '11, Aug. 31.
1918, Sergeant, Co B, 5th Pioneer Inf.. Camp
Wadsworth. Spartanburg. S. C.
Daniel W. Laighton, '01, July 2. 1918.
4th H. M. O. R. S. 2nd Regiment, Camp Han-
cock, Augusta. Ga.
Hubert N. Leach. '16, Sept. 8. 1918.
Headquarters Co, 1 63d Inf., Signal Platoon,
American Expeditionary Force, France.
Harry Mackenzie (Henry F. McKenzie,)
'99, Oct. 8. 1918, 2nd Lieutenant, Co I, 80th
Inf., Camp Sevier, Greenville. S. C.
Fred J. Mandeville, ex '15. Dec. 6.
1917, Co M. 34th Inf., American Expeditionary
Force, France.
John H. Marshall, '11, Oct. 30, 1918,
187135. Ftr. 91 Siege Battery. R. G. A. British
Expeditionary Force, France.
William M. Marshall. '10, Sept. 7,
1918. Co E, 6th Eng. Reg.. Belvoir. Va.,
care of Washington Barracks.
Philip S. May. '07, Sergeant, 303rd Fire and
Guard Co, 2 M. C. Port of Embarkation, Ho-
Doken, N.J.
Thomas G. McCarragher, ex '07,780103,
July 31, 1918, Advance Spare Parts Co, M. T.
C. A. S., S. O. S. American Expeditionary
Force, France, A. P. O. 741.
Benjamin L. Murphy, '15, July 10, 1918,
Casual Co 1 , Tank Corps, Camp Colt, Gettys-
burg, Pa.
Earle C. Miller, '14, Co L, 101st Reg.,
American Expeditionary Force, France. Re-
ported severely wounded June 8. 1918. Now
back in active service.
Theodore Milne, '14. Nov. 21, 1917,
Aviation Signal Corps, Fort Sam Houston, Tex.
Thomas Milne, '12, Oct. 4, 1918. wagon-
er. Truck Co, 101st Son. Train, American Ex-
peditionary Force, France.
Elmer E. Moore, '16, No. 3357, Co C.
Camp Fort Edward Windsor. Nova Scotia,
Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Bernard F. Murdock, '11, Dec. 5, 1917,
Co D, 101st Reg,, 26th Div.. American Expe-
ditionary Force, France.
Charles E. Nichols. "06, Aug.. 1918. No.
591896, Medical Dept. U. S. A. Base Hospital
44, A. P. O. 708. American Expeditionary
Force. France.
Charles H. O'Conner. '04. Sergeant. Ncv.
1. 1918. Asst. Band Master, Headquarters Co,
303rd Inf., 76th Div.. American Expeditionary
Force, France.
William F. O'Conner. '07, Sergeant,
Dec. 1918, Headquarters Co, Band, 301st Inf.,
Camp Devens, Mass.
Matthew H. Paul, '06, Dec. 13, 1918,
Corporal, 24th Co, 6th Training Battalion, 153d
D. B. Camp Dix, N. Y.
Geoffrey E. Plunkett. '14, Nov. 1918.
1 9th Anti Aircraft Battery, American Expedition-
ary Force, France.
Evariste T. Porche, ex '07, Oct., 1918,
No. 59 1 90 1 , U. S. A. Base Hospital 44. A. P. O.
708. American Expeditionary Force. France.
C. James Pratt, '04. Aug. 23. 1918,
Tank Corps, Camp Colt, Gettysburg. Pa.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Joseph L. Roby, ex '07, Sergeant, No.
17693, Sept., 1918, American Evacuation
Hospital No 1 , American Expeditionary Force,
France.
Charles O. Rolfe, '15. Aug. 9, 1918,
Battery B, 81st Field Artillery. Fort Sill,
Okla.
James H . Sargent, '97, Sergeant, Canadian
Fourth Artillery, wounded Sept. 12th, 1917,
sent back to Canada probably disabled for life.
Now at Boundary Creek, N. B.
George W. N. Starrett, '14, Nov. 1918,
U. S. Army.
Paul C. A. Swenson; '13, U. S. Ambul-
ance Corps, No. 25, Camp Logan, Houston,
Tex.
Clarence L. Taylor, '05, March 25,
1918, 25th Reg. Eng., Co C. American
Expeditionary Force, France.
Levi N. Trask, '12, Corporal, 1st Vermont
Reg., Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C.
Roy D. Upham, '12. Aug. 9, 1918.
Headquarters Co, 301st Inf.. American Exped-
itionary Force. France.
Karl R. (Brackett) Van Deusen, '15.
Apr. 2. 19 18. Co C, 107th United States Infan-
try, Camp Vv'adsworth, Spartanburg, S. C.
Frederick E. Van Valkenburg, '14,
Nov. 20. 1917. Co K. 64th Inf., Fort Bliss, El
Paso, Tex.
Carlquist W. Walbourn, '15, Nov. 5'
1918. Corporal. Co E, 420 Telg. Bn. S. C.
American Expeditionary Force. France.
Perley W. White. '13, Jan. 1918, bugler,
Co C, 101st U. S. Engineers. American Ex-
peditionary Force, France.
Ralph A. Whittemore, '11. Army.
George P. Wiley, ex '06, killed by shell
fragment, battle of Vimy Ridge, Apr., 1917.
1918. Co C. 30ist Inf.. American Expeditionary
Force. France.
Frederick J. Wilson. '09, Aug., 4, 1918,
Promoted to Lieutenant through bravery in lead-
ing his platoon in the last drive in the Chateau
Thierry sector, Co G; 7th Reg. Inf. 27th Div.,
American Expeditionary Force, France.
Carl L. Wittig. '04, Oct. 8. 1918, N. E.
Co 2, Camp Joseph E. Johnston, Jacksonville,
Fla.
NAVY
George J. Balch, '09, Sept. 1917, boiler-
maker, U. S. S. Delaware, care of New York
Postmaster.
Leslie H. Barker, '13, June, 1918, car-
penter, U. S. U. R. F., Woods Hole. Mass.
Irving M. Barnaby, '16, Sept. 1918, U.S.
Navy.
Edson M. Bemis, '13, Oct. 13, 1918, 1st.
Class Quartermaster, U. S. S. C. 151, U. S.
Naval Force in Europe, care of New York
Postmaster.
Kenneth A. Bemis, '17, Nov. 9, 1918^
U. S. Navy.
Alfred H. Casey, '13, Aug. 21, 1918,
U. S. Naval Band, U. S. Naval Base 13, care
of New York Postmaster.
George W. Casey, '16, 2nd Naval District,
Receiving Barracks, Newport, R. I.
John J. Casey, '1 1, Aug., 1918, Newport,
R. I.
Robert Casey, "13, Aug., 1917.
Byron E.Collins, '15, Nov. 9, 1918, U.S.
Navy.
Fred J. Colson, '81, July, 1918, U. S.S.
Connecticut, care of New York Postmaster.
WilliamB. Deane, '13, Sept., 1918,U.S.S
Nebraska, care of New York Postmaster.
Herbert A, Dierkes, '06, Oct. 26, 1917,
U. S. S. Celtic, care of New York Postmaster.
Harold W. Edwards, '10. S. 2 C. Divis-
ion 17. U. S. S. Delaware, care of Postmaster.
Fortress Munroe. Va.
John 0. Enright. '12. Aug., 1918, U. S.S.
Drayton, care of New York Postmaster.
Bernhardt Gerecke, '12, Ensign, Feb.,
1918. U. S. S.Celtic, care of New York Post-
master.
James R. Gregory, '10, Baker in Navy.
Died Sept. 28. 1918. of Spanish Influenza.
Robert W. Gregory, '09, St. Julian
Creek Detail, 5th Naval District, Co A, Nor-
folk, Va.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Ralph G. Hadley, ' 14, July, 1917,U.S.S.
Delaware, care of New York Postmaster.
Carl D. P. Hynes, '14, Chief Yeoman,
U. S. S. Torpedo Testing Barge, No 2, Newport,
R. 1.
Frederick Hynes, '12, Aug. 25, 1918,
1st Class Fireman, U. S. S. Washington, care
of New York Postmaster.
Harold Y. Jacobs, '10, Jar^. 13, 1918,
musician, U. S. S. Missouri, care of New
York Postmaster.
William N. King, '15, Apr. 29, 1918,
2nd class seaman. Newport, R. I.
John LeStrange, '11, May 12, 1918,
U. S. S. New York, care of New York Post-
master.
Llewelyn H. Lewis, '14, June 6, 1917,
bugler. Navy.
Cecil E. MacKeown, ex '1 1 , Jan., 1918,
U. S. S. Richmond, care of New York Post
master.
Frederick Marshall, '08, Oct. 8, 1917,
electrician, U. S. S. America, care of New
York Postmaster.
Everett W. Maynard, ex '14, Feb., 1918,
Barracks 233, Navy Yard.
Theodore Miller, '09, 'Aug. 2. 1917,
Barracks C, Newport Training Station, New-
port, R. 1.
Harold D. Morse, '12, Nov. 26, 1918,
1st Machinist, L, 9, care of New York Postmaster
Jackson C. Nielson, ex '16, Sept., 1918,
Chief Petty Officer, Commissary Department,
U. S. S. C. 54, care of New York Postmaster.
Bruce L. Paul, '07, Aug. 10, 1917,
U. S. S. Kearsarge, care of New York Post-
master.
Joseph L. Pendergast, '16, Aug. 10,
1918, S. C. 70, care of New York Postmaster.
Frank A. Tarbell, '13, Jan. 23, 1918,
U.S. S. Celtic, care of New York Postmaster.
Herbert F. Watson, '08, Radio Operator,
went down on the U. S. S. Antilles, Oct. 17, 1917.
ARMY 67
NAVY 35
Please help us to make this list as complete and as accurate as possible.
( No
Vol. 22. ^ Printed AT The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. .'^ M919
4
Entered November 23, 1903. at Boston. Mass. as Second-class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16, 1894.
King Philip's Ufar
Every year on Washington's Birthday we
have either a snowball battle or King Philip's War
game. This year as there was but little snow
we had the latter. All the fellows met in the
Assembly Hall to appoint the squads and squad
leaders. 1 was chosen to be a young buck.
After this was settled we tossed up for the lo-
cation of forces. The settlers under the com-
mand of General Joseph Kervin secured the
South End and he was given ten minutes to get
his headquarters located. King Philip, that is
Warren Noyes, divided his forces into different
companies, and the excitement began when we
started our march to the South End.
Suddenly we saw a head bob out from one
of the settlers' forts. Then we joined hands
to dash upon the enemy, while the settlers did
the same thing. We reached the top of the hill
where the Observatory is located, and the set-
tlers were on the road below us. We met at the
foot of the hill and tried to surround each other.
King Philip was captured, also Little Chief
and seven young bucks, myself included. We
were taken to one of the settlers' fcrts where we
were kept as prisoners until the game ended at
four o'clock.
The settlers being victorious marched
around the Main Building to the storeroom
where they received the trophy. This consisted
of fruit, cookies and candies, which were taken
to the gymnasium where they were enjoyed by
the victors and the officers of the losing side.
William T. Marcus.
J^irplancs
About a week ago four airplanes were seen
flying around Boston, flying very high. Some-
times they went behind the clouds so that we
could not see them. The next minute they
would be out again in plain view. They did
many daring stunts. They turned the loop the
loop and made many dives; it seemed as if
they were dropping to the ground. The aviator
is strapped in his .seat very securely so that
he can't possibly fall out, no matter what
position his plane is in. He has to be dressed
very warmly because it is cold high in the air.
Frank H. H. Mann.
making a Cable
All summer long we had been planning to
make a table for the Sunshine Cottage. So
one day this winter we started the drawing for
it. We looked in many books to see if we could
get some idea of how to make it. We soon
found a good drawing of a table which we went
by.
First we cut out the legs and made the
joints. Next we made the side pieces and then
the top. When it was put together we thought
it would look well with a shelf upon which to
keep books so we added the shelf. It did not
take us long to make the table. When it was
put together we sand papered, stained and shel-
lacked it. Albert Anderson.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Setting mice tvm
As there are many mice in the barn, Poultrj'
House and Corn Crib, Mr. Brcwn asked me
to set some mice traps down there. He got two
dozen traps and gave me directions as to where
to set them. I went to the kitchen and got some
old cheese, set and baited only nine of my traps
that afternoon, and set the remainder the next
afternoon.
I put 10 traps in the grain rooms, four in
thjs Corn Crib, four In the seedhouse and six in
the Poultry House. I have caught 100 rats and
81 mice so far. Philip M. Landry.
maRIng a Cbrec-fold Screen
In making a three-fold screen six pieces cf
oak which were five feet eight inches long, one
and one-fourth inches wide by seven-eighths
of an inch thick were cut on the circular saw;
also nine pieces 19 inches long. In one part
one piece is one inch from the top and the other
is two inches from the top.
The pieces on the top and bottom are fas-
tened to the side pieces by blind mortise and ten-
non joints. In the inside of the frame a quarter-
inch groove was made by the circular saw.
The pieces were then planed by the power planer
and made smooth by a hand plane When the
outside frame was finished a frame of white pine
was made which was five feet long, one foot five
inches wide and one-eighth of an inch thick.
This was made to fit inside of the groove in the
oak frame. When this frame was done some
burlap a yard wide was put around the white
pine frame and tacked to one edge. Next, the
burlapped frame was fitted into the groove in
the oak frame and the joints glued. The oak
frame was then squared and clamped together so
the joints were tight, and left to dry.
The parts being dry, they were planed
smooth, sand-papered and stained with burnt tur-
key umber stain; after that they were varnished
and six double hinges put on and the screen was
complete. Clifton H. Sears.
Our Band
A number of years ago our School had an
orchestra composed of stringed instruments.
We had this kind of music for a few years and
then Mr. Morse, the music instructor, thought he
would start a band. So the School bought a set
of band instruments and a number of boys vol-
unteered to play. Mr. Morse instructed the
band for many years until his death. Then Mr.
Ellis took the position and he is our present in-
structor.
Our band was the first boys' band in this
country. As soon as people heard about our
band many started to follow our example.
We have band instruction once every week
in the Band Hall. Our band is composed of
cornets, trombones, alto and baritone horns,
clarinets, snare drums, bass drum and cymbals.
Charles D. Smith.
Garden Prizes
Prizes are given every year to the fellows
who have the best gardens through the summer.
These prizes had been given by our form.er man-
ager, Mr. Henry S. Grew, and are now given by
his daughter, Mrs. S. V. R. Crosby, and are
called the Grew Garden Prizes. Captain Dix
presented them to us.
1. Elwood S. Chase $5.00
2. Luke V/. B. Halfyard 4.00
3. Warren F. Noyes 3.50
4. Alexis L. Guillemin 3.00
5. Jean Guillemin 2.50
6. Nicholas M. Suarez, Jr. 2.00
7. Louis R. Croxtall 1.75
8. Everett B. Leland 1.25
9. George R. Riggs l.CO
10. Harry W. Gould 1. 00
The first four prize winners specialized in
cockscomb and Chinese pinks and all the gar-
dens showed thought and care in choice and
arrangement of flowers. The fellows appreciate
the prizes and work hard for them.
Louis R. Croxtall.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Spring }?ctiv>ity
Now that spring is coming everywhere there
is activity on the farm; plowing has begun, the trees
in the orchard are receiving attention and the
tree inspectors are out and gathering and kilHng
moths. The gypsy and the brown tail moths are
having the most attention. Around the Main
Building new shrubs are being planted or the old
ones being transplanted.
The fellows are practicing baseball. As the
playground is too soft and muddy we aren't able
to have any batting practice but a lot of fellows
are playing catch and some of- the catchers and
pitchers are getting practice together.
Spring cleaning around the house has also
begun, and walls are being washed, windows
cleaned and clothes closets put in condition.
Ralph L. Langille.
B United States Carrier Figeon
A few days ago a carrier pigeon was found
in cur barn and it was brought up to the office.
It was all tired out from flying against the wind.
The bird was very pretty. It was grayish blue
in color and had a long neck and a four-inch tail.
On one of its legs it had a small aluminum cap-
sule which contained a message. It also had
an aluminum band on its other leg giving its
number.
We kept the bird all night in the basement
of Gardner Hall and gave it some cracked corn
and water. The next morning it was strong
again and able to go on its journey. Captain Dix
let it out of the basement and away it flew to
deliver its message. Chester T. Smith.
Baiing Paper
Every afternoon before school I go down
to the basement of Gardner Hall and bale paper.
Sometimes when there is not enough paper to
make a bale I go down to the Storage Barn and
bring some broken bales to bale over. Other
times I straighten wire and clean up around the
bales. Usually I put three wires on each bale
unless there is not enough wire. It is then taken
to the Storage Barn and put in the paper room.
Eric O. Schippers.
Cups and Shields
In baseball, football and basketball thei e are
cups given to the fellows and a silver shield to
the best team. Mr. Crosby, one of our mana-
gers, gives the shield and cups in baseball and
football and Mr. Sears, another manager, gives
them in basketball. There are tour teams in
each sport: A, B, C and D.
The cups are given to the best player of
each position. There are also two or three sub-
stitute cups given. They are given to the players
having the highest number of points after the
regular cups have been awarded. The shield
is given to the team that has wen the largest
number of games during the season. It is made
of silver with a glass bottom and on the side is
the name of the sport, the player's name and
his position, also the name of the giver of the cup.
Heman a Landers.
Getting J!sbes
One morning another fellow and I wheeled
ashes from the power house to a pile near the
old elm tree. The ashes were in the bottom of
the furnace. Water was put on them and then
they were shoveled into a wheel-barrow.
The next morning we screened the ashes
and took the large cinders down to Willow Road.
The screened ashes were then raked and leveled.
Harry W. Gould,
Kemoving Storm Doors
One day before school the supervisor told
me to get a screw-driver and take off two storm
doors. One was the outside door of the back
store room and the other was the outside door of
the kitchen. I got the keys and unlocked the
inside door and then unhooked the storm door.
I unscrewed the half of the hinge on the casing
and left the hinge on the door. I did the same
to the other door. When they were off I dusted
them and the supervisor took them up to the loft
where they will be kept for further use next winter.
Nicholas M. Suarez, Jr.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbonip$on'$ Tsland Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Vol. 22. Nos. 10 & 11. March, April, 1919
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Richard M. Saltonstall
vice-president
Charles P. Curtis
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Arthur Adams
MeuV'n O. Adams
1. Tucker Burr
S. V. R. Crosby
George L. DeBlois
Malcolm Donald
Thomas J. Evans
Charles T. Gallagher
Robert H. Gardiner, Jr.
Henry Jackson, M. D.
Charles E. Mason
Roger Pierce
Philip S. Sears
Francis Shaw
William S. Spaulding
Moses Williams, Jr.
Ralph B. Williams
Charles H. Bradley, Superintendent
In March when the hail beat upon the win-
dows, we longed for the change from the frosts
and snows of winter to the freshness of spring.
Now in Nature's calm succession of events the
warm days have arrived. The fields are a misty
green, sparkling with the color of wild flowers'
and fruit trees and shrubs are masses of fragrant
blossoms.
From my window 1 see squads of our boy
farmers plowing, harrowing and, under careful in-
struction, planting the early vegetable seeds.
There may be killing frosts and other setbacks,
but we have the faith that looks beyond these
hindrances to the progress that makes the attain-
ment of a full harvest possible.
We live in a moving, progressive world.
There may be lurking cowardices of will and
thought or selfishness which, like the deadening
frosts make us think that the tender growth of
good is not flourishing. Yet we can see that just
as the frosty hours grow fewer and fewer, so
there comes a better growth and greater strength.
Situated as we are in touch with the refin-
ing influences of the best things of city life, yet
having the advantages of pure country living, our
boys are building up clean, strong bodies and
sound minds, and there is advancing here to the
students of The Farm and Trades School the
spirit that counts in the making of the right kind
of American boys, the kind that Theodore
Roosevelt so ably explained when he said: —
What we have a right to expect from the
American boy is that he shall turn out to be a
good American man. Now the chances are
strong that he won't be much of a man unless he
is a good deal of a boy. He must not be a coward
or a weakling, a bully, a shirk or a prig. He
must work hard and play hard. He must be
clean-minded and clean-lived and be able to hold
his own under all circumstances. In life, as in
a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit
the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit
the line hard.
Cdlctidar
February 1. Sorted carrots.
February 3. Crosby cups and shield
awarded to best football players.
February 5. Pruned apple trees.
February 7. Sorted cabbages.
February 9. Held a memorial service in
honor of Col. Theodore Roosevelt.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
February 10. Sorted potatoes and squashes.
February 12. Hauled gravel for East Side
dike.
February 13. Birthday party in honor of
Mr. Bradley.
February 18. Sorted onions.
February 21. butchered four hogs which
dressed 940 pounds.
Manager Charles E. Mason visited the
School for the afternoon.
February 22. No snow. King Philip, war
game, played in the afternoon.
February 26. Worked on East Side tide-
gate. Hauled coal.
Manager George L. DeBlois visited the
School.
March 1. Manager Francis Shaw visited
the School.
March 3. Sorted squashes.
March 4. Butchered a beef which dressed
450 pounds.
March 5. Load of phosphate arrived.
March 7. Destroyed moth nests in or-
chard.
March 12. Began plowing. Sorted pota-
toes.
March 15. Pruned berry bushes.
Manager Francis Shaw visited the School.
March 17. Boys of first class gave a dance.
March 21. Butchered a pig weighing 140
pounds.
March 24. Sorted onions.
March 25. Planted lettuce, cabbages, rad-
ishes, turnips and tomatoes in hot bed.
March 28. Continued plowing. Sorted on-
ions and potatoes.
Admission Committee Meeting. 1 1 boys
were admitted.
Manager Ralph B. Williams visited the
School.
Tcbruary meteorology
Maximum temperature 48" on the 28th.
Minimum temperature 14° on the 1st.
Mean temperature for the month .27 plus.
Total precipitation 1.72 inches.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours .75 on
the 25th and 26th.
Five days with .01 or more inches precip-
itation, 5 clear days, 17 partly cloudy, 5 cloudy
days.
Total number of hours sunshine 139 and
31 minutes.
march meteorology
Maximum temperature 56" on the 9th and
27th.
29th.
linimum temperature 15° on the 18th and
Mean temperature for the month .49 plus.
Total precipitation 1.73.
Greatest precipitation in 24 hours .80 on
the 9th.
Three days with .01 or more inches pre-
cipitation, 8 clear days, 12 partly cloudy, 11
cloudy days.
Total number of hours sunshine 140 and
1 1 minutes.
Cbe Tarm and trades School Bank
Cash on hand Feb. 1, 1919 $631.25
Deposited during the mionth 18.91
$650.16
Withdrawn during the month 9 24
Cash on hand March 1, 1919 $640.92
Deposited during the month 37.99
$678.91
Withdrawn during the month 36.59
Cash on hand April 1,1919 $642.32
Ulork Jffter a Snow Storm
We have been having snow lately. The
snow melts and runs all over the walks and
washes off the gravel. Mr. Brown told me
to make some gutters so that the water would
drain off.
i went down to the tool room and got a shovel
and a hoe and started making gutters. Every
gutter was supposed to end in the catch basin.
After 1 had the gutters made the water started
to run into the catch basin and flowed down to the
ocean. When I was all through with that the
bell rang, and 1 put away my tools and got ready
for school. Jean Guillemin.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
B Game of Basket Ball
On Wednesday, February 26, a basket-
ball game was played between the graduates and
the other boys. The graduates who played were
as follows: John Slinger, Laurence Murphy, John
Robertson, Rollins Furbushand Frederick Heald.
The boys on the opposite side were: Gordon
Martin, Edward Kervin, Herbert Antell, Luke
Halfyard, Joseph Kervin and Everett Leland; the
latter as substitute.
The game was very exciting. The grad-
uates had their hands full to Keep ahead of the
smaller fellows. The first half ended with the
score of seven to five in favor of the boys' team.
In the last half the graduates got ah-ead and won
the game.
Most of the fellows that weren't playing
cheered for the boys' team, but a few cheered
for the graduates. When the game ended it
was found that the graduates had won by the
score of 16 to 10.
Theodore B. Hadley.
mmm Breaa
Bread for the instructors is made in a pail
called a mixer, about 20 inches tall, 14 inches
in diameter at the top and 10 inches in diam-
eter at the bottom. There is an S-shaped
piece of steel with a detachable handle, and a
cross-piece in the middle as a support to turn the
crank.
In making the bread I first put 10 level tea-
spoonsful of salt and half a cup of granulated
sugar into the mixer. I have to wait for a
piece of butter to melt and for a quart of milk
to heat; when it is heated a quart of luke-warm
water and the yeast dissolved in a measuring
cup is added, then six quarts of flour is put in.
It is then ready to be mixed and 1 keep turning
it till it forms a large plump ball which is left to
rise until morning.
When baked it makes five good-sized
loaves of bread.
Donald B. Akerstrom.
Jin Tnciaent
One afternoon while working down in the
Storage Barn I heard a great deal of squealing. I
stopped working for a while and listened. The
noise came from under the seeder. I tiptoed
noislessly over to it and watched. Very soon
four fat little mice came running out of a hole,
one after the other. They started fighting
amongst themselves over a pile of seeds. They
were squealing and running around like cats. 1
coughed loudly and they scampered away like
lightning. Davjd B. LeBrun.
ZU Tirst RoDin
One day while 1 was raking the Farm
House path 1 heard a chirping sound up in a
tree; 1 locked up and saw a robin fluttering in
the branches. This was the first robin 1 had
seen this spring. He was very pretty. He had
a brown body, a black head and a bright red
breast.
Pretty soon I went down to the other end
of the path and the robin seemed to fly after
me. I whistled to him and he answered me
with a few notes. Joseph C. Scarborough.
Cftc Tirst €la$s Dance
Monday night, March 17, the pupils of the
first class gave a dance, each boy inviting one
boy friend. The Chapel was decorated with
green crepe paper around the lights and red,
white and blue crepe paper around the room
and there were pictures of the American Eagle
and other decorations.
The instructors and boys danced for a
while and then there were some refreshments,
such as ginger ale, cookies, cake, and sand-
wiches. After two or three dances, Baird, the
class president, took the American Flag from a
box in which there was a present for Miss
Chapel; it was her birthday. The present was a
locket.
After a while the boys went to bed, feeling
tired but happy, for we had a very good time.
Arthur J. Schaefer.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Eayina Sod JJrouna m flag Pole
One noon hour Mr. Bradley sent for
another fellow and me and assigned us to put
sod around the flag pole.
First we had to slope the earth so that it
would look well. We used a straight-edge
so as to have the slope even. Then we began to
lay the sod around the cement square. It was
a hard job at first and we had a little trouble for
the sod squares were not all cut the same size.
The boys who had cut the sod did not know
that the pieces were to be the same size. They
were supposed to be a foot long, six inches
wide and two and a half inches thick. The sod
had to be tamped after it was placed. Then we
took a hose from the tool-room and put it on the
faucet in the boy's prize gardens. We watered
the sod well and tamped it again.
CHt-sTER T. Smith.
Setting Glass
When a window is broken in some part of
the house it is my job to set the glass.
First I get some putty ready. In prepar-
ing putty, white lead and whiting are used.
It is worked with the hands until it is suffi-
ciently soft.
I took the sash out, took it down to the
paint shop and chiseled off the old putty. Then
I measured to find the size of the glass needed
and cut it out accordingly.
Putty is put around the sash to make a bed
for the glass and then the glass is put in place.
After the pane is firmly pressed into the bed of
putty glaziers' points are driven into the sash to
hold the glass in place.
A beveled finish of putty is pressed in
place around the sash with the putty knife. Then
the glass is cleaned and the sash put in place.
Jean Guillemin.
fixing tDe l)Ot Beds
There are four hot beds which are situated
south of the root cellar. They are 28 feet long
and six feet wide. They have v/indows to keep
the heat in and to let in the light and sunshine.
To prepare them for seed we have to take
almost all of the old dirt out. Then new dress-
ing is put in and the old dirt on top of that.
About five or six inches of loam is then added.
This is raked over and all the stones and grass-
roots are taken out. Then the windo'.vs are put
on (there are eight windows on each bed). In
the summer a boy is assigned to water the plants
and weed them out. When they are large
enough they are transplanted.
George W. Vincent.
Planting J?corn$
One day I worked down in the West Base-
ment stratifying acorns. The first thing 1
did was to put about two inches of cinders
into the boxes for drainage, then an inch
of good sand on top of the cinders. I
did only three boxes because another fellow
had done the rest before, me, but he had not
covered them so I put on an inch and a half of
sand. When stratifying acorns we plant them
about half an inch to an inch apart. The boxes
are eighteen inches long, thirteen inches
wide and four inches deep.
1 stratified three boxes and covered twenty
that morning. Raymond S. Metcalf.
Putting in Bolts
When the new cement walk was made
down at the Wharf, holes were made about every
15 feet for bolts which were to hold posts
which were to be put in later. The holes were
one foot deep and four inches square. I was
given the job of putting in the bolts, which were
about 18 inches long and one inch in diameter.
First 1 made some cement mortar by mix-
ing one pail of sand with one-half pail of cement.
The holes were well cleaned out and then filled
with mortar in which the bolts were driven, so that
about eight inches were left on the outside of the
hole. Then there was a form made so as to
hold the bolts in place and keep the cement in.
The next day I took off the forms and
smoothed up the holes and that finished my work
of putting in the bolts.
Norman F. Farmer.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbe Jllumni Association of Cbe farm and trades School
William Alcott '84, President
Everett
Merton p. Ellis, '99, Secretary
25 Rockdale Street, Mattapan
James H. Graham, '79, Vice-President
Boston
RiCHARtj Bell, '73, Treasurer
Dorchester
Henry A. Fox. '79. Vice-President
Allston
Alfred C. Malm, '00, Historian
Melrose
Herbert N. Leach, '16, has written
from France. He has visited Luxemburg and
during action was with a trench-mortar platoon.
Henry P. Holmes, '16, writing Feb.
4, says that he has joined the merchant
marine. He trained for a few weeks in
Boston, took several tripsalong the Maine Coast,
and then shipped as a fireman on the Lake
Fostoria, a 3,000-ton freighter carrying coal and
s'dgar between New York and Cuba.
He writes: "This is my first trip and a very
interesting one, too. 1 have had several days
here at Havana, and I found it interesing look-
ing over the old forts that are at the harbor en-
trance." In closing he wishes to be remem-
bered to everybody- and speaks of Boston in
affectionate terms.
Joseph L. Penderga.st, '16, who joined
the Navy some months ago says he is still sta-
tioned at Key West, much as he wished to go
to France. He wishes to be remembered to
all.
Ralph H. Benway, '16, who joined the
merchant marine in March, writes of his train-
ing in the barracks. He says: "We did about
the same sort of work while we were in the
barracks as we used to do down at the School.
■ . . . I enlisted as a fireman as that was
what they needed men the most at. I think 1
will like it as some of my friends that are serv-
ing here and aboard ship say that it is a good
job if you will work and I don't think I am
afraid of work."
my Duties at nidbt
After I get out of school, I go into the kit-
chen and get my milk pail, then I go down to
the barn with the rest of the milkers. After I
get down there I put on my milker's apron, get
my stool and go to milking; I have three cows
to milk. It takes about half an hour to milk
them.
When I have finished I help some of the
other milkers if they are not done in time.
Sometimes I do r.t get done in time my-
self, if I am the only milker, then the rest of
the milkers feed the hay, sweep the floor and
we are finished for the night.
Carl F. Benway.
Cb« Tncincrator
The incinerator is a large square cement
form. It is eight feet square at the bottom
with two small doors where the ashes are taken
out. Facing the water there are two large
doors where the rubbish is thrown in. A little
way up it begins to slant and becomes smaller
at the top. The ashes are put into a place
joined to the chimney at the bottom and there
is a ladder leading up to the top. All of the
old rubbish from the beach and house are
burned there and this makes ashes for the farm.
I was assigned the duty of keeping the fire
going and cleaning out the ashes, and this
takes part of my time each day.
Norman F. Farmer.
Cb^ 6vtniid$iuin Jlpparatus
We have an outdoor gymnasium apparatus
as well as one inside. The one out of doors is
situated on the playground; there are two parts
to it. It was given to us by Mrs. Charles E. Mason.
On one part of it there is a slide, horizon-
tal bar, two swinging ladders that go up and
down, a swinging pole and a slide that has two
poles. On the other part there are six traveling
rings. The boys enjoy this outdoor apparatus
very much in the summer time.
In the gymnasium there are three travel-
ing rings, a climbing rope and two swinging
rings and r things. The fellows play basket-
ball in the ^, nasium. Walter W. F. Mann.
/# if ■^:
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