American Legion memories

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History

Congress declared war on Germany in April 1917, bringing America into the World War that had begun three years earlier.  The first Amsterdam National Guard members departed for World War I in August of 1917. 

The first draftees left Amsterdam the next month.  Historian High Donlon wrote that there were monthly sendoffs of as many as 240 draftees from Montgomery County during the war.

The fighting ended with the armistice on November 11, 1918.  When the news reached a contingent of 59 Amsterdam area draftees bound for Camp Humphries, Virginia by train, the men turned around in Albany and returned to the Rug City.

The first Montgomery County casualty of the war was Henry Deckro of Fonda, according to Donlon, followed by Raymond W. Smith of Canajoharie.

The first man from Amsterdam killed in the war was Matthew J. Coessens. Donlon said that money collected for the war effort in Amsterdam that was not used at war’s end was used in creating Coessens Park in the East End, named in honor of that first Amsterdam war casualty.  The leftover money also was put toward creation of a monument at the West End Memorial Park.

Lieutenant James T. Bergen of National Guard Company H in Amsterdam was killed in the war and his name was given to American Legion Post 39.

American Legion Post 701, which recently observed the 90th anniversary of its founding, was named for John J. Wyszomirski, an Amsterdam youth of Polish heritage who died in France 11 days before the Armistice.  Wyszomirski’s body was returned home in 1921.

According to a Post 701 history written by the late Commander Winston K. Hughes, a Polish-American veterans group first met at Wytrwal Hall on Hibbard Street in February 1919 and John Kosinski served as chairman. 

The local group was aware that a veterans organization was being formed on a national level.  Before deciding on the name American Legion, veterans considered other names—the Colonial Legion, International Legion and Comrades Service Club.

The Hibbard Street veterans group affiliated with the American Legion in 1919.  The new post was named to honor Wyszomirski after permission was secured from his parents, Stanley and Magdalene. 

The first commander was Albert Mushaw.  Early on, the Post formed a popular drum and bugle corps who wore black and white uniforms and silver helmets.

In 1928, the Post moved to the Selmer Building on Reid Street then to the Pythian Temple on Guy Park Avenue.

In 1935, a decision was made to buy a building and by the end of the decade Post 701 had renovated a structure at 33-35 Church Street.

During World War II, there was a dance every Saturday night at the Church Street Post with Commander Desmond Nichols as MC and comedian.  The Church Street facility had a canteen, kitchen, meeting rooms, lounge and two parking areas.  Post 701 was a popular spot for servicemen home on leave.

In 1952, the Post took over sponsorship of what had been the Mohawk Mills Band.  Jerry Culick became director of the Post 701 band in 1963.

In the 1970s, Post 701’s Church Street building was torn down for road reconstruction, part of urban renewal.  Ground was broken for the current Post 701 home at 123 West Main Street in 1974.

HOME FRONT

During World War I, there was grumbling on the Amsterdam home front because of price increases and shortages, according to historian Donlon.

Trolley fares climbed from one cent to a nickel and electric power rates doubled. Fuel shortages started in 1918 and some of the city’s factories closed periodically. The Amsterdam Free Library closed for eight weeks.

..it's a system, a network

Tomorrow, Friday, May 27, 2022-Episode 424

David Brooks from Schoharie Crossing State Historic site in Fort Hunter takes a look at life on the wild side of the Erie Canal with tales about the Kilboys, including balladeer Tom Kilboy.  Schoharie Crossing in Fort Hunter, where the old Erie Canal crossed the Schoharie Creek

Saturday, May 28, 2022-From the Archives-Friday, October 4, 2019-Episode 286-Charles Postel, author of “Equality: An American Dilemma 1866-1896,” follows three organizations: the Grange, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Knights of Labor.

Joseph Tralka

This Sunday, May 29, 2022 A Bob Cudmore Focus on History column about Joseph and George Tralka.  A native of Poland, Joseph came to Amsterdam by way of Brazil and Pennsylvania and was longtime organist and choir director at St. Stanislaus Church.  His son George went off to the Second World War then became a physician in the Washington D.C. area.  

Mohawk Valley Weather, Thursday, May 26, 2022

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