1931

"Today was some day! The Red Cross called for 1,000 Dartmouth men to volunteer to clean debris in and around White River Junction. 823 signed up. All who went had their absences from class excused. Breakfast at Commons, then to Norwich, a special train waiting for us—20 box cars. The thermometer said 26 degrees, and the box cars were not heated. Train pulled out at 8:15—about 25 or 30 fellows in a car. The expedition was divided, a bunch dropped off to make the June look respectable. We were shipped to West Hartford, the most damaged town. From a car full of tools I got a shovel. The main road in places absolutely gone; the post office porch swept away; the store with flour scattered a half foot thick, grain bags ripped open, dead rats in some places; the mud—the first three inches frozen -stiff, on which axes had to be used—underneath still slimy, ordinary muck. A bucket brigade using five pails, three wheel barrows, a continuous chain. As soon as a man got tired somebody would fill his place. My job, chief slime dumper.

"The Red Cross served lunch, then back to work as a wheelbarrow pusher. Every load grew heavier. Covered with mud, we quit for the day. Private train scheduled to call at 4:45 didn't come until 5:45. Ride home weird, a long string of box cars with no lights.

"Took a real hot shower upon reaching home. Although quite weary I feel great. You hear a lot of stories. One man had to shovel mud from around his garage, then out of his garage, then out of his car. A friend found match sticks plastered with mud to a ceiling.

"Important! We had a Pathe News camera man along with us. He took a picture of our car.

"If they have any more floods around here, I'll graduate D.D., ditch digger. I wouldn't have missed it for anything"

The preceding excerpts are from the letter of November 10, 1927, Mil Hallenbeck wrote home about "The Dartmouth Relief Expedition." More recollections, anyone?

4211 Coplay Creek Road, Schnecksville, PA 19078

If they have any more floods around here, I'll graduate D.D., ditch digger. Mil Halllenbeck '31NOVEMBER 10, 1927