Altamont Students Write Essays in the U. S. Army School Contest. 

Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, General John J. Pershing and General Peyton C. Mark will announce on April 19 the names of three medal-winning school boys or girls who, on Feb. 20, 1920, wrote the best essays of all the school boys and girls of America on the subject: “What are the benefits of an enlistment in the U. S. Army?” 

The regulations of the contest provided that essays were to be written in the class rooms on Friday, Feb. 20; that each school was to be the judge of its own product. The principal of each school was to appoint a board of three judges to select one essay as the entry from the school, and the winning essay was to be sent to the army recruiting station nearest his school. 

The winners of the contest will be taken to Washington, accompanied by parents or guardians with all expenses paid, where, on May 5, Secretary Baker will present them with medals. There is a war department gold medal for the first prize, a silver medal for second prize, and a bronze medal for third prize. In addition, three silver loving cups will be presented to the schools producing the winners. 

Essays were written by practically every scholar in the Altamont school, from third grade to the senior class of the High school department. The essay written by Miss Nancy Christman received the votes of the three judges appointed by Prof. C. Homer Hook. 

In a later issue of the Enterprise will be published the essays written by the students who were second and third in the standing. As the essay of Miss Christman has been forwarded to the War department it will be impossible, for the present, to publish it in the Enterprise. 

GETS LARGE VERDICT FOR DEATH OF HER FATHER 

A jury in Supreme Court in Schenectady last week Wednesday gave Miss Merle Sheldon of Central Bridge $8,700 for the death of her father, William K. Sheldon, on August 4, 1918, at the Delaware and Hudson railroad crossing near Central Bridge when the Ford in which he and his wife were riding was struck by the 6 o’clock fast milk train. The verdict was rendered after less than two hours’ deliberation and when it was announced Miss Sheldon broke down completely. 

The jury said the cause of Mr. Sheldon’s death was solely the negligence of the railroad’s agents and that there was no contributory negligence on the part of Mr. Sheldon. The automobile in which Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon were riding was struck after they had left the home of Mrs. Sheldon’s father and were attempting to cross the tracks. The train, which was more than an hour late, was alleged at the trial to have been going at an excessive rate of speed, instantly killing both of them. The action was for $25,000. 

KNOX. 

Girls bring your fellows and come to the leap year social on Saturday evening, March 6, at the Methodist church hall.