Altamont Enterprise June 15, 1917

STATE CENSUS STARTED

House to House Canvas To Be Made In Albany County — Exemption Questions Must Be Answered — Jail Sentence for Failure to Answer.

New York State wants an answer to the question on its census blanks, “Do you claim exemption from military service?” even though the federal authorities ruled it was not necessary for men enrolling under the federal draft act to answer that question.

The first sub-division of the question is “If so, upon what grounds?” And rules issued by the state census headquarters Monday on that point are:

“Give as briefly as possible the reason which in your opinion entitles you to exemption, as ‘religious scruples,’ ‘alien,’ or any physical disability, past or present, a serious diseases which you have had. Be clear and specific, as ‘defective eyesight’ or ‘loss of arm.’”

An important feature of the census will be the compilation of a list of male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 who are subject to draft into the state militia if emergency should require. Every resident of the state must register even though a citizen of a foreign country and regardless of whether that country is at war with the United States.

MEADOWDALE.

School closed last week for the summer vacation.

THOMPSON’S LAKE.

Much excitement prevailed in this section last week when it was found that the contractor who was building the state road through here had left town and abandoned the contract. Several are mourning his departure. Nearly all the men left Monday when hope of his return was given up.

MAN’S BODY FOUND IN BROOK BY FISHERMAN

Physician Discovers Victim Near Guilderland and Coroner Hastings Gives Verdict of Suicide.

The unidentified body of a man between 55 and 60 years old, which Coroner Warren S. Hastings said was that of a suicide by drowning, was found at 9 o’clock Sunday morning on the banks of a stream of water known as “Hungerkill,” Pine Bush district, near Guilderland on the Coon farm, three miles south of stop 13, Schenectady road. Slight bruises and cuts about the head and body led to suspicion of foul play, but an autopsy found the bruises were caused by branches and shrubs. The body was discovered by Dr. Vincent Westervelt of Schenectady when fishing. He telephoned to the Schenectady police who informed Coroner Hastings. When the coroner arrived the manager of the farm said he never saw the man before. The victim’s head was bald except for a ridge of gray hair; his eyes were blue, he weighed 135 pounds and was five feet seven inches tall.

A search of the shrubbery failed to reveal a trace of clothing. Coroner Hastings believes the man may have wandered about the woods for several days without clothing. The nearest house is a mile from the spot where the body was found.

 

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