Sunday August 17, 1930

Leaving Lynchburg, Virginia, at 1:50 am early Sunday morning, August 17, Josephine traveled on the Southern Railway Train 42 to Washington, DC, arriving there at 6:55 am. After a 30-minute stopover in Washington, DC, Josephine transferred to the Pennsylvania Railroad Train 124, which took her to New York’s Pennsylvania Station, where she arrived at 12:30 pm Josephine had traveled a total time of 56 hours and 36 minutes by train.

When the Louisiana group stepped off the Southern Railway train in Washington, DC to transfer to the Pennsylvania Railroad Train 124, they were probably met by an agent of the railroad, who recognized the badge which had been furnished to each pilgrim (the purpose of the badge was for all courtesy-recognition purposes). The railroad agent took care of their baggage and extended every possible consideration to Josephine and her traveling companions, including conducting them to the Pennsylvania Railroad Train 124 that they would board for New York City.

Josephine and her traveling companions arrived in New York City on August 17, 1930, at 12:30 pm. They were met by Captain William Hesketh, an officer of the regular Army dressed in his Army uniform. Captain Hespketh escorted the group to the Hotel McAlpin (1), located at Broadway at 34th Street, one block from Penn Station and the Empire State Building, where reservations for Josephine and the other Louisiana ladies had been made. The Hotel McAlpin had been built in 1913 and at the time was considered one of the largest hotels in the world. Captain Hesketh took everyone’s passport and return ticket stub and held them for safekeeping until the group’s return to New York from Europe.

The hotel provided a welcome card for the pilgrims:

in collection of Margaret Blanchard Rouyea

At the Hotel McAlphin, a room, meals, and high-class accommodations for every convenience, had been arranged for Josephine in advance. Josephine occupied Room 918 with Mrs. Edolie Banks Duhon, a war widow from Crowley, Louisiana, for two days (Sunday, August 17, and Monday, August 18). Josephine and Mrs. Duhon had probably met on the long train ride from Louisiana to New York . I am not sure if they knew they would be roommates before they arrived in New York City. Josephine had two pieces of baggage. The room probably had twin beds and a private bath.

Note: Baggage was limited to two pieces of hand baggage, not to exceed 100 pounds. The articles taken were to be such as would be required for a trip of about one month. Laundry service would be available in New York and Paris. Since the climate of Europe was much colder than that of the United States, each woman was instructed that she should provide herself with sufficient warm clothing to stand the motor bus trip and the visit to the cemeteries.

There probably was a meeting at a large room at the hotel in order for the travelers to get acquainted with each other and in order to meet the doctors and nurses assigned to their care on the ship.

The pilgrims were able to take their meals in the dining room and then sign their name and room number when they had finished their meal; without having to pay for the meal; the government covered the cost of almost everything on this trip.

These two days in New York allowed Josephine time to rest up from her train trip and to meet other mothers and war widows from other states who would form part of her group.

The makeup of the group was diverse. Some women had traveled a lot. Some had never before left their home. Some were women of means (though hardly any were affluent). Some had ample wardrobe, some had only a dress or two. Some had struggled to buy the two suitcases they were allowed to bring. Some spoke fluent French; some could barely speak English.

See Comments Section for more information about Army escorts for the pilgrimages and about medical care that was available if needed and procedure in the case of the death of a pilgrim.




Source: written by Carolyn Ourso