The Westford Wardsman, November 3, 1917
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Colburn and Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Colburn attended the funeral of Mrs. Carrie [nee Kelley] Colburn in Nashua, N.H., Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Colburn was the widow of the late James Colburn, a half-brother of Charles and Henry Colburn of this town.
The program of the Tadmuck club next Tuesday afternoon at Library hall has been changed and the afternoon in charge of the art committee and that of the civics committee has been reversed. There will be an address by Miss Emily Skilton on “Safeguarding our young people,” and a reading by Mrs. Anderson. Miss Balch is expected to give her afternoon, “Humor in art,” at the later date.
Paul Locklin, a former student at Westford academy, was in town for the Halloween dance given by the senior class of the academy last week Friday evening. Miss Dorothy Jaques was also among the out-of-town guests present.
Rev. J. S. Moulton, of Stow, has recently had the goods occupying rooms in the home of the late Mrs. Mary E. Heywood removed. Mr. Moulton had kept these rooms furnished since his removal from town many years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Hill and family, who have occupied Mrs. J. S. Bright’s cottage during the summer, have moved back to their winter home in suburban Boston.
A little son [Roger Isles Bosworth] was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Bosworth on Tuesday [Oct. 30, 1917].
Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode, who make their summer home at their Forge Village camp, have rented the Hamlin house for the winter and their Westford friends will be glad to have them in the village during the winter.
The Westford relatives and friends have been glad to hear of the safe arrival in England of Wesley Hawkes, Jr., one of our drafted soldier boys.
Mrs. M. Elizabeth Whitney and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Prescott Wright have returned to their Brookline home for the winter.
Dr. O. V. Wells has been appointed first lieutenant of the medical department of the 19th regiment, which promotion necessarily disqualifies him as a member of the local home guard company.
Much sympathy is felt by our residents for Mrs. Henry Smith, of Graniteville, for the suffering and death of her husband this week at the Lowell hospital. Mr. Smith had made himself liked by all with whom he came in contact by his courteous demeanor and his helpfulness in musical circles.
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Anderson and son go next week to their Winchendon pastorate for the winter.
The annual banquet for the Congregational church is scheduled for Wednesday evening, November 14. Booth’s orchestra will be in attendance and a good speaker and the dinner is in charge of a very capable committee.
The high winds that accompanied the hard rainstorm on Tuesday caused a lot of trouble with the telephone and electric light wires, and made a busy time for the linemen. The electric light service was crippled during the afternoon, but was fortunately righted before dark. The common and village streets were strewn with the branches and any apples remaining unpicked were pretty well blown from the trees.
Last Sunday evening at the Congregational church the service was devoted, as were many other churches, to a Martin Luther evening. The service was in charge of Mr. Lincoln and various members took the parts assigned bearing on the life and work of this great reformer in ecclesiastical history.
Miss Emily F. Fletcher, one of the local secretaries of the state society for the protection of native plants, has received an appeal for the preservation of the beautiful mountain laurel. This is one of our most beautiful native shrubs and is a slow growing plant and as the flowers are only grown on the shoots of the previous season’s growth people should use the greatest discretion in gathering it for decorative purposes.
The senior class of Westford academy gave a very pretty Halloween dancing party at the town hall last week Friday evening. The decorations were decidedly appropriate and pretty and reflected much credit upon those having them in charge. Black cats, witches, Jack-o’-lanterns, etc., entered into the decorative scheme. The Peerless orchestra of Lowell furnished the music for dancing from eight to twelve o’clock. The proceeds will be used to purchase a liberty bond to be presented to the academy by the class.
A number from this village attended the special war relief benefit at the Strand theatre, Lowell, Wednesday.
The regular meeting of Edwin Metcalf circle, Ladies of the G.A.R., met at the home of its president, Mrs. J. Willard Fletcher, Thursday afternoon of last week. Mrs. Marion Woodbury national chaplain and department inspector; Mrs. Elvira Veasey, department president; Mrs. Schuman, department secretary, and Mrs. Hallie Whitney, department circle treasurer, were among those present. A silk flag was presented by Asa John Patten circle of Billerica, Mrs. F. L. Murphy making the presentation speech.
Soldier Boys Entertained. The reception, banquet, presentation and dance arranged by the entertainment committee of Company L, the public safety committee and the ladies of the local branch of Red Cross for our soldier boys last Saturday evening was a great success, although it was much to be regretted that a quarantine for measles at Camp Devens affected nine of the young men and they could not be in attendance.
The banquet was served at seven o’clock and was a choice menu of the best of home cooking and comprised chicken pie, cold meats, escalloped oysters, relishes, rolls, ice cream, cake and coffee. This was in charge of Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, president of the local Red Cross, Mrs. O. R. Spalding, Mrs. A. W. Hartford, Misses Gertrude and Julia Fletcher, and they were willingly assisted by plenty of ready cooperators.
Hon. Edward Fisher was one of the after-dinner speakers, and Capt. S. H. Fletcher, in behalf of the townspeople, presented each young man a soldier’s comfort kit. These were contributed by the generosity of public-spirited townspeople and were models of compactness and convenience. Those men in the service not able to be present will be presented their comfort kit at Camp Devens.
After the banquet a dancing party was held in the upper hall and was a genuine military dance, made so by our men in khaki. It was a most pleasant social affair and was well attended. Gray’s mandolin orchestra of Lowell, six pieces, furnished music for the dancing and during the banquet. The decorations of the skillful use of the national colors were in effective evidence.
The following enlisted and drafted men were present: Leon F. Hildreth, Alexander Cameron, Robert Orr, Frank Charlton, Gustave Eliason, Frank Johnson, Clarence Hildreth, John A. Healey, Herbert E. Smith and John Hobson.
Postmaster J. Herbert Fletcher, who has been in attendance at the meeting of the New England Fox hunters’ association convened in East Pepperell, was successful in securing a fine, large fox on Tuesday of this week. Sir Reynard was a fine specimen and his pelt was a beautiful one. Seven foxes were secured by the hunters that day.
Fisher Buckshorn and Gordon Seavey entertained a very pleasant Halloween party at the home of the former’s parents, Rev. and Mrs. L. H. Buckshorn, Wednesday evening. There were eighteen boys and girls present and the time-honored stunts and games of Halloween were enjoyed. Pretty decorations and delicious refreshments of sherbet and cake supplement the evening’s enjoyment.
Miss A. Mabel Drew, with her mother, Mrs. Sarah J. Drew, motored to Chelsea, Vt., where the latter renewed old associations.
About Town. Mrs. Thornton Lewis has been visiting Mrs. Alice Lambert.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wright and son Whitney have returned to their winter home in Brookline. Mrs. Hiram Whitney will remain for awhile longer at the summer home.
During one of the recent autumnal thunder showers lightning struck the cupola on the barn at the old Levi T. Fletcher place, upsetting the crowing capacity of the weathervane rooster, as well as its reliability as to which way the wind was listed. After performing on the cupola the lightning took to the roof and played with the shingles.
Hugo T. Page has sold his saw mill and fixtures near Westford station to Horace E. Gould, near the Wright schoolhouse on Groton road. Mr. Page is now engineer for the Herbert E. Fletcher Company at the stone quarry on Oak hill.
Daniel H. Sheehan has the contract for cutting and sawing the lumber at Mountain Rock, near Lakeview, in Tyngsboro and Dracut. Mr. Sheehan estimates it will take a year to complete the work.
Walter Charles [Walter Stevens] Wright, of Columbus, Ga., has been visiting his aunt, Miss Ella T. Wright, at her summer home in Brookside. Mr. Wright will be remembered by some Westford people as the son of Charles Walter Wright, and grandson of Walter Wright, as well as grandson of Abel Stevens, a former resident of Westford, who moved to Leominster and Fitchburg soon after marrying Miss [Lucy Wheeler] Fletcher of Westford.
Deaths. Orin Littlefield, who died in Fitchburg, October 21, will be remembered by many Westford people, he having married in 1860, Miss Clara A. Walker, one of the old-time scholars and teachers of the Stony Brook school. Mr. Littlefield was a tinsmith by occupation and entered the employ of Lyman Patch, of Fitchburg, April 1, 1865, and continued with unabated industry for forty-eight years in the employ of the company. At that time of the past century it was the custom to send out tin peddlers, Mr. Patch sending out twenty-five such peddlers. Tinware was much made in those days and the old-fashioned wash boiler was comparatively a new invention, taking the place of the old brass kettle so long in use. Mr. Littlefield has among his interesting records that of making 2800 tin wash boilers in one year [about 9 per day, 6 days per week], and most of them sold by peddlers in that year.
The old-fashioned tin peddler is seldom seen on our rural roads and this bit of recreation in trading rags for tinware has become nearly obsolete.
Mr. Littlefield was a man very highly respected in the community and his nearly half a century of continuous labor for one company is a tribute to his character that makes mere words of eulogy seemingly unnecessary. As husband, father, grandfather and friend his personality was an influence for love.
The deceased is survived by a widow, Clara Walker Littlefield; two sons, Fred, an insurance agent, of Farmington, N.H., and Edward, living at the home place; two daughters, Mrs. Edgar Wallace, of Wellesley, and Mrs. Herbert Coffin, of Berwick, Me.; two grandchildren, Mrs. Roland Hurd, of Berwick, Me., and Miss Minnie Coffin, of South Lancaster college; two great-grandchildren, and an aged sister seventy-six years old.
On the farm which they bought fifty years ago, besides their son Fred, who carries on the farm, Mrs. Littlefield’s brother and sister, Charles E. and Miss Belle Walker, make their home since they sold the old Walker homestead so well and favorably known to Westford people.
Mr. Littlefield was born in Wells, Me., on June 1, 1837; spent his early years on his father’s farm until sixteen years of age, when he went to Dover, N.H., to learn the tinsmith trade of his uncle, Horace Littlefield.
The funeral was from his home on Tuesday, October 23, Rev. Julian S. Wadsworth of the First M.E. church conducting the service. Burial was at Forest Hill cemetery. The bearers were Edward and Fred Littlefield, sons of the deceased, Edgar Wallace, a son-in-law, and Mr. Coleman.
John W. O’Brien died at his home in South Westford on Monday. He was born in New Zealand and had been a resident of Westford for nearly fifty years, engaged in farming. For many years he had been crippled with rheumatism, which kept him from the activities of life and less known in the social world. He was well informed on all substantial affairs of life and a conversationalist, the writer having had several enlightened interviews with him. He is survived by a wife and four sons, George, John, James and William, and a daughter, Mary O’Brien. The funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Howard A Lincoln conducting the service, which was largely attended, and flowers in profusion. The bearers were the sons, George, John, James and William. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.
With others we record our sadness at the sudden passing of Henry Smith, for several years superintendent of the mill of Abbot & Company, Graniteville. Mr. Smith had the rareness to enjoy life moment by moment and gather something out of this enjoyment that was worth the while as a future reserve force. He loved his garden and loved it early in the spring and loved it all summer, industriously freeing it from the encroachments of weeds. The writer has had several amusing competitions with him in the early garden plantings and harvestings. Mr. Smith was by nature musical and he allowed it not to wane by disease. He was a helpful figure in the social and musical life of the community and his sweet tenor voice in quartet or solo we shall hear no more in the choir of the First Parish church in Westford Center, or as director of the singing on Memorial day. He was good to lean upon for all those who were not quite sure of the next note. He leaves a helpful, happy memory.
Forge Village. Last Sunday Rev. Angus Dun announced that Rev. Sherrard Billings of Groton School would conduct the service on Sunday and celebrate holy communion. The coming of Mr. Billings to St. Andrew’s mission is always an event largely looked forward to.
J. William Stark, Frank Munsey, R. A. Niebuho, Albert Stirk and Charles Coons motored here last Saturday from Bridgeport, Conn., where they made a brief stay at the home of W. C. Precious.
Mr. and Mrs. Wall, of Wellington, spent the weekend at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell.
Mr. and Mrs. John Bennett and two children and Conrad Bennett, of Worcester, spent Sunday at the home of Mrs. H. E. Randall.
Miss Edith M. Foster, of Medford, visited friends here on Monday. Her many friends will be pleased to learn that she is able to resume teaching after suffering from a nervous breakdown. She will have charge of the Medford grammar school, commencing November 1.
Miss Marion L. Blodgett, who had her home for many years with her aunt, Mrs. John Edwards [nee Laura Selina Weaver] now lives with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Blodgett, in Medford, where she can give more attention to music. Her many friends who have been inquiring about her will be interested to know that she already has a large number of pupils.
Miss Mary H. Cherry of Somerville, spent the weekend at the home of her grandmother, Mrs. Mary A. [nee Adams] Lowther.
The Forge Village soccer football club was defeated by the Methuen team last Saturday afternoon by the score of 3 to 2.
It was with deep regret that the residents here learned of the death of Henry Smith of Graniteville, superintendent of the Abbot Worsted Co. Mr. Smith was held in high esteem by everyone. Possessed of a pleasing voice he was always in demand at the different social gatherings. He gave freely of his time and talent and became known through his efforts on Memorial day, when he had charge of the singing at the cemeteries.
John B. Brown and his niece, Miss Mildred Precious, spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Brown, of Clinton.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Bicknell and Mr. and Mrs. Ford, of Somerville, spent the weekend as guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael.
The soccer football club held a very successful dancing party in Abbot hall on Monday evening. Broderick’s orchestra of Lowell furnished music for the dancing and all had a most enjoyable time.
A large number from here attended one of the best dances of the season last week Friday evening when the senior class of Westford academy held a Halloween dance in the town hall, Westford. All report a very fine time. The sum of thirty dollars was netted for the class by the party.
Twenty-five Christmas bags for the soldiers in France were sent off this week by the children of Cameron school. Each of these bags were valued from $1 to $1.50.
Wedding. A very pretty naval wedding took place last Saturday morning at the Sacred Heart church, Mt. Auburn, when Miss Marjorie M. Rose, of Belmont, and John Gray, of the Harvard Radio school, were united in marriage. The nuptial mass was celebrated by Rev. P. J. Coughlin, and the choir was assisted by several well-known singers. Joseph Kelly, of Cambridge, rendered a beautiful Ave Maria. The bride made a very charming picture in a dress of ivory satin with lace and cut en train. Her veil was caught up with orange blossoms and she carried a shower bouquet of roses and orange blossoms. She entered the church with her uncle, Elmer E. Nutting, of Forge Village, who gave her away. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Lillian G. Rose, who wore blue taffeta silk with silver lace and a black picture hat with a bird of paradise. Her bouquet was of yellow chrysanthemums. The groom was attired in regulation naval uniform and also his best man, J. B. Burk, of Rutland. They made a pleasing picture as they entered the church to meet the bridal procession. The ushers were all classmates of the groom and were also in naval uniform.
A wedding breakfast was served at the bride’s home to the immediate families. The house was decorated with potted plants and cut flowers, where the young couple received the congratulations of numerous friends. Many useful and costly gifts were received. After a short wedding trip they will be at home at 161 Belmont street, Belmont.
The groom will continue his course at the Harvard Radio school, Cambridge.
Guests were present from Lowell, Ayer, Westford, Wheelwright, Boston and Springfield.
The young couple are both well and favorably known, the bride being a graduate of Belmont high school and active in all social and musical affairs of the town. They are equally well-known here, where the bride has spent a great deal of time visiting her grandmother, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Splaine.
Graniteville. The last of the October devotions were held in St. Catherine’s church on Tuesday night. On Thursday morning two masses were celebrated, the first at five o’clock for the working people, and the other at 7:30. A high mass was also celebrated on Friday morning at 7:30.
Little Germain Longley, the five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Longley, was run over by a Ford delivery car driven by Rudolph Richard last Monday afternoon. The child started to run across the street when she stumbled and fell, and before the machine could be stopped it passed over her. She was taken to the office of Dr. W. H. Sherman here, where it was found that her right jaw and her left arm were broken. It was thought that her head was otherwise injured, but as she is improving, though still very much in pain, it is thought that her recovery is only a question of time.
The members of Cameron circle, C.F. of A., held a Halloween party in Healy’s hall on Tuesday night that was well attended. Miss Grace Robinson of Westford was heard in several readings that were very much enjoyed. Other musical numbers were given after which progressive whist was enjoyed. The whole affair was a great success. Mrs. W. J. Robinson had general charge of the affair.
Death. Henry Smith, superintendent of the Abbot Worsted Company here, died at the Lowell General hospital on Sunday, October 28, the result of a shock sustained after the operation on his leg following an elevator accident the Monday before. His age was sixty-three years. His death came as a great shock to the people here, as strong hopes were entertained for his ultimate recovery. It appears, however, that Mr. Smith’s injuries were far more serious than his friends had at first anticipated, and the operation proved to be such a shock to his nervous system that death soon followed.
Henry Smith was a well-known mill man, having been connected with the textile industry practically all of his life. He had held many responsible positions in England before coming to this county, and since then he has been the guiding hand of large mills in Kentucky and other parts of the south. He was widely known in Fitchburg, where for a time he conducted the manufacture of ramie yarns with a partner. At the death of the partner Mr. Smith sold his interests in the firm and accepted a position with the Abbot Worsted Company here. On the retirement of the late Edward Craven as superintendent, Mr. Smith was appointed to succeed him, and at the time of his death had been connected with the firm for a period of over fifteen years.
Mr. Smith was a practical mill man, who understood his business thoroughly. Always faithful to his duties and in constant touch with the textile situation, coupled with a sense of fairness for employer and employee, he kept things moving smoothly at all times. In public life he was of the retiring type and never aspired to any public office. Being something of a musician, with a good singing voice, he was deeply interested in music and gave of his talents freely to both church and social life of the village. Only last spring he ran a benefit concert here for the benefit of the [piece torn from paper, 5 or 6 lines missing] ideal husband, and with his wife he shared a loving companionship for many years. Having lost their children by death in their early married life they lived for each other, and were truly very devoted in every sense of the word. His death is surely a great shock to his devoted wife, and the sincere sympathy of the village people is extended to her in this sad hour.
The funeral took place from his home here on Wednesday afternoon at one o’clock and was very largely attended. The services were simple, but impressive, and were conducted by Rev. Louis H. Buckshorn, pastor of the Unitarian church, Westford, where the deceased was a member of the choir. The floral tributes were varied and beautiful and testified in a marked degree to the high esteem in which the deceased was held by his many friends. The bearers were Edward M. Abbot, Hugh F. Leith, Henry Provost, O. A. Nelson, John Hallows, Frank Caunter. Burial was in Fairview cemetery, Fitchburg, where the committal service was read by Rev. L. H. Buckshorn.
Ayer
Camp Notes. Percy Haughton, Harvard’s head football coach, commenced his duties Monday in getting the camp football squad in condition. Eight other former Harvard players will assist Haughton in the work.
The government is planning to extend camp recreation work through the cooperation of the large fraternal organizations of the country. Secretary of War Baker has explained his desires on this matter to representatives of such organizations who went to Washington by invitation of the secretary. The proposed plans include the furnishing of wholesome amusement of the soldiers during their leisure hours. It is possible that this work will be carried into the camps as many of the soldiers are members of some of the fraternal associations.
Frederick W. Mansfield, democratic candidate for governor, has arranged to furnish special trains for soldiers who wish to go home to vote on election day, Tuesday, November 6. The expenses of the trip are to be borne by the party organization. All soldiers are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to vote, regardless of their party preferences.
Members of the draft army sent to Camp Devens while exemption appeals were pending, who since have been granted certificates of exemption or discharge, will probably be permitted to continue their training if they so desire. On a general order issued on Monday by Major General Hodges, organization commanders are instructed to forward such certificates to headquarters with information as to whether or not the soldier wishes to take advantage of his exemption. The men now in camp who desire to file new claims for exemption on the grounds of dependents, upon which army officers here have authority to pass, must make known their decision before November 15. Those who arrive later will be given fifteen days in which to file such claims
Judge Thomas H. Connolly and Fred E. Dowling, of Boston, two of an exemption board in that city, have given their salaries amounting to $400 to the relief fund of company B of the 301st infantry.
Charles Curtin, of Waltham, a private attached to the Depot Brigade, who was injured in an automobile accident in Littleton last week Friday, died at the base hospital from his injuries Monday. The remains were escorted to the Ayer station on Tuesday forenoon by a military squad and sent to the home of the deceased where the body was interred. The death of Curtin cast a deep gloom over his comrades by whom he was held in high esteem. [Charles Curtin, aged 27, died October 30 at the Base Hospital at Camp Devens of meningitis following fracture of his skull, per his death certificate. His parents were both born in Ireland; he was born in Waltham.]
An entertainment under the direction of the Lowell lodge of Elks was given at one of the Y.M.C.A. huts last week Friday night. The program included boxing bouts by Thomas Fall and his partner, Phinney Boyle, and Thomas Doyle and Gardner Brooks. The music was furnished by Walter Davis, John F. Roane, Jr., Charles Clancy, Walter Clough and the Honey Boy Four, with W. P. McCarthy as accompanist, and James E. Donnelly as director.
Announcement is made of the marriage at Ayer of Miss Marion Savage and Karl Danforth Sabin. The bride is the daughter of the late Rev. John Arthur Savage, formerly minister of the First Parish Unitarian church in Medfield, and Mrs. Savage. She is a graduate of Smith college and has been a resident of New York city. Mr. Sabin, a graduate of Norwich university, is a member of the Fourteenth company, Fourth Battalion, of the depot brigade stationed at Camp Devens.
Wladek Cyganieutez of Saco., Me., better known as Zbyszko, the wrestler, was rejected for physical disqualification by the surgeons of the national army at Camp Devens last Saturday. He was found to have a defective ear. The wrestler has been refused exemption on his claim that his mother and sister living in Austria were dependent on him.
A committee of Knights of Columbus members has been named to cooperate with the War Camp Community Fund committee to arrange for recreation activities at Camp Devens. This committee was formed at the request of Judge George W. Sanderson of the superior court, and it consists of District Deputy William C. Prout, chairman, Judge Joseph J. Murley of East Boston, John Pierce of Milton, John P. Manning, Jr., of Roxbury, Dr. George A. Sullivan of South Boston, Henry A. Carey of Dorchester and District Deputy Frank A. Bates of Teutonia council. State Deputy Daniel J. Gallagher, who has this work under his supervision, announces that remittances for the fund may be made at the K. of C. building on the common, Boston, or may be sent to him at the headquarters of the K. of C. in Boston.
Private Paul H. Robbins of Ayer, has been transferred from the 76th division ammunition train to Company C, 301st Signal Corps.
The boys of Battery C, 303rd Artillery, received a gift of ten barrels of apples on Tuesday from Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Moses, who have a farm in Harvard, former residents of Ayer. Despite the rain the artillerymen went after the apples.
The authorities of the camp have begun a country-wide search for Private Joseph Deltore of the 301st Infantry regiment, who has been missing since October 13. Deltore had been several times disciplined for unruly conduct prior to his departure.
The inter-cantonment transfer of nearly 6000 men, which took place on Monday, when “specialists” were shifted from one regiment to another, was declared null and void Tuesday, and all the men were sent back to the commands from which they had come. It is announced that the reason for the revocation of the order was that orders had come from the war department that 4000 more of the men here were to be sent to Camp Gordon, Georgia, within a short time.
The following notice, evidently prepared by some humorist, may be seen in a town not far from Ayer: “Hint to tired women—When you want a seat in a crowded car, whistle “The Star Spangled Banner.” When the men stand up, ladies please be seated.”
The Harvard varsity football team played the Camp Devens eleven at the camp last Saturday, the game resulting in no score for either side. The strength of the camp team in keeping the university eleven from scoring was a great surprise to all. A great throng witnessed the contest.
The soldiers at camp were given a half holiday Wednesday afternoon to hold the sporting events postponed from Liberty loan day. The sports were held on the grounds opposite the cantonment near the Day place and proved very interesting, the various organizations marching to the field with their bands and drum corps. There was an enormous crowd of soldiers assembled to witness the fine program of events. There were all kinds of contests including a football game, overcoat and shoe races and foot races from the grounds to division headquarters at Mitchelville. Among the large number of contestants were many well known professionals and amateurs.
The French army officers, who are to be special instructors, arrived the first of the week and have taken up their quarters in the new barracks situated near division headquarters. The officers are Lieut. Paul Pengoad of the 14th infantry, Lieut. Jacques Rochelle of the signal corps, Lieut. Mallot of the 120th chausseurs alpine, Capt. Henri Amauny of the 115th infantry, Sergt. Merin Ward and Corp. Renaud Georges of the 360th infantry.
Earl Thorn, one of the crack members of the camp football team, who injured his ankle in the game with Harvard last Saturday, has been ordered to stop playing the game for the rest of the year. Lieut. Dave Henry, the former Brown university star, has been added to the football coaching staff by Percy Haughton.
The remarkable total of $1,865,200 was subscribed by the officers and men for the Liberty loan bonds in the campaign which ended last Saturday night.
Sixty men have been picked from the 76th division to take up a course of study in aviation at Cornell university and M.I.T.
A shorter working day was announced Wednesday. Hereafter reveille will be sounded at 6:15 a.m., instead of 5:45 as formerly and supper will be served at 5:15 p.m. instead of 5:45, as has been the custom.
The Knights of Pythias Service committee have organized and among the officers are Walter Winslow, Harbinger lodge, fin. sec., and Frank B. Harmon has been elected a member of the executive committee. They will provide entertainment for the members at Camp Devens. The grand lodge is back of the movement.
The first of a series of night maneuvers took place Thursday night when two battalions with a total of 800 men from the 301st ammunition train were sent on a cross country hike under sealed orders. The two detachments marched through woods and fields till they met in battle formation. It was considered a great success.
Capt. Edward J. Canfield, jr., who had charge of the building of the camp, received word Thursday from the war department that he had been raised to the rank of major.
A fire that caused an estimated loss of $5000 burned the officers’ quarters of the 303rd field artillery Thursday night. Valuable personal property of the officers and important military records were destroyed. The burned building was a single story structure. Col. A. S. Conklin of the regiment had just left the building when the fire broke out. Help was immediately summoned. The fire, however, had spread so rapidly that efforts to save the building were fruitless. The fire started from a kerosene oil stove. Lieut. Horace Wyman of Worcester made a brave attempt to save some of his belongings in his room, but was driven back by the flames. He succeeded in getting only the pay roll list of the regiment. This fire was the fifth of its kind in the cantonment … [bottom of page torn; six lines missing]
News Items. Officers William Wall, of Westford, and Thomas C. Burrill, formerly chief of police of Shirley, began their police duties in Ayer on Tuesday night. They are assigned to the railroad station and vicinity and are on night duty.
District Court. Tuesday morning Walter Garnet was found guilty of cruelty to a horse of which he had charge at Camp Devens and fined twenty dollars. He appealed through his counsel, John M. Maloney, and was held for trial in the superior court. Theodore W. Pearson, an agent for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, conducted the prosecution.
Thursday morning John H. Broth, who owns and operates an auto truck at Camp Devens, was found guilty of failure to have a proper light on the rear of his machine, such being a violation of the law, and was fined ten dollars by Judge Atwood. The defendant said that he usually kept this light burning. Owing to the roughness of the road to the camp a sudden jar might put the light out without his knowing it.
Odd Fellows’ Entertainment. A very delightful entertainment and social was given in the Odd Fellows’ rendezvous at the corner of Columbia and Newton streets on Tuesday evening. The meeting was called to order by Harry Howe, noble grand of Robert Burns lodge of Ayer, who turned over the meeting to the committee in charge of the evening’s exercises.
The guests included most of the grand officers and their suite. Henry E. Ruggles, past grand master, and the present representative to the sovereign grand lodge, came with the Paul Revere quartet which gave several fine selections. S. Thompson Blood, of Concord, member of the order and an entertainer of wide repute, was as usual very good in this line and created a great deal of amusement. There were remarks by the grand master, Levater W. Powers, after which came a general social time.
The following telegram from Frank C. Gourlay to the grand secretary, received by Herbert Phinney, in charge of the rendezvous, was read and received with great enthusiasm: “Pleased to advise you and the brothers in Massachusetts that the secretary of war will issue orders very soon to grant all fraternal societies the same privileges heretofore enjoyed by the Knights of Columbus.” During the social hour following the regular program there was music, instrumental and vocal, and recitations by the soldiers.
There were 175 members of the order present, including 115 in uniform from Camp Devens. The states represented in the gathering were all the New England states, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Missouri and Oklahoma.
Mr. Phinney, the able and energetic manager of the rendezvous, has arranged for a first-class entertainment for Wednesday evening, November 7, to be given under the direction of a committee of the six Odd Fellow lodges of Worcester. Similar entertainments are to be given later by other lodges, especially by those located near the camp.
Some High-Brow Abuse. The reconstruction of West Main street which was commenced this week has been made the occasion for a little more abuse of Ayer, this time in the oracle of Boston’s High Brows, the Transcript. In an article which we print elsewhere it is stated that the town’s attitude of “intolerant aloofness” and disposition “to get everything possible and give nothing in return” is causing a breach of good feeling which may have “serious and unlooked for results in the near future.”
Ayer people have become so accustomed to the abusive falsehoods which the Boston papers seem to delight to publish about us that the remainder of the article reiterating the old statements that the town “has reaped a rich harvest” and has charged “an abnormal price for everything” finds us callous and indisposed to make further attempts at contradiction.
But we are willing to discuss the question whether the town should pay for any part of the reconstruction of West Main street. We feel that the selectmen are entitled to a good deal of commendation for their insistence that this work should be wholly paid for by the county, the state and the federal authorities. It is admitted that the present condition of the road is due entirely to the increased travel to Camp Devens and that it was in as good repair as any ordinary country road before the camp was built.
It is difficult to see why the town should be called upon to replace what was worn out by pleasure travel from all over the country and by trucking for the army and the contractors who built the camp. We will have to pay our share of the state and county payments as other towns and cities therein. The town as a municipal corporation benefits from the presence of the camp only by the increased taxes which an increase in the valuation of real estate or by the erection of new buildings will bring to the treasury. And it must not be forgotten that while some of Boston’s enterprising merchants have opened branches here and are hustling for some of the “abnormal profits” they have not added much to the taxable valuation of the town as their favorite type of architecture seems to be midway between an old-fashioned shed and a modern henhouse. Before the camp was built the State Highway Commission would not even assist the town in building a gravel road to Shirley Village or to Groton via Washington street. The town appropriated money for the latter purpose several years and the commission said that it would help pay for only one route of travel between the towns which was not these routes.
The correspondents for the Boston press as a whole have done their utmost to give the town an unenviable reputation throughout the country. They seem either unable to get at the truth or unwilling to publish it when they find it. All sorts of vague discreditable rumors are printed, but it is noticeable that when “Army officials” are quoted no names are given or facts stated which would enable their stories to be verified
It can be stated with authority that the army officials have not expressed any dissatisfaction to the selectmen because of their refusal to contribute to the cost of reconstructing West Main street.
Clipping. The following is the article referred to in the above piece which was published in the Boston Transcript of October 30.
An attitude of intolerant aloofness and the display of a disposition to get everything possible and give nothing in return, which the army interests here claim has been the method of the town of Ayer ever since the establishment of the cantonment, causing a breach of good feeling which it is prophesied may have serious and unlooked for results in the very near future.
The latest unpleasantness between the two interests is the refusal of the town to take any action whatever toward a restoration of the highway between the camp gates and the railroad station in the center of the town. Never in a better condition than the ordinary town highway, the heavy traffic of the past six months has reduced this stretch of road to a series of hummocks and bumps that have not only rendered it most trying for motor travel, but have made it actually dangerous for machines and their occupants. The attitude of the Ayer authorities has been that the camp activities put the road into its present condition and that it was therefore up to the military interests to restore it.
On the other hand, the army officials maintain that the town has reaped already a rich harvest from the activities, and that such being the case should be willing to defray at least a portion of the expense incidental to keeping the road in good condition. The claim of the town that it is “too poor” to appropriate the necessary amount of money is offset by the argument that there was never so much money spent in the place in the course of its existence as during the past months, and that not only has the town reaped the benefit of a legitimate increase of many hundred percent, but has charged an abnormal price for everything, that has brought the total to a much greater figure than it should have been.
This individual matter has been finally adjusted by an agreement on the part of the Federal interests to stand a share of the expense of a new road, while the county and state will pay the rest. Ayer contributes nothing, but when the new road is completed it will belong to the town and be under municipal regulation and direction.
The work of rebuilding this two miles of street was begun this morning by a force of three hundred men and will be finished by the end of the week. It will cost approximately $40,000. [seven lines missing due to torn paper] … [con]servative and fair-minded of the townspeople, who realize that they will eventually be the losers by the maintenance of anything approaching a “dog in the manger” policy, and that eventually the place may lose much of its identity in the greater interests of the encampment.
Lunenburg
News Items. Twenty-five soldiers from Camp Devens were entertained at dinner in town last Sunday.