The Westford Wardsman, November 25, 1916
Center. Alec Fisher has purchased a Stewart half-ton truck. With the long drives Mr. Fisher has to take in his business [slaughter house at 3 Depot St.] this new purchase promises much help.
Misses Sarah, Lillian and May Atwood start this week for their annual winter stay in Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Eliot Atwood, of Chelmsford, also go this winter, and these two families expect to spend thanksgiving with Dr. Edward Atwood and William Atwood families in Daytona.
When Mrs. George T. Day’s friends met her so pleasantly at the Unitarian vestry on last week Thursday afternoon, they did not realize that she knew she was to undergo another serious operation. The operation was performed the following day at her home by Dr. Martin, of Lowell, assisted by her family physician [Dr. Orion Wells?]. Mrs. Day is resting as comfortably as can be expected and the sympathy of a wide circle of friends goes out to her and to Mr. Day, and the hope for a restoration to health.
The use of the drinking fountain at the west end of the common has been discontinued during the freezing weather, and the old town pump at the town house will be the dependence until warmer weather.
J. S. Nathans, who has been sick for many weeks at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. [H.] Colburn [nee Daisy G. Nathans], was removed to the hospital this week.
Mrs. Kendall Wright suffered a stroke of paralysis at the home of her son, Perley E. Wright, last Saturday. Mrs. Alice Lambert is assisting in the car of Mrs. Wright.
The Tadmuck reading circle met at the home of Mrs. Edwin E. Amesbury on Thursday afternoon of this week.
On last week Friday afternoon, at the town hall, there were interesting patriotic exercises when silk American flags were presented to the four rooms in the William E. Frost school. The meeting was under the direction of the W.R.C. [Woman’s Relief Corps, Auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic] of this district, and George Hosley, who has served as past commander of the national G.A.R., made the presentation in behalf of the W.R.C. The children, under the direction of their teachers, were heard in songs and recitations, and the affair was most interesting to visiting parents and teachers.
Miss Katie Sullivan continues seriously ill at her home on Boston road.
Miss Hazel Hartford will again assume charge of the pipe organ at the Congregational church this winter.
The Tadmuck club is fortunate in securing Mrs. Perley E. Wright to act as its treasurer to take the place of Mrs. Bert Walker, who is removing from town for the winter.
Rev. Howard A. Lincoln will occupy his new pulpit at the Congregational church on Sunday morning and will speak again in the evening. Mr. Lincoln’s household goods will arrive during the week and he, with Mrs. Lincoln, will start housekeeping at the freshly renovated parsonage. Rev. Chalmers P. Dyke, of Andover, formerly of the Highland church in Lowell, occupied the pulpit last Sunday morning, and at the evening service Miss Sarah W. Loker conducted the meeting. This was preceded by the Y.P.S.C.E. meeting and afterward a good group of young people went to Graniteville to hear the special speaker there, called the Billy Sunday of Japan.
The Boy Scouts, with much energy and enterprise, also a push cart, are collecting newspapers and other waste papers from all the households that have it to donate. The proceeds go to swell the treasury of their organization.
Mrs. A. W. Hartford made brief visits last week with Melrose relatives, the Henry M. Wrights at their Quincy home, and Mrs. Gertrude C. Skidmore at her home in Somerville.
A reception to welcome Rev. and Mrs. Howard A. Lincoln into the church and community will be held at the Congregational church on Wednesday evening, December 13, and will be in charge of Mrs. J. E. Knight, Mrs. Phonsie Isles, Mrs. S. L. Taylor and Mrs. Frank Banister.
Tadmuck Club. Presidents’ day at the Tadmuck club on Tuesday afternoon at the Congregational church proved a very pleasant and successful gathering. There was a good attendance of the membership present and many out-of-town guests.
The president, Miss Alice Howard, presided, and extended gracious welcome. The names of Misses Mary and Winnifred Green were proposed for membership. Pleasant greetings were brought by representatives from the clubs in Groton, Pepperell and the Middlesex Woman’s club of Lowell. Mrs. J. Harry Poole, of Brockton, and organizing secretary of the General Federation of Woman’s clubs, was the speaker of the afternoon and gave an earnest address, presenting the scope and work of the General Federation and the desirability of affiliation by every club with its larger work.
Mrs. Turner Carlisle Kelly, of Tufts college, gave pleasure to all in the rendering of her skillful violin solos. A nicely appointed club tea and social hour was enjoyed at the close of the program with Mrs. A. E. Loveless and group of willing assistants in charge. Mrs. O. R. Spalding and Mrs. William R. Carver presided at the tea table.
The next meeting will be at the Unitarian church parlors and will be in charge of the committee on public health. Current events will be given by Rev. L. H. Buckshorn, and Dr. O. V. Wells will give an address on “How to grow old safely.”
About Town. Rev Charles P. Marshall, formerly of Westford, was one of the many clergymen and others to greet Rev. William A. Sunday, otherwise known by a shorter name [Billy Sunday], in Plymouth on Monday
Rev. L. H. Buckshorn will speak on “What organized Christianity can do to stop the war” Sunday morning. In the evening, at seven o’clock, the Sunday school will give a concert of song and recitation, in which the choir [will] aid in chorus and other features. It is hoped that all belonging in Sunday school and also unbelievers will strengthen the occasion by attending.
At the last meeting of Westford Grange the following officers were elected: Fred R Blodgett, m.; Clyde Prescott, o.; Mrs. Joseph E. Knight, lec.; Charles A. Blodgett, stew.; Chas. Jordan, asst. stew.; Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, l.a.s.; Alonzo H. Sutherland, treas.; Mrs. Aurilla Wright sec.; Mrs. David L. Greig, chap.; Charles Woods, g.k.; Miss Grant, Miss Jordan, Mrs. Colburn, Graces; Frank C. Wright, member ex. com., 3 yrs.; Fred R. Blodgett, delegate to State Grange; Mrs. Joseph E. Knight, delegate to represent the lecturer’s hour.
Middlesex-North Pomona Grange held a meeting at the Board of Trade in Lowell on Wednesday evening in the interest of organizing a farm bureau as an advisory to farmers, such as is working in every county except Middlesex, and such as our own college graduate citizen, Allister McDougal, is engaged in Western Massachusetts. The meeting was called to order by Robert Marden, president of the Board of Trade, who introduced Prof. S. R. Parker, of Amherst Agricultural Extension work, who outlined the plan of the bureau, its object and work. A county meeting will be held some place and time in December.
The Berry family have left the employ of the Drew-Read farm and moved towards Boston. A family with five children, loved by everybody, we are sorry to lose. As a testimony to their appreciation a farewell reception was tendered them at the home of the [Joseph E.] Sargents [Chamberlin Road near Chamberlin Corner], and in behalf of those present and many absent, Houghton G. Osgood presented them with a remembrance.
Some folks have not got their potatoes dug yet. Sharpen the crowbar and pickaxe–$2.00 per bushel ought to do a lot of hard picking.
Graniteville. Miss Mabel Loftus, of Lowell, has been a recent guest of Mrs. Elizabeth Gower.
The little son recently born [Nov. 17] to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Charlton was christened Joseph Francis in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning.
H. J. Healy is taking a few days’ vacation and during his absence the store will be in charge of F. G. Sullivan.
J. E. York has recently returned from a business trip to Philadelphia.
The mill pond has been frozen over during the recent cold spell, but it would be well for the youngsters to keep away and forget about skating for the present, and until the ice is stronger.
Sunday was a red letter day in the M.E. church. With the exception of the Epworth league, which was ably led by George Wilson, K. S. Hiraide, the Billy Sunday of Japan, had the day’s program. At the morning service he addressed a good-sized audience on “Why I became a christian.” In the afternoon his subject was “Why I became a preacher.” At the evening service he addressed an unusually large crowd on “Buddhism and christianity.” His heart-stirring message and unusual methods gripped the people and at each of the services he held them during sermons over an hour in length. A campaign is on to raise $900 for the vestry renovation and it is hoped to have the money all pledged within a week.
Many people from this village attended presidents’ day at the Tadmuck club in Westford on Tuesday afternoon.
Work on the new foundry now being erected on Bridge street by the C. G. Sargent’s Sons, is now progressing rapidly. With fair weather it is expected that the building will be entirely under cover in a few weeks.
Forge Village. Philip Taylor, of Norwood, who served as a corporal of Company M, 9th Regiment, while on duty at the Mexican border, visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Morton on Sunday.
The Young People’s Social club of St. Andrew’s mission held their regular meeting in Recreation hall on Thursday evening. Mrs. W. M. Ford had charge of the meeting. Needy work for the hospitals in France will be done by the club.
Miss Sarah May leaves Saturday for New York, where she will spend two weeks as guest of relatives and friends. A farewell party was held at the home of Mrs. Jane Dare on Friday evening.
Rev Thomas L. Fisher, of Leominster, will conduct the services at St. Andrew’s mission on Sunday. Mr. Fisher was formerly vicar of St. Andrew’s and his old friends here will be glad of this opportunity to greet him again. Services will be held at 4:30 in the afternoon.
Miss Mary E. Doran, of Bradford street, sailed on the SS St. Paul from New York for Liverpool on last week. Mrs. Doran will make her home in the future in Keighley, England, where she formerly resided.
A very pleasant party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Kelley last week Friday evening in honor of the birthday anniversary of their son Thomas. During the evening Mr. May was presented with a gold watch, the presentation speech being made by his younger brother, John. The evening was spent in games and music after which a bountiful supper was served. Plates were laid for forty and all enjoyed a thoroughly good time. The party broke up at midnight all wishing young Mr. May many happy returns of his natal day.
Mrs. John E. Burnett spent Thursday in Clinton.