The Westford Wardsman, July, 1907
Saturday, July 6, 1907
About Town. The ballgame between the celebrated Ballardale team and the Westford team last Saturday was exceptionally interesting and near the closing issues of the game it looked like a tie, but the Westford lads made a hit in the twelfth inning, which made a score of 8 to 7 in favor of the Westford team. This Saturday afternoon the Y.M.C.A. of Lowell will meet the Westford team at Stony Brook park, Westford depot.
The new steel rails on the Stony Brook road are now laid as far as West Chelmsford. Sunday is the only day devoted to laying rails. About one hundred men are employed. Mid-week days are devoted to preparation to laying rails.
Last Saturday the electric car on the line to the Center became deranged, mechanically considered, which caused passengers to become disarranged, physically considered. It resulted in a car of the whistling variety being substituted for the gong type, but the crippled car has got back to duty again.
The contract for laying the pipe for the Westford Water Co. has been let to James M. Taylor of Boston, who has had a large experience in this class of business. His name, like of old is “rather to be chosen than great riches.” [Proverbs 22:1 – A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (KJV)]
McGourthy & Decatur of Boston, commission merchants, were in town the early part of the week soliciting the berry trade. The Decatur part of the firm is a native of Westford. The firm has the satisfaction of satisfying.
Francis hill echoes these summer evenings the thrilling notes of the cornet, as given to the breeze by John H. Keefe, the recent purchaser of the Putney farm.
With electric cars, new lighting system, incorporated water company, proposed new schoolhouse and much else to give the town enthusiasm, it would seem that the town is growing. And so is the tax rate—twelve to fifteen dollars. A bill of particulars later.
John H. Hickey of Lowell has been engaged to move the old academy. The select men, in giving the permit to move, restricted that it should not be started until after the Fourth. Why not have had it in the procession?
The committee to investigate better and safer school accommodations at Westford Center and report at a special town meeting held a meeting last Tuesday evening and decided to give a public hearing next Friday evening, July 12, the special town meeting to be held on an evening of the week following, the date to be determined. After investigating the conditions of the present school building and the demands required by the state, the committee are unanimous against reconstructing it. Two contractors of large experience who viewed the present school building were agreed that the building, owing to its peculiar construction, could not be used as a part of a new school building. This opinion was reached independently of any consultation.
Three lots of land are at the disposal of the town to build on—the present site on the Boston road, land of Capt. Fletcher on the same road, and the Foss lot at the junction of Main and Depot sts. These lots have been surveyed by Smith & Brooks of Lowell, who report that for mere expense of grading the building, independently of any playground consideration, the Foss lot was the least expensive. This lot has a fall of nine feet from the center to the rear of the lot, and nature offers her services at removing moisture. The Fletcher lot offers some advantages, being nearer the Center, as gauged by the common. It offers safety from electric cars and noise disturbances from the same source. It more evenly distributes the location of public buildings and prevents two schools on adjoining lots. The sale of the old academy building to Henry O. Keyes has removed one perplexing feature of this problem. The stone steps and underpinning whereon this old historic edifice has rested so long have been removed, and old Westford academy is resting on “marching orders.”
Center. The first fatality happened on the spur track Monday evening. After the 7:35 car left the terminal and was about opposite the town house, “Dick,” the little fox hound puppy belonging to Warren E. Carkin, ran between the wheels and was killed instantly. He was a promising little fellow and his untimely end is much regretted. Notwithstanding this catastrophe and the annoying delays of the cars on Saturday, we still say with all their faults we love them still.
Miss Effie M. Bennett of this village and Miss Ora Hall of South Chelmsford, both graduates of Lowell normal school last week, go this Saturday to Lock Falls, N.H., for two months.
The abundant harvest of the grass crop is at hand and the click and whirr of the mowing machine is to be heard on all sides.
Dr. O. V. Wells is enjoying a vacation at his home in Vermont.
Mrs. James Marshall and Miss Belle Marshall of Dover, N.H., were guest over Sunday at the Congregational parsonage.
Mrs. Andrew S. Wright has returned from a week’s visit with friends in Boston and vicinity.
Miss Nellie Fletcher, who has been on the sick list for the past two weeks, is somewhat improved.
Mrs. Rice and children, Muriel and Richard, of Cambridge, have been recent guests at Mrs. Homer M. Seavey’s.
Rumor has it that it has been decided to disband Troop F cavalry. Should this rumor materialize into fact, more particulars will be given next week.
The J. V. Fletcher library will be closed Sundays during July and August.
Henry O. Keyes, the recent purchaser of the historic old academy building, is busy with a building mover and helpers moving his purchase from its long occupied site to land at the rear of the Congregational church owned by him.
Miss Julia Hall started on Monday for California, expecting to be gone the two months of vacation. Miss Hall went with a Raymond & Whitcomb party. During her stay she expects to visit a cousin in Palo Alto.
Miss Laura Lumbert is making a good recovery from her recent serious illness.
Miss Lenie Fletcher is the guest of Mrs. Oscar R. Spaulding.
Children’s Sunday was most successfully observed at the Congregational church Sunday morning. The pretty decorations and the enjoyable program reflected very much credit on the committee in charge, which consisted of superintendent of Sunday school, H. G. Osgood, and Mrs. Osgood, Rev. C. P. Marshall, Miss C. S. Atwood and Miss Eva L. Burnham. Preceding the exercises by the young people was the beautiful and impressive service of the baptism of four little children, the pastor’s little daughter, Marion Belle Marshall; also, Clarence Henry Colburn, Theodore Leon Pollock and Marjory Pollock.
The decorations consisted of a profusion of daisies, ferns, peonies and roses in tasteful arrangement. Following is the program:
March, Sunday school chorus; responsive reading; prayer; recitation, “The message of the roses,” Elizabeth Kimball, Sadie McMaster; recitation, “His message,” Ida Trask; recitation, “My piece,” Eleanor Colburn; song, Elizabeth, Jennie and Rachel Kimball; dialogue, “Meaning of life,” Adrith Carter and Lillian Neilson; recitation, “Reach out,” Althea Symmes; Sunday school chorus, “Roses,” Elva Bicknell, Ethel Richardson, Esther Whitney; recitation, Frances and Alice Wright; singing, primary class; recitation, “If you would be happy,” Alberta Osgood; singing, Perkins family; exercises, “Children’s service,” Fred Burnham, Mabel Prescott, Jennie Kimball, Abbie Neilson, Marion Perkins, Stella Whitney, Annie Richardson, Edward Perkins; song, primary class; exercises, “Loyal soldiers,” Howard, Waldo and Everett Sweetzer.
To close the program Mr. Marshall made a brief address to the children.
At the evening meeting the subject was “Missions in Africa,” lead by Miss L. B. Atwood. With characteristic thoroughness the leader made it a most interesting service. Miss Loker spoke on Mohammedanism and Miss Martha Taylor on mission work in Uganda.
Next Sunday the communion service will be observed and several will be received into the membership of the church.
Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted Co. closed its mills both here and in Forge Village on Wednesday night, July 3, and will start up again on Monday, July 8. This is a thoughtful act on the part of the firm, as it enabled the employees to spend a brief vacation at numerous beaches, as well as gives “the boys” an opportunity to camp out.
Harry N. Fletcher, the well-known stone dealer, is quite ill at his home on Main st.
Miss Mary Harrington is now enjoying the sea breezes at York beach.
Shirley Clark, the well-known ball player, has recently become a benedict, having married a Miss Lord of Lowell. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are now spending their honeymoon with relatives in Vermont.
The newly elected officers of Court Graniteville, F. of A., were duly installed at the regular meeting Tuesday night. After the regular order of business was dispensed with, pipes were lighted and a social evening enjoyed. Court Graniteville is now in a flourishing condition, its financial standing being with the top notches of other courts of similar size in this section of the state.
Graniteville had no special observance of the glorious Fourth, as there was a celebration in Westford proper on that day, which included a parade of “horribles” in the early morning, followed by a baseball game at Stony Brook park, Westford depot, at nine o’clock. Many people from this village took in these events.
The Lowell and Fitchburg line are now running cars on the so-called forty-minute time between Ayer and North Chelmsford, but the public fails to see where the advantage comes in for a person anxious to reach the city. Of course the road is handicapped by the slow time made over the Boston and Northern tracks from North Chelmsford to Lowell, but the new order of things has not helped the working people who live out of town and work here, as they have to quit earlier and therefore lose time. While the matter is under discussion it would be well to state that the Graniteville people are wondering why there are no seats or a suitable covering of some kind placed at Abbot’s corner for the convenience of patrons of the road, as this point is the most central of any in the village and the place where the majority of passengers get on and off.
Saturday, July 13, 1907
About Town. Much interest has been shown in the preparations for the removal of the old academy building to a spot behind the Congregational church. Now that the building is open many have been going in to look over this historic building. On the blackboards are the old Latin mottos of the classes that have graduated for many years back. On the small board at the left can still be seen the program for the day, written in Mr. Frost’s characteristic hand-writing. It certainly speaks well for the town that during all these years which the building has remained unused only one pane of glass has been broken. Often in towns a building which stands empty looks disreputable because the boys make the panes of glass targets for stones.
Joseph E. Knight is again ill at his home on Chelmsford road. A company of grangers are doing his haying.
James H. O’Brien is still camping on Pigeon Hill by advice of medical authority.
James H. Hall on the Forest road, who was severely injured last fall by a fall from a staging while painting at Graniteville, is just recovering from the amputation of the right foot as the result of the accident. Mr. Hall is a veteran of the civil war. [See Wardsman transcripts of July 21, 1906, and March 23 and April 13, 1907.]
The ballgame between the Y.M.C.A. of Lowell and the Westford A.A., scheduled for last Saturday, was cancelled by the Lowell team, and the Westfords went to Groton and were defeated, 5 to 1. This Saturday the Westford team plays at Nashua.
In the tennis tournament recently held at the Tyng’s Island Country club, John M. Abbot won second prize. A number of Westford tennis players were guests of the Wannalucit [sic] club of North Chelmsford and played in the tournament on Saturday afternoon.
Donald Cameron and Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Fletcher have been in S??? this week at the triennial conclave of Knights Templar.
The assessors are waiting, but not worrying, for their allotment of the state tax of four million; but during the waiting season they have gone right along laying out taxes, and possibly some of the tax payers. The process has gone far enough to deliver the collector’s book today to W. R. Taylor, town auditor.
The next meeting of the grange will be held Thursday evening, July 18, when the lecturer has arranged to discuss the following question, Resolved, That the farmer naturally should be, and really is, happier, more contented and longer lived than the mechanic, merchant or professor. Affirmative, Albert Hildreth, S. L. Taylor; negative, C. P. Marshall, W. E. Wright.
A deer was seen last Sunday feeding on land of S. L. Taylor, between the railroad and Stony Brook. Please leave that sweet corn, beans and buckwheat alone; help yourself to skunk cabbage. He was heading toward Aroostook; keep on heading.
The Fourth was celebrated in a most commendable way with very little vandalism, and the money patriotically contributed by the townspeople was wisely expended. Early in the morning the villagers gathered at the Center to see the so called parade of antiques and “horribles.” The name was a misnomer, perhaps, for the procession was short and the picturesque element took the place of the usual funny floats; but the beaming faces of the participants and the applause of the spectators showed how much pleasure can be given by just such a parade.
The procession was as follows: Joe Wall, marshal, dressed as an Indian brave, with war paint and feathers, rode his pony in true Indian style. He was followed by the beautiful float of the Thimble club, an organization of six young women—Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Mrs. Leonard Wheeler, Mrs. Alfred Hartford, Mrs. George Goode, Mrs. Will Woods and Miss Eva Fletcher. The float was decorated with green hemlock and contained a boat in which were seated the club members, all in white carrying white parasols.
Marjory Cameron, with Fletcher Abbot as her coachman, came in a pony wagon gaily decorated with flags and bunting.
The next float by S. L. Taylor and family, representing Uncle Sam and some of his Cubans, was a garden scene under the palm trees, with a Cuban senor playing on the mandolin and singing. This was followed by a float decorated with bunting, while pretty green birches made a woodsy canopy for a number who came as country people—Mrs. Greig, Mrs. Daniels and Eben Prescott’s family.
Last was the automobile of Donald Cameron, with beautiful floral decorations of laurel, which caused many exclamations at its loveliness. In the auto were Donald Cameron, Donald Fiske Cameron and five little girls in white—Margaret and Helen Perkins of Chicago, Elizabeth and Marion Perkins and Mary Cameron.
The procession started from the town hall and went down the main streets. As it went past the old manse it was saluted by those gathered there. Rev. and Mrs. C. P. Marshall and baby Marion from the new manse were on one side of the path, while on the other were the Misses Luce and James Kimball. Mr. Kimball, as Uncle Sam, was spading in the garden, and Miss Maria Luce, in quaint costume and a green silk calash, was seated in an old-fashioned arm chair beside the first baby carriage that came to Westford.
The prize winners were as follows: first, three dollars, divided between Thimble club and Samuel Taylor and the Cubans; second, two dollars, Joe Wall; third, one dollar, Marjory Cameron and Fletcher Abbot. The judges were George Goode, Miss Sarah Loker and Miss Frances Bannister.
After the parade fully 500 people gathered at Stony Brook park to see the baseball game between the Groton A.A. and Westford A.A. As the former team was a semi-professional one the victory of 5 to 3 for Westford was pleasing to the home team. At one o’clock came the athletic sports on the common, the following winning:
Relay race—Will Wright, Warren Wright, Howard Ferguson; 100-yr. dash—Oliver Gilman?; broad jump—Hugo Page; hop, skip and jump—Warren Wright.
In the afternoon and evening the common was the center of attraction for the countryside, the American band of Lowell giving two exceptionally fine concerts with classical selections. After the concert came the display of fireworks at the vacant lot near the new academy.
The committee appointed by the grange to have charge of the day’s celebration was W. R. Taylor, Mrs. Daniel Gr??, Mrs. Sydney Wright, Fred Smith, W?? Wright. The sum of $166.50 was raised by popular subscription.
Center. Archie W. Hartford, who recently graduated from Amherst agricultural college, has been having a very unfortunate time with his right hand. Blood poisoning resulted from a blistered palm and has caused much suffering. Drs. Sleeper and Wells have had charge of the injured member.
Once again has E. M. Raymond of Charlestown been the beneficent friend of the J. V. Fletcher library. To the memory of Wm. Edwin Frost, who in life was one of its honored trustees, Mr. Raymond has donated a beautiful painting, a copy of “The Crusaders,” from the artist Salvatore Rosa of the seventeenth century. The canvas and massive frame measure five by seven feet, and will occupy a suitable space in library hall.
Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode entertained delightfully a congenial group of village friends at beautiful camp O-at-ka at Forge pond, Wednesday of this week. It was “Goode” day in every way, including the perfect weather. Boating, tennis, croquet, a little needlework and supper under the trees, with music on the verandah in the twilight, with mandolin accompaniment, rounded out a happy outing.
Rev. C. P. Marshall and Wm. A. Perkins attended the council called to dismiss Rev. R. N. Fulton, at Littleton, Tuesday.
Mrs. Herbert R. Perkins, son Franklin, and twin daughters Helen and Margaret, of Chicago, who have been having such a pleasant visit at the Wm. A. Perkins’s, started for the return home Monday.
One of nature’s odd streaks came light in moving the old academy—a cat mummy, formed by nature, in rather perfect state of preservation. Moths had removed all the fur and all moisture completely disappeared, otherwise puss was whole. How many years the mummy may have lain there is one of nature’s secrets. It will be placed in the library’s exhibition.
The H. V. Hildreths are at camp at Forge pond for the summer.
Miss Jennie M. Chandler is making a two or three weeks sojourn in Friendship, Me.
Mrs. John H. Wilson of Chelmsford is a guest of Mrs. John B. Fletcher.
Miss Louise Crosby started Tuesday for an extended vacation with relatives in Manitoba.
Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode are at the camp at Forge pond for the remainder of the summer.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Wright and son Livingston are at N. H. Wright’s for their annual July visit.
Miss Ruth Fisher has been enjoying vacation at Isle of Shoals.
Rev. and Mrs. B. A. Willmott of Lowell were guests at the Congregational parsonage first of the week.
Town meeting. There will be a special town meeting Wednesday evening, July 17, at eight o’clock. Of the six articles in the warrant four relate to the new schoolhouse which is to be built in the center of the town. Following is the Warrant:
Art. 1. To chose a moderator.
Art. 2. To hear the report of the committee chosen to investigate and report in regard to the erection and location of a schoolhouse in Westford Center, and act in relation to the same.
Art. 3. To see if the town will vote to erect a schoolhouse at Westford Center, determine the location thereof, and borrow money to meet the indebtedness to be incurred in the erection of and securing a location for such school, and act in relation to the same.
Art. 4. To see what action the town will take to secure the loan of and provide payment for the money to be borrowed under article three to meet the indebtedness to be incurred in the erection of and securing a location for such school, or act in relation to the same.
Art. 5. To see what action the town will take in regard to acquiring or leasing from the Boston and Maine railroad a strip of land for highway purposes, located on the southeasterly side of the Brookside road, and act in relation to the same.
Art. 6. To see what action the town will take in regard to acquiring a location for such schoolhouse, and act in relation to the same.
Graniteville. The recent marriage notice of P. H. Rynn of Ayer and Miss Cecelia McGovern of Littleton, as published in this paper, attracted no little attention among the many friends of the popular young couple in this vicinity, and it is the sincere wish of those who have the pleasure of knowing them that they meet with success and prosperity in their new life.
Miss Rachel Wall is visiting relatives in Lynn and Revere.
Miss Myra McNulty of South Acton has been a recent visitor here.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lee of Worcester, formerly residents of Forge, spent the holiday as guests of Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Nelson.
Mr. and Mrs. Caisse, nee Miss Maude Carkin, formerly of this village, but now residing in Leominster, were recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Harrington.
Miss Olive May Gilson of Wilmington is spending a few days at the home of Mrs. George J. Gilson of this village.
Miss Nora Sullivan of Marlboro is now spending part of her vacation as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Healy.
Fight. Patrick Griffin and Dorrie De Lorenzo, two young men from this village, returned from Lowell on the 11:20 electric car last Saturday night, and while walking home a hot argument arose, which was followed quickly by a fight. Griffin being older and much larger than De Lorenzo, gave his opponent an unmerciful “drubbing,” and after walking home De Lorenzo called a physician, when it was found he was suffering from two fractured ribs and other minor injuries. Some time later a warrant was issued for the arrest of Griffin, and being a believer in the old maxim, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” he took a quiet trip. Constable Boynton was not to be fooled, however, and soon got into communication with the Lowell police, who found Patrick in that city and turned him over to Constable Boynton. Griffin was taken before the district court at Ayer on Tuesday, where he was fined twenty dollars for assault and battery, which he paid. The charge of disturbing the peace was placed on file.
Baseball. The Brimstone baseball team went to Littleton last Saturday afternoon and met with defeat at the hands of the team of that town by the score of 14 to 3. The Brimstones admit that they have a hot name, and as usual put up a warm article of baseball, but in this case they were outclassed, as the Littleton boys (?) were playing on the high school team of ten or twelve years ago, or when the majority of the Graniteville players were attending the kindergarten. However, the locals have not lost courage, and will play Littleton a return game here in a few weeks, when the visitors will be up against the real thing.
Forge. Wm. Baker injured his hand very seriously in the mill last week, but it is now much better. An Italian also lost one finger while at his work.
Mr. Vicker and family have moved to Connecticut and the Baker and Cottrell families have moved into the house vacated by them.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Daily and children have returned to Portsmouth, after a month’s vacation.
Edward Hanley spent the fourth at Marlboro with his brother who, with his wife and little daughter, are passing a few days with his father, Daniel Hanley.
Thomas McDonough and daughter Ruth have returned to their home in Winterport, Me.
Miss Annie Catchpole and Miss Venie Darling spent their vacation at the latter’s home, East Dedham.
Mr. and Mrs. Caisse of Leominster spent the Sabbath with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Carkin.
Miss Rose Northrop has gone to Bridgeport, Conn., for a month’s vacation.
Miss Lillian Ross of Belmont is spending her vacation with her aunt, Mrs. Elmer Nutting.
Hugh Daily’s family occupied Mr. Lowther’s cottages for the Fourth and entertained many of their friends. Mr. Daily formerly resided here, but moved to Leominster a few months ago.
Mrs. Souther and family of Somerville are stopping at the Fensmere farm for the summer.
Miss Violet Collins from Providence is taking her vacation at her father’s. She is a nurse at the Channing hospital of that city. Her brother Frank has accepted a lucrative position with the Waltham watch tool company.
Daniel Sullivan of Boston has been visiting his sister, Mrs. McDonald, who is quite out of health from a serious lung trouble.
Our village postoffice was broken into last Saturday night. Evidently they were frightened away, as they escaped with but seven postage stamps.
Saturday, July 20, 1907
About Town. The town teams are improving the location of the gravel on the farm of Frank C. Drew, where it is more abundant than useful, by distributing it on the Lowell road at Brookside corner and past the residence of Mrs. R. J. Butterfield to the Chelmsford line. It is a much delayed and needed improvement. Better scatter some at the region of Westford corner, or something may be heard to drop at the ballot box next annual March meeting.
During the shower Wednesday afternoon lightning played catch as catch can with a tree close to the residence of Mark Jenkins at Chamberlain’s corner. The lightning left its trade mark on the tree and hurriedly left for other engagements.
James H. Obrien has sufficiently recovered to be able to ride out. The heavy labor of haying he has discontinued, in favor of Bernard Flynn and Eugene Tallent.
The Westford A.A. and the Nashua A.A. had a fine game at Launsdale park, Nashua, on Saturday. In a twelve-inning game Westford scored, 5 to 4. On Memorial day the two teams played here, Nashua winning by the same score. A third game is to be played at Westford. This Saturday afternoon Westford plays the Actons at West Acton.
Charles Walker and Miss Belle Walker went by trolley last week to Waltham to visit their niece, Mrs. Edgar Wallace. Mr. Wallace was formerly on the police force of Fitchburg.
At the Unitarian church last Sunday the clang and ding dong of having utensils was part of the listened to, besides the preacher’s voice and the organist and choir’s accompaniment. The church will have its annual vacation until the first Sunday in September.
There was an old-fashioned family reunion at Charles Whitney’s on the Lowell road last Sunday, when twenty-five sat down to some of that ‘Peep of day” sweet corn, which Mr. Whitney is noted for raising before the peep of anyone else.
Picnic. The Congregational church is planning to unite next Wednesday with the Methodist church in West Chelmsford and have a union Sunday school picnic at Willowdale. Two special cars will take the two churches right through from Brookside and West Chelmsford without any change. The Westford people will leave probably on the regular 8:30 car and get the special car at Brookside. Any outside of the Sunday school desiring to go on the picnic can do so by handing their names to Mr. Marshall, Houghton Osgood or J. A. Taylor. It is hoped that many will take advantage of this opportunity for a pleasant outing. After the basket collation at noon there will be a ballgame between the Westfords and the West Chelmsfords, sports and boating.
The special town meeting, Wednesday evening came off on schedule time. A hurry-up shower at the hour of the meeting affected the attendance. Town clerk Fisher called to order and read the warrant; Hon. H. E. Fletcher was elected moderator.
The second article, to hear the report of the special committee to investigate the condition of school accommodations at the center of the town, was acted upon as follows: The report was read by Edward Fisher, chairman of the committee. This report considered the present schoolhouse. After getting the opinion of two experienced contractors that the building could not be used as a part of a new four-room building, that the expense of remodeling to suit the requirements of the state would be several thousand dollars, the committee reported against expending any sum of money on the present building. The report recommended the erection of a new four-room wooden building, and that the sum of $15,000 be appropriated to cover the expense; the report reviewed the several locations offered and the statements of Smith & Brooks, who were employed to survey locations—the Foss lot on Main st., containing over four acres, offered for $2000; the Sherman H. Fletcher lot on the Boston road, containing over two acres, at $1500, cost of grading equaling the Foss lot; the present schoolhouse lot, containing one-half acre, with cost of grading and draining exceeding the other lots. The report unanimously recommended the Foss location. Nine different architects submitted plans to the committee to select from. The report recommended the adoption of the plans drawn by Carl E. Badger of Lynn, who was cared for in earlier life by J. Everett Woods on the Groton road. He was quite recently a pupil at Westford academy, so that the committee felt they were employing home talent. On motion of W. R. Taylor the report of the committee was unanimously accepted.
Article three was to see if the town would borrow $15,000. Frank C. Wright offered a written motion authorizing the town treasurer to negotiate for the sum, to be paid in installments of $1000 per year, interest not to exceed five percent. The motion was unanimously carried.
At article four, to choose a building committee, Dr. Sleeper offered a written motion that the selectmen, school committee and present special committee elect one member each, who shall constitute a building committee. The motion was unanimously carried.
Article five related to purchasing land for a location. S. L. Taylor offered a written motion that the town purchase the Foss lot on Main st., at the intersection of Depot st., that the sum to be paid shall be left to a referee of three persons, the selectmen to appoint one, Mr. Foss one, and these two select the third; that from their decision there shall be no appeal by the town or Mr. Foss. The motion was unanimously carried.
The special committee received three bids for constructing a four-room building by the detailed plan of Mr. Badger; these bids averaged a little over $11,500. The committee elected H. V. Hildreth to represent them on the building committee.
The last article in the warrant, relating to buying or leasing land of the Boston and Maine railroad to widen the road at Brookside, owing to a technical defect in procedure, was, on motion of chairman O. R. Spaulding of the board of selectmen, dismissed from the meeting.
After giving a vote of thanks to the special committee the meeting dissolved into private life.
Center. While the average member is resting from club activities, the officers of the Tadmuck club, in conjunction with the members of the executive committee, are busy preparing for the printer the program for the coming season. It promises to be an attractive one, well calculated to appeal to all tastes in its scope and variety of subjects.
Miss Carrie E. Read has been a recent welcome visitor in town.
Mrs. George S. Mudgett, with grandson, George M. Balch, is enjoying a vacation at Wells Beach, Me. With them are Everett Mudgett and family of Manchester, N.H.
Little Mildred Green, who burned her mouth badly July 4, by biting a firecracker, is doing nicely.
Miss Edna Ferguson led an interesting meeting at the Congregational church on Sunday evening, subject, “Lessons from the first four commandments.” At the recent communion service Miss Josephine Bright was received into the membership of the church on confession of faith, Miss Reymore Nelson by letter.
It will be of interest to many Westford people that there is action being taken in Chelmsford to have the recently disbanded Troop F cavalry reorganized.
Graniteville. The Hosfords of Lowell visited here last Saturday and were defeated by the Brimstones in a well-played game, score 8 to 7. Errors were numerous on both sides during the early part of the contest, but both teams finally settled down and played good, consistent baseball toward the finish, with the result stated before. Following is the score by innings:
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
Brimstones, | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | —8 |
Hosfords, | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | —7 |
Batteries: Harrington and Ledwith for the Brimstones; Forbes and Thomas for the Hosfords.
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Healy of Wellsville, N.Y., spent part of their honeymoon trip as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Healy.
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Sullivan and daughter Miss Lillian, came over from Marlboro in their large touring car Sunday and spent the day visiting friends in this vicinity.
Eddie Defoe of this village, the clever center fielder of the Westford A.A. team, is putting up a good article of ball this season. His heavy batting of last Saturday in the Nashua-Westford game, getting four hits, with a total of five, was a strong factor in landing the game for Westford.
Mrs. G. P. Leduc and son Francis are visiting relatives in Canada.
Mrs. W. H. Sherman, wife of our village physician, is visiting at her old home in the vicinity of Portland, Me.
Mrs. Thomas Dunn and son Thomas jr., of Astoria, N.Y., are visiting friends in this vicinity.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Furbush on Broadway was the scene of a merry gathering last Saturday evening, when the many friends of their daughter, Miss Ruth, assembled to help celebrate her fourteenth birthday anniversary. The affair was in the nature of a surprise, and during the evening, when the festivities were at their height, Omer Leduc in a few well-chosen words presented Miss Ruth, in behalf of those present, with a beautiful signet bracelet. Miss Furbush, although taken by surprise, replied in a graceful manner. The evening was spent in playing games and other forms of amusement, and the following short but select musical program was given:
Piano solos, Miss Agnes Charlton, George Wilson, Forge Village; duet, violin and piano, Omer Leduc and Agnes Charlton; vocal solo, Miss Lillian Moran; phonograph selections, A. J. Charlton; piano solo, Miss Ruth Furbush.
Light refreshments were served. Many were present from out of town and all had a very nice time.
Saturday, July 27, 1907
About Town. It was one of nature’s halcyon days when the Congregational church, in collaboration with the West Chelmsford church, had a fine picnic at Willowdale, Wednesday, July 24. Two large special cars carried the merry party to the picnic grounds. Under the green pines, in view of the blue lake, an early lunch was eaten. Then came the game of baseball between Westford and West Chelmsford, the latter winning. Rowing on the lake and other amusements gave pleasure until the cars left at five. It was the universal opinion that the picnic was one of the very best the Sunday school ever had.
Last Monday evening was a busy one, when the selectmen, assessors and school committee all attempted to meet in the selectmen’s room and transact business that had much of the counter current element in it. But mutually and good-naturedly a separation was arranged; the selectmen located in the lower hall and leased a corner thereof to the assessors, who were busy cornering up the tax payers. The selectmen appointed George Perkins special police for Nabnassett picnic grounds, owned by George C. Moore. The new electric line close by this resort has increased the necessity of an appointment.
David L. Greig, after receiving a diploma from the Massachusetts state college of embalming at Boston, was licensed by the selectmen as undertaker. This appointment meets with universal commendation.
Oscar R. Spaulding was elected on behalf of the selectmen a member of building committee for the new schoolhouse and Henry B. Read was elected a member on behalf of the school committee. As thus constituted the building committee are H. V. Hildreth, Mr. Spaulding and Mr. Read. They have the regrets of many that the town did not equip them with authority to give added variety and beauty to the town by erecting a brick building.
The next meeting of the grange will be held Aug. 15, when the following question will be discussed: “Would it be an advantage to the agricultural college and community to have the legislators appropriate $10,000 for extensive institute work among the farmers?” All members are asked to speak.
The baseball game at South Acton last Saturday resulted in a score of 7 to 2, in favor of the Acton team. The home team did not play its usual good game. Today the game is at Townsend. The Forge Village team defeated the Pawtucketville team 22 to 0, at the latter place.
Center. The spot where stood for more than a century historic Westford academy is rapidly being filled in and graded by a gang of workmen, and will soon add more spaciousness and beauty to John C. Abbot’s grounds. The old building is finally paced in the southeast corner of H. O. Keyes land in the rear of the Congregational church, along with the blacksmith shop, harness shop and sheds, all in heterogeneous array.
Little Frank Prescott, the three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Prescott, who recently lived in Westford, died in Chelmsford, Monday, of diphtheria, and was buried the same afternoon at Fairview cemetery. Rev. C. P. Marshall conducted a service at the grave. This is the second death in the family of six children within a few months.
Miss Dora Hawkes of Melrose is the guest of her cousin, Miss Hazel Hartford.
The Julian A. Camerons are at their summer home at Cross Island, Essex, for a few weeks.
Miss Ella Gill of Ludlow, Vt., is the guest of her sister, Mrs. J. H. Fletcher [nee Mary Etta Gill].
Miss Mary P. Bunce has been visiting in Keene, N.H., the past week. Miss Alice Howard substituted in the library during her absence.
A. H. Hartford, the popular clerk at Wright & Fletcher’s, is enjoying a vacation this week at Old Orchard Beach.
Miss Florence H. Read of Barre has been one of the week’s visitors in town.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Anderson have a baby daughter [Hilda D. Anderson born July 20, 1907], born last Saturday morning. With two little sons, a daughter was particularly welcome.
Mrs. Joseph Thompson has gone to the Lowell general hospital for treatment.
Benjamin G. Day has improved his recently acquired village property with a coat of paint.
The Henry M. Wrights were guests over Sunday of the H. V. Hildreths at their camp at Forge pond.
Miss Grace Lambert entered the Lowell general hospital, Tuesday of this week, for the probation term previous to the two and one-half years of training for a nurse.
E. M. Raymond of Charlestown was in town Monday and brought to the library trustees a large flag twenty feet long, which he wished used every day this week in honor of Boston’s old home week. Mr. Raymond also brought a beautiful, large Chinese vase for the reading room table, hoping that each library day this week would find it filled with flowers, either wild or cultivated. The patrons of the library heartily appreciate these kindly acts and the fine touch of sentiment it brings into busy working days.
On Monday Wright & Fletcher had at their store a carboy of water taken from the driven wells near the Pine Ridge station as a sample of the new water supply. It is clear and sparkling and comes out of the ground at a temperature of forty-eight degrees, and the pumping test indicates an abundant supply of water. The pipes have been distributed along the highway and the work of laying them will be started at once.
Wedding. A very pretty wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Heywood, Wednesday afternoon, when their only daughter, Elizabeth Cushing Heywood, was united in marriage with Charles Lewis Hildreth. Both are well-known young people, being graduates of Westford academy in the same class. The groom is a graduate of Dartmouth college, class of ’01, and of Harvard law school. The bride, after graduating from Lowell Normal school, was a successful teacher in Lancaster for a number of years. Owing to the poor health of the bride’s father the wedding party consisted of only the immediate families of the young people. The ceremony took place at five o’clock in the afternoon, and was performed by Rev. B. H. Bailey. The bride’s dress was a dainty brown and white silk, with lace trimmings, and the traveling dress was a handsome blue cloth, with hat to match.
The wedding presents were numerous and beautiful, consisting of silver, cut glass, china, linen and articles of furniture. A wedding collation was served, after which the happy couple took their departure for a wedding trip. On their return they will make their home for the present with the groom’s parents Mr. and Mrs. C. Willis Hildreth. No cards.
Death. The community was inexpressibly shocked and saddened, Wednesday, at the announcement of the death of Mrs. Emma C. Sleeper, wife of Dr. W. J. Sleeper, which took place in the early morning hours at their summer camp at Forge pond. Mrs. Sleeper went with her family to camp about ten days ago. While those at camp and her many other friends realized, with much anxiety, her frail health, and those of her immediate family circle realized yet more, still the end came as a crushing blow.
Mrs. Sleeper died of neuralgia of the heart, aged forty-seven years. She was the daughter of Horace M. and Martha Chadwick of Manchester, N.H. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, Dorothy M. and Natalie; one son, Walter J. Sleeper, jr.; her mother, Mrs. Martha Chadwick; two sisters, Miss Kate B. Chadwick and Mrs. A. K. Hobbs; one brother, George H. Chadwick.
Mrs. Sleeper came to Westford at the time of her marriage and during that time has made a wide circle of friends in this and neighboring towns, and in all her relations to her home, church and community was the embodiment of sweet, gracious, capable womanhood. She was a devoted wife and mother, maintaining an ideal home life, happily combining efficient housekeeping and genuine home-making. To this bereaved family circle the sincerest sympathy of the community is extended.
Mrs. Sleeper was always cheerfully helpful in all the best interests of the village life. She will be sadly missed in the Unitarian church, where she was a loyal worker, and in the Tadmuck club and the grange.
At this writing the arrangements for the funeral are incomplete, but will be held on Saturday or Sunday.
Graniteville. The parishioners of St. Catherine’s church are to have a picnic in the near future. A meeting will be held shortly for the purpose of appointing committees, selecting a site and deciding on what date this outing will take place.
Mass Sunday July 28 will be celebrated in St. Catherine’s church at 8:45 o’clock and will continue so every Sunday until further notice.
The M.E. church society will hold a lawn party on the church grounds Saturday afternoon and evening, July 27. These affairs have proved very enjoyable in the past, and it is understood that the committee in charge have arranged a very pleasing program for next Saturday. There will be plenty of nice things to eat and drink and all are assured of a good time.
The Pawtucket Blues of Lowell will play the Brimstones on the home grounds here next Saturday, and a red hot game is expected.
The members of Court Wannalancit?? of North Chelmsford has invited the members of Court Westford, No. 170, of this village to participate in the gala day festivities which will be held in North Chelmsford on next Saturday afternoon. A great time is expected, the principal event being the ballgame.
Mrs. Fred Saunders and daughter Doris of Nashua, are now visiting friends in this village for a few days.
W. O. Hawkes has recently returned from a very pleasant visit spent with relatives and friends in South Deerfield, his boyhood home.
A. W. Hartford, manager of the Westford A.A., is now doing scout duty through the state of Maine for the purpose of finding some heavy hitting fielders for his ready fast baseball team.
Cameron circle, C. of F. of A., had a largely attended meeting in their rooms Tuesday evening. After the business of the meeting was dispensed with, a social hour was enjoyed, during which the following interesting program was given:
Song, “Nobody’s little girl,” Miss Catherine Rafferty, Cora Gagnon, Rebecca Leduc, ?? Leduc and Mrs. Annie Defoe; violin solo, Omer Leduc; piano solo, Lillian Moran; piano duet, Edith Normington and Ruth Furbush; son, “I don’t know where I’m going but I’m on my way,” Cora Gagnon, Catherine Rafferty, Rebecca Leduc; duet, violin and piano, Omer Leduc and Agnes Charlton; remarks from Hannah Scully, circle deputy of Ayer, and Mrs. Maria Wall, chief companion of Cameron circle. Edith Normington and Agnes Charlton were the accompanist during the evening.
Dancing followed the entertainment, piano music being furnished by Miss Furbush and Miss Charlton. Laura H?? had general charge of the entertainment and much credit is due her for the fine manner in which this affair was conducted.