The Westford Wardsman, August 30, 1919
Center. Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Burnham, George Green and Miss Mary Green should have been added to the list of Westford people who attended the orchardist outing last week Wednesday.
Walter L. Cutter was in town on Monday, visiting his children.
The Russell family, who have been living on the Collins place at Parkerville, are moving into the schoolhouse dwelling as the Collins place has been sold to Mr. Young, of Lowell, and who have already taken possession.
Harold W. Hildreth has purchased a new five-passenger Ford automobile.
Mr. and Mrs. A. E Loveless have sold their farm on Tadmuck road to T. O. Sullivan, living at the south part of the town. Mr. Sullivan and his sons are practical farmers and the farm will be actively carried on. The Loveless family’s removal from town is much regretted for while Mr. Loveless was only here for weekends owing to his work in Boston, they have been very helpful in all affairs pertaining to the best welfare of the community.
F. A. Hanscom is away for a few weeks on a western trip, visiting his married daughters, after which he will come back to Westford and board with Mrs. C. D. Colburn and continue with his poultry business.
Miss Ruth Tuttle will not return to her teaching at the opening of schools, she having been granted a year’s leave of absence, which she will spend at home and keep house for her brother Alfred.
Dr. Harry R. Coburn, recently discharged from the medical reserve corps, has taken over the equipment of the late Dr. O. V. Wells and will be at the office on September 2. Dr. Coburn comes highly recommended and has had a wide experience in war surgery, having been in charge of field hospitals in France for seventeen months, and the past six weeks at Fort Ontario, Oswego, N.Y. Before the war he was on the staff of the Massachusetts State hospital for nine years.
Former Westford friends will be interested in the following announcement: “Mrs. Julia A. Fletcher, of 18 Elm street, North Billerica, announces the engagement of her niece, Miss Mary Luella Hutchins [born Feb. 12, 1870, Westford], to George Almer Stowers, superintendent of the Billerica motor department.” Miss Hutchins has been for some years a member of the clerical force at the registry of deeds office, in North Middlesex county.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Louise Morin were held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. D. Isles, on Thursday afternoon of last week at two o’clock. Rev. William E. Anderson was the officiating clergyman and Mrs. George Burns, of Lowell, sang three beautiful selections. There were many beautiful floral tributes and the bearers were W. M. Wright, S. H. Balch, H. L. Wright and Fennimore Morton. Burial was in the family lot in Fairview cemetery.
Sergt. Leroy E. Bicknell arrived home the first of the week and was given a hearty welcome at the home of his parents. Sergt. Bicknell holds the most distinguished record in service of the Westford quota, having been decorated for bravery in action, and having received all the major medals, having been decorated by Generals Pershing, Petain and Foch.
Schools open on Tuesday morning. At the academy Miss Etta Crane will be Principal Roudenbush’s new assistant; Mrs. Harold W. Hildreth and Miss Cohen are the other teachers. At the Frost school Mrs. Martha Grant Whiting’s successor had not been selected at last reports, Supt. Frank H. Hill being in Boston attending to securing teachers for the vacancies. Miss Grace Ranney and Miss Mattie Crowley return again and in Miss Edith Wright’s place Miss Maude Robinson will teach until Miss Wright is able to return to school. The school children are to be carried between Brookside and the Center in two motor trucks driven by Everett Miller and Edmund Green.
Owing to the hard rainstorm last Sunday evening and the fact that the electric lights were out of commission for a time the evening service at the Congregational church, the single service of the vacation period, was omitted. Miss S. W. Loker was to have led the meeting on “Some illustrations from the parable of the sower.” Next Sunday will be the last Sunday of the vacation and Mrs. J. K. Felch will lead the single service of the day: Subject, “Our heritage.”
Sergt. Herbert A. Walkden has arrived home from overseas and Wagoner Edward Clement is at home again.
Mrs. L. H. Buckshorn and family are at Nantasket.
Miss Dora Hawkes of Melrose has been spending vacation days with Westford relatives.
The John P. Wrights return this week to their Cambridge home.
Interesting Program. Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, through the courtesy of her brother, who was spending the weekend in Westford, and her husband, was instrumental in having a party of twelve attend the historical pageant, “The spirit of the Merrimack,” at West Newbury last Saturday. Mr. Williams, of Newport R.I., had a party of seven in his machine, and Mr. Wheeler a party of five. The celebration at West Newbury commemorated the 100th anniversary of the town’s incorporation and also a welcome home for the soldiers. The story of the Pageant was written by Mrs. Hazel Hammond Albertson, of West Newbury, and the various episodes were thought out with care and originality and were produced on the Greenleaf-Dole farm on a beautiful stretch of river bank. It was on this farm that Sarah Greenleaf, grandmother of the poet, John Greenleaf Whittier [1807-1892], was married in 1739. The Dole family acquired the property in 1810. Of special interest to the Westford friends was the fact that Miss Elizabeth Wells, in quaintest of costume, had a part in the various tableaux.
Annual Reunion. The postponed reunion and outing of the Spalding Light Cavalry association was held on Thursday of last week with a good attendance of the members and invited guests from Westford and the surrounding towns.
The clay pigeon shoot was held at Whitney play-ground in the afternoon, Edward M. Abbot securing first prize. Should he win the shoot next year the silver loving cup will become his permanent property, he having held the cup from last season.
At the business meeting the same officers of the preceding year were elected.
The D. L. Page Company served a buffet luncheon and the entertainment of the evening consisted of singing by a Lowell quartet and readings and impersonations by Alvah Sturgis, of Lowell, which were much enjoyed. The other speakers were William Carl, who has served 28 ½ years in the militia and also eighteen months in France. His accounts and descriptions of the western battle fronts received the closest attention. Harold W. Hildreth added to the interest of the evening with his experiences in France.
About Town. Sergt. Herbert A. Walkden has arrived at his home at Chamberlin’s Corner from overseas. He is a bright, brave, efficient young man, and the Old Stony Brook school district feels honored by such.
Nomination papers filed for representative from this district, the eleventh, are Harry Wilkins, of Carlisle, and Fred L. Snow, of Tyngsboro, republicans, and Karl M. Perham, of Chelmsford, democrat. Mr. Wilkins was representative last year.
The Collins farm in Parkerville has been sold by Mrs. Jennie H. Russell to Ora R. Young.
Fifteen bushels of crabapples were picked off one tree in the Stony Brook valley. It is so for the writer saw the fellow do it.
Fred Emerson, having sold his farm on the state road to Alister McDougall, has moved from town and Mr. McDougall, who is one of the efficient officials of the farm bureau in Hampden-Berkshire county, has taken possession as a tenant for the present.
Alexander Cameron is superintendent for the Abbot Worsted Company at their Brookside mill.
Senator Arthur W. Colburn has been appointed by the Boston Chamber of Commerce as a member of the committee to investigate the condition of agriculture in Massachusetts.
Mrs. Flora M. Edwards has bought of Catherine O’Brien land and buildings on Brookside road.
Miss Luanna Decatur had a very enjoyable auto trip to Mt. Monadnock recently.
It was very pleasant seeing Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Hall and daughters Lilia and Anna in town, calling on friends. They came up from Waverley [in Belmont, MA] by motor and returned the same day.
Death. John H. Horan died Sunday at his home in Charlestown. He was the youngest of five children of Thomas and Bridget (O’Brien) Horan, and was born in Westford, the home being on what is now known as the Stony Brook road on Pigeon hill. He was educated at the old Stony Brook school and Westford academy, 1873, under Principal William E. Frost. At the Stony Brook school he was a schoolmate of the younger generation in the new schoolhouse. The family were apt scholars, the oldest, then Miss Elizabeth Horan, was a teacher several years in Parkerville, where she is still remembered.
The subject of this sketch left home at an early age and engaged in business in Boston. He had the genuine Irish hospitality and sociability in his daily life. He married Margaret Dunn, of Brookside.
The deceased is survived by his wife; three sons, Thomas J., John H., Jr. and Harold; two daughters, Mrs. Thomas Flynn and Miss Margaret Horan, and two sisters, Mrs. Oliver Desjardins of Westford, and Mrs. J. G. Desjardins, of Lowell.
Clipping. The following was taken from the Boston Globe under date of Nashua, August 9:
“Former Commander Myron Rand of John G. Foster Post, G.A.R., today is celebrating his eightieth birthday anniversary by attending to his regular duties as elevator man in odd Fellows’ block.
“Mr. Rand is one of the best known veterans in the city. He lost a leg on the field of Gettysburg, but despite this handicap, is one of the jovial men of the city—perhaps that is the reason he has reached the ripe old age of four score.
“During the day he was presented a purse of $25 subscribed by friends, the presentation being by Walter C. Eastman. Mr. Rand was much affected by the gift.”
Mr. Rand was one of our Westford boys who went to serve his country in the civil war; August 17, 1861, the 16th Massachusetts left Camp Cameron for the seat of war; there were a goodly number from Westford who went away never to return. Mr. Rand came back to Westford and remained here until he was able to do for himself, when he left town. Soon his father and family went away and they have all passed away with the exception of one sister.
Forge Village. The members of the M.E. church of Graniteville held their Sunday school picnic at Cameron grove last Saturday afternoon. The children enjoyed swimming and other sports during the afternoon. At six o’clock tables were arranged under the trees near the water, and supper was served. The children of the Sunday school were served first and they certainly did justice to the many tempting dishes arranged for them. The tables were rearranged and the parents and friends of the children enjoyed supper. Afterwards tables were cleared and baseball was the attraction. All returned home in good season and declared the picnic a fine success.
Mrs. Percy Dickinson and little son, of New London, Conn., are visiting at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Leclerc.
Misses Mary Delaney, Alice Walsh and niece, Alice Walsh, spent the weekend at Salisbury Beach.
The Misses Edith, Maude and Lillian Hunt and Annie McNiff spent the last ten days in Ware and South Barre.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Keefe, of Townsend, spent last Saturday as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael. Mr. Keefe is recovering from the after-effects of a severe attack of influenza which kept him confined to his bed for nearly seven months. Their little daughter, Miss Olive, who has been spending the summer here, returned with them.
Cameron school will open for the fall term on Tuesday. Mrs. Nelson O’Clair and Miss Nellie McGovern, of Ayer; Miss Mary A. Garvey, of North Chelmsford, and Miss Abbie M. Blaisdell, of Wamesit [in Tewksbury, MA}, will be the teachers. Miss Blaisdell returns after a year’s leave of absence.
The Abbot Worsted Brass band has done splendid work at the rehearsals during the summer. The residents here are eagerly looking forward to their first public appearance. Rehearsals are held every week in Graniteville until Abbot hall, which is now being enlarged, is completed.
George H. Sanborn, who enlisted in the navy, has received his discharge and is now at his home here.
Miss Lillian Bailey, of Lowell, spent Sunday as the guest of her cousin, Miss Ethel M. Collins.
A son [Charles Flanagan] was born Sunday, August 17, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Flanagan.
Mrs. Grace Stratton, of Portland, Me., is enjoying camp life at Forge pond.
William Davis, of Amsterdam, N.Y., is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Davis.
The most severe thunder storm of the season visited here last Sunday afternoon, followed by hail stones. The lightning put the electric cars out of commission for two hours. A fuse blew out on the electric light pole at the junction of Pine and Pleasant streets, residents along that section being deprived of electric lights.
Graniteville. The fast T.R.V.T. team of North Billerica visited here last Saturday afternoon and met defeat at the hands of the Abbot Worsted Co. club by the score of 6 to 0. Munlo, the local twirler, appeared to have the Indian sign on the Billerica boys for not a man reached third base during the game and he held them to three scattering hits. He was finely supported behind the bat by Liston and well backed up by his team mates. Dolan of the T.R.V.T. team also pitched well and was aided greatly by the superb work of the Billerica outfield, who accepted nine chances. Both clubs put up a fast article of ball, but the local team seemed to have it on them in the hitting.
Next Saturday the fast Townsend A.A. team will visit Graniteville for their second game with the Abbot Worsted Co. team. In the first game the local club were victorious and on next Saturday the Townsend boys will put up a battle royal in order to get an even break. The Townsend team has always been a good drawing card here and the fans are anxiously waiting for the return engagement. This game will surely be the stellar attraction of the season.
The final game of the season will be played here on Labor day, when the Abbot Worsted team will meet the snappy St. Peter’s A.A. of Lowell.
Mrs. Alice M. Wells, of Westford, who has charge of the welfare work at the three mills of the Abbot Worsted Company, is confined to her home with an attack of the mumps.
The members of the Graniteville Social club held a complimentary dance for the returned soldiers and sailors and their friends in the Abbot clubhouse on last Saturday night. The affair was a most enjoyable success. Marinel’s orchestra of North Chelmsford furnished excellent music for dancing and refreshments were served during the evening. There was a large number in attendance, many being present from out of town. Everyone had a good time and much credit is due George Gower for arranging such a pleasant affair.
The members of Court Westford, M.C.O.F., held their regular meeting on Thursday night with a good attendance.
James W. Moss, of Boston; Miss Elsie Moss, of Waverley Hills; Mrs. Bert Eaton and two sons, George and Lawrence, of Corinth, N.Y., have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Eaton here.
Miss Hannah Smith, of Fitchburg, visited friends here recently.
Mrs. Edgar Stuart, of Worcester, has been a recent visitor at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Wyman.
The Abbot Worsted Company band is now making fine progress and their playing is now much enjoyed. The members attend very strictly to rehearsals and the results are showing in their excellent work, considering the short time that the band has been formed.
Shirley
Center. The rifle range at Woodsville, which is being used nearly every day, is again proving a source of danger to the residents of that section of the town. When the government released this land in May and June the owners were given to understand that they would be safe in returning to it, and a great many of them did return to their homes. Recently a steel-jacketed pistol bullet hit the house of George F. Buxton, near a window where Mrs. Buxton was, and there were a good many fresh scars on his buildings caused by the partly spent rifle bullets. The home of Frank Kemp has also been hit, and it is understood that the O’Donnells closed their summer home on account of the stray bullets. There are two guards posted within a short distance of each other on the state road, but they make no attempt to stop traffic, although it seems that they would not be posted there if there was not some danger from the shooting on the range.
Ayer
District Court. Frank Llewellyn and Walter H. Honeck, two overseas men from Camp Devens, were in court on Monday morning, charged with the larceny of an automobile and were found guilty. The machine stolen was a Ford Roadster, license No. 11841, and was owned by Walter S. Ricker, of Springfield, who is stopping in Groton. It was taken last Saturday night while parked near Odd Fellows’ hall, Shirley, where the final dance of the Girls’ club was being held. The Ayer police were notified shortly after midnight, and at about three o’clock Sunday morning Officers Mills and Pirone saw the machine coming up Main street, headed in the direction of the camp. They requisitioned a Packard machine owned by Alphie Martell and started in pursuit, overtaking the stolen machine about midway between the main and west gates of the camp. After one shot had been fired the two soldiers jumped from the Ford and ran down the bank into the bushes, where they were soon captured. The machine went down over the bank also, and into the mud, and had to be pulled out the next day. In court on Monday, before Judge Maloney, the soldiers claimed that they did not intend to steal the machine, but merely took it for a joy-ride. They were found guilty, however, and were turned over to the military authorities.
Townsend
Harbor. An aeroplane passed over this village on Thursday afternoon from Camp Devens to Greenfield, N.H., where it took an active part in the Welcome Home day.
Brookline, N.H.
News Items. The aeroplane that went to Milford from Camp Devens last Saturday was plainly seen by people in town. On the return they came down lower, as they were most likely looking over the grounds where they were to exhibit this week Friday.