The Westford Wardsman, July 27, 1918
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Elliott spent a number of days, including over the weekend this last week, at Oak Bluffs.
Miss Sarah W. Loker returned to her Westford home this week, and Miss Mary P Bunce has gone to the Massachusetts General hospital in Boston for a course of special treatment.
Mrs. Robinson, who has been ill at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Perry Shupe, is improving and is able to be out on the plaza.
Wayland F. Balch is recovering from an attack of shingles.
The Charles L. Hildreths have recently had their first ripe tomatoes from their gardens.
Westford friends recently driving through Barre called on Miss Carrie E. Read at the library, finding her well, and as always interested in all the Westford friends and former associations. The same also applies to her sister, Florence, and to her brother’s family.
Mrs. James W. Pyne, at Pine Ridge station, is making a visit in Warren, N.H., at the home of her sister, Mrs. John Fraley. Mrs. Pyne has been among the stay-at-homes so long that her home friends are interested in her outing and wish her a very pleasant visit in the pleasant White Mountains region of New Hampshire.
Mrs. John P Wright and her group of Camp Fire Girls go next week for a ten-days’ camping trip in Littleton.
Albert W. Heywood, of the Gunboat Dubuque, was at home last week on a brief furlough to visit the home friends.
Theodore Pollock, in the naval service, was at home last week on a brief furlough.
Mrs. John P Wright, guardian of the Camp Fire Girls circle, wishes anyone having any tinfoil would donate the same to her or any of the members of her circle. This in any quantity has a commercial value.
Miss Natalie Gallant is visiting her cousin, Miss Eva F. Pyne, at Pine Ridge.
George F. White was in attendance on Wednesday at a convention of Reo automobile dealers in Boston.
The dancing party at the town hall on last week Friday evening was well attended and a pleasant affair. The Colonial Orchestra of Maynard, provided most satisfactory music. A good group were present from Littleton. Those in charge were Misses Lillian Sutherland, Marjorie Seavey, Hazel Hartford and Maude Robinson. The net financial result was twenty-five dollars, to be given to the French relief.
With its efficient leadership the Red Cross meetings are well sustained even in hot weather, with good results accomplished. The full quota of work for last month was completed. At a business session on Wednesday Mrs. Helena M. Bartlett was chosen to succeed Mrs. Bessie D. Watson as treasurer. Mrs. Watson resigns owing to pressure of other duties, having served faithfully in this office since the branch was first formed.
The home guard members held their regular drill on Tuesday evening. While not receiving their official announcement for going to camp in August the company expects to be called to go, and information concerning equipment, etc., was read. Capt. Robinson has employment on an important Boston and Maine constructing job in the western part of the state and in his absence 1st Lieut. Herbert V. Hildreth will be in charge of the company.
The ringing of the church bells last Saturday morning over the heartening news of the allied victory overseas was an impressive incident of the times. The first strokes of the bell was mistaken for fire alarm by some of the fire company, as well as others. One busy housewife said she got out her largest flag, stirred ‘victory bread’ played some of the stirring war songs and said a prayer for the boys as nearly one and the same time as possible.
On Sunday will be the last Sunday morning service before vacation at the Congregational church.
The combined knitting party of the Red Cross held last week Thursday afternoon was a very pleasant and successful affair. This gathering was planned for at the Whitney playground, but owing to the recent tendency to afternoon showers Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding at very short notice gave the use of her house for the gathering. The wide porch and pleasant rooms of this hospitable home made a pleasant meeting place for the gathering of about sixty. Some good music and light refreshments added to the afternoon’s pleasure. The eight hostesses who entertained their groups of six or more were Mrs. Spalding, Mrs. Buckshorn, Mrs. Hartford, Mrs. John P. Wright, Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs. Carver, Mrs. Hildreth and Miss Julia Fletcher. Now the next groups of four are having their gatherings.
Children’s Sunday, in charge of Mrs. Lincoln, Misses May Day and May Atwood, at the Congregational church last Sunday morning, was very successful. The platform was beautifully decorated with ferns, flowers and flags. There were recitations by Helen Kimball and Roger Hildreth and the exercise by four children, “Flowers for children’s day,” was by the following children: Alice Heywood, Genevieve Blaney, Ruth Prescott and Leslie Sherman. The exercises for three children, “Just one little flower,” was given by Viola Day, Kenneth Wright and Donald White. “America’s welcome to the children of the world” was admirably given and was most appropriate. Those who took the parts were Ethel Ingalls, Charles Colburn, Marion Prescott, Norman Day, Gwendolyn Pitkin, Elizabeth Pollock, Eric Anderson, Alice Swanson, Hawthorne Roby, John A. Kimball, [and] Forrest White.
Obituary. More extended account of the death of Francis L. Fletcher, whose passing was briefly noted in this column last week, should be given, for Mr. Fletcher was practically a lifelong resident of Westford, and at one time postmaster of the town.
Mr. Fletcher, who was aged 85 years, 9 months and 26 days, died at the summer camp of Oscar R. Spalding at Forge pond, where he was spending a few weeks with Mr. and Mrs. George H. Clark. The deceased was born in Westford on September 22, 1832, and was the son of John B. Fletcher. He was born in what is known as the James Spinner house on Boston road. He received his early education in his native town. Later in life he did a prosperous business driving through the towns selling goods from a team. He was always active in politics and a lifelong democrat. He was postmaster after the Lincoln administration in 1865, and postmaster at Graniteville during the Cleveland administration [1885-89 and 1893-97].
Mr. Fletcher was twice married, his first wife being Martha Chamberlain, of Chelmsford. Of this union one son, Hugh F. Fletcher, was born. His second wife was Helen Tower, of the Westford group of Tower sisters. A daughter Lena, now Mrs. George H. Clark, of Somerville, was born of this marriage. This son and daughter and two grandchildren, Florence and Francis S., of Lynn, and a brother, John M. Fletcher, besides nieces and nephews, are his surviving relatives.
Funeral services were held at the home of his brother, John M. Fletcher, Saturday afternoon at two o’clock. Rev. Louis H. Buckshorn was the officiating clergyman. The bearers were relatives of the deceased, and there were many beautiful flowers. Interment was in Fairview cemetery.
About Town. The funeral of Benjamin F. Day took place from the home of his son, Clifford L. Day, Bedford, last week Thursday afternoon at one o’clock, and at the Green cemetery in Carlisle at three o’clock. Rev. George F. Piper, of Bedford, a former minister of the Unitarian church, Carlisle, and Rev. Benson P. Wilkins, of Carlisle, conducted the services. Two selections, “Abide with me” and “Beautiful isle of somewhere,” were sung by a quartet, Miss Ruth Chamberlin, Mrs. D. W. Robbins, James E. Taylor and Warren B. Chamberlin. As a gallant veteran of the civil war and member of Ladd and Whitney post, G.A.R., of Lowell, the post was represented at the funeral. Mr. Day was a lieutenant in the Spalding Light Cavalry and the Cavalry association was represented at the funeral by Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher, A. H. Sutherland and Frank W. Banister. Burial was in Carlisle.
Charles H. Whitney has finished haying on the W. R. Taylor’ farm and is now visiting his mother and sister in Athol.
Considerable complaint is heard about green lice on vegetation. Spraying is recommended. Another and better remedy—plant so early in the spring that the green lice won’t be able to keep up with such early, spry speed. The writer hasn’t seen any of the aforesaid green inhabitants this year. He would like an introduction.
A camp of Y.M.C.A. boys of Lowell are now at Nabnassett, farming, batting, with emphasis on baseball. They have played a tie game with the West Chelmsford picked crowd. Aside from harmless amusement, helpful amusements are encouraged, and the nature study class is in action. A large certificate for framing is presented the boys who identify [a] certain number of trees, shrubs, flowers or birds. Altogether Nabnassett is yielding something besides fish.
Four baby girls were born this last week. Daughters were welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Edwards [Rita Hosmer Edwards, born July 12], Mr. and Mrs. Edward Whitney [Myrtle Phyllis Whitney, born July 10], Mr. and Mrs. James Savage [Katherine Etta Savage, born July 16] and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Steele [Phyllis Rebecca, born July 19, 1918, in N. Chelmsford].
In West Chelmsford a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bayard Dean on July 13. The baby has been named John Andrus Dean.
Mrs. Crafts, sister of William Green and Miss Susie Green, and mother of Nina Crafts, has been visiting her relatives here.
Rev. William W. Guth, of Baltimore, Md., came north in his touring car recently. He used to preach in the West Chelmsford [Methodist] church [1900-1901] and so he came up to the village to visit the H. E. Fletchers and the Snows. Mr. Guth was accompanied by his wife and her mother, Mrs. Fishbeck. Mr. Guth is the president of Goucher college, Maryland, from which President Wilson’s daughters graduated. In the New York Times there recently appeared a splendid article from the pen of Mr. Guth in regard to the teaching of German in our schools. It was so trenchant that it has been given publicity.
F. A. Snow and family motored to Marblehead for the weekend and came back by the North Shore Drive. They enjoyed watching the hydroplanes.
Mrs. Vincent R. Booth is enjoying the Maine coast. Her husband took her down in his auto and then returned.
The comparatively recent death of Mrs. Susan Underwood Crum at Fox, Ill., at the age of 96 years 3 months, recalls some early history of Westford. Her grandfather, Joseph Underwood, died in Westford in 1761 at the age of eighty years. The historian of Westford says of him: “He was one of the original members of the First church, was active in all public affairs and was evidently a man of character and influence. He was a farmer and inn-holder and owned a large tract of land [on the eastern slope of the hill] on which the central village now stands, [reaching up to the Common, and including the Osgood farm,] together with the farms of the Spalding brothers, [of] the Ira Leland [heirs], [and of] Albert [P.] Richardson farms. … His dwelling stood nearly opposite the Ira Leland farm [at 4 Leland Rd.], where the cellar [hole] yet remains.”
There seems to be a scarcity of song birds with their aesthetic plumage. Hurrah for the open season shot-gun. We ought to be thankful that we have with us the song of the hog and the aesthetic plumage of his bristles.
Mrs. Emma Day has gone to Bolton for a week to visit a friend. It is a coincidence that these two women were born on the same day in the same year. Arthur Day took his mother over in his car.
Miss Frances Banister is visiting a friend in New Hampshire, formerly Gladys Fletcher, of Westford depot, now Mrs. [Herbert M.] Searles.
At a public hearing at the town hall on Wednesday evening, in regard to service on the electric road, Oscar R. Spalding, Sherman H. Fletcher, Frank L. Furbush, Abiel J. Abbot and Rev. L. H. Buckshorn were chosen a committee of conference.
Killed in Action. In a recent Boston paper appeared the picture of Top Sergt. Arthur P. Kelley, of Nashua, N.H., who belonged to the 103rd Field Ambulance Co., who was killed in action on July 5. Rev. Arthur P. Kelley was the son of Andrew Kelley, of Nashua. When a youth he used to visit here at the home of Mrs. Jennie Fifield. He is a cousin of Mrs. Henry A. Fletcher. He graduated from Trinity college and the General Theological seminary in New York, and was ordained in the Episcopal church of the Good Shepherd in 1904. He taught at Racine college and the Hallock School for Boys. He enlisted in the 2nd Massachusetts Field Ambulance Co. when the trouble with Mexico was acute and went south as clerk of Capt. Dudley. He was promoted to top sergeant and went abroad with the command which afterward became the 103rd Ambulance Co., a part of the 101st Sanitary Train. He was killed in action on July 5.
He leaves his father; two brothers, Andrew P., of Trenton N.J., and Hector W., of Philadelphia, and a sister, Mrs. Alfred C. Hendrick, of Nashua.
Interesting Letter. There has been much in the papers of the life of a soldier. This account from one who is soon to leave for Y.M.C.A. work in France, may be interesting, as it gives a little idea of the training which is given at Columbia university for that work:
I am having a glorified experience here at the Y.M.C.A. training conference at Columbia university, the ninth conference. There are 347 in this week’s conference—the numbers are increasing each week. There are men of all occupations, and from every part of the country. At the table the other day one man said, “I am from Maine, where do you hail from?” “California, neighbor,” and here was a typical illustration of the phrase, “From Maine to California.” I have already run across many whom I knew before. (Then follows a description of those whom he had met.)
The program is quite strenuous. There are many office men going over as accountants and business executives. I leave here at 7:15 in the morning and it is usually eleven o’clock or later when I return at night. I can’t begin to tell you how many inspirational and informational talks we have had by Y.M.C.A. and Red Cross workers who have just returned. They certainly do put the “pep” into us and make us feel that we are to have such an opportunity for service as will never come again in our life time. They urge us not to preach religion over there but to live it. Ministers over in France are serving chocolate, handing out cigarettes, mending clothes, carrying stretchers—doing very humble tasks and finding happiness. One secretary told about a supreme court judge doing nothing but sorting out mismatched pairs of shoes at a Red Cross headquarters, and declaring it to be the happiest task of his life.
Every afternoon we all have to go out on the athletic field in our white running pants and go through vigorous physical exercise. We are taught ever so many semi-military, semi-athletic games, such as “Swat the Kaiser,” “No man’s land,” “Prisoner’s base.” They want us to play these games for recreation with the soldier boys. They are stunts that have been devised the last two years to meet the needs of war conditions. They are the best forms of amusement and recreation and exercise that I have seen devised. The thing is so well organized that the whole 350 of us are all doing competitive stunts at the same time. Quite a departure from the old form of a few stars and the rest on-lookers. There are about fifteen on a team, with a captain, and the various teams are competing simultaneously. We are taught about four or five new games and stunts each afternoon. These are simple games, requiring very little apparatus and furnish abundance of amusement and exercise.
The first two days everyone had a sore arm from inoculation and it was excruciatingly funny to see 350 men all trying to protect a sore spot.
The French classes are exceedingly amusing. There are business men here forty-five years old, who have scarcely looked inside of a textbook of any kind since high school days, trying to get a modicum of the French language inside of their cranium. One man told the teacher he wanted to learn just enough so that when he got over to France he could get all he wanted to eat. Unless he improves, I fear he will go hungry.
This morning we all went in a body to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Being a high church Episcopal service it was rather up to us to rise and fall with the audience. Some of our stout men were so sore with athletic training that we heard many groans at the periodic occasions—for getting down and up with military dispatch. I scarcely heard a word of the service for the acoustic properties of this immense stone cathedral are abominable. As one of my old professors said, “A cathedral is made to see and not to hear in.”
Tonight I am going to the Madison Square Garden, there to hear Secretary [of the Navy Josephus] Daniels, [American Federation of Labor President] Samuel Gompers, Ambassador Jusserand 0) { referrer_url = document.referrer; } const params = location.search.slice(1).split('&').reduce((acc, s) => { const [k, v] = s.split('=') return Object.assign(acc, {[k]: v}) }, {}) const url = "https://museum.westford.org/wp-json/iawp/search" const body = { referrer_url, utm_source: params.utm_source, utm_medium: params.utm_medium, utm_campaign: params.utm_campaign, utm_term: params.utm_term, utm_content: params.utm_content, gclid: params.gclid, ...{"payload":{"resource":"singular","singular_id":2181,"page":1},"signature":"b8516c22b5b2f027ec057136b56f2d99"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();