The Westford Wardsman, April, 1913
Saturday, April 5, 1913
Center. Westford friends have received the announcement this week of the birth of a little daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Dexter E. Coggshall at their home in Newton. The little new-comer was born on March 31, and has been named Marjory.
A food sale was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Congregational vestry. The supply of good homemade viands were sold out and a good sum realized for the church treasury. Besides the food table there was also a candy table. This takes the place of the regular sociable for March. Mrs. Perley E. Wright and Mrs. Walter J. Merritt were the committee in charge.
Judge J. H. Whitney, of Vassalboro, Me., who is a visitor at the Walker homestead, was the speaker at the evening service at the Congregational vestry Sunday evening and gave an earnest and original exposition on “Prayer.”
Mrs. Homer M. Seavey underwent a serious surgical operation on Thursday of this week at the Lowell General hospital. Mrs. Carrie Toombs is taking care of Mrs. Seavey’s household during her absence.
Miss Edith Foster, during the recent school vacation, was a guest for two days of Mrs. Edith Babbitt Hall, at her home in Somerville, and enjoyed a very pleasant visit.
Mrs. Helen K. Frost has workmen busy making an addition which will enlarge the upper apartments she has reserved for her occupancy after giving the remainder of the house [adjacent to the house at 24 Main St. but moved to 12 Main St. in 1954] to Principal Roudenbush, of the academy.
At a business meeting of the church on Tuesday evening after the prayer meeting at the Congregational church it was voted to empower the trustees to make quite extensive improvements inside the church, principally a new floor covering for the auditorium and other renovations. The work will be begun at once.
It will be reciprocity day at the Tadmuck club on next Tuesday afternoon, Miss Edith Foster, chairman. The session is scheduled for the Congregational church, but if the workmen get started on the repairs to prevent, it will be transferred to the Unitarian church parlors. Clubs invited to participate are Littleton, Pepperell, Ayer and Groton. There will be an address by Mrs. Mary I. Wood, of Concord, N.H. Mrs. Wood is a director of the General Federation of Woman’s clubs, and chairman of the Eastern Bureau of Information, and is a bright and capable speaker. After the program, club tea will be served and a social hour enjoyed.
Arthur E. Wilson and Fennimore Morton have been drawn to serve on the jury at Lowell and Cambridge for the spring term of court.
Dr. C. A. Blaney is now getting about to his patients with his new Ford auto.
At a special meeting of the selectmen held on last Saturday evening, the following appointments were made:
David L. Greig and John S. Greig, undertakers’ license; George T. Day, agent for the burial of soldiers and sailors; Fred DeFoe, J. Willard Fletcher, Etta W. Fletcher, Edward T. Hanley, John A. Healey, J. Austin Healey, A. W. Hartford, Eva F. and Ella F. Pyne, Fred Shorey, Wm. R. Taylor, Frank Willey, Harry L. Nesmith, weighers of coal; Harry L. Nesmith, superintendent for the destruction of brown-tail and gypsy moths; David L. Greig, driver of town hearse, with a fee of $2.00 per funeral; John Feeney, janitor of town house at a salary of $200 a year; W. Gordon, John Feeney, Alonzo H. Sutherland, Harry Nesmith, Harry L. Nesmith, Leonard W. Wheeler, Frederick Parker and Harvey W. Barnes, police officers; Harry L. Nesmith, forest warden; J. Everett Woods, registrar of voters; Albert W. Hildreth, sealer of weights and measures; Edward M. Abbot, Albert R. Choate and John Edwards, fire engineers; Timothy Sullivan, caretaker of monument grounds; Ai Bicknell, caretaker of common; Miss Sarah W. Loker and Miss Mary P. Bunce, public weighers; Emory J. Whitney, inspector of meats.
Funeral. Funeral services were held for Miss Mildred Smith at the home of her cousin, Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding, on Tuesday afternoon of this week. Miss Smith died the preceding Sunday after a long illness from tuberculosis at the home of Mrs. Lenie Fletcher Clark in Somerville, who is also a cousin. A pathetic feature of the young lady’s death was that it came on her birthday, the day she was twenty years old. Miss Smith was the daughter of Dr. and the late Mrs. Mary Tower Smith. She is survived by a twin brother, Frederic, who is now in the Northwest Canada, and an older married sister.
The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Granville Pierce, of Carlisle, who was a relative of the family. Interment was in the family lot at Fairview. There were many beautiful flowers.
About Town. A baby cyclone landed on North Westford late Monday afternoon with hail, water and wind. During its free exhibition, it played with the barn of Freeman Keyes on the Gould road. The barn being somewhat infirm from age and other symptoms, was unable to endure the shock of so rude and breezy a playmate and was lifted from its feet and made a very handsome, useful pile of kindling wood about five hundred feet from where it once acted as an ornamental landmark.
Carver Symmes has sold his handsome pine forest located in the swamp to Dutton & Parkhurst. The handsomest lumber in town was in this lot. As sawdust and boards, it can be seen at Chelmsford Center.
About fifty were present at the whist and sociable at the vestry of the Unitarian church on Tuesday evening. Mrs. Fitton, of Graniteville, entertained with satisfying songs. The highest score went to Miss Evelyn Hamlin, and Mrs. Eben Prescott scored success in having charge of the management of the evening.
The democrats and other varieties bowed greetings to each other on last week Thursday evening at the town hall in honor of the election of Woodrow Wilson and a lower cost of living. About one hundred couples joined in the grand march, led by Hon. and Mrs. Edward Fisher. It was a brilliant progressive democratic affair, with just enough of tariff for revenue only to keep everybody busy with their feet. If the Wilson administration can manage to keep hands as busy as feet were kept in celebrating the inauguration of the “lower cost of living,” everything will glide along smoothly. Poole’s orchestra, of Boston, furnished the jingle and it was timely and tuneful.
Fred O. Stiles, of Littleton, formerly of Graniteville, has added to his acreage of apple culture by purchasing of William R. Carver fifteen acres of orcharding, containing 1100 trees located on the Chelmsford road east of Minot’s corner, and opposite the residence of Joseph E. Knight, and formerly a part of the Thomas Drew farm. The trees are young, early and full of promise, and Mr. Stiles is also early and laden with promise. He is an orchardist, producer, purchaser and shipper, all in one live bundle.
The Fortnightly club held an interesting conference on milk bills last week Friday evening. Although the gathering was not large, the talk was large, and largely a face to face attitude in which everybody had to face somebody or something. As a result a face was put on some of the milk bills.
Forge Village. Miss Priscilla Bennett was the guest of her sister and brother, Mr. and Mrs. August Myers, at a dinner given by them in Young’s hotel, Boston, to a number of prominent business men and their wives.
Cameron school re-opened on Monday after the annual spring vacation of two weeks. Mumps are still prevalent among the children, but the school will not close at present.
Miss Margaret O’Hara, of Concord, N.H., has been visiting friends here lately during her stay in getting household articles ready for the coming of her sister, Mrs. Dare, from Keighley, England. The Dare family expect to arrive here shortly.
The fife and drum corps under the leadership of John Edwards took part in the St. Patrick’s day parade held in Lowell on last Saturday. They presented a fine appearance and played in excellent manner.
The many friends here of Thomas Brewster, of Ellwood, Ind., and sister, Mrs. M. Harmon, are waiting with a deal of anxiety of news from him. Owing to the flood conditions of that part of the country his friends are more deeply interested.
Miss Elsie Northrup, of Pepperell, was the guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Morton on Saturday and Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Morton also entertained their sister, Mrs. John Morton, husband and daughter, of Lowell, and Mr. and Mrs. William French, of Nashua, N.H., besides many friends.
The baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Morton was christened Emma Eliza by Rev. Hugh Layton, pastor of the M.E. church, Graniteville.
Communion services will be held at St. Andrew’s mission on Sunday morning. Rev. A. L. Bumpus will preach his farewell sermon. Mr. Bumpus leaves on April 7 for Brooklyn, N.Y., where he has been called to take charge of St. Michael’s church and parish.
“The fairy of the fountain,” a delightful musical play, was presented in Abbot hall on Friday evening of last week. Judging by the applause received, the performance was very much enjoyed. The scenery and costumes were fine. The affair was for the benefit of St. Andrew’s mission.
Miss Annie V. Keefe, of Townsend Harbor, was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael at the weekend.
Little Miss Lillian Bailey, of Lowell, was entertained over Sunday by her little cousin, Miss Ethel Collins.
Mrs. Harriet E. Randall is confined to her home by illness.
Mrs. M. Milot, who underwent an operation for appendicitis at the Lowell General hospital two weeks ago, arrived home on Wednesday afternoon.
Miss Veronica Smith was the guest last week of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Clerk, of Lowell.
Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collins have entertained the Misses Marion and Grace Delmege, of North Billerica.
The Ladies’ Sewing Circle met at the home of Mrs. Henry Catchpole on Thursday afternoon.
William Burnett is confined at his home by illness.
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Daly are entertaining at their home Mrs. Clarence Hill and son, of Leominster.
Through the kindness of Mrs. Endicott Peabody, of Groton, all the costumes worn in the play, “The fairy of the fountain,” were loaned the amateur actresses. This act of thoughtfulness on her part was greatly appreciated, as it saved both labor and expense.
Graniteville. Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon LeClair have recently returned from their honeymoon trip and have taken up their residence here.
John Rafferty, who has been doing construction work in Rumford Falls, Me., for the past few months, visited relatives here recently.
The many people from here who attended the democratic inauguration ball in Westford town hall last week are unanimous in saying it was really the most enjoyable affair held in Westford for many years. All had a good time, including the young man from here who after leaving his partner of the ball at her home, some distance out-of-town, and with the automobile gliding along smoothly on the homeward trip, suddenly had one of the tires blow out and was kept busy for the next five minutes helping the chauffeur adjust another tire. He said it was “fine” walking around in the mud in dancing pumps and dress suit at three in the morning.
Rehearsals for the cantata, “A night in Fairy land,” are now under way [at St. Catherine’s church], and the children are making great progress in the music under the direction of Miss Lilly Mae Moran. The dramatic end of the entertainment will be under the supervision of Joe Wall, who has had a wide experience in affairs of this kind. The cantata will be presented some time during the present month, and the proceeds will be in aid of St. Catherine’s church.
The Graniteville baseball club will open the season here on April 19, and would like to hear from some strong club for a game on the home grounds on the above date. Weather permitting, the team will be out for practice on Saturday afternoon.
Work has already commenced on the different ledges here, but not a great deal will be accomplished until the weather gets more favorable.
Saturday, April 12, 1913
Center. Misses Sara, Lillian and May Atwood returned to their Westford home the first of the week after a pleasant winter spent in Florida.
The cottage house owned by O. R. Spalding near his home is being renovated and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Prescott and little daughter expect to occupy it during the summer months.
The George W. Heywood family have bought of the Edward Prescott heirs the house opposite the southerly corner of the common. Albert W. Heywood and family moved into the house.
Mrs. Homer M. Seavey’s many friends are glad of favorable reports from her at the Lowell General hospital.
Miss Ruth Tuttle has been enjoying the spring vacation at her home from her teaching in Winthrop.
Edward Robey, who has been so seriously ill at the hospital with appendicitis and complications, is now reported as convalescing well.
There will be services as usual at the Congregational church on Sunday, as the repairs will not be started until the first of next week.
Emory J. Whitney has been among the sick ones and under the doctor’s care with a serious cold this last week.
Mrs. George Frederick Wells and baby son, of Tyringham, have been recent visitors at Dr. Wells’.
Edgar Parker, of South Chelmsford, who has driven his meat and provision wagon to Westford for the last year or so, is sick at his home with an attack of blood poisoning, but is reported as gaining nicely.
Samuel G. Humiston has sold his large farm [on Forge Village and Flagg Roads] including stock and tools to Oscar R. Spalding. This farm contains a large acreage and some excellent land. Mr. Humiston, one of our civil war veterans, did not feel able to carry on the farm longer, and is now boarding with Ai Bicknell, another G.A.R. veteran.
Mr. and Mrs. George Bennett have the sympathy of the community in their double portion of sickness. Mr. Bennett, who recently suffered a partial stroke of paralysis, is only able with help to get from his bed to a chair to sit up a little. Mrs. Bennett, who has been far from well for some time, was taken to the Lowell General hospital the rest of the week for an operation for the removal of a tumor.
Frank Drew is having the house owned by him [72 Main St.] at Drew’s Corner repainted.
Francis Hosmer, one of our older residents, is reported to have had a paralytic shock.
Miss Sarah Rogers, housekeeper at H. L. Wright’s, has been away for a few days’ vacation during this week.
Boy Scout athletic stunts have been going on this week and we regret not being able to give scores, etc., but we are told the visiting Tyngsboro Scouts secured the lion share of honors.
Miss Beatrice Sutherland, who has not been well for some time, was obliged to undergo an operation for appendicitis at the Massachusetts Woman’s hospital, Roxbury, on Thursday of this week.
Miss Miranda Luce was one of the welcome members able to be out to the Tadmuck club gathering on Tuesday afternoon. Miss Luce has been among the shut-ins much of the time recently.
Farmers with orchards have been kept busy lately spraying, or having sprayed their orchards against the worst of the pests, the San Jose scale. of Haverhill, had been secured. He proved himself a most engaging speaker and his audience would gladly have listened longer to his frank and simple presentation of peasant life in Holland as he had studied during several visits to what is his native country.
The speaker emphasized the fact that not in the large centers of any country were the truest types of the people to be found, but to be studied in the unhurried by-ways not always scheduled in the guide books. Many phases of life in home, school and church, the quaint costumes, neat housewifery, the genuine hospitality, the freedom from nervous hurry as we know it, were presented with entertaining discrimination by Dr. Van der Pyle. There was a good audience, including several of the men of the community, it being the annual meeting.
At the business session, reports were given by the secretary and treasurer. The secretary reported the present membership as eighty-three, ten having been added during the season. Thus far, fifteen regular meetings have been held, four in the Unitarian church and four in the Congregational church, one of the latter being in the evening. Eight club teas have been served. Two deaths have been chronicled, that of Mrs. Mary E. Fletcher and Mrs. Josephine M. Barnard, both charter members, and a great loss to the organization. The programs, both the special topic for study, and the miscellaneous topics, have been unusually well carried out by the committees in charge.
The treasurer’s report showed good financing with all bills paid and a balance in the treasury. Mrs. Wallace reported for the nominating committee and the following officers were chosen by written ballot: Miss Sarah W. Loker, pres.; Miss Ella F. Hildreth, v.p.; Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, sec.; Miss Edith A. Wright, treas. The name of Mrs. Charles D. Colburn was presented for membership.
The next meeting will be the closing meeting of the season and will be the annual social or guest night. This will be held in the evening in the Congregational church at eight o’clock. There will be an attractive program, followed by refreshments.
About Town. Plowing with oxen on a sulky plow with nothing but the “Whoa! Hush there now,” to guide them by, is what was seen recently on a Bedford farm. Did some say that the world moves? It could hardly be said of the sulky plow.
George O. Spalding, on the Chelmsford side of Francis hill, has an abundance of winter apples yet that keep usually until the mosquitoes announce the arrival of dog days.
Amos Polley planted sixteen bushels of potatoes on Tuesday with the Aspinwall potato planter. He had planned to plant only four bushels, but owing to a miscalculation of misunderstandings, or some defect in the working of the multiplication table, it proved out four times what the regulations and specifications called for.
David Sherman is ripping the moss out of the John H. Decatur farm with his overturned, tipped-over furrows, and the mice family and their cousin, the rats, are looking for lodgings in some undisturbed hiding place.
The Fortnightly club have postponed the well planned play, “Black Diamond,” until Friday evening, May 2, at the Wright schoolhouse, Groton road. This postponement was on account of the minstrel show by the West Chelmsford Debating society at the town hall on last week Friday evening. The “Black Diamond” company are real live folks and just peep in next Friday evening and have it proved to you. They have postponed the exhibition of their goods in order that they might see yours. Now remember reciprocity is the word.
Marshall’s hall at Westford Corner is being charged up with electricity.
Albert E. Jenne has sold his farm on the Chelmsford road to Charles E. Emerson, of Nahant. The house is to be remodeled to correspond to the model which is invisible to the purchaser.
Albert Woods left town on Tuesday morning for Washington, D.C.
The ball and bottle bill so long the hope and dread of many was defeated for re-appearance as part of the diet of society. On a roll call on Monday the house, by a vote of 105 to 120, refused to enact it, and on the motion to reconsider on Tuesday, reconsideration was refused by a vote of 87 to121. The Saloon league argued that more liquor was sold under the bar and bottle bill than before its enactment, that they were anxious to do something for temperance and sell less. Whether they were anxious to sell so much less that none would be sold, no one seemed to be quite ready to charge them with such anxiety, lest suit might be brought for slander.
The next meeting of Middlesex North Pomona will be held at Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell, on Friday, May 2.
James H. O’Brien, on Pigeon hill, Stony Brook road, is suffering from blood poisoning, the result in part of spraying trees.
Under the auspices of Westford grange, members of Lincoln grange will give the three-act comedy, “Bar Haven,” at town hall, Westford on Thursday evening, May 1. Dancing will follow the play.
Carl Strandburg, on the Lowell road, had a narrow escape last week Wednesday. In attempting to cross the railroad track at Brookside, before an approaching freight train, the engine passed so close that is soiled his newly washed and ironed jumper jacket, the boy escaping injury.
The Ellis milk bill was defeated in the house of representatives on Wednesday on a roll call by a vote of 131 to 87.
Grange. The grange had no question of quorum at the initiation of a class of five in the third and fourth degrees on last week Thursday evening. Littleton, Groton, Stow, Chelmsford, Dracut, Mendon and Dover, N.H., granges were represented. The third degree was exemplified by the ladies’ degree team, which received the approval of applause for the efficiency of its “marching orders” and its memorized ritual initiation. The fourth degree was worked by the “regulars,” and at its close, Deputy Moses U. Gaskell, of Mendon, inspected the work of the evening, the officers of the evening and Westford grange generally. He was lenient in criticism because the officers “knew their own,” and the member also on their behavior and efficiency.
Charles H. Holt, of Dover grange, remarked some humorous stories, and responded with a recitation that removed the serious look from the countenance. Past Master Barrow, of Littleton, followed with optimism and courage. Rev. J. S. Moulton, of Stow, a former resident of Westford, remarked on the great number of unfamiliar faces in Westford grange since the years since he was with us. Mrs. Sarree, of Dracut grange, and lecturer of Middlesex-North Pomona grange, affirmed words of loyalty towards the Pomona grange. Fred L. Fletcher, of Chelmsford grange, and past master of Westford grange, was the last speaker and recalled the pleasant memories in the early history of Westford grange.
At the close of all of the entertainment, the provision that sustains was liberally provided by Westford grange in the lower hall.
Death. John W. Fletcher, who died suddenly at his office on Boylston street, Boston, on Tuesday, was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Marcellus Fletcher. He was a native of Westford and a graduate of Westford academy. He has not been a resident of the town for nearly forty years. Twenty-five years ago he went to New York, where he became one of the most celebrated palmists in the world. While there he specialized in financial work and numbered among his clients the late J. P. Morgan. He travelled extensively in foreign lands, and during his stay in London he was visited by Queen Victoria and King Edward VII to read their palms. Authority says that he had a world reputation as palmist and seldom made mistakes. He had travelled extensively in Turkey, Egypt and Palestine, which gave him valuable experience, which served him well in his business career.
In his youthful days in Westford, he was much interested in spiritualism and became a clairvoyant, which probably had much to do in his development as a celebrated palmist. For the past three years he had made his home with his cousin, Miss Anna Cooledge, 49 Powell street, Lowell. He leaves numerous relatives in Westford and Maine.
His death was sad and sudden, and closed a remarkably successful career in its special field at the age of sixty-two years. Judge Frederick A. Fisher, of Lowell, was called to take charge of his affairs, and burial will take place in the Edson cemetery, Lowell.
Graniteville. Among the weekend visitors here for the holiday were noticed: Edward Quinn of Boston, William Casey of Worcester, Mr. and Mrs. John Donehue of Lowell, and Miss Margaret Horan of Charlestown.
The new pastor of the M.E. church has not arrived here as yet, but is expected the latter part of the week, and will preach his first sermon here at the Sunday morning service.
Mrs. H. J. Healy has recently returned from a visit to Salem.
Baseball. The baseball season opened here on last Saturday when two games were played. The game in the morning was between the White Sox and the Salem A. C., of Lowell. The Lowell boys were out-classed in this contest and the White Sox won handily by the score of 11 to 1. McCarthy and Freeman did the battery work for the White Sox.
In the afternoon a large crowd was present to witness the opening game between the regular Graniteville team and the South Ends, of Lowell. Manager Lyons, of the Lowell club, had a strong aggregation of ball players and stood pat on his lineup, while Manager York of the local club tried out several new players. The game was filled with free hitting and ragged fielding on both sides, and both pitchers were supported rather poorly owing to the cold, disagreeable weather and the high wind that prevailed at all times. “Dick” Spinner did the backstop work for Graniteville and put up a much better game than any catcher that has handled his brother “Jack’s” shoots so far.
Graniteville will play the Tiger A. C. in Leominster on Saturday, April 26.
The White Sox will play the Tigers of North Billerica here on Saturday afternoon, April 26. Game called at three o’clock. The White Sox want games and would like to hear from the high school teams from Westford, Chelmsford, Littleton, Groton and Ayer. Address Alfred Gagnon, secretary, Graniteville.
Forge Village. The mills at the Abbot Worsted Co. closed on Patriot’s day. They will run only four days a week until further notice, closing down on Thursday night until Monday morning. This will continue most likely until the question of the wool tariff bill is closed at Washington.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tizzer of Melrose with their family spent the holidays at their cottage on the shores of Forge Pond.
Little Miss Carmel Rose, of Belmont, is a guest at the home of her grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Splain.
The following from this village left for Keighley, England, on the S.S. Cymric on Tuesday: Mrs. Fielding Waddington and niece, Miss Gladys Emsley, Miss Margaret Smith, Thomas Flannery and Miss Kitty Ellis, Miss Ellis returning next fall.
Little Ruth Bennett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bennett, is ill with pneumonia.
Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards recently entertained William Goodall, of Worcester, formerly of this village.
On account of the fire which destroyed the factory of the Bay State Stamping Company, in which he is interested, Alvin S. Bennett was called to Worcester last Monday. The loss, which is estimated to be in the vicinity of $25,000, is partly covered by insurance.
Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael have had as their guests for the past few days, Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Bicknell, of Somerville.
Miss Emily Collins and Miss Sarah Precious spent the holiday with Mr. and Mrs. August Myers, of Boston.
The Ladies’ Sewing Circle met on Thursday afternoon at the home of Mrs. R. D. Prescott.
Miss Emily Illingworth of Arlington Heights is visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Blodgett of the Ridges.
Rev. Williston Ford conducted the services at St. Andrew’s mission on last Sunday evening which were very well attended. Mr. Ford is the newly appointed vicar of St. Andrew’s parish and this was his initial service. A reception was held in his honor by the parishioners on Friday evening in Ayer. The services at the mission will be held on Sunday evening at 7:30 o’clock.