The Westford Wardsman, August, 1910
Saturday, August 6, 1910
Center. The committee in charge of arrangements for the annual reunion and ladies’ day of the Cavalry association are busy with plans for the day, and it is expected that it may prove as enjoyable to the members and their guests as last year. The dinner will be served at noon in the town hall and the new Whitney park will be in use for the first time. The ballfield and the tennis court are nicely finished and available while the remainder is not yet the beauty spot those interested expect it to become after a season or two when the grass and shrubbery are well growing. The Chelmsford band will be in attendance during the day and the hospitality of the membership will be extended to the guests of the occasion.
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wright, who have been enjoying a sojourn in the log cabin on the summit of Prospect hill, have returned to their home with the expectation of coming again for two weeks a little later in the season.
It was pleasant to have Walter Sleeper calling on old friends in his childhood home this week.
Miss Elizabeth Hildreth of New York is making her usual summer sojourn with her cousin, Miss Ella Hildreth at Prospect Hill farm.
Miss Emma Perham is staying with Miss Miranda Luce.
Miss Evelyn Hamlin has returned from a pleasant vacation spent at York Beach and at Worcester with her aunt, Miss Ellen Kimball.
Miss Hannah Morrill has been the guest this week of her sister, Mrs. O. V. Wells.
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Day have removed to Bedford to be with their son and family.
Miss Nellie Gill of Waltham has been the guest of her cousin, Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher and Wednesday Mrs. [Fletcher] returned with Miss Gill for a few days’ stay in Waltham.
Augustus Bunce’s many friends were sorry to know of his serious ill turn this week but are glad he is able to be about again superintending his farm interests.
Gilmer Stone is also among the sick ones and under the doctor’s care.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth and Master Roger Heywood Hildreth are enjoying a vacation at Wilton, N.H.
Charles O. Prescott has returned from an enjoyable trip of a week at Kineo, Me., on Moosehead lake.
Right in line with the spirit of village improvement, the enterprising firm of Wright & Fletcher have replaced the old sign over their store with a handsome new one with gilt letters on a background of black and underneath a smaller one reading “Post Office, Westford, Mass.” The many autoists, who are oftentimes strangers, passing through our main street need not now be in doubt as to the identity of our pretty village.
Birthday Party. The fourteenth birthday anniversary of Miss Hilda Isles on Friday of last week was made most memorable and enjoyable by a very pretty party given by her mother, Mrs. Florence Isles, for her daughter. A merry group of her friends were bidden for the evening and much of the good time in games, music and sociability were enjoyed in the barn which had been prettily decorated for the occasion. The supper was served in the dining room indoors. The color scheme of the supper table was pink and white and was very prettily arranged. The birthday cake had its place of honor in the centre of the table. Caterer, Fred A. Smith, had charge of the making and serving of the ice cream.
Miss Hilda was the recipient of many pretty gifts and after a delightful evening the happy company took their departure, wishing their young hostess many happy returns of the day.
Congregational. The bright crisp weather last Sunday after so much heat was an ideal day for whatever plans one might have, particularly for church-going and a large congregation was present at the Congregational church which was the only service in the village. Mr. Wallace’s sermon was especially a message to the young people of the audience and incidentally was of much interest to the older ones as well. He showed a very sympathetic and intelligent insight into many phases of youthful life with all its ambitions and temptations.
For the next three Sundays there will be no morning services during the pastor’s vacation.
Mr. Wallace went directly to Lunenburg, a former pastorate, and where he has so many friends, for a participation in the observance of an old home week and where he had charge of the Sunday evening services. After several days at Lunenburg, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace go to Northfield for a series of meetings which are so valuable in the way of inspiration and helpfulness to Christian workers. Misses Pauline and Rachael Wallace will remain in Lunenburg while their parents are at Northfield.
About Town. During the thunder shower on Wednesday evening of last week, lightning came in contact with the lightning rod on the Unitarian church and they had it out together. The rod gave the lightning free transportation until near the ground, when the lightning suddenly scented something more to its liking and without stopping to politely rap, it bolted right into the parlor and tried to play a tune on the pipe organ. The organ not being in tune, as the result of repairs on the church, it is not known what tune it did play, but as an organist it was unsatisfactory and the insurance company will have to be put on as an interpreter.
The Tallent place on Stony Brook road is being cleared of the disfigurements of the spring fire. The old shed, which the fire did not have time to finish on account of interference by the Westford fire department, has been much improved in appearance by disappearance as a shed. The barn which was shattered and tattered in the emergency engagement between fire and firemen is being trimmed back to its former symmetry.
Late Thursday afternoon of last week, Paul Quist, who is tool sharpener for the H. E. Fletcher Company, while sharpening tools, had a piece of hot steel fly and lodge in the eye. He was quickly removed to the office of Dr. Leary of Lowell, who pronounced it painful and placed him under expert treatment to prevent loss of sight-seeing from the right side.
That almost absolute [sic, probably ‘obsolete’ is meant] old-fashioned New England yoke of oxen was seen Monday afternoon with all the cud-chewing simplicity of ye olden days as they passed through town on the Lowell road for the old Levi T. Fletcher farm, where the Burton H. Wiggen company of Lowell is hauling wood and loading it on the cars at Brookside.
With windows closed, curtains drawn, doors that open not, whistle that soundeth not, and water fall that carries no energy to the wheel, the Brookside mill, like a parade, has been ordered to the at-rest position.
It looks at present as though the town would be compelled to be defendant in a suit for damages as the result of death by accident on the highway of the late Charles Reed. If the suit comes to trial it will be held in the United States court at Boston. This will allow the jury to be drawn from any part of the State. The trial if pressed will come off in October.
Mr. and Mrs. George Howard, jr., left the Old Oaken Bucket farm last week for Bound Brook, N.J. They left Boston harbor on the boat Harvard. When a short way out of the harbor the boat was struck by lightning. After striking the boat the lightning struck the water and was drowned.
Miss Amy Schellinger and Miss Holt of Boston were recent visitors at the farm on Lowell road, where the lawn tennis court, the old oaken bucket and the forest shades of Francis hill are nature’s Wayside Inn.
The town teams are busy hauling gravel from the Willard Fletcher bridge on the Stony Brook road to Main street near Chamberlain’s corner.
Charles A. Prescott, the two-months’ old child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Prescott was buried in Fairview cemetery, Monday afternoon. Services were held at the grave by Rev. David Wallace.
Forge Village. The members of the John Edwards hose company held a very enjoyable dance in Abbot hall, Saturday evening. A large number from out-of-town were present. Gilmore’s orchestra of Lowell furnished the music and refreshments were served at intermission. Joseph Bennett, jr., acted as general manager, assisted by members of the hose company. About eighteen dollars were turned into the treasury.
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony H. Fernald of College City, Cal., are rejoicing in the birth of a son, born on July 17, who has been named Anthony H., jr. Mr. Fernald was a prominent member of St. Andrew’s mission and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Fernald of Knopp’s Pond farm, Groton. Mr. Fernald was ordered south by his physician, two years ago, but since his residence in California has enjoyed the best of health.
Miss Catherine Burgess of Lowell is visiting at the Fisher cottage, the Birches.
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey[?] of Everett, who are enjoying camp life at Forge pond for the month of August, are entertaining Miss Carol Combes of New York city.
Mr. and Mrs. Freeman of Everett are occupying a cottage for the month of August at the pond.
Mr. Otis and party of friends from Boston are at Idealwood for a two weeks outing.
Mr. Titcomb with friends from Nashua will spend the next two weeks at Pine camp.
The G. W. Proutys of Littleton broke camp Monday after spending two weeks at Forge pond. They were succeeded by the J. W. Irelands and family of Littleton, who will enjoy the cool breezes of the pond for two weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. Small of Everett are entertaining Master Everett and Miss Elizabeth Wakeman of Everett and Miss Freda Klingerhagen of Quincy at their cottage.
J. W. Blake and John Trainor, who have been employed the past few months on the new Abbot mill, left here Monday for Rotterdam, N.Y., where they are to assist in the construction of the new Y.M.C.A. building which is being erected there.
The many friends and former parishioners of Rev. Thomas L. Fisher will be interested to learn that he has decided to go to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he will engage in missionary work for one year. If at the end of that time he finds his work pleasing, Mrs. Fisher and two children will join him. Mr. Fisher received the call to South Dakota over a year ago, but did not care to go so far from his mother, who is eighty-three years old. He will commence his new duties September 1.
Miss Ada Nute of Brockton is visiting with Mrs. H. E. Randall.
Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson have as their guests Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gardes, Miss Mamie Dando and Miss Mildred McDonald of South Boston and Frank Sullivan of Nashua, N.H.
Walter Chappell, the well-known teamster for Abbot & Company, resigned his position Wednesday and starts Sunday for Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he will assist in harvesting the great wheat crop. His cousin, Alexander Chappell, will accompany him. Charles Blodgett of the Ridges has accepted the position as teamster for the Abbot company.
A son [Adment] was born Thursday, July 28, to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Delorier [Délouin].
Mr. and Mrs. John Pauquette of Nashua, N.H., who are spending this week at her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Leclerc, are rejoicing in the birth of a son [Thomas A.] born Wednesday, August 3.
At the regular meeting of the John Edwards hose company, Wednesday evening, Matthew Elliott was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Walter Chappell. The resignation of Captain Richard Prescott was received and regretfully accepted to take effect September 1. John Spinner, jr., was nominated.
Miss Ethel Collins, the eight-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Myles Collins, underwent a successful operation at her home Tuesday afternoon. Dr. O. V. Wells performed the operation, assisted by Mrs. O. V. Wells as trained nurse. The little patient is doing well.
Services at St. Andrew’s mission will be held at nine o’clock, holy communion will be celebrated. Rev. Harry Gray will conduct the service. The usual afternoon devotions will be omitted.
Miss Alice N. Shicks and Miss Louise M. Marinell and party of friends of Lowell have returned home after a pleasant vacation spent at Mr. Lowther’s cottage on the shore of Forge pond.
Saturday, August 13, 1910
Centre. The evening service at the Congregational church which was the only service for the day in the village was well attended last Sunday. H. G. Osgood conducted the song service with Miss Hazel Hartford, accompanist. Miss Sarah W. Loker lead the meeting, subject of which was “Hospitality.” Some of the sub-topics most interestingly considered were: Some bible instances of hospitality; are our churches as hospitable as they ought to be? What is the original meaning of the word, and how far have we got away from that meaning? Does the advance of civilization tend to make people less hospitable? The need of hospitality of mind that shall make us tolerant of the views of others.
Miss Mary E. Jones of Shilton, Pa., is visiting her niece, Mrs. Oscar Anderson.
Miss Beatrice Sutherland and Miss Althea Symmes are at Campton, N.H., to stay until the first of September.
Miss Marjory Seavey has been enjoying a week’s stay with Misses Elinor and Marjory Cameron at the Julian A. Cameron’s summer home at Cross Island, Essex.
Dr. and Mrs. Edward Atwood are guests at Mrs. Caroline Atwood’s [4 Graniteville Rd.].
Miss Edna Ferguson is spending the long vacation at a summer school at Angola, N.Y. Associated with her in her work is a former classmate at Putnam Hall school, Poughkeepsie.
Master Wesley Hawkes of Melrose has been spending this week at the home of his aunt, Mrs. A. W. Hartford.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Benault and their little son have gone to housekeeping in the cottage owned by O. R. Spaulding on Main street.
Miss Ruth Fisher has been doing substitute work at the library this week to help out Miss Bunce, who has been detained at home owing to her father’s illness. Mr. [Augustus] Bunce continues to gain strength a little from day to day.
Supervisor of assessors, Mr. Patten of the State tax commissioners’ office, Boston, was in town Wednesday afternoon and held a meeting with our board of assessors.
Charles O. Prescott left on Wednesday to go to Plymouth, N.H., to form one of that loyal trio of friends, the other two members of which are Rev. Charles P. Marshall and John P. Wright, for their annual tramping and camping trip in the White mountains. Mrs. Marshall is staying at Dover, N.H., and Mrs. Wright at South Royalton.
Amelia W. Lambert has just completed a five weeks’ special course in dietetics in Boston under the direction of Miss Fannie Merritt Farmer, the well-known cooking authority.
Harold V. Hildreth has been detained at home and obliged to keep rather quiet this past week with an injured knee.
The swings, see-saws and merry-go-round have been put in place in the Whitney playground and the children and young people have gathered each day to use and enjoy them. There have been some heated[?] games of tennis on the new tennis court and the object of the park for pleasure and recreation is beginning to be realized with the full measure of appreciation it so richly deserves.
About Town. Last week Thursday at the noon hour, during the thunder shower, a bolt of lightening tried to ring up on the telephone that connects the residence of S. L. Taylor with the rest of the world and the wire snapped with the severity of the call. Although it was close to the house no one seemed to care to answer the call, being busy keeping up with each other at dinner movements. What little of “Fletcherism” was being practiced with the dinner was suddenly discontinued.
Mrs. E. G. Bernhardt of Newark, N.J., is enjoying the old time rugged hospitality of the Greig farm.
Mrs. Herbert Coffin and daughter of Berwick, Me., are visiting uncle and aunt, Charles E. and Miss Belle Walker.
The improvements on the Unitarian church are nearly completed. Col. Edwin D. Metcalf, who presented the town with the soldiers’ monument, has planned to place a memorial window in this church in memory of his mother, who attended church here when a resident of the town. The colonel will also be remembered by the older people as the bright, sparkling-eyed boy, who also attended this old First Parish church. The window will be placed in the rear of the choir.
W. R. and J. A. Taylor left the delights of the rural in the Stony Brook valley today for the tonic that is inherent in York beach.
Mrs. Amelia Weeks Perkins, a native of Prince Edward Island, died last week Friday at the home of her son, George Perkins, at the Nabnassett farm, Westford. She was eighty-five years old and was the mother of ten children, seven of whom survive—Mrs. Kendrick of Hanson, Mrs. Shaw of Woburn, Mrs. Elizabeth Clement of Brookside, Joseph of Prince Edward Island, William of Sterling, Henry of Worcester and George of Westford. The funeral took place last Saturday. Rev. George L. Collyer of the village church, West Chelmsford, conducted the services. Burial was in Clinton.
Daniel H. Sheehan has bought one more of those large engines. This makes four for Tadmuck brook distribution.
Forge Village. The pet dog owned by John Calotta was run over by an electric car on Saturday afternoon and was so badly injured that it was necessary to kill the animal. The dog was chasing a cat when the car came along and as usual the cat got safely away while the dog was hurt. It was a valuable shepherd dog and had been trained to draw a little cart containing the owner’s baby.
Services at St. Andrew’s mission tomorrow will be held at 3:30 p.m. Rev. Harry Gray will occupy the pulpit.
Wilbert E. Parsons, who left here last fall with Mrs. Parsons for the far west, has returned here for a short time on business. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are settled in Vancouver, B.C. They have traveled extensively in the west and south.
Mr. and Mrs. John Hanley and daughter Mary, of Marlboro, are visiting Mr. Hanley’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole.
Arthur Holstein and party of friends of Lowell are spending two weeks at Hollingside cottage on the shore of Forge pond. Last Sunday they entertained thirty of their friends.
Miss Violet Collins of Providence is spending a few weeks at her home.
Gerald Daly of Lowell is enjoying a week’s vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Daly.
Miss Lottie and Miss Mildred Parrott have spent the summer in North Adams. They expect to return home for the fall term at school which commences September 6.
Mrs. Fred Morton and two children and her sister, Miss Clara Morton of Bridgeport, Conn., are the guests of their relatives, Mr. and Mrs. George Cougle.
William Bennett and two sons of Providence are enjoying their vacation at Mr. Bennett’s father, Joseph Bennett.
Mrs. William Weaver is spending the week with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tyler of Worcester.
Saturday, August 20, 1910
Centre. Mr. and Mrs. William A. Woodward moved the first of this week to their new home in East Bridgewater.
Mrs. Clara Wright Anderson of Covington, Va., with her little son, Charles William Anderson, is at the home of her parents for a few weeks’ stay.
Among the teachers who have formerly been in our schools that it was pleasant to meet at the Cavalry reunion last week were Miss Lucy B. Raddin, Miss Elizabeth Cushing and Miss Edith Lawrence. The latter returns to the academy teaching force this fall.
Mrs. A. W. Hartford has enjoyed a recent vacation with relatives in historic Deerfield.
Town clerk Edward Fisher and his wife and daughter are spending their vacation at Camden and Lincolnville, Me.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert R. Field have been guests this week of Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler. Mrs. Field and Mrs. Wheeler are cousins.
The V. H. Hildreths have been spending the week at camp.
Miss Maud Sargent of Boston, who formerly lived at Brookside and was a dear friend of the late Miss Olive Pyne, has been a recent guest at Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Pyne’s.
The pretty station at Pine Ridge is looking very trim and neat with a new coat of paint.
Mrs. Ralph Bridgeford spent a few days last week with her mother, Mrs. A. M. Felch, at Greenfield, N.H.
Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth entertained the Thimble club at her home on Boston road on Tuesday afternoon of this week. There was the usual pleasant time that occurs when this congenial group are together. Mrs. Harriet Sargent Hildreth was a special guest of the afternoon.
Mrs. O. E. Hodson and two children from Lowell were weekend visitors at the home of her sister, Mrs. Ralph Bridgeford.
Miss Eva Pyne is spending the last weeks of the long vacation with relatives at Manchester, N.H.
The recent rains have been favorable to seeding down the Whitney park and workmen have been busy at this job this week. The gang of laborers who have been so busy for many weeks have broken camp in the field at the rear of the park and gone to other fields of labor. Very little evidence of their primitive housekeeping remains but a mound of tin cans. They were an orderly gang and the sound of their harmonicas at the end of the day was not unpleasant.
Westford friends will be interested to know that Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Prescott are rejoicing at the advent of a baby girl [Betty Frances Prescott, born Aug. 16, 1910].
Miss Ruth Fisher is enjoying one of her sojourns at Plymouth.
Whooping cough is an uncomfortable visitor in Parkerville. Four children in the family of George Kimball and one in Harry Nesmith’s are afflicted.
Automobile Speeding. The selectmen have been the recipients this season of many complaints of the excessive speed of automobiles over the highways of our town, thereby making traffic and driving dangerous. They recently sent a letter to the headquarters of the National Automobile association, Beacon street, Boston, stating the case, saying that they did not wish to use any extreme methods or to establish so-called “traps,” but hoping some measure might be taken to help the situation. The board is in receipt of the following communication:
National Automobile Association
Boston, August 15, 1910.
Board of Selectmen, Westford, Mass.
Gentlemen, We are in receipt of your letter of August ?? in reference to the unnecessary use of speed automobiles are using on the roads in your town and the National Automobile association urges strong effort to co-operation [several more very illegible lines]
–FRANCIS HURTUBIS, JR.
Death. Word came to the Westford friends Tuesday of this week that Mrs. George E. Brigham was seriously ill, having suffered from a stroke of paralysis. This announcement was soon followed with the one that she had died at her home on Broadway, Somerville, she having never regained consciousness. Her age was sixty-two years.
Mrs. Brigham was a large property owner in Westford, owning the big Kittredge farm with its fine apple orchards. She always retained her interest in her native town and was especially kind-hearted and benevolent to the unfortunate.
Mrs. Brigham is survived by her husband, George A. Brigham, one son, William R. Carver, and one daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Carver Skidmore of New York city.
The funeral was held at her late home in Somerville at three o’clock Thursday afternoon and the body was brought to Westford on Friday noon and interment was beside kindred dust in the family lot at Fairview cemetery. There was a prayer service at the grave.
About Town. Taylor brothers have returned from York beach.
Brookside mills are expected to get into working gear September first. Help is also waiting to get into gear. The former superintendent, Frank Collins, has moved to Lawrence.
Eben Prescott, the ten-year-old child of Clarence Prescott, was thrown from a wagon at the home of his grandfather at Chamberlain’s corner on Tuesday and broke his collar bone. He was attended by Dr. Wells.
Charles Raymond, right from the capitol of the United States, has opened a store in Marshall’s hall at Westford corner on town line.
Our old rugged New Englander, Miss Sarah Richardson, has been seriously ill at her home at Brookside. Dr. Wells attended her.
Lightning last week struck the water tower tank on the farm of Elbert H. Flagg.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Denton of Somerville have been enjoying the luxuries of early garden vegetables at Mr. Denton’s sister, Mrs. Frank W. Banister.
Miss Mary Martin and Miss Flossie McCue of Lowell are at the Sunset farm of John Haley on the westerly slope of Francis Hill.
Reunion. The third annual reunion of Troop F, Spalding Light Cavalry, was held at Westford Centre last week Thursday. At eleven o’clock the Chelmsford brass band started in with some of their lively music.
Soon after the noon hour a procession was formed under command of Capt. S. H. Fletcher, led by the Chelmsford band and marched to town hall. The dinner was furnished by the gentlemen of the Unitarian church—John Feeney, jr., Albert W. Heyward, Albert Prescott, Alister MacDougall, Everett Miller, Tuttle Brothers and Walter Steele.
The after dinner exercises at the hall were presided over by Capt. Fletcher, who briefly alluded to the incorporated history of Troop F, with its social, sporting, substantial friendship, which are incorporated by a higher law than the charter issued by legal authority. Judge Fisher of Lowell, a Westford lad by home and school day training, was next introduced. He referred to his three years’ military service under Capt. Fletcher, whom he always learned to obey, especially when his eye was on him, so now he felt he must obey and respond although the command was more sudden and unexpected than military commands of ye days of reminiscence. As judge, he gave a wise charge to the two hundred individual juries before him for closer friendship and forgetting past barriers of division and friction.
E. Thompson Blood was introduced, who dwelt wholly upon impersonation and anecdote. Fortunate that he was not introduced before dinner, as his laughable impersonations would have set the appetite on edge beyond any profit for the Unitarian society, as it was far effective in giving dyspepsia a shaking up than any of the highly prized used chewing gums.
Many racing, chasing sports were set off on and around the common and everybody had a good time. If they didn’t, the door to it was wide open.
At the annual election of officers, Capt. S. H. Fletcher was elected president; Lieut. Edward Fisher, secretary; Lieut. Charles E. Bartlett, treasurer; standing committee, Capt. Fletcher, Lieut. Edward Fisher, Lieut. E. C. Williams, W. J. Quigley, Sergt. Caleb L. Smith.
Recent Guests. Mr. and Mrs. Harper Bailey were recent guests for several days at the residence of S. L. Taylor. Mr. Bailey is a resident of Coon Creek, Iowa, where he has been a successful farmer enough to retire. It is thirty-three years since he left Westford, where he was one of the scholars in the Stony Brook school. When a resident here he resided with his parents on the farm now owned by John Flynn on the Stony Brook road. He formerly worked in the Brookside and West Chelmsford mills, and the sword shop of Capt. Roby. He was five years a member of Troop F, Spalding light cavalry, under Capts. Roby and Fletcher. While east he visited many points of interest in New England, including the White mountain range. He left for home last Monday for a short stay, when he will visit California and return by way of the new wheat lands of Canada.
Forge Village. On next Sunday at St. Andrew’s mission service will be held. At nine o’clock holy communion will be celebrated. Rev. Harry Gray of Nevada, who has had charge of St. Andrew’s parish since the resignation of Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, will preach his farewell sermon and will return to his parish work in Nevada. It is not known who will succeed Rev. Thomas L. Fisher.
A son [Joseph A. McDonald] was born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McDonald, Thursday, August 11.
Mr. and Mrs. John Murphy and daughter of Lowell and Mr. Crowley of Boston, are at Hollingside cottage for two weeks. Sunday they entertained Mrs. Eunice Murphy and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Blowin of Lowell.
Mrs. Ware of Lynn, Mrs. McLaughlin and Mrs. Willard of Manchester, N.H., were in town Sunday calling on old friends. Mrs. Ware was formerly Miss Madeline Gallant, and Mrs. McLaughlin was Miss Rose Gallant, both well-known residents for many years.
Miss Alice McDonough of Winterport, Me., is spending two weeks as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Eaton.
Miss Annie P. Keefe of Townsend Harbor has returned home after a pleasant visit spent with Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael.
Mr. and Mrs. Cummings and little daughter of New Bedford are enjoying a few weeks with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Blodgett at the Ridges. Mrs. Cummings was formerly Miss Nellie Stubbs of this village.
Miss Ada Nute of Brockton and Walter Brooks of Haverhill were quietly married Monday morning at Haverhill. They were unattended. After the ceremony they returned here to the home of Mrs. Harriet Randall, where the bride has been staying throughout the summer. They will reside in Brockton.
The Forge Village Tigers will cross bats this afternoon with the St. Mary’s second team of Ayer at that place.
Dr. Harrison M. Bennett of Washington, D.C., and Mr. and Mrs. John Bennett of Worcester, have returned home after a pleasant visit spent with Mrs. H. E. Randall. They will return later for the Bennett reunion which will be held shortly.
Mrs. Lucretia Reed entertained Mrs. Howe and Mrs. Holden of California, who are spending the summer in Yonkers, N.Y.
Cameron school has had a thorough cleaning from top to bottom and is in first-class shape for the fall term of school which commences on Tuesday, September 6.
William Drake of Fitchburg is visiting his cousin, Nelson Prescott, for a few days.
Miss Della Drake has returned to her home in Ellsworth, Me., for a two week’s vacation.
Thomas Blowey, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blowey, is at the Lowell General hospital.
Death of Former Resident. The many friends of Mrs. Margaret Madden, widow of the late Bernard Madden, will be sorry to learn of her death which occurred at her home at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N.Y., where she moved after the death of her husband, which occurred here a few years ago. Mrs. Madden was a well-known and esteemed resident of this village for many years and has been a sufferer for a long time. After the death of her husband she moved with her family to New York, her former home, and it was while she was on a visit to some friends last Thursday that she contracted a cold which developed into pneumonia, death occurring two days later.
The body was brought here Tuesday morning, a funeral mass was celebrated at St. Catherine’s church by Rev. E. T. Schofield at nine o’clock. A large number of her former neighbors and friends were present. The burial took place in the family lot in St. Catherine’s cemetery. The bearers were Hugh Daly, John J. Hanley, Thomas Healy and H. Leduc. Undertaker J. A. Healy had charge of the funeral.
There was a profusion of floral tributes. She leaves three daughters—Mrs. Albert Post, Miss Mary T. Madden, and Miss Nellie Madden, all of New York.
Saturday, August 27, 1910
Centre. Word has been received from Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop W. Sargent of the advent of a little daughter in their California home. Mrs. Sargent was formerly Miss Gretchen Kebler of this town.
Miss Fannie Bickford of Shelton, Conn., has been the guest this week of Mrs. J. B. Fletcher. Miss Bickford is the only daughter of one of the former pastors at the Congregational church and is now one of the teachers at Wilbraham academy, where she was formerly a student.
Miss Jennie Chandler was an automobile guest of the Abiel Abbots’ last week Saturday in attendance at the historical pageant at Peterborough, N.H., which was a most enjoyable and unique event.
Master Stephan Maloney met with quite a serious accident on Monday while playing with a toy automobile. This automobile is of home construction by the boys of the neighborhood and used wherever there is a stretch of down grade. The boy received a bad gash on one leg and Dr. Blaney took a number of stitches and otherwise made the little fellow comfortable. “Stevie” is a popular little four-year-old and his many friends wish him a speedy recovery.
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wright with Frances and Alice are at the log cabin on Prospect hill for a fortnight’s stay.
Mrs. E. H. Sheldon of South Lake Weir and Jacksonville, Fla., was the guest for several days this week of Mr. and Mrs. Austin H. Foss.
The three weeks’ vacation at the Congregational church is over and all the regular services will be resumed on Sunday. Arthur E. Day conducted the evening service last Sunday. These evening services have been well sustained during the vacation.
Miss Mary J. Davis was in the village Tuesday calling on old friends. Miss Davis is visiting at Mrs. Frank C. Hildreth’s.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding are enjoying a vacation at various interesting points in Maine with headquarters at Portland.
Camp life on the shores of Forge pond this season is in full swing and being fully enjoyed. There are about thirty-six camps in all and nearly every one at the present time is open and occupied, which makes quite a colony. The Westford contingent of camp owners is fully represented.
Workmen have been busy this week putting into place the beautiful new memorial window given by Col. Metcalf in memory of his mother at the Unitarian church.
Mrs. Arthur E. Day and children are unfortunately having a siege with the whooping cough.
Workmen are still engaged at the Whitney park edging walks and drives and other finishing jobs.
A Sad Happening. In addition to the sadness and suddenness of Mrs. Mary E. Brigham’s illness and death at her home in Somerville last week was another sad happening of interest to Westford people. Since the late Mrs. Brigham had suffered seriously with impending loss of sight, Mrs. Kendall Wright, who is a Westford woman and contemporaneous with Mrs. Brigham, [illegible] and tastes, had lived with her as companion. In the interval between Mrs. Brigham’s death and burial, Mrs. Wright was stricken with a severe pulmonary hemorrhage. Everything possible was done for Mrs. Wright. A trained nurse is in attendance. She was unable to be [illegible] from the house. The last report was that she was quite comfortable. Perley E. Wright of this town is her only son.
Grange. There was a [illegible] meeting of the grange last Wednesday evening. Mrs. J. E. Knight served as Mrs. Greig’s substitute [illegible] had arranged a good program which was well carried off. The question for discussion was How far should Massachusetts women be given the ballot? What extent should they vote in town affairs? Certainly no claim was made of deciding or settling so vital or important a question, but the debate was well supported and many ideas on the different phases of the question were brought out.
The program was supplemented with music by the grange orchestra, singing by a quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Sutherland, Mrs. D. L. Greig and E. G. Boynton, and piano solo by Miss Gin race Robinson. Notice was read by the secretary of the meeting of the North Middlesex Pomona grange in Lowell, Friday, September 2, and of the grange fair at Billerica, September 15 and 16.
About Town. In a six-seated auto of eighteen individual capacity, Mr. and Mrs. Wright and friends of Deerfield gathered in the hospitality of the Walker homestead last Sunday. Charles E. and Miss Belle Walker always have the look-out welcome “come right in,” at this old abiding place.
Miss Alice Hedstrom of Boston is taking on the ways of the rustic among the berries and apples and farm scenery at the Eben Prescott acreage, Chamberlain’s corner.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Snow celebrated the fifth anniversary Tuesday of abiding unity, when law and custom changed the name of Esther Perry Taylor to “Snowbound.”
An earthquake shock shook up the Merrimac river valley Sunday about 1:40 p.m., and while at it, the Stony Brook and Tadmuck river valleys were also responsive to the disturbance as far west as Great Tadmuck hill, where Westford Centre has builded itself an abiding place. The disturbance resembled the explosion of the Lowell Cartridge Company a few years ago. It appeared, however, to be subterranean, rather than an airship collision.
The H. E. Fletcher Company are widening the railroad bridge on the branch line at the junction of Saw Mill Meadow brook and the outlet of Nabnassett pond. This is made necessary by the increased volume of water resulting from the flowage of Nabnassett pond by the improvements of George C. Moore.
A. P. Corey has relinquished his aptitude for work at the H. B. Read farm and returned to his farm in Maine.
After the usual summer vacation, Middlesex North Pomona grange will hold its first autumn meeting next Friday at Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell.
Word has just been received in town of the death in Maine of Mrs. Mary, wife of Dr. Smith, who for several years was a practicing physician in Westford. Mrs. Smith will be remembered as Mary Tower, being one of the nine daughters of Eli Tower, one of the substantial farmers in the Stony Brook valley. She was one of the bright scholars of the old Stony Brook school and of Westford academy.
The recent dinner given by the men of the Unitarian church for Troop F, Cavalry, netted about $100.
Andrew Tallent of Pelham, N.H., has been visiting in Westford, Mrs. Adeline Parfit at Chamberlain’s corner.
Forge Village. Little Thomas Finn, the three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Finn of Pond street, came within an inch of losing his life Sunday evening about six o’clock. The little fellow in the absence of the other members of the family secured a bottle of iodine and almost emptied the contents before he was discovered. He was given an emetic and Dr. W. H. Sherman was hastily summoned and was on the scene in a few minutes and used the stomach pump with good results. The little fellow is out of danger and will be around playing in a short time.
Mrs. Ernest Myers and three children of Lowell spent several days last week as the guests of her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole. Ernest Myers spent Sunday with them, returning with his family in the evening.
Miss Eva Sheppard of Lowell spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole.
J. W. and Miss Emily Catchpole and Miss Evelyn Fernald were guests Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mason of Lowell.
William Lee of Boston, Herbert Sprague, Daniel O’Keefe and Ned Coughlin of Cambridge are enjoying camp life on the shore of Forge pond. They were entertained at tea Sunday by Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson, who had as their guests Mrs. Frank Gardes, Miss Mamie Dando and Miss Mildred McDonald of South Boston, Miss Abbie M. Blaisdell of Wamesit and Master Lester Neville of Woburn.
Miss Lizzette Simpson of Boston has returned home after a pleasant visit spent with Mrs. Elizabeth Splaine.
Mr. and Mrs. William Kirk of Worcester are at Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole’s.
Mr. and Mrs. George Rigby of North Chelmsford are spending this week at Hollingside cottage on the shore of Forge pond. Mr. and Mrs. Rigby spent a week at the pond earlier in the season, and became fascinated with outdoor life. This week they are entertaining George Ryan of Lowell.
Owners of smaller cottages report an excellent season. Every cottage is occupied and several tents are pitched at the [illegible]. It is reported that several new cottages will be built around the lake during the coming fall.
A large muster of men under the direction of James Sullivan have been engaged for several days in clearing the shore area of the pond and Cameron grove. Several seats have been arranged under the trees and the rubbish all raked up and the trees trimmed. This is a much needed improvement and is greatly appreciated by the public. All that is necessary now to make this grove an ideal place for outings and picnics are a few steps leading down to the shore of the lake, as the embankment is very steep at this particular spot.
The members of the John Edwards hose company have received their new uniforms and are all ready for the annual fireman’s field day which will be held in Graniteville, Saturday. A check from the Abbot Worsted company, received a short time ago, was greatly appreciated by the members. The check enabled them to secure the necessary articles of a fireman’s outfit.
Stephen Healy of Graniteville has accepted the position as teamster for Abbot & Co., and will move here with his family as soon as a house can be obtained.
Mrs. Michael Keefe [nee Annie Precious] and little son David of Townsend Harbor visited her sister, Mrs. John Carmichael [nee Harriet Precious], Tuesday.
The Forge Village Tigers were defeated by the St. Mary’s last Saturday at Ayer by the score of 8 to 6. This Saturday the St. Mary’s will play a return game at Cameron grove.
A large number of young people enjoyed a trolly ride to Canobie lake park, Sunday.
Rev. Harry Gray of Nevada preached his farewell sermon at St. Andrew’s mission last Sunday. Rev. Mr. Gray will leave shortly for the west, where he will resume his duties as pastor. St. Andrew’s parish is at this writing still without a vicar.
Real Estate Sales. Edward T. Hanley has purchased the large double house on Central street [now W. Prescott St.] from Wilbert E. Parsons. A. W. Carkin has purchased the antique shop and one hundred feet of land on Prescott street from Mr. Parsons and intends to convert it into a modern dwelling. George E. Mountain has also bought from Mr. Parsons a strip of land on Prescott street. It is reported that O. A. Nelson of Graniteville has purchased some land from George Blodgett on Central street and intends building an up-to-date residence the coming fall.
Mr. Parsons came on here from the west to dispose of his real estate and will return shortly to Vancouver, Washington, where he and Mrs. Parsons intend to settle. Real estate is certainly booming in this village. The new Abbot mill is all completed and the machinery is being placed in it. This will give employment to a large number of people. There is need of more tenements. Although several have been built recently and new streets laid out, the demand is larger than the supply.
Reunion. The descendants of Jonathan Smith Bennett of Groton, who settled in this country in the early part of the seventeenth century, held their annual reunion Saturday at the home of Mrs. Edith Bennett Whittemore of Worcester. Alvin S. Bennett and sisters, Mrs. Mary I. Drake and Mrs. Lucretia Reed of this village, were among the large number present. The day was pleasantly spent in renewing acquaintances and talking over old times. A feature of the affair was the twenty rods race for the members of the first generation. This was won by Alvin S. Bennett of this village, who is eighty-three years old.
Tables were set for four generations, forty in number, each generation having a table to themselves. At the conclusion of the meal a short musical program was given and those present answered to the roll call. One death was recorded and one birth. Mrs. Bennett, wife of Dr. Harrison M. Bennett of Washington, D.C., having passed away during the summer. It was voted to hold the reunion in 1911 at the home of John Bennett of Worcester.