The Westford Wardsman, August, 1915
Saturday, August 7, 1915
Center. The Middlesex-Worcester Pomona Grange hold their annual field day in Ayer on August 12. Box lunch.
The academy building [now Roudenbush Community Center] is having a thorough cleaning and also considerable repairs in the basement. A. H. Sutherland is in charge of the latter.
Mrs. John Burbeck and her daughters are having quite extensive repairs made at their Vine Brook farm, including shingling, etc. Warren Carkin and helper and E. J. Whitney are doing the work.
Edgar Parker, the South Chelmsford butcher, who drives to Westford two days a week, has changed from horse power to motor power—a convertible Chevrolet truck.
Rev. Charles P. Marshall, of Plymouth, has been in town several days this week, the guest of Charles O. Prescott, and renewing former friendships and associations.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Bicknell have a house full of summer boarders at their pleasant new village home familiarly known as the Hayward place [George W. Heywood house, 7 Main St.].
Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler visited Rev. and Mrs. David Wallace in Lunenburg on Tuesday of this week.
The Donald M. Camerons have returned from a ten-days’ automobile trip to Maine and New Hampshire. Mrs. Mary E. Calvert accompanied them.
Miss Bessie Hamlin is the guest of Mrs. Gertrude Skidmore at her summer home.
Miss Gertrude Hamlin entertained very pleasantly a bridge whist party of three tables at her home on Wednesday afternoon.
Arthur Hildreth led the C.E. service at the Congregational church last Sunday evening, it being the single service of the day. The subject was “Kindness,” treated in a scholarly way and followed by Miss Loker and others with the same subject.
Fire. What threatened to be a serious fire took place at the M. W. Jenkins home at Chamberlain’s Corner [intersection of Chamberlain Rd. and Main St.] on Wednesday. While Mrs. Jenkins was at work in the kitchen at about ten o’clock in the forenoon, the kerosene stove at which she was at work exploded, starting a bad fire. Mrs. Jenkins’ son Justin was nearby and tried to help put out the fire and was badly burned about the face and hands. Mrs. Jenkins was seriously burned. Her wounds were dressed by Dr. Sherman and she was put to bed. Dr. Sherman said while she was seriously burned he did not consider her dangerously so.
At the time of the explosion Mr. Jenkins had just left the house to go to a nearby field. He rushed back at the cries of his wife and son and succeeded in pitching the burning stove out doors. In the meantime neighbors had collected and did some very efficient first aid work. The fire department from the Center was summoned and made good response, fully eight automobiles going the two miles in the pouring rain at record speed. Help also came from Graniteville. A general alarm was also rung at the Center, and those nearby who got to the fire first did good work in keeping the flames from spreading.
The summer kitchen, where the stove was located, was a wreck, even the woodwork being a charred ruin. To keep the fire from spreading to the rest of the house meant good, hard work for those who arrived first. It was a great help that there were a number of fire extinguishers in the neighborhood. We understand the loss is covered by insurance.
A badly burned housewife and the wrecked house are the results of the explosion
Largest Taxpayers. There are 812 poll taxes levied for the town for 1915, $1,624.00; the tax on personal property is $12,112.11; tax on real estate, $24,279.07; moth and lead tax, $440.20; a total of $38,455.38. The state tax is $5,645; county tax, $2,900.40; highway tax, $413.78. Those paying a tax of fifty dollars or more are as follows:
Abbot, Abiel J. | 495.50 |
Abbot, Alice M. | 555.00 |
Abbot, John C. | 278.16 |
Abbot Worsted Company | |
–Graniteville | 2,301.38 |
–Forge Village | 6,151.28 |
Amesbury, Edwin E. | 63.12 |
Abbot, W. J., Mosley trust | 127.50 |
Atwood, Mrs. Caroline heirs | 51.75 |
Balch, Samuel H. | 51.87 |
Balch, Wayland F. | 64.59 |
Bicknell, Charles H. | 54.27 |
Blaisdell, Alvin J. | 87.81 |
Blodgett, F. R. and C. A. | 108.63 |
Burbeck, John | 117.73 |
Burnham, Arthur H. | 104.53 |
Cameron, Meta J. | 132.00 |
Cameron, Lucy A. | 166.50 |
Cameron, J.A. and D.M., | |
–Allan Cameron trustees | 1,222.65 |
Cadman, George H. | 137.86 |
Carver, William R. | 115.88 |
Calvert, Mary E. | 64.50 |
Colburn, Charles D. | 100.93 |
Couture, Charles | 66.08 |
Day, Quincy W. | 60.88 |
Day, Arthur E. | 54.49 |
Day, George T. | 374.70 |
Desmond, David | 80.90 |
Drew, Frank C. | 136.10 |
Downs, Matthew F. | 82.87 |
Edwards, William C. | 94.03 |
Edwards, Mrs. Louisa | 63.75 |
Emerson, Ernest C. | 153.26 |
Feeney, John | 59.71 |
Flagg, Elbert H. | 187.64 |
Fletcher, John M. | 79.63 |
Fletcher, J. Herbert | 65.75 |
Fletcher, Mary E., heirs of | 56.25 |
Fletcher, J. Willard | 56.97 |
Fletcher, Sherman H. | 119.15 |
Fletcher, Herbert E. | 449.18 |
Fletcher Co., H. E. | 375.00 |
Fletcher, Lahey Co. | 150.00 |
Fletcher, Harry N. | 169.80 |
Fisher, Alec | 182.68 |
Gardell, August | 66.88 |
Gould, H. E. ad E. H. | 120.78 |
Graves, William | 63.66 |
Greig, David L. | 128.68 |
Hamlin, Nathan, heirs of | 60.15 |
Harrington, P. Henry | 76.25 |
Healy, Henry J. | 83.75 |
Healy, John A. | 143.53 |
Healy, Mrs. John A. | 52.50 |
Hildreth, Ella F. | 473.84 |
Hildreth, H. V. | 102.60 |
Hildreth, C. W. | 66.94 |
Hildreth, Frank C. | 94.70 |
Howard, Calvin L. | 64.70 |
Hunt, William | 50.45 |
Jackson, George O. | 76.63 |
Jordan, Laura P. | 55.19 |
Keyes, H. O. | 101.50 |
Kimball, George A. | 123.43 |
Loveless, Oliver H. | 55.50 |
Kimball, James E. | 125.00 |
McDonald, Mrs. Margaret | 142.73 |
McGregor, Mrs. George H. | 54.00 |
McMaster, John C. | 62.76 |
Merritt, Walter J. | 175.11 |
Miller, Frank E. | 79.27 |
Murphy, Henry J. | 91.55 |
Nesmith, George H. | 54.35 |
Osgood, Houghton G. | 67.71 |
Palmer, Lewis P. | 188.25 |
Prescott, Richard D. | 93.58 |
Randall, Harriet | 52.50 |
Reed, Mrs. David | 55.50 |
Reed, Mrs. Rachael W. | 319.75 |
Richardson, Mrs. Alma | 67.50 |
Sargent, Joseph E. | 52.92 |
Sargent, Allan C. | 189.75 |
Sargent, James M. | 71.72 |
Sargent Sons’ Corp. | 377.13 |
Sargent estate, C. G. | 1,307.10 |
Seavey, Homer M. | 64.25 |
Shugrue, Mrs. Rose | 63.68 |
Simpson, John D. | 73.71 |
Spalding, Oscar R. | 526.43 |
Splain, Mrs. Elizabeth | 60.75 |
Sweetser, Judson F. | 156.44 |
Tuttle, Mrs. Nelson | 81.44 |
Vose, Almon S. | 123.88 |
Walker, George A. | 104.38 |
Wells, O. V. | 74.00 |
Wetmore, V. C. B. | 228.05 |
Westford Water Co. | 162.75 |
Wheeler, Leonard W. | 74.83 |
Whitney, Mrs. Elizabeth | 495.38 |
Wilson, T. Arthur E. | 122.24 |
Wright, Sydney B. | 56.67 |
Wright, Frank C. | 77.63 |
Wright, H. L. | 231.50 |
Wright, Charles H. | 72.28 |
Wright & Fletcher | 52.50 |
Wright, William E. | 53.00 |
Wright, Walter C. | 73.25 |
Wright, Hammett D. | 113.25 |
Wright, Perley E. | 82.55 |
Non-residents | |
Book, Minnie A. | $75.53 |
Brookside Worsted Co. | 1,274.25 |
Drew, George A. | 190.09 |
Fletcher, J. Henry | 227.25 |
Gage, Miss Martini | 419.77 |
Hall Bros. | 64.59 |
Lawson, George L. | 60.00 |
Loiselle, Joseph | 113.25 |
Lowell Electric Light Co. | 225.00 |
Lowell & Fitchburg St. Ry. Co. | 243.45 |
Marshall, Hulda | 70.05 |
Moore, George C. | 241.50 |
N. E. T. & T. Co. | 180.90 |
Parker, Charles W. | 207.15 |
Proctor, William P. | 61.95 |
Stiles, Fred O. | 89.00 |
Stony Brook Railroad | 72.00 |
Wright, Miss Ella T. | 56.00 |
Baseball. Westford A.A. defeated Shirley A.A. in Shirley last Saturday afternoon by the score of 4 to 0. Westford did not make an error and Knight held the Shirley team to two hits. Murphy of Holy Cross college, pitched for Shirley. The score:
Westford A.A. | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Shea, 3b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Hartford, lf | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Baker, 1b | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
Powers, 2b | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Gray, rf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Harvey, c | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Prouty, ss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Ryan, cf | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Knight, p | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Totals | 32 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 27 | 9 | 0 |
– | |||||||
Shirley A.A. | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Wheeler, ss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Hurley, lf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Burrill, cf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Babineau, 2b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
Pickford, 3b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Connors, c | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
Wells, 1b | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Weeks, rf | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Emerson, rf | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Murphy, p | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Totals | 28 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 27 | 12 | 4 |
Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
Westford A.A. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
Stolen bases—Harvey, Ryan, Connors. Sacrifice hits—Hartford, Prouty. Home run—Powers. Double plays—Weeks to Bickford, Shea to Baker. Struck out—By Knight 7, by Murphy 4. Bases on balls—By Knight 1, by Murphy 4. Hit by pitched ball—Connors. Time 1 hr. 45 mins. Umpire—Collyer.
About Town. The electric car leaving North Chelmsford at 12:50 for Brookside on Monday was derailed at Edwards’ hill, just before reaching Brookside, caused by rainy weather sand. Ayer was appealed to for a lift.
W. R. Taylor has bought the unburned real estate of Matthew Smith, located at the junction of the Lowell and Francis road, near the old Peletiah Fletcher place. Tadmuck brook is part of the Grand Canyon of this estate.
The next meeting of Westford Grange will be held on Thursday evening, August 12, when the following question will be asked and answered: ‘Does the European war indicate that Christianity is a failure?’ The announcement of this question is given early so that any who desire to speak on this question can have sufficient time to prepare briefs.
Several branches of the Old Oaken Bucket farm folks were at Hampton Beach last Saturday and Sunday. Some members of the bunch who have left many years behind them never was so far to the front before where water was tossed around with such an unsteady uncertainty.
At a meeting of the republican town committee last week Thursday evening the following were named for town committee to be voted for at the primaries: Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher, Alfred W. Hartford, Julian A. Cameron, Charles S. Edwards, Edward T. Hanley, James M. Sargent, Alvin O. Nelson, Harry L. Nesmith, T. A. E. Wilson, Frank L. Furbush, Edward M. Abbot, S. L. Taylor. For delegates to the state convention, Alfred W. Hartford and S. L. Taylor were named.
The inhabitants of the New Stony Brook [i.e., the Warren R. Taylor family] have installed a telephone—63-4.
Amos Polley has bought the standing grass which last laid down in two feet of water in the meadow on Tadmuck brook of W. R. Taylor, and David Sherman has bought the once standing oats on the same farm that have been loosened so many times that they need to be labeled to know what they once were, and all this because the weather lacks a drouth.
Potatoes on some parts of the Prairie farm [of Amos Polley] are in the game of the survival of the fittest with mud a foot deep and water the same depth. At the time of writing it looks as though the mud-water combination would be the survivors.
Come and bring a man friend to the reunion of the Spalding Light Cavalry association on Thursday afternoon and evening, August 12. Extra electric car in the late evening. Remember that this is not a suffragette gathering and the friendships that you bring to this occasion must be selected on this basis.
The electric cars were installed in a standstill all around on Wednesday afternoon, owing to a defect in electricity.
Philip Huse, of Webster, a one-time scholar of the Stony Brook school, is visiting his cousin, James H. O’Brien, on Pigeon hill, Stony Brook road.
Westford Grange has invited Acton, Chelmsford, West Chelmsford and Carlisle Granges to neighbor with us on September 16. This means a full house and a full dinner pail.
Nearly a foot of rain fell in July. A year ago nearly one and a half inches of rain fell in three months. Then we were anxious to have every shower come our way. Now we wish all said showers to go around us and let the other fellow have all our rain belongings.
Peaches that are ripe and abundant with delicious flavor are growing on Francis and Tadmuck hills.
Graniteville. The members of the A. R. Choate hose company held their regular meeting in the fire house on last Monday evening, with Capt. J. A. Healy presiding. Business of a routine order was transacted and at the close of the session whist was enjoyed by many of those present.
Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Hawkes recently entertained at their home here Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Stebbins, of South Deerfield, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Phelps, of Greenfield. Mrs. Stebbins is a sister of Mr. Hawkes. Mr. Phelps is engaged in the bakery business in Greenfield. The party came over the road by automobile, and after a brief stay here continued on their tour to the Maine coast, where they remained for a few days.
Great interest is being manifested in the coming ball game between the Graniteville club and the Princetons of North Chelmsford, to be played at St. Catherine’s annual picnic in Forge Village on Saturday, August 7. The Princeton club has been greatly strengthened and with the addition of the Sullivan brothers battery the game promises to be a hot one. Graniteville will have a fast team on the field and it is expected that the battery work will be done by Lawson and Spinner. The game will start at two o’clock.
Rev. R. H. McVicker, pastor of the M.E. church, who has been ill for several weeks, left here this week for a stay in the Adirondack Mountains, where he is in hopes of regaining his health and strength.
The members of the Westford board of fire engineers held a meeting in the fire house of the local company here on Tuesday evening.
Miss Anna Denahy, of Groton, has been stopping with Mr. and Mrs. James B. Healy for the past few days.
Owing to the threatening weather of last Saturday the baseball game scheduled between the Graniteville team and the South Ends of Lowell was cancelled.
Several of the local firemen responded to the call of fire at the Jenkins home at Chamberlain’s Corner, Westford, on last Wednesday morning. The house was saved and very little damage done.
The question of the hour is when is it ever going to stop raining?
Ayer
District Court. Patrick Mulligan, of Westford, was arraigned Thursday morning for violation of his probation which was imposed upon him after a trial on June 22. The probation was extended one month with the understanding that he pay $3.84, the expenses of this case in addition to $7.42 on the original complaint within that time, a total of $11.26.
Saturday, August 14, 1915
Center. Two new telephones have been added to the large circle of subscribers this last week—Mrs. John Burbeck 4-5 and Charles H. Shugrue 5-21.
Mrs. Henry L. McCluskey has been a visitor at Charles H. Wright’s for a week. Dr. McCluskey plans to come to Westford on Sunday and return with his wife to Worcester that day.
The sincere sympathy of the community goes out to the bereaved Howard household at the west end of the town, and the Jenkins household at Chamberlain’s Corner. Both deaths came on Saturday and both funerals on Monday, more extended accounts of both appearing in other columns. While many of the late Mrs. Howard’s affiliations were in Littleton, she was well-known and had many friends in Westford Center, both she and her daughter, Mrs. Howard, being members of the Tadmuck club. Her death comes as a release from long sickness and suffering, while Mrs. Jenkins’ comes in the midst of activity and usefulness, the result of a tragic accident.
Severe Electrical Storm. The electrical storm on Monday afternoon is really acknowledged as the worst in many seasons. The streets were flooded with rain and catch basins overflowed. The already drenched gardens and fields received another wetting. As the storm progressed a lively hail storm took place for a few minutes. Lightning struck in numerous places and it is considered fortunate that no buildings were really destroyed. Lightning struck the electric light wiring at the northwest corner of John C. Abbot’s residence [“The Mansion” at 45 Main St., now the site of the Northern Bank & Trust Co.] and a lively blaze started, which was fortunately seen at once by Motorman Cutter and Conductor Clement [of the street railway which terminated on Main St. at the Common]. They rushed to the blaze and notified the family and good work was done with fire extinguishers. On account of the storm and not wanting to use the telephone lines the old-fashioned method of ringing a general alarm with the church bells was resorted to, but by the time help had congregated the blaze was controlled. It was a threatening blaze and had it not been seen in its incipiency would have proved disastrous.
Lightning struck the residence [4 Leland Road] of Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney, doing some harm and giving a bad scare. Blodgett Bros. at the north part of the town [on Millstone Hill, today the site of the Haystack Observatory] had their well equipped farm buildings badly threatened. Lightning struck the silo and barn, the bolt going through the barn and coming out at the other end. The men on the place were all in the barn at the time, and had the barn, filled with hay, caught fire, [it] would have been pretty serious. They estimate their loss at $150.
The barn on the old Capt. Smith place [once located at approximately 132 Concord Rd.], owned by Mr. Wetmore, was also struck by lightning. Many telephones and electric light wires were put out of commission.
About Town. Arthur Hildreth, who graduated from Bowdoin college in June, has accepted a position to teach physics and chemistry at South Norwalk high school, commencing September 1.
Recent showers, not including those of Monday afternoon, caused bad wash-outs and wash-ins on the Chamberlin road near Brookside, about two feet of roadbed in depth being washed out and sent elsewhere. Road Superintendent McDonald was after it with stone and gravel from the Old Oaken Bucket farm at the intersection of Stony Brook and Stony Brook railroad.
The thunder showers on Monday afternoon struck down hail stones and let down water two feet deep on potatoes on the Prairie farm. The proprietor threatens to proceed against the potatoes with a “diving bell.” Hay farther down the Stony Brook was floating in water that nearly submerged them. Splendid opportunity for water snakes and the tortoise to take a free ride to the beach.
Sixty inhabitants of Middlesex-North Pomona Grange went on the Pomona excursion to Concord and other interesting point of the universe last week Friday—140 did not go because the weather said they should not go.
Mrs. Wallace Johnson has been to Boston and Lynn for two weeks.
The Westford A.A. will do the town with a summer evening enthusiasm and glee gathering next Thursday evening. Tabor’s sixth regiment band of twenty-five pieces will furnish the music. The first bill of fare will be the band concert on the Whitney playground from 7:30 to 9:30. Dancing will follow in the town hall from 9:30 to one in the morning. This promises to be a rare and much-needed jingle for the town. It will be moonlight and the park will be lighted by electricity to aid the moon in seeing the good time. The music will be no cemetery slow march.
The next meeting of Westford Grange will be held at the town hall on Thursday evening, August 19. As this meeting is in collision with the entertainment by the Westford A.A., the meeting will commence promptly at 7:30 and is very liable to early adjournment. The question, “Does the European war indicate that Christianity is a failure?” has been postponed until a more convenient season.
The Old Oaken Bucket farm folks had a delightful visit last Sunday afternoon from Mr. and Mrs. William A. Lawrence and son, who is a student at Dartmouth college, Mrs. Warner of Groton and Miss Martha Kimball of Littleton. It was a too seldom modern illustration of “angels unawares.”
The scattering hail stones in the shower on Monday afternoon in the Stony Brook valley and other nearby hill-tops got the concentrated move on it. In the towns southward, Billerica and Carlisle, they report considerable stripping and puncturing of vines and other greens.
Read all about the children’s pageant in the Harvard news.
William C. Edwards has bought of the estate of Mrs. Susan A. Butterfield the Shepley swamp lot at the upper waters of Nabnassett pond, containing thirty-one acres. Hon. George J. Burns, of Ayer, is administrator of the estate.
A special train, preceded by a pilot train, carrying ninety-two tons of gold from England by way of Halifax, passed over the Stony Brook railroad on Tuesday by way of Ayer for the banking house of J. Pierpont Morgan.
Two members of the Old Oaken Bucket farm and one member of the New Stony Brook annex to the Old Oaken Bucket farm have been invited to referee a joint debate at Tyngsboro next week Friday evening.
Josiah Denton Crosby, of Arlington, is enjoying the sea breezes of the Stony Brook at his aunt’s Mrs. F. W. Banister.
West Chelmsford Grange is alive with plans for a lawn party as soon as the weather shows symptoms of something more than the umbrella variety.
Cards are out announcing the marriage of Miss Rita G. Bickford and Anthony B. Anderson of West Chelmsford at the Village church on Tuesday evening, September 7. Miss Bickford is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Bickford, West Chelmsford.
Elder Thomas Bartlett, of Manchester, N.H., formerly of Brookside, was a recaster [sic] among the old associations of former days.
Burns Prove Fatal. Mrs. Maria J. Jenkins died at her home at Chamberlin’s Corner last Saturday afternoon, aged fifty-seven years. Death was due to the flames from the oil stove explosion last week Wednesday and reported in last week’s issue. Her death was a sudden surprise to the attending physician, Dr. Sherman, and to neighbors and friends, for while it was considered she was severely and seriously burned, it was not considered that the burns would prove fatal. The Jenkins family came here about twenty year ago from Atkinson, NH. Mr. Jenkins worked at the blacksmith business until in recent years he has branched into farming in the line of fruit most successfully.
Mrs. Jenkins was engaged in the poultry business and was exceptionally successful. For several years she was a member of Westford Grange by demit card from Atkinson Grange. When the new Grange at West Chelmsford was instituted she became a member by demit from Westford Grange. She was an exceptional home manager in all its manifold relations.
The deceased leaves her husband, Mark W. Jenkins; two sons, Lewis and Justin, the latter being assistant steward of West Chelmsford Grange.
The funeral was held from her home on Monday forenoon at nine o’clock. Rev. David Wallace conducted the services, which were beautiful in its appropriate simplicity. Neighbors, friends and West Chelmsford Grange were represented by floral tributes and personal presence. The bearers were Eben Prescott, Houghton G. Osgood, George O. Spalding and William Ryan. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.
Death. Mrs. Mary J. Howard died at her home last Saturday at the age of sixty-seven years, after a long illness. She was a native of Stow, but had been a resident of Westford for many years. She was a woman of pronounced individuality, with the courage to think without borrowing. On the alert for the light of truth from any quarter or authority, but never losing hold on the eternal varieties of home duties. An active member of Littleton Grange, with personal presence and words of courage, she staunchly stood for a count. As a member of the Unitarian church of Littleton she was ever the same.
The deceased is survived by her husband, Calvin L. Howard; three sons, Charles, John and George, and a daughter Alice.
The funeral took place from her home on Monday afternoon. Rev. J. Sidney Moulton, of Stow, a former minister of the Unitarian church of Westford, conducted the service. Burial was in Fairview cemetery. The bearers were sons of the deceased.
Graniteville. Word has been recently received here from Mrs. McVicker, wife of Rev. R. H. McVicker, pastor of the M.E. church, who with Mrs. McVicker and Mr. McVicker’s mother are stopping at Saranac Lake, N.Y., to the effect that Mr. McVicker stood the trip remarkably well and already shows much improvement in health. His appetite is better and the bracing mountain air appears to be working wonders with him. This is good news to his many friends.
Rev. and Mrs. U. H. Layton, of Livermore Falls, Me., are stopping at the home of Mrs. Layton’s parents, Mr. and Mr. F. L. Furbush.
The outing party which the Ladies’ Aid society were to have this week has been postponed until September 9.
Vernon Fletcher, who is on a four weeks’ vacation, started on Monday morning for a three-weeks’ trip through the Adirondacks. He will spend one week with his grandfather and take a few lessons in trout fishing from him, despite that the latter is eighty-eight years old.
Miss Catherine Connell, with Miss Caroline Connell and Miss May Shugrue, have recently returned from a very enjoyable vacation spent at Hampton Beach. Miss Christina Connell has returned from a pleasant visit spent with friends in Goff’s Falls, N.Y.
Annual Picnic. After many days of rainy, dismal weather, last Saturday blossomed forth with sunshine and summer heat, which made the day ideal for the annual St. Catherine’s church picnic that was held at Cameron park, Forge Village, with the largest crowd that has attended a like event in years, all the surrounding towns being well represented at the gathering. The different booths were all tastefully decorated and did a flourishing business during the afternoon, the doll stand appearing to be the shining mark for all. Of course, the main attraction for the afternoon was the ball game between the Graniteville team and the Princeton club of North Chelmsford. The event was delayed in starting owing to the non-appearance of the Graniteville battery, and after waiting a reasonable length of time, and the regulars failing to show up, “Jack” Spinner and “Bill” Ledwith, two players who have been out of the game for a couple of years, were appointed to take up the burden. Both players did good work considering the lack of practice, Spinner retiring in the sixth in favor of Gower. McClure and Sullivan did the battery work for the Princetons and the North Chelmsford team won over Graniteville by the score of 11 to 6. The umpires were Harry Hartford and Mr. Lakin.
After the ball game a list of sports were run off in the following order: 100-yd. dash, J. O’Neil of Fitchburg 1st, Francis Gower 2d; girls’ race, Margaret Orr 1st, Veronica Smith 2d; boys’ race, James Mulligan 1st, Albert Reeves 2d; hop, step and jump, E. Brick of North Chelmsford 1st, Ellsworth York 2d. Next was the four [legged?] race for boys and proved to be very amusing to watch.
The whole affair was one grand success both in the afternoon and evening and there was not a hitch in the proceedings from start to finish. The different committees worked hard for the success of this affair and were well rewarded by good weather and the cooperation of a large, friendly crowd, whose good nature was the prevailing feature. The pastor, Rev. Edmund T. Schofield, with the curate, Rev. Henry L. Scott, were present during the afternoon and were highly pleased with the success of the picnic.
Forge Village. Rev. Arthur L. Bumpus, of St. Michael’s Episcopal church, Brooklyn, N.Y., former vicar of St. Andrew’s mission, with his little daughter, visited friends here on Monday.
St. Andrew’s mission is closed until September 5.
Miss Eva Pyne and Mildred V. Precious were guests last week of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tibbetts, of Manchester, N.H.
The Misses Lottie and Mildred Parrot have returned from an enjoyable vacation spent with relatives in North Adams.
Hal Cougle, of Yonkers, N.Y., recently was a guest of Mr. and Mrs. George Cougle. Mr. Cougle is still confined to his bed by illness.
Mrs. Fennimore Morton has been called to Nashua, N.Y., by the serious illness of her brother-in-law, William French.
Mrs. Henry Byron and children, of Fitchburg, together with Mrs. Joseph Leclerc and children, of this village, have returned home after two weeks of camp life at the Parrott cottage on the shores of Forge pond.
Miss Anna V. Keefe, of Townsend Harbor, who has been the guest of her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael, has returned home. After a rest of several weeks at the home of her parents, Miss Keefe will resume her duties as telegraph operator in Winchester.
Misses Bertha and Ethel Collins have returned after a very pleasant visit spent with relatives in Haverhill.
Harry Brown and Burton Griffith are spending a few days in New York. Miss Edith Spinner entertained Miss Jennie Kimball on last Saturday and Sunday.
Miss Myrtle Healy is the guest of her grandmother, Mrs. Emerson, of Issington.
Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Jones, of Worcester, have been enjoying the past week visiting relatives here.
Mrs. James Whigham and children spent Wednesday at the home of her sister, Mrs. William Blodgett, of Groton Ridges.
William Baker and daughter Lillian have returned from an enjoyable visit with relatives in Amsterdam, N.Y.
The Misses Marion Lord and Bertha Collins are spending this week at Hampton Beach.
Francis Sullivan of Nashua, N.H., is enjoying his vacation at the home of Mrs. Margaret Wilson.
Edward Blodgett, of Medford, has been the guest of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver, during the past week.
Forge pond is the highest it has been for many years as a result of the continued rains in this section.
Miss Alice Walsh and Veronica Smith are guests this week of friends in Lowell.
The Misses Christina Lowther, Annie L. and May H Cherry spent the weekend as guests of relatives in Somerville.
Monday afternoon a severe thunder storm struck the village, only to be met with a second storm with lightning unusually bright. The storms lasted over two hours.
Cameron park was the scene last Saturday of one of the largest crowds ever gathered on the green. The attraction was the annual picnic of St. Catherine’s parish, West Graniteville, and all the surrounding towns and cities were well represented.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Kershaw and family, of Lowell, spent Sunday as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Precious.
Mrs. Hugh Daly and daughter Gladys spent a few days at Hampton Beach last week.
Ellsworth Rose, of Belmont, has been a recent guest of his grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Splain.
Ayer
Passed Through Here. Perhaps the most remarkable train that has ever passed through this part of the country stopped here on Tuesday afternoon on its way from Halifax, N.S., to New York city. The train contained $50,000,000 in gold which was consigned to the J. P. Morgan financial syndicate in New York city. Although the utmost secrecy was maintained by those having charge of the transportation of this enormous sum, principally through fear that the train might be held up for the purpose of robbery, enough information was obtained to show something of the history of the moving of the treasure. The gold was shipped from England by the government in payment for debts due for munitions of war furnished to the Allies by manufacturers in this country and for the balance of trade, which on account of the war is now greatly in favor of the United States.
The utmost secrecy was maintained in crossing the Atlantic as the ship containing the precious cargo would be legitimate prey for the German submarines. It is said that the treasure ship was convoyed by two warships. The gold was taken to Halifax and from there sent directly by train to New York city, leaving Ayer at 5:29 o’clock. The train was heavily guarded by officers with guns and at every stop the local police were pressed into service to prevent any possible attack on the train. Seven heavy steel cars were used in transporting the gold. As a further precaution a pilot train was sent five minutes ahead of the “treasure train” to see that everything was all right for the former to proceed safely on its way. There was a crowd at the station here when the train stopped for a short while.
The amount of gold shipped is said to be the largest ever consigned to any private company in the world.
Saturday, August 21, 1915
Center. Oscar R. Spalding lost two cows last week Monday on account of the severe storm. The cows were pastured over in Groton territory and were killed by lightning.
Charles L. Hildreth has been enjoying vacation days, spent mostly at his pleasant home on Boston road.
Mr. Bright, who has been an invalid with a broken hip since early last February, has gained sufficiently to sit up the greater part of each day, and is beginning to try out a pair of crutches. Mr. Bright has borne his misfortune with the greatest courage and his friends are glad of his improvement.
Lawrence W. Holbrook and Miss Daisy Kabele were married last Sunday, the ceremony being performed by Rev. H. L. Caulkins, of Littleton. This is as youthful a wedding as we have had in town for a long time, the groom being twenty-one and the bride fifteen.
Mrs. Walter L. Cutter has been on the sick list this week and her sister, Miss Edna Gray, of Roxbury, has been caring for her.
Mrs. Walter J. Merritt entertained the Bridge Whist club on Friday evening of last week very pleasantly at her home. There were seven tables of whist. Partners were matched with pretty summer flowers. Refreshments were served at the close of the game. Mrs. Bert Walton was the assistant hostess sharing in all the arrangements of the game, decorations and refreshments.
Miss Mary P. Bunce is spending a week’s vacation at picturesque old Marblehead. Miss May Day is substituting at the library during her absence.
The first of the week a group of our Campfire Girls are planning to go for a week’s camping at Baptist pond, South Chelmsford, at the Lapham camp. Mrs. John P. Wright will chaperon the party which is as follows: Misses Helena and Bertha McCoy, Eleanor Colburn, Lillian Robey, Jennie Ferguson, Ruth Cogger, Frances and Alice Wright, Rachael Wallace, Helena and Ethel Burland and Stella Whitney
Miss Mabel Loomis is the new teacher at the academy for the opening of the fall term. Miss Loomis has taught in Shirley and succeeds Miss Moreland, who made so many friends in town last year.
Mrs. Harry B. Prescott gave a very pretty party Wednesday afternoon in honor of her little daughter Betty’s fifth birthday anniversary. The group of children invited were as near their little hostess’ age as possible. The beautiful weather of the afternoon made the games and frolic on the lawn and piazza most enjoyable. Mrs. Prescott served a very pretty birthday spread, the color scheme being pink. The central ornament was a birthday cake with pink icing and five birthday candles. There were pretty pink flowers and favors and each little guest received a dainty pin basket of bonbons. There was an abundance of ice cream, cake, sandwiches, etc. Miss Betty was the recipient of various pretty gifts. The special guests invited were Esther Fisher, Alice Heywood, Elizabeth and William Carver, Elizabeth Wells, Helen and Elizabeth Hildreth and Everett Beneault.
Over Sunday guests entertained at the hospitable home of Mrs. Frank C. Wright this last week were Mr. and Mrs. Bertiz Parker and little son, of Chelmsford, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dugas and two daughters, of Lowell. The older daughter, Miss Agnes Dugas, remains for a two-weeks’ visit.
Some idea of the amount of produce handled from Westford in the height of the season can be gathered from the fact that last Sunday night Perley E. Wright, who has charge of the trucking business this season, transported five big truck loads to Boston. His own two trucks were in commission as were those owned by William E. Wright and Arthur E. Wilson. Two two-horse loads went as far as Concord and one of the trucks came back and transferred the load from them. Of the five loads, about 100 bushels were berries and the remainder apples. Aside from this are one or two large farms who team their own produce either by truck or horses.
An open-air meeting was held in the interest of equal suffrage on Wednesday evening at Westford common. The speakers were Teresa A. Crowley and Gertrude Halladay Leonard, both good speakers, who presented their cause to a good number of listeners.
Mrs. Charles H. Wright goes this Saturday to Provincetown for a short stay.
About Town. Three deer were recently seen on the Forest road near Nabnassett pond. The rarity of the sight was magnified by one of the trio being a white deer.
Eric Hedman, on the Chamberlain road, near Brookside, had several toes on his feet pinched flatways by being where a heavy stone was headed by gravitation at the stone quarry of Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher last week.
William J. Parfitt and family moved last Saturday from the Read farm to the tenement house of Frank Miller at Westford Center, having finished his engagement at the Read farm.
The many friends of Rev. Julian R. Pennington, as minister of the Unitarian church, Westford, and numerous friends in town, will be glad to learn of his prosperity and of his marriage on August 11 to Miss Adele Allday, daughter of Judge Allday, of Atlanta, Texas. They will spend the remainder of the summer at the Knickerbocker in Ashville [sic], N.C. As recent minister of the Old First Parish Mr. Pennington will be remembered for his able and scholarly method of arriving at truth. Here’s to sunshine and rainbows to both from the Old First Parish and other friendships in Westford. Owing to a recent death no invitations to the wedding were issued.
John A. Taylor is spending his moons on the seacoast shores of Maine, with York Beach as center.
The debate and other exercises at the town hall in Tyngsboro, which was to have taken place on Friday evening, was postponed and will take place next week Friday evening, when the following program will be rounded up: Debate on the question: Resolved, “That Massachusetts should adopt the initiative and referendum,” Miss Bernice R. Sherburne, Rev. Clyde Wildman, affirmative, Miss Louise Sherburne, Raymond W. Sherburne, negative. After the debate a spelling match and two orations will follow.
The long idle mill at Brookside will no longer be idle after next Monday.
Potatoes in the Stony Brook valley have commenced to rot, and this on high, dry land.
The next meeting of West Chelmsford Grange will be held at Historic hall next week Thursday evening.
Annual Reunion. Delightful days and friendships are memories of the days when the Spalding Light Cavalry was in active military drill in camp. The annual reunion of these days took place last week Thursday afternoon and evening at Westford Center. Everybody enjoyed a pleasant time, Concord, Littleton, Billerica, Groton, Pepperell, Carlisle, Lowell and Westford being represented in the gathering. In the gathering was noted Capt. A. B. C. Dakin, of Concord, formerly commander of the Concord company in the Sixth regiment. A clay pigeon shoot took place at Whitney playground at three o’clock. Henry A. Fletcher won with 17 out of a possible 25. If he holds out in aim efficiency next year the prize will be his and part of his other well earned Oak hill trophies. After the shoot the party adjourned to the town hall, where sociability got another ratification. Supper was served by the D. L. Page Company of Lowell, about 150 gathering in the food and old jolly times. Adjournment was made to the association building after supper, where Boston talent set spinning to music and dialogue and dance, one of the best entertainments ever presented before the association. Hon. Edward Fisher and John Feeney were the committee in charge.
The officers of the association are as follows: Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher, pres.; Capt. Horace Wilson, of Carlisle, v.p.; Edward Fisher, sec.; Sergt. Charles E. Bartlett, Chelmsford, treas.; Edward Fisher, Capt. John J. Monahan of Chelmsford, Sergt. Caleb L. Smith of Lowell, finance committee.
Graniteville. Mrs. Mary I. Drake and Mrs. Sarah McIntire, of Shrewsbury, have returned home after a pleasant visit spent with their niece, Mrs. Harry Ingalls.
Miss Gladys Ingalls is at home after a two-weeks’ vacation spent with relatives in Beverly.
Percy Kilminster, of Manchester, N.H., led the regular mid-week services at the M.E. church on Friday.
Word has been recently received here that Mrs. McVicker, mother of Rev. R. H. McVicker, has returned to her home in Iowa. Rev. R. H. McVicker is still improving in health and with Mrs. McVicker will remain at Saranac Lake, N.Y., for awhile longer.
Miss Elsie Moss, of Natick, is visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Eaton.
The members of Cameron Circle, C. of F. of A., are to hold a gala day in conjunction with the Townsend A.A. – Graniteville ball game here Saturday afternoon to be followed by a dance in the evening. A great time is expected.
Baseball. In one of the best played games that has ever been staged in this town, and before the largest crowd that has ever attended a local baseball game, the Westford A.A. and the Graniteville team clashed for the second game of the series here last Saturday afternoon, and Westford landed a victory by a 1-0 score. Both clubs played errorless ball, the only semblance of a misplay being a dropped ball by King at first base that had no bearing on the ultimate result of the score. “Joe” Houser was on the firing line for Graniteville and pitched a great game, holding Westford to two hits and having eleven strikeouts to his credit. Spinner, behind the bat, did good work in holding this speed merchant. The only run of the game was scored by Powers, who reached first on a Texas leaguer over second, was advanced to third on two passed balls and scored on a squeeze play, Gildea laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt to do the work.
Graniteville out-hit Westford, the local club getting two with Graniteville getting eight bases [hits] off Knight, the Westford pitcher. Harvey ably assisted Knight behind the bat and was responsible for stopping Graniteville from scoring in the second. Taken on the whole it was a solid game and only one had to win it, but as one fan expressed it, “I’m sorry Graniteville didn’t win, but we’ll get them next time.” George Reed of West Chelmsford and W. J. Fitzgerald of Ayer were the umpires and both did excellent work. As said before the game was largely attended with the surrounding towns being well represented, and no doubt the same large gathering will be on hand when Westford and Graniteville meet in the next game on September 1.
Westford A.A. | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Shea, 3b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Hartford, lf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Baker, 1b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
Powers, 2b | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Harvey, c | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
Gildea, rf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Prouty, ss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
Ryan, cf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Knight, p | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Totals | 30 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 27 | 13 | 0 |
– | |||||||
Graniteville | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Buckingham, cf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bridgeford, lf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Houser, p | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
King, 1b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 1 |
Lent, 3b | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hubert, 2b | 3 | – | – | – | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Spinner, c | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
Hurley, ss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Prinn, rf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Totals | 32 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 27 | 12 | 1 |
Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
Westford | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Two-base hits – King, Bridgeford, Buckingham. Stolen bases – Lent, Powers, Baker. Sacrifice hit – Gildea. Left on bases – Westford 2, Graniteville 1. First base on errors – Westford 1. Bass on balls – Off Knight 2, off Houser 1. Hit by pitcher – Houser, Hartford. Struck out – By Houser 11, by Knight 6. Passed balls – Spinner. Umpires – George Reed, W. J. Fitzgerald. Time 1 hr. 45 m.
Ayer
District Court. Henry O. Keyes, of Westford, was arraigned Monday morning on two complaints, one for assault and battery and the other for cruelty to animals. He was found not guilty on both and ordered discharged from custody. The cases were of more than ordinary interest as some fine points of law were involved, including a person’s right on the highways of the state. The trouble, which resulted in the arrest of Keyes, occurred near what is popularly known as the brick tavern [266 Groton Road] in Westford last week Thursday evening. The complainant in the cases, Harold E. Duncan, of Fitchburg, testified that he, in company with his wife and a boy, were going to Lowell where the boy was to take part in the contest for the best imitator of Charlie Chaplin, the famous moving picture comedian. They were travelling in an automobile and had reached a point near the famous brick tavern when they met Keyes with several horses and wagons in tow proceeding in the opposite direction. Assisting Keyes was a neighbor, who also had a wagon and two horses.
It afterward developed that Keyes had purchased the horses that were being led and some wagons at auction in Lowell and was leading the outfits overland to his home in Westford. The complainant stated that when he arrived at the place of meeting the procession of wagons were stretched diagonally across the highway so that it prevented him from passing by on the right side of the road. An argument resulted from the blockade and both men became terribly “het up.”
Duncan, the complainant, testified that Keyes unleashed a volley of livid language of a profane and indecent kind and called him bad names; that Keyes then deliberately drove his leading team directly into his automobile, badly damaging the mud guard and frightening the occupants of the machine. The complainant said that he was on the right side of the road and declined to turn to the left, as he claimed there was insufficient space to go by on that side safely. There was some talk of settling the damage by the complainant but Keyes declined to entertain the proposition. The remaining witnesses for the complainant told in substance the same story as that already noted.
Keyes took the stand in his own behalf. He strongly denied using the bad language which was testified to by the complainant and that he did all that was reasonable in trying to make sufficient room in the road so that the complainant could safely pass. Keyes also said that the complainant pulled off his (Duncan’s) coat and started toward him to “trim him,” but thought better of it before the threat was carried out.
Former Senator Edward Fisher, of Westford, who acted as counsel for Keyes, claimed that the complainant did not prove his case so far as any criminal action on the part of his client was concerned. He maintained that in order to find any one guilty of assault and battery under the circumstances which surrounded this case, it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Keyes deliberately drove his team into the defendant’s automobile. Mr. Fisher suggested that the case was civil and not a criminal one. Judge Atwood took the same view of the case and ordered the discharge of Keyes on the charge of assault and battery. There being no evidence to sustain a finding of guilt on the complaint for cruelty to animals he was ordered discharged on that complaint also.
Joseph Polanski, of Westford, was in court on Wednesday morning as a result of a complaint against him for being a lewd, wanton and lascivious person. He was found guilty and fined ten dollars. Through his counsel, John M. Maloney, he appealed and was held in $100 for his appearance at the next session of the superior court. Bail was furnished. The government was represented by Counsellor George L. Wilson. The case grew out of a difficulty Polanski had with one of his neighbors which finally became so bad as to lead for a warrant for his arrest. He was spoken of by Officer Stephen Gardell and L. P. Palmer, his employer, as a hard working man and one who caused no trouble. An unusual feature was the calling of Officer Gardell to act as interpreter in French, the complainant and a witness being of that nationality. The officer acted the part in a manner entirely satisfactory to all concerned.
Saturday, August 28, 1915
Center. The basement at the academy building has been equipped with electric lights. This is a great improvement in every way and greatly facilitates the work of the janitor.
Miss Hilda Isles attended the telephone outing at Willowdale last Saturday. There was a large representation from a number of exchanges and a most enjoyable time was spent with sports, boating, dancing and dinner.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Anderson have welcomed another baby boy [Harold Cushman Anderson] into their family this last week [August 19].
Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher enjoyed an automobile trip to Ludlow, Vt., this week, going on Saturday and returning on Sunday.
The theft of a quantity of nice peaches is reported from the orchards of George H. Cadman one night recently.
Miss Dorothy Bunce has been a recent guest at the home of her aunts, Miss Bunce and Miss Loker.
No doubt Westford is not alone in the veritable plague of mosquitoes caused by the rainy weather and dampness. It has been hard for man and beast to work in field and garden many days, and even the most carefully screened houses have not escaped the pests.
Regular services will be resumed at the Congregational church on Sunday morning. The pastor will preach and a good attendance is hoped for after the period of vacation.
At the Grange next week Thursday evening Miss Beatrice Sutherland will have charge of the program and will furnish some attractive talent from neighboring Granges, chiefly Tyngsboro. Applications for membership should be received at this meeting for the autumn initiations.
There will surely be something doing this Saturday afternoon at Whitney playground when Townsend A.A and Westford A.A cross bats in a contest of skill for honors. Townsend won the first game earlier in the season by the score of 2 to 1. Both teams have a strong line-up and a good game is anticipated. Westford was defeated last Saturday by Milford in that town by the score of 5 to 4, in an eleven inning game.
Successfully Given. The mid-summer fete and band concert at Whitney playground last week Thursday evening, under the auspices of the Westford A.A., was most enjoyable and reflected the greatest of credit upon the members who worked so hard to make it the success it was. The grounds were handsomely lighted with many electric lights. The various attractions were well patronized and the band concert program given from 7:30 to 9:30 was one of the best and enjoyed by a large number of people. This concert was given by the Sixth Regiment band of Lowell, consisting of twenty-five pieces and later played for the dancing at the town hall, participated in by sixty couples, continuing until one o’clock. The fine summer night was surely a contributing factor in the evening’s success and a good sum of money was realized by the event. The committees in charge were as follows: Edward Fisher, Harwood L. Wright, Oscar R. Spalding, Alfred W. Hartford, Edward F. Hanley, Ingalls Wetmore, Robert Prescott, Edward Hamlin, Dr. C. A. Blaney, Walter J. Merritt, William E. Wright and Clarence Hildreth.
About Town. The premium list and program of Middlesex-North Agricultural fair is out in pamphlet form. As the state will not allow any exhibition of cattle, on account of liability of the hoof and mouth disease, the Grange has marked up the premium list on fruit and vegetables and other realms of handiwork so liberally as to make it an inducement to exhibit liberally and form a larger area. The fair will be held with Dracut Grange on September 15-16. Music by Middlesex County Training School band.
West Chelmsford Grange gave a lawn party on Wednesday evening at Cameron park with hurdy-gurdy music and moonlight accompaniment with Mrs. Harry Saxon as general promoter and prompter.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Dane became heir to some twins on Wednesday [Doris Ailen & Bernice Gertrude Dane, b. August 25].
Sarah Jane Davis, eighty and upwards, is visiting Mrs. John Warren Day. She was a familiar figure in town until her removal to Shirley to live with her niece, Mrs. Miner.
Hiram Dane, a long-time resident of Westford but of recent years a resident of California, is spending the summer here with his son, Ernest Dane, on the Nutting road. He is one of the scarred veterans of the civil war. He is one that scars did not scare.
The next meeting of the Grange will be held on next week Thursday evening, when much left-over business will be up for disposal.
Joseph Sargent has bought all the grass hay on the John Haley farm on Francis hill and on the Daniel H. Sheehan farm on Pigeon hill.
Prairie farm folks are busy prying potatoes out of the mud. The expected rot has not developed yet in proportion to the one time mud and water that one time threatened mischief, averaging only about one rot to a bushel. The Prairie farm manager [Amos Polley] claims his extreme high hilling saved the crop. On the Old Oaken Bucket farm [Samuel L. Taylor] adjoining, with level culture and high ground the yield is very much larger and so is the rot. Level culture or high hilling has nothing to do with the rot, as the Old Oaken Bucket has a piece on exceptionally wet ground and level culture and no rot. The degree of maturity of the potatoes was the vital factor.
William Pollock, on the Cold Spring road, has not yet finished picking strawberries—not in the sense of behind with his work, but the strawberries are determined to linger.
For a cornfield that is a cornfield and not a this year’s pretense, that is large and dark green, and in the earing-out business to stay, until frost calls on other business, adjust your vision in the direction of the field of Frank C. Drew that lieth between Stony Brook and Little Tadmuck hill [46 Lowell Road].
The old First Parish will resume services Sunday, September 4, after a restful vacation since the resignation of Rev. Julian R. Pennington.
West Chelmsford Grange held an open meeting Thursday evening at Historical hall. Mrs. Olive Merriam of Billerica delighted in recitation, and Miss Quigley of Chelmsford in song.
Grown-ups and children please all remember Harvard’s big pageant the fourth of September.
Forge Village. Joseph Leclerc has returned from a very enjoyable vacation spent through Canada, the Berkshires and Niagara.
Mrs. Joseph Leclerc and children, and Mrs. Henry Byron and children of Fitchburg are enjoying camp life at the Parrot cottage on the shores of Forge pond.
Mrs. J. H. [Laura] Jones, of Worcester, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett, for the past ten days, left on Wednesday for East Lexington, where she will be the guest of her sister, Mrs. Ernest [Polly] Longbottom. Mrs. Burnett accompanied her.
Elmer E. Nutting and party have returned from a very pleasant automobile trip through the different states.
Mrs. Charles Andrews and children, of Providence, R.I., and Miss Mae L. Curtis, of Newton Center, have been recent guests of Mrs. V. C. B. Wetmore.
Miss Marion Blodgett, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur T. Blodgett, of Medford, has returned home.
Mrs. William Weaver [nee Hannah Finch] was a recent visitor at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Arthur Blodgett, of Medford.
Miss Abbie M. Blaisdell, of Wamesit, spent last week as the guest of Mrs. Margaret Wilson.
Mr. and Mrs. James Sullivan, together with Mrs. John Carmichael and Mrs. Michael Keefe, enjoyed an outing at Nantasket Beach last week.
George Sanborn, our well-known station agent, after a vacation of several weeks is busy at his desk at the Boston and Maine station again.
The Westford Boy Scouts, who have been camping on the shores of Forge pond the past two weeks, broke up camp last Saturday. The boys have been under the charge of Charles Robey and have thoroughly enjoyed their outing. Last week Wednesday was visiting day at the camp and a large number of relatives and friends were entertained.
Rev. A. Earle [Earl] Kernahan, of Worcester, with Mrs. Kernahan and little son Earle, were recent visitors here. Mr. Kernahan was formerly pastor of the Methodist church in Graniteville and has many friends in this village. William DeRoehn, formerly of this village, accompanied Mr. Kernahan. While here he was the guest of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver.
Caroline E. Precious has returned home after a very pleasant visit of a week spent with relatives in Townsend Harbor.
Mrs. Sylvia Barnes, of South Boston, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Barnes, of Campello, Mrs. Mary L. Drake, of Worcester and Mrs. Sarah McIntyre, of Shrewsbury were recent visitors at the home of Mrs. Harriet Randall.
Miss Eva F. Pyne was the guest the last few weeks of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Holdridge, of Spencer. Mrs. Holdridge was formerly Miss Florence Wadleigh of this village.
William Bennett, of Providence, R. I., is the guest of his sister, Mrs. William Hosmer.
An auto truck party of twenty-five of the French residents of the village spent Sunday at Revere Beach. Mr. and Mrs. Adelaid Brule had charge of the village.
Miss Maria Cavanaugh is spending this week at the home of relatives in Lawrence.
Miss Eva F. Pyne is spending this week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Wilcox, of Royalston.
Mr. and Mrs. James Benoit and the Misses Benoit enjoyed a trip along the North Shore last Sunday, making the trip in Mr. Benoit’s new auto.
Mr. and Mrs. John Venn and family spent the weekend at Nantasket Beach.
Mr. and Mrs. Hans C. Dege, of Norwich Conn., were guests last Saturday and Sunday of Mrs. Dege’s sister, Mrs. Henry Catchpole.
Daniel Sullivan is spending the next two weeks in Portland, Me.
Mrs. John E. Burnett and little son Leonard were the guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hennessey, of Lowell, on last Saturday.
Two weeks more of vacation and then the youngsters will prepare for school.
Miss Veronica Smith on her return from a visit with friends in Lowell was very pleasantly surprised by a large number of her young friends, who had gathered at the home of her parents to welcome her home. Miss Emma Brule presented Miss Smith with a gold chain and cross on behalf of those present. Miss Nellie Cavanaugh made the address. The remainder of the evening was spent in games. Refreshments were served. Misses Emma Brule and Nellie Cavanaugh had charge of the affair.
William Burnett left last Friday for East Lexington, where he will spend a few days with his daughter, Mrs. E. Longbottom.
Graniteville. Little Willie Robinson, the eight-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Robinson, while playing with companions on last Saturday morning in which a small rifle was being used to shoot apples, was accidentally shot in the thumb of the right hand by Walter Stuart, a companion. The boy was attended by Dr. W. H. Sherman, and although the wound is painful, it is not considered of a serious nature.
Mrs. H. J. Healy, Mrs. R. J. McCarthy and Mrs. Mary A. Healy have been spending the last few days at Revere Beach.
Mr. and Mrs. Lester McLenna and family have been at Hampton Beach for the last few days.
A Gala Day. The members of Cameron Circle, C.F. of A., held a great gala day here at Hillside park last Saturday afternoon that was largely attended, people being present from Lowell, Nashua, Ayer and all the surrounding towns. The main attraction was the ball game between the strong Townsend A.A. and the Graniteville team, and as this was the regular scheduled game between these two clubs the women Foresters assumed all the responsibilities of the day, conducted a fine line of amusement on the grounds, served refreshments of all kinds, ran a dance in Healy’s hall at night with the Crescent orchestra furnishing the music; in fact, engineered everything from start to finish, and in spite of adverse criticism from any of the “wise ones” who predicted failure, they made a grand success of it, both socially and financially, and the day and evening were of great pleasure and profit for all. The circle in general and the committee in particular are to be commended on their foresight in taking advantage of this opportunity and they certainly made the most of it.
Graniteville met and defeated its old rivals, the Townsend team, by the score of 6 to 0. The local club tried out a new pitcher named Smith, a tall, right-hander, and he was well supported behind the bat by O’Connell, also a six-footer, who caught a great game and nipped every Townsend player who attempted to steal. Townsend was held to three scattering hits and Smith had fifteen strikeouts to his credit. Farrar, the Townsend twirler, pitched his usual good game, but Graniteville was there with the wallop, getting nine hits with a total of eleven bases, and bunching them when hits meant runs. Both clubs fielded well, the few misplays made being of a minor character which came at a time that did not affect the score. Cawley, a new man on the local club, posted a great game around the keystone sack, nothing getting by him at second. George Reed, of West Chelmsford, umpired a great game, not one of his decisions being questioned.
Graniteville will probably not play this week, as some of the players are injured, while others will take in the Townsend-Westford game at Westford this Saturday afternoon.
After the ball game a very pleasant time was spent by the crowd at the different booths, during which a buffet lunch was served. All booths were liberally patronized and quite a neat sum was realized at the different side attractions.
The dance in the evening proved to be a very enjoyable affair and with tuneful music and a large and merry assemblage, the dancing continued until shortly after eleven o’clock, when the Cameron Circle gala day came to a happy close. It was surely a grand good time all round and not one dull moment from beginning to end.
The following efficient committee is responsible for the success of the affair: Mrs. Bessie Robinson, chairman; Mrs. Etta Richardson, Mrs. Nellie Reeves, Mrs. Maria Wall, Mrs. Alma Benson, Mrs. Julia Wall, Mrs. Elizabeth Harrington, Miss Martha Doucette, Mrs. Mary Payne, Mrs. Lillian Marinel, Evelyn Bechard, Mrs. Emma Carpenter, Miss Marion Lord, Mrs. Edith M. Brooks.
Ayer
District Court. James Boyle, of Lowell, was brought into court on Tuesday morning by Officer Stephen Gardell, of Westford, who found his charge acting very strangely in that town. After an examination as to his mental condition the conclusion was reached that Boyle came to his condition through strong drink. He was sent to the house of correction, where he will receive treatment and no doubt will quickly recover from his trouble. Boyle, who is a robust, fine appearing fellow, imagined that he was a moving picture actor, his part being that of a degenerate in the play. His talk for the most part was of a rambling unintelligible kind. Officer Gardell took him to the house of correction.
Townsend
Baseball. Townsend A.A. received its second whitewash of the season last Saturday when they were defeated by the Graniteville team in Graniteville. “Paddy” Green of the Lowell New England league team was on the slab for Graniteville, O’Connell, late of Providence, being on the receiving end. Townsend plays Westford this Saturday in the second game of the series, in Westford. The score:
Graniteville A.A. | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Prinn, rf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Lent, 3b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Buckingham, cf | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Cawley, 2b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
O’Connell, c | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
P. Green, p | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Hurley, ss | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Healy, 1b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
Gower, lf | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Totals | 33 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 27 | 9 | 2 |
– | |||||||
Townsend A.A. | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
W. Green, ss | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
E. Swicker, cf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Eastman, lf, c | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Morse, 2b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Rusk, c, lf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Parker, 1b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
V. Swicker, rf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Merrick, 3b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Farrar, p | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Totals | 30 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 6 | 1 |
Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
Graniteville | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | x | 6 |
Two-base hits—P. Green, Eastman. Sacrifice hit—Lent. Stolen bases—Buckingham 2. Left on bases—Graniteville 5, Townsend 1. First base on errors—Townsend 2, Graniteville 1. Hit by pitcher—By Farrar, Buckingham and O’Connell. Bases on balls—By P. Green 1, by Farrar 2. Struck out—By P. Green 15, by Farrar 11. Passed ball—Rusk. Wild pitch—Farrar. Time—1 hr. 5 min. Umpire—Reed.