The Westford Wardsman, December, 1910
Saturday, December 3, 1910
Centre. Miss Leighton, who is substituting at the library for Miss Bunce, had a disagreeable and unusual experience at the library one evening last week. A man who was badly intoxicated got off the car that arrives shortly after six and gravitated to the brightly lighted building. After stumbling about in a way that endangered the fine, old tall clock and the statuary in the conversation room, he settled down on a settee from which, later, police officer John Feeney removed him. He proved to be a farm hand employed by one of our farmers outside the village. John S. Greig, who happened to be on hand, assisted Mr. Feeney and took him to his place of employment with his fast driving horse.
Rev. W. C. H. Moe of North Chelmsford preached most acceptably at the Congregational church last Sunday morning in exchange with Mr. Wallace.
Next Sunday evening at the Congregational church there will be a union temperance service, the church uniting with the Graniteville church. Rev. Mr. Havermale will be the speaker of the evening. The service will be at 7:30.
The various committees are busy preparing for their annual church banquet at the Congregational church on Wednesday evening, December 14. A good list of speakers is being arranged for. The ladies are having a dumb waiter installed, which with the upstairs kitchen, will greatly facilitate the serving of refreshments down stairs.
Among those who have had fall shingling done are the homes of Mrs. Noah Prescott [23 Boston Rd.], Mrs. Nelson Tuttle [14 Boston Rd.], Wright & Fletcher’s store [40 Main St.] and [the] I. E. Day house [16 Main St.] owned by George T. Day.
John S. Greig has recently received his diploma as undertaker and embalmer from the New England Institute of Anatomy, Boston.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard had at their Thanksgiving gathering, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard and son John from Concord, N.H., Mr. and Mrs. George Howard and Miss Alice Howard from Cotuit.
Mrs. Rachael Reed is staying with her daughter, Mrs. H. V. Hildreth.
Among minor improvements noted around the common is the raking of the common itself of leaves, new planking of the platform for the scales near J. H. Fletcher’s store, and new flooring of the old store piazza, where the teams load for market during the summer.
Tadmuck Club. A most enjoyable and interesting meeting of the Tadmuck club took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Congregational vestry. This change of meeting place was for the use of the piano for the musical part of the program.
It was very much regretted that the storm and the execrable walking made it possible for only a comparatively small number to attend. Miss Edith Forster had charge of the afternoon with “Cuba and her neighbors under Spanish and American rule,” as the subject. Miss Forster gave an excellent paper well delivered and full of research concerning Hayti [sic], Jamaica, Porto [sic] Rico and Cuba, giving special attention to this latter and drawing a faithful portrayal of its turbulent history.
The afternoon’s program was supplemented with some musical numbers of unusual excellence. These artists were Mrs. Oliver W. Priest of Portsmouth, N.H., contralto; Miss Laura R. Herrig of Pepperell, violinist; Leo C. Thayer of Pepperell, clarinetist, and Miss E. Marion Sweatt, accompanist.
Mrs. Priest, who won so many friends last season with her rich contralto voice and pleasing personality, was enjoyed fully as much in her selections on Tuesday. Miss Herrig and Mr. Thayer are both experienced in orchestral work, and are most skilful musicians, and Miss Sweatt’s work as an accompanist always is thoroughly enjoyed by the club. Following is the program rendered:
Trio, violin, clarinet and piano serenade; contralto solo, selection from Samson and Delila, Mrs. Priest; paper, Cuba, Miss Forster; solo, The Wind, Lullaby, Mrs. Priest; trio, Magnolia serenade, Woodland whispers and fantasia.
The next meeting will be in Library hall at three o’clock, and the general subject will be continued, the special topic being “Louisiana,” Miss Clara A. Smith, chairman.
About Town. If distance lends enchantment it also frequently lends disappointment. Such proved to be the result of the plans for the dedication of the memorial window for the Unitarian church, which had all reasonable expectation of being carried out when the day arrived, planned for last Sunday. The day arrived on time, but the window did not, this resulted in canceling the memorial exercises for the date assigned. The window arrived on Wednesday morning, November 30, having been eleven days coming from New York city. There are no to blame people in the old First Parish church for the delay and postponement. The new date for memorial has not been dealt out.
The new house of Councilor Herbert E. Fletcher on Oak hill is nearing completion. It is all Oak hill granite of varied color. Will have an elevator from cellar to attic and automatic duster. When finished it will be a gem of convenience and beauty. It is not expected to be ready for service before the time when the poet and nature sing, “Oh what are [sic] so rare as a day in June.” John is right, bright and genial and ready to take hold if any one is anxious, and all the easy comforts of modern transportation to make all who ride satisfied.
Henry Hadley, who sold the Edwin Heywood farm, will dispose of his personal property next week Wednesday.
The First Parish church was well-represented last Sunday afternoon at the installation of Rev. O. J. Fairfield at Littleton.
The snow storm excommunicated all communication by telephone and news has to be dug out, “face to face.”
It is expected that the next meeting of the Fortnightly club will be held Friday evening, December 9, at the old stand, the Wright schoolhouse. This is the time schedule long established by the Fortnightly club, as the name suggests, if it is not quite true to name on the above date. Don’t make up faces at the writer, but at the telephone, which at the present time will neither speak nor be spoken to.
The season for Farmers’ Institutes has arrived, snow and all, and the electric cars will pass our town hall doors all winter. Shall we open them to an institute? They like Westford environments and viands.
Graniteville. The mills of the Abbot Worsted Company and C. G. Sargent’s machine shop, that were closed for the Thanksgiving holidays, resumed operation again on Monday morning at the usual hour.
All the schools in the village were opened again on Monday after the brief Thanksgiving vacation.
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Sullivan of Marlboro have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Healey in this village.
Miss Mary J. Sullivan of this village has recently returned from a brief visit spent with friends in East Pepperell.
Mr. and Mrs. George L. Gilson and family have moved into their new residence on Fourth street.
Mrs. Harris and daughter, Miss Ethel, are visiting friends in Lowell.
Miss Rachel Wall and Master Raymond Wall spent the Thanksgiving holidays as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Riney of Lowell.
Mr. and Mrs. George Day of Damariscotta, Me., are the guests of Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Sherman of this village.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Provost have recently returned from a part business and pleasure trip in Providence.
Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Carmichael spent the holidays with friends at Mr. Carmichael’s boyhood home in Wilton, N.H.
Charles Couture has the foundation laid preparatory to erecting a two-tenement house in the early spring. The site is an ideal one, situated near Mr. Couture’s home on Main street.
Cameron Circle, C. of F.A. are planning on a class initiation in January. The members are busy getting new members to join and have already succeeded in bringing in quite a large number. The G. C. Companion, Miss Julia McCarty, will initiate the new members, assisted by Grand Supreme Supervisor of Laws, Mrs. Evelyn Sawyer of Boston, and Grand Financial Secretary, Mrs. Virginia Moriarity of Worcester.
Rev. Fr. O’Neill, high court chaplain of the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, has appointed Rev. Edmund Schofield, pastor of St. Catherine’s church, as chaplain of Court Westford. He will be present at the first meeting in December, and it is hoped that all the members will attend the meeting to receive him.
Mr. and Mrs. H. LeDuc have gone to Camden, N.J., for a few weeks to visit their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Riney, who recently moved there from this village, where Mr. Riney holds a lucrative position.
Forge Village. A musicale which was very well attended was held at the home of Mrs. Dinah McMurray [nee Baker] on Pleasant street on Friday evening, November 26. At the conclusion of the entertainment, a most enjoyable supper was served by the hostess, Mrs. McMurray, assisted by her sister, Mrs. Frederick Davis. The merry party broke up at a late hour, and hope that another meeting may be held in the near future.
The Groton school orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Griswold, held its annual concert in Recreation hall on Saturday evening, November 26, at eight o’clock, before a large and very appreciative audience. There were many present from Ayer, Groton and Graniteville, among whom was a delegation from the Epworth league, connected with the Graniteville Methodist Episcopal church. The proceeds of the concert will be used for the benefit of St. Andrew’s mission.
The Abbot Worsted company resumed work at the usual hour on Monday morning after the holidays. Cameron school also opened on that day after the Thanksgiving vacation.
Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Morton of Central street are entertaining Miss Sarah Northrop of Pepperell, a sister of Mrs. Morton.
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett spent Saturday and Sunday as guests of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett of the Ridges.
Mrs. William Burnett spent Saturday in Lawrence, visiting Mr. and Mrs. Teele. Mrs. Teele has recently returned from California and had a box of fresh fruits and nuts awaiting Mrs. Burnett, a rare treat at this season of the year.
Miss Christine Lowther and her nieces, the Misses May and Annie Cherry, returned Sunday after a most enjoyable visit with their sister and aunt, Miss Catherine Lowther of Andover, over the Thanksgiving holidays.
Miss Edith Precious was the guest over Thanksgiving of her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Keefe of Townsend Harbor, both formerly of this village.
Beginning Wednesday, November 30, and until further notice, the Ladies’ Sewing circle will meet on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 instead of on Thursdays, as formerly.
Services at the mission will be held at 4:15 p.m., Sunday, as announced last week.
The Polish woman who sustained a painful injury while at work in the Abbot Worsted Company’s mill last week is now about and hopes for a complete recovery soon.
Holiday Guests. Thanksgiving day was passed very quietly in the village this year. At many of the homes, family reunions were held, while other families spent the holiday out-of-town. There were quite a few visitors noted, however.
At the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett on Pleasant street, Mrs. R. E. Longbottom and little son William of Arlington Heights, and Mr. and Mrs. John H. Jones and daughter were entertained.
Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson had at their Thanksgiving dinner, besides their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George Weaver, jr., and little son, Malcolm, the following young people: Timothy Sullivan of Manchester, N.H.; the Misses Mamie and Agnes Sullivan of Nashua, N.H., and Miss Abbie M. Blaisdell of Wamesit.
Robert McArdell of Manchester, N.H., spent the holiday at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett.
A very pleasant family reunion occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Davis on Pleasant street on Thanksgiving day. About fifteen sat down to a bountiful dinner and the evening was spent in song and music.
Wedding. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Morton on Central street was the scene, Thanksgiving day, of a very pretty wedding, when Miss Rose Ella Northrop, a sister of Mrs. Morton, and one of the most popular of the village young people, became the bride of John Morton, a well-known young man of Lowell. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Lewis Havermale of the Methodist Episcopal church of Graniteville, of which both young people are members.
At four o’clock the bridal party entered the parlor to Wagner’s wedding march, played by Miss Emily Catchpole, of this village, and an intimate friend of the bride.
Miss Hattie Northrop, a sister of the bride, was bridesmaid, and a brother of the groom, Fennimore Morton, acted as best man.
The bride was attired in a gown of steel gray silk and the bridesmaid wore blue veiling.
After the ceremony, a wedding supper was served to members of the family and near relations. Later in the evening, amid showers of rice and with the best wishes of all present, the happy couple left on a short wedding trip. Upon their return, Mr. and Mrs. Morton will be glad to receive their friends at their new home, 15 Westford street, Lowell.
There was a display of many useful as well as many valuable wedding gifts.
Saturday, December 10, 1910
Centre. Since school was resumed after the short Thanksgiving recess the pupils at the Frost school, who live at a distance and stay through the noon hour, are having their luncheon supplemented with the serving of hot soup or cocoa each day. As heretofore this is supplied through the generosity of Mrs. John C. Abbot.
The Edward M. Abbot hose company had their regular monthly meeting at their headquarters on Boston road on Tuesday evening. There was a full attendance present. An appetizing supper in charge of Fred A. Smith was served, to which full justice was done. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the annual dance to take place some time in January.
J. Herbert Fletcher and Robert Prescott went to Ludlow, Vt., last week, being gone the greater part of the week on a hunting trip, and have been kept busy recounting the results to their friends, since their return.
The memorial window at the Unitarian church was put in place on Tuesday and Wednesday preparatory to the dedication for Sunday.
Mrs. Lillian Lumbert has three of her little grandchildren from Oxford staying with her, and Miss Annie Blodgett is assisting in caring for them.
The Ladies’ Missionary society of the Congregational church held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday afternoon in the vestry of the church, held in conjunction with the weekly prayer meeting. A good program from the program “Missions in Central America,” was carried out.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fisher’s many friends are glad for them that their little daughter Esther is much better. She has had bronchitis with threatened pneumonia, and under the care of Dr. Wells and a special nurse.
The basketball game which took place in the academy gymnasium between the Lowell Commercial college team and the Westford team on last Friday afternoon resulted in very much of a defeat for the latter with a score of 34 to 7. The Westford team has good material, but lack training and Mr. Jordan of the Commercial college team is to give them some special coaching, preparatory to the schedule of games that Principal Dexter Coggshall has arranged for the season. The students are also busy preparing for a minstrel show to be given later in the season.
At the Middlesex North Pomona held last Friday in Lowell the annual election of officers took place. Westford grange has two representatives on its official staff, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler as Flora, and A. H. Sutherland as gate keeper.
Mr. and Mrs. Emory J. Whitney spent several days this week with friends in Lowell.
The Donald M. Camerons have closed their Westford home and gone to Lowell for the remainder of the winter.
Word has been received this week of the rounding up and arresting by the state police of five horse thieves, and our town officials have reason to think at least part of this gang had to do with the series of horse thefts that took place here not long ago.
The band stand has been removed from the common this week and stored in winter quarters.
Every effort is being made by those in charge to have the annual banquet at the Congregational church as successful as its predecessors. Genial John Wright is coming up from Lowell to act as toastmaster and a good list of speakers is being arranged for; also, music and a good supper.
Grange. The annual election of officers was the business of the evening at the last meeting of the grange. The following list of officers were chosen for the ensuing year: Frank C. Wright, master; Mrs. David L. Greig, overseer; Miss Martha L. Grant, lec.; J. Henry Colburn, stew.; Fred Clement, ass. stew.; Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, treas.; Mrs. Frank C. Wright, sec.; Mrs. Fred L. Snow, lady ass. stew.; Mrs. Ruth Beneault, Pomona; Mrs. J. Henry Colburn, Ceres; Miss Addie Day, Flora; Alonzo H. Sutherland, gate keeper; William R. Taylor, executive committee for three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Wright were chosen delegates to represent this grange at the sessions of the state grange to be held next week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Worcester. Mrs. Josie A. Prescott was chosen as alternate and Miss Martha Grant was chosen to represent our grange at the lecturers’ conference.
At the next meeting the entertainment will be in charge of the ladies’ degree staff. This is to offset the one given by the brothers earlier in the year, when they gave the third degree in burlesque. A full attendance is desired for there will surely be something doing.
Temperance Meeting. A union temperance service between the Graniteville Methodist church and the Unitarian Congregational was held on Sunday evening at the latter church. It was very much of a success in the excellence of the service, and the attendance, which was over one hundred and seventy-five. The men’s quartet of the Graniteville church furnished several fine selections and the choir of the entertaining church sustained its part in the musical program with solo by Mrs. Charles D. Colburn. The men’s choir of Graniteville consists of Horace Conant, Henry Smith, Rev. Mr. Havermale and Alvin Nelson.
Rev. Mr. Wallace read the scripture lesson and offered prayer, and Rev. Mr. Havermale gave the address of the evening, which was a forceful and consistent presentation of the subject, and held the close attention of his hearers.
At the close of the meeting the audience endorsed a resolve which was forwarded to the senator and representative-elect of this district endorsing the bar and bottle bill, and going on record as opposed to its repeal.
A meeting of like character is to be arranged later at the Graniteville church.
About Town. Amos Polley has just finished building a two-story corn barn. He drew the design and Matthew Smith of Brookside was carpenter executor.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelse Nelson observed Thanksgiving the day before the Governor’s proclamation called for it. It is a girl [Ruth Eleanor Nelson, born Nov. 23, 1910] baby, all kinds now, two boys for previous joys.
John O. Sundberg of West Chelmsford has moved into his new house on the Lowell road at Brookside. This is the house built by Henry Harrington and adds credit to builder.
Aunty Sarah Richardson, at the old Fletcher homestead at Brookside, has been ill since Thanksgiving with what seems to be cholera infantum, or would be if she were only ninety-one years younger. Dr. Wells is in attendance and the infantum is departing. Miss Richardson is the oldest person in town and is likely to remain so. The furniture of her constitution is old New England endurance.
Brookside mills are running on water time. As there isn’t much water running there isn’t much mill running. Cheaper living you know just in sight, but it has shut off the steam whistle, morn, noon and night.
Col. Edwin D. Metcalf of Auburn, N.Y., has been elected president of the National Implement and Vehicle association of the United States, with a combined capital of $700,000,000.
The unrestricted wide-open gun in the unrestricted wide-open season for the shooting of deer hath given us these tender memories: 199 deer were reported killed, 97 were reported shot, but not killed, 6 dead in the woods which the hunters wounded, but did not kill, 3 too badly wounded to stand up, and how much undiscovered suffering lies hidden in the thicket and glen may never be known. But these tender memories are ours, of Massachusetts with its Societies for the Prevention of Cruelties to Animals.
Judge Harris, who has been holding equity court in Lowell, granted a divorce in the case of George E. Gould from Ida M. Gould, both of Westford, for cause of desertion. The case came up for hearing on December first.
F. N. Chase has moved onto the Dage farm on the Tenny [sic] road, just north of Keyes pond. At present he is looking after the interests of the moths of all kinds of personality that loiter on the public road, and who have no visible means of support, that is not contrary to law.
The Fortnightly club held a business meeting at the Wright schoolhouse building on Friday evening. This means Christmas for the winter startoff.
Death. Prof. Charles Otis Whitman died in Chicago on Wednesday of pneumonia, aged sixty-eight years. He will be remembered by Westford people and friends of Westford academy, where he was preceptor from 1868 to 1872. He had a genial and thoughtful personality and at all times an ardent inquirer after truth, but truth that had an inherent self-defense. For this he labored and accumulated as evidence of his pioneer service for truth. He was appointed head of the department of zoology and curator of the zoological museum at the University of Chicago, which position he had held since the opening of the institution in 1892. He was widely known as a zoologist. He is survived by a widow and two son, Frank, a student at Harvard university, and Carroll at Cornell university.
Memorial Window Service. The much-written about and postponed-about memorial window for the Unitarian church will come to finals Sunday afternoon, December 11. Services will commence at 2:15 with an organ recital by George R. Smith of Lowell, organist of the church. Rev. Benjamin H. Bailey, minister of the church, will on this occasion be prime minister of ceremonies. Rev. Edward A. Horton gets in its worst work on the Cummings hill, but they have done valiant work to make their regular trips.
Christmas Exercises. Last week Friday afternoon, the pupils of the William E. Frost school had their Christmas exercises previous to the close of school for the vacation. The four teachers—Miss Ruth Fisher, the principal, and Misses Grant, Burnham and Crocker, combined efforts and made a most successful and enjoyable event for the children and their interested parents and friends who attended in good numbers. The affair was held in the town hall with a Christmas tree. Each pupil received candy, popcorn and oranges and [participated] in an interchanging of other gifts. The ornaments on the prettily trimmed tree were all the handiwork of the children themselves. A most entertaining program of songs, recitation, dialogues and a Christmas exercise participated in by a number of the pupils was enjoyed by the audience and evidently by the children themselves, who always enter with such zest into the doings of the glad Christmas-tide. The enrollment of pupils at the Frost school is one hundred and thirty-seven.
Seriously Ill. One of those sudden and serious transitions from apparently the best of health to ominous sickness, especially to little children, came to Dr. and Mrs. Wells this week when their little daughter was taken seriously ill. On Monday, her first birthday anniversary, when a group of other little ones were bidden with their parents to help observe the day, she seemed so wholesomely well that it was hard to associate the idea of sickness with her, but later in the week she was taken very ill. Her father called a specialist in children’s diseases from Boston to consult with him. An abscess in the ear with some internal trouble is the diagnosis. With treatment the condition of the abscess has been somewhat relieved and the child is more comfortable and continued gain is earnestly hoped for.
Centre. Carl Anderson, the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Anderson, is convalescing from an attack of pneumonia.
Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Wright recently held an auction of household goods at their former home, things that they did not wish to transfer to their new home. There was a good attendance and ready buyers. Since then Miss Ella Hildreth has purchased the real estate consisting of house, barn and about four acres of land. This place was between land on both sides belonging to the Hildreth estate and the venerable house had treasured associations connected with Miss Hildreth’s father and grandfather.
At the Congregational banquet held last week Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Conant of Littleton were in attendance with Rev. and Mrs. H. L. Packard.
Grange. At the last meeting of the grange the master and secretary, Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Wright gave reports of the State grange sessions from which they had just returned and where they represented this grange as delegates.
The entertainment for the evening was in charge of the ladies’ degree staff and consisted of a shadow party in charge of Mrs. A. H. Sutherland. Among the subjects represented were “Hiawatha and Minnehaha,” “Jack Horner,” “An Indian,” “Happy Hooligan,” “Jack Sprat and his wife,” “A housewife,” and “Mistress Mary.”
Miss Ruth Beneault received the prize for guessing the largest number of shadows correctly. There were singing of popular songs and a speed contest which was to see which contestant could cross the hall, open the suit case carried, and take out and put on jacket, hat with two hat pins, close suit case, open umbrella and get back to starting place in the shortest space of time.
At the meeting of the new year on January 4, the annual installation of officers will take place, followed by a supper in charge of the executive committee of the grange, consisting of Messrs. Sutherland, Taylor and Blaney.
Birthday Party. On Monday afternoon little Miss Elizabeth Wells had a party in observance of the first anniversary of her birth. It was a most enjoyable affair and the little lady met the event with her characteristic sunny serenity of normal healthy babyhood, and as if such events were no unusual happenings. The group of invited babies, accompanied by their mothers and a few other friends, ranged in age from six weeks to two years, and were certainly a winsome group, which consisted of Roger Hildreth, Esther Fisher, Elizabeth and Helen Hildreth, Alice Heywood, Everett Beneault, Mildred O’Connor and Elizabeth Wells. Miss Elizabeth was the recipient of various pretty gifts.
To the older guests Mrs. Wells served refreshments of chocolate and cake; also, home-made candies. The rooms were very prettily decorated with Christmas greens.
Graniteville. Mrs. A. J. Charlton, who has been on the sick list for a couple of days, is convalescing slowly.
Saturday, December 31, 1910
Centre. Mrs. Helen Leighton and daughter Frances have been holiday visitors at Mrs. Mary E. Fletcher’s.
Miss Gertrude Hamlin from Miss Kimball’s school for girls at Worcester, Miss May Day from Mt. Holyoke college and Allister McDougall are among our students at home for the holidays.
Miss Grace Lumbert was at home for Christmas, but returned directly to Oxford, where her sister-in-law has been very ill.
Thomas Bridgeford of North Chelmsford and daughter, Mrs. Sarah Swannick, spent Christmas day at Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bridgefords.
The R.F.D. carriers who put in an arduous day Monday while others were enjoying their holiday will have the day to themselves next Monday. The heaviest amount of mail ever handled at the Christmas season is reported at our local post office.
Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hartford and Hazel spent Christmas with relatives in Melrose.
James Kimball spent Christmas at the Luce homestead.
Mr. and Mrs. O. R. Spalding, Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Mrs. Alvan Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Abbot and Mrs. Julian Cameron were among those who entertained family groups of relatives for Christmas.
A number of our residents manifested their appreciation of the services of our motorman Sherlock and conductor Cutter with tokens of good will for themselves and families Christmas day.
There are a particularly interesting set of views of old Hollandish interiors on exhibition at the library, quite worthy of everyone’s perusal.
Miss Blanche Waller is at home for the Christmas vacation.
Frank Chandler of North Westford is at the Lowell general hospital where he underwent a surgical operation the first of the week.
Next Thursday evening will be the first meeting of the new year for the grange. The installation of officers will take place and it is expected that Mrs. Alice B. Colburn, past master of Dracut grange and always a favorite with our members, will be the installing officer. A supper in charge of the executive committee will be served.
Christmas Tree. While the weather kept many from the Christmas tree and other exercises at the Congregational church vestry last Saturday evening, still a good number were present to participate in the pleasant occasion. A supper was served for the children at half-past five, largely in the care of the young ladies of the Loyalty club. Afterward in the vestry below there was a good program of recitations and songs and then came the distribution of presents from the well-filled tree with Santa Claus as master of ceremonies, impersonated by Otis Day. Not the least in importance among the gifts was a generous purse of money to Rev. and Mrs. Wallace. Also special remembrances were sent to the sick in the parish.
Tadmuck Club. The regular meeting of the Tadmuck club took place Tuesday afternoon at library hall with a good attendance of the members present. The program for the afternoon was the third in the series for special study of Spanish North America and was Central America, Charles O. Prescott, chairman. For several seasons the membership of the club have been indebted to Mr. Prescott for valuable assistance in the programs and his paper Tuesday afternoon was fully up to his usual standard of studious research. From the available material at hand he gave an interesting portrayal of these five small republics from a climatic, political and industrial view point. These consist of Honduras, San Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Their lack of real progress he made plain was due to the constant state of political intrigue in which they were almost constantly involved.
At the next meeting on January 10, there will be a change in the program. Mrs. David Wallace was to have given “Florida, past and present,” but will exchange dates with Mr. Wallace and he will give his afternoon “The spiritual message of Robert Browning.” This program gives much promise and a full attendance is hoped for.
It was pleasant Tuesday afternoon to have as guests Miss Julia Hall and Miss Mabel Drew at home from pedagogical duties for the Christmas vacation.
A Coon Supper. One day last week Arthur Hildreth was out looking for rabbit tracks on the hill [in] front of the Hildreth homestead. He espied a good sized coon emerge from a hollow tree. Not having a shotgun with him he went back to the house and telephoned to J. Herbert Fletcher who soon came down with Ed Clement and Albert Heywood. They finally secured the creature by smoking him out and he proved to be a fine specimen, weighing nearly sixteen pounds with a very handsome skin.
There was some joking about a coon dinner for Christmas, but Monday evening Mrs. Frank C. Hildreth entertained a party of ten at a supper party that was pronounced A No. one by those present and the coon had its place of honor on the long table. This was accompanied by a pair of roast chickens and there were vegetables, hot biscuits and all the fixin’s and a variety of pies for dessert. Perhaps what made the roasted coon and chickens even more palatable was that the old-fashioned brick oven, which is still good for service in the home, was heated and used. A quantity of fragrant hemlock boughs were used in the long dining room, a very appropriate decoration for a hunt supper and also for Christmas week. Those who enjoyed the event were Alec Fisher, Albert Heywood, Robert Prescott, Herbert Fletcher, Will Woods, Ed Clement, George Jackson, Arthur and Clarence Hildreth, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Hildreth.
About Town. The village school at West Chelmsford had planned an elaborate program for Christmas last week Thursday with all the toy tree gifts known to child life, including the speech and song. But alas as everything was ready to start, a fire took the start without rehearsing and burned tree, toys, evergreens, trumpets, whistles, skates, picture books and sleds. Everything was burned to the ground, or as near as the schoolhouse floor would allow. Only the summoning of help saved the schoolhouse from extinction and ashes. Lighted candles on the tree is what warmed up Santa Claus so that he couldn’t deliver his goods.
Rev. George H. Young, a former minister of the Unitarian church has recently been awarded a verdict for $5,000 for injuries received while walking on the sidewalk in Boston, the result of the careless and incompetent driving of a taxicab.
Frederick A. Snow of West Chelmsford has recently been appointed a notary public by Gov. Draper.
The Lowell electric light company, which furnishes power and light for Oak hill and thaws the frost from the stone, thence onward via wire to Forge Village, will soon furnish power for the Lowell & Fitchburg street railway in place of leased and left over power from the Boston and Northern street railway. This new arrangement bears the trade mark of good management.
The Brookside mills are running some on patterns, hoping and with fair prospects for orders if these patterns are satisfactory. There are vibrations in the air which will connect the Bigelow Carpet company with the management and possible ownership of this mill. While the help and public generally would be sorry to lose so good a landlord as Mr. Moore, yet the Bigelow Carpet company also has a name.
All the ill folks reported last week are so far safely away from the doctor’s care that they are past the danger point of a procession. Alexander F. Courtney is one of the exceptions and is still in a critical condition at his home on the Keyes road on Francis hill.
One of the best entertainments of a Christmas nature was given in the vestry of the Unitarian church on Saturday evening of last week. Harold Hildreth impersonated Santa Claus and got right down to the generosity side of the act in an outstretched liberal full handed manner and handed the goods right out with smiling reciprocity. An interesting program was participated in. The following committee furnished the electrical current that charged everything they touched: Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Mrs. Homer M. Seavey, Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher, Mrs. William L. Woods, Misses Clara Fisher, Mary Moran and Mary Drew.
Rev. Seth Walker was a Christmas guest at the old familiar Walker homestead where Christmas cheer lasts the year.
The Fortnightly club which has been breathing between preparing to do and doing, with stormy weather for friction, got the spirit of move and do in a large degree last week Saturday evening, keeping step to the spirit of Christmas. It was like one of the old time gatherings of youthful aspirations, with just enough elderly aspirations for salt to season the occasion. Charles Blodgett was Christmas tree warden, and pruned the tree for attraction, and picked and distributed the fruit according to individual bills of laden. This came last. Prior feats of skill brought forth an interesting program.
Wallace Johnson commenced harvesting ten-inch ice on Wednesday at Burgess’ [Burge’s] pond.
As prophesied of old and not so very old either, only last week, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Decatur and baby, John Henry Decatur, left Roselands, Cal., last week Monday and arrived at the homeland of hospitality at his father’s residence on the Lowell road, Westford. Though he was no prodigal son returning home, yet Sunday witnessed a home gathering of rejoicing and music it answered the temptations of a dinner appropriate to “The day we celebrate.” At the time of writing Mr. and Mrs. Decatur and acquisition are visiting the tempting hospitalities of Henry M. Adams of Groton.
Miss Elizabeth Cushing, a one time teacher in the Frost school, leaves on Sunday, January 1, for Pasadena, Cal.
Mrs. Francis Whitman Banister has announced the marriage of her sister, Hilda Van Iren Denton, to Frederick Alemles Crathern at Trinity church, Boston, December 14. The bride will be remembered in town as a yearly summer visitor at the home of her sister, “The Banister,” corner of Lowell and Providence roads.
Dr. Wells and other physicians held a consultation with surgical instruments on Sunday afternoon at the Brow cottage on the Providence road. The name and wherefores in the case are the missing link, which the week will discover we think.
The Taylor’s celebrated Christmas tree, give away exercises, with chicken, tea party, pleasures following, Monday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Allen Snow, West Chelmsford.
Constable Boynton was called upon to arrest the youngest boy of James Ralphson on the Lowell road. After a legal questioning at the court at Ayer he was sent to the reformatory at Concord.
Institute. At the Farmers’ Institute at Dracut last week Wednesday, Westford was represented by Mr. and Mrs. Leonard W. Wheeler and others. The address in the forenoon by Mrs. Adams on “Poultry for small farms and city lots,” was a witty and logical presentation of her subject, and her replies to questions floored many a questioner to the delight of the audience. In the afternoon Miss Maddocks gave an illustrated lecture on “What to eat and how to eat it.” She gave some spicy replies to the oncoming horde of questions, and gave vegetarians a set-back by affirming that no one who lived exclusively on fruit and vegetables had ever accomplished much with their brains. To some of her hearers it was sad news, and sadder yet too late in life to begin to eat meat. The next Institute will be held in Grange hall, Dracut, either Wednesday or Thursday, January 11 or 12, the posters will announce it. Subject, “Rotation in dairy feeds,” by H. O. Daniels. Following this Institute about two weeks, Westford will be the next place of meeting with date and speaker to be agreed upon.
Forge Village. The mill of the Abbot Worsted company closed down on Monday, December 26, for the Christmas holiday.
Dola Dumont, who injured his shoulder while skating on Sandy pond a week ago, is now about again.
Hermidas Chamberlain [Chamberland], who sustained severe injuries to his foot while at work in the mill of the Abbot Worsted company, is now able to work again.
Christmas day in this village was observed in a quiet but appropriate manner. Carols were sung at midnight on Christmas eve, which heralded in the gladsome day. In St. Andrew’s mission a special musical program was given and in nearly every home Christmas trees and family reunions were held.
Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Martin entertained at their home, Mr. and Mrs. John Morton of Lowell and Miss Elsie Northrup of Pepperell.
Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards and their niece, Miss Marion Blodgett, were guests over the holidays of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Coley of Worcester.
Mr. and Mrs. Wood of Somerville were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Sweatt on Christmas day.
Mrs. Elizabeth Splaine entertained at her home over the Christmas holidays her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Rose and family of Belmont.
Mr. and Mrs. James Whigham entertained at Christmas dinner Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Jones of Worcester and Mr. and Mrs. William Blodgett and family of Groton.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mason of Lowell and little son Clayton were guests of her father, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole over the Christmas holidays.
The Misses Annie and Mary Leclere were visitors in Pepperell on Monday.
Miss Edith Precious spent Monday as the guest of her sister, Mrs. Michael Keefe of Townsend Harbor.
Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver and their three grandsons, William, Emerson and Elmer DeRohen, spent the holidays with their daughter and aunt, Mrs. Henry Tyler of Worcester.
Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collins entertained Frank Collins of Lawrence at their home on Christmas day. The aged brothers of both Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collins lie critically ill at their respective homes.
Mr. and Mrs. George Weaver had as guests at their Christmas dinner Mrs. Weaver’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson and family.
Miss Delphine Byron of Haverhill, formerly of this village, and Mr. Charbothe, also of Haverhill, were married on Christmas morning in St. Catherine’s church, West Graniteville, by the pastor, Rev. Edmund T. Schofield. A wedding breakfast and reception were held immediately following the ceremony at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. Amidie Canton on Bradford street, after which the happy couple departed on their honeymoon trip.
The choir of St. Andrew’s mission met at the church for rehearsal on Wednesday evening. Immediately after the rehearsal a meeting of the Girls’ Friendly society was held in Recreation hall.
Communion services will be held at the mission on next Sunday morning at 8:45, at which Rev. A. L. Bumpus will preach.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle met in Recreation hall on Wednesday afternoon. A dainty luncheon was served at the close, which was much enjoyed by all the members.
Many people took advantage of the good weather of the holidays and enjoyed the skating on the pond, which was excellent. Several other parties enjoyed fishing through the ice and on Monday, it is reported, a “fine catch,” was the result.
Miss Sarah Northrup, formerly of this village, and William French of Greenfield, N.H., were quietly married in Greenfield on December 21.
The Abbot Worsted company will close their mill on Friday night for the annual taking of stock. They will resume operation on Tuesday morning, January 3, at the usual hour.
John Baker is confined to his home on account of illness.
Large Congregation. In St. Andrew’s mission, services were held at the usual hour, there being present the largest congregation the church has seen for years. Rev. A. L. Bumpus, the pastor, preached a very effective sermon on the day, which touched the hearts of all his hearers and made a deep impression on many. The interior of the church was decorated, not only with the season of foliage, but also with beautiful flowers. The choir, with Miss Sarah Precious at the organ, rendered the Christmas service in a very able manner, which showed careful study on the part of all the members. The singing of the old English anthems, too, was excellent.
Family Reunions. Mr. and Mrs. Louise Caisse of Leominster were guests of Mrs. Caisse’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Carkin.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett was the scene on Christmas day of a very pleasant family reunion. In the evening a very interesting musical program was given, the principal feature of which was the impersonation sketch of Albert B. Jones of Worcester. Mr. Jones is a grandson of Mr. Burnett and certainly made a “hit” in his comedian act. He received much applause for his entertainment. Among the guests entertained were: Mr. and Mrs. John H. Jones and daughter Ethel of Worcester; Mr. and Mrs. R. Ernest Longbottom and son William of Arlington Heights; Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett of this village and Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett of Groton.
A very pleasant family reunion was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hanley on Christmas day, the guests form out-of-town being Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Downey and family, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Daly and family; Mr. and Mrs. William Hanley of Marlboro, and Miss Mary Henley, also of Marlboro.
At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Leclere a reunion was held, including the following from out-of-town: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Byron and family of Marlboro; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Leclere of North Chelmsford and little daughter; Mr. and Mrs. John Paquette and family of Nashua, N.H., and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hyde of Ayer.