The Westford Wardsman, December, 1914
Saturday, December 5, 1914
Center. The Edward M. Abbot hose company held their monthly meeting and supper on Wednesday night at the hose house on Boston road. This meeting had been postponed one night in deference to gentlemen’s night in the Tadmuck club the previous evening. The entire company with one exception was present to do justice to the good supper in charge of Mrs. Blodgett. Further plans for the annual ball were discussed. This takes place on December 30 at the town hall and Poole’s orchestra of six pieces will furnish the music.
The Henry M. Wrights, of Quincy, spent the Thanksgiving holidays at H. L. Wright’s.
Wright & Fletcher have finished the improvements in front of their store with wide bay windows at each side of the entrance. This gives more space for goods, more light and is an attractive improvement in every way.
The Ladies’ Aid society of the Congregational church held an all-day sewing meeting on Thursday at the vestry with basket lunch, hot coffee, etc., at noon. It was a pleasant meeting and the members were busy finishing work for their sale and entertainment next week Thursday evening. There will be useful and fancy articles and some attractive dolls, toys, etc., for children. There will be a dramatic entertainment entitled “Gone abroad,” in charge of Mrs. William R. Taylor.
Our local huntsmen did not secure any deer during the open season and it is claimed that none have been seen in the vicinity this season.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fisher and two daughters spent Thanksgiving with Mrs. Fisher’s people in Swampscott [probably her parents, William & Sophie Gardner].
Wedding. One of the prettiest of home weddings took place on Thanksgiving eve at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh A. Ferguson, when their oldest daughter, Edna Lucinda, was united in marriage with William Leslie Woods. The ceremony took place at six o’clock in the evening and was performed by Rev. Williston M. Ford, vicar of St. Andrew’s church, Ayer, using the full Episcopal service. Miss Pauline S. Wallace played the wedding march and Miss Jennie M. Ferguson, the bride’s only sister, acted as bridesmaid, while Harwood L. Wright was Mr. Woods’ best man.
The decorations were of white and yellow chrysanthemums, marguerites and evergreen, the bridal party standing under a wedding arch in a corner of the living room. The bride was beautiful in a white crepe de chine gown with long veil and shower bouquet of white roses. She also wore a beautiful diamond and sapphire platinum pendant, the gift of the groom. The bridesmaid’s dress was of blue silk and the bride’s mother wore black silk. Mr. Woods’ gift to his best man was a handsome stickpin, and Miss Ferguson and Miss Wallace were presented with little finger rings of attractive design.
Owing to the recent illness of Mr. Ferguson the wedding was a quiet one, the only special guests outside the family circle being Rev. David Wallace and family, Mrs. Jennie Fifield [mother of the groom’s first wife, Carrie Elizabeth Fifield, who died Feb. 3, 1911], Mrs. Cooper and Miss Cooper, these last two being special and longtime friends of the bride.
After the wedding ceremony a pleasant reception was held and refreshments were served, the collation being in charge of Mrs. Emily Blodgett. Later the bride and groom departed in the latter’s automobile for an extensive wedding trip to Washington and southern points, and after January 15, will be at home to their friends in their newly-finished home in the Winter Hill section of Somerville. They were the recipients of many beautiful gifts.
Miss Ferguson has been a successful teacher and popular and efficient in musical circles, while Mr. Woods formerly lived in Westford, but for the past two years has been connected with one of the leading produce firms of Boston. Both Mr. Woods and his bride start their new life with hearty good wishes from a wide circle of friends for their happiness and prosperity.
Tadmuck Club. [Part of this column is completely illegible, hence the many ellipses and probably missing words in brackets.] Gentlemen’s night on the Tadmuck club calendar this … was a most … with good weather, a fine … ending with a pleasant social … with refreshments. Mrs. H. [V. Hildret]h, the club president, pre[sided with] grace and spirit, bidding … welcome and presenting [Mr. Norman Rit]chie, cartoonist, for the Boston Post, as the speaker of the [evening] gave a most enjoyable [talk] on his unique branch of … the greatest apparent … because he knew how … the gift and could make … expressive. Mr. Ritchie … many well-known faces of people in the popular limelight, many of whom he had personally met, accompanying his drawings with a most entertaining rapid-fire of comment and anecdotes. He emphasized the need of the cartoonist art of some striking characteristic in a subject as illustrated by Taft’s expansive smile, Roosevelt’s prominent teeth, etc. Later, with the help of his assistant, Mr. Ritchie illustrated on the screen a series of his original cartoons that had appeared from time to time in the Boston Post.
After the entertainment adjournment was made to the parlors where refreshments and a social hour were enjoyed. Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding was the hostess for the evening, assisted by Mrs. Harry B. Prescott and Miss Eva E. Fletcher. Mrs. John P. Wright and Mrs. William C. Roudenbush presided at the coffee urns. Handsome yellow and white chrysanthemums were the decorations for the evening.
The next meeting of the club will be in Library hall on December 15, and will be in charge of the public health committee. A good speaker has been secured, further announcement of which will be given next week.
Special notice was given of the food sale and entertainment on Tuesday, December 8, at the Unitarian parlors. Miss Francis E. Kidder, of Worcester, will give readings, assisted by local talent.
W.C.T.U. The W.C.T.U. entertained its own members, the Ladies’ Aid and Missionary society and the Ladies Alliance of the Unitarian church at the Congregational vestry on Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. Jeanette Wright, the president of the union, presided, and the devotional service was conducted by Mrs. Wallace. Reports of the secretary, in which was entered resolutions on the death of one of the union’s loved members, Mrs. Adelaide M. Seavey, were given, and the usual roll call. Mrs. Blaney and Miss Moreland sang a duet after which the speaker of the afternoon was introduced, Mrs. Clara E. Birdsall, of Newton, who gave a talk on missions and temperance.
Mrs. Birdsall is an experienced city missionary worker and her address dwelt with present day problems affecting the individual, the family and the community and their possible solution. She was a practical, clear-headed speaker and her talk was listened to with a great deal of interest. Afterward Miss Loker presented some plans for helping the war sufferers, supplemented by Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, president of the Tadmuck club, and which will undoubtedly develop into organized effort in the near future.
After the adjournment of the meeting a social hour was enjoyed and a pretty luncheon served in charge of Mrs. Bert Walker, Miss Edith Wright and a number of helpers.
About Town. Mrs. Eva F. Wright has sold her farm on the Tadmuck road to Mrs. Olive H. Loveless. This farm is one of the large fruit and hay farms of the town. It borders on Tadmuck swamp. In the years gone by this swamp was like Aroostook in its yield of potatoes. On this farm bubbleth up the familiar “Mysterious spring” through an opening in a large rock. The farm was familiarly known in the remote years at the Abbot Read[?] farm.
John A. Taylor writes from North Dakota: “Ten degrees below zero.”
Amos Polley has finished his contract for drawing stone for the cellar of W. R. Taylor’s new home and the cellar is well under way. P. Henry Harrington, the favorably and extensively-known contractor, has set the batters for the extension to the old Stony Brook schoolhouse that once was.
Prof. Henry W. Foote, of Harvard university, will conduct the services at the Unitarian church on Sunday. The minister of the church, Rev. Julian R. Pennington, will be absent on a winter vacation of ten days to his former home in the south.
The American Unitarian association has made an appeal to all the Unitarian churches in the United States for contributions to aid the Belgian sufferers. This appeal was read to the First Parish last Sunday with all the necessary information in regard to sending. In accordance with this appeal collections of the necessaries of life will be received at the church on Sunday
There were thirteen McMasters at the John McMaster farm on Thanksgiving
Seth Banister, of Amherst college, spent Thanksgiving at the Banister farm, and Herbert Walkden, of Amherst, spent Thanksgiving at his home at Chamberlain’s Corner.
Miss Belle Walker was a Thanksgiving guest at the Read farm which joins the old Walker homestead by land and walls.
It was whist party night at the McMasters on last Saturday evening, thirty people observing the event. David L. Greig as scorer led everybody in sight. Refreshments, instrumental music and ye old time songs made the evening a merry one.
Charles E. Walker spent Thanksgiving at the home of his sister, Mrs. Clara Littlefield, in Fitchburg.
Bessie E. Gates has sold her farm at Minot’s Corner to Raymond Gates [her son]. This farm has lately had installed a modern system of irrigation which will be used next season, largely in raising strawberries.
Henry Chase has moved from New Hampshire to town, occupying the cottage tenement with Charles Albright at Westford station.
The Hooselander family are tenants of the new cottage recently erected by Henry O. Keyes on Cold Spring road.
Capt. H. W. Wilson, of Carlisle, was in town last week and heading in direct line for the residence of Daniel H. Sheehan, who has much skill as a sawyer, and Wilson has much timber for the sawyer.
Francis. S. Howard, styler for the Pontoosuc mill at Pittsfield, was a weekend guest at the S. L. Taylor house. He and his brother, George Howard, of Bound Brook, N.J., returned to New York on Monday.
Joseph Sergent has been ill at his home on the Chamberlain road, formerly the Edwin E. Heywood place.
West Chelmsford Grange will hold its regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of the month.
A New Freedom. Our new freedom requires as a part of the price of said freedom that a one-cent stamp must be furnished by every farmer selling milk and accompanying the goods to market. The farmer making one can of milk would be required to pay a cent to the U.S. government; should he make a carload it would require only a one-cent stamp. The government wants money but they don’t seem to have got the cue to equity. Frank Pope, in his recent bright address at the Pomona Grange said that the state board of health visited his modern farm in the morning and ordered certain changes in the afternoon. The Boston board of health visited his farm and ordered more change. The next day the Bureau of Animal Industry visited the farm and ordered more changes. In the afternoon the local inspector made a visit and suggested still more changes.
Mr. Pope said in figuring up the cost of all these changes he found if he sold all his cows and horses and threw in part of his household furniture he would have very near enough to make these changes. The Stony Brook farmers and others have had notice from the Somerville board of health that an official inspector is headed this way. Boston, Lowell and the state have all issued orders. Between all these upper and nether stones the farmer is fast becoming invisible in the milk industry.
Funeral. Mrs. David L. Greig has the sympathy of her friends in the loss of her brother, Robert E. Jeffroy, who died in West Chelmsford on Monday morning, November 23. Out of a family of ten children he is the third to pass beyond. Mr. Jeffroy was born in West Chelmsford sixty-one years ago and was educated in the public schools of the town. For thirty-five years he had been a loyal member of the First Congregational church. In 1877 [Feb. 28, 1878] he married Miss Emma Stowell of Lowell, who survives him. Four brothers and three sisters remain. He was a familiar figure in the village and was highly respected by the townspeople. The funeral was held on last week Wednesday at two o’clock from his late home and was conducted by Rev. E. Leese, pastor of the Methodist church, who spoke helpful words of sympathy. The bearers were A. C. Morrison, E. E. Mansur, Arthur Edwards and David L. Greig. Surrounded by the beautiful flowers sent by friends and relatives he was laid to rest in the family lot in the West Chelmsford cemetery. David L. Greig & Son had charge of the funeral.
Graniteville. Business appears to be good with the C. G. Sargent Sons’ Corporation here. All departments are working full time and the firm is now having the foundation laid for an additional building to their plant that will be erected at once. J. A. Healy has the contract for the foundation work.
The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church held a very successful entertainment in the church on last Thursday evening that was largely attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The program included interesting readings by Lillian Dodge Haskell, of Lowell; singing, ladies’ quartet of Littleton, assisted by Clifford Shedd, baritone soloist; Miss Moulton, of Lowell, pianist, and Russell Fox, organist. The whole affair was a great social and financial success and the Ladies’ Aid is to be congratulated in providing such a fine entertainment.
Miss Lillian Mae Moran has recently returned to her home after spending the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. John V. Downing in Montague City.
Many people from this village attended the gentlemen’s night entertainment given under the direction of the Tadmuck club that was held in the Congregational church in Westford on last Tuesday night.
The young people are lamenting on the change of the weather whereby the snow and ice has disappeared and incidentally the skating and coasting has gone too.
The members of Court Graniteville, F. of A., held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on Thursday night with Joseph Wall, chief ranger, in the chair. Much business of importance was transacted, two candidates were initiated and several applications for membership were received.
Several people in this village are busy knitting various articles of wearing apparel to be sent to the foreign soldiers now fighting at the front. Any person who would like to help in this good work can get full information by getting into communication with Mrs. Henry Smith of Graniteville.
Forge Village. Mrs. Mary A. Lowther [nee Mary Ann Adams, widow of Patrick Lowther] celebrated her eightieth birthday [Nov. 30] quietly with her family last week at her home on Bradford street. Flowers, gifts and cards were sent her by many friends and relatives. Mrs. Lowther at present is enjoying good health and regularly assists with the household duties. She is a great reader and her most pleasant moments are spent with her books.
Rev. Sherrard Billings, of Groton School, officiated at the services in St. Andrew’s mission last Sunday afternoon. He delivered an eloquent sermon on the war in Europe to a very large congregation. Mr. Billings’ visit here is always looked forward to by the parishioners and friends of St. Andrew’s church and on the occasion the little chapel was filled to its utmost.
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett, with their little son Leonard, were guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hennessey, of Lowell, on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. William Daly and little daughter Rose, of Somerville, were guests of their aunt, Mrs. James Sullivan, last Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blodgett, of Groton road, held a family gathering at their home on Thanksgiving day, fifteen sitting down to dinner.
Thanksgiving day was observed very quietly in this village. A service of thanks was held at St. Andrew’s mission in the afternoon at 3:30, Rev. Williston M. Ford officiating.
The mills of Abbot & Company opened for work on Monday after the Thanksgiving vacation.
Cameron school reopened Monday morning after the holidays.
The choir of St. Andrew’s mission [illegible] at St. Mark’s Episcopal church, Leominster, on last Sunday. At the conclusion of the services [illegible] was served to them [illegible] Rev. Thomas L. Fisher accompanied by Mrs. Fisher and the ladies of the parish.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bennett and family has returned from Stafford Springs, Conn., where they went to attend the funeral of Mrs. Bennett’s mother, Mrs. Vickers.
Abbot & Company are furnishing wool to all who make application for it, to be used in knitting scarfs [sic], bands, socks and other articles for the use of the Allies fighting in the war in Europe. A large amount of this work is being done by women and girls in this village and already one large shipment is on its way to France, sent through the Daughters of the Empire of New York city. Abdominal belts and gloves are needed mostly at present and it is hoped that a number of these articles will be knitted and sent in the next shipment.
Mr. and Mrs. V. C. Bruce Wetmore and C. Ingliss Wetmore were entertained at dinner Tuesday night at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. Curtiss of Boston. Mrs. Wetmore also attended a luncheon given in her honor at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hanson Savage of Cohasset.
Excellent skating has been enjoyed by the younger set on the small ponds. However, owing to the warm weather of the past few days, the ice has melted in many places.
Mr. and Mrs. James Sullivan spent Thanksgiving at the home of Mr. Sullivan’s sister and brother, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Healy of Graniteville.
The Sunshine Club will give a social dance at Abbot’s hall on Friday evening, December 18. Music by Crescent orchestra. Dancing from eight until twelve.
Saturday, December 12, 1914
Center. Pleasant word has been received from the Misses Atwood from Jacksonville, Fla., telling of their safe arrival and of getting nicely settled for the winter. This makes their third winter spent at Jacksonville.
Chas. Roby, employed at the Cadman farm, is going about with his arm in a sling, having broken one of the bones in the wrist while at work.
Mrs. Pliny E. Kidder and Miss Frances E. Kidder of Worcester were guests the first of this week of Mrs. Harold W. Hildreth.
Miss Pauline Wallace, who is a student at Boston university, spent last Sunday with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Tarleton at their new home in West Somerville.
The next meeting of the Tadmuck club Tuesday, December 15, will be at its usual place of meeting in library hall at 2:30. The meeting is in charge of the committee on public health and Mrs. Chas. O. Tyler of Abington, chairman of the state federation public health department will be present and give an address.
The ice storm of Monday night made hard traveling for man and beast. The carmen got the electric car track clear as early as possible, but the car got off the tracks at Brookside and anything like schedule time was impossible until afternoon. The bare tree branches with their coating of ice presented a beautiful appearance. It did not take Young America long to find out that in lieu of well frozen ponds the hard ice crust made pretty good skating and some excellent sport was enjoyed.
The C.E. society of the Congregational church held a meeting on Wednesday evening to take steps for forming both a senior and junior department. Last week Friday evening they had an entertainment at the vestry. A short play entitled “Special delivery” was given in which the following young people took part: George Perkins, Alvah Judd, Rachael Wallace and Alfred and Bertram Sutherland. The play was followed by games and a social time. The Boy Scouts are also planning a dramatic entertainment to be given later.
Two barrels and a box of vegetables and apples were sent from the Frost school last week to the Children’s Mission and the Welcome House in Boston. This week the pupils start their lessons in sewing and the punched brass work.
A chimney fire at John M. Fletcher’s [4 Lincoln St.] called the attention of the members of the hose company on Wednesday evening. After two extinguishers had been emptied down the chimney it was cleaned of soot by passing a rope back and forth down the chimney with a bunch of potato sacks tied in the middle, a stone being tied to the lower end of the rope to guide it down. The icy condition of out doors rendered work dangerous as shown by the slipping of a ladder under Albert Heywood, giving him a fall from the piazza roof. Beyond a cut lip and a bad shaking up he seemed all right, but is far from anxious for another such fall.
The joint auction of Perley E. Wright and George E. Gould took place on Wednesday and there was a good attendance, considering the weather and travelling and things are reported selling at pretty good prices on the whole. No live stock was sold on account of the quarantine for foot and mouth epidemic. Mr. Gould had a refreshment booth and sold lunches during the day. Mr. and Mrs. Wright started moving into their new village home [7 Depot St., purchased from George E. Gould] the last of this week.
Albert W. Heywood was more seriously injured at the chimney fire at John M. Fletcher’s Wednesday night than at first appeared. Dr. Blaney, who was at hand, rendered first aid then took him to his office where an examination disclosed two broken ribs caused by striking against the piazza rail when the ladder slipped. The cut on his lip required three stitches. Mr. Heywood will probably be two or three weeks getting back to normal and in the meantime the State Firemen’s Relief association, of which he is a member, has been notified.
Food Sale. The food sale and entertainment at the Unitarian church parlors under the auspices of the literary and library extension committee of the Tadmuck club on Tuesday afternoon proved successful and enjoyable. In spite of the bad weather a good number were present and there was a good array of choice home-cooked food.
The entertainment consisted of musical numbers by home talent and a group of readings by Miss Frances E. Kidder, of Worcester. Miss Kidder is a teacher of expression in the Virgil Pianoforte school in her home city and thoroughly understands her art of sympathetic interpretation of any chosen author’s selection. She gave the following charming group: “The quiet hour” by Booth Tarkington, “The morning call,” Paul Lawrence Dunbar, “The village oracle” and “The school committee man” by Joseph Lincoln, “The man in the moon” by James Whitcomb Riley and “The judgment day” by Edwin Vance King. Miss Hazel Hartford played a piano solo and there were vocal duets by Mrs. C. A. Blaney and Miss Adrith Carter, with Miss Hartford at the piano
About seventeen dollars was realized by the affair which was in charge of Mrs. Harold W. Hildreth, Mrs. William C Roudenbush and Mrs. John Feeney.
School Entertainment. The entertainment of folk dances and two historical sketches given by the pupils of the Frost school at the town hall on last week Friday afternoon was most successful. Miss Edith Forster was the teacher who had the affair especially in charge and the result reflected the greatest credit upon her training. The proceeds go toward paying for the new Victrola recently purchased for the school. All the schools were dismissed at noon and there were teachers and others from Graniteville, Forge Village and Parkerville. Frank H. Hill, superintendent of schools, and several teachers were present from Littleton. The folk dances were given in a cleared space on the floor of the hall and were in good time and were most attractive to the interested parents and friends.
“A dream of the centuries” and “The wings of the minuet” were the two sketches given. The costumes were effective and there were pretty decorations. The new Victrola was used in a number of selections, as well as for music for the dancing. Following is the program: Greeting, “Danish dance,” “Ma’s little pigs,” grades 1 and 2; “I see you,” “Swedish Klapp,” grades 3 and 4; “Ace of diamonds,” “Reap the flax,” grades 5 and 6; “Mountain march,” “Norwegian shoemaker” and “Ox Cansen Swedish,” grades 7 and 8.
About Town. The icy condition Tuesday caused many to slip in ways they were not intending to go. The early electric car, which was only nine o’clock early from Westford to Brookside, slipped off the rails at Brookside and spent all the rest of the day until four o’clock in the afternoon in an effort to slip onto the rails again. The evening five and six o’clock cars were on time.
Owing to the heavy weight of ice and the swaying of the wind the telephone wire that connects the Old Oaken Bucket farm with “elsewhere” was found on Tuesday morning to have four ends to it, one in the house two on the lawn, and one “elsewhere.” Lowell central was notified and before evening it was back to “hello” again.
At the meeting of Westford Grange on last week Thursday evening the following officers were elected for the year 1915: William J. Rafter, m.; Mrs. Sidney B. Wright, o.; Mrs. Josephine Prescott, lec.; Clyde Prescott, stew.; Frank T. Johnson, asst. stew.; Mrs. J. Henry Colburn, l.a.s.; Rev. David Wallace, chap.; Edward Clement, g.k.; Grace Robinson, Ceres; Mrs. Albert Streeter, Pomona; Maud Robinson, Flora; Alonzo H. Sutherland, treas.; Mrs. Auvilla Wright, sec.; William R. Taylor, ex. com. 3 yrs. Master-elect Rafter was elected as delegate to the State Grange meeting and Mrs. Sidney B. Wright was chosen as alternate. The meeting on Thursday evening December 17, will be in charge of the past masters, who are preparing the program.
Edward Murphy, of Lowell, has sold part of the Flushing pond farm to Joseph Loiselle, of Lowell. This has a frontage on Flushing and Long-Sought ponds and Groton road.
On last week Wednesday evening the railroad station at Brookside was entered but nothing was taken, because nothing from nothing leaves a like amount. Some think it was a thief, but hardly. Call it the act of some misguided person, it would be more in harmony with our modern humaneness towards error. On the same evening some individual or some other misguided [person] broke into Westford station and secured a like amount. Every so often someone gets misguided and enters these stations without getting permission of the owner.
At the monthly meeting of Middlesex North Pomona Grange last week Friday, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Charles A. Wright, Billerica, m.; Warren A. Sherburne, Tyngsboro, o.; Bert A. Clough, Dracut, stew.; Frank A. Haynes, Tewksbury, asst. stew.; Mrs. Margaret Sarre, Lowell, l.a.s.; Mrs. Alice Colburn, Dracut, chap.; Mrs. Lulu Hutchins, Billerica, sec.; Norman L. Peavey, Dracut, treas.; Mrs. Nettie O. Wilson, Carlisle, lec.; Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, Westford, Ceres; Mrs. Charles A. Wright, Billerica, Pomona; Mrs. Frank J. Spalding, Chelmsford, Flora, Walter S. Holder, Chelmsford, g.k.; Alonzo H Sutherland, Westford, ex. com. 3 yrs. The afternoon session was open to the public and a very enjoyable program was given.
A collection was taken up at the Unitarian church last Sunday for the Belgians. The collections, other than cash, will be kept open until Sunday. This class of contributions can be brought to the vestry at that time.
Graniteville. Mrs. Julia Raymond, of Tyngsboro, has been a recent visitor here.
Mr. and Mrs. P. Henry Harrington have recently returned from a brief visit spent with friends in Boston.
William Casey, of Salem, visited friends here recently.
Miss Mary Rafferty who has spent the past few months in Woodstock, Vt., has recently returned to her home in West Graniteville.
The choirs in the different churches are busy rehearsing special music for Christmas.
Mrs. A. E. Kernahan, wife of the pastor of the M.E. church, is ill with diphtheria. Mr. Kernahan is under quarantine also.
The members of Cameron Circle, C.F. of A., held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on Tuesday night.
The member of Court Graniteville, F. of A., will hold their last meeting of the present year on Thursday, December 17. As the election of officers will take place at that time it is expected that a large number will be present.
Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Blanchard have recently had electric lights installed in their cosy home in West Graniteville.
Mrs. James H. Payne, secretary of the Larkin club of ten, held a formal lunch at her home on Monday afternoon that was attended by the club members and other invited guests. A delightful lunch was served with Mrs. Payne as hostess. She was ably assisted in attending to the wants of her guests by Miss Rebecca LeDuc.
Although Christmas is not here it appears that Santa Claus has already arrived. One popular young lady here has recently received a diamond and it would not be at all surprising if the wedding bells should ring shortly after the holiday season.
The storm of Monday night had left the streets in such a slippery condition on Tuesday that several of the youngsters had a fine time skating along the streets and sidewalks.
Mrs. Julia B. Wall, grand trustee of the Companions of the Forest of America, attended a meeting of the E.C. held at the American house, Boston, on last Saturday.
Forge Village. While collecting swill last Wednesday John Boyd [age 14] and young Carpenter of Graniteville became the victims of a lively runaway accident. In turning the corner by the barn of the Abbot & Co., the horse bolted and both youngsters were thrown out. Boyd was taken to the office of Abbot & Co., where he had medical treatment. Carpenter, who drove the wagon, escaped with a few bruises.
Robert McArdell, of Manchester, N.H., was the guest of his son and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett, on Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. Carroll and two children have moved into the new house on Pine street owned by P. H. Harrington of Graniteville. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll formerly occupied the old Daniel Hayden farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph MacDonald gave a birthday party on Friday evening of last week at their home in honor of the fifteenth birthday anniversary of their daughter Mary. A most enjoyable evening was spent. A dainty luncheon was served and games were enjoyed. The young hostess was the recipient of many pretty presents, including a gold locket and chain from her mother.
The Ladies’ Sewing Circle held their regular meeting in Recreation hall on Thursday afternoon. Mrs. Crocker, of Philadelphia, Pa., spoke on work among the Indians in Wyoming.
The services of St. Andrew’s mission on last Sunday were conducted by Rev. Williston M. Ford, rector. Mr. Ford announced that the Christmas tree exercises would take place on December 16. Owing to other features there will be no special exercises by the children other than singing. Mr. Ford will give an illustrated lecture after which Santa Claus will distribute gifts to all faithful Sunday school children.
The Christmas cantata, “Santa’s surprise,” will be given in Abbot hall on December 17, by the pupils of Cameron school. Miss Mary B. Raynes, music supervisor, is training the children in their different parts. The cantata is very pleasing and includes solos, duets and choruses. The children’s costumes will be an important part of the program. The Christmas tree and the exchanging of gifts will mark the closing of the fall term.
Those who contributed toward the seventy-two dollars sent to Mrs. Richardson, of Lowell, to be used in the purchase of handkerchiefs for the allied armies in the European war, will be interested to learn that 210 handkerchiefs have been bought and are now on the way to London in care of Lady Paget.
Saturday, December 19, 1914
Center. Mrs. Fred L. Snow, who formerly lived in North Westford, and who moved to Tyngsboro about two years ago, is convalescing from a very serious attack of typhoid fever. Earlier in the season Mr. Snow was sick with the same disease.
Albert Heywood is resting comfortably from the effects of the fall last week at the John M. Fletcher chimney fire, but it was a pretty severe shaking up that he received.
A little son [Richard O. Wells] was born to Dr. and Mrs. O. V. Wells on Tuesday [Dec. 15, 1914] of this week.
Mrs. L. W. Wheeler was a guest of Mrs. Edward Dickinson at her home in Billerica on Thursday of this week and was in attendance at presidents’ day of the Billerica Nineteen Hundred club, representing the Tadmuck club.
The annual firemen’s ball scheduled for December 30, at the town hall, with Poole’s orchestra, is to be one of the attractive social events of the winter season.
There will be special Christmas music at the churches on Sunday.
The sale and entertainment at the Congregational vestry on last week Thursday evening proved successful, bringing out a good attendance. There were sales tables for useful and fancy articles and a table for the children with dolls and toys. Those in charge of the tables were Mrs. John P. Wright, Mrs. William C. Roudenbush, Mrs. Alfred W. Hartford and Mrs. Walter J. Merritt. Ice cream and cake were on sale and were in charge of Mrs. J. E. Knight and Mrs. Phonsie Isles. The entertainment, under the direction of Mrs. William R. Taylor, consisted of a dramatic skit entitled “Gone abroad,” acted by Mrs. George A. Walker, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, Mrs. William R. Taylor and Mrs. Bert Walker. There were solos by Mrs. C. A. Blaney and Miss Marion Moreland. The vestry was prettily trimmed with evergreen and red crepe paper.
The recently renovated stereopticon changed to work by electricity at the Congregational church proved very successful last Sunday evening when the pastor gave a lecture on “Missions in Madura.” The numerous pictures were very clear and some of them very beautiful. There was a special music by the chorus choir in charge of Mrs. Charles H. Wright, with violin obbligato by Bert Walker.
A very enjoyable musicale was given at the home of Misses Gertrude and Julia Fletcher on Wednesday evening when the opera [Il] Trovatore was read and as many of the selections as possible given on the Victrola. Notwithstanding it is the busy Christmas season the musicale was well attended and proved very enjoyable to all lovers of good music. This was given under the auspices of the music committee of the Tadmuck club.
A Senior society of the young people of the Congregational church has been organized with [the] following officers and committees: Leonard Burland, pres.; Grace Robinson, vice-pres.; Mabel Prescott, sec.; Edna Day, treas. Committees—Harry Ericson, social; Mrs. Wallace, lookout; Miss Moreland, music; Martha Symmes, missionary. Meetings will be held every Wednesday evening at 7:30.
Tadmuck Club. The meeting of the Tadmuck club on Tuesday afternoon was back in its regular quarters at Library hall after a series of festive meetings at the Congregational church. Records of these previous meetings were given by the secretary and Mrs. Hammet D. Wright reported the fall meeting of the State Federation at Norwell which she attended, and Mrs. Cyril A. Blaney reported the presidents’ conference at the recent food fair in Boston.
The program for the afternoon was in charge of the public health department of the club and Mrs. Charles O. Tyler of Arlington, chairman of the state federation public health department was the speaker of the afternoon. Mrs. Tyler possessed a cordial, frank personality and her address was full of interest, covering many vital sub-topics. Her plea for better nourished bodies, good air, dental and optical efficiency, freedom from adenoids and cleanliness, especially among school children, was well outlined as was better social and mental hygiene and the work of the open-air schools and the Anti-tuberculosis league.
Special attention was called to the next meeting, January 5, when David J. Hickey, who spoke so efficiently before the club last season, will give his lecture, “The fool and his money.”
The club has now reached its limit of one hundred members and a waiting list, and the executive committee proposed the following amendment to be acted upon at the next meeting: That Article 2, Section 2 of the By-Laws, which reads “The number of members shall be limited to one hundred” be struck out entirely, and that sections 3 and 4 of the by-laws shall be numbered respectively 2 and 3.
About Town. Rev. Charles L. Skinner, of Auburndale, has bought the Charles W. Reed farm on the Boston and Littleton road. He has retired as minister and is ready to attire as a farmer.
John A. Taylor, of North Dakota, acknowledges the incoming of a barrel of apples from the Old Oaken Bucket farm. They were shipped by fast freight and were only six weeks in reaching their destination. The weather in North Dakota had been ten below zero, but got better before any fast freight arrived.
Brookside mills have shut down for want of something to do. They have been on a steady go for a year or more and this close down has been expected to be due about this time.
Westford Grange was represented officially at the State Grange by William J. Rafter, master-elect and Mrs. Josephine Prescott, lecturer-elect. Others who went were Mrs. Sidney B. Wright, overseer-elect., W. M. Wright, Charles A. Robey. Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo H. Sutherland represented Middlesex-North Pomona Grange.
At a meeting of the new West Chelmsford Grange last week Thursday evening at Historical hall, the following officers were elected for the year 1915: Samuel Naylor, m.; Mrs. Florence Saxon, o.; James Peck, stew.; Justin Jenkins, asst. stew.; Mrs. James Peck, l.a.s.; Mrs. Olin Johnson, lec.; Mrs. Samuel Naylor, chap.; Charles S. Edwards, sec.; William Cole, treas.; Frank A. Edwards, g.k.; Esther Reid, Ceres; Bernice Brown, Pomona; Ellen Nelson, Flora; Mrs. A. Robarge, Mrs. Charles Byard, Miss Eva Carlson, ex. com. The next meeting will be held on the second Thursday evening in January. The meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of the month. It was decided to omit the next meeting which would fall on December 24.
The James Raphson family, living in the John H. Decatur cottage on the Lowell road, moved to Lowell on last Saturday.
Part of the Bartlett family at Brookside have moved to Manchester, N.H., where they have secured work. This is the result of the dullness at the Brookside mills.
The ice continueth and slipping, slewing down around continueth, and well water continueth its vacation. The Stony Brook driven well is the neighborhood reliability. Not for forty years has the well shortage been so clear gone. Well what are we going to do about the well? Wait until Dr. Nature administers a sufficient shower bath.
We are pleased to hear that Herford N. Elliott was elected on the school board at the recent election in Lowell. He has been part of the summer contingent in Westford, living with his father, Thomas Elliott, at the summer home in the Nashobah district. His brother, Robert Elliott, has just completed a fine summer home with a commanding view on some land he bought of Miss Ella Hildreth.
Graniteville. The children of the Sunday school of St. Catherine’s church will present an unusually interesting program at the Christmas tree exercises to be given this year. Miss Catherine Conley, who so successfully arranged similar affairs for the church in the past, will have general charge this year, and the children are now busy rehearsing for this important event.
Excellent skating and coasting has been enjoyed here during the past week and the older persons appeared to enter into the spirit of the fun fully as much as the younger element.
L. [Levi] S. Gilson, who was injured by falling on the ice here last week, is able to resume his usual duties as engineer at the mill of the Abbot Worsted Company.
There were several minor accidents here as a result of the icy condition of the streets last week, but nothing of a serious nature resulted.
A daughter [Alice C. Healy] was born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Healy on Thursday, December 16 [Dec. 10, per the 1914 Westford Town Report].
Miss Fay Anthony of Marblehead has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Dudevoir.
Miss Anna Denahy, of Groton, has been spending the past few days with Mr. and Mrs. James B. Healy.
The children of the Sargent school held a very interesting program of Christmas exercises at the school building on Friday afternoon of last week that was well presented and thoroughly enjoyed by the large number of parents and friends of the children who were present on this joyous occasion. The teachers should certainly be commended for the excellent manner in which they drilled the children for the different parts. The school closed on Friday for the annual two weeks’ Christmas vacation.
The members of Court Graniteville F. of A. held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on Thursday night with Joseph Wall, chief ranger, in the chair. Business of importance was transacted and officers elected for the ensuing year. After the meeting a very enjoyable “smoker” was held during which a fine entertainment was given, followed by a supper.
Albert Heywood, who was injured by falling from a piazza while fighting fire in Westford last week, is still confined to his home in the Center as a result of the accident, and his many friends here are sincerely hoping for his speedy and complete recovery.
Both masses in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday were celebrated by Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, who delivered strong and forceful sermons at both masses. After the second mass a well attended and interesting meeting of the Holy Name society was held with John F. Kavanaugh presiding. This being the last meeting of the year considerable business of importance was transacted and officers elected for the coming year. The following were re-elected and will serve for the year 1915. John F. Kavanaugh, pres.; James H. O’Brien, fin. sec.; A. R. Wall, rec. sec.; J. A. Healy, treas. The next meeting will be held on the second Sunday in January, when the officers will be installed.
Saturday, December 26, 1914
Center. Merry Christmas and happy new year to the readers of the column.
Miss Jeanette Sutherland and W. H. Christie were in town on Sunday calling on friends.
Miss Edith Forster was an over Sunday guest with friends in Dorchester.
Miss Clara Smith is spending the Christmas school vacation with Hopedale relatives.
Miss Bernice Keith, of Milford, N.H., was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Cutter on Sunday.
George T. Day has been pretty much confined to the house since the setting in of cold weather.
Pleasant word comes from Mrs. Morin and Miss Mary Morin, spending the winter in California, in which accounts oranges and roses play their part. Miss Morin is in much demand at her chosen work of nursing.
The H. V. Hildreths [Herbert Victor] and H. W. [Harold William] Hildreths go to spend Christmas with the Malden relatives.
Harwood L. Wright is spending Christmas with the Henry M. Wrights in Quincy.
Misses Pauline Wallace, Marjory Seavey, Gertrude Hamlin, Evelyn Hamlin and Lillian Sutherland are among the young people at home for the Christmas holidays.
Among those entertaining large family groups of relatives and friends for the holiday are the O. [Oscar] R. Spaldings, A. [Alfred] W. Hartfords, S.[Sebastian] B. Watsons and Charles L. Hildreths.
Rev and Mrs. David Wallace and daughters went to Lunenburg to spend Christmas with friends.
The academy pupils are having one week of vacation and the Frost school pupils two. At the latter school last week Friday the regular closing exercises took place with music, declamations, etc.
Mrs. Lillian Lumbert is enjoying her Christmas with her daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Keeney, in Brookline.
Members of the Tadmuck club are reminded of the first meeting of the year, January 5, at Library hall, when David G. Hickey will give his lecture “The fool and his money.”
Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth, Miss Eva E. Fletcher and Misses Gertrude and Julia Fletcher were luncheon guests of Mrs. Mabel Whitney Wright at her home in Brookline on Thursday of last week.
The faithful R.F.D. men who have to work so hard to help others’ Christmas observances, will have new year’s day to themselves. No mail will be delivered on that day. The newly located postoffice has been one busy place this week. With its pretty Christmas wreaths, streamers of evergreen and bright red bows and its efficient service it has been an attractive place to get one’s Christmas mail.
Our residents are reminded that the financial year for the town closes December 31, one month earlier than in former years.
The storm on Monday was not very severe, but gave a real winter outlook to out-of-doors. The car tracks gathered sufficient bulk of snow during the forenoon to make hard work for the carmen during the first part of the afternoon, after which schedule time was maintained.
The fish and game commission have issued orders closing Forge pond for a period [of] three years to all fishermen. This pond has been an attractive place for fishing by the summer colony and others and is pretty well depleted. It has been restocked by the commission with the foregoing orders.
Congregational Church. At the Congregational church last Sunday special and appropriate services were held morning and evening. In the morning the pastor’s sermon was an able and original discourse entitled “The Christmas truce,” and drawn from present conditions among Europe’s warring nations. The girls’ vested choir of fifteen under the direction of Mrs. William R. Taylor, with Miss Hazel B. Hartford, organist, rendered a fine musical service. Mrs. Charles D. Colburn sang a beautiful offertory solo. There were pretty decorations of evergreen, ferns and red carnations.
In the evening Mr. Wallace’s message was “The Messiah,” and the young people’s chorus choir with Mrs. Charles H. Wright as leader gave a good praise service. Sunday evening a special program of Christmas music will be given in charge of Mrs. Wright. The new male quartet, consisting of A. E. Day, J. H. Colburn, Leonard Burland and Harry Ericson will sing.
Thursday evening the Sunday school had its special good time beginning with a supper, followed by the Christmas tree and a general good time. This was in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Osgood and other Sunday school workers.
About Town. Past masters’ night was observed by Westford Grange at the last meeting and passed off entertainingly. J. W. Rafter, master-elect, and Mrs. Josephine Prescott, lecturer-elect, responded with reports of the State Grange meeting held in Worcester. The retiring lecturer, Mrs. A. H. Sutherland, was given a rising vote of thanks for her efforts to make the lecturer’s hour successful. A past master’s pin was bestowed upon the retiring master, W. R. Taylor. Vacancies in office were filled by electing Mrs. Arthur T. Blodgett, Flora; Mrs. Ryan, Ceres, and Miss Martha Grant, Pomona. The newly-elected officers will be installed by W. M. Wright, past master, Thursday evening, January 7.
The next meeting of Middlesex-North Pomona Grange will be held in Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell, Friday, January 1. The forenoon will be given over to the discussion of an important question not yet worded up. The afternoon session will be an open one, at which time the newly-elected officers will be installed.
The Parker village school celebrated Christmas with tree, presents and a fine literary program under the management of the efficient teacher, Miss Myrtle W. Fletcher, of Littleton.
Glad to hear from V.T.E. again and to learn that wounded or otherwise he always is ready for action and opinions like a verdant oasis in the Sahara desert.
Samuel Naylor, of West Chelmsford, slipped on the ice at his summer camp at Knopp’s pond, Groton, Sunday, receiving a sudden and general shaking up, with special emphasis on the back. Owing to the back he is not liable to get to the front for several weeks as an expert travelling salesman, the occupation that he has been engaged in for many years. A closeby friendly auto brought him to his home, where he is resting with comfort and pain.
Graniteville. At a meeting of the members of Court Graniteville, F. of A., held in their rooms on last week Thursday night, the following officers were duly elected for the ensuing term: Chas. E. Pope, c.r.; George Gower, s.c.; P. Henry Harrington, treas.; John Spinner, fin. sec.; Albert R. Wall, rec. sec.; Anthony Piviratto, s.w.; Charles Eaton, j.w.; Fred M. Defoe, s.b.; James H. Payne, j.b.; Thomas E. Denio, trustee; F. G. Sullivan, lec.; Dr. W. H. Sherman, physician. After the meeting a good, substantial baked bean supper was served and it goes without saying that this was thoroughly enjoyed. The cooking was excellently done by Miss Lottie York, and the members of the entertainment committee served as waiters. After supper an enjoyable smoker was held. The whole affair was a great success and proved to be very enjoyable to all.
A chimney fire at the home of Mrs. Rose Hemen caused considerable excitement here on last Saturday morning, but prompt work on the part of the Abbot Worsted Company volunteer [fire] department, F. G. Sullivan and others soon put the fire under control without calling out the regular fire company. The damage was small, covered by insurance.
A daughter [Ruth A. Carpenter] was born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Carpenter on Thursday, December 17.
The Christmas tree exercises were held in St. Catherine’s church on Wednesday evening. The exercises in the M.E. church were held on Thursday evening.
Miss Gertrude and Miss Mabel Loftus, of Lowell, have been recent visitors here.
Forge Village. The Sunday school children of St. Andrew’s mission held their annual Christmas tree exercises in Recreation hall on last Wednesday evening. Previous to the arrival of Santa Claus an illustrated lecture was given by Rev. Williston M. Ford which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. A well laden tree of presents was quickly disposed of and all faithful children were well rewarded.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Cockroft, of Ware, are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. William Hunt over the holidays.
Cameron school closed on Friday of last week for the Christmas vacation and will reopen on January 4.
Mr. and Mrs. John Morton, of Lowell, are rejoicing over the arrival of a little daughter [Helen Rosella Morton, born Dec. 18, 1914] at their home. Mrs. Morton was formerly Miss Rose Northrup of this village.
Many from this village attended the Christmas tree exercises held at St. Catherine’s church in Graniteville on Wednesday evening. A very fine program was carried out and all the children received a pretty gift from Santa Claus, impersonated by Joseph Wall.
Miss Ethel Collins is entertaining her cousin, Miss Lillian Bailey, of Lowell.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bennett and family have returned from Stafford Springs, Conn., where they went to attend the funeral of Mrs. Bennett’s mother, Mrs. Vickers.
Through the courtesy of the Abbot Worsted Company a most enjoyable affair was held in Abbot hall on Monday afternoon. A Christmas tree laden with gifts was the center of attraction and Santa Claus was in readiness to distribute. Among those present were Mrs. Julian Cameron, and children, the Misses Eleanor and Marjorie Cameron of Westford, and Mrs. John C. Abbot of Westford. Daisy Precious accompanied the singers.
Fine Work by the Children. “Santa’s surprise,” a Christmas cantata, was given in Abbot hall on last week Thursday night by the pupils of Cameron school. The affair proved to be one of the most delightful and successful of any ever given here and the hall was packed to its utmost capacity. The program opened at seven o’clock with “I’m a jolly old Santa,” by John Kelly [?], who impersonated Santa Claus and was very ably rendered. William Cavanaugh and John Venno were also heard in some fine solos which merited loud applause. The chorus work by the school in the Christmas carols was executed in an excellent manner. A most enjoyable part of the performance was the folk dance by the little tots. The dance of greeting and Danish folk dance given by Miss Pyne’s first grade, and the Klapp [?] dance and Swedish folk dance by Miss Blaisdell’s second and third grades showed careful training and both teachers deserve praise for the work done.
The Christmas trees, very prettily arranged, occupied prominent places on the stage. The musical supervisor, Miss Mary B. Raynes, together with the other teachers, are to be congratulated on the concert as it was certainly the best children’s concert ever given here. The efficient pianist at the cantata was Miss Edith Spinner. The proceeds of the affair will be used to purchase records for the Victrola recently purchased for the school.
Among the out-of-town people who attended the cantata were noticed Arthur Day of the school committee and Mrs. Day, Mr. and Mrs. Gunther, Miss Edith Forster of the William E. Frost school in Westford, and a number of the children, Supt. Frank H. Hill and Mrs. Hill of Littleton, Miss Mildred Brennan, supervisor of music in the schools of Pepperell, and her mother, Mrs. Brennan, of Lowell, Mrs. Garvey, Misses Rose Garvey and Gertrude Quigley of North Chelmsford and others.
Ayer
District Court
James Broncho [Browcko?], of Westford, was arraigned on Monday morning on complaints for disturbing the peace, drunkenness and breaking glass. He was found guilty on all three complaints. On each of the charges of disturbing the peace and breaking glass he was fined five dollars, and the drunkenness complaint was filed.
Anton Tarasinich [Tarasewicz?], of Westford, was found not guilty of breaking glass and disturbing the peace and was discharged.