The Westford Wardsman, December 7, 1918
Center. Alfred Tuttle has had a new telephone installed at his home this week—37-4.
Miss Anstrice Flanders had the misfortune to fall at her home one day this week and break her arm.
The members of the Grange are planning a public entertainment for next week Thursday evening—a peace celebration, by the members. There are to be tableaux, music, and Mrs. Belle Harrington Hall, of Lowell, is to be present and entertain with readings. An entertaining evening is being planned for and a good response by the public is looked for.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher entertained at their home for Thanksgiving dinner John M. Fletcher, Miss Eva E. Fletcher, also, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Buchold and Miss Amy Buchold, of Weston.
The dancing party during the week of the holiday Friday evening of last week, was well attended and much enjoyed by the younger set. There was good music and ice cream was served at intermission.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Wright, of Quincy, spent the Thanksgiving vacation at H. L. Wright’s.
The Misses Sarah, Lillian and May Atwood go this week for their usual winter stay in Florida.
The Donald M. Camerons closed the Cameron homestead before Thanksgiving and returned to their home in Lowell for the winter.
Rev. and Mrs. O. L. Brownsey moved from Northridge Center, Wednesday, and on Thursday were getting settled at the parsonage. Mr. Brownsey will occupy his new pulpit on Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Day entertained Mr. and Mrs. Brownsey at their home while the parsonage was being made ready for occupancy.
Misses Frances and Alice Wright were guests of Miss Marjory Seavey last week and were present at the dance on last week Friday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Knight attended a Thanksgiving dinner party in Hudson, N.H., last week Thursday at the home of Mr. Knight’s daughter, when there were nineteen kinspeople gathered together.
The reading circle of the Tadmuck club will meet at the home of the chairman, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, next Tuesday afternoon, and a continuation of one of the contemporary dramas will be read by the members.
The H. V. Hildreths and Mrs. H. W. Hildreth and family dined quietly together at the latter’s home on Thanksgiving day.
The Alfred W. Hartfords dined with Mrs. Hartford’s home people [Wesley O. Hawkes’ family] in Graniteville for the holiday.
Mrs. Alice M. Wells and children spent Thanksgiving with Mrs. Wells’ sisters and her family, Mrs. Frank E. Bailey, of West Newbury.
Rev. and Mrs. L. H. Buckshorn and [son] Fisher Buckshorn were with the Burbeck family at Vine Brook farm [Littleton Road] for the holiday dinner.
Mrs. William C. Roudenbush, president of the Tadmuck club, Mrs. A. E. Loveless, Miss Alice M. Howard and Miss Mabel Drew were guests of the Shirley Woman’s club on Thursday.
Prospects were not especially good for the formation of Miss Ockington’s dancing class this week Wednesday at the town hall. There were not enough of the little people to start a beginners’ class, and of older ones for an advanced class, and the two could not combine to advantage. However, a plan may be worked out for a successful class.
The regular meeting of the Red Cross took place on Wednesday afternoon at Library hall. A large amount of refugee clothing was made ready for shipment and sewing was done. Next week the new consignment of pajamas will be on hand and plenty of sewers are needed to complete the quota for December. Willing needle women please take notice and respond.
Mrs. Perley E. Wright fell at her home one day last week and is recovering from a bad shaking-up and bruises.
The first snowfall of the season, a light one, came Monday night, which is much later in the season than last year’s first snow.
Tadmuck Club. Guest night in the Tadmuck club, Tuesday evening at the Congregational church, was largely attended and much enjoyed. An entertainment of high standard was given by the quartet of the First Universalist church, Lowell, and they, with their skillful accompanist, gave a fine grouping of quartet, trio, duet and solo selections. Mrs. Alice Livingston Gage, reader, was charming as an entertainer. Her selections were well made and cleverly interpreted. Mrs. Gage added much to the evening’s enjoyment. At the social hour at the conclusion of the entertainment refreshments of ice cream and cake were served, followed by coffee. Mrs. George F. White was the efficient hostess of the evening, assisted by Mrs. L. H. Buckshorn, Mrs. A. E. Loveless, Mrs. Perley E. Wright and Mrs. A. W. Hartford. Miss Alice M. Howard and Mrs. William R. Carver presided at the coffee urns. There were pretty decorations of carnations, evergreen and pink poppies. The club members and guests are indebted to Mrs. Frederic A. Snow for the splendid entertainment of the evening.
About Town. Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher and Mrs. Fletcher are visiting in Atlantic City.
It is expected that the work of double-tracking the Stony Brook road will continue all winter.
The annual meeting of the Middlesex County Farm Bureau will be held in Ford hall, Boston, Friday, December 13. Governor McCall will give an address in the afternoon.
Mrs. Carlos Dyer Cushing, who has spent the summer with her daughter, Mrs. William R. Taylor, left on Friday to rejoin her husband at Miami, Fla. Mrs. Cushing and the Misses Atwood were to make a pleasant trip together as far as Jacksonville.
Mrs. George Howard and her two sons left Friday for Bound Brook, N.J. Mr. Howard has taken a very desirable house in the town.
Mr. and Mrs. Quessy, of Lowell, formerly of West Chelmsford, have been notified by the war department of the death of their son, Corp. George R. Quessy. Mr. and Mrs. Quessy had two sons in the service. When the armistice was declared Mr. and Mrs. Quessy rejoiced thoroughly. Later came the sad news. Justin Jenkins writes that he was right beside Corp. Quessy when he was shot.
The first skunk of the season in the official capacity of henhouse inspector, visited the Old Oaken Bucket farm hennery last week Friday evening, dodged all machine guns and smaller pop guns and outflanked four generals who commandeered them and got away. He returned Saturday night and met his Waterloo.
Besides skunks we hear that deer are roaming around Lake Nabnassett. A large buck was shot Monday noon by Henry A. Fletcher. It weighed 200 pounds. Henry is the surest shot in all Nabnassett forest realms and many other realms not Nabnassett. What game escapes his aim let others not waste a squint at.
Mrs. Nellie V. Lowe died at her home on Middlesex street, Lowell, Tuesday, aged 77 years and 3 months. She is survived by two sons, Sylvanus E. Hinckley, of Brockton, and Nathaniel W. Lowe, of Lowell. The family will be remembered as residents of Westford for several years living in the old Dupee tavern, near the Carlisle line, at what is called Carlisle station. For a few years they were engaged in the poultry business. The oldest son, Sylvanus, when in his teens, it will be recalled by some, was a contestant in prize speaking on “Temperance” at the Westford town hall. As the writer recalls it now he won first prize.
Farmers’ Institute. The first farmers’ institute of the season, under the auspices of the Middlesex-North Agricultural society, will be held in the town hall on next week Friday with the following program: Dr. George M. Twitchell, former editor of the Maine Farmer, will speak in the morning on “Profitable farming in Eastern Massachusetts at the present time—is it practical to grow more grain?” He is a practical farmer in Maine, where with favorable weather conditions he raises 100 bushels of shelled corn to the acre and on chemicals alone. He is an entertaining speaker. In the afternoon Prof. Sears of Amherst Agricultural college will speak on “Is it profitable to grow more fruit in Middlesex county and in what lines?” He is an authority and specialist on fruit-growing. The noon hour will be given over to a fine dinner by the ladies of the Union Congregational church. An entertainer from Lowell will read at the noon hour; also, during the sessions. Home orators and orators from other towns will give some of the after-dinner talks. The scholars of the Frost school and the academy are invited to the afternoon session.
Corn Pest. If Eastern Massachusetts is not close to the corn belt it is close to the corn pest, of which the United States Department of Agriculture sends out the following warming and post mortem analysis:
Future corn crops of the United States will be exposed to the European corn borer, the most destructive enemy of maize which has ever invaded this country, unless growers cooperate actively with federal and state authorities in stamping out the pest say entomologists of the department of agriculture. The initial outbreak of the borer was discovered in Massachusetts, near Boston, and at present the territory in which it appears is confined to Eastern Massachusetts. If this pest should escape to the corn belt it would become the most destructive enemy of corn which has ever occurred in the United States, because its capabilities of inflicting injury are almost limitless. State and federal authorities are striving to destroy the insect and confine it within the present infested area.
The parent of the European corn borer is a yellowish moth, measuring about one inch across the expanded wings. It lays its eggs upon the corn leaves or leaves of grasses or weeds near the cornfield. These eggs soon hatch and young caterpillars appear and begin feeding on nearby leaves. Later, they crawl to the unfolding flower heads of the corn and begin their work of destruction. They frequently bore into the tassel stem to such an extent that the tassel will fall off. This phase is readily seen and is usually the first indication of the presence of the borer. Later, they attack the main stalks at the base of the leaves and it is not unusual to find more than twenty-five insects attacking a single stalk of corn. After the ears are formed they are promptly attacked and very seriously injured.
The coldest weather does not injure them in their winter home within the corn stalk. Burning the fodder is the only satisfactory way of destroying them. All efforts to poison them have proved to be both expensive and unsatisfactory.
Letter from France. The following letter dated Somewhere in France, November 3, has been received by Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Taylor, parents of John A. Taylor, who is serving in the Y.M.C.A. in that country:
Today the sun has come out of hiding and is sending down beneficienth upon these quaint French villages and this hustling American camp. I don’t wonder that there were ancient tribes of sun worshippers. I could be one myself today. We have had an overdose of cold, rainy days and the most exasperating mud you ever saw in all your life. It takes considerable will power at times to keep cheerful, but somehow we do it. How petty seem the little annoyances we used to grumble about back in the States.
At last the climate, which I thought a joke, has got me. This climate is not severe like that of North Dakota, yet it can work far more misery. Many of the stores and public buildings in France were not heated all last winter. Coal was forty dollars a ton and for the most part not to be had at all. And yet these heroic French women remained serenely at their post behind the counter. We are just beginning to see what blessed France has been through—and yet I see no complaint and no pessimism. They smile it all away with the phrase—“C’est la guerre.” And there is another reason for our outburst of happiness today. Someone has returned from the telegraph office with the news that Kaiser Wilhelm has at last abdicated and that all hostilities will soon be over. That indeed is a consummation devoutly to be wished for. I fear the boys will become restless right away and be demanding a “ship that’s westward bound.” The “Y” is going to have its biggest and most difficult job in the restless months to follow. When the excitement ceases and the work lets up, uneasiness will set in immediately. I hope this apparent close of the war will not affect the war welfare campaign drive which will begin before this letter arrives. I know the needs and I hope the American people will come across handsomely as they have so many times before. Our work will continue for another year and possibly longer.
I have been in a very famous old French city for two days. I wanted to send you cards, showing some of the beautiful specimens of architecture, but the A.P.O. clerk said it was not permissible. I must wait until the Hun is completely finished. I went over to this city to attend a conference of the Y.M.C.A. educational workers. Dr. Spaulding, an Amherst graduate, the $12,000 school superintendent of Cleveland, and now of the education commission, was present. He told us of the extensive plans the army is asking the Y.M.C.A. to execute for the education of the soldiers. If we can do the job it will be the greatest educational task that has ever been achieved. We are going at it in a big way and hope for gratifying results. We are asking to have shipped over $10,000,000 worth of text books.
The lumber has finally arrived for our educational hut and we expect to have organized classes going soon. I will be back at my old job soon. It has been a revelation to me to see how eager the men are for educational classes. Army life is making them feel certain fundamental truths. Many of them are anxious now for better positions when they return to civil life. They realize as never before that without a thorough education they can only get so far. Many of the boys here could have been commissioned officers but for their meagre education.
It is astounding how many things are going on in our hut at the same time. Some boys will be in the office sending money home, others buying cake or tobacco at the canteen, some in the library playing checkers, reading the Saturday Evening Post, or hunting for books by Rex Beach and Robert W. Chambers, some in our education office asking for reference books on electricity, philosophy and even bee-keeping, and some wanting primers to learn how to read; some attending the French class, some the movies or the concert and some the prayer meeting. The Y.M.C.A. is, you see, a club, library, home, church, school, theatre—all in one.
The September 7 edition of Turner’s hydra-headed journal found its way to my barracks a few days ago. It seemed like meeting with an old friend from which I had been separated. Now that it has found its way I shall expect frequent visits from this medium of civilization and courier of good news. A Lowell boy has also loaned me several copies of the Courier-Citizen. We are as anxious to learn what is going on “over there” as you are about affairs “over here.”
I should like to tell you about some of the things I have seen, but perhaps I had better not—the censors as well as my own conscience might bring pressure to bear. Our accomplishment in construction and engineering is to me one of the greatest feats of the entire war. When the facts are compiled after the war we will have a marvelous chapter for historians to eulogize.
This letter will probably reach you about Thanksgiving time. Doubtless one of the things to be thankful for will be the successful close of the great war. There surely will be many vacant chairs around the home tables. Over two million lads will eat their Thanksgiving dinner on this side of the Atlantic. I hope there will be plenty of French chickens and turkeys by that time. Uncle Sam can furnish all the fixings. He certainly is a good provider at the officers’ mess. We have plenty of butter, sugar, white bread, meats and vegetables. I shall think of you all on Thanksgiving and the many associations connected with this hallowed day—there is no chance of my walking in on you by surprise.
Forge Village. There was a large congregation present at St. Andrew’s mission Sunday. Rev. Angus Dun read a letter from Bishop Lawrence and after the services a committee distributed the bishop’s message at the homes of the parishioners. Next Sunday services will be held at 4:30.
Miss Caroline Brown served a turkey dinner Thanksgiving day to her children and grandchildren. Those from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. James H. Brown of Clinton and Miss Mae McKenna of Cambridge.
William DeRoehn, of Worcester, formerly of this village, was married Thanksgiving day to Miss Mary Doherty of Worcester. They visited their many relatives here, Sunday. Mrs. Emerson DeRoehn, wife of Lieut. DeRoehn, now in France, was also with the newly-wedded couple.
A large number from here attended the dance given by the senior class of Westford academy last week Friday night.
The Misses Emily and Ethel Collins spent the weekend at the home of their brother, Frank Collins, of Cambridge.
The first snowfall of the season arrived here late Monday night.
Percy Davies, one of the overseers of the Abbot Worsted Company, has severed his connection here and accepted a similar position in Bristol, R.I. Mrs. Davies and their little daughter Elsie will go there immediately.
Miss Carolyn E. Precious, a freshman at the College of Liberal Arts of Boston university, was recently notified that she had been elected a member of the Sigma Kappa fraternity—one of the fraternities of the country, with chapters in many colleges.
Letter from France. A very interesting letter has been received here from Private Thomas Costello, Co. A, 58th Infantry, A.E.F. His many friends will be glad to hear from him. The letter runs as follows, addressed to his parents [Thomas and Sarah (Brennon) Costello]:
It seems so long ago since I last wrote it makes me think you are just wondering what has happened. The last time I wrote was about a month ago, and on that day we left for the front line for another victorious drive on Fritz. Day after day went by without the slightest chance of writing, and even between scraps it was impossible to send mail through.
Well, a month has gone by and I have learned a great deal from my experience. I have been up to the front line three times. I went “over the top” twice with the boys, but the third time we were held in support. It doesn’t seem much to say “over the top” but it means a great deal to us boys, and the boys who come back will have something to say about it until the end of their days.
Dear Parents, I may just as well tell the truth where I am at present. I am resting comfortably in an American hospital. I came here about October 17, after a tiresome ride in an automobile ambulance all afternoon, and after a few hours’ rest in a hospital, I rode in a hospital train all night to my present location. I am beginning to pick up fine now. In the first battle I got a little gas and since then my stomach has been in bad shape. Too much “corned Willie” [canned corned beef] didn’t do me any good either. In the second battle we were laid out in the rain for days together without any warm food and the result was a cold, but it won’t be long before I’ll get fixed up, as the nurses give us the best treatment they can possible give.
The last time “over” I had a very narrow escape. We started over the top with a fine barrage just before daylight. That same night I was doing “gas guard” and naturally I was feeling tired and sleepy, but it didn’t take long to forget my personal ailments when I hear our big guns open up. Then the order came, “Get ready, boys,” and then in a little while over we went. Very soon Fritz got our range and the sights I saw I will never forget. But there is always a funny side to a story, you know. You ought to have seen those Germans run, and those we took as prisoners seemed to be pretty glad to escape such a hellish fire from our guns. They were nearly all picked troops, composed mostly of Prussian Guards.
The Germans were sending over shells and they fell like black marks on a checker board, and overhead the airplanes were having a great battle. I saw one German plane come down just like a stone. By this time I was laid alongside a railroad which the Germans had been using since 1914. Alongside this railroad were artificial embankments, but I soon learned later they were mines all set in good shape for a royal reception. Well, I didn’t suspect anything like that at all and I was glad to get under cover for the time being, for just about two minutes later a German shell burst about two feet from my head. A piece of shrapnel tore the front of my helmet away. Another piece caught me on the side of my nose and the rest of it hit me on the knuckles of my right hand. I wasn’t hurt very bad, but I got an awful shaking-up. Two or three boys who were laying a few yards away were hurt very bad. Quite a lot of blood splashed over my face; it made one think I was hurt worse than I really was, but I soon got over that and helped dress one of the other boys up. He went back, but I was so dazed I had to lie down again. I guess I laid there quite awhile, for all of a sudden I hear the shells again and there was another big noise. I turned my head around and saw two big green monsters (tanks) coming right in my tracks. Well, I just laid there still and they passed, missing me by about a foot.
I guess this is about all I can say without getting into a scrape with the censor, so I’ll lay off, hoping to get your first letter soon.
Graniteville. Miss Nellie M. Wall, of Waltham, has been a recent visitor here.
Miss Tillie Defoe and Miss Mary Perrin, of Lowell, have been recent guests of Miss Rebecca LeDuc.
Mr. and Mrs. Hammett D. Wright have recently returned from Washington, D.C.
The motion pictures are given here on every Monday and Wednesday evenings and are thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Death. Mrs. Margaret (McCormack) Hughes, wife of Alfred Hughes of the U.S. navy, who is now overseas, died at the home of Mrs. Rose Hemen here on Wednesday, November 27, after a few days’ illness of pneumonia. Besides her husband she leaves a six-weeks-old baby girl, Olive; also, a father and several brothers and sisters, who formerly resided in Lowell. The funeral took place from the home of Mrs. Hemen on last week Friday morning at 8:30 o’clock. At nine o’clock a funeral mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church by Rev. J. Emile Dupont. The choir, under the direction of Miss Mary F. Hanley, sang the Gregorian chant, the solos being sustained by Miss Rebecca LeDuc. As the casket was borne from the church the “De profundis” was sung by the choir. There were many beautiful flowers. The bearers were Philip Healy, Thomas McCarthy, William Prinn, Arthur Brisson, Henry Charlton, Thomas Gower. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery.
Wedding. Sergt. Owen McNiff, of Harvard, and Miss Helen M. Furbush, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Furbush, of this village, were married at the parochial residence of St. John’s church, North Chelmsford, Wednesday morning, November 27. The pastor, Rev. Charles P. Heaney, was the officiating clergyman. Miss Madeline McDonald was bridesmaid and Thomas McNiff, a brother of the groom, was best man. The bride was becomingly attired in a costume of blue chiffon broadcloth. She wore a picture hat of black satin and carried a bouquet of violets. The bridesmaid’s costume was of toque chiffon broadcloth, with hat of pink satin. She also carried a bouquet of violets. Immediately after the ceremony the bridal party returned to the bride’s home in Graniteville, where a reception was held that was attended by the members of the immediate families, after which a real home Thanksgiving dinner was served that was thoroughly enjoyed. After the dinner a short but select musical program was given that was entirely pleasing.
The bridal couple were the recipients of many beautiful gifts in gold, silver and cut glass; also, two substantial checks from the groom’s father and his uncle, Michael McNiff.
Mr. and Mrs. NcNiff left in the early afternoon for a brief honeymoon and start in on their new life with the best wishes of a wide circle of friends. Both families are very prominent in Harvard and Graniteville, where they reside.
Ayer
News Items. Private John J. Lee, of Camp Devens, was arraigned before Judge Bennett in the Central municipal court, Boston, last week Friday on a charge of larceny, it being alleged that he stole a $100 ring, jackknife, pocketbook and gold toothpick, the property of Major James L. Molloy, formerly of the 9th Massachusetts regiment. Private Lee and the major had lodgings in the Hotel Johnson, Boston, the alleged thief being captured after an exciting chase through the hotel by the major, who called in Officer Thornton. Most of the property was found under the pillow and mattress in Lee’s bed. After hearing this evidence the court turned Lee over to the provost guard from Camp Devens. Lee is said to be wanted by the federal authorities on another charge. He gave his home as New York city. He denied the charge preferred against him.
A large number of wounded soldiers will soon be brought to Camp Devens, having recovered from their wounds to the fullest extent possible after thorough medical and surgical treatment. These men will be sent to camp from the army hospitals either in this country or direct from France, for it is expected that all discharges will be made in camps in this country.
The following is a list of the officers elected at a meeting of Geo. S. Boutwell post, G.A.R., Thursday afternoon: Charles H. Stone, commander; Wesley O. Hawkes of Westford, senior vice commander; J. Everett Woods of Westford, junior vice commander; Henry C. Sherwin, q.m.; O. P. Robinson, surgeon, Francis Lovejoy, chaplain; Charles E. Craig, officer of the day; John S. Preston of Harvard, officer of the guard; William Jubb of Shirley, patriotic instructor; Henry Leavitt, trustee, three years; E. D. Martell and Francis Lovejoy, representatives to state encampment; August Lovejoy and John S. Preston, alternates.