The Westford Wardsman, February, 1915
Saturday, February 6, 1915
Center. Owing to some temporary trouble with the lighting system the J. V. Fletcher library was closed on Thursday and Saturday evenings of last week.
As the result of a competition for best attendance between the boys and girls at the Congregational Sunday school the boys won out and the girls gave them a supper last week Friday evening at the vestry. The girls, under the general direction of Mrs. H. G. Osgood, did everything themselves and the supper was every way a credit to their efforts. Later in the evening a pretty program of music in solo, trio and duet was given, accompanied with readings. On a recent Sunday the attendance at the Sunday school was seventy-five.
The H. V. Hildreths are having electric lights installed in their pleasant home.
Frank W. Davis, who was seriously poisoned with coal gas at his home earlier in the week, is reported as recovering nicely.
Tuesday’s storm was one of the severest of the season and only those who were actually obliged to go out of doors went out much. The keen northeast wind, the falling snow and the temperature around the zero mark all day made it one of the most uncomfortable days of the winter. The town teams and the car men made a good fight to get the branch line electrics back to schedule time. Naturally the attendance at the two school buildings was much affected.
A baby boy [Thomas Valentine O’Neil] was born to Mr. and Mrs. John O’Neil on Friday of last week [Jan. 28, 1915].
Mr. and Mrs. Abiel J. Abbot are making their customary escape from the more trying weeks of the New England climate, leaving last week for a trip to Panama and other southern places.
Mrs. John Greig at Fairview farm is convalescing nicely from her recent illness.
The whist party at the Unitarian church parlors last week Friday evening was a most enjoyable and well managed affair. There were twelve tables for whist and the highest scores were made by Miss Mabel Drew and Charles O. Prescott. An attractive table of home-made candy was in charge of Misses Gertrude Hamlin and Marjory Seavey. Refreshments of cocoa and cake were served. Those in charge of the evening’s arrangements were Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Mrs. W. R. Carver and Mrs. John Feeney. About sixteen dollars were realized for the treasury.
The monthly business meeting and supper of the E. M. Abbot hose company at the firehouse on Tuesday evening was of more than usual interest because of the presentation to the company by Charles L. Hildreth of a fine large photograph of the Abbot house taken the morning after it was gutted by fire last February. This makes a very acceptable and fitting ornament for the company’s quarters.
Cold and snow reduced attendance at the Board of Trade meeting Tuesday evening. One new member was voted in. The various articles of the warrant for the town meeting were discussed so that those present might become better informed as to what action seemed best for the town.
Postponement. Owing to the severity of Tuesday’s weather the regular meeting of the Tadmuck club was postponed for one week. Owing to the serious illness in the family, Miss Alice M. Howard will be unable to give her talk on “American folk lore.” The calendar committee have been able to secure Mrs. Carrie Borden Leland, who will give “An afternoon with Tennyson.” Some of Tennyson’s poetical gems that have been set to music will be sung by Mrs. F. L. Roberts of Lowell. The meeting will be in the Unitarian vestry. Club tea will be served with Mrs. John P. Wright as hostess. The sincerest sympathy of the club members is felt for Mrs. Howard in her serious illness and for her daughter, Miss Howard, both members of the club; also, for the other members of the family.
W.C.T.U. The regular meeting of the W.C.T.U. was held at the home of Mrs. C. A. Blaney on Wednesday afternoon. It was Frances E. Willard day and sincere tribute was paid to the memory of this noble and gifted woman and a sum voted from the local treasury to be sent to the Frances E. Willard memorial fund.
Mrs. Nettie L. Roberts of Lowell, always a favorite with members of the club, supplemented the lecture with some of Tennyson’s poems set to music. Her rendering of “Sweet and low,” “Come into the garden, Maud” and “Crossing the bar” were most enjoyable.
At the close of the program club tea was served with Mrs. John P. Wright as hostess and a number of willing helpers. Vases of carnations adorned the tables.
The club voted to give the sum of fifteen dollars toward paying for the new Victrola for the Frost school. This with the like amount voted by the Grange at its last meeting cancels the indebtedness on the Victrola.
The matter of a week’s extension school from the State Agricultural college for next season was brought before the members and it was voted to plan for a week’s session next January and a committee, consisting of Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Mrs. H. E. Fletcher and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler was appointed to work in conjunction with the committee recently appointed by the Grange for the same purpose.
The next meeting, coming with only one week’s interval, will be next Tuesday afternoon at Liberty [Library] hall, when Miss Laura Brown will address the club on “Basketry.”
Sale and Entertainment. The food sale and entertainment under the auspices of the Tadmuck club held at Miss Ella F. Hildreth’s on Thursday afternoon of last week proved most successful in every way reflecting most creditably the executive ability of those having the affair in charge.
Miss Hildreth’s spacious home [10 Hildreth St.] was most delightfully adapted to so large a gathering and in the dining-room the food, apron and candy tables each did a thriving business. Mrs. H. E. Fletcher, Mrs. W. R. Carver, Mrs. John Feeney and Miss Eva E. Fletcher were in charge of the food table; Miss Gladys Fletcher, Mrs. Goldsmith H. Conant, Mrs. C. A. Blaney and Mrs. Bert Walker presided over the candy table and Mrs. A. W. Hartford and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler over the apron table.
Mrs. F. L. Roberts, of Lowell, was the soloist of the afternoon, with Miss Julia H. Fletcher at the piano. Mrs. Roberts was in excellent voice and her selections were much enjoyed, especially her rendering of “A perfect day”
The February meeting of the Ladies’ Missionary society met with Mrs. L. W. Wheeler Thursday afternoon. Under the general subject for the winter’s study of “Redman’s land,” the subject for this meeting was “The Redman and the social order.” There was a good number present and tea was served at the close of the meeting.
Sunday evening, at the Congregational church, Mr. Wallace gave a most interesting stereopticon lecture on “The Red American.” The pictures of many phases of the Indian and his life were clear and well described.
The overseers of the poor have organized, choosing Charles L. Hildreth as chairman, and honoring the new member of the board, Fred Blodgett, with the secretaryship. Dr. Blaney was chosen town physician. The salary of the master of the town farm was increased by a majority vote of the board. Mr. Hildreth did not make any allowance for this item when asking for the necessary appropriation at the town meeting and so stood by his previously expressed opinion, but was out-voted.
Tadmuck Club. The regular meeting of the Tadmuck club took place on Tuesday afternoon at Library hall. At the business session special notice was given of the next meeting, March 2, at 2:30 in the afternoon in the Congregational church. This meeting is planned especially for the children and Miss Anne Varner Baker [1891-1963] will give the entertainment of the afternoon with cartoon sketches, clay modeling, impersonations, shadowgraphs and pianologues. The club is fortunate to secure so versatile and well-known an entertainer as Miss Baker, and each member is to be responsible for one child being present to enjoy the afternoon. The members are to give the child chosen their written card so that the committee in charge may know what children are invited and try to plan for others.
A letter of thanks was read from Miss Foster at the Frost school, expressing sincere appreciation of the action of the club in cancelling the indebtedness on the Victrola for the school.
The president paid loving tribute to the memory of Miss Elizabeth Warren Kimball and a letter of sympathy was voted to be sent to the bereaved relatives. Notice was given of the mid-winter meeting of the State Federation of Woman’s clubs to be held in Somerville on February 26.
The program for the afternoon was a talk on “Basketry,” delightfully given by Miss Laura A. Brown, of West Acton, and of much literary merit as well as illustrating one of the most attractive of handicrafts. Miss Brown sketched the development of basket making from earlier times and illustrated her talk with some beautiful baskets of her own weaving.
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Pyne are no longer driving their faithful horse, “Charlie,” long a familiar figure on our streets. He had succumbed to paralysis and old age generally and was mercifully put to rest after more than thirty years of life, fifteen of which he had served his late owners. Mrs. Ai Bicknell also mourns a household pet, her fine cat “Admiral Dewey,” which had been one of her household for nearly nineteen years.
Deaths. Mrs. James L. Kimball’s Westford friends were much shocked last Saturday afternoon to hear of her death at the Lowell General hospital. Mrs. Kimball entered the hospital on Wednesday and on Thursday underwent a serious operation from which she failed to rally.
Mrs. Kimball was fifty-four years old and was born in Lowell, where she had a wide circle of friends. She was married to the late Albert Puffer Warren in 1881, and they resided in St. Paul, Minn., where Mr. Warren was a practicing lawyer. In 1912, Mr. and Mrs. Warren purchased the Hall place in Westford and renovated the fine old-fashioned house into a most attractive dwelling. Mr. Warren did not live long to enjoy his beautiful home, but died suddenly of heart disease in the autumn of 1913. On the last day of the old year, December 31, 1914, Mrs. Warren was married to James L. Kimball, of Boston, and they were spending the winter months in Lowell.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Kimball is survived by an only sister, Miss Mary G. Stevens, a well-known teacher in Lowell. Mrs. Kimball had made many friends during her residence in Westford, possessing an attractive personality and identifying herself with the social, church and club life of the village, in all of which she will be much missed.
The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock at the Lowell cemetery chapel being preceded by prayers at the house. Rev. David Wallace, of Westford, was the officiating clergyman and read scriptural selections of comforting character and quoting briefly from Browning’s “Abt Vogler” beautiful poem, “My house not made with hands.” “Beautiful isle of somewhere” and “The christian’s good night” were sung with sympathetic expression.
Interment was in the family lot at the Lowell cemetery, where a committal service was held. The funeral arrangements were in charge of David L. Greig & Son.
Robert Henry, aged forty-eight years, living near the Littleton line in Westford, was struck by the afternoon train on the “Red Line” while walking on the track Monday afternoon near what is known as Cemetery crossing. The train stopped and carried the man to the East Littleton station, where he died three hours later. When picked up by members of the train crew his right arm was severed from his body and his head badly crushed and medical aid could do nothing to save his life. Mr. Henry was walking along the track from Westford toward Graniteville and failed to notice the warning signals of the train men who could not bring the train to a stop in season to avoid the accident. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Emma Martin Henry.
About Town. On Wednesday the noon passenger train on the Stony Brook road was derailed just before reaching Brookside station. The accident was caused by a broken axle on the tender, which derailed the tender and baggage car. Wheels were torn off and scattered about as though they were wheels to a toy carriage. Ties were made into kindling wood. An engine and car from Lowell arrived, passed on the switch and proceeded to Ayer. Later a wrecking train from Lowell arrived and did some wheelwright business. Through trains got through on the switch and mostly on time. Fortunately the train was running at a low rate of speed preparatory to a stop at Brookside. The idleness of the Brookside mills and the pleasant weather brought out many spectators. The break of the axle was directly in the center and was as smooth and even as though sawed.
Our usual town meeting was unusual in the absence of our old family figure, George T. Day. Years have elapsed and still some since he missed or was missed. He has a head full of the best and wisest town steering apparatus. As chairman of the finance committee he has helped the town to a low tax rate. Many times the town has come close to the verge of dashing its financial brains out on the rock of a high tax rate, but the sagacious wisdom of our 1915 absentee saved us from even a fractured skull.
Rev. Julian R. Pennington gave an eloquent and original address at the Unitarian church last Sunday on Abraham Lincoln. Tomorrow it will be an address on the life of George Washington.
West Chelmsford Grange conferred the third and fourth degrees at their last meeting. Mrs. Harry Saxon entertained with singing and everybody listened attentively.
The third farmers’ institute of the season will be held in Dracut Center on Friday, February 26. The forenoon address will be given by Professor Thompson of the State Agricultural college. Dinner and after-dinner eloquence, recitations and music by the Middlesex School band of North Chelmsford. Mrs. Jane McAdams, of Provincetown, will speak on “The poultry outlook.” She has had an extensive experience in this branch of farming and is worth a large attendance.
The Fortnightly club, which has allowed several months to constitute a fortnight, called “time” last week Friday night and came out of its “corner” game. The program was all Lincoln in charge of Miss Alice Lambert. Miss Alice Lambert sang a song, Ernest Wright read a poem, John Connell read “A Lincoln of the backwoods,” Miss Belle Carpenter of Graniteville recited “The spirit of Lincoln,” and Mrs. Alice Holt was the final one.
An important meeting of the West Chelmsford Debating society will be held in Historic hall on Monday evening, February 22.
We were much interested in two recent issues of the Lowell Citizen to read happy tributes to our former Unitarian minister, Rev. Sidney S. Moulton. The words of appreciation were written by Mr. Hoagland, of Stow, where Mr. Moulton has preached ever since his Westford pastorate. The civic club which he started sounds most attractive.
Although the robins and pussy willows have notified us “‘Tis spring,” don’t be so foolishly premature as to think you can plant those early peas yet.
The Brookside mills have a peace rush order and now employ eight hands—superintendent, paymaster, two watchmen and four weavers. There is no night shift.
Food Sale. The W.C.T.U. will have a food sale on Thursday, February 25, at the spacious home of Mrs. George Walker which lends itself beautifully for such an occasion as this. There will be an interesting entertainment. Miss Young will read and Miss Moreland will sing. Both always delight their audiences so it will be a pleasure to hear them. Aprons, candy and food will be on sale. The proceeds of this sale will go towards helping the Frances Willard Home Settlement in Boston. It is a most worthy cause and it is hoped that all interested in such a good work will come to the sale. This home was started by the W.C.T.U. and is supported by them and does a splendid work in educating boys and girls and keeping them off the streets. Almost nine hundred boys and girls come there every week to receive instruction in all kinds of work which will help to make them more useful American citizens.
Death. Paul Jasmin died at his home on last Sunday after a lingering illness, aged sixty-five years. He owned a large farm in Parkerville, extending into “Texas.” The buildings are on the old road leading off the Carlisle road at the Judson Sweetser place, and connecting with the Carlisle road again at Carlisle station. This farm is in history as the Hoyle place, and later as the Hart place. Mr. Jasmin moved from Lowell and has been a resident of the town about twenty years. On this large farm he was too busy to be but little known beyond the limits of Parkerville. He leaves besides his wife, ten children, Mrs. Paul Gladdu and Miss Dolarrese Jasmin of Westford, Mrs. A. McOsker and Miss Aloina Jasmin of Lowell, Arthur, Euclide and Joseph of Westford and Emile, Leo and Hodras, all of Palm Beach, Fla.
Meeting. The meeting of the Middlesex-North Agricultural society was held in Lowell on last week Thursday to revise the premium list and make arrangements for the next fair. By advice of state authority there will be no exhibition of cattle on account of the hoof and mouth disease, and premiums awarded in this branch will be utilized in larger premiums elsewhere and new attractions. The place of holding the next fair was left with the executive committee, but as Dracut was semi-half promised at the fair last autumn to have it again in 1915 it seems possible it will go there. Premiums will be offered to those making the largest exhibit and the earliest to arrange it for exhibition. This is done in the interest of diminishing the confusion that usually prevails the first day.
Monthly Social. The Benevolent society of the Village church in West Chelmsford held their monthly social on Wednesday evening of last week. It was Mrs. Samuel Naylor’s evening, assisted by Mrs. John Toye, Mrs. George H. McGregor, Mrs. James Reid, Mrs. F. Mallalleu, Miss Emma Brown and Miss Lizzie Winship. The social was well lined up with inhabitants from Lowell, North Chelmsford, Chelmsford Center and Westford. Lowell talent appeared in song, reading and violin—Donald Hanson in song, Genevia Hanson in piano, and Frank B. Hutchinson as violin soloist. Mrs. Margaret Sarre, of Lowell, was in a class by herself in her humorous readings. The bundle sale was in charge of Miss Margaret Reid.
Historical. The following names are the heads of families in Westford in the first census of the United States in 1790:
John Abbot
John Abbot, Jr.
Joel Abbot
Jacob Abbot
Nathan Ames
Samuel Adams
Thomas Adams
Ebenezer Barrett
William Blaisdell
Nathaniel Boynton
Abel Boynton
William Butterfield
Asa Bixby
Asa Bixby, Jr.
Moses Burge
Eleazar Blood
Aaron Blood
Ezra Blodgett
Josiah Boynton
Lydia Brooks (widow)
Abigail Butterfield
William Chandler
Thomas Cummings
Isaac Cummings
Timo. Cummings
Joseph Cummings
Sarah Cummings
Lucy Cory
Ephraim Chamberlain
Thomas Chamberlain
Benjamin Carver
Jonathan Carver
Abel Cory
Dorcas Chandler
Betsy Chandler
Sybil Chamberlain
Nathaniel Cowdry
Benjamin Dutton
David Dutton
Joseph Dutton
John Ellott [sic]
Joel Estabrooks
Benjamin Estabrook
Doctor Farr
Samuel Farwell
Samuel Fassett
David Fletcher
Peletiah Fletcher
Ebenezer Fletcher
Jonathan Fletcher, Jr.
Willard Fletcher
Jeremiah Fletcher
David Fletcher, Jr.
Thomas Fletcher
Thomas Fletcher, Jr.
Amos Fletcher
Amos Fletcher, Jr.
Neamiah Fletcher
Simon Fletcher
Isaac Fletcher
Henry Fletcher
Jonathan Fletcher
Samuel Fletcher
Sampson Fletcher
Gersham Fletcher
Seth Fletcher
Elizabeth Fletcher
Andrew Fletcher
Elizabeth Fletcher
Reuben Fletcher
Benjamin Foster
Cato Gray
David Goodhue
Daniel Goodhue
Matthew Griffin
Willis Hall
Sarah Hines
William Hildreth
Ephraim Hildreth
Ephraim Hildreth, Jr.
Amos Hildreth
Elijah Hildreth
Jonas Hildreth
John Hildreth
Amaziah Hildreth
Elizabeth Hildreth
Oliver Hildreth
Ephraim Heald
Gersham Heald
Oliver Heald
Eleazar Heald
Josiah Heywood
David Holt
Simeon Hunt
Elizabeth Hunt
John Ingals
Jonathan Johnson
Sarah Johnson
Joseph Jewitt
Ezra Jewitt
Jonathan Keep
Jonathan Keyes
Joseph Keyes
Lydia Keyes
Isacher Keyes
David Keyes
Molly Keyes
Rogers King
Thomas Kidder
Francis Kidder
Simeon Kemp
Jonas [Abner] Kent
Richard Kneeland
Jacob Klatter
Sarah Lawrence
Frances Leighton
John Leighton
Reuben Leighton
Samuel Lufkin
Joshua Marshall
Elizabeth Marshall
William Mears
Henry Meir
Jonathan Minot
Jesse Minot
Hannah Nutting
Thomas Hutting
Daniel Nutting
William Nichales
Benjamin Osgood
Isaac Patch
James Proctor
James Proctor, Jr.
Phineas Proctor
Amos Parlin
Ebenezer Parker
David Parker
Joshua Parker
Leonard Parker
Aaron Parker
Moses Parker
Jonas Prescott
Ebenezer Prescott
Joseph Prescott
John Prescott
Charles Prescott
Levi Parker
Isaac Parker
Daniel Pike
Thomas Pike
James Pike
Andrew Pike
Timothy Prescott
Oliver Prescott
Obidiah Perry
Phoebe Proctor
Hannah Reed
Peter Reed
Joshua Reed
Thomas Reed
Thankful Reed
Betty Reed
Johanna Reed
Abel Reed
Silas Reed
Abijah Reed
Oliver Reed
Willard Reed
William Reed
Leonard Reed
Samuel Reed
Thaddeus Reed
Samuel Richardson
Abijah Richardson
Henry Richardson
Daniel Raymond
Daniel Raymond, Jr.
Jacob Robbins
Jacob Robbins, Jr.
Jeremiah Robbins
Zachariah Robbins
Benjamin Robbins
John Roberson
Thomas Richardson
Amos Russell
Lydia Richardson
Wiley Richardson
Rev. Matthew Scribner
Christopher Shepherd
Timothy Spaulding
Hannah Spaulding
Solomon Spaulding
Olive Spaulding
Samuel Spaulding
Thomas Scott
Caleb Symmes
Benjamin Swan
Levi Spauling
Thomas Smith
Levi Snow
Abraham Taylor
John Tidd
Peter Tower
Jeremiah Temple
Jacob Wendell
Mark White
John Wilson
Joseph Winn
Samuel Worcester
Pellatah [sic] Wright
Joseph Wright
John Wright
Asa Wright
Ephraim Wright
Nathan Wright
Amos Wright
Jonas Wright
James Wright
Samuel Wright
Zachariah Wright
Dorcas Wright
Reuben Wright
Forge Village. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Momindy [Momminy] have welcomed a little son into their home [Joseph D. R. Momminy, born Feb. 8, 1915].
Cameron school will be closed on February 22, that day being Washington’s birthday.
Miss Letitia V. Ward, principal of Cameron school, has recently been offered the position as the principal of the Lincoln grammar school in Everett. She has refused the offer, however, preferring to remain at home, even though the salary would be a decided increase.
The first robin of the season has been reported. H. W. Flavell, the local milk dealer, says the songster was making his home in West Graniteville.
Mrs. W. C. Precious [Pleasant St., Forge Village] has for breakfast guests a flock of sparrows, nine bluejays and a crow. Mrs. J. W. Pyne [Forge Village Rd. and Cold Spring Rd.] dines seven or eight pheasants. Last week the phoebe was heard and it does seem that spring is not so very far distant.
A number from here attended the minstrel show given in the town hall, North Chelmsford, under the auspices of St. John’s T.A. society, on February 11.
Mrs. Joseph [Annie] Mason, of North Chelmsford, visited at the home of her father, Henry Catchpole, on Sunday. Mr. Catchpole, who has been very ill with pneumonia, is now much improved.
An illustrated lecture on “Cathedrals in England” was given at the mission on Thursday evening instead of the usual Lenten devotion. No special admission was charged, but a small collection was taken.
The home of Mrs. Ida Parrott was the scene of a most delightful surprise party on last Saturday evening, when a number of young people gathered to present Miss Mildred Parrott with a silver brush and comb and several other toilet articles. Miss Josephine Socha made the presentation speech, Miss Mildred responding in a graceful manner. A dainty luncheon was served and a most enjoyable evening spent.
Mrs. Hans C. Dege, of Norwich, Conn., and Mrs. Ernest Myers, of Lowell, visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole on last Sunday.
The automobile, which was thrown into Forge pond awhile ago by Leo Willette and companion of Lowell, was pulled out of the water last week Friday morning. J. A. Healy and a number of men from Graniteville hauled it out of fifty feet of water under the supervision of the owner of the car.
Graniteville. The members of Ayer Grange are to be congratulated on their fine performance of the rural drama “Willowdale,” as presented by them in Ayer on Monday night. It is understood that this play will be given by them in Forge Village at the close of the Lenten season, and it goes without saying that the affair will be largely attended.
Both Masses in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning were celebrated by Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, who delivered eloquent sermons to large congregations. On Wednesday, being the first day of Lent, mass was celebrated in the morning and in the evening at 7:30; devotions were also held that consisted of benediction of the blessed sacrament, followed by a sermon and the distribution of the ashes. Rev. Edward C. Mitchell officiated at both masses.
Henry J. Healy and P. Henry Harrington have recently changed their two automobiles for two new five-passenger Overland touring cars that are equipped with all the modern improvements.
Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Humiston, with their son, Elliott, jr., of West Chelmsford, have been recent guests of Andrew Johnson [Elliott’s father-in-law].
The many people from this village who attended the minstrel show and dance in North Chelmsford on Friday night of last week were well pleased with the fine entertainment given.
Although fishing through the ice has been prohibited in Forge pond, J. A. Healy made a pretty good haul last week when he fished out a Speedwell car for its owners from Manchester, N.H. It was notice that the car did speed very well after reaching the surface, and judging from its appearance after being in cold storage the spectators felt like using that expression of Goldberg’s: “Now that you’ve got it what are you going to do with it?”
O. W. Sherman, of Damariscotta, Me., has been spending the past few days here as the guest of Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Sherman.
Littleton
Fatally Injured. As Robert Henry was crossing the Nashua and Acton division of the Boston and Maine railroad on Monday afternoon he was struck by a passenger train near Cemetery crossing and sustained injuries from which he died in the East Littleton station shortly afterward. Funeral services were held from his late home on Wednesday afternoon and were conducted by his pastor, Rev. H. L. Caulkins, who paid a good tribute to the deceased, and offered sympathy and consolation to the bereaved widow and brother. Many flowers testified to the sincerity of numerous friends. Pall bearers were Hiram Sauler, Thomas Ashworth, Walter Smith and Frank Gregory. The interment was in Westford.
Mr. Henry was born in Scotland in 1869. He was married to Miss Emma F. Martin on September 8, 1901. For fifteen years he had been employed in the Conant & Houghton webbing factory and was faithful in the performance of duty. He was a member of the Baptist church and of the Lincoln class in the Sunday school. He possessed a quiet, retiring nature, and although less demonstrative than some, he was, nevertheless, interested in church organizations and activities and attended divine service regularly. He was sincere and true to the ideals he cherished.
Besides his wife, a brother, Charles Henry, of Pawtucket, R.I., survives the deceased. Within a year the father, his daughter, and now a son have been buried from the Martin home.
Saturday, February 27, 1915
Center. Miss Beatrice Sutherland spent over the weekend and holiday with her sister Lillian in Swanzey, N.H., where the latter is teaching.
Mrs. David Wallace has recently spent a vacation of a few days with her sister, Mrs. G. W. Tarleton, in Somerville.
Among those who attended the funeral of the late Brigadier-general Greenleaf A. Goodale, U.S.A., retired, at Wakefield, last Saturday was Walter L. Cutter of this town. Mr. Cutter, a veteran of the Philippines campaign served under General Goodale when that officer was colonel of the 17th U.S. Infantry. Gen. Goodale has been in the service for thirty-three years.
Miss Edna Day is a student at the Industrial school in Lowell.
J. Herbert Fletcher and son John spent over Sunday and the holiday with relatives in Farmington, N.H.
It was one year ago Wednesday of this week that the old Abbot house was burned, occupied at the time by the Edward Fisher family, an occurrence vividly remembered by all our residents. In sharp contrast is the mild, open weather of this past week to the intense cold and deep snow at the same time one year ago.
The holiday had not special observance in town. Some families had guests over the weekend and the holiday and some were away for the same time. Flags were in evidence, there was no school, the R.F.D. men had the day to themselves and those going to the city to business every day enjoyed the holiday at home with their families and some of the young people went over to the dance at Littleton.
We note the address of Ralph Adams Cram of Boston, the well-known architect, before the Men’s club of the First Unitarian society of Lowell, Thursday evening of last week; subject, “The causes and consequences of war.” Some of Mr. Cram’s youthful days were spent in Westford, while his father was pastor of the Unitarian church and his brilliant career is always followed with interest by the Westford friends.
The unaccountable rumbling sound last Sunday [Saturday] evening, which proved to be a slight earthquake shock, was plainly felt by many of our citizens. This farm contains seventy-five acres with good set of buildings.
Miss Edith A. Wright has been detained at home from her school duties this past week with an attack of jaundice. She is much improved and hopes to be back at the Frost school next week. Miss Forster and Miss Smith have been sustaining the additional work caused by Miss Wright’s absence.
About Town. John J. Walker was an over Sunday guest at the Walker homestead on [148] East Main street. Since graduating from the old Stony Brook school and Westford academy he has been a business resident of Natick. As scholar at the Stony Brook school the writer has had many a friendly collar and elbow and “catch as catch can” with him.
The funeral of Paul Jasmin, who died at his home in Parkerville, took place from St. Catherine’s church, Graniteville, last week Wednesday morning, when a funeral mass was celebrated by Rev. R. J. McCoy, of Tewksbury. The choir, under the direction of Miss May F. Hanley, sang the Gregorian chant. Burial was in St. Joseph’s cemetery, Lowell. The bearers were A. J. and E. Jasmin, sons of the deceased and Paul Gladdu, a son-in-law.
The choir of the Unitarian church was much aided in song and enthusiasm last Sunday by the addition of Edward Blodgett, Leon Hildreth, the Misses Maude and Grace Robinson and Marjorie Seavey, while Henry Smith, of Graniteville, as tenor, was satisfactory soloist of the day. Rev. J. R. Pennington gave an eloquent address on Washington and in the afternoon spoke in Boston, and in the evening at Needham.
The smoke from the powder mill explosion in Abbot hall on next Wednesday and Thursday evenings. A first-class performance is awaiting all who attend.
Mr. and Mrs. William Roberts, of Somerville, spent Sunday at the home of Mrs. Harriet E. Randall. Mrs. Roberts was formerly Miss Clara Hammond, who taught in Cameron school a few years ago.
Miss E. Mae Lord spent a brief visit at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Lord, recently.
Miss Lillian Bailey, of Lowell, was the guest of her cousin, Miss Ethel M. Collins, over the holiday.
Several from here attended the organ recital in St. Anne’s church, Lowell, last Saturday.
Miss Marjorie Rose and her sister, Miss Carmel Rose, of Belmont, spent the holiday at the home of their grandmother, Elizabeth Splain.
Mrs. Laura E. Jones, of Worcester, was the guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Barnett, four days last week.
The many friends of Chester Blodgett, of the Ridges, will be pleased to learn that he is now able to get about the house with the aid of crutches after being confined to his bed for over three weeks. Mr. Blodgett is suffering from a very severe injury to his leg, caused by his being run over some weeks ago. The young man is still under medical treatment daily, and although improving, he will not be able to resume work for several weeks yet.
Mr. and Mrs. Percy Hargreaves, of Somerville, spent the weekend and holiday at the home of their [Mrs. (nee Rachel H. Cherry) Hargreaves’] grandmother, Mrs. M. A. [Mary Ann] Lowther.
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Tuttle and little son Richard, of Lowell, spent Sunday at the home of Mrs. Tuttle’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blodgett, of Groton road.
Miss Lena Shugrue is the trained nurse in attendance at the Parker farm.
The mills of Abbot & Company closed on Monday, but ran on Friday to make up the four days per week schedule.
Cantata. “A garden of singing flowers” was presented in Recreation hall on Tuesday evening to a very large audience. The gardener, impersonated by Chas. Flanagan, did good work and his song was very much enjoyed. The flowers and singers were Adelaide Hosmer, Daisy Precious, Lottie Parrott, Mildred Precious, Lillian Hunt, Gladys Baker, Annie Orr, Margaret Orr, Gertrude Baker, Alice Hosmer, Myrtle Healy. Miss Caroline E. Precious was the accompanist for the cantata.
The curtain used was the gift of Rev. Thomas L. Fisher of St. Mark’s church, Leominster, formerly vicar of this parish [St. Andrews in Forge Village].
Much credit is due to the instructor of the children, Miss Sarah J. Precious, and she is to be congratulated on the good work done.
At the conclusion of the cantata a musical program was given and was greatly enjoyed. The proceeds of the affair will be used for the benefit of St. Andrew’s mission.
The quartet from the Graniteville M.E. church, composed of William DeRoehn, Stephen Gardell, Gilbert Blaisdell and George Wilson, made a hit at the concert and were repeatedly encored.
Graniteville. The usual Lenten devotions were held in St. Catherine’s church last Tuesday evening and the services were conducted by Rev. M. E. Doherty, a former curate of this church, but now stationed at South Boston.
Owing to the rush of business at the C. S. [G.] Sargent’s Sons’ plant here, the machine shop ran all day [on the holiday] Monday as usual.
There was no special observance of Washington’s birthday here, although Old Glory was displayed on several of the dwellings and a number from here took in the attractions at the theatres in Lowell.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Prinn is now out of quarantine. Their little daughter, Mary, who has been ill with scarlet fever, has fully recovered from the disease without any serious results.
Joseph Carpenter lost a valuable horse through illness on last Monday.
The preliminary arrangements are now being made for a benefit performance in aid of St. Catherine’s church to be given shortly after the close of the Lenten season.
Edward Defoe has recently returned from a brief visit spent with friends in Cambridge.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Riney with Miss Etta May and Alice C. Sheehan of Lowell have been recent visitors here.
It is understood that several of the tenements of the Abbot Worsted Co. here are soon to have electric lights installed.
The members of Cameron circle, C.F. of A., held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on Tuesday night. Much business of importance was transacted and several applications for membership were received.