The Westford Wardsman, July, 1908

Saturday, July 4, 1908

Center. The repairs and renovations on what is to be the pleasant village home of the Emory J. Whitneys, now of Littleton, go steadily on, under the experienced direction of Fletcher & Needham. The barn has been made practically like a new barn, and the most visible improvements on the house at this time are a fine, wide piazza extending across the front and around the entire northeast side of the main house; also, an attractive bay window on this same side. Further enterprise in building activity is to be the erection of a new house on Main st., by Frank Drew, on land owned by him on the west side of the street. The house is to stand on that part of the lot nearest to Nahum Wright’s.

In the list of our teachers at home for the summer vacation appearing in our last week’s column, that of Miss Edith Bicknell at home from South Worthington was inadvertently omitted.

The J. V. Fletcher library will be closed Sundays through July and August. Let this serve as a gentle reminder for this coming Sunday.

Miss Ruth Fisher has been enjoying a sojourn at Southboro.

Miss Lenie Fletcher is a guest at Mrs. O. R. Spaulding’s.

A number from our village attended the strawberry festival and entertainment at Littleton, last week Friday evening, and report a thoroughly enjoyable time.

Miss Ella Gill, who has been spending a number of months with her sister, Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher, returned to her home in Ludlow, Vt., the first of this week.

John A. Healy has workmen digging trenches for the drain pipe to take care of the surplus water on the ground between the two schoolhouses. One main trench goes directly across the field and two others diagonally meet the main trench at the back of the lot. It is expected that later piping will join this from Main st., giving at certain seasons much-needed drainage.

To complete what the public verdict readily concedes as a fine building for its purpose the building committee are supervising the grading of the new schoolhouse grounds. A circular driveway makes a good approach to the entrances.

While the general membership of the Tadmuck club is taking its customary summer rest, the officers and executive committee of the club are busily at work getting out the program for the coming season. The resources of the club do not seem at all exhausted and a program of as much interest and profit as its predecessors seems assured.

There will be services at the Unitarian church Sunday morning, after which the church will be closed for the summer vacation. Mr. Bailey expects to occupy his pulpit Sunday morning.

Children’s day was well carried out last Sunday morning at the Congregational church, under the capable direction of the superintendent of Sunday school, H. G. Osgood, and Mrs. Osgood. The decorations were in especially good taste, making a most attractive setting for the bright young faces of the children. The platform was banked with ferns, daisies and delicate meadow rue, while clusters of crimson rambler roses at either end added a bright touch of color.

A regular order of exercises published by the Congregational publishing society was used and proved most satisfactory. The singing of the girls’ chorus and the speaking exercises of the primary department were especially good. Mr. Marshall preached a short sermon, which was particularly appropriate. Dorothy Hilda [born July 20, 1907], the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Anderson, received the rite of baptism.

At the evening service Miss Julia Conant of Littleton was present and gave a most interesting account of the life and work of Miss Corrinne [Corinna] Shattuck, missionary in the city of Oorfa, Turkey. It was a concise and intelligent outline of the life-work of this earnest woman. The work of the industrial school connected with the mission was clearly given; also, the experiences at the time of the dreadful massacre of the Armenians by the Turks in 1895. The collection taken at the close of the meeting went for Miss Shattuck’s work. [1]

Graniteville. Court Westford, M.C.O.F., held a very enjoyable party in Healy hall, last week Friday evening. The Middlesex orchestra of Lowell furnished excellent music for dancing, and at intermission refreshments were served. Many were in attendance from Ayer, North Chelmsford, Forge Village and surrounding towns, and all had a pleasant time. This affair was managed by the following committee:

General manager, Edward Riney; asst., Miss Annie Healy; floor director, Lena J. Healy; asst., M. B. Ledwith; aids, members of the order.

A very interesting baseball game was played here, last week Friday afternoon, when the Independents defeated the Brimstones by a score of 11 to 8. This game was closely contested and the playing so fast that it was found necessary to secure three umpires in order to render the decisions properly, and there was considerable kicking, at that. These two clubs will play again after the Fourth.

There will be no celebration of the glorious Fourth here this year and many will probably take in the sports at Forge Village on that day.

Surprise. A pleasant gathering of young people assembled at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Lorman on last Saturday evening, the occasion being the celebration of the fourteenth birthday anniversary of their daughter Mildred. The whole affair was in the nature of a surprise, arranged and planned by Miss Lorman’s aunt, Miss May Atherton of Lowell. Miss Mildred had been away visiting during the day and was somewhat taken aback when she arrived home in the early evening to find the house ablaze with lights and the grounds prettily decorated with Japanese lanterns. On seeking the cause she was given a welcoming cheer by her young friends and Miss Ruth Furbush stepped forward and in behalf of Miss Atherton presented Miss Lorman a gold locket and chain suitably inscribed. She was also the recipient of many other pretty gifts from the children. The evening was pleasantly spent in playing games in the different rooms, which had been prettily decorated with daisies and yellow bunting arranged in an artistic manner. A pleasing feature of the evening festivities was the bountiful luncheon served by Mrs. Lorman, the large birthday cake having a prominent place on the well-filled tables. After refreshments had been served the following impromptu program was given:

Song, Maud Robinson; song, “Goodbye, sweetheart, Goodbye,” Maud Shaw, Lowell; piano solo, George Wilson; song, Grace Robinson; violin solo, Omer Leduc; song, Frank Charlton; piano solo, Ruth Furbush; comic song, Willie Buckingham; piano solo, Agnes Charlton; song, Leon Holland; popular songs by the company, Miss Emily Prinn, accompanist for the evening.

The party broke up at a seasonable hour after all had enjoyed a very pleasant evening. Among the visitors in attendance from out of town were Mrs. Edward Whittier of Fitchburg, Mrs. Robert Lorman of Tyngsboro, Havelock Lorman and Miss Maud Shaw of Lowell and Miss Hazel Hartford of Westford.

Forge. Last week Alvin Bennett’s son Frank of Worcester received a very painful injury to his hand, it being badly lacerated by the machinery upon which he was at work. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

On Sunday June 21, Fennimore Morton’s two children were christened at the home of Rev. W. E. Anderson, a former pastor at Graniteville, but more recently of Virginia. The little ones’ names are Walter Fennimore [b. Oct. 26, 1905] and Laura Amelia [b. Sep. 1, 1907].

Dr. Raddin and wife of Chelsea are at Tanglewood for July and August.

The young ladies of St. Andrew’s mission gave a social party last Saturday evening. Ice cream was served and the affair was a success socially and financially.

Mrs. Minnie Drake and daughter of Brockton are at Mrs. Mary Drake’s; Mrs. Ada Nute, at Mrs. Randall’s; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Caisse and son Raymond at A. W. Carkin’s.

Miss Clara Chapman has returned to her uncle’s, Geo. Jackson, after a short visit to friends in Waverley.

Miss Blaisdell, one of our teachers, is the guest of Mrs. Wilson for a few days.

The Trustees of the North Middlesex Savings Bank of Ayer have declared a semi-annual dividend at the rate of four percent per annum to be paid July 5, 1908.

About Town. There will be a hearing on the proposed improvement of Main st. before the county commissioners at the town hall, Monday, July 6, at 10:30. Surveyors have been busy the past few days preparing plans for the proposed changes and relocating of the highway and electric track on Nabnassett and Brookside sts. at Westford corner. One of the proposed plans is to locate the electric track on the westerly side of the tenement house of Mrs. Geo. H. McGregor, cross Sawmill meadow brook and intersect Brookside st. in the rear of the tenement house of John J. Monahan, and lower the grade of the hill leading to the house of Charles Edwards. There are murmurings of discontent to part of these plans.

Last Saturday a large deer was seen swimming across Stony Brook between Brookside and Stony Brook road. After reaching shore he directed his steps toward the railroad track, leaped the barbed wire fence with at least four feet to spare, in more ways than one, crossed the track in front of an approaching train, leaped the second barbed wire fence and landed in the cornfield of Amos Polley. Following the rows of said cornfield at such a rate that grazing was impossible, he was last seen in a cloud of dust, shortening the distance and time toward the north pole.

The largest crowd of the season assembled at Hillside park, Graniteville, last Saturday afternoon, to witness the ballgame between Westford and Shirley. The fact that in the two previous games this season the Westford team won spurred the Shirley team to a determined effort to win. In this they were backed by an enthusiastic crowd from Fitchburg, Shirley and other towns. The game was one of the closest of the season, and while experts claim that they were out-generaled and out-pointed by the Westford team, yet owing to the closeness of the game and an unfortunate combination of circumstances, the Shirley team won by a score of 4 to 3. The Westford team goes to Milford, N.H., to play on the Fourth.

James H. O’Brien is recovering from his recent illness. His brother Arthur of South Framingham will spend his summer vacation with him, where he will make extensive tours in the hayfield and other useful exercises on Pigeon Hill, where this farm is located.

S. L. Taylor had the first new potatoes of the season on Sunday, June 28. They were coaxed out of their abiding place on Saturday. The variety planted was the Snowflake—appropriate name, as it was snowing at the time of planting. This variety is 9 ½ minutes earlier than the Early Rose. The other contestants for the first early potatoes will show their goods in July, provided the drouth [sic] does not claim everything.

Dwight H. Pratt, who owns the fertilizer factory at West Chelmsford, has sold his cottage at Nabnassett pond to F. W. Barrows of Lowell, and will build a cottage near the Lawson camp. Chas. A. Stackpole of Lowell has built a cottage on the elevation on the northerly shore of this pond, which is becoming a busy center as a summer resort, situated as it is about midway between the main line and Westford branch of the Lowell and Fitchburg electric railway, and several large excursions have been there from Lowell and other places this season.

The roadman or some other authority is busy with axe and scythe haying the foliage along our roads. This is wise as general principle, but foolish as an indiscriminant principle. What a pity that the hedge in the swamp near the Willard Fletcher bridge on the Stony Brook road could not have been preserved. It was ornamental as compared with the unsightly swamp, which is the only ornament left and can’t be mowed down. Oh, for ten cents’ worth of judgment at this place and five cents’ worth at several other places.

John A. Healy of Graniteville has the contract for furnishing the new schoolhouse with coal. A carload has arrived at Westford station and is being delivered; $6.50 per ton is the price reported by the school committee.

The celebration of the Fourth will not be expensive or intensive today. A few firecrackers will notify nervous horses that the day has arrived, and for fireworks the ordinary lightning-bug firefly will notify the inhabitants that the evening has arrived. If this does not satisfy, go elsewhere, young man; or wait for that appropriation next March.

[1]

 Miss Corinna Shattuck was born in Louisville, Ky., April 21, 1848, was left an orphan four years later, and was raised in Acton, Mass., by her maternal grandparents. She had an early predilection to missionary work. After graduating from the normal school in Framingham in 1873, she sailed for Turkey to serve as a Congregational missionary and teacher. After six years, she contracted tuberculosis, returned to the U.S., and moved to Colorado for four years where she regained her health.

In 1883 she returned to Turkey and became principal of the girls’ college at Marash. She moved to Urfa, also given as Oorfa, in 1892 to engage in evangelistic and educational work among the Christians there. She soon earned the respect of the Turks, Armenians, Kurds, and Assyrians living there. Turkish officials referred to her as Urfanun Meleyi (Angel of Urfa). 

Christian Armenians made up the largest minority in Urfa. In the massacre of 1895 six thousand Armenians were killed, including three thousand in the great Apostolic church. Many more were forced into exile. During an attack on Dec. 28, 1895, Miss Shattuck sheltered over 300 Armenians in her building, bravely withstanding efforts by the Turkish horde to attack them. After the massacre she was active in appeals for aid and in supplying food, clothing, furniture and other essentials to the survivors. She helped re-established local industries and work programs for Armenians, as well as orphanages with schools for the children. A fellow missionary said she “was one of the strong, one who was like a rock during the time of need, without fear or concern for her own safety.”

In April 1900 she spoke at the Ecumenical Conference on Foreign Missions at Carnegie Hall in New York City about the evangelistic work done by the natives and of the value and necessity of prayer. “I stand here a witness,” she said, “to the effectiveness of your prayers. When I came home some years ago, I was sent back for half work, but now I am strong; I am not an invalid, and all this has been due to the wonderful power of prayer.” (The New York Times, April 27, 1900, p. 5). By early 1910 her tuberculosis had returned, but she refused to return to the U.S. for treatment until it was too late. She arrived in Boston on May 8 and was taken to a hospital in Dorchester where she died May 22, 1910. Her obituary appears in the Fitchburg Daily Sentinel, June 3, 1910.

Saturday, July 11, 1908

About Town.  About Town.  Last week Thursday afternoon in the vestry of the Congregational church Mrs. Katherine Lente Stevenson of Boston, the state president of the W.C.T.U., gave an edifying address on the different lines of work.  It was a strongly optimistic view of the temperance situation and did much to strengthen and encourage the local branch.  Owing to the severe thunder shower only a small number were present.  Mrs. Stevenson will visit foreign countries in the interest of the work next year.

The Unitarian church is having its annual vacation and will be closed until the first Sunday in September.

During the thunder shower last week Thursday lightning struck the stone quarry of the H. E. Fletcher Co. on Oak Hill.  No serious damage was done.

Wm. C. Edwards has the contract for building the Summit house on Mt. Washington, to replace the one recently burned.  It will be framed at the foot of the mountain and transported to the summit.  The velocity of the wind has much to do with this method.

Frank Collins, the new superintendent at Brookside mills, will move from North Chelmsford to Brookside into the cottage opposite the house of Theodore H. Hamblett.  He is a brother of Myles Collins, superintendent of the mills at Forge Village.

Rev. Seth R. Walker, the minister of the Advent society in Lowell, has been appointed to hold tent meetings in Keene, N.H.  His Westford friends are glad to hear of his promotion.  His home is at present at Chelmsford Center.

Edward Littlefield is seriously ill with typhoid fever, and required a trained nurse.  His mother, Mrs. Clara Littlefield is a native of Westford and a sister of Rev. Seth E. Walker.  Their home is in Fitchburg.

Many people went from here to Milford, N.H., on the Fourth, when the Westford baseball team played the strong Milford team.  Westford won the first game, 5 to 3, and the second game resulted in a tie of 2 to 2 after eleven innings.  This Saturday at Groton Westford will meet the Groton team, which has a reputation for coming the defeating act on many of its opponents.

Center.  The Fourth passed off very quietly in our village as compared with recent years, there being no regular celebration.  It was a special day in many homes with family reunions.  Young America was out the night before to have its fling, and there was considerable noise, but no malicious mischief was done.  The bells were rung at midnight and again at sunrise.

Mr. and Mrs. Irving P. Wright and little son of Westbrook, Me., are spending a week’s vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Wright.

Miss Reymore Neilson of Winchester has been a recent guest of Miss Olive Pyne.

Misses Carrie and May Atwood have been guests for several days this week of Miss Ida M. Manuel at Franklin, N.H.

Miss Eva M. Pyne has been enjoying a vacation at Manchester, N.H., also several days’ sojourn at the Summit house on Uncanoonuc mountain. [1]

Mrs. J. A. Parsons, for several years a resident of Westford, now of Tewksbury, was in town Sunday and attended services at the Congregational church, of which she is a member.

Mr. and Mrs. Will Blodgett and daughter Ruth of Newport, Vt., have been guests this week of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Foss.

Mrs. Henry L. McCluskey of Worcester made a brief stay in town first of the week at Deacon Wright’s, taking Mrs. Wright back with her for a stay at her summer cottage at Sterling.

Mrs. Annie Barnard is a guest at C. Willis Hidlreth’s.

Grange.  About forty patrons attended the grange meeting last week Thursday evening, and the lecturer, Mrs. C. A. Reid, had an excellent program.  At the business session it was voted not to omit any of the meetings during the summer.  Overseer A. H. Sutherland presided in the absence of the master, John P. Wright.  Five minutes’ talks on current events, interspersed with bright quotations, was the program, and Rev. C. P. Marshall, S. L. Taylor and F. C. Wright occupied the time allotted them entertainingly and instructively.  The recent conference of governors at Washington, forestry, and the observance of the Fourth were some of the topics.  The grange orchestra furnished good music, and Edson Boynton was in fine voice for his solos.  Mrs. Reid contributed a piano solo and responded to an encore; Mrs. L. W. Wheeler supplied a group of cheerful quotations.  It was a pleasure to all to have present Miss Carrie E. Read of Barre, who is a charter member of this grange.  When called upon to speak she complimented the order for the development of an orchestra within its membership.

At the next meeting, July 16, the subject will be, “Hints and helps in raising poultry,” speakers F. C. Wright and Mrs. J. E. Knight; also, a discussion by all members on the following topic, “What constitutes a good neighbor?”

Graniteville.  Last week Friday afternoon the Independents and Brimstones played the second game of the season, and the affair was more like a quiet Sunday school picnic than a baseball game.  The Brimstones were never in the hunt and the Independents won handily by a score of 12 to 8.  McCarthy and Loftus were the battery for the Independents, Gordon and Ledwith for the Brimstones.  Florence Sullivan made an efficient umpire and handled the game alone.  This settles the series, the Independents having won two out of three games.  This Saturday afternoon the Brimstones will play the strong St. John, Jrs., of North Chelmsford on the home grounds at three p.m.

There was no special observance here July 4, although there was a mild celebration the night before in which the boys made lots of noise for a few hours, but no damage was done to property as has been the case in other years.  During the day many took in the sports at Forge Village, while others attended the numerous amusement resorts out of town.  Among the visitors noticed here during the holidays were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Quinn of Boston, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Caisse, Anna and James Harrington of Leominster, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Blood of Boston and Mary J. Driscoll of Lynn.

The ladies’ aid society of the Methodist church met with Mrs. W. C. Wright on Thursday afternoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Defoe and son Gerald have recently returned from a brief visit to Revere beach.

Surprise. Wesley O. Hawkes, the popular selectman for the town of Westford, observed his sixty-sixth birthday anniversary Tuesday, July 7. It was his intention to pass the day without any special celebration, but the ladies’ aid society of the Methodist church and the Sunday school, where he has been the superintendent for the past seven years, thought differently of the matter, and when Mr. Hawkes was quietly watering his lawn early Tuesday evening he received an urgent call to report at the church at once over a matter of great importance. On entering the vestry, which had been prettily decorated for the occasion, he was met by many old friends and a sea of young faces and given an ovation that lasted several minutes. He was soon made acquainted with the “important business” at hand, and with Mrs. Hawkes and Rev. and Mrs. Armand [2], a receiving line was formed and a short reception held. All present went forward and wished Mr. Hawkes many happy returns of the day. After the reception Mrs. Armand stepped forward and in a few well-chosen words presented to Mr. Hawkes, on behalf of the ladies’ aid and the Sunday school, a beautiful mahogany combination bookcase and writing desk. He was also the recipient of a bouquet of carnations and other gifts from his children and grandchildren. To say that Mr. Hawkes was surprised would be putting it mildly, but he replied in his usual genial vein, thanking all kindly for the favors shown and assuring the donors that he greatly appreciated the gifts bestowed and that this happy occasion would always be remembered by him. A short program was given consisting of a piano solo by George Wilson; recitation, Mrs. Alice Lambert; song, Maud Robinson; piano solo, Rachel Wall; piano solo, Grace Robinson; vocal duet; “Smarty,” Grace and Maud Robinson; piano solo, Alice M. Gilson. After the program was finished light refreshments were served and all joined in singing the old songs and having a good time. It was a very enjoyable affair and the village people as a body extend their best wishes and a long life of prosperity to Mr. and Mrs. Wesley O. Hawkes.

Forge. Emerson DeRoehn [aged 14!] got caught by a belt in the mill just before noon on Tuesday. His head was badly cut, several stitches having to be taken, some of his teeth knocked out, and his arm was badly burned by coming in contact with the belt. Dr. Sherman was the attending physician.

John, the six-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sullivan, met with a painful accident Monday.  He picked up a firecracker that did not explode when lighted, and while trying to blow it, it went off burning his face severely and injuring his eye so that it is uncertain about saving the sight.

The spinning department of the Abbot Co. will now run fifty hours a week, after being on forty hours’ schedule for several months.

Celebration.  The Fourth of July celebration started in here unexpectedly at midnight Friday night by a large bonfire, which was intended for the night of the Fourth.  The wood was placed in readiness on the field and the temptation proved too strong for the small boys of the village who put a match to the wood.  From then everything was kept lively until the fireworks Saturday night, when the program closed.  The sports commenced at nine o’clock in the morning and were witnessed by the largest crowd ever seen in Forge Village.  Mr. and Mrs. Julian Cameron and Mr. and Mrs. John Abbot and family of Westford were present.  Mr. Cameron gave the wood for the bonfire and contributed a generous amount toward the prizes.  The sports were in charge of Herbert Wadleigh and Mr. Weaver and were won as follows:

Men’s 100-yd dash, Frank Connell, $2; Joseph Bennett, $1.  Potato race, Wm. DeRoehn, $2; Philip Lord, $1.  Boys’ sack race, Eddie Spinner, $2; Arth. Dumont, $1; boys’ 100-yd. Dash, Elmer DeRoehn, $2; Omer Schlitz, $1.  Wheelbarrow race, Joseph Bennett, $2; John Shackleton, $1.  Ladies’ 60-yd. Dash, Helen Lord, $2; Katie Brown, $1.  Tub race, Philip Lord, $2; Arthur Dumont, 50¢.  Swimming race, John Shackleton, $2; Chas. McGowan, $1.  Young ladies’ boat race won by Mary Low and Katie Brown, $1; Helen Low and Sarah Precious, 2d.  Greased pig race was won by Joseph McDonald.

At 1:30 the old-fashioned wooden band was brought into use.  The members formed in line at the square.  They were followed by all the young ladies of the village, bearing small American flags, and with ringing of bells and blowing of horns escorted the ball players to the field, where the Lions played the Has-beens and won by a score of 24 to 8.  After this the band formed in line and paraded through the village.  A band concert was then given.  Much credit is due Mr. Wadleigh for the success of the affair.

[1] There are two Uncanoonuc mountain peaks in Goffstown, N.H. The north peak, the highest point in Goffstown, has an elevation of 1,324 feet above sea level, and the south peak rises to 1,321 feet. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanoonuc_Mountains

[2] Samuel Henry Armand (1879- ) was pastor of the M.E. church at Graniteville from July 1908 to January 1910.

Saturday, July 18, 1908

Obituary. It brought feelings of genuine sadness to her many friends when word went around the village last week Thursday and Friday of the sudden and serious illness of Miss Rebecca E. Luce. No encouraging report came from her sick room and she passed away at noon Saturday. Although in rather frail health, she had been able to be about as usual, and on Thursday went to the postoffice as was her habit, following her neighborly custom of carrying the mail to those families living near her. After getting home she complained of feeling ill and of severe pain in the back of her head. This grew worse until she lapsed into unconsciousness from which she never rallied. All that love and skill could suggest was done, but she passed peacefully away Saturday.

She was the eldest daughter of the late Rev. Leonard and Mrs. Rebecca E. (Guild) Luce, and had spent the whole of her life here and had always been identified with the best interests of the community and stood for all that was upright and noble in human character. Gentle and refined in nature, loyal in her devotion to home and church, she leaves in the memory of her many friends a record of christian living dear to the hearts of all who knew her. She was a student at Westford academy, and later at Lasell seminary in Auburndale. She was a faithful and successful teacher in both public and Sabbath school for many years, and to the day of her death held the loyal affection of former pupils. She possessed in no small degree the happy gift of writing accurately and entertainingly. At the re-dedication of the Congregational church several years ago [1897] she wrote an historical article, which, as the daughter of the first pastor, and her lifelong association with the church, will be of great value in the records of the church in years to come. She also gave valuable assistance in keeping the records of the town clerk during the years that her father held that office.

Her immediate family consisted of her only sister, Miss Miranda G. Luce, who has the sincerest sympathy of all who know how close the bond of sisterly affection was between them; also, James. L. Kimball of Boston, an only nephew, who was devotedly attached to his aunt.

The funeral was held from the pleasant home where she had spent her long life, Monday afternoon at three o’clock, and was largely attended by neighbors, kindred and friends. Revs. C. P. Marshall and B. H. Bailey were the officiating clergymen. Mr. Marshall, her pastor, paid fitting tribute to her memory. He said in part that at the close of this long and useful life it could be said with especial appropriateness, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter the joy of thy Lord.” “Hers was a life of wonderful devotion. Some lives are great in their achievement of great things. Hers was a life that gave itself with the greatest self-effacement to the duties of life.” He spoke of the beautiful devotion to father and mother, the devotion to sisters and nephew and niece with a spirit that knew no self. “She gave self to others. If devotion is an old-fashioned trait in the stress of our modern life, it makes all the more conspicuous the cases of self-giving. Nor was it only in the home circle that this life was given, but in the larger interests of the church and community. Miss Luce did one thing for us—for us especially of our church. She connected us with the earlier time, being, as she loved to call herself, the first child of the parish [1]. How valuable this connection with the past is we in some measure realize and in some measure have valued, but in the future when it is really gone we shall find how valuable it really is.” Mr. Marshall said that character could not be summed up in one word, it was too complex for that; a true character has many virtues, yet were he asked to write one word he should say devotion, and that he would also like to add the words character and courtesy.

Interment was in the family lot at Fairview. The bearers were Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher, Chas. O. Prescott, Harrison B. Hall and Henry H. Burbeck, all neighbors of long standing. The flowers such as Miss Luce so loved in life were profuse and of great beauty. They were as follows:

Plume white roses, Miss Miranda G. Luce; white carnations, James L. Kimball; wreath white roses and pink carnations, Dr. W. J. Sleeper and family; spray white carnations and pink roses, a friend; white carnations, Mrs. Hiram Whitney; red and white carnations, Mrs. H. V. Hildreth; white rose and pink carnations, Mrs. Rachel W. Reed; bouquet, Mrs. Heywood; wreath, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. T. Day; mound purple sweet peas, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Wright; white sweet peas, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Humiston; bouquet, H. Burbeck; bouquet, Miss Marion Hall; white carnations, Mrs. Calvert and Mrs. Barnard; wreath galax leaves, roses and carnations, church friends; sweet peas, Mrs. Kebler and Mrs. Abbot; white roses, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Cameron; pink carnations, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hartford; pink carnations, Mrs. Alvin Fisher and family; sweet peas, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. A. Perkins; bouquet, Elizabeth, Marion and Theodore Perkins; mound, S. H. Fletcher and family; spray larkspur, Mrs. Prescott; sickle pansies, Ella Hildreth; white pinks, Mrs. E. G. Boynton and Florence H. Read.

Center. Miss Eva Young of London, England, is a guest at Mrs. Helen K. Frost’s. The Frosts met Miss Young in musical circles while living abroad. This is her first visit to America and she expresses much pleasure with her impressions and particularly of our pleasant hill town.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Wright and son Livingston of Quincy are making their customary July sojourn at N. H. Wright’s.

Marden and Marjory Seavey have been entertained the past week in Cambridge by their grandmother, Mrs. M. E. Mitchell. Mrs. Seavey and Master Gordon spent last week with friends at Clifton on the North shore.

Mrs. W. M. Wright has been seriously ill the past week with an attack of her old enemy, heart trouble, but at this writing is much more comfortable.

Miss J. Florence Wilson is ill at her home on the Boston road, under the care of Dr. Godfrey of Littleton

The Julian Camerons are at their summer home at Cross Island, Essex, for a few weeks.

Miss Florence Cass of Somerville was a weekend guest at her sister’s Mrs. A. H. Sutherland.

It is a pleasure to her many friends to have Miss Florence H. Read [Florence Heywood Read, born May 24, 1877, Westford, daughter of Joseph Henry & Mary Eleanor (Falls) Read] of Barre visiting in town.

At the Congregational church Sunday evening Wm. A. Perkins conducted the meeting from the subject, “Character and courtesy,” in an especially helpful and able way. It was with keenest regret that his hearers realized that this was one of the last of the courteous manifestations of christian helpfulness that he would render this church for which he and his family have done so much during their three years’ sojourn in our midst. They move the latter part of the month to their new home in Grafton, taking with them all the good wishes of the Westford friends.

Mrs. Ida Cummings Allen and little son of Ayer have been spending a week with Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher.

Mr. and Mrs. [nee Sarah F. Whitney] Ai Bicknell reached the fortieth milestone in their journey of married life, last Saturday [actually, July 13], and received many congratulations from friends.

An alleviating circumstance of the drouth which by the time this is printed we hope may be a thing of the past, is that those who had the new water supply installed last fall have had plenty of good water to use and are not frightened with the thought of well or cistern going dry. Many families have wet down lawn and flower beds with hose to offset, in a measure, the lack of rain. At the last analysis by the state chemist the water showed excellent results, ranking third of any in the state.

Miss Sarah D. Hamlin who recently made a visit to her native town, writes of her safe arrival back in San Francisco, arriving a day earlier than she expected.

Miss Emily F. Fletcher enjoyed a pleasant trip of several days to Stowe, Vt., last week, going up Mt. Mansfield and staying over night at the Summit house.

Miss Lila C. Fisher sends to the home people delightful accounts of her western trip. During her stay in Denver she met her old friend and neighbor, Roy B. Wheeler, one of our Westford boys, who makes his home in Denver.

Rev. O. B. Wells of Franklin, Vt., has been a recent guest of his brother, Dr. O. V. Wells.

Marion Gertrude Sherman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel W. Sherman, died at her home Wednesday, July 15, after a lingering illness, aged 35 yrs. 3 mos. She is survived by her parents, a sister, Mrs. William Pollock, and a brother, David Sherman; also, two nephews and a niece. She was a young woman of many estimable qualities, and the family have the sympathy of many friends in their bereavement. The funeral was held from her late home Thursday at two o’clock, Rev. C. P. Marshall officiating. Interment in Fairview.

Charles O. Prescott and Rev. Chas. P. Marshall enjoyed a few days at Plymouth this week.

About Town. The county surveyors have been surveying on the Lowell road in search of the county bounds established at the time the road was built, forty-five years ago. For a bill of particulars as to the whereat of these bounds inquire of the Lowell and Fitchburg electric railway. The last seen of some of these bounds they were on a drag owned by said company. This of course was during the building of the road, when all things movable had no abiding place.

An accident occurred on the electric road last week Thursday afternoon delaying travel until the next morning. The car which left North Chelmsford for Ayer, when arriving at the junction of the line for Westford, attempted to go to Ayer and Westford at the same time, the forward wheels starting for Ayer and the rear wheels for Westford. As this could not be done a compromise was effected, and the car landed against the waiting station. The car was full of passengers, and like all compromises nobody was satisfied.

Good authority says that the strong Groton ball team has not been defeated this season. That is certainly seasoned with remarkableness. With this point of view before them the Westford team went to Groton last Saturday afternoon and took the remarkableness out of the Groton team by a score of 17 to 3. This Saturday afternoon the Westford team will play the T. R. and T. team of North Billerica at Stony Brook park near Westford station.

Joseph Danforth of Tyngsboro has been appointed principal of Westford academy. He is a graduate of Tufts college, has taught in Vermont, and is plural.

Albert A. Hildreth, who lives on Concord road, who has been mistrusting for some time that the drouth was interfering with the rights of his crops, has had it arrested. He certainly has not arrested it all, but of course one gasoline engine and hosepipe can’t reach everybody’s disturbance.

There was a precipitation of moisture last Sunday afternoon like unto a heavy dew. Forge Village got about all the rainfall. This with the licensed liquor institution to wet people down ought to keep them in a state of moisture until others are served.

The crops in the Stony Brook valley are singing for more of this dew. They would sing louder, but are hoarse for want of something to drink.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cameron and children, Mrs. J. L. Fisk and Miss M. J. Taylor returned Monday on the Cymric from a motor trip in England, Scotland and Wales. Mr. Cameron traveled over three thousand miles, and although he went through some difficult passes in the mountains, he had no trouble with his car. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Abbot, Miss Caruzu Abbot and John Abbot return the first of next week from a motor trip in Europe.

At a meeting of the Spaulding light cavalry association at town hall, Wednesday evening, it was voted to hold a reunion at Nabnassett pond Aug. 13. The Nashua military band has been engaged to lead in sounding the notes recalling old-time memories. Various other attractions will make you all wish you were there.

S. L. Taylor is busy today eating the first sweet corn of the season. Of course the dry weather hindered its approach by several weeks.

Graniteville. After many weeks of dry weather this village was visited by a thunder storm and heavy rain last Sunday afternoon that lasted about half an hour. During the storm lightning struck a large tree in front of David Shattuck’s house on Third st., breaking it completely off about fifteen feet from the top. Several of the families in that vicinity were very much alarmed for a time, for it was feared that some house was struck nearby. A party of young men who had been bathing in Burgess pond got caught in the rain near the electric track and were forced to take shelter in a shed. It was fortunate that they did so, for had they continued on their journey they would have been right in the path of the bolt that struck the tree.

Mr. and Mrs. Lester McLenna of Cross st. are rejoicing in the arrival of a baby girl [Regina H. McLenna], born last Saturday.

Miss Margaret O’Hara, who is now a district nurse in Concord, N.H., has been a recent visitor in this village.

James B. Healy is on an extended vacation visiting relatives in Wellsville, N.Y.

Miss Alice Fitzpatrick, who has been visiting with Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Healy in this village for the past few days, has returned to her home in Wellsville, N.Y.

Edwin Gilson and daughter, Miss Olive May Gilson, of Lowell have returned to their home after a very pleasant visit with relatives in this village.

Commencing this week the mills of the Abbot Worsted Co., both here and in Forge Village, will run on a fifty-hour basis. These mills for the past few months have been running on a forty-hour schedule, and the new order of things has proved very pleasing to the village people as well as to the employees of the mills.

Mr. and Mrs. John Quinn of Lawrence have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Furbush in this village.

Mr. and Mrs. John Hollows and Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft of Fitchburg were the weekend visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith.

In spite of the dry weather that has proved very disastrous to the berry crop in this vicinity, it appears that there will be an abundance of swamp blueberries, and many people in this village have taken advantage of the opportunity and returned with full pails of fine berries after visiting the swamps in the outlying districts.

A few of the sporting element of this village took in the Groton-Westford A.A. game in Groton last Saturday afternoon, when the Westford boys put it all over their opponents and won by the uninteresting score of 17 to 3.

The St. Johns juniors visited here last Saturday afternoon and met with defeat at the hands of the Brimstones by a score of 10 to 8. The game was replete with many fast fielding stunts and there was heavy batting on both sides. The batteries were McCarthy and Ledwith for the Brimstones, Potter, Scanlon and McTeague for the St. Johns.

Forge. Tuesday afternoon sparks from the engine set the grass on fire on the W. E. Parsons place and on the Whigham place, but by the prompt attention of section men and neighbors it was subdued, and the rain finished the work. The fire department was called and responded to a man, but fortunately they did not have to use the hose.

Wilson and Harvey Lyons of Randolph, with a party of friends, are at the Woodlands; Mr. and Mrs. Schofield of Lawrence at Mr. Parrot’s cottage; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Murphy of Lowell at “Crow’s nest;” Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nichols and two daughters, Helen and Mildred, at their cottage; Mr. Tyzzer and family at his cottage. There are about forty cottages on the shore of Forge pond and nearly all are filled for the summer.

Miss Margaret O’Hara and brother John of Concord, N.H., are guests of their aunt, Mrs. Larkin, for a few days. Miss O’Hara is assistant district nurse in Concord.

Mr. and Mrs. Watson and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Needham and daughters, and Clara Bailey visited Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collins over Sunday.

Miss Elizabeth Plummer has returned from a two weeks’ vacation at Beverly. During her vacation she had the pleasure of attending the wedding of a near friend in Ipswich.

Mrs. Ouilette and son have gone to St. Albans, Vt., to visit her husband’s people. His father is living, and although over ninety years of age is enjoying comfortable health. On her return she will spend the rest of her vacation at their cottage here.

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Sullivan and daughter of Marlboro spent Sunday at his brother’s, James Sullivan.

John Hanley, wife and daughter of Marlboro are at his father’s, Daniel Hanley, for a short vacation.

Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Lyons were guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Parsons Sunday.

The Neptune club took advantage of the warm weather Sunday and spent the day in the water. Stella Carkin, Bertha Collins, Nellie Burns, Nellie Olden, [and] Mrs. Pollie DeRoehn are the latest members to be admitted. Miles Collins has kindly offered to build a diving board, which will be placed in position as soon as possible.

Mr. and Mrs. Locke and daughter have returned to the home in Manchester, N.H., after a two weeks’ stay at their cottage.

Mr. Merrill and two sons from Lowell spent part of the day Monday cruising about Forge pond and trying their luck at fishing.

Emerson DeRoehn, who was so severely hurt in the mill last week, is improving rapidly.

Archie Bennett of California is visiting his grandfather, Alvin Bennett.

Surprise. Miss Nellie Henderson of Malden is at her camp, the Lincoln, with a jolly party for a week. Miss Henderson arrived on Saturday, with Mr. and Mrs. Field of Malden and Mrs. H. W. Baldwin of Everett. On Monday Miss Henderson went to the village for other guests and on returning was greatly surprised to hear the strains of “The star spangled banner” from her graphophone and to see a beautiful flag 6×9 ft. flung to the breeze. The flag was presented by Mmes. Field, Baldwin, Wesson, Flint and James of Chelsea, Dinan, Dutton and Coman of Everett, and Miss Winfield Cook of Revere. The ladies have formed a club to be known as “The campers,” with Miss Henderson, pres.; Mrs. Baldwin, sec. and teas.; Mrs. Coman, patriotic instructor. Dottie, the pet dog of Mrs. Field, is the mascot of the club. On Wednesday they entertained Mrs. Parsons, Katie Hanley, and Stella Carkin of Forge Village.

[1] The Union Congregational Church split from the First Parish (Unitarian) Church and was formally organized Aug. 18, 1828. Rev. Leonard Luce, an 1824 graduate of Brown and just graduated from Andover Seminary, preached his first sermon here on Oct. 1, 1828. He was invited to serve as the church’s first pastor, was ordained April 8, 1829, and was married Oct. 18, 1829. The new church building, now the Performing Center for the Arts on Lincoln St., was built and dedicated on Oct. 8, 1829. The Luce’s first child, Rebecca Elizabeth, was born Nov. 4, 1830, certainly one of the first, if not the first, child of this new parish.

Saturday, July 25, 1908

About Town.—One of the evenest ballgames of the season was played last Saturday on Westford territory between the Westford team and the T. R. and T. of Billerica. Before the game began the manager of the Billerica team said, “If you beat us you will beat the best team that has come out of Billerica for twenty years.” This remark was loaded with truth, for the game proved to be one of the most closely contested games of the season, the Billerica team winning by a score of 5 to 3 in eleven innings. When it is considered that the winning team has only been defeated once this season, the Westford team can feel that they gave them a close game for the number of innings.

George G. Bulfinch, jr., of Roxbury, sub-master at the Keene high school, is a weekend guest this week of John Adams Taylor

Misses Julia, Gertrude and Emily Fletcher are spending the week at Peak’s Island, Me.

The next meeting of the Spaulding light cavalry association will be held at town hall, Wednesday evening, July 29. At the last meeting twenty new members were admitted.

The milk train on the Stony Brook road was delayed last Sunday near the Stony Brook bridge by a small breakage on the engine. The skill of the engineer soon made the engine in running order and the train soon sped on to Boston to relieve the drouth of its inhabitants.

J. Willard Fletcher is having part of his mowing done by the engines on Stony Brook road. Steam power is cheaper than horse power, especially when you get paid for having it done. Fire cuts closer than a mowing machine and does it quicker.

The assessors have committed the list of taxes to L. W. Wheeler, the collector, who is busy preparing interesting reading material for each individual taxpayer. The dry weather and light crops may make it difficult reading for some, but you have until Nov. 1 to prepare.

Center.—At the funeral of Miss Gertrude Sherman, last week Thursday afternoon, Miss Edna Ferguson and E. G. Boynton sang two beautiful selections—“Lead, kindly light,” and “Jesus, lover of my soul.” The funeral was private, with the exception of two or three near friends outside the family circle. Rev. C. P. Marshall spoke words of wise sympathy. The bearers were W. A. Perkins, Q. W. Day, H. G. Osgood and L. W. Wheeler. The floral offerings were as follows: sweet peas and pinks, Mrs. E. M. Day and Arthur E. Day; pinks, David Sherman; pinks, Dr. Sleeper and family; bouquet, W. H. Burbeck; pinks, Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Pollock.

Miss Olive Pyne is spending a vacation with Miss Reymore Neilson in Winchester and an aunt in Boston.

Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher is enjoying a sojourn at her childhood home in Ludlow, Vt.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth are spending a vacation at Ogonquit [sic], Me.

Miss Anna Hall is at Pittsfield for two months.

Mr. and Mrs. Abiel J. Abbot, their son John and daughter Carnzu, arrived home from their motor trip in Europe last Sunday morning, and the Donald Camerons a few days earlier. It is pleasant to have their home active with life again.

The batters are in place and excavating for the cellar under way for the new house next N. H. Wright’s built by Frank C. Drew. W. E. Carkin is doing the work.

Mrs. H. V. Hildreth entertained delightfully a group of friends at a verandah party Monday afternoon. It was a genuine pleasure to all to meet Mrs. Nelly P. Draper, who has been Mrs. Hildreth’s house guest for the past week. Other out of town guests were Mrs. H. M. Wright, Mrs. Walter Wright, Miss Jennie M. Chandler, Miss Sue Gardner and Miss Alice Wright. Merry sociability, needlework and a dainty repast made the gathering a decidedly pleasant one.

At the Congregational church Sunday morning the musical part of the service was much helped by the skilful clarinet playing by Oscar Nelson, accompanying the organ. In the evening there was a temperance subject, Mrs. C. P. Marshall leader, who had prepared an excellent paper on various phases of temperance work.

Miss Alice Williams is the guest of her sister, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler.

Graniteville. Owing to the inclement weather, last week Friday evening, the ladies’ aid society of the Methodist church was obliged to change its plans somewhat in regard to the lawn party that was to have been held on the church grounds. The program, however, was carried out successfully in the church vestry, where an impromptu musical program was given that proved very enjoyable. Ice cream, cake and other refreshments found ready sale, and although the attendance was not as large as would have been the case had the weather been more favorable, those present were ever ready with their purse, and the affair proved to be a social and financial success.

Two officers of a well-known Lowell bank visited the superintendent’s office of the Abbot Worsted Co.’s mills here last week Thursday afternoon for the purpose of receiving deposits or opening new accounts. In spite of the present short time the opening day proved very successful, and it is the intention of this bank to have some official present at the mills on every Thursday afternoon for the purpose of attending to this end of the business.

The Brimstone baseball club that is gaining such a reputation scored another victory here last Saturday afternoon when they defeated the strong Franklin team of Lowell to the tune of 9 to 1. Tom McCarthy, the local twirler, had his opponents at his mercy and after the first inning there was nothing to it. Bill Ledwith worked behind the bat in faultless style and threw to bases like a bullet. In fact, the local club played the game without an error, which is considered remarkable for a sixteen-year-old team. The Lowell boys tried hard to win but owing to their inability to hit McCarthy safely, and the fine fielding game put up by the Brimstones, they failed to land it. The batteries were McCarthy and Ledwith for the Brimstones, Reynolds and Neiger for the Franklins. The local club will play the Littletons on the grounds here this Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. Everett Laselle of Fitchburg have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wall.

Miss Rachel Wall is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Fred Saunders in Nashua.

Miss Mary Harrington, with Mrs. H. J. Healy and son Richard, will spend the next few weeks at “Sunset villa,” Tyngsboro, where the varied natural beauty of this historic spot appeals to all followers of the simple life.

Frances Angelina, the four months’ old daughter of Mrs. Josephine McCarthy, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Brisson in Tyngsboro, last Sunday, after an illness of only a few days, of cholera infantum. The death of this child is particularly sad at this time, owing to the fact that the father, the late Joseph McCarthy, died as the result of injuries a few weeks ago. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon and burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery in this village.

The Brimstones and Has-beens played a very interesting game of baseball Tuesday afternoon, which resulted in a victory for the Has-beens by a score of 4 to 3. The younger players put up a fast game, but the Has-Beens having the most experience and understanding the rules of inside ball outgeneraled their opponents and met the ball squarely when hits meant runs.

Several members of the young men’s athletic club of this village enjoyed a very pleasant outing at Long-sought-for pond last Sunday.

A. J. Abbot, treasurer of the Abbot Worsted Co., has recently returned form a very enjoyable trip abroad.

Forge.—Mrs. Halstead, who was the guest of her brother, Mr. Schofield, at the Parrot cottage, was suddenly called to the bedside of her husband, who went to the Massachusetts general hospital for an operation and lies critically ill, with but slight hopes of his recovery. Mrs. Berry and Mrs. Ernest Whitmore, mother and sister of Mrs. Schofield, were her guests Friday and Saturday last week.

The Forge Village Lions played the West-ends of Littleton at the home grounds Saturday afternoon and were defeated by a score of twenty to fifteen.

Miss Violet Collins is spending her vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collins. She is a trained nurse in the Channing hospital, Providence, R.I.

Mrs. Emma Murphy, formerly of this village but now living in Lowell, was visiting friends here the past week. She has just recovered from a long and tedious illness.

Misses Lillian and Margery Rose of Belmont are visiting their grandmother, Mrs. Splaine.

Edwin Hinsley of Worcester is here for the rest of the month at the home of Mr. Precious.

Mrs. M. Keefe and two children of Townsend Harbor, and Mrs. John Carmichael and little daughter of Lowell were guests over Sunday of Mrs. John Carmichael.

Miss Ethel Jones of Worcester and Master Willie Longbottom of Arlington are guests of their aunt, Mrs. Chester Blodgett, at the Ridges.

Mrs. Fletcher Morton, formerly of this village, but more recently of Bridgeport, Conn., is visiting relatives here.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Lewis and Frank Murphy of Lowell are at Hollingside cottage for a brief sojourn.

Mrs. William Weaver, who has been quite ill from the effects of the heat, is able to be about again.

Roy Darling of Hyde Park is taking his vacation, calling upon old friends in this village.

Edmund Hunt met with a painful accident last Saturday, while out fishing. In taking a hornpout [New England term for a catfish] from the hook he cut his finger with one of the horns. Blood poisoning resulted and but for timely medical aid would have been very serious.

Mrs. Vincent Small and little daughter Norma of Everett came to their cottage Tuesday for the summer.