The Westford Wardsman, July 20, 1918
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Preston H. Skidmore and daughter Elaine are spending two weeks at Chatham.
George Perkins has had a telephone installed.
Mrs. Emilson, on the Boston road, has recently returned from the hospital with her baby son [Eire John Emilson] which was born [June 24, 1918,] at the hospital.
During one of the recent severe electrical storms twenty-four lines were put out of order.
Joseph E. Knight, with Mrs. Knight, went this week to North Berwick, Me., to attend the funeral of his brother, F. C. Knight. The latter was postmaster at North Berwick for many years during republican administrations. Mr. and Mrs. Knight will remain for a week or two visiting other kinspeople.
The Cavalry association building on Boston road is being reshingled.
Frank L. Fletcher, a former resident of Westford, but of late years living in Somerville, died Thursday morning at the Spalding camp at Forge pond. His daughter, Mrs. Clarke, and son, Hugh Fletcher, have been with their father. The funeral will be held this Saturday afternoon.
Charles E. Hunter, who recently died in Tyngsboro and who was in charge of the telephone exchange there, had frequently assisted at the exchange here in Westford. Our subscribers always found him a man of courtesy and accuracy while at the switch board.
We note the death this week of Benjamin Franklin Day at his home in Bedford, aged eighty-six years. He was born in Avon, Me., and served with distinction in one of the Maine regiments. He was a member of the G.A.R., Lowell. Mr. Day formerly lived in Westford for many years on the farm on Concord road [138 Concord Rd.] now occupied by J. W. Shaddick, and later, after he retired, he lived for a time in the house now occupied by Harry Stiles. He served the town faithfully for a number of years as superintendent of streets.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Wright are spending several weeks at H. L. Wright’s.
Perley E. Wright is having steam heat and modern plumbing installed at his home [56 Main St.].
Word has been received by his family and other friends from Leon F. Hildreth of safe arrival overseas.
Sunday morning children’s day will be observed at the Congregational church. This had to be postponed until this late date on account of the measles epidemic. The exercises will take the place of the regular morning exercises. Last Sunday evening Mr. Lincoln gave an interesting talk on Bastille day, the French patriotic holiday, and its significance.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher and son John motored to Wolfeboro and Farmington, N.H., Wednesday and Thursday, visiting kinspeople and leaving John for a stay at Camp Kelknap at the lake.
George F. White lost a valuable young two-year-old from his herd of registered Ayrshire cattle this week. The animal was at pasture in Stoddard, N.H., and when Mr. White was notified [of its illness] he started at once by motor truck and brought the animal home. Every care was given it, but the case was diagnosed as lump jaw and it was judged best to have the beautiful young creature killed to end its suffering and against infection to the rest of the herd.
A daughter, Rita Hosmer Edwards, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Edwards, at their home in Brookside, Friday of last week. Mrs. Edwards formerly lived in Westford Center.
Rev. and Mrs. William E. Anderson and son have recently returned from an extended auto trip. Mr. Anderson, with his brother, went to visit his native West Virginia, and Mrs. Anderson remained in New York with the brother’s family.
Miss Hazel Hartford recently received a letter from her cousin, Wesley Hawkes, Jr., in the service in France, in which was enclosed an interesting souvenir in the shape of a button from the uniform of a German prisoner.
Members of the home guard from the Center were well represented at the battalion drill of the three companies in Concord, Groton and Westford at Prescott field, Forge Village, last Sunday. It was an interesting sight to watch them and the music was a decided addition. The regular weekly drill took place on Tuesday evening. Major Tuttle and adjutant, of Concord, were present. Another battalion drill may take place the first Sunday in August. Major Tuttle was unable to definitely state whether or not the companies would camp out for five days at Leicester after August 20.
There was a good attendance of Red Cross workers present on Wednesday at Library hall. Mrs. George M. Baker, of Concord, food administrator for Middlesex county, was present and gave a talk on food conditions in general, but not especially on canning and drying, as had been announced. At the next meeting a special business session will be called by the chairman for the election of a treasurer. Owing to pressure of other work Mrs. Bessie D. Watson, who has served so efficiently since the branch was organized a year ago April, has resigned and a new treasurer must be chosen.
Dr. O. V. Wells and family spent Monday in Amesbury and Salisbury.
Golden Wedding. Not to every wedded couple is given the span of fifty years together, culminating in the observance of their golden anniversary in health and strength sufficient to enjoy it. This privilege came to Mr. and Mrs. Ai Bicknell on Tuesday of last week at their home on Main street [2 Main St.], and was made a joyous occasion by relatives and friends, and especially Mr. Bicknell’s brother comrades of the G.A.R. Mr. and Mrs. Bicknell were very happily surprised and sincerely appreciative of the many manifestations of good will and friendship toward them. They were the recipients of many gifts, especially $37.50 in gold and $20.50 in other money; also, gifts of linen, china and beautiful flowers. There were guests present from Lowell, Chelmsford, Royalston and Pelham and Warren, N.H. There were eighty guests registered during the day. The veterans present, with whom Mr. Bicknell has been associated with for so many years, were Wesley O. Hawkes, John Wilson, Joseph E. Knight, Wayland F. Balch, George W. Nesmith and John Wayne.
Fifty years ago in the pleasant summer time [on July 13, 1868], Ai Bicknell and Sarah F. Whitney, both of Westford, were united in marriage by Rev. Seth Chandler, of Shirley. They lived for the first five years of their married life in Townsend and then came back to Westford, where they have lived ever since.
Mr. Bicknell is a civil war veteran, serving with Company C, 16th Massachusetts regiment for a period of 4 years and 11 days. The day he enlisted he walked from Westford to the recruiting station in Cambridge. He was in the battle of Gettysburg trench when he [his brother Nathan] was killed in action in that battle. He was also with McClellan at Richmond when they made their retreat and was also in the battle of Bull Run, when he was taken prisoner. When he was at Hampton Roads, at Fortress Monroe, he witnessed the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack. It was one of the satisfactions of Mr. Bicknell’s later years that he could go a few years ago to Southern Pennsylvania for the observation of the fiftieth anniversary of that famous battle of Gettysburg.
Many additional friends who were not present at this golden anniversary, extend to Mr. and Mrs. Bicknell their heartiest greetings and good wishes.
About Town. Sweet corn is in the silk at the Emery J. Whitney garden farm at ye hilltop of Westford. Ditto at ye Old Oaken Bucket farm in ye ancient Stony Brook Valley. But at this last reservation only one stalk is ditto; the others are waiting for more favorable conditions in the weather.
Amos Polly, on the Prairie farm, in cutting a second piece of oats, found some measuring 5 feet and 11 inches. This is a true story. Attest, your correspondent [i.e., Samuel L. Taylor]. Rye on a New Jersey farm stands eight feet.
Allusion was made last week to the decline in the quality of milk, it being attributed to inferior grade of cows, and not to inferior grain. As there were those who thought your correspondent was guessing through his hat, let us all take our hats off to official authority confirming it.
Rev. H. L. Buckshorn will conduct the services at the Unitarian church on Sunday. The subject of the sermon will be “Windows looking east.” This will be [the] last Sunday before vacation. The church will be closed for the usual vacation until Sunday, September 8.
Miss Luanna B. Decatur, who had been teaching in New Rochelle, N.Y., is home for the usual vacation at the old Capt. Peletiah Fletcher farm residence on the Lowell road. The Stony Brook Valley is always glad to have her return.
It has been said of old and wisely said, “A dinner of herbs and peace therewith is better than a staled ox and strife therewith.” Rather than run any more risks at the Old Oaken Bucket farm they had a dinner of home-grown string beans on Wednesday. Might have had them several days earlier, but, well never mind why until someone else speaks up.
Formerly there lived at the Nabnassett farm a family by the name of Taylor. Two sons are in the service. I. A. Snow, of West Chelmsford, has recently received a letter from one of the sons, familiarly known as “Billy” Taylor. He wrote of his sea experiences and says he was one of those on the boat responsible for the safe passage of Secretary [of War Newton D.] Baker from England to France.
Mrs. Lucy Keyes recently took a trip to Nashua, N.H. in a motorcycle with side-car attachment for a passenger. This is quite worthy of mention, for Mrs. Keyes is getting near the four-score years and ten. She went to visit her twin brother, Tyrrell by name, who are eighty-five years old.
Some supposed-to-be new warning sign boards have been posted reading “R. R.” Now R. R. isn’t much of a scare warning signal; it can be interpreted for almost anything in mind from rural route to religious rally; but then the expense of the paint that it would take to spell railroad would buy a thrift stamp, one or less, therefore we resolve ourselves to humble war helpfulness and that by the economical simplicity of “R. R.” we are on the Right Road. We are very much obliged for the information.
The recent marriage of [Oliver] Wallace Woodward and Mrs. Dora Russell Gould recalls two former well known people in Westford. Mr. Woodward’s early life was at the farm of his father, Oliver Woodward, at Nabnassett pond, now owned by George C. Moore. Mrs. Woodward was Miss Dora Russell of Chelmsford [and] was known to Westford people as teacher of the Wright school on the Groton road for several years and well known in the social life of the town.
The next meeting of the Grange will not be held until August 15, in charge of H. L. Nesmith.
Graniteville. A surprise party was tendered Miss Florence Carpentier at her home here on last week Friday evening, the occasion being the celebration of her sixteenth birthday anniversary. The time was pleasantly spent in the playing of games, dancing and general enjoyment, and all had a thorough good time. Refreshments were served during the evening. A pleasing incident in connection with the affair was the presentation of a gold wrist watch by her many friends, the speech being delivered in a happy manner by Leo Provost.
Miss Helen Furbush is now at the Lowell General hospital, as a result of an operation for appendicitis. The operation was a success and Miss Furbush is now resting comfortably with every hope for her complete recovery.
Miss Lilly Mae Moran is spending a few days with friends in Springfield.
Graniteville will play the Palmers of Lowell on the home grounds here on this Saturday, and a good game is expected. The game will be called at three o’clock.
A Gala Day. The members of Cameron circle, C. of F. of A., held a very successful gala day at Abbot athletic park on last Saturday. The ball game between the Graniteville club and the St. Peter’s team of Lowell was a fine game for seven innings, when things broke bad for the home team, the Lowell club winning by the score of 11 to 3. In the grove adjoining many attractive booths had been erected and were presided over by numerous young women, who found a ready sale for the many good things in the line of refreshments that were dispensed during the afternoon. The “midway,” with its many side attractions, also did a thriving business during the afternoon. In the evening the festivities were brought to a close by a social dance in Healy’s hall to excellent music furnished by Broderick’s orchestra of Lowell. The affair was largely attended and thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. Refreshments were served at intermission. Many were present from out of town.
The whole affair, both gala day and dance, was one great success, which was due in a great measure to Miss Emily Hanson, who was general manager of the affair, assisted by Misses Hilma Hanson and Emma Wood, and also the following efficient committees: Mrs. Julia Wall, Misses Ruby McCarthy, Stella Shattuck, Rachel Wall, tickets; Misses Hilma Hanson, Emma Wood, tonic table; Misses Alice Harrington Laura McCarthy, candy table; Misses Marion Lord, Mary Sullivan, ice cream table; Mrs. Sophie Hanson, Mrs. Alma Benson, Mrs. Maria Wall, luncheon booth; Mrs. Elizabeth Harrington, check table.
The committee members feel deeply grateful to all those who helped make this affair a success.
Forge Village. The Mattawanakee Camp Fire Girls spent Thursday in camp at Forge pond. The hike was made from Westford in the camp of George Good. At noon dinner was enjoyed on the shore of the pond and consisted of baked potatoes, frankfurters, dropped eggs on toast, minus the toast. Much fun resulted in their attempts at preparing a meal in the open, and if the potatoes were only half baked nobody found fault, as their appetites were much large than the supply of food. Those who made the trip were Alice Wright, Rachel Kimball, Hattie Simpson, Frances Farr, Ethele [sic] Burland, Edna Sargent, Gladys Ingalls and Mrs. Fred Meyer, as chaperon.
Miss Natalie Gallant, of Warren, N.H., is spending her vacation at the home of her aunt, Mrs. J. W. Pyne.
Miss Mildred Parrott has accepted a position in the office of Conant & Houghton, of Littleton.
The Forge Village A.C. defeated the strong St. Peter’s team of Lowell last Saturday by the score of 8 to 5. The feature of the game was the batting of the Forge Village players, who landed on Reynolds hard and often. Brick and Beaudreau featured, and Garrity pitched good ball, striking out ten of St. Peter’s team. Last Saturday a game was expected with the Palmer A.C., of Lowell, but they failed to put in an appearance. They would like to hear from the West End, Bolt Mills or any other team around Lowell. Telephone Westford 6-5, or write T. Kelley, box 28, Forge Village.
The Wilson house, so-called, on Pleasant street, has been remodeled into a first-class boarding house for the convenience of the employees of the Abbot Worsted Co. Mrs. Edwards is in charge.
Walter Mountain fell and struck his head on the floor while at work in the mills of the Abbot Worsted Co., which rendered him unconscious for nearly an hour.
Thomas Whigham of Barre spent the week-end at the home of his sister, Mrs. William Hunt.
The M.S. [Massachusetts State] guards of Groton, Concord and Westford met at the athletic field Sunday. A large number of interested spectators were present. The fife and drum corps gave several selections and although they had not played for some time they gave a good account of themselves. The members of companies during fifteen minute rests entertained the audience with several selections.
Wedding. Lieut. Emerson A. DeRoehn, a native of this town, was married in Ayer on last week Monday to Miss Elizabeth Ashley, of East Boston, Rev. J. W. Thomas performing the ceremony. The young couple then spent a few hours at the home of the bridegroom’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver, of this village, where other relatives made the most of the short time the soldier had to spend with them. Lieut. and Mrs. DeRoehn returned to the home of the bride in Boston, where the bride will remain during her husband’s absence.
Lieut. DeRoehn is the son of Mrs. Carl Gerard, of Ayer, formerly of this town and the late Andrew DeRoehn, and until he enlisted always resided here. He joined the coast artillery and was stationed at Fort Banks, Winthrop. Through hard work and study he was recently made a lieutenant at Camp Lee, Va., and was afterwards transferred to Camp Pike, Ark. After receiving his commission he was assigned to his company in New Jersey, at Camp Dix, and is there awaiting orders for overseas duty. During the past few years of his life in the army he has traveled extensively and been in every state in the union but four. He also saw service in Mexico. His rapid rise to his present position was gained through hard work and study, and his many friends here hope he will give a good account of himself when he arrives over there. He left to join his company a few hours after his marriage.
Pepperell
News Items. Last Sunday was army day at the Congregational church. The auto truck loaned by the Nashua River Paper Company brought twenty-eight soldiers from Camp Devens and two Y.M.C.A. secretaries. Only twenty soldiers were expected, but homes were readily found to entertain the extra men. They filled the choir loft and sang very heartily. As a special selection they sang the Marsellaise. Sec. C. W. Stetson, of Hut 22, who was here in April, played familiar hymns upon his chime bells, and also played upon his musical glasses. At Sunday school he had an interesting story for the children. Rev. G. E. Wolfe, until recently pastor of the Congregational church in Milford, N.H., preached a stirring sermon. Dinners had to be hastened as the men had to be back at three o’clock. This was their last furlough before going across and the men appreciated it—so they said.
Ayer
News Items. Gaynor’s restaurant was placed under the ban by the military authorities at Camp Devens, because of alleged unsanitary conditions. Military police have been constantly on guard day and night since Tuesday outside the restaurant door preventing all men in soldier’s uniform from entering. Citizens, however continue to patronize the place without hindrance.
The Bistany Bros. shows have been drawing good crowds during the week on the West Main street lot. Tuesday night one of the shows which was considered objectionable was allowed to continue after the alleged irregular feature was discarded. A camp order, however, was issued barring all soldiers from entering the grounds and military police are on guard to carry out the edict. The city papers printed exaggerated accounts of the matter in the Wednesday editions.
Wednesday morning at 7:30 o’clock a memorial mass and prayers were said at St. Mary’s church for all our soldiers and sailors who have died during the present war. Similar services will be held at the above time every week.
Aristidi Forni, who is at Camp Devens and who comes from Concord, N.H., appears to be claimed by the special training camp at Durham, N.H. He was sent to the New Hampshire college, which is located in Durham, for a course in mechanical instruction, and the local board in his city supposed that he was there until a request was received from Camp Devens for his credentials. He was an alternate when the last quota was sent to Ayer, but was not needed and it is probable that he assumed the camp here had the first call on him; or he may have preferred a fighting branch of the service.
The speaker at the Sunday evening service at the Federation House will be Rev. P. A. Nelson, Scandinavian camp pastor, and Miss N. Mabel Vella, superintendent of the White Ribbon House, will sing. There will be a social hour after the service. Billiards and pool have been installed, and preparations are being made for other attractions.
Brigadier General M. B. Stewart, formerly chief of staff of the 74th division, bade farewell to the officers at the camp this week Friday morning. He goes to Camp Dodge, Iowa, to assume similar duties.
The sweethearts monument, erected opposite the Hostess House at the camp and which was supposed to have the field stone brought by women whose sweethearts had gone to war, is completed and will be dedicated this Saturday. An interesting feature of the monument to the men in camp is that not one stone was carried by a sweetheart, and many married men who had enlisted as soldiers had been detailed by army officers to do the work credited to the women.
An automobile party entering Camp Devens in the darkness of the early morning hours Thursday did not stop when challenged to do so by a sentry, who fired at them hitting one of the soldiers in the leg. The injured man was removed to the base hospital. Those in the car will probably be court martialed.
War Camp Community Service. New conceptions of responsibility have come into being since the beginning of this war. Perhaps one of the greatest is the attitude towards the soldier off duty. It is now clearly realized that drill, constant drill, and then turn the soldier out on his own responsibility to amuse himself as best he can during his leisure hours will not do. The best soldier is the best man. The best man is he who holds his standards high, who remembers his home life, who, while cultivating to the limit the power of brute force, does not himself become a brute.
President Woodrow Wilson, fully realizing this deep truth, said of the War Camp Community Service, “A military and social necessity.” For the work of the War Camp Community Service is first, last and always to help the enlisted man when off duty to make life pleasanter for him and for those who come to see him at his work of learning to be a soldier.
In April, 1917, Secretary Newton D. Baker appointed the War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities, and secretary Josephus Daniels appointed the Navy Department Commission on Training Camp Activities. Raymond B. Fosdick was appointed secretary of both.
These commissions called on the Young Men’s Christian Association, the Knights of Columbus, the Jewish Welfare Board, and the American Library Association to carry on their work inside the camps. They called on the Recreational Association of America to carry on their work outside and contiguous to the camps under the official name of War Camp Community Service.
The four organizations, Young Men’s Christian Association, Knights of Columbus, Jewish Welfare Board and the American Library Association, working inside the camps, were asked to provide for the soldiers’ leisure time suitable recreation, opportunities to learn useful accomplishments not provided by the military curriculum, and to create facilities for the individual life of the soldier.
War Camp Community Service was asked to organize and to coordinate the social forces of the communities adjacent to the camps. War Camp Community Service was asked to help the enlisted men to provide him with a daily program containing all the essentials of a full rich life, and to see, as far as possible, that he is protected against the elements of corruption and degradation.
The responsibility of War Camp Community Service, so fully realized by President Wilson in his words, “A military and social necessity,” is to protect the soldier in his own independent right to enjoy his leave of absence healthfully, and to extend to him the hospitality a self-respecting man might desire.
War Camp Community Service, while providing opportunities for the soldier to hear concerts, lectures, to have a pleasant place to read, to write letters, and opportunities to meet socially people worth meeting, has also another side of its activities not shared by any of the other organizations invited by Secretary Baker and Secretary Daniels to provide for the soldier’s leisure time.
War Camp Community Service, working outside the camp, must meet the problems presented by hundreds, often thousands of people coming suddenly into a town where formerly there was only a village community.
A military camp is in itself a city to which thousands of people go every week. The War Camp Community Service manager must be ready at a moment’s notice to meet the numberless demands of this throng of visitors. For this department War Camp Community Service has organized departments of community information service, hotel and lodgings, restaurants and cafeterias, rest-rooms and stations, finding employment for soldiers’ wives, information bureaus, hostess houses, excursions to points of interest to name only a few out of many.
To carry on the work of any War Camp Community Service is needed not less than 100 persons. Many are volunteers, working a part of each week. The desire to help to do something, be it ever so small, animates each and every one, for war work, while needing talents of many varieties, can use no idlers. A War Camp Community Service situated in a town near an army cantonment has first, the head executive secretary, appointed directly by the commission in Washington; then from one to three more under secretaries, an office force of from three to ten, a room registrar, who is occupied nearly all day, often into the night, finding rooms and lodgings for people who come to town, some to stay a night, others longer. A hostess, with often six to seven assistants, who are to receive people, answer questions, help soldiers to find whatever the individual may be seeking.
In the cafeteria or restaurant are needed from five to seven or more waitresses and on special occasions, such as dances or large assemblies, the number may easily be twenty or more. Back of the cafeteria comes the chef and his assistants, dish washers and scrub women. In the large hall are the general men who do anything from sweeping a floor to running endless errands; soda fountain checkers are also needed. Whatever the work, it must be done by competent people, for the unexpected is the rule in War Camp Community Service work and often these many individuals are needed to work under high pressure.
A short time ago in the West Street clubhouse of the War Camp Community Service in Ayer there was every indication of a quiet Sunday morning, when suddenly in came fifty people to be followed later by many more. By noon the clubhouse was packed and the chef with his assistants was providing food for this unexpected arrival of guests.
On another occasion 600 were expected and 1000 or more came. At two hours’ notice it was necessary to provide for these added guests. Volunteer workers were kept busy running errands, borrowing, buying, hunting for necessaries. At the end of two hours the thousand were provided for. Along with the unexpected must go the regular work, a definite number to be fed each day, dances to be arranged for each week, concerts to be planned and carried through, moving picture evenings, dramatic evenings, be it what it may, it must be carefully planned by the executive head and his assistant with an eye to the future, else monotony creeps in, and monotony is fatal to work definitely intended to help men to enjoy their leisure time.
In order to be successful War Camp Community Service must think from the enlisted men’s point of view and this point of view varies as his time in the service lengthens. At first a new man must become accustomed to army life. He comes from his home where he has been used to many things he must now do with out, he must learn the meaning of discipline, to do what he is told to do without question. To anyone this is a hard lesson and at the end of the day the new man is nervously as well as physically tired. War Camp Community Service hostesses quickly understand such a man and try to help the soldier to find congenial occupation for his evenings. By degrees the soldier becomes accustomed to the new life and enters into it with zest.
There are 206 camps, cantonments and training stations in which men who are in the military service of the nation are preparing to bear their part in the national defense either at home or abroad. Since the beginning of the war at least 850,000 men have passed through these camps on their way to the front or to the particular duty to which they were assigned.
Since the United States entered the war the average number of men constantly in training in the various camps has grown from hundreds of thousands to millions.
The various camps and training stations are not located in the wilderness. They are all near established communities. The smallest war camp “city” is West Point, Ky. [near Camp Young and Camp Knox, now Fort Knox], which has a population of 800 [797 in 2010, down from 1,100 in 2000].
There are twenty-four camps, forts and training stations that are within what might be called commuting distance from New York. There have been times when considerably more the 200,000 men have been in training in camps located adjacent of New York.
Between West Point, Ky., the smallest war camp “city” and New York, the largest, there are, for example, such places as Deming, N.M., which has a population of 2000. Deming has been the nearest city or community to a camp in which there have been at times 20,000 soldiers. Chillicothe, Ohio, which has a population of 17,000, found it was the place to which from 3,000 to 19,000 soldiers went when they were to leave and took a trip “over to town.” Augusta, Ga., which as population of 50,000, had the number of people in the district almost doubled over night when a camp was located at its very door.
With these facts in mind it must be conceded there is a war camp problem and the words of President Wilson, when speaking of the War Camp Community Service, “A military and social necessity,” are indeed true.