The Westford Wardsman, June, 1907
Saturday, June 15, 1907
Graniteville. The ladies’ aid society met with Mrs. F. G. Sargent on Thursday afternoon.
Saturday, June 29, 1907
The doings of Lowell National school are always of interest to many Westford people, for there so many of our young ladies have received their training for teaching. This year Miss Eva F. Pyne and Miss Effie M. Bennett were graduated; also, Miss Alice Prescott of Forge Village and Miss Elsa R. Anderson of West Chelmsford, all graduates of our Westford academy. The commencement exercises took place from the school Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. The address by Prof. Arlo Bates of the Institute of Technology, on the “Art of thinking,” was something to always remember with profit and pleasure. Mrs. Kate Gannett Wells and others were interesting speakers. At the conclusion of the presentation of diplomas to the large class of sixty-eight, the guests were given opportunity to enjoy and inspect the splendidly equipped building.
About Town. The grange appointed the following committee to prepare for the Fourth of July celebration—Mrs. Greig, Fred A. Smith, Mrs. Sidney Wright, W. Wright and W. R. Taylor. They have secured $170 to expend for the day. Early in the morning there will be a procession of antiques and horrible [sic], prizes being offered for the best floats or single representations. It is hoped that many will vie with each other in this contest, so that the procession will be a fine one. Later in the morning will come a ballgame between the Westford A.A. and the Groton A.A., at Stony Brook park. In the afternoon and evening the American band of Lowell twenty-five pieces, will play.
Last Saturday the ballgame between the W.A.A. and the famous Townsends resulted in a score of 8 to 0 for the home team. This week the game with the Ballardale team will be especially interesting, for the latter has several college players.
On a recent visit to the disarranged willows at East Littleton several clumps left standing seem to prove that someone had a vision of conscience and judgment, or else were overtaken with that tired feeling. In either case let us hope it will be lasting enough to wisely obey the old adage, “Woodman, spare that tree, in youth it sheltered me.”
Rumor, which knoweth the affairs of men ere they know them, reports that Henry O. Keyes has bought the old academy building and will move it onto his land in the rear of the Orthodox church, to take the place of the blacksmith shop, which will be sadly missed as an ornament. Thus the old historic academy will be eliminated from the literary foundation of the fathers, and if correctly reported will be founded on the enterprise of a necktie factory. Business wins and sentiment is vanquished, or has lacked loyalty.
The engagement is announced of Miss Luanna Battles Decatur to Mr. Brennan of Lowell, a Dartmouth graduate.
W. R. and John A. Taylor were ushers at the Yapp-Clapp wedding in the Unitarian church, Littleton, Wednesday noon.
Mrs. Fifield’s sister, Mrs. Kelley of Nashua, is visiting at the William Kittredge farm.
Miss Lydia P. Sargent has been spending several days at the home of T. E. Symmes on the Graniteville road. She is a daughter of James M. Sargent, whose deceased wife, a sister of the above, was known in this place as H. Lizzie Symmes.
Graniteville. The bandstand which was situated on Sugar Loaf hill [next to the M.E. church] for many years, and which has been an “eye sore” to the village for several months, has been torn down. As the “boys” attempted to make a bonfire of it last Fourth of July night, the committee in charge thought it was best to remove the temptation by getting it out of the way before the glorious Fourth came around.
Many of the sporting element of this village took in the baseball game at Stony Brook park, Westford, last Saturday, when the Westford AA team had a walk-over, defeating the crack Townsend team 8 to 0.
George J. Gilson and son William are visiting relatives in New York.
Drowning accident. While playing with three boy companions, Edward Conture, the ten-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Conture of this village, was drowned in about ten feet of water at what is known as the old Sweatt ledge at Graniteville, on Saturday forenoon, June 22, at eleven o’clock. The accident happened very near the top of the ledge. In working this ledge in years past a large amount of granite was taken out, leaving a deep hole that is filled with water the year round. In the summer months it is known as the “swimming hole,” and is greatly frequented by men and boys.
The boys who were with the Conture boy at the time of the accident were greatly frightened when their companion fell into the water, and instead of trying to pull him out ran to Palmer’s ledge and summoned help. Lewis Palmer and his son, Mark, were soon on the scene, and young Palmer showed his nerve by immediately jumping into the water. As he had but recently recovered from a severe illness his weakness prevented him from bringing up the body. Joseph Conture, an older brother of the drowned boy, had by that time arrived who at once plunged into the water and brought the little fellow to the shore. In the meantime Dr. Sherman of Graniteville and Medical Examiner Sleeper of Westford were notified and viewed the body. It was found that the boy’s head was cut above the eye and a small cut on his lip from contact with the rocks at the bottom of the pond. The body was removed to the boy’s home here in the early afternoon.
This is the second son that the Conture family has lost by drowning, an older boy named Charles, aged fourteen years, having gone under the ice while skating on Keyes’ pond twelve years ago last winter. The sympathy of the community is extended to the family in their late bereavement.
The funeral took place from the home of his parents on Monday morning at nine o’clock, and was largely attended. Simple services were held at the house, which were very impressive. There were many beautiful floral tributes. The bearers, all playmates of the deceased, were John Provost, Willie Prinn, James Rafferty, Willie McCarthy, Edward Healy and John Healy. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery, undertaker J. A. Healy in charge.
Forge. The strawberry festival at the mission house last week Wednesday evening was well patronized and the entertainment by the young people was very pleasing to all. There was singing by many of the Sunday school children; also, Miss May Cheny and Master Elmer DeRhoen sang together, and Miss Cheny sang a German song. Miss Eva Blodgett and George Wilson played a piano duet and each also played a solo. Willie Davis danced and was heartily encored.
Michael McGovern, formerly a resident of this village, visited friends here Sunday.
Miss Gertrude White of Lowell spent Sunday with her aunt, Mrs. Splain.
Mr. and Mrs. Lyons and son of Melrose visited her father, John Edwards, Sunday, at his cottage. Most of the cottages were open over Sunday, many coming preparatory to the opening for the summer.
Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Prescott spent Sunday with their daughter in Fitchburg, it being the tenth anniversary of her marriage.
On Friday of last week Miss Stella Carkin of this village graduated from Westford academy. Her essay on stenography and typewriting showed a great deal of thought and received much praise. Mr. and Mrs. Carkin and son Allan attended the exercises, also a number of people from the village.