The Westford Wardsman, June, 1908
Saturday, June 6, 1908
Center. The new four-room schoolhouse on Main st. was open for inspection Memorial day, and many improved the opportunity to see what had been accomplished there during the past few months. It certainly seems a model of good taste, good light, ventilation and proper hygiene. At a meeting of the school board, held on Monday evening, the appointment of teachers for the four rooms was made as follows: Miss Ruth Fisher, principal; Miss Ruth Tuttle, Miss Elizabeth Cushing and Miss Anna Mellen.
Mrs. A. W. Hartford, recently operated upon for appendicitis, continues to gain, and at this writing is commencing to sit up a little each day.
Many people were in town for the holiday and for Sunday. Among a few noted were:
The Fred A. Hildreths at H. V. Hildreth’s; Anna, Julia and Marion Hall, at H. B. Hall’s; Lawrence N. Wight and Grace E. Bonner, at Rev. C. P. Marshall’s; Mrs. Edwin Heywood, at Mrs. A. P. Richardson’s; Mr. and Mrs. Lyman E. Wilkins, at H. G. Osgood’s.
At the Congregational church Sunday evening Mr. Marshall delivered an interesting stereopticon lecture on the immortal allegory of “Pilgrim’s progress.” At the morning service it was a pleasure to greet Miss Carrie E. Read from Barre. She has been a guest at Miss Mary E. Moran’s.
John R. Draper has been a recent visitor at Leon F. Hildreth’s.
Invitations are out from the Alumni association of Westford academy for their twenty-sixth annual reunion, to be held at town hall, Friday evening, June 12. Reception and concert from eight to nine, followed by dancing.
W.F.D. Genuine is the interest in the doings of the new fire company, known as the Edward M. Abbot hose company, No. 1. They held their regular monthly drill Monday evening, with Lieut. Abbot in command. Various hydrants were opened and tested and all found in good working order. Capt. Burns of the Lowell fire department was present and gave them instruction in fighting fires. The company practiced raising the extension ladders and carrying the hose to the roofs of dwellings. Afterward adjournment was made to the town hall, and Capt. Burns gave the men a further talk on fire fighting. He complimented the men highly on their interest and progress. The hose wagon, with its 800 feet of hose and other equipment is an impressive acquisition to our village people. This was recently purchased at a cost of $225. Excellent housing accommodations are secured for it in the wheelwright shop on the premises of Mrs. Nelson L. Tuttle [14 Boston Road].
Memorial. The weather for Memorial day somewhat conflicted with the successful carrying out of plans, but it was fittingly and creditably observed. It is the day on which the memory of the dead is honored by the living, with flowers and tender thoughts, and the soldier dead are honored with special and impressive services by their comrades.
From eight in the morning until five in the afternoon there was half-hour service of cars on the branch line, which brought many people to town. The public buildings and many private residences were decorated with flags. At 9:30 the Veteran’s association formed at the town hall and proceeded to Fairview. Capt. S. H. Fletcher was chief marshal of the day, and the veterans were escorted by the Sons of Veterans and the Nashua military band. Conveyance was provided for the veterans by G. E. Gould’s four-horse barge, trimmed with flags and bunting. After the ceremonies at the cemetery, return was made to the town hall, where the following program was carried out:
Call to order and welcome, Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher; prayer, Rev. C. P. Marshall; “Our comrades ‘neath the sod,” Arion quartet; song for trombone, F. G. Cook of the band; solo, “Star spangled banner,” Mrs. F. L. Roberts of the quartet; reading, “The whistling regiment,” Miss Alice L. Livingston; address, “The three days’ battle of Gettysburg,” Sergeant Augustus V. Hovey, Co. G, 33d Inf. Mass. Vols.; “Our country forever,” quartet; “Martinique,” Nashua military band; reading, “Penelope’s Christmas dance,” Miss Livingston; solo, “Cover them over with beautiful flowers,” Harry Hopkins of the quartet; “America,” audience and band.
Sergeant Hovey’s address on the battle of Gettysburg was a comprehensive resume of the military maneuvers of that famous struggle. The quartet was in excellent voice and their singing as usual gave much pleasure. Miss Livingston is a charming reader and her selections were much enjoyed.
At noon caterer Fred A. Smith served dinner in lower hall. In the afternoon, owing to the rain, it was necessary to give the band concert in the hall. This arrangement was not so pleasant as it would have been on the common in the open air, but they gave a fine concert to an appreciative audience.
At a meeting of the Veterans’ association, W. O. Hawkes was re-elected commander; S. H. Balch, sec. and treas.; Fred A. Hildreth, chap.
Grange. The second meeting of the grange for May was planned and carried out with special reference to the approaching Memorial day. It was an open meeting and a good, patriotic program was carried out, and it was regretted that the rain somewhat interfered with a larger attendance. The first selection by the orchestra was ably supplemented by a second cornet skillfully manipulated by Allister MacDougal. A men’s chorus, consisting of Messrs. Hildreth, Blaney, Robey, Boynton, Ferguson and Wright sang “Welcome, grand army men,” after which Comrade J. Everett Woods gave an account of rebel prisons, namely at Fort Delaware and Andersonville [Ga.], giving his account from vivid personal experiences. Edson G. Boynton sang a “Warrior song,” and Rev. C. P. Marshall gave an excellent address to the veterans. Sergeant Wm. Jubb of Shirley was present and gave his personal recollections of Libby prison [Richmond, Va.]. The remainder of the program included a recitation by Charles Woods, male quartet, “Fearless and true;” selection by orchestra; men’s chorus, “Our flag;” “Star spangled banner,” by the audience.
About Town. The Westford A.A. met their first defeat of the season on the forenoon of Memorial day in their engagement with the Nashua team. It was a close match, so close that a slight advantage on either team was sure to win, and so by the working of a natural law, more than by exceptional skill, the Nashua team won by a score of 1 to 0, in nine innings. But just wait until this Saturday afternoon, June 7, to see how your nothings come out. They are to meet the strong, aggressive team from Groton. The contest promises activity enough to make the dust start out of the damp ground.
Eben Prescott is improving his pasture on Francis hill by plowing several acres and setting out a peach orchard, in place of the huckle-blueberry fruit that has so long thrived here, and so many years the favorite resort of berry pickers. This pasture was once a part of the large farm of Levi T. Fletcher, and was sold to Mr. Prescott by the late S. Augusta Butterfield. In plowing this pasture two unlike methods have been adopted—the modern swivel plow and pair of horses; the other as ancient as nature and commonly known as “Root, hog, or die,” which nature has equipped with an automatic, self-sharpening plow-point.
At the Cold Spring farm owned by J. Henry Fletcher, about twelve acres of oak sprout have been wire fenced, with a view to making a pasture of it. As a preparatory forerunner for a pasture, about forty hogs have been turned in and are using their sub-soil plow points in accordance with ancient agricultural ideas.
Wednesday morning [June 3], testimony was offered to prove that there had been a frost during the night. The chief witnesses examined were the potato and tomato plants on the farm of F. W. Bannister, and no amount of cross-examination could shake their testimony.
Memorial day brought many friendly reunions. Among those to avail themselves of the opportunities this day offers were Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Denton of Charlestown, who played leisure and restful change at the home of his sister, Mrs. F. W. Bannister, where hospitality is always above par. Mr. Denton is an engineer on the Boston and Maine railroad.
The old Stony Brook school, with its usual patriotism, gave an entertainment appropriate to Memorial day, Friday afternoon, May 29. Song and recitation, word and music, and the efficient manner of recital, united to add prosperity and length of years to our republic. After this, for the charm of variety, the school side-stepped Memorial day sentiment and gave a short humorous play, “My day.” The number of visitors present recalled the old-time district school, when everybody visited school “last day.”
Elmer J. Whitney of Littleton, who has recently purchased the Proctor house on Main st. [59 Main St.], is busy removing the stored furniture to the barn of Donald Cameron.
Rev. Charles A. Allen of Waverley occupied the pulpit at the Unitarian church last Sunday. It was to have been an exchange with Mr. Bailey, but illness prevented his going to Waverley and a substitute supply was secured. The illness of Mr. Bailey makes many a vacancy in the social and fraternal life of the town. His recovery to normal conditions of health seems promising, and with it his usual sphere of activity.
David Sherman is building a new house on Cold Spring road. The prospect seems good for calling this locality Shermanville.
Graniteville. What appears to be a rather curious fact is that since the opening of the licensed saloon in Forge Village milk has taken a drop of two cents per quart. The different dealers both here and in Forge are making every effort to secure customers, and have informed the public that commencing on June 1, milk will be sold here at four cents per quart. The people here have been paying six cents for milk for over a year, and the drop of two cents per quart is quite a saving. It will be interesting to know how this milk war is going to end, and in the meantime the householder will buy three quarts of milk for the price formerly paid for two.
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Payne are rejoicing in the arrival of a baby boy [James H. Payne], born last Monday.
W. K. Putney, a former principal of the grammar school here, has been retained as superintendent of schools in Needham for another year, with an increase in salary. Mr. Putney’s many friends in this village will be pleased to hear of his success.
Miss Margaret Driscoll and Miss Rebecca Leduc, delegates from Cameron circle, C.F.A., are attending the grand circle convention that is being held in Springfield this week.
Memorial day passed here without any special observance. Several of the public buildings and private residences were appropriately decorated with flags. In the morning a great number from here attended the Westford-Nashua ballgame at Stony Brook park, Westford depot, after which they took in the exercises at the hall. The rain in the early part of the afternoon put a damper on the open-air band concert, but the concert was finished in a satisfactory manner in the town hall. The same band was in attendance as last year, the Nashua military.
Among the many weekend visitors here were noticed:
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Riney, Etta M. and Alice C. Sheehan, and Maybelle Dwyer of Lowell; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Espie, daughter Margaret of Fitchburg, at D. W. Harrington’s; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mulholland and son and Miss Curran of Lowell, with Mr. and Mrs. John Loftus.
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Healy entertained over Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Sullivan, Lillian and Norah Sullivan of Marlboro; Mr. and Mrs. James Sullivan, Forge Village, and Mr. and Mrs. John Roach and daughter Elizabeth of Haverhill.
Schools. The Westford board of education held a very interesting meeting in the Graniteville school building Monday evening, and much business of importance was transacted. The subject of transportation and transfer of teachers was freely discussed, with the following results: Nabnassett school will be closed and the children that live on the main line of electric cars will be transported to Graniteville school; those that live on the spur track division will be taken to the new Center school. The Nashoba school will be closed, the children being transported to Westford Center schools. The Minot’s corner and Parkerville schools will continue as they are. Stony Brook school will be closed and the children transported to Westford Center. The transfer of the teachers is as follows:
Miss Ruth Fisher, from academy to principal of Center grammar; Miss Anna Mellen, from Stony Brook to Center grammar; Miss Ruth P. Tuttle, from Graniteville to Center grammar; Gerald M. Decatur, from Nabnassett to principal of Graniteville grammar; Miss Harriet Miller, from Center to Cameron school, Forge Village.
The committee will furnish transportation in the districts in which schools are closed, to the Center grammar and the academy. The committee unanimously voted that after the necessary changes have been made to the Forge Village building, this will be known hereafter as the Cameron school of Forge Village. Miss Letitia V. Ward will be the principal of this school.
Forge. The members of John Edwards hose company, No. 3, were to have a try-out at 6:30 p.m., last week Friday, but were unexpectedly called out about six o’clock to a real fire. Beaver cottage, owned by Arthur Parrott, accidentally caught fire. Before the firemen could reach it the cottage was beyond saving, but the fire was kept from spreading, so the other cottages were saved. Beaver cottage was in a very pretty location on the shore of the pond and was occupied by parties who had come to spend a few days. Mr. Parrott seems to be the victim of misfortune just now. His cottage was a total loss, as there was no insurance, and only a short time ago he lost by fire a steam launch at Lynn.
The Hustlers played the Ayer team on the home grounds Saturday morning and beat them by a score of 10 to 9 in a ten-inning game. The Forge Village Lions played the West Ends of Littleton on the home grounds Saturday afternoon and were defeated by a score of 20 to 12, this making the second defeat this season.
Mr. and Mrs. August Myers and three children of Boston are at her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bennett, for a month.
Mr. and Mrs. [Dennis] Downey and three children of Marlboro spent Memorial day with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. [Daniel] Hanley. Mr. and Mrs. Willmott of Lowell were guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Spinner.
George Jackson received word Saturday of the death of Lewis Bennett in Waverely [Watertown]. He died [May 30] of consumption after an illness of nearly two years. Mr. Bennett was born in Newport, Me., but spent his early life in this village with his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Clements.
The exercises at the school Friday afternoon were enjoyed by a large number of friends. After the school exercises the children with their teachers went to Westlawn and placed flowers on the soldiers’ graves. The late Mrs. Prescott’s Sunday school class covered her grave with flowers, showing that she lives in their memory, although gone from us.
W. E. Parsons went to Melrose and Wakefield last week Friday, visiting old friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk of Clinton were at Mr. Catchpole’s for Memorial day.
Mrs. Holt of Andover is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. R. D. Prescott.
Saturday, June 13, 1908
About Town. The ballgame last Saturday between Groton and Westford resulted in a victory for the Grotons by a score of 6 to 5. The failure of Joe Butler, the pitcher for the Westford team, to be present was largely responsible for the defeat; at least, local pride likes to look at it that way, and the closeness of the game seems to warrant it as the correct way of looking at it. This afternoon the Westford team goes to Nashua to play the Nashua cardshop team at Lawndale park.
At a meeting of the building committee for enlarging Forge Village schoolhouse, held on last Wednesday, the contract was awarded to P. Henry Harrington of Graniteville for $5479.
Harry Whitney [aged 14] is supporting a broken arm, as the result of falling off a bicycle last Saturday night on Providence road.
Wm. E. Wright is first in town to pick strawberries, last week Friday. It is difficult to beat the (Wright) right way of succeeding. S. L. Taylor is the first to register having peas for dinner, Saturday, June 13. They were planted when some farmers thought it was a favorable time to sled up wood. Rev. C. P. Marshall had potatoes in blossom June 1, planted in the leisure winter time.
Rev. William Brown of Tyngsboro conducted the services at [the] Unitarian church last Sunday, as a supply for Rev. B. H. Bailey. He preached a wise sermon on “The law of heredity.” Mrs. Bryant, the organist of the church, has gone to Chicago for the summer season, and her place is supplied by Mrs. Puffer of Lowell. Mr. Bailey, by permission of medical authority, expects to conduct services at this church Sunday, June 14.
The next meeting of the grange, June 18, will be open to the public and will be observed as children’s night and strawberry festival. Miss Dorothy Sleeper has charge.
Emory J. Whitney, who bought the Proctor place on Main st., is preparing for improvements on the buildings. Fletcher & Needham of Littleton will do the work.
C. P. R. Decatur has gone to New York with the Phalanx military company of Lowell, of which he is a member.
Conference. Although the dust was the only element that clouded the sun, and the heat as intense as in a country familiarly and frequently alluded to [i.e., Hell], yet braving these adverse extremes, twenty-two from town attended the Unitarian conference and ordination at Littleton, Wednesday. Among those who attended were:
Emily F. Fletcher, Delia Wheeler, Clara Smith, Edith Foster, Mrs. J. M. Fletcher, Mrs. H. B. Read, Mrs. A. H. Sutherland, Ella Hildreth, Carrie Woods, Mrs. C. W. Anderson, Eva Fletcher, Ruth Fisher, Mrs. John Feeny, Mary Mohan, Dorothy Sleeper, Caroline Hewett, Mrs. John Burbeck, Grace Burbeck, Mrs. George Drew, Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Taylor.
The conference passed resolutions of sympathy for Rev. B. H. Bailey, who was assigned a part in the ordination service, but on account of the effects of his recent illness was unable to be present. The next conference will be held at Nashua in October.
Center. Mrs. O. R. Spaulding entertained the members of the Thimble club for an all-day outing at her camp at Forge pond, Tuesday. This has come to be an annual event, and Tuesday’s beautiful June day, the charm of Mrs. Spaulding’s hospitality, and the congenial companionship, made this gathering a red letter day in the annals of the club. Those members much missed were Mrs. G. W. Goode, who is spending the summer abroad; Miss Ruth Fisher, away spending the day visiting schools, and Mrs. A. W. Hartford, detained at home with illness.
Harry L. Nesmith, tree warden, with his men, have bound all the trunks of the shade trees in the village with strips of burlap, and are examining the same at regular intervals and destroying the browntail moths that collect.
Rev. D. A. Hudson of North Chelmsford preached at [the] Congregational church Sunday morning. Mr. Hudson preached most acceptably to an audience of over a hundred. In the evening John P. Wright conducted the service, subject, “What is true penitence?”
Rev. and Mrs. Wm. A. [E.] Anderson are enjoying their first sojourn north since their marriage, a year ago in April. They arrived at Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Wright’s last week Wednesday and are much enjoying meeting their many friends.
The Fisher camp, “The birches,” and the Sleeper camp, “The treetops,” were open over Memorial day and Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Buckshorn have rented their camp for the season. The J. C. Abbot camp is reported for sale.
Rev. and Mrs. Wm. Brown were guests at L. W. Wheeler’s Sunday.
Miss Sarah D. Hamlin of San Francisco is visiting her native town, a guest at Mrs. Lizzie Hamlin’s.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Day are receiving congratulation on the birth of a son [Norman E. Day], born Wednesday, June 3.
Many Westford friends will be interested to know that Dr. Nettie M. Stevens of Bryn Mawr college sailed May 30, for a year’s travel and study abroad.
Rev. C. P. Marshall attended the commencement exercises at Andover seminary the first of this week.
The H. F. Leiths are at the seashore for the remainder of the month and for July.
A set of views of Norway from Christiania to North cape are on exhibition at the library.
Bank Account Claimed. Among the “lost” bank accounts recently advertised in a Lowell paper by the Five Cent savings bank was one of George H. Capen. L. W. Wheeler showed this to his mother, Mrs. M. J. Wheeler of Westford, who saw a possible chance of getting trace of a long unheard-from cousin. Several addresses of mutual friends were furnished the bank officials, to no purpose. Mrs. Wheeler wrote to Capen’s mother, Mrs. Susannah Clough of West Concord, N.H. She had been left a widow with two little children, and at the earnest desire of a sister without children had allowed George Hall to become George Capen, the adopted son of Albert Capen, a former resident of Lowell who left there a good position with the Boston and Lowell railroad to superintend the construction of the Panama railroad. This letter was returned as unknown and uncalled-for. Then a letter was sent to the West Concord postmaster, inquiring about Mrs. Clough. This was handed to Henry Chase of that place, who wrote that his mother had married a third time and had died in 1892. When he was informed what was wanted he wrote to his half-brother, Capen, who then communicated with the bank people. Mr. Capen then wrote to his cousin, stating that it was many years since he had heard from any of his own people, and that he had entirely forgotten this bank deposit. He had been in various places in the west in the meantime, being now in Detroit, Mich.
Various stories of lost bank accounts have been published in Lowell papers. The turning point in this hunt was in the postmaster, whose memory and astuteness was better than many.
Forge. Mrs. Georgie Biron [Byron?] Leahy died at Standfold, P.Q., Thursday, June 4, aged twenty-three years. She resided here for a number of years, going to Standfold after she married. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband and three small children, the youngest three months old; also, four sisters—Hannah of Marlboro, Rose, Delphine and Louise of this village, and four brothers—Henry of Milford, N.H., Wilfred of Wakefield, Frank and Oliver of this village.
Word came to G. H. Prescott Tuesday of the death of Mrs. Etta Shaw at her daughter’s in Lynn. Mrs. Shaw came to care for her sister, the late Mrs. Prescott, and after her death remained to keep house for Mr. Prescott. She was not feeling well, so went to her daughter’s to visit for a few weeks, where she died of liver trouble. Her husband and son are in British Columbia.
Joseph McCarthy [Joseph F. McCarthy, son of Enos, per 1908 town report], while at work in the card room of the Abbot Co.’s mills, Tuesday, met with a fatal accident. He got his arm caught between a belt and pulley, causing him to strike his head against a gear, which rendered him unconscious. Dr. Godfrey of Littleton and Dr. Sleeper were called and found him suffering from a fractured skull. He was taken to the Lowell hospital, where he died Thursday forenoon. He was thirty-eight [31] years of age and leaves a wife [Josephine A., nee Brisson] and three children, the oldest five years and the youngest three months old. Funeral at St. Catherine’s church Sunday morning.
The many friends of Margaret O’Hara will be pleased to know that she is now assistant district nurse at Concord, N.H. She was a resident of this village for many years.
Miss Grace Litchfield and Miss Raynes entertained a number of the Chelmsford teachers over Sunday at Mr. Goode’s cottage. Mrs. Goode is in Europe and Mr. Goode expects to join her soon.
Anniversaries. Mrs. Lucretia Reed celebrated the anniversary of her birth at her home in this village on Monday. She is eighty-one years old. It was also the wedding anniversary of her granddaughter, Mrs. Harry Ingalls, who was Miss Zina Mitchell before her marriage eight years ago. Mrs. Reed is remarkably active for one of her years, and presided at the dinner as easily as in her younger days. Twenty persons were present. A large birthday cake with eighty-one candles around it, also a wedding cake on a mound of roses, adorned the table. Dr. Bennett of Washington, D.C., was unable to be present, but sent a beautiful spray of eight-one roses. There were four generations at the table, which was heavily laden with choice and dainty eatables. Among the out-of-town guests present were Mrs. Reed’s brother, John Bennett, and wife of Worcester; her sisters, Mrs. McIntyre of Shrewsbury and Mrs. Drake; her brother, Alvin Bennett; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ingalls of Westford; Mrs. Susan Reed and Gladys Goodchild of Lowell. Everyone present had a very enjoyable time and wished the hostess many happy returns of the day.
Saturday, June 20, 1908
Center. Last week Mrs. M. W. Sutherland found a roll of bills on Main and Depot sts., and with commendable honesty advertised the same, with no response for several days. When she was beginning to think the bills might belong to the finder for lack of a claimant, Mrs. Willard Fletcher saw the advertisement and recognized it as a loss of her father’s, Chas. E. Whidden. The money was returned to the owner with many thanks.
Miss Sarah W. Loker attended the commencement exercises at Bradford academy Wednesday.
Lillian Draper graduated on June 19 from the Roxbury high school third year course. She is class secretary. She returns another year for the required fourth year of the college preparatory course, when she is to enter Wellesley. John Draper graduated June 22 from the Lewis grammar school. He has passed his entrance examinations for Roxbury Latin school in the fall.
Miss Helen Bailey of Andover has been a guest for several days of her sister, Mrs. A. A. Hildreth.
Mrs. Thornton Lewis is visiting at Dea. A. S. Wright’s.
Miss Augusta Leighton and Miss Minnie Pollard of Newton have been visiting a few days at Mrs. C. H. Fletcher’s.
Miss Grace Atwood of Chelmsford is at her grandmother’s, Mrs. Caroline Atwood.
Miss Sarah D. Hamlin of San Francisco is only making a brief stay in her native town, but is much enjoying former friends and associations. On Monday she took her nieces, Gertrude and Evelyn Hamlin, on a trip to historic Plymouth.
Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler enjoyed a trip to Provincetown Monday.
Miss Bella Marshall was a guest at the Congregational parsonage over Sunday.
Grange. The last meeting of grange was of interest from the fact that three outside speakers were present with a fresh personality and message. Warren E. Jewett of Worcester, a practical and substantial farmer and a past master of the Massachusetts state grange, gave an address filled with sensible ideas. The duties of grange members, value of education, both classical and industrial, cooperation, civic duties, the social advantages of the grange, and the harmonizing and not the conflicting of church and grange were the salient points brought out. Mrs. Charlotte R. E. Ladd, who is the wife of Geo. S. Ladd, past master of the state grange, and both well and favorably known in grange circles, was present as the promoter of interest in the new grange paper published by the national grange. She was a charming exponent of her cause and secured many names as subscribers. Mrs. Ladd also gave some recitations, which were much enjoyed. Rev. J. S. Moulton of Stow was present and spoke in a pleasant vein, flavored with fraternal good will.
Graduation Exercises. Many people to whom long custom had made dear the time-honored graduations of the Westford academy in the old First Parish church, felt that this year it was indeed “off with the old, on with the new.” But with the happy adaptability that characterizes the most of human kind, the change proved an affair of most enjoyable worth.
It was real graduation weather for the exercises which took place last week Friday afternoon in the town hall. The teachers and pupils of the school formed in line and marched from the academy to the hall, which had attracted an audience that filled it, many being present from Lowell and the surrounding villages. The decorations were in excellent taste. The class colors were blue and brown, and the front of the stage was banked with ferns and other greenery, interspersed with blue flowers. Festoons of evergreen were arched over the windows. The class motto, “Prorsum,” [Latin: “Forward”] hung over the platform in attractive relief.
The program for the afternoon was a double one, the first half of which was a cantata, a beautiful musical adaptation of Longfellow’s “Building of the ship,” the music being written by Henry Lahee. It was given under the direction of Edwin N. C. Barnes, supervisor of music in the Westford and Acton schools, by the pupils of the academy and Center grammar school, assisted by a quartet consisting of Miss Gertrude D. Fletcher, soprano, and Mrs. H. M. Seavey, contralto, of Westford; Boardman Duffy, tenor, and Howard D. Perkins, bass, both of Boston. Miss E. Marion Sweatt of Forge Village was the efficient accompanist. Both the chorus work and the solos were finely sustained and it was a real musical treat to all who had the pleasure of listening to it.
At the close of this half of the program the singers retired from the platform and the graduation exercises took place. Following is the program:
Prayer, Rev. C. P. Marshall; essay, Robert Edwin Peary, Helen R. Burnham, Westford; song, “Good night, good night, beloved,” school; essay, The flowers of Bryant and Lowell, Mary E. Day, Westford; address, The scholar’s joy, Rev. J. Stanley Durkee, Ph.D.; conferring of diplomas, Rev. B. H. Bailey; America.
Dr. Durkee’s address was especially strong and helpful, and could not fail to prove an inspiration and delight to his hearers, whether students in the academy or in the larger school of life. He well depicted the scholar’s joy as the joy of service, the debt of light faithfully and cheerfully met and discharged. A fine spontaneous tribute to the excellence of this address was when the audience, after listening to the long and full program, by continued and hearty applause brought Dr. Durkee back to his feet after he had finished speaking for a few additional words. He is president of the Boston C.E. union and pastor of the First Free Baptist church in that city.
The diplomas were awarded by Mr. Bailey, one of the trustees of the academy, to the two earnest and conscientious girl graduates [Helen R. Burnham and Mary E. Day]. His words were full of wit and wisdom, and he took occasion to regret that Preceptor Wm. A. Perkins is severing his connection at this time. Mr. Perkins in reply spoke of the mutually pleasant relations of his time of service here and of his regret of leaving Westford and its people.
In the evening the usual annual reception and dance of the academy alumni was held and as always proved one of the pleasantest parties of the year, although so early, some of our home teachers and students away in other places were not home to attend. Hibbard’s orchestra furnished excellent music and Fred A. Smith was the caterer. Additional decorations were added, with quantities of field daisies. Wm. R. Taylor, Mrs. Harriet C. S. Hildreth and Chas. L. Hildreth were the efficient committee of arrangements for the evening.
Graniteville. A. R. Choate hose company, No. 2, were out for a trial test last week Friday night, and tried several of the hydrants throughout the village, commencing at the town farm in West Graniteville. A pleasing feature in connection with this tryout was the test made at the hydrant near the M.E. church. But one length (fifty feet) of hose was used here, which threw a stream directly over the tall church steeple. No special record was taken of these tests, for the tryout was more in the nature of flushing out all the hydrants and seeing that they were in working order.
Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Samuels of Lowell and Mrs. Esmon F. Park, wife of Dr. Park of West Roxbury, were recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Choate.
Rev. W. E. Anderson, a former pastor of the M.E. church here, who is now pastor of a church in Claremont, W.Va., is now spending his vacation with his wife at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Wright in Westford. On Sunday, June 21, Mr. Anderson will supply the pulpit at the M.E. church, and will preach at the morning service at 10:45. Mr. Anderson has many warm friends here and his former parishioners will be much pleased to have him with them on Sunday.
Business continues good at all the quarries here and the different contractors are carrying their usual quota of men. This is very pleasing news and it is hoped the present conditions may continue.
Baseball. That long-looked-for ballgame between the employees of the Abbot Worsted Co. and C. G. Sargent’s machine shop came off on schedule time last Saturday afternoon, and contrary to the usual custom the shop team was victorious over the mill team by a score of 6 to 5. The game was intensely interesting from start to finish, and was replete with brilliant plays and numerous mishaps, which kept the large audience present guessing as to the final outcome. For the shop team Jim Healy had the batting honors, his home run, with a man on base, being the turning point in the game. Gordon and Quessey as battery made a great team, the latter being a veteran at the game and a catcher of no mean ability. The fielding of Loftus and Moran was good, while the others did all that was required of them. Taylor and Ledwith were the battery for the mill team and did fine work. But few hits were made off Taylor’s delivery, and as some of the fielders did not support him properly the most of the opponents’ runs were scored that way. Bill Ledwith has all the earmarks of a coming catcher. He supported Taylor in good shape and hit the ball hard. Tom McCarthy played well both in the field and at the bat, while the rest of the team, which was composed mostly of old-timers, showed flashes of brilliant work at times, but they were very much in need of practice. Another game will be arranged shortly, and at that time the mill team is in hopes to turn the tables. Following is the score by innings:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
Sargents, | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | —6 |
Abbots, | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | —5 |
Batteries—Gordon and Quessey for Sargents; Taylor and Ledwith for Abbots. Umpire, Hughes.
About Town. The real article known as defeat, for which no excuse can be offered except being outclassed, was the portion of the Westford baseball team in their contest with the Nashua cardshop team at Nashua last Saturday, the score standing 10 to 1 in favor of the Nashua team. This Saturday afternoon the Westfords will meet the Lowell high school team at Stony Brook park. The Lowell high has a record for which many sigh, but cannot attaint to it; just as like as not they will bring this record with them and endeavor to make the Westford team do the sighing act.
Good authority says that the Hiram Whitney property opposite the town hall has been sold to a Lowell party.
There will be an observance of children’s day at the village church in West Chelmsford, Sunday, June 21. Greetings are extended to all in Westford to be present who are in affinity with this service.
The assessors are in daily session at the selectmen’s room, where all parties desiring to have their valuation increased to more liberally contribute toward supporting government will find encouragement from the assessors, who have readily discovered increased liabilities and are now searching for increased assets. New assets are not abundant, and old assets marked up have to many the appearance of watered stock, and to raise the rate is liable to raise an undesirable breeze. Right at this period of affairs the state has kindly assisted by increasing the state tax $915 over last year, it being $3355. But, then, the taxpayer has important and tangible values for his contributions—new schoolhouses, waterworks, fire department, and the public guardianship of the gypsy and browntail moths, all in one year; quite a harvest.
Forge. Funeral services for the late Joseph McCarthy were held at St. Catherine’s church last Saturday morning and were largely attended. The choir, under the direction of Miss Mary Hanley, sang the Gregorian chant. At the offertory Miss Hanley sang “Pie Jesu.” At the conclusion the choir sang “De profundis.” The bearers were comrades of his boyhood days—P. H. Harrington, Robert McCarthy, Henry Haley, Joseph Beland, Timothy Riney, G. R. Wall. There was a profusion of beautiful flowers, showing the loving remembrance of kind friends.
James, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sullivan, was prostrated by the heat last Sunday and has been very sick, but at time of writing the physician thought he would soon be all right.
Mrs. Nelson Prescott has been quite ill for a few days with an attack of heart trouble.
John Wentworth of Waltham visited his cousin, R. D. Prescott, Tuesday. Mr. Wentworth has been much out of health for the past two years, but is now much improved.
Dr. Sprague of Boston is visiting friends at Lincoln cottage.
Mrs. Eunice Murphy and two daughters—Mrs. Leon Lewis and Mrs. John Murphy, also Miss Viola Cheney of Lowell, visited Mrs. Lowther last Sunday. Mrs. Murphy is past grand of Victoria lodge, M. U., of Lowell, the only English order of Oddladies in this country. She sails on the Saxonia, June 30, for Nottingham, England, to visit her parents. She will also visit Scotland before returning to Lowell.
William Harrington of Lowell and three friends were guests of his uncle, Daniel Hanley, Wednesday, and enjoyed the fishing at Forge pond very much.
John Connell’s father and mother have left their home in Groton to spend their days with their son and his wife in this village. The infirmities of age have impaired their health so that their son thought it would be pleasanter to be with him and give up the care of their farm.
Mrs. G. L. Sanborn is visiting relatives in Bristol, R.I.
Saturday, June 27, 1908
About Town. The Lowell high school team, which was to play the Westford team last Saturday, cancelled the engagement in order to play a game for benevolent purposes with St. Joseph’s parochial team at Manchester, N.H. In place of the Lowell high the Ballardvale team was arranged for, a strong team that played here last year and were defeated. They were promptly on hand and went into the game like winners. It was a close, evenly-matched game and after contesting nine innings the Westford team won, scoring 1 to 0.
James H. O’Brien is ill at his home on the Stony Brook road from a severe cold and hemorrhages it being a relapse of an old weakness.
Frank C. Drew is thoughtfully improving the outlook toward the new schoolhouse at Drew’s corner without expense to the town. Warren E. Carkin is the landscape gardener-carpenter.
Rev. Henry C. DeLong, who has been pastor of the Unitarian church in Medford for forty years, will conduct the services at the Unitarian church Sunday. As an old and intimate friend of Mr. Bailey he generously offers his services until the latter more fully recovers his normal strength.
Mr. McDonald, superintendent of roads, is repairing the sandy hill on Stony Brook road east of the residence of J. H. O’Brien. This piece of road has for several years offered too much gritty resistance to revolving wheels.
The potato crop in the Stony Brook valley is seriously petitioning for more moisture. The potato bug is not suffering this way, although these hot days the farmers are trying to persuade him to drink Paris green water with his food. 0) { referrer_url = document.referrer; } const params = location.search.slice(1).split('&').reduce((acc, s) => { const [k, v] = s.split('=') return Object.assign(acc, {[k]: v}) }, {}) const url = "https://museum.westford.org/wp-json/iawp/search" const body = { referrer_url, utm_source: params.utm_source, utm_medium: params.utm_medium, utm_campaign: params.utm_campaign, utm_term: params.utm_term, utm_content: params.utm_content, gclid: params.gclid, ...{"payload":{"resource":"singular","singular_id":1804,"page":1},"signature":"9ea7ded72b3bf8adb8098ecef0875cf1"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();