The Westford Wardsman, June, 1909

Saturday, June 5, 1909

About Town. Westford grange was well represented at Concord grange Tuesday evening. Two barge-loads left Westford Center at 5:30, others went by private team. Fifty-four in all went over, this including the ladies’ degree team, who worked the third degree with a promptness and elasticity of manner and movement that has not been equaled. On the return trip the large dome at the Concord reformatory served as a guide to a barge-load of four, that they were not headed direct towards their own home door. Acton, Littleton, Chelmsford, Carlisle and Lexington granges were invited, and were liberally represented, as well as other granges not specially invited. Concord grange furnished icecream with its usual alluring temptation, free in its liberality from any chilly sensation.

S. L. Taylor had the first mess of peas of the season Tuesday June 1, they were neither bought, borrowed nor hired, but the really genuine outdoor winter-planted Taylor pea that is warranted to get there first every time, raised on a patch remote from the farm, which he had forgotten about when he wrote the last yarn. Come on now, you Stony Brook farmers, and Smith of Graniteville by name. What makes you so pokey, slow and lame.

Charles Philbrick, the blacksmith at Westford station, has moved from North Chelmsford into the cottage of John H. Decatur on the Lowell road.

Mrs. S. L. Taylor, Esther Perry Snow and Perry Taylor Snow left Tuesday for the sunny, salubrious, sandy attractions of New Jersey. Band concerts every night and all rainy days, by the old-time, ever-present mosquito, that the state at much expense is unable to prevent entertaining with its song and biting with is prong.

Arthur O’Brien, an old-time Stony Brook scholar and brother of James H. O’Brien on the Stony Brook road, is seriously and hopelessly ill at his home in South Framingham, the result of a paralytic shock.

Henry B. Read has been resting preparatory to haying. While thus resting he has been entertaining Dr. Varney, who said it was nothing serious or alarming, and that he might go playing farming; simply tonsillitis that had alighted, a brief introduction to its foes, such as the doctor knows, and it withdrew without prolonged adieus.

Among those in town Decoration day was our old-time citizen of Stony Brook school association, Edwin E. Heywood of Lexington, as ever still youthful and buoyant of spirit, although past the three score and ten limit. He is wisely guiding his trend towards the four score, with more legs than in the youthful days of yore.

John A. Taylor gave a reading by invitation of Dunstable friends at a church entertainment in that town Friday evening, May 28.

The ballgame Decoration day between the Westford team and the Wanderers of Lowell resulted in a victory for the town team by a score of 10 to 5. In the same line of goods last Saturday the Stars of Brookside defeated the Grays of Westford by a score of 7 to 5.

Center. Mrs. George E. Jenkins of Morristown, N.J., has been making a short stay in town, visiting friends here.

Mr. and Mrs. Will E. Carver spent Sunday and the holiday among their Westford friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Alva Bicknell of Somerville were visitors at Mr. and Mrs. David L. Greig’s “Fairview farm,” Monday.

Judge and Mrs. F. A. Fisher of Lowell have the sincerest sympathy of their Westford friends, in their sorrow from the death of their baby daughter Lois [died May 27, aged 6 months and 1 day], from peritonitis, Thursday of last week.

The assessors have completed their work of taking the inventory of taxable property in town, and with the result are busy making up the taxes at the town hall.

Wm. F. Carkin of Marlboro, N.H., was the guest of his brother Warren over Sunday and Monday. Mr. Carking is chauffeur for Henry M. Follansbee, superintendent of the Geo. B. Webb Construction Co., of that place.

Mrs. Alfred W. Hartford attended the funeral of her grandfather, Almon Hawkes in South Deerfield, Saturday of last week. Mr. Hawkes was a nonagenarian, being ninety-four years of age, and up to within the last year of his life was remarkably well for a man of his years. He [died May 26 and] was a veteran of the Civil war.

Edward Abbot, J. Herbert Fletcher and Wm. A. Woodward enjoyed a fishing trip this past week up to Francistown, N.H., going in Mr. Abbot’s automobile. Mrs. Woodward took this opportunity to visit former friends in Milford, N.H.

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Sutherland and son Wm. of Lynn were guests at Wm. Sutherland’s in this village over Sunday and Monday. This represented three generations of Wm. Sutherland.

Mr. and Mrs. Lyman E. Wilkins drove up from their Cambridge home with their fine driving horse and spent the holidays at H. G. Osgood’s.

Among those who attended the Unitarian conference of churches at Chelmsford from this village Tuesday were Mrs. Wm. L. Woods, Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Miss Mary Moran, Mrs. J. M. and Miss Eva Fletcher, and Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Whitney.

Accident. Clarence, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Colburn’s little three-year-old son, had a narrow escape from serious injury Monday, if not from being killed outright. He was on the common with his parents not a moment before, but with the swiftness of the average small youngster got into the street and right in the path of a horse and carriage coming at a brisk pace. Before the occupants of the carriage really saw him he was right under the horse’s feet. Those who saw the accident said it seemed as though the horse was possessed with one of those splendid streaks of equine intelligence and managed every way to keep his hoofs from coming down on the child. He was quickly rescued and Dr. Wells was summoned and upon examination found nothing worse than a fright and some slight bruises and scratches. Clarence is a popular little fellow and his many friends are thankful for him and his parents for his narrow escape.

Grange. The rally night or neighbors’ night of Concord grange took place Tuesday evening in their historic town hall. The delegation from Westford grange numbered fifty-two and they were conveyed in two large barges, one in charge of Fred A. Smith and the other of Will E. Wright, besides a good number who went in their own teams. It was a pretty good distance to go for an evening visitation, but the perfect moonlight evening was a great help toward its accomplishment. The ladies’ degree staff of Westford exemplified the third degree by special invitation upon a class of eight candidates, and the regular officers of Concord grange attended to the fourth degree. The Westford staff were at a little disadvantage in a strange hall but performed the work with many additional features, in their best manner, which won them many hearty encomiums.

At the conclusion of the degree work refreshments of icecream and cake and fruit lemonade were served to the large gathering. There was a delegation of forty-two from Acton, forty-four from Carlisle, and other granges represented with smaller groups were Lexington, Chelmsford, Boxboro, Stow, Littleton and Billerica, making a total of fully two hundred and fifty.

Memorial Day. The beautiful weather and the successful carrying out of the day’s plans made the “day of memories” successful and enjoyable, notwithstanding the undercurrent of sadness this day brings to many hearts, to the G.A.R. men, and to many others, particularly to those who decorated mounds made in “God’s acre” since last Memorial day.

The veterans decorated every soldier’s grave in the four cemeteries, either Sunday or Monday, with flowers and a flag which signifies so much to the soldier heart.

The day’s exercises began at nine o’clock, when the procession formed at the town hall and proceeded to Fairview cemetery. Capt. S. H. Fletcher was chief marshal and the veterans in barges were escorted by the Nashua military band of twenty-five pieces, the Sons of Veterans and a large company of school children carrying flowers for the use of the veterans. Upon arrival at the cemetery the ritualistic service of the G.A.R. was carried out in charge of Commander Wesley O. Hawkes.

Upon returning to the hall the program of the day was carried out with smoothness and efficiency. Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher was the orator of the day and gave an address that was followed with the closest appreciation and attention by the large audience. John Adams Taylor, whom Commander Hawkes introduced as one of “our boys,” and who has just accepted a position in a western university, rendered “The perfect tribute,” in a way that won him the heartiest applause of the audience. Mrs. Armand of Graniteville repeated by special request of the veterans the story she gave the day previous of “The little bronze button.” [1] The rest of the program consisted of selections by the band and the Arion quartet of Lowell, the members of which are such favorites with a Westford audience. The exercises closed with the singing of “America” by the audience and band.

The dinner in the lower hall in charge of caterer Fred A. Smith was an enjoyable part of the celebration and was partaken of by fully one hundred and fifty people.

In the afternoon the Nashua military band gave a fine concert on the common from two to four. Listening to the music was interspersed with much friendly social visitation. There were fully two hundred and fifty people in attendance. A supper was served to the men of the band in the lower hall at the close of the afternoon’s exercises, which closed the day’s formal program.

Graniteville. Herbert G. Horn, better known as “Bert” to his many friends here, has been a recent visitor in this village. Bert was an attendant at the ballgame Saturday, and remarked that the present club did not come up to the original Graniteville team that included Johnson, Eaton, King, Gilson and other well-known local players, who met the strongest teams in this section, and went through two seasons with only one defeat.

Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Putney and little son Alfred of Needham have been recent guests of Miss Issie Parker in this village.

All the mills and shops in the village were closed on Monday, May 31, and started up at the usual time on Tuesday morning.

Memorial Services. The union Memorial services, in which the First Parish and Congregational churches of Westford met with the M.E. church of this village, were held Sunday morning at 10:45 o’clock. The members of the Westford Veterans’ association, W. O. Hawkes, commander, with the Sons of Veterans, marched to the church in a body to drum music furnished by William L. Wall. The church was completely filled on this occasion, many being present from out of town. The choir was augmented for this service, many singers from the three different churches in the town taking part. Miss Emily Prinn was organist.

The order of services was as follows: Prayer, Rev. C. P. Marshall of the Congregational church, Westford; anthem by the choir; scripture reading, Mr. Marshall; solo, “Beautiful isle of somewhere,” John Greig; memorial sermon, Rev. S. H. Armand, pastor of the Graniteville M.E. church; “That little brown button,” Mrs. Armand. A quartet composed of Alfred Prinn, Frank Counter, E. G. Boynton and Stephen Gardell, sang very feelingly “We deck their graves with flowers today.” O. A. Nelson, the well-known clarinetist, assisted in the musical program which added greatly to the service.

After the service luncheon was served in the church vestry to the veterans, and the Sons of Veterans. After luncheon had been served the veterans journeyed to the West, St. Catherine’s and Wright cemeteries, where the graves of the dead comrades were decorated.

At the 9:45 o’clock mass in St. Catherine’s church Sunday morning, the pastor, Rev. Edmund T. Schofield, took occasion to make a few remarks on the great work accomplished by the members of the G.A.R., and gave a short sermon on Memorial day.

The Graniteville Blues will cross bats with the Lions of Forge Village on the Forge Village grounds on Saturday afternoon, and a good, warm game is expected. Game called at three p.m.

Baseball. The Crescent baseball club of Lowell visited here last Saturday afternoon and met the Graniteville Blues in the first game in the Stony Brook league at Hillside park, before a good-sized crowd considering the weather condition. The game was started in a drizzling rain and continued until the seventh inning, when the sudden down-pour put an end to all playing, the local club having the better of the argument by the score of 7 to 4. Both clubs played good ball and it seemed too bad that the game could not have been finished. Hanson, Gilson and Ledwith led with the stick for the local club, while Caddell of the Crescents did some heavy batting. The features of the game were the fine fielding of Bostick for the Lowell boys, and the battery work of McCarthy and Ledwith. The Blues appeared in their new uniforms and made a fine appearance.

[1]

The little bronze button was the emblem of membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. Made of cannon metal captured from the foe, it was proudly worn in the left lapel of their coat by members of the GAR who had been honorably discharged from the Union Army. Perhaps Mrs. Armand, wife of the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Graniteville, recited the following:

THE LITTLE BRONZE BUTTON

[Gustave Younghans]

How dear to the heart of each gray-headed soldier

Are the thoughts of the days when he still wore the blue,

While mem’ry recalls every trial and danger

And scenes of the past are brought back to his view.

Tho long since discarding our arms and equipments,

A grizzled old veteran most surely will note

The first thing he sees on the form of his comrade,

The little bronze button he wears on his coat.

“How much did it cost?” said a man to a soldier,

“That little flat button you wear on your coat?”

“Ten cents in good money,” he answered the stranger,

“And four years of fighting and marching to boot.

The wealth of this world can not purchase this emblem

Except that the buyer once wore the brave blue.

And it shows to mankind the full marks of a hero,

A man who to honor and country was true.”

Then let us be proud of the little bronze button

And wear it with spirit both loyal and bold.

Fraternally welcome each one who supports it,

With love in our hearts for our comrades of old.

Each day musters out whole battalions of wearers,

And soon will be missed the token so dear,

But millions to come will remember with honor

The men who’d the right that bronze button to wear.

The little brown button,

The sacred bronze button,

The Grand Army Button

He wears on his coat.

Saturday, June 12, 1909

New Items. Miss Harriet Hodgman, well remembered as the daughter of Rev. Edwin R. Hodgman, and a former teacher in Westford academy, is visiting in town from Kansas, the guest of Miss Emily Fletcher.

Mrs. Delia Boynton of Chamberlain’s corner is visiting friends in Randolph, Vt.

The selectmen have posted notices warning against a dangerous speed of automobiles. It is hoped now that farmers and horses and lumber wagon travel generally will now have time to steer about as in the old-fashioned days of “Gee and haw.” [1]

The fare on that almost world-wide known branch of the Lowell and Fitchburg from Westford to Brookside installed another rate of fares and limit lines before sunrise Thursday morning. It is now seven cents from Westford to Brookside with a five-cent fare tacked on to several cowyard bars along this distance. Better do all your riding now as there may be another change that may take more change before e’er you read these lines.

Veterans’ Reunion. Our patriotic Hiram Dane is to hold a “campfire” reunion at his farm on the shores of “Long Sought pond,” on Thursday, June 17. Mr. Dane saw much severe active service in the Civil war, and as a member of Westford Veterans’ association he has selected this anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill to gather many of his nearby comrades, who took part in the longer battle of the war of the rebellion. Those invited are Geo. S. Boutwell post, G.A.R., Woman’s Relief corps and the Sons of Veterans’ camp of Ayer, the veterans of Acton, Harvard and Shirley, Old Shirley chapter, D.A.R., the Westford veterans, their wives and families. Boats on the lake; speaking, singing and reading, and the old New England open barn floor for those who have a lively turn of mind with their feet. Coffee served free. The balance of the ration will be a “basket lunch without any punch.” Conveyances are expected at the Dunstable road where the electric cars will stop. Should the day prove stormy the Saturday following will be observed.

Forge. Mrs. Stuart entertained the ladies’ whist club of Chelsea this week.

The annual memorial services of the I.O.O.F., M.U., were held in St. Andrew’s mission Sunday morning and were attended by a large number of people. The services were very impressive and at the close Wm. Burnett, John Spinner, Frederick Davis and William Baker, past grands, drove to Fairview cemetery, where the graves of their departed members were decorated with beautiful floral offerings.

Miss Mary L. Morton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Morton, celebrated her ninth birthday by giving a party to her little friends. A very pleasant time they all had and gave to their little hostess many pretty presents. Refreshments were served and they departed wishing little Mary many happy returns of the day.

The ladies sewing circle met with Miss Holbrook at Fensmere farm on Thursday and a large number were present.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hyde have returned from their bridal trip and are settled in their new home at Barry Plains.

Word has been received from Mrs. Nelson Prescott of her arrival at Ellsworth, Me., where she intends spending the summer.

Mr. and Mrs. James Berry of Lawrence were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Comey on Sunday.

Miss Lena Bryant of Maine is at Mr. and Mrs. George O. Jackson’s.

Miss Elizabeth Kittredge, a student at Vassar, is with relatives at “The birches.”

Miss Randlett, a former teacher, but now of Harvard, visited Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Prescott Sunday.

A pleasant surprise party took place Saturday evening at the home of Mrs. M. A. DeRoehn, when a number of the young friends of her son Emerson called upon him and presented him a gold signet ring. Daniel Sullivan made the presentation speech. Refreshments were served and all enjoyed themselves so much that they hoped for another social time at Mrs. DeRoehn’s, for she knows so well how to make a pleasant time for the young people.

Mr. Northrop, one of our oldest respected citizens, was taken suddenly ill Saturday evening and for a time his condition was very serious, but if nothing new sets in he hopes to be about again in a few days. Dr. C. A. Blaney attends him.

About Town. Miss S. Ella Calderwood of Lowell has been engaged as organist at the Unitarian church until the summer vacation, commencing her duties last Sunday with a ringing voluntary. She is well and favorably known to some in the rear platoon of the choir.

By the kindness and efficiency of Mrs. A. J. Abbot an organ recital will be given in the Unitarian church Tuesday evening, June 15, by Arthur Spaulding, organist of the Kirk st. church, Lowell. He will be assisted in solo work by Mrs. George Spaulding of the Unitarian choir, Lowell.

The academy ball team will play Chelmsford high school this afternoon, Saturday, June 12, at Chelmsford Center and the Westford A.A. team, which means always active, will play the Shirley team at Shirley on the same date. Both teams are strong enough to win, but only one will round up with a grin.

Edward Littlefield, son of Mrs. Clara Walker Littlefield, of Fitchburg, who was so low with typhoid fever last summer, has been visiting at the old Walker homestead on Main st.

Miss Belle Walker has just returned from a visit to her brother, John J. Walker in Natick, and friends in Wellesley. Her brother, Rev. Seth Walker, while on a visit to the old homestead, while out looking for Mayflowers in June, the season being late, came across three black snakes, which he caused to become unconscious. The three measured sixteen feet long, an average of five and one-third each. The Walker homestead is noted for its generous hospitality, but there is not enough of it to cover such long snakes; hence the measurement of their days was taken as well as their bodies.

Worldly-mindedness of all shades of digestibility was responsible for not promptly reporting the patriotic exercises at the old Stony Brook school on Friday afternoon prior and preparatory to Decoration day. The schoolroom was trimmed with Mayflowers, the fruitage in part of the warm April showers. There was the regular old-fashioned turnout visiting scene on this occasion, and a regular old-fashioned, last-day fixing up. The exercises were all a patriotic forerunner of the greater event on the Monday following at the town hall. Miss Mellen, the teacher for many years, had the scholars drilled right down to the associations clustering around Decoration exercises.

The Boston and Maine railroad have been installing the new automatic signal service on the Stony Brook road the past week.

Amos Polley has really begun to hay, and has got along quite a way; he also has potatoes nearly ready to blow. Old Story, early bird catching the caterpillars, don’t you know. This Stony Brook valley is an early clime, if you can climb with the speed of the time.

The Spaulding Light Cavalry association will hold a special meeting at headquarters on the Boston road on Saturday, June 19 at three p.m., to make further arrangements for the annual reunion and outing to be held at Nabnassett in August. Come everybody, including those who say they will go, but so far it is never so.

The selectmen give out that there is to be another adjustment of fare rates and limits on the branch line of the Lowell and Fitchburg. Oh, my, me, rates and limits change so often on this line that when you get on you know not where your money will land you, whether on a railroad crossing or on an imaginary line, and when you return it may be more contraction or extension reduced down fine.

The assessors are working hard to start the sweat from the tax payers’ brow, for that future when we must face our own music, the words to which were written by the voters at the annual meeting, “No discount but early interest.” A new tune and a good one. I love it, we must all learn to.

The alumni of Westford academy are making preparation for the annual reunion to be held at the town hall at the close of the spring term, Friday evening, June 25. It is expected that the Salem Cadet orchestra will furnish music for dancing. Further particulars when they arrive.

Westford will have a Fifth of July celebration this year, so say those active lives who are always so, and would like to make the town take after them and keep it so. The Nashua military band has been engaged. Full particulars when full particulars arrive.

Result of Railway Hearing. The railroad commissioners have rendered their decision on the petition of the selectmen for a reduction of fare between Westford and Brookside on the electric road. The report in substance says: “The fare is unreasonable and excessive and we are unable to find anything by way of comparative rates on this road or elsewhere in the state.” The recommendation of the commissioners is practically an order for the selectmen, town council and officials of the Lowell and Fitchburg to hold a conference and adjust the rate at some reasonable figure. But lo and behold, as of old, said railroad ignores the town and does its own readjusting on a basis of no less rate for any one, but a high rate for some. For people living at Brookside and vicinity under the new revised reduction ascending reformation it will cost thirteen cents to get out of town, and this self-foisted readjustment from lower to higher is since the commissioners practically ordered lower rates, for before said order you could get out of town from Brookside for five cents. True, you can now ride under the ascending reduction scale from Westford to Fletcher’s crossing for fifteen cents, a few rods beyond Brookside, where no one has any wants requiring this as a terminal for travel, or in other words, you can ride a few rods further now than ever for fifteen cents, to a point that has no point to it except the point of imposition, for be it remembered that the fare to Lowell, the real terminal, is the same now as before the decree of the railroad commissioners calling for a readjustment.

On the return trip from Lowell, people a short distance westerly of Brookside, could walk rather than pay eight cents for a ride out of all proportion to rates in the state. Now they will have to alight at Fletcher’s crossing. No they won’t, they will alight off the steam cars at Brookside. For this generous reduction from lower to higher, the citizens of Westford ought to vote somebody into a vote of thanks and buy some one a plaster for their back in tipping such heavy fares off empty seats.

Obituary. Arthur O’Brien, who died at South Framingham last week Thursday, was a native of Westford, the son of James and Nancy (Teague) O’Brien, and was born at the old homestead on the Stony Brook road, where his half-brother, James H. O’Brien resides. He was educated at the old Stony Brook school and is well remembered by the older scholars for his genial good-natured ways, and his fairness in games and plays, and many a collar and elbow wrestling match has the writer had with him. There were no pin-fall matches in those Stony Brook days, but something of a thud and stirring of snow in winter and dust like a young whirlwind in summer.

After graduating from school he learned the blacksmith trade in Boston and for a time was in the employ of Chamberlain’s shop at Chamberlain’s corner. Soon after this he gave up blacksmithing and entered the employ of Williams & Co., grain dealers of South Framingham where he remained nearly twenty years. Of recent years he has been in the employ of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad. He has been ill since last January, the cause of death being paralysis.

He leaves two children, Arthur and Alice of South Framingham. His wife died six years ago. Of the family circle of five children, all younger than himself, composing his father’s family, only one remains, James H. The funeral took place last Saturday and burial at South Framingham. He was sixty-four years old.

Center. The contract for repairing and resurfacing a section of Main st., which was awarded to H. W. Tarbell of Lowell, has been completed. At the annual town meeting in March the town voted to expend $1,000 this year on the roads at the Center. The plan of the selectmen has been to finish a section of road near the residence of Ai Bicknell, and then commencing near George T. Day’s and repairing the street toward the Center as far as the sum voted would permit. Last year about $600 was expended in putting in stone gutters and catch-basins to take care of the water and this has proved a wise expenditure.

Mrs. Oscar R. Spaulding has been entertaining the following group at camp this past week: Mrs. Frances B. Prescott, Miss Charlotte Prescott and Misses Grace and Mary Burbeck.

Miss Harriet M. Hodgman has been visiting former friends in town, being the special guest of Miss Emily Fletcher.

The W.C.T.U. met with Mrs. Andrew S. Wright Wednesday afternoon, with a good attendance of the members. Plans for the summer ’s work were made, also arrangements for a field day to be held soon at Long pond, Littleton. Wednesday evening, June 16, the subject of the C.E. meeting is on Frances E. Willard’s [2] work and by invitation of pastor, the members of the union are to take charge of the meeting with especially arranged program.

J. Henry Colburn and his helper, Joe Sears, have just finished painting a large set of buildings for Emile Paignon, Jr., at Chelmsford.

Owing to a lapse of memory, which even a gatherer of news items is liable to, in mentioning holiday visitors last week, we failed to include Misses Carrie E. and Florence H. Read, whom it was so pleasant to greet on the common during the concert. They came over in Daniel Houghton’s automobile from Littleton. Beside Mrs. Houghton there was also Mrs. E. G. Boynton, making the group of Read sisters complete.

The Edward M. Abbot Hose Co., No. 1, held their regular monthly try-out and drill last week Friday evening and by special request of the selectmen wet down the section of freshly graveled road just completed. The men did a good job but the quiet forces of nature did a better one a few hours later with a good steady downpour of rain.

During the firemen’s drill Peter Clement and Henry Colburn got a thorough ducking. They were at the hydrant near Geo. Heywood’s house [7 Main St.] and the men at the hydrant above, nearer the village, shut off the water from there, which so increased the pressure that these men lost control of the hose for a minute or two, getting the full force of the stream.

The sewing circle connected with the Ladies’ Alliance of the Unitarian church held a sewing meeting at the church parlors Wednesday and with the sewing made plans and chose committees for the annual fall fair.

Arthur E. Day has recently purchased of Geo. T. Day a strip of land on Graniteville road. With the moving of the stone wall this increases the street frontage of Mr. Day’s premises.

The triangular piece of ground at the junction of Main and Depot sts. is a beautiful sight now. The shrubbery is one mass of bloom. The credit of this aesthetic enterprise belongs to our former townsman, Charles A. Chamberlain.

The Wm. E. Frost school closed Friday for the long vacation, and the out of town teachers returned to their respective homes, Miss Cushing to Southborough, Miss Grant to Gloucester, and Miss Platt to East Milton.

Celebration. Plans for a good celebration of July fourth go steadily on, under the capable direction of Rev. C. P. Marshall. Those assisting him on the committees are: Mrs. Carrie E. Woods, Mrs. Jennie E. Hartford and Miss Mary E. Moran. At present writing they have raised about one hundred and forty dollars. They wish and expect to make this one hundred and fifty. There is much interest shown and yet the committee in charge bespeaks the hearty cooperation of everyone to make it an all-round success. At a meeting held at the parsonage Monday evening the following outline of program was planned: band concert by the Nashua military band, forenoon and afternoon; parade in the morning, to start at eight o’clock, accompanied by the band, the ball teams and the fire company; ball games by the regular players at the field at Westford depot, and the other later in the day on the common by the young ladies. There will be also a list of sports with prizes. There will be a substantial prize for the best float in the parade. Joseph Wall is chairman of the committee for this part of the program. A. H. Sutherland, master of the grange, is chairman of the committee on sports, and Miss Mary E. Moran for the ladies ball game.

Grange. The annual children’s night in the grange took place last week Thursday evening and was a happy occasion for the little people, and was reflected in a quieter degree among the interested parents and friends. The weather was ideal for the pretty white frocks, the June flowers and the feast of icecream and cake. The children entertained with the following program:

Mother Goose songs, chorus; recitation, Charles Miller; song, chorus; piano solo, Rachel Wall; recitation, Jennie Kimball; song, Grace and Maud Robinson; song, Justine Jenkins, Chester Blaisdell, Clarence Dane, George Murray; recitation, Edward Blodgett; Mother Goose songs, chorus; piano solo, Marion Blodgett; recitation, Evelyn Reid; Mother Goose songs, chorus; recitations, Paul Wilson, Clifford Wood; duet, Elizabeth Kimball, Bertha Woodbury; recitation, Allan Reid; piano duet, Hazel Hartford, Miss Fletcher ; recitation, Daisy Kabele; piano solo, Charles Wood; recitations, Beatrice and Lillian Sutherland; piano and violin duet, Grace Robinson and Walter Steele.

Those in charge of this successful affair were, for the entertainment, Misses Cushing and Grant; for the refreshments, Mrs. John Feeney and Mrs. David L. Greig.

Graniteville. Cameron circle, C. of F. of A., held a very interesting meeting in its rooms on Tuesday evening. Business of importance was transacted, three propositions received, and two candidates initiated into membership of the order. The two delegates who have recently returned from Springfield gave a very interesting report of the convention which was held in that city under very trying circumstances.

The ladies’ aid society of the M.E. church held an ice cream social in the church vestry on Thursday evening, which proved to be a very enjoyable affair. The social was largely attended and all had a very pleasant time.

Miss Hulda Carlson and Miss Catherine Dunn of West Chelmsford have been recent visitors here.

Mrs. John Downing, who has been visiting with her relatives, Mr. and Mrs. David Moran in this village for the past few weeks, left here with Mr. Downing on Sunday for Vernon, N.H., where Mr. Downing is engaged in construction work.

Walter, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. William Robinson, is quite ill at his home in this village.

Baseball. The Graniteville Blues played a picked team of local players at Hillside park late last week Friday afternoon and defeated them in a five-inning game by the score of 11 to 5. The picked nine was no match for the regulars, for the Blues played a fine article of ball from start to finish. T. McCarthy and Ledwith did the battery work for the Blues, while B. McCarthy and Hemen performed a like service for the picked team. Florence Sullivan was in charge the losing side and played first base, while the heavy batting and clever base-running of DeLorenzo was one of the features of the game.

On Tuesday afternoon of this week “Furbush’s Filibusters” met the Blues in what was supposed to be a six-inning game. The Filibusters started off with a rush, scoring five runs in the first inning. In the next inning they scored one more run, when the Blues settled down and prevented them from further scoring. In the meantime the Blues played a hard, uphill game and by timely hitting tied the score in the sixth. Neither side scored in the seventh, but in the eighth the Blues by good batting aided by errors on the part of the Filibusters’ infield, scored two runs, winning the game 8 to 6. McCarthy and Ledwith were the battery for the Blues, while Howarth and Hemen were in the points for Furbush’s team. Both clubs played good, snappy ball at times, and this game proved to be one of the most interesting of the season.

Owing to the rain of last Saturday the Graniteville-Forge Village game was called off. Graniteville will play the Pawtucket Blues in Lowell this Saturday.

[1] “Gee” and “haw” were commands given to horses, meaning “turn right” and “turn left,” respectively.

[2] Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard (1839-1898) worked vigorously in support of prohibition and women’s suffrage. Over a ten-year period she traveled 30,000 miles a year and gave an average of 400 lectures per year. In 1874 she helped create the W.C.T.U. and was it’s first corresponding secretary. From 1879 until her death she served as president of the W.C.T.U.

Saturday, June 19, 1909

About Town. The second call for proposals for carrying the United States mail from Westford station to Westford Center have been closed and the proposals opened, and the contract awarded to Mrs. Frank W. Banister.

When you have nothing else to think of think of this and think of it often, and forget much else that is inferior to this: the alumni association of Westford academy will hold its annual graduation dance and social reunion Friday evening, June 25. Concert from eight to nine, dancing until one a.m. Music by the Lynn Cadet orchestra. This is to be the time of the year, come and bring thy dear. This is to be a town hall affair, and always have a lasting, wholesome wear.

The committee on Fourth of July parade held its first meeting Monday evening. Every member of the committee seemed alive and no prospect of danger from contact with dead wires. The prospect looks encouraging for a long, large, heterogeneous parade, and folks and affairs are liable to have their pictures taken as never before. The Nashua military band will lead the parade, and our ever-willing Joe Wall will act as chief aid.

The ballgame last Saturday between Westford and Shirley resulted in a win for Shirley 5 to 3. the Westford team was short of two important men; expect to lose every now and then.

Westford academy team played Chelmsford high school last Saturday and caught the down and out from the regular Westford team and were defeated 8 to 7.

As the Sunday evening meeting of the Enterprise club the subject for consideration was the life of Edward Everett Hale. [1] Rev. B. H. Bailey led the meeting with an eloquent review of his life as student, teacher, preacher, writer and philanthropist. Selections appropriate to his life were read by Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Hall, Evelyn Hamlin, Ruth Miller.

There will be a special meeting of the Spalding Light Cavalry association at the association building on the Boston road, Saturday, June 19, at three o’clock, to make arrangements for the annual reunion at Nabnasett in August.

Refusing to sign an express license to bring intoxicating liquors into the town, the selectmen have won the criticism of some. Why thus didn’t the town declare its approval of the sale of liquors? Is a saloon on wheels less intoxicating than on a stone foundation? To those who are in bondage to beer, go thou and hunt it up, rather than the town hunt it up for thee. The broken jugs on Stony Brook road near the brook are evidence that the power of discovery needs no aid from the town. It is also evidence that there are those who do not “Walk in the spirit,” [Galatians 5:16 and 5:25] but by spirit, that takes two steps sideways to one forward, and smash goes the jug.

By will of the late John M. Osgood of Racine, Wisconsin, a native of the town, the J. V. Fletcher library receives a gift of $1,000.

The organ recital at the Unitarian church Tuesday evening was the means of gathering the musical loving people in appreciative numbers. Arthur C. Spaulding, as organist, was able to make the organ say what he liked, and Mrs. George H. Spaulding, as soloist, gave her audience the result of genius, with entertainingly difficult music. The thanks of the evening’s entertainment to Mrs. Abiel J. Abbot for planning and hospitality.

The morning service at the Unitarian church tomorrow will be devoted to the children. An interesting program will be carried out including the baptism of children.

Mrs. S. L. Taylor, Esther Perry Taylor Snow, and Perry Taylor Snow have just returned from New Jersey, don’t you know. This is the land of those early peas, that have stirred up such a friendly breeze.

A Citizens’ Meeting. There was a largely attended gathering of citizens at the town hall last Saturday evening, to hear the report of the selectmen and general discussion of the condition and terms of running the branch line of the Lowell and Fitchburg street railway. The selectmen, in behalf of the town, have made an agreement with the railroad to fix the fares on the line from Westford to Brookside until Aug. 1, on a basis of seven cents to Brookside, five cents to Taylor’s crossing; on the return trip seven cents from Brookside to Westford, five cents to Banister’s corner if this does not yield the desired revenue, then look out of your window or stand in the door, if the window is crowded, and wonder why the cars don’t run. A weekly statement of the income of the whole branch will be made to the selectmen. So there now, it is up to the believers in this means of travel, to hop onto the car and support it, or else submit to a return to old-fashioned wagon power, with its push on the reins for extra speed.

Edward Fisher presided at the meeting, and the discussion and questioning was led by Capt. S. H. Fletcher, Rev. B. H. Bailey, Rev. C. P. Marshall, L. W. Wheeler, H. V. Hildreth. It must not be inferred that because the railroad officials hint at discontinuance that it will surely come to pass. The town has rights that cannot be run over by an electric car, without hearing the squeal of distress before some legal tribunal, but keep up the riding habit just the same.

Center. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode have returned from New York and are at their village home for the present.

Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher and son John are spending two or three weeks at her girlhood home in Ludlow, Vt. Mr. Fletcher has also been with his family part of this week.

Mrs. Henry L. McCluskey and son Donald of Worcester have been guests during this week at Deacon Wright’s and Dr. McCluskey came for the weekend.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Hildreth spent Sunday at their son’s, H. V. Hildreth.

Among those who attended the Hildreth family reunion at Chelmsford last Saturday from this town were Mrs. Frank C. Hildreth and son Clarence, Miss Ella Hildreth, Miss Helen Hildreth and Mrs. Alma M. [Minot] Richardson, whose mother was a Hildreth.

Last Saturday afternoon Sunday school superintendent, H. G. Osgood, and Mrs. Osgood invited to their home a list of members of the Sunday school who had been especially faithful in attendance and interest during the year. There were just fourteen children who deserved this reward, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent with games, refreshments and a general good time.

Mr. and Mrs. H. I. Thayer and son, Lloyd, of Wakefield were auto guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Foss this past week.

William Sutherland is completing the work of building a piazza for Walter J. Merritt [62 Main St.]. This extends the entire front of the house and with its dignified lines, in keeping with the colonial architecture of the house, is a great improvement to the premises.

The foundation work for Mrs. Mary E. Fletcher’s new house is making good progress. The stone used for this is from the wall dividing E. J. Whitney’s and A. H. Foss’ land at the west of Mr. Whitney’s house, and is another improvement to this pleasant home.

Miss Belle Marshall of Dover, N.H., is a guest at the Congregational parsonage.

The committee for the parade for July fourth, or July fifth, to be strictly accurate, held a meeting Monday evening. The meeting was an enthusiastic one and there is promise of a big parade. The band, the fire companies, the ball teams and many floats are already promised. The committee invites anyone with an idea for a float or a feature to work it up and enter. They may keep the idea a secret if they wish, although the committee would like to know just how many will enter. Joseph Wall is chairman of this committee. Come and make it a great success.

The executive board of the Tadmuck club are busy with meetings making up the program for the coming season’s work, which promises to be one of interest and profit, fully up to the standard of previous years.

Mrs. A. W. Hartford entertained the Thimble club at her home Thursday afternoon.

The W.C.T.U. The members of the W.C.T.U. had charge of the Wednesday evening service at the Congregational vestry with the life of Frances E. Willard as the subject of the evening. The president, Mrs. Frank C. Hildreth, presided and presented the following program: duet, Mrs. Charles H. Wright and Mrs. Armand; readings concerning the life of Miss Willard by Mrs. Lambert, Mrs. Emily M. Day, Mrs. Quincy Day, Mrs. Luella Harmon, Miss May Day, Mrs. McMaster, Miss Martha Symmes, and Mrs. C. H. Wright. These readings were interspersed with appropriate music and were concluded by remarks by Mr. Marshall. The picnic the members are planning for this organization is Thursday, June 24, and is at Mill pond, Littleton, and not Long pond as we stated last week. Arthur Drew, who owns a number of cottages in that vicinity, has very courteously and kindly extended the use of one of these cottages for that day.

King’s Daughters’ Outing. One of the pleasant social events of the week was at Miss M. G. Luce’s home, Wednesday. Miss Perham, who has been staying with Miss Luce for some time, had as guests the members of the King’s Daughters from her home town of Chelmsford. There were eighteen in the party and they arrived on the 10:30 car and took their departure on the 5:30. It was a perfect June day for the outing and the two hostesses joined forces in sustaining the delightful hospitality that has always characterized this pleasant home. There was a dinner at noon and afterward there was music by Miss Luce and also a reading by her, music by Miss Julia Fletcher and Mrs. Marshall, and readings by Mr. Marshall, and a song by baby Marshall. Later in the afternoon the guests enjoyed a walk about the village. It was not an open day at the library, but through the courtesy of Charles Prescott, one of the trustees, the library was opened for the inspection of the guests.

Graniteville. All the schools in this village closed last week Friday for the annual summer vacation. Through the kindness of A. R. Choate, chairman of the school board, the session ended at eleven o’clock in the morning in order to give the children an opportunity to attend the circus performance at Lowell in the afternoon.

Miss Mary A. Dunn, teacher in the primary school here, is now spending a part of her vacation with friends in Worcester.

Miss Abbie Larkin of North Chelmsford has been visiting friends in this village this week.

Misses Mary and Katherine Harrington of this village have now opened their summer home, and are enjoying the cool breezes at Sunset villa in Tyngsboro.

Mrs. Mary J. McDermott of Lowell has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wall in this village.

Hyacinthe LeDuc has recently sold out his milk business here and intends to retire from active farming in the near future.

Baseball. The many sports from this vicinity who attended the Shirley-Westford A.A. game in Shirley on last Saturday saw the Westford team defeated in an uninteresting game by the score of 5 to 3. Very little hitting was done by either team and the most of the runs scored were the result of errors. Butler pitched his usual good game for Westford, but his support was ragged at times. Belleveau of Shirley got sweet revenge for his defeat by Westford in Lancaster a couple of years ago, by keeping the “hoodoo” sign on the Westfords from start to finish. A large crowd attended the game.

The Graniteville Blues visited Lowell on last Saturday afternoon and in a hard-fought and well-played 10-inning game defeated the Pawtucket Blues on the Textile campus by the score of 8 to 6. The local boys had many loyal followers from here, who cheered their favorites and “rooted” for the home team from start to finish. Although this is only the second league game played, the sport has created a great interest throughout the whole Stony Brook league circuit, and the race for the leadership promises to be a merry one.

The West Chelmsfords will meet the Blues in their first league game here at Hillside park this Saturday afternoon, and as it is some few years since West Chelmsford has sent a representative ball club here, a large crowd will surely be on hand at the game. Game called at three p.m.

Hose Company Meeting. The members of the A. R. Choate hose company, No. 2, had a practice play-out on Monday evening, during which they flushed out many of the hydrants in the village. At one of the hydrants on the upper part of Broadway a stone became lodged near the valve. The force of water burst the hose pipe and flooded the street in that vicinity until the water was shut off at one of the gates by Superintendent Sutherland, who happened to be nearby. The accident caused several of the families in the nearby houses to be without water for several hours, but the trouble was soon remedied by Mr. Sutherland, who made the necessary repairs.

Chief Sherman H. Fletcher of the W.F.D. was a close observer of the practice work, and also made an inspection of the different lines of hose. Nearly all of the members of the company were present on Monday evening, and the practice work was the most strenuous of any that has been held so far.

When the work was finished a special meeting of the company was held in Healy’s hall, during which business of importance was transacted, and a reception held for the newly elected members.

Forge. Schools closed here for the summer vacation, June 11. Ice cream and cake was served to the children during recess by the teachers, which was not only a surprise but was greatly appreciated. Many of the pupils attended.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mason welcomed a little son [Clayton H. Mason, b. June 10] to their home Thursday afternoon. Also on Tuesday a little boy [Donat LaCourse b. June 8] was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur [Joseph, per Westford birth record] Lacourse.

The ladies’ sewing circle met with Mrs. Fernald, Thursday, June 10, at her home, Knopp’s Pond farm [in Groton]. Notwithstanding the rainy afternoon there was a large number present.

Nelson Prescott entertained his cousin, William Drake of Fitchburg, also B. D. Griffith of Lawrence, Sunday.

Henry Floyd of Boston visited Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Comey over Sunday; Mrs. Eunice Murphy and Mrs. Lewis of Lowell were guests of Mrs. M. A. Lowther; Mrs. Thornton Maston, and son Kenneth, and Mrs. Lewis of Fitchburg were at her father’s, G. H. Prescott.

Miss Evelyn Fernald of Vassar college is at home for the summer vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Fernald.

The ladies’ sewing circle met with Mrs. H. E. Randall, on Thursday afternoon.

Sunday school at St. Andrew’s Mission has closed for the summer.

Henry Richards of Groton School and superintendent of the Sunday school will leave next week with a number of students for Gardiner, Me., where they will camp out for the summer. Charles Flanagan of this village goes with them.

The Forge Village Lions defeated the Crescents of Lowell on the home grounds Saturday afternoon by the score of 7 to 6. The game was very interesting, and was witnessed by a large crowd. This is the fourth game played by the Lions this season and they have won every time.

Miss Annie Walsh has returned from Bradford, England, with a party of friends who will make their home here.

H. Catchpole is confined to the house with a very severe cold.

Mrs. Herbert Cockroft of Ware, and Mrs. Archie Whigham of Barre Plains, were week-end guests of their brothers, Wm. and Edmund Hunt. When they returned to their homes, they took their little nieces, Maud and Lillian Hunt, for their summer vacation.

Our village people are preparing for a Fourth of July celebration which looks as if it might be both enjoyable and successful.

[1] Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909), who had recently died (on June 10), was a prodigious author and a Unitarian clergyman. Perhaps best known for his story The Man Without a Country (1863) he wrote numerous other stories, as well as magazine and newspaper articles, and also served as an editor and as chaplain of the U.S. Senate (1903-1909). His father, Nathan Hale (1784-1863), was named after his uncle who was executed for espionage by the British during the Revolutionary War. He was the nephew of the orator, Edward Everett (1794-1865), renowned for his two-hour oration at Gettysburg that preceded Lincoln’s two-minute Gettysburg Address, which Everett praised as superior to his own. “Combining a forceful personality, organizing genius, and liberal practical theology, Hale was active in raising the tone of American life for half a century.” He summarized his personal philosophy when he said, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do.” See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Everett_Hale

Saturday, June 26, 1909

About Town. Mrs. Elizabeth F. Hutchins died at her home, Parker st., Lowell, Tuesday afternoon after a lingering illness, aged sixty-four years. She leaves one brother, Felix McGowan. Mrs. Hutchins will be remembered by residents of Westford as the widow of Samuel M. Hutchins, for several years residents on the farm opposite Fairview cemetery.

The strawberry crop has not been molested by frost or drought, which has resulted in a large crop collectively and individually. Some berries on the Eben Prescott farm on Francis hill, measure 5 ¾ inches in circumference.

The next meeting of the grange will be held Thursday evening, July 1, when the following question will be discussed: “Which do we derive the most benefit from, education or observation?” Rev. C. P. Marshall will speak in behalf of education, and S. L. Taylor will look around and report his observations.

A program of encouragement and inspiration was exemplified at the Unitarian church last Sunday. Rev. B. H. Bailey gave some of his good old New England experience and advice to the children, who in turn reciprocated in recitation, reading and song of a character that would indicate that good advice had already begun to bear fruit. This was followed by the christening of Esther Gardner Fisher [b. Feb. 4, 1909], child of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fisher. The church will be open until the middle of July.

Remember that Fourth of July parade on the fifth, double teams, single teams, horse back, foot back, by single file, double file, file right, file left; by platoons and cartoons, face right, face left, and false face; in burlesque, by request, or plain, sober fact, according to your plain, sober tact. The Stony Brook boys are in for the show, and let the witch grass and weeds celebrate without disturbance of hoe. So come join in the procession, or else belong with the do-nothing retrogression.

Charles W. Whitney on the Lowell road easily leads off with the best field of potatoes so far seen by the writer in Massachusetts. It is the remark on the car [i.e., electric trolley], on the sidewalk, and the horse-walk, when looking at this field, “Ain’t that a handsome sight.”

A large express auto capable of carrying six tons has commenced carrying freight from the Moore spinning company at North Chelmsford to Rhode Island. The route is by way of Brookside, the Lowell road, Cummings road, and Depot st., to Westford center, thence on by way of Littleton and Harvard. It is a monster affair, to give a horse a scare.

Mrs. Margaret F. Banister, having been appointed United States mail agent for Westford Center, commenced the duties Wednesday, June 23.

At a meeting of the Spaulding Light Cavalry association last Saturday afternoon, arrangements were reported by the several committees for holding the annual reunion at Nabnassett, Aug. 12. The Chelmsford brass band will come the hurry-up, quick-step often enough during the day to make all between acts spontaneous, such as speeches, sports and dinner. The program is not yet evolved to the detailed stage; when it is it will appear on this page.

About forty dollars were realized by the recent organ recital at the Unitarian church.

A large crowd gathered at the ballfield near Westford station last Saturday to witness the game between the Lowell Americans and the Westford team. The Lowell team won, score 6 to 4. Continuing the good work of defeat so well carried out thus far this season, the Westford team will play the Knights of Columbus of Andover this afternoon at Hillside park, Graniteville. The visiting team were formerly known and played under the name of Ballardvale team. They are all there and the Westford team have got to get an “all-there” movement onto them to win.

Lewis Fletcher of Kansas has recently been visiting relatives on Oak hill. He is brother to J. Albro Fletcher on the Groton road and uncle to Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher and Henry A. Fletcher.

Hazel Fletcher [age 11] of the Oak hill branch was thrown from her bicycle on Princeton st., Lowell, last week and received some blue-black bruises which caused some tardy absent marks at school; better now, and back to schedule time.

Deacon Andrew S. Wright is seriously ill at his home on Depot st., and Dr. Wells and a specialist were in consultation Wednesday evening. It is reported that he will be tapped for water near the heart. It is quite certain they will find no cider about him.

With the mercury way up in the air, how the crops begin to rear.

There are some symptoms around the outer edges of the school at Stony Brook that give it a sort of autumnal transportation look.

A financial bulletin reports Philadelphia capital ready to tunnel the Worcester and Nashua railroad at Ayer and make continuous line from Lowell to Fitchburg, and also perform some other financial feats.

“Oh what so rare as a day in June” [1] Hardly anything, air, except possibly some easily-arranged birthday celebration, with its rare good friendships and fragrant flowers. Just this and more also was present at the birthday celebration of George E. Gould at his cosey [sic] residence at Westford Center, Tuesday evening. Icecream was served right from the White Mountain freezers, with all the cool flavor of the White Mountain regions gripped to it. [2] As a sort of chairman of exercises for the evening, a phonograph performed as reader, speaker, singer, in solo and choruses, monologue, and dialogue. The whole affair was attractive to the eye and moral sense.

Wallace Johnson has sold out his ice route in West Chelmsford to John Marinell of North Chelmsford.

John A. Taylor attended the wedding Tuesday in Everett of Miss Ellene Blodgett, a classmate at Emerson school of oratory and on Thursday at the Old South church, Worcester, the wedding of Walter Virgie Spaulding, a classmate at Amherst college.

Rev. Benjamin H. Bailey took part in the exercises of installation of Rev. Granville Pierce at Ashby last week Thursday, and the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the parish.

A cat of Mrs. Banister and a dog of Charles Whitney were killed by the same electric car last week. Keep better company next time.

Patriotic Gathering. Over 250 people attended the old-fashioned campfire held at the residence of Hiram Dane on the shores of Long-Sought pond in the northerly part of the town last week Thursday. Special electric cars brought comrades and friends from Ayer, Acton, Shirley, Groton, Littleton, Dunstable, Tyngsboro and Lowell. Post 145, D.A.R. of Shirley, the oldest organization in the state. Several other cities were represented by veterans and sons of veterans. With all appropriateness, Comrade Dane gave the address of welcome, he having served during the war in the Second Massachusetts regiment, enlisting from Roxbury; so after the scars of battle he could consistently welcome his comrades to a review of these scenes by the fireside of peace on the patriotic anniversary of the battle of Bunker hill. With his usual adept courtesy, George E. Gould volunteered free transportation from the station on the Dunstable road to the pond; also, through the kindness of Fred A. Snow of the “Overlook” farm, his large motor boat was devoted to the old veterans for this occasion.

The forenoon was largely devoted to boating and war reminiscences by the veterans.

The house was appropriately decorated for this patriotic day and gathering, with American flags and bunting. The style, arrangement and designing was the labor of George E. Gould and Mrs. Arthur F. Blodgett, who also in addition had a neatly arranged and attractive restaurant. The afternoon was largely devoted to the literary program. Comrade Dane read a paper entitled “Pacific branch, national home of disabled volunteer soldiers.” This home is sixteen miles northwest of Los Angeles, contains 737 acres of land, with parks and gardens; it is the home of more than 3,000 veterans. Following this paper was a song by Comrade Mellish of Shirley, chorus by the company, reading by O. W. Balcom of Shirley, remarks by Comrade William Jubb of Shirley, who will be remembered as a resident of Westford Corner for many years and a member of Spaulding light cavalry, reading by G. F. Lewis, remarks by Rev. A. D. Stroud of Ayer, reading by Mrs. Moore, cousin of Abraham Lincoln, [3] one of the W.R.C. of Ayer, remarks by Mrs. Allen, D.A.R., of Shirley, humorous reading by Olive A. Lallar of Lowell. For variety, Isaac Ward contributed much merriment as well as stirring patriotism, by selections on the phonograph. This was followed by reading by Mabel Puffer of Ayer. J. A. Fletcher of Westford also stirred up much patriotic amusement with an “original” song, words and music. Mrs. Moore of Ayer [4] followed with an “original” reading; song, Comrade Craig, of Ayer. One of the most affecting numbers on the program was a song by little four-year-old Grace Dane, and chorus by comrade and grandpa, Hiram Dane. The loyal originator of this celebration will be remembered as of those marked up generously good.

Center. Rev. C. P. Marshall and Charles O. Prescott went for three days the first of this week on a tramping and camping trip to Mt. Monadnock. Wm. A. Perkins from Grafton joined them and the trio of friends enjoyed their three days in the open. They carried their own sleeping tent and provisions. One night the party camped right under the cone of the mountain and the other night on the shore of Long pond in East Jaffrey. This seemed an ideal spot, but as darkness came on the mosquitoes came in swarms and made things uncomfortable. This short trip was experimental as to outfit and preliminary to the longer one they hope to take later in the summer.

Since the reduction of fares on our branch line to a reasonable rate the people have responded well in patronage and it would seem to an ordinary observer as though it might pay.

Miss May Caldwell of Dorchester is a guest at E. J. Whitney’s.

Miss Grace Lumbert returned this week from a vacation spent at Ludlow, Vt.

Mrs. Annie Barnard and daughter, Miss Florence, are enjoying the vacation with a trip to Tacoma, Washington.

Miss Edith A Wright, Miss Edna Ferguson and Miss Effie Bennett are among those teaching in other places who are at home for the long vacation.

Miss Blanche Waller was graduated this last week from Bates college, Lewiston, Me.

We note this week the death in Lowell of Mrs. Elizabeth Hutchins. Mrs. Hutchins outlived her husband, the late Samuel Madison Hutchins, but a few months. During their residence in town they were regular attendants at the Congregational church and this church was a beneficiary in Mr. Hutchins’ will of one thousand dollars.

Pleasant accounts come from Mrs. Hiram Whitney and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wright of their European trip. Recent letters tell of a particularly pleasant stay in Venice.

Mrs. William Sutherland is spending a vacation with relatives in Methuen and Peabody.

Miss May E. Day is staying with Mr. and Mrs. Andrew G. Wright, during the college vacation, and Miss Mattie Symmes goes to camp with Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode.

Just at this writing there is a little indecision about the ladies’ baseball team for the Fourth celebration being able to carry through their plans. The physical tax to muscles unused to quite so violent exercise is considerable. During practice work one evening recently Mrs. Frank E. Miller got so bad a strain that she will have to keep off her feet for at least a fortnight, the doctor says, which for a busy housewife with much depending upon her is pretty inconvenient. Busy plans for the parade and other features are going on well.

Mrs. Mary E. B. Brigham has improved two out of the three sets of buildings owned by her on Depot st. with fresh coats of paint.

Congregational. Last Sunday evening at the Congregational church there was a good attendance and a profitable service. A specially prepared evening song and praise service was used, conducted by Mr. Marshall. Dr. McCluskey of Worcester, who was a visitor in town for the day, gave the address, which was listened to with much appreciation. His subject was, “The joy of service.” With years of active work in C.E. service, especially in the state union, he was well qualified to speak along this line.

Mr. Marshall gave notice that from now on the regular church prayer meeting would be held on Wednesday evenings and the C.E. meeting on Sunday evenings.

Sunday, June 27, will be children’s Sunday and a good program is being prepared. It is expected now that there will be at least three babies presented for baptism.

Food Sale. As a producer of revenue for a desired object, and as one of the pleasant social occasions of the week, the food sale at Miss Ella Hildreth’s Friday afternoon, June 18, was a success. The sale commenced at three o’clock and for an hour or more it was a busy time disposing of the tempting array of good home-cooked bread, rolls, doughnuts, pies, cookies and cake. These were attractively arranged on the long dining-room table. Icecream was also on sale and was dispensed to the guests scattered about in the spacious rooms. There was a group of Miss Hildreth’s friends present from Lowell. Fully twenty-six dollars were netted toward the construction of a parsonage piazza.

Grange. The last meeting of the grange for June at the town hall last week Thursday evening proved interesting and enjoyable. There was a good attendance of the members and a visiting delegation of six patrons from Chelmsford. Coming on the seventeenth of June the program was a patriotic one, in charge of the ladies’ degree staff, and consisted of appropriate music, papers and tableaux. The grange orchestra started the program with a stirring patriotic medley, which was heartily encored. The tableaux were in charge of Mrs. Sutherland and Mrs. Gould. The stage was effectively trimmed with greenery and the national colors, making a pretty setting for the pictures of war times with their note of pathos and appeal to the loyal love of country. The following subjects, each with their accompaniments of suitable music, were presented: “Betsey Ross making the first American flag,” “The soldier’s farewell,” “Mother’s parting blessing,” “Hospital scenes,” “Camp life,” “Tenting tonight,” “Soldier’s dream,” and “The goddess of liberty.” At the rising of the curtain for each picture, Mrs. Gould read the descriptive verses prepared.

The first of the two papers was by Rev. B. H. Bailey on “The cost of war,” and the second on “The battle of Bunker Hill and its monument,” by Mrs. L. W. Wheeler.

At the business session the members voted not to hold but one meeting in July and one in August, the one coming the first Thursday in each month as according to the printed program. It was also voted to ratify all arrangements made for the celebration July 5, that had been made under the name of the grange.

The next meeting, July 1, promises to be full of interest. The first subject is “Farm laws,” by Charles L. Hildreth, and the second is a discussion: “From which do we derive the most benefit, education or observation?”

Graniteville. Oliver W. Balcom of Shirley has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Choate. Mr. Choate, who is a cousin of Mr. Balcom, and the latter, have not met for a period of forty-seven years. Mr. Balcom, who is a veteran of the Civil war and is well known in G.A.R. circles in Shirley, has an interesting family history as well as a good war record. He was one of a family of fifteen children, five of the brothers going to war at the same time, and when his time of service had expired he re-enlisted for the third time. He can tell some very interesting stories of the long, hard struggle, and is in great demand at all the gatherings of the G.A.R. in Shirley and vicinity.

The Westford A.A. and the Knights of Columbus team of Andover are scheduled to play on the Graniteville grounds this Saturday.

Mrs. George Collins of Lowell has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brooks in this village.

Baseball. The West Chelmsford baseball club visited here on Saturday afternoon and met with defeat at the hands of the Graniteville Blues, in a well-played game, the final score being 8 to 4. The West Chelmsford club had many followers, the fair sex being out in large numbers. This was the largest attended game of the season here, and the loyal “rooters” cheered the home team at every opportunity, and the chances were many. Newbald started to pitch for West Chelmsford, but the Blues found his “goat” in the fourth inning and after scoring five runs he was retired in favor of Reid, the old-time twirler. Reid did good work, but the mischief had been done and the locals held their opponents safely the rest of the game. Tom McCarthy, the local twirler, pitched his usual steady game and although the West Chelmsfords got men on bases, they were unable to score through the clever combination work of the Graniteville battery. Ledwith on the receiving end had the base-runners scared, and very few attempted to steal second. Hughes at shortstop played a brilliant game, and found the ball for a clever bingle when a hit was needed. Defoe and Buckingham also fielded and batted well, while Hanson was on the job every minute. For West Chelmsford the batting and pitching of Reid, the heavy stick work of E. Carlson and the good work of McEnaney at shortstop were among the features.

The Granitevilles will play the Middlesex at Middlesex on this Saturday and a good hot game is expected.

Forge. Money for the celebration to be held here July 5 has been collected very fast. It will be an all-day affair, with [a] dance in the evening. There will be a swimming contest, with prizes, and a varied program betokens a gala day for old and young.

Miss Louise M. and Miss Sadie Morton of Bridgeport, Conn., are visiting old friends here.

Miss Elizabeth Orange has just received a letter from her brother Joseph, now at Manila. He is in the navy and has had quite a cruise around the world. While at Manila he has been very sick with fever, but is better and looks forward to coming home in two years.

Miss Alice L. Prescott is at her home for summer vacation. She has just closed her second year as teacher in Ashland, N.H.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Kirk and children, of Groton, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole and Mr. and Mrs. J. Mason for the Sabbath.

Miss Catherine Hanley and Edward Hanley attended the Normal school graduating exercises at Lowell, Tuesday last.

Entertainment. The members of St. Andrew’s guild gave an entertainment at Recreation hall last Saturday evening. There was a large attendance and quite a sum of money was realized. The program follows:

Piano solos, Miss Eva Young, a brilliant pianist; song, E. Boynton, Mrs. Boynton accompanying on the piano; mandolin and piano, Mrs. John Burnett, Sarah Precious; piano duet, Marion and Eva Blodgett; song, Theresa Lowther; piano solo, Mary Cherry; song, Bertha Wilson; song, Rachel Cherry; farce, “The tipsy pudding,” [4] with the following cast: Grandmother Bustle, Sarah Precious; Mrs. Bustle, May Lord; Mary, Marion Lord; Hazy Black, Bertha Collins; Biddy O’Rafferty, Helen Lord; Kitty Clover, Rachel Cherry; Miss Moon Shine, Rose Northrop; Bridget McGinn, Edith Precious.

It was a very enjoyable play and the ladies took their parts well and pleasing. The sheds which were built last October caused quite a debt, which is fast lessening by the untiring efforts of the guild and ladies’ sewing circle.

About Town. The assessors are nearing the haven of rest for themselves, but possible unrest for the taxpayers, who will pay taxes this year on a basis of $15.70 on a thousand, as against fourteen dollars last year. The state tax was $600 less than last year, and the county tax $300 more. Many thanks, Messrs. Assessors, for your kindness toward dumb animals in fixing a harmless rise. It is a surprise.

Mrs. Houghton G. Osgood is seriously ill at her home on Main st., and medical authority has prescribed a rest. This is another form of hard work for everybody except lazy folks.

Center. Mrs. Lyman Smith, one of our aged residents, died on Thursday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sydney B. Wright. She had been in failing health for a long time. A more extended account will be given next week.

Miss Burroughs of Lowell was an over Sunday guest at Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wright’s.

“Betsy,” the faithful black horse used by the late Charles Whidden [who died April 22, 1909] for carrying the mail for so many years, died the first of the week. She out-lived her master but a short time, and the two were faithful in Uncle Sam’s service for a long time.

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Merritt have been recent victims of the grippe.

The ladies’ missionary society met with Mrs. John P. Wright Thursday afternoon.

[1] This quote is a reference to James Russell Lowell’s (1819-1891) poem “What Is So Rare As a Day in June.”

[2] The hand-cranked ice cream maker was invented by a New York woman named Nancy Johnson in 1846 but was never patented. In 1872 the White Mountain Freezer Company was started in Laconia, N.H., by Thomas Sands. After a disastrous fire in 1881, he moved the company to a 4-acre tract in Nashua next to the Nashua & Acton Railroad tracks, the old “Red Line” that ran through Westford. The company was incorporated in 1888 when Mr. Sands sold out his share. After another disastrous fire in 1930, the company moved to Broad St., Nashua. In 1963 it was sold to the Alaska Freezer Company of Winchendon, Mass. This company was bought out by an investment group in 1974 and renamed White Mountain Freezer, Inc. They continue to sell both hand-cranked and electric ice cream makers based on the original patent for its triple motion blades.

[3] In a 1903 newspaper article Mrs. Moore said, “My father, William S. Hall, was a son of Martha Hanks [and Levi Hall], sister of Nancy Hanks, who married Thomas Lincoln and became the mother of Abraham Lincoln. So, you see, my father was first cousin and I was second cousin [first cousin once removed] to the President.” This does not appear to be born out by genealogical records, which show Levi Hall married to a Nancy Hanks, but probably not the same Nancy who married Thomas Lincoln. She also said that her father was born in 1809 in the same log cabin in which Abraham Lincoln was born, but three months later.

Ayer. Mrs. Nellie M[argaret, nee Hall] Moore died at her home, Monday, November 22, at the age of 63 years, 4 months and 2 days. She has been in failing health for about two years, her last illness dating from about the middle of last August. An autopsy by Dr. Deursan of Lowell and Dr. Hopkins of Ayer revealed a large gallstone in the passage between the stomach and bowel.

Mrs. Moore was born in [St. Louis,] Missouri, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hall. She was a distant connection of Abraham Lincoln on his mother’s side. She lived in Cincinnati, where she married Charles W. Moore. After that the family lived in Worcester, Three Rivers, Quincy, Lowell, Pepperell and Ayer. She was a great worker in charity while in Lowell.

Mrs. Moore was a member of Ida McKinley chapter, O.E.S., the W.R.C., the Ayer Woman’s club and the Groton grange. Was a wide-awake woman, always up with the times, generous to a fault, a good friend.

She is survived by her husband, Charles W. Moore, a half sister in Utah, and a cousin, Mrs. Ella Olney in St. Louis.

The funeral was held from the Methodist church, Wednesday afternoon, Rev. A. D. Stroud officiating. The bearers were members of the Groton grange. The floral tributes were many and beautiful. Interment was in Woodlawn cemetery.

Pepperell. Mrs. Nellie Moore, formerly of this town, died Monday at her home in Ayer. She has been ill for several months, but it was expected she would recover. She was prominent in membership of various societies and had many friends. She enjoyed the distinction of being a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln. She is survived by her husband, Charles W. Moore, for many years an engineer in the mill here.

Turner’s Public Spirit, Ayer, Mass., Sat., Nov. 27, 1909, pp. 5 & 8.

[4] “Tipsy pudding” is another name for an English trifle, a cake soaked with sherry or rum with a boiled custard poured over it. It was said to have been George Washington’s favorite dessert.