The Westford Wardsman, June, 1910
Saturday, June 4, 1910
Monthly Meeting. The regular monthly meeting of the Ladies’ Missionary society of the Congregational church met at the parsonage with Mrs. Wallace on Thursday afternoon of last week. The subject for the afternoon was a continuation of the winter’s study, “The gospel in Latin lands,” by Dr. Francis E. Clark and Mrs. Clark, the special subject for the meeting being, “The gospel in Spain.” The several assignments were treated in an interesting way, especially the account of Mrs. Alice Gordon Gulick’s work given by Mrs. Wallace. At the close of the program a social hour was enjoyed, the lady of the parsonage having invited quite a few outside the membership. Miss Loker gave some account of her recent trip to Washington and a Shakespearian guessing contest was much enjoyed. Refreshments of cake and sherbet were served.
Memorial Exercises. Friday afternoon in the schools appropriate memorial exercises were held. At the Frost school the pupils in the two upper rooms combined in a program of music and recitations suitable to the spirit of Memorial day. In the two lower rooms similar exercises were carried out. The rooms were decorated with flags and flowers.
At the academy a patriotic program was held with music and declamations and Rev. Mr. Wallace addressed the pupils and Rev. Mr. Bailey gave recollections of the war from personal experiences in his own interesting way.
Union Memorial Service. The union memorial service which was held at the Union Congregational church on last Sunday was a fitting introduction to our special observation of Memorial day this year.
It was a capacity audience that filled the auditorium and vestries that were thrown into one, but there was a welcome for every one. The perfect weather made it a pleasure to get out. The decorations were most appropriate and well-placed. The national colors were draped over the pulpit arch and the speaker’s desk and in addition to this a wealth of delicate white spirea with greenery was used. These decorations were the skilful work of Eliot F. Humiston.
The veterans met at the Cavalry association building [20 Boston Road] and marched to the church escorted by the sons of veterans. They occupied seats at the front of the church reserved for them.
The musical part of the service by the united choirs blending the devotional and patriotic was especially well rendered. “Welcome, grand army men” and “Rest, spirit, rest” were given by the full chorus. In the latter anthem, Mrs. C. D. Colburn sustained the solo part. John S. Greig sang the solo, “Face to face.” Rev. B. H. Bailey made the prayer and Lewis F. Havermale of the Graniteville Methodist church gave the invocation and scripture reading. Rev. David Wallace preached a thoughtful and excellent sermon from the text, Ps. 48.12, 13, with its message to the veterans and to all his hearers the need of patriotism and courage in the daily warfare of our complicated modern life.
After the service a luncheon was served by the ladies to the members of the veteran association, after which they made the rounds of the cemeteries and decorated the graves of their former comrades.
Three veterans have died during the year, George H. Prescott [d. March 10, 1910], Charles Cummings [d. May 4, 1910] and Charles W. Reed [May 12, 1910].
Dedication. The day which has been prepared for and anticipated for many weeks in our town has come and gone. Its actual happenings are over and have passed into very interesting local history, but its memories will remain most definite and lasting.
It was an old home day, a memorial day observance and a splendid dedication of its new soldiers’ monument combined into one. The spirit of the occasion started Friday afternoon with a suitable observance in the schools. Saturday absent members of many householders began to arrive. Scarcely a home was without guests either of kindred or friends. To specify one would be to enumerate them all. Many were the graves of loved ones in God’s acre besides the soldier dead that were tenderly garlanded with flowers.
All the public buildings were trimmed most effectively, the work of Boston decorating company, as were also nearly all the private dwellings. Flags and bunting were everywhere. The faces of Washington, Lincoln and Grant were noted in their setting of red, white and blue. Lawns, shrubbery, grading and streets had all been put into the best of order to have the village present its best appearance.
The afternoon previous the members of the Edward M. Abbot Hose Co. turned out and wet down the main streets, and when Monday morning came all was in readiness for the dedication and all arrangements for the day were carried out in a manner most creditable to the committee who have worked as faithfully and well. Shaded skies may have made some difference in the attendance, but a great gathering came. There were fully a thousand people present at the ceremonies. They came in carriages, autos, barges, electrics, by trains and on foot. The Nashua military band, always a favorite with Westford people, was in attendance during the day and gave a fine concert previous to the dedicatory service, which took place promptly at the appointed time. The Chelmsford veterans were the guests for the day of Westford veterans and this was very suitable as Chelmsford is considered as sort of the mother town of Westford. The men of these two companies, to which the day has even a deeper significance than others, were drawn up about the curbing of the monument and back of them were the surging crowd of people. After a selection by the band, prayer was offered by Rev. B. H. Bailey, after which Col. Metcalf, the donor of the monument, the hero of the day, a man who has gone out into the world and done things, a man of achievement, a worthy son of a worthy father, a father in whose memory he makes this gift to the town, stepped forward and in well chosen words presented the monument to the town. Miss Hazel B. Hartford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hartford and granddaughter of Wesley Hawkes, president of the Veteran association, then pulled the cords that loosened the enfolding flags and the impressive figure of a soldier in bronze on a large granite base stood revealed.
The gift was then accepted by Oscar R. Spaulding, chairman of the selectmen, in most fitting and appropriate words that found hearty echo in the hearts of all who listened. The Weber quartet of Boston then sang and the beautiful ceremony of decorating the monument by the veterans with band accompaniment was performed. At about this time the rain which had threatened began to fall and the crowds scattered to shelter. Many went to the library and many went to the [town] hall, especially those holding dinner tickets. This social hour in the recently decorated and renovated hall was very pleasant where many had the opportunity to meet Col. and Mrs. Metcalf.
At 1:15, when it was time to form the march to the common, the weather had cleared. Headed by the band and the veterans, the long procession formed and filed to the big tent which measured 125×50 feet. An excellent menu was prepared by a caterer of Lowell, to which full justice was done. Preparations were made for five hundred people and fully that number was cared for. After the repast Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher called to order and presided. After a selection by the band and by the Weber quartet, Capt. Fletcher made an address of welcome and all that he said was timely and pertinent. He thought it eminently fitting that the tent should be erected and the exercises take place on the common where nearby stood the flag staff which was erected and dedicated in the stirring times of the early sixties and on whose crosstrees were inscribed the words, “Liberty and union,” and nearby the building, then the village schoolhouse, but now transformed into a dwelling where the memorable meeting was held, where Col. Metcalf’s father was the first to sign the roll for the enlistment for troops. He then introduced Col. Edwin D. Metcalf of Auburn, N.Y., the donor of the monument, who spoke in part as follows:
After telling of the meeting in the old schoolhouse where his father, after the reading of the call for volunteers for three years, a term that dampened the ardor of some, rose and made a patriotic speech, stepped forward and signed the roll. “Nothing said can ever adequately pay tribute to the living and the dead for what they gave in the years 1861 to 1865 to shape the destiny of their nation. What a magnificent heritage the men who helped preserve this Union left to their families; what a change has taken place in this country. We often hear the remark, that there are no such opportunities for young men to succeed now as during our father’s time, but this is a mistake, as there are many more opportunities and greater possibilities now than ever before.”
“I have been asked several times why, not being a native of this town, I was led to present Westford with a soldiers’ monument instead of the city of Auburn. When I came here to bury my father, [Lt. William Metcalf, died June 18, 1900,] I was met at the railroad station by a delegation of old soldiers. They were strangers to me, they came without any solicitation, they came without previous knowledge on my part, but I was so pleased and so much touched at the spirit of devotion and loyalty of those who had stood shoulder to shoulder during the civil war that I then and there resolved that I would do something in Westford to the memory of the volunteers.”
The next speaker of the day was Hon. John D. Long, who, while a teacher in Westford academy [1857-1859], formed such friendships and associations with this town that he is always most heartily welcomed here. Space forbids more than extracts from his carefully prepared and most excellent oration. [John Davis Long (1838-1915) was governor of Massachusetts (1880-83) and Secretary of the Navy under Presidents McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt (1897-1902). Theodore Roosevelt served as Asst. Sec. of the Navy under Sec. Long prior to the Spanish-American War.]
“Time and your patience deny an enumeration of the monuments which have dotted Massachusetts and have recorded for centuries, hence her story of heroism so plain, so legible that though a new Babel should arise and the English tongue be lost, the human heart and eye will read it at a glance. Scarce a town is there from Boston to the humblest burying ground in the rural villages, in which the monuments do not rise to tell how universal was the response of Massachusetts. Westford’s history is from first to last an illustration of patriotism. Her sons have always been of the true-blue Lexington-Concord-Bunker Hill stock. They were in the romantic Lovell’s fight in 1739, in Cuba as again only twelve years ago; in the siege of Louisburg; in the French and Indian wars; at Concord bridge; at Bunker Hill; more than two hundred men out of her small population were in the campaigns of the Revolution; in the war of 1812; in the war for the Union, more than two hundred again enlisted.
“This monument is not alone a memorial for the dead but an incentive to future generations to patriotism and high ideals. The period of the civil war had its shadows, out of which came the pure white figure of patriotism, of loyal service of generous sacrifice, of ministering angels, of tender compassion, and heroic champions of freedom and union. So will it be with the clouds of today. There has been no year since your service in the field when the battle has not been on, not of shot and shell, but of the clashing activities of peace—the struggle of clashing interests, out of the very selfishness of which, however, springs that human endeavor which in the long run works the ultimate steady, average betterment of all.
“Glorious as were Gettysburg and Appomattox the great glory was that we had reached that degree of widening of our thoughts; that point in moral conviction and devotion in which those great victories and devotion were only the incident of the greater moral victories of freedom over slavery, of right over wrong—victories just as much for our Southern brethren as for ourselves. Let the young men of today fight the good fight for righteousness, which is now calling them to battle, as you in your day fought the good fight for union and freedom.”
The closing address of the day was by Hon. Charles S. Hamlin of Boston, former assistant secretary of the U.S. treasury. He used the most of his time in personal reminiscences of his acquaintances with various Westford men during his summers spent with his grandfather, close by the spot where he stood. [Charles Sumner Hamlin (1861-1938), a Boston lawyer, was twice Asst. Sec. of the Treasury and was the first Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board (1914-16). He was the son of Edward Sumner Hamlin (1830-1888) and grandson of Nathan Sumner Hamlin (1806-1888) and Harriet Fletcher (1800-1895) who built and occupied the house at 1 Hildreth St. facing the monument.]
The exercises were brought to a close by singing “America,” by the audience.
Centre. Dr. O. V. Wells has a new automobile which will greatly facilitate matters in getting over the many miles of road the country practitioner has to travel.
Rev. T. C. H. Bouton of Chelmsford Congregational church will preach in exchange with Rev. Mr. Wallace on Sunday morning, June 5.
Thursday evening, June 9, Westford grange will observe its fifteenth anniversary. The state master Chas. M. Gardner and the state lecturer will be present and many other invited guests will be present. There will be historical sketches, a good supper and a good time generally.
About Town. John H. Knowles has moved to town again from Providence and is carrying on his farm near Minot’s corner.
It is reported that legal papers have been served on the town in a suit for damages, caused by the death of Chas. W. Reed in falling into an excavation on the curve of the road near the residence of John C. Abbot. The people of Westford regret this sad accident.
The W.C.T.U. held its regular monthly meeting at the home of Mrs. Lucy Keyes on the Providence road on Wednesday. The president, Mrs. F. C. Hildreth called to order and the usual order of business was enacted. As special business it was voted to accept the invitation to a day’s recreation by the hospitality of Mr. Drew, the owner, and donor of last year. This day of change and cheer is open to all who think that the principles of the W.C.T.U. give them a call.
Rev. Seth Walker, who has been minister of the Advent church in Lowell, has been transferred to the Advent church, Worcester. He is an eloquent preacher and the change is in the nature of promotion. He was present at the dedication of the soldiers’ monument, as well as Edwin E. Heywood, George Snow, Miss Marion Wright, Gilbert A. Wright, Alonzo B. Falls, all old familiarities in the bygone days of the old Stony Brook school.
C. R. P. Decatur took a leap of forty days ahead on June first and commenced haying. He will finish at this rate before some of us behind ones emerge from the tangle of weed and witch grass that holds us to the hoe handle.
Miss Angienette and Blanche Tate, nieces of C. R. P. Decatur, were at his home over Sunday; also, Herbert Longley of New Bedford, a former member of Troop F, and his sister, Mrs. Phillips of Littleton, N.H.
Walter Kimball had his residence at Westford depot broken into and a sum of money borrowed never to be returned.
Matthew Smith is making Brookside look more city-like by enlarging the ground floor space of his store. He claims plenty of room now for yeast cakes to make everything rise that you want except prices.
It is rumored that several Stony Brook farms are close to the verge of being sold to a syndicate who will make apples a specialty, with some unmentioned somebody as superintendent. Well, this is business-like business, even if we do fight the same principle in Standard oil and other concentrates. Any other system is a system of self-swindling extravagance.
Mrs. F. W. Banister has been awarded the contract for carrying the mail under the three-mail a day contract.
Daniel H. Sheehan, vinegar, cotton, woolen and lumber manufacturer, has also large agricultural interests in Georgia and at present is busy harvesting potatoes, having six potato diggers, horse power style, in operation, his smallest patch being one hundred acres. No wonder congress is being agitated on deepening our water ways to handle increasing freights.
At a meeting of the Westford veterans’ association, J. Everett Woods was elected commander. He was a gallant soldier in the civil war and has been a gallant soldier in civil peace since the war. A member of the board of registration and a corner stone in the Fortnightly club.
Westford grange will celebrate a fifteen-year anniversary on Thursday evening, June 9, and many invited guests will give home talk a rest.
A Veteran. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Taylor of Woodsville, N.H., were at his brother’s, S. L. Taylor’s, over Sunday to attend the special memorial exercises. Mr. Taylor was only twenty when he enlisted from Westford, serving four years, and two of his brothers were already at the front. It was full as hard for the relatives who remained at home he says as for those who were actually in the battles. For the soldiers there was activity, for the mothers and fathers there was anxiety and the continual fear that the next mail might bring sad reports. Mr. Taylor marched with the veterans at the exercises on Sunday and Monday. He still preserves the comfort bags and other things sent by the Westford women.
Funeral. Taylor and son attended the funeral last Sunday afternoon of Henry J. Tolles at his home on Forest hill, Dunstable. It was the largest funeral in town since wartime. He was widely and favorably known as farmer, granger, trustee of Middlesex north and member of the old Dunstable cornet band, and genial, useful, good citizen. Rev. Guy C. Robbins of the Universalist church of Lawrence, a lifelong friend and former member of the Dunstable band, officiated. The bearers were brothers and burial was in the old historic cemetery in Dunstable where the burial service of the grange was conducted by Prescott grange of Pepperell of which he was a member. Dexter Butterfield, a lifelong friend had charge. His death was the result of a fall of a foot in height on a rock at the barn door, fracturing the skull.
Forge. A large delegation of Odd Fellows attended the memorial services of Loyal Nashoba lodge at Littleton, last Sunday and enjoyed the very interesting and forceful sermon of Rev. H. B. Drew, who conducted the services at the Baptist church.
Sunday, June 5, Loyal Self-Help lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., will hold memorial services in St. Andrew’s mission. All the members are requested to meet at their lodge rooms not later than 9:45 a.m. From there they will march to the chapel at ten o’clock, Rev. T. L. Fisher conducting the service. The members are requested to wear a white tie and white gloves. At the conclusion a committee will decorate the graves of deceased members at Fairview cemetery.
Miss Eva F. Pyne, primary school teacher of Cameron school, will entertain her pupils at her home at Pine Ridge next Saturday, the children are requested to meet at the school at ten o’clock.
Among those who entertained visitors over the holidays were Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver, who had as their guests, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tyler and daughter Elsie of Worcester; Mr. and Mrs. William Wilson entertained Joseph and Timothy Sullivan of Nashua; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mason and son Clayton of Lowell spent the holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Coley of Worcester visited with Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards, Memorial day; Mr. and Mrs. John Paquet and son Raymond of Nashua were with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Leclaire for Memorial day; Allan Carkin of Gardner visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Carkin.
At the regular meeting of the John Edwards hose company held at their rooms on Wednesday evening, Fred Drolett was appointed steward in place of William Hunt, who resigned; Edward T. Hanley, first lieutenant; Francis Lowther, second lieutenant; Joseph Bennett and Joseph McDonald were appointed callmen.
School Exercises. Memorial day exercises were held in Abbot hall last week Friday evening by the pupils of Cameron school. Promptly at seven o’clock the children marched two by two from the school to the hall, John McDonald and Geo. Wilson at the head with drums. The children waving their flags and keeping step made a fine showing. The stage had been decorated with evergreens and flags by Miss Eva F. Pyne. The lower primary opened the exercises with a song, “Memorial day,” followed by recitations. The little tots all daintily attired made a beautiful picture and reflected great credit on their teacher, Miss Pyne. The upper primary pupils then took their places on the stage and entertained the audience for twenty minutes. The children told their stories of the war and recited their pieces in clear voices that could be heard distinctly by everyone.
Part two was opened by the fourth and fifth grades with the song, “We love the heroes,” followed by readings by several pupils; song in two parts, “Our patriot dead,” school; “Flowers for the fallen heroes,” six girls; song, “In memoriam,” two parts, school. This program was generously applauded.
The grammar school concluded the exercises with the following numbers: “To thee, Oh country,” in three parts, school; violin and piano duet, Edith Spinner, William Davis; song, “A tribute to the soldiers,” in three parts, school; flag drill by the school, Geo. Wilson playing the accompaniment. Miss Gertrude Comey kept time with a drum. The drill was a very difficult one, the different figures were loudly applauded and concluded with forming the statue of liberty with singing of the “Star spangled banner” by everyone, the audience standing until the last strains died away. The pupils were loudly applauded and encored.
The teachers held a reception immediately afterwards and were congratulated by the parents and friends of the pupils. Following their usual custom the children marched to Westlawn cemetery in the afternoon and decorated the soldiers’ graves with flags and flowers. Brief services were held and singing of “Sleep, peacefully sleep,” by the children, concluded the exercises.
Fire. All Westford was startled on Thursday noon by hearing that Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher’s home on Oak Hill had burned. Words of sympathy were heard everywhere over the misfortune. This was one of the most beautiful and modern homes in the town. Situated on the outskirts of the town, on the Groton road, close by Senator Fletcher’s extensive granite quarry, it was some time before the fire department could get there. Dr. Wells hurried over in his new automobile carrying some men. The automobile fire protective department from Lowell was summoned and the men on the quarry worked hard, but it was impossible to save the house.
All the family were away but Mrs. Fletcher. She directed the work of saving the furniture and clothing in the house and Fred A. Snow in charge of the office saved the office building and all the valuable papers there.
The house was very large and beautiful, Senator Fletcher having done much to make it very attractive. Hard wood floors, capacious verandas, electric lights and other improvements had transformed the house in recent years. Carpenters were already at work when the fire caught, for plans were under way for building a large out-door sitting room. It is thought the fire caught from an open fireplace.
Groton.
News Items. The veterans enjoyed the address at Littleton on Monday afternoon and appreciated the bountiful and excellent lunch served. They found that many of the citizens had attended the more than usual exercises for the day at Westford, where the soldiers’ monument was dedicated. The post got back to Groton about six o’clock feeling some tired but well satisfied with the day’s commemoration. On the way home they met and counted thirty-three autos going Boston way.
Hollis, N.H.
News Items. Mr. Andrew Jewett spent Memorial day in Westford, attending the dedication of the new soldiers’ monument there.
Saturday, June 11, 1910
About Town. The W.C.T.U. faced a cold attempt at cold rain on Tuesday on their annual acceptance of the hospitality of A. W. Drew at his Brookside farm at West Littleton. He turned everything over to the visitors. The weather thought better of its early morning gloom after the cheery hospitality set forth by Mr. and Mrs. Drew and sent sunshine on the gathering and a thunder and lightning rain shower to the eastward. Twenty-three sat down to dinner, after which came the roll-call, music, quotations, and recitations, and three cheers for the Drew hospitality.
John W. O’Brien has completed taking the census. It did not include in population a son [George L. Nesmith, born May 30, 1910] to Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Nesmith, that was a Decoration day flower.
The Brookside mills are only running on a partly basis but by a wholly water power motor, and the familiar far sounding steam whistle calleth not labor from its slumber or the farmer to his needs.
The fire that burned the house of Hon. H. E. Fletcher also discovered the cause. A chimney only built about four months revealed a large crack several feet long.
A scorching frost visited the lowlands of the town on Saturday evening, June 4, and the Stony Brook valley got a cutting of crops such as has not been experienced by the oldest inhabitant.
The Robinson family have moved from Graniteville into the Barton place on the Providence road.
Mrs. John Feeney and Miss Mary Moran were chosen to represent the Westford parish at the eighty-eighth session of the First Parish church, Thursday, June 16, at Tyngsboro.
Grange. The first meeting of the grange for a number of weeks took place in the newly renovated town hall on Thursday evening of last week and was the annual children’s night. A pretty program of songs and recitations had been arranged by the lecturer, Miss Grant, and the children acquitted themselves well, the little girls especially making a pretty appearance in their fresh white dresses. Following is the program:
Piano solo, Hazel Hartford; song, Alfred Sutherland, Charles Miller, Elinor Colburn and Clifford Woods; reading, Lillian Sutherland; reading, Miss Murray; recitation, Daisy Kabele; piano solo, Rachael Wall; recitation, Paul Wilson; song, Daisy Kabele; recitation, Evalyn Reid; recitation, Hazel Noyes; recitation and song, Grace Robinson; piano solo, Sadie McMaster.
At the close of the entertainment adjournment was made to the lower hall where ice cream and cake satisfactory both in quality and quantity was enjoyed by the children and the older ones as well. Caterer Fred A. Smith had charge of this part of the program.
Centre. Col. Edwin D. Metcalf, the donor of the soldiers’ monument so impressively dedicated on Memorial day made a thoughtful and pretty gift to the library. Handsomely framed and hung is the following unique deed of conveyance to the town:
“Know all men by these presents that, I, Edwin D. Metcalf of the City of Auburn, County of Cayuga, State of New York, in consideration of the natural love and affection I have for my old friends and school-mates in the town of Westford, Middlesex County, State of Massachusetts, by these presents do give, grant and convey unto the said town of Westford, to be its absolutely and forever, a monument in bronze and granite.
“This monument is given in commemoration of those soldiers of which my father was one, and sailors ‘who knew no glory but their country’s good,’ that voluntarily left their homes and families and went forth from the town of Westford to participate in the great struggle which solved the momentous question whether this nation should united stand, or divided, fall; and of their devotion and distinguished services to the said town of Westford to the State and to the Nation.
“In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of May, 1910.
(Seal) EDWIN D. METCALF
(Witness) Edwin F. Metcalf.”
William A. Woodward and J. Herbert Fletcher went on a three days’ fishing trip to Greenfield, Vt., last week. They report some successful trout fishing. Mrs. Woodward at the same time enjoys visiting former friends at Milford, N.H.
Ex-Gov. John D. Long and Mrs. Long were guests at Mr. and Mrs. Abiel J. Abbot’s during last week’s celebration while Mr. and Mrs. Geo. T. Day entertained Col. and Mrs. Metcalf and their son Edwin F. Metcalf.
The Edward M. Abbot Hose Co. held their monthly tryout and drill on Tuesday evening. Hydrants were opened and tested at the east end of the village.
A gang of men with a power spraying machine from the state forestry department were in town last week spraying the shade trees along the main streets of the village.
Rev. T. C. H. Bouton of Chelmsford, who preached at the Congregational church last Sunday in exchange with Mr. Wallace, was the guest of his cousin, Mrs. Winthrop Wheeler.
Forge Village. Loyal Self-Help lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., held its annual memorial service in St. Andrew’s Mission Sunday. The members wore the regalia and white ties and gloves and marched from their club rooms to the chapel. Rev. Thomas L. Fisher conducted the services and preached a very impressive sermon. There was a special musical program by the vested choir. At the conclusion of the services a delegation of Odd Fellows drove to Fairview cemetery, where the graves of deceased members were decorated with flowers.
Miss Eva F. Pyne of the teaching staff of Cameron school entertained thirty-seven of her pupils at her home on Saturday. The children met at the school at ten o’clock and accompanied Miss Pyne to her home, where the day was delightfully spent. Refreshments were served and the children arrived home at night tired but happy.
The Forge Village Lions defeated the North Chelmsford team in the Stony Brook league, Saturday afternoon, by a score of 8 to 7, before a large number of spectators. The game proved very interesting, the score being 1 to 0 in the fourth inning. In the fifth inning neither side scored and excitement was at fever heat. The features of the game were the fielding of Elliott, Hartford, Kidder and Trainer, and the batting of Dumont and Johnson. J. Spinner pitched his usual good game. Batteries for the Lions were J. Spinner, Kidder, pitchers; D. Spinner, catcher. Saturday the Lions will cross bats with the West Chelmsford team at that place.
A very enjoyable concert was given in Abbot hall, last Friday evening, under the auspices of the John Edwards hose company. Herbert A. Clark entertained in white and black face sketches and amused a very large audience for two hours with his funny jokes and witty sayings, and best of all was the stump speech on “Woman’s rights,” and “Matrimony,” which kept the audience attentive throughout.
Eugene Louprete, Leon Delaney and Frank Murphy, well-known employees of the Hines Electric Co., of Lowell, spent the weekend at Camp U-Li-ka, at Forge Pond.
The Forge Village Tigers defeated the St. Mary’s team of Ayer on the home grounds Saturday afternoon to the tune of 9 to 7. The battery for the Tigers was Boucher and DeRoehn, for the St. Mary’s, Bowler and Coughlin. A number of people from Ayer accompanied the team and witnessed the game.
Quite a heavy frost visited here on Saturday night and did considerable damage to the early crop.
Miss Grace Lawrence and Miss Elizabeth Plummer have returned from an extensive trip through the south.
Cameron school closed Friday for the annual vacation of three months.
Mr. and Mrs. Cope of Pawtucketville were guests Wednesday of Mr. and Mrs. David Lord.
A very interesting game of baseball was played Tuesday afternoon between the regulars and the Tigers, which was won by the later 14 to 8. The features of the game were the batting of Jacklin, two home runs by Sullivan and the pitching of DeRoehn. Batteries for Tigers, Boucher and DeRoehn, Tousignant and Vincent for the regulars. The Tigers challenge any team in the state between the ages of 14 to 18.
Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Lyons and son Harold of Melrose have been spending a few days at Tanglewood.
Farewell Sermon. Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, vicar of St. Andrew’s church, Ayer, and St. Andrew’s mission here preached his farewell sermon at the memorial service of the Loyal Self-help lodge, Sunday. This announcement will be received with genuine sorrow by his many friends and parishioners. Although it was not entirely unexpected, it was earnestly hoped that he would remain here some time longer. Rev. Mr. Fisher has had charge of St. Andrew’s mission over ten years, succeeding the late Rev. Edward H. Newbegin and has proved himself an efficient servant of the lord. St. Andrew’s mission will always remain a memorial to his untiring efforts to build up a parish. Rev. Mr. Fisher purposely kept it from the congregation that he was preaching his farewell sermon for, to use his own words, he could not stand the strain of saying farewell to the people he had come to know and serve. It is not known at this writing who will be appointed to succeed Rev. Mr. Fisher.
Saturday, June 18, 1910
Centre. The young colored man who was formerly a student and a graduate at Tuskegee, who spoke at the Unitarian church last Sunday morning, was present at the Congregational church in the evening. The very rainy evening made a difference with the attendance but those who were present were much interested. The speaker presented the work and aims of Tuskegee institute and its well-known founder, Booker Washington, and the means of uplift and enlightenment he had been to many of the colored race. The speaker was desirous of securing two scholarships at fifty dollars each in Westford. This amount at Tuskegee, which is an industrial school, will carry a student through the four years’ course.
Word has been received by the Westford friends of the death of Dr. Wight of Gorham, N.H. Dr. Wight was Mrs. Charles P. Marshall’s father and will be pleasantly remembered as a visitor at the parsonage during Mr. Marshall’s pastorate. Dr. Wight had been a general practitioner for many years and was a fine type of the New England country doctor. Death was due to a general breakdown incident to advanced years.
An improvement has been made in front of the postoffice. The space in front of the sidewalk where the R.F.D. carriers’ teams and many other vehicles that gather in front of a postoffice and general store has been nicely filled in and paved with stones which will greatly improve conditions in wet and stormy weather.
Flag day, June 14, was quite generally observed in our village. Flags were in evidence on all the public buildings and on many private residences.
The engagement is announced of Miss Annie Blodgett of Groton and Aaron Tuttle of this village.
The ladies of the Unitarian society will hold a food sale at their parlors next Thursday afternoon at two o’clock. There will be ice cream and cake and a pleasant social time.
A little son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Beneault on Saturday, June 11. The little newcomer’s name is Everett Beneault.
The ladies’ missionary meeting of the Congregational church met with the president, Miss Loker, at her home at Providence farm, Wednesday afternoon. This meeting with the president has come to be an annual event in the pleasantest season of the year. There was a good attendance and it was very largely an out-door affair. It was a sewing meeting and the special thanks offering envelopes were opened. Dainty refreshments were served by the hostess, Miss Loker and Miss Bunce.
The executive board of the Tadmuck club are busy in these vacation weeks from club meetings and already have mapped out considerable of the outline for next season’s work together.
Miss Packard, head of mathematics department at Lasall seminary is giving her niece, Lillian Draper, a trip to Europe this summer. They sail with friends from New York on June 29 for Naples, visiting Italy, Switzerland, the Passion play, Paris, London, etc., sailing from Glasgow on August 29. Miss Draper has just finished her freshman year at Wellesley college.
The New Park. Work in the new Whitney park and playground progress steadily. So much work which might be called thoroughly preliminary has been necessary that it will be some weeks yet before anything like finishing touches will come. The townspeople have been much interested in the progress of the work and easily recognize the effort necessary to convert especially some parts of the five acres into smooth land. Much draining, blasting and burying rocks, cutting of trees and taking out tree roots has been accomplished.
The baseball diamond at the rear is finished and is a fine affair and some good games are to take place this season. The outlines of the tennis court and considerable preparatory work has been done and this is near the academy building. In the southern corner a grove of trees is to be left and loads upon loads of filling are being used to level up this place. In the end these trees will surely be well-rooted.
One of the many desirable results of the park will be in the end, the appropriate surroundings for the pretty Frost school building. On the land nearest the Spaulding estate four plots of ground have been graded and laid out, one each for the pupils of the four rooms to cultivate and make beautiful with flowers.
Grange. The observance of the fifteenth anniversary of Westford grange postponed from the real date of its organization in March on account of the town hall being closed for a number of weeks for repairs, took place at the town hall on Thursday evening of last week. It was a successful and memorable event in grange annals and a credit to the committees in charge.
The supper took place the first part of the evening and previous to this the members and invited guests gathered in the upper hall and a pleasant reunion and reception was held. At the appointed time the march was formed to the lower hall and fully two hundred and fifty sat down to the pretty tables and did ample justice to a menu of salads, cold meats, rolls, coffee, ice cream and cake. The tables were decorated with mountain laurel and other seasonable flowers. The guests at the tables were deftly and capably waited upon by brothers of the order in spotless white coats. At the close of the supper adjournment was made to the upper hall and the exercises of the evening took place.
Worthy master Frank C. Wright called to order and presided, welcoming all in fitting words. After music by the grange orchestra, state master Charles M. Gardner of Westfield and a member of the state legislature was called upon. Mr. Gardner is an especial favorite with the Westford patrons and whatever subject he chooses to talk upon is sure to be worth while and of interest. His greetings on Thursday evening were full of sincerity and which he congratulated our grange in its growth and progress from its beginning with forty-two charter members up to the present with a membership of about two hundred, he would not have his hearers believe that the best things were accomplished and over but like St. Paul of old “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before,” [Philippians 3:13 ] prophesied in his own optimistic way all good for the future. He also brought reports of practical results in legislation of especial interest to patrons particularly to milk producers.
State lecturer E. F. Richardson followed with interesting remarks, particularly of grange progress throughout the state. Mrs. F. C. Wright gave an outline of our grange happenings since its organization, which was in verse and much enjoyed. Mrs. Josie A. Prescott also contributed reminiscences. There was more music by the orchestra and a duet by John S. Greig and E. G. Boynton, after which the master called upon the guests of the evening, mostly masters of other granges, to speak and their messages while all different, were all pleasant with greetings and congratulations. Fred L. F. Fletcher responded for Chelmsford, J. S. Anthony for Carlisle, George E. Crosby for Tewksbury, Mrs. Alice B. Colburn for Dracut, Emory J. Smith for Billerica, Mrs. L. E. Starr for Groton, Mrs. Sherberne for Tyngsborough, George H. Cash for Littleton and also the masters from Acton, Nashua and Worcester granges were also represented.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Colburn had charge of the supper. Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Wright, the program for the evening and Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Taylor the reception committee. To these committees and their many helpers much credit for the success of the anniversary is due.
About Town. Phineas Parker Fletcher was in town this week calling on old timers of his time. Forty years ago he was a resident of Westford, living on the George H. Fletcher place on the Concord road. He claims everything in town that has a Fletcher to it from Oak Hill to Nashoba. As an infant he started in business in Groton. He is now eighty-five years from first scene.
The Alumni of the Westford academy, that old, ancient and honorable, is bound to keep young. The annual reunion dance jubilee combination will be held Friday evening, June 24, at the town hall. Come and see age and youth and this ancient academy renew itself, lured on by fond recollections and the Salem cadet band.
There will be a meeting of Troop F Cavalry association at the association building on the Boston road this Saturday afternoon, June 18. Shall we spread ourselves before our friends with our friends at Nabnassett park or some other clustered tree retreat, as by custom it hath ever been? Why of course go, as we are not incorporated for fighting, let us have a close range dress parade.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher is constructing a new office and temporary residence as a partial convenience for family home until the real and permanent is evolved. H. W. Tarbell of Lowell has been called on the situation and Oak Hill is apparently planning to retain its oldtime hospitality with some modern deviations in arriving at it.
Mrs. Sarah N. Bacon, who recently died in New York, was for more than forty years a taxpayer of Westford, and sister of Mason Harlow, known to old residents.
The Eben Prescott family on Francis hill were the first in town market with strawberries.
The tree warden is fortifying the trees against attacks of gypsy moths. The burlap used is probably a part of the Daniel H. Sheehan 1,500,000 order from the state which he received some time ago.
Deaths. The funeral of Mrs. Emma A. Spaulding, widow of Frank A. Spaulding, took place from her home in West Chelmsford. She was Miss Emma Longley and was born in West Chelmsford in 1848, where she had always resided. Exceptionally social and genial and a singer with the felicity of entertainment. She was married to Frank A. Spaulding of Dunstable, well-known as a member of the Dunstable band and of Troop F, cavalry. He died in Lowell, February 27, 1903. She was the mother of four children, three of whom survive: Mrs. C. E. Spaulding of Auburndale, Mrs. Olin C. Johnson at the homestead and Carl E. Spaulding of New York.
Mrs. Maria M. Gilson died at her home, Westford Corner, on Monday, June 13, aged seventy-six years. The funeral took place from the West Chelmsford church on Thursday afternoon. A full account later.
Forge Village. William Orange, who enlisted in Co. I, 11th Infantry, stationed at Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming, has served his time, three years, and is now visiting his relatives here. He was a victim of yellow fever and was confined to the hospital several weeks. He was appointed postmaster of his company; also, bugler, and is seriously thinking of reenlisting again for three years. This is his first visit since he left home in 1907 and finds many familiar faces absent; among them are his father, brother, and grandmother, who were enjoying the best of health and were present to wish him good-bye on his long journey across the country, they having since answered the final summons.
A number of people from here attended the parish meeting of the vicarage in Ayer on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of appointing a clergyman to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rev. Thomas L. Fisher. It was decided not to appoint a permanent vicar during the summer months. Clergymen from other parishes will in turn occupy the pulpit at St. Andrew’s mission. Services next Sunday will be at 4:30 p.m., E. H. Hilliard will have charge. Mr. Hilliard, who is superintendent of the Sunday school here, will start on a European trip next week.
The Tigers will play the Westford Scouts on Cameron grove, Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Daly attended the funeral of Mr. Daly’s father, who died suddenly at Gloucester, Monday.
A very pleasant reunion of Keighley people from merrie [sic] England was held Saturday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Finn on Pond street. About thirty people were present, all of whom were neighbors in Keighley, England. The evening was pleasantly spent in talking over old times; songs were given by Miss Sadie Smith, Miss Mary Gardiner, John Young and Bernard McCann. Character songs by John Gallagher, recitations, Charles Flanagan, Patrick Brophy. Among the out-of-town guests were James Gallagher and John Young of New Jersey, formerly of the well-known Keighley football team; Bernard McCann of Lowell, Patrick Brophy of Lawrence.
Peter Hanley and party of friends of Lowell have engaged Edward T. Hanley’s cottage on the shore of Forge pond for the season.
The Forge Village Lions will play the Pawtucket Blues in the Stony Brook league on Saturday afternoon on the home grounds.
Miss Lettelia V. Ward, principal of the Cameron school, entertained the pupils of the sixth, seventh and eighth grades at her home on last Saturday evening. The most important event was the dainty supper which was served soon after their arrival. The table was tastefully arranged with many cut flowers and candies and no time was lost in disposing of the many good things. The evening was pleasantly spent in music and song. William Davis contributed selections on the violin.
Miss Elizabeth Plummer is visiting her brother in Salem.
Alvin S. Bennett and his sister, Mrs. Mary J. Drake, were guests of their brother John Bennett at Worcester the first of the week.
Miss Abbie M. Blaisdell, teacher of the second and third grades, held a picnic with her pupils Wednesday. The children with their lunch baskets met Miss Blaisdell at the 9:45 electric and started immediately for the picnic grounds. Mrs. Bert Comey kindly gave the use of her premises, which is an ideal spot to hold an outing, and also furnished the ice cream. Miss Blaisdell contributed lemonade, fruit and fancy biscuits and the weather man did his share by furnishing a rare day in June. The children spent the day in playing games and roaming through the woods. The children are indebted to their teacher and Mrs. Comey for a very pleasant outing. The school closed last Friday for the summer vacation of three months. All of the grammar school pupils received marks of perfect attendance.
Miss Grace Lawrence has returned from a pleasant trip with her cousin, Miss Olive Prescott of Reading.
Mrs. H. E. Randall spent several days last week with her sister-in-law, Mrs. Silvia Barnes of Brockton.
Mrs. Mary J. Drake and Mrs. Lucretia Reed spent last week with their granddaughter, Mrs. Harry Ingalls of Beverly.
A very enjoyable concert was given in Abbot hall, Wednesday evening, by Thomas Long of Lowell, a former resident, who is well-known as a writer. Among the numbers given was one of his own composition, “The boys of Uncle Sam.” The music was written by A. Martell of Lowell, a well-known teacher of the piano. This number was generously applauded. Opening number was a piano solo by A. Martell; duet, Osmond Long and Harry Needham; song, “The boys of Uncle Sam,” Thomas Long; Japanese drill and song by the following young ladies: Ada Long, Sadie Ingham, Eva M. Hutton, Gladys Long, Dorothy Jordan; arranged by Miss Annie Long and Miss Nita Jordan playing the accompaniment. General dancing followed.
Aime Boucher received a telegram from Canada, Tuesday, announcing the critical illness of his father, Mr. Boucher. Mr. Boucher left immediately for the home of his parents.
Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett are spending this week with their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Longbottom of Arlington Heights.
Graniteville. Rev. M. E. Doherty, the new curate recently assigned as assistant to the pastor, Rev. Edmund T. Schofield, celebrated his first mass in St. Catherine’s church on Sunday morning and in his introductory sermon made a very good impression on the large congregation present. It appears to be the prevailing opinion that Fr. Doherty will be very well liked by the parishioners of St. Catherine’s church as time goes on. After the mass Fr. Doherty addressed the members of the Holy Name society, congratulating them on their good work and promising to aid them in every way he could in the future. The members were very much pleased with his brief remarks and will look forward to those meetings with renewed interest.
In spite of the inclement weather the children’s day services that were held in the M.E. church, Sunday morning, were largely attended and a very interesting program carried out. All the children did finely in their respective parts which reflects great credit on the committee in charge. The children who took part in the program with recitation or song were: Myrtle Healey, Bertha Stanley, Jennie Blanchard, Nettie Hanning, Earl Robinson, Walter Stewart, Victor Dourett [Doucette], Walter Blanchard, Charlie Robinson, Walter Robinson, Walter Beebe, Alice Gilson, Albert Blanchard, Martha Lorman and Madaline Holland.
Owing to the rainy weather of last Saturday the Graniteville baseball club did not visit North Chelmsford as intended. Saturday, June 18, the Y.M.C.A. Indians will visit here and a great game is expected, the Indians have been putting up a fast article of ball this season. The local club has now settled down to business and promises to make their opponents hustle every minute in order to win.
Miss Hulda Carlson has been visiting friends here in the village before going on her vacation which she will spend at Sugar Hill, N.H.
Mrs. J. A. Healy, James Edward and Arthur Healy have returned home after spending a few days at Marlborough, as guests of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Sullivan.
Mrs. P. Harrington visits a friend in North Leominster this week.
Mrs. D. W. Harrington has returned home after spending a few days with friends in Leominster.
Miss Laura E. Healy of Lowell, formerly of this village, has accepted a position in Sugar Hill, N.H., and left last week to commence her new duties.
There was a meeting of Cameron circle held in Healy’s hall on Tuesday evening. Business of importance was transacted and Miss Mary Sullivan and Mrs. Julia Wall read a report of the grand convention that was held in Boston last week, which they attended as delegates.
Saturday, June 25, 1910
Deaths. Edwin E. Heywood died at his home in Arlington Heights, June 17. Death was due to a fall from his wagon while riding to his market garden farm on a load of boxes. Mr. Heywood was a native of Westford and had lived here nearly all his life, owning the farm on the Chamberlin road about four and a quarter miles south of the old Chamberlin blacksmith shop. About six years ago he sold his farm and moved to Arlington.
When the old Stony Brook school was in its palmy days and crowded with usefulness and scholars, he was one of the large and bright scholars. He was always genial, jolly and unruffled. From scholar to citizen he preserved the same quiet, calm attitude towards public questions.
The funeral took place from the Unitarian church Westford on Monday afternoon. This was the church [of] his father and his own early mature deliberation. Rev. Benjamin H. Bailey, who conducted the service, was as usual, wisely choice in thought. Edson G. Boynton and Mrs. Homer M. Seavey paid tribute to the occasion with two appropriate songs.
Mr. Heywood was seventy-five years old and leaves a widow and two daughters. Several years ago, his family of four daughters was divided by death. Burial was in Fairview cemetery by the side of kindred dust. David A. Greig had charge of the burial. The bearers were John McMaster, Houghton G. Osgood, old time neighbors, and the two sons-in-law.
The funeral of Maria M. [Martha] Gilson took place from the West Chelmsford church on Thursday afternoon of last week and was largely attended. Rev. Mr. Matthews of Lowell conducted the services and there was quartet singing by Osmond Long, Arthur T. Mann, Charles H. Howard and Harry Needham. The bearers were Walter A. Whidden, Elmer Whidden, Leonard Whidden and J. N. Fletcher. Burial was in the village cemetery in charge of David A. Greig.
Mrs. Gilson was born in Westford in 1834 [Feb. 1, 1835], the daughter of Joshua and Mary [Martha] (Fletcher) Whidden of the old Whidden family on Oak Hill road. For forty years she lived on Forest Hill in Dunstable and was close neighbor of the late Henry J. Tolles. A few years ago she returned to her old home, now occupied by her nephew, Walter A. Whidden, where she died. She leaves one son, Elmer Gilson of Pepperell, two brothers, George W. Whidden of North Chelmsford and Augustus F. Whidden of Whidden’s Corner, Westford. She was of rugged New England build in character and constitution and was a niece of Levi T. Fletcher of Brookside.
About Town. Miss Clara Wright is expected soon from Cleveland at her summer home at Brookside. The essentials of summer have already arrived by express and it looks now a summer of it with her aunt, Mrs. [Miss] Sarah Richardson, who observed her ninety-second birthday on June 14. She is the well preserved type of the New England life from original design.
John A. Taylor is homeward bound from Maine University for the summer vacation, touring at Atlantic City and Washington as part of the home procedure. He has accepted a position in the University of North Dakota.
The Unitarian society observed last Sunday as flower Sunday. The church was tastefully decorated with banks and baskets of beautiful mountain laurel sent from Milford, N.H., by Frank E. Wilkins, to friends here. So generous was the donation and so lovely the coloring that nothing more appropriate could have been chosen for a June Sunday decoration.
Charles E. Walker has sweet corn over two feet high, the rest of us have no need now to try.
“Faith without works is dead,” [James 2:20 & 2:26] has always been on the guide board at the old First Parish church and the Sunday school exemplified it by a gift of twelve dollars towards a scholarship at Tuskegee as per Rev. Chisholm’s recent plea. Outside of the Sunday school, it is expected that members of the parish will add some of “Faith by works.”
The old First Parish church was well represented at the conference at Tyngsboro last week Thursday. In the absence of Abiel J. Abbot as president of the conference, Rev. B. H. Bailey was unanimously chosen to preside with his usual aptitude for kindling the fire of the spirit and plenty of reserve to keep it well fanned.
At a meeting of the Cavalry association at Cavalry building, it was voted to hold the annual reunion at Westford Centre on Thursday, August 11. The new playground will be ready for this reunion and this will be an appropriate time to decorate it with the friendship of Troop F.
Centre. Among the teachers at home for the summer vacation are Miss Jennie Ferguson from Presque Isle, Me., Miss Edna Ferguson from Beverly, Miss Ruth Tuttle from New Bedford, Miss Edith A. Wright from Ayer, Miss Edith Bicknell from Royalston and Misses Jennie Chandler, Lila Fisher and Julia Hall from Boston. The teachers at the Frost school have returned to their several homes—Miss Grant to Gloucester, Miss Burnham to Essex and Miss Cushing to Southborough. Miss Cushing does not intend to return in the fall, having resigned. She has taught here for the last four years, first in the old center primary and later in the new school building. She has made a record for herself as a faithful and conscientious teacher and has entered into the social and church life of the village most helpfully and she will be much missed by her friends.
Misses Augusta Leighton and Minnie Pollard have been guests this week at Mrs. Mary E. Fletcher’s.
Edward A. Hamlin of this village and Miss Annie Oldham of Forge Village were married in Lowell, June 18, by Rev. Caleb E. Fisher. They have set up housekeeping in part of the old Hamlin homestead [2 Hildreth St.] and Mrs. Abbie Hamlin occupies the rest of the house.
Charles O. Prescott was a weekend guest of John P. Wright’s at their summer home in North Plymouth this last week.
Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode are at their home in this village after staying in New York since last November. They were present at the home coming celebration for Theodore Roosevelt.
Mrs. L. W. Wheeler entertained the Thimble club at Paradise Spring, Tuesday. A picnic dinner was served at noon. There was a full attendance with the exception of Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher and Miss Ruth Fisher, who were unable to be present.
Miss Grace Lumbert went this week to Cohasset, on the south shore, where she is to be located for the summer in a children’s hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard of Concord, N.H., with their little son John, have been spending a week with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Howard [on Howard Rd.].
Miss Ruth Fisher has been enjoying vacation days at Plymouth. Miss Clara Fisher, who has been detained from her work in the law library at the court house, Lowell, on account of illness, is able to resume daily trips again.
Miss Marjory Seavey has been visiting since the close of school with Mrs. E. J. Meecham at her pleasant home in Holyoke. Mrs. Meecham was formerly Miss Millie Smith, a popular teacher at the old primary school.
There is a particularly interesting set of pictures from the Library Art club on exhibition at the library, dealing with Concord. They portray in some degree the wealth of historic and literary association in which this beautiful old town abounds.
For the first time in many weeks, our village nurse, Miss Mary Moran, has been having a little time at her home at the Centre.
Children’s Sunday. That Sunday set aside in early summer as exclusively belonging to the children was observed most successfully at the Congregational church last Sunday morning. The large audience present readily extended the responsive appreciation that the exercises merited.
The decorations were especially pretty, being a skilful arrangement of lilies, mountain laurel, syringas and ferns and making an attractive setting for the bright faces of the children.
The beautiful and impressive rites of baptism were received by five [four?] little ones, Roger Heywood Hildreth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth; Violet Marion Green and Evelyn Marjory Green, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Green and John Henry Perkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Perkins. Following is the program:
Marching song, school; song, “Summer is here;” invocation, pastor; recitation, “Welcome,” Clifford Johnson; scripture lesson, H. G. Osgood; recitation, “Children’s day,” Edna Day; exercise, “What can they do?” primary class; song, “June time has come,” three girls; exercise, “Soldiers of the cross,” Mrs. Kimball’s class; recitation, “God cares,” Hazel Noyes; “A soldier,” Carl Anderson; “That guided by his banner,” Pauline and Rachael Wallace; “The flowers’ welcome,” Mabel Prescott, Stella Whitney; “Christ and the children,” Pauline Wallace; song, “Happy children’s day;” recitation, “Your part,” Charles Colburn; solo, “Blossom bells,” Adrith Carter; exercise, “Daisy chains,” ten girls; song, “Down in the blossom dell,” girls of the school; “A little child shall lead them,” Daisy Kabele; song, “Hear us, we pray;” hymn; brief remarks by the pastor and the benediction closed the service. Mrs. David Wallace, Misses May Atwood, Grace Lumbert and Edith Wright were the committee in charge.
Forge Village. Andrew and Michael Walsh of Lawrence were guests Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. William Venn.
Bernard McCann of Lowell returned home Sunday after spending a very enjoyable week as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Finn.
Miss Mary Gardiner is spending this week with Mrs. Bessie O’Neil of Schaffer street, Lowell.
Miss Catherine May has returned from Long Island, N.Y., where she went to attend the marriage of her sister, Miss Cecillia May, on Wednesday, June 15.
Miss Mary C. Joyce and Miss Alice Joyce of Twelfth street, Lowell, were entertained Sunday at the home of Miss Christina Lowther.
The Forge Village Lions were favored with good weather Saturday to play their expected game with the Pawtucket Blues, but they failed to show up. Next Saturday the Lions will cross bats with the Richmonds on the home grounds.
A very enjoyable dance was held in Abbot hall, Saturday evening, under the direction of the R.T.S. society, composed of well-known young men of the town.
Rev. Mr. Beals of Beachmont occupied the pulpit at St. Andrew’s mission last Sunday. There will be no more Sunday school until September.
John Young and James Gallagher of Newark, N.J., returned home Sunday after a very enjoyable visit spent as guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith and family on Lakeside avenue. They were among the large number of Keighley, England, people who attended the reception given by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Finn to a number of their countrymen who recently arrived here. Tuesday evening Mr. and Mrs. William Venn entertained the same party at their home on Bradford street. The time was pleasantly spent in renewing old acquaintances. Solos were rendered by Miss Sadie Smith, Miss Mary Gardiner, John Young and James Gallagher, selections were given by Bernard McCann on the flute and several other instruments. Mr. McCann is an accomplished musician. A duet by James Byrnes and Patrick Brophy concluded the musical program, and refreshments were served.
Mr. and Mrs. Tizzer and family of Malden are at Sunrise cottage on the shore of Forge pond for the season.
Miss Eva F. Pyne and Miss Letetia V. Ward are enjoying a vacation from their school duties at Warren, N.H., with relatives of Miss Pyne.
Miss Abbie M. Blaisdell of Wamesit spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson.
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. William Blodgett of the Ridges was christened George R. and the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wigham was named Doris Ada on Sunday by Rev. Mr. Beals at St. Andrew’s mission.
The English tea party which was to have been held in Recreation hall, Saturday evening, has been postponed to a future date. The affair was in charge of the Ladies’ Sewing circle.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sheeney and two children of Lowell were guests Monday of Mr. and Mrs. John Sullivan.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanton of Lowell are enjoying the cool breezes of Forge pond, this week. They are at Gurney cottage.
Burglary. Burglars broke into the office of Abbot & Co.’s Worsted mills sometime between midnight Friday and early Saturday morning. Entrance was effected by breaking in the door. The safe was blown to pieces but only one hundred dollars obtained. All the coats and carpets in the office were used to deaden the sound and although the safe was completely wrecked, not a window was broken. It is believed that the people who did the work came in an automobile, as the tracks lead up to the door of the office and was heard to pass through the village between the hours of two and three a.m.
Victor Pigeon, who recently opened a meat market, was aroused at 1:30 o’clock Saturday morning by a knock at the door. Getting up he saw four men in the street and he asked them what they wanted and one of them said they were walking to Harvard and was hungry. They seemed to be all right, so he came down stairs and let two of them in. One was of light complexion with light mustache while the other was of smooth face and wore a navy blue suit. He sold them five pounds of pigs’ feet, and then they inquired the way to Harvard. When told, they turned and went in the opposite direction. The men wore good clothing and did not look like tramps. Samuel Blowey, who is employed as watchman at the suspender factory in Littleton and works from twelve at noon till midnight, arrived home on his bicycle at 12:45 a.m. Saturday and saw a team standing at the postoffice which is a short distance from the office of Abbot & Co. The light which always burns at night in the postoffice showed that the team was empty. Many believe that the men that visited Victor Pigeon’s store came in the team and were for a good time.