The Westford Wardsman, June, 1911
Saturday, June 3, 1911
Baseball. The Westford A.A. baseball team has one of the best organizations of ball players in this vicinity and has a good schedule of games arranged: June 3, at three p.m., Chelmsford at Westford; June 10, Y.M.C.A. of Lowell at Westford; June 24, Westford at Shirley; July 1, Westford at Townsend; July 4, morning open; July 4, afternoon, Shirley at Westford; July 24, Westford at Leominster, Tigers; August 12, Tigers of Leominster at Westford. Other dates will be closed with fast teams. Address all communications to Alfred W. Hartford, manager, Westford.
Center. Ai Bicknell has been inconvenienced by a fractured rib, received while at work. His various activities just at this memorial season have not allowed him much time to rest with it.
Wallace Johnson, our iceman of the Cold Spring district, is recovering from a tedious siege of blood poisoning in one foot.
Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher, beside his many town and business cares, has added to his activities that of a champion rat catcher. He recently caught sixteen of the rodents, old and young, in one trap.
Patrons of our branch line electrics are reminded that the 7:45 Sunday morning car has been done away with, but an additional trip added at night, the last car leaving the village at 6:45. This arrangement, it is thought, will benefit more than the former schedule.
Mrs. Elizabeth and Mrs. Kate Kebler have been recent visitors at Julian Cameron’s. Mrs. Julia Cameron is expected home from her European trip the first of next week.
Mrs. George E. Jenkins of Morristown, N.J., who formerly lived here, has been visiting in town, being entertained at Mrs. Alma Richardson’s and Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher’s.
A pretty side issue of last week’s dedication of the Whitney playground was the writing by each pupil of the Frost school a personal letter to Mrs. Whitney, expressing to her each in their own way, their appreciation of her gift. The letters made up a unique and varied collection and was highly prized by the recipient. The successful carrying out of the dedicatory festival was under the direction of Miss Ruth Fisher and it was through her suggestion that this original tribute was made.
Dr. and Mrs. O. V. Wells and little daughter enjoyed a short holiday last week, going to Amesbury on Friday in their automobile, and returning the following day. Rev. and Mrs. B. H. Bailey staid [sic] at their home during their absence.
Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Wright have a cat at their house that is something of a champion hunter. Rats, mice, moles, chipmunks, etc., are regular happenings, and twice during this last week the feline has brought home as trophies a half-grown woodchuck.
Memorial Day. Good weather and a well-arranged program made our observance of Memorial day most successful. In order not to make the day too arduous, the veterans had attended to the decorating of their comrades’ graves on Sunday afternoon. Geraniums were planted on each grave and a flag placed thereon. Tuesday morning the veterans, sons and daughters of veterans, and members of Troop F cavalry, gathered at the Cavalry Association building on Boston road and from there, accompanied by the Nashua military band, marched to the beautiful soldiers’ monument presented to the town one year ago by Col. Edwin D. Metcalf of Auburn, N.Y., in honor of his father’s memory, who enlisted from Westford. The monument and enclosed grounds had been beautifully decorated with flags, evergreen and flowers. After the ritualistic service by the veterans the line was again formed and marched to the town hall where the following services were carried out: Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher, presided; prayer was offered by Rev. David Wallace and the address of the day was given by Rev. James M. Craig of Lowell. The musical numbers were furnished by the quartet of the Grace Universalist church of Lowell and by the band. Their selections were particularly good and both responded with encores to the hearty applause.
Mr. Craig’s address was heartily appreciated. A good many were heard to say that it was one of the best memorial addresses ever given in our hall. Mr. Craig deplored the tendency of making this day too much one of sports. Some other good thoughts were that ours is a nation of citizens, not of soldiers, that we must honor our noble men by naming them as men. He said it was not a war of conquest, but a war of ideas, of convictions and an intellectual question, later a moral question, “why not free the slaves?” Defeat followed defeat until the president called for a day of fasting and prayer—then victory. The speaker defined the influence upon the nation of this victory and his closing thought was that the best way to honor the G.A.R. is to fight our battles in the same spirit as they did.
At the close of the exercises dinner was served in the hall below to the veterans and their wives, the speakers and singers, the sons and daughters of veterans and the band. This was in charge of Mrs. Alfred W. Hartford and a corps of capable assistants. The tables were decorated with white flowers and clusters of flags, and the food abundant and appetizing.
At 1:30, there was a band concert on the common which was well-attended, and at three o’clock a ball game at Whitney park between Nashua and Westford teams, with a victory for Westford, 6 to 5. This attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd and was an enjoyable feature of the day. The band was in attendance and played numerous selections.
Among visitors from out-of-town for the day were the Fred A. Hildreths of Malden, Mr. and Mrs. Lyman E. Wilkins of Somerville, Mrs. Luke Fletcher, a family group of children and grandchildren at William Sutherland’s, Mr. and Mrs. Will E. Carver of Somerville and Mrs. Grace Cameron of Somerville.
Dedication. Saturday, May 27, will long be remembered by the throng of people who gathered for the dedication of the new park and playground given to the town by Mrs. M. Elizabeth Whitney, remembered by the young people for all that it promises of recreation and enjoyment and by the older ones who perhaps more fully realize its value to the town’s best welfare.
The weather, upon which so much depended for the successful carrying out of an out-of-doors’ affair, left nothing to be desired, but was fresh and clear and much helped by the recent rain. It proved a real holiday for our residents and there were many gathered from out-of-town for the event.
The morning was taken up by a tennis tournament between the pupils of the academy. Miss Marjory Seavey won the final honors. This was followed by a ball game between Littleton high school and Westford academy and the latter scored a victory of 25 to 11. A luncheon was served at noon to the Littleton guests by the academy students and teachers.
At two o’clock in the afternoon, the exercises by the school children took place. There was an appreciative audience of between five and six hundred people assembled. Seats had been arranged around two sides of the ball ground. In all of the exercises the children made a charming picture, the girls in their pretty summer dresses against an effective back ground of green foliage and blue sky. Music by a Lowell orchestra furnished good music. The march, with some good figures, was participated in by the 160 pupils of the schools and was led by Helen McCoy [13 years old] and Daniel Maloney. This was followed by the Sunbonnet babies, which included the youngest pupils and this was followed by the Mother Goose Shoe with Miss Winnifred Burnham as Mother Goose and sixty of the children. These two last features were most creditably carried out. The next was the Highland fling, danced by nine young ladies. This was done with so much grace and spirit and was so heartily applauded that it was graciously repeated. Misses Marjory Seavey, Daisy Kabele, Lillian Sutherland, Margaret Sullivan, Maud Robinson, Florence Brewer, May Watts, Lillian Hedman and Eva Lunberg were those who took part in this dance. The crowning of Miss Ethel Sargent as the May queen came next and finally the May pole dance on the green. The decorative details of these last two features were beautifully carried out.
The afternoon was completed for the children by serving refreshments of ice cream and cake provided by Mrs. Whitney. And now this beautiful park of five acres of smooth land recovered from the roughest of swamp and pasture land, known as the “Osgood pasture,” is an assured fact with its equipment of swings, sea-saws, seats, drinking fountain, tennis court, baseball ground, grove and every convenience for the comfort and enjoyment of the young people. Adjacent to the two schools as it is, only as time goes on will its real value be realized and the most genuine gratitude goes out to the noble-hearted woman who has made it possible.
Harvey W. Tarbell, the landscape gardener of Lowell, has had the work in charge and the committee for the town was consisted of H. V. Hildreth, O. R. Spalding and Edward Fisher, and all have worked faithfully to bring about a good result.
Mrs. Whitney, who has recently returned from an extended western trip, was an interested attendant on Saturday afternoon. Much credit is due Miss Ruth Fisher, principal of the Frost school, and her assistant teachers, Misses Grant, Crocker and Burnham, and to Miss Josephine Ockington of Lowell, who drilled the scholars in the dancing and marching for the successful carrying out of the dedicatory festival.
Among some of the many out-of-town people present were Miss Carrie E. Read of Barre, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Houghton of Littleton, Mrs. Martha Cooper of Shirley, Miss Ida Prescott of Milford, Mrs. Ida Cummings Allen of Ayer, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fisher, Mrs. T. E. Barnes and the Donald Camerons of Lowell.
About Town. The town will be interested in the Massachusetts Agricultural college rifle team to which our own Westford academy boy belongs, Allister McDougall. This team is champion in all intercollegiate matches. In 1910 they made a score of 1848 points out of a possible 2000, breaking the record and defeating twenty-one teams. The trophy of Forest and Stream club of America was defended against eighteen colleges, defeating Iowa by 17 points, Columbia by 43, Cornell 95 and Harvard 190. They are still training and winning.
The small cottage house of Edmund B. Whitney on the Lowell road, near Brookside, is framed and shingled. When completed and occupied it will divide the space distance to the villages eastward. This is only a temporary abiding cover until the larger and permanent one is evolved.
Elmer E. Kimball, who lived in Westford several years, met with a serious accident in California recently while experimenting with electricity in the line of business he was connected with. One arm was torn off near the body and he was badly lacerated and disfigured otherwise. The full particulars of the accident have not reached his friends in Westford, but enough has been learned to show that electricity is not a very careful surgeon.
Warren Merrill, who for several years lived in Graniteville and was teamster for various parties died recently in Nashua. His last residence in Westford was at the home of Edward Vinal on the Lowell road.
Among the out-of-town visitors on Decoration day was Alonzo B. Falls, an old-time Stony Brook scholar in the days of its large, thrifty school. The writer was a schoolmate with him all the time and throw mate with him in wrestling about 1 to 10 in favor of the engineer who has been in the employ of the Boston and Maine railroad for thirty-seven years, running most of the time between Boston and Concord, N.H. He has now retired under the rule of pension for long and faithful service.
James Manchester arrived on Monday from California. He has two sons in town, one living on the Providence road, who has charge of spraying for the State in town. The other son is employed by the W. W. Johnson ice company.
It was a large and merry party at the high school dance last Saturday evening. The lively ones from Littleton were in it, as in the days of their seniors. Much net result was gathered for mind and pocket.
The academy will not close until about June 30. This is the latest on record. The usual alumni reception and dance will follow. Music by Hibbard’s orchestra of Lowell.
The Westford baseball team called out the reserve of head and foot in their defeat of Nashua, 6 to 5.
The Fortnightly club has adjourned until the autumn months for rest and repairs after the serviceable enthusiasm and evolution of its friends and participants.
The lightning shower last week knocked out the Stony Brook telephone line and with it several valuable ideas that were about to take a trip. The line is now in a message transfer condition again, and ideas not knocked senseless by the lightning can start over again.
Charles W. Whitney has a blooded young colt which he hopes will keep down his automobile fever.
A Vexatious Predicament. During the heavy shower last week Thursday a junk peddler from Lowell overturned his wheel junk shop on the Lowell road. The overturn was caused by a contra-mined cow tied to the rear of the wagon, who having spied a pasture with the bars down, made a dash for it, while the driver and horse were dashing towards Lowell in the dashing rain. The horse, drive, wagon and variety show aboard were dragged towards the pasture and in the mixup of opinions as to whether it was to Lowell or pasture they were going the team was upset, and immediately there came forth ironware, tinware, pewterware, brassware, leadware, ragware, live poultry of all kinds—poultry without feathers and feathers without poultry. Several roosters started a crowing match, and two others started a fighting match. The shafts of the wagon were broken and the horse went to grass. With the thunder and lightning, dashing rain, crowing, fighting roosters and the ragtime music of the show generally, it was a better show in some respects than the Buffalo Bill upset the day before at Brookside.
Saturday, June 10, 1911
Center. Mrs. John [Bateman] Fletcher has the sympathy of her friends owing to the death and burial of her sister, Mrs. Eliza Perham, in Tyngsborough last week.
Mrs. Will R. Carver of Somerville and little daughter are spending the summer months in Westford.
Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode have returned from spending the winter in New York and are at their camp at Forge pond for the season.
The academy graduation which takes place in the town hall on Friday, June 30, promises to be an attractive event. There are ten in the graduating class, a nicely balanced number of five young men and five young maidens.
George W. Hill, who for many years lived on the Cold Spring road, but who for some time has lived with relatives in Athol, died there on June 1. He was seventy-five years of age and had been in feeble health for some time.
The ball game this Saturday afternoon at Whitney park at three o’clock will be between the Westford A.A. and the Y.M.C.A. team.
During this quiescent period for the average member, the executive board of the Tadmuck club are busy with meetings making up the program for next season’s work and enjoyment. Last season’s plan of a special topic for study will be followed, interspersed with miscellaneous subjects of interest. The change in membership fee has not apparently interrupted the loyalty of the members, there being a general expression of intention to remain on the list.
State inspector of almshouses, E. K. Bradford, in his recent inspection of our farm reported it fully up to its usual standard of well-kept excellence under the care of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Boynton.
The welcome rain interfered with the practice drill of the Edward M. Abbot hose company scheduled for Tuesday night.
Westford friends will be interested in the fact that Misses Carrie E. and Florence Read of Barre have bought for themselves a house there, choosing to own rather rent their home.
Walter J. Merritt has broken ground for the erection of a second dwelling house, this one to be back of the one now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Wright. This is for the occupancy of Mrs. Tyler of Arlington when completed.
Sunday, June 18, Rev. David Wallace will exchange pulpits with Rev. C. P. Marshall of Quincy. Mr. Marshall will be a welcome occupant of his former pulpit. Sunday, June 25, will be children’s Sunday.
One way of showing appreciation of the new Whitney park by the young people would be a happy spirit of cooperation with the care-takers in keeping it free from clutter in the way of old paper, etc. Possibly a receptacle for rubbish such as provided by our state parks would aid in the matter. The recent rain has done much for the shrubbery, grass, etc.
Mrs. Edward Fisher was a guest on Wednesday at a luncheon given by Mrs. Anne Carmichael Bicknell at her home in Somerville to a group of congenial friends.
Grange. The meeting of the grange last week Thursday evening was the annual children’s night and every effort was made to have the young folks have a good time. There was a good attendance and the program by the children consisted of songs, recitations, duets, etc. By special request the young girls who danced the Highland fling so attractively at the Whitney playground dedication repeated that feature. This was much enjoyed, although not as picturesque as the open-air performance. Ice cream and cake was served to all in the lower hall in charge of Mrs. Arthur Blodgett. The next meeting, June 15, will be a roll-call in charge of Mrs. Josephine Prescott with special music.
About Town. Come dine with us today and try those “first” peas, right fresh from the Old Oaken Bucket farm and close to the sunny side of the old Stony Brook schoolhouse. Especially come you Superintendent Smith of Graniteville. Let us have reciprocity in this contest of “first” peas. Come you today and in a week hence when yours are ready I [Samuel L. Taylor] will reciprocate without invitation.
Oscar R. Spalding has sold the Coolidge farm to Frank E. Miller, the superintendent of roads.
Carpenter, the blacksmith, formerly of North Chelmsford, and less formerly of Graniteville, is doing “Carpenter” work at the blacksmith shop of Mr. Miller at Westford Center.
Mrs. Luke L. Fletcher of Arlington has been a recent town guest and attended the Unitarian church on Sunday. It brought in review to memory former associations.
At a meeting of the veterans held at the Cavalry building last week Thursday, J. Everett Woods was elected commander; Ai Bicknell, vice com.; Wayland F. Balch, sec.; Samuel G. Humiston, treas.; Fred A. Hildreth, chaplain.
Amos Polley commenced haying on Monday and is pushing on to the finish. Keep up with the procession if you can.
Tree warden Harry L. Nesmith has a new arrival of nursery stock [a daughter, Ruth E. (Nesmith) Hall, being born June 5, 1911].
The paving stone strike on Oak hill has been settled in favor of employer and employee.
The next meeting of the Middlesex North conference of Unitarian churches will be held at Ashby on Wednesday, June 21.
The annual parish meeting of the Unitarian church will be held in the vestry on Monday evening, June 19.
Deaths. George Washington Hill died at Athol on Thursday, June 1, at the home of his son. Mr. Hill was a former resident of Westford, having lived here about fifty years owning a small place on Cold Spring road. He was seventy-five years of age and leaves several children. The funeral was at Athol and burial was in the Edson cemetery, Lowell.
Mrs. Eliza A. Frederick [nee Hildreth] died in Lowell on June 1, aged seventy-nine years. She will be remembered as the widow of Sumner Frederick and resident of Westford for many years, their home being on the Tenney road near Keyes and Long Sought ponds. Mr. Frederick was for several years a member of the school committee in the olden days of the old school district system. Both were greatly attached to their farm and rural live and scenery of the north frontier of Westford. The funeral of Mrs. Frederick took place on Sunday afternoon from the home of her daughter, Mrs. D. W. Parker. Rev. C. E. Fisher of the First Universalist church officiated. The bearers were Daniel W. Parker, George Frederick, Frank Hardy and William Blodgett. Burial was in the Hillside cemetery in Westford.
W.C.T.U. Meeting. One of the most successful and stirring meetings of the W.C.T.U. was held at the vestry of the Congregational church on Wednesday afternoon, about seventy-five being present. The meeting was known as mothers’ day and was in charge of Mrs. David Wallace. A large display of babyhood flowers were present with their mothers. The church was also tastefully decorated with the flowers of the field, the skill and labor of love of Elliott Humiston. Ice cream was bountifully furnished, the labor of love of Rev. and Mrs. David Wallace. Interesting literary exercises also added to the cheer of the occasion. The decorative flowers were given to the W.C.T.U. of Boston, to be distributed among the poor of Boston. Mrs. Janette Wright acted as president in the absence of Mrs. Frank O. Hildreth, the usual presiding officer.
Forge Village. Robert Whittemore and family, together with Harry Howland and family, of Worcester, journeyed to this village in auto last week and spent a few days with Mrs. Mary I. Drake. Upon reaching their destination they took luncheon under the well-known pines and enjoyed their holiday immensely.
Alvin Bennett has returned from a most enjoyable trip out west.
Miss Elizabeth Plummer has been called to the bedside of her brother, who is seriously ill at his home in Salem.
Miss Grace Lawrence and Miss Elizabeth Plummer spent last Tuesday visiting friends in Westford.
Miss Eliza Daly has returned from a visit with relatives in Boston.
At 9:30 a.m., memorial services were held by Loyal Self-Help lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., at St. Andrew’s mission and were largely attended last Sunday. The lodge marched in uniform to and from the mission and made a fine appearance. Rev. A. L. Bumpus preached a very appropriate sermon which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. After the sermon, a delegation from the lodge went to Fairview cemetery, Westford, to decorate the graves of the deceased members.
Whit-Sunday or Pentecost was observed last Sunday morning in Abbot hall, and was severely taxed with a large congregation. Rev. M. E. Doherty of North Chelmsford officiated and delivered a sermon on the day. The regular choir, under the direction of Miss Mary F. Hanley, sang appropriate selections.
Rev. M. E. Doherty announced that the annual church picnic of the whole parish of North Chelmsford, Graniteville and Forge Village will be held this year at Crystal Lake, North Chelmsford, on July 4.
Daniel Sullivan of Boston is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Sullivan. He is accompanied by his uncle, Daniel Sullivan of Boston.
Miss Roxie Bennett of Worcester is visiting at the home of Alvin Bennett.
The Misses Bertha and Lena Wilson entertained friends from Cambridge on Sunday.
The Imperial Campers of Lowell have rented one of W. H. P. Harty’s camps for the season.
Loyal Self-Help lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., held their regular meeting in Abbot hall on Monday evening. One new member was initiated.
The Ladies’ Sewing Circle met on Wednesday afternoon at the house of Mrs. Bert Comey. A dainty luncheon was served after the meeting.
Cameron school closed for the annual summer vacation last week Friday afternoon.
Books Added to the Library.
Bennett, A. How to live on 24 hours a day. | 824-B9 |
Bosher, K. L. Mary Cary. | B743.2 |
Brown, W. A. Morris K. Jesup. | B J588 |
Crook, W. H. Through five administrations. | B C948 |
Grenfell, W. T. Down to the sea. | 917.19-G1 |
Hichens, R. Garden of Allah. | H626.2 |
Osman, E. G. Cleaning and renovating. | 667 O |
Packard, W. Florida trails. | 917.59 P |
Priestman, M. T. Handicrafts in the home. | 745 P |
Shuman, E. L. How to judge a book. | 020 S1 |
Saturday, June 17, 1911
Center. A good July Fourth celebration is in progress for our village. A subscription paper is going the rounds and a sufficient amount has been raised to secure the Chelmsford band for the day. This is deservedly a favorite with our residents and its members will give concerts at ten a.m. and two p.m. There will also be a ball game morning and afternoon and other sports are being arranged for. If the funds are sufficient there will be fireworks in the evening. Alfred W. Hartford and J. Herbert Fletcher are at the back of this commendable enterprise and they bespeak the helpful cooperation of all the townspeople in making the observance a real success.
Dr. Wells’ parents, whose home is in southern Vermont, are visiting at their son’s home.
A little daughter has recently been born to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Staples Hall at their home in Malden. This is of interest to many of our readers from the fact that Mrs. Hall was formerly Miss Edith D. Babbitt, one of our popular teachers at the academy.
Hon. Thomas J. Boynton, a prominent lawyer of Boston, is to give the address at the academy graduation on Friday morning, June 30, at the town hall.
The big power sprayer purchased by the town some time since was at work early in the week on the shade trees in the Center. It was an interesting sight to see the gang of workmen handle some of the tall trees on Main street.
The gardener at Abiel J. Abbot’s, M. J. Maloney, comes in a close second with our well-known resident [i.e., Samuel L. Taylor] at Old Open Bucket farm in the first picking of peas. He gathered a good quantity Monday, June 12, from seed planted April 13. Since then reports of other early pickings have come in. The plentiful rains of this week have been a boon to the farmers.
The mid-week prayer services of the congregational church were held this week at the schoolhouse in Parkerville.
Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Adams of Barton, Vt., were guests at Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hartford’s Monday and Tuesday. Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Hartford are cousins and Mrs. Adams with her husband were on their wedding trip, having been to New York and other places of interest.
Representatives from the Lowell Electric Light corporation and our selectmen have recently planned the locations for the poles for the electric lights in the four villages, who will be enjoying the benefits of electric lights before long.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Willard Fletcher attended the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. George Fletcher at their home in Fitchburg Tuesday of this week. There were a good number present and it was a most enjoyable affair. Some beautiful articles of silverware were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher. The four Fletcher brothers were all present for the occasion.
Miss Marjory Seavey is visiting at the home of Mrs. E. J. Meacham in Holyoke. Mrs. Meacham is remembered here as Miss Millie Smith, who taught at the old Center primary schoolhouse.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hamlin, Miss Evelyn Hamlin, Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher and Miss Hazel Hartford attended the commencement exercises at Miss Kimball’s Home School for girls at Worcester this last week, from which Miss Gertrude Hamlin [born June 11, 1893] was graduated.
At the Congregational church last Sunday morning Mr. Wallace’s sermon was addressed to the young people, particularly to those who were students. He gave a most excellent address of interest to old and young, elucidating particularly the sub-topics of character, health, education, vocation and social service.
About Town. The selectmen are making arrangements with the Lowell Electric Light Company in regard to the proper location of poles for wiring the villages for electric lighting of the streets. In addition, the Westford Water Company are to have installed a reserve power by the Lowell company for use at the pumping station for emergency.
Hamilton Edson Whitney and Miss Lena Maud McCormack of Littleton were married last week Wednesday [June 7, 1911] evening at the Whitney homestead on the Carlisle road, by Rev. B. H. Bailey.
In the account of the W.C.T.U. meeting last week, special mention was unintentionally omitted of the grandly inspiring paper by Mrs. H. M. Seavey on “How to bring up children,” and properly arranged in the varied exercises came the stirring solos by Mrs. C. A. Blaney and Mrs. Charles D. Colburn.
Mrs. Eliza J. Perham, whose death was mentioned last week, will be remembered by the older residents as the daughter of William Chandler, one of the old residents of Westford, whose name and history appears so frequently in the history of Westford, his home and farm nestling on the southern slope of Flushing hill and the dooryard lawn is sprayed by the waves of Flushing pond. Mrs. Perham was the widow of Alfred Perham, and her married life was spent in Tyngsboro.
Last week while camping at the Edwards camps at Nabnassett pond, one of Fred Edwards’ children fell on an axe, lacerating one cheek from the eye downwards towards the feet. Dr. Wells was called and administered ether and several stitches were taken.
Walter Steele played the violin accompaniment at the children’s Sunday school concert at the village church at West Chelmsford last Sunday evening.
The alumni of Westford academy will give their annual dance and reception on Friday evening, June 30. Music by Hibbard’s orchestra of Lowell, the leader of which is serving his fourth term in the Massachusetts senate. The committee on the part of the alumni to stir up arrangements and a contagious faith and zeal of the Long days are Charles L. Hildreth and William R. Taylor.
The old First Parish church will hold its annual meeting for election of officers and hear the reports of officers and committees on Monday evening, June 19, at eight o’clock in the church parlors. The clerk of the parish, Abiel J. Abbot, has been absent in Washington, looking after the tariff-reciprocity program in its relation to the Abbot Worsted Company.
Amos Polley has just finished mowing machine eating of spring wheat and has finished second hoeing. With the aid of one man he averages to hoe three acres a day. Pop corn, yellow corn, sweet corn, potatoes and milk with a few scattering attempts at home gardening are the specialties of Prairie farm, so-named because neither wall, tree or hill is in his way when he goes out to till.
The busy, thriving driving Greig farm on Main street are busy, thriving and driving the strawberry harvest, which promises to return thanks for the recent spraying by the clouds.
The garden of Abiel J. Abbot was first early on record with sweet peas in blossom on June 5. This seems remarkably early compared with some who have not yet planted their sweet peas. But those were nice sweet peas the Old Oaken Bucket farm had for dinner last Saturday.
The spring conference of Unitarian and other Christian churches will be held at Ashby, Wednesday, June 21. At 10:30 an address will be given by Rev. John Baltryby of Hudson, subject, “How to strengthen our churches through the conduct of public worship.” At 11:10, Miss Harriet E. Johnson of the Arlington Street church, Boston, will speak on “What to teach in the Sunday school.” At two p.m. an address will be given by Rev. Augustus P. Record of Springfield on “Institutional loyalty.” Automobiles and barge teams will meet the 9:40 steam cars at West Townsend.
Pilgrim Commandery of Knights Templars of Lowell have accepted the invitation of brethren of Bath, Me., to a pleasure outing at Bath on Friday and Saturday, June 23 and 24. The Salem Cadet band will accompany them. Among those planning to go from Westford are Walter C. Wright, Harwood L. Wright, William L. Woods and William R. Taylor.
Birthday Anniversary. In the very room where she was born, Aunt Sarah Richardson observed her ninety-third birthday on Wednesday, June 14. She has outlived nearly all her old associates and neighbors and new, and to her unknown, personalities have taken their places, consequently the number of birthday visitors has been gradually lessening, but many timely remembrances of her long continued life were presented her by friends of varied degrees of acquaintance. Miss Richardson was the youngest of eight children of Samuel and Amy (Fletcher) Richardson. Her early and only home has been at the Levi T. Fletcher farm on the Lowell road at Brookside [120 Lowell Road]. Only one person in town is older, Mrs. James Hildreth at the headwaters of Long Sought pond, ninety-three years and six months.
Forge Village. Cameron school closed last Friday afternoon for the annual summer vacation.
Mrs. Michael Keefe of Townsend spent Saturday and Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael.
The many friends of Mrs. A. Carkin will be pained to hear of her accident received while out driving. She is much better, however, and well on the way to recovery.
Miss Hattie Reed, formerly of this village, was married on Saturday [June 10, 1911] to Charles Kidder of Graniteville. The ceremony was performed by Rev. L. F. Havermale [of the Graniteville Methodist Episcopal Church].
The Misses Sarah and Maria May left on Saturday for New York city, where they are to visit their sister, Mrs. Donald Holt. Mr. May, their father, accompanied them part of the way on their journey.
The Girls’ Friendly society met in Recreation hall on Wednesday evening.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle held their meeting at the home of Mrs. Harriet Randall on Wednesday afternoon.
Mrs. Elmer Nutting [nee Mary E. Splain] is spending a few days with her sister, Mrs. Frank Rose [nee Margaret Ellen Splain] of Belmont. She attended last Friday the graduation exercises of the Belmont high school, where her niece, Miss Marjorie Rose, was graduated.
Mrs. John Spinner has been confined to her home the past few days by illness.
Miss Elizabeth Plummer has returned from Salem where she has been staying with her brother, who lies critically ill.
Mr. and Mrs. Leclerc from Canada are visiting his brother, Felix Leclerc.
John Bennett and wife of Worcester, together with Miss Ruth and John Bennett, jr., spent the week-end as guests of Alvin S. Bennett.
The picnic of St. Andrew’s mission will be held at Sandy pond on June 24, together with St. Andrew’s church, Ayer. It is hoped that there will be a large crowd to make the picnic a grand success.
Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Precious and family spent Thursday in Lowell.
Miss Edith Precious went to Townsend on Thursday to attend the graduation of the high school, where her niece, Miss Annie Keefe, was one of the graduates.
Nearly Completed. Rev. E. T. Schofield of North Chelmsford announces that St. Catherine’s church would be ready for services very soon and that the parishioners would enter the new church free from debt, as all the expenses had been met.
He further stated that Daniel Sullivan of Boston had presented the church with a set of vestments made of the cloth of gold and a gold chalice, all to be used in divine worship. A set of stations of the cross has been given by Mrs. Mary McDermott and many memorial windows have been subscribed by the parishioners.
He concluded in the extending to the Abbot Worsted Company his heartfelt thanks for their kindness and generosity in allowing him to hold services at Abbot hall during the remodeling of the church.
Saturday, June 24, 1911
Center. A. W. Hartford and J. Herbert Fletcher are making good progress with their commendable enterprise for a good July Fourth celebration. Well over $150 has been subscribed at this writing to meet the expenses of the day. All the events will be held at the Whitney park. The band stand is to be moved from the common to the park. Concerts morning and afternoon. The morning concert will be followed by the ball game, after which another list of sports will be run off. A second ball game will be played in the afternoon and a band concert, and it is expected fire works in the evening will finish out a good celebration.
The concert given by the Peterson Concert Company at the Congregational vestry last week Friday evening proved most satisfactory to the audience. Mr. Peterson had a good bass voice, could play the violin, recite well and tell a good story. Mrs. Peterson acted as accompanist for the musical numbers.
A good game of baseball was played at Whitney park last Saturday afternoon between the Y.M.C.A. of Lowell and the Westford team with a victory of 4 to 1 in favor of Westford. An interested crowd of spectators watched the well-contested features. This Saturday afternoon the Westford team goes to Shirley. There will be a game here at Whitney park between the two youthful organization known as the Westford Tigers and the Tyngsborough Scouts.
Good audiences gathered morning and evening at the congregational church to hear and to greet their former pastor, Charles P. Marshall. There was special singing at both services and the church was decorated with seasonable flowers. Mr. Marshall has many friends here. Mrs. Marshall and Marion were expected, but could not come owing to the fact that Marion had just developed a good case of whooping cough. Rev. David Wallace occupied Mr. Marshall’s pulpit at Quincy morning and evening.
Miss Florence Read of Barre was visiting former friends in town last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hibbard of Everett were over Sunday guests at William L. Woods.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Wright of Lowell are receiving congratulations over the arrival in their home of a son, which they have named Walter Austin Wright [born June 18, 1911]. This is the first grandchild born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Wright, and the second to Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Miller.
A daughter [Mary Evelyn Cann] was born [June 17, 1911] to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cann this last week at their home in Somerville. Mrs. Cann was formerly Miss Effie Bennett of this village.
Frank Shea, who was formerly one of the experienced teamsters on the summer teams for the Boston market, is employed at the Brigham farm and is living with his family in the Gilman Wright house.
Eliot F. Humiston has received his appointment from the governor as justice of the peace.
Cyrus Hosmer of Wakefield has been visiting his daughter, Mrs. W. M. Wright, this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Percy Chandler Blaney and daughter Dorothy of Dorchester were week-end guests of Dr. and Mrs. C. A. Blaney this Sunday.
Dr. O. V. Wells has changed his Reo automobile for one of the same make of more modern construction.
Ai Bicknell has recently lost his faithful horse that he has owned so long. The animal was nearly thirty years old. He is now using the one owned by Henry Colburn for several years, and Henry is driving a new one.
Children’s Sunday next Sunday morning at the Congregational church.
Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler enjoyed a trolley trip on Wednesday to Lawrence, Haverhill, Bradford and Andover.
Miss Pauline Dole, who has lived with Mrs. Alma Richardson for several years and gone to school, returned to Boston last week.
Miss Ruth Fisher with the close of the Frost school is enjoying one of her adjourns at Plymouth. There were no special closing exercises of this school, the efforts of teachers and pupils being centered upon the park and playground dedication two weeks previous. The graduating exercises of the academy will take place on Friday morning, June 30, at ten o’clock at the town hall. These exercises promise to be of special interest. The graduates are Seth W. Bannister, Ruth M. Furbush, Clarence H. McMaster, Ruth A. Flagg, Victor G. Hanson, Ida M. Trask, Joseph O. Le Duc, Anna H. Symmes, John Feeney and Addie L. Day.
Grange. Owing to the busy season and the warm weather, the attendance at the last meeting of the grange was small, but much routine business and some special business was transacted. With good fraternal grange spirit the members voted as their part in helping the July Fourth celebration, to assume charge of the dinner for the members of the band that day with Mrs. S. B. Wright in charge.
With commendable foresight, plans for neighbors’ night, on the program for September 7, were discussed and it was voted to invite Acton and Littleton granges.
It was voted to omit the last meeting in July and the first one in August. The program for the evening was a roll-call. Programs for next meeting, July 6, will be announced in next week’s issue.
About Town. At the top of the lone pine tree on Stony Brook road, close by the railroad bridge, was the scene of a daylight robbery last Saturday afternoon. Charles S. Edwards who has charge of oiling the lamps at the bridge heard beseeching sounds of distress coming from the top of the tree, and from the distressing nervous agitation of two robins on the elm close by he quickly responded to the distress song for help and discovered a large black snake five feet long with a young robin in its mouth, and still nestling in the nest. Mr. Edwards called for help and the writer, who was hoeing in his cornfield, quickly responded. The snake showed fight, but was soon dispatched when he dropped to the ground.
The town is now a multi-millionaire corporation, the valuation having increased beyond the $2,000,000 figure. The town is to be congratulated on good financial management to pay all the ordinary expenses of a town and tack on extras of recent date, new consolidated schools, in part, state, county and town improvements of roads, water works, fire department, electrical lighting of streets, power spraying of shade trees and many other foot pump investments in various directions. All this and more too, and lower the rate, is going some.
The junior Snow family of West Chelmsford, F.A. and Esther Perry Taylor, are having the southerly side of their house enlarged and remodeled to take in more sunlight and let out more outlook.
John A. Taylor returned home from the University of North Dakota on Tuesday, coming by way of the lake region. He goes Saturday to the alumni reunion of Amherst college. He will summer it out mostly in his native Westford.
The historic June 17 has an added remembrance to Rev. and Mrs. Seth Walker in the birth of a son [Lewis P. Walker, born in Melrose, died Nov. 20, 1912, Fairhaven, Mass.].
Remember the Westford academy alumni reunion, dance and social next Friday evening.
At the annual parish meeting of the Unitarian society on Monday evening, Edward Fisher was elected moderator; Abiel J. Abbot, clerk; Chas. O. Prescott, treas.; W. H. H. Burbeck, collector; Abiel J. Abbot, Edward Fisher and Clara Fisher, parish committee; H. V. Hildreth, Wm. H. H. Burbeck, Julian A. Cameron, assessors.
The Bannister Corner farm will be well represented at the graduating exercises of Westford academy on Friday, June 30, by Seth Bannister, and after a few weeks of calm self poise, he will represent Stony Brook at the Massachusetts Agricultural college as student. Herbert McMaster will attend Lowell Textile school soon after Westford academy confers on him the necessary trademark.
The Prairie farm and the Old Oaken Bucket farm are both showing the tassel of the “peep ‘o day” sweet corn planted on April 29.
Miss Elizabeth Quebec died at the home of her parents at the Read farm on Wednesday morning, after a long and painful illness of kidney trouble, aged seventeen years. Besides her parents she leaves four brothers and one sister. The funeral took place from the catholic church at North Chelmsford on Saturday morning. Burial was at Lowell.
The George Prescott family of Lowell have moved into the John H. Decatur house on the Lowell road. Mr. Prescott will work among the green growing crops of Frank C. Drew.
Graniteville. The Graniteville baseball club visited Lowell last Saturday afternoon and defeated the strong Dixwells in the Stony Brook league by the close score of 4 to 2. In the early stages of the game the locals had their opponents 2 to 0, but the Dixwells tied the score in the fifth and it remained that way until the ninth inning, when with one down and two men on bases Boudreau was put in as a pinch hitter, and he slammed the ball out for a clean three-base hit, driving in two runs and putting the game on ice. There will be no game here on June 24, as the locals will visit Middlesex Village on that date.
There was a meeting of the parishioners of St. Catherine’s church at the new church on Tuesday evening for the purpose of making further arrangements for the parish picnic to be held at the Nabnasset grove on July 4.
John Spinner of Forge Village and financial secretary of Court Graniteville, F. of A., has gone to Europe on an extended visit.
Wedding. The wedding of John Donehue and Miss Margaret Ledwith, both of this village, took place at St. John’s church at North Chelmsford on Thursday morning at nine o’clock. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Grace Ledwith and the best man was Thomas Healy. The bride was attired in a becoming gown of light blue silk and wore a large picture hat, while the bridesmaid also wore a blue gown and blue hat. After the ceremony the party returned to the home of the bride where a bountiful repast was spread, to which about fifty invited guests partook, after which the happy couple took the five o’clock train en route to New York, where they will spend their honeymoon. They will be at home to their many friends on September first, at the home of Miss Mary Donehue, where they will reside.
Forge Village. The Misses Lillian and Marjorie Rose of Belmont and Raymond Adams and Malcolm Flett of Boston are visiting at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Splain. This party, together with Frank Rose of Belmont, and Elmer Nutting and Miss Abbie Splain of this village attended the graduation exercises of the Lowell Normal school on Tuesday where Miss Lillian Rose was one of the graduates.
Rev. A. L. Bumpus announced last Sunday that the church picnic would be held on Saturday, June 24, and that a special car would leave the village at 10:45 a.m., for Sandy pond, where the picnic is to be held this year. He also stated that on next Sunday, services would be held at four o’clock instead of 4:15, and would be followed by a special children’s service which would mark the closing of the Sunday school season. It is hoped that a large number will be present as the children have a fine program.
Robert Granger of Lowell spent Sunday at the home of Francis Lowther.
John Spinner left here on Tuesday for England, where he will spend the next few months visiting relatives and friends.
The Misses Ellen Walsh, Julia Delaney and Mary Gardner spent the week-end with friends in Lawrence.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Holt of New York are visiting Mrs. Holt’s father, Patrick May.
Miss Gertrude Dawson of Lowell is visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle met at the home of Mrs. Harriet Randall on Wednesday afternoon.
Miss Abbie M. Blaisdell of Wamesit was entertained on Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett.
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Daly spent the week-end in Leominster.
Mrs. Mary Laplante, wife of the late Louis Laplante, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pameton of Bradford street, died at the home of her parents last week Friday after a lingering illness. The deceased leaves one daughter, father, mother, and several sisters and brothers. Funeral services were held in Abbot hall last Sunday afternoon, Rev. M. E. Doherty having charge. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery.
On Friday evening, June 23, in Abbot hall, the John Edwards hose company presented those excellent entertainers, Walter C. Gile and George A. Wheeler, humorous and dramatic performers.
Farewell Party. On Tuesday evening, June 20, a farewell party was held at Recreation hall given by the teachers and pupils of the Sunday school in honor of their superintendent, M. E. B. Hilliard of Groton, who is about to leave on a new field.
The children held the party as a mark of their appreciation of his work and through little Miss Mildred Precious, who made the presentation speech, presented him with a sum of money in gold. Mr. Hilliard, who was taken completely by surprise, could at first hardly respond, but finally did so in a very heartfelt manner.
A program of games and music completed the evening’s enjoyment and was as follows:
Song and flag drill by members of Sunday school class, under direction of Misses Emily Collins and Sarah Precious, Miss Marion Blodgett, accompanist; piano solo, George Wilson; selection, Miss Rachael Cherry, accompanied by May Cherry; duet, Misses Edith and Sarah Precious; piano solo, Miss Caroline Precious; piano duet, Miss Marion Lord and George Wilson.
In the musical choir [chairs?], a game which caused much merriment, Miss Caroline Precious of Miss Collins’ class captured first prize, and Miss Gladys Baker of Miss S. Precious’ class, second.
In the three-legged race, run off by Miss Theresa Lowther’s class, Annie Orr and May Cherry won first prize, and Hazel Comey and Beatrice Hosmer, second. Pinning the tail on the donkey was won by Mr. Hilliard himself, which caused much laughter.
The evening closed with all joining hands and singing “Auld Lang Syne,” and finally three hearty cheers were given by all.