The Westford Wardsman, March, 1912
Saturday, March 2, 1912
Center. Mrs. M. J. Gillette and Mrs. Henry Whitney were week-end guests at Mr. and Mrs. Emory J. Whitney’s this last week.
Word comes to the Westford friends from the Misses Atwood that they have left Los Angeles, where they have so thoroughly enjoyed their stay, and gone to San Diego, where they will stop awhile, after which they will begin to come homewards.
Mrs. Thomas Lindsey of Somerville has been the guest for several days this week of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Whitney.
Mrs. A. H. Sutherland underwent an operation Monday of this week at the Woman’s Charity Club hospital, Brookline. Her many friends will be glad to hear that at this writing she is doing nicely.
Mrs. Mary E. Fletcher, owing to frail health, still remains in the shut-in class.
Mr. and Mrs. Will R. Carver’s little daughter, Elizabeth, who has been so ill at their home in Somerville, is reported as much better.
The regular weekly prayer meeting, which has been held during the winter at the homes of members, resumed its meetings at the vestry on Wednesday evening of this week.
Miss Elizabeth Kittredge, who graduates from Vassar college this coming June, has the distinction in her class of belonging on the honor roll in scholarship.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Prescott Wright, of Brookline, were at the Westford homestead on Sunday for the first time since their return from their foreign trip.
Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney has recently met with the H. B. Hills and the Misses Atwood in Los Angeles. This reunion of our Westford travelers must have proved very pleasant.
The heavy, wet snow of Tuesday morning made bad work for the first trips of our branch line electric car. Road superintendent, Frank Miller, went over the road with the scraper, with four horses attached. Some satisfaction to feel that as far as the cars are concerned there can’t be many more hindering snow storms this season.
At the next meeting of the grange, Thursday evening, March 7, Joseph H. Peckham, a representative of the E. I. Dupont, De Nemours Powder Company, has been engaged to give a talk on the uses of dynamite in agriculture and orcharding. It has been fully demonstrated that dynamite has been a great help to the farmer in many ways and it is hoped all who possibly can will attend the meeting, which will be open to the public.
The entertainment with the blind pianist, followed by a social at the town hall this Saturday evening, promises to be one of the interesting events of the season.
The first in the academy course of lectures will take place at the town hall next Friday evening, at eight o’clock. There will be a stereopticon lecture by Capt. Charles Mason Fuller, formerly of the U.S. navy, on “The great Panama canal.” This is a timely subject, and Capt. Fuller is a fine speaker and thoroughly qualified with his subject. Admission twenty-five cents.
Guest Night. The ladies of the Thimble club gave their annual guest night for their husbands on Washington’s birthday evening. This was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert V. Hildreth, and the pleasant hospitality of this genial host and hostess was fully maintained according to many pleasant memories of former occasions.
A cooperative dinner was served at seven o’clock with covers laid for twenty-one. The management of this had been placed in the hands of Miss Carolyn Putnam Webber, of Lowell, and proved a highly satisfactory combination of trained skill in culinary excellence and deftness of service on the part of Miss Webber and her assistant. The dining-room decorations were entirely in keeping with the day. There were flags and bunting, and over the fireplace were pictures of George and Martha Washington draped with red, white and blue. The table decorations were red carnations and ferns with place cards adorned with tiny flags and a cherry cluster for each guest. Also at each place were little parcels wrapped in white paper and tied with red, white and blue ribbon. These were opened by each person just before the meal was served and were chosen to represent suitably in each case the interests, hobbies or fads of the person for whom they were intended.
As each one in turn opened their parcel they were accompanied by the reading of an original poem read by the hostess. These were a complete surprise and were so aptly and tactfully chosen and so cleverly written up that the real fun they caused must have compensated the capable and modest member who planned them and who from this time forth will be the club poetess.
After the dinner adjournment was made to the parlors and progressive whist enjoyed. The score cards in colonial design were most appropriate. The highest score was made by mine host. A pleasant feature was the reading by the hostess of toasts and greetings from the only absent members, Mr. and Mrs. Goode, in New York.
The company broke up at a reasonable hour, feeling that this was the best ever in the annual of the club.
Tadmuck Club. The regular meeting of the Tadmuck club was held in Library hall on Tuesday afternoon with a good attendance considering the weather and traveling. The committee on preliminary exercises had arranged for readings from Longfellow, which was especially appropriate, the meeting coming on his birthday anniversary. Miss Bertha Norris read with excellent effort the poems, “Snowflakes,” and “Spring.” The pedestal with bust of the poet, which adorns the room, was ornamented with a spray of flowers.
The program for the afternoon was the sixth in the season’s special topic for study of South America, the subject being “Argentina and her eastern neighbors,” and was in charge of Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler presented a studious and well prepared paper dealing with these countries of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. This was supplemented by Mrs. Wheeler, who gave a travel sketch of a transcontinental trip over the Andes.
The next meeting of the club promises to be especially attractive. This will be in the evening in the Unitarian church, and Mrs. Emma Abbot Kebler will present an account of her trip through Africa taken last year. This will be illustrated with stereopticon and Mrs. Kebler has some very attractive pictures. After the lecture there will be a social hour and tea will be served.
At the meeting on Tuesday afternoon Mrs. Warren H. Sherman, of Graniteville, was received into membership in the club.
About Town. Charles Andrews, of Providence, was in town last week, mostly in the nature of a business visit, calling at the office of the Abbot Worsted Company at Graniteville and C. G. Sargent’s Sons’ machine shop. Mr. Andrews formerly lived in town on the Tallent farm on the Stony Brook road, and will be remembered by all the Stony Brook friends and many others. Mrs. Andrews, since leaving Westford, has had several paralytic shocks, which have left her partially helpless. Their son Edward is living on the old Daniel Hayden place in Groton with his two children.
The republican caucus for the nomination of town officers will be held at the town hall on Tuesday evening, March 5. The democrat caucus will be held on Monday evening at the same place.
The board of registrars will hold a meeting at Healy’s Hall, Graniteville, on Monday evening, March 4, at Forge Village on Wednesday evening, March 6, at Abbot hall. The last meeting will be held on Saturday, March 9, from noon until ten p.m. at the town hall, Westford Center.
The ladies of the Unitarian church give an entertainment at the town hall this Saturday evening. One of the unusual features of the evening will be selections by a blind pianist. Come and encourage the blind to see how you appreciate their efforts. Remember the blind frequently have a keener vision than eyesight, and are very liable to tell whether it is a small, unappreciative audience. It would be discourteous to have that condition come to pass.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher has been chosen to represent the town before the legislative committee on agriculture in an effort to establish an agricultural school in Middlesex county. As a member of the governor’s council, and four years’ experience in the legislature, he is well qualified to know the wisest procedure. Aside from this experience he has the real goods in his personality and the elements in success, which is his endowment by nature, always yield attractive results. He appears to be by experience and nature the best ever the town has to move this new agricultural school into place. Oak hill has something the worth reckoning with.
On Sunday, March 3, at the Unitarian church, Rev. Lyman B. Weeks will speak on the subject “Foreign immigration and national prosperity.” The Sunday school, under the supervision of Harold Hildreth, will meet after the morning service. The Men’s Industrial class will meet at the same time in the church parlors. Full order of service in the evening at five o’clock, with address by the minister on “Some lessons to be learned from the Lawrence strike.”
Elizabeth Kittredge was one of the few who got high rank in her studies at Vassar college. She is a niece of Representative Edward Fisher.
Houghton Osgood is painting his house, which adds much to the sunny, thrifty appearance of Chamberlin’s corner. Nathan Prescott handles the brush, which means real paint and not pretense.
The Chums Cozy club, which planned for a sleighride last week, cancelled their intentions on account of the cancelled condition of the snow, and substituted a social and dance in Marshall’s hall.
Elmer E. Whidden, of Whidden’s corner, has presented to the West Chelmsford school three busts of George Washington. He was a scholar at this school when his father, Augustus F. Whidden, was station agent in the village.
Fred Snow is enjoying a business vacation with pleasure attachments in New York city. He expects to be absent from the clip and chip of business at Oak hill about a week, and then it will be the usual again. “Is Fred Snow in the office?”
The steam shovel is still plunging away at the debris that covers the quarry on Oak hill. A recent breakage caused delay until repairs arrived from Marion, Ohio.
Obituary. Dexter Butterfield, who died in Dunstable last week Thursday, was a native of the town [of Dunstable] and nearly seventy years old. In his death the Middlesex North Agricultural society losses one of its oldest and most active trustees. Prominent at the meetings, he always had an opinion on the management of the society. The annual fair and the Farmers’ Institute in the winter received his encouragement by his presence and contributions. He had held nearly all the town offices and was treasurer of the town at the time of his death. He served three years in the civil war in Co. A, Second Massachusetts infantry. This company was known as the Abbot Grays.
After his return home he settled on the old Butterfield farm, the place of his birth. In 1894, he sold it and moved to the village, where he proved to be a familiar pillar in support of the church, school, town and wholesome activities generally. He was a member of the Congregational church and for many years superintendent of the Sunday school. He was the first to sound the alarm at the burning of the church a year or more ago, being janitor at the time. The new church on the ashes of the old was his last public effort. He was grandly good and wisely shrewd, and no one the poorer for his shrewdness. He was a familiar figure in the cluster of towns about Dunstable in North Middlesex.
The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon from Memorial hall, a large gathering being present, representing all the nearby towns. The services were conducted by Revs. B. H. Weston and Bernard Copping, former ministers of the church. The latter gave an eloquent tribute to his life as soldier, as citizen of the town, to his uprightness and one who hated deceit. The bearers were members of the Abbot Grays, Co. A, Second Massachusetts regiment—Capt. Comey of Danvers; Lieut. William Taylor McAlpine of Lawrence and comrades Stickney and Fife, of James A. Garfield post, of Lowell.
Debate. The last debate at Historical hall last week was cheered by a large gathering to hear the following question discussed: Resolved, “That the people are more responsible for the high cost of living than the trusts.” Affirmative, Samuel Naylor, Clarence Burns; negative, Edward Chapman, Charles Nystrum. From the floor Hill Fletcher and James Dwyer reigned forth some telling opinions.
After the arguments were all in, voting on the merits of the subject and arguments were called for, a majority voting in favor of the negative on the merits on the question, and for the affirmative on the merits of the arguments.
The next debate will be held on Tuesday evening, March 5, when the following question will be discussed: Resolved, “That government ownership of transportation lines would be of more benefit to the country than private ownership.” Affirmative, William Reuben Taylor, James Peck; negative, Capt. John J. Monahan, Frank McGlinchey.
Graniteville. Both masses were celebrated in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning by Rev. M. E. Doherty. He also delivered a very strong sermon on “Temptation.” Lenten devotions were held in the same church on Wednesday evening at 7:30, and were largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. Doherty, who gave an impressive sermon on “Death.”
St. Catherine’s church was represented at the reception held in honor of his eminence Cardinal William O’Connell at St. Patrick’s church, Lowell, on last Sunday afternoon by the following men, representing the different societies: Holy Name society, John F. Kavanaugh, J. A. Healy, Jas. O’Brien, A. R. Wall; Court Westford, M.C.O.F., C. E. Dudevoir; St. Catherine Temperance society, Thomas Hughes. There were also several others from here who went to Lowell on Sunday and were fortunate enough to get a good view of the cardinal.
Mrs. Timothy A. Riney [nee Mary Louisa LeDuc] with her two little daughters, Alice and Anna, of Camden, N.J., are now visiting at the home Mrs. Riney’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hyacinthe LeDuc, here.
William Robinson, one of the road men with the C. G. Sargent Sons’ corporation, who injured his hand while doing some “setting up” while in Canada recently, losing one of his fingers at the time, is now getting along well, but will not be able to use his hand for several weeks.
Joe Wall has recently finished the exterior painting of the postoffice building and it now presents a very neat appearance.
Miss Catherine E. Rafferty, a well-known and highly esteemed young lady of this village, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rafferty, was united in marriage to Robert J. McNabb, a former resident of Fitchburg, at the parochial residence of St. Mary’s Catholic church in Norfolk, Va., Sunday, February 18. Rev. Fr. James Healy was the officiating clergyman. Mr. and Mrs. McNabb will make their home in Norfolk, where Mr. McNabb is engaged in the electrical business.
Miss Nora Sullivan of Marlboro has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Healy.
Business continues to be good here, both in the mills and shops, and as soon as better weather conditions prevail the different quarries will start up, as it is understood that the numerous granite dealers here have large standing orders to fill.
Forge Village. Communion services at St. Anthony’s mission will be held next Sunday morning at 9:30 o’clock, Rev. A. L. Bumpus officiating.
On next Wednesday evening at 7:30 o’clock, Lenten services will be held at the St. Andrew’s mission with a sermon by Mr. Bumpus.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle will meet in Recreation hall on next Wednesday afternoon at the usual hour.
Miss Alice L. Prescott returned to her school duties Saturday after a short vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Prescott.
An eleven-pound baby girl [Dina Louisa Jennie Colette, per Mass. birth record] arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Colatta, of Bradford street, on Wednesday, February 21.
Miss Sarah J. Precious gave a most enjoyable musicale at her home on Saturday evening. Her many pupils were heard in several selections on the piano, and showed careful training. At the conclusion of the program a delicious supper was served.
Miss Marion Bailey, of Lowell, spent Tuesday visiting Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collins.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Connors, of Ayer, were the guests on Sunday of Mrs. Connors’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Elliott.
A grand concert will be held in Abbot hall on Tuesday evening, March 5, to be given by well-known Lowell talent. Thomas Long, composer and singer, will be assisted by Burnett Marsham, Shakespearean reader, and Frank Higgins, impersonator. A program of excellent numbers has been arranged and all who attend are promised an evening of first-class music and entertainment.
Mrs. John Spinner is still ill at her home. Dr. C. A. Blaney, of Westford, is in attendance.
Miss Anna Keefe, of Townsend Harbor, was the guest of her aunt, Mrs. John Carmichael, over Sunday.
Well Given. On Tuesday evening, in Abbot hall, the Catholic club of North Chelmsford presented their second performance of “The district school No. 7,” which they previously put on in the town hall, North Chelmsford. The hall was filled to its utmost capacity, and even standing room was hard to find. The sketch was finely carried out and the house was kept in laughter from the first appearance of the country pupils till the close of the session. The players deserve great credit for the success of the affair as also does Rev. M. E. Doherty, who is founder of the club and also its manager. Mr. Doherty is a great worker and this is only an added success of his untiring efforts.
At the conclusion of the entertainment the hall was cleared and dancing was enjoyed, the Precious orchestra furnishing the music. A large sum was netted to be used for church expenses.
Saturday, March 9, 1912
To the Editor: I will try to give you a description of one of our dry storms—sand storms they are called out here, but I should call them gravel storms instead.
Well, last Wednesday, February 21, in the afternoon, some small, dark clouds began to gather on the mountain tops and they soon began to, or seemed to, be signaling each other. Occasionally a whirlwind would start the dust in the street, then the clouds seemed to balance and swing to go right and left, and all hands around. It soon got up such a commotion as to remind me of the old-fashioned dance called “The Devil’s dream,” and by eight o’clock in the evening the windows and doors had to be shut to keep the dust from choking the people. By nine o’clock the wind was racing at the rate of one hundred miles an hour.
At the time of the wind disturbance I was attending an annual church social about one thousand feet from my house, and as the wind seemed to increase I started for home having to face the wind or go backward. Well, I was cut in the face by gravel and twigs of trees and I began to expect my house was coming to meet me. But no, it was founded upon a rock and stood the storm without a wink. Not so with me, as I had to dodge and spring for shelter many times before I reached the house.
At eleven p.m. a wild and perhaps indescribable scene attracted my attention. The great searchlight on Mount Lowe was turned upon the scene and the cloud of dust and sand, which was so thick that the light of moon or stars could not penetrate, was seen to glow with great beauty in many colors. I found myself in the midst of a sea of everything the wind had gathered from mount and valley. Above, around beneath, everywhere, a sea of dust, as there had been no rain for nearly a year.
In the morning we found the streets swept clean. One large brick block, two stories high, just being hurried to completion, was blown in one unprotected side. Huge trees were uprooted and the ground was yellow with oranges. Some of the trees heavy with fruit were blown from the ground. I took a trip through the orange belt for over 75 miles on February 24, and found trees down in all directions and a few houses.
Report has reached me that vessels over three miles at sea were covered with fine dust the next morning after the dry storm, so they could write their names in the dust all over their decks and everything exposed to the storm.
Hiram Dane
Glendora, Cal., February 28, 1912.
Center. The meeting of the Tadmuck club will take place on next Tuesday evening in the Unitarian church at eight o’clock. Mrs. Emma Abbot Kebler will give an illustrated lecture of her trip through Africa, taken last year. A full attendance of the membership is hoped for, and those not members will be very welcome by paying a small admission fee. After the lecture there will be a social hour and tea will be served. This meeting promises to be one of the most attractive of the club’s calendar for the season.
Owing to sickness, Mr. Brackett, supervisor of drawing in the schools, was unable to give his second lecture at the Frost school on Tuesday afternoon as scheduled. The next will be given on Tuesday afternoon, March 19, at three o’clock.
The cozy dwelling house J. Henry Colburn has been building for himself and family, next to the town house, has been making good progress, but at present there is a pause in activities waiting for milder weather before plastering. A pleasant, sunny location, modern improvements and economy of space, especially in the staircases are some good features of this new house.
Miss Sarah W. Loker and Miss Mary P. Bunce expect soon to occupy the house of the late Mrs. John B. Fletcher, and they will be very welcome additions to our village life.
Mrs. A. H. Sutherland, who recently underwent a serious surgical operation, is expected to return home this Saturday. Her many friends have been glad of good reports since she has been away.
The Edward M. Abbot hose company held their regular monthly meeting with supper on Tuesday evening at their headquarters on Boston road. Supper was served in charge of G. E. Gould.
The Thimble club was very pleasantly entertained at the home of Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher on Thursday afternoon of this week.
The regular monthly social and entertainment of the Congregational church will take place on Wednesday evening, March 13, at the vestry. This will be the “teachers’ social,” and the well-known successes of these young ladies in former seasons will recommend this coming social as an event not to be missed. Supper in charge of a very capable committee and a bran [sic] new menu will be served from 6:30 to 7:30. Robert Howes Burnham, of the Emerson School of Oratory, who has so cleverly impersonated and read before for Westford audiences, will be the entertainer of the evening, assisted by some of our best home talent.
John Feeney, jr., who has been taking the short winter course in agriculture at the state college at Amherst, finishes the course this week and is expected home at the week-end.
A number of the members of Westford grange attended the monthly session of the North Middlesex Pomona grange, which met with Tyngsboro grange on Friday of last week. The attendance was large and the program reported one of the best of the season.
About Town. James Raphson reports seeing the tracks of a beaver in the woods around Burgess pond. Possibly it was the tracks of “Teddy Bear,” as he is busy making tracks most everywhere.
The Wednesday evening prayer meeting of the Congregational church was held with Deacon Osgood on Main street.
Young deer leaped and skipped through open fields and orchards on the farms in the Stony Brook valley last week, heading towards the woods of Francis hill.
L. W. Wheeler, nominated for tax collector at the caucus on Tuesday evening, has been collector for several years. It is the unanimous verdict that he has proved the most efficient collector the town ever had. The vital question before the voters is this: Shall we vote to continue this efficiency? The town chose him to collect the money due the town. He has performed this duty, and the town as a government is well satisfied with its servant. That there are individual sore spots there is no doubt; it is ever thus with faithful, impartial duty.
Mrs. Matthew Smith, of Brookside, entertained the Aero Whist club last week Friday evening. The club came on the seven o’clock electric car. The prizes announced were a square piano, and a booby prize of a chafing dish. The final score showed that Charles Atwood had won the first prize and he was presented with a miniature piano to the merriment of the company. Fred Daniels, formerly of Westford, drew the booby prize.
Samuel Ogley, superintendent of the Brookside mills received a badly lacerated hand while working on a machine last Saturday afternoon. Dr. Varney performed the eight-stitch act on his hand.
Charles Byard, quarry foreman for H. E. Fletcher on Oak hill, has returned from a several-weeks’ vacation at Winterport, Me., and is busy getting the quarry ready for the season’s business.
Miss Luanna Decatur has been spending a few days at her home on the Lowell road and attended the Unitarian church on Sunday. She is a successful teacher in a Somerville school.
The Brookside mills are running full time and will have a full quota of help as soon as the machinery can be changed from carpet yarn to fine yarn for ladies’ dress goods, for which they have orders for months to come. The help comes mostly on the electric from Lowell.
The W.C.T.U. have started the school savings bank in the schools of the town. The sum of twenty-eight dollars was the first collection. Charles O. Prescott has taken charge of these funds for investment.
The next Farmers’ Institute held by Middlesex-North will be held in Wilmington on Wednesday, March 13. Mrs. James F. Adams, of West Tisbury, will give the morning address. Her subject will be “Poultry for the farmer’s wife.” In the afternoon Chas. W. Mann, of Methuen, will speak on “Small fruits.” Dinner will be served at 12:30 by the ladies of the Wilmington grange. Music will be given by the Titania orchestra, and short after-dinner speeches will be given.
Six names were registered at Graniteville on Monday evening. The last chance to register before town meeting will be on Saturday, March 9, from noon until ten o’clock at night, at the town hall.
Timothy Prescott returned home on Saturday from St. John’s hospital, where he was operated on for appendicitis recently.
The W.C.T.U. held their last meeting with Mrs. Clara Grieg, and twenty members were present. Miss Gladys Fletcher entertained with song and instrumental music. Of course it goes without printing that any club gathering that convenes at the Greigs is sure of a full hospitality and the W.C,T.U. found everything of this order of entertainment.
Caucuses. The democratic caucus was held on Monday evening. Edward Fisher, chairman of the town committee, called the meeting to order, and J. M. Fletcher was elected to serve as chairman and Joe Wall as secretary. The following candidates for town offices were nominated:
Edward Fisher, clerk; Andrew Johnson, selectman; William L. Woods, assessor; Harwood L. Wright, treasurer; Emery J. Whitney, collector; William R. Taylor, auditor; John A. Sullivan, Charles Brooks, constables; J. Arthur E. Wilson, Charles O. Prescott, Albert R. Wall, school committee; John A. Healy, cemetery commissioner; Julian A. Cameron, Dexter E. Coggshall, library trustees; John Spinner, tree warden; Joseph Wall, overseer of the poor.
There was somewhere in the vicinity of twenty-five present.
The republican caucus was held at the town hall on Tuesday evening. Alfred W. Hartford, secretary of the town committee, read the caucus call. Capt. S. H. Fletcher was chosen as chairman and Edward T. Hanley as secretary. The following nominations were made:
Edward Fisher, town clerk; Andrew Johnson, selectman; William L. Woods, assessor; Arthur H. Burnham, overseer; Leonard W. Wheeler, collector; William R. Taylor, auditor; J. Arthur E. Wilson, Charles O. Prescott, Thomas Dannis, school committee; John A. Healy, cemetery commissioner; Julian A. Cameron, Dexter E. Coggshall, library trustees.
The entertainment at the town hall on last Saturday evening for the benefit of the Unitarian church was in all respects “your money’s worth,” and much besides. The entertainment was furnished by R. G. Smith, of Boston, Prof. J. W. Maynard, the blind pianist and Thomas Louden, humorist. They all in their several ways kept the large audience entertained with wit and song. At the conclusion dancing kept every one busily entertained for an hour. About twenty-five dollars was realized. The committee in charge were Misses Grace and Mary Burbeck, Miss May Balch and Mrs. A. H. Sutherland.
Town Meeting. The annual town meeting will be held on Monday, March 18. The warrant has been posted and contains thirty-nine articles, only a few of which call for special mention.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to accept Section 42 of Chapter 49 of the Revised Laws, authorizing the selectmen to establish and grade sidewalks and assess one-half the cost upon the abutters.
Art. 24. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the construction and grading of sidewalks in the several villages.
Art. 25. To see if the town will vote to increase the number of lights established by the vote passed at the last meeting, or authorize a new contract to be entered into with the Lowell Electric Light Corporation in place of the one executed under date of June 21, 1911.
Art. 26. To see if the town will vote to purchase and install a set of platform scales and appropriate money therefore.
Art. 28. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the purchase of playground apparatus.
Graniteville. Both masses were celebrated in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning by the pastor, Rev. Edmund T. Schofield, who spoke very interestingly on the reception held in honor of Cardinal O’Connell in Lowell, recently, and incidentally brought to the attention of his parishioners, particularly the men, the importance of participating in the town meeting that will be held in Westford town hall on March 18. Fr. Schofield said that he was a strong believer in liberty and did not feel like telling any man what he should do, but for the sake of the boys and young men he sincerely hoped that the citizens of Graniteville and Forge Village would vote “no” on the license question at the coming election.
The people here, who have been having so much trouble and inconvenience of late, caused by frozen water pipes, now feel like breathing more natural for all the necessary repairs have been made, the work having been done in the early part of the week by the Westford Water Co. Owing to the frozen condition of the ground the water company has given orders to let the water run and keep it running for it is found to be much cheaper to waste the water than to thaw out the pipes, even if electricity is used, which has been the prevailing custom this winter.
Mrs. Julia Wall, Mrs. Elizabeth Harrington and Mrs. Maria J. Wall attended the union class initiation held under the auspices of the officers’ association of Eastern Massachusetts in Faneuil hall, Boston, Sunday, March 3. This order is well known at the Companions of the Foresters of America and during the ceremonies over one thousand new members were initiated into membership in the order. The success of this affair was due in a great measure to Mrs. McGary, grand right guide, who was chairman of the committee on arrangements. A banquet followed the class initiation and the delegates who attended from here were well repaid for their trip for all had a very enjoyable time.
Forge Village. Services at St. Andrew’s Mission will be held next Sunday evening at 7:30 o’clock.
Lenten devotions will be held at the Mission on next Wednesday evening at 7:30 o’clock.
Mr. and Mrs. Julian Wilkinson announce the engagement of their daughter, Della, to Mr. Chester Leroy Watson, son of Mrs. M. A. Watson of Worcester. Mr. Watson is employed as fireman on the Boston & Maine Railroad and resides in Ayer. Miss Wilkinson is one of the village’s most popular young ladies. The wedding will take place in the near future.
Saturday, March 16, 1912
Grange. The open meeting of Westford Grange last week, Thursday evening, to listen to the exponent of the use of dynamite in scientific agriculture brought out a fair attendance.
The speaker represented the well-known Du Pont Powder Co., of Wilmington, Del., pioneer makers of explosives in this country. He explained the uses of dynamite in sub-soiling and in orcharding, especially in the reclaiming of old orchards.
This session being an open meeting of the grange no routine business was transacted.
Lecture. The lecture “The great Panama canal,” under the auspices of the academy teachers last Friday evening, at the town hall, proved quite worth while and the townspeople very much appreciated so commendable an enterprise.
The subject was so timely and so intelligently presented by Capt. Chas. Mason Fuller, a retired officer of the U.S. navy, that it fully merited the appreciation it received.
Captain Fuller sketched the earlier DeLesseps enterprise and then proceeded to give an adequate idea of this later great engineering enterprise, illustrating his subject with many views. The pictures were pronounced excellent by a great many. Some of the representations of rare tropical beauty were so attractive one hated to see them dissolve so quickly.
The climate, the different classes of people, the country itself, the construction of the canal and what had been accomplished in sanitary conditions were all well presented.
The lecture was sufficiently well patronized so that expenses were mostly met without resource to the sinking fund, recently appropriated from the recent dramatic entertainment.
The committee hope to present another lecture next month on “Hiawatha,” by Rev. A. T. Kempton of Cambridge.
Ladies’ Missionary Society. The regular monthly meeting of the Ladies’ Missionary society met with Mrs. A. S. Wright Friday afternoon of last week with the president, Miss Sarah W. Loker, in charge. The season’s study of “The awakening of India” was carried on and plans made for the sending of a missionary box to Dr. Ruth Hume in India. All present, even the non-missionary enthusiasts, were interested in Mrs. Ida Vose Woodbury, who occupied the pulpit at the Congregational church Sunday morning. Mrs. Woodbury is field secretary of the American Missionary society and has travelled much in all parts of the country and proved herself well qualified to present her subject, especially the mountain whites and the negro problem. At the session of the Sunday school she also spoke to the children. In the evening the C.E. society combined with the regular evening meeting with Mr. Wallace presiding. The service was well sustained and Miss Althea Symmes contributed a solo.
Tadmuck Club. The regular meeting of the Tadmuck club took place this week under somewhat unusual and delightful circumstances.
The meeting was in the parlors of the Unitarian church in the evening and the program was one of the most unique and interesting travel talks the club has ever had.
Mrs. Emma Abbot Kebler [daughter of John William Abbot] gave an illustrated account of an automobile trip taken through Algiers and Tunis last year. The party consisted of herself, her sister, Mrs. Julian Cameron [nee Lucy Kebler Abbot], and a third lady, their very tall and efficient chauffeur and their specially constructed car which Mrs. Kebler affectionately called the “Duchess.” The lecture was illustrated with Mrs. Kebler’s own set of pictures and the use of a mirrorscope, will be presented by the West Chelmsford Dramatic club at Marshall’s hall next Monday evening, March 18, for the benefit of the Village church. This is a comedy drama in three acts and as the cast of the play is heavily charged with native humor the evening promises to be well provided to hold the audience to the key of laughter.
A horse belonging to C. R. P. Decatur, while being backed out of his stall, broke a plank in the barn floor, which resulted in letting its off hind leg through into the cellar beneath. The telephone alarm was rung in, which brought neighbors and passersby to the rescue. After much planning and tackling the horse again became four legged, for which he had begged.
An error occurred last week in regard to James Raphson having seen the tracks of a beaver in the woods around Beaver [Burge’s] pond. Instead of beaver it should have read bear. Yes, James claims to know bear tracks when he sees them and he is not willing to let it pass for beaver, neither does beaver and “Teddy Bear” have a resemblance in tracks any more than some one else whose tracks he is on.
Mrs. Benson of Lowell underwent a surgical operation last Monday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Raphson, on the Lowell road. The operation was performed by Drs. Wells and Sherman.
The [Remi] Gapard Dezeile [Dezeil] place on the Lowell road [at Stony Brook Rd.] has been sold to Lowell parties, but the place is still unoccupied and it is reported that it will remain so until it is sold again. The recent sale was in exchange for Lowell property.
The board of trade held an open meeting to discuss the town warrant Wednesday evening. Edward Fisher acted as presiding officer and Chas. L. Hildreth, secretary. Extension of street lighting, sidewalk improvements in the villages, and a general progressive attitude was taken towards the business of the coming town meeting next Monday. It was voted to hold a smoke talk sociable in early May.
Death. Miss Josephine Keyes, who died in Winchester last Saturday, was a native of Westford, the daughter of Trueworthy and Sophia (Blake) Keyes. Her early home where she was born was at Westford Center in the house now occupied by Dr. C. A. Blaney. The family soon removed to the farm on Francis hill now owned by Alexander Courtney [16 Frances Hill Rd.]. While living here Josephine and her twin sister Clementine [who died Oct. 7, 1907], attended Westford academy in 1850, when Charles H. Wheeler was principal. Later they attended Lawrence academy in Groton. Previous to this and while living on the farm they attended the old Stony Brook school and where they taught school several terms. The writer recalls the familiar and pleasant associations of those school days as scholar while they were teachers. They will long be remembered by the Stony Brook district and the town for their kindly and cultured personalities. The funeral of Miss Keyes took place from her home in Winchester, Tuesday. Rev. E. C. Bartell of Dracut officiated. Burial was in the family lot in the Riverside cemetery in North Chelmsford.
Debate. Government ownership of transportation lines was seriously and perhaps fatally defeated by the West Chelmsford Debating society at their last debate. The question reading, Resolved, “That government ownership of transportation lines would be of more benefit to the people than private ownership.” The affirmative side was shrewdly argued by Charles Nelson, jr., and James Peck. The negative side was presented by that ever ready and thoughtful speaker, Capt. John J. Monahan, who always argues from the standpoint of facts, rather than from the exclusive viewpoint of the gallery. After the debaters had delivered their allotted rounds the audience was given the allotted time to chin chat over the subject. At the close of the summing up of the arguments a vote was taken on the merits of the question and the merits of the arguments. The negative side won everything in sight.
William R. Taylor, who was to have spoken on the question as one of the appointed debaters, was necessarily detained by the republican caucus act which was enacted that night at Westford.
The next debate will be held on Tuesday evening of next week, the subject for discussion being “The Chelmsford town warrant.” Illegal voters and voting illegally by legal voters will be legalized at this preliminary town meeting. There has been no spare time between arguments in these meetings so far, and there certainly will be none on “town meeting.”
Forge Village. The young ladies of St. Andrew’s mission held their regular meeting on Monday night. Mrs. Warren Sturgis and Mrs. Cross of Groton visited the young ladies and a most delightful evening was spent. Chocolate and cake were served by Mrs. Cross and the evening all too quickly passed. Mrs. Sturgis is a very apt entertainer and her interest in the club is very much appreciated by all the members.
Lenten services will be held in St. Andrew’s chapel on next Wednesday evening at 7:30.
Mrs. William Weaser is still confined to her home.
Tony Martin, who broke his leg in December, is now about on crutches. Although he is improving still, it will be a long time before he can put his foot on the ground.
The members of the John Edwards Hose company held their regular meeting in their rooms on last Wednesday evening. Joseph Bennett has been chosen steward.
Little Alma Canton, who fell in the yard of Cameron school last week, is still under the care of Dr. Sherman.
Joseph Miller has accepted a position with the Sargent Machine Co. of Graniteville.
Patrick May is now about again after suffering from a sprained wrist.
On Friday evening the members of [the] confirmation class were confirmed by Rt. Rev. Theodore Payne Thurston, bishop of eastern Oklahoma, at St. Andrew’s church, Ayer.
On next Monday evening at 7:30 at St. Andrew’s, Ayer, the Lenten service will be conducted by Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, the former pastor. Mr. Fisher is now pastor of St. Mark’s church, Leominster, where he received a call over a year ago.
Miss Sarah J. Precious and Miss Emily Collins were guests over Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Keefe of Townsend Harbor.
Cameron school closes for the annual spring vacation of two weeks on March 15. School will reopen on April 1.
Percy Hargraves of Beverly has recently visited friends here.
Miss Alice L. Prescott is spending her vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Prescott. Miss Prescott has recently been appointed principal of the grammar school at Rowley.
Mrs. John Sullivan and her son Daniel are in Boston, assisting in settling the estate of the late Daniel Sullivan.
The fife and drum corps organized some time ago by the young men of the village is soon to make its initial appearance in public. John Edwards is organizer and musical director.
The Abbot Worsted Co. have granted an increase to its employees, commencing Monday, March 18.
Graniteville. Mrs. Clarence McLenna, with her little son, Clinton, have been recent visitors in this village.
Business is beginning to liven up a little on the ledges here, the first contractor to make a start being Thomas Rafferty, who has a large building contract in Lowell.
The new houses being erected by Charles Brooks and Thomas Monahan on the Westford road are now rapidly nearing completion, the plasterers being expected to have their part of the work finished in a few days. Both houses are modern and up-to-date in every particular. Mr. Brook’s house is of the eight-room cottage type with bath, while that of Mr. Monahan’s is of the bungalow style of architecture. P. Henry Harrington, of this village, has the contract for both houses.
Sunday in St. Catherine’s church both masses were celebrated by Rev. M. E. Doherty, who preached a very strong sermon on “Mortal sin.”
F. Russell Furbush, who has been at Palm Beach, Fla., for the past few weeks, has recently returned to his home here.
Mrs. Jane Agnew is now seriously ill at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Wall.
Many people from this village attended the automobile show in Boston last week, and [as] a result of the trip two well-known business men here will purchase cars in the near future.
The recent change of the weather has caused the snow and ice to rapidly disappear, so the skating and coasting is probably over for the season. The small boy has commenced to play marbles, which is a true sign that spring is near at hand.
Mrs. H. Hoyt, with her daughter, Mrs. Herbert Odell, of Methuen, have been recent visitors here.
The regular meeting of Cameron Circle, C.F. of A., was held in their rooms on Tuesday evening and was well attended. Considerable business of importance was transacted, after which a social hour was enjoyed.
Saturday, March 23, 1912
Center. The school savings bank system, which the W.C.T.U. were instrumental in starting at the Frost school earlier in the season has prospered and proved an excellent plan no doubt in teaching the children the value of thrift. Over fifty dollars have been gathered and deposited with one of Lowell’s well-known banks. Any amount from a penny up is taken by the teachers and kept account of in a little book, but the child must have a dollar to his credit before he can have a regular bank book. Even the few pennies thoughtlessly spent may by this means be saved and thereby teach the child the value of a dollar and of saving, and the possible forming of a nucleus of a competence in after years.
Master Clarence Colburn has been among the shut-ins for a week with a serious attack of bronchitis.
Mrs. Jennie Fifield and her grandson, Clifford Woods, are visiting relatives in Nashua.
The William E. Frost school closed last week Friday for the spring vacation of two weeks, and the academy closed this week Friday for one week.
The meeting of the Tadmuck club on next Tuesday afternoon at Library hall at three o’clock will be a continuation of the season’s special topic for study of South America, when Miss Grace Lawrence, of Forge Village, will present “The Valley of the Amazon.” Miss Lawrence always gives a studious and interesting paper and a good attendance of the membership is hoped for.
The Henry M. Wrights, of Quincy, were over Sunday guests of Harwood L. Wright this last week.
John Feeney, jr., who has recently returned from attending the short winter course at the State Agricultural college, has returned to the Brigham farm to work.
Mrs. Thomas Fisher, of Lowell, entertained very pleasantly the members of the Thimble club for the day at her home on Wednesday.
The J. V. Fletcher library is undergoing its regular spring cleaning and renovating.
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. [Harvey] Barnes, from Dracut, are the two people who have been engaged to succeed Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Boynton at the town farm when the two last named leave the first of next month. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes come well recommended and the board of overseers have selected them from the various applicants for the place after careful consideration. A third number of their family is an eighteen-year-old son [Percy]. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes certainly have a standard of efficiency to maintain as established by Mr. and Mrs. Boynton in their seven-year term of service.
Miss Ethel Richardson is convalescing from an operation performed on her throat by Dr. C. A. Blaney as physician, and Miss Annie Harris, who is an aunt of Miss Richardson, as nurse.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher, as a member of Gov. Foss’ council, and Edward Fisher, as a member of the house of representatives must have regretted that town duty came before state duty on Monday, and were unable to be present at the state house to see and hear President Taft. Mr. Fletcher was the moderator at Monday’s town meeting, and Mr. Fisher was in his place as town clerk.
The academy lecture course will give their second lecture on Tuesday evening, April 2, at the town hall, when Rev. A. T. Kempton will present his excellent lecture on “Hiawatha.”
Forge Village. On Monday evening, a large number from this village attended the Lenten services at St. Andrew’s church, Ayer, where they gathered to welcome Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, their former pastor. Mr. Fisher preached an eloquent sermon which was thoroughly enjoyed by all his hearers. After the service a reception was held in his honor at which many of his former parishioners took the opportunity to renew friendship. Mr. Fisher was deeply touched at such a welcome and was heartily pleased to see again the familiar faces of his loved ones. Mr. Fisher is now rector of St. Mark’s church, Leominster.
A large party of parishioners of St. Catherine’s church journeyed to North Chelmsford on Sunday evening to attend the sacred concert in honor of St. Patrick, held in town hall, at which much local talent was heard.
Miss Edith Foster, of Westford, and Emerson DeRoehn, of this village, received the sacrament of confirmation at St. Andrew’s [Episcopal] church, Ayer, on last week Friday evening.
Miss May Lord, of South Framingham, is home for a short vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Lord. Miss Lord, who is in the hospital training school, has been on the sick list and has come home to recuperate.
The employees of the Abbot Worsted Company have been granted an increase in wages, which went into effect on Monday. The actual increase is not as yet known.
Miss Gladys Daley has accepted a position as clerk in the office of the Brookside mills, Brookside.
Miss Ellen McMurray, a patient rheumatic sufferer for many years, is now quite feeble. She is being cared for by Mrs. Robert Orr, of Pond street, her niece.
Lenten devotions will be held on next Wednesday evening at 7:30 at St. Andrew’s mission.
Mrs. Chester Blodgett, Mrs. Charles Blodgett and Mrs. William Blodgett and families, of Groton, visited at the home of Mrs. Joseph Mason, in Lowell, recently.
One of the Easter week attractions in Abbot hall will be a benefit entertainment given by the Forge Village Dramatic club. Entertainment will be in the form of a comedy in one act, entitled “A thorn among the roses.” Dancing will follow and ice cream and cake will be served during intermission. It is hoped that a large crowd will be in attendance as the affair is for a worthy cause.
Miss Sarah Precious is confined to her home by illness.
Mrs. Hans Dege and son, of Billerica, spent Sunday as guests of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole, of Central street.
The fife and drum corps, organized a short time ago by some of the young men of the village, appeared for the first time in public last Saturday evening, when they formed and paraded the different streets. Considering the short duration of its existence, they made a good showing and much credit is due them for the able manner in which they played. The band leader and organizer is John Edwards. It is hoped that in the near future the village will be given another chance to hear these young musicians.
Mrs. Harriet S. Randall spent Wednesday visiting friends in Tyngsboro.
Wedding. A very quiet wedding took place on last week Friday afternoon at the Methodist Episcopal church, Graniteville, when Miss Della Wilkinson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Wilkinson, of this village, became the bride of Chester Leroy Watson, of Ayer, son of Mrs. Emma A. Watson, of Worcester. Rev. Louis Havermale, the pastor, officiated at the ceremony. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Annie Wilkinson, and Joseph Orange acted as best man. Miss Wilkinson looked very becoming in a traveling suit of blue broadcloth, and her sister also wore blue. The happy couple left on a short wedding journey and will reside in Ayer on their return.
Graniteville. The Men’s club of the M.E. church held an entertainment in the church vestry on Monday night that was well attended.
Alfred Prime [Prinn], with his mother, Mrs. Caroline Prime, have recently returned from Portland, Me., where they went to attend the funeral of a near relative.
T. A. Riney, of Camden, N.J., made a short visit here recently when he came on to attend the funeral of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Caroline LeDuc.
Mrs. John V. Downing, of Shelburne Falls, with her little daughter Zelia, is now visiting relatives here.
Mrs. Catherine Espie, with her little grandson, John Drummond, of Fitchburg, have been recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wall.
Deaths. Mrs. Ida Grant Lumbert, wife of S. James Lumbert, died at her home here early on Monday morning, after a lingering illness, aged fifty years. Beside her husband, she leaves one small son Albert, and the following children of a former marriage: Levi, Jennie, Lizzie, Daisy and Fred Grant, several brothers and sisters in Cloverdale, N.B., and another sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Doucette, of this village.
Mrs. Caroline Perrin LeDuc, a highly esteemed woman, and the wife of Hyacinthe LeDuc, died at her home in this village early Friday morning, March 15, after a brief illness, aged 59 years 4 months [3 months 15 days]. The deceased was well and favorably known and beside her husband she leaves four sons and four daughters—Gideon P., Ferdinand J., Henry, J. O. LeDuc, of this village, Mrs. T. A. Riney, of Camden, N.J., Miss Dora and Miss Rebecca LeDuc and Mrs. James H. Payne, of Graniteville; also, two brothers, Louis Perrin, of St. Anne des Caeues, Manitoba, Canada, and Adolph Perrin, of Cape de la Magdalene, Quebec, Canada. One brother, Adolph, arrived here shortly after Mrs. LeDuc had passed away.
The LeDuc family came here from Canada some seventeen years ago, and have resided in Graniteville practically ever since. The family is well and favorably known, and the sympathy of the village people is extended the bereaved family at this sad hour, in the loss of a loving wife and a good true, tender hearted mother.
The funeral took place from her late home on Monday morning at 8:30 o’clock. At nine o’clock, a funeral mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church by the pastor, Rev. E. T. Schofield. The regular choir was in attendance and sang the Gregorian chant, Miss Mary F. Hanley presiding at the organ. At the offertory Mrs. Hanley sang “Pie Jesu,” and as the casket was being borne from the church the “De profundis” was sung by the choir. The bearers were the four sons and J. H. Payne and T. A. Riney. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery.
About Town. Mrs. Hill is ill at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Herbert E. Fletcher.
Daniel H. Sheehan is sawing a large lot of lumber for Capt. Wilson, of Carlisle, on his lot at West Billerica. When this is finished, Mr. Sheehan has a large lot in Lincoln.
Thomas Sheehan, who died recently in Chelmsford, was well-known to the farmers on the Stony Brook valley, being an uncle of our own farmer, manufacturer and lumber sawyer, Daniel H. Sheehan.
The writer acknowledges with happy feelings of friendship the receipt of interesting papers from the Halls at Los Angeles. If unable to go there you can look there with these papers.
The overseers of the poor have engaged Harvey W. Barnes of Dracut as superintendent of the town farm. Mr. Barnes has had experience on town farms elsewhere and is well recommended.
“Oak farm” as presented Monday evening at Marshall’s hall by the West Chelmsford, Westford corner dramatic club was humorous and instructive and was by the frequent applause, satisfactory to the audience which numbered nearly two hundred. For amateurs, several of whom made their first appearance before an audience, they made a well earned hit. The following are the names of those who took part: Ralph E. Bickford, Harold H. Fletcher, J. George Rudkin, Charles S. Edwards, James Dwyer, William Newbald, Anthony Anderson, Mrs. Alice Robarge, Janet H. Brown, Mrs. Alice A. Holt, Esther A. Reid. Dancing and ice cream followed the play. Music was given by the imperial orchestra of North Chelmsford.
Town Meeting. The annual town meeting was held on Monday and proved to be one of the quietest meetings the town has held for several years. The meeting was called to order by town clerk, Edward Fisher, after reading the warrant. Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher was elected moderator. The following were appointed ballot clerks and tellers: Charles M. Griffin, Alonzo H. Sutherland, Frank A. Healy, Frank P. Jarvis, Walter J. Merritt and William H. H. Burbeck.
For town officers 282 votes were cast against 304 last year, which is some surprising considering there were several sharp contests. The following is the list of those elected:
Town clerk—Edward Fisher.
Selectman—Andrew Johnson.
Assessor—William L. Woods.
Overseer of the poor—Arthur H. Burnham 137, Joseph Wall 131.
Town treasurer—Harwood L. Wright.
Collector of taxes—Leonard W. Wheeler 148, Emery J. Whitney 121.
Auditor—William R. Taylor.
Constables—Charles T. Brooks, John A. Sullivan.
Two for school committee—Charles O. Prescott, T. Arthur E. Wilson.
School committee for two years, one—Thomas E. Danio 130, Albert R. Wall 127.
Two trustees of library—Julius [Julian] A. Cameron, Dexter E. Coggshall.
Commissioner of burial grounds—John A. Healy.
Tree warden—Harry L. Nesmith 160, John Spinner 98.
Field drivers—William E. Wright, Dr. C. A. Blaney, T. Arthur E. Wilson.
Fence viewers—Almon S. Vose, Edwin H. Gould, Charles A. Blodgett.
Surveyors of wood—Michael L. McGlinchy, Horace E. Gould, John A. Healy, Charles T. Brooks, Thomas E. Symmes, Oscar R. Spalding, Joseph E. Knight, Charles A. Blodgett, Alonzo H. Sutherland, Willard H. Beebe, W. W. Johnson, David Desmond, Almon S. Vose.
Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in the town?—Yes 96, No 163.
The following sums of money were voted without counting opposition: library $1000 and all that is coming by way of dogs, burial ground $100, road $3700, extension of North street $300, town debts $6500, poor $1200, and $500 for new pair of horses, school $9700, high school $2800, salary of superintendent $850, moths $830, fire department $400, Memorial day $150, playground apparatus $200. The town by a vote of 30 to 16 voted to accept the sidewalk law and $300 was appropriated to be expended in Westford, Forge Village and Graniteville. The town will increase the territory for electric lighting and $2900 was raised for that purpose. The town being without platform scales they voted $300 to install them and this complies with the law. The wear, tear and fashion of text books in the public schools had its usual allotment of $600 to renew them and $600 for repairs on schoolhouses.
The town elected the following as finance committee for 1912: George T. Day, Julian A. Cameron, Herbert V. Hildreth, Wesley O. Hawkes, Enbert H. Flagg.
Several of the yearly routine articles were voted affirmatively “until conditions make a change necessary,” so that the articles relating to the enforcement of the liquor law, the selectmen acting as agents of the town in law suits and the offering of rewards for the conviction of any persons setting fires, having all been voted will not appear annually in the warrant.
The article relating to the manner of collecting taxes on motion of Capt. Fletcher, the town will hereafter pay the postage on all receipted tax bills where necessary.
Saturday, March 30, 1912
Grange. At the meeting of the grange last week Thursday evening weather and traveling were such as to necessarily affect the attendance, but those present enjoyed a good time. The real feature of the evening was the presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Edson G. Boynton of a beautiful Seth Thomas parlor clock of the “Regulator” make. Mr. and Mrs. Boynton are charter members of Westford grange and have been most helpful members of the order in many ways. Mr. Boynton has held the offices of master, lecturer, steward, assistant steward and has served on the executive committee. Mrs. Boynton has been the leading pianist in the grange since its organization and has given freely of this gift, many times with some sacrifice on her part to be in her place. She was the skillful accompanist for the ladies’ degree staff for a number of seasons.
The presentation speech Thursday evening was made by John P. Wright in his own felicitous, happy manner in which he expressed the wish echoed by all present that as this timepiece marked off time’s rapid flight in future days it might ever remind them pleasantly of Westford grange and its members. Mr. Boynton responded feelingly and thanked all present for the gift and the goodwill represented. Mrs. Boynton, who is not a speechmaker, expressed her appreciation very nicely by assuring all that the choice of the gift was exactly what they wanted.
Adjournment was made to the lower hall where a collation of cake and ice cream was enjoyed. Other program for the evening were selections by the grange orchestra and a solo by Mr. Boynton and in response to hearty encores responded with some old favorites sung in his best voice.
The names of five candidates for initiation at the spring class were balloted for.
The ladies’ degree staff for the third degree work has organized with Mrs. Perley E. Wright as master.
Center. Miss Gertrude Hazen has been a recent visitor at the Congregational parsonage. Miss Hazen has been spending the winter at Bradentown, on the Gulf coast of Florida, and was on her way home in Hartford, Vt.
Misses Blanche Waller and Edith Bicknell are among our young ladies teaching in other places who have been enjoying the spring vacation at their homes.
Miss Hazel Hartford has been spending part of her school vacation with Melrose relatives.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fisher’s little daughter, Esther, has been under the doctor’s care with bronchitis this last week, but is now improving.
Mr. and Mrs. Homer M. Seavey’s second son, Morton, is at the Lowell General hospital for operative treatment for strangulated hernia. Master Gordon Seavey, who has caused his parents to much anxiety with threatened tuberculosis, is better, recent sputum tests have declared negative.
The snow storm on Sunday morning made the attendance pretty small at the churches. At the Congregational church, owing to the very bad walking, the evening service was omitted, something that has not occurred for a long time. The severe winter let go its grip slowly, two snow storms within the week and zero temperature reported in some parts of the town on Tuesday morning.
Dr. and Mrs. C. A. Blaney have the sincere sympathy of the community in the affliction of threatened blindness for the little daughter recently born to them. The baby has had the care of specialists and everything possible done to alleviate such a condition, and a favorable outcome is earnestly hoped for.
It has been rumored for some time that a change in our telephone system for the town may come to pass, a change from the present automatic system, where the subscribers operate their own calls, to a system managed by an operator at a central exchange. It is understood the plant installed at Westford depot will have to be vacated by June first, and the company expect to have a central exchange with resident operator. Many feel that the present system has proved pretty satisfactory and they may not like a change as well.
Tadmuck Club. The regular meeting of the Tadmuck club took place on Tuesday afternoon in Library hall. Owing to a cold, it was one of Miss Loker’s rare absences as the club president, and Miss Ella F. Hildreth, the vice president, presided in her place. The program for the afternoon was the seventh and last in the season’s special topic for study of South America, the subject being “The valley of the Amazon,” in charge of Miss Grace Lawrence, of Forge Village. Miss Lawrence had prepared a most comprehensive paper concerning this greatest river of the world, and the country [Brazil] through which it flows. Although she had not been able to hear some of the previous papers of the season there was very little repetition as her subject touched others. Clear and well defined in ideas and the delivery of the same and with careful preparation, Miss Lawrence gave an interesting account of the climate, vegetation, flowers, commercial wealth, and animals, birds, people, cities and some probable developments and possibilities.
That this special series of topics for study have proved most interesting and profitable has been the opinion of many.
The next meeting, April 9, Frank H. Hill, superintendent of schools, will address the club on “Work and play, Plans for the summer vacation.”
About Town. A petition was filed with the town clerk asking for a recount of the votes cast for school committee for the two-year term. In accordance with this petition the board of registrars met in the town hall on last Saturday evening. As a result of the recount, Albert R. Wall gained three votes, which makes the corrected returns stand Albert R. Wall 128, Thomas E. Danio 128. The original returns to the town clerk, as canvassed by the election officers at the town meeting were Thomas E. Danio 130, Albert R. Wall 127. The recount being a tie, it will be necessary to call a special town meeting to untie the vote.
John A. Taylor writes from Grand Forks, North Dakota, that he has become a citizen of that state and attended the primary election for president, and voted for LaFollette. It being the greatest grain growing section of the world, it is clear to all why the state is so nearly unanimous against reciprocity or any presidential candidate who favors it.
The family of James Harrington, who have been living with the Perkins family on Cold Spring road, have moved and are living with the Perkins family in the John H. Decatur house on the Lowell road.
Henry Smith, superintendent for the Abbot Worsted Company at Graniteville, is the first to try and thaw winter out by planting peas last week. Last year he planted his peas not earlier than this year by weather conditions.
The West Chelmsford Debating society who were so successful in “Oak farms” are contemplating giving another play as soon as conditions will favor it. Two plays are under consideration at the present time, “Uncle Rube,” that made such a laughable hit at the town hall, Westford, by local talent a few years ago, and “Up Vermont way,” which was so successfully played at Ayer by the dramatic talent of Ayer a few years ago. The writer saw it and pronounces it well worth the while, and the actors were more than ordinary in action. “Uncle Rube” is easier and shorter, and equally awake with laughter.
The steam shovel on Oak hill is back from repairs again and busy clearing and uncovering the quarry. Edward Allard is engineer, Harold Fletcher craneman and Elmer Whidden fireman. The shifting engine, the “H. E. Fletcher,” is also back from the repair shop much improved for its winter vacation. Engineer John A. Agnew had charge of repairs at the repair shop.
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Leland, who have been living at the Read farm since last fall, will move the first of April to Andover, and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Dimon, of West Concord, N.H., have been engaged to take their place. Mr. Dimon has recently been elected master of the grange at West Concord, which office he resigned to accept this new position at the Read farm [164 Main St.].
Hugo Page has started up his sawmill at Westford station. Logs have been accumulating for several months and there is a large yard of logs ahead to make a busy season for some time.
At a meeting of the selectmen on last Saturday night, Andrew Johnson was appointed chairman, Albert A. Hildreth, agent, and Dr. W. H. Sherman, physician of the board of health; George T. Day, inspector of animals; Emory J. Whitney, inspector of meat; John Feeney, Harry L. Nesmith, L. W. Wheeler, William Gordon and Alonzo H. Sutherland, policemen; John A. Healey, forest warden; George T. Day, agent for burial of sailors and soldiers; Harry L. Nesmith, agent for suppression of brown-tail moths; John Feeney, janitor of town hall.
Mrs. Arthur T. Blodgett is home from the Lowell hospital where she has been under the surgical care of Dr. G. Forest Martin.
Mr. and Mrs.[nee Adeline Tower] John Burbeck celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage on Tuesday. It was a merry good time like unto the olden days—a generous, joyous reunion of spontaneous hospitality.
Laura A. Dutton, of Saxtons River, Vt., is visiting her uncle, William Kelley, at the residence of S. L. Taylor. She reports good sleighing in Vermont and seven below zero on Tuesday morning. West Chelmsford reports four below, but others along the Stony Brook are satisfied at zero.
The Charles L. Adams farm in Parkerville, on the Texas road, has been sold to D. A. Yarnold, of Lowell.
Goldsmith Conant, on the Concord road, Parkerville, is awake to the situation. It relates to the symmetry of things, and is making extensive improvements on his farm buildings known in recent years as the Shorey place.
Death. Mrs. Clarissa Gould, widow of Joseph Gould, died at the residence of her son, Warren A. Gould, in Chelmsford, aged eighty-eight years. She was a native of Westford, the daughter of Asa [Asia] and Mary (Young) [Clarissa (Wilkins)] Nutting. Her early life was spent on the old familiar Nutting farm near Hillside cemetery. She attended school in the old No. 8 school in the palmy days of the old school district system. The old building is still standing on Gould road near the residence of Dennis Burke. After marrying Mr. Gould they lived many years on the farm now owned by Fred L. Snow. Later they bought a residence at Westford depot, where Mr. Gould died and the house has since been burned. Mrs. Gould leaves two sons, Warren A. and Albie J. [Allen Bradford] Gould, of Chelmsford, and one brother, Samuel Nutting, of California.
The funeral took place from the residence of her son, Warren A. Gould, Rev. A. L. Roadman, of Chelmsford officiating. The bearers were George E. Gould, W. H. H. Burbeck, J. Willard Fletcher, [and] W. H. Saunders. Burial was in Westford at Hillside cemetery, familiarly known as the Nutting burial ground, and near the familiar scenes of her childhood days.
Progressive Farmers. Blodgett Bros., the large, progressive farmers on Milestone [Millstone] hill, who have just completed remodeling their house, have drawn plans for a new and modern barn to be built in the spring, which will accommodate forty cows. This new barn, like the old one, will probably be an asset in the town of Groton, the town line between Westford and Groton running between the house and barn. This farm, located at the extreme northwest part of the town, is one of the best in the town as regards productiveness, as well as management. Here you will find installed right from the Lunt-Morse company, gasoline engines, silo and ensilage cutters, as well as the latest improvements in machinery for water supply. If you want to know how a New England farm pays, just call and get a view of the new, modern buildings and machinery.
New Orchard Planned. The large pasture on Francis hill, which was ploughed last fall, will be set out to apple trees in the spring. This pasture was part of the Read farm until sold to George A. Drew with the rest of the farm. It is probably forty years since it was ploughed. Mr. Drew intends to set out about two thousand fruit trees, including a few hundred pear trees. The old pasture referred to is familiar to many of the older scholars of the Stony Brook school. The old discontinued [Salem Post] road leading from the school to Lowell over Francis hill being the northern boundary of said pasture. It was up this old road that the scholars of the olden days used to climb at recess and noon hour in summer and fall for early apples.
Graniteville. As a result of the recount for member of the school committee held in town hall, Westford, on last Saturday evening, the result was somewhat different as originally given by the precinct officers at the town meeting on March 18. At that time the vote stood Thomas E. Danio 130, Albert R. Wall 127. In the recount given by the board of registrars on Saturday evening it was found that Danio had lost some votes, and Wall had gained one, with the result that the final vote showed a tie, with Wall 128, Danio 128, blanks 26. Aside from this Mr. Wall protested two votes which the board of registrars took under advisement, and in executive session unanimously voted to call each vote a blank with the result as stated above.
The members of Court Graniteville, F. of A., held a very interesting meeting in their rooms on last week Thursday evening, with F. G. Sullivan, chief ranger, in the chair. Considerable business of importance was transacted and under the head of new business, F. G. Sullivan and R. J. Hemen were elected delegates to the annual Foresters’ convention to be held in May. Edward Defoe and John Spinner were elected as alternates.
The members of Cameron Circle, F. of A., held a very interesting and largely attended meeting in their rooms on Tuesday evening with Mrs. Maria J. Wall, chief companion, presiding. Considerable business of importance was transacted and under the head of new business, the following members were elected as delegates to the annual convention to be held in Worcester in June: Mrs. Margaret McCarthy, delegate, Mrs. Lena Ledwith, alternate.
Mrs. John Nelson, with her little daughter Shirley, of Bridgewater, Me., have been visiting at the home of Mrs. Nelson’s mother, Mrs. Hannah Turner, in the village for the past few days.
Baseball. The members of the Graniteville baseball club met at the home of Carl Hanson last week Thursday evening for the purpose of organizing for the ensuing year. John Spinner, of Forge Village, was chairman of the meeting during which the following officers were elected: William Gordon, manager; Carl Hanson, Captain; William Gilson, secretary and treasurer. It was decided to play independent this coming summer as the Stony Brook league is a thing of the past. The club will also purchase new uniforms. Another meeting will be held shortly for the purpose of formulating some plans in order to raise the necessary funds to purchase new uniforms.
A juvenile baseball club, whose average age of its members is sixteen years, has been recently formed in this village, with Edward Buckingham as manager, and William McCarthy, captain. This club, that will be known as the Graniteville White Sox, held a meeting in the rooms of St. Catherine’s Temperance society on last Monday evening for the purpose of transacting business, during which, aside from the above-named officers, Alfred Gagnon was elected as secretary, Philip Pracknack, treasurer, and George Boyd, assistant treasurer. This club will play in the City league during the coming season, which includes teams in Lowell, Westford, North Chelmsford and other suburban towns. The White Sox will appear in their new uniforms of dark blue with white trimmings, and will wear white stockings in their first league game that will be played on April 20. They would like to hear from some young team in Ayer for a game to be played here on April 19. Address Edward Buckingham, Graniteville.
Forge Village. Services will be held at St. Andrew’s mission on Sunday afternoon at 4:15 o’clock, instead of the usual hour. The pastor, Rev. A. L. Bumpus, will preach. On Good Friday, services will be held at 7:30 in the evening. Rev. Endicott Peabody, of Groton, will officiate.
Howard Northrup has severed his connection with the Abbot Worsted Company, and intends to leave for New Brunswick in the near future.
Miss Katherine McNiff sailed for Keighley, England, last Tuesday, her former home.
The Misses Rachael and Annie Cherry have been recent guests of their aunt, Miss Catherine Lowther, of Andover, Mass.
Cameron school re-opens on Monday, April 1, after the annual spring vacation.
Mrs. Jane Mountain, who has been confined to her home with a severe attack of pneumonia, is reported some better.
Mrs. John H. [Laura] Jones, of Worcester, was the guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett, over Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. William Baker, of Worcester, spent Saturday and Sunday at the home of Mrs. M. A. Lowther, but left unexpectedly owing to the sudden death of Mr. Baker’s mother, which occurred at the home of her son, Harry Baker, in Connecticut.
While cleaning a machine in the mill of Abbot Worsted Company, a Pole met with a serious accident, the end of one of his fingers becoming caught in the machinery and severed from his hand.