The Westford Wardsman, May, 1908
Saturday, May 2, 1908
About Town. The first ball of Westford fire department, last week Friday evening, was a showy affair; at least, those bright, new firemen’s uniforms added an entirely new display to the town hall. The grand march was led in officer-like manner by Capt. John A. Healy of the A. R. Choate fire company, after which came the dancing program of the evening, and the red shirts were as lively of movement as at a call to a fire. The Rosedale orchestra of Lowell furnished music, it being their first appearance in town. Their selections were popular and timely, and caught the feet of all who danced and the ear of all with untrained feet. As a financial affair it turned into the treasury of the A. R. Choate company about forty dollars.
Justice demands that an error in reporting the officers of the ladies’ degree team last week, whereby Mrs. Greig was assistant steward, should be corrected to read Mrs. G. E. Gould, who acted this part in a manner to deserve mention. The next meeting of the grange will be held Thursday evening, May 7, with an address by Mrs. S. Ella Southland of Athol, and a report of the committee of Middlesex Pomona on cooperation.
The farm buildings of Michael L. McClinchey, situated at Westford corner on Nabnassett road, were destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon. The church bell at Brookside rang the alarm and a large crowd rallied for relief. Nearly all the personal property was saved. The cause of the fire, while not certain, was thought to be from a defective chimney. Mr. McGlinchey is station agent at Brookside.
A collection will be taken up next Sunday at the Unitarian church for the Chelsea fire relief fund.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher is confined to his home by illness and is under the skillful management of Dr. Sleeper.
Special town meeting this Saturday afternoon, May 2, at three o’clock. All voters cordially invited, especially those who cannot be happy under a higher tax rate, for the warrant has been growing for two weeks and now contains nine articles, nearly all of which have the flavor of a higher tax rate. The following is the condensed essence of the warrant:
Art. 1. To choose a moderator.
Art. 2. To hear the report of the committee on enlarging Forge Village schoolhouse.
Art. 3. To appropriate money for said enlargement.
Art. 4. To see if the town will appropriate $150 for celebration of Fourth of July.
Art. 5. To see if the town will establish the pay of the regular and call firemen.
Art. 6. To see if the town will appropriate money to build three fire houses for the fire department.
Art. 7. To see if the town will confirm the action of the selectmen in the settlement with the Lowell and Fitchburg electric railway.
Art. 8. To see if the town will appropriate money due the town from the Lowell and Fitchburg railway to repair the road on the line of the spur track.
Art. 9. To see if the town will instruct the finance committee to establish the salaries of town officers.
It is expected that the Forge Village school will diminish the amount of money in the pockets of the taxpayers from $6000 to $8000, and the new fire houses $1500 more, and with other contingencies it is easy to see the final disposition of $10,000 in the twinkling of an eye, a much quicker time than the average taxpayer can produce his proportion of the tax. Let your action take warning by some of our hasty actions of past years, and please bear in mind that at the present time the town has schoolhouses to sell at auction, and contemplating building more.
Center. Miss Manuel, who was recently called to her home in Franklin Falls, N.H., will not return to her teaching at the academy this term and probably not in the fall. She is keeping house for her father and brother. Miss Babbitt of Fitchburg is taking the place made vacant by Miss Manuel.
C. Willis Hildreth, while trimming apple trees one day last week, fell and sustained bruises and a bad shaking up, which interferes with his usual busy activities.
Mrs. Frank C. Hildreth received a letter recently from a cousin in Chelsea, telling of some cases resulting from the recent fire, of which she had personal knowledge, and of her own efforts to help what she could, and of how much real good more help would be. Mrs. Hildreth, with characteristic kindness and energy, interested others, with the result of a good donation of clothing, food and money being sent where it would do immediate good.
Measles are quite prevalent in the village among the children. There are at least ten families who have one or more cases. Thus far they have assumed a light form of the disease. School physician, Dr. Blaney, is keeping watch in the schools to prevent further spreading.
Donald McLeon is seriously ill with pneumonia at his home in the south part of the town.
Edward M. Abbot hose company, No. 1, had its first regular drill at the center of the town Wednesday at one o’clock. Tests were made at half a dozen different hydrants, with the result of raising a good stream of water in each case, with one exception. One hydrant was found to be defective and this will be remedied. The men of the company manifest good interest and have profited well by what instruction they have received.
Dr. F. E. Enrich [Emrich] gave a thoughtful and optimistic address at the Congregational church Sunday morning. Dr. Enrich is an interesting speaker and thoroughly understands his subject. He told of the problem of the small, struggling church in our own state and the great need of missionary effort near at hand. In the evening a large audience gathered to hear Mr. Marshall’s stereopticon address on “The beauties of Japan,” with about sixty slides.
Graniteville. The St. John’s minstrels of North Chelmsford furnished an excellent entertainment in aid of St. Catherine’s church, in town hall, Westford, on Thursday evening, that was very largely attended. Supper was served after the entertainment, followed by general dancing. Many were present from Graniteville, Forge, Westford, Ayer, Littleton, North Chelmsford and surrounding towns. All had a thoroughly good time. The affair was a great social and financial success. Special cars conveyed the people to their homes after the dance. Joe Wall had general charge of arrangements.
Miss Cora DeRoehn of East Pepperell has been a recent visitor here.
Bert DeRoehn, who recently returned from the south, will catch for the Hamilton, Ontario, baseball team the coming summer.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank McLenna of Hindsdale [Hinsdale], N.H., were recent visitors in this village.
Joseph B. Riney of Westport, N.Y., is visiting relatives in this village.
It appears that L. P. Palmer has made arrangements to take out a liquor license in this town, and will start at once fixing up his place on Main st. It is thought that the people here will have the privilege of seeing an open bar here in the course of two or three weeks.
Baseball. The Forge Village baseball team visited here last Saturday afternoon and met defeat at the hands of the Sons of Rest, by the score of 21 to 16. The game assumed the proportions of a slugging match on both sides, and owing to the fact that the local club was longer-winded, succeeded in landing the game. The features of the game were the heavy batting of Healy and “Mike” Ledwith, and the fielding of Gardell for the Sons of Rest, the all-round work of Dumont and batting of Elliott for the Forge team. Healy and Darling were the battery for the locals, while Wilson, Spinner and Martin performed a like service for the visitors. These two clubs will meet again in the near future, when the Forge team expects to win back their lost laurels.
Forge. Joseph Edwards and Sidney Farrar of Melrose were guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Parsons last week Thursday. Mr. Farrar is the father of Miss Geraldine Farrar, the noted grand opera singer. last Saturday evening. The play was thoroughly enjoyed by a large audience, the hall being filled to its utmost capacity and many present from out of town. Miss Rose Northrop as Miss Alderny, mistress of a select school for girls, who was always preaching the good qualities of her cousin Timmie, did a clever piece of acting. All took their parts well and deserve much credit. Mr. Long sang two selections and Miss Kathryn Brown also sang very pleasingly. Miss Edith Normington was the accompanist. Dancing was enjoyed afterward to music by Harry Brown and Sarah Precious. The affair was a success, socially and financially.
Saturday, May 9, 1908
About Town. Frederick Martin, aged seventy-one years, died at the Lowell hospital last Saturday. He had been sick but a short time and went to the hospital for an operation, which was performed last week Tuesday. Mr. Martin was born in Germany, and came to this country when a young man and carried on a bakery in Boston for thirty years. He then purchased a farm in the south part of this town, where he has lived for the past twenty years.
The Westford baseball team will meet the Littleton team on this ball field, Westford Depot, this Saturday afternoon. The Westford Greys [sic] defeated the Forge team on the common last Saturday, 14 to 13.
George W. Whidden, formerly a resident of Westford, died at his home in Waltham Saturday night, aged forty-nine years. Besides his wife and one son, he is survived by his father, Chas. E. Whidden, and sister, Mrs. J. Willard Fletcher, of this town; also, five brothers—Arthur C. of Boston, Clarence W. and Graham R. of Lowell, Ralph C. of Concord, and Chester G. of New York. Mr. Whidden was for twenty-five years claim agent for the Fitchburg railroad.
The W.C.T.U. held a meeting Wednesday afternoon at Mrs. H. G. Osgood’s. Sixteen members were present. Mrs. Osgood served lemonade and cake. It was planned to have a temperance address at an early date by Mrs. Rolfe of Concord, at town hall.
Mr. McGlinchey, who was burned out last week, has moved into one of Mrs. McGregor’s houses. Although the fire hose, with ladders and other equipment, is close by, inability to find the key caused some delay, it being finally necessary to break the door in.
Town Meeting. At the special town meeting last Saturday afternoon about 100 voters were present. The meeting was called to order by town clerk, Edward Fisher, who read the warrant and called for the election of moderator; Leonard W. Wheeler was elected.
The second article related to adding two rooms to Forge Village schoolhouse, and appropriating money for same. In behalf of the school committee Albert R. Choate, chairman of the board, reported an enrollment of 110 scholars, which will be increased to 140 at the fall term. The Abbot Co. clubhouse is now occupied by twenty-seven scholars. He reported the expense of transportation to be $500 per year, and advised the voters to meet the issues squarely, as the schoolhouse should be enlarged. Voted to accept the report.
Article 3, was to see if the town would vote to borrow money to meet the indebtedness incurred in adding two rooms to said schoolhouse. Capt. S. H. Fletcher on behalf of the finance committee reported that they had visited the premises and believed that action should be taken at once; that the leased premises of the Abbot Co. are inadequate in size, deficient in ventilation and sanitary conditions. He recommended that a committee of five be appointed to employ an architect to prepare plans, and to call for bids; that $100 be appropriated for the use of this committee, said committee to report at a future town meeting. The report was accepted after much gentle cross-examination. An amendment offered by A. R. Wall, to have the school committee have full control, was defeated 47 to 25. An amendment by C. L. Hildreth, to have the committee of five appointed by the moderator, chairman of school committee and chairman of board of selectmen, was carried and the following citizens chosen: A. R. Choate, John Spinner, J. E. Abbot, S. H. Fletcher, J. A. Cameron.
Article 4, to see if the town would appropriate $150 to properly celebrate the Fourth of July, brought forward about a dozen motions to dismiss the article in such hurry-up time that the moderator had hardly time to finish reading the article. A fit of poverty having overtaken the meeting at this juncture, they were deprived of the right kind of eyesight to perceive that while we appropriate $150 for Memorial day, in memory of those who preserved our liberties, we are opposed to a cent’s worth of public celebration in memory of those who gave us this liberty. Remember that Memorial day rests on the foundation of Fourth of July and the heroism that preceded it. John A. Healy argued that it would raise the tax rate. So it would, almost a mill. An unknown gentleman thought those who wanted a celebration should go into their pockets for the money. That is what they have been doing, dear sir, and it is about time the town went into its pocket, once in 200 years. It was clearly evident from the number of motions to dismiss that there would be no need of resorting to polling the house to determine the opinion of the meeting. The vote to dismiss was about 94 to 6.
Article 5 was to establish the pay of the regular and call firemen. The finance committee recommended that the pay of the firemen be as follows: a yearly salary of one dollar, the captains to receive thirty-five cents per hour, lieutenants thirty cents per hour, regular and call men twenty-five cents per hour, stewards twenty-five dollars per year. The report of the finance committee was accepted, after an abundance of opinion had free circulation.
Article 6 was to see if the town will build three fire houses. The finance committee recommended for the center of the town that the town lease the wheelwright shop of Mrs. Nelson Tuttle for five years, at sixty dollars per year; at Forge Village, that the town appropriate $400 to purchase the shop of W. E. Parsons; at Graniteville, that the town accept the free use of a room in the stable of John A. Healy. The opinion was expressed that $300 for five years for the use of the building at the Center was not good financing, as compared with the town owning a building and on this basis J. Everett Woods moved that the lease be only for one year. To this came the reply that the building could not be leased for less than five years. Objections were urged against the plan at Graniteville, on account of the inconvenience of storage in case of fire. Capt. Fletcher of the finance committee admitted it was not ideal, but believed it best for one year, until [a] convenient site was in sight. After these objections had been taken care of, the report was accepted.
Article 7 related to the town accepting and approving the action of the selectmen in settling with the electric road. The town clerk read the agreement and thought the town better take up with the offer, $2500. The meeting thought so, too, and would like to have the goods delivered.
Article 8, relating to repairing the road with part of the above sum, met with defeat. O. R. Spaulding of the board of selectmen moved to dismiss, and as road-repairing had no heavyweight defender the article was given a recess, although the road is unsafe in many places, and what with projecting rocks, automobiles, bicycles, teams, electric cars, and nine feet of roadbed, the town is at the risk of accidents, which may make it necessary for the individual to take a recess at the expense of the town.
Article 9 was to see if the town will instruct the finance committee to fix the salaries of the town officers, and report at the next annual meeting. Now, whether they are to fix a higher or lower salary doth not yet appear, but some of the officers already receive liberal salaries. The selectmen are living on a salary of $500 a year. Here is a chance to reduce the tax rate by reducing this salary. With this purpose in view, or some other, the finance committee were authorized to prepare a readjustment of salaries and report at the next annual meeting. If the town accepts said forthcoming report, it will take effect upon its passage. This attempt to establish salaries proportionate to the labor must not be constructed in the light of a salary grab.
The next town meeting will be held the last of this month or early in June, to hear the report of the committee on schoolhouse expansion. For his first appearance as moderator, Mr. Wheeler kept order and parliamentary law portioned out satisfactorily.
Center. A most successful food sale was held last week Friday afternoon by the ladies of the Congregational society. A good array of homemade rolls, cakes, pies, cookies, doughnuts, etc., found ready sale and netted a good sum for the treasury.
The Edward M. Abbot hose company, No. 1, had a second test Monday evening. Several more hydrants were tested, with good results. After this work the company adjourned to the town hall for the business meeting, when the same list of officers was chosen as has previously appeared in these columns.
Mrs. Martha P. Cooper from Shirley is the guest of her cousin, Miss Emily F. Fletcher.
Donald McLeod, who has been so critically ill with pneumonia at his home in the south part of the town, is considerably improved.
No new cases of measles seem to develop, and it is hoped there will be no further spread of the disease. The cases already reported are progressing toward recovery.
The communion service was celebrated at the Congregational church on Sunday morning. In the evening John P. Wright led a well-sustained consecration meeting, subject, “Songs of the heart.”
A. J. Sykes was a guest over Sunday at John P. Wright’s.
Club. The closing meeting of [the] third season of the Tadmuck club took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Congregational church. This change of meeting place from the usual pleasant quarters in library hall, was for the availability of piano and for greater convenience in the serving of refreshments. Circumstances combined to make this third social one of the most auspicious in the annals of the club. The beautiful spring day, the atmosphere of happy sociability, the tasteful decorations, the fine program, and the capable committee in charge, were all potent factors contributing to this result. Nearly the entire membership of the club was present, each with her chosen guest, making a gathering of well over a hundred. Also present as special guests were those gentlemen who graciously contributed to the season’s program—Messrs. Bailey, Marshall, Perkins, Prescott and Wheeler. The pretty decorations were of magnolia blossoms, branches of the graceful shadbush, and cheerful bunches of forsythias, tastefully arranged by Mrs. Julian A. Cameron and Miss May Atwood. Miss Loker, who has won the loyalty of the entire membership in her three years’ direction of the club, extended well-chosen words of welcome, expressing gratitude for the cooperation of all, and with good suggestions for future work, after which the following pleasing program was given:
Piano duet, Mrs. Marshall and Miss Fletcher; trio of songs, “May morning,” “Heart of mine,” “My bairnie,” Mrs. Carroll J. Swan; readings, “Mandelaine” and “Tomlinson,” John Adams Taylor; songs, “Adoration,” “Three roses red,” Edwin C. Barnes; piano duet, Mrs. Marshall and Miss Fletcher; songs, “Roses after rain,” “French song,” “Bonnie sweet Bessie,” Mrs. Swan; reading from Mark Twain’s “Tom Sawyer,” Mr. Taylor; “Toreador love song,” Mr. Barnes; Waltz song, Mrs. Swan.
At the close of the program ice cream and cake was served by a group of young ladies in white—Misses Eva Fletcher, Ruth Fisher, Edith Foster, Mrs. Edward Fisher and Miss Mary E. Moran. The capable committee who had charge of arrangements were Mrs. S. L. Taylor, Mrs. O. R. Spaulding, Mrs. J. P. Wright and Mrs. S. C. Atwood. The club in our sister town of Littleton was represented by the president, Mrs. Grace E. Lawrence, Mrs. J. M. Hartwell and Mrs. Daniel G. Houghton. There were also guests present from Shirley, Chelmsford and Lowell.
Graniteville. In spite of the condition of the times, Graniteville has not been dormant in the building line this spring. Hyacinth LeDuc has finished his large barn on Cemetery hill, for the use of his large number of cattle, and has added a cold storage plant, in which to keep the milk and cream during the summer months. P. Henry Harrington, the local contractor, has also finished a large grain shed for J. A. Healy, which is situated near the Boston and Maine tracks. There are also numerous other smaller jobs under construction throughout the village.
J. A. Healy and his men commenced work on the Carlisle road job last Monday morning, and from now on the work will be pushed rapidly.
John Downing of Andover has been a recent visitor here.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Furbush of Portland, Me., were recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Furbush of this village.
Mr. and Mrs. John Barrett of Revere have been recent visitors here.
The first of the May devotions was held at St. Catherine’s church Thursday evening and was largely attended.
May 1 has come and gone and nothing further has been done in regard to opening up a place here for the sale of intoxicating liquors. The latest report in the liquor line is to the effect that a former hotel man from Ayer is making arrangements to procure a liquor license to sell in Forge Village.
The members of the A. R. Choate hose company held their regular meeting in Healy’s hall Monday evening and elected officers for the ensuing year. The same officers were unanimously re-elected, as follows:
Capt. J. A. Healy; 1st lieut., Alfred Prinn; 2d, D. W. Harrington; steward, J. Austin Healy; treas., T. A. Riney; clerk, A. R. Wall; standing committee, Edward Defoe, J. H. Payne, Lester McLenna.
Miss Annette Cantara of Nashua, N.H., has been a recent visitor here.
Many people from this village are expected to attend the first ballgame of the season at Stony Brook, Westford Depot, on Saturday afternoon. The Westford A.A. and Littleton A.A. will be the opposing teams. Joe Butler will be in the box for Westford.
Mrs. Noah P. Shipley of Tyngsboro, who lives on the Dunstable road, has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Choate. Mrs. Shipley, who is a sister of Mrs. Choate, was a former resident of this village, and was employed with the Abbot Worsted Co. some forty years ago. During her brief visit she visited the plant of this company and was deeply impressed with the many changes that have taken place since her girlhood, the modern machinery being a revelation to her. Mrs. Shipley is a keen observer, and the many new facts, coupled with the early reminiscences with former acquaintances here, made her brief stay a very pleasant one.
Forge. The Village Improvement society have started on their good work of beautifying the village, by trimming the square formed by the junction of Pine and Pleasant sts. Through the generosity of Miss Grace Lawrence, who gave a check, they will have a fine display of flowers the coming season.
The Abbot Worsted Co. have added greatly to the appearance of mill grounds and Bradford st. The ground around Abbot’s hall has been graded and many shrubs set out. The same work is being done around the mission house.
The Abbot company have purchased a fine pair of grey horses for mill work.
The outcome of the liquor raid made here about two weeks ago was settled in the district court at Ayer, in favor of the defendants, the town not being able to sustain a charge against any of them.
While Joseph Connell was plowing, last week Friday, the plow hit a rock, and the handle struck him just above the heart. He was unconscious for over an hour. Dr. Godfrey of Littleton was in attendance.
Conductor Carkin sprained his ankle quite seriously while getting off the car Sunday. He is at his father’s, A. W. Carkin.
Miss Nellie Henderson of Lincoln cottage caught her foot in the root of a tree, one day this week, and injured her foot quite badly.
The Forge Village Lions journeyed to Groton last Saturday and were defeated by a score of 9 to 7.
Mr. Wadleigh, who has been with his son Herbert of this village for the past two months, returned to his work in Meredith, N.H., Thursday. He made many friends while here.
To the directors of the Westford Water Co.
Gentlemen: The following brief report on the quality of water supplied by the Westford Water Co. is submitted for your consideration.
The state board of health in their report for 1904 published the averages of the analyses of all the ground water supplies in the state of Massachusetts for the three years preceding and including 1904. During the recent official test of the pumping plant at Pine Ridge, about in the middle of the period of pumping, samples of the water being drawn from the wells were collected and sent to the state board of health for analysis. I have compared the results of these analyses with the analyses of the water from certain other ground water supplies in Massachusetts contained in the 1904 report of the state board of health.
Ground waters show very clearly upon chemical analysis the effect of pollution, contamination or mineral solutions. Chlorine is a characteristic ingredient of polluted matter, although it is a normal constituent of the waters of all parts of the state. The determination of the amount of chlorine is one of the most important means of showing the quality of the water by chemical analysis, and the chlorine contents, in parts per 100,000, which is the standard of analysis, for various waters in the state are as follows:
Williamstown, spring, 0.06; Sheffield, spring, 0.07; Adams, wells, 0.14; Uxbridge, spring, 0.15; Groton, well, 0.16; Westford, wells, 0.18; Lowell, (Cook wells) 0.50; Marblehead, well, 2.27.
The chlorine content at Westford is the normal chlorine for that section of the state, and shows that the water is free from pollution.
The presence of nitrates in ground waters is the next most important means of determining whether water has been exposed to previous pollution, and the nitrate contents taken in connection with the chlorine are of the greatest value as indicating freedom of the source of supply from pollution. The nitrates, in parts per 100,000, in several towns, area as follows:
Westborough, .0018; Medfield, .0019; Westford, .0020; Mansfield, .0021; Adams, .0440; Lowell, (boulevard wells) .0163.
The Westford water ranks third in the state in nitrates, and taken in connection with its normal chlorine shows that the source of supply is free from pollution, and that the quality of the water is most excellent.
The determination of free ammonia and albuminoid ammonia is one of the next most important means of determining the quality of the water. Ammonia in ground water may have its source in sewage or in decaying vegetable or organic matter.
The free ammonia, in parts per 100,000, for several towns in Massachusetts is as follows:
Adams, .0001, Mansfield, .0002; Groton, .0003; Westford, .0004; Lowell, (Cook well) .0032.
The Westford water ranks fourth in the state in free ammonia contents, and the extremely small amount present reinforces the conclusions to be drawn from the low chlorine and nitrates.
The albuminoid ammonia contents in parts per 100,000, for several towns in Massachusetts, are as follows:
Adams, .0005; Sharon, .0010; Needham, .0011; Westford, .0012; Billerica, .0026; Lowell, (Cook well) .0048.
The Westford water ranks eighth in the state in albuminoid ammonia, and the amount present, which is extremely low, reinforces the above conclusions.
One of the greatest sources of trouble in ground water supplies is the presence of iron, which, if in sufficient quantity, may precipitate as rust when exposed to the air, due to the oxidizing of the iron. The quality of iron may vary at different seasons of the year, and its contents, in parts per 100,000, for several towns in Massachusetts, is as follows:
Westford, .0020; Adams, .0035; Mansfield, .0069; Ayer, .0111; Lowell, (Cook wells) .0297.
The Westford water ranks first in the state in iron contents, and this fact is of vital importance, in my opinion, inasmuch as it is the particular point to which attention should be given in a ground water supply taken through driven wells.
The hardness of ground water, in parts per 100,000, in several towns in Massachusetts, is as follows:
Uxbridge, 0.4; Mansfield, 0.5; Westford, 0.6; Lowell, (Cook wells) 3.6; Adams, 9.7.
The Westford water ranks third in the state on the point of hardness, which is one of the most valuable characteristics of the water as far as domestic use is concerned. It is very soft.
In addition to the above figures, it may be added that the Westford water has no odor, whether hot or cold, that it has no turbidity, and that it is absolutely colorless.
Edmund M. Blake, Engineer,
April 10, 1908.
Saturday, May 16, 1908
Center. The will of Mrs. Augusta Butterfield, who recently died in Ayer, leaves numerous bequests for various benevolences. Among these, to the Union Congregational church in Westford, of which she was a member, comes a legacy of three hundred dollars.
Miss Clara Smith and Miss Caroline E. Hewett have been spending a few days with Miss Emily Fletcher.
Mrs. Judson Parsons, a former resident, but now living in Tewksbury, has been a recent guest at Miss Edith Seife’s.
Mrs. C. P. Marshall and daughter Marion have been spending the week with relatives in North Weymouth.
Hiram Dane has returned to his home after his winter’s sojourn in California. He seems pleased with his traveling experiences and also pleased to be at home once more.
A son [Warren Sherman] was born to Mr. and Mrs. David Sherman at the Lowell general hospital last week Friday [May 2].
Rev. C. P. Marshall, Misses C. S. and L. B. Atwood, have been attending the annual meeting of the American home missionary society, held at Pittsfield this week.
Miss R. E. [Rebecca Elizabeth] Luce, accompanied by her nephew, James Kimball, has enjoyed a visit to Marion. This was the birthplace [on May 14, 1799] of her father, the late Rev. Leonard Luce.
Grange. It was to be regretted that the heavy downpour of rain last week Thursday evening, necessarily kept some, especially those living at a distance, from attending the first regular grange meeting for May. About seventy patrons made the best of weather conditions and found it quite worth their while. At the business session, after presenting both sides, the members voted not to take charge of the Memorial day dinner, as had been suggested, feeling that the various feasts within the order during the year, and taking charge of the big farmers’ institute dinner, was being sufficiently active in this direction.
A vote of thanks was extended to W. M. Wright, past master, for his efficient drilling of the ladies’ degree staff, and for the beautiful flowers he so generously presented to the staff. While the mood of thankfulness was becomingly upon them a vote of thanks was extended to the overseer, A. H. Sutherland, for his excellent fitting up of the closet for paraphernalia.
The lecturer presented a fine program, the first number of which was a surpliced chorus of male voices in an Easter anthem. Arthur H. Cluer of Lowell gave an enlightening talk on the workings of North Middlesex cooperative association of which he is president. Many questions were asked and answered, so the members clearly understood about the organization. After this Mrs. S. Ella Southland of Athol, special deputy in the Massachusetts state grange, was introduced and gave an address entitled, “You and I,” which held the closest attention of every one of her hearers. Mrs. Southland is well known in grange circles, having held various important offices, and as a speaker and reader possesses much charm and ability, offset with much common sense. Her message on this evening was a sweet sermon, without being a bit preachy, filled with the gospel of human kindness, as related to our lives in the home, the grange and the community. At the close of this address the grange orchestra gave some selections. The organization feels thankful to have this fine orchestra within its membership. Those who compose it are: Mabel Miller, piano; Everett Miller, violin; Arthur Blodgett, cornet; Willard Fletcher, first clarinet; Oscar A. Nelson, second clarinet. Mrs. Southland was then called upon and by special request recited “The husking,” and responded graciously to numerous encores.
The next meeting, May 21, will be an open meeting and the members of the Veterans’ association will be special guests. It will be a patriotic meeting and full of interest.
About Town. Joseph Bowers of Lowell, who had a cottage burned at Burgess pond a few months since, is building on the north shore of Nabnasset pond the largest and most expensive summer residence in that locality, as well as the only slate-roofed building. The assessors were right close on the trail of it, following the sound of the hammer, which had not driven many nails the first day of May; consequently, a motion to lay the consideration of taxation on the table for a year was unanimously considered and passed.
Two large summer cottages have been completed at Long-sought-for pond, one on land of Mathew F. Downs [who lived at the old brick tavern at 266 Groton Road] and the other on land of Mary E. Courtney of Lowell.
Arthur T. Warren of Chelmsford has purchased a large tract of wood and timber between Graniteville and Westford station, on the north side of Stony Brook track, and will commence cutting soon. It is estimated that about 150,000 feet of lumber on the lot will be hauled to the mill at Westford station.
The Cymric of the White Star line arrived safely at Queenstown on Thursday of last week, after a nine days’ voyage. Among the passengers were Donald Cameron and family, Mrs. Fiske, Miss Martha J. Taylor and Horace Bacon. This party will remain abroad about three months.
The guild has accepted an invitation to a union service with the guild of the Unitarian church at Tyngsboro, Sunday afternoon. Miss Ruth Fisher will read a paper on a timely subject.
Business at the quarry of H. E. Fletcher & Co. is good, with a large order from the quarry at Conway, N.H., of pink granite, which is taken to the quarry at Westford for cutting. This will employ nearly the full force of stone-cutters.
George A. Cook, auctioneer, will sell by auction on Saturday, May 23, at one o’clock p.m., all the household furniture and personal property belonging to Mary O. Blood of Westford. Sale positive.
Baseball. The Westford A.A. began its third year last Saturday afternoon, when it defeated the strong and semi-professional team from Littleton by a score of 1 to 0, after sixteen innings, which lasted three hours. It is rarely that the Westford team falls in with quite so even a match for them. It is clearly evident that they are of the material that has to be closely reckoned with. It is also exceptionally rare that non-professional teams play such an evenly-matched game as sixteen innings with only one run.
This Saturday afternoon the Westford team will endeavor to maintain their popular prestige, and will meet at the park near Westford station the Loyal council, No. 8 Royal Arcanum, from Lowell. It requires no prophet to foretell that there will be no repetition of 1 to 0. Eddie Vaughn, who was such a star player for the Westford team last year, will play with the long-named team from Lowell.
The funeral of Edmund Barton, who died last week Friday at his home on the Providence road, took place last Sunday afternoon. Rev. C. P. Marshall was the officiating clergyman, whose condensed brevity and wise survey of the occasion was commendable. Appropriate singing added to the reflections of the occasion, which was by Mrs. C. D. Colburn, Miss Lillian Atwood and Miss Carrie Atwood, who sang, “Nearer, my God, to thee,” and “Lead, kindly light.” The bearers were A. B. Eastman, Augustus Bunce, John Greig and Frank Bannister. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.
Mr. Barton had been in feeble health for several years. He was born in England and was seventy-one years old. He preferred the quiet of fireside life to any noticeable association with public affairs.
The Liquor Outlook. It is now two months since the town voted itself into the liquor business, but so far business has not been rushing. Of the two applications, one got turned down by the selectmen, at the location at corner of Main and River sts., owned by Albert Reeves. The application of Lewis Palmer on Main st. was granted by the selectmen, but Mr. Palmer, after reflecting on the $1500 clause in the license, concluded not to avail himself of the allurements of the business. Consequently, the town is without any legal liquor. Now, who will come to the rescue? Well, one, W. Moore of Ayer, has signified to the selectmen his willingness to relieve all distresses arising from a lack of moisture of the kind that the town voted. Mr. Moore’s application designates doing business at the King place, owned by John Edwards, on Central st., Forge Village. There is little doubt but that the application will be granted and the village will have more to drink.
Graniteville. A meeting of the local branch of the Sons of Veterans was held in Music hall last Saturday evening at eight o’clock. The meeting was called to order by Wm. O. Stiles, who was made temporary chairman. It was voted that the Sons of Veterans participate in the parade with the members of the Westford Veterans’ association on Memorial day, and another meeting will be held shortly in order to make the necessary arrangements.
The ladies’ aid society of the Methodist church met with Mrs. W. O. Hawkes Thursday afternoon.
The many sports from this village who attended the Westford-Littleton ballgame at Stony Brook park last Saturday afternoon were well repaid for their long walk by witnessing a hard-fought fifteen-inning game that Westford won, 1 to 0. Joseph Butler, the Westford pitcher, was in his old-time form and gave the laugh to the critics that predicted that his speed would not last for nine innings. He was ably supported by Burke behind the bat, who caught in faultless style.
Hiram Dane, who spent the winter in southern California, returned a few days ago and is now at his home in North Westford.
May devotions were held in St. Catherine’s church on Thursday evening, and the usual large number were in attendance.
Miss Elizabeth Dailey of Manchester, N.H., and Miss Rourke of Lowell were recent guests of Miss Mary F. Dailey of this village. John Dailey of Boston has also been a recent visitor here.
O. A. Nelson of this village has been recently appointed signboard inspector for the town of Westford, and took charge of his new duties last week.
Improvements. The county commissioners held a meeting in the Boston and Maine station here on Friday morning of last week at 10:30, for the purpose of giving the voters and the property owners of Graniteville a chance to express their opinion in regard to the proposed improvement of Broadway, from Counter’s bridge, so-called, to the mill dam. The commissioners presented plans of the proposed change, and after the question was fully discussed the meeting closed in due order. The commissioners, with county engineer Kendall, then took a view of said Broadway, and informed the property owners that another meeting would be held in the near future, when more details of the proposed change would be presented. It is the general opinion here that this particular street is very much in need of improvement, but the property owners along the line do not feel that they can give up from two to six feet of their land in order to sanction such a change. In the meantime nothing will be done until after the next meeting of the county commissioners.
Forge. Thomas Kelley of Lowell has engaged the Hanley cottage for the season and is now occupying it.
Miss Nellie Madden, a former resident, but recently of Leominster, was in the village this week visiting friends before returning to New York.
Death. William Whigham, an old and respected citizen of this village, passed away Sunday evening, after a short illness with pneumonia. Mr. Whigham came from Scotland to Maine about twenty-seven years ago, and from there he came to this village. His wife was buried just fifteen years ago on the same day of the month that he died. One boy died some years ago. He leaves four sons and four daughters, and twenty-one grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the house Wednesday afternoon. The house was filled with neighbors and friends, showing their respect for him who so lately was with us seemingly in the best of health, and sympathy for those who are left to mourn his loss. The beautiful Episcopal service was used at the funeral and members of the choir sang “Rock of ages,” “Thy will be done,” and “Abide with me.” The floral offerings were many and very beautiful. The Paving Cutters’ union was represented, they marching before the hearse in a body. Three Paving Cutters and three Oddfellows were the bearers.
Saturday, May 23, 1908
Center. Mrs. Thomas E. Drew, an old and highly respected resident of this village, died at her home on the Boston road at an early hour Wednesday morning. She was seventy-seven years of age, and death was caused by chronic bronchitis. Mrs. Drew had been in failing health for a long time, but bore her illness with gentle patience. She leaves to mourn her loss one son, Ernest of Boston, and two daughters, Nellie and Mary E. The latter, who lives at home, has been her mother’s devoted companion and care-taker, and has the sympathy of a wide circle of friends in her special loss.
Mrs. A. H. Sutherland was summoned to Somerville this week by the sickness and death [May 15, 1908] of her mother, Mrs. Mary A. Cass. Death was caused by bronchial pneumonia. Mrs. Lewis Marden, who formerly lived at Westford depot, was one of the daughters.
The participants in the dramatics given at town hall last Friday evening certainly gave their large audience a good evening’s entertainment. The play was well chosen, wisely cast, well acted and well staged. Many words of commendation have been heard from the village people who enjoyed the play.
At the Congregational church Sunday morning Rev. C. P. Marshall brought interesting echoes from the annual meeting of the American home missionary society, convened at Pittsfield the preceding week. In the evening Wm. A. Perkins conducted the services on the topic, “Being a christian at home and at school.” Mrs. Perkins read a thoughtfully prepared paper on the subject, and Miss S. W. Loker spoke out of a wide experience in dealing with young people. As experienced teachers, all these made the subject most interesting and helpful.
Work is progressing well on the grading of the grounds around the new schoolhouse, recently completed. Five hundred dollars will be used to drain the land near the new academy and put it in proper shape for a playground. The town will appropriate a small sum each year until this is accomplished. The new building will be in entire readiness for the opening term of school in September.
Mrs. Clarence A. Reid is ill at her home with pneumonia. Mrs. Reid has the sympathy of her many friends in her illness. Owing to a siege with measles with her children before she was stricken, she has been particularly taxed and was less able to meet serious sickness. At this writing she is holding her own and is doing as well as can be expected.
It is a year ago this week that our branch line of electric cars began to operate regularly; a year, with its changing seasons to test their efficiency. On the whole they have given excellent service and there is a general verdict of satisfaction with them. Even those most conservatively minded, who look for something to deplore in any radical change, do not fail to commend them. Long may they continue their hourly trips to our hilltop village.
The epidemic of measles seems to have somewhat abated, although there are a number of cases scattered around in various families. School was resumed in the primary grade Monday morning, but the restrictions on library books to families where there are children in the primary grades have not been removed.
Miss Beatrice Sutherland has had a particularly severe attack of measles.
Memorial. In another week Decoration day will be here, the “memory day” of the year, when the memory of the solider dead will be revered, and people all unite in decorating the last resting place of their own loved ones. As usual it will be fittingly observed here. One hundred and fifty dollars were appropriated at town meeting to carry out the day’s program. On the afternoon preceding, the members of the Veterans’ association will decorate the graves of comrades in the north and west cemeteries, and on Memorial day morning at nine o’clock they will leave the town hall for Fairview. Owing to the recent disbanding of Troop F cavalry, the veterans will miss the gallant escort they have given for many years. In their place the Sons of Veterans will perform this duty. Upon returning to the hall a fine program will be given. The Nashua military band, which gave such excellent satisfaction last year, will escort the veterans and give selections at the hall. The speaker of the day is Sergeant Augustus V. Hovey of Lowell. He was in Company G, 33d Mass. vol. Regt., and was in the battle of Gettysburg, which will be the subject of his address. He comes recommended as a splendid speaker. Music will be furnished by the Orion quartet of Lowell, and readings by Miss Alice E. Livingston, also of Lowell; these last two are favorites with Westford audiences. Rev. B. H. Bailey will offer prayer, and Hon. H. E. Fletcher will preside. Capt. S. H. Fletcher has general charge of arrangements. At noon in the lower town hall caterer Fred A. Smith will furnish dinner. In the afternoon on the common there will be a band concert.
About Town. Mrs. Beulah Brown, widow of the late Willard A. Brown, died at the home of her son Willard in New York city last Monday, of paralysis, aged seventy-six years. The funeral took place Friday from the Unitarian church, Lowell. She was pleasantly remembered by the older inhabitants of this town, her native place, where she attended school in the old Stony Brook district and at Westford academy. Her father, Levi Heywood, was a substantial citizen of the town and owned the farm now owned by C. P. R. Decatur, and marked by the D.A.R. as the Peletiah Fletcher place [54 Lowell Road]. She was a sister of Geo. W. Heywood, who is still one of the substantial and influential citizens of the town.
Rev. B. H. Bailey exchanged last Sunday with Rev. J. [Joseph] Sidney Moulton of Stow, a well-known former minister of the First Parish church [1876-1885], who spoke on “Ideals.”
The young people’s union visited the Tyngsboro guild on last Sunday evening. Miss Ruth Fisher, president of the Westford guild, gave an inspiring paper on “The man who standeth alone.”
The county commissioners will give a hearing at the town hall on Monday, May 25, at 10:30, on the petition to make certain changes on the road at Westford corner, on Nabnassett and Brookside roads.
John A. Taylor is filling a vacancy in the high school in Keene, N.H.
Mrs. Sarah (Morrison) Dailey has sold her farm on the Tyngsboro road to a Portuguese from Lowell.
Baseball. The ballgame last Saturday between the Westford A.A. and the Loyal Legion, No. 8, Royal Arcanum, of Lowell, was deprived of much of its active enthusiasm from the fact that the Lowell team proved so poor a match for the Westford team. The Lowells were mostly middle-aged men and belonged to the heavyweight class, being slow of movement to grasp an advantage. The Westford team are actively young, wisely trained in their movements and can jump like a deer, and like the deer they can usually land where they plan to. With such odds the Lowell team were badly beaten, the score standing 7 to 3. This afternoon at Stony Brook park, near Westford station, the Westford team is to face its match, or nearly so, the Littleton team. It was this team that two weeks ago played sixteen innings with the Westford team and were defeated by a score of 1 to 0. Now it is up to the skill of the visiting team to reverse the score so it will stand 0 to 1. Can they do it? Well, not without some spry movements and the calculations of experience.
Town Meeting. It is pretty good evidence that the town is not in a stupor of indifference toward availing itself of modern utilities, by the number of special town meetings, and all the inhabitants of the town, qualified to vote in town affairs, are legally warned by the selectmen that a special town meeting, for which the warrants are posted, will be held at the town house Monday, May 25, at ten o’clock a.m., to act on seven articles, which after being condensed and much of the “whereas” and “act in relation to the same” eliminated, read plainly thus:
Art. 1. To choose a moderator.
Art. 2. To hear the report of the committee chosen to investigate the plan of adding two rooms to the Forge Village schoolhouse.
Art. 3. To see if the town will appropriate or borrow a sum of money sufficient to defray the expense of enlarging said schoolhouse.
Art. 4. To see if the town will vote to accept Section 24, chapter 32, of the revised laws, providing that no fire shall be set in the open air from April 1 to Oct. 1, unless by the written permission of the forest fire warden.
Art. 5. To see if the town will vote that no wood, lumber, stones, brush, etc. be left on the highway.
Art. 6. To see if the town will discontinue Boutwell Brook road, from Graniteville road to Pine Ridge road.
Art. 7. To see if the town will vote to discontinue the road opposite the house of Wm. H. Decatur, across the Nashua and Acton railroad to the Concord road.
Graniteville. The section gang on the Lowell and Fitchburg line have been busy in this vicinity for the past few days leveling up the rails and in other ways putting the roadbed in good shape for the summer traffic.
P. Henry Harrington, the well-known contractor, is attending the convention of the Foresters of America, in Springfield, as a delegate from court Graniteville.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mulholland and son Francis, Mrs. John Mulholland and the Misses Margaret, Catherine and Anna Curran of Lowell were recent visitors at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Loftus in this village.
Many people from this village attended the confirmation services at St. John’s church, North Chelmsford, on last Sunday afternoon. Two special cars conveyed those who were to be confirmed from here and Forge Village, there being 105 in all from St. Catherine’s church. The parents and friends of the children went down on the regular cars. It was certainly a great day for the children.
Beginning Sunday morning, May 24, and until further notice, mass will be celebrated in St. Catherine’s church at 8:45 o’clock, instead of 9:45 as formerly. May devotions were held in this church Thursday evening and were largely attended.
Deaths. Gilbert V. Quinn, a former well-known resident of this village, died at the city hospital in Boston on Thursday morning, May 14 [May 13, per death certificate], after three weeks’ illness of typhoid fever, aged thirty-five years. The deceased was favorably known, having been born and brought up in this village. He received his early education in the public schools here, after which he learned the machinist’s trade in C. G. Sargent’s shop. After serving his apprenticeship he sought new fields, and being a skillful workman he met with success. He was a member of the Machinists’ union of Boston, and during his work has been identified with the Brown & Sharpe Machine Co. of Providence, R.I., the Blake pump works of Cambridge, and other well-known firms. Being of a cheerful disposition, he made many friends, and his sudden death was a severe blow to his many friends here. He leaves a mother, Mrs. Thomas Quinn; a sister, Mrs. Freeman Palmer of Ayer, and four brothers—Harry of Boston, John and Frank of Lawrence, and Edward of Cambridge. The body was taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Furbush in this village Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Furbush being an aunt of the deceased.
The funeral took place last Saturday morning, when a funeral high mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church at 7:30 o’clock by Rev. J. J. McNamara. The choir, under the direction of Miss Mary F. Hanley, sang the Gregorian chant and at the offertory Miss Hanley sang the “Pie Jesu.” As the casket was being borne from the church the choir sweetly sang, “Nearer, my God, to thee.” There were many beautiful floral tributes, which testified in a marked degree to the high esteem in which the deceased was held. The church was filled with sorrowing relatives and friends, many being present from Boston, Lowell, Lawrence, Cambridge and the immediate vicinity. The bearers were John L. Flynn of Forge Village, Wm. H. Wall of Lynn, Thomas E. Smith and T. F. Quinn of Lowell, John Mitchell and D. F. Fitzgerald of Boston. Burial was in St. Patrick’s cemetery, Lowell.
Word has been received here of the sudden death of Mrs. George Blake of Keene, N.H., on Thursday of last week. Mrs. Blake will be remembered as Miss Jennie Pierce. She died without a moment’s warning, while walking up stairs. She leaves to mourn her loss a husband and four children—two girls, Helen and Marion, and two little boys, the youngest a baby one year old. Mrs. Blake was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Pierce, who formerly had charge of the Westford town farm.
Forge. Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Lyons and son of Melrose and Mrs. E. A. Penny of Lowell were at Mr. Parsons on Sunday. Mrs. Parsons returned with them for a short visit.
Edward Hanley spent Sunday at Marlboro. While there he took a trip to Chelsea to see the ruins [from the great fire of May 12, 1908].
Mr. and Mrs. James Sullivan were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Daley of Leominster over Sunday.
Mrs. John Carmichael visited Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Bicknell of Somerville the past week.
Albert Jones and Otter Walker walked from Worcester to this village, a distance of thirty-eight miles, in nine and one-half hours, to spend a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Burnett. They returned to Worcester on Wednesday.
Joseph LeClair has accepted a position at Barre, leaving the village Wednesday.
Mrs. Lawrence has had another very serious attack of illness, and her advanced age makes it still more alarming. If she lives until August next she will reach her ninety-fifth milestone.
Preparations are under way for Memorial day in our schools and the program will be unusually attractive.
There was a large woodland fire Sunday, when about twenty-five acres on Claypit hill near this village were burned.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Caisse and son Raymond of Leominster, and Allan Carkin of Gardner, were at Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Carkin’s Sunday.
Saturday, May 30, 1908
Center. Last Saturday afternoon, in the perfect beauty of the spring day, the remains of the late Mrs. Augusta Butterfield, which had been entombed in the cemetery at Ayer, were brought to Westford for burial at Fairview. Hon. Geo. J. Burns and family were present, as well as a number of former Westford friends. Rev. L. E. Perry of Ayer made the prayer and Rev. C. P. Marshall read the scriptures, after which eulogistic remarks were made by Mr. Perry, and Mr. Marshall read the committal service. Mr. Burns, in whose family Mrs. Butterfield had lived for many years, added words of appreciative memory of the deceased.
The funeral of the late Mrs. Sarah E. Drew took place at the family home, last week Friday afternoon, at two o’clock and was largely attended by relatives, friends and neighbors, come to pay their last respects to one who had lived her life faithfully and well. The floral offerings were numerous and of great beauty. Rev. C. P. Marshall, in the absence of Rev. B. H. Bailey, was the officiating clergyman. The bearers were Augustus Bunce, John Burbeck, W. F. Balch and Henry Burbeck. Burial was in the family lot at Fairview.
G. W. Heywood, one of our aged townsmen, has been quite ill the past week.
Mrs. Alfred W. Hartford underwent an operation for appendicitis at her home on Sunday morning. It was performed by Dr. O. V. Wells, assisted by Drs. Sleeper and Sherman. At this writing Mrs. Hartford is doing nicely, and her many friends unite in wishing firmer health for her than has been her portion for some time past.
Mrs. Clarence A. Reid, who has been so seriously ill with pneumonia, is reported as gaining a little each day.
Miss Mary E. Drew has been spending the week with relatives in Cambridge.
The new four-room school adjoining the academy lot will be open for inspection on Memorial day. This building is a model of its kind and a credit to the contractor and the building committee, who faithfully performed their duties. Doubtless many people will avail themselves of this opportunity so thoughtfully accorded.
Party. Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher was a genuinely successful hostess to a large party of friends at her pleasant home on the Boston road, last week Thursday afternoon. The entertainment took the form of progressive whist, of which there were twelve tables. Mrs. Fletcher ’s sister, Miss Ella Gill of Ludlow, Vt., who has been spending the winter here, and who has so pleasantly identified herself with the social and literary life of the village, ably assisted her sister in entertaining her guests. Mrs. Eliot F. Humiston won first prize, which was a beautiful hand-wrought handkerchief; the second prize, a handsome pack of cards, was won by Mrs. C. L. Hildreth. The rooms were tastily decorated with beautiful spring flowers. Refreshments of ice cream and cake were served.
Mr. Fletcher, not at all overwhelmed at being the only man at a ladies’ party, and with characteristic geniality, appeared to the close of the gathering and greeted his wife’s guests, and assisted in dispensing refreshments.
Contest. The medal contest at town hall, last week Friday evening, was of excellent merit, and a credit to the young people who took part and to those having the affair in charge. Miss Maude Sargent was awarded first prize and Miss Gertrude A. Hamlin second. Following is the program:
Piano solo, Albert Day; prayer, Rev. C. P. Marshall; recitation, “When the Sabbath bells were ringing,” Anna Symmes; mandolin solo, Arthur Garland; recitation, “The two glasses,” Ida Trask; song, John S. Greig; recitation, “Who struck the blow,” Sadie McMaster; song, “Good night,” male quartet; recitation, “Licensed to sell,” Addie L. Day; mandolin solo, Arthur Garland; recitation, “Prohibition battle call,” Gertrude A. Hamlin; song, Miss Flagg; recitation, “One standard for both sexes,” Maude Sargent; song, Leon Holland; dialogue, “A point on prohibition;” music, grange orchestra; remarks, Rev. C. P. Marshall.
About Town. Union memorial services were held at the Unitarian church last Sunday. Owing to the illness of Rev. Bailey, pastor of the church, Rev. C. P. Marshall conducted the religious exercises and preached an exceptionally patriotic and appropriate sermon for the occasion. The veterans were escorted from the town hall to the church by the Sons of Veterans. The church was appropriately decorated with flags and flowers. The singing by the united choirs was finely rendered, under the direction of Edwin Barnes, supervisor of music in the public schools. An added attraction of the music was the cornet playing of Alex McPherson of Roxbury, who also effectively played taps at the close of the exercises.
The committee on enlarging the Forge Village schoolhouse met at the office of the Abbot company Tuesday afternoon to organize. Julian A. Cameron was elected chairman and Wm. Taylor secretary.
John Greig is the latest arrival to come into camp with the measles.
Death. John M. Chandler died at his home in Tyngsboro last Sunday, aged 84 yrs. 4 mos. [84 yrs. 8 mos. and 5 days]. Mr. Chandler was born in Westford, on the farm near Flushing pond, and was one of the large family of William Chandler. In 1849 he went to California and mined in the gold fields for three years. He is survived by three children—J. Prank [John Frank] of Tyngsboro, Harry A. of Billerica, and Mrs. Emma M. Wright of Graniteville.
The funeral was held at his resident on Wednesday. Rev. Dr. R. A. Greene of Grace Universalist church conducted the services. Mrs. Clara Greig and Mrs. Charles Wright sang effectively, “Sometime we’ll understand,” and “The homeland,” two favorite selections of the deceased. The bearers were J. E. Woods, Horace E. Gould, Geo. J. Sherburne and Otis L. Wright. Burial was in Hillside cemetery, Westford.
Baseball. The largest crowd of the season gathered at Stony Brook park last Saturday afternoon to witness the ball game between the Westford and Littleton teams, this being the second game between the teams this season. As the Westford team won the first game by a score of 1 to 0, it was expected the Littleton team would make a lively dash to win, but the Westford team have a degree of trained skill that cannot be crippled by a dash, which was clearly proven as the game progressed, and finally rounding up by beating the Littletons 5 to 1.
This forenoon at nine o’clock the Westfords are going to try something harder, and will meet the team from Nashua, which have a reputation for winning; they are likely to have that reputation reversed by contact with the home team.
The special town meeting Monday evening was largely attended, for the season and an evening session. The meeting was called to order by the town clerk, Edward Fisher, who read the warrant and called for a nomination for moderator. Hon. H. E. Fletcher was nominated and elected. The second article was to hear the report of the committee on enlarging Forge Village schoolhouse. A. R. Choate, as chairman of the committee, reported and submitted plans to the meeting and figures of contractors, the lowest figures being $6400, which does not include the sanitary work. This will make a four-room building of modern style and convenience, to complete which the committee felt they must ask the town for $8000. The report of the committee was accepted. A motion to accept the report was questioned by Capt. S. H. Fletcher, who felt that it might bind the town to the one plan submitted. The motion was withdrawn.
Article three was to see if the town will appropriate or borrow money necessary to enlarge the Forge Village schoolhouse. A. R. Choate submitted a motion in writing, which in effect authorized the town treasurer to borrow $8000, to be paid in notes of $1000 each annually, interest not to exceed five percent. The motion was carried after the finance committee, by its chairman, O. R. Spaulding, reported in favor of said sum, the vote standing 44 to 11. Geo. T. Day then made a motion that the building committee, consisting of five persons, be appointed by the moderator, with full power to act, such committee not to incur any indebtedness in excess of $8000. The motion was carried and the moderator appointed as a building committee, Julian A. Cameron, A. R. Choate, John Spinner, Wm. R. Taylor and L. W. Wheeler.
Article four, in regard to adopting the law preventing setting fires in the open air from April 1 to Oct. 1, was unanimously adopted.
Article 5, relating to preventing using the highway for dumping stones, brush, refuse and other waste material, or pilling wood and lumber, called out much discussion. Frank C. Wright wanted to know if the town in repairing roads would be governed by this rule. At present they rake the stones and refuse from the roads to the sides of the road, making as unsightly an appearance as the private citizen that this vote is trying to prevent. Finally Selectman Abbot submitted a written motion, which in effect is prohibitive, except by permission of the selectmen.
Articles six and seven, relating to discontinuing old and unused roads, were passed without opposition.
Graniteville. Miss Judith Mattson of this village, who is at the sanatorium in Rutland, has had an attack of pneumonia recently. The latest reports are that she is up and about in her room. Her general condition is much better and she is improving rapidly.
Thursday being a holy day mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church in the morning at 7:30 o’clock. The usual May devotions were held in this church in the evening and were largely attended.
John Gillespie of Lowell has been a recent visitor here. Mr. Gillespie was interested in the boot and shoe business here some few years ago.
Mrs. Thomas E. Fisher of Lowell has been a recent visitor here.
Mrs. A. W. Hartford of Westford Center, who underwent an operation for appendicitis last Sunday, is now improving slowly, and her many friends in this village, where she formerly resided, are wishing for her speedy recovery.
The new hose wagon for the A. R. Choate hose company has arrived here and will be put to practical test in the near future.
J. H. Payne, president of the Stony Brook Beef Co., reports business improving, and everything points to a very successful season.
P. Henry Harrington, the well-known contractor, has recently returned from Springfield, where he was a delegate to the grand court convention of the Foresters of America. Mr. Harrington represented court Graniteville of this village.
New Schoolhouses. Several of the voters from this village attended the special town meeting in Westford town hall, Monday night, the principal business being to raise and appropriate $8000 for the remodeling and building of two additional rooms to the Forge Village schoolhouse. This sum includes sanitation, heating and plumbing. The question was favorably voted on without much discussion, and a committee was appointed to attend to this matter as soon as possible, so the necessary changes will be made before the opening of the fall term. When this building is completed Westford can boast of having some of the best equipped schools of any similar sized town in the state. This applies to both interior finish and outward appearance of the buildings.
A. R. Choate, chairman of the school board, has informed the writer that the new school building in Westford Center, which is now completed, will be open all day Saturday, Memorial day, in order to give those who wish ample opportunity to inspect the building and see what a fine place the children will have at the opening of the fall term, and in fact, in the future, for this building is a substantial one and is built for the coming needs of the town.
Forge. The Forge Village Lions journeyed to Groton Saturday and won from the Groton team by a score of 2 to 1 in a very enjoyable game. The same club held a social dance in Abbot’s hall, last week Friday evening. All enjoyed the evening. Miss Precious at the piano, and Brown, violin, furnished the music.
Miss Hazel Comey had a very ill turn at school Tuesday. Dr. Blaney was hastily summoned, and it was some time before she got relief. A heart trouble seems to be the cause. She is much better at time of writing.