The Westford Wardsman, May, 1911
Saturday, May 6, 1911
Center. The board of fire engineers met at the town hall on Tuesday evening and organized for the ensuing year. Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher was elected engineer, John Edwards, clerk and Alonzo H. Sutherland, assistant engineer. The board voted to buy hose reels for the three companies and also made changes in the by-laws relative to the admission of members as follows: “Article 7, section 1. All proposals for membership must be made by the captain of the company to the board of engineers for their approval before becoming a member of the company. On the approval of the engineers, they may become a member by signing the roll of the company.”
Mr. and Mrs. Abiel J. Abbot and Miss Alice Carnzer Abbot arrived home last week from a three months’ European trip.
Miss Grace Lumbert has been spending a week with friends in Littleton.
Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Wright were invited guests at the grange dramatics in Littleton last week Friday evening, and Mrs. Henry Colburn attended them the previous evening and all report a fine entertainment and a good time.
The Edward M. Abbot hose company held their regular monthly meeting with drill and annual business meeting at the hose house on Tuesday evening, May 2. Various hydrants at the west end of the village were opened and tested. The following officers were quite unanimously chosen to serve for the next year: J. Herbert Fletcher, capt.; L. W. Wheeler, 1st lieut.; Edward M. Abbot, 2d lieut.; Aaron Tuttle, treas.; Peter Clement, stew.; J. Herbert Fletcher, Alec Fisher, W. L. Woods, ex. com.
At the Congregational church on Sunday, Rev. David Wallace preached most appropriately on “The bible—the great American book,” as suggested by the three hundredth anniversary of the adoption of the King James version. In the evening, reports were given of the Middlesex Union association at Harvard by those who had attended. At the Wednesday evening prayer meeting the following young people were voted upon to be received into the church on Sunday morning: Misses Ida Trask, Pauline Wallace and Sadie McMaster and Otis Day.
The J. C. Abbots enjoyed an over Sunday trip to Maine in their touring car this last week.
The ball game between the alumni and the academy team, played last Saturday afternoon at Whitney park, resulted in a victory for the alumni team with a score of 17 to 1. The Westford team play the Littleton high this Saturday afternoon.
Selectman O. R. Spalding injured one of his hands with a sharp piece of wood while at work at his sawmill one day this week, causing a painful injury that required dressings by Dr. Wells.
Aaron Tuttle and Miss Annie Blodgett were united in marriage on Wednesday [May 3, 1911] of this week. The ceremony was at four o’clock, and was performed by Rev. B. H. Bailey. After a wedding trip, Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle will make their home at the Tuttle homestead on Boston road. Many good wishes attend the young couple from a wide circle of friends.
About twenty from Westford attended Littleton grange on Wednesday evening and enjoyed the good entertainment and supper in charge of the master and lecturer, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Barrows.
Rev. and Mrs. David Wallace and Deacon and Mrs. H. G. Osgood attended the jubilee anniversary of the Ayer Congregational church on Thursday.
Memorial Day. The Veterans and Sons of Veterans met at the Cavalry association building on Saturday evening and made plans for the time-honored observance of Memorial day. Various committees were appointed as follows: Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher and Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher, committee on speaker and entertainment. It was voted to provide dinner for veterans, sons of veterans, invited guests and band. Committee appointed to extend invitations were sons of veterans H. V. Hildreth, Arthur E. Wilson, Ernest Dane, Elliot F. Humiston, Edward T. Hanley, Frank P. Hawkes, Harry L. Nesmith, Warren E. Carkin and Edward Riney. Dinner committee, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, Miss Agnes Balch, Mrs. H. L. Nesmith, Mrs. F. E. Miller, Mrs. C. A. Blaney, Miss Edith Bicknell, Mrs. Hannah Harrington and Miss Mary Hanley. The Unitarian society was appointed to decorate the soldiers’ monument and grounds. It was voted to accept the invitation of Rev. Mr. Havermale to have the union memorial service with the Graniteville M.E. church on Sunday, May 28.
Concert. The concert by the Glee club of Boston university held at the town hall last Friday evening under the auspices of the Congregational church and which is the last in the season’s social events that have taken place each month, proved most successful and enjoyable. There was a large and appreciative audience present and the members of the club very apparently responded with their best efforts with the brightest and catchiest of songs as well as those of more classical merit. Their action songs seemed to be particularly appreciated. One of their number was a reader and contributed a number of selections; chorus, quartet solos and readings were combined into an attractive and well-balanced program.
Previous to the concert the club was entertained with a supper provided in the church vestry. This was in charge of Mrs. O. V. Wells and Mrs. A. W. Hartford, and the party gave their hostesses a rising vote of thanks for their hospitality. The fourteen members were entertained for the night in various homes in the society. Notwithstanding, that considerable financial risk was assumed in this enterprise a good sum was turned into the church treasury. The committee in charge were Dr. and Mrs. O. V. Wells, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hartford and H. L. Wright.
Teachers Reappointed. The school committee held its regular meeting on Tuesday evening of this week. The list of teachers now serving our schools were reappointed for another year. The following new plan has been arranged for: Supt. Frank H. Hill will have an office in the academy building after May 9, where he may be found every Tuesday afternoon from 2:30 to 4:30, for consultation by parents and others on matters pertaining to the welfare of the schools. The room reserved for Mr. Hill is the trustees’ room at the right of the entrance. Where the superintendent is a non-resident, this plan may prove helpful to those vitally interested in the schools.
Tadmuck Club. At the special business meeting of the Tadmuck club on Tuesday afternoon, various items of business were acted upon, among which were some changes in the constitution, a change in the membership fee, and plans for the closing social. It was voted to change the annual membership fee from fifty cents to one dollar. It is most sincerely hoped that this will not deter any from a continuation of their membership. In the smaller beginnings of the club, the very nominal fee of fifty cents seemed adequate, but the executive board and others feel that the club can enlarge its scope and do better work, and make the larger fee worth while to the members.
It was voted to have a treasurer and secretary both instead of having the office combined as formerly. The annual social has been postponed one week from the calendar date and will take place in the Unitarian church in the evening. Each member will be privileged to bring one guest. The plan of the committee is to make it a pleasant social event with pleasant entertainment and refreshments served at the close of the evening.
About Town. Seth Banister [age 18], who has been laboring under the impediments of illness, is now answering recitation roll call again at Westford academy. Seth has the real student of essentials lurking about him that illness does not change.
Mrs. Peck Wright, who has been ill, is several shades better than ill.
Miss Elsie Coffin of South Berwick, Me., is visiting her uncle and aunt, Charles E. and Miss Belle Walker, at their residence “The Walker” on Main street. Miss Coffin is at present attending the Advent school at South Lancaster, where over four hundred scholars tell what they know.
Henry O. Keyes has bought a farm in Nashua, and is making preparations to remove from the loved environments and lovely friendships of his native town.
J. Willard Fletcher was over-whelmed in a surprise party on Tuesday evening. Representatives from Westford Center, Graniteville and West Brookside came in unto him like a searching party for liquids, which they found; also, breadstuffs and other sweet eatables for which they returned thanks by way of song and games. Mrs. J. W. Fletcher, as hostess, poured hospitality and nice ice cream all over everybody. This was no pink tea party, although everybody got a pink as a reciprocity balance.
Spring bonnets are out and so are the strikes. The first in town in the strike line to get a move on was on Oak hill. Among the paving cutters, who demand prices that concessions on the part of the proprietor thus far made have failed to touch. A liberal generosity on the part of the employer having been rejected, it has the appearance of a permanent disagreement for the season and the large contract for New York city will be filled by changed plans.
April showers make May flowers. Will some one with good eyesight tell us where they have been hiding this year—showers and flowers.
The Cold Spring farm has caught the apple orchard epidemic and is setting a large acreage of trees on land bounded by the Providence and Lowell road.
The Brookside mill management is improving low water opportunity, beside mill repairs, by removing long standing dead trees and rubbish that impede water flow and soul flow, if you have that type of eyesight.
C. R. P. Decatur has received over forty varieties of California roses and other beauty blooming bearing shrubs to adorn the lawn surroundings in the Stony Brook valley. These are the advance thoughtfulness of his oldest daughter, Miss Alma, in California.
Forge Village. A son [Fred P. Sanborn] was born on Friday [April 28, 1911] to Mr. and Mrs. George A. [L. per birth record] Sanborn.
Mr. Douglas of Lowell, while engaged in overseeing work at the mill of Abbot & Co., met with a very painful injury on last week Thursday afternoon. He was attended by Dr. Sherman of Graniteville, who accompanied the injured man to Lowell in an automobile.
The family of Amidee Canton [Cantin] has moved into their new home on Main [Union, now E. Prescott] street.
Archie Bennett and Miss Beulah Bachellor of the Emerson school of oratory, Boston, visited recently at the home of Alvin S. Bennett.
Mrs. George Reed and son Randolph, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Goodchild, recently visited the home of Mrs. Mary I. Drake.
Alvin S. Bennett has gone to Worcester, preparatory to a trip west.
Miss Grace Lawrence and Miss Elizabeth Plummer spent Sunday in Lowell.
Little Margaret [Maraguirite, per her death record; Marguerite per birth record], daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Daly [per birth record; Daley per death record], died on last Saturday [April 29, 1911] after an illness of three weeks, aged sixteen months [born Dec. 30, 1909, Westford]. Burial took place on Sunday afternoon and the interment was in St. Catherine’s cemetery.
Services at St. Andrews’ mission were held at the usual hour on Sunday afternoon. At the conclusion of the service the young ladies who have been on probation were taken into the Girls’ Friendly society, and each received the silver pin of the society. Rev. A. L. Bumpus officiated. Next Sunday morning, communion services will take place at 8:45.
Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett returned on Sunday evening after a most enjoyable visit to Boston and Worcester.
Rev. Michael E. Doherty of North Chelmsford conducted the services in Abbot hall on last Sunday morning, and delivered a most interesting sermon on “The month of May.”
A wedding in which many village people will be interested took place on Wednesday afternoon at the home of Benjamin Bailey in Westford, when Miss Annie Elizabeth Blodgett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Blodgett of Groton, became the bride of Aaron Tuttle of Westford. Miss Blodgett was attended by her sister, Miss Emma Blodgett, and Alfred Tuttle, brother of the groom, acted as best man. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle will make their home in Westford with Mr. Tuttle’s mother, Mrs. Nelson Tuttle.
The regular meeting of Loyal Self-Help lodge, No. 7026, I.O.O.F., M.U., was held on Wednesday evening. Preparations are well under way for the concert and dance to be held by this lodge the last of the month, and promises to be novel in every respect.
Saturday, May 13, 1911
Center. Principal Dexter Coggshall of the academy was summoned to Everett last week by the serious illness of his mother [Mary C. (Dimond) Coggeshall (sic)]. He did not reach home in time to see her alive, for his mother’s illness was very brief, death coming in a little more than an hour after she was stricken [May 4, 1911].
The Westford academy boys were defeated in their ball game with [the] Littleton high school team last Saturday afternoon at Whitney park.
An attractive program is being arranged for the closing social of the Tadmuck club which takes place next Tuesday evening at the Unitarian church at eight o’clock. A reader new to Westford audiences has been engaged, and Misses Gertrude and Julia Fletcher are arranging the musical part of the program and there will be refreshments and social good time. Each member is entitled to the privilege of inviting one guest. These guests tickets are being distributed at the present time.
Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wright of Brookline and Westford, and Miss F. Fletcher of Westford have returned from their California trip. Mr. Wright’s arrival home was saddened by the death of his father at the latter’s home in Boston which took place at just about that time.
W. L. Woods, 16-3, and H. G. Osgood, 13-12, have had telephones installed in their residences this last week.
It is pleasant to have Mrs. John B. Fletcher, who has been spending the winter months in Chelmsford, at her home in this village again; also, to have Mrs. Porter Wright staying with her for the present.
Misses Jessie Hadley and Jane Braut of Lowell have been guests of Miss Edith Forster at Nashoba farm this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Hildreth of Malden were Sunday guests at H. V. Hildreth’s this last week.
Miss Fannie Bickford, daughter of one of our former Congregational pastors [Augustus Bickford, pastor 1890-1896], has been visiting old friends in town.
George T. Day continues to gain after his somewhat prolonged illness.
Fires. While the present very dry weather lasts the selectmen will not issue any more permits to burn brush. A rubbish fire near the house occupied by the John Perkins family got pretty threatening last Saturday afternoon, calling out the fire company. They got a good stream going from a nearby hydrant and the danger threatened to the buildings was averted. Monday, a fire in woodland of W. J. Merritt and J. A. Cameron called out men to fight it and was controlled without serious damage. Later in the day fire was discovered in Paradise woods and a gang of twenty men did some good work in controlling it, also without serious damage.
About Town. Oak hill had the largest and most lurid fire of the season on Monday afternoon and evening. Starting near the stone quarries, it was fanned by the summer breezes into thicket and woodland. Oak hill is the prominent height of land overlooking a large territory and the fire after sunset was the wonder and admiration of Lowell and many other long distance localities. The fire, after not being particular about town lines, ran, leaped and jumped into Tyngsboro, and covered pasture and timber land as quick as a grab mortgage, and threatened the farm buildings of selectman Otis L. Wright of Tyngsboro.
The three-months’ old baby [Ina K. Bell, born Feb. 17, 1911, died May 8, 1911] of [Robert] John and Jessie Walkden Bell died of consumption early Monday morning at their home on Nabnassett road, Westford corner. Mr. Bell was also unfortunate in breaking a finger on Saturday afternoon, which will lay him off work several weeks.
Gerry Decatur is teaching school at Gilbertville with satisfactory results.
Luanna Decatur, who has been spending a week’s vacation at her home on the Lowell road, returned to her school in Everett last Sunday.
Mrs. Perley Wright, who has been ill with appendicitis, is recovering from a surgical operation performed by Dr. Metcalf of Boston, and Drs. Wells and Sherman of Westford.
Rev. Benjamin H. Bailey’s youngest brother is seriously ill at his home in Newton. Dr. Rice, a specialist of Boston, has been called on the case. Dr. [George Brackett] Rice is a native of Westford [born July 19, 1859] and a son of Rev. George M. Rice, so pleasantly remembered as the minister of the Unitarian church a half-century ago [1858-1866].
Daniel H. Sheehan who has just finished sawing a large lot of lumber in Carlisle, has a contract for sawing in Lincoln and Wayland. Between sawings he is busy making two pressings of cider from Tadmuck brook cold storage apples. He also has an order for 10,000 barrels of potatoes. In addition to this busy business, he would like to contract to light the villages of Westford.
A May party was held at the home of James H. O’Brien on the Stony Brook road on Saturday, May 6. There were friends from North Chelmsford, West Chelmsford, Westford and Lowell. All were dressed in costume. Miss Mary Donnelly won first prize for best costume; Miss Mary Flynn, prize for best cake; Miss Margaret O’Brien was May queen. Mrs. Michael Donnelly and Mrs. J. H. O’Brien served refreshments. The indoor festivities made merry makers of everyone, and the out-door sports were ditto, without even a May shower to dampen the earth or the merry gathering. Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien, when it is a question of hospitality, have the real article on hand and wisely apply it.
Charles W. Whitney has erected a new residence for swine near the little rivulet that ebbs and flows westerly of little Tadmuck hill.
The H. O. Keyes horse hay rake that got so pinched in the procession that attempted to collide with the railroad bridge on Stony Brook road is now in the middle of Stony Brook, easterly of the two-arch bridge. Why not remove the environments of the stair winding tower of Babel recently moved onto the Bean land at Westford Center?
Fires. Owing to the long continued drought, fire warden John A. Healy has decided to withhold permits to set fire until after some moisture has descended on the earth. This is good judgment, but some fires seem to be self-permitting. Such started Wednesday forenoon near the Whitman & Pratt Fertilizer Company, near West Chelmsford. The heavy northerly wind drove it at a rapid rate beyond control in the direction of South Chelmsford with several farm buildings in danger. The large barn of Daniel Dailey on the Lowell road caught fire several times from sparks. The volume of smoke was at times like the black cloud of a powdermill explosion. It was not subdued until late in the afternoon, and the extent of damage is not yet reported.
Following close on this fire, about noon, two more fires started in the vicinity of Parkerville, one near Judson Sweetser’s and the other near [the] Acton line. They loomed up with smoke like the furnace of a volcano. The extent of the damage is yet to be itemized.
Club Meeting. The Fortnightly club had a full house last week Friday evening. President Arthur T. Blodgett presided and called off the program. Phonograph selections by Mr. Ward. Arthur Blodgett as cornetist, got the crowd with him and he had to cornet again. Ditto also Mrs. Arthur Blodgett as solo singer. Mrs. Walter Wyman entertained with a humorous reading. Delacey Corkum of Billerica was there in all the war trimmings of reciprocity, and contended that reciprocity and then free trade would bring peace and plenty to all mankind and the lamb and the lion would lay down together and neither would be inside the other. S. L. Taylor followed in opposition to reciprocity, contending that it was not reciprocity to take from Canada from produce that we are exporting out of the country, and give them in return a class of farm produce that their climate will not produce. Climatic conditions forbids reciprocity. We raise much they cannot. They raise nothing we cannot. They need us. We don’t need them.
Forge Village. Mr. and Mrs. George Coley of Worcester were recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards also entertained Miss Nellie Willis, her mother, Mrs. Willis, and her fiancée, Ernest Durand. Miss Willis and Mr. Durand are to be married on June 26.
Mrs. Guerney and her daughter, Miss Stella of Lowell, visited in the village last Sunday.
The Girls’ Friendly society of St. Andrew’s mission held its regular meeting on Wednesday evening.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle met in Recreation hall on Wednesday afternoon.
The John Edwards hose company held its regular meeting on last Wednesday evening. The following officers were elected: Edward T. Hanley, capt.; Francis Lowther, 1st lieut.; Fennimore Morton, 2d lieut.; Walter Precious, stew.
A large band of gypsies, comprising six double-horse wagons, passed through the village on Monday afternoon and they stopped to refresh themselves on their journey. On a visit to the store of Conrad Richards, one of the tribe helped herself to $2.50, which she “picked up” in the store. Mr. Richards soon recovered his money, however, when deputy sheriff A. A. Fillebrown of Ayer appeared on the scene with a pair of handcuffs and gave the band just four minutes to get out of the village, and “they got.”
A concert and dance will be given by Loyal Self-Help lodge in Abbot’s hall, Forge Village, on Saturday evening, May 27. After the concert the farce, “That rascal Pat” will be given to be followed by dancing.
Graniteville. The Graniteville baseball club played the Martins of Lowell on the home grounds here on Saturday afternoon and won the game handily by the score of 16 to 2. The Spinner brothers of Forge Village did the battery work for the home team, and were in the game every minute, the Lowell boys finding “Jack” Spinner’s pitching a hard puzzle to solve.
The members of Cameron circle, C. of F. of A., of this village held a very successful dancing party in Forge Village on Saturday evening which was well attended.
The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church met with Mrs. W. O. Hawkes on Thursday afternoon.
Irving Cummings, a former resident of this village, but now located in Beverly, has been a recent visitor here.
Final preparations are being perfected for the Old Folks’ concert, to be held in the M.E. church here on Friday evening of next week.
Word has been received from Miss Nellie O’Brien of Portland, Oregon, formerly of Westford, of the death of her brother, Frank D. O’Brien, who passed away at his home in the west on Easter Sunday. He was a Spanish war veteran and was buried with a military funeral in the national plot for soldiers.
Saturday, May 20, 1911
Center. Mrs. Andrew S. Wright has returned to her Westford home for the summer and her niece, Mrs. Thornton Lewis, is staying with her. Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wright and family, who have been occupying Mrs. Wright’s house, have moved to the picturesque log cabin on Prospect hill.
Mrs. Mary E. Mitchell of Cambridge, who has had so serous a time with a broken ankle for many weeks, has recovered sufficiently to get about on crutches. Mrs. Mitchell is Mrs. Homer M. Seavey’s mother, and has many interested friends here.
Mrs. Joseph E. Knight entertained the teachers at her home last Thursday with a supper party, followed by a pleasant social evening. Those present were Misses Norris, Lawrence, Fisher, Burnham, Grant and Crocker; also, the teacher from the Parkerville school.
Mr. Lindsey, who has been foreman at the Brigham farm, removed his goods and family last week. The household goods were taken over the road in a very large auto truck. The new man who assumed charge at the farm is a Mr. Green, who has been at work for the past two weeks.
Mrs. G. W. Tarleton and little son from Ohio are visiting at the Congregational parsonage. Mrs. Tarleton and Mrs. Wallace are sisters.
Miss Grace Lumbert is in Lowell, Miss Mary Moran in Littleton, and Mrs. Alice Lambert in Graniteville, all busy with their helpful mission as nurses.
Mrs. Ida M. Gould and Mrs. Daisy Colburn have been spending a few days this week at South Framingham and Boston.
Miss Lucy Raddin, one of our former popular teachers, spends this weekend with her old fronds, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Knight.
One of the trying features of the prolonged drought is the effect on the extensive and valuable shrubbery and young trees that have been placed in the park and which no amount of artificial wetting down can take the place of the good rains, so much needed.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wright, Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney and Miss Emily F. Fletcher enjoyed calling on Roy B. Wheeler, formerly of Westford, while in Denver on their recent western trip.
The Sons of Veterans and Daughters of Veterans met at the Cavalry Association building on Monday evening and made further arrangements for Memorial day, full notice of plans of which will appear next week.
Miss Edith Lawrence of the academy teachers has been enjoying a visit from her mother, Mrs. G. C. Lawrence of Campello this week. Mrs. Lawrence was a guest at the Tadmuck club on Tuesday evening.
Mrs. Alec MacDougall is at the Lowell General hospital where she underwent an operation for appendicitis on Thursday of this week.
Miss Emily F. Fletcher, who returned recently from an extensive western trip, has placed in the library an illustrated book of San Diego, Cal., issued by the San Diego fire department. This is of interest from the fact that George R. Harrison is the president of the Board of Fire Commissioners of that place, and a fine picture of him is in the book. Mr. Harrison was a Westford boy, who went west when young and has made good. He visited his home town last summer and took great interest in our beautiful library and many other improvements.
Mrs. Charles Hinton of Philadelphia, Pa., who has been spending a two-weeks’ visit with her sister, Mrs. Ralph Bridgford, left town last Saturday to join her husband in Cohoes, N.Y.
Warren E. Carken has been appointed inspector of faucets and pipes by the directors of the Westford Water Company, and will visit every water taker in town.
The new officers for Westford Athletic association for this season are Alfred W. Hartford, manager, and Edward S. Hamlin, assistant manager. The season will start on Memorial day and extend to September 15.
The inscription has been placed on the boulder at Whitney park this week. The lettering is cut into the rock and follows the circular outline of the top of the boulder. The inscription is significant in its simplicity and reads: Whitney Playground, 1910.
Burro Here. A rather unusual little visitor arrived at Westford station one day last week. This was a little western burro who had been sent all the way from Manitou, Col., by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wright, which they acquired during their recent trip. Word was sent when he got to Ayer that he had got as far as that and had kicked his crate to pieces enroute. This was repaired and he was transferred to the Stony Brook train for the last lap of the journey and no doubt this little Rock Mountain canary was just as tired and homesick as many a human traveler after a long trip. He is now getting rested and acclimated at the Whitney summer home. An unfortunate and amusing circumstance is the decided dislike horses seem to have for him and the caretaker sees to it that they are kept a safe distance apart.
Tadmuck club. The last event in the Tadmuck calendar was the final social which took place on Tuesday evening at the Unitarian parlors. This was a guest night and as most of the members who could invited their husbands, it was rather gentlemen’s night. There were about one hundred and twenty-five present, the beautiful spring evening making it easy for all to come. The rooms were prettily and simply decorated with spring flowers. Miss Sarah W. Loker, the president, presided, and [a] concert program was given by Misses Gertrude and Julia Fletcher with their fine quality Victor machine, and Miss Leah A. DeMerritt of Lowell entertained with a group of readings.
After the program, ice cream and cake was served, and a social hour enjoyed. Among out-of-town guests were Mrs. Mattie K. Priest, president of the Littleton Woman’s club, with Miss Emma Tenney, Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Conant, Mrs. Florence B. Wilcox, Mrs. Grace Lawrence, Miss Mary Hager, Dr. Christie and Harold Conant. The last seven came in a group in the Conant automobile. Also present were Dr. Underwood of Groton, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Fisher of Lowell. The efficient committee in charge were Mrs. Edward Fisher, Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher, Mrs. S. L. Taylor and Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth.
Tennis. The new tennis court at the Whitney park is making its object of beautiful recreation and enjoyment very evident these pleasant days. Every afternoon finds a group of players and some pretty skillful games and some of more amateur fashion are engaged in. A pretty addition to the Frost school building is seven flourishing window boxes attached along the southerly side. It is an interesting sight to see the children of the schools practicing for their dedicatory festival which will take place on Saturday, May 27, or if this day should prove very stormy, the plans will be carried out on Monday following, May 29. This will be better than postponing one week, provided postponement is necessary, for many are expected in town for the occasion. This is to be an event of much interest. There will be sports in the morning—tennis, baseball, etc., and the dedicatory celebration in the afternoon, with many interesting features. A cordial welcome is extended to all interested parents and friends to the present.
New Books Added to the Library.
Dunne, F. P. Mr. Dooley says | 817 D5 |
Farmer, F. M. Boston cooking school cook book | 641F |
Fraser, Mrs. M. F. Diplomat’s life in many lands | B F842 |
Keller, H. World I live in | 152K |
McCook, H. C. Ant communities | 595 M1 |
Maeterlinck, M. Bluebird | 842M |
Marden, O. S. Be good to yourself | 170 M6 |
Randall, J. H. and Smith, J. G. Unity of Religions | 290 R1 |
Robinson, J. H. Poultry craft | 636 R1 |
Steiner, E. A. Against the current | B S822 |
Stern, R. B. Neighborhood entertainments | 790S |
Stevens, F. L. Diseases of economic plants | 581S |
About Town. The peach orchard of Eben Prescott on Francis Hill has made affidavit that it will pay its debts this summer.
The academy high school will give a dance on Friday evening, May 26, for the benefit of a good time. The Colonial orchestra of Lowell will furnish the music for the hoppers to hop by.
Some one has committed assault and battery on the stone arch bridge on the Stony Brook road and thrown some of the stone curbing into the brook and they have sunk to the bottom.
All of the stone and part of the lumber is on the ground for the new house for Edward B. Whitney on the Lowell road, west of Brookside corner.
The next meeting of the Fortnightly club is due next Friday evening. The programs are always taking, so come and be taken.
Pantry thieves as well as milk thieves are carrying on a business of midnight help yourself. For a bill of particulars for the pantry dare and do affair inquire along the easterly terminal of Main street from Fairview on. They left no trace of their race.
The fire last week Thursday was in the timber lands of “Texas,” the prairie region of Westford, near the boundary town lines of Acton, Littleton, Carlisle and Westford. The fire started about noon, and although Acton and Westford responded with liberal help, it was not subdued until morning. It is supposed to have started from an engine on the Nashua and Acton railroad. The continued drought and continued fires have led the selectmen to apply the emergency brake, forbidding any fires being set in the open.
First Dance. The members of Stony Brook circle, West Chelmsford, held their first dance last week Friday evening at Marshall’s hall, Westford corner. Lowell, North Chelmsford, Brookside, Westford, Graniteville, Forge Village, Littleton and the surrounding towns were right there in the hall when Gilmore’s orchestra of Lowell prevented anything like cold feet. For management, first, Miss Catherine Dunn, who was not outdone; second, Miss Eva Carlson; floor patrol, Miss Bertha Coburn; assistant, Miss Mary Flynn; chief of staff with rank of private, Miss Esther Johnson. This management kept everybody on the whirl twirl of a stirring good time. This is the first of more.
Forge Village. Percy Wilson, who has been out ill for a week, has now resumed work again.
Fred Tousignant has been suffering for the past two weeks with a lacerated hand.
Miss Emily Catchpole and her sister, Mrs. Joseph Mason of Lowell, spent Sunday visiting Mr. and Mrs. William Blodgett of Groton.
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett and Miss Della Drake spent the week-end as guests of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett of Groton.
Mrs. Joseph Mason and children of Lowell are visiting with her father, Henry Catchpole.
A family reunion was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Morton. Among the out-of-town guests present were Mr. and Mrs. John Morton and Mr. Northrup of Lowell, Mr. and Mrs. William French of Nashua, N.H., Miss Hattie Northrup of Pepperell, Mrs. Estabrook of Lowell and Miss Vaughan of North Billerica. The merry party broke up at a late hour with the hope that another pleasant reunion will be held in the near future.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle met in Recreation hall on Wednesday afternoon.
The annual church fair of St. Andrew’s mission will be held in Recreation hall on Saturday afternoon and evening, May 20. The Ladies’ Sewing circle and Girls’ Friendly society are busy getting their tables ready. Fruit, candy, groceries, flowers, aprons and also plain and fancy sewing articles will be displayed for sale, together with the well-known “grab” table. It is hoped that a large number will take advantage of the fair which promises to be well worth attending.
Mrs. Miles Collins has returned from the Lowell General hospital, where she underwent a most successful operation three weeks ago.
Bernard Smith is visiting with relatives in Manchester, N.H.
I.O.O.F., M.U. Loyal Self-Help lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., held its regular meeting last Monday night. Nomination of officers for the coming term took place which resulted as follows: Fred Davis, n.g.; Charles Flanagan, v.g.; Percy Wilson, elec. sec.; William Baker, per. sec.; John E. Burnett, lec. m. and chap.; William Burnett, treas.; William DeRohen, warden.
The first Sunday in June has been set apart as memorial Sunday and services will be held in St. Andrew’s mission. All members and friends are earnestly invited to attend.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. C. A. Blaney, the lodge physician, who was married recently, was presented with a solid brass mantel clock, Roman finish, Francis Louther making the presentation speech in behalf of the order. Although taken completely by surprise, Dr. Blaney responded in his usual sincere and heartfelt manner and extended his thanks to the lodge generously.
Graniteville. The Graniteville baseball team met the Pawtucket Blues on the home grounds here last Saturday and defeated them by a score of 11 to 5. Dick Spinner, Gaudette and Stanley batted well for the home team, while Jack Spinner brought the crowd to its feet when he lined out for a timely three bagger. Jack and Dick Spinner did the battery work for the home team, while Van Zant and Gamon were in the points for the Pawtucket Blues.
At the nine o’clock mass celebrated in Healy’s hall on Sunday morning, Rev. M. E. Doherty preached an elegant sermon on the teachings of the Catholic church. His remarks were followed with deep interest by the large congregation present.
Mrs. Charles Eaton, a former resident here, but now located in Canada, has been renewing old acquaintances in the village where she has been the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Welsh.
Those who took part in the “Old folks concert” at the M.E. church on last Friday evening are receiving the warm congratulations from their many friends on their success and there is some talk of having the concert repeated in some of the nearby towns in the near future.
Miss Engla Mattron and Miss Stella Shattuck are now visiting in Boston for a few days.
Edward Defoe is attending the convention of the Foresters of America, which is being held at Holyoke. Miss Florence Sullivan, clerk at Henry Healy’s store, is also attending the convention.
Miss Fanny McCarty has been elected a delegate to the M.C.O.G. convention, which will be held in Worcester on Wednesday, May 24.
Saturday, May 27, 1911
Center. A combined gathering of the prayer meeting and the Ladies’ Missionary society was held at the Congregational vestry on Wednesday afternoon with echoes from “The world in Boston,” for the program. Those who attended this event from this church were Rev. David Wallace, Misses Sarah, Lillian and May Atwood, H. G. Osgood, Miss Sarah W. Loker and Mrs. Ida M. Gould. The customary memorial service will be held this year with the Graniteville M.E. church, with sermon by Rev. L. H. [F.] Havermale. Therefore there will be no service at this church on Sunday morning, but there will be the usual services in the evening, young people’s meeting at seven, and preaching service at 7:30 o’clock.
Miss Ida E. Leighton is having her house and barn painted; also, some minor repairs with the result when finished of having the set of buildings in first-class repair. George E. Gould has charge of the work.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lindsey of Somerville were over Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Emory Whitney.
Miss Hattie Buckminster returned to her home in North Reading on Monday, after a pleasant visit with the Misses Atwood.
A good many residents made trips to Brookside on Wednesday to visit the scene of the train accident and watch the work of the repair men getting things to rights again.
Miss Lila C. Fisher sails on June 15 with a party of friends for a European summer vacation.
Herman Wells and son Irving of Somerville were over Sunday guests of Dr. and Mrs. O. V. Wells.
Memorial Day. Plans for a suitable observance of Memorial day, next Tuesday, are being made. The Nashua Military band, which has served so acceptably on former occasions will be in attendance during the day. The veterans, sons of veterans, and members of Troop F Cavalry, accompanied by the band will form at the Cavalry Association building in time for the exercises at the soldiers’ monument, which will take place at 10:30. At eleven o’clock the exercises at the hall will take place. Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher will preside and give the address of welcome. Rev. David Wallace will offer prayer and Rev. James M. Craig of Lowell will give the address. The quartets of the Grace Memorial church and the band will be the musical features of the program.
Dinner will be served at noon by the Sons and Daughters of Veterans to the veterans and their guests for the day. In the afternoon there will be a concert on the common by the band from 1:30 to 3:30, after which a ball game will take place at Whitney park between Westford and Nashua teams.
The veterans will visit the cemeteries on Sunday afternoon and decorate their comrades’ graves with flag and flowers. The ritual service will be used and friends are kindly invited.
Dedication Exercises. Sunny skies are the prime requisite now for the successful carrying out by the school children for their dedicatory service to show their gratitude and appreciation for the park and playground just completed for them. These exercises will take place this Saturday, or if too stormy will be postponed until next Monday.
In the morning a tennis tournament is planned from 8:30 to ten, and after that a ball game between Westford academy and the Littleton high school boys. Much enthusiasm is aroused over these games and it will be the real dedication of the tennis court and the baseball diamond for the pleasant sports for which they are planned. At noon the academy teachers and pupils will serve a luncheon to the Littleton high school guests.
In the afternoon at two o’clock promptly, the exercises by the school children, under the direction of Miss Fisher, principal of Frost school, will take place. A march by all the children, exercises by the sunbonnet babies, Mother Goose drill, Highland Fling, crowning of the May queen and the May pole dance, are the pretty features to be carried out. Music by a Lowell orchestra will accompany these exercises. All friends are most cordially invited. Workmen have been busy putting final touches to the park to have it in readiness for this event. The latest acquisition is six new cement settees that have been placed about the grounds.
Grange. At the regular meeting for the grange last week Thursday evening, Hon. Merrick A. Morse of Belchertown was the speaker of the evening and gave his hearers an excellent address. Keen, witty and original under the general subjects of the grange and the public good he treated various topics of timely interest in an intelligent and common sense way that fully merited the close attention of his audience. A rising vote of thanks was given Mr. Morse at the close of his address. The grange orchestra furnished some good music during the evening. Next meeting on June first will be children’s night. A good program is being arranged and ice cream and cake will be served. The ladies are requested to kindly bring cake without personal solicitation.
About Town. Thieves are still around and abound. Some time during Friday night of last week, Westford station was entered by some other way than the way, but they got away with five dollars, some telephone money and tobacco. They evidently were not connected either by wireless or otherwise with the reciprocity system of exchange last week, whereby pork taken from one neighbor was exchanged for milk taken from another. This was not the doings of fishermen as reported last week, but some one less actively inclined. Lying down in sleep beside the goods to be taken is the latest go-easy style of night work yet attempted.
The seniors of Westford academy will give a social dance at the town hall on Saturday evening, May 27. Music by the Colonial singing orchestra of Lowell. This is a correction from last week which gave the date as Friday evening.
The Unitarian church will be closed next Sunday for union memorial services at the village church at Graniteville. It was for the Unitarian church to respond to its turn in the circuit of memorial exercises in the churches of the town, but a variety of causes made Rev. B. H. Bailey feel unequal to the task this year, and Rev. Havermale of the Graniteville church volunteered to assume the charge.
Rev. Seth Walker gave a bible reading to neighbors and friends at the old open Walker homestead on Monday evening. He was clear, logical, fluent and tolerant. If there is not a unity of agreement, it was pretty close because disagreements are more essential to final truth than the spirit of self-surrendering unity without investigation.
Some one reported last week of having peas two inches high, and for dry weather conditions, it seemed vigorous. Now come to the “Old Oaken Bucket” farm and see the peas in blossom.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilkins of New York have been gathering the harvest of rural life for a week with her aunt, Mrs. Frank C. Banister. Mr. Wilkins is connected with the Keith circuit of theaters and has traveled to nearly all parts of the theatre-going world, and can speak all languages that come his way.
Wild West Goes Wild. Buffalo Bill’s wild west show and “Pawnee Bill’s” far east gave a free and involuntary street parade at Brookside about three o’clock on Wednesday morning. Several cars of the last show train that left Fitchburg for Lowell were derailed at the junction of H. E. Fletcher stone quarry track at Brookside. Several cars independently dashed up the Fletcher track only to find that it was not the road to Lowell. The first car, after proceeding a little way on the Fletcher track, left the rails and shot across towards the main track again plowing into the sand several feet, and crossways of the Fletcher track. The next car to follow tried to do the same trick and landed nearly bottom side up. Out of these two cars came elephants, Indians, cowboys, donkeys, dromedaries, mules and Buffalo Bill himself.
Owing to the fact that these two cars were steel, the damage to life and property escaped the serious. Three men were injured sufficiently to send to the hospital, but nothing serious is expected. Two of the trained donkeys bid farewell to Buffalo Bill’s last appearance. It was also their last appearance and more certainly final than the owner of the show. The animals were herded into a nearby woodland pasture, where the elephants were fed on hay, their trainer fearing a stampede. Without breakfast and a stampede might mean a circus with their trunks and humans for playthings. After haying they with the other animals were driven on the highway to West Chelmsford and reloaded for Lowell.
Several other cars were derailed which were loaded with circus wagons and settees. The balance of the train not derailed was backed to the Westford station and side-tracked. A wrecking train from Lowell and Ayer were quickly summoned and cleared enough to allow passenger trains to pass on the side-track. All freight was delayed until late afternoon. The fact that it was Buffalo Bill’s circus that was derailed gathered a large crowd, people coming from Lowell, Littleton, Westford, Chelmsford, Graniteville and Forge Village.
The Indians, cowboys and wild tame animals made quite a derailed exhibit for the school children and others who once were such, while Buffalo Bill was more eyed and spied than all else. While the cause of the accident is not quite certain, there is evidence to show that the heavy oak skid that is used to load the elephants and is carried under the car worked loose and protruded out far enough to strike the switch standard, breaking it down and turning it set for the Fletcher track, but there is evidence to show that at the bridge spanning the Stony Brook highway something commenced to bump and cut in on the ties and continued to the accident. Late reports seem to indicate that one of the men injured by the animals falling and stepping on him will not recover. 0) { referrer_url = document.referrer; } const params = location.search.slice(1).split('&').reduce((acc, s) => { const [k, v] = s.split('=') return Object.assign(acc, {[k]: v}) }, {}) const url = "https://museum.westford.org/wp-json/iawp/search" const body = { referrer_url, utm_source: params.utm_source, utm_medium: params.utm_medium, utm_campaign: params.utm_campaign, utm_term: params.utm_term, utm_content: params.utm_content, gclid: params.gclid, ...{"payload":{"resource":"singular","singular_id":1729,"page":1},"signature":"8f906c9703d8c69a978ef237532abe2d"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();