The Westford Wardsman, May, 1913
Saturday, May 3, 1913
Center. Miss Adrith Carter, from St. Johnsbury, Vt., has been renewing former associations in town, the guest of her sister, Mrs. William E. Wright.
Chester Burnham, who has had such an unfortunate siege with scarlet fever at Amherst, is at home and will not be able to return to the college until the opening of the fall term. He has been sick for seven weeks and is still far from well.
The Charles D. Colburn household are quarantined with scarlet fever, Elinor being the one sick.
Services were resumed on last Sunday at the Congregational church after being closed the previous Sunday. The heavy new linoleum has been laid and results will perhaps appeal to the utilitarian rather than the esthetic sense. Some of the minor improvements were not completed and doing over the vestries have been so delayed that it may seem best to defer the work a few weeks until the vacation season. At the Sunday evening service, reports of the spring meeting of the Association of Churches held at Fitchburg were given by Miss Loker, Mr. Wallace and Mr. Wheeler. There was special music by Miss Pauline Wallace.
The annual club social which will close the season’s work of the Tadmuck club will take place on next Tuesday evening at the Congregational church at eight o’clock. This will be guest night, when each member is entitled to a ticket for an invited guest. An attractive musical program in charge of Mrs. Christie, of Littleton, is being prepared and Mrs. Elsie Power Corwin, of Lowell, a reader of ability, will entertain with readings. At the close of the program, refreshments will be served.
The Blue Ribbon Minstrels of West Chelmsford gave their entertainment at the town hall on Friday evening of last week under the auspices of the Westford Athletic association. Under the direction of James Peck & Co., of West Chelmsford, the hall was installed with special electric lighting effects for the occasion which was a great addition. Ralph Bickford acted as interlocutor, with James Peck, Alfred Anderson, James Dwyer and Frank Mooney as end men. These, with the rest of the circle, entertained with jokes, local hits, choruses and solos, with Mrs. A. Frank Edwards as accompanist. Half the proceeds of the event went to the Westford A.A.
Miss Edna Ferguson has been enjoying a week’s vacation at home from her teaching in Beverly.
Miss Gertrude Hamlin has not been able to return to her studies at Wellesley, and is doubtful of her physician’s advice to do so until the fall term.
The foundations for the new drinking fountain to be presented to the town by Westford grange are being put in place this week at the head of the common near the soldier’s monument. It is expected this will be dedicated on Memorial day.
Social. The April social and supper at the Congregational church took place on Wednesday evening, the last evening of the month. A baked bean and cold meat supper was served from 6:30 to 7:45, after which a concert program was given in the church by the Glee club quartet of Boston university—Leon E. Baldwin, first tenor; Russell T. Hatch, second tenor; Mr. Bailey baritone; Fred H. Lawton, second basso. These gentlemen gave a splendid musical program. The solos of Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Bailey were especially enjoyable, and the quartet, whether in plantation melodies or selections from classical composers, were characterized with the same finished blending of voices. Mr. Lawton, of the quartet, interspersed with readings and was a very versatile and entertaining philosopher with his selections, and his manner of rendering them.
The committee in charge of this April social were Mrs. A. W. Hartford, Mrs. O. V. Wells, Mrs. John P. Wright and Miss Grace Lumbert. Miss Hazel Hartford was the accompanist for the evening.
Home-makers’ Course. The Home-makers’ course under the auspices of the Tadmuck club held during this week on every afternoon, beginning Monday with Saturday excepted, and in charge of Miss Alice J. Bunce, of Worcester, has proved very much of a success, and is one more phase of the club’s activities in the cause of community betterment.
Miss Bunce, who received her training at Simmons college, and who has had much experience with classes since, classes with school pupils, nurses and housewives, is a concise and interesting teacher and a thorough student of her subject. While some have been present at every session, different ones have attended some of the sessions so that in the aggregate the course has reached a large number of people.
Additional features were added to the scheduled program. On Monday afternoon, in her opening lecture on “Why study home-making?” Miss Bunce summarized as follows: Because we shall work with more intelligence and more enjoyment, and because we may thereby improve ourselves, those about us, and the community in which we live. The second lesson of the afternoon was “A well-balanced diet.”
At Tuesday’s session there was a special effort to have the mothers of the community present when “Nutritive value, care and use of milk,” and “Diet for children and elderly persons,” and “Invalid cookery” were the subjects, and in addition to this splendid list, “School lunches” was also added. Miss Bunce’s invalid’s tray as she prepared and arranged it was most attractive.
Much interested centered on Wednesday’s lesson of “Planning a meal.” The following menu was worked out and the results were certainly attractive and palatable—vegetable soup, crisped crackers, beef and pork roll, potato puff, spinach, Parker house roils, prune and nut pudding.
The interesting subject for Thursday was on “Vegetables and cereals,” and for Friday, “A healthful house” and “Community welfare” were the subjects finely elucidated.
Surely those who have attended must have gained many new points and ideas as well as have received fresh enthusiasm for routine tasks. The committee for arrangements who have assisted the lecturer so ably during the week have been Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher, Mrs. Goldsmith Conant, Miss Mary Bunce and Miss Mabel Drew.
About Town. For a wet, uninviting spring for forest fires, the fire on Sunday was a success in heat, territory covered and tall pines that it leaped to the top of. The fire started near the [Aime] Deaurealt residence on the Plain road, a little before noon on land of George C. Moore, which had been cut over last winter. It spread rapidly north and east in the direction of Nabnassett pond. After reaching the pond the energy of the fire became controllable by the natural law of incompatibility of affinity. About thirty acres were burned over, and about twenty cords of wood belonging to William P. Proctor, of Dunstable, who had recently bought of Mr. Moore the standing wood and lumber, and had the cutting well under way. The fire called out about 150 men from Westford and Chelmsford.
David L. Greig, who has pluckily and patiently endured his illness, has improved enough to shift to tenting on the lawn.
The Scandinavian society at Westford Corner and West Chelmsford will give a dance at Marshall’s hall this Saturday evening. Music by Ecklund’s orchestra.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison B. Hall have left California for Weston, the early home of Mrs. Hall [nee Harriet Ann Coburn].
At the state house, the senate turned down “Senate bill 44,” relating to the 500,000 bacteria count as a test for purity of milk, and the house has vanished into naught the Ellis bill. What will happen next? If history repeats itself nothing will happen next.
The peach trees of Robert Prescott on Francis hill are handsomely loaded with blossoms.
The electric car due to leave Brookside for Westford at 1:05 on Wednesday became derailed on the Brookside hill near Moore’s mill. As a result the school children on the line took the health cure and walked home. The cause of derailment had the appearance of spreading rails.
Edmund B. Whitney, of Brookside, has left the employ of the Lowell and Fitchburg electric railroad as conductor.
Matthew Smith, of Brookside, recently employed at the Read farm, but who became unemployed at his own request, has been re-employed at his own request.
Workmen are busy connecting the H. E. Fletcher quarry with the electric railroad, and thence with so much of the universe as we daily have a free ride on.
Forge Village. Rev. W. M. Ford conducted the services at St. Andrew’s mission on the evening of Ascension day. A most interesting sermon was preached. On Sunday morning communion services will be held at 9:30 o’clock.
The Ladies’ Sewing Circle held their meeting on Thursday afternoon in Recreation hall. The newly appointed vicar was present to meet the ladies of the parish.
Percy Kilminster, who was recently operated on at the Lowell General hospital, is now home again.
Mrs. Fred Davis has been suffering from tonsillitis for several days. Dr. C. A. Blaney is attending her.
The Tigers defeated the Graniteville nine at Cameron park on Saturday 15 to 9. Much enthusiasm was shown by both teams.
William Menzies, of Worcester, was the guest on Monday and Tuesday of Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards.
Through the kindness of J. A. Cameron, the children of Cameron school are to have the use of the land in the rear of St. Andrew’s mission for garden work. The land which is being plowed is good ground, and the work will be supervised by the principal, Miss Letitia V. Ward.
Mrs. George Goode and Misses M. B. Raymond and Grace Litchfield are at their respective cottages on the shores of Forge pond.
Graniteville. Miss Minnie Dorman, of Manchester, N.H., Miss Delia Dudevoir, Miss Mary Melville and Mrs. David Dudevoir, of Lowell, have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Dudevoir.
Mrs. George Day, who spent the past winter with Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Sherman, is now visiting with friends in Dorchester.
Cantata. That pleasing cantata, “A night in Fairyland,” in aid of St. Catherine’s church, was given in Healy’s hall on Friday evening of last week to a crowded house. Miss Lilly Mae Moran had general charge of arrangements and directed the music, and much credit is due her for the careful, able manner in which she trained the children for the different parts. She is to be congratulated on presenting such a pleasing entertainment to the public, and the parents of the children should feel grateful to Miss Moran for the musical instruction given to the children. It certainly meant lots of work.
All did finely in their respective parts, the solo, duet and chorus work being particularly good. All were arrayed in pretty costumes of various lines, which added greatly to the effect, especially in the marches and dances, which made a decided hit.
Joe Wall, who is always prominent in local dramatic work when anything particularly good is being staged, was the stage manager, and introduced and directed the different movements of the march and dance that proved to be so pleasing. Excellent music on the piano and violin was provided by Miss Rachel Wall and Joseph Miller, who accompanied the singers.
Aside from the music furnished in the cantata, Miss Moran was heard in a very pleasing vocal solo, the Jennie Lind version of “Comin’ thro’ the rye.” Miss Moran was in excellent voice and was obliged to respond to an encore. R. J. McCarthy, always a favorite, and possessing a voice of merit, sang “There let me rest,” in a manner that made a decided hit.
Miss Mary Provost and Miss Alice Harrington sang a duet, “Like the lark,” so nicely that the audience insisted on an encore that was cheerfully given. Joseph Miller made his first appearance here as a violinist and his fine selection caught the crowd from the very start. Joe certainly made good, for his rendition of “Poet and peasant,” was given in a way that speaks of a fine future in the musical line.
The whole affair was very enjoyable and the committee in charge should be given due praise for the excellent entertainment provided, and Miss Moran in particular for her patience and care of the children.
Baseball. The White Sox met the Tigers of North Billerica on the home grounds last Saturday and were defeated in a free hitting contest by the score of 9 to 8. The Billerica boys were much larger than the local club, but it took them ten innings to win.
The Graniteville baseball club visited Leominster on last Saturday afternoon, and in a hard fought, uphill game, administered a defeat to the strong Tiger A. C. by a score of 7 to 5. Graniteville was certainly on the baseball map, batting out four runs in the final inning, thereby clinching the game. “Pete” Condon was on the slab for Graniteville and pitched a fine, heady game, particularly in the pinches, and holding the slugging Tigers to five hits and not giving a base on balls. He also got two nice hits, his two-bagger in the ninth scoring two runs. He was well supported behind the bat by Hurley, who was aggressive at all times, and in the game every minute. Although both sides were charged with errors, it was due more to the fact that they were striving for every point than to poor playing. The game was filled with excitement and proved a treat to the fans. Graniteville will play the strong C.M.A.C., of Lowell, on the home grounds on Saturday afternoon.
Shirley
Accident. Miss [Mary] Jane Davis, aged eighty-three years [and a native of Westford], fell from the second-story window of her home on Wednesday evening about ten o’clock and was seriously injured as a consequence. Miss Davis, for some years past, has lived with her niece, Mrs. Charles H. Miner [Minor], and just how Miss Davis fell from the window will in all probability remain a mystery, as Miss Davis is now suffering from concussion of the brain, and during periods of semi-consciousness says she has no recollection of falling through the window. Only bad bruises on her face and body show the results of the fall.
It appears from the story of the inmates of the home that Miss Davis has been suffering of late from a hard cold which developed into slight bronchial trouble, and retired to her room early in the evening. Mrs. Miner made frequent visits to her room and at about 9:30, on one of these visits, found her aunt in bed as usual. At about 10:30, Mrs. Miner’s attention was attracted by a peculiar noise and immediately went upstairs and into the room of her aunt, and was shocked to find her aunt not in bed and one of the room windows wide open. Loud calls for her aunt through the home failed to bring any response.
Mrs. Miner was on the verge of collapse when Mr. Miner went outside the house and found Miss Davis lying on the ground clad only in her night gown, directly under the opened window. Just how long Miss Davis had been there is problematical. Dr. Charles J. Peirce responded promptly to the call and made a thorough examination.
There seems to be only one theory advanced for this sad affair, and that is that Miss Davis arose from bed in a half dazed condition and opened the window and accidentally fell through. The distance being twenty feet, it is almost a miracle that she was not killed instantly. It is feared that she sustained internal injuries, and this, combined with concussion of the brain, has given her relatives and friends grave cause for alarm.
Miss Davis, for one so far advanced in years, has always been very active and was a regular attendant at church services and at the social functions of the town. Much sympathy is being expressed for Miss Davis and also for Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Miner and family, with whom Miss Davis has resided for a great many years, and where every kindness, sympathy and comfort have been extended to her.
Hollis, N.H.
News Items. The Hollis Woman’s club met on Wednesday afternoon with Mrs. Clara Smith. The program consisted of roll call, which was answered by giving current events by each member present. A biography on Mrs. Ellen Richards, pioneer of domestic science, by Mrs. Walter Hayden, followed by reading.
Saturday, May 10, 1913
Center. Otis W. Day has rented the farm owned by William Graves adjoining the Day farm [corner of Graniteville and Cold Spring Roads], and is busily operating the same.
Elinor Colburn, who is sick with scarlet fever, has also suffered with serious complications, but is now reported as resting more comfortably.
Miss Alice J. Bunce, who conducted the housewife’s course so successfully last week under the auspices of the Tadmuck club, has been visiting former friends in town, among them Mrs. Hammett Wright, of Graniteville, with whom Miss Bunce boarded while teaching school here a few years ago.
May movings this last week have been the Fred H. Shoreys, who have lived in the Frank Fletcher house, so-called, for the last two years, and have moved to Danvers where Mr. Shorey has work waiting for him. Their household goods were taken over the road in two large auto trucks. Mrs. Gilmer Stone has moved this week from where she has been living at the Center, to the Nashobah [sic] district, into what was formerly the schoolhouse, and converted into a dwelling house some years ago.
Mrs. Elliot F. Humiston came up from West Chelmsford to attend the Tadmuck club social on Tuesday evening, and was the special guest of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, remaining at the parsonage until the following day.
Four new telephones have been installed this last week in the following homes: Miss L. B. Atwood, 43-4; Mrs. Helen K. Frost, 43-4; Mrs. Abbie T. Hamlin, 51-3; and C. W. Parker, 49-2.
Rev. Louis H. Buckshorn, who recently bought the piece of land on Cummings hill, known as the Fisher peach orchard, is having set out between four and five hundred apple trees. The work has been in charge of Warren Carkin, and the modern use of dynamite has been employed in the various operations of getting the land ready for the young trees.
Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher has had placed in the library recently congressional records and tariff debates, doings of the senate and house of representatives and full timely interest to the thoughtful reader.
The postponed communion service at the Congregational church will take place on Sunday morning at the close of the regular service, and several people will be admitted into membership.
Miss Jane Davis’ Westford friends were much shocked to hear of her serious accident at Shirley last week. Westford is Miss Davis’ native town, and she is a member of the Congregational church here, and since her removal from town has been a frequent visitor with former friends.
Rev. and Mrs. Lyman B. Weeks were special guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Fletcher for the Tadmuck club gathering on Tuesday evening.
The ball game at Whitney park on last Saturday afternoon between Westford academy and Bromfield school boys, of Harvard, resulted in a victory of the latter.
Mr. and Mrs. Warren are busy establishing themselves in their new home, and in addition to many other improvements, have been having workmen busy this week improving the grounds about the house.
Tadmuck Club Social. The closing event in the Tadmuck club calendar for the season took place on Tuesday evening at the Congregational church. A larger part of the members were present with a chosen guest, which in many cases were the husbands of the members. A pretty decorative scheme of spring flowers and ferns had been carried out, and at the appointed hour of eight o’clock the president, Miss Loker, extended a most cordial welcome to all and in well chosen words reviewed the season just closed, the most successful the club has had in its eight years of being organized.
Mrs. Elsie Powers Corwin, of Lowell, entertained the gathering with a group of readings. This is the first time Mrs. Corwin has appeared before a Westford audience, and many were heard to express the hope that it might not be the last. Her charming and gracious personality and sympathetic and entertaining interpretation of her chosen selections were thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated.
The musical numbers of the program were by Miss Mildred Currier, soprano, of Lowell, and Clifford Shedd, of Littleton, baritone, with Mrs. James D. Christie as accompanist.
After the program, refreshments of ice cream and cake were served, and a pleasant social hour enjoyed.
About Town. The W.C.T.U. held their monthly meeting with Mrs. Blaney. Twenty-one members were present and one visitor. Arrangements were made for the spring convention of Middlesex county W.C.T.U., which will be held in the Congregational church, Westford, on Thursday, May 15, opening at ten o’clock in the morning. This is to be an institute as well as a convention. The state president, Mrs. Katherine Lent Stevenson, and the national president, Mrs. Stevens, and Miss Anderson Hughes, of New Zealand, with other noted speakers are to be present. The public is freely urged to attend this gathering in liberal numbers.
Batters are up for a new barn on the Melbourne Hutchins farm on the Concord road. The farm is now owned by Landlord Parker, of the New England house, Boston.
The farm and personal property of Virgil C. Mitchell and Charles F. Taplin, at Minot’s Corner, will be sold at auction on Thursday, May 15, at 1:30 o’clock.
The farm owned by William H. Decatur on the Littleton road, about half a mile east of Littleton Common, will be sold at auction on Tuesday, May 20, at ten o’clock.
Rev. L. H. Buckshorn, of Vineyard Haven, and a former minister of the First Parish [1896-1899], conducted the services on last Sunday. His old familiar friends were glad to hear daily truth after the order of sound sense and plain every-day action.
Wallace Johnson is now and has been since ice cutting time unable to work. A recent consultation of medical skill was inclined to pronounce it a spinal difficulty. Frank Johnson, the youngest boy, recently home from the Pacific coast, is taking charge of the output of ice.
David L. Greig, so long withdrawn by illness from his active and wise management of farm life, seems now to be safely headed in the direction of normal health and is gaining reasonably rapid in his new tent surroundings.
Rev. Albert F. Newton, of Dunstable, has been engaged by the Westford Veteran’s association to deliver the address on Memorial day. He is well and pleasantly known in Westford.
The next meeting of Westford grange will be held on Thursday evening, May 15, and will be observed as Patriots’ night in charge of Mrs. Josie Prescott. This is the meeting preceding Memorial day, and something along the line of peaceable warfare reminiscences is liable to find echo, expression in a hall of echoes.
Apple, pear and plum trees and other fruit bearing bush trees in the Stony Brook Valley are loaded with fruit and caterpillar blossoms.
Amos Polley has planted twenty-five bushels of potatoes and expects to market them before the arrival of a free trade world which is advertised at Washington as sure to arrive on “This act will take effect upon its passage.” The previous question has already been ordered and the effect has arrived before the goods.
Well Rendered. The Fortnightly club got itself into a busy gear last week Friday evening after postponing, interference with other entertainment at the town hall. The Fortnightly club crowded a good entertainment and a good audience into the humble smallness of the Wright schoolhouse on the Groton road [now 125-127 Groton Road] and in literary sky rocket flashed forth the following: “A black diamond.” In name it hasn’t much flash, but as acted it had much of heat lightning. Fred Blodgett as Capt. Housten was well equipped naturally with the real goods, and delivered them to an appreciative audience, and the same can be said of Edwin H. Gould, in the role of inclined to stutter and faint. Miss Lillian Wright, as Emily, and Mrs. Helen Fitton, as Miss Minnie, an expert amateur on composing epitaphs, were both gathering smiles from the audience for their specialty.
Mrs. Alice Hold, as Dr. Zinn; Charles Blodgett, as Claremont Goodell, and Mrs. Edwin Gould, as Fannie Makepeace, were all naturally well fitted cogs in the gear of the evening. Mrs. Harry Ingalls in the difficult role of Hulda, who had a great dislike for dudes, for whom she made things lively, also made some lively bits with the audience.
Independent of the play, there were readings by Frank Chandler, Mrs. Alice Lambert and Blanche Dudley. About one hundred were present, which is a close guess to the house capacity. In recapitulation it must be apparent that the Fortnightly club has got life in variety, song, recitation, dialogue and debate. It exists everywhere. All it takes is a club to strike it into sensibility.
Grange Entertainment. The town hall was well filled on last week Thursday evening at the dramatic entertainment given under the auspices of Westford grange by the Lincoln grange dramatic club, who presented with much native wit and clear bright action “Bar Haven.” When everybody says “first rate,” there is no need of further endorsement. The nearby towns were represented. The Lincoln club and friends came by auto. Refreshments were furnished to the Lincoln club and friends, and ice cream by George E. Gould to the entire gathering. The Walter Steele orchestra furnished all kinds of fiddle music for all kinds of dances. The income tax from this dramatic and fiddle dance entertainment was given over to benefit the state educational aid fund. Thus, a good cause was boosted to greater efficiency by a lively acting play, followed by some lively acting foot movements.
Graniteville. The new pastor of the M.E. church is Rev. Thomas C. Collister of the Boston university, formerly of the Denver university, Col., and later stationed at Bourne and Braintree. He is an eloquent and forceful speaker and already has made a very good impression on the parishioners of the M.E. church.
Mrs. C. E. Dudevoir with her two children, Russell and Agatha, are now visiting with friends in Lincoln, N.H.
The members of Cameron circle, C.F. of A., held a very enjoyable whist party in Healy’s hall on Tuesday evening, the affair being largely attended. Dainty souvenirs were offered for prizes and during the evening refreshments were served.
Two teams from the Sargent school here played a hot game of baseball on Counter’s field Saturday with the following result: Tigers 19, Youngsters 16. The Tigers now flushed with victory meet the fourth and fifth grade boys of the Frost school, Westford, next Saturday.
The members of the A. R. Choate hose company held their regular monthly meeting in their rooms on Monday night. Business of importance was transacted and during the evening the following officers were duly elected for the ensuing year: J. A. Healy, capt.; Alfred Prinn, 1st lieut. and clerk; Edward Defoe, 2d lieut.; J. Austin Healy, stew.; H. J. Healy, treas.; James H. Payne, R. J. Hemen, Frank Healy, standing com. The company will have a practice drill on Tuesday evening at six o’clock, and at that time many of the hydrants throughout the village will be flushed out.
Mrs. George Nicklin, who with her four children have been visiting with Mrs. Nicklin’s mother, Mrs. Charles E. Eaton, for the past few weeks, have recently returned to their home in Worcester.
Baseball. The C.M.A.C., a fast aggregation of ball tossers from Lowell, visited here on last Saturday afternoon and met with defeat at the hands of the home team by the score of 7 to 6. The Lowell boys started with a rush in the first inning, and with three hits and an error gained one run. Two hits and errors netted one more in the second, and by the help of more errors they annexed another in the fourth. Graniteville started things in the last of the fourth inning, when by timely hitting and clever base running they tied the score. The Lowell boys scored again in the fifth and took the lead once more, but Graniteville came back strong in the sixth, when four safe drives, one a two-bagger by “Dick” Spinner, netted three runs. The locals added one more in the seventh, and the score stood 7 to 4 until the ninth, when the Lowell boys began to get busy.
W. Marcotte, the first man up, flied out to left. Salvas drew a base on balls. C. Marcotte followed with a hit and then a double steal was pulled off by Salvas and Marcotte. “Pete” Brule, a former Graniteville player, was then used as a pinch hitter in place of Payette, and batted safely to left, scoring both runners. At this stage of the game, Condon was called on to pitch in place of J. Spinner. With one down Sousy was hit by a pitched ball and took first. Brule in the meantime had reached second on a short passed ball. Marchaud grounded out to Gray at first, Brule taking third on the play.
Two were out, two on bases, and the Lowell boys were crying loudly for a hit to tie the score. Condon was cool, however, and although Peltier was used at the bat instead of Barry, the best he could do was a grounder to Hughes who promptly threw him out at first, and the game was won by the home team. Graniteville was greatly handicapped in their game, owing to the fact that many of their men were playing out of their regular positions that is not conductive to good team work.
The game was interesting, however, for both clubs were batting well and making many errors also, which kept the game in doubt until the last man was retired. Graniteville will play the South Park A.A., of Lowell, on the home grounds Saturday.
Forge Village. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fisher, of Lowell, spent Sunday at their camp, The Birches.
Charles Coburn, of Providence, R.I., has been a recent visitor at the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Coburn.
Mrs. Winnie Patrie is at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Centrebar.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Healy are entertaining Mrs. Emerson, of Dedham, and her daughter, Mrs. John Downing, of Boston.
Little Edward Mountain is still very ill at the home of his parents.
Miss Eva Pyne spent Sunday as the guest of Mrs. E. B. Guyer, of Savin Hill, Dorchester.
William Davis is ill with tonsillitis.
Mrs. Joseph Proctor and two children, and her sister, of Keighley, Eng., arrived here on Monday. They will make their home with the family in what was formerly the Normington homestead on Central street. Mr. Proctor arrived some time ago with his mother and sisters.
The Forge Village Tigers trimmed the Littleton nine at Littleton on last Saturday to the tune of 24 to 15. There are some good players in Forge Village yet.
A brush fire at Gilson’s crossing burned over several acres of woodland on Friday. The section men of the Boston and Maine railroad, and Harry Nesmith, the fire warden, together with other willing workers, controlled it.
Services will be held at St. Andrew’s mission every Sunday at 9:30 in the morning.
Wedding. A pretty wedding took place at St. Andrew’s mission on last Wednesday which was of unusual interest in that the bride is a very popular young lady of the village, and also a member of the mission choir. Miss Rachael Cherry and Percy Hargreaves, of Beverly, were the contracting parties, and the ceremony was performed by Rev. Williston M. Ford. The bride was daintily gowned in white chiffon over white satin, and wore a white hat. She carried a bouquet of white sweet peas. She was attended by her sister, Miss Annie Cherry, who also wore white and carried a bouquet of Marguerites. Dr. Craven, of Beverly, acted as best man.
Immediately after the ceremony, a reception was held at the home of the bride’s grandmother, Mrs. M. A. Lowther, the immediate family alone being present.
Early in the afternoon, the happy couple left on a brief wedding tour, and on their return will be at home to friends on Mason street, Beverly. Mr. and Mrs. Hargreaves have the best wishes of a host of friends in their new life.
Saturday, May 17, 1913
Center. Miss Jennie M. Chandler was in town one day last week, having some furniture removed that she had stored at what was formerly her home when in Westford.
Miss Edna Gray, of Roxbury, is spending some time at the home of her sister, Mrs. Walter L. Cutter.
Mr. and Mrs. Grafton W. Tarleton and little son, of Bedford, Ind., are visitors at the Congregational parsonage.
The Emory J. Whitneys are having the paint renewed on the outside of their cosy home, retaining very much of the former coloring.
Mrs. G. Porter Wright, of Lowell, was in town on Wednesday of last week calling on old friends.
The sidewalks in front of the residences of Miss Mary Morin and Miss Nellie Fletcher have been nicely renovated this last week.
Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney, who recently returned from an extended southern trip, has been at the Whitney summer home this past week.
Julian A. Cameron, who always has the welfare of the J. V. Fletcher library at heart, has recently donated a number of volumes, between twenty and thirty, to the library. Among these are some of the attractive titles of recent best sellers.
The drinking fountain, which has been delayed in transportation, has arrived this week and A. H. Sutherland and helpers are busy getting it in place for the dedication, as outlined in last week’s column, Memorial day afternoon.
Supt. of streets Alec McDonald and his men have been busy at the Center this week putting the village streets in good shape for Memorial day. The common has been mowed and the bandstand put in place for the outdoor concert Friday afternoon.
A. A. Hildreth had the misfortune to injure one of his hands a few days ago while working about his windmill. Two fingers were badly lacerated and will cause him considerable inconvenience for some time.
Nearly Ready. The well-known Nashoba farm [a brick-ender built about 1826 on the northwest corner of Hildreth St. and Concord Rd.], which was purchased by Mr. Wetmore last season and which a force of workmen have been busy thoroughly renovating for some time, is nearly ready for occupancy, the owners expecting furniture to arrive next week. The result of the work done should surely prove a combination of the pleasures of country life plus the conveniences of city living. A fine system of plumbing and up-to-date hot water heating system has been installed and the house and barn equipped for electric lighting.
The two rooms at the left of the front entrance have been transformed into one large living room with central fireplace and the room finished in attractive paneled wood work. Opening from this through French windows a piazza or outdoor living room has been added with fireplace and brick pillars to match the brick ends of the main house. Every effect has been made to keep the renovations true to the type of architecture of the period in which it was built and the result is most attractive.
This house was built about eighty-five years ago by one Horatio Fletcher, who later sold it to the late Daniel Atwood, who carried on such successful farming with his sons for many years. Later owners of the place have been Abel C. Whittier and O. A. Foster. This farm is noted through the country side for the well-known Nashoba spring.
Forge Village. Mrs. Lewis Braddon of Tyngsboro has been teaching the lower primary grades in Cameron school during the absence of Miss Eva Pyne.
Miss Sadie Smith leaves for Canton Saturday.
Miss Eva Pyne of Pine Ridge is reported to be improving after her illness.
Miss Bertha Collins is ill at her home with an attack of the grippe.
The evening school session held in Abbot hall by the masters of Groton School for the benefit of the foreign population came to a close on Thursday evening. All the members, both Russians and Polanders [Poles], were unable to speak English, much less read and write, and they have all made rapid progress. All can now read and write and can speak quite fluently and the masters are to be congratulated on the results. The masters have kindly and generously, without recompense, given their services since last October and their efforts have been thoroughly appreciated both by the pupils and village people as well.
Miss Marion Blodgett and Miss Elizabeth Spinner have returned from a delightful visit at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Coley of Worcester. Mr. and Mrs. Coley, who are well known here, leave for a visit to Kidderminster, England, in July.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Naylor are entertaining Mr. and Mrs. Eccles of Howarth, England, also Mr. and Mrs. Wademan of Keighley, England, all of whom arrived last Wednesday on the Cunard liner Laconia. Mrs. Eccles, who is sister to Mrs. Naylor, with her husband, will live in Lowell, while Mr. and Mrs. Wademan will reside here for the present.