The Westford Wardsman, November, 1906
Saturday, November 3, 1906
Center. The Westford friends of Carleton Atwood of Chelmsford feel much interested in his appointment to an important position in electrical engineering in South America. Mr. Atwood left home Monday and expects to be absent several years.
Graniteville. Mr. and Mrs. George Wyman of Philadelphia visited friends in this village this week.
James Harrington of Leominster has been a recent visitor here.
The members of Cameron circle, C. F. of A. will hold a social dance at Healey’s hall on Saturday evening, Nov. 3.
Charles H. Follansbee, an old and highly respected citizen of this village, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. B. Carmichael, on Friday, Oct. 26, aged sixty-nine years. The deceased was one of the oldest residents here, having come to this village Jan. 1, 1860, living here altogether forty-six years. He was the first man to start a grocery store here, having commenced business in what is known as the “old store,” when it was situated where the Boston and Maine station now stands. He and his family lived over the store when it was moved to its present position several years ago, oxen being the motive power. At that time there were only two houses where now is the most flourishing part of the village, and steam cars and electrics were unknown. Mr. Follansbee sold out his business about this time, but continued to work for Arthur Wright and Nahum H. Wright, and later for Wright & Bemis until a few years ago, when failing health compelled him to retire. He has been ill for some time, his last sickness dating from ten weeks ago, during which time he was an intense sufferer, which he bore with great patience while on his bed of pain. He was a member of William North lodge of Masons of Lowell, having been a member for the past twenty-five years. He leaves one brother in Portland, Me., and one daughter, Mrs. John B. Carmichael of this village, to mourn his loss.
The funeral was held on Monday afternoon at two o’clock, and was largely attended. Besides the large number of friends and neighbors in the immediate vicinity, there was a large delegation from William North lodge of Lowell. The services at the house were conducted by Rev. Alfred Woods of Malden, a former pastor here, assisted by Rev. W. E. Anderson, the present pastor of the M.E. church. [Rev. Alfred Woods (1847-1943) was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Graniteville in 1879-82 and 1888-91. He had many friends in Westford and returned often to visit and for funerals and weddings.] Mr. Woods spoke very feeling of the life of the departed, dwelling at length on the long term of years he had been a resident of this village, and the exemplary life he had led. The Apollo quartet of Kilwinning lodge was in attendance and gave the following appropriate selections: “Beautiful isle of somewhere,” “The homeland,” and “Gathering home,” while “Abide with me” was sung with great expression at the grave. There were many beautiful floral offerings, which testified in a marked degree to the high esteem in which the deceased was held. Among the many were noticed:
Wreath of lilies, roses pinks, sweet peas and violets, marked “Father,” Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Carmichael; spray pinks and roses, Minnie F. Gray; spray pink chrysanthemums, Wallace A. Josselyn; spray white chrysanthemums, Mrs. David Carmichael; spray of white chrysanthemums, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Charlton; spray pink and white carnations, Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Hawkes; spray white chrysanthemums, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley O. Hawkes; sheaf wheat, violets and roses, L. S. Gilson and family; wreath galyx leaves, Jacqueminot roses, Mrs. Emily Craven and family; spray white chrysanthemums, Mr. and Mrs. David Moran; spray pinks, violets and sweet elysium, Mrs. H. Harrington; spray pink and white carnations, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Wyman; wreath of chrysanthemums roses and pinks, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Sargent; large pillow of pinks, chrysanthemums and roses, with words “At rest,” Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Sargent; spray chrysanthemums and ferns, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Irish; spray pink chrysanthemums, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Sargent; set piece, square and compass, from William North lodge of Lowell; spray white chrysanthemums, F. J. Parker and Miss I. A. Parker; spray white carnations, Mrs. Lucy A. Blood; spray pink chrysanthemums and ferns, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Wright.
The bearers were F. G. Sargent, Dr. W. J. Sleeper, David Moran, Wm. White, W. C. Wright and H. V. Hildreth, all members of William North lodge. Burial was in the north cemetery at Westford, where the grave was tastefully decorated with hemlock boughs and ferns.
Forge. The unpleasant news that the much-dreaded gypsy moth has been found in our village, followed a recent visit of state inspectors to the various localities in town. They are of the opinion that they may have been brought here by automobiles, or by carriages which have passed through infested districts. We believe that they were only located near William Whigham’s place, and it would seem quite possible that this terrible insect pest may be eradicated here, at least for a time.
Many are wondering just how to interpret the new brown-tail regulations, and whether the law requires owners to clear all land, including woodland, of the brown-tail moth nests, or whether it simply means fruit and shade trees or such property as lies in the villages. In either case the job looks stupendous enough, but it would seem an impossibility to gather all the nests in the forests of the infested district, which must cover much, if not all, of eastern Massachusetts.
United action can do much, not only to subdue harmful insects, but also to accomplish many a desirable end in community life. With this object in view, we would welcome the formation of an association in our village which should keep the improvement of the village ever in mind and work toward the betterment of all.
The summer cottages were pretty well occupied over Saturday and Sunday. Charles Nichols and family, of Everett, with Mr. and Mrs. Corbett of Nebraska, H. V. Hildreth of Westford, F. A. Hildreth of Malden, A. L. Towle of Malden, Mr. Shafter of Somerville, Mr. Dodge of Lowell, Mr. Moulton of Stow, and others, probably enjoyed their last outing in camp for this season. Many have closed up for winter and nearly all were discouraged from further attempts by the cold of Monday morning.
Saturday, November 10, 1906
The ladies’ aid society of the Methodist church met with Mrs. L. A. Blood on last Thursday afternoon.
Saturday, November 24, 1906
The ladies’ aid society of the Methodist church held a chicken pie supper, followed by a very pleasant entertainment, in the vestry, on Friday evening, Nov. 23.