The Westford Wardsman, October, 1908

Saturday, October 3, 1908

Center. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode have gone to St. Johnsbury, Vt., for a fortnight. While there a family reunion of Mr. Goode’s family is to be held.

Warren E. Carkin and J. Willard Fletcher have been chosen to serve on the jury for the fall term at Lowell, commencing October 5.

Mrs. Elizabeth Abbot has been having her household goods removed this last week to Brookline, where she has taken a house for the winter for herself and two daughters, Mrs. Kate Kebler and Mrs. Emma Kebler.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Spaulding and little daughter Etta were guests at Mrs. Nellie Carkin’s Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth, who have been boarding with his parents since their marriage a year ago this summer, have moved into the house on Boston road made vacant by the John P. Wrights [25 Boston Road].

A pleasant party of ladies attended the performance of “The man of the hour” [1] at Lowell opera house Wednesday afternoon. The party numbered about a dozen.

A piece of petty thieving one night last week was the taking of a two-quart can of milk from the doorstep of A. H. Foss. The can and contents belonged to S. H. Balch.

We regret to note the disappearance of the “depot” at Taylor’s crossing. We understand that so much of Brother Taylor’s time was used in answering questions as to who were the architect and builder thereof that he removed it in a hasty moment. We are informed on good authority that he will sell the original plans and specifications cheap.

Fair. The annual agricultural fair and sale, under the auspices of the Congregational church, took place last week Thursday afternoon and evening and was very much of a success, although the attendance was not as large as usual, owing to the fairs taking place on the same day in Tyngsboro and Groton; also, the very unseasonably warm and dusty weather had its effect on the attendance. Notwithstanding the severe drouth the display of fruit and vegetables was excellent and well arranged. Elliot Humiston had charge of the decorations and skillfully achieved a pleasing and effective result, banking the stage with clusters of yellow ferns and red sumac, with festoons of woodbine overhead. At each end of the stage were some giant sunflower stalks, with flowers at the top measuring fifteen and eighteen inches across. There were also some fine bunches of Kaffir and Canadian corn, the last from the farm of John Wilson,, and the sunflowers from the garden of A. S. Wright.

A. A. Hildreth had a long table entirely filled with produce from his garden, which was certainly a credit to any vegetable grower. Among others who displayed some good produce were Wm. Pollock, S. L. Taylor, H. G. Osgood, A. Bunce, L. W. Wheeler, and from the Atwood home a tasteful display of vegetables, fruit and flowers, showing the accomplishment of feminine effort in that line. In this collection was a dish of fine red currants.

Eliot Humiston exhibited a handsome white leghorn rooster and pullets, which received much favorable notice, and Miss Hilda Isles had a cage of Japanese dancing mice, which interested many.

The exhibit of jellies, canned fruit and vegetables was certainly attractive and tempting. Mrs. Osgood had her usual fine display, and Mrs. McMaster and Mrs. Pollock had some fine specimens, as did also the lady of the parsonage.

There were sales tables for fancy articles, aprons, food and candy, children’s table and fish pond, all of which did a good business. The children’s table was decorated with a canopy most appropriately draped with Teddy bears from crepe paper. The candy booth was beautiful with a canopy of bright red poinsettia blossoms in crepe paper; the apron table had a design in goldenrod, and the fancy table pink roses in graceful design. The fish pond for children was an ingeniously arranged goose, presided over by Mother Goose in appropriate attire.

The entertainment in the evening consisted of readings by Robert Howes Burnham, who delighted a Westford audience at a concert given in the spring; also, Miss Pauline Tucker of Winthrop, violin soloist, with piano accompaniment by Miss Evelyn Atwood. Miss Tucker is a graceful and sympathetic player and gave a varied number of selections.

Toward the close of the evening the fruit and vegetables were sold by auction, S. L. Taylor acting as auctioneer. The list of committees who so faithfully did their part to make the annual fair a success were as follows:

Committee of arrangements, Rev. C. P. Marshall, Miss L. B. Atwood; entertainment, Miss May Atwood; fancy table, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, Miss Luce, Mmes. Foss, Goode, Greig, Osgood, Hartford, Martha Taylor, Mary Bunce, S. C. Atwood, Miss Cushing, Miss Carter, Fannie Banister, Marguerite Banister, Mrs. Woods, Eva Pyne, Martha Symmes, Ida Walkden; baby party, which took place in the afternoon with about a dozen little ones in charge, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. J. P. Wright; display committee, May Boynton, Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Lambert, Mrs. Arthur Day; reception, Miss Loker; food table, Mrs. J. B. Fletcher, Mrs. Banister, Mrs. A. A. Hildreth, Mrs. Eliot Humiston, Mrs. Charles Hildreth; apron table, Mrs. Mary Fletcher, Mrs. Winthrop Wheeler, Mrs. A. S. Wright, Mrs. Burnham, Mrs. Fifield, Mrs. J. W. Day, Mrs. Kenrick, Mrs. F. C. Hildreth, Mrs. W. Wright, Mrs. Willis Hildreth, Mrs. Bridgeford, Mrs. Charles Osgood, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Isles, Mrs. Steele, Mrs. N. Prescott, Mrs. J. W. Pine; candy table, Mrs. Boynton, Florence Wilson, Mildred Kendrick, Helen Burnham, Eva Pyne; icecream, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Harmon, Mrs. Blood, Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Chas. Colburn, Misses Leighton, Tallent, Nellie Fletcher; Mother Goose booth, Mrs. G. E. Gould, Ida Trask, Adreth Carter, Hilda Isles, Althea Symmes and Ethel Richardson; solicitors for fruit and vegetables, H. G. Osgood, W. R. Taylor, Geo. Kimball, Arthur Wilson, Chas. Colburn, F. A. Smith.

A Question Answered. We are glad to be able to answer a question from the chief assessor in the last Wardsman as to a locality Paradise spring is so named from its location in “Paradise,” a region on the northwest slope of Westford hill, named by academy students in the time of “Long” ago. This spring is now pretty nearly dry and never gives rise to more than an insignificant rill. Not far from “Paradise” a year ago a rattlesnake was seen, so one man says. Anyway, rattlesnake plantain, rattlesnake ferns, poison ivy, dogwood, etc., grow there; also, cows wander loose thereabouts and woodchucks are as plentiful as in the Mephitis Americana [scientific name for the skunk]. To add still further to the dangers of the region, it is where the tax collector is usually at work. The writer knows every foot of land on this side of the hill, but he does not know just where to locate “Physic spring,” he found mentioned in an old deed. Can any reader of this tell its location and history?

An automobile race that was quite as important to the participants directly concerned as that over the famous Merrimack Valley course recently, took place last Saturday afternoon. There were four cars entered, which were parts from baby carriages, express wagons, etc. An ingenious steering gear was arranged on each “car” and they were conspicuously numbered, and in every way emulated the famous races as far as possible. The course was from the start of Graniteville road as far as Julian Cameron’s barn. [2] After the start it was a case of steering the machine, and the rest was largely the natural force of momentum. Fully fifty interested parents and friends witnessed the event. Car No. 3 was the famous Isotta Frashchini, [3] which won the race in one minute and twelve seconds; Alexander Cameron [aged 13] was driver and Fletcher Abbot [9] mechanician. No. 2 was second, with Leon Hildreth [13] and Albert Woods [13]. Car No. 1 was driven by Donald Cameron, jr., [8] and Georgie Goode [8]; this car came in third. The fourth car was a speeder and was out to win, manned by Marden Seavey [12] and Edward Blodgett [13], but on rounding the famous “Hairpin curve,” an accident to the rear wheel precipitated the riders into the road.

J. Henry Fletcher presented the winners a beautiful trophy in the shape of a silver gold-lined loving cup. Mrs. Julian Cameron was gracious hostess after the event and the boys were treated to icecream and cakes. Pretty boxes of candy were presented to the children as souvenirs.

About Town. The illness of Miss Mary Flynn at her home on Pigeon Hill on the Stony Brook road, reported last week, still continues critical. The physicians are unable at present to determine the exact nature of the difficulty. There are symptoms of cancer of the stomach.

Miss Belle Walker has just returned from a visit to her niece, Mrs. Edgar Wallace, in Wellesley, and her brother, John J. Walker, in Natick.

John Adams Taylor commenced last Monday his second term in a course of study at the Emerson school of oratory in Boston.

Mrs. George Drew and Miss Emily F. Fletcher were chosen last Sunday as delegates to represent the Unitarian church at the conference of Unitarian churches held as Nashua Friday, Oct. 2.

At the democratic caucus held last week Wednesday evening the following delegates were chosen to the conventions:

State, Edward Fisher; congressional, John M. Fletcher; county, Frank Healy; councilor, H. E. Gould; representative, W. H. H. Burbeck, W. O. McDonald.

The milk that has been delivered at Graniteville by Daniel Connell for the milk car has been sold to Herman Decatur of Lowell. Fred L. McCoy on Concord road, who for several years has had a retail milk route at Forge Village, has sold his milk to Mr. Decatur.

The eleventh representative district convention meets at town hall, Ayer, Saturday afternoon, Oct. 3. The district includes Ayer, Acton, Chelmsford, Carlisle, Littleton and Westford, and E. D. Stone of Ayer is the candidate for endorsement. With so good and efficient a man there will be no dissention.

Geo. T. Day and John A. Taylor represented the town at the congressional convention at Clinton that nominated Charles Q. Tirrell of Natick.

The young people’s guild will hold its semiannual convention at Tyngsboro, Saturday afternoon, Oct. 3. Rev. Frederick R. Griffin of Braintree and Rev. L. L. Green of Chelmsford will speak on the subject, “Personality in church work.”

George Perkins of Lowell, who for several years has been having milk of Westford farmers, has sold out, and some of the farmers feel that they have also been sold out and they are inquiring for $550 worth of cash overdue.

On the last page will be found the Graniteville and Forge Village news.

Water Test. At a recent official test of the hydrants of the Westford Water Co. by the selectmen and officials of the company, represented by E. M. Blake of Boston, it was clearly demonstrated that the town has one of the best systems installed in the state. The selectmen in guarding the right of the town in its lease of hydrants from the Westford Water Co., selected as a test three hydrants, those in front of the Unitarian church, the town hall and the new academy. This test proved a sufficient force to throw water over the belfry of the Unitarian church and nearly to the top of the tower of the town hall. These are the highest buildings in town, nor are there likely to be any built higher, unless possibly the school committee may have to resort to building a sort of “Tower of Babel,” reaching unto the clouds, as a safe retreat from the “confusion of tongues,” [See Genesis 11:1-9.] as exemplified by the recent allusions and illusions at public hearings.

This water system was installed by private citizens for the public good, and as a further evidence of private wealth for public good this company has offered to furnish free the water for three drinking fountains, at Westford, Graniteville and Forge Village. As there has been some criticism of the assessors because the water company was not taxed enough to throw them out of gear, would it not be well to inquire who is to furnish the tin cup to drink out of at this free water retreat; the town or the company? Also, as a still further squinting at economy, is it not true that Forge Village already has fountains of drinks, and could they stand any more? Aside from these few disturbing thoughts the Westford Water Co. are to be kindly remembered as private promoters of domestic economy and improvement, and the public are “reaping where they have not sown” [Matthew 25:24]. The overseers of the poor are also to receive honorable mention and be recommended by a reward of merit for their recent decision to introduce a public water supply into the town farm buildings. With the standpipe of the company within a few rods of these buildings, and the severe drouth as complainant, it would seem to be fitting for a public chorus of the familiar words, “O do not pass me by.” [4]

Graniteville. J. A. Healy’s fine pair of draft horses took the blue ribbon in a pulling contest at the Groton fair, last week Thursday. Teamster Hannan handled the reins and had perfect control of his team at all times, which was the main factor in landing the prize.

Mrs. B. Bremen has returned to her home in Lowell after a visit with Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Harrington of this village and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McDonald of South Westford.

Another meat market will soon be opened here, with every indication of a cut in prices in the near future.

Miss Margaret Driscoll has returned from a very pleasant visit with friends in Lynn.

Mrs. Doherty and daughter Winifred of Lowell have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Furbush.

The baseball game scheduled for last Saturday afternoon failed to materialize, and the boys will now devote their time to getting in shape for the football season. The Graniteville A.C. has a well-selected eleven this year and would like to hear from Westford and Littleton in regard to games. Address all communications to “Football,” Box 112, Graniteville, Mass.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Riney of Lowell and Miss Louisa G. Finn of Pawtucket, R.I., visited relatives in this village recently.

Fire broke out in the woods owned by H. N. Fletcher directly back of his residence, last Saturday, but owing to the prompt action of workmen that were close at hand and promptly on the scene, the flames were soon under control. Early on Sunday afternoon fire once more broke out in the same piece of woodland and the fire warden, J. A. Healy, soon had a force of men at work, but in spite of their efforts the fire was getting the best of them and an alarm was sounded by ringing the M.E. [Methodist Episcopal] church bell, which brought all the help needed. The flames were subdued without doing a great amount of damage. The land was cleared off some few years ago and was covered with a thick growth of scrub oak. Fortunately there is a wide road separating this particular lot from adjoining property, which served as a great aid to the fire fighters, as they made use of the shovels and threw the sand and gravel in great shape. Had the fire got beyond control and gained a footing in the oak woods beyond the road it is hard telling where it would have stopped. When the “all out” was sounded the fire warden left men in charge to watch the property and guard against another possible outbreak of fire.

The mills of the Abbot Worsted Co. here were closed all this week for the purpose of making extensive alterations on the boilers and repairing a line of underground shafting that would be impossible to work on while the mill was running. The business of the Abbot Worsted Co. is looking much brighter at present than it has for several months past, and the entire plant will start upon Monday, Oct. 5, at a full working schedule of fifty-eight hours per week. This will come as welcome news to the people here, as the mills have been running on a five-day basis for several weeks, and the only reason given for the temporary shut-down of one week is that the repairs to be made were absolutely necessary. The company now has plenty of orders and everything looks very promising for the coming winter months.

Forge. The sixth anniversary of the completion and dedication of the Forge mission house occurs Sunday, Oct. 4, at 4:30 o’clock in the afternoon. The building was begun June 1, 1902, and dedicated by Bishop Lawrence Oct. 3. The vicar of the parish will resume his duties Sunday afternoon, Oct. 4. The Sunday school will continue at the usual hour of 3:30, under the charge of a master of Groton School.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hanley went Saturday to Portsmouth, N.H., to visit their daughter, Mrs. Martin Daily. Mr. Hanley returned Monday, Mrs. Hanley remaining with her daughter for the week.

Mr. Hallett and family left Tanglewood cottage Tuesday and returned to their home in Boston.

Joseph, Charles and Richard Edwards of Melrose are at Idealwood for two weeks and are entertaining their friend, Harry Robertson, of the same place.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Coley, who have been entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards for the past week, have returned to their home in Worcester.

The village people here were treated to a pleasant surprise by the starting up of the Abbot Worsted Co. on full time Monday morning, instead of a shut-down, which had been the notice posted the week previous.

Mrs. W. E. Parsons left on Wednesday morning for a hospital in Brookline, where she is to receive special treatment.

The farewell reception to Rev. Medville McLaughlin was held at the mission house Monday evening and was largely attended by the village people. A supper was served from 6:30 to 7:30 to the choir members and ladies of the sewing circle. After the supper a guild meeting was held and later it was announced that the church was free from debt. Dancing was enjoyed by many during the evening, music being furnished by Miss Sarah Precious.

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Mountain are rejoicing over the birth of a little girl, born Friday, Sept. 25.

Fred Perry of Gardner was entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Carkin last Sunday.

The funeral services for the late Abraham Orange, who was drowned in Forge pond last Saturday, were held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Samuel Blowey of this village, Monday afternoon and were largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. Medville McLaughlin of St. Andrew’s Episcopal church of Ayer. Among the beautiful flowers that surrounded the casket were tributes from Mr. and Mrs. Blowey and many friends and neighbors of the deceased, and a large spray from the school children. The bearers were Walter Precious, John W. Catchpole, Thomas Larkin and Edmund Greig. Burial was in Fairview cemetery. Among the out-of-town relatives present were his son Reuben, and nephew, Charles Coburn from Providence, R.I., and his sister-in-law, Mrs. T. Jonas, of North Chelmsford.

Harvard
George E. Burt, who has been in feeble health for some time, died Tuesday night at the home of James Murchie, with whom he has been staying.

[1] This is probably the melodrama written by George Broadhurst in 1906 that ran for 479 performances at the Savoy Theater in New York City from Dec. 1906 to Jan. 1908.

[2] Julian Cameron lived at 7 Graniteville Road, but his barn must have been further down the hill.

[3] Isotta Fraschini is an Italian manufacturing company that was famous for its luxury cars in the early 20th century.

[4] This is from the hymn “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” written by Fanny J. Crosby in 1868 with music by William H. Doane, 1870, whose first verse is:

Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry;

While on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.

Saturday, October 10, 1908

About Town. The eleventh representative district convention which met at Ayer last Saturday afternoon laid a business Stone foundation for representative. J. Adams Bartlett of Chelmsford called the meeting to order and kept order, and Huntley S. Turner of Ayer was the recorder of deeds exemplified. The reward of merit for preserving a solid name for name’s sake, for business’ sake, and for the fraternal spirit that has associated his life with the organized and unorganized social life of the community, was bestowed upon Elisha D. Stone of Ayer in a right, bright, convincing style by ex-Representative John M. Maloney of Ayer. Everybody seconded the acclamation introduced by Mr. Maloney, and the passage of this order will come up for a third reading before the voters in November, which will result in sending Mr. Stone to the state house for an indefinite term.

Westford grange visits Carlisle grange on Wednesday evening, Oct. 14. A barge will leave the town hall at six p.m.

Miss Mary Flynn, who has been seriously ill, is now gaining rapidly and is able to sit up, and full recovery is now assured.

The seventh senatorial district, which reaches from Ayer to the Atlantic ocean, will hold the republican convention to nominate a senator, Saturday, Oct. 10, at 1:30, at Reading. The delegates from Westford are A. W. Hartford and W. R. Taylor.

Rev. and Mrs. B. H. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Abbot, Mrs. George Drew and Mrs. J. M. Fletcher attended the conference of Unitarian churches at Nashua last week Friday.

John A. Taylor has completed the census of school children between the ages of five and fifteen years. The record shows the total number to be 435.

Thieves. The horse thief element still continues to have self-constituted and unmolested rights in the southerly section of the town, and one of the new moon evenings last week a horse belonging to Peter Scarms at the Benjamin Fletcher place on the old Lowell road was stolen. The horse was traced to Billerica and from there toward Boston, until the macadam roadbed prevented the footprints of the horse being seen. Mr. Scarms considered the horse worth $250 and claims it is the third horse he has had stolen. The opportunity to carry on this business, as well as hen thieving, and the frequency of occurrence, would seem to justify a severer form of punishment than being fed and clothed at the expense of the state in houses of correction, which frequently do not correct. A personal introduction to one of those electric chairs furnished by the state would be very likely to produce so long a sleep as to seriously interfere with their business. It is not less capital punishment society needs, but more capitalization.

Dance. The annual barn dance of the Westford A.A., and harvest supper, was held at town hall last week Friday evening, and it proved to be true to name—an old-fashioned, farm-barn type affair, with pumpkins and corn and red ears, and merry go round as you please, together with the hoe, rake, scythe and sickle. The victories of the Westford ballteam were humorously designed and displayed in the center of the hall, the artistic work of Miss Mary Balch. One of the pictures represented the Westford A.A. as a rooster with a wreath about his head, while lying on the ground were several other roosters, some dead, some in a battered condition, with the names of Groton, Shirley, Milford and Townsend across their breasts. These pictures were true to life and correctly represented the strife.

The costumes were of the old-fashioned by-gone days, the rugged days of oxen and open fireplace, of popcorn and cider, of tallow candles and pine knots, the olden days of the district school with its independent individualism. Two prizes were offered for the costumes that best represented the old dried-apple, hayseed days of the past. The prize for gentlemen was awarded to Albert W. Decatur, a toy rooster in a cage with card attached bearing the pertinent suggestion, “Hear us crow.” The prize for ladies was awarded to Miss Mary Balch, a Teddy bear with the words inscribed, “Our mascot.”

The association was presented a large squash, ten cents to guess its weight. W. L. Woods secured the prize, a $2.50 umbrella. The correct weight was 62 ½ lbs. It was raised by J. Herbert Fletcher.

Edward A. Hamlin had charge of the harvest supper, and caterer F. A. Smith the icecream. Hibbard’s orchestra, Lowell, furnished music for the feet movements, which were a merry-making affair, with short dresses, long frocks, patched overalls and heelless shoes. About $100 was left to the credit of the association.

Center. Probably every individual member of the Tadmuck club is arranging her plans so as to be present at the opening meeting, Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 13. A program of real worth is being arranged. It is to be “Tadmuck day,” and there will be several historic papers of our hilltop, which the Indians called Tadmuck hill. The papers are to be interspersed with some fine old-time music and for this reason the meeting will be held in the parlors of the Unitarian vestry for the availability of a piano. Owing to the early twilight at this season the meeting will be called at two o’clock. The presence and punctuality of every member is desired. Annual dues payable at this meeting to entitle the members to their membership tickets for the season.

Principal and Mrs. Woodward, who have been trying to get settled in a home of their own since the beginning of the school term, have secured the Hugh Fletcher house on Boston road, which is being renovated and repaired for their occupancy.

Mrs. George Drew is making arrangements to close her house and spend the winter with her son and his wife at Greenwich, Conn.

Walter J. Merritt, who underwent a serious surgical operation at his home at Drew’s corner, last week Tuesday, is resting comfortably and making good progress toward recovery. The operation was performed by Dr. Metcalf of Boston, assisted by Drs. Wells and Sherman

The writer of these items tries to be accurate and tactful as far as possible, oftentimes making much effort to verify some small item, so that the reader may have a feeling of dependence upon the weekly chronicle, and always regrets as much as anyone a mistaken statement. In the list of teachers returning to their work, given last month, it was stated that Miss Mary Balch returned to South Hadley as instructor in drawing. Miss Balch did not return, but after ten years of successful teaching there decided to have a year with her parents at their pleasant home on the Boston road [24 Boston Road].

The Edward M. Abbot hose company had its monthly drill and tests of various hydrants, Monday night, after which they assembled at the hose house and an oyster supper was served in charge of the two lieutenants, Edward M. Abbot and J. H. Fletcher.

The housewives of the town have been interested in the series of demonstrations at the town hall of various foods that have passed the pure food laws. The daily sessions have been very largely attended and much sensible instruction in the practical and necessary art of cooking has been given.

Grange. The first meeting of the grange for the month of October was well attended and interesting. At rollcall of officers every officer responded, with the exception of the lecturer, detained at home with sickness. The first and second degrees were conferred upon eleven candidates by the regular officers. Rev. C. P. Marshall reported what had been accomplished toward carrying out the entertainment and lecture course for the coming session. He outlined a well-balanced and attractive course, which deserves the support and cooperation of all the townspeople. At the next meeting the ladies degree staff will confer the third degree on the class of candidates, and the fourth by the regular officers. It is annual neighbor’s night and a harvest feast will be served. A good delegation from the grange attended the North Middlesex Pomona session at Lowell, Friday of last week.

The members of the W.C.T.U. observed the fifteenth anniversary of their organization, Wednesday afternoon of last week, in the vestry of the Congregational church at three o’clock. The vestry had been prettily trimmed with evergreen and the bright berries of the red alder, and beautiful autumn flowers. Mrs. Ada S. Day, president of the union, introduced Mrs. Abbie S. Rolfe of Concord, president of the county union. Mrs. Rolfe was present at the organization fifteen years ago, and has always been a true and interested friend of this union. She addressed the members with her usual kindly common sense. Mrs. Alice Lambert, who has been an earnest member through all the years, gave a reminiscent talk. Mrs. Jannette Wright and Mrs. Norah Colburn rendered some pleasing duets, and Miss Olive Pyne gave recitations. At the close of the exercises refreshments were served. This union started with just four members and now numbers twenty-four. The annual meeting will take place Oct. 14, at the home of Mrs. Pearl Harmon. Mrs. Harmon, Mrs. Ada Day and Mrs. F. C. Hildreth attended the sessions of the state convention at Lowell Tuesday.

Graniteville. The town workmen, under superintendent of streets, Angus McDonald, have practically finished work on Broadway for the year, and have left the street in very good condition, considering the amount of money that was expended at this time. Next year the entire job will be completed, when it is expected that we will have a street that will be second to none in the town.

Mrs. Charles Robinson and two daughters, Grace and Maud, and little son Fred left town Monday morning for Waterloo, Canada, where they will visit Mrs. Robinson’s father, who is seriously ill.

The mills of the Abbot Worsted Co. started up here on last Monday morning on the full working schedule of fifty-eight hours per week.

The ladies’ aid society of the M.E. church met with Mrs. Maria J. Wall on Thursday afternoon.

Forge. A romance which began when both were students at Westford academy ended last week Wednesday when Miss Laura Hindle of Chelmsford Center was married to William Charlton of Graniteville. Miss Hindle was a resident of this village for a number of years with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hindle. Her father was superintendent of the abbot mill for over twenty-five years. Miss Hindle is a frequent visitor here. The couple are now enjoying their honeymoon in New York. Their many friends wish them much happiness in their wedded life.

Thomas Fisher, with a party of friends from the Lowell high school, spent Wednesday at his cottage, “The birches,” on the shores of Forge pond.

After a six months’ vacation spent at Pratt’s Junction, Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, rector of St. Andrew’s mission, returned to the pulpit Sunday. It was also the sixth anniversary of the dedication of the mission house.

The ladies’ sewing circle met in Recreation hall, Thursday afternoon at 2;30.

Mrs. Elizabeth Splain has returned from a pleasant visit with her daughter, Mrs. Frank Rose of Belmont. Mrs. Elmer Nutting accompanied her. John Splain, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Splain, had an attack of heart trouble while performing his duties Monday morning, but is able to be out again.

Mrs. Harriet M. Randall has received her annual invitation to attend the thirtieth annual reunion of Notre Dame academy of Lowell, Saturday, Oct. 17.

The carpenters are still at work on the new schoolhouse. It is thought the building will be finished the latter part of November. At that time the school children, under the direction of the teachers, will give a cantata, the proceeds of which will go toward a piano for the school. At the present time the children are busy rehearsing for the cantata.

No trace has been found of Edward Strang, who is believed to have broken into the home of John Connell on the Littleton road, Saturday afternoon, and taken a gold watch and other articles of jewelry.

Edwin and Walter Woods of the steamer Ivernia were guests of Miss Rachel Cherry on Saturday. Edwin Cherry, head steward on the steamer Baltic, was unable to visit his sister this trip, on account of the short stay of the vessel in the harbor.

Michael McGovern of Lowell was a recent visitor in town.

Mr. and Mrs. John Lyman of Dedham have been visiting friends and relatives in town this week. Mrs. Lyman was formerly Miss Venia Darling of this village.

Joseph Connell has returned to his home after spending his vacation in Bethlehem, N.H.

Mrs. Sheck is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Morris in Lowell.

Fred L. McCoy, who for several years has had a milk route in Forge Village, has sold his route to Harry Ingalls of Groton.

A large number from here attended the annual barn dance at Westford, last week Friday evening, and all report a good time.

The Sunday school in the Forge mission house is held every Sunday afternoon at 3:30, conducted by H. H. Richards, a Groton master, and Hall Roosevelt, [1] a “sixth former” of Groton School. Even-song and sermon by the pastor at 4:30. Annual parish meeting in Ayer on Monday evening, Oct. 12.

Harvard
The funeral services held in memory of George Edward Burt, whose death was noted in last week’s issue, took place Saturday, Oct. 3, at two p.m. Mr. Burt died Wednesday morning previous. He was aged 92 yrs. 5 mos. 15 days.

Of his life much could be written that would be only of credit to him. He was a splendid man. Practically his whole life has been occupied in the perfecting and manufacturing of farm machinery of his own invention, the most prominent of which are the lawn mower, the American hay tedder manufactured by the Ames Plow Co., the self-dump horse-rake and the horse power or tread-mill. His shop, which is now fallen into decay, contained many working models of various safety and labor-saving devices. Mr. Burt has occupied many honorable positions in the town. He had been a deacon of the Congregational church since 1862, and was the Sunday school superintendent for twenty-five years; he also represented the town in the legislature of 1859. His home was destroyed by fire two years ago, since when he has been cared for in private families, his resources enabling him to be well taken care of. He leaves one granddaughter, his only blood relative, though he was connected by marriage to the Hildreths and Barrys of this town. Rev. L. E. Perry officiated at the last service.

[1] Gracie Hall Roosevelt (1891-1941) was the youngest brother of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Saturday, October 17, 1908

Center. The early morning train and the last train at night, which is such a convenience to many all the time and to nearly everybody else occasionally, continues to run as heretofore, and much satisfaction is expressed by the townspeople and much grateful appreciation to the town clerk, Edward Fisher, for time and effort expended by him as far as this town is concerned.

Dr. and Mrs. Henry L. McCluskey and son Donald of Worcester are spending a week in town, the guests of Dea. and Mrs. A. S. Wright. From here they go to Lynn for the sessions of the state C.E. convention. Dr. McCluskey is one of the officers of the state union.

Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hartford are to move into the new house on Depot st., being built by Frank Drew, as soon as it is ready for occupancy.

Miss Augusta Leighton and Miss Minnie Pollard of Newton have been guests the past week at Mrs. C. H. Fletcher’s; also, Mrs. Helen Leighton has been a recent guest.

John Hartford, the popular morning conductor on our branch line, is on duty again after enjoying a week’s vacation.

Miss Lenie Fletcher was a weekend guest at Mrs. O. R. Spaulding’s.

Rev. Frank M. Baker, who is staying at John P. Wright’s, preached at the Sunday evening service at [the] Congregational church to an attentive and good-sized audience.

Misses Lillian and May Atwood [are] attending the sessions of the American board of foreign missions convened at Brooklyn, N.Y., Oct. 13-17.

The annual business meeting of the W.C.T.U. was held at Mrs. Harmon’s Wednesday afternoon. After the election of officers Mrs. Hildreth gave a good account of the county convention held at Concord and the state convention at Lowell, both of which she attended. There will be a parlor meeting Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 20, at the home of Miss Ida E. Leighton. The following officers were elected:

Pres., Mrs. Jennie Hildreth; first vice-pres., Mrs. Ada A. Day; second, Mrs. Alice M. Lambert; sec., Mrs. Emma Day; treas., Mrs. Harmon.

Grange Visitation. Fully sixty patrons of Westford grange attended by special invitation the neighbors’ night at Carlisle Wednesday evening. Two large two-horse barges, other outfits with two horses, and many with single horses conveyed the visiting members. Lexington and Chelmsford were the other granges invited, as well as a few from Concord and Billerica. The entertaining grange was fully equal to the occasion, with its hearty welcome, its beautifully decorated hall with trophies of the harvest, and the bountiful super served to all. The three visiting granges furnished a program that was heartily appreciated. Westford’s share was as follows: grange orchestra, Messrs. Fletcher, Blodgett and Miller; vocal solo, E. G. Boynton; duet, F. A. Smith and Mrs. S. B. Wright; reading, Mrs. Arthur Blodgett; vocal solo, Ruth Miller, with piano and violin accompaniment by Mabel and Everett Miller.

Tadmuck. It was October’s brightest and bluest of weather Tuesday afternoon for the opening meeting of the fourth season of the Tadmuck club. The ladies of the Unitarian society were the hostesses for the day, and the ladies’ parlors, which have been thoroughly renovated during the summer, were thoroughly comfortable and pretty, and made more so by bright autumn flowers arranged under the direction of Mrs. H. V. Hildreth.

The opening remarks of the president, Miss Sarah W. Loker, were in a vein of happy felicity and sincerity, and expressed confidence in the continued unity of purpose and loyalty to the best interests of the club. Miss Loker stated that the trustees of the library, where the regular meetings are held, had granted the use of the trustees’ room as a cloak room.

It was Tadmuck day, the old Indian name of our town, and much of interest was told, from the town’s first settling on through the years up to the present time, much of great interest to the older ones and of great instruction to the younger element. Mrs. B. H. Bailey, Miss C. S. Atwood and Miss E. F. Fletcher were the committee in charge. Mrs. Geo. T. Day gave the first paper, giving a splendid account of the town’s early history of which she is such a thorough student.

Miss Miranda G. Luce gave an outline of the social life, which was thoroughly bright and interesting, making plain that the life in earlier days was not all toil and hardship, but was brightened with dancing and singing school, huskings, barn raisings, and sewing circles.

Miss Caroline E. Hewett gave the third paper, sketching the early history of the historic Nashoba district most attractively.

The papers were interspersed with some fine old-time music by Misses C. S. Atwood, Ruth Fisher, Laura Lumbert, Eva Fletcher and Mrs. C. D. Colburn, with Mrs. C. A. Marshall accompanist. Such stirring old tunes as “Russia,” “Strike the cymbal,” “Invitation,” “Cousin Jedediah,” and “Auld lang syne,” were given. The various papers were illustrated with many photographs and old china loaned by Mrs. Hiram Whitney, Mrs. E. J. Whitney and others.

The next meeting will be in library hall as usual at 2:30.

About Town. At the recent Middlesex North agricultural fair S. L. Taylor was awarded first premium on Baldwin apples. Even thus was it deemed equity to decide that apples that are puffed up enough in their own estimation to measure twelve inches in circumference should be rewarded for their dry weather attainments.

Grateful remembrance to correspondent on Tadmuck hilltop from the valley correspondent for her clear and startling description of the habits and habitations of the surroundings of Paradise spring. Let me see; dogwood, poison ivy, woodchucks, rattlesnakes, tax collector. Oh, my! I sha’n’t go near that combination.

The republican town committee held a meeting at the selectmen’s room last week Friday evening and transacted business that elected Judge Taft president.

Edmund B. Whiting is moving from Brookside to his father’s house, Lowell road.

The Gilman J. Wright place on Depot st. [9 Depot St.], has been sold to Mrs. Mary E. Brigham.

Mrs. James H. O’Brien is ill at her home and under the care of a physician.

The registrars of voters will hold a meeting at Healey’s hall, Graniteville, on Monday evening, Oct. 19; at Abbot’s hall, Forge Village, Wednesday evening, Oct. 21; at town hall, last meeting prior to election, Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon until ten o’clock p.m.

The personal property of the late Dr. W. J. Sleeper will be sold at auction Saturday, Oct. 24, at one p.m., rain or shine.

Water and milk, which have spells of having a bad name, owing to bad company, are getting inconveniently scarce. The H. E. Fletcher [Granite] company, who have several contracts on hand, requiring the running of all the machinery, are obliged to car the water from Stony Brook. This requires frequent repetition, as the steam compressor requires 94,000 gallons of water daily.

Many of the farmers on Francis hill and elsewhere are hauling water from Stony Brook, and by some source or another will have to precipitate water into Stony Brook in order to get some out.

As a connecting link between forestry, rainfall and evaporation it might be well to record the signs of the times and say that Chairman Spaulding of the board of selectmen has been introducing the past week a representative of the state forestry bureau, with a view to setting out waste land of the town to forest trees. Now don’t let us all stubbornly assume the attitude of a cannon and hold this movement up. If we do we all ought to be fired off, and then just like as not it would rain.

Forge. Word has just been received from William Orange, who enlisted in 1906 in Company Q, 11^th infantry, now stationed at Fort Russell, Wyoming. He had just returned from a seventeen days’ and nights’ practice march through ice and snow when he received the letter from his sister saying that his father [Abraham Orange] had met with an accidental death by drowning [Sept. 25]. It was such a shock to him, so far away from home, that he was ill for several days. His brother Joseph is on the U.S.S. Vermont, now on the way to Japan. [1] No letters can be received for two months, as they are so far away.

The members of the John Edwards hose company had a try-out Saturday afternoon. All the hydrants were found in good order. The new hose carriage has been moved from the Abbot barn to the new hose house. Preparations are under way to furnish the club house.

Probably the oldest campaign flag in the town of Westford was unfurled to the breeze on Wednesday at the home of Mrs. H. E. Randall. The flag did duty during the war of 1861, and contains forty-two stars. [2] Many bullet holes are visible in it. Mrs. Randall has had it in her possession for more than twenty years.

The annual parish meeting of the Episcopal church was held at the vicarage at Ayer Monday evening. Rev. T. L. Fisher entertained our village choir. After supper was served, Mr. Sturgis, the treasurer of the parish, read the report of all the missions. Groton, Shirley and Woodville were well represented. It was announced at the meeting that St. Andrew’s mission of this village was clear of debt. After the business meeting was over a social hour was enjoyed; also, a light lunch was served.

Mrs. Lucretia Reed, Mrs. Mary Drake and Alvin S. Bennett attended the funeral of their brother-in-law, Bryant McIntyre, who met his death by falling off a load of hay, breaking his neck, Sunday, at Shrewsbury.

Miss Alice L. Prescott, who teaches in school in Ashland, N.H., has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Prescott, for a few days.

Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Lyons and son Harold of Melrose have been in town closing the summer cottages of the late John H. Edwards for the winter.

The ladies’ circle met at the mission house Thursday afternoon.

Miss Stella Carkin has accepted a position with the F. C. Church insurance company, commencing her duties last Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. Chandler and son, Messrs. Perry and Carkin, came from Gardner in Mr. Chandler’s automobile, last Sunday, to visit Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Carkin.

Graniteville. Court Graniteville, F. of A., held a very successful dancing party in Westford town hall, last week Friday evening, which was well attended, many being present from Ayer, Forge Village, Littleton, and the usual large crowd from Graniteville and Westford Center. Dancing was enjoyed from eight until twelve o’clock, with a short intermission at 10:30, when refreshments were served in the lower hall. The dance was in charge of the following efficient committee: T. A. Riney, manager, assisted by D. W. Harrington, Fred DeFoe, A. R. Wall, R. J. Hemen. Hibbard’s orchestra of Lowell furnished excellent music for dancing, and helped in a great measure toward the social success of the affair.

The book contest which has been going on here for the past few weeks closed the latter part of last week, and the following awards have been made:

Sofa pillow, won by Angeline Brisson; rose jar, Chas. Gardette; umbrella, Jennie Ledwith; water set, Fred Hosmer; water set, Mrs. Louisa Riney; clock, J. H. Payne; watch chain, Mrs. De Lorenzo; watch, Chas. Couture; sofa pillow, Hannah Coburn, Forge Village.

Bert DeRoehn, who has been at Lake Sunapee, N.H., for the past few weeks, has been a recent visitor in this village.

The Re-Opening of the M.E. church here, which has been looked forward to with such deep interest by the village people for the past few weeks, took place at 10:45 Sunday morning, and was largely attended. The church has been closed for several weeks for the purpose of making extensive repairs and alterations. The carpenters, painters and decorators have been kept busy and as a result the church edifice at present is in fine condition, both from a practical and artistic point of view.

The opening service was conducted by Rev. S. H. Armand, who was ably assisted by Rev. M. H. A. Evans, who was the first pastor of the church [1869-71 & 1876-79]. The choir, which was augmented for the occasion and under the direction of Mrs. C. H. Wright, with Miss Emily Prinn as organist, acquitted themselves with credit, the anthem being particularly pleasing. The solo “Face to face,” as sung by Mrs. Armand was a rare treat, she being in excellent voice. There were remarks by the pastor, followed by singing by the choir. At this service the sermon was preached by Dr. C. F. Rice, district superintendent, who spoke from Acts 26:19, “Whereupon, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” Dr. Rice spoke in his usual forceful manner, his sermon being listened to very attentively by the large congregation present. His words made a deep impression on his hearers and the closing remarks of his sermon left something to be long remembered. This service was attended by many former parishioners from out of town.

The love feast service held from six to seven was conducted by Rev. Alfred Woods, a former pastor here [1879-82 & 1888-91], now of Newburyport. Mr. Woods is always a welcome visitor here and it is needless to say this service was largely attended and proved to be highly interesting to his former parishioners.

At the evening service, commencing at seven o’clock, the sermon was preached by Rev. [John] Alphonzo [Alphonso] Day, also a former pastor [1900-01], now of Ashburnham. Mr. Day gave a very able sermon and spoke of his pleasant recollections of his pastorate here. The full choir was in attendance at this service, and the singing if anything was of a more elaborate order than at the morning service.

The village was thronged with visitors from out of town, many of whom had come quite a long distance to participate in the services on the opening of the church. The evening service was a fitting climax to a very eventful day.

Appropriately named. At the recent meeting of the Westford board of education, held in the Graniteville school building, it was unanimously voted to name the Graniteville school the Sargent school, which name it will hereafter be called, in honor of the late Charles G. Sargent, the real founder of the industrial interests in this village, and a public man of great prominence…. [This article was not completed in this issue of The Wardsman but was given in its entirety in the following issue, where it is transcribed below.]

[1]

“The second Vermont (BB-20) was laid down on May 21, 1904 at Quincy, Mass., by the Fore River Shipbuilding Co.; launched on August 31, 1905; sponsored by Miss Jennie Bell, the daughter of Governor Charles J. Bell of Vermont; and commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on March 4, 1907, Capt. William P. Potter in command. 

“After her “shaking down” cruise off the eastern seaboard between Boston and Hampton Roads, Va., Vermont participated in maneuvers with the 1st Division of the Atlantic Fleet and, later, with the 1st and 2d Squadrons. Making a final trial trip between Hampton Roads and Provincetown, Mass., between August 30 and September 5, Vermont arrived at the Boston Navy Yard on September 7 and underwent repairs until late in November 1907. 

“Departing Boston on November 30, she coaled at Bradford, R.I.; received “mine outfits and stores” at Newport, R.I.; and picked up ammunition at Tompkinsville, Staten Island, N.Y.; and arrived at Hampton Roads on December 8. 

“There, she made final preparations for the globe-girdling cruise of the United States Atlantic Fleet. Nicknamed the “Great White Fleet” because of the white and spar color of their paint schemes, the 16 pre-dreadnought battleships sailed from Hampton Road s on December 16, standing out to sea under the gaze of President Theodore Roosevelt who had dispatched the ships, around the globe as a dramatic gesture toward Japan, a growing power on the world stage. 

“Vermont sailed as a unit of the 1st Division, under the overall command of Rear Admiral Robley D. “Fighting Bob” Evans, who was concurrently the Commander in Chief of the Fleet. Over the ensuing months, the battleship visited ports in Chile, Peru, Mexico, California, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Japan, China, and in the Mediterranean, before she returned to Hampton Roads again passing in review before President Roosevelt-on Washington’s Birthday, February 22, 1909. During the voyage, Vermont’s commanding officer, Capt. Potter, was advanced to flag rank and took command of the division; his place was taken by Capt. (later Admiral) Frank Friday Fletcher.”  [From the Dictionary of American Fighting Ships Online at http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd57txt.htm]

[2] The 42nd state admitted to the Union was Washington admitted on Nov. 11, 1889, and the next state admitted was Idaho on July 3, 1890, so the 42-star flag only existed for about 7 months.  Probably the number of stars was reported incorrectly.  Civil War flags would have 34 to 36 stars.

Saturday, October 24, 1908

Center. Rev. E. C. Davis of the Riverside church in Lawrence, preached most acceptably last Sunday morning at the Congregational church, in exchange with Rev. C. P. Marshall’s former pastorate before coming to Westford, and he much enjoyed meeting his old parishioners. In the evening Chas. D. Colburn led the C.E. meeting, subject, “Commending our society by systematic, generous giving.” A quartet composed of Mrs. C. D. Colburn, Miss Laura Lambert, Arthur E. Day and Howard Ferguson, added much to the service by their fine singing. Dr. McCluskey, who was present, spoke with much earnestness of the state C.E. convention meeting at Lynn this week.

Chas. O. Prescott and Rev. C. P. Marshall enjoyed a walking trip to Mt. Wachusett last week. The autumn foliage was at its best and the weather was clear and cool, ideal for the trip. On the homeward trip they visited the Wm. A. Perkins family at Grafton.

A. H. Sutherland is building a storehouse and barn for the Westford Water Co. at the pumping station at Pine Ridge.

The first in the series of the grange entertainment course will take place in the town hall, on Thursday evening, Oct. 29. Hon. Arthur K. Peck will deliver his stereopticon lecture, “Storm heroes of our coast.” Mr. Peck is a most able lecturer and this is one of his best subjects, and all are expected to do their part to help sustain this excellent course. These are three reasons why there should be a representative audience next Thursday evening.

Miss Mary Morin [Moran], our village nurse, has bought for a home for herself and sister, Mrs. Isles, the house opposite the town hall owned by Mrs. Hiram Whitney [58 Main St.].

The catchbasins which have been constructed by workmen under the direction of John A. Healey opposite the schoolhouse lot are completed. With the present extreme drouth it is hard to realize how necessary they are to draining Main st. in stormy seasons.

It is truly a dry time when Boutwell’s brook ceases to have any water in the Coolidge meadows. Mr. Spaulding is improving the opportunity by deepening the ditch, so as to be rid of surplus water when it does rain again. We hear that the present is the longest dry spell for nearly fifty years. May it be yet longer before it is dry again.

Rev. C. P. Marshall, H. G. Osgood, L. W. Wheeler, Mrs. Alice Lambert, Miss C. S. Atwood attended the conference of Congregational churches at Rollstone church, Fitchburg, Wednesday.

The personal property of the late Dr. J. W. Sleeper will be sold by auction at his late residence Saturday, Oct. 24, at one p.m. Frank H. Farmer, auctioneer.

Grange. Westford grange held its annual neighbors’ night at the town hall, last week Thursday evening. Billerica grange, which was especially invited, was unable to come in a body, but there were patrons present from there as well as from Groton, Littleton, Pepperell, Carlisle and Chelmsford, as well as nearly the entire membership of Westford, which is a sizable gathering of its own. The ladies’ degree staff exemplified the work of the third degree on a class of nine candidates, doing the work with much accuracy and precision, in uniforms of spotless white. The fourth degree followed by the regular officers, after which adjournment was made to the lower hall where a bountiful harvest feast was served, under the direction of caterer Fred A. Smith and a corps of able assistants.

Graniteville. The members of the Holy Name society of St. Catherine’s church who are to participate in the parade in Boston on Nov. 1 had a practice drill last Sunday and will also try the different movements at various times before the event takes place. The society here will unite with the society in North Chelmsford and join the ranks from St. Patrick’s parish of Lowell, who will form part of division twelve in the parade on that day.

Several of the Graniteville members of Westford grange are busy rehearsing for a two-act comedy-drama to be given in one of the neighboring towns in the near future. Joe Wall is coaching the players and also has a prominent part in the play. This play will be given in conjunction with some other form of entertainment to be presented by Westford grange at that time and will not be public.

The devotions of the holy rosary were held in St. Catherine’s church, Wednesday evening, and were largely attended.

On page two will be found this week the complete Sargent article printed last week in part.

Supper. The ladies’ aid society of the M.E. church held a very successful harvest supper and entertainment in the church vestry, last week Friday night, which was largely attended. Many were present from Forge Village, Westford, West Chelmsford and surrounding towns. A fine old-fashioned supper was served from 7:30 to 8:30, with every table filled. The supper was one of the society’s best efforts, and that is saying it was all that could be desired. Aside from the supper there was a mystery table that did a flourishing business, while the vegetable table proved a great attraction and found a ready sale for its goods. The experience party caused much merriment, and the trials and mishaps encountered by Mrs. J. B. Carmichael in earning “that dollar” and told by herself, kept the audience convulsed with laughter from start to finish. After many had related their experiences a short but very pleasing entertainment was given, consisting of the following numbers:

Piano and clarinet duet, Edith Normington and O. A. Nelson; vocal trio, “The rainbow,” Alice M. Gilson, Mildred Lorman, Leon Holland; rustic song, “The cows are in the corn,” Mrs. Armand; reading, “One standard for both sexes,” Mrs. Lucy Lambert; comic song, E. G. Boynton; recitation, “The brave fireman,” Mrs. O. A. Nelson; tableau in three acts, “Single blessedness,” “Not so blessed,” and “Blest beyond measure,” Chas. Blodgett and Mrs. Nelson.

All did finely in their parts, special mention being made of the excellent singing of the trio, the comic song by Mr. Boynton and the splendid recitation delivered by Mrs. Nelson. Immediately after the entertainment a sale of fruit and vegetables was held with Joe Wall as auctioneer, and everything salable was disposed of in short order. The whole affair was a great social and financial success and entirely in charge of the ladies’ aid society, while the following persons were at the head of the different committees:

Entertainment, Mrs. C. H. Wright; supper, Mrs. Maria Wall, Mrs. William Welsh, Emily Prinn, Mrs. J. B. Carmichael; mystery table, Mrs. W. H. Beebe, Mrs. J. Everett Woods; vegetable table, Mrs. Lucy Lambert.

Everybody present had a very enjoyable time and the committee in charge wish to thank all those who helped in any way toward the success of the affair.

Forge. The ideal weather of the past week brought many visitors from their city homes to spend the last of the week at their summer cottages at Forge pond, while still larger numbers came for Sunday to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Archie S. Bennett, teacher in the English high school, Somerville, was the weekend guest of his grandfather, Alvin S. Bennett.

Mrs. John Burnett entertained her mother, Mrs. M. E. McArdell, and her sister, Mrs. Wm. King of Dorchester, last week.

The ladies’ sewing circle met with Mrs. R. D. Prescott Thursday.

Death. Mrs. W. E. Parsons [nee Hannah Prescott] received a telegram the first of the week announcing the death and burial of her cousin, John M. Osgood of Racine, Wis. Mr. Osgood was born in Westford, May 19, 1828. His parents were Dr. Benjamin and Nancy (Cummings) Osgood. He was one of eight children and received his early education at the common schools and Westford academy. He was one of the first station agents on the Stony Brook railroad, being stationed at Forge Village. But that did not satisfy his ambition, so he and his brother Isaac went west, where they engaged in the meat business at Racine, then in its infancy. They remained in that business until the death of his brother, when he changed to lumber and real estate. In 1890 he retired from business cares, but was always interested in public affairs.

He was twice married. His first wife was Miss H. M. Hurd of Charlestown. About five years ago he married Mrs. Mary Eastman of Somerville, who survives him. His death closes the book of that once large family, but his memory and loving kindness will live in the minds of friends that are left.

The funeral was held at his late home in Racine and he was laid to rest by the side of his first wife in the beautiful cemetery in the city he loved so well and had lived in for the last sixty years of his life.

The following is taken from a Racine paper: “After a long illness John M. Osgood, one of the pioneers and prominent citizens of Racine, passed away at St. Luke’s hospital shortly before twelve, on Wednesday night, Oct. 14, of general debility incident to old age. He was a charter member of the Universalist church and also member of Belle City lodge, No. 92, F. and A.M., and was always interested in Masonic affairs.” [His middle name was Mason.]

School. All close range intentions of closing Stony Brook school have evidently been abandoned and so has the old furnace, the school committee having installed a new one. The hurry to complete this work and not interfere with Sunday or the school of Monday developed much sweat and a look of fret, but even these two features were not sufficient to complete the work on Saturday, and Sunday witnessed this ancient advice exemplified and reasoned out, “Which of you having an ox, if he fall into the ditch on the Sabbath day, will you not straightway take him out.” [Luke 14:5.] Well, yes, of course take him out so he can get back to his cud again. The difficulty of application today seems to be, first, there “aint” any oxen; second, if it did fall into the ditch, there is neither mud nor water in these dry days of 1908 to prevent his getting out alone.

But, howsoever, waiving all thought of “straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel” [Matthew 23:24] on Sunday labor, the school committee would have had this attended to during vacation, but the town uttered a $15,000 yes in favor of consolidation, and then petitioned itself into repentance and mourning that it ever had light enough to behold truth that way before.

The furnace just removed was one ordered by the state inspector and was a heater and ventilator combination. As a heater, by the aid of sun and moon it inclined to overdo it just a little in dog days; as a ventilator it was far-reaching in its suction and dragged in the north pole. No wonder Peary couldn’t find it. [1] The new furnace is to have a special nurse, and Guy R. Decatur has been appointed by the school committee. In comparing the complicated heating apparatus of modern days—with day and night nurses in case a ray of light should get fractured, with the plain stove of the days of cowhide boots, the stove of cord-wood heat, the stove that the plain Yankee farmer boy could fire in a match game with zero weather and win out every time, why we have simply heated up our brains with expensive complications, while our feet are colder than in the days of inexpensive simplicity.

The old furnace formerly used at Forge Village schoolhouse has been transferred to the town hall at the Center. Thanks, many and far-reaching to everybody in authority who has come to the conclusion that it is about time that the furnaces at the town hall had an assistant, for as a cold storage for cold feet the hall is close to the line of being painfully perfect—some more of the subway cellar heating apparatus that cannot compete with simple wooden heat close to the feet.

About Town. The electric cars killed a cow belonging to Frank C. Drew, last week Friday. The cows were being driven to pasture when the car came along from Westford Center and struck one of the cows at the crossing near Mr. Drew’s house [46 Lowell Rd.?]. There appears to have been ample time to stop the car. It appears to have been a case of mistaken judgment in supposing that a cow, like a person, would have sense enough to make a wise choice between leaving the track voluntarily, and being reminded of the choice by contact with a fast approaching car. There is no doubt of the liability of the company, the superintendent of which was early on the scene to make a financial apology.

Westford grange will make a neighbor’s night visit to Groton grange Tuesday evening, Oct. 27. A barge will leave the town hall about six o’clock. Westford grange will furnish the entertainment, which will consist in part of the half-hour farce entitled “Coals of fire.” The cast of the play has been arranged according to the laws of natural selection: Adam Crabtree, a farmer, S. L. Taylor; Phil O’Hara, his servant, Joseph Wall; Mr. Meek, a country minister, J. E. Woods; Bobby Greening, Andrew Johnson; Dick Pippin, Fred Blodgett; Charley Baldwin, Chas. Blodgett. The first named takes the place of J. Willard Fletcher, who is busy in behalf of justice at the court house in Lowell.

The board of registrars will meet at the selectmen’s room, town hall, this Saturday from the noon hour until ten p.m. This is the last opportunity for voters to prove their claim and register. The assessors will also be in session at the same time and place to issue certificates of good behavior, accompanied with a two-dollar certificate of introduction to the tax collector, to all persons who felt slighted in not being noticed on the first day of May last.

Samuel M. Hutchins, a former resident of the town, is seriously ill at his residence on Parker st., Lowell. He would be glad to received visits from his Westford associates.

Amos Polley is building a henhouse that it is hoped will prove fire-proof, burglar-proof, and vermin-proof. Very likely the hens will have testimony in rebuttal to offer on one phase of the expectation.

One person registered at Brookside precinct last week Friday evening, and four at Graniteville last Monday evening.

Appropriately named. At the recent meeting of the Westford board of education, held in the Graniteville school building, it was unanimously voted to name the Graniteville school the Sargent school, which name it will hereafter be called, in honor of the late Charles G. Sargent, the real founder of the industrial interests in this village, and a public man of great prominence. It was mainly by Mr. Sargent’s generosity that the Methodist church, that fine bit of architecture situated on high ground overlooking the pond, was erected. He it was who gave the land and furnished the financial backing [in 1870-71] which made this building possible. In all things he was public-spirited, and being possessed of fine business ability he was successful in all his undertakings, which enabled him to perform many good deeds for the welfare of this village. The school committee is to be commended for using such excellent judgment in selecting such an appropriate name for the school, for the Sargent family are very prominent here and are always loyal to the interests of the Graniteville people, and the children that attend this school can be told by their teachers that this school is named in honor of the late Charles G. Sargent, who was the real founder of Graniteville, a true, loyal, public-spirited citizen and a good, charitable man.

No doubt there are a great many who would like to hear more concerning Mr. Sargent, for his good deeds were endless, but we will pass over that for the time being and give a brief history of his business career, which is bound to be interesting.

A native of Hillsboro, N.H., and the son of a tailor, Charles G. Sargent was born July 17, 1818 [1819]. He worked on neighboring farms and went to the common school in early years, and at fourteen began to learn the trade of cabinet maker, but his employer having sold out he transferred his services to [a] manufacturer of eight-day clocks, with whom he remained one and a half years. His employer then failed and young Sargent went to Lowell, where he entered into an agreement with a job contractor in the Lowell machine shop for three years. Having then mastered the trade of machinist, he engaged to do machine repairing for a worsted manufacturer at West Chelmsford. Here he stayed four years, employing his spare time in learning the details of worsted manufacture. In 1841 he entered the services of the Lowell manufacturing company and the next year was made its overseer. A new factory was erected in 1845 and Mr. Sargent aided in constructing and setting up its machinery, which was designed for the manufacture of worsted. It was while connected with this company that he invented a valuable burring machine.

Mr. Sargent resolved in 1852 to enter into business for himself, and although offered every inducement to remain, he left the Lowell company, hired a small shop on Market st., and began the manufacture and sale of wool-burring and other machines. Also at this time he invented what is now called the Garnett wire; also, the Garnett wire-wound cylinder, which are now used for a great variety of purposes. After a successful career of two years he was forced by ill health to temporarily abandon his efforts.

With Francis A. Calvert he purchased in 1854 a grist mill and a saw mill at Graniteville, and converted them into shops for the manufacture of wool machinery, entering into partnership with Mr. Calvert Jan. 8, 1855, for the manufacture of same. In 1857 a partnership was formed with J. W. P. Abbot for the manufacture of worsted yarn, but being unable to attend to this department of business Mr. Sargent sold his interest to Allan Cameron. These buildings were burned Dec. 5, 1858.

Shortly after there was erected what is now called mill No. 1, a two-story stone building, 185 by 52 [feet], with a connecting one 40 by 32 [feet]. Jan. 1, 1863, Mr. Sargent bought his partner’s interest in the machine shop and continued business in his own name.

He invented a number of important machines pertaining to his branch of manufacture, among them a wool-washing machine, burr-picker, wool-dyeing machine and other machinery for preparing wool and fibrous materials. In 1877 he built a new mill on the opposite side of the stream. This was finished and the machinery moved in January 1878.

When Mr. Sargent settled here the village was called Stone Quarry, until about 1856, when the name was changed to Graniteville at his suggestion. Mr. Sargent died July 16, 1878, at his seaside cottage, Juniper Point, Salem. He held a number of offices of trust, which are not herein specified.

[1] Arctic explorer Robert Edwin Peary (1856-1920) had sailed on July 6, 1908, from New York City with an expedition in an attempt to reach the North Pole, which he claimed to have done on April 6, 1909, a claim that is widely doubted today.

Saturday, October 31, 1908

Center. A most successful husking party was held at the home of George E. Gould and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Blodgett, Friday evening of last week. The house and grounds were appropriately trimmed with Japanese and jack-o-lanterns, and many bushels of corn were husked. A bountiful and prettily served supper was enjoyed by the guests. After, the husking room was made for dancing, with music by Mr. Blodgett on the violin. There were about seventy-five present.

Mrs. M. J. Wheeler has been confined to the house the past week with a severe cold.

The ladies of the Congregational church will hold a food sale at the vestry Friday afternoon, Nov. 6.

Principal and Mrs. Woodward are getting settled in their new home on Boston road.

Mrs. H. V. Hildreth and Master Leon spent Sunday with relatives in Malden.

Rev. E. H. Roper of Portland, Oregon, has been a recent guest at Mrs. Caroline Atwood’s.

Westford people are sincerely thankful for the people in our sister town of Littleton that Monday night’s serious conflagration did not extend farther than it did; also, they would extend their sincerest sympathy to Mr. Stiles and Mrs. Lawrence, who have many friends in Westford, in their serious loss.

Rev. Frank D. Atherton, assistant pastor of Morgan memorial chapel, Boston, will speak at the evening service at the Congregational church on Sunday. Many who know something of the various phases of work of this institution will be glad to hear Mr. Atherton’s account. Last Sunday evening at this church Mr. Marshall gave an interesting talk on the medical and industrial work accomplished by our foreign missionaries. It was illustrated with the stereopticon with a particularly good set of pictures.

Rev. C. P. Marshall and L. W. Wheeler attended the council preparatory to the installation of Rev. Paul G. Favor at Littleton on Tuesday, and a number of others from this church were present at the installation services in the afternoon.

Miss Jennie M. Chandler was a Sunday guest at Mrs. J. B. Fletcher’s.

Walter Johnson of Boston has been spending a few days in town the past week.

Edwin N. C. Barnes, supervisor of music in the schools, is to give a song recital at the town hall, Monday evening, Nov. 2. Gunner Eckman, violinist; Miss Alice Dean Spalding, reader; Miss Sarah Horblit, accompanist, will assist Mr. Barnes.

The H. F. Leiths have closed their Westford home and will spend the winter months in Concord.

Edward Felch, who has lived in the tenement over the old store for some time, has secured a position in Natick and with his mother will move there Nov. 1.

Wedding. An autumn wedding of much interest to Westford people is one that took place in Manchester, N.H., on Oct. 28, when Miss Dorothy May Sleeper was united in marriage to Chester Martin Hartwell, Harvard ’05, of Littleton. The wedding took place at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Hobbs, the ceremony being performed at five in the afternoon. The officiating clergyman was Rev. Chas. Hathaway of the Unitarian church of Manchester, the double ring ceremony being used. The rooms were beautifully trimmed with evergreen and white chrysanthemums, the bay window where the ceremony took place was banked with green, relieved by the beautiful white chrysanthemums. The maid of honor was Miss Natalie Sleeper, only sister of the bride, and Richard Laws Hartwell, the groom’s only brother, was best man. The ring bearer was Philip Hobbs, the little cousin of the bride, and Walter J. Sleeper held the wide white ribbons that formed an aisle for the bridal party. Owing to the recent bereavement in the bride’s family the wedding was a quiet one, only the immediate relatives of the bride and groom and a few friends being present. The bride wore a beautiful gown of white crepe de chine. After the marriage ceremony a wedding breakfast was served by Farrell of the Calumet club. After a wedding trip Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell will reside in Littleton.

About Town. The selectmen have had the usual difficulty in securing persons to serve as precinct officers at election next Tuesday. The town was unanimous in dividing into voting precincts, but not so unanimous for the service as officers of these precincts. Following is a partially incomplete list appointed at time of writing, several having declined:

Westford Center, precinct 1: warden, S. L. Balch; deputy, A. H. Sutherland; clerk, J. M. Fletcher; inspectors, W. H. H. Burbeck, T. A. E. Wilson; deputy, C. R. P. Decatur. Graniteville, precinct 2: warden, T. D. Riney; deputy, A. R. Wall; clerk, Walter Wright; inspectors, H. D. Wright, J. Wall; deputy, C. A. Blodgett. Brookside, precinct 3: warden, M. L. McGlinchey; deputy, P. B. McGlinchey; clerk, W. R. Taylor; deputies, S. L. Taylor, H. G. Osgood, B. J. Flynn; inspectors, Henry B. Reed, Wm. J. Donnelly. Forge, precinct 4: warden, A. S. Bennett; clerk, F. A. Reed; inspectors, A. H. Comey, E. G. Boynton.

Daniel H. Sheehan is running his wooden-woolen-cotton-cider-vinegar combination mill by gasoline, there being no dam to back up the water and no water to back up the dam. The work of time has been gradually reducing the dam to that dust which is the estate of all things, while the gradually diminishing of the water must be charged up in a large degree to wasteful and reckless destruction of forests, which has taught foreign countries such costly lessons in drouth and flood. What a pity that America must be at the expense of learning this lesson, when history hoists the signal of alarm.

In the suit of George W. Bussey against the Lowell and Fitchburg street railway, the jury awarded a verdict of $125. Mr. Bussey sued the company for trespass, breaking down fences and cutting down trees at various times in May and June, 1907. The jury visited the premises last week Friday. The plaintiff claimed $1000 damages. The Defendants claimed not to have exceeded the rights granted by the selectmen. Pratt & Devine for plaintiff, F. A. Fisher for defendant.

There was a republican rally at the club house in Graniteville, Friday evening, Oct. 30. Music by the truant band of North Chelmsford, and interesting speakers.

Renne Dezeile on the Lowell road is seriously afflicted with an affection of the eyes that comes close to the border-line of blindness. Specialists from Lowell are probing for sight.

The rain, the glorious rain, the long delayed rain! Now that it has arrived may it be sufficient to settle all dusty questions and reign supreme over all dry occasions.

Fire. In the early afternoon of Thursday last week a threatening fierce woodland fire for its size got under headway on land of Hammett Wright, Harry Fletcher, and John A. Healy on the northerly slope of Snake Meadow hill, northeast of Graniteville. Fire warden, John A. Healy, responded with a lot of volunteers equipped with chemical fire extinguishers, which soon brought the fire to smoke and from smoke to surrender. About seven acres were burned over. A lack of that breezy condition of atmosphere is to be credited in making honorable mention of reasons why the acreage burned was so small.

The next day about one o’clock another fire started in the direction of Cold Spring. Owing to the quick response of the Abbot hose company of Westford and the A. R. Choate company of Graniteville, with volunteer citizens, the fire was soon forced to accept the tender mercies of annihilation. Only about one acre was wearing mourning on account of the fire.

Grange. For an inspiring exemplification of the fraternal spirit, for a literal supper of the fruits of the farm, for the personal greetings of the patrons, for large and conveniently adjusted hall room, why, go to Groton. And that was the exact movement of ninety members of Westford grange Tuesday evening, in a neighbors’ night entertainment with Groton grange. One barge load left Westford town hall at six o’clock p.m., going by way of Graniteville and the Groton road and carrying thirty happy, singing, single patrons; barge the second left the town hall at 6:30, and went by way of Forge Village licensed spring and Ridge Hill tavern, carrying two dozen patrons whose youthful inclinations were strongly in the direction of the rising sun. They were able to be in good spirits when they reached out for the hospitality of Groton; without any fortification of spirits by fluid spirits. The balance went by single teams or else balanced at home.

The entertainment was furnished by Westford grange and included music by the grange orchestra—J. Willard Fletcher, clarinet; Alvin Nelson and Arthur Blodgett, cornets; Mr. Miller, violin; William Wall, drums; Mabel Miller, piano. The appreciative spirit frequently applauded them into “Please play that again,” or something else that has the same “Can’t keep my feet still’ movement to it. Mrs. May Wright added volume to the occasion by song. E. G. Boynton arrested all tendencies to sleepiness by comic song. He being a constable he could just do this effectively, no handcuffs, no billy, except “A little billy goat.” Mrs. Alvin Nelson read several selections so effectively that the reading of them over again was called for. The last number on the program was the short farce, ‘Coals of fire,” which helped to warm up the occasion. The actors who got a warming up were Joseph Wall, J. Everett Woods, Fred and Chas. Blodgett, S. L. Taylor.

Graniteville. Grand chief companion, Miss Josephine Mahoney of South Boston, made her first official visit here to Cameron circle, C.F.A., on Tuesday evening. This event had been looked forward to by the circle members for several days, and a large number were present to greet her on this occasion. After the regular order of business was dispensed with there were speeches by visiting friends, followed by a brief reception to the grand chief companion, which enabled all those present to meet her personally. Refreshments were then served, followed by a social hour, during which dancing was enjoyed. The whole affair was very enjoyable and reflects credit on the committee in charge.

The devotions of the holy rosary took place in St. Catherine’s church Wednesday evening and were very largely attended. After the devotions the members of the Holy Name society who are to participate in the great parade in Boston on Sunday, Nov. 1, met for practice drill and at the same time received the badges and buttons that are to be worn on that occasion. The local company is doing finely, under the leadership of James McTeague of North Chelmsford, and is bound to give a good account of itself on Sunday.

The local stone contractors are still doing a rushing business, and there is such a strong demand for block paving that one of the foremost contractors was obliged to work his men last Sunday in order to fill the many cars that were in waiting. The stone-men are taking every advantage of the fine weather and are in hopes of filling their contracts before the cold weather sets in.

Graniteville people take an interest in the serious fire in Littleton Monday night, when F. O. [Fred Oscar] Stiles, a former resident here, was burned out, losing his fine house, barn and three valuable horses. Fortunately Mr. Stiles and family escaped injury, but it seems as though he is getting more than his share of bad luck, for he has not yet recovered from a serious injury to his leg sustained in a runaway accident some few weeks ago. The people here deeply sympathize with Mr. Stiles and his family in the loss of their home, for it comes at a time when he was being heard from in the business world. The loss of Mrs. Grace Lawrence’s house is also to be regretted, but she was not so well known here as the Stiles family.

A Young Linguist. Although Graniteville does not lay any claim to being an education center, the people are justly proud of their children, and the many boys and girls here that are proficient in different languages. One case that stands out clearly from all others is that of little Stanislaw Bochenko, the five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bochenko. The subject of this sketch is a bright little Polish boy, who is able to converse freely in Polish, Italian, French and English. He is better known to his playmates as Stanley Smith, and although only five years of age he often acts as interpreter for many of the store-men, peddlers and different families in the vicinity in which he lives. He has not as yet attended the public schools, as his parents find that he learns very readily and they do not care to press him with more knowledge until he is a trifle older. One of the Boston Sunday papers recently published an article about a little boy that spoke three languages, and although Graniteville is only a country village it can go them one better by giving them the story of this little Polish boy who can speak four languages.

Forge. It is expected that the new schoolhouse will be ready for occupancy in two weeks. Joseph Wall, the well-known painter and decorator, is at work on the interior. The school children, under the direction of Mr. Barnes, assisted by the teachers, are rehearsing a cantata to be given at the dedication of the new building. When completed, Forge Village will have a school building to be proud of. It is equipped with all the latest improvements, has two wide separate stairways, double swinging doors, and every protection in case of fire.

John Brown has accepted a position with William Crabtree & Son of Montgomery, N.Y., and left here Sunday to assume his duties.

William Prescott visited his aunt, Mrs. Parsons, last week. He has a position as engineer with the Lowell electric light company.

Frank Collins has accepted a position as draughtsman at Sargent’s machine shop, Graniteville.

A daughter was born last Saturday to Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Milot.

The festival of All Saints’ day, Nov. 1, will be commemorated in the Forge mission house by services at 4:30, when the chapel will be decorated for harvest home and the combined vested choirs of Forge and Ayer will sing the harvest cantata in place of a sermon.

Mrs. Alfred Drolett and two children have returned from Montreal, where they passed the summer.

Mrs. William Venn and family of Keithley, England, sailed Saturday, Oct. 24. Upon their arrival they will come to this village, where they intend to settle. Mr. Venn came some time ago.

William Drake of Fitchburg was a guest of his cousin, Nelson Prescott, a short time last Sunday.