The Westford Wardsman, April 13, 1918
[New Advertisement]
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Center. Owing to the holiday on next week Friday, correspondents are requested to have their copy reach the office of this paper earlier than usual, as this paper will be published on Thursday, instead of on Friday.
Since the branch line electrics have been resumed the following schedule has been arranged Week days—leave Westford 7, 8:05, 11:40 a.m., 1, 1:30, 3:05, 4:30, 6:05 p.m.; Sundays leave Westford 8:40, 10 a.m., 1, 3, 5, 7 p.m.; leave Brookside 9, 11 a.m., 2, 4, 6, 7 p.m.
J. Herbert Fletcher has purchased a new Ford automobile and has converted his other machine into a truck to use in his grocery business.
Miss Martha Grant, principal at the Frost school, has been sick with quinsy sore throat. During her absence from school Miss Mabel Drew has been taking her place.
With the passing of the cold weather the Red Cross and French Aid work is again being carried on upstairs in the library.
Children’s day will be observed at the Tadmuck club on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock in the Congregational church. A good speaker from the Audubon society has been secured, who gives his talk on birds with good illustrations and also imitates the bird calls, thereby proving both interesting and instructive. The committee in charge have also planned a treat for the children after the entertainment. This meeting and the club luncheon on April 30 completes the season’s program of the club.
Dr. C. A. Blaney has been summoned to Dorchester this week, owing to the sickness and death of his father from pneumonia.
The reading class of the Tadmuck club met with the chairman, Mrs. William C. Roudenbush, Monday afternoon, reading “The red robe,” a four-act drama dealing with the workings of English law.
A sign of these unusual times this spring has been the tapping of maple trees for their sap to be boiled down for syrup. Some families have supplemented their sugar supply quite a bit. Another thrifty enterprise is the gathering of so many substantial wood piles when in many cases coal has been the dependence.
The trustees of the Congregational church are having the church shingled this spring.
Gordon Seavey, a popular member of the Boy Scouts, was presented a war service medal at city hall, Lowell, by Congressman John Jacob Rogers last week Tuesday. This was for selling thirteen war bonds.
Proposals for completing the work on the Westford firehouse will be received by the committee appointed by the town on or before eight o’clock, Thursday evening, April 18, at the selectmen’s room, town hall, at which time they will be publicly opened and read. Plans and specifications may be obtained of Oscar R. Spalding, chairman of the committee.
The Frost school, which did not have the regular spring vacation, owing to interruptions due to transportation in the winter, will close on next Wednesday until the following Monday. This includes the holiday, April 19.
The senior class of Westford academy to graduate the coming June consists of nine girls and five boys. The valedictorian is to be Miss Carolyn Precious, and Miss Rachael Kimball has the salutatory. The event of this week in school circles was the prize speaking contest this week Friday evening.
Mrs. A. H. Sutherland entertained the Ladies’ Aid society at an all-day meeting on Thursday at her home. The noon time for luncheon, supplemented with hot coffee and other good things, was much enjoyed. A good attendance was present.
The entertainment committee of the state guards has arranged for the Boston university Dramatic club to give a play in the town hall on April 26, with a cast of fifteen men.
Fifty-seven men of the local company of the state guard were in line in the parade in Boston last Saturday. The men were transported to and from the city by automobile.
Westford’s allotment of bonds for the third liberty loan is $75,000. The committee in charge hope to go over the top with this total and asks every citizen to buy through the local committee. John C. Abbot is chairman and the other members are H. L. Wright, Edward M. Abbot, Alfred W. Hartford, Dr. Warren H. Sherman, Edward T. Hanley and Arthur E. Day.
Military Concert and Ball. The military concert and ball under the auspices of the local home guard was a great success. This took place in the town hall on last week Friday evening with an attendance of several hundred people. Good weather and traveling was a helpful feature toward the success of the evening, and the surrounding towns and villages were well represented. Many men in uniform were present, including men from Camp Devens, and also officers from Lowell, Concord and Groton companies of the home guard. The men in uniform and the many handsome gowns worn by the ladies, with the military decorations, made the gathering an impressive and memorable sight. Greenery, United States flags and flags of the other nations involved in the great struggle for liberty, and the electrical decorations, were most effective. Poole’s orchestra, a favorite with the dancers, furnished music for the occasion.
The concert and reception was from eight to nine o’clock, after which came the dancing from nine to one o’clock. The grand march was led by Capt. Charles W. Robinson and his daughter, Miss Maude Robinson. One of the features of the evening was a military tableau, accompanied by the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Those taking part in the tableau were Private Frank R. Charlton and Private Florence G. Sullivan and John Gray and Walter Hartwell, instructors with the Harvard radio school in Cambridge. The D. L. Page Company catered. The event will net the treasury about $100. A number of households entertained guests for the dance.
Alfred W. Hartford, Edward M. Riney, William E. Wright, Frank Lupien, James May, Robert Prescott and C. Inglis Wetmore were the committee in charge. The reception committee were Capt. Charles W. Robinson, Lieut. Herbert V. Hildreth, Lieut. William J. Robinson, Lieut. Orion V. Wells, Sergts. Julian A. Cameron and Fred L. Fletcher.
About Town. Amos Polley on the Prairie farm is planning on an acreage of wheat to be sown this spring. We all of us who have suitable land for small grains ought to be loyal to the pleadings of the government and be as nearly self-supporting as possible. A few years since the largest yield of wheat per acres in the United States was in Massachusetts, in the Connecticut valley, fifty bushels per acre. At the present guaranteed price by the government of $2.50 per bushel, it would seem to be best paying crop for the labor invested.
We are urged to raise all kinds of staple crops and they are itemized by government and food administrators generally, but no one has spoken right out loud in meeting about raising popcorn. It is easily raised, requires less plant food than yellow corn, and is the most economical food to administer to your hunger. It stands out alone on the self sufficient merits of its individuality, and the one surprising feature is that as farmers we do not attempt to raise enough for home consumption. Enough can be raised in a square rut to supply a family for a year. At present prices of grain feed popcorn is by far the most economical considering the simplicity of its preparation for food. Hats off for more popcorn.
John T. Kelley, who for the past year has leased the small farm belonging to Blodgett Bros., located at the intersection of the Groton road and Millstone hill road, has moved to the farm of Blodgett Bros. in Tyngsboro, located on the Dunstable road. In the incidental mix-up of Blodgett Bros., Westford, and Blodgett Bros., Tyngsboro, let it be explained that they are two separate units.
The first joint meeting of the officers’ advisory board and the director of Middlesex County Farm Bureau was held in Boston on Tuesday with a full attendance. N. J. Bowditch presided. Stirring addresses to stir the farmers to stir the soil were made by John A. Scheuerle, field manager of the Eastern States; Fred L. Griggs, manager; James T. Weed, of the Lowell park commission, and the recent appointment as commissioner for supplying farm labor in Massachusetts. John B. Abbott, head of the Farm Bureau, started the fireworks of the exercises which started the sky rockets that followed.
Fire started on Sunday afternoon in the northeast suburbs of Oak hill. It looked at one time as though it would burn all before it, including the Merrimack river, but it was prevented from such a rash act by the large force of fighters with anti-fire chemicals. After burning over valuable pine forests it was retired until a more favorable time.
The writer recalls pleasant memories of the late Charles B. Baldwin, of Groton, having been associated with him on the jury several years ago, and more recently in pleasant reminiscences with him in Groton.
Wesley O. Hawkes and J. Everett Woods attended the annual encampment of the G.A.R., held in Boston on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Gerald Decatur has entered the employ of the H. E. Fletcher Company, stone contractors on Oak hill.
George C. Moore has cut a large area of wood eastward of the Nabnassett schoolhouse and Nabnassett pond. It has been culled from the white pine.
It is interesting to note that one of our most loyal workers at the Red Cross headquarters wears as her uniform the same apron which she used to wear for similar work in the days of the civil war.
Word has been received that Mrs. Gretchen Kebler Sargent, of California, was recently operated upon for appendicitis. Her husband has enlisted and Mrs. Sargent was planning to come east with the two children as soon as spring really came. In the meantime her mother, Mrs. Kebler, has hurriedly taken a trip to California.
West Chelmsford is doing its full share in trying to secure a good liberty loan there. Mrs. George Day, of Chelmsford, who has charge of the woman’s part in the liberty loan drive, assigned the special work in West Chelmsford to Mrs. F. A. Snow. She chose her assistants and now the eight people who are making a house-to-house canvass are Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Snow, Mr. and Mrs. John Monihan, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Anderson, Miss Lottie Snow and Clarence Burns.
Otis Day and Miss May Day were among those Wednesday evening who heard Ex-Pres. Taft speak in Lowell.
Arthur Butterfield, of Dunstable, a professor at Worcester Polytechnic, is in France. He volunteered his services and was placed in the Officers’ Reserve Corps. Those who knew him when he was a student at the old academy will be interested to hear of his loyalty.
Clarence Hildreth is located in Chicago and is serving his country by inspecting Liberty motors. His ability in that line was recognized, and instead of being sent to France he was assigned to duty in Chicago. Mrs. Hildreth is happy at being able to be with her husband once more. She has found a useful place for herself in helping out with the clerical work.
Grange. There was an encouraging number present at the last meeting of the Grange. The first two degrees were exemplified on candidates in a creditable manner. The Grange was inspected by Deputy Cahill of Waltham. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday evening, April 17, instead of on Tuesday evening, the usual night. The third degree will be exemplified by the ladies’ degree team, and the fourth degree by the regular officers.
A feature of the last meeting was a tableau. As the curtain rose Miss Dunn stood on the stage representing the Goddess of Liberty. She held in her hand the Grange service flag; the audience rose and sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Mrs. William R. Taylor made a plea for a contribution of apples for the 2500 colored men who have recently arrived at Camp Devens from Florida. It is very different now from their sunny land and she felt they would appreciate the kindness shown by a gift of apples. The Grange and the citizens in general have responded generously. W. R. Taylor and Rev. Charles Anderson have been collecting the apples which will be taken to the camp.
Middlesex-North Pomona Grange held a well attended meeting last week. At the morning session the question of “Does it pay to store vegetables and fruit through the winter?” [was discussed.] The discussion was opened by members of Dracut Grange. We certainly have done ourselves proud in storing potatoes all winter, only to catch a slump market in the spring. In the discussion of the prohibitory constitutional amendment this Pomona Grange voted unanimously in favor of the amendment, with one dissenting vote. At the afternoon session Hon. John Jacob Rogers gave a plain and easy to be understood address on “Foreign relations, from personal observations.” Miss Wright, of Lowell, gave a talk on “Why every farmer should keep bees.”
Forge Village. A large water main burst near the residence of Miles Collins on Sunday afternoon. Many gallons of water flowed down Forge hill. Alonzo Sutherland, superintendent of the Westford Water Co., was notified and shut off the water pending repairs to the pipe.
Rev. Angus Dun conducted the services at St. Andrew’s mission on Sunday afternoon. He announced that the United States had entered the war just one year ago. His sermon was in commemoration of that event. National hymns were sung by the choir.
The Forge Service Unit met Tuesday evening with a large number of women present. Mrs. Marion Andrews with Miss Eva Pyne and Rev. Angus Dun of Ayer were also present. A great number of surgical dressings were completed for the Red Cross.
Mrs. Laura E. Jones and little grandson, Edward B. Jones, of Worcester, spent the weekend at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett.
A meeting of the Girl Scouts was held Tuesday evening at St. Andrew’s mission, under the direction of Miss Cora Nelson, national field captain. Very instructive drilling was practiced during the evening in preparation for the rally in Boston, which the Scouts are planning to attend April 27. The Scouts are obtaining their hats as the first part of the uniform. Camping plans were discussed for the coming summer and the girls showed great enthusiasm over them. A meeting of the Girl Scouts will be held Thursday evening for the rehearsal on the cantata. Miss Marjorie Peabody and Miss Margaret Eaglesfield of Groton will be present to assist in this.
Mr. and Mrs. George L. Sanborn wish to announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Mabel Boardman Sanborn, to Walter Ernest Clough of Camp Devens, Ayer.
The soldiers of the 301st Ammunition Train of Camp Devens are to give a concert and dance in Abbot hall on Friday evening, April 18, for the benefit of the local branch of the Red Cross. The affair will be under the general management of Miss Eva L. Pyne.
A chimney fire at the Parker farm caused the fire department of Westford to be called out Thursday afternoon of last week at about two o’clock. Carl Lydia, who resides there, and C. Inglis Wetmore worked hard to get it under control before help arrived. Owing to construction of the chimney it was decided to take no chances. Mrs. Joseph Isles, the telephone operator, was called upon to notify the fire department. Fire Chief E. M. Abbot was on the scene with several extinguishers in less than ten minutes after being called. The promptness with which the firemen responded in so short a time was greatly appreciated by the occupants of the house, for in less than 15 minutes after the alarm was given nearly 40 persons were ready with extinguishers to render aid. The fire was confined to the chimney and the only damage done was to the furnace pipes and from water which flooded the cellar.
Miss Carolyn Putnam Webber concluded her twelve lessons in food conservation in Abbot hall on Thursday evening of last week. A large number were present and received much valuable assistance in preparing and arranging meals with food substitutes. The people who have enjoyed the lectures and profited by the many recipes given out are indebted to Julian A Cameron, who generously arranged for Miss Webber to demonstrate the flour substitutes.
Mrs. John W. Shaddick of the Tadmuck farm [Peletiah Fletcher farm, 54 Lowell Rd.] was a guest at a luncheon given at the home of Miss Edith M. Foster, Winchester and Medford.
The war gardens are again being divided among the men who are anxious to aid the government in the food question. The Abbot Worsted Co. has prepared the Prescott field, containing many acres for planting. Ploughing was done last fall and lime mixed in. Dressing for the land has also been added, all free of cost. Nothing remains in the way of expense except the seeds. A government expert from time to time will give advice on what to plant. A large field in Union street has also been prepared for the residents in that district.
Miss Anna Shaddick of the Tadmuck farm was the guest of Mrs. W. C. Precious on Wednesday.
“A daughter of the gods,” the million-dollar picture, with Annette Keltermann, will be shown at Page hall theatre, Ayer, on Tuesday, April 16. Four performances—at 2:00, 4:00, 6:30 and 8:15. See adv. In this paper.
Death. Little Hannah McNiff [McKniff], the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McNiff, died at her home here early Saturday morning, after an illness of only two days with pneumonia. Her death came as a great shock to her family. The little girl had a cold for the past two weeks but would not remain away from school and played marbles with the children until two days before her death. She was one of a large family of children and was of a very cheerful disposition. Her presence in the family circle will be greatly missed. Besides her parents, she leaves four brothers and six sisters. She was seven years and six months old.
Her funeral took place on Monday morning at 8:30 o’clock. A funeral mass was celebrated at nine o’clock at St. Catherine’s church, West Graniteville, by Rev. Henry P. Scott. St. Catherine’s choir was in attendance and Miss Mary F. Hanley was the organist. The bearers were James Mulligan, John Holloy, Albert Hobson and John Venn. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Walsh of North Chelmsford and the Misses Alice and Rebecca Enemott of Methuen and her teacher, Miss Abbie M. Blaisdell were among the number that attended the services. Burial took place in St. Catherine’s cemetery. There were many very beautiful flowers.
Graniteville. Bernice York, the five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ellsworth York, celebrated her birthday anniversary with a party held at her home on last Saturday afternoon that was attended by many of her little friends. The time was passed very pleasantly in playing games and other amusements, and all had a very enjoyable time. Refreshments were served and it is needless to say that this proved to be one of the pleasing incidents of the birthday celebration. Miss Bernice received many pretty gifts from her numerous little friends. The party was surely a great success.
The Ladies Aid society of the Methodist church met with Mrs. C. E. Eaton on Thursday afternoon at three o’clock.
Both masses in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning were celebrated by the pastor, Rev. C. P. Heaney, who delivered an eloquent sermon on “Peace.” After the second mass the members of the Holy Name society held their regular meeting.
The Methodist parsonage is being renovated and many changes will be made in the building before the work is completed. The work is being done under the supervision of the Ladies’ Aid society.
Many from this village attended the military ball held in the town hall, Westford, on last week Friday night. This was considered one of the biggest social events held in the town.
George Hanson left here this week for Washington, D.C., where he will be employed in the army ordnance department in the engineer’s section.
The bells on the mill and shop were rung for three minutes at ten o’clock on last Saturday morning to usher in the opening of the third liberty loan drive. The people here have already responded in good shape to the first two calls and it is expected that they will do their part on this occasion.
Mrs. Henry Smith had her household goods removed to Fitchburg this week where she intends to reside in the future.
It is expected that a baseball club will be formed here, and the preliminary plans have already been formulated. Home players will be used mostly in the lineup, but it is thought that the services of an out of town battery will be secured. The club will be provided with new uniforms and a series of games with the Forge Village club is one of the possibilities of the near future. More details will be given later.
The members of Cameron circle C. of F. of A., held their regular meeting on Thursday evening with a good attendance.
Harvard
Still River. Several truck loads of soldiers from Camp Devens pass through Still River daily on their way to and from the land east of Cranberry hill, [on] which they are clearing off brush and trees, burning them as cut. Twice the fires have gotten away from them and other soldiers rushed over from the camp to help get the fire under control. There are various rumors as to what is to be done when cleared, but the most prominent is that a range for machine gun practice is to be there.
Plans for the organization of camp baseball teams and leagues are being formulated by the general director of athletics in camps and cantonments. According to the Commission on Training Camp Activities, within a month soldiers will have company, regimental and divisional teams, and these teams will form company and regimental leagues. No divisional leagues are contemplated because of the distances between camps, but where traveling conditions permit inter-camp games will be arranged. Major league officials and amateur baseball associations have volunteered assistance in promoting baseball in the camps.
Ayer
News Items. It is said that the members of the state police who have been on duty here since the first soldiers arrived at Camp Devens will be assigned to other duties and that a number of special state police officers will be assigned here for work.
A train consisting of 16 Pullman cars, coming from Illinois, carrying newly drafted men for war service, passed through town last week Friday afternoon bound for Portland, Me., where they are to receive military training. Saturday, another train of 13 cars carried draft men, all from Chicago, to the same destination. The outsides of the cars on both trains were marked with chalk giving the names of their home cities and inscriptions pertinent to the war.
The state police and representatives of the Public Safety committee have visited the towns and cities within a wide radius of Camp Devens warning all hotel proprietors and restaurants where liquor is served that the federal laws regarding the selling or giving liquors to soldiers will be strictly enforced. The proprietors of the above resorts were told that liquor could not be sold to civilians for use at meals [when] a soldier was seated at the same table with them, even though the soldier was unknown to the rest of the party.
District Court. D. Joseph Tracy was found guilty Monday morning of operating an automobile without a license in Littleton and was fined ten dollars. Chief Hibbard, of Littleton, was the chief witness against the accused. Tracy was held up by the chief and the military police for overloading his large truck with soldiers bound from Camp Devens to Boston and nearby places. When asked for his license he could not produce it. Tracy told the court that he was employed by the Heinz Company in delivering the firm’s fifty-seven varieties of pickles, etc., to the camp. On the way back to Boston he accommodated the soldiers, allowing them to ride free.
Three vagrants and three other undesirable citizens who said they were looking for work at the camp were on hand. One of the latter group was fined five dollars. The remainder were allowed to go on their way after a finding of guilty.
Thursday was the biggest day in the history of the court so far as the number of cases scheduled for trial was concerned. The cases were all for reckless driving of motor vehicles and amounted to 100 in all. After hearing a few cases Judge Atwood could find no evidence to hold the defendants, whose cases he heard, and ordered them to be discharged. Upon being informed by the police that the evidence already given applied to all the cases, the court ordered the rest of the complaints dismissed. The chief witnesses were Chief Hibbard of Littleton, where the alleged violations of the law were made, and the military police from Camp Devens. The courtroom was jammed with people during the trial.