The Westford Wardsman, April 28, 1917
Center. Perley E. Wright moved two truck loads of furniture to Berwick, Me., last week for Mrs. Gertrude Hamlin Lord – a distance of 105 miles each way.
A set of new hymn books have been purchased at the Unitarian church as revised by the American Unitarian association. The names of the various owners are stamped in gilt on the outside of the books. Those who have not secured their copies and paid for them can do so by conferring with Mrs. H. V. Hildreth.
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Kimball are at their Westford home after spending the winter months in Boston.
Mrs. Fred A. Hildreth, of Malden, was among the out-of-town members in attendance at the Tadmuck club luncheon on Tuesday.
L. W. Wheeler was in attendance on Thursday at a meeting of the State Tax Collectors’ association held at the United States hotel, Boston. [The United States Hotel in Boston opened in 1824 as the City Hotel on Beach St. between Lincoln and Kingston Sts. It was later called South Cover Hotel, and in the period between 1870 and 1880, became the United States Hotel, one of the finest hotels in the city. It was demolished between 1928 and 1938.]
The Boy Scouts held their regular meeting on Friday evening of last week. At the meeting representing the League to Enforce Peace the previous Wednesday evening, Master Gordon Seavey’s declamation on “Our flag” was about as credible a piece of work for a boy of his age as one would wish to hear.
Road Superintendent McDonald and his men have been busy at the Center this week scraping and raking the streets, and the village presents a good appearance, although the foliage is unusually backward for the time of year.
Tadmuck Club. The members of the Tadmuck club held their twelfth annual meeting and third annual luncheon at the Unitarian church Tuesday afternoon. The vestry where the tables were set was simply but most effectively decorated with hemlock intertwined with red, white and blue. At the back of the speaker’s table a large flag was arranged. The table decorations were white narcissus and ferns. The Germania orchestra of Lowell furnished music during the luncheon and for the program following. The Page Catering Company of Lowell furnished a pleasing menu for the luncheon and a group of high school girls assisted as waitresses most capably.
At the close of the meal the club’s president, Miss Howard, called to order and presided with her usual efficiency. Reports were given from the secretary and treasurer and the chairman of the civics, art, conservation education, household economics, music, literature, legislative and public health departments. These reports were full of interest to the club family.
After the business Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, toastmistress, was introduced, and presided with ready wit and wisdom. The first number was the singing of the club hymn, written by Mrs. Helen K. Frost, and sung to the tune of Greenville; Mrs. Goldsmith H. Conant responded with a toast to “Our flag,” in which a plea for sacrifice and allegiance to what the flag stands for was sounded: Mrs. Martha T. Howard of Bound Brook, N.J., although unable to be present personally, sent a splendid response to the toast, “New England forever,” a loyal and spontaneous tribute to New England by a New England girl. Mrs. J. Edward Plympton, of Walpole, one of the vice presidents of the State Federation, was next introduced and presented “True patriotism for the club woman” most thoughtfully. A sane use of thrift, support of the local Red Cross and the public safety committee were points emphasized. Miss Sarah W. Loker, the club’s honorary president, was the last speaker and spoke most interestingly in reminiscent vein. Her reviewing of some of the club’s earlier programs was most enjoyable. Music by the orchestra interspersed the speaking and the program closed with the singing of “America.”
The officers elected for the coming year are Miss Alice M. Howard, pres.; Mrs. Harold W. Hildreth, v.p.; Mrs. Perley E. Wright, rec. sec.; Miss May Day, cor. sec.; Mrs. Edwin E. Amesbury, treas.
Death. Joseph Warren Bright, who has been a resident of the Center for a number of years, died at his home on Wednesday of last week. Mr. Bright suffered with a fractured hip two years ago, and while he rallied sufficiently to get about in a limited way he had practically been among the shut-ins since. He was a native of Lowell, where he received his education, but later his home was in South Royalston, Vt. He was a veteran of the civil war, enlisting with the 13th New Hampshire regiment at the beginning of the war, and serving three years.
The deceased is survived by his wife; a daughter, Mrs. John P. Wright; two grandchildren, Misses Frances and Alice Wright; three grandchildren in Buffalo, the children of the late Josephine Bright Baker.
The funeral services were held from his late home on Friday afternoon of last week at 2:30 o’clock, Rev. Howard A. Lincoln being the officiating clergyman. The Westford Veteran association, of which the deceased was a member, attended in a body and conducted the G.A.R. burial service. The floral offerings were numerous and unusually beautiful. The following day the remains, accompanied by Mrs. Bright and Mr. and Mrs. Wright, were taken to South Royalston, Vt., where services were held and interment was made.
Tag Day. The Red Cross tag day which was conducted on April 19 proved to be the greatest success and reflects the greatest credit upon those who had the enterprise in charge and organized their forces so efficiently. When all returns were counted up the total was $317.82. Only about $15 of this sum will have to go for expenses. Credit should be given to many people for so good a result, but among those who worked especially hard were Mrs. H. V. Hildreth and Miss Gertrude Fletcher at the Center; Mrs. W. H. Sherman in Graniteville, and Miss Eva F. Pyne at Forge Village. At Minot’s corner, on the state road, passing automobiles helped much in swelling the amount and the Westford tags went in many directions. An auto bearing the Westford tag was seen in Boston by nine o’clock in the forenoon; another was seen in Worcester, and both New Hampshire and Vermont cars bore away tags, so the fame of our hill town went to many places and for this year of all others it was a patriotic observance for the holiday.
Saturday afternoon a regular meeting of the Red Cross branch met in Library hall and work was given out and plans discussed.
About Town. Mrs. Minnie A. Robey, aged fifty-four years, died at her home on the Leland road last week Friday morning after a few day’s illness of pneumonia. The deceased was active in social life and did much to keep life youthful and buoyant by her presence with an optimistic smile and cheer. She was an active member of the Grange, holding at one time the office of lecturer and secretary. She leaves her husband, Oscar V. Robey; her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Asa B. M. Eastman, and six children, Edwin, Charles, Jennie, Frederick, Lillian and Hawthorne Robey, and four grandchildren. The funeral took place from her home on Sunday afternoon, Rev. Howard A. Lincoln conducting the service. The bearers were Edwin, Charles and Frederick Robey, sons of the deceased, and Emil Erickson, a son-in-law. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. James Savage, a son [daughter, Eleanor Gertrude Savage, b. April 22, 1917], last Sunday. Mrs. Savage will be remembered as Miss Mary E. Flynn, living on Pigeon hill on the Stony Brook road.
The infant son [daughter, Pauline Gladys Smith, born prematurely April 19, died April 21, 1917,] of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Smith died last week Friday at the home of his parents, Brookside. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.
The Ladies’ Benevolent society of the Village church, West Chelmsford, will give a May breakfast at the vestry of the church on Tuesday, May 1. Breakfast will begin to break somewhere close to daybreak and will continue until after the sun has finished half a day’s work. Everybody invited to be present and breakfast under new environments. Mrs. Herbert E. Fletcher, of Oak hill, is manager of breakfast regulations and the social healthfulness and helpfulness of this new occasion.
Mrs. Mina Spaulding, of Lowell, will give a dramatic reading in the town hall on Friday evening, May 4, at eight o’clock. All those who had the pleasure of hearing Mrs. Spaulding read “Peg o’ my heart” recently, know that she is a reader of unusual ability. On this occasion she will read “The dawn of a tomorrow,” a dramatic play in four acts of faith, love and good cheer. A very enjoyable evening is not only anticipated but sure of fulfillment. [“The Dawn of a To-Morrow” by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was published as a novella in 1905 and by 1909 was adapted by the author as a play. It appeared as a film in 1915 and again in 1924. Burnett was born in England but immigrated to Tennessee in 1865. She is best known today for her children’s stories “Little Lord Fauntleroy” (1886), “A Little Princess” (1905), and “The Secret Garden” (1911).]
Under the auspice of the W.C.T.U., Miss Nellie F. Hill, of Groton, director of the Frances E. Willard social settlement work in Boston, will speak in the Congregational church, Westford, next Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 on, “What the social settlement work is doing for human uplift.” As so many of our townspeople have contributed to this work, here is an interesting opportunity to learn what your contribution is doing and how it is done, and why it is done—1500 go in to the Settlement weekly for advice and physical treatment. It is trying to develop a safer and more intelligent people by temperate habits and useful occupations. Miss Hill is widely known for her activity in the social and club life of Groton, and an apt student of bird life and all that Nature teaches and suggests in its aesthetic manipulations. The public is invited.
The Grange will confer the third and fourth degrees next Thursday evening. The ladies’ degree team will confer the third degree.
The next meeting of Middlesex North Pomona Grange will be held on Friday, May 4, at Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell. The entertainment in the forenoon will be given by the committee on “The good of the order.” Edward F. Dickinson, of Billerica, is chairman of the committee. At the afternoon session, Hon. John Jacob Rogers will speak on “Life in Washington.”
There was a social dance Wednesday evening at Marshall’s hall, Westford corner. Mrs. A. F. Edwards served music. Adolf Nelson and Charles Westberg were promoters and managers. It was a success, as must all take-hold movements are at Westford Corner.
A grass fire started to kick up a fuss Monday night in the rear of Claus Johnson’s house at Whidden’s Corner. Help was summoned and the fire was extinguished in good time.
Mrs. Eben Prescott and Mrs. George Ryan were field agents for Brookside and suburbs on Patriots’ day for the work of the Red Cross in the tag game.
Shortly after midnight last week Friday fire destroyed the house of Mr. and Mrs. Morse on the North Chelmsford road. The house was about a year old. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Orlando Foster has sold his farm on [138] Concord road, known as the B. F. Day farm [and as the Anson Tuttle Farm]. At the time of writing the names of the purchasers, for there are two, is not known.
A grass fire started Monday forenoon to do business on land of W. R. Taylor, between Stony Brook and Stony Brook railroad. The fire also started upon land of Amos Polley and threatened to do up everything in its path, including the brook, but received a subduing blow when it reached the arch bridge on Stony Brook road.
Amos Polley of the Prairie farm is preparing to obey the shortage of food proclamation and twenty-five acres more of potatoes will be planted.
George E. Gould, of Lowell, was a visitor in town on Monday.
W. R. Taylor is sowing two acres of spring wheat. Wheat as a New England crop has come back to its own and is highly contagious, as it ought to be.
The Old Oaken Bucket farm folks planted a small area of sweet corn on Wednesday.
The John H. Decatur place is again occupied after an idleness of winter months. The family moved from the Miller house at Westford Center.
Graniteville. The Westford branch of the American Red Cross are very much pleased as a result of the proceeds received on tag day. The sum of $185.87 was received in the town and of that amount $54.14 was contributed by the people of Graniteville. At the meeting held here on last week Friday afternoon for the purpose of forming an auxiliary to the Westford branch there were many in attendance and several signified their willingness to become members. Mrs. Whittier, of Lowell, gave a very interesting address concerning the good work that the members of the Red Cross are doing in Lowell, and outlined plans for similar work here. Any person wishing to join the Red Cross can do so by applying to Mrs. W. H. Sherman.
Samuel Fletcher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Fletcher, who has been ill with pneumonia, is now reported to be on the gain.
William F. Buckingham, who has been confined to the Lowell General hospital as a result of a motorcycle accident, returned to his home here on last Monday.
Joseph Wall, deputy fish and game warden, has recently placed eight cans of trout fry in Snake meadow, Reed’s and other brooks in this vicinity. During the past few weeks pheasants and other wild birds have been found dead or at least reported so, and Deputy Wall wishes the public to co-operate with him by informing him when they find dead pheasants and other birds, as it is necessary for him to send these birds to the State Fish and Game Commission in Boston.
The Groton Granite Company, under the management of Thomas Rafferty, is showing great activity at their ledge just over the Groton line. This company has recently received an order for 5,000,000 paving blocks to be supplied to the city of Boston. Between forty and fifty men are to be put to work as soon as accommodations can be made for them. A large construction camp is now being erected near the works, a cook will be installed, and as running water is close at hand it will make an ideal place for the men to live, as well as being handy to the works. A side-track from the ledge to the main line of the Nashua and Acton branch of the Boston and Maine railroad is also under construction, and it is expected that this part of the work will be finished in about two weeks. This will do away entirely with teaming, and enable the firm to ship their stone faster and in much large quantities. It is also expected that a stone crusher with other modern machinery will be added later.
Forge Village. The John Edwards hose company held their annual dance in Abbot hall, Friday evening of last week, that was enjoyed by all. Flanagan’s orchestra of Marlboro furnished excellent music. Refreshments were served of cake and ice cream. A large number came from the surrounding towns and a splendid time reported by all.
Miss Thersa [sic] Lowther is now ill at her home on Bradford street.
Mrs. Edward Spinner and little daughter are spending a few weeks in Chicago.
A baby girl [Mary Milot] was welcomed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Milot, Monday, April 23.
Miss Isabel Carney of Groton will have charge of the Social club Thursday evening at St. Andrew’s mission.
Ayer
New Items. Rumors are again in circulation that the Boston and Maine R.R. intend moving all the buildings on Merchants row to make room for additional tracks.
Passed Through Ayer. The special train bearing Arthur J. Balfour, British minister of foreign affairs, and the other members of the British commission who came to this country to confer with president Wilson and military authorities in regard to America’s part in the present war, made a brief stop here early Sunday morning on their way to Washington, D.C.
The train preceded the regular State of Maine express, which runs between Portland, Me., and New York city daily, arriving here from the Maine city at 12:30 a.m. Every precaution was taken for the safety of the train, all facts in connection with its movements were kept strictly secret, no information of any kind being given out as to the time of its arrival or the route which it followed. It was later learned that the special train met the party at Halifax, N.S., and proceeded to the national capitol through Portland, Lowell, Ayer, Worcester and Springfield. As an extra precaution a “dummy” train was sent ahead of the special, the object being to see that everything was safe for the passage of the train bearing the distinguished visitors.
All bridges and culverts along the line were guarded by national guardsmen. Several of the men on duty at the Nashua river bridge were ordered on duty at such places in the limits of Ayer. A rumor that the men were to make raids for explosives within this territory caused considerable excitement until the real nature of their work was explained.
The train came into town over the southern division, through Lowell. Secret service officials in plain clothes accompanied the party and kept a sharp watch on persons at the stations at which the train stopped on its journey.