The Westford Wardsman, August 25, 1917
Center. Rev. and Mrs. L. H. Buckshorn and son Fisher are enjoying a vacation at their camp at Vineyard Haven.
Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Lincoln and family, of Houlton, Me., are visiting at the Congregational parsonage this week and making trips in their auto to various points of interest.
Arthur Hildreth has gone to the officers’ training camp at Plattsburg to prepare for service. Leon F. Hildreth, Marden H. Seavey, Frank C. Johnson and Herbert A. Walkden are among the drafted men who soon go to Ayer for training.
Dr. C. A. Blaney has returned from a week’s vacation spent in Manomet with Charles O. Prescott and Rev. Charles P. Marshall, and family at their summer camp.
Miss Mary P. Bunce has been spending the week in Marblehead, and Miss May Day has been taking her place at the J. V. Fletcher library.
The Westford Oaklands defeated the Forge Village A.C. team by the score of 18 to 0 at Whitney playground last Saturday afternoon. The pitching of Griffin and the good batting of the Westford team were the features of this victory. The Oaklands will cross bats with the champion Maples of Lowell this Saturday. The latter team has not met with a defeat this season and this will be a good game to witness. Turn out and give the Westford boys a good attendance.
There has been some misapprehension concerning the new silent policeman placed at the junction of streets by the Congregational church. The object of placing the warning where it is was to insure safety first at that point and to insure that object it means just what it says for everyone to “keep to the right,” and of course slow down in approaching it both with motor and horse-drawn vehicles.
In the recent report of work accomplished throughout the town and sent to Red Cross headquarters by the local branch the item about hand-knit stockings read five pairs instead of fifty-five, which is quite a difference. An earnest appeal has come from headquarters all along the line for the urgency of more work. The knitted work is especially desired before the approach of cold weather and this without diminution of the work accomplished in surgical dressings and the making of hospital shirts and pajamas. It is hoped that as the cooler weather comes new volunteers will come to the town hall each Tuesday afternoon. The local branch is well equipped and there is a chance for everyone to do their bit and more.
Mrs. George F. White and two sons have returned this week from a vacation spent at York Beach.
The social dance given at the town hall by O’Neil’s orchestra was attended by about 200 people. The orchestra furnished excellent music for the dancing and refreshments were served in the lower town hall. About 100 of the soldiers and officers were in attendance. The time of the men was extended to eleven o’clock to enjoy the dance. The men in uniform were the chief attraction.
Early apples being shipped to the Boston market are bringing good prices; also, prices for the remainder of the blackberry crop are holding up well.
J. W. Rafter conducted the evening service at the Congregational church last Sunday, it being the single service of the vacation season. Mr. Ingalls will lead the service this next Sunday evening, the last of the church vacation.
The assessors have received their returns from the state income tax and have been able to fix the rate for this year at $16.40 on a $1000. The bills for the year are being printed and will soon be in the hands of the property holders.
Soldiers Camp Over Night Here. It will be an occasion long to be remembered when the three companies, C. G and K, of the 6th regiment, in returning last week Friday to the Ayer camp from the reception by the people of Lowell, spent the night in Westford. This brought the townspeople in closer touch with the men in khaki and perhaps a more realizing sense of what the conflict entered into by them really means. The three companies of young men, about 432 in all, in their uniforms of olive drab, bronzed of feature and lithe of carriage, were certainly on their good behavior and further won the sympathetic interest that everyone entertains for those doing their duty at this crisis. The Hildreth farm, owned by Miss Ella F. Hildreth, was the spot chosen for the night’s encampment, the large, sloping tract back of Charles L. Hildreth’s and Robert Elliott’s further up on the hill. This elevation gave excellent opportunity for pitching the tents and water drawn from the town water supply by means of hose gave good water supply.
The day was surely not ideal for marching, the threatening clouds during the day brought rain in the afternoon and when the three companies came into the village it was raining hard, but later, during the supper hour and the evening, they were not troubled with rain.
The companies were preceded by Lieut. Walker on detached duty, staking out the field for the tents and the commissary department. The four big mule teams arrived next in charge of Sergt. James Fales, about three o’clock. The three companies arrived about four o’clock in command of Maj. Colby T. Kittredge. Company K was in charge of Capt. James N. Greig and Companies G and C by Captains Thomas Doyle and James J. Powers. The boys wore their regular marching equipment, though few had any rain protection. They were unaccompanied with music, their band having gone by train to Ayer, but they swung along with good military precision and were received all along the line with many friendly ovations, waving of flags, etc. Upon their arrival they were met by Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher of the board of selectmen and secretary of the public safety committee, who extended the use of the Cavalry association building for the officers during the stay if they chose to use it, but their policy was to fare alike with their men.
Much interest was manifested in their preparations, the setting up of the pup tents, so-called, two men to a tent, the lowering of the staff at sundown, using for the purpose Robert Elliott’s fine flag and staff. Some quick and efficient work was done during the day and through the generosity of the townspeople a supply of doughnuts, coffee and cheese supplemented the men’s supper of salmon, potatoes, onions and bread and butter. This enterprise was in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth, who gave the use of the kitchen for making the coffee; also, Mrs. H. V. Hildreth and Mrs. A. W. Hartford, president and secretary of the local Red Cross, assisted by Mrs. H. M. Wright, Mrs. P. H. Skidmore, Mrs. O. R. Spalding, Mrs. O. V. Wells, Miss Kittredge, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler and Mrs. Perry Shupe. Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Hildreth and Miss Ella Hildreth cooperated in every way to make the encampment a success for the men and the generosity of the townspeople in contributing at quick notice was much appreciated.
During their stay there was a detachment of military police on duty at the camping place and throughout the village, and the best of order was maintained.
Many visited the camp early in the morning and watched the soldiers in their calesthenics [sic] setting up drill, and camp duty in breaking camp, and were much interested in the military precision of it all. The companies got under way for Ayer shortly after eight o’clock and as they left the village gave three rousing cheers for the welcome and hospitality extended by the town and its people.
About Town. The Ralph Whiddens and others, of Concord Junction, were visitors Wednesday with the J. Willard Fletchers at Westford station.
Charles Whitney and family are visiting relatives in Athol and resting from haying and milking. During Mr. Whitney’s absence Amos Polley, of the Prairie farm, will be floor director of the milk route running to Lowell.
Frank C. Drew is still carrying home grown corn to the grist mill. What is the matter with the rest of the country-side that they have none?
G. E. Laboutley, superintendent of the Read-Drew fruit farm, passed examination at Ayer on Monday. This means a financial loss to Mr. Drew. He was an expert on all kinds of fruit and a graduate of Amherst Agricultural college. This farm joins the farm of the writer and much that is new and useful can be gleaned by a peep over the wall.
The Snows of West Chelmsford and the Jarvis family of Lowell visited Camp Devens and dined with Police Officer Jarvis, Wednesday.
The milk producers of Lowell and vicinity held a rally at the Board of Trade, Lowell, Tuesday evening in the interest of higher priced milk and lower priced grain.
Fred Jordan slipped on the ice or other unexpected semi-skating substance and received a relocation of a part of his walking apparatus.
The Old Oaken Bucket farm folks were guests Friday evening at the Greenleaf camp at Hart pond, South Chelmsford.
Buckwheat has grown to five feet on the Capt. Peletiah Fletcher place on the Lowell road, otherwise known as the Decatur homestead. This buckwheat was sown about the middle of June.
At the meeting of the Grang, George H. Upton, secretary of the board of trustees of Middlesex-North Agricultural society, gave an address on the plans and purposes of the coming agricultural fair in Lowell, urging the Grange to turn out and turn in for this fair. The first step towards action was choosing William R Taylor a committee with authority to appoint others to make an exhibit at the Middlesex-North fair. G. E. Laboutley gave a substantial talk on “Fruit growing” and Mrs. Blaney and uplift in song.
The town teams are graveling the Stony Brook road from the residence of W. R. Taylor to the Read-Drew farm on Main street. This piece of road was graveled last year and done in road-building shape, and just why it should settle down so soon into a water basin condition is not easily explained.
The Fred A. Snows and others were Saturday, Sunday and Monday visitors in Northfield.
Hon. William T. McAlpine and wife, of Lawrence, and Mrs. Helen Hamilton Taylor, of Lowell, were recent visitors at the Old Oaken Bucket farm.
The 6th regiment on its march from Lowell to Ayer were refreshed with non-intoxicating fluid from the Old Oaken Bucket.
An exchange has been established in the Stony Brook valley.
Chamberlain corner, per territory and population, has registered the most for drafting. Of the seven registered and volunteered, all have been accepted but one. This is quite an innovation in the southeast corner of the old Stony Brook school district.
The apple trees reported propped up on the Read-Drew farm are not because of abundance of apples, but to boost the apples into the sunlight—so reports the superintendent of the farm.
Daniel H. Sheehan has not begun haying yet and has forty acres to cut.
Obituaries. Miss Sarah Ford Millard, who died last week Wednesday in Lowell, at the home of her cousin, Thomas H. Elliott, was for several years a resident of Westford, living on the Concord road on the small farm now owned as a summer residence by Thomas H. Elliott. Here, with a sister and other relatives, they lived a quiet and useful life. She has survived all of her immediate family and passed on to join them at the age of seventy-two years.
The funeral was from the home of Thomas H. Elliott, Lowell, last Friday afternoon, Rev. Oliver J. Fairfield, pastor of the Unitarian church, Littleton, officiating. The Mendelssohn male quartet rendered appropriate selections. The bearers were Robert H. Elliott, Richard M. Elliott, Frederick N. Russell and Charles E. Dane. Burial in the family lot in the Edson cemetery.
Charles L. Fuller, who died in Manchester, N.H., last week, was well remembered in this vicinity, being a resident of West Chelmsford for many years and a member of Spalding Light Cavalry in the active days of Capt. Christopher Roby and is well and pleasantly remembered by the older members of the company. He was a veteran of the civil war, serving four years in Company A, New Hampshire regiment, and a member of the G.A.R. post 120 of Lowell, retaining his membership until his death.
He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Ida R. Hunt, of Manchester, N.H., and Mrs. Effie Trubey, of North Chelmsford; a granddaughter, Mrs. Florence Wetmore, of North Chelmsford, and four great-grandchildren.
The funeral was from his home in Manchester, Wednesday afternoon; Thursday afternoon the body was removed to the cemetery in West Chelmsford, where the burial service was conducted by a delegation of Post 120, G.A.R. The bearers were Fred L. Fletcher, John C. Parker, Louis F. Munroe and Arthur H. Slater, sons of veterans. Taps were sounded by Bugler Munroe. Burial was beside his wife, who died several years ago. Thus has passed away a gallant soldier in war, an honorable and familiar figure in peace, and had nearly reached the four-score age, being in his seventy-ninth year.
He will be remembered by many here as he was for many years in the employ of the Capt. Christopher Roby Sabre Mfg. Co., of West Chelmsford.
Graniteville. Many from here visited Camp Devens in Ayer last Sunday, and the cars were crowded as usual.
The regular meeting of the local Red Cross society was held in the rooms of the organization on Wednesday afternoon with a good attendance. Much work of importance is being done by this society and the work on Wednesday was principally the making of gauze bandages, of which there is a great demand. Several of our Graniteville boys have enlisted, while others have come under the selective draft. The war is coming closer to our doors every day and no doubt the Red Cross will be called on to do more as time goes on. Already the local auxiliary of the Red Cross have given the enlisted boys from Graniteville those knitted sweaters that have proved so serviceable, and the courtesy has been deeply appreciated by the soldier boys.
Mrs. Ruth Furbush Layton, with her little son, Justin Wendel, of North Dana, have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Furbush.
Frank E. Charlton, the well-known singer, who came under the selective draft, was accepted by the local exemption board in Ayer last Saturday.
Last Sunday marked the close of the summer work at the Methodist church. Fred Smith gave a splendid talk on the study of the scripture at the Epworth league service. The closing of the series of pictures on “The life of Jesus of Nazareth” was shown in the evening at the regular church hour. Miss Mattie Blanchard sang very impressively “The lost chord” and “Jesus keep me near the cross,” both of which were beautifully illustrated by the stereopticon pictures. Throughout the series Rev. Alonzo S. Fite has given the religious talks on the life of the Master. George Wilson has ably assisted at the organ. Due to the efficient help of William Gilson and Gerald Defoe at the machine, the series has been free from troubles at that quarter. The church will be closed for the next two Sundays, and regular work will again be taken up on the second Sunday in September. Friday evening prayer meetings will go on uninterrupted.
Miss Lilly Mae Moran is spending a few days with relatives in Salem.
Miss Maria McNulty, of Laconia, N.H., has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. R. J. McCarthy.
The severe thunder storm on Tuesday afternoon put the telephone and electric light system out of commission for several hours.
Forge Village. The Misses Emily, Bertha and Ethel Collins are spending this week at Old Orchard beach.
Services will be held at St. Andrew’s mission next Sunday evening at 7:30.
The soldiers of the sixth regiment passed through here Saturday morning on their march to Ayer and were greeted with cheers and hand clapping. The mills of the Abbot Worsted Co. closed for half an hour and the employees lined the streets and formed a lane through which the soldiers passed. When the local boys now wearing the uniform were discovered they were given a hearty greeting.
What is the matter with the Boston and Maine railroad these days when passengers are begging to be carried to their destinations? The electric cars are unable to handle the situation Saturdays and Sundays. The noon train ought to be restored and a later one would be well patronized. Sunday several persons waited over three hours to go to Lowell and were told each trip to wait for the next car. Passengers were sitting on the roof of the electric cars Saturday evening and many were hanging out of the windows while the conductor had his troubles trying to get through the crowds.
John Connell expects to return home from St. John’s hospital on Tuesday.
Cameron school has received its annual cleaning for the fall term which commences September 4.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mason and three children spent Sunday as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. William Blodgett of the Ridges.
Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett entertained Mrs. George Wyman and daughter Mabel of Camden, N.J., on Thursday at the Ridges.
Ernest Mountain has the cellar built for a six room cottage on the Westford road. Arthur Parrott will build the cottage, which when completed will have all modern improvements.
All those who have knitted articles for the Red Cross are requested to send them to Mrs. Fred Davis of Pleasant street before September 1. Sewing articles are to be given to Miss Marion L. Blodgett. The Red Cross societies of Westford are giving to each soldier from the town a sweater, wristers and one pair of stockings.
The boys are to leave Camp Devens, Ayer, about the first of the month so in order to have articles enough the public is called upon to assist in the making.
A son [David Lord] was born Wednesday, August 22, to Mr. and Mrs. Philip Lord.
Ayer
News Items. The 1st Maine regiment went through town in a special train Wednesday morning on their way to Westfield, where they are to train. During the short stay at the railroad station they sang the latest war selection, “Where do we go from here?”
Lieut. Col. Arthur S. Conklin, formerly in command of Boston Harbor defences [sic], is created colonel of a heavy artillery regiment in Ayer.
John W. Curley and John P. Chambers, arrested here on July 28, charged with giving morphine to men at work at Camp Devens, were before United States Commissioner Hayes last week Friday and were discharged.
The Par-Cola Company, which recently opened a bottling establishment on the site of the Haynes-Piper Company’s plant, is doing a rushing business. Up-to-date equipment has been installed to meet the demand for the company’s products. The entire output of hundreds of cases a day is sold to the government and delivered at Camp Devens. When better arrangements for increased output can be made the company will market its goods in Ayer and surrounding towns. The company makes all the popular brands of temperance beverages. Walter S. Lougee is the general foreman for the new concern.
It is reported that a special town meeting will soon be called. One of the matters that will probably come before the meeting or later is the making a town by-law governing the operators of jitneys. Since work at Camp Devens began there have been many of these vehicles in use in carrying people to and from the camp. Without the by-law the town has no authority to license the operators or to require a bond such as must be done in other places.
Camp Notes. The 76th division of the national army, formerly known as the fifth division, and including all draft troops in the New England states, will have as its officers, according to orders from the war department, the following: Maj. Gen. H. F. Hodges, commanding; Lieut. Col. M. B. Stewart, chief of staff; Brig. Gen. F. H. Albright, 151st infantry brigade; Brig. Gen. F. D. Evans, 152nd infantry brigade; Brig. Gen. W. Weigel, 151st depot brigade; Brig. Gen W. S. McNair, 151st field artillery brigade. These officers are expected to arrive at Camp Devens not later than August 25.
Two recruits have arrived at the First Corps Cadets for duty.
John F. Datson, of Atlantic, of the First Corps Cadets, Engineers, was thrown from a horse that he was riding last week Thursday afternoon and was pinned under the animal. He was taken to the camp hospital for treatment. No serious results followed the accident.
A building in the main camp was struck by a bolt of lightning which caused little damage.
The 6th regiment was pleased at the report which says that it is soon to be ordered to France. The rumor could not be verified.
The Lowell companies, C, G and L, returned from Lowell last Saturday. These companies took part in the parade in Lowell last week Thursday and walked back to Camp Devens, stopping Friday night in Westford, from which place they continued their journey to Ayer. Major Colby T. Kittredge was in command.
Major [General] Harry F. Hodges, the commander of the 76th division, is expected to take up his duties at Camp Devens this Saturday.
Charles Antle fell from a staging at the camp on Wednesday and received several bad bruises. He was taken to the camp hospital for treatment.
The electric lighting system at the camp was temporarily put out of commission by the heavy thunder shower Tuesday afternoon. The grounds were flooded by the deluge, and the workingmen’s sleeping quarters in the large tent were wet by the heavy shower. Members of the 6th regiment were kept busy in digging trenches to draw off the surplus water about the camp.
Secretary of War Baker has issued an appeal to executives of every city and town in which he asks these officials to cooperate with army officers in making conditions about the camp morally safe for the men who are coming. He has appointed a training camp commission to attend to this matter.
Alfred Boudreau, formerly a sergeant of Company F of the 6th regiment, recently received a commission at the Plattsburg military camp and has been ordered to report at Hoboken, N.J.
Dr. Robert L. Jones, of Lowell, lieutenant in the United States medical corps, has been ordered to report for duty at Camp Devens on Thursday, August 10.
A table of rules has been recently issued by the national committee on public information of which George Creel is chairman, for the government of the press. On the card containing these rules the government requests the press to withhold information of any kind in order that the military and naval forces and shipping may be protected. There is no law bearing on these points and the press has voluntarily and willingly acceded to all such requests.
The work on the construction of some of the cantonment buildings is being rapidly pushed. It is expected that they will be completed within a few days, so that they will be ready for the use of the first contingent of the draft army.
The new postoffice at the camp, which will be used for camp mail, is expected to be in readiness soon.
It is said that the project of sending 20,000 recruits here from New York will be delayed for a short time, owing to the inability of handling such a large force at the present time. They are expected to arrive September 5.
John Pickard, who saw service as a captain on the French firing line, spoke on his experiences there in the Y.M.C.A. tent on Thursday evening of last week.
In order to speed up the buildings for the new recruits who are soon to arrive, 500 additional carpenters were put to work last Sunday. There are now over 9000 men employed at the main camp in construction and other work, including the large force employed at the commissary.
The rubbish and brush about the main camp were burned Monday night. Many thought a big fire was raging until informed of the facts.
The Baldwin Commissary is feeding over 7000 men daily. To feed this number 6000 loaves of bread, 7500 sandwiches and 1000 quarts of milk are necessary every day.
The new whistle at the camp was heard for the first time last Sunday. It will be used as a signal for beginning and quitting work as well as for giving fire alarms.
It is pleasing to the contractors that Camp Devens is ahead of all the other national cantonments in construction work.
As announced in this column a few weeks ago, there will soon come to Camp Devens some of the most experienced chefs in the United States, who will have direct charge of preparing food for the draft recruits who are expected within the next two weeks. The government, following its well-known policy, is trying in every way possible to care for the troops, in furnishing them proper and well cooked food, which is of the utmost importance in preparing the new soldiers for the stern conditions of army life. Instructions in cooking, which will begin after the new troops arrive, will be under the direct charge of these experienced culinary experts. These methods will be carried out in all the national cantonments.
There was a song service at the Y.M.C.A. tent Sunday evening, followed by an address by A. A. Simmons, who is connected with the camp staff of that organization.
The soldiers are still in a state of suspense regarding their future movements. All kinds of reports are going the rounds. The most persistent rumor is that the men will soon be called to the Charlotte, N.C., camp for training, later going to France.
The non-commissioned officers of the 6th are being put through a course of bayonet drills.
The proposition of the government to increase the number of men in each regiment to the European standard of 3600 men will result, if the order becomes effective, in the practical dismemberment of some of the regiments which lose their identity as regimental units. Following the detachment of the colored company of the 6th regiment for guard duty at the Watertown arsenal comes the report, which appears to be well founded, that other portions of the famous 6th will be taken to complete the 26th division, which it is expected will be soon ordered to France.
The sanitary force is always busy in using means for the prevention of disease among the employees, with special attention to the spread of typhoid fever. The health of the men as a result of the work is excellent, considering the very large number employed.
Should the 6th regiment lose its identity, according to the recently published reorganization plans for the United States army, its passing will be a matter of keen regret, for sentimental reasons if for no other. The Old 6th, so-called, from which the present regiment takes its name, was organized at the outbreak of the civil war. It fought all the four years’ conflict between the states and has a record unsurpassed by any in the service. The 6th regiment of the civil war days is of much interest to the towns in this section as many of its members were from this vicinity. The town of Groton, of which Ayer was then a part, quickly responded to the call to arms. The town of Pepperell was honored by having one of its citizens as chief officer of the regiment in the person of Col. Jones. The 6th has the great distinction of being the first to reach Washington in response to President Lincoln’s call for 75,000 troops in April, 1861, Col. Jones being the first to greet the famous war president. The regiment was attacked by a mob in Baltimore on April 19, 1861, and succeeded in reaching the national capital after several of its men had been killed and wounded as a result of the conflict. After the war Col. Jones went to Binghamton, N.Y., where he died a few years ago. For twenty years or more antedating his death he was blind. In view of these facts it is no wonder that “the fighting 6th” has a warm place in the hearts of the people.
A rifle range has been constructed for the 6th regiment. The shooting will be done according to the regular army rules.
Moving picture operators have been at the camp during the week getting pictures of the soldiers and views about the camp.
The men of the 6th regiment expect to have their own motion picture shows on the camp ground.
Company F went to Marlboro on Wednesday to attend a reception arranged in its honor by its friends.
Bids for supplying hay and wood at the camp have been made. Who the successful bidders are is not given out.
The instruction in French began at the military camp Monday. The study of this language is deemed essential, so as to enable the soldiers to communicate with their French comrades when they are called for service in France.
J. H. Hoffmeyer, of Lowell, has presented the men of the Y.M.C.A. with a new automobile.
Col. C. C. Smith, just promoted from first lieutenant, and attached to General Edwards’ headquarters in Boston, has been ordered to Camp Devens.
Masses were said at the main camp and at the soldiers’ quarters last Sunday at the usual hours, 5:30 and 6:15 in the morning. The usual protestant services were held.
William O’Brien of Lynn, met with a very unfortunate accident at the camp on Monday morning, which resulted in the amputation of a foot at the Massachusetts General hospital, Boston, where he was taken after treatment at the camp emergency hospital. The accident happened when O’Brien got his foot caught in a moving truck on which he was riding. The foot was so badly crushed that amputation was necessary.
Work was begun on the road building at the camp on Monday. The Barrett Manufacturing Company, of Boston, is doing the work. This company, the largest of its kind in the country, has the contract for building all the roads in all the cantonments in the United States
The men chosen for the police company expect to leave soon for the training camp at Westfield. The men selected are soldiers of long experience and thoroughly capable for the work.
The making of two regiments into one, as planned by the war department, necessarily means that there will be less officers required and that officers who are now in charge will be shifted to other regiments.
Mayor James M. Curley, of Boston, gave an address to 4000 camp employees last week Friday evening on “Americanism.” In his speech he dwelt on the necessity of every man doing his share for the country, even though it be a small part. The Mayor and Mrs. Curley, who accompanied him, arrived at the camp late in the afternoon. They inspected the huge commissary where the army of workmen is fed, and later had lunch at the Baldwin pavilion, a branch of the commissary department.
The selection of 100 men of the 6th regiment has been made, who will make up the quota of 300 for the mounted military police, who expect to see service in France soon. The 100 men were chosen from 200 inspected.
The Fitchburg men of the 6th regiment went to that city on Thursday where they paraded as one of the features of a reception tendered them by the people of that place.
Rev. Philip Bird, of New York, was a speaker at the Baldwin commissary Monday night under the direction of the Y.M.C.A. Thursday night the Misses Helen and Mary McGinnis, of Patterson, N.J., gave a musical entertainment.
General Edwards formally took command of the 76th division on Wednesday. Among the officers which he has assigned to duty is Col. Warren E. Sweetser of the 6th regiment, now stationed here. The colonel and Col. Bunnell of the First Corps Cadets are to be assigned to service abroad.
The 300 men selected from the 6th regiment for a police guard are patiently waiting orders to move to the Westfield camp. It is probable that they will be sent to France from Westfield as guards of munition trains. The men compose what will be known as Companies A and B, Capt. Arthur Payne commanding Company A, and Capt. Dee, Company B. Col. Warren A. Sweetser will be in command of both companies.
District Court. William J. McCrossen of South Acton and George Nicholas, with no permanent address, were charged with mutual assault and battery. McCrossen was found not guilty and discharged. Nicholas was found guilty and fined ten dollars. The two men got into an altercation at Camp Devens on Thursday, where they are employed. A fight started in which fists, feet, grub hoes and a shovel were used. While they were clinched McCrossen said that his opponent bit him on the arm, the teeth puncturing the flesh. McCrossen was treated for the bite at the camp hospital.
James E. Snow of Lowell was booked for assault and drunkenness. The victim of the assault failed to appear, he being employed at Camp Devens. The assault case was therefore not pressed. Snow was found guilty of drunkenness and fined ten dollars. Snow was returning on an Ayer bound electric car due there at 7:30 Thursday night when the assault was committed on one of the passengers. He was placed under arrest when the car reached here and was as Chief Beatty stated it to the court “fighting drunk.” Later in the cell at the police station Snow made a vicious and an entirely unprovoked assault upon his cellmate, a young innocent foreigner, who gave his name as George Nicholas, whose only offense was that he wanted a night’s lodging. Chief Beatty who was in the police station quickly came to the rescue of the young foreigner, who was very roughly handled by the aggressive opponent. The pair were separated for the rest of the night. Nicholas had a badly bruised eye and bruises about the head. Had it not been that the chief was on hand at the time of the assault there is no knowing what might have happened.
Three drunks were fined five dollars each. All of the above defendants are employed at Camp Devens.