The Westford Wardsman, August 9, 1919
Center. The Westford Light Cavalry association will hold its reunion and annual meeting afternoon and evening, Thursday, July 14. As usual it will be a “stag party.” There will be sports at Whitney playground in the afternoon with the clay pigeon shoot at 2:30. Business meeting for the election of officers and any other business at 5:30 in the association building. Buffet lunch at 6:30 and entertainment at 7:45. It is expected experiences from “over there” will be given by some who are members, and there will be a quartet and other good entertainers. Members should attend to their dues and the securing of tickets for additional guests.
The concert and dance on Friday evening of last week, given by the Westford Service club, with Poole’s orchestra of Boston, as an attraction, was very successful in attendance and financial result. Nearly all our returned soldiers were present and all the surrounding villages and towns were represented. It was estimated that there were about 250 in attendance.
The academy and Frost school buildings are receiving their annual thorough cleaning in readiness for the opening of schools, which is not so far distant now.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Day and family returned this week from their vacation automobile trip to Canada, which had proved most successful and enjoyable.
Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Hildreth and Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Fletcher have enjoyed a combined business and pleasure trip by auto to Monson, Me.
George H. Cadman, in addition to his large apple crop, is harvesting and sending to the Boston market a good crop of peaches of the early variety.
Mrs. F. S. Atwood and daughter Faith are enjoying a vacation with their sister and aunt, Mrs. George F. White.
Miss Rachael Kimball spent over the weekend with her friend, Miss Alice Wright.
Mrs. John P. Wright and Miss Edna Day are at Long pond, Littleton, with the group of Camp Fire Girls. There are about ten girls in the group and they are enjoying the week very much.
Mrs. Grace Robinson Hartford remains very seriously ill at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Robinson. A consultation of physicians was held earlier in the week and two trained nurses are in attendance.
John P. Wright, who is spending the summer weeks here with his family, has leased his house to William E. Wright for a five-year term.
Mrs. Maria E. Stone is reported as about the same. Her devoted sister, her physician and a trained nurse do all that is possible to make her comfortable.
Mr. and Mrs. William Atwood, of Daytona, Fla., are visiting at the home of the Misses Atwood. With various stops on the way their journey up to this state amounted to 2200 miles.
The single service at the Congregational church, which is the vacation period, will be held at seven o’clock and will be conducted by Mr. Hanscom on Sunday, his subject being “Some of our juniper tree experiences.” An excellent collection for the Anti-Saloon league was taken last Sunday evening, which remains open for further contributions for any who may desire to add to this amount.
Rev. and Mrs. O. L. Brownsey are at Dunbarton, N.H., for the remainder of August.
The Edward M. Abbot hose company held its monthly meeting on Tuesday evening at the fire house. Rain prevented a try-out, but the regular business meeting was held.
Help was called Monday from the village for a bad wood fire on Forest road. The fire, which is thought to have been started by berry-pickers, was subdued, but broke out again and Harry Nesmith and A. H. Sutherland, with helpers, had to spend much time with it the next day.
Mrs. S. B. Wright reports already picked and shipped from their farm 200 quarts of fine quality blueberries to the Boston market.
Mrs. Rice and daughter, Miss Florence Rice, of Cambridge, are spending the month of August with Mrs. George A. Walkden.
Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Smith, of Lowell, are spending a few days with the former’s sister, Mrs. S. B. Wright. Mr. Smith is still on crutches from a broken leg, which accident happened in January, and was a serious double fracture.
Fred A. Smith, of Ayer, was in town this week on real estate business and called on his friends.
Mrs. Godfrey, a niece of Mrs. Alma M. Richardson, is staying in town and has a room with Mrs. Perley E. Wright.
The postmaster of Westford would be glad if anyone could furnish address or any information concerning Peter Daparma, whose last known address was Westford. The following is quoted from a letter from Washington: “The man is honorably discharged from the service and is forfeiting valuable rights granted him by the United States government because of our inability to obtain his present address.”
Westford friends will be glad for Mrs. Daisy G. Colburn that the state, through the efforts of the senator from this district, has been awarded a claim from the state for the death of her late husband, J. Henry Colburn, who was killed while on duty at a military drill of the local company of state guard.
Interesting Relics. William Pollock, at the Cold Spring farm, has contributed to the loan collection at the J. V. Fletcher library two interesting objects. One is a fine specimen of the stone age, an extra good Indian stone hatchet. This was ploughed up in a field by Mr. Pollock. When he saw it first he thought it an unusual stone, and he at once took it to an out-door faucet and cleaned it, and found what a “find” it was in the way of Indian stone implements. This is loaned to the already good Indian collection at the historical rooms by the Fletcher Cold Spring farm. The other curiosity was found by and is loaned by Miss Marjorie Pollock, and is a fine old powder horn of the revolutionary period. Cut into the well preserved horn is the following inscription, “Charles Stodder, July 25, 1799.” The excellent state of preservation of this relic would indicate that it had not been exposed to the elements during all of the time since 1799.
About Town. John Flynn died at his home on the Stony Brook road last week Thursday, aged 77 years and 6 months, after a decline of several years. He leaves four sons, William J., Bernard J., Thomas F. and John L., and a daughter, Mrs. James F. Savage, and a brother, Patrick Flynn. He was born in Ireland, but came to this county in early life. He had been a resident of Westford for about fifty years, and was a lovable man in his home and as a neighbor, and a loyal citizen to all that was best. The funeral took place Saturday forenoon at his home, and later from St. John’s church North Chelmsford, where mass was sung by Fr. Heaney. The bearers were his four sons. Burial was in St. Patrick’s cemetery, Lowell.
The Abbot Worsted Company are reported to have bought of George C. Moore his large worsted mill in North Chelmsford.
Last Saturday afternoon George F. Jones’ horse fell into the scuttle of the barn which required a pulley tackle and the help of W. J. Parfitt, Frank Banister, Frank C. Drew and Amos Polley to boost him to position.
Under the auspices of Middlesex North Pomona Grange there will be a summer institute next Wednesday at Bryant Bros. farm, Marsh hill, Dracut. Tractor ploughing demonstration at ten o’clock and two o’clock. Music that stirs will jingle all day when there is nothing else doing. Speaking at eleven o’clock. Auto conveyance from end of Dracut car line.
Mrs. May Flynn Savage has been ill with acute indigestion at her home on the Stony Brook road.
The republican town committees for the towns comprising the eleventh Middlesex district—Acton, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Bedford, Littleton, Tyngsboro and Westford—were represented at a meeting last week Tuesday evening at the town hall, Westford, to arrange the allotment of representation made necessary by biennial elections. D. Frank Small, of Chelmsford, called to order. Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher was chosen chairman, and Edgar H. Woodbury of Littleton secretary. It was voted to allow Carlisle to be represented again this year, which will dispose of that town before we get to the two-year system, with Westford to follow in 1920, the first town under biennial elections. The other towns were left for future apportionment.
Gerhald [sic] H. Decatur, of New York, was home a few days last week. He planned to remain longer, but saw that large meadow was uncut and as he avers they never did agree he deemed it wise to arrange two visits.
George C. Moore is building a cattle barn at his Nabnassett farm that will have all the latest improvements, including water power, which is being installed in the public waterway close by his present large barn. Since disposing of his Brookside mills he intends to develop farming by brains and science as a lesson in possibilities.
Graniteville. The first annual outing tendered by the Abbot Worsted Company to the overseers and their wives and the members of the office staffs in the Graniteville, Forge Village and Brookside mills was held last Saturday at Hampton and Salisbury Beaches, and a very good time was enjoyed by all.
The Abbot Worsted Company team met and defeated the strong Saco-Lowell team on the local grounds last Saturday by the score of 7 to 4. Mulno and Liston did the battery work for the A.W.C., while Merritt and Allen were in the points for Saco-Lowell. This week Saturday the Abbot team will meet the fast Putnam Machine Company club from Fitchburg. This is the first time for the Fitchburg club to visit here and a good game is expected.
The Graniteville A.C. visited Harvard last Saturday and met with defeat at the hands of the Harvard Team by the score of 14 to 10.
Mrs. William White visited friends in North Salem, N.H., a few days ago.
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Healy, Mr. and Mrs. James B. Healy and family and Miss Mary A. Healy are spending a few days at Old Orchard Beach.
Mrs. Elizabeth Buckingham, who has been ill at the Lowell General hospital as a result of an operation, has so far recovered that she returned to her home here this week.
John J. Payne, who has been suffering with a severe sore throat, is able to be about once more.
Rev. U. H. Layton, with Mrs. Layton and little son Justin, of Chester, are spending a few days here as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Furbush. Mrs. Layton was formerly Miss Ruth Furbush, of this village. Mr. Layton’s mother was also a recent visitor here.
Walter and Fred Longbottom, of Arlington, have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Defoe.
Mrs. J. Francis Quinn and son Eugene of Nahant and Mrs. Mary Quinn of Lowell have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. Austin Healy here.
At a meeting of the Girls’ Canning club recently formed here the following officers were elected: Miss Bertha Reeves, pres.; Miss Ethel Ingalls, vice pres.; Miss Mary C. Wall, sec. The meeting was well attended, many from Forge Village being present.
The members of the republican league held a meeting at the Abbot club house on last Thursday night that was well attended. The meeting was called to order by A. W. Hartford, chairman of the town committee. Spirited speeches were given by Alonzo G. Walsh and Albert Edmund Brown of Lowell. The community singing led by Mr. Brown was full of pep and made a decided hit. The meeting was of the get together spirit and much interest was shown. It is expected that another similar meeting will be held here some time in the near future.
The Forge Village A.C. played the Graniteville A.C. in a twilight game here on last Tuesday evening and the Forge Village team won by the score of 8 to 1. Downing and Spinner did the battery work for the F.A.C., while Griffin and Liston performed for the G.A.C. This was the final game of the series.
Forge Village. A most enjoyable outing was held on last Saturday when the Abbot Worsted Co. entertained the superintendents, overseers and their wives and the office force from their mills in this village, Graniteville and Brookside at Hampton Beach. The trip was made by auto. Dinner was served at 2:30 o’clock at the Casino, where 87 enjoyed the excellent meal served. The large party then assembled on the beach, where a group picture was taken. A trip to Salisbury Beach was then made and the remainder of the day was spent in bathing, dancing and many other attractions the place afforded. The return trip was made in the evening and the women were presented boxes of candy. This affair was the first of its kind to be given by the Abbot Worsted Co. and expressions of gratitude were heard on all sides for the well planned trip.
Claude Cavanaugh, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cavanaugh of Bradford street, fell from the footbridge into the canal Sunday morning and would have been drowned but for the timely arrival of Omar Cushing and Carl Lydia. Mr. Cushing was about to go fishing in his boat when the shouts of those who saw the accident attracted his attention. Before he could unfasten his boat Carl Lydia jumped into the water and pulled the little fellow out.
Mrs. Susan Morton [nee Cougle] and two sons, Aubrey and Beverly, and daughter Carrie and the latter’s son motored from Bridgeford, Conn., and are visiting at the home of Mrs. Josephine Cougle [Susan’s sister-in-law]. They were formerly residents of this village and have many friends here.
The Townsend Independents journeyed here and were defeated by the Forge Village A.C. in one of the best games of the season. The local team will play a return game soon in Townsend.
The final game of the series was played in Graniteville Tuesday evening when the local team defeated the Graniteville A. C. with the score of 8 to 1. This game called out all of the fans who have been watching the games with much interest. Forge A. C. now holds the championship between the two villages.
Mrs. Mary Ward and two daughters, Misses Elizabeth and Catherine Ward, have returned from their vacation spent at Hampton Beach.
Mr. and Mrs. George Goode are spending a few days at Ogunquit, Me. Miss Grace Litchfield and Miss Mary B. Raynes, who have spent the past three weeks there, will return with Mr. and Mrs. Goode to their cottage at Forge pond.
Mrs. Joseph Leclerc and two children, Irene and Mildred, are spending their vacation at Springfield.
Mr. and Mrs. John Hanley and family of Marlboro are enjoying camp life at Forge Pond.
George L. Sanborn, the local station agent, is now on his vacation with Mrs. Sanborn.
One of the most attractive flower gardens in this vicinity is at the residence of John P. Brown. Since early in March he has had a continuous show of blossoms. Many of them are very rare and have been obtained at great expense and have taken a great deal of time and labor. Just now the phlox and hollyhocks are doing their bit, while among the shrubs is the orange and pomegranate trees in blossom.
About Town. Lewis Murray Fletcher, aged 1 month and 12 days, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Fletcher, died at the Lowell Corporation hospital last Sunday. The funeral was held from the home of his parents at Chamberlin’s corner, Main street, Tuesday. Rev. O. L. Brownsey conducted the service.
Willard Morrison died suddenly last Saturday in Pasadena, Cal., aged forty-three years. Mr. Morrison had been in ill health for two years and went to California, accompanied by his wife. By advice he had some teeth extracted, which resulted in an infection setting in and death followed in a few days. Mr. Morrison was a well-known mill agent in mills north and south. He was a frequent visitor in town, his wife, Mrs. Bertha Morrison being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William P. Williams, of Parkerville on the Carlisle road. Mr. Morrison we did not know personally, but learn from others that he had all the desirable qualities of a good citizen and neighbor. The body was brought to Manchester, N.H., for burial.
The Abbot Worsted Company have purchased an attractive truck for their mill at Brookside, with the label, Abbot Worsted Co., Brookside mill. This truck and other improvements look very much like thrift.
George E. Gould, of Westford, more recently of Lowell, has sold his place in Lowell and moved to Middletown.
Oliver Desjardin has bought the standing hay on the John Haley farm on the Stony Brook road. We call it standing hay for most of it is still standing and all it needs is cutting to be loaded directly into the wagon.
Miss Edna Sargent availed herself of the offer of the Agricultural college for farmers’ week, leaving town Tuesday. This visit was the result of efficiency in home economics in bread-making. Of a class of about sixty-five Miss Sargent won first award for best selection of four cows at the college. She was a member of the home economics club of Westford Grange, which was managed by Mrs. Frank C. Wright and Mrs. W. R. Taylor.
Amos and Robert Polley autoed to Greenville, N.H., last week to visit friends. They went by way of Townsend. They did not feel the least ashamed or discouraged at the appearance of crops on the Prairie farm where they are digging new potatoes for market. Horace E. Gould had the first bushel.
Ayer
Found Guilty of Desertion. Charged with desertion from Camp Devens from on or about April 7 to July 7, when he was apprehended by the authorities in Turners Falls, first class private Clarence W. Sweetser, Provost Guard Company of Infantry, has been tried, found guilty and sentenced to be reduced to the grade of private, to be dishonorably discharged from the service, to forfeit all pay and allowances due and to be confined at hard labor for a period of one year. The Atlantic branch of the U. S. disciplinary barracks, Fort Jay, N.Y., has been designated as the place of confinement. The part of the convicted soldier’s sentence providing for dishonorable discharge has been suspended by the commanding general until the prisoner is released from confinement unless sooner ordered by official authority. Private Sweetser pleaded not guilty to the charge of desertion but entered a plea of guilty to be “absent without leave.”
R.O.T.C. Receive Diplomas. The members of the Camp Devens infantry R.O.T.C., their six-weeks’ course completed, went on final review last week Friday afternoon and received from the hands of Major General Henry P. McCain, camp commander, the certificates for their training course. The 352 young men scattered last Saturday to cities and towns throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.
The review was executed with a precision which excited high praise from the officers before whom it passed. Col. Guy G. Palmer, commanding officer of the corps, expressed his commendation formally in a speech to the student soldiers at the conclusion of the review. General McCain and Brigadier General W. R. Samples, commanding the demobilization camp, who assisted with their staffs in the review, had praise none the less sincere, although not expressed formally.
The review ended, the corps returned to line formation and the men were called one by one from the ranks to be presented with their certificates by Gen. McCain.
Col. Palmer dwelt upon the value of the discipline the young men have undergone as an aid to good citizenship, and urged them to preserve in their daily lives as civilians the habits and principles they have acquired here.
Court-Martialed. The court-martial of Private Edward F. Riley, Company I, 36th Infantry, who shot and killed Manuel D. Pina on July 22, was held on Wednesday morning at the Officers’ club at the camp. Major Arthur R. Hitchcock presided and Lieut. Francis M. Flannigan acted as judge advocate. Major George C. Donaldson represented the accused. Among the witnesses put on the stand for the prosecution were three colored soldiers who were prisoners with Pina when the shooting occurred—Arthur Burton, Herbert A. Johnson, George S. Johnson. Other witnesses were Sergt. Stanley C. Marshall, Sergt. Michael Higgins, [and] Supply Sergt. Weisensee. Riley testified in his own behalf.
The story of the shooting as stated by the witnesses seemed to be that Pina was one of four prisoners over whom the accused was sentry. The prisoners were burning paper in an incinerator at the garbage transfer station and Pina was sitting on a pail nearby. Riley’s rifle was supposed to be at safety, and was point toward Pina. Riley knew very little about rifles, but took the word of Sergt. Stanley Marshall, who was on guard, that it was at safety. Riley did not remember pulling the trigger but a bullet passed through both of Pina’s lungs and severed the spinal column so that death followed immediately.
Riley will be eighteen years old in September. He was born in Lawrence and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Riley, Methuen. He enlisted on May 20. His parents and his sister Elizabeth were present at the trial on Wednesday morning.