The Westford Wardsman, December 28, 1918
Center. There will be no delivery of R.F.D. mail New Year’s day. Carrier Fred H. Meyer, who worked so hard over Christmas day to help give others their holiday cheer, will have the first day of the year to himself.
The pupils and teachers are enjoying the Christmas week of vacation, schools resuming sessions on Monday. This is shorter than usual for the holiday vacation, but is made so to make up some of the lost time during the closing of schools on account of the influenza epidemic.
Mrs. M. B. Faley, of Warren, N.H., is spending the Christmas season with her sister, Mrs. Ella F. Pyne, at Pine Ridge; also, with Mrs. Faley are her two grandchildren, Misses Nathalie and Edna Gallant.
Mrs. A. E. Roudenbush, of Greenfield, is spending the week with her son, Principal Roudenbush and Mrs. Roudenbush.
Dr. Henry L. McClusky’s Westford friends will be sorry to hear that he is in the Deaconess hospital, Boston, where he underwent a serious surgical operation on December 17.
Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hartford entertained a family group on Christmas day at dinner, followed by a Christmas tree. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Wesley O. Hawkes, of Graniteville; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hawkes and Miss Dora Hawkes, of Melrose; Mrs. Jennie Meserve, of Lowell, and Miss Hazel Hartford, at home from Boston. The much-missed member of this family group was Wesley Hawkes, Jr, still overseas in the service.
Lieut. Charles H. Carpenter, who has recently received his honorable discharge from the service, has been in town, visiting the Westford relatives. He was a first lieutenant in the ordnance department and crossed from Europe on the Steamer George Washington, the same boat that carried President Wilson and party across recently. Lieut. and Mrs. Carpenter and little daughter go to Bristol, N.H., where he is in business with his father.
Mr. and Mrs. O. R. Spalding entertained a family party at dinner, followed by a Christmas tree, for the holiday.
Fisher Buckshorn had the misfortune to be sick in bed over Christmas and missed all the holiday festivities.
The regular home guard drill will be held on Monday evening, putting this earlier in the week on account of the new year’s holiday. A luncheon in charge of A. W. Hartford, mess sergeant, will be served after the drill.
Miss Elizabeth Kittredge is at home from Johns Hopkins university for the Christmas vacation.
Wayland F. Balch and daughters entertained their relatives, the Currier family, from Carlisle, on Christmas day.
Ladies Aid. A very pleasant all-day Ladies’ Aid meeting of the Congregational church was held on Thursday of last week with Mrs. Arthur E. Day. Useful sewing for a group of motherless children was the order of the day. A bountiful basket luncheon was enjoyed at noon by the seventeen ladies present. This was supplemented by the hostess with hot coffee and other good things. The sociability of the gathering in this hospitable home was one of the pleasant features of the day.
The annual business meeting took place around the long table following luncheon. Reports of the last year were given by the secretary, Mrs. Bartlett, and the treasurer, Mrs. White. The treasurer’s report showed receipts of the year $370.55 and expenditures of $79.91, having a balance in the treasury of $290.64. Officers elected for the coming year were Mrs. Perley E. Wright, pres.; Mrs. Helen M. Bartlett, v.p.; Mrs. L. W. Wheler, sec.; Mrs. G. F. White, treas.; Mrs. A. E. Day, Mrs. A. W. Hartford and Miss Winnifred Green, directresses.
Those in charge of socials for the season and to choose their own assistants are: January men’s supper, Mr. Hanscom; February patriotic social, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler; March, Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Taylor; April, Mrs. Wilson; May, Mrs. A. H. Sutherland; June, Mrs. Isles.
About Town. The W. R. Taylors and the Old Oaken Bucket farm folks were in the Christmas receiving line at the Fred A. Snows, West Chelmsford. The Hoover sugar rules of ye earlier days were frozen into the ice cream.
Some are talking of ploughing and others of planting the weather being held responsible for this unseasonable talk. But hold on, brethren, until the other fellow gets his haying done.
The next meeting of Middlesex North Pomona Grange will be held on Friday, January 3, at Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell. The officers will be installed in the afternoon and the meeting will be open to the public.
At last meeting of the Grange Christmas was the feature exercise; music and songs by Mildred and Marion Fletcher, Freida, Ruth and Alice Johnson, Elva and Edith Judd. They received many encore echoes. Clyde Prescott, master-elect, gave a clear, life-like picture of the meeting of the State Grange. The next meeting will be held on Thursday evening, January 2, when the newly-elected officers will be installed, possibly by the state master, followed by Hoover refreshments, with Fred A. Hanscom at the wheel.
Walter B. Farmer, who gave the afternoon address at the recent farmers’ institute, Westford, has 400 acres under cultivation near Hampden Falls, N.H., making a specialty of fruit and poultry. The poultry branch of farming netted over $1000 last year. Much is said and written about farming don’t pay. Debarring accidental misfortunes the evidence from a wide area of witness stands proves that it is almost wholly a question of individual adaptability and balance, and success and failure hinges more largely than we think upon this ancient but overlooked law. There is much more need of analysis of the individual than of the soil. The farmer who has the goods will make poor soil look like an oasis in a desert; the farmer who has not the goods will make an oasis look like the desert.
It is estimated that the damage in the United States in one year caused by rats alone is $2,000,000,000. It is urged that we organize anti-rat clubs in a public organized effort to reduce the assets and liabilities of these darlings so prolific, persistent against race decline. We have organized “open season” clubs in efforts to shoot the birds that catch the baby rats and mice. ‘Tis well that it is thus, for the birds have a beauty of plumage and song all their own. They have no right to any such monopoly. Besides, rats are a friend to corn and all other breadstuffs and are not enemies of any farm pests as are the birds. In harmony with the law of “safety first” we are anxiously willing to take off our hats in a hurrah for up with the rats and down with the birds. It is a beautiful sentiment and we are proud of it. It is so harmonious with organized effort.
Miss Viola Whithed, of Lowell, was appreciatively received as soloist as an addition to the Unitarian choir, Sunday.
The Herbert E. Howe family, of Boston, who were endeavoring to purchase a farm on Francis hill, Westford, that joins the Old Oaken Bucket farm, have purchased a farm in Newtown, Littleton. They are so well pleased with the locality that they write, “Hurrah.” Well might they, in any part of thrift stamped Littleton.
Death. Mrs. Laura A. (Hoyt) Holt, a life-long resident of West Chelmsford, and well-known to Westford people, died last Saturday at the home of Elliot F. Humiston in West Chelmsford after a long illness, aged sixty-three years. She was the daughter of the late John J. and Lucy (Fuller) Hoyt. Her father will be remembered as a prominent figure in Chelmsford town meetings, serving as moderator for a long term of years. As Laura A. Hoyt she was for many years a school teacher in North Chelmsford, of a sunny and genial disposition. The funeral services were held on Monday afternoon from the Humiston home, Rev. Caleb E. Fisher, D.D., pastor of the First Universalist church, Lowell, conducting the services. The bearers were Fred A. Snow, Frank W. Field, Rudolph Haberman, [and] Charles H. McIntire. Burial was in the family lot in Riverside cemetery, North Chelmsford, where the burial service was read by Rev. C. E. Fisher.
Christmas Entertainment. The Christmas entertainment at the Unitarian church on Tuesday evening was an attractive affair in planning and impersonation, to which the weather didn’t contribute moon, stars or dust, but much cloud, rain, mud and automobile skidding. With the weather in the role of adversity the audience was large and appreciative. The children’s party commenced at four o’clock with plays, games, with a merry go-round spirit, with supper at six o’clock, with loyalty to the law of love and some of the laws of Hoover. At seven o’clock Santa Claus appeared, according to the prophecy of expectation and came down the chimney and wore a fur coat even in this mild planting weather. Rev. H. L. Buckshorn impersonated this ancient personality with much merry jingle fun to everyone with something more tangible to cheer up on than “I wish you a merry Christmas.” All the children were remembered with this kind of cheer and some who have gone some in years, but who have enough elasticity of spirit to keep floating.
Next on the program, by the courtesy of the Abbot Worsted Company, was the motion pictures, set up and operated by W. R. Taylor and another man. They were a decided hit in variety of appeal.
The tax collector, Rev. and Mrs. L. H. Buckshorn, were the mainspring of the celebration, being on duty as day and night shift.
Forge Village. Mrs. Walter Precious and little son, Walter, Jr., of Thornton, R.I., spent the Christmas holidays with relatives here. Private Walter Precious, who enlisted with the Canadians, is now in France.
Private John Hobson has written to his parents here that he is now in Germany with his regiment.
Mrs. Mary B. Faley and two grandchildren, the Misses Natalie and Edna Gallant, of Warren, N.H., were the guests for over Christmas of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Pyne, Pine Ridge.
A Letter from Overseas. The following letter has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Delaney from their son, Rifleman J. E. Delaney, King’s Royal Rifles, 19th Division. He was a reserve in the British army and one of the first to be called to the colors. He has served all through the four years and was only wounded once. His many friends on this side of the water will be very glad to hear that he came though all right. His letter is dated France, November 18, and is as follows:
Just a few lines to let you know I have come through all right in this awful war quite safe at present and have only been hit once. I thank God for his mercies. I will never forget my experience in the four years of hellish life; had my ups and downs, rough and smooth, and this last month was the toughest. On the day the armistice was signed I lost two chums just before firing ceased. I have prayed and cursed; did not know when the last minute was mine. Have prayed for death many a time; my nerves were all on the shake; my thoughts all the time of home in the last four years. And to think I have seen the end! How wonderful! It is like a nightmare to me. One thing, my health has been great—not one day’s sickness.
Am now at the place where I started from. Expect to leave down country shortly; don’t think I will get my discharge yet a bit, but will be one of the first, for you know, dad, your lad is one of the old contemptibles; that’s what the Kaiser called us. I trust these few lines will find you all well and I will write again shortly. How I would like to see you all again.
Private Delaney has been through all the big battles was wounded once and sent home to the hospital, but so urgent was the need of men that he had not recovered before he was again on the firing line. Until the war was over all of his letters were full of determination to settle the Huns and only mentioned his injuries once.
Christmas Exercises. The Christmas tree exercises for the Sunday school children of St. Andrew’s mission were held last week Friday evening. A short, but interesting program was given as follows: “We three kings,” a Christmas carol, by the audience: “Christmas,” Margaret Pendlebury; recitation, Ruth Bennett; song, seven little girls; “Santa Claus,” Irene Comey; “The wonderful tree,” Ruth Naylor; recitation, Annie Hunt; “Good King Wincelas [sic, Wenceslas],” audience; “Peace on earth,” Lillian Hosmer; song, “Christmas bells,” five girls; recitation, Priscilla Bennett; reading, Freddie Baker; “A Christmas wish,” Margaret Cavanaugh; reading, Laura Morton; “The wonderful tree,” audience. The large Christmas tree was lighted with small electric bulbs and the many dainty and useful gifts were distributed together with a box of candy to all the members of the Sunday school. The gifts were given out personally by Santa Claus himself. His perfect make-up was the chief distraction for the small tots. William Burnett, janitor, was also remembered with a purse.
Center. The annual appraisal of property at the town farm takes place this Saturday. The board of appraisers this year are Robert Prescott, L. W. Wheeler and J. Everett Woods.
The Christmas carols, planned to be sung for the shut-ins for Christmas eve, were put over on account of the weather until Christmas day evening when a group of musicians went about the village and sang some of the beautiful old Christmas carols. Those for whom this plan was especially made fully appreciated the pleasure as well as many others who were not shut-ins. Mrs. C. A. Blaney and Mrs. William R. Taylor were in charge of this message of musical cheer.
Red Cross Drive. The Christmas Red Cross drive for members has closed and Westford is an honor town, going over the top with a sixty percent membership of its population. Not only is it the honor town in the North Middlesex chapter, but also stands one of the first in the state. Of its quote of securing 1,705 one-dollar members, 1,712 were secured and 7 magazine members. This accomplishment proved one of the hardest propositions of any of the drives for funds and reflects the greatest credit upon the well-organized committee under the efficient leadership of Alfred W. Hartford, chairman. This committee wishes to heartily thank one and all who helped make it a success, and for their interest and enthusiasm and work, and especially the members of the Abbot Worsted Co.
Members of the committee were Alfred W. Hartford, chairman; W. R. Taylor, treasurer. Those in charge of the different sections of the town were Westford depot, Mrs. J. W. Fletcher; Brookside, A. G. Lundberg and Miss M. E. Donnelly; Fletcher’s quarry, Mrs. Herbert E. Fletcher; North Westford, Mrs. Hammett D. Wright; East Westford, Miss Ruth Sargent; South Westford, T. A. E. Wilson; West Westford, Miss Ruth Flagg; Center, William C. Roudenbush, Charles O. Prescott, Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher and Harwood L. Wright.
Christmas Observances. Christmas services at the Congregational church were observed with good Christmas sermon and music. The church was prettily decorated with laurel and other Christmas greens. A quartet consisting of Mrs. H. M. Bartlett, Mrs. Sadie Whitney, Miss Lillian Sutherland and Miss Mabel Prescott, sang with good effect “Silent night, holy night,” and by special request this was repeated at the evening service. Mrs. Nathaniel Whitney sang a solo, “The angels’ song,” and Miss Lillian Sutherland an offertory solo, “O little town of Bethlehem.” Miss Elinor Colburn was at the organ. Tuesday evening the children of the Sunday school had a supper, tree and entertainment. There were games in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Brownsey before supper, and at six o’clock a good supper was enjoyed, after which came the tree with presents for all, followed by an entertainment of recitations and music. Miss Elinor Colburn and Miss Dorothy Anderson played a well-executed piano duet.
Littleton
News Items. Littleton is threatened with another serious epidemic of influenza. New cases are reported each day…. [several sick persons are mentioned]
On account of the epidemic the evening service last Sunday and the Christmas festival for the children on Tuesday at the Congregational church were omitted.
There was a large family reunion at George A. Kimball’s in Westford on Wednesday. Everett Kimball’s family and H. J. Couper’s family from Littleton were in attendance.
Fred S. Kimball’s family accepted the hospitality of the George H. Kimballs, Christmas.
Groton
Letter from Overseas. The following is a letter from Corp. F. J. Toomey, Company B, 102nd US. Infantry, A.E.F., dated November 24, “dad’s letter day,” written to his father:
This day being set aside as a day for every son in France to write his father a letter, so he may receive it for Christmas, it is my duty to write and let you know I am alive and well, and as censorship rules are not strict as they have been I may be able to tell you a little about what is going on over here and little of my past. … [a long letter about his many battles, etc.] [The 102nd was stationed at the Neufchateau, Vosges Training Area during the fall and winter of 1917 with the 26th Division, also known as the Yankee Division, which also included the 101st, 103rd and 104th infantry regiments.]
Boxborough
News Items. The explosion at the powder mills shortly after midnight Tuesday startled the people from their slumbers. The shock was of unusual severity, rattling the windows and china on the shelves. The children on the alert for Santa, thought he had taken a head-long flight down the chimney.
Ayer
News Items. Some of the business men who came here from other places when the camp was opened are moving out of town, presumably because business is getting poor, although there are nearly as many at the camp as there ever were at the present time. The Hotel Devens closed this week entirely, the dining-room being closed last week. It is reported that others will soon follow.
Lieut. J. H. Hubbard and Mrs. Laura Skoberg were arraigned on a complaint for adultery. Both were found guilty. The officer was turned over to the military authorities at Camp Devens for trial in accordance with the usual procedure in cases of military men breaking the civil law which has been in force since the establishment of the camp. The other defendant was sentenced to three months in the house of correction. Chief O’Halloran of the state public safety committee conducted the prosecution. The woman in the case belongs in Minneapolis, Minn. From which place she came to Ayer to be near her husband, who is doing military duty at Camp Devens. The witnesses were the woman’s husband, Lawrence E. Schofield, and J. W. Devereaux, state officers, Louis Talitz, proprietor of the Taylor house, Mrs. Sugrue, the police matron, and the two defendants, the latter testifying in their own behalf. It developed in the testimony of the officers that the defendants were arrested at the above hotel Sunday night after a raid by the above officers, both defendants being registered at the hotel under assumed names. An unusual incident occurred when Judge Atwood asked the reason why one of the military guards was wearing his hat in court, which is a distinct violation of court etiquette. The guard came back with the retort that being an armed guard he was obliged by military rule to wear his hat under all circumstances. A camp officer interjected a statement that such a rule did not apply only in military courts and that the guard should acceded to the requirements of the civil court. The guardsman then immediately removed his headgear.
Townsend
Center. Townsend is still in the grip of influenza. There has been over 250 cases reported in all, and up to Thursday morning fifteen new cases reported Tuesday and Wednesday. The district health officer, Dr. Finnegan, has been consulted, and Thursday noon a U.S. public health nurse arrived in town to assist during the epidemic.
Pepperell
News Items. The “Trench and Camp,” the paper printed for the Y.M.C.A., Camp Devens, of December 18, gives an account of an entertainment recently given for the benefit of the “organ fund at the Pepperell Congregational church, which is reported as amounting to $60.” The account calls the style of entertainment novel in those taking part, as introducing a practical demonstration of the art of signaling. It also speaks of Corp. Earle, leader of the 212th Field Signal orchestra, as distinguishing himself as a comedian and monologist.