The Westford Wardsman, February 16, 1918
Center. John P. Wright is confined to his home, among the sick ones, being afflicted with carbuncles.
The Ladies’ Aid society held its regular monthly meeting with Mrs. Bartlett at the home of E. J. Whitney, Thursday afternoon.
J. W. Hartwell, while covering his usual Tuesday route in Westford this week, was unfortunate enough to cut one hand badly as he was cutting meat. Dr. Wells dressed the injury, several stitches being necessary.
At the meeting of the Tadmuck club next Monday afternoon at the Congregational vestry, it will be home afternoon. There will be a roll call of the membership to be responded to with practical suggestions along all lines in the household. Come prepared to respond; tell of some efficient method of accomplishing routine work, of some culinary success, some items concerning the care of house plants, your experiences with feeding the birds, or anything helpful and interesting to sister housewives. In case you cannot pass on anything of interest, respond present to the roll call. There will be vocal solos by Mrs. Charles D. Colburn and the members of the literature and library extension committee will read Oscar Wilde’s four-act drama, “Lady Windemere’s fair” [sic, “Lady Windermere’s Fan”]. The club program has had interruptions this season owing to severe weather and other conditions and it is hoped that a good attendance will be present and make the meeting one of interest.
Last week Friday evening at the Congregational vestry Frederick A. Hanscome gave a pleasant talk on the Yellowstone Park. Mr. Hanscome visited this great national pleasure park about four years ago during a vacation period following many busy years. There was a good audience present and the speaker made his experiences interesting and put much individuality into his narrative. He illustrated his travel talk with about 100 views many of them very beautiful. These were thrown on a screen by a radiopticon machine operated by Bertram Sutherland. The proceeds of over twelve dollars went to the local French Aid society for the purchase of supplies and Mr. Hanscome’s helpfulness is much appreciated.
Mrs. Margaret Mills, widow of the late Hugh Mills, and a long-time resident of Westford, died Monday afternoon after a short illness from heart trouble, aged eighty-four years. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. James Cowdrey, of Billerica, and Mrs. Eliza A. Carter, of Westford, and one son, Herbert [Hubert?] Mills, of Westford; also a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Williams Mills, one of her grandsons, was one of the first to join the colors from Westford, joining Company K of Lowell early last spring. Mrs. Mills rounds out a long and useful life. Of quiet and unassuming ways she filled a large and appreciated place in her circle of relatives and friends.
The first in the arrangement of union church services for the remainder of winter weather took place last Sunday in the Congregational church with a large and interested audience. Rev. Louis H. Buckshorn preached the sermon, and it being Lincoln Sunday, he prefaced his sermon by reading from Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg address, and in an eloquent and stirring sermon made a strong plea for the integrity of purpose and righteousness of living that characterized the great Lincoln in the testing time of the civil war and for our people passing through like crisis at the present time. There was singing by the choir and offertory solo by Mrs. Colburn, and Mr. Lincoln conducted the other parts of the service. Mr. Buckshorn will preach again on Sunday.
Miss Mary P. Bunce’s many friends sympathize with her during her illness at a Lowell hospital, but are glad to hear good reports of her condition. Miss Loker is staying in Lowell during her niece’s illness, where she can be near and see her frequently.
There are 453 voters in Westford and 855 assessed polls.
Miss Hulda Russell, the trained nurse who is so well and favorably known in Westford, is a patient at the Lowell General hospital, where she recently underwent an operation for appendicitis. Reports of good progress toward recovery come to the Westford friends.
The soldiers’ information bureau of the town wish to secure a photograph of every local man in the United States service; also, the age of each soldier and date of enlistment with name of company. All these will be kept on file with the town records and will be of importance in future years. Do not wait for the members of the committee to call for these records but forward them to the committee, Alfred W. Hartford, Westford; Wesley O. Hawkes, Graniteville; Edward T. Hanley, Forge Village.
Reasonably favorable weather made it possible for a good attendance at the home guard drill on Tuesday evening at the town hall. There will be a special additional drill on Monday evening, and on Tuesday evening an inspection at which every man in the company must be present unless actually sick.
Sergt. Yetton, grandson of J. E. Knight, and Sergt. Whitney of Camp Devens entertained as guests at the camp last Sunday Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Isles and Misses Crocker, Grant and Ranney. They were shown over the camp and given a good idea of training life in camp and were entertained at dinner by the young men.
About Town. J. B. Abbott and Mrs. A. G. Halbower, agents of Middlesex County Farm Bureau, have arranged for a conference for a food production campaign to be held on Tuesday in Waltham.
A town eight miles to the east of Westford had over $62,000 in uncollected taxes on January 1, as per town report. What some towns need is an edition of the Westford tax collector [Leonard W. Wheeler], who does so well for us.
The monthly United States crop report for December shows that fifty-four percent more potatoes were raised than in 1916, and twenty-one percent more than in a five year average, and forty-two percent more potatoes on hand on January 1 than a year ago.
Owing to the inclemency of the roads and weather conditions generally, and the inclemency of temperatures, the meeting of Westford Grange was laid on the table. The next meeting will be held on Thursday evening, February 21, with the young people in charge with Alfred and Bertram Sutherland as leaders.
Town Meeting. The annual town meeting was held on Monday with the lightest vote cast for less than a century, for out of something like 500 registered voters the license question showed 25 voted Yes and 94 No, and the only contest for town office, that of constable, showed 120 votes cast. The following were elected without opposition for three years for the various offices: Town clerk, Charles L. Hildreth; selectman, Frank L. Furbush; assessor, George H. Hartford; overseer of the poor, Fred R. Blodgett; school committee, Charles O. Prescott and T. A. E. Wilson; trustee of J. V. Fletcher library, Julia [sic, Julian] A. Cameron; commissioners of cemeteries, Wesley O. Hawkes; for unexpired term, Charles O. Prescott. The following were elected for one year: Collector, Leonard W. Wheeler; treasurer, Harwood L. Wright; auditor, Edward T. Hanley; constable, Charles S. Ripley 85; John A. Sullivan 35; tree warden, Harry L. Nesmith; liquor question, No. 94, Yes 25.
The polls closed at 1:05, after which the business of the meeting was taken up. In the absence of Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher, the usual and expected-to-be moderator, Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher was chosen. Everything went easy for the first thirteen rounds.
The fourteenth round, “To appropriate money for support of the poor and repairs on town farm buildings.” The finance committee recommended $3000. Rev. L. H. Buckshorn offered as an amendment $3300 and to specify lighting the buildings by electricity. Others arose laden with speeches in behalf of the amendment and finally everybody got so that they could say $3300 and the clerk got after it and held it.
Everything went about even until the nineteenth round, relating to rescinding the pay of the firemen and doing something else. Under the rules of “eatless Hoover” and “heatless Garfield” it might be possible for the firemen to have saved enough so that they could afford and were willing to serve on a cut-down, but those who took this view were misinformed and were informed over again by Edward M. Abbot, chief of the fire department, that since the schedule of prices were fixed by the town in 1908, labor prices have advanced so much that firemen must either work for less than current labor prices or the difference must be made up by private capital, and so thought the town and jumped prices faster than a fire could jump in a dry time.
The twentieth round came near ending in a draw. It related to choosing a committee to investigate and report in regard to purchasing a motor-driven chemical engine. W. R. Taylor moved that the fire engineers constitute such a committee. H. V. Hildreth amended by adding the selectmen. John C. Abbot thought the committee large enough without the selectmen. The moderator called for a voice vote which left it a tie of sound. A decision called for by hand vote showed that about a hand and a half plurality favored the amendment.
The twenty-first round, relating to appropriating money to complete the firehouse in Westford Center resulted in some infighting. The finance committee recommended raising $1000 and continue the present installment plan of completing these repairs which continues to leave the surroundings the appearance of a town dump heap, and the traveling public to inquire “Who lives there?” The town got sort of ashamed of its forever method and voted unanimously to complete the building this year, and $2700 was voted for this purpose. …
The twenty-third round called for some more reversing of the lever in regard to improvements on the road from Westford Center to Graniteville. The town voted to [pull] the lever clear back and start over again.
In round twenty-four, which called for the town to borrow money to meet the town’s portion of these repairs, the throttle was opened full borrowing width, and all the town asks is that the county open like width its somewhat delayed rusty throttle.
In the thirtieth round a rest was taken by mutual consent while proceeding to elect a finance committee. The following had a unanimous following; Julian A. Cameron, Elbert H. Flagg, Herbert V. Hildreth, William R. Taylor. The vacancy on the board caused by the death of George T. Day was filled by the election of Rev. L. H. Buckshorn.
The thirty-fourth round related to hearing the report of the committee to investigate and report on making a contract with the Westford Water Co. The report was adopted. Under this report the hydrant system and the public buildings are partakers of this water and the Westford Water Company will be partakers of the town’s money. …
The thirty-fifth round was the only round that hinted at war, and the only round of importance that didn’t have an explanation attachment, but everybody resolved themselves patriotic and voted $500 for the military purposes of Company L, Massachusetts guard.
During the thirty-sixth round everybody felt their very best and the meeting resolved itself onto its feet in a vote of thanks for the financial remembrances to the town under the will of M. Elizabeth Whitney.
In the thirty-seventh round the state forester took part and held the key, $250 worth to the town treasury for the erection of a new fire observatory on Robbins hill in Chelmsford. Edward M. Abbot inquired about the feasibility of a fire tower on the water standpipe on Prospect hill in Westford. The point is certainly worth considering for this is the highest point known to man in these manly whereabouts. From this pinnacle Robbins’ hill looks like a foot hill.
The town voted to raise by taxation and to borrow by its face appearance the total sum of about $59,000, and expects reimbursement from the state and other sources for about $20,000, and on this basis it expects to get by on a tax rate of $15.50. Among the larger appropriations are library $1000; roads $6900; town debts $7500; town farm $3300; schools $17,500; repairs on firehouse at Westford Center $2700; moth department $1100; electric lights $3800; hydrants $2080; notes and interest $3900; state and county tax $9619; repairs on state highway $990; fish and game warden $50.
One of the missing features of the day and prominently noticeable as an always present participant was the individualism of George T. Day. His voice and influence was always on the thrift side of town affairs. He was poised with a well-balanced judgment that could easily detect the difference alluring gush of more show than reality and the real goods keyed to a foundation.
Forge Village. A meeting of the Girl Scouts was held Tuesday evening at St. Andrew’s mission. Miss Cora Nelson and Mrs. Harwood of Ayer were in charge. During the business meeting the following officers were elected for the patrols: Patrol No. 1—Marion Lord, patrol leader; Edith Hunt, corporal. Patrol No. 2—Carolyn Precious, patrol leader; Blanche Comey, corporal. Patrol No. 3—Ruth Kavanagh, leader; Gladys Baker, corporal. Miss Marjorie Peabody and Miss Eaglesfield of Groton are to have charge of the cantata, which is to be given after Easter. Under their direction work was begun Tuesday evening on the one finally selected, “The American girl.”
The Y.M.C.A. was a busy place; just packed full of all kinds of soldiers all the time. They observed Christmas in the Y.M.C.A. We had lots of singers and piano players. Then after the Christmas concert we had Santa Claus and he gave us each a little stocking with nuts and candy, etc., in it. Well, I checked my suitcase and stayed there a week, and had one great time.
During the day there was a guide to take us around and show us the different places of interest. Guide and buss (that is a barge) both for ninety-six cents a day. I will tell you about some of the places I went.
The first place was the Tower of London, where so many of the olden kings were imprisoned; also, where the two little princes were murdered. I was in that very room. Another place was St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the most handsome buildings inside that anyone ever saw; also, another famous building, Westminster Abbey. Another place that I saw was Buckingham Palace, the King’s Palace. We went through the king’s stable and harness-room. We saw all the king’s horses, even the one that he rides himself; also, saw the king and queen’s coach. Another place to which we went was the National Art Gallery, where all the world’s famous paintings are; also the London Zoological Gardens, and Madame Tussaud’s wax works, where there are wax models of about all the kings and queens and nobility of England, and a wax model of President Wilson. Then there were lots of other places I will tell you about when I see you, like Nelson’s monument. The House of Parliament and King Albert’s monument. Then at night we went to the theatres, so you can see that we had a good time. We got home here on Sunday evening. It is getting late so I will have to close with love to all. Leland.
Ayer
Red Cross Notes. The monthly report of the Ayer branch for January is as follows: 14 sweaters, 20 pairs of socks, 7 helmets, 1 muffler, 320 gauze dressing, 89 “red packet” dressings, 21 hospital handkerchiefs.
The Bureau of Military Relief, New England division, for the month of January, has distributed to Camp Devens, 1200 mufflers, 1200 wristers, 1160 helmets, 5289 pairs socks. This bureaus reports for August, 1917, to January 1, 1918, that 38,019 sweaters, 25,029 mufflers, 29,774 wristers, 2318 helmets, 4340 pairs socks, [and] 440 comfort kits were given the soldiers at Camp Devens. It seems almost incredible that this bureau can give for its total to camps, forts, training school, etc., all in New England, with the exception of Camp Greene, N.C., to which 7000 sweaters were given, 97,263 sweaters, including those sent Camp Greene, N.C., 38,816 mufflers 56,715 wristers, 24,503 helmets, 31,643 pairs socks, and 10,089 comfort kits. These reports show how well the men have been equipped with knitted articles.
There is still the call for socks—and more socks.
The Horses at Camp Devens. The following clipping is taken from Dumb Animals for February:
“Three times we have visited Camp Devens and the Remount Station. Each time it has been to look over the horses. The officers in charge have received us most courteously and given us every opportunity to inspect the animals. At the Remount Station the horses are received inspected, cared for when sick or injured, and later turned over as needed to the various departments. Recently some 3000 horses and mules have been delivered to Camp Devens. The animals arriving by train almost altogether having come from the western and northwestern states, and used to the open air rather than to close stabling, are turned, if sound and well, into corrals. In these corrals are large covered shelter sheds, protected on three sides, into which they can go if they want to. Nearly the whole length of the corral there runs also a hayrack, some eight or ten feet high, kept well filled with hay which is in itself a pretty good wind-break. Connected with the corrals are ten hospital buildings into which the sick and injured are taken upon the first indication of trouble. We have been there when there has been more than a foot of snow on the ground and with the thermometer at zero.
“The condition of the animals in the corrals has been far better than one used only to well-stable horses would imagine. As these horses must be more or less at all times exposed to the weather, the best experience shows that there is a great deal less sickness as the result of their being kept in the corrals than there would be if they were placed in warm stables and blanketed. On our second visit there were 5500 horses at the Remount Station.
“The number sick in the hospitals from colds, pneumonia and troubles resulting from these ills was surprisingly small. The death-rate at that time was only four or five a day. On the day of our third visit, during the bitter cold weather the last of December, there had been no deaths the previous twenty-four hours and the average deaths were only two or three. When one considers the long shipments to which these animals have been subjected, the possibilities of infection from the cars and at the places where they have been unloaded for food, rest and water, this is an amazingly low percentage of deaths.
“At Camp Devens stables have been provided to accommodate 9000 horses and mules which are exercised, ridden and led about and used as necessity requires.
“Of course conditions are not such as our private carriage and best city teaming horses are accustomed to. They cannot be. War means for the horses as for the men no little hardship and deprivation. But we believe that under Captain Littauer’s watchful supervision everything is being done, that, in the circumstances, can be done. Whatever the Massachusetts S.P.C.A. has been able to do to meet any emergency has been promptly attended to, and it is understood both at Camp Devens and at the Remount Station that the society stands ready to answer any demand made upon it so far as its fund for the Relief of Army Horses permits.”
Camp Notes. Some of the foremost actors in the United States, now playing in Boston Theatres, gave a concert and entertainment for the soldiers at the Y.M.C.A. auditorium Sunday. They were William Faversham, Donald Brian, Maclyn Arbuckle, Irene Bordair, Julie Opp and Virginia O’Brien. accompanied them and addressed a few words to the soldiers exhorting them to do their duties as soldiers.
The National Jewish Board of Welfare Work is preparing to erect a building at the camp. Col. Harry Cutler of Providence and Dr. M. D. Waldman of Boston discussed the project Sunday with Brigadier General William Weigel.
Horsemen in the division are interested in the claim of Private Henry Lebois of the veterinary corps to be the champion horseman at the camp. He offers $50 to anybody who will excel him in horsemanship or if a horse can be produced that he cannot ride.
Thirty telephone operators and members of the Hostess House staff have been vaccinated by Capt. Jackson of the headquarters infirmary.
The two club houses operated at Ayer and Robbins’ pond by the War Camp Community Service are already proving to be great rivals. Since the opening of the Robbins’ pond house last week, it has been crowded every night by soldiers to use the ten bowling alleys, pool and billiard tables and other recreational advantages offered.
Steve Tameff of Gloversville, N.Y., was brought to Camp Devens last Saturday from Chicago, where he was arrested, charged with failing to answer the draft call. The prisoner, who said he was a Bulgarian and did not want to fight against his country’s allies, was given his choice of being tried for desertion or enlisting in a non-combatant division. He chose the latter course and was placed in an alien company in the deport brigade. Anthony Hiduck, of Schuylkill, Pa., also charged with failing to report to the draft board, was brought here from Pepperell and locked up on a charge of desertion. He will later be tried by court martial.
A movement has been started by the 301st infantry regiment to save coal. This object is accomplished by burning up the great amount of waste wood found about the camp. If this plan is followed by other regiments about the camp it is estimated that the saving of coal will amount to about 25 tons per day.
The fourth pneumonia victim within the past few weeks succumbed to the disease Sunday afternoon. The dead soldier, Private William E. Iren, attached to Battery F, 303rd field artillery, came to the camp from Tamworth, N.H. This case, as the others, was contracted from measles. His body was taken to Wakefield, where interment took place in the Wakefield cemetery. [Death certificate not found.]
The first half of the training in the officers’ training school is over and they reviewed what they learned during the past week. About sixty of those starting in have dropped their work either because they asked to be returned to their regiments or in a few cases because they were advised to do so.
Walther H. Shattuck of Haverhill, a private in Co. A, machine gun battalion, who was serving a three months’ sentence in the guard house, which would have expired February 20, for being absent without leave, and who made a sensational escape last week Thursday night, voluntarily returned to camp Saturday, after being urged to do so by his mother.
A Boston firm has taken over the handling of coal at the cantonment in order that the government auto trucks may be free for other army work.
The long expected embargo on soldiers visiting the license city of Lowell was put in force on Thursday with an order prohibiting the presence there of any soldier not actually a Lowell resident. A force of military police went to Lowell on the issuance of the order to arrest and send back to camp any soldiers found there.
The new soldiers’ club at Robbins’ pond, to which brief reference was made in this paper last week, is one of the finest structures of its kind in the country. The main floor of the building contains one great room with a wide balcony floor above. The banners of all the allied nations hang from the balcony, and the main floor is furnished with great blue rugs, most comfortable chairs and tables, a piano, three fireplaces, 500 books loaned by the camp library, periodicals and other club features. There is a canteen at one end which will have special food features of its own, and on the balcony floors are billiard tables.
Football games on the ice at Robbins’ pond have been a unique diversion during the past week.
The School and Society league of the Normal school, Lowell, have raised $100 which was presented to Company E of the 302nd Machine Gun Battalion, most of the men of the company coming from Lowell.
On Monday afternoon a battalion of soldiers, including infantrymen, artillerymen and engineers, was detailed to clear the road of snow from the main gate of the camp to the business section of Main street. The heavy snow falls and the constant passing of automobiles and other traffic had made deep ruts along the entire road which made traffic extremely difficult and at times has been the cause of holding up traffic for hours. The work of clearing the snow has made a decided improvement in the highway.
The first performance with a cast of characters and actresses in the employ of the government was staged on Monday night at the Liberty theatre to a packed house of soldiers. The play was entitled “Baby minep.”
The 301st Regiment of Engineers received its regimental banner on Monday. The emblem is made of crimson silk with the seal of the United States and the words “301st Regiment U. S. Engineers” stamped in gold.
A display of patriotism rarely seen came to light on Monday with the discharge of Thomas Butler, of Dorchester, a member of Company H of the 301st Infantry. Butler insisted in serving in spite of the fact that he is lame and a married man, the main support of his wife and two children. He steadfastly declined to claim exemption although he could honorably do so. Butler, who was among the first draftees to come here last fall, made a strenuous plea to enter the service, although being discouraged by the examining physician. However, he was obliged to return home.
The camp library has become very popular according to John A. Lowe, the librarian. The soldiers have a marked preference for books of fiction, fifty-eight percent of the men calling for such books; nine percent call for military books; eleven percent have taken technical books; the remainder read books on literature, philosophy, religion and the fine arts. One day an enlisted man from Texas called at the library to inquire if there was any book telling of the manners and customs of the people of Boston. He said that he had been invited to dine in that city and wanted to read up a bit before making the trip.
A bombing class is in session every day and beyond that a company of signal corps are signaling an hour at a time with bright colored flags. The men are taught how to use hand grenades. The shot must be thrown overhand so as to bring the explosion above the trench and the men make a regular game of it.
Major General Hodges resumed his duties as camp commander on Wednesday after several weeks spent in visiting the war zone. He speaks very encouragingly of the condition he found in the Allies’ quarters.
A parade of the soldiers in the 76th Division, numbering 27,000 men, is scheduled to take place at the camp on Monday morning, beginning at 8:30 o’clock. The men will be reviewed by Major General Hodges and Brigadier General J. B. McDonald, an inspection general from Washington.
Major Rhinelander Waldo, a former police commissioner of New York, has been permanently detached from the 76th Division. He has been appointed provost marshal-general of the American Expeditionary Forces in France. Major Waldo was an instructor in Plattsburg and has seen service in the Philippines.
It was announced on Tuesday that 2000 men were sent from the camp to southern camps during the past week. Of this number 1775 went to Camp Greene, Charlotte, N.C., and 225 to Leon Springs, Texas.
On their all-day hike on Tuesday the 301st Engineers, for the first time, took along their field kitchens, resting en route and serving their own hot mess.
The supply sergeants of the different companies are prepared to equip the men immediately with uniforms, shoes and all wearing apparel, bedding and all other necessary articles of equipment.
Brigadier General J. B. McDonald, inspector general, and Major Lauber, of Washington, visited the camp on Tuesday to make a thorough inspection and report back to Washington.
The inquiry at division headquarters held on Tuesday to discover if possible the alleged “leak” in the premature publishing of the alleged thirty-five-year sentence of Col. William Nimke was suspended after three officers and four correspondents had been called. No finding was announced.
Luigi Romanian [sic, Romanin], a member of Company F, 302nd Field Artillery at Camp Devens, was instantly killed Tuesday evening at the railroad station in Ayer while attempting to board a moving Nashua bound passenger train at 6:40 o’clock. The young man evidently missed his footing and fell under the wheels of the train. The body was badly mangled. Romanian was twenty-nine years of age and his home was in Beverly, where he leaves a family. The remains were taken to the undertaking rooms of E. C. Page and later taken to Beverly for interment.