The Westford Wardsman, February 22, 1919
Center. Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Watson and Mrs. Maria E. Day have moved into their newly-renovated home, the late George T. Day homestead.
A guest last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Roudenbush was the latter’s cousin, Robert E. Horton, of Albany, N.Y. Mr. Horton, who is a hydraulic engineer, came to Boston to attend the New England Association of Civil Engineers at the Hotel Brunswick, and was one of the speakers, his subject being “Rainfall.” As a commentary on some mail service Mr. Horton wrote his cousin in Westford that he was coming here, mailing his letter from Albany Tuesday morning. He started from Albany Tuesday evening, attending his conference and giving his lecture, and came up to Westford on Wednesday evening, taking his relatives by surprise, and while out walking in the village Thursday forenoon got the letter from the postoffice, mailed in Albany two days earlier.
The monthly social for February at the Congregational church will take place on next week Thursday evening. It is a patriotic social and an interesting entertainment with refreshments is being planned.
Mrs. William C. Roudenbush and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler were in attendance at the mid-winter meeting of the State Federation of Woman’s clubs at the Maverick square church, Eat Boston, Wednesday.
Mrs. C. H. Wright and Mrs. G. A. Walker attended the W.C.T.U. convention in Lynn on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. A special all day meeting was held on this week Thursday at the home of Mrs. Wright, sewing for the Belgians.
Tadmuck Club. The second meeting of the Tadmuck club for February, which was a sale and entertainment, in charge of the household economics and conservation committees, was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Congregational vestry and was very much of a success, both socially and financially. The entertainment was given by Miss Elinor Colburn, with piano solos, and Mrs. Mary Bailey Bartlett, author-reader, who has pleased Westford audiences at other times. Mrs. Bartlett writes her own selections, so at all times is sure of being original, and in her entertainment of Tuesday afternoon her clever monologue and a skillful two-act play with prologue were much enjoyed.
There were sales tables for fancy and useful articles, in charge of Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Mrs. G. W. Goode and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler. This was balanced by a well filled table for food and candy. This was in charge of Mrs. W. R. Carver, Mrs. John Feeney, Sr., Mrs. Harry B. Prescott and Mrs. John Shaddick.
Afternoon tea, which was a pleasant and social feature, was in charge of Mrs. Hammett D. Wright, Mrs. David L. Greig, Mrs. William R. Taylor, Mrs. Helina M. Bartlett and Mrs. Fred H. Meyer. A good sum for the club treasury was the result of this sale and entertainment.
The next meeting will be children’s day at the Unitarian church, Mrs. A. H. Sutherland hostess.
About Town. Mr. and Mrs. Frederic A. Snow, of West Chelmsford, have returned from a trip to Bound Brook, N.J., and New York city.
As a result of last winter’s continuous cold wave, shortage of coal and chopping wood emergency, the foresters of the department of agriculture recommend municipal forests, saying, “Acute need for fuel in emergencies furnishes one of the strongest arguments for cities and towns maintaining municipal forests in available wooded districts. These emergencies may be expected periodically and municipal forests, serving as parks and pleasure ground or as protection to water supplies can come into play as fuel reserves in time of stress when coal cannot be obtained in sufficient quantities.” The principle of municipal foresightedness in owning some forest reservations for emergency is correct, but it should be something other than pleasure ground parks or water protection. To strip these in an emergency might be liable to create a greater emergency. At any rate let us hope we would not have to do the Washington hatchet stunt.
The prospect of cutting ice on the Merrimack river is so nearly certain to be uncertain that the Daniel Gage Ice Company have commenced cutting ice at Spectacle pond [on the Littleton/Ayer border] to fill the icehouse there, which was not intended if the Merrimack river had played winter enough. The icehouses at Forge Village being filled, the Merrimack river deficiency is being cut at Forge pond and carried to the Merrimack houses in Lowell.
Miss Frances Banister, who has been visiting in the Merrimack valley for a week or ten days, returned Tuesday to her home, the Banister.
The Proctor Lumber Company, located at North Chelmsford, have bought the prime lumber lot of Nelson L. Prescott in Forge Village, located near the pumping station of the Westford Water Company on the Forge Village road. It is being cut and transported to North Chelmsford. It was a handsome grove and road shelter windbreak, and we regret its passing. It would have made a refreshing oasis as an addition to the closeby rights of the Westford Water Company. We must not be construed as criticizing the owner for selling or any party for not buying, for we are a practical people and must have box boards.
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Taylor got a move to the “movies” in Chelmsford on Tuesday evening; also, Edward T. Hanley, who was the moving spirit in the move to go to the “movies.”
Mrs. George H. McGregor, of Westford Corner, has returned from a several-weeks’ visit in Halifax.
Sixty-five answered to roll call at West Chelmsford Grange at their last meeting. Papers were read on “The needs of our Grange,” Past Master Cole; “What the Grange means to community,” Clarence Burne, overseer; “What the Grange has done for me,” Frank Edwards steward, and “Visions of the Grange,” Alice Robarge.
Dunstable, one of the smallest towns in the county, has the distinction of having the oldest inhabitant probably in the county, Mrs. Laura A. Rowell Davis, who died last Saturday at the home of Arthur N. Hall, aged 104 years and 20 days.
The institute at Lowell on Wednesday by the farmers and friends of Middlesex-North Agricultural society was largely attended. Dr. George M. Twitchell gave an inspiring address on “After the war conditions,” laying emphasis on some things congress could not do for us. At the noon hour Mrs. Winifred Flagg Symonds, of Tyngsboro, entertained with songs; Rev. Appleton Grannis in an appeal for help for the near East, and Robert F. Marden for the Red Cross. Other speakers who appealed to the normal sense of daily life were Rev. F. G. Camp of Tewksbury, C. A. Armstrong of Billerica, James P. Ramsey, probation officer of Middlesex county, and George W. Trull in memory of George B. Coburn, long associated with the Middlesex-North. The afternoon listened to some uplifts and innovation on “Helps to health,” by Miss Mellen; it was helpful, if not all agreed to.
The drive for funds for relief in the near East has been successfully going forward this week. Westford’s apportionment is $1500. Principal Roudenbush has been in charge for Westford Center, and assisting him are Charles O. Prescott, Miss Julia Fletcher, Miss Mabel Drew, William R. Taylor, Miss Ruth Sargent and Miss Marion Woodbury.
Mrs. O. V. Wells has been enjoying a brief visit from her only brother, Sergt. William O. Morrill, who has recently received his honorable discharge from eleven-months’ overseas duty in the aero squadron. Mrs. Roland Day, and little son, Vernon, of Danville, N.H., her sister, has also been visiting Mrs. Wells for a few days.
The Tadmuck club sale and entertainment netted the sum of $67.15.
Death. Mrs. Grace J. Falls died last Saturday at her home in Lowell at the age of 51 years, 11 months, 25 days. She is survived by her husband, Walter D. Falls, and two children, Miss Rachel H. and Roland E. Falls. She was one of eight children of the late Alvin G. and Marrietta (McIntire) Polley, and was born in Chelmsford. Most of her girlhood days were spent in Westford on the Prairie farm on the Lowell road, her parents moving to this farm from Chelmsford. She was one of the scholars of the younger generation at the new old Stony Brook school. For several years she was a successful teacher in town, being a graduate of Westford academy, class of 1882, when William E. Frost was principal. For many years she was a genial dooryard neighbor of the Old Oaken Bucket farm folks.
The funeral took place from the home in Lowell on Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Herbert A. Barker, minister of the Eliot Congregational church, conducting the services. The floral emblems were in keeping with her life. The bearers were Robert W. Polley, Amos B. Polley, Thomas Grey, Henry Bunce. Burial was in the family lot in Westlawn cemetery.
Death. The community was shocked Wednesday morning of this week to learn of the sudden death of Edward A. Hamlin, in the early morning hours. His wife was awakened by his difficult breathing. Speaking to him, she got no response, and failed to rouse him. Seeing his condition was serious she roused her neighbor, Mr. Pickering, who lives in the same house, but Mr. Hamlin had passed away before other help or medical aid could reach him. He had apparently been in his usual health and had worked the day before.
Mr. Hamlin’s age was 61 years, 9 months, 6 days. He was a native of this town and had lived practically all his life in his native town, where he was well known and liked. He was a skillful painter and decorator by trade.
The deceased is survived by his wife, Annie, and a daughter Edna, and to this little family in the suddenness of their affliction the sympathy of the community goes out. Mr. Hamlin also leave two grown sons, Ray and Everett, children of a former marriage. Private funeral services were held on Friday morning from his late house at 10:30.
Home Guard Ball. The second annual concert and ball under the auspices of Company L, M.S.G., took place on Wednesday evening and was a very successful social event. Weather conditions were most favorable for people living near and for those at a distance as well. Poole’s orchestra of Boston were the musicians for the concert from eight until nine, and for the dancing until one o’clock. Fully 300 people were in attendance and 125 couples participated in the dancing. The decorations were unusually attractive and suitable for the occasion. Streamers of red and black radiated from the center of the ceiling of the hall and suspended from this central point was an aeroplane trimmed with red, white and blue. A profusion of flags were used about the hall.
The stage for the musicians was beautifully decorated. At the back the big service flag had its place of honor, flanked on each side with green trees. The stage was heavily framed in green, in which were placed numerous electric lights with red shades. The uniforms worn by the men and many pretty gowns of the ladies made the picture a pretty one. Refreshments were served at intermission. Many were present from the other villages of the town and from Littleton, Lowell and North Chelmsford.
Those in charge were A. W. Hartford, Robert Prescott, William E. Wright, Fred Naylor, H. L. Wright and G. J. Delahaye. A. W. Hartford and Robert Prescott were in charge of the decorations. H. L. Wright, Charles Roby, James Harrington and A. H. Sutherland were in charge of refreshments. The financial result for the treasury is estimated at about $100.
Graniteville. Judging from the news reports the 26th or famous “Yankee” Division will sail from France homeward bound in a short time. Privates Gene Guichard, Alfred Conture [Couture?] and Joseph Pelkey, three Graniteville boys, are members of this division, having enlisted in the old 6th Regiment. All three boys have seen lots of action, Private Pelkey having been wounded, but is better now. They will surely receive a warm welcome from relatives and friends when they arrive here.
Owing to the large amount of work to be done this week by the local Red Cross it was found necessary to hold two meetings this week, on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Many of the members attended and much work was accomplished. It is necessary to finish a large amount of work this month and the local auxiliary will make every effort to have the work completed.
Misses Etta May and Alice C. Sheahan, of Lowell, with Private Jerry O’Leary, from Camp Devens, of the 26th Division, have been recent visitors here.
The members of Court Graniteville, F. of A., held their meeting on Thursday night with a good attendance.
Many of the sporting men of this village have subscribed to a fund to purchase several pairs of snowshoes or Canadian rabbits, that will be liberated in the woods and covers in this vicinity. Joe Wall, the town fish and game warden, has charge of this work and the rabbits are expected to arrive here in a few days.
The mills are still running on a four-days-per-week schedule. The foundry is also on short time.
There are still several cases of sickness here and the local physician is kept busy at all times.
Many from here attended the military and civic ball held in Westford town hall on Wednesday evening, under the auspices of Company L, M.S.G.
Forge Village. The benefit concert that is to be held in Abbot hall on March 4 promises to be the musical event of the winter. Some fine talent will be heard, including local and out-of-town. Refreshments will be on sale during the evening. It is earnestly desired that home-made candy and popcorn be contributed; please notify any of the committee and they will gladly call for the articles. The following committee is in charge of the affair: Mr. and Mrs. William Baker, Mr. and Mrs. John Baker, John Edwards, William Kelly, Thomas Kelly, Mrs. W. C. Precious, Miss Sarah Precious, Mrs. Fred Davis.
The Misses Annie and Emma Murray, of Ayer, were the guests on Sunday of the Misses Sarah and Edith Precious.
Miss Carolyn E. Precious, substituted as organist at the First Baptist church in Lowell on Sunday evening for William Kershaw. The feature of the service was the presence of 150 Boy Scouts and their friends.
Miss Fanny Prescott, of Cambridge, spent the weekend at the home of Mrs. Harriet E. Randall.
Mrs. Annie Orr was the soloist at the movies last week Friday evening and her singing was greatly enjoyed by all.
Anyone having any knitting needles belonging to the Red Cross are requested to return them as soon as possible to Miss Eva F. Pyne.
Little Jack Beaver is recovering from a severe attack of rheumatism.
It is with regret that the parishioners of St. Andrew’s mission learned of the resignation of Rev. Angus Dun, who for the past year has done splendid work at Camp Devens and Ayer.
Death. Mrs. Michael Molloy died at her home last Saturday afternoon after a short illness. She leaves her husband, two daughters and two sons, Mrs. David Flatley and James Molloy, of New York, Miss Rose and John Molloy at home; also, six grandchildren. Mrs. Molloy suffered a shock a week ago, and although she was conscious part of the time she never spoke again. All of her children were at her bedside when she died.
Mrs. Molloy was a devout member of St. Catherine’s church and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. She was ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and she will be greatly missed.
The funeral took place on Tuesday morning. A funeral mass was celebrated at St. Catherine’s church at nine o’clock by the pastor, Rev. Charles P. Heaney. The choir sang the Gregorian chant and Miss Mary F. Hanley presided at the organ. Burial took place in St. Catherine’s cemetery, the bearers being John McNiff, John O’Neil, John David, James Kelley, William Cavanagh and Thomas Gallagher. There were many floral and spiritual offerings.
Ayer
Camp Notes. Considerable excitement was caused this week at the negro quarters at the camp when Private Albert Williams was arrested, charged with being Webb Brown, a negro murderer, who escaped from Bagdad prison, Whitley, Ala., in 1916, where he was serving a sentence of twenty years. He was traced by means of a photograph which he had taken in his uniform. His captor, Special Agent Pond of the department of justice, took him to Boston, and it is said that his measurements coincide with those of the escaped convict. The photographs and measurements have been sent to Alabama to be verified. He is now lodged in the cantonment guardhouse. It is charged that Williams, alias Brown, was convicted of second degree murder, November 26, 1915, and was serving a twenty-year sentence when he escaped on November 18, 1916. It is claimed that he was drafted and sent to this camp about six months ago. He is a member of 50th Co., Negro Battalion.
It is expected that the 36th Infantry regiment, made up largely of New England men, will be selected to go to Boston and assist in the reception to be given to President Wilson when he arrives in that city from France, sometime early next week. Plans are also being made that will enable some of the wounded overseas men to go to Boston to attend the meeting at which the president will give an address.
Sergt. Robert J. Davidson was arraigned Wednesday morning before a general court martial board and pleaded not guilty to the charge of larceny of $4214 of patients’ funds in his custody at the base hospital, fraudulently passing a worthless check on a Boston taxicab company and with being absent without authority from camp. The case was continued to a later date.
Shirley
Costume Party. The fancy costume valentine party held last Saturday evening in Odd Fellows hall by the Girls’ Service club, for the entertainment of the soldiers from Camp Devens, was one of the most successful entertainment features held in town this winter under the supervision of Miss Minnette Zuver. The hall was most artistically decorated with red and white streamers, hearts and cupids. About 200 were present to enjoy the dancing, the Base Hospital orchestra furnishing music. At ten o’clock 75 couples formed for the grand march, passing the five judges—Mrs. Guy H. Chase of Fitchburg, Mrs. Susie Flynn, John H. Will, John Flynn of Shirley, and Sergt. George C. Roberts of Camp Devens. Two prizes were awarded for the most original costume. The first was given to Miss Ruth E. Day, who represented a jockey; the second went to Miss Grant, of Fitchburg, who certainly looked the Indian maid that she represented. Each were given a box of candy. Honorable mention was given to Misses Sadie Harkins, Sarah Stevenson and Lena Boisoneau, representing, respectively, a gypsy, queen of hearts and a blackbird. It was a very difficult task given the judges, as the majority of the costumes worn were both unique and handsome.