The Westford Wardsman, January 18, 1919
Center. Word has been received by Westford friends of the death of Mrs. Lucy A. Packard at her home in Auburndale at the age of 88 years and 2 months. Mrs. Packard will be remembered as the mother of Mrs. Joseph R. Draper and during Dr. and Mrs. Draper’s residence in town was a frequent visitor here. She was a woman of poise and charm and one whom it was always a pleasure to meet.
Miss Emily F. Fletcher has presented to the collection of curios at the J. V. Fletcher library a little wooden shoe given by Miss Clyde Carpenter, who teaches in New York city. Miss Carpenter says, regarding the shoe, “It is from a Portuguese child who went to school to me three years ago. I think she came from Furnas [a civil parish in the municipality of Povoação], on one of the islands [São Miguel island in the Portuguese Azores].” It is certainly a curious bit of footgear.
At Library hall on next Wednesday there will be an all-day meeting of the Red Cross, beginning at nine o’clock. A free luncheon will be furnished to the members at noon and each one attending is requested to bring her own cup and spoon. The call is urgent for a good number of sewers for there is [sic] about 300 refugee garments to be made in this quota. It is earnestly hoped that the Westford branch, which has earned such a good reputation for the quality and quantity of its work, will keep up to standard and the members continue to give of their time and skill while the demand lasts. The chairman asks that just as many as possible shape their plans to give next Wednesday at Library hall for sewing.
A reception to Rev. and Mrs. O. L. Brownsey was given at the Congregational church last week Thursday evening. The attendance was good and it proved a very pleasant gathering. It was especially pleasant to have Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wright of Cambridge present and in the receiving line. Those who assisted Mr. and Mrs. Brownsey in receiving were Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Day, Houghton G. Osgood, Miss Sarah W. Loker and Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wright. The ushers were Messrs. Taylor, Labounteley [sic], Hartford, Watson and Wright. A program of music and readings was given. Those entertaining were Miss Elinor Colburn, Mrs. Perley E. Wright, Forrest White and Miss Elva Judd. Refreshments of sandwiches, cake and coffee were served with Mrs. A. W. Hartford as hostess, assisted by Mrs. Roudenbush, Mrs. White, Mrs. Bartlett and Mrs. Wheeler.
Mrs. Inez P. Dickey of Dunbarton, N.H., is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Brownsey at the parsonage, as is also Miss Marie Emerson of Dunbarton.
Members of the senior class of the academy held a pleasant whist party at the Unitarian church Friday evening of last week. There were ten tables for the game. Refreshments of cake and cocoa were served, followed by dancing.
Little William Sargent, the eight-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William W. Sargent, was badly injured in a coasting accident on Richardson’s hill [Main St. west of Leland Rd.] last Saturday morning. The sled ran into a tree and struck the child with great force and he was badly injured internally. He was taken later in the day to the Massachusetts General hospital in Boston, where an operation was performed. Last reports are that while he is a pretty sick little boy he is doing well.
Ervin Farr is confined to his home with illness.
Mrs. H. G. Osgood at the Lowell General hospital is reported doing nicely considering the seriousness of her sickness. Her many friends wish her a good recovery. Mrs. Bridgeford at the same hospital is expected home the very first of next week.
Alfred Tuttle is confined to his home with sickness.
Several cases of chicken pox are reported. The Carver children and the Blaney children have been shut in with them.
The meeting of the Tadmuck club next Tuesday afternoon at Library hall will be a War Relief working meeting with a book review by Miss Mabel Drew.
At the Congregational church Sunday the pastor’s morning subject will be, “Feeding the hungry” and at the evening service, “Marks of discipleship” with special music.
Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Congregational church took place Monday afternoon with a good attendance and good interest. The afternoon business meeting was preceded by the usual dinner at noon. The bountiful dinner was in charge of Mrs. Arthur E. Day, Mrs. S. L. Taylor and a number of assistants. There were about forty present, and the roll call, which followed the dinner, met with unusually good response.
At the session in the afternoon, after brief prayer by the pastor, A. E. Day was chosen as moderator. The clerk’s report showed a net increase of the roll of 10; 15 having been added and 5 died during the year. Reports of deacons, pastor, auditor, treasurer, trustees, supply committee, superintendent of Sunday school, secretary of Ladies’ Aid and secretary of Ladies’ Missionary society were given.
Officers chosen were L. W. Wheeler, clerk; H. G. Osgood, deacon 3 years; Miss L. B. Atwood, treas.; William C. Roudenbush, asst. treas.; H. G. Osgood, col.; F. A. Hanscom and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, assistants; J. W. Rafter, aud.; H. G. Osgood, A. E. Day, L. W. Wheeler, F. A. Hanscom, William C. Roudenbush, trustees; Miss L. B. Atwood, Miss Sarah W. Loker, L. W. Wheeler, A. E. Day, H. G. Osgood, supply com.; H. G. Osgood, supt. Sunday school; Mrs. O. L. Brownsey, asst. supt.; Miss Anna Symmes, sec. and treas.
It was voted that the treasurer or assistant treasurer renew any insurance policies that may expire during the year; that Mr. and Mrs. Brownsey be received as members by letter; that pastor and deacons investigate list of absent members. Chose A. E. Day, William C. Roudenbush, Mrs. Norah Colburn and Mrs. C. H. Wright as music committee for Sunday evenings.
Reports showed all bills paid and a balance in the treasury.
About Town. At the annual meeting of the First Parish church on Monday afternoon Charles O. Prescott was chosen moderator; Abiel J. Abbot, clerk; Abiel J. Abbot, Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Charles O. Prescott, prudential com.; H. V. Hildreth, J. Herbert Fletcher, Sherman H. Fletcher, assessors; Miss A. Mabel Drew, col.; Mrs. Harry Prescott, treas.; Misses Gertrude H. Fletcher, Julia Fletcher, Eva Fletcher, music com. Resolutions of appreciation and thanks were unanimously passed for the legacy to the First Parish by the will of the late Mrs. Hiram Whitney.
The second farmers’ institute of the season, under the auspices of the Middlesex-North Agricultural society, will be held on Wednesday, January 22, at the “yellow meeting-house,” Dracut Center. The morning session will begin at ten o’clock; subject, “What can be done to realize a practical farmers’ market in Lowell?” Speakers of experience in marketing will open the discussion, followed by a general discussion. This is an important question in view of the fact that the law compels all cities and towns of 10,000 inhabitants and over to establish a public market. The afternoon subject will be “How can we interest our young people in farm life in New England?” Mr. Trask, leader of the club work in the farm bureau, is expected to give the address and bring “sample copies” of boys in club work.
At a recent meeting of the Westford Board of Trade, Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher was chosen president; P. Henry Harrington, v.p.; Charles L. Hildreth, sec.; Leonard W. Wheeler, treas.; Hon. Edward Fisher, Edward T. Hanley, Albert R. Wall, Herbert V. Hildreth, Samuel L. Taylor, board of directors. The treasurer’s report showed a balance of $43.10 as an unencumbered asset. It was voted to hold a public meeting in the near future with a speaker to be announced.
The recent death of Edward A. Richardson, of Ayer, recalls to some of the older residents of Westford his grandfather, Joseph Richardson, who for many years was a resident of Westford, owning the farm lately purchased by Oscar R. Spalding, and known as the Keyes farm, at the junction of Tadmuck road and main street, near Fairview cemetery.
Rev. L. H. Buckshorn, minister of the First Parish, has resigned to devote himself to literary work, to government farm loans as agent of the government, and to the care of his large acreage of real estate.
The people, inconvenienced by illness, are improving much faster and better than expected. Mrs. Bridgeford and Mrs. Houghton Osgood, at the Lowell hospital, have improved so encouragingly that their friends are expecting them home any time.
Birthday Anniversary. George Whidden celebrated his eightieth birthday at North Chelmsford, Sunday. Near friends and relatives brought gifts and a substantial check, which is considered more than one better. Dinner and after-dinner reminiscences and social informalities of the real chat helpfulness was enjoyed.
Mr. Whidden was born in Westford, at what is known as Whidden’s Corner [intersection of Groton and Oak Hill Roads], in 1839, one of seven children—five sons and two daughters—of Joshua and Martha (Fletcher) Whidden. He was married in 1860 to Catherine Morrill. Two children were born to them, Mary, who passed away in 1914, and George, in 1891. They have four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; a brother, Augustus F. Whidden, who lives near the old homestead and several nephews and nieces.
Mr. Whidden has lived in North Chelmsford for fifty-five years; for thirty-five years he was superintendent of the Boston Ice Co. He received his early introduction to schooling at the little “red schoolhouse” at Whidden’s Corner on the Groton road, long since displaced by the Nabnassett school on the Nabnassett road. Of a charitable and kindly disposition and generous towards the erring, he was one of the old school gentlemen, of sensible, self-reliance and not warped from this orbit by any modern kid glove performers; grown old as years mark it off, but the youth of the spirit is still a reliable headlight.
Graniteville. Little Elizabeth Palmer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Palmer, celebrated her sixth birthday anniversary by holding a party at her home on last Sunday afternoon that was attended by many of her little friends. Games were played, songs were sung and the time was passed very pleasantly. Refreshments were served and this part of the program was thoroughly enjoyed. The whole affair was very enjoyable and voted a great success.
W. Carroll Furbush, chief machinist’s mate on the U.S.S. Destroyer Tucker, has been spending the past few days at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Furbush. Young Furbush is now serving his third enlistment and tells many interesting stories of his varied experiences during the world war.
F. William Defoe, of the U.S.S. New York, has been visiting relatives here during the past few days.
Raymond Charlton and James Rafferty have recently been discharged from the army and are now in their different homes here.
Mrs. Maria Wall has been on the sick list for the past few days.
Excellent coasting and sleighing has been enjoyed here during the week.
Much sympathy is expressed for Frank McLenna, a former resident here, in the loss of his wife, Mrs. Emma McLenna, who died at their home in North Middleboro on January 10, after a brief illness of pneumonia. The body was taken to her former home in Pennsylvania for burial.
The members of Cameron Circle, of C. of F. of A., held their regular meeting on Tuesday night with a good attendance.
Mrs. Elizabeth Harrington has been spending the past few visiting with relatives in Ansonia, N.Y.
Forge Village. Private Frank Bullock has received his discharge from the army and has resumed his former occupation at his home, known as the Ward farm. He was in the first draft and spent over a year in training men in the art of cooking. He was afterwards sent to work for the government at Ansonia, Conn., and later transferred to Camp Upton where he received his discharge.
Miss Nellie McGovern has been appointed teacher of the primary grades at Cameron school in place of Miss Evelyn Kimball, of Littleton, who resigned Christmas. Miss McGovern is a graduate of the Fitchburg Normal school. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGovern, of Ayer.
The Ladies Sewing circle is to hold an experience party at St. Andrew’s mission Thursday evening. There is no admission charge. Come and hear the many funny ways of earning a dollar. Refreshments will be served.
A large number from here attended the whist party at the Unitarian parlors on last week Friday evening, given by the seniors of Westford academy. Through the kindness of Charles Ripley all enjoyed a sleighride home.
William Davis has returned to his former position as electrician in Amsterdam, N.Y., where he was employed before enlisting in the navy.
Nora, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McNiff, is quarantined at her home with diphtheria.
The Daniel Gage Ice Company of Lowell are cutting ice at Forge pond. About two weeks of good weather will be required to fill the houses.
The movies will be shown every Wednesday and Friday evenings instead of Thursdays and Saturdays.
James McNiff has received his discharge from the navy and is now at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John McNiff.
Miss Helen Lord, who is a nurse at the naval hospital in Newport, R.I., expects a forty-eight hours’ leave of absence, and is planning to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Lord, Friday and Saturday.
Westford academy, where the sessions have been an hour longer each day to make up the time lost during the epidemic of influenza, has returned to its former schedule. Cameron school will also resume its usual schedule shortly.
Ayer
News Items. Mrs. Henry P. McCain, wife of the commanding general of the Plymouth Division, and her daughter, Mrs. Emery T. Smith, who have been guests for the past three months at the Special Aid society’s Willard house at Camp Devens, have returned to their home in Washington. They received a great deal of attention during their visit at camp and were very much interested in the various camp activities.
An automobile bus, owned and driven by Edward Honeyman, and containing a load of soldiers, skidded near the Vesper Preserve Company building, West Main street, last week Friday afternoon, striking the corner of the building. a rear wheel was torn off and the bus otherwise slightly damaged. No one was hurt… Monday, a large army mail truck, in turning around in front of Esterbrook & Eaton’s cigar store, West Main street, crashed into the two plate glass windows in the front part of the store, shattering the glass and sashes. The opening was temporarily repaired by the firm and the business is going on as usual.
Reception to Mrs. Gilson. The Federation House was the scene of a very large gathering Wednesday evening. The many friends and co-workers of Mrs. Sara S. Gilson in Ayer and in Camp Devens gathered for a farewell reception. Mrs. Gilson leaves very soon for France to take up her new duties with the Y.M.C.A. Women’s Club Unit. She left Ayer on Thursday.
Mrs. Gilson has been at the Federation House since the beginning of Camp Devens. As a hostess, she has served untiringly for the boys of the army. In the community camp work she has had a large share of responsibility. And in the town of Ayer she had come to be known as a public-spirited, willing worker for all good causes. Her wide acquaintance throughout the country, and her position in state and national organizations, has created a reputation for the work of the Federation House and the general welfare work of Ayer, which has been of material value and very far-reaching. The more public side of Mrs. Gilson’s life in Ayer, large as it has been, is wholly secondary to the intimate, personal, helpfulness of her daily contact with her fellow workers, and with the soldiers.
Her cheerfulness, her ready sympathy, her keen wisdom, her patience with individual idiosyncrasies, and her spontaneous readiness for every emergency, has endeared her to all who have been privileged to come into the closer circle of influence. She leaves Ayer under about the only condition that she would be allowed to leave with any hearty farewell, for she goes to continue her ministry where it may henceforth be more greatly needed.
The reception on Wednesday evening was a heartfelt and genuine tribute to Mrs. Gilson’s long service at the Federation House.
Accident. Passenger train No. 7, west bound, leaving here at 12:54 p.m., ran into an automobile in which five soldiers and the driver were riding at Harris crossing near Mitchelville [village on the Ayer/Shirley line], last week Friday afternoon, severely injuring Ralph Dickenson, of Worcester, and slightly injuring his four companions. P. A. Bromfield, a local jitney operator, was the owner and driver of the automobile. The shock of the collision was so great that the automobile was dragged with its occupant 300 feet after being struck. The train was stopped and Dr. Thomas E. Donovan, who happened to be a passenger, returning to his home in Fitchburg, gave first aid to the injured man. An army officer from Camp Devens soon after arrived, and Dickenson was removed to the base hospital at the camp. At first it was thought that his injuries would prove fatal, but later reports showed that he would recover.
Dickenson was discharged the day of the accident from the military service at the camp, and together with his four companions, who were also discharged, were on their way to their homes in Worcester, having hired the automobile for the trip. All but Dickenson were able to go home.
Charged with Larceny. One of the most sensational cases presented to the military court at the camp for solution is that of Capt. Harry J. Harris, whose trial by court martial began at 9:30 o’clock Tuesday morning. Harris is charged with appropriating twenty tons of coal of the government for his own use at his home in Brookline. Other charges against Harris include using enlisted men for personal work on his private property and using government trucks to transport personal goods. Harris pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial was conducted in the Depot Brigade Officers’ club before a board composed entirely of colonels and majors, of which Col. John D. Long is president. Lieut. Co. Ira A. Smith is counsel for Harris, and the prosecution is conducted by Capt. J. W. Beckwith, trial judge advocate.
The counsel for the defendant claims to be able to show that there was an understanding between the camp authorities and the accused officer whereby the latter could get coal from the government if he was unable to procure it elsewhere. The court-room was filled with officers listening to the case and twice during the morning the arguments became so heated that the court-room was ordered cleared.
A.W.C. [Ayer Woman’s Club] One of the most successful meetings of the season was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Soldiers’ club, when the club members were the guests of the War Camp Community Service. The speakers were Mrs. Claude U. Gilson, Miss Mary A. Steer and R. K. Atkinson of the W.C.C.S. Mrs. Gilson is about to leave for overseas in the capacity of a supervisor of the furlough huts. Perhaps it is worthy to mention that the money for these furlough huts was raised by the Woman’s clubs of this country, and that Massachusetts stood second in the list of subscribers. Miss Steer and Mr. Atkinson spoke of their work here in relation to the soldier and the community emphasizing the need of recreation and entertainment. Miss Helen Hardy played two piano selections.
An informal reception was held after the meeting, during which the orchestra of the 212th Engineers furnished music. Refreshments were served by the W.C.C.S. and their hospitality was much appreciated by the large audience present.
A collection was taken for the Armenian relief fund, which amounted to $17.50.
Guest night will be held on February 5 in the town hall and a two-act comedy by local talent will be presented. Tickets can be procured of Mrs. Jennie Chaffin, Pleasant street, on January 22, 23, 29, 30; February 3 and 4; and any forenoon.
Camp Notes. William E. Kerrish, who is publicity secretary to the Knights of Columbus at Camp Devens, has been appointed editorial writer on reconstruction subjects to the camps and naval stations of the United States. The first syndicated article on the above subjects, entitled “Reconstruction,” reads in part as follows:
“It is true that a new era has dawned for mankind. It is true that the restrictions made necessary by operations of a gigantic scale—are now being lifted—but it is not entirely true that the mighty work of making the world safe for democracy has been completed. In the period of reconstruction now before all nations involved, it will be required for every man, woman and child in the national household to stand supremely loyal to the great principles that have guided the free nations through the crucial hours of Armageddon. Everyone must gain a full and true conception of the vital needs of the hour, so that an adjustment may be effected in a manner worthy of our heroic dead. The supremacy of public law will alone make possible the federation of free peoples. The great lessons offered to us by the hands of a world in arms must be put into practice now. The lives of those devoted to liberty have shown us these things—those lessons of fortitude, of patience—of everlasting loyalty to friends—by those heroes who, with single heart and simple purpose, paid the supreme sacrifice.”
Under the direct supervision of Capt. E. Hall, camp morale officer, an educational exhibition is planned for the near future to be held in the Y.M.C.A. auditorium. Welfare agencies operating in camp will be represented, and vocational and reconstructional activities will be featured. Knights of Columbus, Y.M.C.A., Jewish Welfare Board and others will participate.
The catholic chaplains at Camp Devens are very grateful to Corp. Antonio DeMeo, of the camp personnel office, who has acted as server at the military masses celebrated in camp during the last nine months. Corp. DeMeo was in attendance at the field masses celebrated by the Jesuit fathers from Boston college, and Holly Cross, Worcester, during the summer.
In order to develop the Knights of Columbus reconstruction work in Springfield and Western Massachusetts along lines never before attempted, Daniel J. Sullivan, director of the Knights of Columbus war activities for the Eastern-Northeastern department, has asked James C. Keefe, general secretary of the K. of C. war activities at Camp Devens for the past ten months, to go to that city and take up the work. Mr. Keefe will be succeeded at this camp by William J. O’Brien, of Northampton, who come to Devens directly from Camp Johnston, Fla., where he was in charge of the order’s activities.
As Mr. Keefe’s home is in Springfield, it was Mr. Sullivan’s belief that he would best be able to handle the gigantic project which the Knights of Columbus have in hand there. The employment proposition which the order has undertaken has assumed great proportions there and it will be Mr. Keefe’s task to organize the work in such a way that every returning soldier will go back to a position as good if not better than he left when he went to war. Establishment of a permanent home for the council in that city is another movement soon to be under way there.
During his six months at Camp Devens, Mr. Keefe has made a host of friends among the officers and men of this cantonment who wish him well in his new undertaking. The biggest bit of work during the period of Mr. Keefe’s charge in camp was the work of his organization during the influenza epidemic which swept through the camp. So great was the work done by the limited staff of Knights of Columbus secretaries then available that Major-General H. P. McCain, commander of the 12th Division, sent a personal letter to Mr. Keefe, thanking him and the order for their assistance during those trying times. Numerous letters also came from friends and relatives of the sick soldiers whom the secretaries assisted.
Entertainment for the war-wounded soldiers at Camp Devens was provided by members of the “Jack o’ Lantern” Company, Tuesday. The group of players headed by Fred Stone which was just ahead of us, made a perfect shot and hit the periscope and then dropped a depth bomb and the “tin fish” was no more. We must have run into a dozen of them because the destroyers dropped over about fifty depth bombs in about five minutes. After it was all over the captain said three more subs had hit the mud in the mouth of the Bristol channel, and that it was one of the most dangerous places in those waters.
The next morning we steamed into Liverpool and soon were on “honest to goodness” ground again. We marched across the city to the railroad station and started on our trip across England. We went by wonderful farms, and passed through the Sheffield steel country. We stopped at Leicester and were given coffee and rolls, but they were far from the ones we had in Concord, N.H., in quality. At quarter past two in the morning we stopped at Winchester and put on our packs and marched about two miles, all up hill, to a camp. No, we did not get the cooties here; we had them on the boat and they made it real interesting for us many times when we tried to sleep.
We stayed here two days and got all cleaned up, and made a trip to the famous Winchester cathedral and Winchester castle. From here we went to Southampton, where we stayed on the dock all day waiting for a boat. It was here we saw the first real wounded from the war. The hospital ship Warilda had been bumped by a sub in the channel and all the survivors were brought in on the same dock we were on. Such a sight as I saw there I will never forget. Men and boys with every kind of a wound possible were being taken off the twenty cruisers that had picked them up. Their clothing was all wet, and the nurses who were on the boat when she went down, and had been in the water for hours, were working, trying to help the women ambulance drivers get the wounded to the hospitals. Just think of it—after being torpedoed, in the water and dripping wet, they would not quit until every patient was in the hospital. Then, and only then, did we realize we were really going to what must be a hell upon earth.
That night we boarded the ship “Archangel” and at 2:30 the next morning were in Cherbourg, France [a major French port in Normandy on the English Channel]. From Cherbourg we marched to Tourlaville, about four miles to Rest Camp No. 1. We stayed there about a week, and then we started toward the front, in box cars, with flat spots on the wheels.
We went through Versailles, which is just outside of Paris, and could see the Eiffel tower. Then we stopped four days at Tounere, a nice town, and from there on to Dijon, a large city, where we only stopped one day. From Dijon we went to Is-sur-Tille, where we put in about one and a half months, and I was in the blacksmith shop making and tempering wrenches and making tractors. Here our company was split in two, and half were sent to Vavaincourt, with three repair trucks, to repair small arms, and the rest of us were sent to Doulaincourt, to repair artillery guns and tractors. Since coming here the shop has been enlarged and we have been repairing and issuing tractors, cannon and all kinds of autos. We deliver all the way from the Verdun front to the Toul front, and know every back road here almost as well as we do at home.
I think, perhaps, this is enough for once and as paper is scarce I will have to quit. As we are attached to the first army I might get home by spring.
Wilfred and I are in the best of health and work seven days a week and sometimes overtime. As it is long after taps and we start work here early in the morning, I will close with love to all.
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