The Westford Wardsman, January 4, 1919
Center. Dr. C. A. Blaney and family have moved into his recently purchased home on Boston road.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Wright, of Quincy, have been spending part of the Christmas vacation with H. L. Wright.
Mrs. O. V. Wells and two little sons, Huntington and Richard, have been having chicken-pox, these being the only cases in the village.
Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler entertained a group of friends at a supper party the last day of the old year, the occasion being Mr. Wheeler’s birthday anniversary.
A New Year’s dancing party was held in the town hall on Wednesday evening, given by the junior class of Westford academy. The Colonial orchestra of Maynard furnished music for the dancing, and refreshments were served at intermission. Weather and traveling must have affected the attendance somewhat, but the young people report a very pleasant party.
At the New Year services on Sunday at the Congregational church the pastor’s subject for the morning service will be “Satisfactions of life,” and at the evening service “Opportunities for the new year.” Following the morning service the January communion service will be observed.
The first meeting of the new year for the Tadmuck club will be held on Tuesday afternoon in Library hall. The program for the afternoon will be a lecture by John A. Lowe; subject, “The soldier and his books.”
The January meeting of the reading circle of the Tadmuck club will be in charge of Mrs. H. V. Hildreth at her home. “Mid-summer night’s dream” will be read.
The ice storm New Year’s day was a treacherous one for pedestrians, drivers of horse-drawn vehicles or autos. It was beautiful as far as winter scenery was concerned, and probably of benefit to the orchards.
The annual church dinner with roll call and business meeting of the Congregational church takes place on Monday, January 13.
Mrs. Sophia Balser, an aged lady living on the South road, at the so-called Charles Bicknell place, died the first of the week and funeral services were held at the home on Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock, Rev. O. L. Brownsey officiating. Interment was in Fairview cemetery. The deceased was eighty-three years of age and death resulted from advanced years. She is survived by a son Charles, and wife, and two grandchildren; a daughter, Maud, and a daughter, Mrs. Foster, of Pepperell. The bearers at the funeral were Arthur Wilson, Mr. Foster and Hamilton and Nathaniel Whitney.
Miss Elizabeth Kittredge has been housed with a bad cold during part of her vacation period.
The annual meeting of the Red Cross branch will take place on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock in Library hall. Election of officers will take place and the annual reports of secretary and treasurer will be given. This is an important meeting and every member is expected to be present.
Death. Mrs. Estella Hartford Collins, aged twenty-nine years, died at her home in Plaistow, N.H., Friday of last week after a brief illness of influenza, followed by pneumonia. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Hartford, of this town, and was educated in the public schools here and a graduate of Westford academy, and for a number of years was a successful teacher in the schools of Carlisle, Attleboro and Plaistow, N.H.
The deceased is survived by her husband, her father and mother; seven brothers, Alfred W., George H., Jr., Harry O., John L., James B., Archie A. and Leroy C. Hartford, and two sisters, Mrs. Bert Cole, of Lowell, and Miss Ida F. Hartford.
A sad feature of the services was that the husband, Mr. Collins, was not able to attend the last rites of funeral and burial, he being confined to his home in Plaistow and ill in bed with influenza.
Rev. L. H. Buckshorn was the officiating clergyman and Mrs. George H. Burns, of Lowell, sang three selections, “Gathering home,” “We shall meet beyond the river” and a special selection. The bearers were James B., Harry O., Archie A., John L., Leroy C. Hartford and Bert Cole. Interment was in Fairview cemetery.
About Town. Robert Decatur, of Springfield, was in town on Monday, calling on the associations of the days when he was a schoolboy at the old Stony Brook school. For several years he has been engaged in the blacksmith industry, but alas, he says “Between horseless carriages and ‘neverslip horseshoes’ the blacksmith trade is very near the border line of a once was.”
Mrs. Ralph Bridgford is at the Lowell General hospital as the result of a serious case of hernia.
Mrs. Houghton G. Osgood, who has been ill for a long time, has been removed to the Lowell hospital for X-ray investigation.
The year 1918 gave us the largest fire acreage in the history of Massachusetts. With an increased fire prevention system 2553 forest fires were reported and 37,658 acres were burned over at an estimated loss of $205,627. These figures come from the state forester, who will introduce a bill to the legislature compelling “a clearing of 100 feet in width on all sides of recent cut forests.” He maintains that there is a vital connection between forestry and rain. It certainly looks that way in his case. He attributes the large increase of fires to the dry weather of April and May. Perhaps so and perhaps some other perhaps, for we have had many dryer Aprils and Mays and fewer fires. Why not call it increased carelessness. We are so careful while the spell is on and fires are raging, but like skating on thin ice, drowning is no corrective.
The claims of “we won the war” are coming on for meritorious recognition. The last one is from an agricultural paper that claims, “the American hog won the war.” We haven’t seen our way clear for fifty years to take our “hats off” to the triumphs of the hog in war or peace, and while it remains history that rice-fed Japan whipped hog-fed Russia [Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905] we shall continue to keep our hat on.
Now that we have got a pass into 1919 and a peace congress trying to rid the world of war, let us not over rely on what it can do for us. It cannot do what belongs to the individual to do. There must be individual regeneration and reconstruction all along the line of individual living a more stringent self-imposed, self-control leading in the direction of a greater self-sacrificing utility for the principle of “Am I not my brother’s keeper?” The peace congress will do much to make it harder to be naughty, but it cannot “Hitch your wagon to a star.” was in town again last Sunday. At his visit a week ago he was present with relatives at the services at the Unitarian church. He will be remembered as the grandson of the late Abby Hamlin and nephew of Edward A. Hamlin.
Arthur W. Fletcher was in town on Saturday from his camp in South Carolina. As his time was limited he spent most of it at this farm, the Fletcher Cold Spring farm, and returned to camp on Monday, expecting to remain six months more.
A well-planned and well-equipped surprise party from Westford and Graniteville and the edges of elsewhere lit on Horace Gould’s birthday, Monday, after sunset. Horace turned on an extra lot of electricity or its equivalent to enable him to see who from whom, and games, plays and frolics were enjoyed.
Almon J. Downing is sawing wood by power for Amos Polly [Polley] of the Prairie farm on the oak lot on the Rocky Hill road, a little north [south?] of the Stony Brook railroad.
New Year’s furnished safe skating in the roads, sidewalks and fields.
Forge Village. Miss Mildred I. Parrott, Lowell, was the weekend guest of Miss Lillian L. Baker.
Corp. J. Hobson, Company E, 301st Engineers, A.E.F., sent the following letter to his mother recently: “Just a line, hoping all at home are in the best of health as I am. Well, the old scrap is over at last and we are on a hike into Germany. I have seen a little of Lorraine and am now in Luxemburg, almost in Fritzie’s own backyard. I like these places better than France, but will be glad enough to leave them when the time comes to go home, which I hope will be soon now. Well, dear mother, I must close now as it is time for bed. If you don’t hear from me for a while don’t worry, as I don’t get much chance to write while we are hiking.”
Miss Marion Lord has accepted a position in the office of Sargent & Sons, Graniteville, and commenced her new duties last Monday.
Miss Rachel Kimball, of the Fitchburg Normal school, is at home for the remainder of the week. Misses Alice Wright, of Cambridge, and Carolyn E. Precious were her guests on Thursday and Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. Percy Hargreaves and little son and Miss Annie L. Cherry, of Somerville, spent the Christmas holiday at the home of Francis Lowther.
Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver and Mr. and Mrs. William Baker and family were entertained over the holiday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Gerard, of Ayer.
Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett spent Christmas at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett at the Ridges. Others present were Mrs. Albert E. Jones and Mrs. Laura Jones, of Worcester. Mr. and Mrs. James Whigham and family were also at the Ridges as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. William Blodgett.
The mills will close here on Saturday noon until Thursday of next week to allow for stock-taking.
Mrs. Ellen Stirks, wife of Frederick Stirks, of Bridgeport, Conn., died at her home on Sunday, December 22, and was buried Christmas day. Mrs. Stirks had been ill many months. She was a resident here for many years and was a half-sister of the late John H. Brown. She leaves several children and grandchildren and many other relatives.
A son [John Stephen Brown] was born on Thursday, December 26, [in Westford] to Mr. and Mrs. James H. Brown, of Clinton. Mrs. Brown is staying at the home of her parents here, Mr. and Mrs. John Merrick.
A little daughter, Edna Tarney, was born last week Friday to Mr. and Mrs. John Morton, of Lowell.
Miss Marjorie Baker has been ill for several days at her home on Pleasant street.
Misses Ethel M. and Bertha Collins are recovering from an attack of influenza.
Miss Ethel M. Ripley is working for Conant, Houghton & Co., Littleton.
A very pretty military wedding took place Christmas eve at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fennimore Morton, when Miss Mabel M. Fisher was united in marriage to private Howard I. Woodbury of the medical department, Remount Depot, Camp Devens. The bridesmaid was Miss Ellen Morton and the best man was Private John Haves, also of the medical department. The bride was becomingly attired in brown silk and the bridesmaid’s dress was of brown silk also. Rev. Mr. Moore, of the Graniteville M.E. church, was the officiating clergyman. Miss Aldea Cushing played the wedding march. After the ceremony a supper was served and shortly afterwards the young couple left on their wedding trip. The bride’s traveling suit was of brown with hat to match. The room was decorated with military colors and evergreen. Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury have the best wishes of their friends in their new life.
Letter from Overseas. Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Elliott have received the following letter from their son, Matthew, Jr., now in France. It is the first news they have received of him for over three months, when word came from Washington that he had been wounded. His many friends as well as his parents have been anxiously awaiting news from him. The letter, dated December 9, is as follows:
Just a line to let you know I am fine and hope all of you at home are the same. Well, I suppose you are glad the war is over and so am I. We may be home soon. I just sent a letter to Miss Mae Lord, who is a nurse over here. I saw her address in a paper I received and I am glad to know there is a nurse from my home town over here. I see she volunteered to come over. She takes after her father; he was a good sport. He used to tell me in the old depot what he did when he was young.
Well, mother, let me know how Jim is. I never hear from him, but I hope he is well. I am writing this in a French hospital. Am having an awful time trying to speak that language. You ought to hear me asking for something to eat in French. I cannot write very good for I had my hand cut open the other day. I had blood poison in it, but it will be all right soon.
Well, I will close now, hoping you are all fine. Goodbye and God bless. Matthew K. Elliott.
“Mattie,” as he was familiarly called, enlisted two year ago and was one of the first to go across from this town. He was reported wounded twice, but in his letters home he always made light of his injuries. His brother, James Elliott, is stationed at Fort Slocum, N.Y., where he enlisted in the regular army. Tony Palermo, who is also in the 26th Division in France, has not written home for a long time. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Palermo, are anxiously awaiting news of him.
Graniteville. Court Westford, M.C.O.F., held a well-attended and interesting meeting in its rooms on last week Thursday evening and finished up the business for the past year. During the session the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Mrs. Lena Monahan, c.r.; Miss Isabelle Carpenter, v.c.r.; Albert R. Wall, rec. sec.; Miss Fanny McCarthy, fin. sec.; John A. Healy, treas.; Fred S. Healy, s. con.; Joseph Wall, j. con.; Mrs. Julia Wall, i.s.; Mrs. Elizabeth Healy, o.s.; R. J. McCarthy, C. E. Dudevoir, Mrs. Elizabeth Harrington, trustees; Mrs. Julia B. Wall and Miss Fanny McCarthy, delegates to convention; Mrs. E. Carpentier and J. A. Healy, alternates. The above-named officers will be duly installed the second Thursday evening in January.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Saunders and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Demaris, of Nashua, N.H., have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wall.
Mr. and Mrs. William Dewey and daughter, of Springfield, have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rafferty, of West Graniteville.
The mills of the Abbot Worsted Company were closed for the first three days this week, but started up at the usual time on Thursday morning.
Both masses in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning were celebrated by the pastor, Rev. C. P. Heaney, who gave interesting sermons at both services. There were also two masses celebrated on New Year’s day, and services were also held in the evening at 7:30.
The members of the local Red Cross met as usual on Wednesday afternoon.
A watchnight service was held in the M.E. church on Tuesday night and was well attended. There was a community sing, followed by talks by different members of the church. A social hour was held at 10:30, the sacrament of the Lord’s supper and consecration.
Owing to so much time being lost during the grippe epidemic in October the schools here continued to hold sessions every day, as usual.
Private Emile J. Milot, who recently returned from overseas duty with the A.E.F. and who was wounded in both legs and one arm by a shrapnel shell, has related many interesting stories of his experience while “over there.” He will return to Camp Upton, N.Y., this week, as his wounds have not entirely healed and he expects to have an operation performed on his arm soon after his return to camp.
Pepperell
Letter from Luxemburg. The following letter, received by Mr. and Mrs. Frederic H. Parker, from their son, after many weeks of anxiety, will be of interest to many:
Gilsdorf, Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, November 26, 1918
Tonight is the first opportunity I’ve had to write since the middle of October, and ‘till now have been held back by more rigid censorship. Last night, we learned through the “Stars and stripes,” (The official newspaper of the A.E.F.) of “Dad’s Christmas letter.”
Well, father, I’m alive by great good luck after going over the top three or four times, perhaps more. I don’t know. Are we glad to think this war is finished? Yes!
Going over the top is not what it was a year or so ago, or as Empey 0) { referrer_url = document.referrer; } const params = location.search.slice(1).split('&').reduce((acc, s) => { const [k, v] = s.split('=') return Object.assign(acc, {[k]: v}) }, {}) const url = "https://museum.westford.org/wp-json/iawp/search" const body = { referrer_url, utm_source: params.utm_source, utm_medium: params.utm_medium, utm_campaign: params.utm_campaign, utm_term: params.utm_term, utm_content: params.utm_content, gclid: params.gclid, ...{"payload":{"resource":"singular","singular_id":2890,"page":1},"signature":"55554feb6f6ebac503308b833918e6d3"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();