The Westford Wardsman, July 28, 1917
Center. The Oaklands play the North Chelmsfords this Saturday afternoon at Whitney playground and this particular combination promises a good game.
Word comes of continued good progress of Miss Eva F. Pyne at the Lowell General hospital, recovering from an operation for appendicitis. Miss Alice MacDougall, who is at the Coram hospital, hopes to return to Westford the last of the week.
Regular services will be held at the Congregational church on Sunday, after which the church vacation for the month of August will take place. Further notice regarding the Sunday evening services during the vacation will be given next week.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Wright are making their usual summer stay at the Wright homestead. They received word this week of the safe arrival in France of their son, Livingston, where he has gone to serve in the ambulance corps.
Word has come to Westford of the birth of a little son [Thomas Keyes Gordon born May 8, 1917,] to Rev. and Mrs. Edward Gordon, of Lyme, N.H. Mrs. Gordon was formerly Miss Ruth Rowley, daughter of Rev. C. H. Rowley, a former pastor of the Congregational church in this village [1880-1890]. She was born in the parsonage during her father’s pastorate here.
The Pitkin family, who have lived at the Read farm, where Mr. Pitkin has been employed, will move into the cottage on the farm purchased by Mr. White, and will work for him.
Each year’s growth adds to the beauty of the crimson rambler roses at the trellises at each end of the tennis court at Whitney playground. The season has been particularly favorable for them this year and they have been much admired by everyone.
Charles Miller has been suffering with an injured hand from cuts by a broken bottle while at his work at the Chelmsford bottling works.
R. D. Tanner, of New York, called the Socialist Billy Sunday, will lecture in Abbot hall, Forge Village, Monday evening, July 30, at seven o’clock.
Notwithstanding the hot weather and busy season the members of the home guard met in good numbers at the town hall on Tuesday evening. Filling in the descriptive and muster-in cards and having their heights measured and dividing them accordingly in squads of eight occupied the evening. At the next meeting each member will have their physical examination by Dr. Wells and another physician sent by the state, after which the men will be mustered in.
Mr. [George] White and family, of Lowell, expect to move into their newly purchased home at the center [the Charles H. Fletcher house, 62 Main St.,] the last of this week if possible. Mr. White, with Mrs. White and their two sons, promise to be a welcome addition to the community.
The Red Cross and the French Relief workers both held their gatherings this week at the town hall, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, respectively, with good interest and good work accomplishment.
Owing to the change on the main line electrics to half hour, instead of hourly time, the branch line cars do not do their waiting between trips at the Westford terminal, but go back directly after each trip and wait at Brookside. This means being ready at this end of the route at a quarter past the hour instead of quarter of. The first car goes in the morning as usual at ten minutes of seven.
Mr. Robinson and his mother, Mrs. Robinson, are busy getting moved this week, ready for Mr. White and his family move into their newly purchased home.
A new hydrant has been placed on Main street, between L. W. Wheeler’s [66 Main St.] and Mr. White’s newly purchased home [62 Main St.].
The Sunday school picnic of the Congregational church took place on Thursday of last week. The place chosen was at Lakeview, the same as for several years. Perley E. Wright carried the members back and forth in his auto truck and a number went in their own autos. The attendance was not as good as usual, but those present enjoyed a very pleasant day.
Miss Elinor Colburn is spending a few days with Misses Pauline and Rachel Wallace in Lunenburg.
It has been a serious and absorbing time for the young men of draft age and their families. Much studying of the list of names published in a conspicuous place at the postoffice is in evidence and the final outcome of how many will be drafted into service is of absorbing interest.
The canning demonstration at the town hall on Wednesday afternoon was well attended and of much help and interest to those present. Miss Alma G. Halbower, of Waltham, was the lecturer and demonstrator, coming under the auspices of the extension service of the Massachusetts Agricultural college in Amherst. Miss Halbower proved herself a level-headed and practical teacher, and made plain the essentials of canning fruits and vegetables successfully and which thereby conserves our food supply. Corn, string beans and cherries were the articles chosen for demonstration. Many questions were asked and answered and all points made plain. To Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding and Mrs. Herbert V. Hildreth of the home economics department of the Tadmuck club is due the arrangement and success of this lecture.
About Town. On account of the heat the H. E. Fletcher stone quarry was closed on Monday. Just how many degrees the heat was above zero was not quite certain. There were many variations in short distances, according to the power of stone to yield a hot wave.
Agnes O’Brien died at the home of her uncle, James H. O’Brien, Sunday evening, after a long illness of consumption, aged forty years. She was the daughter of Arthur O’Brien, well remembered as one of the old-time scholars at the Stony Brook school. She leaves a sister Alice. Burial was in Framingham, where rests the mortality of father and mother.
Mary Jane Davis, who is living in Shirley with her niece, Mrs. Miner, is at present visiting her old friend, Mrs. John Warren Day.
Mrs. Marguerite Banister Barnes and two children of Lowell are enjoying the sea breezes of Stony Brook valley and the hospitality and health of farm life at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Banister.
The Unitarian church will be closed for the annual vacation until the second Sunday in September.
The largest acreage of popcorn is by Amos Polley on the Prairie farm. The color and abundance of fodder is that of health. Popcorn is easy raised, easy popped and easy eating, and comes close to facing you onto easy street, being worth $125 per ton of ensilage to make poor milk of.
It is rumored that Edwin E. Amesbury has sold his farm near Fairview cemetery.
Westford was well represented at the lawn social at the village church in West Chelmsford last week Wednesday evening. The Training School band of North Chelmsford furnished the entertainment.
Oliver Desjarden has bought the standing grass on the Boynton farm at Chamberlin’s Corner. With the enormous grass crop this year, unequalled in history, and following the large crop of last year, the question arises if hay in the barn isn’t worth anything, what is standing grass worth. At present price of labor wouldn’t there be a deficit against the hay?
The Amos Polley farm folks are digging potatoes for market. This is what comes of getting up early along about St. Patrick’s day of the year.
Miss Ella Wright of Cleveland has arrived at her summer home, “The Elms,” [120] Lowell road, Brookside—a valuable addition to the society of culture and thought.
Justin Jenkins, of Chamberlin’s Corner, and Ralph Quessey, of West Chelmsford, have joined Battery F, and left Lowell with that company on Wednesday.
As agent of the State Board of Agriculture, in the interest of food conservation, Karl A. Perham is just the fittest that could be made. He knows farm life by the “sweat of his brow,” and knows market life by years of honest experience. He has lots of dare to say sense. He is a native and resident of Chelmsford, where he owns a large farm.
At a recent meeting of the trustees of the Middlesex-North it was voted to accept the proposal of the Lowell Board of Trade to revise the premium list by a committee of one each from the trustees, the Board of Trade and the park commission. The trustees named George W. Trull, of Tewksbury, to represent the society. Some radical changes are expected in the revision. This fair will be held at the Kasino, opposite the South Common, September 20, 21, 22, and admission will be free. The Lowell Board of Trade assumes to finance the fair, except the $1000 for premiums which the society draws from the state or as much thereof as the award of premiums come to. One of the features of the first day will be a street parade.
Word comes from the farming district around Springfield that peas and beans are going to waste for lack of help to harvest them, or are being thrown to the hogs, and then you eat your peas and beans by way of the hog. Complaint is made that the government urged the farmers to plant an increased acreage with the implied understanding that said government would supply the help as needed. There has been considerable squealing about “can’t get help,” but the societies and other organizations who have been trying to get the help needed for farmers have received so little encouragement from them that they have given the idea up.
For Brayer, read Brazer in the obituary notice of the death of Mary Edwards (Fletcher), widow of the late William P. Brazer, as printed in this paper on July 21. Mr. Brazer being a native of Groton will be more likely to be remembered by that name than some other.
By invitation of West Chelmsford Grange, John A. Taylor gave readings from “Modern poets and other folks” on Thursday evening.
To those who believe that late planting will overtake early planting, listen. An acre of beans on the W. R. Taylor “Tadmuck” farm, with only one day’s difference in planting each half, the last planting is visibly behind and no amount of sun coaxing or rain coaxing can fetch it to a catch up.
The farm caucus as per the Farm Bureau has been called off with a few missing links. The Farm Bureau reports that the census shows that the town is far above the average of towns in Middlesex county in response to the government plea for more victuals and for less shrinkage in domestic animals.
Corn is silking out and proposes to ear out. This is the piece that got pushed into the ground early enough to catch those May hail-snowstorms. It is ahead of all later plantings that didn’t have May winter weather to contend with and is likely to remain so until the husks are pulled off for ears and thence on to the grist mill scene.
By the initiative of Mrs. Butler Ames, of Lowell, and the push of the government to reduce the high cost of living, a public hearing was held at the city hall, Lowell, before the city government in regard to establishing a public market. Farmers and gardeners were present in a mutual exchange. It developed that the farmer had been selling peas for seventy-five cents per bushel and the consumer had been paying seventy-five cents per peck. The city council has decided to establish a public market on Anne street, near the ruins of the to-be new high school.
The Banister farm has an acreage of buckwheat that looks very much like a picture of reducing the high cost of living. It shows a healthy willingness for patriotic service.
Graniteville. Mrs. Ellen Murphy, her son William J. Murphy, and Miss Mary F. Dailey, of Manchester, N.H., have been recent visitors here.
Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Hawkes, of Melrose, have been recent visitors here.
The mills of the Abbot Worsted Co. will close here on July 28 to August 5, inclusive, for the annual summer vacation.
Drowning Accident. A very sad drowning accident took place here on last Monday afternoon. Martin Hanson, aged sixty-one, a stone cutter by trade, while seeking relief from the severe heat, took a plunge in the mill pond to seek relief. His large collie dog also went in with him. Hanson continued to swim nearly the length of the pond, a distance of a quarter of a mile, when the office staff of the Abbot Worsted Company thought he showed signs of distress. A moment before the dog had placed his paws on his master’s back and plunged him under the water. Hanson came up and still continued to swim. He was coming toward shore and some of the men asked him if he wanted any help. He replied in the negative and when asked if he thought he could make it he nodded yes. When about fifteen feet from the shore he went under and as he did not rise young Albert Reeves, a fifteen-year-old boy, who was close by, dove for him, and having located the body the first time he made another dive and brought him to the surface.
Dr. W. H. Sherman was summoned and was soon on the scene, as was also Drs. Wells and Blaney, of Westford. While the doctors were working over him Selectman F. L. Furbush telephoned to the Lowell police for the lungmotor. The men made a record run of twenty-one minutes from the time they received the message in Lowell, and everything possible was done to save the man. After working the lungmotor for over half an hour the doctors decided that the case was hopeless and seemed to be of the opinion that the man was stricken with heart failure when he sank, for having been in the water only a few minutes, it was thought that an ordinary case of drowning would respond to treatment.
The deceased leaves a wife, three sons and two daughters, Carl, Friel, George, Emily and Hilma Hanson. He was a member of the I.O.O.F., M.U., of Forge Village, Court Scandia, F. of A., of Lowell, and the Granite Cutters union. He was a good, honest, hard-working man and he as well as the family had a wide circle of friends. The deepest sympathy is expressed for the bereaved family in their affliction.
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon and was largely attended. The service at the house was conducted by Charles E. Woganda, who represented Court Scandia, F. of A. A quartet composed of Miss Mattie Blanchard, Miss Myrtle Blanchard, J. Clarence Burne and George Wilson sang very feelingly “Beautiful isle of somewhere” and “The christian’s good night.” The bearers, all Odd Fellows, were Robert Johnson, John Spinner, William Burnett, Charles Benson, George E. Weaver and George Wilson. Burial was in the Fairview cemetery in Westford, where the impressive committal service of the Odd Fellows was read by William Burnett. There were many beautiful floral tributes. The funeral was under the direction of the Odd Fellows.
Forge Village. Mrs. Sarah McIntyre, of Shrewsbury, Mr. and Mrs. John Bennett and two children and Mr. and Mrs. Corney Bennett and two children, of Worcester, were guests last Sunday of Mrs. Harriet E. Randall.
Miss Veronica Hennessey and sister, of Lawrence, are visiting Miss Emma Miller.
A large number of the young men of the village have been drafted.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hindle and granddaughter, Miss Edith Charlton, of Chelmsford, were guests Sunday of Miss Edith Precious.
One of the best ball games of the season was played last Saturday afternoon at the Cameron playgrounds by the local team and the Oaklands of Westford. The score was 6 to 6 in the fourth inning and not until the ninth inning did the home team score the winning run. The game was followed with close attention by a large number of people. The batteries were Douglass and Milton, for the home team and Griffin and Nystrom for the Oaklands.
Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver, Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. William Baker and Miss Marion L. Blodgett journeyed to Medford last Saturday to attend the reception given to Corporal Edward Blodgett of Co. E, 6th Regiment, at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Blodgett, formerly of Westford. A wrist watch was given to the young man, who left Wednesday to join his company and await orders for the front.
James Venn underwent an operation for adenoids and enlarged tonsils last Saturday at St. John’s hospital, Lowell.
Mrs. Frank Merrick is at the Lowell General hospital.
The mills of the Abbot Worsted Company close this Saturday for a week’s vacation.
Albert Momidy, who marched from Framingham to Ayer with the 6th regiment, visited his parents here on Tuesday, returning to camp at night.
William Cushing enlisted in the navy and left for New York on Tuesday. Mr. Cushing has already served his time in the navy and has a brother in the army.
The Misses Gertrude and Hazel Comey and Miss Lillian Walker, of Boston, spent the weekend at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Comey.
A son [David Mathew Connell] was born on Thursday, July 19, to Mr. and Mrs. John Connell of the Nashobah [sic] district.
The home guards are to meet every Tuesday evening for practice at Cameron park. If stormy, the practice will be held in Abbot hall. Private William Orange will drill the men.
Ayer
News Items. A Lowell bound electric car collided with a big army truck on the Shirley road last Saturday evening about six o’clock. The car was not damaged enough to prevent its use on the regular trips after the accident. No one was hurt.
Catholic Camp Activities. Last week a committee was appointed by Cardinal O’Connell to arrange for reservations in the cantonment for catholic religious and social activities. On this committee were Fr. McGinn and former Governor David I. Walsh. Those in charge readily granted the requests of His Eminence and two very desirable parcels of land, each 500×750 feet were set aside for this purpose. Under the direction of the general council Knights of Columbus, $1,000,000 are being raised for the work in the various cantonments. In addition to this fund other money will be raised in catholic circles for the beginning and maintenance of this work.
Cardinal O’Connell has appointed an advisory board to act with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Bureau in arranging facilities for recreation for all catholic soldiers who are encamped in and around Boston. This board has been given full authority to do whatever is necessary for planning and erecting of chapels and other buildings that it considers desirable on the reservations which are set apart on the camp grounds for this purpose.
The board is composed of Rev. M. J. Scanlon, director of the Charitable Bureau; Rev. Thomas P. McGinn, of Ayer, and Patrick Sarsfield Cunniff, James A. McMurray and Mrs. Colin McDonald, all of Boston.
A chapel will be first erected of sufficient proportions to accommodate 3000 at one service. A clubhouse will be built, parts of which [are] to be used for various indoor entertainments and correspondence rooms, a library, a room for billiard and pool tables, in fact everything to be found in a well conducted and modern club. The third structure is to be known as a hostess building for the accommodation of the mothers and friends of the boys in camp.
These buildings will be constructed in duplicate, one each on two catholic reservations. The work on the church construction is to begin in August. The committee is already busy on plans for the work.
Unitarian Church. On Sunday the congregation will have the great privilege of hearing as the preacher the chaplain of the 6th regiment now encamped at Camp Devens. Major Dusseault has had the honor of being the popular chaplain of the regiment for twenty-eight years. Messrs. Barrows and Lougee will assist in the music. Men from the camp will sing in the choir.
Camp Notes. The news that the Massachusetts troops would be soon ordered to the southern training camp made quite a stir among the local militia men on Thursday.
Chief Beatty and government secret service police officials rounded up a foreigner at the camp on Wednesday after he had made speeches to the non-English speaking workmen, advising them to oppose the army draft. It is supposed that he belongs to the I.W.W. [Industrial Workers of the World] organization which have caused so much trouble in the west. The man was taken to the Ayer railroad station in one of the Baldwin Commissary trucks under escort of the police and several armed militia men and was ordered to take the first train out of town, which he did.
There are a number of secret service officers in town who are assigned here by the government authorities.
Sergt. C. F. Huntington of the motor truck company was married in Boston on Thursday night. He returned on Friday morning, wearing a broad smile.
The newest thing in the food line, so far as could be learned, is “the soldier doughnut,” which is furnished in a local restaurant. This doughnut has a very large hole and a very thin rim. This food is designed to be used by soldiers to as to prevent them getting fat, according to some of the men. However, three are allowed for a nickel, instead of “two for five” of the less emaciated brand.
According to reports received this week Friday morning General Edwards will have nothing to do with the Ayer camp except the supplying of it. All draft army and national guard training camps are to be commanded by assigned officers, who will report to and do business directly with Washington.
The Vilter Manufacturing Company, of Milwaukee, composed of prominent Germans of that city, has been awarded the contract of furnishing the government with ice and refrigerating plants which go to eight cantonments, including the one at Camp Devens, Ayer. The ice plant will be used to store beef and vegetables so that the soldiers can have wholesome food and cool water. This company is building a similar plant in France.
A great crowd was on hand at the railroad station Wednesday afternoon to see the regiments of engineers which stopped here for a brief period. The train later left for Worcester. These men are enlisted for railroad work in France and have been in training at Rockingham Park, Salem, N.H. The port from which they will sail is kept secret by the government.
A man named Michael Gilbert, of Revere, was overcome by the intense heat on Tuesday. He was taken to the camp hospital, where he was treated by Dr. Baker. Later, Gilbert [was] sufficiently recovered to be able to go home.
So careful is the government in regard to the health of the many thousands who will train there that the Hotel Men’s association of New York will furnish experienced cooks for the camps so that the troops will have the best cooking possible. This action of the association was taken by the request of the quartermaster general. A total of 3840 cooks will be furnished for all the camps in the country.
Firemen from the camp did good work with their chemical in stopping the spread of the big fire in Harvard Center on Wednesday, when the fine houses of Miss Hattie Farwell and Mrs. Sarah Reed were totally destroyed. Three army truck loads of soldiers from the camp were hurried to the fire and did good work. Their appearance at the fire was greeted with great enthusiasm by the great crowd assembled there.
A new commissary capable of furnishing food for 4000 men daily at each meal has been built by the Baldwin Company which is in charge of feeding the army of camp employees.
A barber shop has been opened on the grounds and is doing a thriving business.
Kind-hearted people had large pails of water for the use of the soldiers as they passed through the town’s streets. The experience of the men earlier in the day, who were overcome mainly through drinking too much, made the demand very light.
A few of the members of the 6th regiment which arrived here on Monday were afflicted with foot trouble after their twenty-seven mile hike from Framingham. After being treated they had a good rest and are all now in good shape.
Not the least interesting of the coming of the regiment was the long line of mule pack trains which came in during the day. Some of the drivers carried mascots, the most amusing being a young goat which stood on the seat with the driver as the wagon and equipment passed through town.
So strict are the regulations for preventing fire that notices have been posted forbidding anyone throwing a lighted match or cigarette on the ground, under the pain of being immediately discharged.
Many of the regiment are Lowell young men who like the location here, as it is nearer and more accessible to their homes than Framingham.
Men leaving the camp must report to their company commander for personal inspection as to their appearance, which is required to be neat and tidy, before they are allowed to go.
The Y.M.C.A. helped in making the march of the soldiers over the twenty-seven mile hike as comfortable as possible. Tents were furnished them at the stopping places on the way. Others preceded the marching columns to the camp site on the Shirley road, and had several tents erected when the men arrived.
Books and writing material were provided for the marchers at their stopping places on the way to the camp.
Among other activities that have been stimulated as the result of the camp work, is the business at the district court. With such a large floating population composed of camp construction workmen mainly, this is to be expected. The cases are on the whole of minor importance. Taken as a whole the men behave themselves admirably.
The power of intelligent and thoroughly efficient work in camp sanitation is shown by the fact that flies and mosquitoes are practically exterminated. These insects multiply under unsanitary conditions. Many of the officers have no screens whatever, as there is no need for them, so free is the camp from these pests.
Every conceivable means are taken to maintain camp efficiency. A doctor is stationed near the saw mills at the south railroad yard to give first aid and treatment, after which the persons affected are sent to the camp hospital. Not only does the medical man care for the men’s troubles, but goes about the camp trying to impress all with the necessity of preventing accidents. He is constantly on the move. His task is by no means an easy one.
District Court. Joseph DeLuca and Taliaferro Salvatore were found guilty of mutual assault and battery and were fined ten and twenty dollars respectively last Saturday morning by Judge Atwood.
The two men, who are laborers working at Camp Devens, got into a fight last week Friday. It appeared from the testimony offered that the two men live together, each bearing an equal share of the expense of the food and also his share in preparing the food for the table.
On last week Friday afternoon, while Salvatore was taking his turn in preparing supper, his companion made some remarks to him to the effect that he was lazy and was not doing his share of the work. Words were exchanged which led DeLuca to strike Salvatore, who is greatly outclassed in size and strength as compared to his comrade. Fearing that he was to be beaten up by his husky opponent, Salvatore, who had a fork in his hand in preparing the supper, struck DeLuca a blow with the fork on the head, just behind the ear, the sharp tines of the fork making an ugly wound.
The wounded man was taken to the camp hospital where the injury was treated by the doctor in charge. A camp officer and about 200 men chased Salvatore about the grounds until he was finally placed under arrest and taken to the Ayer police station, where he remained in the custody of Chief Beatty during the night.
Salvatore stated that he was placed in great fear by the attack of DeLuca, and losing his head, struck his opponent the blow with the fork. Salvatore expressed sorrow for his deed. The blow that DeLuca struck was not a hard one. The government was greatly assisted in getting the information from both parties to the assault by T. J. Pirone, who acted as interpreter.
Judge Atwood had a busy session on Monday morning in straightening out several offenses by men connected with Camp Devens.
The first case called was brought by Chief Smith, of Pepperell. Harry Grout and Lloyd Riley, of that town, pleaded not guilty Monday morning to complaints alleging that they carried revolvers without a legal right to do so. Both defendants were represented by Atty. Francis G. Hayes, of Groton.
Edward H. Perrault, of Plymouth, was found guilty of assault and battery and fined ten dollars. The assault took place at Camp Devens Saturday afternoon when Perrault, according to the evidence for the government, gave Fred D. Hutchinson, the general foreman of the carpenters employed there, a knock-out blow on the jaw, following an argument with Perrault about the latter’s pay. Hutchinson testified that Perrault applied to him for a job as sub-foreman of carpenters last week with the understanding that if Perrault made good he was to be permanently employed on the camp construction. At the end of two days Perrault left and demanded a slip from Hutchinson for his pay. Hutchinson referred him to the office of the Ley Brothers, the contractors, where Perrault was informed that he would have to wait until the regular pay day, as he had left the employ of the company voluntarily, which rule is enforced on all employees, who, as Hutchinson expressed it, “discharged themselves.” If the men are discharged by their superiors they get their pay at once.
Perrault made two or three requests for the necessary time slip which Hutchinson said he had not the time to give him, as he was busily engaged on other matters.
Saturday afternoon Perrault made another demand for his time. Words followed between the men which were followed by Perrault striking Hutchinson a heavy blow on the jaw, knocking him down. It was learned from other government witnesses that the blow rendered Hutchinson unconscious for quite a while afterwards. He was revived later at the railroad station in Ayer, where he was taken in an automobile.
Perrault, in his own defence [sic], agreed with the plaintiff so far as his being hired was concerned. At the end of two days he asked Hutchinson whether or not he was to be kept as a regular foreman, to which the latter made an evasive reply. Perrault then said he was through work. After making several requests for his time he stated that Hutchinson called him a bad name—the blow quickly followed. In the meantime Perrault waited for his pay.
Mike Bouth, of Worcester, another camp employee, was discharged on a complaint for carrying a loaded revolver. It developed that Bouth was held up last Sunday at one of the camp entrances by an officer whose duty it is to examine all dress suit cases or other packages to see if any liquor is in them, liquor being strictly tabooed on the camp grounds. The officer found the revolver in the suit case carried by the defendant and made the complaint. The court, in expounding the law, said that the statute governing the carrying of concealed weapons applied to cases where the weapon is carried on the person. As the revolver was found in the suit case the defendant was not amenable to the law. The court, however, stated that the practice of carrying weapons is a reprehensible one and should be discouraged. With the consent of the defendant the court confiscated the revolver and the ammunition it contained.
Five camp workmen were fined five dollars each for drunkenness.
Thomas Doran, of Salem, employed at Camp Devens, was arraigned this week Friday morning on a complaint for carrying a concealed weapon. Chief Beatty said that Doran was turned over to him by a camp policeman, who found a revolver on his person. Doran said he bought the revolver from a man to help him out and did not care for the weapon. Judge Atwood ordered the weapon confiscated and fined Doran five dollars.
Sixth Arrives After Hike. The 6th Massachusetts Infantry arrived at Camp Devens Monday afternoon after a twenty-seven-mile march from Framingham. Although it was known about town that they were to arrive sometime during the afternoon, the exact time of the arrival of the troops was unknown. In spite of this fact a great crowd gathered on Main and West Main streets to give the soldiers a royal welcome. The troops were in command of Col. Warren E. Sweetser. Their arrival in town was marked by the blowing of factory and locomotive whistles and the ringing of bells. As the troops marched through town on their way to the camp to the accompaniment of the regiment band they made a most impressive sight—nothing like it has ever been seen in town before.
The soldiers marched from the Framingham camp to Camp Devens in easy relays. They left Framingham last Saturday morning. Saturday night was spent in Sudbury, and Sunday night in Boxborough. Leaving the latter place early Monday morning they started for Ayer. Many of the men, each carrying the heavy camp equipment, were prostrated by the terrific heat of Sunday and Monday, the temperature registering from 90 to 95 degrees. They were picked up along the road by motorcycles, wagon trains and private automobiles, and carried to the camp. Others came through in electric cars.
From early morning until afternoon there was a constant rush of all kinds of conveyances bringing in the prostrated men. After the arrival of the troops at the camp in the afternoon, 100 of the men were treated in an improvised hospital on the camp grounds on the Shirley road.
The reason advanced for the many prostrations was that the men drank too much water, a very bad practice when one is over-heated and on the march. The men also partook of fruit given them along the way, which made matters worse. It was a noticeable fact that those who drank the least water completed the march in good condition. The engineers from the First Corps had been ordered to move from their camp to make room for the newly arrived troops. A committee of Ayer women furnished orangeade to the Sixth when they arrived at their camping ground. The wagon trains which carried camp supplies came along with the Sixth and is encamped on the opposite side of the road from the regiment. The Sixth regiment will do guard duty at the big camp.
Clipping. The following is an editorial taken from the Boston Transcript of Tuesday, July 24:
“The report from North Carolina today that the location of Camp Greene may be changed as a result of the exorbitant demands of certain land grabbers thereabouts only goes to show that no section of the country is altogether free even in time of war from ‘slackers.’ We do not believe that the enterprising city of Charlotte has any more than other communities, and the publicity promptly given to the unsavory business by the Charlotte newspapers will probably strengthen the hands of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, so that the acreage required to accommodate the 50,000 men to be trained there can be secured on reasonable terms. In any event, it would be a mistake for the citizens of Charlotte to pay a dollar above the price agreed upon by the Army as a reasonable rental for the camp site. Yielding there to the greed of slackers might make such a course necessary elsewhere by offering a premium to the selfish few who put their pocketbook above patriotism instead of behind it. Happily, the Government was not confronted by any such situation in the selection of the site for Camp Devens at Ayer. There acreage in abundance was secured at such a low rate of rental that the department commander did not have to take that fact into consideration, and on his last inspection General Edwards found the construction of the camp well underway.”
Camp Devens. Construction work at Camp Devens is now more than one-quarter done, according to estimates made. The rapid systematic work is praised on all sides, and according to the rate of speed thus far made the huge task is ahead of schedule.
A great deal of favorable comment has been made on the beauty and healthfulness of the main camp and its surroundings. Owing to the hard and efficient work of the sanitary officers Ayer will be one of the most healthful camps in the country, and a fine mobilization place for the 37,000 young men from all over New England, who are expected to come here early in September as [a] result of the draft. No better indication of the fine work along sanitary lines which has been performed is shown than in the almost entire freedom from disease of the men, including camp workers and the military men.
Nearly 200 buildings, including 67 of the 192 big barracks are now erected. Streets are laid out and the lighting, water and drainage construction is well under way—650 buildings, including barracks, shower baths and mess halls will be completed with all possible speed. It is planned to erect 490 additional buildings for the use of the various departments, which will be built after the present buildings are completed.
The barracks for the officers will be one story structures, and for the men two-story buildings. The officers’ barracks will be used for sleeping purposes only. The barracks for the men will have a kitchen and mess hall on the ground floor and a dormitory above. Shower baths will be installed in separate buildings.
Linemen are at present getting the wires strung for electrically lighting the entire camp. The question of securing an adequate water supply has been met.
Many of the men are on the camp construction work every day, including Sunday, as well as overtime. The time and a half allowed for work over the regular eight hour day has an attraction for the men, who with their high rate of wages for the regular day and the extra time make a big week’s pay.
Several small fires broke out at the camp during the week, which were speedily put out by the trained force of fire fighters who are stationed about the camp.
At each entrance to the camp are placed officers who are instructed to strictly enforce the rule that no weapons or liquor are brought into the grounds. Many cases of attempted smuggling of liquor have been foiled and the wet goods seized and destroyed. The bottles which contain the liquor are taken from the would-be smuggler and smashed. Weapons are also seized and are used as evidence when the persons on whom they are found are brought to court to answer for this violation of the law.
A great number of visitors come to the camp, especially on Sundays. Last Sunday over 6000 automobiles, besides a large number of motorcycles and other vehicles, came here on camp inspections tours. In spite of the tremendous amount of traffic not a single accident of any account happened.