The Westford Wardsman, June 1, 1918
Center. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode are at their camp at Forge Pond for the season. Miss Litchfield and Miss Raynes will open their adjoining camps as soon as the schools close.
The H. V. Hildreths, after various repairs about their buildings, are now having them painted a pretty French gray, with white trimmings.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Prescott Wright, of Brookline, have opened the Whitney homestead for the summer.
Miss Helen Denfield entertained her mother from Northboro at Mrs. Walker’s for over the senior class dramatic of the academy.
Mr. and Mrs. Preston H. Skidmore come this week to their Westford summer home.
Paul Locklin, a former Westford boy and student at Westford academy, has joined the service and is in training at an aviation camp.
John M. Fletcher spent the greater part of the last week in the Lake Winnipesaukee country in New Hampshire, visiting kinspeople in Farmington, Alton and Guilford.
Verily we are reminded of the old saying, “What’s in a name?” was in two acts, the first representing a room in the home of Cherry Blossom’s uncle, and the second a garden connecting the homes of Cherry and Nina. Miss Carolyn Precious sustained the leading part as Cherry Blossom; Miss Rachael Kimball was Miss Beaconstreet from Boston, and Miss Frances Wright was her mother; Miss Eleanor Colburn was the mother of Cherry Blossom; Kioto, a young Japanese, was acted by C. Leo Healy, and Harold Armstrong, a young American, by Bertram Sutherland, and the young, learned Japanese was acted by Sylva Gladu. Dancing followed the play and a good sum was realized from the event. The affair was under the capable direction of Mrs. H. W. Hildreth and Miss Helena Denfield.
John Fisher of Hartford, Conn., who has had a desirable position for several years with the electric light company of that city, has gone to Boulder, Col., where he has a still better position in the same kind of work. Later he will move his family from Hartford to Colorado. Also of interest to the Westford friends is the good school record of his oldest son, Alvan. Of four students holding the best rank in the graduating class of the Hartford High school and to take the examinations for Annapolis young Fisher stood first in the group.
Leon F. Hildreth came home Wednesday from Camp Meade for a five days’ furlough with his home people. They had not seen him since November and the reunion was a very pleasant one. Leon is looking in the best of health with a fine coat of tan and the attractive poise of the trained soldier. One and all of his Westford friends are certainly glad to see him.
Union Memorial Service. The union memorial service at the Unitarian church last Sunday morning was a successful and inspiring one. Good weather, a large attendance, appropriate decorations and a fine sermon and a carefully planned musical program were contributing causes towards this result. The veterans were escorted from the town hall to the church by the sons and daughters of veterans and the Boy Scouts. Mr. Buckshorn brought out the message of the great struggle of the rebellion and of the present world crisis and the righteousness of both causes with forceful eloquence. Rev. Howard A. Lincoln supplemented Mr. Buckshorn by presenting the needs of the colored troops in the present war. Rev. W. A. Moore of Graniteville, also assisted in the services. Lunch was served in the vestry at the close of the service to the veterans and their wives, and at two o’clock the start was made for a round of the cemeteries, the company going in automobile. All the graves of the veterans were decorated and services held in charge of Com. Wesley O. Hawkes, Everett Woods and Rev. W. A. Moore. Robert McCarty was in charge of the singing.
About Town. England is agitating legislation to eliminate all surplus dogs. Only one dog to a family, and that must be shown to be a necessity. Everything like lap dog foundling foolery must go. It is estimated that this thinning out in the saving of food would keep 500,000 hogs. Well now it is debatable which is the greater evil, too much hog or too much dog. Too much hog is uncomplimentary to health; too much dog is uncomplimentary to the sheep industry and a danger to the poultry industry.
Hon. Edward Fisher, of Lowell, addressed West Chelmsford Grange last week Thursday evening on “Food conservation.” It was well worth the while to hear one of Westford’s own send forth so much sense.
The next meeting of Westford Grange will be held on next week Thursday evening. This will be the roll call night and get yourselves and ourselves filed up to respond with at least ten cents’ worth of say something, sing something read something or come the proxy act with cash.
George C. Moore lost several hundred cords of cut wood by the fire last week that swept the line of the Lowell and Fitchburg electric road down to the water line of Nabnassett pond.
An official of the state board of administration says that in 1890 there were assessed in Massachusetts alone out of the great territory from which Boston draws its milk supply a total of 200,658 milch cows; in 1917 the total assessed in the state was but 149,077. It is hardly necessary in the face of such figures to point to the danger of a reduced milk supply for Boston. By using more milk in cooking as well as for a beverage the consumer can do his bit towards checking this reduction in the herds. Use more milk than ever.
James H. O’Brien, who has been ill for several weeks and some phases of his illness seeming improved, has had a serious relapse and at present is in a critical condition.
The first sound of the mowing machine in the Stony Brook valley was heard on Tuesday at the corner of the Lowell and Stony Brook roads [i.e., at Samuel L. Taylor’s Old Oaken Bucket farm].
Mrs. Harriet Church Orois, of Gouveneur, N.Y., is visiting at the home of her cousin, S. L. Taylor.
Remember the May party Friday evening at eight o’clock at the town hall. The dancing of the children will be splendid and worth seeing. General dancing afterward.
For the benefit of the Red Cross there will be an old-fashioned, young-fashioned dance in the town hall on Friday evening, June 7. Music by the ever welcome Hibbard’s orchestra of Lowell. Drill for the march will be held in the town hall on Monday evening. There promises to be much merriment in this affair, which is being promoted and pushed to success by that public-spirited, fun-loving individual, Joe Wall.
Corn raised on Francis hill on the Swanson farm tests out 100 percent. The early, hard freeze last September did not climb high enough to reach this corn.
Seth Banister writes from England “London looks and feels sober. Food is shorter than in France. A fine country clouded by the war.”
Over the Top Again. Westford, in common with every town in the Lowell district, went over the top on the second Red Cross drive. Since the Red Cross is the agency recognized by our government for giving help to the soldiers and sailors in time of war it shows how ready the people are to back up our army and navy when they give generously to the Red Cross. It takes an immense amount of money to carry on all the phases of the Red Cross work. What tributes are paid to the splendid way in which they keep up the morale of the soldiers and aid them when wounded.
At the Lowell meeting on Monday Westford gave a splendid report, showing 1036 contributors, or nearly 40% of the population. The largest subscription was for $2000 from the Abbot Worsted Co., the same generous contributors in all the previous appeals of various kinds since we entered the war, again responding in a whole-hearted way. The employees at the Abbot Worsted plants in Graniteville and Forge Village, at the C. S. Sargent’s Sons Corp. and at the Graniteville foundry contributed nearly $600. All told, Westford’s total was $7530, and its quota was $5000. The list of the committees who had this second drive in charge was published last week. The chairman, Edward M. Abbot, and the treasurer, Alfred M. Hartford, appreciate the response in the second Red Cross drive.
Obituary. Daniel P. Byam, who died suddenly at his home in South Chelmsford last Saturday evening from heart disease, was well known to the older residents of Westford. He was a veteran of the civil war, serving in Company K of the old 6th Massachusetts Regiment, and was the last surviving Chelmsford member.
Following his discharge he enlisted in the Signal Corps with which he saw two years’ service, serving until the close of the war. Enlisting in the Signal Corps at the same time was Thomas E. Taylor and Fred A. Hildreth, both enlisting from Westford, and they have had several pleasant reunions with Mr. Byam at his home in South Chelmsford. The writer has also been privileged to attend these informal reminiscences of the humorous and serious phases of their military service, much of which was spent in the vicinity of New Orleans.
In 1875 Mr. Byam was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wetherbee, of Stow. Mrs. Byam’s death occurred about eight years ago. He had held various town offices and at the time of the town’s 250th anniversary was a member of the committee having the celebration in charge. He was a member of Delphonia Fraternity, an original member of the Spalding Light Cavalry, Ladd and Whitney post, G.A.R., Chelmsford Veterans’ association, Company K Associates, Pentucket lodge of Masons, of which he was one of the oldest members, Oberlin lodge, I.O.O.F., of Lowell.
The deceased was born in the house where he died, a large, substantial farmhouse typical of thrifty New England life. He was a most genial man to meet, whether in the cavalry, the lodge, farm or social life of the village, where he was born and always lived except when in army life. In this village he was a familiar figure nearly seventy-seven years, and with a daily smile and a halo of sunshine he lived until the last roll call which had no terrors for him.
Mr. Byam is survived by two daughters, Miss Bessie Alta Byam, with whom he lived, and Mrs. Parkhurst, of Chelmsford; also, a granddaughter, Miss Eleanor Parkhurst.
The funeral was held at his home in South Chelmsford on Tuesday afternoon, where the services were conducted by Rev. D. J. Hatfield, a former minister of the village church. Delegations were present representing Oberlin lodge, I.O.O.F., Company K Associates and the Chelmsford Veterans’ association and Pentucket lodge of Masons. The G.A.R. ritual service was performed at the house by members of the Post 185, led by Com. F. S. Pevey, and at the grave members of Pentucket lodge of Masons held their services, conducted by W. M. Edson K. Humphrey, with Rev. George C. Wright as chaplain. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Warren sang “O house of many mansions” and “In the sweet bye and bye.” As the services at the grave were concluded “taps” were sounded upon the bugle. The bearers were Arthur W. and Lyman A. Byam, Ernest Hall, Charles E. Clark. Burial was in Hart Pond cemetery.
Graniteville. The Graniteville A.C. visited Lowell on last Saturday afternoon and met defeat for the first time this season at the hands of the Middlesex A.C. by the score of 13 to 6. The game was lost through poor fielding on the part of the local club, which appeared to have an off day all around. Griffin, Sullivan and Reeves did the battery work for the Graniteville A.C., while Lauder and Brodeur were on the firing line for the Middlesex A.C. Graniteville will play the Highland Daylights on the home grounds here this Saturday afternoon at three o’clock.
Many people assembled in St. Catherine’s cemetery here on last Sunday afternoon, when the annual memorial services were conducted by the members of the Westford Veterans’ association. The graves of the deceased soldiers and sailors were suitably decorated. The services were conducted by Com. W. O. Hawkes, assisted by Chaplain J. Everett Woods and Rev. Mr. Moore. The singing was under the direction of R. J. McCarthy and was very good. This is a very pleasing feature of the memorial services, and it is hoped it will continue from year to year. Sacred selections were sung in all the cemeteries in the town, and the veterans were very gratified to all who took part.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McCarthy are rejoicing in the arrival of twin baby girls, born on Friday, May 24. The twins were christened Edwina June and Kathleen May at St. Catherine’s church on last Sunday morning. [The birth records in the 1918 Annual Town Reports and in the state vital records give the names as Edwina May and Kathleen June.]
Mrs. Victiline Gardel, wife of August Gardel, died at her home on River street last Tuesday [May 28] evening after a long illness, all of which she bore with great patience and Christian fortitude. Her age was seventy-three years. Besides her husband she leaves two sons, Stephen and Fortuna, and a daughter, Miss Sarah Gardel, of this village. The deceased was well and favorably known by her good acts of kindness and charity, and was always ever ready and willing to assist in sickness and distress. She was a very active woman and greatly devoted to the home and all pertaining to it. She will be sadly missed by a wide circle of friends. The deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved family in the loss of wife and mother.
Forge Village. Over $300 was collected for the Red Cross here.
Mrs. Ellen Flynn has been confined to her home by illness for some time.
The many friends of John Rafferty, who enlisted in the cavalry some time ago will be interested to know that he recovered from his recent illness which confined him to the hospital for two weeks. He has written to Miss Eva Pyne, thanking her for the articles sent him by the Red Cross committee, and is much pleased with the outfit. He is now in Marfa, Texas.
A general good time was enjoyed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Costello last Saturday evening, when their two sons, Joseph and Thomas, Jr., were presented a wrist watch and many gifts useful to enlisted young men. Both are now at Camp Devens.
The members of St. Catherine’s choir gave a concert in Abbot hall on Wednesday evening under the direction of James A. Murphy, of Lowell. The program consisted of national and old patriotic songs and proved to be very interesting.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Breggs and baby, who have been staying for several months at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Costello, have returned to their home at The Weirs, N.H.
Miss Mary Murphy, who was appointed state health nurse last fall, when Camp Devens was established, and who made many friends here by her wonderful personality, has been appointed first lieutenant and is now on her way to France. Miss Murphy is the first army nurse to obtain that commission. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Murphy and her home is in Lynn.
The Forge Service Unit has sent a check for thirty dollars to the president of the Westford branch of the Red Cross, Mrs. Stella C. Hildreth, to be used in purchasing gauze for surgical dressings. The money was contributed by women connected with the Groton School.
A large number from here journeyed to Westford last week Friday evening to attend the play, “The revenge of Shari-Hot-Su,” a delightful comedy in two acts, given by the senior class of Westford academy.
Private Woodbridge, Mrs. Arthur Blodgett and daughter Miss Marion L., of Medford, motored to the home of her sister, Mrs. John Edwards, Friday, where they spent the day.
Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards and daughter Edna attended a reception at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Blodgett, of Medford, Saturday, in honor of Private Woodbridge, who reports for service on Monday at Camp Upton.
Robert Milton Naylor, the sixteen-months-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Naylor, died Tuesday afternoon at the home of his parents after a short illness. The little fellow contracted measles which later turned to pneumonia and caused much suffering. Besides his parents he leaves a brother Joseph, and two sisters, Ruth and Helena. The sympathy of the village people is extended to the bereaved parents in their sorrow.
A very enjoyable shower was held at the home of Miss Rose Dare Monday morning when fifty of her friends gathered and showered her with many useful gifts in honor of her coming marriage to Edwin Carrigan, of Boston. The affair was a big surprise and was in charge of the Misses Mary and Winnie Milligan and Margaret C. Dare. Refreshments were served.
Death. Mrs. Mary A. Lowther, widow of Patrick Lowther, died at her home early Sunday morning after an illness of several weeks, aged 84 years and 6 months. She leaves four daughters and one son, Francis and the Misses Christina and Theresa V. Lowther, who remained at home, Mrs. Charlotte Mann of Pennsylvania, and Miss Catherine Lowther of England; also twenty-three grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Lowther came to this village from England thirty-one years ago and for thirty years occupied the same house. She was one of the most respected women in town, beloved by everyone and was of a very quiet disposition and preferred her quiet home life surrounded by her son and daughters, who attended to her slightest wish.
She was the daughter of the late Peter and Charlotte Adams of Nottingham, England, and in her younger days traveled a great deal. Mrs. Lowther was passionately fond of good music and good books and with the latter she was kept well supplied by her family and friends. She had heard all the best singers of her time including the famous Jenny Lind and Madame Patti. Her home life and personal wants were simple, but for her friends and neighbors in trouble her generosity knew no limit. It is with sincere regret that her many friends will learn of her death.
The funeral services were held at her home on Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Angus Dun read the simple but impressive service of the Episcopal church. Many sorrowing friends and neighbors attended the services. Many beautiful flowers were sent to the home as a silent token of sympathy. She was laid at rest in Fairview cemetery.
Harvard
News Items. Owing to the intensive training along the Nashua, “Fruitlands” will not be open to the public this summer.
Still River. The signal corps, who were encamped at the Dyer and Carr places, were called back to Camp Devens last Saturday, so now only the depot brigade men, who care for the target ranges, are encamped there with officers, about 100 in all. The engineers from Camp Devens have built two bridges across the river near the highway bridges and [they] are supposed to be for training in putting up these structures without a nail or bolt being used and they are also for use of the infantry in their sham battle work. The first use of the new artillery range in Martin Dolphine’s pasture was Wednesday. In barrage firing to the trenches on Cranberry hill, a number of large box kites were flown near the target range.
Two companies from the camp came and encamped in Chester Willard’s pasture, just over the river from the railroad station on Monday, staying until Wednesday afternoon.
The soldiers encamped near here and others coming to the combat range from the camp daily are making so much business at Mrs. Sprague’s store that she has Vera Willard assisting during the days and Mrs. Morse evenings.
Groton
Soldiers Entertain. Squannacook hall was taxed considerably beyond its 200-seat capacity on Tuesday evening to accommodate the audience which gathered to greet the khaki boys from Camp Devens, who were scheduled to give an evening of entertainment under the auspices of the West Groton Catholic society. The entertainers labored under various handicaps—they had been on [the] rifle range from early morning until six o’clock; to get there on time some came without their suppers, a number were considerably late, and others failed to arrive. Nevertheless, they seemed to have learned to accept the inevitable as a joke or at least without grumbling and to “carry on” as best they could, and the audience accepted their efforts in the same spirit.
The entertainment consisted largely of songs and readings. Among the latter was “Lucky Joe,” “Kelley’s dream,” “I’m going home to Blighty,” “Carry on” and “I’m just glad I’m livin’.” The songs were selected from the popular war songs of the day, and received repeated encores, as did the readings. Perhaps the most touching of all was the last, “A vision—or when flowers grow in No Man’s land.” An original sketch, “The recruiting office,” and one or two impromptu acts caused considerable laughter. From an artistic standpoint the best thing of the evening was a dance given by one of the company in remarkably good style. The entertainment closed with the national anthem, after which the boys in khaki were invited to the supper room, where, as the manager expressed it, there were “plenty of eats.”
Ayer
News Items. A special train of sixteen cars brought in the Maine contingent for Camp Devens on Wednesday afternoon. The draftees went direct to the camp, where they registered and were assigned to their various commands. The boys were in a particularly happy frame of mind.
Attention is called again to the registration of all males who will have reached twenty-one years on or before next Wednesday. They must register under severe penalty. The registration will take place in the exemption board quarters from seven in the morning until nine in the evening.
District Court. William Tate, a workman at Camp Devens, was found guilty of assault and battery this week Friday on a boy named Sweeney, who worked in Baldwin’s restaurant at the camp. The defendant pleaded not guilty. Tate was fined ten dollars.
Pepperell
News Items. Memorial Sunday was observed at the Methodist church with members of the G.A.R. and Prudence Wright chapter, D.A.R., attending in a body. Rev. Harry Hurd, chaplain of the Engineer Corps at Camp Devens, offered prayer. The pastor, Rev. B. W. Rust, had for his theme “The steps of the fathers,” which proved to be a very interesting discourse.
Interesting Address. Chaplain Hurd of Camp Devens, who was a guest at Rock Ledge, where his wife’s mother, Mrs. Barnes, lives, was solicited to speak at the Congregational vestry on last Sunday evening. At the camp he is known as our chaplain, or “the sky pilot.” The audience heard a real fighting minister and a soldier of the cross. He thought that one of the good things that might come out of this war was the unification of the religious thought and a widening of the viewpoint. While he is a Methodist clergyman he had prepared himself with the help of the priests to give the last comfort to the dying catholic on the battlefield. Besides the bibles for the protestants he was going to take 300 catholic bibles, scapulars and the same number of beads. He was in the service to serve and no service was too small where it would be service.
He was with the men in sport, in work, in trouble and in prayer. He said he had the cleanest boys in the country and that 400 had taken the test and that showed that their blood was free from any taint that could come from unclean living, and many more had promised that no matter what happened, with God’s help, they would lead the clean life “over there.” He is inspiring the boys with the thought that if the bayonet pierces the heart, the soul lives and cannot be hurt, and he carried them over the top. The boys enjoyed his talk immensely and it was good for all who heard so they understand some of the needs of the men in the cleanest regiment in the service.