The Westford Wardsman, June 16, 1917
Center. The mails close at seven in the morning, at noon and at five in the afternoon, instead of fifteen minutes earlier for each of these mails, as Mr. Balch, the new messenger, uses his auto and is able to make better time.
Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher, Qtm., Sergt. John Feeney, Wayland F. Balch, Frank W. Bannister and Alonzo H. Sutherland were the delegation from Westford representing Troop F, Cavalry association at the funeral of Capt. H. W. Wilson in Carlisle last Saturday. Mr. Sutherland took the party in his automobile. The floral tribute from this organization was a beautiful standing wreath of white carnations and yellow marguerites. Capt. and Mrs. S. H. Fletcher also sent beautiful flowers. Judge Frederic A. Fisher, of Lowell, was also among those present at the services.
At a meeting of the executive committee of the Alumni association of Westford academy, held on June 5, it was voted, for various reasons, not to have the usual alumni dinner at the close of the graduation exercises on June 20, and notice to that effect be given in the papers. There will be a meeting of the association for the election of officers and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting immediately after the graduating exercises. Owing to the unusual conditions this year it seemed best by the executive committee to sacrifice this feature of graduating time, although we understand there will be the usual dinner for the graduating class and their parents.
Miss Emma J. Stevens, of Mountain View, Cal., is visiting in the east and renewing Westford associations. It is eight years since Miss Stevens’ last trip across the continent. Westford seems most attractive to her and she is impressed particularly in this leafy month of June of the increased growth of the trees on the common and the shade trees along the village streets.
A group of young people entertained by Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hartford for over the weekend and holiday are Misses Hazel B. Hartford of Boston, Irene Munson of Malden and Grace Leavitt of Melrose; also, Wesley Hawkes, Harold Newman, and Elmer Brown, all of Melrose.
Mrs. Harold W. Hildreth and son Richard return the first of the week from a three-weeks’ visit with her parents in Brockton.
Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler entertained a group of relatives on Friday of this week, Mr. and Mrs. Albert R. Field of Taunton, Mrs. J. E. Bassett of Bridgewater and Miss E. W. Paine of Providence, the latter remaining for a longer stay in Westford.
Sunday will be children’s day at the Congregational church and the children are rehearsing for a most attractive program.
Mr. and Mrs. Auryansen and Miss Nickerson of Newtonville, were guests at the Congregational parsonage the first of the week and Mrs. Lincoln returned with them to Newtonville for a stay of two or three days.
There was a well attended meeting of the Red Cross workers Tuesday afternoon, eighteen being at work on surgical dressings, sewing and knitting. Our two Californian visitors, Miss Stevens, of Mountain View, and Mrs. Gretchen Kebler Sargent, of Fresno, were among the busy workers.
Miss Emily F. Fletcher has received a letter from State Ornithologist Forbush asking if birds in this locality had suffered from the cold, wet spring. In some places birds have been found dead, apparently from cold and hunger, although our local bird students do not note these conditions here. One busy farmer reports one pleasant day having three of the brilliant scarlet tanagers visible at one time in the field where he was at work.
Quite a number from Westford were in attendance at either the morning or evening performance of the circus in Lowell on Wednesday. The parade in the morning by those who saw it was considered especially good.
Mrs. Helena M. Bartlett, at E. J. Whitney’s, has been the unfortunate sufferer this week of a severe case of ivy poisoning.
Attention is called to Miss Elizabeth G. Norton’s talk on her recent experience in French hospital work next Monday evening in the Congregational church. Miss Norton’s brother is in charge of the hospital ambulance corps in France, and Miss Norton is especially well qualified to speak on this vital subject of timely interest and merits a good audience of intelligent listeners. Albert E. Prescott, Westford’s well-known musician, will be the soloist of the evening.[ Prof. Richard Norton (1872-1918), archeologist and educator, son of Harvard Prof. Charles Eliot Norton, organized and lead the American Volunteer Motor Ambulance Corps, “Norton’s Corps,” in 1914 to transport wounded soldiers from the front in France. It was later combined with the H. H. Harjes Ambulance Unit, and along with other ambulance units (notably the American Field Service (AFS), now an international youth exchange organization) was taken over by the American Army in Sept. 1917. Prof. Norton died in Paris of meningitis on Aug. 2, 1918.]
The graduating exercises of Westford academy, Wednesday, June 20, at ten o’clock, will be the event of next week. The essays have been carefully chosen for this eventful year and the music and all other details most carefully arranged as follows: March, with overture, Titania orchestra; invocation, Rev. H. A. Lincoln; salutatory, with essay, Beatrice E. Hosmer; essay, “The league to enforce peace,” Edith A. Judd; essay, “Women and the war,” Dorothy L. Jordan; class prophecy, Elva T. Judd; selection, orchestra; essay, “Autocracy vs. democracy,” Elva T. Judd; presentation of class gift, George Perkins; acceptance of class gift, Bertram Sutherland, class of 1918; essay, with valedictory, “America’s duty to the world democracies,” Josephine M. Socha. Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher will present the diplomas.
In this strenuous season of conservation and preparedness the household economics department of the Tadmuck club have arranged for a timely and helpful talk on canning in all its phases. Miss Alma G. Holbower, of Waltham, agent for the farm bureau and home demonstration agent, will be at the town hall on Wednesday afternoon, June 27, at two o’clock and give a demonstration in canning. Miss Holbower is a very practical and resourceful worker and does not think every household should have a steam pressure cooker, but tells how to can materials with equipment at hand. This demonstration should be of the greatest practical value to every housewife and home-worker this year, of all others, and everyone is heartily invited to come and look on and learn how to conserve this year’s food products.
The Westford A.A. have not taken definite steps for the formation of a ball team for the season. The sentiment seems to be to give assistance with any surplus funds to the Red Cross or to other organizations in this year of need.
Mr. and Mrs. Abiel J. Abbot returned this week from an extended trip of several months, including Australia and many other interesting points.
Miss Maud Roper has been spending the week at the home of the Misses Atwood.
Mrs. O. V. Wells entertained a group of friends at luncheon and to spend the afternoon on last week Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. Preston H Skidmore are at their summer home for the season.
About Town. Past lecturers’ night was observed at the Grange last week Thursday evening. The program consisted of piano duets by Marion and Mildred Fletcher; readings and recitations, Alice and Frances Wright, Mrs. Joseph E. Knight; solos, Frank T Johnson, Charles Robey; quartet, the Misses Osborne, Grant, Dunn, Denfield. The Grange voted itself $100 worth of patriotism. The next meeting, June 21, will be in charge of W. R. Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Tallent are visiting their daughter, Mrs. W. J. Parfitt, Oak hill. For several years they have been living in Missouri. They report no rain there for four months. To advantage, we feel that we could move some of our weather down there. Mr. Tallent is a brother of the late Eben Tallent, who owned the farm on the Stony Brook road now owned by W. R. Taylor.
Crows are pulling corn on the Prairie and Old Oaken Bucket farms that measure nine inches in height. This seems like a tall story, but if there are any doubters the writer has the goods in his possession. Treating corn with coal tar or kerosene before planting to prevent pulling has about as much effect as to treat yourself to lemonade. The facts are that the crow feels the high cost of living and it will take something stronger than tar or kerosene to make him let go his hold.
Daniel H. Sheehan has received a unanimous call from the government to go to France with his portable saw mill as a unit all by his lonesome. He will not sail until after he finishes planting sixty acres of potatoes.
There will be a special meeting of the Spalding Light Cavalry association at the association building on the Boston road Friday evening, June 15, to vote on admission of new members and receive applications for new members, and transact other business.
Amos Polley on the Prairie farm dug new potatoes on June 7. The Old Oaken Bucket farm is close to the heels of all such with potatoes budded to blow.
John A. Taylor, in a lecturing tour in North Dakota, writes that he had the novelty of making snowballs on June 1. The wheat crop prospect looks green and promising, but is beginning to suffer from a serious drouth [sic], while we in New England have been suffering for the want of it.
Mrs. George H. McGregor, of Westford Corner, has returned from Philadelphia, where she has been visiting her brother, Robert Marshall.
Frank C. Drew has old corn enough to last until new corn is grown and seasoned. He is the most successful raiser of corn in town. With cornmeal at three dollars per bushel, why not set the idle land to earning its board—it will pay better than boarding grasshoppers on it or raising moss or hay that begs for a market.
Blodgett Brothers, Milestone [sic] hill, have planted seven acres of corn for husking and a large acreage for the silo. The Drew-Read farm on [164] Main street and Francis hill have planted a similar amount, and there is a tendency everywhere towards “corn on the brain” and it is about time if we expect to maintain chickens on the roost this winter.
As agitation agent of the farm bureau let us not become slackers too soon in planting. Not too late yet this backward spring to plant corn, potatoes, beans and buckwheat. Corn was planted in town last year as late as June 28 with good results; potatoes were planted on the Fourth of July and yielded twenty bushels to one of planting. Besides, President Wilson has sent another letter to the farmers urging the emergency of the food situation. Much is urged about buying a liberty bond, which is as valueless without food as a gun without ammunition.
Death. The recent death of Capt. Wilson, of Carlisle, removes a familiar figure in the surrounding towns where he was known as a prominent member of the Spalding Light Cavalry association. He derived his title of captain as commander of the company for several years and as such was popular with the company. He was also extensively known as a large owner and dealer in standing lumber and wood, besides carrying on a large dairy farm. He was prominent in town affairs, and generous for the best interest of the community, being a member and trustee of the Unitarian church, member of Carlisle Grange, Middlesex North Pomona Grange, and Corinthian lodge of Masons of Concord.
The funeral took place last Saturday afternoon from his home in Carlisle, Rev. Elwin J. Prescott conducting the service. Mrs. Benjamin Derby of Concord Junction sang “Abide with me” and “My heavenly home,” a favorite of the deceased. At the funeral 200 people were present including thirty-five members of the Cavalry association of Westford and forty members of Corinthian lodge of Masons of Concord, who performed the burial service of the order at the cemetery. Burial was in Green cemetery, Carlisle. He was a native of Billerica but had lived in Carlisle forty-eight years, being sixty-nine years old at the time of his death.
Forge Village. The Ladies’ Sewing circle has discontinued work for the summer, after a season of hard work. St. Andrew’s mission owes much to the circle for their generous support of the church.
The Red Cross Sewing circle met at the home of Miss Grace Lawrence [62 Pleasant St.] Tuesday afternoon. A large number were present and considerable work was disposed of.
Albert Mommindy [Momenthy?] and Leo Cushing, two well known young men, are the latest recruits to join the army. They left here Saturday for the Newport training camp. They will later be sent to France to take part in the war. Others from here are Emerson De Rohen grandson of Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver, who joined the marines; Daniel Sullivan son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sullivan; Joseph Sullivan, telegraph operator here and Ralph Esty, also an operator and who has been in France since the outbreak of the war.
Westford academy baseball team journeyed to Harvard on Wednesday, June 6, and were defeated by Bromfield school 8-7. Through some misunderstanding the visitors were not expected, but the game was quickly arranged. Walter Fletcher drove the team and many others in his auto truck. Others from here enjoyed the hospitality of Miss Eleanor Coburn, who took several of her classmates in the automobile.
Next Sunday will be the last day of Sunday school until September. Rev. W. M. Ford is making arrangements to hold the Sunday school picnic shortly.
A daughter [Alice Connell] was born Saturday, June 9, to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Connell.
Mr. and Mrs. Forest Andrews and little son Charles have returned to their home in Nashua, N.H., after an enjoyable visit at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blodgett of the Ridges.
Mrs. P. J. O’Hara and two children, Kathleen and Jennie, of New York, are spending two weeks’ vacation at the home of Mrs. Jane Dare.
Miss Elizabeth Spinner is confined to her home with a severe cold.
Herbert Smith of New Jersey is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Smith for a short time.
George Wilson and another young man representing the Boy Scouts succeeded in securing subscriptions for Liberty bonds. Both young men worked hard and late in the interests of Uncle Sam.
Miss Theresa V. Lowther was able to be out of doors Saturday for the first time in many weeks, owing to an attack of tonsillitis that poisoned her system.
One of the most wonderful collections of tulips throughout the village was to be seen at the residence of John Brown, where every known color was to be found. Some of the blooms were nearly two feet high. The owner, who is an amateur of no mean ability, has also a fine collection of flowers and vegetables that afford much pleasure to passersby as well as the owner.
Frank Bennett of Worcester visited his father, Alvin S. Bennett, the first of the week.
Mrs. Frank Rose returned to her home in Belmont after a few days’ visit the last of the week at the home of her sister, Miss Abbie Splaine.
Graniteville. Anna Forsan, the little three year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Forsan, died after a brief illness at her home here on last Saturday morning, June 9. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery.
Mrs. Elmer P. Hersey of Dorchester, formerly known as Miss Engla Mattson, is ill at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Mattson in West Graniteville.
A grand patriotic concert under the auspices of the Graniteville Auxiliary of the American Red Cross society held in the M.E. church on Thursday evening, was largely attended and proved to be a success in every way. Quite a neat sum was realized.
Many people from this village attended the flag raising and parade that was held in North Chelmsford on last Saturday afternoon. W. O. Hawkes, a G.A.R. veteran of this village, rode in a carriage with the other veterans as one of the guests of honor on this occasion.
The members of Cameron circle, C.F. of A., held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on Tuesday night. Much business of importance was transacted and during the session the report of the delegates who attended the convention in Boston recently was given.
Edward Carney, treasurer of the Lowell Institution for Savings, visited the Abbot Worsted mills and Sargent’s machine shop this week for the purpose of getting subscriptions for the new Liberty bonds. Mr. Carney was very successful, for many people did their bit by purchasing those bonds.
Several recruiting officers from Lowell were in town this week and secured many volunteers for enlistment in the 6th regiment.
The members of the local Red Cross met in their rooms here on Wednesday afternoon at the usual hour. This auxiliary is doing a great amount of good and are now getting the young women interested in the noble cause.
The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church met with Mrs. Frank Caunter on Thursday afternoon.
Shirley
The “Rookie” and His Camp. There is considerable discussion at the present time being given to the “rookie” and his purpose to locate here in our midst. Very much of what I have heard has been rather of a pessimistic character, setting forth the unpleasant features of the camp. The purpose of this is to present to all our citizens and the ladies the optimistic side of the “rookies” living among us, to share the hospitality of our homes, our churches and our many organizations.
The work of our citizens and ladies can be and must be along lines of mutual helpfulness to the young men. They are coming to us by the thousands from homes where they will be missed. The prayers of consecrated fathers and mothers will follow them. We can all do our “bit” along practical lines of work in their behalf.
While the patriotic ladies, making up the membership of the Special Aid in my own and other of our towns bordering on the camp, are giving their tie to various lines of work in behalf of our country, in my judgment the work right at our door will command and require all the time we can give to making the “rookie” or the “regular” feel he is among friends who have his highest welfare at heart.
Let us then all do our “bit” by doing the work right at hand, rather than far away. The hospitality of my home is extended to him. The “rookie,” God bless him! Elmer H. Allen.
Boxborough
Enlist in Saw Mill Units. There has been considerable excitement here this week, caused by the departure of several of our men for England. Among the ten saw mill units to be sent there, one is filled out by Arthur Blanchard of West Acton, and the following men left on Thursday morning to be gone a year: Burpee C. Steele, Zenos Lovelace, Frank McNamara, Flint Furbush, Mr. Littlefield. Besides these from this town the others who are well-known here to enlist are Webster Blanchard, Glen Gould, Howard Reed, Frank Woodward, Ralph Gates, Joseph Gallant, all of West Acton. The popular leader of the Colonial orchestra, Hugh Connors, and Whitney Bent, of Maynard, are also in the party. The unit comprised thirty-nine men and they are to cut timber mostly on large private estates to use in trenches and barb wire entanglements.
Ayer
Mass Meeting. A mass meeting of ten towns which will border on the new military camp was held in the town hall on Tuesday afternoon at 2:15 o’clock, when plans were explained for social welfare work in connection with the camp. The hall was crowded to the doors by a very much interested audience, the greater number of which were ladies. The towns represented were Ayer, Groton, Shirley, Lancaster, Clinton, Littleton, Pepperell, Townsend, Bolton and Harvard. Mrs. Annie B. Sanderson, president of the local Special Aid society for American Preparedness, presided.
The meeting opened with the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” by Mrs. Walter C. Sargent with Mrs. Avis Barns Fisher as accompanist on the piano.
The first speaker was Mrs. W. L. Jackson, a representative of the Special Aid society of Cambridge. Mrs. Jackson spoke on the great opportunities of the people in the towns bordering on the camp for helping in a material as well as a social way the 10,000 to 35000 men who will come here. Mrs. Jackson also alluded to the tremendous responsibility resting on the people of this section. Referring to order and morality in connection with the camp she paid a high tribute to Brigadier General Clarence R. Edwards, head of the northeaster department, who she said had the reputation of keeping strict discipline. Mrs. Jackson asked all housekeepers to cook a little more food in the future than the actual needs of the family, in order that the troops might have enough to eat while waiting for the regular government supplies to arrive. A loaf of bread, for instance, more than usual, might be cooked for each person. Then when the first troops arrived they could be immediately supplied. Automobiles should be secured for quick food distribution. Mrs. Jackson said there were so many things to speak of that it would be impossible to go into details at this meeting.
The remaining speakers were Mrs. Edwards, wife of Brigadier General Edwards, and Mrs. McCall, wife of Governor McCall, who spoke briefly.
After the speaking Mrs. Jackson answered questions from the audience in regard to the subject under discussion. The meeting closed by all singing “America.” After the meeting representatives of the ten towns who attended the meeting had a conference with the Ayer committee on public safety regarding the work to be done.