The Westford Wardsman, June 2, 1917
Center. There was a large representation from the Center at the union memorial services at the Graniteville M.E. church last Sunday, where a fine order of exercises with good sermon was enjoyed. In the afternoon the veterans and sons and daughters of veterans and singers made a round of the four cemeteries and decorated the graves of departed comrades and conducted their ritualistic service, accompanied with singing. There were eighteen autos in procession and to all who kindly loaned their machines for the afternoon the sincere appreciation of the veterans is returned.
Members of the board of registration have received their appointments from the governor and will enroll the male residents between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-one, Tuesday, June 5. This registration calls for both native-born and alien residents. The bells will be rung at morning, noon and night, and the hours for registration are from seven in the morning until nine in the evening. Charles L. Hildreth, assisted by L. W. Wheeler, are those appointed work at the Center. Those appointed for the other precincts with their assistants are A. W. Hartford, A. W Tuttle and R. J. McCarty.
Mrs. Harry B. Prescott, who is convalescing from a severe illness, has the additional sympathy of her friends owing to the recent death of her mother, Mrs. Bremner, of Chelmsford.
There were many guests in town for the holiday. Among a few noted were the F. A. Hildreths of Malden at H. V. Hildreth’s; Albert D. Taylor at W. R Carver’s; Will F. Carkin of Marlboro, N.H., at W. E. Carkin’s; Mrs. Streeter at J. H. Colburn’s, and Dr. McCluskey and family of Worcester at C. H. Wright’s.
The Memorial day address by Col. George A. Hosley, a past department commander of the G.A.R, Wednesday, at the town hall, was readily conceded to be one of the best addresses of the kind heard on these occasions in recent years. Col. Hosley, as a veteran of the great Civil war spoke from heartfelt knowledge and experience and gave a fine summing up of the call for duty in the crisis. He was especially appreciated by his brother veterans.
Mrs. J. W. Bright has rented her house furnished for the summer to a Mr. Hill and family.
The graduating exercises of Westford academy take place Wednesday, June 20.
The teachers of the William F. Frost school very cordially invite the parents and friends, Friday afternoon, June 8, from two to four o’clock, to visit the school to inspect the work done by the pupils in sewing and other work. Some of the aprons will be on sale and the afternoon promises to be full of interest to the visiting parents and friends.
The sympathy of the Westford readers of this paper is extended to the family of the late John H. Turner, the veteran editor of this publication.
Prize Speaking. The prize speaking contest by the pupils of Westford academy took place at the town hall on Friday evening of last week and called out a large and interested audience to hear the young people compete for the prizes. As usual, to those not in touch with the doings of the school, it was of great interest to see how well the young people could do at an occasion of this sort. The selections were well chosen and showed careful training. The young people were carefully scored by the judges as the speaking progressed for enunciation, memory and gesture. The young ladies were most attractive in their dainty dresses and as always the study of the difference in personality was most interesting.
The first prize, ten dollars in gold, was awarded to Miss Josephine Socha of Forge Village, and the second, five dollars in gold, to Miss Dorothy Jordan. Honorable mention was given by the judges to Miss Elinor Colburn and Miss Beatrice Hosmer. The other contestants were Webster Flagg, Misses Ruth M. Sargent, Sophia Nawrocha, Elva T. Judd and Rachael T. Kimball. Vocal solos were given by Mrs. Charles D. Colburn, and piano duets by Mrs. S. B. Watson and Miss Julia H. Fletcher. The judges were Rev. H. A. Lincoln, Mrs. Goldsmith H. Conant and M. L. Greenfield, principle of Littleton high school. There were pretty decorations of the national colors and spring blossoms.
Memorial Day. Memorial day was fittingly observed on Wednesday with exercises at the town hall and concert in the afternoon. The line of march was formed at the Cavalry association building at 9:30 and included the veterans, sons and daughters of veterans and the Boy Scouts, Wesley O. Hawkes commander and Capt. S. H. Fletcher marshal for the day, and the Nashua Military band furnished music. The line of march proceeded to the soldiers monument, where the G.A.R. exercises were held, after which the procedure was to the town hall, where the exercises took place as follows: Call to order and word of welcome, Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher; prayer, Rev. H. A. Lincoln; brass quartet, Messrs. Holt, Jajoie, French and Tolles; solo, “My son,” Mrs. F. L. Roberts; “Marseillaise,” band; address of the day, Col. George A. Hosley, department commander, G.A.R., 1912-13; “Mazurka,” band; solo, “We wont let the old flag fall down,” with encore, Mrs. F. L. Roberts; singing, “The Star Spangled Banner,” audience and band.
Dinner was served at noon to the veterans and their wives, sons and daughters of veterans and the invited guests of the day. Mrs. A. W. Hartford was in charge of the dinner with a good group of assistants.
In the afternoon on the common the Nashua Military band gave one of the best open air concerts ever enjoyed by these capable musicians. This is the thirteenth consecutive year this band has been in attendance for Memorial day exercises in Westford. Ralph W. Holt is its director. [Ralph Woodward Holt was born in Nashua July 15, 1883. He served seven years in the New Hampshire National Guard and was chief trumpeter on the staff of Gen. J. E. Tolles. He subsequently held ward and city offices and was elected to the state legislature in 1915. In 1918 he was a delegate to the New Hampshire Constitutional Convention.]
The weather for the morning was cold and disagreeable, but it was somewhat warmer in the afternoon for the concert and people were grateful that it did not rain after so many cold, rainy days. A ball game at Whitney playground in the afternoon called for its share of attendance. Fairview cemetery as well as the other cemeteries in town had its graves beautifully decorated for the day.
About Town. A forest fire of seventy-five acres proportion started last Saturday afternoon a little inland from the Groton road, near the Couture place. A northerly wind was blowing briskly and the fire made rapid progress. The blaze continued to the Lowell and Fitchburg electric railroad, holding up the three o’clock car. The blaze continued over the tracks to Stony brook and the Stony Brook railroad. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon that the fire was gotten under control. Shortly after this fire another small one started up on the Groton road, a little west of Whidden’s Corner. This was mostly a sprout land blaze, several acres being burned over.
Daniel H. Sheehan is planning on planting sixty acres of potatoes on his farm on Pigeon hill, off the Stony Brook road. This planting will be done with an Aspinwall planter which he intends to freight from his Virginia farms.
Corn is up—some of it nearly a quarter of a mile high. For bill of particulars ask the crows for they have the bill.
Andrew Johnson is road master on the H. E. Fletcher railroad track.
The lecturer’s hour at the meeting of the Grange next Thursday evening will be “past lecturers’ night.” Miss Martha Grant will lead the grand march for the past lecturers to step to.
Mr. Richards has sold his farm on the Carlisle road, Parkerville, to Mr. Russell of Cambridge.
Potatoes are up so that the rows can be seen and read, for the first hoeing.
Woodchucks on the Prairie farm are reducing the high cost of living coming their way by eating up all the green peas, and increasing the high cost of living coming the way of the owner [Amos Polley].
The Boy Scouts of Westford and the Girl Scouts of Boxborough will give something better than a dictionary definition of efficiency at the town hall this Friday evening. Come and gather for yourself efficiency spirit. It will help out wonderfully when the weather is not right and everything else needs sandpapering.
The W. R. Taylors are camping at Forge pond. The weather has developed the arrival of mosquitoes. They also linger in the lapse of spring.
The report that the old and reliable seed house of Joseph Breck & Sons, Boston, were obliged to close down on any further orders for seeds, because of exhausted supply, seems not to be known at their seed store in Boston. They are still taking orders and filling orders.
The appreciative spirit recognized the transition of lofty aim and a whole soul in the removal by death of John H. Turner, the founder and editor of Turner’s Public Spirit. It bore the trademark of his life.
A. Sumner Coleman, of Mendon, is visiting Seth W. Banister, his classmate at Amherst. He is a master of Mendon Grange.
Forge Village. The Forge Village soccer football team tied the All Stars club of Lowell last Saturday on the home grounds in one of the best games played this season. Both teams put up a good game, resulting in a tie score, 4 to 4. A large number witnessed the game. The All Stars were not satisfied with their work and played the local club again on Memorial day, resulting in a victory for the visitors, 5 to 3. The local club is composed of practically all new players, while the visitors have seven international stars in their line-up.
The pupils of Cameron school held their memorial exercises on Tuesday afternoon, commencing at 1:30 o’clock. A large number of visitors were present and witnessed an excellent program. The pupils of grades one and two gave many readings which emphasized the day, while the singing was also good. Grades three and four contributed their share towards the program. Grades six, seven and eight gave the following numbers. Chorus, “America,” school; “Marseillaise,” school; flag drill, school; tableau, “Columbia,” Alice Hosmer; Red Cross nurse, Lillian Hunt; England, Agnes Kavanagh; France, Hermine Momindy; Boy Scouts, Earle Robinson. The singing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” with the audience, concluded the exercises.
Owing to the holiday the meeting of the Red Cross sewing circle was postponed until next Tuesday, when they will meet at the home of Mrs. Edmund Pendlebury.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Provencher and Dr. D. D. Provencher, with Mrs. Provencher and their little son, left their cottage at Forge pond, where they spent several days, and have returned to their homes in North Adams. Miss Lottie Parrott returned with the Provencher party in their touring car to resume her position in North Adams after a short visit with her mother, Mrs. Ida Parrott.
A large number from here attended the memorial exercises held in Westford on Wednesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Omer Cushing entertained the Misses Mary Driscoll and Eva Capstrian of Pepperell over the weekend.
Miss Violet Collins of Providence, R.I., spent the first of the week at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collins.
Miss Sarah Precious returned home on Wednesday after a visit of several days at the home of her sister, Mrs. Michael Keefe, of Townsend Harbor.
Little Olive M. Keefe and Master Richard Keefe, of Townsend Center returned home last Saturday after a visit of two weeks at the home or Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael.
The many friends of Miss Theresa Lowther will be pleased to learn that she is able to be up again after an illness of several weeks.
Miss Josephine M. Socha, of this village, won the first prize, ten dollars, at the speaking contest of the pupils of Westford academy, held last week Friday evening. Miss Socha is also the valedictorian of her class to graduate in June.
Miss Abbie M. Splaine is having the postoffice and store remodeled. The work is being done by P. H. Harrington, of Graniteville.
Over fifty men employed by the Abbot Worsted Company have been given the use of a large piece of land each all ploughed and most of it fertilized, the only expense being the cost of the seeds. Everyone is now planting potatoes.
Drowning Accident. Fred Sanborn, the six-year-old son of George Sanborn, station agent, was missed from his home last week Friday. According to young boys he was seen in the vicinity of Cameron school in the afternoon, about five o’clock, and was said to have gone picking flowers for Memorial day. No trace of him could be found, although the neighborhood had been searched. The young lad left home as usual Friday, at 12:15 o’clock, and had thirty-five cents on his person, with which he was going to purchase a picture of the school. He did not report for the afternoon session, however, and at his non-appearance in the evening his parents became alarmed and made inquiries without result.
Constable William Wall, of Graniteville, organized a searching party that remained out all night, and the next morning a large number of men were sent out from the Abbot mills, and the Boy Scouts joined in the search. The boy who was reported to have been with the lost boy, made the statement that the missing child had fallen in Beaver brook. Boats were soon obtained and the brook was dragged, but no clue was found. When the mills closed at noon on Saturday the water was drawn from the canal and the body was discovered just a few steps from his own door. The money and his cap were missing. Dr. Bulkeley, of Ayer, assisted by Dr. W. H. Sherman, of Graniteville, performed an autopsy at the rooms of Undertaker David L. Greig, but the verdict of the coroner was not given out.
Besides his parents, the little lad leaves a sister, Mabel Sanborn, and a brother, George, of Fitchburg. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon from the home of his parents on Central street at two o’clock. Rev. William E. Anderson read the burial service of the Methodist church. The bearers were Masters George Healy, Reginald Blowey, Malcolm Weaver and Cheslot Presck. Burial was in the family lot in Fairview cemetery. Relatives attended from Centredale, R.I., Boston and Amesbury, and friends from Lowell. Many beautiful floral tributes were received, and among them was a large basket of roses and pinks, and a wreath from the teachers and pupils of Cameron school, which the little fellow attended. As a tribute to his memory no school was held in his grade during the funeral.
Ayer
Death. John Henry Turner, the founder of Turner’s Public Spirit, and one of the oldest and best known editors in this section of the country, died at his home on Prospect street Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock of valvular heart disease. Although he had been in feeble health for about six months, the end came very unexpectedly. Mr. Turner was up and about the house up to within a short time of his death.
Mr. Turner was a descendant of an ancient English family, a son of John Henry Turner, who was born in Camberwell, now within the limits of London, England, about 1809. He was educated in his native place and was interested at various times in many different trades and kinds of business. He was proprietor of a stage line from Camberwell to London, and was also the owner and keeper of one of the historic old inns of London. He removed to Montreal, Canada, in 1832, and died there in 1871. His wife died in 1886. In 1831, he married Mary Ann Hicks, of London, daughter of William and Mary Ann Hicks. They had eight children, born in Canada, two of whom are now living.
John Henry Turner, the subject of this sketch, was born on December 15, 1835, in Montreal, Canada, where he was educated in the common schools and at Ste. Therese college, which he attended for two years. After leaving college he was employed for a number of years in various mercantile establishments. He later learned the printers’ trade and worked for two years in printing offices in Montreal. Leaving that city, he went to New York city, where he was employed at his trade for two years. Leaving New York Mr. Turner traveled extensively throughout the southern and western states in the pursuit of his occupation. In 1859 he engaged in the printing business in Hartford, Conn., with two fellow tradesmen, under the firm name of Williams, Wiley & Turner. The firm was dissolved at the outbreak of the civil war and Mr. Turner came to Groton to live. He entered the employ of the famous printing concern, The University Press, of Cambridge, where he worked for a time.
Later, he was associated with his father-in-law, George H. Brown, of Groton, a well-known printer. In June, 1865, Mr. Turner started a printing business on his own account. In 1868 he started a newspaper, known for a few years as The Groton Public Spirit. Later, the name of the publication was changed to Turner’s Public Spirit, of which he was editor until the time of his death.
In connection with newspaper work Mr. Turner for 23 years conducted a job printing business, which he transferred to his son, Huntley S. Turner, in 1888, and which has continued successfully until the present time, being known as one of the largest and best known in this section.
In January, 1911, owing to advanced years and a desire to be relieved in his work, he transferred the active management of his newspapers to his son, George H. B. Turner, the elder Mr. Turner continuing his duties as editor until his death.
Mr. Turner belonged to the old-time school of printers which is rapidly passing away in this age of specialization. He was a splendid example of the all-round editor-printer and his acquaintance with famous members of the craft was extended. Among his acquaintances in newspaper work were Horace Greeley, the famous editor of the New York Tribune; the elder James Gordon Bennett, a former noted editor of the New York Herald, and Charles A. Dana, editor of the New York Sun, as well as many famous writers of those days.
He was the oldest member of St. Paul lodge of Masons and was a member of Harvard lodge, I.O.O.F., for many years, giving up his membership in that organization years ago. He was also one of the first members of the old Col. Needham engine company of this place, which was used for fire fighting purposes until the introduction of the water works when the old machine was put aside. It is still kept in repair and used occasionally for fires outside the town water limits. He was also a member of one of the old volunteer fire companies in New York city. Mr. Turner was one of the oldest members of St. Andrew’s church of Ayer.
He was a useful and honored citizen standing well in the business community and having the esteem of all his townsmen. With a very few exceptions he was the oldest in years and service of any business man in town.
On September 10, 1861, Mr. Turner married Miss Helen Mitchell Brown, who was born on January 2, 1841, in Bridgewater, the daughter of George Henry Brown, of that place, a printer, and the publisher and proprietor of the Amaranth Magazine.
Mr. Turner leaves his widow; two sons, Huntley S. and George H. B. Turner; a daughter, Mrs. Melville L. Savage, and four grandchildren, all of Ayer; also, two sisters, Mrs. Amelia Andrews, of Ayer, and Miss Matilda Turner, of Montreal, Canada.
The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon with services at St. Andrew’s church at 1:30, which were conducted by Rev. William G. Thayer, D.D., head-master of St. Mark’s school, Southboro, a former vicar of St. Andrew’s parish. Mr. Thayer was assisted by Rev. Williston M. Ford, the present vicar. Charles A. Normand was the organist. The bearers were Judge George A. Sanderson, Dr. B. H. Hopkins, Frank S. Bennett and Dr. H. B. Priest.
After the service the remains were taken to Forest Hills for cremation. The interment will be in Groton cemetery. The remains were accompanied to Forest Hills by the widow, Mrs. Helen M. Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Huntley S. Turner, Mrs. M. L. Savage and two children, Llewellyn and Helen Savage, the party going in automobiles. Friends were present at the funeral from Westford, Littleton, Waltham, West Acton, Boston, Winchester, Groton and Shirley. There were a very large number of beautiful floral pieces.
Training Camp. The Boston and Maine has assigned two expert traffic men to Ayer for service during the building and occupancy of the training camp. The other railroads will also have their representatives here to handle the new problems that will arise from the sending of so many troop trains in but more especially shipping the supplies which will begin to arrive before the men themselves come.
As pointed out in an article last week, freight deliveries will be made direct to the main camp and not to the center of the town as those not informed might imagine, but the auto trucks and wagon trains of the army will carry the supplies along winding country roads to the more distant camps. While only the tracks of the Boston and Maine run into the town, freight cars from all eastern lines will probably be engaged in the transportation of material and supplies into the camp, as well as passenger coaches from most of the New England railroads to bring troops into the camp later on. With the unprecedented demand for cars of all kinds each road is to have permanent officials at the camp, who will not only look after the equipment of their respective roads, but whose duty will also be to cooperate in every way possible with the military authorities in charge of the camp.
As to when the camp will be actually organized, only the military authorities really know, and they are not talking. There is reason to believe that it was the original plan to order certain New England regiments to mobilize here early in June, but there is some reason to believe now that these regiments may be sent elsewhere when moved.
One rumor current—and for military reasons one ought to discount all rumors—is that the seasoned New England regiments will replace regulars as the latter are ordered to the front, and that the Ayer camp will be largely used for the organization of new regiments. But in any event there will be a full army division here, with artillery and cavalry as well as the infantry, and ultimately airplanes, it is to be presumed.
Camp Notes. It is understood that the old Camp Stevens in the northern part of the town, which was formerly considered a part of the camp, has been eliminated from the consideration of the officials.
A. A. McCarthy, of Boston, a well-known traffic man connected with the Boston and Maine railroad for many years, has been assigned to Ayer by order of Supt. Tyler to look after the work of handling supplies and men for the camp. The large amount of freight which will result from the new conditions, together with the regular traffic, calls for an expert. Mr. McCarthy will have a permanent office here. The war and present economic conditions are the principal reasons for the change. The operations of the railroad under the government war board, the shortage of fuel and the location of the army camp in Ayer have all tended to create new conditions which has made necessary an increased supervisory force.
The Y.M.C.A. has undertaken a task for which it is well fitted and in which it has had considerable experience of late. The work of the association is broad enough so that it takes in elements that are not connected with religious activities, and any who might hold back because of lack of sympathy with the creeds most interested in the Y.M.C.A. may comfortably help along the work that is to be done in Ayer when the big army camp is opened here. The Y.M.C.A. can give the soldiers real service and they are prepared to do it along lines that will aid in the comfort of the men, keep them entertained, help remove temptations and give them opportunities for relaxation, correspondence and relief when needed. The soldier needs a friend in camp like that who will not talk religion to him, but will advise, assist and care for him. The Y.M.C.A. does it.
A party of engineers came here Monday to make plans for a survey of the camp grounds and buildings to be erected for the use of the troops. The work is being done under the direction of Col. F. B. Cheatam, quartermaster of the department of the northeast, with Capt. Taylor in direct charge. The survey will decide the actual locations for the various buildings, water pipes, etc., and the portions to be used for drill grounds, rifle and artillery ranges and other departments of the training system. Actual construction work will follow immediately upon the completion of the survey. The engineers have secured quarters in the upper story of Barry’s block on Main street.
The matter of getting a sufficient water supply is still unsettled. Driven wells have been put in in the vicinity of Pulpit rock near where Ayer gets a part of its present supply.
M. F. Sheehan, foreman of the yard extension work who planned on getting the work done during June, may make an indefinite stay here as tracks will be laid into the main camp grounds from the main line.
A party of military men were in town last Saturday looking over a site for an artillery range. Another party came Sunday and looked over the land near the Still River brickyards for an aviation field.
This week Friday morning another meeting was held at the district court room for the purpose of getting leases for land in the vicinity of Hell pond, Harvard, and further west toward the Nashua river. This plan was proposed at first and later given up. The matter evidently has been reconsidered.
Daniel W. Mason was greatly surprised last Saturday when he was informed that the government wanted his land in Shirley Center. The place consists of mowing land and a very fine orchard of apple and pear trees, number nearly 150. Mr. Mason thought his land would not be required as it is so far from the original limits.
Unconfirmed rumors say that the Rural Home at the eastern part of the town, a former well known hostelry, will be taken for a hospital and that the Nickerson place on upper Pleasant street will be used for telephone headquarters.
Nothing definite is known as to the date the first troops will arrive.
Shirley
Center. Various conflicting rumors are current about the Center in regard to the extent of the new government training camp, some stories bringing the limits of the camp up as far as Clark road and within a very short distance of the Center, and including the whole of Woodsville. As far as can be learned only two or three farms at the extreme edge of Woodsville, and some land at the extreme north of the town, have been actually taken over. Other land has been looked over but nothing definite has been done about it. If these rumors should prove true the burden on the people of Woodsville and vicinity would be very heavy, as they would not only lose the use of their homes and farms, but would also be forced to leave town as there are not enough empty houses in town to accommodate them.