The Westford Wardsman, June 21, 1919
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Frost, of Chicago, are in town, boarding during their stay with C. H. Bicknell and taking care of the late Mrs. Helen K. Frost’s personal property and attending to other business.
William R. Carver has replaced his Hudson touring car with a new one of the same make.
Principal William C. Roudenbush is attending the commencement exercises at his alma mater, Williams college, leaving this Friday morning.
Perley E. Wright has purchased another Reo truck to help him out in his carrying produce to Boston.
In last week’s issue of the Congregationalist is an article by Rev. Chas. P. Marshall, formerly pastor of the Westford Congregational church. Mr. Marshall, who is pastor of the historic church of the Pilgrimage Plymouth, was granted leave of absence in Y.M.C.A. work overseas during the war. He is still in France at last report, but watchfully waiting the opportunity to come home. The article referred to, “Has the ministry gone on strike?” is radical and courageous and most characteristic of Mr. Marshall’s vigorous style.
The June social at the Congregational church takes place next Friday evening with an enterprising committee in charge. There will be a strawberry shortcake supper and other good things. An orchestra from Camp Devens will entertain and there will be other out-of-town talent.
Rev. O. L. Brownsey will take for his subject on Sunday morning “A time to rejoice,” and for the evening meeting the topic will be “Moral heroism.” Children’s Sunday exercises last Sunday were well carried out in music and recitations, and a brief address by the pastor. The pulpit was banked with beautiful pink and white laurel which was afterward distributed to those who could not otherwise procure it. The committee in charge of the exercises were Mrs. Brownsey, Mrs. Felch, Miss May Atwood and other assistants.
Last week Thursday was a red-letter day in the annals of the Ladies’ Aid society. They had their annual field day which was held at Forge pond at the hospitable camp of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Goode. These cordial hosts did everything to make it pleasant for their guests, and the ideal weather was an added factor toward the success of the outing. Every member present was indebted to Perley E. Wright for carrying twenty-four of those present to and from the pond in his auto truck, comfortably fitted out with seats. A bountiful picnic dinner was served, supplemented with hot coffee by the hostess, and again did Mr. and Mrs. Wright add to the pleasure of the day with an abundant supply of ice cream for all. There will be no future meetings until September.
A good number from Westford responded to the lure of the circus either Monday afternoon or evening in Lowell. One gracious and generous hearted lady in our village gave twenty-one little people a trip to the circus and additional treats. Taking her own automobile with a group of children, including her own little son and daughter, she also arranged for two other machines to carry the rest, making up the twenty-one. All who went pronounced the menagerie and the performances all that the circus should be.
Owing to the spread rails and the unsafe condition of the roadbed the branch line electric is not in operation, for the present, at any rate.
The John P. Wright family came up from Cambridge and opened their house and have been welcome attendants at children’s Sunday and the graduating exercises of Westford academy.
Miss Elizabeth Kittredge is at home for the vacation season.
Oiling of the streets is promised for the latter part of this week. The gardens and hay crop which have been so promising are beginning to be much in need of rain.
The state guard men held their regular drill on Tuesday evening. A number from this company participated in the parade of the welcome home celebration at Chelmsford on Tuesday.
Graduating Exercises. The graduating exercises of Westford academy took place on Wednesday forenoon at ten o’clock, with good weather and a high standard of excellence in all the exercises. The platform was handsomely decorated with green, the national colors and the timely motto, “Carry on,” in the class colors of old rose and gray overhead. At the back of the stage was the academy service flag and on a flag-draped easel the honor roll of the academy, containing forty-four names. The class flower was the Ophelia rose.
The first number on the program was march with overture by the Titania orchestra and invocation by Rev. O. L. Brownsey. Morton Rice Seavey gave the salutatory with interesting sincerity, embodying his thought in the word welcome, hoping those gathered together were well, seeing that they had come, and assuring them of welcome. After a chorus by the school, under Miss Raynes’ capable direction, Miss Ruth Merle Sargent’s part was the “Demobilization of the service flag,” then the presentation of the class gift, twelve volumes of encyclopedia, by Ethel Minerva Ripley, and the acceptance of the class gift by Forrest White, class of 1920. These were all exceedingly well done. After singing by the girls’ chorus, “Laddie in khaki,” John G. Thompson, principal of the State Normal school, Fitchburg, gave the address, which was practical and definite concerning real education. The girls’ chorus again sang, their selections being “Deep river” and “Mother Machree,” after which Ethel Marjorie Collins, the fourth of the graduates, gave the valedictory, which she did exceedingly well. The diplomas were presented by Judge Frederic A. Fisher of the Alumni, and the program closed with the singing of the class poem to the tune of “Fair Harvard,” and written by the valedictorian, Miss Collins.
The list of winners of the prizes given by the academy trustees will be given next week.
A reception for the graduating class followed in the town hall, and a luncheon was served by the D. L. Page Company. After the reception a meeting of the Alumni association was held in the upper hall.
In the evening the graduation dance was well attended and was a most enjoyable affair. Markham’s orchestra of Lowell furnished music for the dancing.
About Town. George C. Moore commenced haying last Saturday on his mill land at Brookside. The crop is heavy in quantity and heavy in quality.
Amos Polley, on the Prairie farm, sowed in drill a lot of corn for fodder and without tarring. The crows cawed and cawed with delight, it being the only corn on the farm not tarred. They ate $4.50 worth, the price of replanting with new seed.
Our old one-time neighbor, Charles Whitney, and Henry Hutchins of Billerica were in town on Wednesday, calling on the familiar scenes of a nearby past.
Henry O’Brien of the Pigeon hill O’Brien branch, is home, having been discharged as ship carpenter soldier. At the time of enlistment he was employed by P. Henry Harrington, of Graniteville.
Edmund B. Whitney is building a garage at his home in Brookside.
The Westford and Brookside electric car seems to have met its final derailment, Tuesday, June 17. Well, we shall miss standing in its crowded car.
Clipping. The following is taken from a Nashua (N.H.) paper of June 15:
“While the final reports of the teams working to aid the campaign for the nation-wide tercentennial memorial fund of the Congregational church here at the evening service were being read, Miss Mary E. Law, one of the workers for the fund, dropped dead in her church pew. Miss Law had been a school teacher in Nashua forty years and was a deaconess in the church. She was born seventy-six years ago in Peterboro, N.H., and had probably attended more services at the Congregational church than any other member. She died of apoplexy, brought on, it is thought, by the excitement of the campaign. She was a member of the Matthew Thornton chapter of the D.A.R., and was niece of Brig. Gen. Allen F. Stevens, a former congressman from Nashua.”
The Laws were natives of Sharon, N.H., where most of them are buried. Miss Law’s father, John Law, was brother to Capt. Samuel Law, who for several years owned the farm now known as Amos Polley’s Prairie farm. Miss Law was an occasional visitor to Westford, she being a cousin of Samuel Law Taylor. When in town she was a visitor at Miss Emily Fletcher’s for old-time friendship sake. Frequently she was accompanied by Mrs. Stevens, a daughter of David C. Butterfield, so well remembered by the older residents.
Forge Village. The following people motored to the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Baker Sunday: Misses Elsie Tyler and Bessie Breknah from Worcester, Miss Greta Johnson from Jeffrey [Jaffrey?], Charles Norris, Walter Curtis and Frank Calverly, all of Worcester.
While visiting his wife last Saturday at the Lowell General hospital, where she recently underwent an operation, Peter Talanyetz lost his pocketbook; also, his pay envelope of the Abbot Worsted Co.
The brass band will hold its last rehearsal in Abbot hall next Monday evening. Plans to remodel the hall have been completed and work has already begun. The present capacity is 200 people and 20 on the stage. When completed the hall will seat 500 and 50 on the stage. An addition will be a large dining-room fully equipped and modern sanitary arrangements. During the reconstruction period the band will hold its rehearsals in Graniteville. During the rehearsal of the band on Tuesday evening John A. Abbot was an interested spectator, and at the conclusion complimented the players on the rapid progress they have already made. Every member is requested to be present next Monday evening.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle held the last meeting of the year at St. Andrew’s mission last Thursday afternoon. After the work was finished, luncheon was served. A large number were present.
The Sunday school children of St. Andrew’s mission will hold their annual picnic on Saturday, June 28. Rev. Leslie Wallace will have charge of the affair. There will be no more Sunday school sessions until September.
John Hobson has arrived from overseas, where he has been with the army of occupation in Germany. He saw some hard fighting in the trenches. He arrived at Camp Devens late last week Friday night, and after getting leave of absence walked to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hobson, arriving here at 2:45 Saturday morning. He certainly received a rousing welcome.
Robert Orr and Henry Read have returned from overseas, but are stationed at some other camp. The Misses Mae Lord and Margaret O’Hara, who served overseas with the Red Cross, are expected home shortly.
Mrs. Alfred Shaw, of Derby, Me., is visiting her father, Ardino Northrop, who is very ill at the home of his other daughter, Mrs. Fennimore Morton. On account of his advanced age, which is over ninety years, his recovery is doubtful.
Miss Ethel Marjorie Collins was the valedictorian at the graduation exercises of Westford academy on Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Collins of Somerville were among those present at the exercises.
Miss Helen Kimball won the first prize of five dollars in the contest between freshmen and sophomores. The subject was an historical essay with water color map. Miss Kimball is in the freshman class. The prize was awarded at the graduation exercise of Westford academy on Wednesday.
Drowned. Edward Campling, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Campling, of 72 Center street, Methuen, was drowned while in swimming at Burgess pond, Westford, Sunday afternoon. The body was recovered after it had been in the water over an hour. He went swimming with his brother Frank and two chums from Methuen, and his cousin, Edward Hunt, of this village. He and his cousin were trying to reach an overturned boat to dive when he was seized with cramps.
Deceased was born in this village twenty years ago. Besides his parents he leaves one brother Frank; four sisters, the Misses Annie, Mabel, Helen and Mildred Campling.
The body will be sent to his home in Methuen. The family resided here for many years before moving to Methuen and have many relatives here. The young man was stricken with infantile paralysis two years ago, but his parents spent hundreds of dollars for treatment for him and he was almost cured. The sad part of the affair is that the family came up to attend the double wedding of their niece and nephew, Miss Eva and Albert Mountain, which took place Saturday evening. The young man had previously been rescued twice from drowning.
Weddings. A very pretty wedding took place on Tuesday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Goucher, when their daughter, Miss Lillian E. Macomber, was married to Joseph G. Walker, of New York. The ceremony was performed by Rev. William Anderson, of Westford. The bridal couple stood beneath a floral arch. The bride wore a plum colored suit and a white hat. She carried a bouquet of bride roses and white carnations. The bridesmaid was Miss Mary E. Macomber, sister of the bride; she wore a wine colored suit and a black picture hat, and carried carnations. The groom was attended by Norman Young, of Augusta, Me. A large number of relatives and friends were present. A wedding supper was served at the home of the bride’s parents. Among those who attended from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Craicy, Forest Hills; Mrs. M. C. Clarke, Cambridge; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bewilder, Somerville; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kenney, Cambridge; Mrs. Alfred C. Downie and two children, South Acton. Mr. and Mrs. Walker left on a wedding journey to New York city. The young couple received many beautiful presents. They have the best wishes of a wide circle of friends for success in their new life.
Miss Eva Mountain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Mountain, was married to Fred Whidden of Westford and Albert E. Mountain, brother of the bride, was married to Miss Yvonne Cushing, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Omer Cushing, Saturday evening. The double wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. William Anderson at his home in Westford. Each bride acted as attendant at the other’s ceremony. Both brides were dressed in white satin trimmed with lace and each wore a veil and carried white roses. After the ceremony a reception was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Mountain on Westford road. A large number of relatives were present. Many beautiful presents were received. Both young couples are to make their homes in this village.
Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted Company baseball team defeated the Silesia Mills team of North Chelmsford on the home grounds here last Saturday afternoon before a large crowd by the score of 10 to 7. Both pitchers were batted rather freely, but the home team was never headed at any stage of the game. Falls and Liston did the battery work for the A.W.C., while Bridgeford and Gannon were in the points for the Silesia club. On Saturday, June 21, the A.W.C. club will meet the strong Lamson club of Lowell at Canobie Lake park, N.H. The Lamson Company is staging an all-day outing at the park on that day and 1000 people are expected to be present. There will be a long list of sports and the Abbot-Lamson game is staged as the leading feature.
The members of the Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church will hold their annual lawn party on the church lawn this Saturday afternoon and a great time is expected. These affairs have always been successful in the past and it is expected that the party on Saturday afternoon will be up to the usual high standard.
Many from here attended the great Barnum & Bailey and Ringling Brothers’ combined circus that was held in Lowell on last Monday, and were highly pleased with the whole show. In fact it was considered by all to be the highest class performance that this great outfit has ever put on.
John Boynton, of East Pepperell, who formed many acquaintances in this vicinity during his long service with the bakery route, made a brief visit on friends here recently.
Michael Rafferty, of Cambridge, has been a recent visitor here.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Carbo have recently returned from their honeymoon trip to New Jersey and are now settled in their cosy [sic] home on White street.
Letters have been recently received from Corp. William F. Buckingham, who is now in Germany, and he entertains strong hopes of being sent home soon. He is still playing considerable baseball over there, being connected with the Motor Corps team. He would certainly be pleased to get into some of the local games here before the season ends.
The big celebration for the returned soldiers that was held in North Chelmsford on Tuesday attracted many people from here.
The car strike in Lowell is keeping many of the suburban shoppers at home for the jitney service, aside from being more expensive, is not so satisfactory. Rather hard to carry many bundles when they pack ten people into a seven-passenger car.
Letters from Overseas. The following letters have been received by Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Taylor from their son, John A. Taylor, who is with the Y.M.C.A., France.
March 23
Recently I attended the formal opening of the University of Dijon to American soldier-students. It was an interesting and impressive occasion. The theatre was filled with French intellectuals and American soldiers. Such a cosmopolitan, international spirit seemed to prevail. Some of the speeches were delivered in French and some in English. When the French applauded eloquent phrases we took the hint and followed, and vice versa. Dr. Erskine, a former professor of mine, was versatile enough to make one speech in French and one in English. A pert doughboy nearby remarked to his pal, “Some scholar, eh buddie!” The mayor of the city and the president of the university made very polished, diplomatic addresses. Then our boys were called upon to express their feelings in song. And if that didn’t start off with “What to hell do we care?” The crudeness of the Americans will crop out on various occasions. I wondered if the rah-har yells “pulled off” were not shocking to the French sense of propriety. They shock us in many ways and I know we do them. Both are learning something from contact with each other. Our American students are billeted in the very best French families in the city. I hope they will appreciate such an opportunity and conduct themselves in such a way as to be a credit to the United States.
The Stars and Stripes, our A.E.F. newspaper, has a stirring editorial commenting on what was taking place just a year ago. Do you remember? It was the big German drive which resulted in the St. Quentin disaster. How gloomy things looked for the Allies. I recall a liberty loan drive was on at that time, and the psychological effect of the German rush was electric. No one, except “I-told-you-so” fellow, ever dreamed that in just a year’s time a dictated peace treaty would be nearly ready for German signatures and that our soldiers would be hanging around France waiting for their homeward-bound boat. Then we hardly knew whether many of them would be coming back at all. When our boys grumble about this slow process of demobilization, they forget that they have been far luckier than we had ever hoped, forget what might have been, forget what came painfully near being. Nor do our boys stop to realize what the French soldier has endured for four years. Think of his mere pittance of five cents a day, and compare his scanty rations with ours. The French poilu is an heroic character. I like his contented mind, his firm obedience, and his courageous, persistent will to do. I wish many of his qualities could be assimilated in our civilian life. I saw such an impressive ceremony yesterday. In front of the Palace at Dijon was a military display, the occasion being the awarding of Croix de Guerre, the French badge of bravery in warfare. With what precision and dignity the French soldiers execute their military manœuvres. Of course they have all had three years of compulsory training. I don’t believe we will ever become a military nation like France. And I hope it will not be necessary.
A few days ago I had my first experience listening to the rat-tat-tat of machine guns. We drove out into a remote French village and found an American machine gun company had been billeted there. There was absolutely nothing for them to do except to drill and practice on these machine guns. I could see that the boys took no interest at all in the military training, now that the big fight is completely over. Could you blame them?
How are prices and the employment situation back home? Our European editions of American newspapers have but little to say on this theme. I wager we are all living cheaper over here on American food than you are in the States. As I eat and live with the officers I am well provided for. I shan’t have any hardship tales to relate. The American army is said to be the best fed and clothed army in the world and I believe it. Of course the dough-boys have much criticism of the “corned wool” and army “slum,” but an army wouldn’t seem natural and healthy without grumbling.
Beaune, Cote D’Or, April 6
Are you a bit surprised at the address? I think I wrote you some time ago about my trip down here to the A.E.F. university. I am here again, this time for a three-days’ conference of all the educational secretaries in France and Germany. Each one is going to tell how the other fellow is mismanaging and bungling the whole situation. The educational program is not effective because the other fellow is at fault. What discussions and reforms we pedagogues will perpetrate in three days.
One of the pleasant features about coming down to this American university is meeting old acquaintances. I have met ever so many “Y” men who came over on the boat with me or who were in the same conference in New York. What times we have had retelling our experiences and laughing about our difficulties in getting established overseas. Then I have met six former University of North Dakota boys here—some as instructors and some as students. We are going to have a “get together” and send Dean Squires 0) { referrer_url = document.referrer; } const params = location.search.slice(1).split('&').reduce((acc, s) => { const [k, v] = s.split('=') return Object.assign(acc, {[k]: v}) }, {}) const url = "https://museum.westford.org/wp-json/iawp/search" const body = { referrer_url, utm_source: params.utm_source, utm_medium: params.utm_medium, utm_campaign: params.utm_campaign, utm_term: params.utm_term, utm_content: params.utm_content, gclid: params.gclid, ...{"payload":{"resource":"singular","singular_id":3454,"page":1},"signature":"4efa3ccd14741a04306f2405fddcfae3"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();