The Westford Wardsman, June 23, 1917
Center. A daughter [Marjorie Lillian Millis] was born to Mr. and Mrs. Willard N. Millis on Sunday of last week [June 10, 1917]. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lydiard, at the Parker farm, are also rejoicing in the advent of a son [Charles William Lydiard], born on Tuesday [June 12, 1917] of last week.
J. M. Hartwell, who for so many years has conducted his meat and provision route in Westford with the aid of horse power, is now driving an up-to-date auto truck.
More than passing mention should be made of the sewing exhibit and sale recently held by the teachers and pupils of the eighth and ninth grades at the Frost school. Mrs. L. H. Buckshorn and Mrs. H. V. Hildreth have given much faithful work and time each week in the sewing lessons all winter and the results made a good showing at the exhibit. Aprons, middy blouses and collars had been made by the girls, and there was also a good showing of the homely art of patching. The collars and middy blouses the girls were allowed to keep for themselves, but the aprons were on sale and were readily disposed of. Most appreciative mention should also be made of Mrs. John C. Abbot’s class in cooking during the winter. With a simple, but very adequate equipment, Mrs. Abbot has conducted an excellent class in elementary cooking which has been followed with much interest and enthusiasm by the pupils.
J. W. Rafter is absent from town on a business trip to his former home in Michigan, and also going to Clifton Springs, N.Y.
The Ladies’ Aid society of the Congregational church held a very pleasant outing at the log cabin on Prospect hill last week Thursday through the courtesy of its owner, Miss Ella F. Hildreth. The weather was especially pleasant for just that sort of an outdoor meeting and considerable work was accomplished on aprons and the pretty cretonne porch bags. A picnic luncheon, with fruit lemonade, was enjoyed at noon. Mrs. Clarence Hildreth and Mrs. John P. Wright were the hostesses of the day.
On last week Friday the Ladies’ Missionary society held a very pleasant outing at the home of Mrs. A. E. Loveless. There was a large attendance and a picnic dinner at noon was enjoyed, supplemented with hot coffee and tea by the hostess, Mrs. Loveless, who did so much in every way to make the day enjoyable for her guests. In the afternoon a meeting with good program, including a speaker from Lowell, was held, and to Miss Loker, the president, is due the success of the day’s arrangements.
Mrs. Mildred Chase has been a guest this week at the Congregational parsonage.
Mrs. A. E. Roudenbush and Mrs. A. R. Spear, of Greenfield, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. William C. Roudenbush.
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wright, with relatives from Chelmsford, motored to Bass Point [Nahant] for the holiday on Monday.
Miss Beatrice Sutherland, a prospective bride, was the recipient of a very pleasant shower party given by the members of the Sokronit club on Friday evening of last week. The shower was a complete surprise to the recipient and very cleverly arranged by those who had it in charge. There were many useful articles for a new home, among which was an especially pretty casserole. Ice cream and cake were served and the evening was one of jolly sociability and enjoyment.
Edward Blodgett, of Medford, has been renewing former associations in Westford this week, being in attendance at the graduation ball on Wednesday evening.
Mrs. Henrietta Pitts, of New York, was a guest of her longtime friend, Mrs. J. Henry Colburn, last week. Her little daughter Madeline is to stay with Mrs. Colburn for the summer.
Mrs. J. W. Bright, who has rented her home furnished for the summer, has gone to Buffalo, N.Y., to visit her son-in-law, Rev. Frank M. Baker, and the grandchildren.
Robert Russell and Charles Albright have gone to England with the lumber men’s unit.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Wright were in town for the holiday. Livingston Wright has answered his country’s call for service and expects to sail for France the seventh of July to serve as an ambulance driver.
Those in charge of the special Red Cross contributions for this week at the Center were Capt. S. H. Fletcher, S. B. Watson, A. W. Hartford, J. R. Cameron and Alexander McDonald. Some good work has been done with good response and results will be given next week.
Miss Halbower, of the Farm Bureau, who was to give a canning demonstration in the lower town hall on June 27, cannot come on that date, and the committee in charge are arranging for a later date, notice of which will be given. The postponement may work to advantage for peas and other vegetables may be sufficiently advanced for demonstration by the later date.
The local Red Cross is getting into the harness of efficient organization, more helpers reporting for work each week. It may seem advisable to those in charge to move their quarters to the lower town hall for more space and better ventilation as the season advances. If any one has a sewing machine that they could lend for the work it would be much appreciated, and if such is available, please notify either Mrs. Hildreth or Mrs. Wheeler.
Miss Marlton Grant, principal of the Frost school, and Miss Mattie Crocker, also of the Frost school, complete their ninth year of service in the schools of Westford, when they returned to their homes at the close of the school term this week. They enjoy an enviable record of capable service and enjoy many sincere friendships in the community in which they have been identified during these years.
Interesting Address. Miss Elizabeth G. Norton, lately returned from hospital work in France was the speaker at the Congregational vestry on Monday evening. Miss Norton is the daughter of the late Prof. Charles Eliot Norton, of Cambridge, and her brother is in charge of the ambulance corps in France. Miss Norton proved herself a speaker of intelligence and ability and presented a vivid picture of the needs of the French soldiers. She claimed to bring no stirring stories, just an account of work and suffering and need with many sidelights of heroism and as a visitor of the American fund for the French wounded in the hospitals was well qualified to speak, and was followed with the closest attention. The part that the women of this country can take in helping was well set forth. Albert E. Prescott was the soloist of the evening and his selections were much appreciated. Some work accomplished by the local society for the French wounded, in charge of Miss Loker, are 3825 surgical dressings, 51 pairs stockings, 211 trench caps, 24 mufflers, 10 sleeveless sweaters, 62 wash cloths, 39 eye bandages, 140 pillows and 29 wash mitts.
Graduation Exercises. Good weather for the graduating exercises of Westford academy at the town hall came Wednesday, and the exercises of graduation were most successful in every way. By suggestion of the U.S. commission of education the essays were chosen in keeping with the great war. The opening number was a march, with overture, by the Titania orchestra; invocation, Rev. H. A. Lincoln; salutary, with essay, “The American Red Cross—its history and work,” Miss Beatrice Hosmer; essay, “The league to enforce peace,” Edith Alice Judd; chorus “When the roses bloom again;” class prophecy, Elva Triphena Judd; essay, “Women and war,” Dorothy Lucy Jordan; selection, orchestra; essay, “Governments of the warring nations,” Elva T. Judd; chorus, “Oh Italia beloved,” school; presentation of class gift, George Perkins; acceptance, Bertram Sutherland, class of 1918; girls’ chorus, “Spring song;” valedictory, with essay, “America’s duty to the world’s democracies,” Josephine Marguerite Socha.
The essays, salutatory, prophecy, presentation and acceptance of the class gift, and the valedictory were splendidly given by the young people and reflected the greatest credit upon them and their faithful teachers.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher was unavoidably absent and in his place Principal William C. Roudenbush presented the diplomas. The exercises closed with the time-honored custom of singing “America.” The class motto, in French, “Vouloir, c’est pouvoir [where there’s a will there’s a way],” occupied a prominent position at the front of the stage. The stage was effectively banked with green and cut flowers. Black Beauty rose was the class flower.
Following are the graduates: Beatrice Evelyn Hosmer, Edith Alice Judd, Josephine Marguerite Socha, academic course; Dorothy Lucy Jordan, Elva Triphena Judd, George Perkins, English business course.
Winners in prize essay contest—Beatrice Hosmer, class of 1917, $10; Ethel M. Collins, class of 1919, $5; declamation contest, Josephine M. Socha, class of 1917, $10; Dorothy L. Jordan, class of 1917, $5; honorable mention, Beatrice E. Hosmer and Eleanor S. Colburn, 1918. Misses Beatrice Hosmer and Dorothy Jordan held equal rank for second honors. Precedence was given to Miss Hosmer on program for attendance at academy.
The usual alumni dinner was dispensed with this year and its pleasant social and reunion features were missed, but it seemed the wise course for this year. The graduation ball in the evening was well attended and proved a very pleasant affair. The Peerless orchestra furnished music for the dancing, and refreshments were served during the intermission.
About Town. John B. Abbot, agent of the Middlesex County Farm Bureau, was in town on Monday. He announces that he will hold a field meeting at the Walker farm on Saturday afternoon, June 30, at one o’clock. He will be prepared to analyze soils in acidity and advise as to the use of lime. All who desire to have their soil tested should bring about a quart of soil from any field that is suspected of acid. He will also be prepared to advise how to grow soy beans, alfalfa and the various clovers. He hopes to meet all interested farmers, especially those engaged in cow keeping.
The next meeting of West Chelmsford Grange will be held on Thursday evening, June 27. Mr. Fisher, of Lowell, has been engaged to give the address of the evening.
The Foster farm on the Concord road, which has been sold and unsold several times, is sold for possession on July 1 again, and looks as though there would be no more back up, back down side-ways glances on the part of purchasers.
The First Parish church was represented by six persons at the conference in Ashby last week Thursday.
A large elm limb, with a weak heart, collapsed onto the trolley wire at the residence of Frank C. Drew, which caused the electric car to revise its time table and stretch it one hour’s worth.
At a meeting of the Spalding Light Cavalry association last week Friday evening, after admitting new members, it was voted not to hold the annual reunion and entertainment this year, but voted itself a liberty bond of $100 and the goods have arrived.
The Y.M.C.A. boys of Lowell have arrived at their summer camp at Nabnassett and everything is in the role of health, food, bathing, boating, ball games and prayer meetings and other up-lifts.
Amos Polley, of the Prairie farm, has bought a new mowing machine and the grass crop is being laid horizontal ways, what has not already laid that way by inability to endure its own weight.
With the right temperature and moisture, beans planted on the W. R. Taylor farm sprouted a quarter of an inch in twenty-four hours, June 20. Beans planted on the Old Oaken Bucket farm, May 6, before the winter snows had given up lingering in the lap of spring, sprouted a quarter of an inch in 240 hours. Such is the subtracting difference between heat and moisture conditions.
Corn planted on the Prairie farm was harrowed out with horses to prevent its being harassed out by crows.
Miss Amelia Lambert was seriously injured on Wednesday by a collision with an automobile while driving a spirited horse.
Herman Decatur the former well-known milkman, of Lowell, was a visitor in town on Wednesday. He is remembered as a native of Brookside.
Miss Amelia Lambert, while riding on Westford street, Lowell, Wednesday afternoon, was run into by an automobile, thrown out and badly cut on the back of her head, besides a general shaking up. A Lowell physician was summoned and rendered first aid, and then second aid was administered by removing her home to the Keyes farm near Keyes’ pond, in the northerly part of Westford. The horse became frightened at the collision and ran, dashing up things and himself generally. It is understood that the auto admits liability.
George Whitley, superintendent of the Brookside mills, and Axel Lumburg are soliciting the Brookside precinct for funds for the Red Cross. This is not a question as to whose war it is, or the right or wrong of the instigators. Mercy and not questions is the call.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher was on a business trip to New York at the graduation exercises of Westford academy, being missed from the program in presenting the diplomas.
Miss Ella T. Wright, of Cleveland, is expected at her summer home at Brookside about July 1.
Forge Village. The twenty-first birthday anniversaries of the Misses Lillian and May Macomber were fittingly observed on Monday evening at their home on Orchard street. Friends were present from Graniteville and Ayer. A very pleasant evening was spent by all. Refreshments were served by their mother, Mrs. L. T. Goucher. All departed at a late hour, wishing the twins many happy and prosperous years.
There will be no meeting of the Red Cross Sewing circle next week.
Cameron school closed this week Friday for the summer vacation.
Miss Eva F. Pyne has been making a house to house canvass in the interests of the Red Cross society.
Mrs. C. W. Parker presented Cameron school with two beautiful silk flags on Wednesday afternoon. The flags are to be used in Miss Mary A. Garvey’s room, grades four and five, and Miss Letitia V. Ward’s room, grades six, seven and eight. The children gave the salute and pledged their allegiance. Mrs. Parker talked to the pupils for a short time.
Miss Ethel M. Collins won the prize of five dollars for the best essay on “If I were a tramp,” offered to the sophomores and freshmen at Westford academy. The prize for the seniors and juniors was won by Miss Beatrice Hosmer, also of this village. Miss Josephine Socha won the ten-dollar prize at the speaking contest recently held. She was also the valedictorian of the class that graduated on Wednesday, while Miss Hosmer had the next honor as salutatorian.
George D. Wilson, scoutmaster, announces the following success of Troop 1, Graniteville, on subscriptions to liberty bonds: Graniteville, 14 subscriptions, total $1200; Forge Village, 40 subscriptions $3800; from other sources $1200; total amount subscribed $6200. Mr. Wilson and Clarence Dane, assistant scoutmaster, had charge of this village.
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Gerard and Mrs. Gerard’s son, William DeRohen, of Worcester, spent last week Thursday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver.
Mrs. M. E. Clark and her daughter, Mrs. Bieuweiler, of Cambridge, have returned home after an enjoyable visit at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Goucher.
The Sunday school children of St. Andrew’s mission are to hold their picnic at Cameron playgrounds Saturday afternoon. They will be joined by the members of St. Andrew’s church, Ayer. Boating and bathing will be the chief attractions for the visitors. A basket luncheon will be enjoyed at the mission house at five o’clock. Ice cream and coffee will be served. Rev. Williston M. Ford has charge of the affair.
Mathew Elliott, Jr., is the latest recruit to enlist from here.
Miss Edith Hunt has returned from a visit of two weeks at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Cockroft, of Ware.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Bicknell, of Somerville, spent the last of the week and Monday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael.
Mrs. Michael Keefe, of Townsend Harbor, spent the weekend at the home of her sister, Miss Edith Precious.
John L. Flynn has purchased a Maxwell touring car from William Blodgett.
Moreland Wetmore is home from Dummer academy for the summer. He is entertaining his classmate, Albert Peno, of Mexico. Robert Wetmore is home from the Hackley school in Tarrytown, N.Y.
Mrs. William Burnett is recovering from a severe cold.
Mr. and Mrs. William Dugard, of Worcester, spent Saturday and Sunday as the guests of Mrs. Louisa Coley. The remainder of this week they are staying at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards. On Wednesday they met a number of friends at a tea given in their honor. Many former neighbors in Kidderminster, England, years ago, were present.
A collection for the Red Cross has been in progress this week. At the last reports $105 had been received. A collection will be taken up at St. Andrew’s mission on Sunday for the same purpose.
A large number from here including sixteen children from Cameron school attended the graduation exercises at Westford academy on Wednesday.
Entertainment. A very interesting and unusual entertainment was given in St. Andrew’s mission on Thursday evening, June 14. A sketch, entitled “Rubber boots,” was the first number on the program—Miss Marion Lord as “Pauline,” the elder sister, Miss Mildred I. Parrott as “Sue,” Miss Lillian L. Baker as “Lou,” and Marion L. Blodgett as the tramp. The funny capers of the tramp who invaded the home of the girls, who were very brave in the absence of a man, and the witty sayings of the girls kept the audience in roars of laughter. The stage was tastefully set as a living room and was greatly admired.
A tableau of unusual beauty, representing an English garden, was the next number. The young son is going to war; his aged grandparents are giving a tea party in his honor; his mother stands near, holding his rifle; young ladies are grouped about drinking afternoon tea. The setting of the trees and shrubs was a work of art. Those who took part were Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett, grandparents; Mrs. W. C. Precious, the mother; James Kendricks, the son; Mildred V. Precious, his sister, Adelaide Hosmer, Gladys M. Baker, young ladies; Rev. Williston M. Ford, wishing Godspeed to the soldier.
Second tableau—A scene in France, with James Kendricks, Gifford Miller and Lawrence Rathburn as wounded soldiers; James S. Butler, as the doctor in charge; Caroline E. Precious, as the Red Cross nurse; little Miss Edna Edwards, visiting wounded soldiers and distributing flowers among them. This scene was shown in three positions and was well applauded.
Third tableau—“I don’t want to dig; I want to fight”—James Kendricks as the boy who wanted to go to war, and Miss Sarah Precious, as his mother, who wanted her boy to stay home and dig.
Fourth tableau—“Hands across the sea”—James Kendricks as Uncle Sam; Gifford Miller, as John Bull, and Lawrence Rathburn, as Gen. Joffre.
Fifth tableau—James Kendricks, as Uncle Sam; Miss Helen Peabody, as Columbia.
The final tableau was “Columbia and her Allies,” with Miss Peabody as Columbia; Ethel M. Collins as Italy; Annie Orr, as Belgium; Bertha Collins, as Japan; Elmer DeRohen, as Russia; Alice Hosmer, as Roumania [sic]; Gertrude Baker, as Serbia. The costumes were very artistic.
Other numbers were a patriotic song, “Soldier boy,” Edna Edwards, Ruth Naylor, Priscilla Bennett, Irene Comey, Doris Whigham, Margaret Pendlebury; violin selections, Miss Edith Sturgis, accompanied on the piano by Robert Huse; readings, Mrs. S. Warren Sturgis; patriotic songs, ending with “The Star Spangled Banner,” members of the Sunday school, Miss Marion Blodgett, accompanist; trio, “The rosary,” Caroline, Daisy and Mildred Precious.
Mrs. Williston M. Ford and Mrs. S. Warren Sturgis are responsible for the success of the affair and furnishing the costumes. Unfortunately, Mrs. Sturgis broke a small bone in her ankle on last week Thursday, but with the aid of crutches she was able to assist with the program. The Ladies’ Sewing circle had on sale ice cream and cake; also, aprons and other useful articles. The young men taking part in the tableaux are students at the Groton School. They were accompanied by a large number from the school.
Littleton
Units Sail for England. Webster S. Blanchard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur F. Blanchard, of West Acton, has sailed for England as manager of the Blanchard & Gould saw mill unit, with a crew of thirty-five men—being one of the ten units recently sent by New England to fell and manufacture timber from the English forests for the use of the Allies at the front.
Governor McCall explained the movement clearly at a banquet given to these lumbermen—a continent of 350 men—at the City club in Boston on the evening previous to their departure. To quote his words: “This movement is a most remarkable one and one of the most splendid contributions that our country could make to the war. It means comfortable buildings erected for the wounded—back of the lines. It means the rapid restoration of bridges necessary for military strategy. It means trenches lined with wooden sheathing which will obviate to a great extent the unpleasantness of mud. It means the accomplishment of work for which the Allies have neither available nor trained men. There is no body of men who will contribute more to the success of the Allied cause than you, whom I see before me, and I think you should feel that you are as much America’s contribution to the war as if you wore a uniform and carried a gun.”
In accepting the units, in behalf of England, Counsellor Thomas B. Hohler of the British Embassy described it as “New England’s most splendid gift to Old England.”
Ayer
Work on Camp Begins. Actual construction work began in preparation for the new military camp last Saturday. It is estimated that it will cost $6,000,000 and will be large enough to accommodate 37,000 soldiers. All those in charge of the work say that the huge training ground will be completed by September 1. If such is the case, the work will set a record of engineering construction both in size and speed that stands without an equal in this part of the country.
Last Saturday Brigadier General Edwards, department commander of the northeast; J. H. Hustis, receiver and former president of the Boston and Maine railroad; Fred T. Ley, of Springfield, head of the general contracting firm that will do the work; Capt. Edward Canfield, Jr., the construction quartermaster, and F. A. Barbour, chairman of the preliminary board of engineers, took prominent parts in the start of the construction. In addition to the above officials there were here last Saturday, Albert A. McCarthy, trainmaster, who will handle the delivery of construction material for the railroad company; Fred T. Ley, Leo L. Ley and H. A. Woodward, of the Chapin National bank, Springfield, and Frank B. Rogers, superintendent of construction for the Ley concern, who will have direct charge of the construction, subject to the approval of the army officers.
After conferences had been held, M. F. Sheehan, general foreman for Wilson & English, contractors, of New York, who have nearly finished the work on the south yard extension, began the work with a force of men in laying side-tracks south of the railroad yard, which it is expected will be completed this week. These tracks will be used in carrying the vast mass of material going into the construction.
The cantonment proper will be located a mile to the south of Ayer station and will be 1 ½ miles long and one mile wide. The dancing pavilion at Mitchelville, which occupies a commanding position on top of a high hill overlooking the Nashua river, will be used for officers’ headquarters. Another piece of land of twenty acres will be used for a sewage disposal system. Twenty-five miles of sewage and water pipe will be laid. There will be 1140 buildings which will meet the full needs for every branch of the army. A well fifty feet in diameter will be sunk and if necessary a chain of feed wells will be added to provide the 4,000,000 gallons of water, which will be needed daily. The New England Power Company of Leominster will furnish electricity for the lighting system, and for the water and sewage pumping systems.
With General Edwards came his aid, Capt. John W. Hyatt and Capt. William H. Wilson, the department officer in charge of militia affairs. General Edwards spent the day visiting every part of the cantonment which he has previously gone over before making it his choice as a camping site.
The contractors say that they will employ 3500 to 5000 men, of whom about half are skilled workmen. The mechanics will live in houses as fast as they are built, and the laborers will be housed elsewhere. The tremendous amount of 16,000,000 feet of lumber will be used which will be drawn from all over New England and the south. It is expected to come in at the rate of 100,000 feet per day.
A crew of men from the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company is busy installing telephone lines for the contractors and army supervisors. C. R. Hawley, a member of the war board attached to the Boston engineering office, has been in town in connection with this branch of the work. The details of the construction of the telephone lines are in charge of Henry E. Farnum, wire chief of the local telephone exchange. Both he and Manager H. F. Jackson have in charge the making of changes to meet the extraordinary requirements necessary to the immediate telephone needs. When the cantonment is ready for use it will be transformed into a metropolitan exchange. The camp construction quartermaster, Capt. Canfield, has as his assistant, Capt. John M. Taylor, who has been in charge of the engineering work in connection with the camp.
Preparations for the work of contracting the buildings were begun the first of the week by Contractor Ley, who has a force of men busily engaged for the big task. Test excavations are being made to determine the exact nature of the soil all over the site. The big topographical map is practically completed. This will be used by the instruction officers in preparation of lessons for the recruits in tactical and maneuver training, and in trench digging. It is estimated that the weekly payroll of the employees will amount to $100,000 while the camp is being constructed, and that $1,250,000 will be brought into the district every month that the recruits are in camp.
Camp Notes. Large delegations of the Boston and Lawrence central labor unions were in town on Tuesday and Wednesday and conferred with Contractor Ley, who has the job of erecting the buildings, regarding working conditions and pay for the men who are to do the work.
Governor McCall made a visit here on Monday evening on his way back to Boston from Plattsburg, N.Y., where he inspected the officers’ military camp.
Thirty-three large government automobile trucks arrived in town for service at the camp Tuesday morning. It required fifteen flat cars to transport them. There was a government chauffeur for each truck, besides the officers in charge. The cars were shifted to the West Main street crossing, where they were unloaded and the trucks driven to the camp. The trucks and the men came here direct from Arizona. The train was given the right of way across the continent and made the long journey in the remarkably fast time of six days. A Pullman tourist car was used for the men and officers coming with the trucks. The men who belong in this part of the country expressed themselves as much pleased in returning to the east again.
There was a decided increase in the activity of preparing for the army of soldiers who will be here in a few weeks. During the week workers of all kinds, including high-class mechanics, flocked into town. Rooms of any kind are in such great demand that it is impossible to supply but a very small fraction of those seeking quarters.
Depot square presents a scene of constant hustle and activity. The square is crowded with all kinds of automobiles and trucks as the result in the beginning of camp construction. Lumber dealers, real estate men and persons seeking sites for buildings of all sorts make this spot their headquarters. The army engineers’ headquarters in Barry’s block is a place of great activity. Restaurants and boarding houses are doing a great business.
The town presents a decided military atmosphere. Army officers and militia men clad in the regular khaki uniforms are increasing daily.
Two special trains bearing troops bound for Syracuse, N.Y., from Fort Williams [in Cape Elizabeth], Me., passed through here on Wednesday. One train of fifteen cars went through at noon and one in the evening.
Reporters of several Boston paper were in town during the week, getting stories for their publications.
The spur tracks are being laid rapidly in the main camp for the transportation of supplies. The tracks enter the camp ground near Davis’ crossing, just over the Ayer line in Harvard.
The regular army officers and men who arrived here with the army trucks the first of the week from Nogales, Ariz., are occupying the Nutting place in Mitchelville, just west of the Nelson Root place. An imposing array of automobile trucks are lined up in the large field, and tents are raised along the roadside for the men. The officers are living in the house.
The Root place, recently vacated by its owner, is occupied by employees of the Ley Contracting Company. Others are encamped on the land opposite the Day farm. Altogether, the scenes are very suggestive of army life.
The Boston papers are still claiming that Ayer is not yet awake to the great changes that are soon to take place. One paper says that the town as a whole does not realize that its population will be lost in the thousands of recruits which will be assembled so near the center of the town.
The army trucks are busily engaged in bringing supplies for the camp, such as bedding and other articles which will be needed.
A large office building will be constructed for the use of the contractors on the camp site. The building will be fully equipped for this purpose, including the installation of telephones, which will be of the first importance.
Army Trucks Arrive. The 38th truck company, quartermaster’s corps, U.S.A., unfurled the first United States flag over the Ayer cantonment Tuesday upon its arrival after a record-breaking run from Nogales, Ariz. The company camped there Tuesday night, the first regular army soldiers under canvass upon the ground to be used by whole army divisions.
It would have taken twelve days to bring the thirty-three three-ton trucks and seventeen enlisted men and Capt. Charles J. Nelson to Ayer from Nogales under peace conditions. Under the system perfected by the railroads the train rushed across the country in five days. The personnel rode in a special tourist sleeper attached to the flat cars.
Capt. Nelson was in service at Brownsville, Texas, when the order came. He brought the entire equipment of a truck company. Some of the men in the 38th were transferred from the 51st truck company. Capt. Edward Canfield, Jr., construction camp quartermaster, welcomed the outfit to Ayer. The trucks were unloaded speedily. The men pitched their tents. Tuesday night Capt. Nelson reported to Major Dwyer, department quartermaster, his immediate needs in equipment and men.
The company will be filled by drawing from the 51st reserve truck company. This unit has been ordered to Ayer and includes thirty-four chauffeurs and a cook. Capt. Pulling of the reserve corps will accompany the men to Ayer.
Capt. Canfield reported that satisfactory progress is being made in the construction. The Ley Company is rushing things and is daily adding to its force of workmen and foremen. Material has begun to flow into Ayer. The dirt trains are filling in the ground where the track sidings are under construction. Some of the longer shipments have been started and will arrive on specified days when the receiving tracks are completed and men are on hand to use the materials.
Army officers detailed to the northeastern department have experienced some difficulty in obtaining living accommodations. Officers of the line who are liable to call at any moment for active service cannot tie themselves to a lease, nor can they bring a lot of furniture to Boston. Several of these officers are now attached to the headquarters staff who are trying to find suitable homes for their families.