The Westford Wardsman, March 1, 1919
Center. The private funeral services of Edward A. Hamlin were held from his late home on Friday morning of last week at 10:30 o’clock. Rev. L. H. Buckshorn was the officiating clergyman and the bearers were Fred Burbeck, Robert Prescott, Oscar R. Spalding and Alec Fisher. There were many beautiful floral tributes. Interment was in Fairview cemetery.
At the Unitarian church on next Tuesday afternoon the Tadmuck club will observe their annual children’s day, with Mrs. A. H. Sutherland as hostess. An attractive program is being planned, and each member may bring one child under twelve years of age. Two young ladies, seniors at the Lowell Normal school, Miss Helen Thissell and Miss Beryl Fradd, will entertain with a story-telling hour. There will be folk dances and games and Miss Edith A. Wright, of Frost school, will assist with this part of the program.
The holiday was a quiet one in this village, there being no special observation of the day, and affairs going on much as usual. Westford was represented at the sunset party at Littleton.
Sunday’s snowstorm came as somewhat of a surprise, and for a time threatened to bother the branch line electric. Road Superintendent McDonald went over the tracks with the scraper, after which the car kept to schedule. For winter scenery Sunday morning was beautiful. The storm affected the church services. Both services were maintained at the Congregational church, although with small attendance.
The faithful workers of the Red Cross branch concluded their meetings this week. The last large consignment of relief garments was practically completed at Wednesday’s all-day meeting with Mrs. H. V. Hildreth and Mrs. G. W. Goode in charge. Mrs. John Feeny, Sr., was hostess for the noon luncheon.
The youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Greig is seriously sick with pneumonia.
Mrs. Nellie E. Carkin is seriously sick with pneumonia and a trained nurse is in attendance. Her daughter, Mrs. Marie Timberlake, of Providence, R.I., is with her mother, taking care of the household. Warren E. Carkin has also been housed two weeks with sickness, but is on the gain.
Miss Florence Barnard, of Brookline, came up for over the holiday to see her mother, Mrs. Annie Barnard, spending the winter with Mrs. Willis Hildreth.
The little son of Mrs. Gretchen Kebler Sargent, who was so seriously injured in a coasting accident, is much improved and has been able to leave the hospital in Boston, where he has been since his accident.
At its last meeting the board of selectmen appointed Miss Agnes Weir, of Cohasset, public health nurse for the town. Miss Weir has been public health nurse for the town of Cohasset for the past five years and comes well recommended by the state board; also, by Major Sprague, who is in charge of the extra cantonment zone of Camp Devens, and Miss Eva Crockett, who is now acting as public health nurse for the time under the direction of the U.S. government. Miss Weir will commence her duties here on April 1. At the annual town meeting $1500 was voted for a public health nurse.
At the Congregational church on Sunday morning Rev. O. L. Brownsey’s subject will be “Moses’ great discovery.” At the evening service the first in a series of three Pilgrim lectures will be given, “Foregleams of liberty.” There will be the usual half-hour of singing at the evening service in charge of Mrs. Wright. Communion will follow the morning service.
About Town. At the last meeting of the Grange five dollars was voted as a contribution towards the Near East relief fund. The next meeting will be held on Thursday evening, March 6, when the following will be demonstrated: “How I would run a farm if I were a man,” Edna Sargent; “How I would run a house if I were a woman” William R. Taylor.
The next meeting of Middlesex-North Pomona Grange will be held in Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge, street, Lowell, next week Friday. The program is not yet arrived from its hiding, but if it is anything like the last meeting as we expect it will [be], it will be a real meeting. The afternoon will be open to the public.
The Agricultural papers report plowing in some sections of New Jersey. That beats me and us folks who have only advanced as far as getting the plow into the field, ready for a start.
Frederick A. Hanscom, living on the Tadmuck road, sold eggs to the value of $112.02 during the month of January from 132 hens. The only objection to so large a hen income is a relapse from the after-effects of an income tax.
Mrs. Harry M. Ingalls was called to Nashua last week by the illness and death of her father, Charles E. Mitchell, who died in Nashua last week Monday at the age of sixty-two years. He was born in Leeds, Me., and leaves his wife; his aged father, Henry G. Mitchell; a son, Gilbert E. Mitchell, all of Nashua, and a daughter, Mrs. Harry M. Ingalls of Westford. His first wife, Clara L. Reed, was a native of Westford, well known to many of the older residents.
The annual farmers’ week and corn show at the Massachusetts Agricultural college, Amherst, will be held March 17-20. Ribbons and other less valuables will be awarded. If you wish a ribbon or two apply to Prof. Earl Jones, Amherst, and you will be ribboned proportionate to corn.
Gustafson Eliason, of Brookside Corner, has just returned from the service fighting zones of France. Without water or food for several days, gassed and burned with liquid fire, with the signing of the armistice he was allowed to sign for Brookside, where there is not even a ruffle of a mill strike.
The W.C.T.U. met last week with Mrs. Janet Wright with a full attendance with national prohibition as a congratulatory contributing factor.
The Woman’s Branch Alliance and Sewing circle connected with the First Parish church will hold the next meeting on Saturday afternoon, March 8. Miss Anstrice G. Flanders will read a paper, subject to be announced.
Appointments Made. At a meeting of the selectmen on Thursday evening of last week, the following appointments were: Albert A. Hildreth, sealer of weights and measures; John W. O’Brien, John Spinner, Charles H. Pickering, Alonzo H. Sutherland, Alexander G. Lundberg, Leonard W. Wheeler, Willey M. Wright, Isaac L. Hall, arresting officers and keepers of the seals of peace generally; Etta W. Fletcher, J. Willard Fletcher, Sherman H. Fletcher, Harwood L. Wright, Eva F. Payne [sic], weighers of coal; Edward T. Hanley, William R. Taylor, Rudolph Haberman, Arthur L. Healy, J. Austin Healy, Fred A. Healy, John A. Healy, Charles H. Pickering, Emory J. Whitney, Frank Willey, Frank L. Furbush, Frederick A. Snow, J. Clarence Burne, public weighers; Alec McDonald, superintendent of streets; Wesley O. Hawkes, agent for burial of deceased soldiers and sailors; Samuel H. Balch, compensation agent; Alfred W. Hartford, registrar of voters; Samuel H. Balch, janitor of town house; Charles S. Ripley, keeper of lock-up; Joseph Wall, fish and game warden; Frederick R. Ripley, J. Austin Healy, Charles S. Ripley, field drivers; Alec Fisher, William E. Wright, Charles A. Blodgett, fence viewers; Edward Fisher, town counsel, Harry L. Nesmith, moth superintendent and forest warden; culler of hoops and staves and other minor offices are yet to be produced.
Forge Village. The Ladies’ sewing circle held a bean and salad supper at St. Andrew’s mission on Washington’s birthday. Conspicuous among the many good things were the well-known Washington pies. A large number were present and after the supper enjoyed the program arranged by the Sewing circle. The affair was a financial success.
Miss Marion Blodgett, of Medford, spent the weekend here at the home of her aunt, Mrs. John Edwards.
Mrs. Elmer E. Nutting is seriously ill at her home.
All the members of the Ladies’ Sewing circle attended the Merrimack Square theatre, Tuesday, leaving here about noon.
John Venn and Miss Annie Orr were the soloists at the movies last week.
Firm Entertains. The members of the firm of the Abbot Worsted Company entertained the overseers and office force at an informal luncheon at Abbot hall on last week Friday noon. The guests included the overseers from the Graniteville mill and John Abbot presided. Julian A. Cameron and Edward M. Abbot were the other members of the firm present. After luncheon the social welfare of the town was discussed and many suggestions given out on both sides. This affair was given with the idea of creating a better understanding between the employer and employee. Many ideas for the betterment of the two villages were discussed and will be acted upon later. At the conclusion the smokes were passed and a social hour was enjoyed.
Music was furnished by George D. Wilson and Fred Naylor. The soloists were Robert McCarthy and Thomas Kelley, with everyone joining in the choruses. A recitation was given by William Baker.
It is of interest to know that quite a number of those present have been in the employ of the Abbot Worsted Company for over thirty years, and the engineer, James Sullivan, has rounded out nearly fifty-two years with the same firm. James Sullivan went to work when nine years of age in the Graniteville mill, and with the exception of four summers which he spent working in the quarries, has been in the mills. He was the first to run the engine in Graniteville and came up here to start this plant some years later, where he has been ever since. Mr. Sullivan commands the respect of those who know him, and his pleasant smile can always be counted upon.
Fred Sweatt, the master mechanic, has been in the firm over forty years, and Albert Choate, who acts in the same capacity for the Graniteville mill, has also remained with the same firm about forty years.
Returned from Overseas. Lieut. Albert E. Jones, 11th Infantry, has recently arrived from overseas, and is now visiting with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett, and numerous other relatives. Lieut. Jones saw service in Mexico before going across with the famous 26th Division. He had been wounded four times and gassed once. It was while in the St. Mihel drive that he received a wound that put him out of the fight until the end of the war.
It was on September 12 that the men under his command received the word to go over the top at 5:30 a.m. The men had just been paid and had no time to place their valuables in safe keeping. They had already been in the trenches for some time and were expecting a few days off. However, the drive started and one hour later Lieut. Jones was shot in the hip. He remained all that day and part of the next before he was discovered. It was found that his month’s pay, watch and everything of value belonging to him were missing. He remained in the hospital until he was brought over on a hospital ship to New York about four weeks ago.
Lieut. Jones is very modest when speaking about himself, but speaks in the highest terms of the Red Cross nurses and the Salvation Army. He carries four wound stripes and has been decorated for bravery. He carries two of the wound stripes in his pocket, he said it saves him from answering questions.
Mrs. Jones [nee Janie Cottrell] and their two small children are also visiting here, and spent the first of the week at the home of Mrs. Jones’ sister, Mrs. William Blodgett [nee Mary Cottrell], of the Ridges. They will return to their home in Worcester the last of the week. Lieut. Jones has been given a better position with the same firm in Worcester where he was employed before going over to settle the big dispute.
Graniteville. The snowstorm of Sunday came as a great surprise, as many here were beginning to think we were to escape for the remainder of the winter any such snowstorm. It surely made a beautiful sight while it lasted.
Paul George, of Boston, who is now assistant engineer in the United States Merchant Marine, has been a recent visitor here. He has just finished a four-year enlistment in the navy, the last six months of which was spent in the war zone on the U.S. Destroyer Stevens.
Mrs. Hannah E. Harrington, who has been absent in Tewksbury for the past few weeks, has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Harrington.
J. A. Healy and his sister, Miss Mary A. Healy, have recently returned from a delightful trip spent with relatives in the Province of Quebec, Canada.
The members of Court Graniteville, F. of A., held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on last week Thursday evening. Much business of importance was transacted and several applications for membership were received. The court also voted at this time to give a cash prize to the one who would bring in the most members during the next four months. The campaign is now on and every member will be active from now until the first meeting night in July, when the contest closes. Court Graniteville is also planning on holding a ladies’ night, to be given at a later date.
Mrs. Carl Hanson has recently returned from a brief visit spent with friends in Philadelphia, Pa., and other adjacent points.
Word has recently been received here of the death of Mrs. Mary A. Quinn, widow of the late Thomas Quinn, who died in Worcester on Thursday, February 20. She formerly resided in this village and was well and favorably known. Her age was sixty-seven years. She is survived by three sons, John W., of Lawrence; Frank J., of North Andover, and Edward J. of Boston; two sisters, Mrs. Ellen Flynn, of Forge Village, and Mrs. Frank L. Furbush of Graniteville. The funeral took place from St. Patrick’s church, Lowell, last Saturday morning at nine o’clock. Burial was in St. Patrick’s cemetery, Lowell.
Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Sherman have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Gilson.
The members of Cameron Circle, C. of F. of A., held a well attended meeting in their rooms on Tuesday evening.
Private Joseph Pelkey, a Graniteville boy, a member of the famous 26th Yankee Division, has recently returned from France and has received his honorable discharge from Camp Devens. Private Pelkey has seen lots of action in the world war. He was gassed in one battle, and last July received a shrapnel wound in the left arm that sent him to the hospital. This took place at Chateau Thierry. He considers himself lucky, however, for his two comrades on each side of him were killed. He says that the Germans were never the equal of the Americans in fighting. They were all right when they had the enemy by a three-to-one advantage, but put them man to man and they would yell “Kamerad” every time. Private Pelkey will make his home with his father here and is anxiously awaiting the return of the rest of his comrades of the 26th Division, when he will join them in the big parade to be pulled off in Boston.
Ayer
Clippings. The following is taken from the Boston Herald of February 26:
The war boom bubble has burst and the exodus is in full swing of those who came to camp as far back as twenty months ago to reap a financial harvest. Buoyed by the hope of a quick return of the famous Yankee Division, scores refused to be dismayed by dwindling receipts from the ever smaller number of army patrons. But the announcement that it will be two months before this large-sized plum is housed in camp, an attraction guaranteed to fill the town and camp with old-time crowds, has proved a knockout blow for hundreds who have engaged in small business enterprises.
A flock of automobiles stand cold and still in Depot square, ice forming on the wheels, while the chauffeurs seek the excitement of the town’s two motion picture houses. There are nearly a score of big jitney busses, and twice as many automobiles, wandering aimlessly around scouting for business that doesn’t exist. To make it more doleful the daily visit to the movies has been christened “the mourners’ parade.” And as if that were not enough, the Red Cross ambulance drivers with their expensive machines are carrying soldiers around free, as are the passenger trucks now operated by the motor transport corps, an economy in transportation effected by the army.
The big business which kept a force busy at the bank way into the night has shrunk with everything else. A New Yorker who opened a novelty store confessed he had taken in just fourteen cents an entire day and a Boston merchant with a large stock declared his receipts were not more than a dollar. Two of the restaurants have closed their doors, leaving more popular eating places an opportunity to pay expenses. The telegraph office closes at sundown.
Although cobwebs threaten to decorate empty shelves, many war camp neighbors view with no dismay a return to the peaceful serenity of a quiet countryside. Others hope and predict that this is but a lull and that new activity is to keep the site of soldier-making a spot of lively interest for New England families.
Camp Notes. Col. Oliver H. Dockery, Jr., commander of the 74th Infantry, now demobilized and disbanded, has been ordered to Albany, N.Y., for recruiting duty. Col. James B. Kemper has been detailed to recruiting duty at Harrisburg, Pa. Major W. J. Fitzmaurice, former assistant chief of staff, is assigned to the general staff, personnel branch, and Major Oliver H. Dickerson, former 35th machine gun battalion commander, is detailed as assistant district inspector of the R.O.T.C. at Minneapolis.
General court-martial findings published the first of the week fix punishment for several soldiers. Private Thomas F. Downey, 34th company, depot brigade, was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to confinement at hard labor for one year on conviction of desertion from June 22 to November 7, when he was apprehended in Boston. Private Edward Brown, convicted of refusal to chop wood, was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to one year. Private John Klemm was acquitted on charges of desertion and unauthorized appearance in civilian clothes. Private Clarence E. Durgin, company A, 36th Infantry, drew six months’ confinement and dishonorable discharge for a conviction of desertion.
First Lieut. William Hepburn, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for capturing five machine guns while with the 102nd infantry, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre for a daylight patrol while with the 308th infantry, is the latest arrival at the base hospital. He is convalescing from the last of four wounds received in action.
The graduate nurses are rehearsing a minstrel show to be held on March 17 at the Red Cross recreation building.
Brig. Gen. John E. Woodward has been assigned to command the depot brigade at Camp Devens. Maj. Gen. Harry F. Hodges is assigned to command Camp Travis, Texas.