The Westford Wardsman, March 2, 1918
Center. Mr. and Mrs. John Feeney [10 Depot St.] had a bad scare from a threatened fire on last week Wednesday evening. An overheated chimney was discovered just in time, for there was a high wind blowing at the time, and another half hour would have made bad work. Neighbors and members of the fire company were sent for and helped avert the fire.
The J. V. Fletcher library has secured a supply of fuel and is now open the usual three week day afternoons and evenings, closing at eight o’clock. We also note a supply of coal received at Westford academy, which insures regular sessions.
Mrs. Maria Stone is among the sick ones and under the doctor’s care.
Miss Edith A. Wright spent over the holiday with her sister and family, Rev. and Mrs. William E. Anderson, in Winchendon.
Mrs. Howard A. Lincoln and Miss Helena M. Bartlett spent a part of this week in Boston and vicinity.
“Grandma Walker,” [nee Caroline Elizabeth Clough, widow of Joshua Walker (1826-1914)] at Mrs. George A. Walker’s is severely sick. She passed in an unconscious condition her eighty-seventh birthday this week [Feb. 27].
The regular meeting of the Tadmuck club will take place on Monday afternoon at the Congregational vestry. The meeting will be in charge of the art committee, and Miss Mary G. Balch will speak on “Humor in art.” As is well known, Miss Balch merits a good attendance. Please note the change in day of meeting, which is in the interests of fuel conservation.
Ernest Bosworth has suffered a serious nervous break-down, requiring his removal to a hospital for special treatment.
The third in the series of union services took place at the Congregational church last Sunday with a good attendance. Rev. L. H. Buckshorn preached a practical and inspiring sermon from the subject “Equivalents,” and a full choir sustained the musical part of the service. There will be one more of the union services at this church on Sunday morning, at which Mr. Lincoln will be the preacher, after which the services will be held for four weeks in the Unitarian church, the two pastors alternating in preaching.
We are sorry to note the accident that happened to Fred R. Blodgett on Monday. While teaming wood, driving out of the woods with a sled load of wood, one of the sled runners struck a stump somewhat hidden by the snow and upset the load. In jumping in the opposite side, clear of the load, the sled runner passed over one foot and leg. He managed to get home and later examinations by the doctor showed a broken bone. This means a cessation of this young man’s [aged 35] capable activities for some time, and his friends extend their sympathy and good wishes for a patient convalescence. The family have also recently been saddened by the death of a relative, Mrs. Annie Blanchard [Fred’s mother was a Blanchard from New York], in New York, and Mr. Blodgett returned only last week from attending her funeral.
The last of Westford’s first quota of the draft, the last fifteen percent, which in this case took six of our young men, were summoned to Ayer for training at Camp Devens this week—George Wilson, Thomas G. Sullivan, Arthur Milot, E. Clyde Prescott, Paul Symmes and Joseph Thompson. Each young man was presented with a comfort kit by the generosity of some of our citizens; also, equipped with knitted articles by the local Red Cross. They were given a send-off on Tuesday at the town hall. All the children of the Frost school sang and gave the salute to the flag, and Charles L. Hildreth took pictures of the group. Three rousing cheers were given them as they departed. Julian A. Cameron kindly furnished the transportation by automobile.
Miss Mary P. Bunce expects to leave the hospital in Lowell this week, but will stay for further convalescence for a time at the Y.W.C.A. rooms. Miss May Day has been taking her place at the library, and Miss Alice Howard has also been assisting.
It was good news to his home people and friends that Harold W. Hildreth sent of his safe arrival in France. This word came on Monday.
The local Red Cross will meet until further notice on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons at the library.
About Town. Seth W. Bannister, the soldier representative of the Stony Brook valley who was transferred from Camp Devens to Texas, thence to Dayton, Ohio, thence to New York in the aviation department, made a flying visit home on Sunday, without a flying machine. He looks like health and character efficiency, and expects to leave for “somewhere” sometime soon.
The Old Oaken Bucket farm folks have sent forty ear samples of corn to the Massachusetts Agricultural corn show to be held in Amherst, March 12-15. In addition to the sample of forty ears, which will be tested solely for its efficiency to germinate, a sample of ten ears was entered to be judged by its symmetry in general appearance. This sample is called the Davis corn, is nearing completion, and the opening will be on Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile enlisted men and officers are finding the books they need. The building stands on a knoll in Postoffice square, beside the Liberty theatre. It is homelike, with its fireplace, and its quiet is appreciated by men who have few places for reading and study.
There is a collection of about 15,000 volumes, the greater part of which has been collected by librarians throughout the state, and supplemented by the purchase of non-fiction from the $1,000,000 fund secured by the American Library association last fall for books and buildings in all the cantonments and camps.
The library is in charge of John A. Lowe, agent of the Massachusetts free public library commission. The books are prepared for circulation by neighboring librarians, assisted by officers’ wives. There is an average attendance already of 150 readers a day.
The books called for are exceptionally fine and the percentage of non-fiction is higher than that of the general library. One day’s circulation is an interesting sample. There was a quantity of fiction and the authors were Beach, Doyle, Grey, Lincoln, Vance and Wells. A lieutenant in the intelligence department sought a German grammar (although he knew German, his men did not know the German script which they must know to intercept German postcards).
Poetry is popular, especially Kipling, Masefield and Service. Some of the men are not sure whose poems they want, but like to browse. Books about the war are in demand and technical books, but one man refused to be interested in books on the war, saying he “was making history, not reading it.”
There have been requests for books on portrait painting, pen drawing, sketching and shorthand. One man from Texas, who has never been in New England before and was invited to Boston for dinner, wanted something which would show the special character of Boston and its people. The quality of the general circulation may be shown by the following figures:
Philosophy…………………………………………….. | .9 |
Religion…………………………………………………. | .3 |
Military………………………………………………….. | 9.0 |
French…………………………………………………… | 2.9 |
Science…………………………………………………. | 2.8 |
Useful arts……………………………………………. | 1.9 |
Fine arts……………………………………………….. | .5 |
Literature……………………………………………… | 4.3 |
Travel……………………………………………………. | 2.9 |
Biography……………………………………………… | .7 |
Fiction…………………………………………………… | 58.5 |
Books for foreigners……………………………… | 2.9 |
War books…………………………………………….. | 11.0 |
Inter-library loans………………………………….. | 1.4 |
All the librarians in the state are cooperating. They are willing to lend material, and recently, in answer to an appeal for illustrative material for the officers’ training school, pictures were gathered and mounted in large quantities. The library is endeavoring to get what is needed at once. Current magazines are desired and new fiction, as well as technical books.
The library building is to be an administrative and a distributing center, books being sent from there to the Y.M.C.A., the K. of C. buildings, the Hostess House, the hospital, etc.
Camp Devens Site. The following historical sketch is taken from the Boston American of February 24:
Two hundred and forty-four years ago next month an American fort, which stood on the site of the present camp, was destroyed by Indians. The fort was located on the farm of Major Simon Willard, a doughty Indian fighter, and was known as Nonacoicus, which signifies an Indian earthen pot. It stood about one-eighth of a mile almost directly north from the westerly end of Robbins’ pond, near the spot where the enlisted men’s club now stands.
Here, where the highly intensive art of modern warfare is being instilled into the thousands of men, a handful of Colonists held off the Indians in the King Philip wars.
A number of the men in the present camp are descendants of the pioneers who helped to make this country what it is. It is doubtful, however, if they know of the old fort, information regarding which has been brought to light by George J. Burns, assistant superintendent of schools of Boston, who spoke on the life of Washington. Later, forty of the Golden Rule Girls of Greater Boston gave a fine minstrel show to a crowded house. The same girls gave a concert in the evening at the Soldiers’ clubhouse in Ayer before a large audience. This handsome building was kept open all day and many of the soldiers availed themselves of the privileges there.
Camp Devens leads every cantonment in the country in war risk insurance, according to a report given out by division headquarters. Of the three principal items the cantonment captures first place in two. In per capita standing and in average insurance per man the camp leads the country; only in the total amount of insurance subscribed does the camp lose the leadership, and in this item it occupies third place.
Every soldier that could be spared was allowed a pass sometime between Thursday night and Sunday night. Five companies of the 301st Infantry were quarantined over the holiday.
Private Charles M. Parkhurst, of Norwich, Vt., of Company B, 301st Field Signal Battalion, died last week Friday morning of meningitis at the base hospital. The body was taken to his former home for interment.
The 301st Engineers are practicing to become a singing regiment. Rehearsals are being held in the various companies.
Among those recently arriving at the camp to join Company C, 301st Engineers, a volunteer company, are Alexander Caughie, Sr., and his son, Alexander, Jr. The son enlisted several days after his father and was surprised to find him at the camp.
Orders have been issued at division headquarters prohibiting soldiers patronizing restaurants, hotels, booths for the sale of food, barber shops or soda fountains, which failed to display a certificate of inspection issued by the United States Public Health Service. The military police are instructed to enforce these regulations.
The final 15% of the first draft began to arrive last Saturday and the arrival of the total number of this contingent, numbering 6075 men, is expected to be completed this Saturday. A part of New York’s quota of 1791 men reached camp Sunday afternoon, a part of the state’s contingent having arrived the previous day.
The first death due directly to the military training or tactics occurred Tuesday afternoon, when Corporal Timothy Daley of Waterbury, Conn., attached to company G of the 304th infantry, died from a bayonet wound received during bayonet drill. Corp. Daley, who with other non-commissioned officers who have qualified for special instruction at the division bayonet school, was practicing on the dummies, three of which were being used in the drill. The officer ahead of him got his bayonet caught in one of the dummies and in trying to get it free, turned the bayonet so that it pointed to Daley, who was rushing directly behind. Daley rushed at a figure to give it a thrust and then passed on when he ran directly into it. The bayonet pierced his abdomen and he fell to the floor. He was rushed to the base hospital, where he died within a few minutes.
Ninety-three alien enemies who came here in the last draft were discharged from service Tuesday. Nearly all the men were either Austrians or Germans.
The camp authorities are after Robert J. McGowan of Manchester, N.H., attached to Battery B of the 301st field artillery, who disappeared early last Saturday morning. About the same time some $60 in money and a $20 gold watch were missed by the rightful owners in the company. When last seen he was in the lobby of the hotel Touraine, Boston, last Saturday night.
A brigade field day is to be held this Saturday by the 151st artillery brigade. Calisthenics, obstacle races, a contest between the three brigade bands, a mule race and wrestling by the men when mounted on horses will be among the features.
As a matter of precaution in the possible outbreak of disease all barracks where new recruits are received are placed under quarantine for two weeks. During this time the new men will be under observation for symptoms of contagious disease. As the Depot Brigade will be supplied with men first, the whole brigade will be quarantined for at least two weeks.
The 301st Engineers began practice on the rifle range for the first time on Tuesday. While the work of this regiment is somewhat of a non-combative kind, they are anxious to become experts in the use of the rifle in order to be able to defend themselves should an emergency arise. The experience of the 14th [11th] Engineers, died at the camp on Monday. The horse was a prize animal and was known the world over.
The reports of the trench mortar guns can be distinctly heard about town during the day and early evening. It gives one the impression of the battle front, the thunder of the guns in the distance. Pieces of flying shells are thrown quite a distance, so powerful is the explosive force. As a matter of safety to would-be spectators a line of guards placed close together form in a circle to keep civilians away from the danger arising from the bursting shells. Those operating the guns, as well as others engaged in the bomb work, wear steel helmets to protect them. There is a British officer in charge of the work. The shells are thrown at imaginary foes—all soldiers who are in the trenches.
District Court. The inquest on the death of Luigi Romanian, of Beverly, a private in Company F, 303rd Field Artillery, at Camp Devens, who was killed by a Nashua-bound passenger train at the railroad station on the night of February 12, was held on Tuesday morning, Judge Warren H. Atwood presiding. [See “Camp Notes” section of Feb. 16, 1918.]
Dr. Frank S. Bulkeley, medical examiner, was the first witness. He told of being called to the scene of the accident on the night it occurred and of the result of his examination of the body, as well as information concerning the fatality obtained from bystanders. The body was taken to Page’s undertaking rooms. In the report of the medical examiner he ascribes the death to shock and hemorrhage caused by multiple injuries as a result of a railroad accident.
George G. Bowers, of Nashua, N.H., formerly of Ayer, the conductor of the train figuring in the accident, stated that the train left Ayer station twelve or thirteen minutes late, the leaving time being 6:45 p.m.; did not see the accident. The train had moved two car lengths when the accident occurred.
David E. Hardy, of Nashua, the engineer of the train, stated that so far as he knew the locomotive did not strike the man. His attention was directed to the track ahead and he did not look back; therefore, he could not say as to what part of the train ran over the soldier.
Thomas J. Ryan, assistant night yardmaster, saw the body of the dead man being dragged under the train, the body being dragged about fifty feet. The train was stopped and the body lay between the rails of the north-bound track. A number of soldiers and a great crowd of civilians gathered around, the soldiers wanting to take their dead comrade to the camp. The body, however, remained there until the arrival of the medical examiner. After viewing the body Dr. Bulkeley ordered its removal to Page’s undertaking rooms. Later, the witness said he went to Camp Devens by request of Lieut. Washburn, in order to tell the story of the accident to the lieutenant and another officer. The claim agent for the railroad company was also present on this occasion. The military authorities at the camp made an investigation as to the cause of the death of the soldier because circumstances seemed to indicate to their minds that there was a question as to the real cause of the fatality.
Azel Green, a spare man for the National Express Company, working nights, testified that the deceased was standing on the platform and as the train started he rushed around a truck and pitched head-long under the train. The man had evidently slipped. The witness stated that he was present at a hearing at Camp Devens on the accident, he being present at the request of Lieut. Washburn.
Thomas F. Mullin, probation officer, who investigated the death by request of the court, was the last witness.
John Parent, an inspector of the state public service commission, was present at the inquest in behalf of that body.
Frank Kutchinsky was found guilty of carrying a loaded revolver without permit and was ordered to pay the cost of the prosecution, amounting to ten dollars.
A companion, Anthony Stulpin, was held for trial before the federal authorities at Boston on a complaint for bringing liquor into Camp Devens. Stulpin lives in Hudson and his companion at Laconia, N.H. They were arrested at the camp by the military police on suspicion of being Austrian spies and were brought to the police station for investigation.
Stolen Stole Recovered. Through the persistent and effective work of Chief Beatty for the past two months, the valuable stole belonging to Mrs. S. L. Munson 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":1406,"page":1},"signature":"eac0a34fd485649719c0880d36f56e64"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();