The Westford Wardsman, March 23, 1918
Center. A pleasant, social whist party was held at the Unitarian vestry last Saturday evening under the auspices of the Camp Fire Girls. Refreshments of cake and cocoa were served and there was informal dancing. About eight dollars was realized by the event.
Although the walking was pretty bad last Sunday a good sized congregation was present for the union services at the Unitarian church. The music was in charge of the union choir and Rev. L. H. Buckshorn was in charge of the opening services. Rev. H. A. Lincoln preached a good sermon on “Life’s journey.” A union Sunday school was held at the close of the morning service and in the evening the usual Sunday evening service in charge of Mr. Lincoln was held.
The Ladies’ Aid society held an all-day meeting at the Congregational vestry on Tuesday with about fifteen present. A pleasant box luncheon, with hot drinks, was enjoyed at noon and a good amount of work was accomplished.
The exemption board in Ayer will send twenty-two men from the fifteenth district to Camp Devens on March 29. Westford’s quota for this contingent will be the following five men: Norman J. Brule, William F. Buckingham, Joseph A. Heroux, Frank H. Sullivan and Albert A. Collins. This will bring the number of men in the various branches of the United States service from Westford up to sixty-four.
Our interested bird-lovers report this week the presence of robins, bluebirds and blackbirds.
The academy has been having a week of vacation, but owing to the interruptions in the school year earlier in the season at the Frost school the usual March vacation was cancelled.
L. W. Wheeler was in attendance on Tuesday at the United States hotel in Boston at the meeting and dinner of the Massachusetts Tax Collectors’ association.
Miss Mary P. Bunce, a patient at St. John’s hospital, Lowell, is making a somewhat slower convalescence than expected, but friends visiting her this week report that she expects to leave the hospital soon.
J. Herbert Fletcher has had at his store this week two fine fox skins, bought from local huntsmen.
Miss Alice Howard and Miss Mabel Drew were in attendance at the Presidents’ conference of Woman’s clubs at the Cantabridgia club, Cambridge, Thursday.
In one of our recent severe gales of wind the brick ends of the burned house at Nashobah farm, which remained standing after the fire, collapsed, thus completing the ruin of this house.
The traveling has been unusually bad in the village streets this past week, although much helpful work has been done in keeping culverts open and draining off the water. At the east end of the common, opposite Mr. Walker’s, a place has been kept lighted each night with red lanterns for the safety of vehicles and automobiles.
J. M. Hartwell, who has never missed more than a day or two at a time in many years on his Westford route, makes his present more prolonged absence much more noticeable.
There will be a union social at the Unitarian church parlors on next Friday evening. No admission will be charged, but a pleasant get-together social is planned for. Light refreshments will be served.
Hon. Edward Fisher has recently been appointed food administrator for Lowell and vicinity.
Paul Symmes has been transferred from Camp Devens to Camp Gordon, Georgia.
Red Cross. The Red Cross branch held a well-attended meeting for the surgical dressings work on Tuesday evening while the home guard members were drilling at the town hall. All the places at the big round table were taken and an additional long table was supplied as well. Special attention is called to the appeal of the Red Cross in behalf of the Commission for Relief in Belgium, through its chairman, Mrs. [sic, Mr.] Herbert Hoover.
The Red Cross is caring for the helpless and destitute French and Belgians behind the German lines. To help meet this appeal we are asked to give this week all the clothing we can spare for men, women, and boys and infants. The garments may not be in perfect repair for there are more than 300,000 women in Belgium and Northern France who will be very glad to do repairing and remaking of old clothing. Please leave articles in the town hall in the room at the left. No notes or written matter should be put in pockets, for no written matter can be sent into the enemy’s country.
Tadmuck Club. The Tadmuck club held an enjoyable and well attended meeting on Monday afternoon in the auditorium of the Unitarian church. As there was no representative from the club at the mid-winter meeting of the State Federation in Chelsea, Mrs. Howard gave an excellent report from the March Bulletin. The matter of the work that the Massachusetts clubs are doing for the destitute in France was presented and the Tadmuck club as part of the sixth district will be expected to do its share.
The program for the afternoon was in charge of the music committee of the club, Mrs. W. R. Taylor, Mrs. C A. Blaney, Mrs. A. B. Anderson and Mrs. F. A. Snow.
Miss Caroline Precious, one of the junior members of the club, gave an organ recital and there were readings by Mrs. Perley E. Wright and vocal solos by Mrs. C. A. Blaney. All these home artists chose their selections with discrimination and in every instance they were rendered with sympathetic and skillful interpretation. The program hour was one of pleasant relaxation and inspiration.
Preceding this program, Mrs. Sydna Eldridge, house mother of the W.C.T.U. hostess house, Ayer, gave an interesting account of her work.
The next meeting of the club will be held in the town hall and Hon. Edward Fisher will give an address on “The constitutional convention.” There will be music by Miss Marion Hall.
About Town. Norman Phillips has gone to work on the H. E. Fletcher railroad track, which connects the H. E. Fletcher stone quarry with Brookside. Andrew Johnson, former section boss from Westford station to North Littleton, has charge of the Fletcher spur line.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Smith, of Canada and Boston, have moved into the east tenement of Charles Whitney’s house. Mr. Smith has engaged to farm with William Pollock at the Fletcher “Cold Spring” farm. Mr. Smith was a former employee on this farm a few years ago.
The Old Oaken Bucket farm folks planted potatoes on March 17, twenty years ago. On this March 17 it would take too much heat persuasion to make the snow, ice and frost vacate their overtime rights. Besides Garfield’s heat order would be liable to interfere at forcing them to vacate.
Last week Friday morning, about 1:20, the freight train from Ayer to Lowell was wrecked at Brookside and eight cars were thrown from the track which blocked the traffic for several hours. A wrecking train from Nashua and Lowell soon lifted the embargo. The wreck was caused by a split switch and occurred at the same place and apparently the same cause that wrecked the Buffalo Bill wild west show a few years ago [May 24, 1911], part of the train taking the H. E. Fletcher road to the quarry and part adhering to the main line to Lowell. Several telephone and telegraph poles were boosted out of plumb in the accident last week Friday.
Miss Lillian Wright, of Groton road, teacher in Graniteville, is visiting friends in Hartford, Conn., during the spring vacation.
The Shepley swamp woodlot located at the head waters of Nabnassett pond has been sold to William C. Edwards. This was part of the real estate of Levi T. Fletcher, deceased, and more recently the estate of his daughter, S. Augusta Butterfield, who died in Ayer a few years ago [Mar. 31, 1908]. The sale was authorized by Hon. George J. Burns, of Ayer, administrator of her estate.
Mrs. Pritchard, of West Chelmsford, is visiting her cousins, Arthur Day and Mrs. Emma Day.
There will be a special meeting of farmers and market gardeners in Lowell at the Y.M.C.A. building this Saturday evening at 7:30. The meeting will consider the movement for a stronger organization for farmers with special reference to the proposed public market.
Miss Sarah Jane Davis, who formerly lived in this town, but now resides with her niece, Mrs. Clara Miner, in Shirley, has just passed her eighty-eighth birthday.
Just a passing word of congratulation and overdue at that, to Mrs. John Burbeck on her eightieth birthday. The Tower girls were noted for their winning ways even in the days of the old Stony Brook school. They always exemplified the thought—“in honor preferring one another” Mrs. Burbeck has seen many changes in her native town during her life time. She has been like the woman described in the Old Testament who looked well after the ways of her household.
The Red Cross circle at the Blacksmith’s corner met with Mrs. LaBoutley last week and again this week.
Mrs. Charles Whitney is ill at her home on the Lowell road.
Not being able to legislate the time table of the sun to fit our clocks and conserve daylight, we are going to legislate our clocks one hour ahead of the sun’s clock and watch the sun try to keep up with the procession; also, those always losing time clocks will never be able to mark time as laid down by those who think that we could not get to work at six in the morning unless the clock justified and said it was seven, although the sun, as an infallible time regulator says it is six. Now the principle of conserving daylight is correct and have all recreation daylight concentrated at the afternoon part of the day, but are we so tithered [sic] to our imagination that we couldn’t make this principle workable without falsifying our clocks into contradictory relations with the sun.
Word has been received that Seth W. Banister has arrived in France.
Warnings on Production of Food. The department of agriculture has this much to say to all farmers with a special emphasis to that class of farmers who are inclined to curtail production for fear of over-production.
“The plain, hard truth is that with 40,000,000 people withdrawn from productive industries and engaged in the business of destruction, it is not humanly possible for production on the whole to exceed normal demand. The question is whether production can equal necessity’s demand. England, France and Italy must be sustained or their populations cannot stand the strain. They have been on scanty rations for more than three years. The chief cause of Russia’s collapse was hunger. Soldiers cannot fight when their wives and children are starving.
“Secretary McAdoo has given warning that transportation may be lacking in 1918 to haul food and feed to states and communities that do not provide for themselves. Many cattle have been sacrificed in the drought regions of the northwest and the southwest during the last few months because railroad cars to haul feed could not be obtained as needed. Military movements must have first consideration and military movements will be greater in 1918 than in 1917. The prime question for the farmer is not what will bring the highest price, but what products will insure food for his family and food for his live stock, and the answer is a vegetable garden, a cow, a poultry flock, ample corn, wheat, oats, etc. It is the highest demand of patriotism, it is the first requirement of living that in 1918 every state, every county, every neighborhood, ever farmer, be as nearly self-sustaining as possible. For any man now to determine his business operations from the standpoint of profit alone without regard to the nation’s needs, is for him willfully to profiteer in the blood of his fellows who are fighting in France for the preservation of the republic. No man can be excused for not taking his share of the responsibility.”
The statement of facts showing the possible and probable greater seriousness of the food and transportation situation in 1918, and urgent pleadings for all agricultural communities to be as nearly self-supporting as possible ought to be a serious warning to every farmer to put all idle, half-producing land into food producing conditions. Washington has well said it is not a question wholly of what “pays best.” Strawberries pay better than corn or wheat, but without corn or wheat, even without the war, we should all be headed starvation-ward. Well, if there are any unconverted farmers to the seriousness of the food situation, here are some more facts from the department in Washington on the situation of winter wheat:
“Dry weather in the fall of 1917 prevented the sowing of the normal acreage of winter wheat. The average area sowed each year in the five-year period from 1912 to 1916, inclusive, was 1,950,000 acres. For the fall of 1917, 1,286,000 acres; being a shortage of 664,000 acres. This is only sixty percent of the five-year average. A fairly safe rule to follow in the present crisis, which demands a large wheat production, is for the farmers in all sections, wherever spring wheat has ever been grown but now discontinued, to sow a little this spring. The older farmers in a neighborhood often will recall that spring wheat was once grown extensively, but that it gave way to better milling winter wheat, or some other crop replaced wheat altogether. In the present crisis, it is desirable to go back to some degree to spring wheat growing.”
As farmers, what are we going to do about these warnings and entreaties from Washington? Shall we take our patriotism all out in saluting the flag, which requires no self-sacrifice, or shall we as guardians of food production put our hands to the plow as never before and remove them not until the allied armies and nations have throttled a world disturbance?
Forge Village. Miss Carolyn Putnam Webber gave a very interesting cooking lecture to those present at Abbot’s hall, Thursday evening. Miss Webber demonstrated the following foods on butter and fat economy: Nut and rice loaf, salmon with peanuts, cheese ginger bread, baked whiting-barley muffins, [and] barley sponge cake. Owing to the interest of the people here Mr. Cameron has kindly arranged for Miss Webber to come three more times, instead of only once, as before agreed.
The Abbot Worsted Co. has posted a notice to the effect that an increase in wages will take place March 25.
Joseph Thompson who went to Camp Devens with the last draft number from here, has been discharged as physically unfit. Mr. Thompson tried previously to enlist twice, but was rejected.
William Weaver is very ill at his home in Pond street.
Mrs. Ernest Longbottom of Westboro has recently spent a few days with her parents here, Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett.
Joseph Banister has sold his home in Pine street to Wassil Leduc.
Miss Eva Pyne is spending this week with her aunt, Mrs. E. B. Guyer of Savin Hill, Dorchester.
Miss Rachel Kimball of Littleton was a guest of Miss Carolyn Precious the first of the week.
This is the week for the collection of old clothes for the relief of French and Belgian families who are within the German lines and are destitute. Any article whatever is acceptable in men’s women’s and children’s clothing with very few exceptions, such as derby or silk hats. It does not make any difference how ragged or torn the articles may be, as there are thousands of Belgian and French women who are very willing to mend them. It is requested that no writing of any kind be put in clothing, as no written matter is allowed to be sent to the prisoners. Any one who has clothing to contribute to this worthy cause may leave it with Mrs. W. C. Precious or Mrs. William Baker.
The schools have been closed this week for the annual spring vacation.
Miss Issie Parker, principal of the Sargent school here, has been spending the past few days as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Putney in Chelmsford.
L. P. Palmer, the well known stone contractor, has recently returned to his home here, after having spent the last few weeks with his daughter in Southern California.
Graniteville. Mrs. J. W. Blodgett of the Millstone road, near the Groton line, observed her seventieth birthday anniversary in an informal manner on last Sunday. During the day many of her friends called to tender their congratulations and she was also the recipient of many pleasing birthday cards and beautiful flowers. Her husband, Mr. [Josiah William] Blodgett, who is now in his eighty-third year, has not been feeling well of late and at present is confined to his bed. Her son, Fred R. Blodgett, who broke his ankle some three months ago, is now progressing rapidly, although he will not be able to be about for some time yet.
The Abbot Worsted Co. has posted notices announcing an increase in wages, to go into effect March 25.
Death. The sudden death of Mrs. Bridget Gardner that occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Healy here on last week Friday night, came as a severe shock to her many friends here and in Forge Village, where she was well and favorably known. Mrs. Gardner attended to her usual duties on Friday and apparently felt in good health. In the evening she attended the Lenten services in St. Catherine’s church, after which she took the car for Abbot’s Corner, near the Healy home where she was stopping. On alighting from the car she felt a spell of weakness and was assisted home by Leo Healy, when she collapsed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Healy and the other people in the household did all they could for her and both Dr. W. H. Sherman and Dr. Blaney were sent for. She never rallied, however, and passed away before the physicians arrived, although both made a quick response. Her only daughter, Mrs. Arthur Charlton, jr., who resides in West Graniteville, was also sent for, but her mother had passed away before her arrival. She was prostrated with grief at the sudden death of her mother, having left her at the church only about half an hour before.
Mrs. Gardner was about fifty-nine years old and came from England to this county some few years ago. She was a woman of fine character, with a bright smile and a pleasant smile for everyone, particularly the children of whom she was especially fond.
She was a devout worshipper at St. Catherine’s church and a member of the Ladies’ Sodality of which she was a faithful member at all the meetings. She was beloved by all who knew her and her sudden death caused profound sorrow to her many friends in this vicinity.
The body was taken to her daughter’s home immediately after her death. The sincere sympathy of the village people is extended to her daughter and the bereaved family in their affliction.
The funeral took place from the home of her daughter on last Monday morning and was largely attended. At nine o’clock a funeral mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church by Rev. Henry L. Scott. The regular choir was in attendance and under the direction of Miss Mary F. Hanley sang the Georgian chant. At the offertory the “Pie Jesu” was sung as a solo by Miss Rebecca LeDuc and as the casket was being borne from the church the DeProfundis was sung by the choir. There were many beautiful floral tributes. The bearers were R. J. McCarthy, Henry Provost, Peter Delaney, William Venn, John O’Neil and John McGee.
Ayer
News Items. The local exemption board will soon move from its present quarters in the assessors’ room in the town hall building to the band room on the top floor of the building. Two other rooms will also be used adjoining the band room for examination of candidates for the army and for other necessary work in connection with the military services.
Camp Notes. Final details of the $50,000 drive for funds to carry on the work of the White Ribbon Home in Ayer were completed Monday by members of the W.C.T.U. at their meeting in Tremont Temple, Boston. The campaign for funds will begin April 8 and continue till April 15. The home was opened here last November on East Main street for the benefit of the soldiers at Camp Devens and their relatives and friends.
According to an official announcement received by Maj. Gen. Hodges Monday the division here will be recruited up to war strength through the receiving of men of the second draft, the first contingent of which is due to arrive here March 29.
A spectacular sham battle took place on Wednesday in which men of the trench mortar platoons of the infantry regiments took part. The same movements as those used in actual warfare in Europe were made. Among the interested spectators was Sergt. Frank Verhulst of the 301st Engineers, who received medals for his gallant services in the French army in the present war.
A sham battle is scheduled to take place in North Littleton in the near future, in which real firing will be done.
According to a new order received from Washington on Tuesday men liable for draft must wait until called. The induction of men of draft age through enlistments or special call from organizations in the camp is stopped by this new regulation.
Another new order relates to the escort to be given the new draft recruits who are scheduled to arrive next week. Officers will accompany the men from their home states to camp after they have reported to the local exemption boards.
Four hundred and fifty men of the last fifteen percent to arrive at the camp have been rejected, according to announcements made Tuesday.
A new rifle school will be established here for the training of men as instructors over the men of the new draft. Capt. Bissell will be in charge of the school.
Considerable excitement prevailed at the camp on Wednesday when the announcement was made that a German subject, supposed to be a spy, had been arrested. The man, whose name the camp officers refused to give, was arrested at the employment office of Coleman Bros., just inside the main gate, where he sought employment. The truth of the matter is that there was nothing to show that he was a spy. It was found that he escaped from an interned German ship in Boston harbor and had come here to get a job. It was also learned that he failed to register as an enemy alien, which is required by the United States law. He will probably be tried on the latter charge, as well as on the one resulting from his escape from internment, which is also a violation of the federal law.
Orders have been issued to greatly increase the rifle practice at camp. Officers are to give all their spare time in schooling and the strictest care and attention is to be given by both officers and men to the work. Rapid fire in addition to efficiency will be required.
Brigadier General Weigel left last Saturday to take up his new duties in taking charge of an infantry brigade at Camp Hancock, S.C. During a reception held prior to his leaving he praised highly the class of men at the camp.
William Grennan of West Hartford, Conn., a member of the 303rd Machine Gun Battalion, died March 15 of pneumonia.
Former Sergeant Spencer Herges of the second company of the quartermasters’ corps, it became known Monday, was sentenced to eight years at hard labor as a result of a finding of guilty on three charges of stealing from the government. He pleaded guilty to the complaint.
William C. Garrity, of Lewiston, N.Y., and Thomas Cunningham of Waterbury, Conn., both attached to the 24th company of the depot brigade, died Monday at the base hospital.
A colonel was held up for a salute in the dark Sunday night at the camp. Not recognizing the colonel as he passed the two lieutenants on guard, they asked him “what’s the matter with your arm.” The colonel went back. Upon recognizing their superior officer the lieutenants decided that apologies from them were in order rather than a salute from the colonel.
Fifty-five girls from the Filene 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":"1427","page":1},"signature":"980b10aca8cc1ca743daaa3b6f614a38"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();