The Westford Wardsman, March 29, 1919
Center. The regular weekly drill of the home guard company took place on Tuesday evening and was well attended, with Major Tuttle in attendance. The work consisted of Platoon movements and “riot drill.” This company is planning for the battalion gathering and prize drill in Concord on April 26, members to report at the Concord armory at 3:30, April 26. The prize drill, followed by a military dance, takes place that evening in the armory. Many spectators and guests are expected, the paid admissions to go into the company treasuries. The following day battalion drills will take place. Rations will be provided for the men at the armory for supper, Saturday, and breakfast and dinner on Sunday.
Mrs. Clara Wright Anderson is substituting for her sister, Miss Edith A. Wright, at the Frost school until the latter is recovered from her attack of mumps.
Miss Lillian Sutherland is spending her spring school vacation in Swanzey, N.H., where she formerly taught.
Miss Marjorie Seavey is having the week at home, it being the spring vacation from her studies at Boston university.
Pleasant greetings have been received this week from Sergt. Frank C. Johnson, who at the time of writing was having a week’s furlough in Paris. He is well and full of interest for his work, but wonders if he isn’t going to be just about the last of the men to get home.
A grass fire called help from the village on Wednesday at the J. W. Shaddick place on Concord road.
The sessions of the Sargent kindergarten class, which have been interrupted by the illness of its teacher, Miss Drew, who has had one of the prevailing hard colds, are now resumed, as Miss Drew is well again.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Parker, of Pepperell, have moved to town, occupying the stone tenement owned by Mr. Seavey. Mr. Parker will work for Perley E. Wright. Mrs. Parker is a sister of Mrs. Ralph Bridgeford.
The dancing class is now well organized and Miss Elsie Farwell is proving a good instructor. There are about forty pupils, including the older and younger ones, who meet Friday afternoons, as well as visitors.
Our townspeople are urged to remember the appeal for clothing for immediate relief in the Near East. The week is nearly over, but it is not too late to get your donations to those having it in charge. Mrs. H. V. Hildreth has charge of collecting at the Center. Don’t hoard this year what can help so much. Clothing of all kinds, shoes, knitted goods and cloth and garments that could be made over for children. Adjustments will come but now just this sort of help will help these war-devastated people.
Miss Weir, the new public health nurse, commences her work April first. She has been fortunate in securing board with Mr. and Mrs. Perley E. Wright, where her headquarters will be.
Mrs. Marle Pickering Smith has been visiting her parents during her mother’s serious illness. The latter is reported as gaining.
Mrs. Nellie E. Carkin is again on the sick list, requiring the services of a physician.
Conductor Sullivan on the branch line electric has been on the sick list, and Edwin Roby has been acting as conductor, with Alfred Tuttle as motorman.
Miss Oatman of the Lowell telephone exchange helped out over Sunday at the local exchange. Mrs. Isles is gaining each day from her serious cold, complicated with an ear abscess.
Miss Edna Day and her group of Camp Fire Girls enjoyed a hike to Cold Spring woods on Wednesday.
Rev. O. L. Brownsey was in Boston on Monday and Tuesday, in attendance at some special ministers’ meetings.
The musicale of the Tadmuck club at the Congregational church on next Tuesday afternoon promises to be especially attractive. Mrs. Minna G. Del Castello will give a lecture-recital with photoplay. Guests will be most welcome on payment of the usual guest fee.
While the final papers have not been passed a real estate transfer of interest is the purchase of the so-called Whiting lot by Alec McDougall. This comprises 9 ½ acres and being opposite his home is a desirable acquisition.
At the Congregational church Sunday morning Rev. O. L. Brownsey will speak on “The inter-church world movement in North America,” and in the evening the last in the series of lectures with the stereopticon on the Pilgrims will be given, “The Pilgrims and Puritans in the wilderness” being the subject.
“The heart of the Puritan,” by Elizabeth Hanscom, which was so capably reviewed by S. H. Thompson at the men’s supper this winter, has been added to the J. V. Fletcher library and merits a perusal.
The monthly meeting of the Ladies’ Missionary society met with the president, Miss S. W. Loker, last week Friday afternoon, the gathering being in Mrs. Goode’s apartments. Mrs. A. E. Loveless was appointed chairman of the home missionary department. The paper for the afternoon was written by Miss Harriet Hodgman, and in her absence was read by Mrs. William C. Roudenbush.
George H. Hartford and John Edwards have been drawn to serve as jurors at the spring term of court in Lowell.
George H. Cadman has returned from his trip to England.
Song Recital. Albert E. Prescott will give a song recital in the Congregational church on Tuesday evening, April 10, at eight o’clock. Mr. Prescott has been closely identified with the work of the American Fund for French Wounded since very early in its history, commencing soon after the invasion of French territory by the Germans. The work for the refugees and for rebuilding of dismantled towns is still in progress.
This work has been so greatly appreciated that it is to be commemorated by a hospital for children, to be erected at Rheims, not far from the grand old cathedral, so ruthlessly destroyed by the Germans. The French have given the site for this hospital and the various branches of the French Relief organizations all over our country are uniting to raise funds for erection, equipment and maintenance. Mr. Prescott will give further particulars on this subject and will also speak of the work of the Westford branch.
It is hoped that many friends will attend the recital and also consider it a privilege to give generously toward the fund we are trying to raise, especially as this is the last call for an expression of loyalty from the Westford branch.
About Town. Miss Gretta McPherson, of Lowell, sang “Prayer” at the Unitarian church last Sunday. She is only ten years old and of a musical family. She was inspiring in this uplifting prayer song. Her sisters have frequently been heard in song at the Unitarian church with delight. They came through the courtesy of Mrs. Bryant, of Lowell, the organist of the church.
C. E. Laboutly, for many years the efficient manager of the Read-Drew farm, has resigned his position, having in company with A. R. Jenks bought the Littlefield farm, near West Acton, and near Newtown, Littleton. They will take possession and be ready for spring work on April first. Mr. Laboutly has been a success and has the goods by college training agriculture and experience to deliver results, and he has delivered. Mr. Jenks, his brother-in-law, is the well-known lecturer of the farm bureau. The new manager of this farm is a widower with several small children. He takes possession of his opportunity at once.
And now the frogs sing spring has come. All it takes now is the snakes and some mosquito solo and chorus.
The next meeting of the Middlesex-North Pomona Grange will be held on Friday, April 4, at Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell. The question for the morning will be “Rural conditions left over from the war—causes and cures.” In the afternoon the session will be open to the public. “The peace league of nations” will be presented by a competent informer and questions regarding the coming locust plague will be allowed.
James H. O’Brien is ill with a severe cold at his home on Pigeon hill.
Brookside mills shut down last week Friday for one week. With the part time business deal there ought to be more peace gardens than war gardens last year. The clock is legislated one hour ahead Sunday evening. The sun refuses to be pushed and most farmers side with the sun.
Albert Tallent, just home from France, is working at the quarry of H. E. Fletcher & Company, Oak hill.
The Stony Brook valley farmers believe spring is honest in its tempting to get out the plow, so they have got at it, sowing spring wheat and peas, and next week it will be potatoes that will be sown.
William J. Burbeck has sold his retail milk route in Lowell to Osterman & Gilmore. Mr. Burbeck is one of the best known milkmen in Lowell and vicinity and one of the most competent and reliable.
On Thursday evening, April 3, Westford Grange will initiate a class in the first two degrees. The ladies’ degree team will be part of the proceedings.
Mrs. C. R. P. Decatur and Guy are on the hoarse list, starting in at the boat, they are nearly back to the point of beginning.
Grange. The last meeting of the Grange brought out much merriment and some individual poets, farmers and milliners. Messrs. Hanscom, Myers, Smith, Prescott, Sutherland, Taylor and Taylor wrote poems, or thought they did. They were serious and humorous, they were deep like a river at flood-tide or shallow like a creek in a protected drought. The jury found for Myers. The millinery contest in hat trimming commanded more laugh than the thought-to-be poets, and had a parade for a climax. Those who were part of the climax were F. A. Hanscom, J. W. Fletcher, Austin Fletcher, Bertram Sutherland, Harry Hartford, H. L. Nesmith, A. H. Sutherland, W. R. Taylor, Clyde Prescott, Eben Prescott. All had hopes of being in the somewhat class, but the jury found for Austin Fletcher. The potato planting contest between married and single members required skill; they all thought they were it, and the jury thought they were not and found for W. R. Taylor in behalf of the double folks. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby and Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Colburn, of Littleton, were visitors. Mrs. W. R. Taylor was chairman of the fun.
Graniteville. Both masses were celebrated in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning by the pastor, Rev. C. P. Heaney, who delivered an interesting sermon on “Penance.” The usual Lenten devotions were held on Tuesday and Friday evenings and were largely attended.
The mills of the Abbot Worsted Co., that have been running four days per week, commenced on a five-day per week schedule this week.
The great drive for used clothing and shoes for the refugees in the war-devastated areas of Europe is now on and will continue this week. The work is in charge of the Red Cross and all persons who wish to contribute any of these articles will kindly leave them at the home of Mrs. A. R. Wall, who will turn them over to the local Red Cross. Men’s, women’s and children’s wearing apparel in good condition will be accepted. This call is urgent and it is hoped that many will respond, for it is much better to give to a cause of this kind than to leave your discarded clothing hanging in the attic.
Little Cecilia Wall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Wall, celebrated her sixth birthday anniversary by holding a very pleasant party at her home on Thursday afternoon, March 20. The party was attended by many of her little friends. The time was pleasantly spent in playing games and the forms of childish amusement and all had a thoroughly good time. Refreshments were served during the afternoon and this proved to be a very enjoyable part of the program. Little Miss Cecilia received many pretty gifts from her numerous little friends.
The members of Court Graniteville, F. of A., held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on Thursday night. This being the quarterly meeting night much business of importance was transacted and several applications for membership were received. During the meeting the following members were elected delegates to the grand court convention to be held in North Adams during the month of May: P. Henry Harrington, R. J. McCarthy; alternates, Joseph Wall and John Spinner. The court also voted to invite some members of the grand court to address the members on the second meeting night in April.
The members of Cameron circle, C. of F. of A., held a well attended meeting in their rooms on Tuesday night.
Death. Leo Cote, a well-known and popular young man of this village, died in the Thorndike hotel, Haverhill, Tuesday night, March 18, as a result of accidental gas poisoning. His death was extremely sad as he was a lovable young man and had a wide circle of friends here. He was a member of Court Graniteville, F. of A. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Amedee Cote, besides whom he leaves six brothers, Henry, Hormidas, Dalord, Ludge, Armand and Edward Cote; also, four sisters, Mrs. Rudolph Richard, Mrs. Adelord Brule, Misses Bertha and Josephine Cote, all of this village.
The funeral took place from his home here on last Saturday morning at 8:30 o’clock. At nine o’clock a funeral mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church by Rev. J. Emile Dupont. There was a very large attendance, many being present from out of town. The full choir, under the direction of Miss Mary F. Hanley, sang the Gregorian chant. There was a profusion of beautiful floral tributes from relatives and friends and from Court Graniteville, F. of A.
The bearers were four brothers and two brothers-in-law of the deceased, Henry, Hormidas, Dolord and Ludger Cote, Rudolph Richard and Adelord Brule. There was a delegation from Court Graniteville, F. of A., in attendance and the burial service of the order was read at the grave by R. J. McCarthy, chief ranger. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery.
Forge Village. Rev. Dr. Eaton, of Boston, conducted the Sunday school and services at St. Andrew’s mission on last Sunday. He will also occupy the pulpit again on Sunday.
A benefit concert was held at Abbot hall on last Thursday. A delightful program was arranged and some fine talent was heard. The affair was given under the auspices of Cameron Circle, C. of F. of A., and was for a very worthy member of that order.
Cameron school resumed sessions on Monday after a week’s vacation.
The cellar is being dug for a six-tenement block [13-21 Chestnut St.] in the rear of St. Andrew’s mission [25 Pleasant St.].
Mrs. John Baker is confined to her home by illness.
Mrs. William Weaver is on the sick list.
Alexander Scott was the soloist last Saturday evening at the movies. Joseph E. Cote was soloist on Wednesday night.
Miss Eva Mountain, who recently underwent an operation for appendicitis at the Lowell General hospital, is rapidly improving and is out of danger.
A drive for cast-off clothing commenced this week for the Red Cross. Send your contributions to Mrs. William Baker.
Mrs. William Weaver suffered two shocks at her home this week and is in a serious condition. Her daughter, Mrs. Henry Tyler, of Worcester, and her other daughters who reside near her are giving her every attention.
Plans are under way to start a brass band among the residents of this village and Graniteville, to be known as the Abbot Worsted band.
Pepperell
Visit Base Hospital. A committee appointed by the Special Aid society, consisting of C. B. Hamilton, and a volunteer committee of four ladies, Mrs. Dorsheimer, Mrs. Simmons, Mr. Boulia and Mrs. Tredtin, went to Ayer on last Saturday to carry delicacies to the wounded soldiers at the base hospital, Camp Devens. They were well rewarded by the enthusiastic reception of their gifts which consisted principally of home cookery, fancy cakes and tarts, sweet chocolate, homemade fudge, fruit and smokes; also a limited amount of the popular periodicals.
The committee had the intention of donating only to one ward at a time, there being about thirty boys in each ward, but found that they had a sufficient quantity for three wards, some of the convalescent soldiers being out on a two-days’ leave.
In one way it is a saddening sight to walk through this immense hospital, which is the largest base hospital in this section, having miles of corridors, and rooms and wards for many patients. In another way it is pleasant to think that one can bring real enjoyment by the simple attention and bestowal of such small gifts. The articles of homemade cooking were so much enjoyed that the committee will endeavor to carry more next week, and anyone willing to donate any, or articles mentioned above, such as magazines of the lighter sort, fruit or homemade candies are requested to notify the chairman of the society Mrs. P. W. Flynn, or Chester Hamilton. It is somewhat expected that the home service branch of the Red Cross will cooperate in this work.
News Items. The first “outing day” given in Pepperell to the convalescent soldiers from Camp Devens, occurred on Thursday, when by special arrangement eight boys were conveyed here in the autos volunteered for the work, were entertained at the Homestead, and returned at night. A committee of six were appointed at the last meeting of the Special Aid society, who assisted at the Homestead in entertaining.
Ayer
Camp Notes. The survey of the land covered by this military reservation is being rushed to a rapid completion by Civil Engineer Frank Wetherbee of Braintree, upon notice that the government is practically ready to purchase the land for a permanent establishment. The surveyors are housed and fed in camp in order to expedite their work. Superintendent Wetherbee has been dividing his time between directing the tedious labor of locating obscure boundaries and consulting the records of the [Middlesex County] registry of deeds at East Cambridge.
King Philip’s war was fought on the site of the camp and the deed of the Major Samuel Willard estate, of pre-revolutionary fame, dates back to this early war. The matter of the purchase of the land comes within the jurisdiction of the Northeastern department and the survey is being made on authority from that headquarters. Officers representing the department quartermaster are expected soon to negotiate sale with the owners of farm and woodland sites in use the past two years for training.
Chemists from the United States public health service have been requested to inspect the dairies which are to supply 7000 quarts of milk daily for the Yankee division. The farmers will be asked to bid on the contracts which will be awarded by Maj. George H. Schumacher, camp quartermaster. One-quarter of the ration allowance for the men of the Yankee division will be set aside for the purchase of articles other than carried regularly by the commissary department.
On authority of the food department, there is enough in camp today to feed the entire division for a month. Green produce, fresh eggs, fruit and other perishable food must be procured separately.
The 101st trench mortar battery was mustered out of service Wednesday morning. The 155 soldiers went at once to their homes in Maine.
There were 565 men discharged on Tuesday and 607 Wednesday. One soldier discharged drew $563 back pay and immediately went before Capt. McCann at the enlistment office and signed up for three more years.
A decision of the war department to proceed with the purchase of sites of fifteen army camps and thirteen balloon and flying fields over the country was announced last Saturday by Acting Secretary Crowell. 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":3113,"page":1},"signature":"954a018e00ff733a2bbe9494934ec0e9"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();