The Westford Wardsman, May 27, 1916
Center. Mrs. Hugh F. Leith, of Concord, was in town on Wednesday, visiting friends.
The academy baseball team is well organized and with a good line-up of players. Alfred Sutherland is captain; Leon Connell, p.; Irving Flagg, c.; Artemas Griffin, a good fielder; Henry Provost, 2b; Hall, ss.; George Perkins, 3b.; Morton Seavey, Bertram Sutherland and Frederic Amesbury, outfielders. In the games last week Thursday afternoon with the Howe school team of Billerica the latter were the winners by the score of 7 to 6. The game scheduled for Tuesday afternoon with Littleton at Whitney playgrounds was interfered with by the rain and took place Thursday afternoon. The boys have secured subscriptions from interested friends and other efforts to furnish bats gloves and catcher’s outfit.
The competitive oral theme and sight-reading contest by members of the freshman class at the academy took place on Wednesday and Thursday mornings of this week. A prize of $2.50 for each contest was offered by the academy trustees. The contestants comprising all of the freshman class were Misses Phillips, Payne, Burland, Collins, McCarthy and Berry, and Messrs. Seavey, Sullivan and Wall. The prize for the oral theme contest was awarded Miss Payne, her theme being “A story of the revolution.” Miss Berry was recognized as a clever second. Thursday morning at the sight-reading contest, the honors went to Miss Berry, with honorable mention to Misses Payne and Phillips and Morton Savage [sic, probably Seavey]. The contest was in charge of Principal Roudenbush and Miss Osborne. Mr. Prescott, Miss Loker and Mrs. Wheeler were the judges.
Mrs. Alec MacDougall has recently returned from a visit with her son Allister and wife in Northampton.
Mr. and Mrs. John S. Greig’s little daughter Helen underwent an operation for the removal of adenoids earlier in the week. Miss Tully the trained nurse, who was the nurse in the senior Greig household for so many weeks during Mr. Greig’s long illness, assisted.
Guests entertained at L. W. Wheeler’s on Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. Archie Cheever and son Frederic, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Davis and son Norman of Saugus.
Mrs. Harold W. Hildreth and son Richard are enjoying a vacation with her home people in Campello [a section of Brockton].
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Prescott Wright (Miss Mabel Whitney), of Westford and Brookline, are receiving congratulations on the birth of a son born at the home in Brookline on Monday—Whitney Wright.
The Edward Fishers are building a camp at Forge pond, where they expect to go for the summer the first of the month.
The William R. Carvers have purchased a new Hudson Six automobile.
Fred Myer is replacing his Ford runabout with a five-passenger car of the same make.
Miss Gertrude D. and Julia H. Fletcher have returned from a several days’ pleasant stay in New York of visiting and sight-seeing.
Memorial Day Program. Memorial day observance as outlined in these columns last week will be carried out as planned. Not particularly mentioned last week is the trip to all the cemeteries in town Sunday afternoon, when the veterans and sons and daughters of veterans will decorate the soldier’s graves with flags and potted plants. Henry Smith, the well-known tenor singer, of Graniteville, has charge of the music for the afternoon and has prepared leaflets with the music to be used. All singers are urged to join in the singing at the cemeteries. The courtesy of the loan of automobiles for two or three hours Sunday afternoon for the use of the veterans will be genuinely appreciated.
The union services take place Sunday morning at the Congregational church. Rev. Louis H. Buckshorn, of the Unitarian church, will preach the sermon and will be assisted in the services by Rev. A. F. Fite, of the Graniteville M.E. church, and the pastor of the entertaining church. A full union choir, in charge of Mrs. C. H. Wright, will give a good musical program. Miss Hazel B. Hartford will be at the organ.
Dexter G. Morrill, of Lowell, will deliver the address at the town hall on Memorial day morning at 10:30. Miss Marjorie Patten will read and the Nashua Military band will be in attendance for the day, giving the concert on the common in the afternoon.
Fire. An alarm of fire was sent to the fire company Wednesday morning at about 9:30, which proved to be the historic old house on the Concord road, known as the Capt. Smith house. [about 132 Concord Road] The property is owned by J. Inglis Wetmore and was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. John Connell and two children, Mr. Connell being employed on the C. V. Bruce Wetmore estate [about 98 Concord Road]. The fire was first discovered by Inglis Wetmore and Mr. Connell, who were at work not far from the buildings. It caught in the shed and shingling had recently been done, the old shingles being stacked in the shed. When the fire got into these it made quick headway and when help of any amount arrived the fire was beyond control. When first discovered by Mr. Wetmore fire extinguishers and chemicals from his brother’s house were quickly procured and used, but without avail. Nothing but a heavy stream of water could have helped and these buildings were outside the hydrant system. The fire-fighters gave their attention to saving the contents of the house and succeeded in getting everything out.
Just how the fire started is not known. A theory of spontaneous combustion is thought possible. The assessed valuation if $1000, but with recent improvements Mr. Wetmore estimates his loss at $2000. The property is insured for about half this latter amount.
This was one of the interesting and old houses of the town, built in colonial days with heavy beams and sills, great central chimney, large rooms and facing to the south. On the main road from Groton to Concord, it was used as a tavern in the early days.
About Town. The body of Israel S. Worcester was brought to town from Lawrence for burial Monday in Hillside cemetery. He was a native of Shirley, but had been a nominal and legal resident of Westford for many years. He had been connected with the mills of Lawrence most of this time. He was prominent in the Masonic lodges of that city, who were represented at the burial services. His wife [nee Philinda Ellen Wright], who was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Wright, died a few years since. A son [Charles H. Worcester] who is living in town is the nearest surviving relative.
The next meeting of Westford Grange, children’s night, will be held on Thursday evening of next week, in charge of the school teachers, Misses Grant, Wright, Crocker and Osborne.
If blossoms are evidence of apples, the crop for 1916 will make the 1915 crop look like a famine.
In reporting the death of Mrs. Johanna O’Brien Gallager last week, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John O’Brien, it seems to have left a doubt as to which John O’Brien family was referred to, as there have been several of the same name in town. The children of the John O’Brien referred to were all born in New Zealand, except the youngest, who was born in this town.
Dr. and Mrs. Fred Virgin, of New York city, are visiting his sister, Mrs. Vincent Ravi, at West Chelmsford. They came in their car and had a delightful trip. Dr. Virgin is a distinguished surgeon and physician in New York city and is taking a vacation now at his old home.
The spring convention of the Middlesex County W.C.T.U. [Woman’s Christian Temperance Union] was held in the Congregational church at Concord on Wednesday. A delegation from the Westford union went over in two autos. The meeting was an excellent one, presided over by Mrs. Rolfe, of Concord, who is quite a remarkable woman. She is four score years old and yet she still presides as of yore with great grace and dignity. In the afternoon there was a silver medal contest. F. B. Sanborn, the sage of Concord, spoke in his delightful way, giving reminiscences of his association with the men and women of Concord who have made the town famous.
Veterans’ Night. The last meeting of the Grange, on Thursday evening May 18, was veterans’ night. It was an open meeting and the hall was full. All the veterans who could attend; also, their sons and daughters, were present. Westford sent a good quota of soldiers to the civil war, 100 in all, and out of that number only a few are left; nine were present at the meeting: W. F. Balch, Ai Bicknell, Wesley O. Hawkes, Fred Randell, Timothy Riney, W. [M.?],Sullivan, R. M. Yarnold, Everett Woods and John Wilson.
An excellent entertainment had been prepared in honor of the veterans. The Graniteville Mandolin and Guitar club gave some good selections, and Frank Charleton sang. The members of this musical club are all Charletons, four girls and two boys, and their music was excellent. Mrs. Perley Wright, who always pleases with her readings, gave two selections. A short play, written by Miss Mary G. Balch and entitled “Johnnie’s new suit,” was given by local talent. It had been presented at a Unitarian social and was so very good that it was repeated for this larger gathering. Miss Balch is very versatile and this play was decidedly humorous and clever and pleased the audience. Miss Balch took one of the leading parts, that of Johnnie’s mother, and her niece, Miss Currier, of Carlisle, took the part of Johnnie to perfection. Misses Young, Mabel Drew and Osborne took the other parts and S. L. Taylor, as chairman of the judges, gave the prize to Johnnie for his speech. The acting was excellent throughout and the audience showed their appreciation in their prolonged applause.
Ice cream and cake were served to the veterans and the sons and daughters of veterans at the conclusion. The entertainment was in charge of veterans’ daughters with Mrs. Lillian Miller and Mrs. Jennie Hartford at the head of it.
Forge Village. Mrs. E. B. Gavet, of Dorchester, has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Pyne.
Many of the friends of H. Gerald Daly, of Clinton, will be interested to learn of his marriage in Clinton on May 17 to Miss Mary E. Nugent, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Nugent, of Clinton. The wedding ceremony was performed at the church at eight o’clock in the morning by Rev. Fr. Kittredge. Edward T. Hanley, of this village, was best man, and Miss Ruth Nugent, a sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid. A wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride’s parents immediately after the ceremony. After a short wedding trip Mr. and Mrs. Daly will reside in their newly furnished home in Clinton. The bridegroom is a native of this village, being the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Daly of Pleasant street and is held in high esteem. He is employed as foreman in the New England Power Company, Clinton, formerly the Connecticut River Transportation Co. The wedding presents were beautiful and costly
The choir members of St. Andrew’s mission and a number of the parishioners went to Leominster last Sunday to attend services at St. Mark’s church, where Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, the pastor, and formerly vicar of St. Andrew’s parish, preached his farewell sermon. Mr. Fisher has been ordained thirty-two years, ten of which he spent in this parish, and five years as rector of St. Mark’s. He is to take a well earned rest at his summer home, Legate hill, Leominster, throughout the summer, and expects to resume work again in the fall. At the conclusion of the services luncheon was served to the visitors by the ladies of St. Mark’s.
The beautiful display of tulips on the grounds of Abbot Worsted Company is worthy of special mention this spring. The early blossoms with their bright colors are a source of pleasure to all who pass by the mills. The streets of the village are all in first-class condition, and look particularly well with the fresh green foliage of the trees and shrubs. The lawn adjoining all the residences look extremely well after the recent rains.
Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett spent Wednesday as guests of their daughter, Mrs. Chester L. Blodgett, of Groton.
Loyal Self Help lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., will hold their memorial Sunday on June 4 at St. Andrew’s mission.
Entertainment. The annual concert of St. Catherine’s church choir was given in Abbot hall on last week Friday evening to a crowded house. The sketch, “Squire Judkin’s apple bee” kept the audience in an almost continued state of laughter for two hours, and all who took part did splendid work. Joseph Riney as Squire Judkins, Robert McCarthy as William Hines, the town joker, and James Byrnes as Benjamin Stebbins kept the audience in roars of laughter. The setting of the play was an old-fashioned apple bee, when the neighbors gather to pare and string apples ready for drying. At the conclusion of the work the remainder of the evening was spent in song and a general good time. The hoop skirts, polonaise and other styles of the early 50’s were gracefully worn. The singing in the chorus work was unusually well, and the choir director, Miss Mary F. Hanley, deserves credit on the excellent results of her labors.
Those in the cast were as follows: Joseph Riney, Gladys Daly, Rachel Wall, Joseph Miller, Alice Harrington, Margaret Healy, James May, Winnie Mulligan, Robert McCarthy, Henry Leduc, Alice Gower, Belle Carpentier, Nellie Merrick, Charles Douglass, Mary Merrick, Laura McCarthy, Edward Riney, James Byrnes, Claire Payne.
The program of song during the evening was excellent and all the singers did themselves credit. Dancing was enjoyed at the conclusion of the play, music being furnished by Rachael Wall, piano, and Joseph Miller, violin. Refreshments of ice cream and cake were served in the anterooms by Mrs. Hugh Daly, Mrs. James Sullivan, Mrs. Thomas Monahan and Mrs. Joseph Carpentier. The ushers were Hugh Daly, James Sullivan and J. A. Healy.
Graniteville. John B. Carmichael, employed with the C. G. Sargent Sons Corporation, met with a very painful accident while at work in the machine shop on Friday afternoon of last week. While working about a large lathe in the wire room his clothing got caught in the machinery, pulling him under the machine. By quick presence of mind he held on to the stationary part of the lathe, keeping his body as far away from the machine as possible. His cries attracted the attention of a workman close by, who stopped the machine, but not before Mr. Carmichael had received a very bad laceration of the right ear. He was at once taken to his home and medical aid summoned. He was conveyed to the Lowell General hospital, where he was attended. Mr. Carmichael returned to his home here on last Saturday, and is getting along as well as can be expected and although the wound is very painful no serious results are anticipated.
The pleasing Mother Goose entertainment, “The marriage of Jack and Jill,” was repeated by request in the M.E. church on Wednesday evening to a good sized audience. The program was enlivened with readings by Mrs. Alice Livingston Gage, of Lowell. Mrs. Gage has a wide circle of friends and her selections on Wednesday evening proved to be just as enjoyable as ever. The whole affair was given under the personal direction of Mrs. Clara Gray, who also had charge of arrangements. Much credit is due her for the able manner in which this affair was conducted. Quite a neat sum was realized on this event, the whole proceeds of which will be given to the M.E. church budget.
Many people from this village attended the entertainment given by St. Catherine’s church choir in Abbot’s hall, Forge Village, last week Friday night.
J. A. Healy and Edward Riney, delegates from Court Westford, M.C.O.F., attended the convention of the high court that was held in Boston this week.
The body of Israel Worcester, who died at the home of his son Charles in Hartford, Conn., May 20, was brought here for burial on last Monday. Burial was in the Hillside cemetery, North Westford.
The members of Cameron circle, C.F. of A., held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on Tuesday night. Business of importance was transacted and several applications for membership were received.
Memorial services will be held in the Congregational church in Westford on Sunday morning. In the afternoon, when the veterans decorate the graves of their deceased comrades, there will be a special singing service at all the cemeteries throughout the town. All are cordially invited to join in the singing. The invitation is general.