The Westford Wardsman, May 31, 1919
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Abiel J. Abbot are at home again after spending the winter in Boston.
Mrs. William L. Woods is staying with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson, until she is somewhat stronger from her recent severe attack of pneumonia.
Master William Carver has been an unfortunate little sufferer this past week with an ear abscess, which required surgical help the first of the week. He is reported more comfortable. Elizabeth Carver has also been on the sick list.
William Sutherland and his daughter, Mrs. Christie, of Waverley [in Belmont, MA], were visitors in town on Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Kimball have been staying in town and boarding at Charles H. Bicknell’s.
Mrs. H. G. Osgood has recently spent a few days with Mr. and Mrs. John Feeney.
Last week Friday afternoon, a union meeting of the Ladies’ Missionary society and the W.C.T.U. was held. Owing to other things coming on the same day the attendance was affected, but about twenty-five enjoyed the gathering. Mrs. Case, of South Acton, for twenty years a missionary in Burmah [sic], and now an active temperance worker, was present and gave an address. Miss Loker, of the Missionary society, presided, and a short temperance play preceded the address. At the close of the program a social tea was enjoyed in charge of a joint committee from the societies.
The dance under the auspices of the Grange, under the leadership of Joseph Wall, last week Friday evening, was much enjoyed, there being fully 125 present. Hibbard’s orchestra, of Lowell, played for the dancing, and ice cream and cake were served at intermission.
The dressmaking class under the direction of the Tadmuck club holds its closing meeting on next Tuesday in Library hall. The class has proved both pleasant and profitable under the capable direction of Miss Tomer of the County Bureau.
The academy graduation comes on Wednesday, June 18. The class of graduates is small this year, there being but four to be graduated—Ruth Sargent, Ethel Ripley, Ethel Collins and Morton Seavey. The Frost school closes Friday, June 13.
At the Congregational church on Sunday morning Rev. O. L. Brownsey will speak on “The spiritual interpretation of life.” Men’s class and Sunday school at noon, and at the evening service Mr. Brownsey’s subject will be “More than conquerors.”
One of the large maple trees on the main street, which has been dead for some time, was cut down last week under the direction of Tree Warden Nesmith. This tree was not far from the telephone exchange [58 Main St.].
Miss Frances Leighton was a recent guest of her cousin, Miss Nellie E. Fletcher.
The weekly drill of Company L, M. S. G., took place on Tuesday evening. One of their duties was the readjusting of the big “welcome home” flag which the wind of the day previous had loosened. This flag, beautiful in its significance, and presented by the local Red Cross, is suspended over the street, near Wright & Fletcher’s store.
Union Memorial services at the Congregational church on Sunday were well attended. Only seven of the Westford Veteran association were able to be present, Wesley O. Hawkes, commander, and under the escort of the sons and daughters of veterans. The church was most appropriately decorated with its flag-draped pulpit and other flags, and an abundance of ferns and spring bowers. The Misses Atwood, Mrs. Colburn and Miss Colburn were the decorating committee. S. B. Watson and F. A. Meyer acted as ushers. Mr. Brownsey gave an impressive sermon, “Worthy of our past,” paying splendid tribute to the veterans of the civil war and bespoke the best traditions of our country’s three great wars for the future years. Rev. William Anderson, of the Graniteville M.E. church, assisted with the other parts of the service and the union choir gave an inspiring musical service, “Send out thy light,” anthem; “The Lord is in His holy temple,” trio, and “One flag, one country still,” offertory. The service closed with the national hymn, the congregation standing while the veterans and their escort passed out.
At the meeting of the state guard on Tuesday evening medals were awarded those who assisted in the recent victory loan. These medals were made from metal in captured German guns; also, awarded were two German helmets, one to Lieut. George Wilson, of Forge Village, for securing the largest number of subscribers, and one to Private L. W. Wheeler for securing the largest amount of money subscription. These helmets were new and were captured from a storehouse in Coblentz [sic]. The total for the recent loan was $180,950, the quota being $165,000.
Plans for Memorial day are complete and only need good weather for their successful carrying out. There will be the usual decoration of the soldiers’ monument with attendant ceremonies by the veterans escorted by the sons and daughters of veterans. Exercises at the town hall at 10:30. Capt. S. H. Fletcher is marshal of the day. Hon. H. E. Fletcher will give the word of welcome and Rev O. L. Brownsey prayer. The address of the morning will be given by Hon. Frank P. Bennett, of Saugus. Mrs. F. L. Roberts and R. J. McCarty will be the soloists, and the Nashua Military band furnishes the other music for the day. Following the morning program a dinner will be served for the veterans, members of the band and other entertainers of the day. A luncheon will also be served to the members of the state guard under the direction of A. W. Hartford at the firehouse. There will be the usual band concert in the common, commencing at two o’clock, for which some attractive numbers are scheduled.
The village never presented a more attractive appearance. The streets have been put in good condition; also, the common and Whitney playground is beautiful, and with the well kept home grounds all being most attractive for Memorial day.
It is a pleasure to chronicle the home coming of home boys from the service. We are told that Joseph Perkins, Jr., has arrived home and that Frank Johnson is on his way home.
A picture of Tony Palermo has been presented to Capt. S. H. Fletcher and is on exhibition in his store window. The following inscription, which accompanies it, speaks for itself: “Faithful unto death. Tony Palermo, a Westford boy, killed on the Argonne front October 14, 1918, Company K, 104th U.S. Infantry.” This picture was placed in front of the pulpit on Sunday at the union memorial services.
The streets will soon have their annual oiling. The state roads have already been oiled; $10,000 was the appropriation for streets in town this year, the largest ever made.
Forge Village. The Ladies’ Sewing circle held a very successful supper at St. Andrew’s mission last week Friday evening. The tables were tastefully arranged and the menu was tempting. At the conclusion of the supper a program was given by the junior members of the Sunday school under the direction of the Misses Marion Lord and Bertha Collins. The stage was prettily decorated with cut flowers and bunting. The following program was given: Piano solo, Ruth Bennett; drill, “Liberty bells,” twelve little girls; piano solo, Florence Blodgett; song, children; farmerettes, Annie Hunt, Emma Goucher, Ruth Bennett, Laura Morton, Dorothy Mountain; Lillian Hosmer; Red Cross nurse, Gertrude Baker; piano solo, Margaret Pendlebury; drill, children; conclusion, “Star Spangled Banner.” Miss Marion Lord was the accompanist.
Rev. Leslie Wallace preached to a large congregation at St. Andrew’s mission last Sunday. Afterwards the clergyman was entertained over Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Ferguson in Westford. Mr. Wallace will preach at the service on Sunday, when the members of Loyal Self Help lodge, I.O.O.F., M.U., will attend in a body. Services will begin at ten o’clock.
The employees of the Abbot Worsted Company are to receive an increase in wages.
The pupils of Cameron school presented very interesting memorial exercises in Abbot hall on Thursday afternoon.
Mrs. John Merrick has been confined to her home by illness the past few days.
Alexander McDonald, superintendent of streets, has a number of men fixing the roads throughout the village.
Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards, who have had charge of the new boarding house on Pleasant street for the past year, are to move this week into the new house on Pine street. Mrs. William Leahy, of Ayer, is to have charge of the new boarding house.
Miss Carolyn E. Precious spent the weekend as the guest of Miss Edith Crosby, of Medford.
Graniteville. Mrs. Silema Belland, who has been ill for a long time, died at the home of her son, Joseph Belland, last Saturday. The funeral took place on Tuesday morning at nine o’clock and was well attended. At 9:30 a funeral mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church by the pastor, Rev. C. P. Heaney. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery, this village.
The Graniteville A.C. met their old-time rivals, the Forge Village A.C., in the second game of the season, here, last Saturday, and the local club won handily by the score of 11 to 6. Guichard and Reeves did the battery work for the Graniteville club.
Word has been recently received here of the death of Timothy Sullivan, the well-known stone contractor, of Marlboro, who died suddenly at his home in the above-named city on Friday, May 23. In his younger years Mr. Sullivan, with his family, resided in this village. He leaves three daughters, Misses Lillian and Nora Sullivan, of Marlboro, and Mrs. John Roach, of Haverhill; also, a brother, James Sullivan, of Forge Village, and a sister, Mrs. J. A. Healy, of Graniteville.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Austin Healy welcomed a little son [John Austin III] to their home on May 20.
Rev. Louis A. Bachaud, O.M.I., of Lowell, opened a mission for French-speaking people in St. Catherine’s church on last Sunday evening at 7:15 with a large number in attendance. During the week masses were celebrated every morning at 5 and 7:20 o’clock, with sermon and benediction in the evening. The mission will come to a close on Sunday afternoon at three o’clock.
A reception was tendered to the new minister, Rev. W. E. Anderson, in the vestry of the Methodist church on last Saturday evening and was largely attended. After the formal reception a substantial purse was presented to Mr. Anderson by A. B. Carr in behalf of those present.
Miss Nettie Hanning was given a shower surprise at the Methodist church last Saturday evening. The affair proved a very joyous occasion, and Miss Hanning received many gifts from her numerous friends.
Misses Jennie and Alice Peard, of Lowell, have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wall.
A daughter [Alice Ann] was born [May 26] to Mr. and Mrs. John Shackelton on Monday, May 26.
Private Joseph Perkins, of the 82nd Division, has recently returned from overseas, and is now stationed at Camp Devens. Private Perkins visited relative and friends here recently.
The Abbot Worsted Company baseball team will open the season here this week Saturday, when they will have for opponents the strong Lamson team of Lowell. Falls and Liston will do the battery work for the Abbot team and will be backed by a well balanced baseball team. Westford, Forge Village and Graniteville players will be represented in the lineup and the game will start promptly at three o’clock. George Reed, of West Chelmsford, will be the umpire, and it is expected that he will umpire all of the A.W.C. games, both here and in Forge Village, during the present season.
Miss Fanny McCarthy and Mrs. Julia B. Wall attended the M.C.O.F. convention that was held in Boston this week.
About Town. There were fifty-eight from Westford Grange who were guests of Groton Grange on Tuesday evening. The ladies’ degree team worked the third degree to the impressive delight of the more than 200 Grangers present. Miss Rachel Wall, as pianist and soloist, was also the personal delight of all. Mrs. Eben Prescott was a decidedly efficient director of the team.
A large black snake of the six-feet variety was killed near the henhouse of the W. R. Taylor farm.
Mrs. Catherine Eliason died at her home in Brookside last Saturday morning after several years of helpless invalidism, aged 68 years and 7 months. She leaves, besides her husband, Elias Eliason, a daughter and two sons. She was a woman of quiet and home-loving character. The funeral took place from her home on Monday. One of the several Swede ministers from Lowell, a personal friend of the family, conducted the service. Burial was in the West Chelmsford cemetery.
John A. Taylor writes from France of meeting Edward Clement and Carl and Ernest Wright, Westford soldier boys. It was a meeting full of old-time reminiscences of farm friendship.
There was a large gathering of old-time friends and ex-office holders of state, county and town at the Nagog Inn, Acton, Wednesday evening, in the interest of forming a republican league to boost out of occupancy some undesirable and unsafe tendencies and boost in some of the sane principles of the boom business principles of the republican party. Westford was represented by the town committee and many well-known workers.
Ayer
Camp News. The demobilization group is now discharging men at the rate of 20,000 a month and indications are that this figure will be exceeded. Last week 4000 casuals were sent here for discharge from other camps. Monday and Tuesday 3000 soldiers arrived for transfer and discharge, including the 301st Field Signal Battalion. The 314th Engineers arrived on the Battleship Montana, Tuesday.
Three camps sent 1000 veterans of the 82nd division here for discharge, including detachments from the 321st Machine Gun Battalion, which landed at Newport News, and members of other units of the division from Camp Upton and Camp Merritt. There are now more members of the All-America division in camp than of any other combat unit. Casuals of other commands include the New England soldiers who fought with the 20th Regiment of Engineers.
Soldiers of the 82nd Division have decided to form a veteran association for New England soldiers who served in this unit. They are waiting until discharged before announcing plans or arranging for an organizing meeting.
Major General McCain returned to camp on Monday morning.
The telephones at Depot Brigade offices have been moved to the new area and the last detachments vacated their old quarters Sunday. Members of the old depot brigade permanent personnel, many of whom have been in camp since September, 1917, were discharged Monday.
Chaplain Conoley opened the new K. of C. hut in the demobilization group Sunday. The depot brigade post exchange is closed and will audit its accounts for final settlement at the end of the month. The post exchanges will be operated by the camp headquarters hereafter, all purchase being made in bulk, with branches at the 36th infantry, base hospital, demobilization group, quartermaster and camp headquarters.
The finding of Judge Jonathan Smith of Clinton, who held an inquest into the death of private Curtis McDonald Quimby, has been received at headquarters. It states, “I find that the deceased came to his death from being run over by the engine attached to some train of the Boston and Maine railroad in the town of Harvard in the night time April 25-26, 1919. I do not find that the unlawful act of any other persons contributed to the death of the deceased.” The contents of a letter indicated suicide as the result of despondency.
A hospital train brought 28 New England wounded and convalescent soldiers to the base hospital and convalescent center Sunday night from Newport News.
Convalescents Entertained. The Unitarian church vestry was the scene of another pleasant gathering on Tuesday of soldiers form the base hospital in Camp Devens, who were again entertained by the Woman’s Alliance. The beautiful room was made very comfortable and home-like with many easy chairs brought by the ladies. The soldiers were brought down from the camp in autos, the arrangements for which were made by Mrs. Flora Pierce. The autos were furnished by Mrs. Herman Horton, of Leominster, Mrs. B. Taft, Mrs. Verne Pillman, Miss Caroll Pierce and Mrs. L. H. Cushing of Ayer.
The entertainment was arranged by Mrs. Avis Fisher and included a harmonica solo and a vocal solo by the soldiers, a group of songs by the whole audience, Mrs. Fisher, accompanist, readings by Miss Gladys Robinson, of Hudson, and a group of songs by Mrs. Mona Kittredge Cheney, of Southville [probably in Southborough, MA], who played her own accompaniment.
Refreshments of ice cream and cake were served in charge of Mrs. Carrie Bigelow. Many other members of the Alliance were present and assisted in the social part of the afternoon.