The Westford Wardsman, November 17, 1917
Center. Leon F. Hildreth, Frank Blaisdell and Herbert Smith have been transferred from Camp Devens to a training camp in Georgia. Joseph Perkins, Jr., is already in Georgia.
The Y.M.C.A. campaign, under Donald M. Cameron as captain, has done good work in town this week and totals will be given next week. Alfred W. Hartford, Harwood L. Wright and J. Herbert Fletcher were in charge of the work at the Center.
A letter has been received by Westford relatives from Wesley Hawkes, Jr., “somewhere in France,” which was full of interest. He writes that he was well and busy. His letter, which was written the last of October, tells of the French people in that vicinity being very busy with the harvest, the work being done mostly by the women. He writes of using his knitted sweater and helmet, and finding them of great comfort, and also a fine testimony of the good work of the Y.M.C.A. where he is. This honest, earnest letter conveys at least two messages to us here—keep on knitting and give, and then give to the Y.M.C.A.
Frank C. Johnson is still at Camp Bartlett, Westfield.
Mrs. L. W. Wheeler represented the Tadmuck club at the autumn meeting of the State Federation of Woman’s clubs in Braintree on Wednesday.
About fifty citizens gathered at the town hall on Monday evening to consider transportation of the school children from Brookside and other places of the branch line electrics between Brookside and the Center. Informal discussion showed the electric car to be the most comfortable method of transporting the children, and with some other adjustments their continued operation is assured for the present.
Miss Ruth Tuttle entertained a group of friends, about twelve in number, at her home Saturday afternoon. Needlework and sociability passed the afternoon most pleasantly. Refreshments were served and afterward the hostess distributed to each guest a big yellow chrysanthemum to which were attached cards. These cards bore her own name and that of John H. Paine and announced to them the fact of her engagement, and was the cause of much happy felicitation. Mr. Paine is a lawyer in Harwich. Miss Tuttle is one of our native Westford girls, a graduate of Westford academy and of the Lowell Normal school, and is a successful teacher, having taught for a number of years in Winthrop.
Fred Myer, R.F.D. carrier, and Mrs. Myer are enjoying a fifteen-days’ vacation which they are spending in New York, where they lived before coming to Westford, and where Mr. Myer’s home people live. As this fifteen days’ interim from his work is exclusive of Sundays and any holiday that may come at the time, it enables him to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with his relatives before coming back. William E. Wright, who has received his appointment from Washington is taking Mr. Myer’s place on the route and this winter is to take part of the route each day.
Mrs. Perley E. Wright our local reader, assisted at an entertainment in Somerville on Thursday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence are to be with their daughter, Mrs. Edith Lawrence Hildreth, for the winter, while the latter’s enlisted husband is away from home.
Mrs. William E. Wright [nee Ruby Winifred Carter] has recently enjoyed a week’s visit from her sister, Mrs. Carl Merrill [nee Hattie Evelyn Carter], and two children, of St. Johnsbury, Vt.
The selectmen have had placed at the approaching four corners of Minot’s Corner, some very neat and impressive safety first signs. With the greatly increased traffic these last months this is a bad corner with its intersecting routes and an obstructed view caused by the buildings, and this seems a very wise precautionary measure.
Church Banquet. The twelfth annual church banquet under the auspices of the congregational church took place on Wednesday evening at the town hall. This change of gathering place fully justified the committee’s choice, for more room for the guests and better service for the fully 150 in attendance. The lower hall was prettily decorated with greenery, bright touches of red flags.
A choice menu of roast chicken, mashed potatoes, squash, creamed onion, celery, rolls, coffee, jellies, ice cream, cake and fruit was served at seven o’clock, after which John P. Wright called to order and was at his brightest and wittiest best as toastmaster. Music was furnished by Booth’s orchestra of Lowell, who were much enjoyed. William Heller, of the orchestra, also rendered a brilliant piano solo.
It was a pleasure to have Mrs. Edna Ferguson Woods, of Somerville, as the soloist of the evening, and her rendering of “Keep the home fires burning ‘til the boys come home” and “I’ve a cottage in a garden” were given with clear enunciation and sweetness of tone.
The committee of the evening concentrated this year on one speaker, who was Supt. A. H. Wardle, of the Ayer Christian Federation pavilion. Mr. Wardle is a Y.M.C.A. worker of wide experience and has been chosen to take charge of this large work in Ayer for the comfort of the soldiers while away from the camp and also for the benefit of the great number of civilian workmen. Keen of mind, large of heart and a keen sense of humor made Mr. Wardle’s message a timely and interesting one.
Rev. L. H. Buckshorn and Rev. and Mrs. H. Fite, the other clergymen of the town, added pleasant solicitations and earnest messages, and the sparring of wits between the former and the toastmaster were of the keenest. Rev. H. A. Lincoln spoke briefly and extended gracious welcome to all.
The committee in charge were Mrs. John P. Wright, Mrs. S. B. Watson, Mrs. A. E. Loveless, Mrs. H. G. Osgood and Mrs. G. A Labouteley, and they were assisted by Mrs. A. H. Burnham, Mrs. A. W. Hartford, Mrs. A. E. Day, Miss Florence Wilson and Misses Frances and Alice Wright. Mr. Pollock and Mr. Miller assisted in the kitchen
Clipping. A recent Boston paper giving sketches of New England Heroes on Land and Sea we note a sketch of one Joel Abbot, who captured a supply of [torn paper] spars at Sorel. He was born in Westford January 18, 1793, and died at Hongkong [sic], China, December 14, 1855. In these day when people’s [torn paper] are turning so much of military interest and because he was a representative of one of our well-known families this sketch is of interest and is as follows:
“When the second war with England broke out Joel Abbot was a midshipman. He was appointed to the frigate President and was made an aid to Commodore Rogers. Rogers recommended him to Com. Macdonough, who was in command of the naval forces on Lake Champlain. Macdonough found that the British had a supply of spars collected at Sorel and he determined to destroy them. He asked Abbot if he was willing to die for his country, and the young man replied ‘Certainly, sir, that is what I entered the service for.’
“Abbot disguised himself as a British soldier. He entered the enemy’s lines and knew he would be hanged as a spy if caught. He suffered seriously and when he accomplished the work was in a state of serious prostration when he again reported to Macdonough, and he was a long time recovering from the effects of his exploit.
“For his gallant acts off Cumberland Head in September, 1814, he was promoted lieutenant and congress voted him a sword. In 1818 he was placed in charge of a 30 gun pirate boat that had been captured off the African coast. On the voyage to Boston part of his crew mutinied and the pirate prisoners succeeded in forcing their irons while a desperate gale was blowing. But Lieut. Abbot kept command of his crew, fought the mutineers and mastered them and brought his ship safely into port.
“He served on various foreign squadrons and from 1839 to 1842 was in command of the Charlestown navy yard. In 1852 he commanded the Macedonian in the Japan expedition and he succeeded Com. Perry as the flag officer of the squadron.”
The above Joel Abbot, son of Joel Abbot of Hollis, N.H., and Lydia Cummings of Westford, attended Westford academy in 1812, his father living on the place west of the Unitarian meeting house, a portion of the land on which that building stands having been purchased of him.
When young Abbot attended the academy Mr. [Nahum Houghton] Groce, the preceptor [1808-1822], sent a communication to the trustees saying “on evidence he had excluded from the school one member, a young man, for neglecting to attend meeting, last fast day in the forenoon to procure a company of young persons to train on the common, for entering the meetinghouse in the afternoon in an improper costume, being partly military, for aiding and assisting in firing several times a blunderbuss in the street not far from the meetinghouse soon after meeting on the said day, and for expressing after he had been cautioned proscriptive sentiments and uttering language calculated to introduce confusion and disorder into the school, and bring the government thereof into contempt, refusing to make any written acknowledgment of the impropriety of his conduct.” This young man was Joel Abbot.
This was probably the last of his attending school, as the Naval Register of the U.S. says “Mr. Abbot entered the service June 18, 1812,” which must have been very soon after he gave such an example of his desire to command and of which he afterwards showed his ability.
About Town. Tuesday morning registered the coldest as a prelude to winter. The thermometers reported fifteen degrees above zero.
Miss Ella T. Wright, who has proved the value of individuality at her summer home on the Lowell road, has returned to her home in Cleveland, Ohio. During her stay Miss Helen A. Whittier, of Lowell, a life-long friend of the family, was her companion guest.
A practically gameless “open season” is in full glory of shooting into space. Keep right on, gentlemen in opposition to a closed season for five years and perhaps there will be a few isolated detachments of mosquitoes left to shoot at. The writer [Samuel L. Taylor] petitioned for a closed season for five years and appeared before the committee on fish and game at the last session of the legislature and got what he should have been surprised at if he hadn’t got “Unanimous leave to withdraw,” and the report was “unanimously” accepted, but even this is getting off better than the bird and other game. They are forced to withdraw at the unrestricted shooting season and all this talk about bag limits and bird limits in the open season is too much of a hair splitting strain to be worthy the sense of any man. It is in the interest of the sportsman to have a closed season, for five years.
Much has been wisely advised from authoritative sources and from the private citizen to economize on the food supply. It is sadly needed and should be wisely heeded, but wasteful as we have been by a needless extravagant diet and over-eating, and other direct wasteful ways, it would be made to look like a starvation diet compared with our misapplied and unimproved time if this could be measured as we measure food waste.
John McMaster is the environment of a new piazza to his new home off Main street.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer E. Trull have moved into their new house just over the line from Westford Corner in West Chelmsford.
Amos Polley, on the Prairie farm, has just finished harvesting his late sown buckwheat. This field of buckwheat sown about the middle of July, got caught in the early frost pinch, and for all this hamper it has fed a large flock of poultry for two months. There will be more buckwheat in the Stony Brook valley next year.
Hunters have been around lately, crossing over cornfields and shooting at the shocks of corn, thinking thereby to surprise some birds, pheasants or rabbits. The other day S. L. Taylor found in his cornfield the evidence of a mighty hunter of the days long ago. A very fine spear point, made and used by an Indian in the primitive days, was picked up. This is not the first time that these beautiful valley lands have given proof that they were the haunts of the Redmen. On the ploughed fields of W. R. Taylor and Amos Polley fine specimens of arrow heads and spear points have been discovered.
The W.C.T.U. held a postponed meeting on Monday afternoon at the home of Mrs. George Walker. The president, Mrs. Janet Wright, told about attendance at a splendid meeting in Somerville. The county secretary, Mrs. Augusta Brigham, gave a fine talk on the White Ribbon Home for Soldiers which is being maintained at Ayer. It was voted to send a Thanksgiving box as usual to the Frances Willard Settlement Home of Boston. Here is an opportunity for all who wish to contribute vegetables, jelly, etc. for those less fortunate. Perley Wright will take these contributions to Boston in time for Thanksgiving.
We note with interest the proficiency of Miss Jennie Kimball, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Kimball. Miss Kimball has been attending the Lynn Business college. At a typewriting contest held there recently Miss Kimball won a gold medal. The speed rate allowed was fifty-five words a minute and five errors. Miss Kimball made the record of sixty words a minute and but three errors.
On November 8 Amherst college dedicated the Converse Memorial library, which cost $250,000. It was given by Edmund C. Converse, of New York and Greenwich, Conn., in memory of his brother, James R. Converse, of the class of 1867 at Amherst. Mr. Converse is the owner of the Conyers Manor of which our own G. A. Drew is the able superintendent.
Robert Falls, of Lowell, proved himself an athlete by winning the 200-yard run in the Y.M.C.A. meet. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Falls and connected with the Dupee family so long well known here.
West Chelmsford Red Cross has made up some wonderful Christmas boxes which they have sent to each of their soldier boys “somewhere in France.” Nine were sent and a list of the contents of these boxes showed the loving thought and interest of the home people.
Deaths. The death of Rev. Smith Baker, D.D., pastor emeritus of the First Congregational church, Lowell, removes a venerable personage well-known to many townspeople. He was a familiar figure to many with his slouch hat and military cape, not unlike Henry Ward Beecher in many ways. He was a vigorous speaker, a typical New England preacher of the old and best type. His departure has more than passing interest to the S. L. Taylor family. He performed the marriage ceremony of S. L. Taylor and Alta M. Schellenger, and christened their four children. A few years ago he came up one Easter Sunday to christen one of the grandsons at the old homestead. Thus he was connected with three generations.
It is with sadness we note the death of Mrs. Emily L. Craven at the Lowell General hospital, Friday, November 9. She was the widow of the late Edward Craven, for so many years the able superintendent of the Abbot mills in Graniteville. For a long time Mr. and Mrs. Craven and their family lived in Graniteville and were much interested in its welfare. When Mr. Craven retired from active interest in the Abbot mills they built a house on Stevens street. Mrs. Craven was a fine type of a woman. She looked well after the ways of her household. She had traveled in England, Europe and this country and had thoroughly enjoyed it all. The last trip was made just before the breaking out of the war and was brought to an abrupt close. Funeral services were held from her late home on Sunday afternoon and were conducted by her pastor, Rev. Arthur S. Beale, of the Highland Congregational church. The Mendelssohn male quartet sang several appropriate selections. The bearers were relatives, her son, Allan B. Craven, of Boston; her sons-in-law, Leon M. Calvert and Robert H. Elliott; her brother, Joseph A. Irish; her brother-in-law, George W. Hunt, and a nephew, Fred Hunt. The burial was in the family lot here in Fairview cemetery.
Mrs. Craven left one son, Allan B. Craven, and three daughters, Miss Blanche M. Craven, Mrs. Robert H. Elliott and Mrs. Leon N. Calvert, who was married on November 6, to the nephew of the late Frank Calvert of this town; a brother, Joseph A. Irish, and a sister, Mrs. George W. Hunt.
The death of Mrs. Mary O. Blood at Ayer, on November 6, removed another well-known resident of the town. Mrs. Blood was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hutchins, who lived on the farm known in local history as the Col. Robinson farm, made noted by this revolutionary minuteman. Mrs. Blood was the widow of the late Napoleon B. Blood, who owned the farm on the Flagg road known for its fine view as the Mountain View farm. It is now owned by Rev. William E. Anderson. Mrs. Blood was a genial woman of sterling qualities. The body was brought to Westford for the final committal services at Westlawn cemetery.
Forge Village. A very enjoyable party was held at the home of Mr. Lionel Gouther on last Saturday afternoon in honor of Miss Emma A. Gouther’s eleventh birthday anniversary. The afternoon was spent in playing different forms of games after which refreshments were served. Mrs. Hanning, who was guest of honor, made the birthday cake. Miss Emma was well remembered by her little friends who brought her many pretty and useful gifts, including a pretty wrist watch from her father.
Allan Goodall and friends, of Springfield, spent Wednesday and Thursday at the home or Mr. and Mrs. William Hosmer.
The summer cottage of O. S. Titcomb on the shore of Forge pond was again broken into for the sixth time. The break occurred some time last week. A powerful Yale lock was smashed on the door. Nothing of much value was taken so far as is known at this time. The intruders lifted a boat from the plaza that took four men to place there for the winter, and secured a pair of oars from Shafter’s cottage close by and rowed from the cottage to the other side of the pond, where they landed at the railroad track near the cove. Mr. Titcomb offers a generous reward for information leading to the guilty parties. The work was done by some one evidently familiar with the whereabouts of the owner and caretaker.
The Forge Village soccer football team played a great game with their classy opponents from Methuen last Saturday afternoon. The visitors were lucky to have been able to make a tie score, as the Forge Village boys were all over them, and if it had not been for Methuen’s strong defense the home team would have had a comfortable victory. The local boys played the best game of the season and the crowd went away highly satisfied with the brand of football served out to them. All of the home team played good, but the individual stars were A. Hobson, J. Costello and W. Mulligan. These three players, with Turnbull and Clegg, were towers of strength. Some of the best talent has been secured by the members of the football club for their concert and dance.
Warren A. Winslow has purchased the fire insurance business of Augustus Lovejoy, of Ayer. He will still continue in his present position with the Abbot Worsted Co.
Several members of the Groton School entertained the Sunday school children of St. Andrew’s mission and their parents last week Thursday evening in the rooms of the Sunday school. Franklin Treslan did some wonderful sleight-of-hand tricks that kept the audience in roars. Dancing was afterward enjoyed. The next entertainment will be held in two weeks. A comedy in two acts will be given by the students of the Groton School.
A very enjoyable party was held at the home of Mrs. Charles Smith on last Saturday evening. Private Herbert Smith, of Camp Devens, who has since left for the training camp in Georgia, was paying a farewell visit to his parents. He was accompanied by several other soldiers who have enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Smith during their stay at Camp Devens. As a token of appreciation the men in khaki presented Mrs. Smith with a pair of sterling silver rosary beads. Mrs. Smith was overcome for a few moments, but when the soldiers demanded a speech she responded fittingly and the evening was brought to a close with many wishes for their safe return.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stirks, with their son Albert and daughter, Mrs. D. A. Niebuhr, and Miss Mary Belton, motored from Bridgeport, Conn., and were the guests last Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Precious.
Mrs. Samuel Blodgett and Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett, of the Ridges spent the weekend at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Andrews in Nashua, N.H.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lombard and two sons motored from Everett last Sunday and were guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Shaddick of the Tadmuck farm.
Rev. Angus Dun preached a forceful sermon at St. Andrew’s mission last Sunday. He also told of his interesting work among the soldiers at Camp Devens. The services on Sunday will be held at 4:30. Mr. Dun is anxious to form a company of Girl Scouts and all those interested are requested to be present at the meeting to be called as soon as the necessary arrangements are completed.
There will be a choir rehearsal on Tuesday evening at the mission house at seven o’clock.
Mrs. John Merrick spent the weekend at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Brown, of Clinton.
Mrs. William Burnett has returned from an enjoyable visit with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett, of Clinton.
Mrs. John Shaddick and daughter Anna spent the last of the week with friends in Boston.
Graniteville. The cellars are now nearing completion for the two tenement buildings that are being erected by the Abbot Worsted Company in West Graniteville. This is part of the contract for sixteen tenement houses now being built by P. Henry Harrington, the local contractor, both here and in Forge Village.
Mrs. Ellen F. Healy is spending a few days with her brother and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dunn, in Long Island City, N.Y.
Miss Mary Peard, of Lowell, has been a recent visitor here.
The members of the Holy Name society of St. Catherine’s church received holy communion in a body at the first mass last Sunday morning. John F. Kavanaugh, of Forge Village, is the efficient president of this thriving society. Both masses on Sunday were celebrated by Rev. Henry L. Scott. After the second mass the regular monthly meeting of the Women’s Sodality was held.
The members of Court Graniteville, F. of A., held an interesting meeting on Thursday night.
Walter Beebe and Frank E. Charlton, privates at Camp Devens, spent last Saturday night and Sunday at their respective homes here. Private Beebe has been unable to come home of late owing to the fact that his barracks was under quarantine on account of the measles.
Some time in the distant past a move was made here for the separation of the so-called mission of St. Catherine’s here from the parish of St. John’s, North Chelmsford. No definite action has been taken by the people here as a whole, although they are heartily in favor of it. The pastor, Rev. C. P. Heaney, has also expressed his opinion in favor of having St. Catherine’s a separate parish, and it is understood has presented facts and figures to Cardinal O’Connell showing that the town of Westford, with the ever increasing catholic population in Graniteville and Forge Village, surely is in a position to support a parish priest. Rev. C. P. Heaney and his able assistant, Rev. Henry L. Scott, are doing all in their power for the people in this end of the parish, but are handicapped to a certain extent owing to the distance from North Chelmsford, particularly in the winter season.
The members of Cameron circle, C.F. of A., held a very enjoyable meeting on Tuesday evening.
Mrs. Charlotte Day, of Damariscotta, Me., is now stopping with Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Sherman.
Mr. and Mrs. Truman Messer and daughter Sybil, of Billerica, have been recent guests of Mrs. Clara Gray.
Ayer
News Items. The citizens of Ayer are to give a reception to the local boys who are now serving at Camp Devens on Saturday evening, November 17, in the town hall. There will be an entertainment from eight to nine o’clock followed by general dancing. Every patriotic citizen is asked to turn out on this evening and show these boys that we appreciate the sacrifice they are making. Admission is free and everybody is invited.
Unitarian Church Notes. At the Sunday morning service the preacher is the minister of the First Unitarian church, Pittsfield. Mr. Davis is serving as a volunteer chaplain at Camp Devens, with headquarters at Y.M.C.A. building 27. At the evening service the music will be furnished by the courtesy of the Third church, Dorchester. Rev. Otto Lyding, minister of the Third church, will read the service. The preacher is Dr. Kirsopp Lake, the noted Church of England divine. A hearty welcome to these services is extended to officers and enlisted men from Camp Devens.
News Items. Leon F. Briggs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Briggs, has been promoted and is now a second lieutenant in Company A, 147th U.S. Infantry, now at Camp Sheridan, Montgomery, Ala.
The new Camp Devens hotel, formerly known as the Globe hotel, is expected to be open for business in a few days. M. Markham, the manager, has already taken up his duties.
District Court. Monday morning Peter McLaughlin, of the 303rd Field Artillery regiment at Camp Devens, was arraigned on a charge of adultery. The other party to the alleged crime was Mrs. Alice Masur, of Shapleigh, Me. By agreement of counsel for the defendant and State Officers McCabe and Schofield, who made the arrest, the case against McLaughlin was dismissed by the court with the understanding that the defendant be given into the custody of the military authorities at the camp. The woman’s husband, who arrived here last Saturday, stated to the court that he was satisfied that his spouse was innocent of the charge for which she and her companion were held. The trouble started when the husband came here in search of his wife. Through the efforts of the state officers it was learned that McLaughlin hired a room in town for himself and the woman, whom he claimed was his wife. The pair was found and taken into custody. Col. A. S. Conklin, the head of the regiment to which McLaughlin belonged, later appeared and took the latter back to Camp Devens, where he will be tried by court martial.
Henry J. Callahan, a private in the 301st Infantry Regiment, pleaded guilty to stealing a Ford automobile at the camp. The evidence, however, showed that he did not intend to steal the car but had borrowed it for a ride. The car belonged to W. J. Laughlin, a contractor at the camp. The court ordered a finding of not guilty with the understanding that the defendant be turned over to the military authorities at the camp, where he will be tried by court martial.
Mae Clark and Catherine Mandly of New Haven, Conn., were found guilty of lewd and lascivious conduct and received sentences to the woman’s prison at Sherborn. They appealed and in default of bail were taken to the East Cambridge jail to await trial at the December term of the superior criminal court.
Judge Atwood heard the evidence in the inquest on the death of Private J. J. Corcoran, a soldier at Camp Devens, who was killed by an Ayer bound electric car just over the Ayer line in Shirley in the evening of Wednesday, November 7. Among the witnesses heard was Fred O. Dresser of Leominster, the motorman of the car which struck the deceased. He described the events leading up to the unfortunate occurrence and the later details following the accident. The witness stated that as he was coming down the steep grade with his car toward Ayer on the Shirley side of the Mitchelville bridge he notice a man lying between the rails of the track. He applied the emergency brake and did all that was possible to stop before reaching the man, but all efforts failed. The body was placed on the rear vestibule of the car and taken to the base hospital at the camp. Other witnesses were heard and at the conclusion of the testimony the case was taken under advisement. [John J. Corcoran died of a “compound fracture of the skull” caused by being accidentally run over by an electric car, per his death certificate signed by medical examiner Frank S. Buckley.]
Camp Notes. More than 1200 employees of the International Harvester Company have enlisted or been drafted for the military service of the United States. The company wants to send each of them a Christmas comfort box but in many cases it has no record of address. For this reason it is publishing an advertisement in this issue asking all such former employees to send it the necessary information. Any man in camp here who knows of a comrade having been in the company’s employ can help him to get a pleasant and useful Christmas reminder by calling his attention to this advertisement.
The number of laborers and tradesmen has been much reduced, the total number now there being estimated to be about 1500. This number includes workmen of all kinds, including steam fitters, who form the bulk of the men now employed. It is expected that all the men will be through work at the camp in about four weeks.
Chester P. Perrin, an Ayer soldier, formerly attached to the depot brigade, was among the number sent to the southern training camp at Charlotte, S.C. [N.C.], last Sunday.
The remaining fifteen percent of the first draft quota has not yet arrived at camp and no definite time has yet been appointed for their arrival. The number of men necessary to fill the first quota has been increased, so that the total necessary to fill the ranks is 10,000. The next draft is set by the war department to take place in February.
Trench work for the men was abandoned this week. In its place a field fortification school was established for the officers of the division, several being selected from each unit. The school is under the direction of Col. F. A. Pope and Capt. Amman of the French army.
The gas defense school started on Tuesday and is in charge of Col. John Hanna. Lectures are given by him to the officers which are followed by actual “gassing” experiments for the officers and the men later.
The rifle targets are now complete and the targets were placed in position the first of the week. There will be moving targets for the machine gun companies, with indoor shooting for the men which will be used in stormy weather.
The many undesirable people of both sexes who have been frequenting the vicinity of the camp have been taken care of by the excellent work of the state and local police, including the vice squad appointed by Governor McCall, all of whom have been active during the past several weeks.
The usual lot of nonsense appears in out of town papers regularly about the town of Ayer, in spite of frequent denials. Those engaged in spreading such reports should be engaged in better business to say the least about the matter.
Those who think the men at the camp have an easy time would have a different idea if they knew the work the enlisted men have to do. From early morning until late in the afternoon the soldiers are on the move all the time. Drills, cross-country hikes and trench work, clearing up land and other physical occupations are the daily routine. At night they attend school in order to become familiar with the French and English languages. The English-speaking soldiers are taught the rudiments of the French tongue, which will come in handy when they reach the battle front. Others unable to speak either of the above languages are taught by teachers to acquire a working knowledge of both. Others learn geometry, telegraphy and arithmetic, all of which make up a busy day.
It is said that there are about 1,000,000 letters go in and out of the camp every week.
An incident occurred some time ago which made a hit with an officer who told the story. The officer in the course of his walk about the camp overheard two privates talking about their experiences since coming into the military service. One said, “I joined the army to get out of work.” “So did I,” replied his companion, “but we both got left.”
Nearly every day contingents of men are being sent to the south for training. About 4500 have departed during the past few weeks.
The soldiers are to be given all opportunity to visit their homes over Thanksgiving day, the length of their leave of absence depending on the distance that the men live from camp. The men from Northern New York and those living in distant parts of New England will be obliged to return by 7:30 a.m., November 30. The exodus begins on Wednesday afternoon, November 28.
Twenty-eight men who returned on Tuesday after over staying their leave of absence, and failed to report to go south, were sentenced to the guard house at hard labor for three months, and in addition thereto are to lose two-thirds of their pay for that period.
To those of the men who were without overcoats the welcome information came on Tuesday that enough of these necessary cold weather garments are now on hand to supply all.
Clipping. The following editorial under the caption “How Will Camp Devens Stand the Winter?” appeared in the Boston Herald on Tuesday morning:
Winter is nearing apace. The authorities are rearing at Ayer a great overhead system of pipes wrapped in asbestos, for the conveyance of steam from barrack to barrack. Heating engineers of Boston testify that when real cold comes, there is not coal enough in Pennsylvania—to say nothing of New England—to raise the temperature of these unplastered edifices to higher than forty degrees. And this would prevail in the places on which the men depended for drying their clothes and their shoes to say nothing of spending their hours of rest and recreation.
Dr. Charles S. Millet, who has for twenty years led the advance guard in the anti-tuberculosis campaign, visited the camp the other day as a part of his persistent efforts to get the authorities to utilize in cantonment construction the principles that have proved valuable in modern hospitals. In a study of Ayer he was unable to discover any evidence that those who laid out the cantonment took any note of the four points of the compass or perceived even remotely the value of southern exposure in a New England winter. Some of the best of these, nearby buildings have effectively blanketed. He would locate his barracks on the southern slopes of gravelly hills, where thrifty New England farmers of the old time placed their cowsheds, and for the same reasons. He would, besides, heat one room in each barracks—presumably the mess hall—with an old-fashioned railroad stove, letting it serve for such purposes as will suggest themselves, while the men slept in absolutely unheated spaces, but blanketed suitably. Instead, we have the barracks threaded with steam radiators, utterly inadequate to heat them, and such stereotyped regulations as to the number of cubic feet of air per man as to leave the sleeping area substantially unmodified by artificial heat.
The first cold snap will set the plumbing at Ayer cracking like corn in the popper. Remember this prediction and see how it turns out. Our authorities will have to issue a hurry call for plumbers. The cantonment plans took no account of the mean trick which a temperature below thirty-two is apt to play on a water pipe. One inch kitchen pipes appear wholly exposed. Nobody pretends that they can escape freezing. Yet everybody says: What can we do about it? These are the plans. General So-and-So ordered this. What we would like to know is this: Who is responsible for the folly with which the Ayer cantonment has been laid out.
Shirley
Investigating Soldier’s Death. Inquiry was started by military authorities at Camp Devens last week Thursday concerning circumstances of the death of Private John J. Corcoran, Company A, 301st Infantry, who was killed last week Wednesday night, presumably by an electric car of the Fitchburg & Leominster Street Railway Co., at a point west of Mitchelville turnout in Shirley. The investigation has given plausibility to several theories of possible circumstances which might have led to the fatality.
The theory of suicide seems the most probable, and is held by Lieut. Dalton of the military police, who was on the scene at camp at the time and took charge of the case at the camp gate. Corcoran’s body was lying at right angles with and across the track when it was struck. The legs were thrown across the rail and the head was resting on the arms. This position lead authorities to believe the soldier may have chosen a dark spot and lain on the track with the intention of meeting his death.
The theory that he may have been overcome by intoxicating liquid has been abandoned because of the fact that there was no evidence of liquor on the body after the accident. A theory given out by the military authorities is that Corcoran tripped in front of the rapidly approaching car after he had stepped from a crowded car going in the other direction. This could not have been possible. There is only a single track at this point. It is possible that Corcoran may have been a passenger on a car going in the opposite direction a short time before, which the car that struck him met on a turnout farther up the line towards Fitchburg.
At the inquiry the military authorities took the testimony of the motorman, Fred L. Dresser; the conductor, William Merrill; the claim agent of the railroad, William Reed, also was present. Several soldiers who were present at the time of the accident, or who were on duty at the camp gates testified with Lieut. Dalton.
There will be an official inquest at the district court in Ayer at a date to be fixed after the report of the medical examiner, Dr. Frank S. Bulkeley, has been filed. The case is one for the civic authorities as the affair happened in Shirley, far outside of Camp Devens’ limits on the Fitchburg & Leominster Railway Company’s private right of way.
Investigation showed that Corcoran was married and lived at 558 Dorchester avenue, South Boston. He went home Sunday and returned to Ayer with directions from a physician to apply for hospital treatment. He was born on September 29, 1886, in South Boston. After his graduation from Lawrence grammar school he joined the navy, and was with the fleet on the tour around the world.
A military funeral was held for the deceased last Saturday, which brought out every member of Company A, “Boston’s Own” regiment. The regimental band led the cortege to the west gate. A truck bore the casket which an American flag draped. Officers commanding the battalion where Corcoran served, and Capt. Chester C. Waller, regimental surgeon, raised $200 which they sent to his widow for the aid of herself and infant child. The men of the company contributed to a fund for flowers.