The Westford Wardsman, November 18, 1916
Center. George H. Walker, after finishing up the work of the season on his fruit farm, has returned to his position in the Waltham watch factory.
Special police officers A. H. Sutherland and C. H. Pickering were summoned to Forge Village last Sunday afternoon to assist in subduing a Polish mix-up. Their help was much needed for at the time of their arrival clubs and knives were being used pretty freely. At least two of the participants were so badly bruised and cut that a physician was needed afterwards to take stitches.
The Sewing club, a recently organized social group among the younger set, held their meeting with Miss Beatrice Sutherland on Wednesday evening. Busy fingers were about equally occupied with work for the French wounded and in the preparation of Christmas gifts.
H. Bert Walker has gone to Marblehead to work and Mrs. Walker, who has not fully recovered from her recent severe illness, will stay with her home people in Waltham for a time, and later expects to join her husband in Marblehead.
Preparatory to cleaning up what is known as the Keyes lot at the center of the town, an auction was held on last Saturday afternoon under the direction of the committee in charge, consisting of O. R. Spalding, S. B. Watson, E. M. Abbot, H. V. Hildreth and Robert Prescott. John M. Farrell was the auctioneer and sold the old harness shop to John Feeney for twenty dollars. We expect Mr. Feeney must have bought this building partly for old association’s sake, for this was where he conducted a harness shop for so many years. The old blacksmith shop [now part of the house at 36 Leland Rd.] was sold to Frank C. Wright for twenty dollars and Harold W. Hildreth bought the sheds. These buildings will be moved away and the place cleared up, and the work of remodeling the old academy into a firehouse begun. The committee in charge may not be an organized village improvement society, but that is what their efforts amount to and the result will be much appreciated by the village people.
Mrs. Frances B. Prescott is confined to her home with illness.
Walter Fletcher [son of Joseph Willard Fletcher], at Westford depot, who is his father’s assistant in the grain business, is delivering his heavy loads with the aid of gasolene [sic] power rather than horse power. The D. L. Greigs at Fairview farm have recently purchased a half-ton Stewart truck for their milk route into Lowell, which is operated by John S. Greig.
The Charles D. Colburns have recently had the misfortune to have a fine flock of fifty hens stolen from their farm. A Jewish peddler wanted to buy the birds earlier in the fall, but Mr. Colburn did not care to sell. At about the time they were stolen John S. Greig passed a small auto truck one morning at about three o’clock on his morning milk route into Lowell, which had poultry on it. This evidence is not definite enough either as a clue or proof and Mr. Colburn feels that he cannot trace the thieves and must stand his loss with what philosophy he can.
At the Congregational church banquet last week Thursday evening L. W. Wheeler, clerk of the church, and chairman of the supply committee, read a letter from Rev Howard A. Lincoln, who has accepted the call recently extended to him to become the pastor of the church. It is expected he will take up his new duties about December 1.
Miss May E. Day is recovering from an unfortunate accident which she recently met. A young heifer at her home got at some squashes stored in a sunny corner temporarily, and in going to drive her away the animal kicked up in such a way as to strike Miss Day in the face with its heels, knocking her unconscious and breaking her nose. Fortunately the fracture was such that no disfigurement will result, but a ruptured blood vessel caused a serious hemorrhage which the attending physician worked hard to control. She was obliged to be in bed for nearly a week, but is now up and about, but still weak from loss of blood.
The ladies of the Unitarian society held a most attractive food sale on Thursday afternoon. The many good cooks in the society contributed most attractive edibles which found a ready sale. The committee in charge were Mrs. Alma M. Richardson, Mrs. John Burbeck, Mrs. Frances Prescott, Mrs. William E. Frost, Miss Emily F. Fletcher, Miss Clara A. Smith, Miss A. G. Flanders and Mrs. C. P. R. Decatur.
The Ladies’ Missionary society of the Congregational church met with Mrs. L. W. Wheeler on Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. William C. Roudenbush, Mrs. A. E. Loveless and Miss Sarah W. Loker assisted in the program.
The wintry weather with snow and cold of this week, coming after the especially pleasant fall weather, made winter seem close at hand and a hustle of preparation for colder weather was the order of things. Some of the orchardists had not succeeded in getting all their apples under cover. Perley W. Wright, who is one of the town’s busiest men, keeping his two big trucks going over the road with apples and other produce, reports seeing many piles of apples still out between here and Boston.
The repairs at the parsonage are progressing nicely and the new pastor and his wife will find the freshly renovated rooms very fresh and attractive. The Lowell firm who is doing the work are also doing work for Mrs. Augustus Prescott and Mrs. Alma M. Richardson.
Next Tuesday afternoon, at the Congregational church, presidents’ day will be held by the Tadmuck club. This is one of the most attractive days in the club calendar and as there will be many strangers present, each member will please try and constitute herself an assistant hostess. The address will be by Mrs. J. Harry Poole, organizing secretary of the General Federation of Woman’s clubs, and Mrs. Turner Carlisle Kelly, of Tufts college, an accomplished violinist, will play. Mrs. A. E. Loveless is the hostess of the afternoon.
Rev E. C. Whiting, of South Sudbury, preached as a supply at the Congregational church last Sunday. The evening service was conducted by L. W. Wheeler. A supply will be sent by Dr. Covell of the supply bureau in Boston for Sunday. The last of the missionary collections for the year, the American Board collection, will be taken at this service. A week from Sunday it is expected that Rev. A. C. Fite, of Graniteville [Methodist Episcopal Church], will occupy the pulpit.
Banquet. The annual church banquet which took place at the Congregational church last week proved a success in every way and reflected the greatest credit upon the committee in charge. The dinner, decorations, music and speaking were all most enjoyable. There were fully 150 present to partake of the good menu. Booth’s orchestra, of Lowell, five pieces, furnished music for the evening and Mr. Hillier, a member of the orchestra, and one of Lowell’s most accomplished pianists, furnished special music, his rendering of a descriptive Hungarian rhapsody being particularly enjoyable.
The speakers were Mr. Williams, of Lowell, an enthusiastic Boy Scout worker, supplemented ably on the same subject by Luther W. Falkner, of Lowell. Carl D. Burt, principal of the Lowell high school, gave a scholarly and timely address on “The psychological causes of the German war,” to which Rev. L. H. Buckshorn added some earnest remarks. Rev. William A. [E.] Anderson spoke in pleasant vein and brought felicitous greetings and Rev. A. H. Fite the town’s newest clergyman, spoke interestingly. John P. Wright was at his best as the toastmaster of the evening.
The committee in charge were Mr. Hartford, Mrs. A. E. Day, Mrs. A. H. and Mrs. S. B. Watson, Mrs. A. W. Burnham, Miss Ida Leighton and Miss J. Florence Wilson.
About Town. Amos Polley, of the Prairie farm, who is not yet through haying, is preparing to hitch onto the uncut and draw it right into the barn, favored by the kindness of the weather bureau with these slippery conditions.
A merry company of Westford Grange neighbored with Tyngsboro Grange on Tuesday evening. Lowell, Dracut, Pelham, Chelmsford and other inland towns were represented. Tyngsboro worked the fourth degree on a small class and afterwards worked a supper on everybody. The work of the fourth degree, with rare, splendid tableaux, was impressively done. The march of the officers at the opening was another feature of the work.
At the special town meeting to consider the light question of the town on last week Friday evening H. V. Hildreth was elected moderator. After a discussion on the matter it was decided to pay eighteen dollars per light, the matter of location to be left with the selectmen for five years to come.
George C. Moore of Brookside mills is rebuilding the canal dam close to the Stony Brook railroad, between West Chelmsford and Twiss crossing.
Carloads of cider apples are being loaded at Westford for the Jewett Vinegar Company in Lowell.
Mr. and Mrs. Warren Gould and daughter, Mrs. M. F. Williams, of Middlesex Village, all well-known former residents of Westford, left Wednesday for California.
At the Coram hospital last Tuesday [Nov. 4] a son [George C. Moore 3rd] was born to Mr. and Mrs. George C. Moore, of North Chelmsford. Brookside please rise and hand out a salute.
Mrs. Herbert E. Fletcher, Mrs. Hammett D. Wright, Mrs. Fred A. Snow, [and] Mrs. Rita Bickford Anderson attended a federation meeting in Melrose on Wednesday.
Forge Village. The pupils of Cameron school enjoyed a holiday last week Friday, the teachers attending a convention in Ayer.
Mrs. Matthew Elliott fell on the cattle bars on the railroad near Pine Ridge station last Sunday morning while returning from St. Catherine’s church and broke her wrist.
According to the town report, certain changes have been made in the school calendar, which affects Cameron school. The Thanksgiving holidays will commence on [Wednesday] November 29 and will end Sunday, the school being reopened on December 4. On [Friday] December 15, the school will close for the two-weeks’ Christmas vacation and will reopen on new year’s day [a Monday]. The spring vacation will begin on [Friday] March 16 and end [Monday] April 2.
Hugh Ferguson and William Burnett attended the meeting of the vestrymen of St. Andrew’s parish held in Ayer on Tuesday evening.
The annual parish meeting of St. Andrew’s church was held at Groton school on last week Thursday evening, at which many attended from here. Barges met the electric car at Ayer for the ride to Groton, and a special car conveyed the delegation home.
Little Alice Mountain still lies in a very critical condition at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Mountain.
J. A. Healey [sic], of Graniteville, has finished the work of laying cement sidewalks on Pleasant street.
John E. Burnett leaves for Clinton on Sunday, where he has accepted a position as second-hand in the wool-combing department of the Bigelow-Hartford Carpet Co. His family will join him later.
Mrs. John Edwards has been confined to her home by illness.
Mrs. Elizabeth Splain suffered a severe attack of heart trouble on Wednesday, but is now improving.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Beaver have welcomed a little son into their home.
William Baker is ill at his home.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hindle, of Chelmsford Center, and little granddaughter, Edith Charlton, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Precious last Sunday evening.
Harvest home services were held at St. Andrew’s mission on last Sunday afternoon. The chapel was decorated especially for the occasion with autumn leaves and berries, and the altar was tastefully arranged with cut flowers and large evergreen cross. A fine display of fruits and vegetables occupied a prominent place. Special music by the vested choir was sung. Rev. Endicott Peabody, head master at Groton School, conducted the services and preached a most interesting sermon on the great European war. Mr. Peabody and daughter, Miss Rose, spent the past summer at the front in France and as a result had many experiences to relate.
The quiet of the Lord’s day was rashfully broken last Sunday afternoon by a Polish mix-up which occurred on Pleasant street in front of the mill of Abbot & Co. The weapons used were knives, brooms and a cobbler’s iron last. Two men received very severe cuts and others were injured as a result. Special Officers Pickering and Sutherland were brought to the scene and appointed John W. Catchpole and Ephraim Reed special police officers for the remainder of the day.
Graniteville. The friends and neighbors of Mrs. Lucy A. Blood arranged a very successful birthday surprise party for her on last Saturday evening. Knowing that the crowd would be too large for her home [60 Broadway St.] it was thought best to hold the event in the M.E. church vestry. On some pretext the ones in charge managed to get her there and the surprise feature was a great success. She was presented by W. O. Hawkes, in behalf of the donors, a splendid metal plant holder and a mahogany taboret. During the evening the following pleasing program was enjoyed: Piano solo, Florence Caunton [Caunter?]; song, Henry Smith; quartet, George Wilson, Frank Caunter, Henry Smith, Alonzo Fite; duet, Jennie and Roy Blanchard. After several games by the young people, preceded by refreshments, the party adjourned after congratulating Mrs. Blood on her sixty-ninth birthday anniversary. Mrs. C. E. Eaton arranged the affair and the program was in charge of Miss Alice May Gilson.
Arrangements have been made to have at the M.E. church on Sunday, the evangelist known as “The Billy Sunday of Japan.” The pastor is trying to arrange three services, since this was the only date he had open until the first of the year.
The two-weeks’ mission that has been held in St. Catherine’s church, under the direction of Rev. Louis A. Nolin, O.M.I., of St. Joseph’s church, Lowell came to a very successful close here on last Sunday afternoon with a large number in attendance. The last week was devoted to the interests of the French speaking people and they surely took advantage of the opportunity by attending faithfully to all the services. Mr. Nolin congratulated them on their constant attendance during the week, saying that it was a great source of satisfaction to him to see them appear in such large numbers. The French-speaking people, as well as the other members of the church, have been deeply impressed with the inspiring sermons during this mission and Mr. Nolin’s brief instructions after each mass have been followed with the deepest interest of all. The regular choir has been in attendance at the different services.
Mrs. De Lorenzo has recently returned from a brief visit spent with her son and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edward De Lorenzo, in Milford, N.H.
Albert W. Heywood, of Company M, Ninth Infantry, who recently returned from the Mexican border, was in town last Sunday. Heywood is a Westford boy and was renewing many old friendships during his brief stay here.
The regular meeting of Cameron circle, C.F. of A., was held in the rooms of the organization on Tuesday night with a large number in attendance. Much business of importance was transacted and at the conclusion of the session a social hour was enjoyed.
The first snowstorm of the season arrived here on Tuesday.
Mrs. S. E. Bancroft, Groton road, has so far recovered from her serious illness as to be able to take an auto trip to New Hampshire hills to complete her recovery. She has been a frequent visitor here and also a taxpayer in this town in years past.
Ayer
District Court. On Tuesday morning John Brickko, Steve Brickko and Mike Schonic were found guilty of assault and battery on Steve, Leon and Sam Belida at Forge Village last Sunday. John Brickko was fined twenty-five dollars on three complaints for assault. Steve Brickko was fined ten dollars and Mike Schonic was found guilty and the complaint against him filed. The three Belidas were found not guilty of assault on Wassel Belida and John Brickko, and discharged from custody. In all there were sixteen complaints, requiring Judge Atwood, two lawyers and two interpreters to straighten out the various charges preferred by all the parties to the assaults.
The trouble arose between two factions of Polish residents at Forge Village when the ill feeling which had existed between them for some time broke out into a fierce battle last Sunday.
The three Belidas got decidedly the worst of the encounter, each having from three to five cuts on the head that penetrated to the bone. The instrument used in the assaults was a shoemakers iron last. The three men’s heads were swathed in bandages as a result of the fight. They presented a sorry sight.
Wassel Belida, another member of the attacking force, received two black eyes and a disfigured nose. How he received the injuries no one seemed to know.
Dr. O. V. Wells, who dressed the wounds of the injured men, was obliged to call for an officer while doing the work in order to prevent further trouble, according to the doctor’s statement to the court. John M. Maloney appeared as counsel for Steve, Sam and Leon Belida, and Frank J. Maloney for John and Steve Brickko and Mike Schonic.