The Westford Wardsman, November 29, 1919
Center. Miss Emily F. Fletcher’s telephone number has been changed to 105.
Mrs. John Greig, at Fairview farm, remains very seriously sick. Miss Mary Morin is the efficient nurse in attendance.
John Howard is still detained with the remaining members of the state guard in Boston. Counting those men from North Chelmsford, there are seventeen who still remain on duty.
Miss Hazel Hartford is convalescent from an attack of pleurisy which kept her at home from business for one week.
Mrs. Charles A. Blodgett will take the place of Mrs. Whiting at the Frost school after the Thanksgiving recess. Mrs. Blodgett, formerly Miss Lottie Dunn, taught at the Frost school previous to her marriage [Sept. 11, 1918,] and the school committee are fortunate in securing her for the remainder of the school year.
Word came to Westford on Tuesday of the death of Mrs. Lauretta Tyler at a private hospital in Dracut, where she had been ill for many months. Mrs. Tyler formerly lived in Westford, where she will be remembered as the aunt of the late Walter J. Merritt. The house that she occupied near her nephew’s home was built for her. She moved here from Arlington where she had lived for many years, and where her husband previous to his death had been in business for many years. Mrs. Tyler, at the time of her death, was well past eighty. During the time she lived in Westford, owing to frail health, advanced years and deafness, she did not go from home, but lived very quietly, but those who made her acquaintance found her always pleasant and intelligent, a gentlewoman of the old school, whom it was a pleasure to meet.
The A. W. Hartfords went to Graniteville for Thanksgiving for a family dinner with Mrs. Hartford’s parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Prescott entertained a family group of relations for the holiday.
Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Hildreth had a happy family gathering for the holiday with Harold W. Hildreth and his family and Leon F. Hildreth at home. Both boys last year were in service in France.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark and Mrs. Fitch, of Somerville, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Sutherland last Sunday.
Roger Hildreth is at home from school with an attack of chick-pox.
Mrs. Edmund Day observed her eighty-seventh birthday anniversary last Sunday. The day was made memorable with a visit to Groton at the home of Fred Coburn, a kinsman, where a family dinner party with ten present was enjoyed. Mrs. Day is well for one of her years, and a cheerful and optimistic outlook upon life and the devotion of her children make the passing years most pleasant.
Miss Jessie Smith, of Longmont, Col., spent Thanksgiving at the home of her cousin, Mrs. O. L. Brownsey.
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Kimball went to Quincy for the holiday with relatives of Mrs. Kimball, and from there go south for the winter.
Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Osgood went to Cambridge to spend Thanksgiving with Mr. and Mrs. Lyman E. Wilkins.
Mr. and Mrs. George F. White entertained the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. White, of Nashua, for the holiday, and also Mrs. White’s mother, Mrs. Dustin, also of Nashua.
Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler enjoyed Thanksgiving with relatives in Newport, R.I.
Clifton Woods, son of William L. Woods, has now joined the navy and is located at the navy yard in Charlestown.
Rev. A. E. Jenkins, of North Chelmsford, will preach at the Congregational church on Sunday morning in exchange with Rev. O. L. Brownsey. His subject will be “Overflow of personality.” At the evening service at seven o’clock Mr. Brownsey will speak on “Making a life a masterpiece.”
The monthly meeting of the Ladies’ Missionary society met with Mrs. L. W. Wheeler last week Friday afternoon. Mrs. O. L. Brownsey led the devotional service and had charge of the program. “Medical missions in India” was the subject for the afternoon and was well exemplified from the book of study for the year by Mrs. Bartlett. Mrs. White also read a most interesting account from a recent Boston Transcript of the 100th anniversary of the sailing of Dr. John Scudder, the famous medical missionary, to Calcutta, India. Of Dr. Scudder’s descendants twenty-two have been missionaries—fourteen men and eight women. [“Rev. Dr. John Scudder Sr. (1793-1855), M.D., D.D., founded the first Western Medical Mission in Asia at Ceylon and later became the first American medical missionary in India.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Scudder_Sr.]
The 100th birthday anniversary [Nov. 22] of George Eliot [Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880)], the famous English novelist, is being observed this week. At the J. V. Fletcher library her works and biographies have been prominently and conveniently arranged by the librarian.
The two massive easy chairs in the conservation at the library have been handsomely reupholstered in leather.
The dance at the town hall Thanksgiving eve proved a happy social event for the young people and some who were not as young. The affair was in charge of the young men and the Colonial orchestra of seven pieces of Waltham furnished music for the dancing.
Tadmuck Club. The second meeting for November of the Tadmuck club took place on Tuesday afternoon in Library hall. Notice was given of unpaid dues and in relation to the coming guest night on December 9, when the guest tickets could be issued only to those whose dues were paid.
Mrs. Roudenbush, the president, gave a brief report of the autumn meeting of the State Federation held in Brockton, which she attended. Mrs. Hammett Wright spoke for the thrift campaign.
Dr. Lily Owen Burbank, educational organizer of the state department of health, was introduced and spoke on “The parents’ responsibility.” She proved a fine speaker and gave a straight-forward talk on social hygiene from the educated physician’s viewpoint.
The next meeting, on the evening of December 9 at eight o’clock, will be observed as the annual guest evening at the Congregational church. There will be an address by J. L. Harbour on “Blessed be humor”; music, Miss Helen Quigley, Hostesses, Mrs. William R. Carver, Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding and Mrs. H. V. Hildreth.
About Town. At the last meeting of the Grange the following officers were elected: Clyde Prescott, m.; Clifford Johnson, o.; Fred A. Hanscom, lect.; Harry O. Hartford, stew.; Mrs. Frank C. Wright, sec.; A. H. Sutherland, treas.; J. Frank Chandler, chap.; Ruth Johnson, Ceres; Gladys Fletcher, Pomona; Marion Fletcher, Flora; Elva T. Judd, l.a.s.; Howard Judd, g.k.; W. R. Taylor, member of executive committee. The next meeting will be held on Thursday evening, December 4. Fred Hanscom will give an illustrated lecture on the Yellowstone National Park.
A special town meeting has been called for next week Thursday evening at eight o’clock. Following the choosing of a moderator Article 2 is to hear the report of the committee chosen at the last annual meeting to investigate and report as to the most suitable form of memorial for those who served in the world war; Article 3, to see if the town will appropriate money for the purpose of giving a reception to the men and women from the town of Westford who served in the world war.
Government reports have been issued in regard to the forest fires in Idaho and Montana. Most of these fires were caused by lightning. It is estimated that 1,000,000 acres were burned over. A maximum of 4500 extra men were employed besides the regular force in fighting these fires, which were finally subdued by timely rains and snow. The fires were accompanied by winds of great velocity. Only seven men lost their lives this year as against seventy last year; two died from spotted fever, one from over exertion and four were killed by falling trees. The intensity of the heat from these fires were such that a large crew of men and a pack train were obliged to remain in a cold stream eighteen hours to avoid being burned to death.
John A. Taylor writes from North Dakota that the weather is getting quite chilly at 15 below zero, with snowdrifts and blizzards to add to the chilliness of appearances.
The next meeting of the Middlesex North Pomona Grange will be held at Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell, Friday, December 5. The lecturer, Mrs. Warren A. Sherburne, expects to launch an unusually entertaining program as a sort of a farewell send-off for the year.
The town teams are filling the depressions on the Lowell road. This is made more necessary by the increased travel on the road since the Abbot Worsted Company purchased the Brookside mill.
A Get Together Meeting. The first annual get-together of citizens interested in the work of the Middlesex County Farm Bureau will be held in Boston next week Friday in Ford hall. The following is the condensed program: 10:30, address of welcome, Alfred L. Cutting, chairman Middlesex county commissioners: “Organization and finance” Fred D. Griggs; “Agriculture,” John B. Abbott; “Horticulture,” Albert R. Jenks; “Home economics,” Margaret L. Robinson; “Club work,” Robert P. Trask; address, Dr. Kenyon L. Butterfield, president Massachusetts Agricultural college; dinner at twelve o’clock; community singing; introductory remarks, Hon. George H. Ellis; “Stories of experience,” Miss Hazel Miller, County Canning club champion; Wilfred Tuttle, county market garden champion; address, Gov. Coolidge; community singing; “Agriculture,” Louis W. Dean; “Home economics,” Mrs. James J. Storrow, Reginald W. Bird. “Bring your neighbor” is the broad invitation of the board of trustees.
Graniteville. The regular meeting of Cameron circle, C. of F. of A., was held on Tuesday evening with a good attendance.
The public schools were closed after the Wednesday sessions and will reopen on Monday morning at the usual hour.
Many from here attended the dancing in Westford on Wednesday evening and report a very enjoyable time.
First Aid Class. A first aid class, given under the direction of the Abbot Worsted Company in conjunction with the Mutual Liability Insurance Co., has recently been formed here. The first meeting was held in the Abbot clubhouse on Monday evening. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Harry Coburn, of Westford. Mrs. A. M. Wells and Mrs. E. K. Sargent assisted in the demonstration work. The class is composed of the following persons from the different mills; Graniteville, Misses Hilma Sugden, Alice Gower, Marion Tyler, Elizabeth Turner, Dora LeDuc, and C. M. Sawyer, A. M. Whitley, R. J. McCarthy; Forge Village, Fred Naylor, James May, Warren Winslow, Misses Harriett O’Neil, Elizabeth Delaney, Annie LeClair, Emily McNiff, Emily Collins, Annie Socha; Brookside, W. Balmforth, Misses Jessie McNaughton, Helga Lundgren. It is the intention to hold a meeting each week if possible, and much good will result from this, as the work is both interesting and instructive.
Forge Village. Abbot Worsted soccer team played the United Shoe Company eleven of Beverly last Saturday in the second round of the national cup. It was not until an additional thirty minutes had been played that Beverly was decided the winner. Every man on the Abbot team played good ball, but the weight of their opponents counted greatly against the cleverness of the Abbot team. C. Clegg’s perfect center enabled F. Turnbull to place the ball safely in the net, making the only goal the local team scored. There were but five minutes to play when Beverly scored the winning goal. The goals were scored by Turnbull for Abbot, and by A. Black and Gordon for Beverly. Much interest is centered on the game to be played Saturday against Manchester at Abbot park. The winning of this game is equally important to both teams and every man will strive to do his utmost. The game starts at 2:30.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Collins, of Southbridge, and little daughter, were the weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collins.
This week’s meeting of Mattawanaka [sic] lodge was held on Friday night instead of Thanksgiving. Miss Elva Judd, secretary, was at the club at seven o’clock so that all those who had not yet signed the declaration and nomination books would have an opportunity to do so at that time.
A very delightful concert was given on Tuesday evening by the members of St. Andrew’s Sunday school. The program started with a piano duet by the Misses Ruth Bennett and Marion Lord, followed by a song, “Carry me back to Old Virginia,” senior members of school; reading, Lillian Hosmer; piano solo, Rita Pendlebury; “Cobber’s song,” small children; reading, Annie Hunt; song, Marion Lord; drill, children; “Laughing song,” small children; reading, Laura Morton; song, Annie Orr; piano solo, Marjorie Baker; reading, Gertrude Baker; Henry Van Dyke’s “Home-coming song,” older girls. The accompanists were Misses Daisy Precious and Lillian Baker. The committee in charge were Misses Theresa Lowther, Sarah Precious, Marion Lord and Gladys Baker. The affair was a success, both financially and socially. After the concert dancing and games were enjoyed.
Ayer
An Interesting Address. The entertainment given Wednesday evening in the Soldiers’ clubhouse on West street under the auspices of the Joseph Connors post, American Legion, was one of the finest pictures of the war ever given in town. It was interesting and instructive in the highest degree. It was a series of war scenes representing about every detail of the war, and in such a realistic way that it made one think that he was actually on the scene, and having a long experience in the war. The pictures were all taken where the events occurred and one saw the guns, the trenches, the shot and shell, the autos, No Man’s land, the aeroplanes, the birds, the ruined churches, the dances and other games, everything that one had read of was shown. And best of all was the story of the whole given as the pictures proceeded by the one who took them and had seen and known the whole. It was an epitome of the war most wonderful and must have made a lasting impression upon all who were present. Capt. Cooper, the speaker, was introduced by Dr. B. H. Hopkins, the president of the legion.
The house was filled and the result was a financial success for the legion, which will be in the days to come a power and influence in the community which will help to make loyal Americans of all.
Camp Devens Court Martial. The four soldiers alleged to have held up and robbed a Leominster jitney driver on October 2 were tried before a court-martial board at camp on Tuesday, the case being prosecuted by Judge Advocate Thomas Bond. The men tried for the offence were Corp. Noah Stone and Private Frank S. Llewellyn of G Company, and Privates Herbert A. Ellis and Robert C. Wright of K Company of the 36th Infantry. Stone is from the west and is an old army man, while the others are from Boston and have been in the service about a year.
According to the testimony of the witnesses the four soldiers engaged John A. Enos to take them from Leominster to Camp Devens. William Richard, another jitney driver, accompanied Enos and sat beside him on the front seat. After getting out onto Prospect street in Leominster the soldiers covered Enos and Richard with their revolvers and made them stop the machine and get out. They then relieved Enos of what money and valuables he had, and then drove away in the car, leaving Enos and Richard standing in the street. The machine was later found standing on Hanover street in Boston by the police of that city.
Other witnesses were the officers who conducted the investigation which led to the arrest of the four accused soldiers–Major Charles A. Mahoney of the 36th Infantry; Capt. E. J. Whelpley, assistant camp inspector; 1st Sergt. Henry A. Lothrop, 26th Infantry; Cook Albert J. Fritz, 36th Infantry; 1st Lieut. C. R. Donaldson, prison officer, and 2nd Lieut. E. W. Smith, 36th Infantry.
Major-General McCain will review the findings of the court and they will later be published in general orders.
Devens Scribes Organize. Newspaper reporters assigned to write military news at Camp Devens and other army stations during the war last week Friday night organized the Camp Devens War Correspondents Corps at a meeting and dinner at the Boston Tavern. The purposes of the organization were set forth in a resolution, unanimously adopted, which read:
“Whereas we, the accredited newspaper correspondents of American newspapers at various cantonments, camps and areas in this country have enjoyed the confidence of the military authorities during the world conflict and have done our best to furnish the news of American troops to the American people in accurate and reliable form, be it
“Resolved, that we gathered together in Boston, Mass., pledge ourselves to uphold the government of the United States against the forces apparently seeking to hamper and possibly destroy it and to continue to render to the public the best services of which we are capable in the future as in the past and through the columns of our respective publications to present the news in accurate and unbiased form and with all the power at our command to combat the said forces.”
Those present included newspaper correspondents from Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts cities, Bert Ford of Boston, accredited war correspondent in France, was chosen head of the corps with the rank of general, commanding. Other officers elected included, chief of staff, William J. Robinson; adjutant, Charles E. Folsom; finance officer, Jerome V. Keating; chaplain, J. S. Prince, Providence, R.I.; quartermaster, Leslie F. Catton; surgeon, Lawrence L. Winship; signal officer, Herbert L. Baldwin; machine gun officer, Ray T. Tucker, Hartford, Conn.; aide-de-camp, George W. Murphy; provost marshal, Thomas F. Phelan; moral officer, John J. Mahoney; intelligence officer J. Alfred Belisle, Worcester; judge advocate, John Dickerman Bates; sanitary inspector, Harvey C. Howard, New York; inspector general, Tyler H. Bliss, New York; ordnance officer, Herbert W. Murkland; chief of artillery, Charles Manson; engineer officer, J. H. Fifield, Springfield.
Honorary members elected included Major-Gen. H. P. McCain, Col. Frank Tompkins, Brig.-Gen. M. B. Stuart, Capt. Norman Harrower, Col. J. S. Herron, Col. J. M. Wainwright, Lieut. Col. Theodore Burleigh, Lieut.-Col. George M. Peek, Col. Arthur S. Conklin, Major-Gen. William Weigel and several other friends of the correspondents at Camp Devens.