The Westford Wardsman, September 7, 1918
Center. Schools reopened on Tuesday with the list of teachers as printed last week. The enrollment of pupils at the academy is sixty-five, being about equally divided as to boys and girls. The number at the Frost school is 120, which total may increase a little as school gets into running order.
The four out-of-town teachers, Mrs. Whiting and the Misses Cohen, Crocker and Ranney, are boarding with Mrs. J. E. Knight.
The funeral of Mrs. Eveline P. Robinson was held last Saturday at 1:30 o’clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Perley E. Wright. Rev. Howard A. Lincoln was the officiating clergyman and there was a profusion of beautiful floral offerings. Mrs. Nettie E. Roberts, of Lowell, sang three beautiful selections, “Asleep in Jesus,” “Abide with me” and “Safe in the arms of Jesus,” and “Home, sweet home” at the committal service at the grave. The bearers were J. Willard Fletcher, Emory J. Whitney, Harry Gumb and L. W. Wheeler. Burial was in Hudson, N.H.
Mrs. Annie Barnard, of Alliston, is spending some time with Mr. and Mrs. Willis Hildreth.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Colburn and son Clarence went to Alton Bay, N.H., for over the weekend and holiday.
Mrs. Eleanor Farr, living at the Parker farm, died last week Friday after a lingering illness. Mrs. Farr was forty years of age and is survived by her husband, Erwin H. Farr, and a daughter Frances. Prayer services were held at her late home the first of the week, and burial was in Hardwick, Vt., which is the home of her parents.
Edwin A. Roby has been home on a brief furlough. After a year’s service overseas, where he has seen strenuous service, he has been sent to this country as military instructor at one of the large training camps. He has been “over the top” three times.
Those in charge of the registration in the several precincts, September 12, are Charles L. Hildreth and Alfred W. Hartford, precinct 1; William R. Taylor, Brookside; A. T. Prinn and Robert McCarthy, Graniteville; Edward T. Hanley and John Edwards, Forge Village.
Rev. L. H. Buckshorn has not been able to trace the goods stolen recently from him. During the absence of all the members of the family some time since, a hired man ransacked the house and helped himself to a lot of good wearing apparel, including a good overcoat, all of which he packed in a suitcase, after which he made an effectual getaway.
Mrs. Evelyn Hamlin Reid, of Providence, has been a guest this week of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred W. Hartford.
Regular services were resumed at the Congregational church last Sunday after the August vacation. Communion service followed the morning service. At the evening service Mr. Lincoln gave a timely address concerning the war. There were thirty present and Mr. Loveless and other good singers made the song service a good one.
There was a dancing party at the town hall last week Friday evening in charge of the Oakland baseball team. The Colonial orchestra, of Maynard, furnished the music for dancing, and refreshments were served.
While Westford is out of line with any of the main automobile routes, still many autos pass through the town on Sundays. Last Sunday, the first of the Sunday gasoline conserving, was noticeably quiet and the village reminded one of the pleasant quiet of old-time Sundays.
Mrs. Walter A. Logan, who makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. John Perkins, has received word that her husband, Sergt. Logan, in France, has been severely wounded. Mrs. Logan has two little children, one born since her husband went overseas, and the sympathy of the community goes out to this little infant.
As cooler weather comes on and notwithstanding the busy canning season and many other calls on time and strength, it is hoped that the call for help in the relief work in Red Cross and French Aid will be well responded to. There is plenty of sewing for the Red Cross and a large consignment of gauze work to be accomplished
The next drill of Company L, M.S.G., will take place on Tuesday evening, September 17. Alfred W. Hartford, mess sergeant, reports that the cost per man a day at the recent four-days’ tour of duty was sixty-seven cents, which with the good results accomplished, was a pretty good outcome.
A special town meeting was held on Tuesday evening at the town hall, with about fifty voters present. Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher was chosen moderator and it was voted to appropriate $1200 toward the maintenance of the branch line electrics.
About Town. After vacation services at the Unitarian church will begin on Sunday.
Turtle turning was played Monday evening at Banister’s corner, commencing at nine o’clock and closing promptly at eleven. The parties were coming from Ayer, towards Lowell, missed the road at Pine Ridge, taking the road for Westford center, came down Cummings hill, started to miss the road again and go to Westford station instead of Lowell. In swerving quickly and sharply to get back to the Lowell road one or more wheels of the auto became wedged in the groove of the guard rail of the electric track at the sharp curve at Banister’s, causing the auto to turtle itself enough to throw the inhabitants out, of whom there was father, mother and three children. The youngest child was badly lacerated, either from broken glass or striking some other projectile. They were rendered first aid at the Banister homestead. After being warmed, fed and soothed, they were able to proceed to Lowell. The auto was only damaged in its essentials of glass. Norman Phillips and others were drafted from sleep to help boost the machine from the position of turtle to safety.
Mr. and Mrs. Nichols and three children, from Windsor, Vt., have moved into the Read-Drew farmhouse [164 Main St.]. Mr. Nichols is employed on the farm.
Tyngsboro and Lowell parties were early in town Labor day, looking for real estate farms for purchase.
The Old Oaken Bucket farm folks, W. R. Taylor, F. A. and G. F. Snow families, with three autos, laid down the burdens of labor on Labor day and labored over to Long pond, Fort pond [both in Littleton] and Nagog pond [in Acton], sometimes called Lake Nagog, no more lake than the others. With these new environments as a padlock against labor it was delightfully restful and inspiring to the long-neglected garden of the spirit.
J. Harry Wilkins, of Carlisle, has filed nomination papers as the republican candidate for representative from the eleventh district, which includes Acton, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Bedford, Littleton, Tyngsboro and Westford.
The managers of the Red Cross activities for West Chelmsford and Oak hill, Westford, held a social dance and social without dance at Nabnassett hall last Saturday evening. Hibbard’s orchestra, of Lowell, did the music act to which all feet responded. There was a liberal audience and a liberal revenue return. The responsible [parties] were Mrs. Herbert E. Fletcher, Mrs. John J. Monahan and Mrs. Oscar R. Naylor.
Henry O’Brien was home for a few days on furlough from naval ship building in New York, recently.
The government estimates the loss from fire on forest reserves at $19,000,000 last year. Many of these fires were caused by lightning during rainless showers. The government has arranged for a properly equipped patrol service.
A national plan for a great liberty wheat harvest in 1919 was announced on July 22 by the department of agriculture. American farmers are asked to sow to winter wheat this fall and not less than 45,000,000 acres, an increase of seven percent over that of last year’s sowing, and suggests that even a greater area, approximately 47,500,000 acres be sown. The department and the state colleges and leading farmers throughout the country will be asked to make good their state quota.
Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Drew and three sons motored over from Greenwich, Conn., last week. The three sons were left with the grandmother at the Drew homestead while Mr. and Mrs. Drew continued on to Provincetown to enjoy the sea breezes. The return trip to Greenwich was made on Labor day.
Mrs. Charles Wright has been attending the camp meetings in Sterling. Rev. Charles Anderson and Mrs. Anderson were there for several days.
Miss Luanna Decatur, who has a splendid position in New Rochelle, N.Y., left Thursday to resume her duties. The plan now is to close the schools during January, February and March on account of the shortage of coal, and have the children return for the summer months.
Seth Banister writes of the great pleasure of seeing Rev. Charles Marshall in England. Mr. Marshall also saw Clarence Hildreth. “Seth” has been nearly six months in England and now has been transferred to France.
When John Adams, in revolutionary days, went on a mission to France for our country it was three months before Mrs. John Adams knew that he had arrived there. Compare that with the modern cable announcing safe arrivals. The Taylor family have received a telegram from headquarters announcing that John A. Taylor is reported by cable as safe overseas.
Oliver Desjardens has commenced cutting the hay on the Daniel H. Sheehan farm on Stony Brook road.
Send before September 15 to Dr. J. N. Murray, Littleton, for entry blanks for the dog show to be held at the Groton Farmers’ and Mechanics’ club fair, September 28.
Graniteville. The Graniteville baseball club visited Forge Village on last Saturday and defeated the Forge Village club by the score of 5 to 2. Forge Village presented a strong lineup. Douglas pitched good ball and was well supported. Graniteville had a new battery in Carney of Ayer and Webber of North Westford. Douglas and Jarvis composed the battery for Forge Village. Weaver, Marinel and Kershan were the umpires. It is expected that Graniteville will play the Westfords in the home grounds here, Saturday, in the last game of the season.
Some joy riders from Nashua, N.H., took the wrong turn at Greig’s corner while driving through here last Saturday evening, about seven o’clock, and as a result their Ford touring car jumped the stone wall at the entrance to Beacon street, and but for a tree would have turned turtle. As it was the top and windshield were smashed, one wheel completely broken off and the side very badly dented. The occupants, four young men, were badly shaken up, but not seriously injured. After the machine had been righted a new wheel was procured and the little Ford rambled right along. The number was 1629 N.H. 1918.
Frank Shattuck, of Concord, N.H., has been a recent visitor here.
Mr. and Mrs. R. J. McCarthy have been spending the last few days in New York city.
Leo Healy has recently returned from Perryville, Md.
Misses Rachel Wall, Dora and Rebecca LeDuc have recently returned from a brief visit to Revere Beach.
The Grant baseball team of Lowell visited here on Labor day morning and defeated a club that represented Graniteville by the score of 13 to 7. It was a loosely played game with lots of hitting and numerous errors. Many regular members of the local team were missing. The batteries were Guichard, Carbo and Carpentier for Graniteville; Prescott, Gagnon and LeDuc for the Giants.
With the excellent weather on Labor day many of the people spent the day at the various beaches, while some took in the numerous sights in Lowell.
Rev. Henry L. Scott, who has been a curate here at St. Catherine’s church for the past three years, announced to the parishioners on last Sunday morning that he will leave shortly for Newburyport, where he will assume the pastorate of St. Louis’ church. Although this means a great advance to Mr. Scott, it is with deep regret that the parishioners of St. Catherine’s must see him go to take up his spiritual work in a broader field, where he will have full charge. Mr. Scott has endeared himself to all, both young and old, since taking up his duties as curate at St. Catherine’s, and the best wishes of many loyal friends, both here and in Forge Village, are extended to him in his new position as pastor. During his farewell address he extended a cordial invitation to all to visit him in Newburyport sometime in the future. It is needless to say that the invitation will surely be accepted by his many friends here, for Rev. Henry L. Scott was beloved by all.
Ayer
News Items. By proclamation of President Wilson all males between the ages of 18 to 45, both inclusive, who have not already registered or who are in the military or naval service of the United States, are obliged to register in their respective towns on Thursday, September 12, from seven in the morning until nine o’clock in the evening. Any male who has reached his eighteenth birthday and all up to their forty-sixth birthday come in this registration on the ground that a man is forty-five until his forty-sixth birthday anniversary. A very severe penalty will be imposed upon all who fail to register on this date. Lyman K. Clark, chief registrar for Ayer, has secured ten assistants who will aid the exemption board in registering. It is estimated that the total number for Ayer to come within the registration requirements is about 400. The registration will take place in the town hall.
Brigadier General John E. Woodward has arrived at Camp Devens, coming from Camp Upton, Yaphank, L.I. He has been given the command of the 24th Infantry Brigade.
Frank O’Neil, Jr., thirteen years of age, son of Patrolman Frank O’Neil, of Dorchester, was knocked down by an automobile in front of the Devens hotel last Saturday forenoon and received injuries that resulted in his death at the base hospital on Wednesday. The boy, after being struck, arose and said that he was only slightly injured. The injuries, however, proved serious and he steadily grew worse until the end. Young O’Neil was working as water boy for Coleman Bros., contractors, at the camp. The driver of the car causing the accident was Herbert Woods, of Waltham. In the car with him were several soldiers whom he was transporting from camp to town.
Your dried peach stones are needed by Uncle Sam to make carbon for our soldiers’ gas masks; 200 peach stones, one gas mask. The Ayer Woman’s club solicit these stones for Ayer. P. Donlon & Co. and Harlow & Parsons have kindly consented to receive at their stores or collect on their routes from the housekeepers all such stones. This is a simple and effective way for Ayer women to “help win the war!”
Rev. William E. Strong, D.D., of Boston, secretary of the American board and prominent minister and editor in the Congregational communion, has been secured for the meeting next Sunday night at the Federation House. The people of Ayer as well as the men in uniform ought to give Dr. Strong a good hearing. The service is at 7:45.
At the United States naturalization court established at Camp Devens, 670 soldiers were made citizens of the United States on August 28. Without being naturalized they could not go overseas to fight. Judge Bingham, responding to the spontaneous hurrahs from the soldier applicants, when asked how they would like to show their desire to become citizens, said “You are enabled to fight for a flag which any man under the sun ought to be proud to serve and you will fight for principles such as are laid down by the president which no other nations in the world can improve. You are in a war for democracy, for peace, and for freedom, and I hope you will be victorious.”
An automobile collision at the state road crossing, a short distance north of the remount depot, at ten o’clock Tuesday night, resulted in injuries to Private Walter B. Evans and Corporal Childer. Evans was treated at the base hospital. In the other car were Lieut. A. M. Goodman of the 42nd Infantry, Mrs. Goodman and Mrs. V. D. Farrar, all of whom were thrown out, receiving slight bruises. Both machines were wrecked.
A concert is to be given at the Soldiers’ club on Sunday evening at seven o’clock by colored soldiers from the 13th Battalion, Depot Brigade. These soldiers have been trained by the assistant director of the Cleft club of New York city. The program will consist of dances, songs and music by the soldiers. On Monday evening, at 7:30, there will be a community sing at the club, led by Jack Archer, Camp Devens song leader. The public is invited to be present on both of these occasions.
Four hundred eighty-four negro draftees arrived at Camp Devens on Sunday, coming from Massachusetts and Connecticut.
District Court. Two soldiers from Camp Devens and two young women from Baltimore, Md., pleaded guilty to committing a statutory offense. The soldiers were turned over to the military officers at the camp; the women received sentences of three months each in the Cambridge jail.
The case of manslaughter, of which Major [Barratt] O’Hara is the complainant, and Robert E. Weitz, of Medford, the defendant, which was called for trial on Thursday morning, was continued by agreement between John D. Carney, counsel for the defendant, and a representative of the complainant until Thursday morning, September 12. The defendant was held in $1000 bail for his appearance at that time. Bail was furnished. The defendant is charged with causing the death of Corporal Adam H. Bock by running him down with an auto truck at Camp Devens on August 28, the truck being owned by Coleman Bros., contractors, by whom the defendant was employed at the time of the accident. The complainant is judge advocate at Camp Devens, and a former lieutenant-governor of Illinois [1913-1917]. There was a question as to whether the defendant, who is a civilian, should be tried by court martial at the camp or in the local court. Major McCain, the commander of the camp, decided that the case should be tried in the civil court. Judge Atwood asked Chief Beatty to notify Nathan Tufts, district attorney, of the date of the trial in order that he or his representative might appear in behalf of the government. The case promises to be an unusually interesting one.
Shirley
News Items. It is understood that shooting on the rifle range at Woodsville is to be started next week, beginning early in the morning. Camp authorities have been investigating this week and there is a possibility that William Wilkins may have to move. A problem has also arisen as to the transportation of school children from that section of the Center school, on account of stray bullets.
Ayer
News Items. Christian Science camp welfare work is now being carried on in forty-five army and navy camps in the United States under the direction of the Christian Science war relief and camp welfare committee of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. There are at present about seventy men and fifteen women serving mainly as welfare room attendants. The aim of the Christian Science camp workers is to be as helpful as possible to all the men in the camps, whether or not they are Christian Scientists, and particularly to give assistance which may not be available at the time or place through any of the other camp welfare agencies. A feature of this phase of the work is an arrangement for keeping soldiers and sailors in close touch with their relatives.
Col. P. A. Connolly and sixty-three non-commissioned officers, who have been with the forces in command of General Pershing in France, have returned to this country and have been assigned to the 12th Division at Camp Devens to aid in getting the troops into the finest condition in the shortest possible time to fit them for service at the front. All of them are decorated with the gold service stripes. Col. Connolly carries two stripes on his right sleeve for wounds received in battle.
There was a very noticeable decrease of automobiles in town last Sunday, due to the request of National Fuel Administrator Garfield for automobile owners to save gasoline. Of the thousands of machines who come Sundays to visit the camp and for other purposes there was but a small fraction who disregarded the request. The result of the edict locally was the lack of any congestion, however, caused by this mode of travel and the traffic officers had little to worry them from this source. As a consequence of the curtailment of motor vehicle travel the steam and electric cars did an extra heavy business. Another result of the request of the national fuel administrator was that a great number of extra automobile owners who complied with the Sunday regulation took advantage of the Saturday afternoon half holiday and the holiday on Monday to use their cars.
Among the visitors at the suffrage coffee house last week were Mrs. Charles Sumner Bird, Mrs. George Winslow Perkins, Mrs. Anna C. M. Tillingast and Mrs. True Worthy White. Mrs. Bird is keenly interested in the work being done for the recreation and comfort of soldiers. The coffee house is established for the men in the ranks and their women friends and visitors. There they find cheerful surroundings, opportunities for amusement and well cooked meals furnished at cost. A new sign will soon swing before its open door, “For soldiers and their friends.” The house is open to all until six o’clock in the afternoon. After that it is used exclusively by soldiers and their guests. At weekends volunteer visiting hostesses are in attendance.