The Westford Wardsman, September, 1912
Saturday, September 7, 1912
Center. At the Union Congregational church on Sunday morning, at 10:45, Miss Emily S. Hartwell, of Foochow, will speak on present conditions in China. Miss Hartwell is the daughter of Rev. Charles Hartwell, who fitted for college at Westford academy during the principalship of Mr. Dinsmore [1843-1845]. He was one of the pioneer missionaries and spent more than fifty years in China. Most of Miss Hartwell’s life has been spent there also, and she will doubtless bring a very interesting message concerning the great social and political changes now taking place. In the evening John A. Taylor will speak, the service beginning at 7:30 o’clock.
Miss Hilda Isles spent the weekend and over the holiday with a party of friends at Salisbury Beach and at Nahant and reports a most enjoyable time.
There will be a gospel service at the Long-Sought-for chapel on Sunday afternoon at three o’clock. Rev. Mr. Jones, an evangelist, of Lowell, will conduct the service and it is hoped a large number will be present. If stormy, the service will be postponed until the following Sunday.
The C.E. society of the Congregational church observed their second anniversary on Sunday evening since its reorganization under the direction of Mrs. Wallace. Otis Day was chosen pres.; George Symmes, v.p.; Martha Symmes, sec.; Anna Symmes, treas. The rest of the membership was placed on the various committees.
The annual Congregational church fair, which was scheduled for September 12, has been postponed to September 18, in deference to the North Middlesex Pomona grange meeting which takes place at Chelmsford on the same day.
The Westford A.A. were victorious in their game with Graniteville on last Saturday afternoon by a score of 12 to 5. There were many present to witness the game and it was a pretty lively contest from start to finish. This is the second time this season that the Westford A.A. team has taken the honors from the Graniteville team.
A very pretty dancing party took place on last Saturday evening and was enjoyed by the young people of this village as well as visitors from Chelmsford and Littleton. Thayer’s orchestra, of Pepperell, furnished music for the occasion and ice cream and cake was served at intermission. The proceeds will be given to the Westford A.A. baseball team. The young ladies who managed the affair were Misses Gertrude and Evelyn Hamlin, Hazel Hartford and Dorothy Jaques.
John A. Taylor will give readings from the works of Henry Van Dyke at the regular evening service at the Congregational church.
The boys from the truant school at North Chelmsford gave an excellent concert at Whitney park during the afternoon on Labor day. The weather was not particularly favorable, but a large gathering enjoyed the excellent concert.
The village schools opened on Tuesday morning with a good enrollment of pupils at both buildings.
About Town. Mrs. Martha Taylor Howard, of Old Oaken Bucket farm folks, has returned to her home at South Bound Brook, N.J.
Mrs. Edward Carkin, living on the old John Morrison farm near Keyes’ pond, has been awarded the contract by the school committee for transporting the scholars from the latitude and longitude of North Westford to Westford Center.
Among those present at the Unitarian church on Sunday was Prof. Rodenbush [sic], the new principal of the Westford academy. He has been teaching for several years at Abbott academy, Farmington, Me.
Gerald Decatur leaves on next week Friday for his school at Porto [sic] Rico.
Seth W. Banister has the appointment from the school committee to take the annual school census.
Miss Frances C. Banister, after several terms of usefulness as teacher in the Sargent school, Graniteville, has resigned.
Charles F. Crosby, the well-known market gardener, of Arlington, was a visitor at the Banister [farm] on Sunday. Josiah, the oldest boy and broken-armed remains at the Banister’s with his aunt, Mrs. Frank W. Banister.
The rush work at the H. E. Fletcher stone quarry has the appearance of finish. This relates to the sea wall and pier, two large contracts that required extra help. This extra help, thirty-three stone cutters, were laid off on last week Wednesday.
The J. Murray Chamberlin place at Chamberlin’s corner, and owned by George E. Gould, has been sold to Mrs. Ryan, of Lowell.
Duane H. Waller has sold his farm at the corner of Main street and Tadmuck road to Mr. Shea, of Boston. The sale includes all the personal property and is reported to have brought $6100.
Those live wire farmers, the Greigs, are growing ensilage corn fourteen to sixteen feet tall and looks like an axe ought to be used to cut it. This comes close to solving the forestry problem.
That rare autumnal flower, the fringed ginseng, is seen in abundance along the meadow banks of the now muddy, sluggish Stony brook.
The next fair of the Middlesex North will be held with Chelmsford grange on next Thursday and Friday at Chelmsford Center. Two hundred dollars additional has been offered in premiums over previous years.
Mrs. Frank W. Banister is visiting with friends at Swampscott.
Seventeen labored on Labor day at the table with other boys at the Old Oaken Bucket farm. At lawn tennis Rev. J. D. Salee and J. A. Taylor put it all over F. A. Snow and W. R. Taylor. They think they will be in it next time if they recover from their present sweating.
The first frost of the season came down the Stony Brook valley on last Saturday night, nipping those trailing vines that blossom squash and pumpkins that had trailed too far from the base of supply.
To Be Used for Charity. “Building better than you know” is being exemplified on the old Hiram Dane farm on the wave-tossed shores of Long-Sought pond. The farm, which has passed into the hands of Boston parties, is not being pushed exclusively for private summer resorts, but the large farm house, barn and twenty acres of land, two large tents and a boat house are donated for a nominal sum to Boston charity. Here mothers and children get a refreshing change from city environments. Boating, fishing, berrying, swinging, dancing, singing, one of nature’s grand old times, with the burdens of ill-fitting, fictitious pride eliminated can be enjoyed. Provision is made for people of all ages and during September the young men of the Ruggles street house, Boston, will be part of the campers. At present it is planned to make this a resort open at all seasons.
An appeal is made for contributions to help along the jolly side of this endeavor. It is reported that Mrs. Josiah Quincy, of Boston, is head master of ceremonies in this enterprise.
W.C.T.U. The annual meeting of the W.C.T.U., for the election of officers, was held on Wednesday afternoon with Mrs. Homer M. Seavey with sixteen members and one visitor present. The following officers were elected: Mrs. Janet Wright, pres.; Mrs. David Wallace and Miss Louise Crosby, v.p.; Mrs. Homer M. Seavey, treas.; Mrs. Emma Day, sec. Miss Edith Wright and Mrs. Frank Walker were admitted to membership.
Mrs. Seavey was chosen as a committee to co-operate with the school committee in having scientific temperance taught in the public schools of the town. This is a movement that has been for several years adopted in many towns in various part of the state. Scientific effects is truth reduced to demonstration. Shall we admit it as counselor or shall we continue to grope our way with the dark lantern of an uncontrollable appetite for counselor. This is a well-directed aim on the part of the W.C.T.U. to summon a witness that can prove its own evidence.
One of the pleasant features of the meeting was the presentation of Mrs. Etta Garven Lewis of a portrait of Mrs. Frances Willard, in memory of Mrs. Andrew S. Wright, who was punctual and active as a member until death laid plans elsewhere. The next meeting will be held with Mrs. J. Willard Fletcher on Thursday afternoon, October 2.
A Native of Westford. The reunion of the veterans of the Thirty-third regiment was held in Tewksbury on Tuesday by invitation of the president of the association, Phineas P. Trowbridge, now in [his] ninetieth year, it being the anniversary of his birth. Mr. Trowbridge was born in Westford on September 3, 1822, and is well-known to the older residents of the town. He was educated in the public schools of the town and for several years carried on the shoemaking business. In 1840, he married Eliza S. Jones, of Lowell. Of their nine children only one is now living, Mrs. George Swett, of North Chelmsford.
Mr. Trowbridge was a gallant soldier in the civil war and courageously faced the terrors of Antietam and Gettysburg. Among others present was William Jubb, of Shirley, formerly of Westford Corner, who enlisted from Westford, and who had several calls in many of the larger battles of the regrettable war. Andrew J. Boise, of Chelmsford, the newly elected vice president of the association, is well-known in the Brookside precinct, where he lived for several years.
Forge Village. Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson, Misses Lena and Bertha Wilson, George Wilson, Mrs. George Weaver and son Malcolm enjoyed last week Friday at Canobie lake.
Miss Nan Rooney, of Lowell, visited Mr. and Mrs. George B. Watson of Oak Grove cottage on Thursday of last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Coley, of Worcester, spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tyler and daughter Elsie, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Curtiss and family, of Worcester, were entertained by the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver recently.
The many friends of Mrs. Charles Blodgett, of Westford, will be pleased to hear of her recovery from her recent illness.
Miss Alice L. Prescott spent the holiday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Prescott. Miss Prescott resumes her duties at the Rowley grammar school in two weeks.
Mrs. Daniel Bennett, of Worcester, returned home on Monday night after a short visit with relatives here. Mrs. William Hosmer and three children accompanied her for a week’s visit in Providence and Worcester.
Mr. and Mrs. William Graves, of Reading, Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls and family, of Beverly, and Mrs. Sarah McIntyre, of Shrewsbury, spent the weekend at the home of Mrs. Lucretia Reed and Mary I. Drake.
Mrs. Thelma Clement, of Waverley, has returned home after a most pleasant visit with Mr. and Mrs. George O. Jackson.
Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett are visiting with their daughter, Mrs. Ernest Longbottom, of Arlington, this week.
Cameron school opened on Monday morning with a large number of new pupils. The same staff of teachers are in charge.
Miss Edith Spinner and Charlotte Parrott are attending Westford academy.
Services will be held at 4:30 o’clock on Sunday afternoon at St. Andrew’s church, Rev. A. J. Bumpus officiating.
J. W. Catchpole spent the weekend visiting relatives in Worcester.
Miss Corinne Leclerc has been a recent visitor at the home of her sister, Mrs. John Paquette, of Nashua, N.H.
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett were guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Jones, of Worcester, for the holidays.
Concert and Dance. Abbot hall [Forge Village] was the scene of a very successful concert and dance on last week Friday evening given by the members of Cameron Circle, C.F. of A. The numbers were unusually good and were all heartily encored. Joseph Heathcock and Paul Martin, of Lowell, did excellently in solo work, as also did Miss Lillian Moran, of Graniteville, in her songs. The Misses Ruth and Helen Furbush made a hit with their piano duet, and were obliged to respond a second time. Mrs. John E. Burnett played a solo on the mandolin, accompanied by Miss Sarah Precious.
A vocal duet by Miss Marion Lord and Mrs. Burnett was heartily applauded, as also was Miss Sadie Smith in her song, “Coming thr’ the rye.” Fred Defoe, of Graniteville, was the last, but not least in the program and his songs certainly were pleasing to hear.
After the concert ice cream and cake were served after which dancing was enjoyed to the music of the Cadet orchestra.
Death. Mrs. Emma Orange Perkins, who has been a patient for nearly a year, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Samuel Blowey, on Thursday morning of last week at the age of 19 years and 10 months. Besides her sister, Mrs. Blowey, the deceased left to mourn her loss her husband, Joseph Perkins, of Graniteville; little son, Clifford; a sister, Mrs. Ephraim Vickers, of Pawtucket, RI, and two brothers, William and Joseph Orange, of this village, besides numerous relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. Samuel Blowey on last Saturday afternoon at two o’clock, and was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. Rev. Hugh Leighton [Layton], of the Methodist Episcopal church, Graniteville, conducted the services. The white casket was covered with flowers, the silent token of sympathy from Mrs. Perkins’ many friends and relatives.
The bearers were Joseph Bennett, William DeRoehn, Geo. Wilson and Harry White. Burial took place in Fairview cemetery, where Mr. Leighton read the committal prayer.
Saturday, September 14, 1912
Center. Mrs. Nelly P. Draper and daughter Lillian have been guests for a week of Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Hildreth.
Miss May Day, who graduated from Mt. Holyoke college in June, has gone to East Springfield, N.Y., to teach.
Miss Ida Trask, who has been employed in a dressmaking establishment for some time in Lowell, is now boarding in the city and only coming home for the weekends.
Leon F. Hildreth returned to attendance at Lowell high school this week.
A real estate transfer of interest this week is the sale of the estate next the academy, owned by Donald M. Cameron, to William R. Carver. Mr. Carver buys for a home and will move his family just as soon as the house can be made ready. This is a most attractive piece of property which has stood idle for some time and the townspeople will be glad to see it occupied.
In giving the list of teachers for the Center schools two weeks ago, Miss Bertha Norris was included in the academy staff. Since then Miss Norris has resigned to accept a school in Willimantic, Conn. Miss Norris had made many friends in town during her stay here who much regret her departure.
Our genial and modest correspondent of the Old Oaken Bucket farm [Samuel L. Taylor] has recently added to his farm equipment with a new black horse.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Burnham announce the marriage of their eldest daughter, Eva L. Burnham, to Daniel Lapham, of Concord Junction [now West Concord]. The marriage took place on August 31 [3], at Concord, the ceremony being performed by Rev. George A. Tewksbury, pastor of the Trinitarian Congregational church. The young couple will make their home at Concord Junction. The bride’s many friends in her home town extend their sincere good wishes for happiness and prosperity.
A recent minor village improvement is the placing of a new guide post at the easterly end of the common where it can easily be seen by passing autoists and other travelers.
Mrs. L. J. Spalding, of Ayer, was the guest of Mrs. E. J. Whitney on Tuesday of this week.
Miss Hazel B. Hartford entertained a merry group of young friends at her home on Friday evening of last week. Three tables of whist were enjoyed, and later in the evening all gathered about the piano and songs, old and new, were sung. As nearly all were good singers, this was an enjoyable feature. Refreshments of ice cream and cake were served.
Among those graduating from the academy in June, Misses Lillian Sutherland and Margaret Sullivan are entered at the Lowell Normal school; Miss Evelyn Hamlin goes next week to Worcester to enter Miss Kimball’s Home school for girls; Chester A. Burnham and Herbert Walkden have entered Amherst college; Misses Mary Donnelly and Katherine Sullivan are taking post graduate work in the commercial course at Westford academy.
Seven members of Westford grange attended the opening meeting for the season of the North Middlesex Pomona grange at Oddfellows’ hall, Lowell, Friday, September 6. There was a good attendance, which was of a sort of reunion character. One of the leading features of the day’s program was an address by a representative from the S.P.C.A., which cannot help but mitigate somewhat the conditions of some of our dumb friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Austin H. Foss were in town Wednesday of this week calling on old friends. They leave later in the month for South Lake Weir, Fla., where Mr. Foss has large business interests.
Grange. At the last regular meeting of the grange on last week Thursday evening there was a good attendance of the members and every officer was in his or her place. The grange voted to accept the invitation of the Littleton grange to be present with them the first meeting in October and take part in a debate. It was voted to make an exhibit, as a grange, at the Chelmsford fair. The executive committee and John P. Wright were added to the committee for securing a drinking fountain. There were readings by Mrs. Perley E. Wright and songs by Rachael Wall, both responding to encores.
State chaplain, Rev. Albert H. Wheelock, of Marlboro, was the special guest and speaker of the evening and delivered an excellent address from the topic “Is honesty the best policy?” Mr. Wheelock proved himself a frank and able speaker, and treated many of the polite hypocrisies and compromises with evil in every day living with convincing and good natured force. He was followed with the closest attention and at the close of his address given a rising vote of thanks.
Westford grange will entertain Groton and Carlisle granges at its annual neighbors’ night, October 17.
Two Interesting Meetings. At the Congregational church on last Sunday special and interesting services were held both morning and evening. Miss Emily S. Hartwell, of Foochow, China, who is in America for a year’s furlough, was the speaker of the morning and gave a comprehensive and practical talk concerning her life work. Born and reared in China and trained by her father, the late Rev. Charles Hartwell, who was a missionary for many years stationed at Foochow, Miss Hartwell presented a graphic and fluent picture of a missionary’s life in its many phases as well as many side lights of industrial, political and social life in China. The native yellow dragon flag and also the rainbow flag draped the pulpit, and during the service John P. Wright and Miss Evelyn Hamlin appeared in Picturesque Chinese costume of the better class.
At the evening service, John A. Taylor gave before an audience of sixty people, readings from the works of Henry Van Dyke. Last summer Mr. Taylor gave an evening from this author’s poetry, but this time chose from his prose writings which were just as fitting. Selections from “White heather,” “Little rivers,” and “The lost word,” from “The blue flower,” were chosen. Mr. Taylor’s interpretation of these selections was so sympathetic, bringing out especially the rare “blue sky philosophy” in “Little rivers,” and the beauty and pathos from “The lost work,” and so fully conveying Dr. Van Dyke’s spiritual message that the evening was a special treat to the thoughtful mind, and Mr. Taylor’s kindness was much appreciated.
Funeral. The funeral of the late Melbourne Hutchins, whose death took place in Boston last week at the New England hotel, where he had made his home with relatives for some time, took place from his old home in the western boundaries of the town Friday afternoon at two o’clock. Rev. Herbert Caulkins, pastor of the Baptist [Church] in Littleton, was the officiating clergyman and Mrs. Charles D. Colburn beautifully rendered two selections, “Sometime we’ll understand” and “Face to face.” The bearers were George, Frank, Everett and Elmer Kimball. Burial was in the family lot in the Chelmsford Center cemetery.
The floral tributes were as follows:
Wreaths, Andrew Butterfield; Employees of New England hotel, Boston; Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Parker; cross, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Flagg; bouquet chrysanthemums, Miss Cora M. Flagg; spray of chrysanthemums, Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. McCoy; sprays of sweet peas, John Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Kimball; spray chrysanthemums, D. B. George and family; sprays, Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Kimball, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Howard, Miss Alice Howard, Mrs. Marshall Brown, Mrs. Della Blood, Mrs. Douglas Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Kimball, Mr. and Mrs. George Kimball, D. L. Page Co.
Obituary. The sweet spirit of Mrs. Mary E. Fletcher entered into rest shortly before midnight Tuesday of this week. The end did not come as a surprise to her many friends for she has been ill for a long time, having been confined to her bed for several months and death came as a release from great weakness and suffering which she bore with much patience and fortitude.
Mary E. Leighton was born June 18, 1843, the second daughter of Amos and Elvira (Bacon) Leighton. Her childhood and girlhood were spent at the Leighton homestead in the south part of the town and she was educated in the town schools and at Westford academy. In August, 1866 [1865], she was united in marriage with Charles H. Fletcher. Her early married home was in the Westford depot neighborhood, but in the autumn of 1871 Mr. Fletcher purchased the large farm at the Center, now owned by Walter J. Merritt and this was their home for about forty years. After Mr. Fletcher’s death in the fall of 1905, Mrs. Fletcher sold the farm, reserving the building lot upon which the present pleasant home is built.
Mrs. Fletcher possessed a rarely beautiful character. People old and young and in all walks of life loved her. She leaves as a gentle bequest to all who knew her the memory of a sweet and gentle yet firm and gracious womanhood. Never possessing robust physical health, yet she met all the relations of life as daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and neighbor with sincere fidelity.
To the larger life of the community Mrs. Fletcher contributed her full share. To the Congregational church, where she always attended while health permitted, her loyal helpfulness will be much missed. Also, the Tadmuck club of which she was a charter member and always interested in its best welfare.
Mrs. Fletcher is survived by an only daughter Nellie; three sisters—Mrs. Gilmer [Elvira Maria] Stone and Miss Ida E. Leighton of Westford and Mrs. Chauncey M. [Sarah Fidelia] Favor of San Francisco, Cal.; also, one niece, Miss Frances Leighton of Hollis, N.H.
The funeral services took place Friday afternoon at her late home at two o’clock. A more extended account of which will be given next week.
About Town. The Woman’s Alliance of the Unitarian church will meet with Mrs. George T. Day on Saturday afternoon.
A social and conference meeting will be held in the parlors of the Unitarian church Saturday evening. “Our Sunday school” will be the subject.
Seth W. Banister and Alister [sic] McDougal [sic] have returned to farm life and studies at Amherst college. They are both a credit to the inside labors and the outside landscape.
Richard M. Yarnold, who got badly lacerated with a mowing machine while perambulating rough ground searching for grass to mow, has sold out his liabilities of laceration, land and all the buildings thereon that shelter man, beast and hens. The place is on the Texas road, Parkerville, and known as the Charles L. Adams place. The name of the purchaser at the time of writing is not known.
Mrs. Draper, so affectionately remembered as a former resident of the town, has been visiting at the H. V. Hildreths and other friendships, and was an attendant at the Unitarian church on Sunday.
On last week Friday, Perry Taylor Snow celebrated his sixth birthday at West Chelmsford. Among those present were several of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Snow and Mr. and Mrs. George F. Snow [sic]. There was also present Dr. Gardner, of Lowell, his mother and two sisters; Rev. Crawford, of the village church; Miss Lottie Snow, the daughter of the grandparents of the same name, and the Old Oaken Bucket farm folks [Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Taylor, the other grandparents], both temporary and stationary. Refreshments were served.
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander F. Courtney, of Brookside, have gone to Canada and will round up at the Sherbroke fair before they round up at Brookside as the home terminal.
Archie A. Hartford has accepted the position of preceptor of the high school at New Boston, N.H., and has taken up his residence at this New Hampshire hub.
Mrs. Luther Lawton died at her home on the Dunstable road, Long-Sought-for pond on last week Thursday, having been ill since early spring, of quick consumption. The funeral took place on last Sunday from the residence, Rev. Hugh Layton, of the village church at Graniteville, conducting the services. The quartet of the church choir, O. A. Nelson, Henry Smith, Miss Alice Gilson and Miss Madeline Holland sang several selections. The bearers were Glen Fuller, Earl Fuller, Luther Lawton and John Green. Burial was in Fairview cemetery. Mrs. Lawton left a husband, one son and two daughters.
The next meeting of the grange will be held on Thursday evening, September 19. A change in the printed program will make it necessary for the efficient lecturer, Mrs. Clara Greig, to call on her reserve sources and harness the law of spontaneous action into service for part of the substitute program. The other part will be in charge of O. A. Nelson, and its character has been probated miscellaneous.
George C. Moore, true to his well trained desire for improvements, is busy grading around the last resting place of the old historic grist mill. The next on the list of improvements will be a new dam. The present dam is warped, twisted, crooked and leaky with age.
Miss Frances Banister, Miss Edna Ferguson, Miss Sutherland and several Old Oaken Bucket farm folks were visible to the unaided eye 2000 feet above sea level on last Saturday at Mt. Wachusett.
As the weather begins to gather on its autumnal chill, the old West Chelmsford Debating society is preparing to tumble up hill and will soon start up its mouth work, and will also kindle up social life and present that Yankee play “Uncle Rube,” that gave laughable satisfaction at Westford town hall in which citizen John P. Wright was a star with a twinkling light that still keeps Westford entreatingly bright.
Graniteville. The Graniteville baseball club visited Groton on last Saturday, where with a patched up team and many of the players playing out of their regular positions, met with defeat at the hands of the Groton A.A. by the score of 7 to 2. Spinner and Ledwith did the battery work for Graniteville, while Donahue and Hodgman were in the points for Groton. The same clubs will meet again on the home grounds here on Saturday, and the local club will make a strong bid to regain their lost laurels. The game will be called at three o’clock.
Miss Katherine Denlinger, of North Weymouth, has recently joined the teaching staff of the Sargent school here.
The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church met with Mrs. L. A. Blood on last week Thursday afternoon, during which much business of importance was transacted.
In St. Catherine’s church on last Sunday morning both masses were celebrated by Rev. Edward Mitchell, who gave a very interesting sermon on the gospel of the day and incidentally gave a very instructive talk to the teachers and children in the Sunday school. The Sunday school, as usual, was re-opened the second Sunday in September.
At the funeral of Mrs. Luther Lawton in North Westford on last Sunday afternoon, Rev. U. H. Layton, of the M.E. church, officiated and a quartet composed of Miss Alice May Gilson, Miss Madeline Holland, Henry Smith and O. A. Nelson sung the following hymns that added greatly to the solemnity of the service: “Come unto me,” “Jesus lover of my soul,” and “Nearer my God to thee.”
Many people from here attended the Clinton fair this week.
J. Austin Healy intends to enter his fast pacer, “Dolly C,” at the Wakefield fair next week, and probably will later take in the Groton fair, the latter fair proving to be a great attraction for many people in this village.
The machine shop of the C. G. Sargent Sons’ Corp. have once more resumed full time and are carrying the usual supply of help.
The democratic rally that was held in Healy’s hall on Wednesday evening attracted the usual large crowd and some spirited speeches were delivered by Humphrey O’Sullivan, candidate for congress in this district; Edward Fisher, of Westford, candidate for senator; John J. Hogan, of Lowell, candidate for councilor, and John F. O’Connor, of Lowell.
Forge Village. Services at St. Andrew’s mission will be held at 7:30 o’clock on Sunday evening. Until further notice services will be held at this hour.
Ellsworth Rose and sister Carmel returned home to Belmont on Monday after spending their vacation with their grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Splain.
Mrs. Elmer Nutting is spending a few days with her sister, Mrs. Frank Rose, of Belmont.
The Misses Theresa and Rachael Lowther sang in the chorus of the grand choral festival held at Canobie lake on last Saturday and Sunday.
The opening of the Sunday school at St. Andrew’s mission will take place on September 22. It is hoped that parents will see that their children are present to join the classes.
Mr. and Mrs. Hobson, who were to sail recently from Keighley, England, were detained at Liverpool on account of illness. They expect to sail Tuesday. Mrs. Hobson is a sister to William Venn.
Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett returned on last Saturday from a most pleasant visit with their daughter, Mrs. Ernest Longbottom, of Arlington.
Mrs. Joseph Mason, of North Chelmsford, visited relatives and friends here this week.
Mr. and Mrs. John O’Neil and family, of Keighley, England, arrived here on last Friday and expect to make their future home here. Mrs. O’Neil is a sister to Mrs. Katherine O’Hara.
Saturday, September 21, 1912
Center. Another real estate transfer of much interest to the townspeople is the sale this week of the Andrew Wright homestead to Charles D. Rice, of Cambridge. Mr. Rice is one of the members of the firm of H. D. Foss & Co., chocolate manufacturers, of Boston. He buys for a summer home for himself and family, and later on will make extensive improvements.
No final sale of the real estate of Mrs. Eliza Carter was carried through at the auction last week Thursday afternoon, and the property still remains in Mrs. Carter’s name. The personal property advertised was all disposed of.
Roy B. Wheeler, of Denver, Col., is visiting his home town and enjoying renewing old associations.
A pleasant social event last week Thursday afternoon was a gathering in honor of the ninetieth birthday of Mrs. Edwin Gould [nee Arvilla M. Woodward] at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Blodgett. The oldest lady present among the specially invited group was Mrs. James Hildreth at ninety-four, wonderfully spry and cheerful for her age. Mrs. Weaver, at sixty-eight, was the youngest member of the group. An attractive supper was served at which a handsome birthday cake had the place of honor. Mrs. Gould, who is in quite comfortable health, was the recipient of beautiful flowers and other pretty tokens.
Oscar R. Spalding is having constructed for himself a large apple cellar and wagon house at the back of his barn. For part of the work he is using stones from the substantial old wall between the two houses, intending to grade and sow down where the wall is removed, making a decided improvement. Work is progressing well on the remodeling of the vacant house into two modern and comfortable apartments, both of which will be occupied before winter.
Miss Ellen Gill, of Waltham, has been spending a week with her cousin, Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher.
A large number from this town attended the North Middlesex Agricultural fair held in conjunction with Chelmsford grange at Chelmsford on last week Thursday and Friday. The weather was perfect for both days and with a first-class exhibition and many other attractions the affair was very much of a success.
Rev. John E. Whitley, of Ayer, will occupy the pulpit at the Congregational church on Sunday morning in exchange with Mr. Wallace.
Mr. and Mrs. William Sutherland quietly observed their golden wedding anniversary on Wednesday of this week.
Mrs. Mary E. Prindle is a guest at Mr. and Mrs. George Heywood’s.
Funeral. The funeral of the late Mrs. Mary E. Fletcher took place on last week Friday afternoon at her late home at two o’clock. There were a large gathering of relatives and friends come to pay the last tribute of respect to a beloved friend. Many beautiful floral tokens conveyed their message of love and sympathy. Rev. David Wallace, Mrs. Fletcher’s pastor, was the officiating clergyman, and paid a rare tribute of appreciation to her memory, basing his thought from Hebrews 11-23: “For he endured as seeing things that are invisible,” giving special emphasis to the unswerving fidelity and quiet heroism that so characterized her life.
The Mendelssohn quartet of Lowell rendered three beautiful selections, “Sometime we’ll understand,” “Will there be any stars in my crown,” and “When the day of toil is done.” The bearers were Wayland F. Balch, W. H. H. Burbeck, Walter J. Merritt and Samuel G. Humiston. Burial was in the family lot in Fairview cemetery. Following is a list of the funeral offerings:
Pillow, Miss Eleanor L. Fletcher, daughter; wreaths, Mrs. Stone and Miss Leighton, Mrs. Hiram Whitney; lyre, Mrs. Leighton and daughter Frances; cut flowers, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hildreth, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Colburn, Mrs. Arthur Blodgett, Mrs. Fifield; plaque, Misses Atwood; sprays, Mrs. C. O. Favor, Mrs. Lucy Fletcher and Mrs. Worthen, J. M. Fletcher and family, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Heywood, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Haywood, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Humiston, Miss Mary L. Hutchins, Mrs. Wells and Miss Handey, Mrs. M. J. Wheeler and Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, H. L. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Merritt, Mrs. Hamlin and daughters, Mrs. Sarah M. Harris, Mrs. Ida M. Gould, Mrs. Isles and daughter, Union Congregational church, Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Balch; bouquet, Miss Mabel Prescott.
Annual Fair. The annual agricultural fair under the auspices of the Congregational church took place on Wednesday evening at the town hall, and owing to a fortunate combination of circumstances was very much of a success. The weather, which was somewhat threatening during the afternoon, did not result in rain to affect the evening attendance. The entertainment and display proved attractive, the various sales tables were well stocked and received good patronage.
The agricultural features were carried out on the same general lines as former seasons and yet nature’s wonderful and bountiful handiwork is always a fresh revelation with each season. The hall presented a most attractive appearance, the stage being banked with mammoth sunflowers and doorways and the balcony outlined with effective hydrangeas. Eliot F. Humiston was the skillful decorator for the affair.
Those having special tables for the display of produce were A. A. Hildreth, Charles D. Colburn, the Misses Atwood and L. W. Wheeler. Other exhibitors were C. Willis Hildreth, W. F. Balch, Mrs. F. C. Wright, G. A. Kimball, Rev. David Wallace, Miss Boynton, Amos Polley, S. L. Taylor, Mrs. George E. Walker, H. G. Osgood, Burnham Bros., Edmund Baker, William Symmes, Marden Seavey, J. and A. E. Wilson and the Old Homestead and Gates farms.
The apples and root vegetables were especially good. Blackberries and currants were among things a little out of season. Hydrangeas were the special decoration of the fancy table and postoffice booth, yellow and white for the candy table, golden rod and cut flowers for the apron table, and also cut flowers for the food table.
The seats at the supper table were well filled and much social good cheer went with the bill of fare. The loyalty club also served ice cream and cake during the afternoon. Harrel, the musical magician, who entertained at this affair last year, again gave the entertainment on Wednesday evening much to the enjoyment of the children and the older ones as well.
The committee in charge feel compensated for much hard work, owing to the generous patronage and good spirit among the workers. These committees were as follows:
Rev. David Wallace, L. W. Wheeler, Miss L. B. Atwood, arrangement; Rev. David Wallace, Miss May Atwood, entertainment; S. L. Taylor, auctioneer; Eliot F. Humiston, decorator; ice cream, Loyalty club; Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, Mrs. W. J. Merritt, Mrs. D. L. Greig, Mrs. Perley Wright, Mrs. Ella Langley, Mrs. H. G. Osgood, Mrs. O. V. Wells, Mrs. G. W. Goode, Mrs. A. E. Day, Mrs. C. L. Hildreth, Mrs. E. F. Humiston, Miss M. G. Luce, Miss Frances Banister, Miss Mattie Symmes, fancy table; Miss S. W. Loker, Mrs. W. F. Wheeler, Mrs. E. J. Whitney, Mrs. Jennie Fifield, Mrs. C. W. Hildreth, Mrs. Oscar Anderson, Mrs. J. W. Day, Mrs. W. E. Wright, Mrs. William Sutherland, Mrs. Nathan Prescott, Mrs. A. H. Burnham, Mrs. G. A. Kimball, Mrs. Ralph Bridgeford, Mrs. William Symmes, Miss A. Walker, apron table; Mrs. S. L. Taylor, Mrs. J. E. Knight, Mrs. J. McMaster, Mrs. Isles, Mrs. C. E. Wright, Mrs. S. B. Wright, Mrs. F. W. Banister, Mrs. J. Perkins, Mrs. H. Ferguson, Mrs. Kabele, Mrs. A. Polley, supper committee; Misses May Boynton, Ida Walkden, Martha Symmes, Althea Symmes, display committee; Mrs. Gould, Mrs. Colburn, postoffice; Misses Bunce, Wilson, Grant, Sutherland, Crocker, Mrs. A. E. Wilson, candy table; Mrs. Hartford, Miss Lumbert, Mrs. John Wright, food table.
About Town. John A. Taylor left the forest covered hills and mountains and village flats of native New England for the treeless prairies of North Dakota, recently, where he will resume university teaching.
Mrs. Phillips, at Westford station, was given a surprise party on last Saturday evening with much and many present.
Duanne H. Waller has moved all his household and other small animal wares to Chelmsford Center, where he intends to make his home in the future.
George W. Whitney is ill with rheumatism. Dr. Blaney is in attendance and is making less room for the rheumatism.
At the Unitarian church last Sunday, Abiel J. Abbot and Charles O. Prescott were chosen delegates to attend the ordination and installation of John Henry Wilson at Wilton, N.H., on Thursday.
Middlesex North held their annual agricultural fair at Chelmsford in connection with the Chelmsford grange last week. It was a fair weather fair and 1500 people appreciated the kindness of the skies for carrying out their part towards success so lawfully. Westford was there with potatoes, pumpkins, corn and apples. William R. Taylor won first premium on Baldwin apples, and S. L. Taylor drew forth 150 cents worth of notice on potatoes, corn and pumpkins, which may add to his sense of how to farm. Middlesex North has invited itself to fair Westford next year unless Chelmsford lays claim for a second year.
Allen M. Fletcher [1853-1922], governor-elect of Vermont, or very soon to be governor-elect, is the fourth governor of Vermont whose ancestors originated in Westford and are closely related to the old Pelatiah Fletcher on the Lowell road. The grandfather of Gov.-elect Fletcher [i.e., Jesse Fletcher and wife Lucy Keyes, both of Westford] once lived there.
Daniel Sheehan is busy cutting three crops of hay, viz.: last year’s, this year’s and this year’s number two. Someone else is most ready to do likewise and it is highly recommended as a great labor-saving invention.
Gerald H. Decatur left old Homestead avenue on the Lowell road on last week Friday for his duties as teacher at Porto Rico.
Mr. Crawford, of New Hampshire, has purchased the Charles L. Adams farm on the Texas road in Parkerville. This farm is located about one-half mile from Cathead springs, celebrated for its isolation.
The board of registrars held a meeting on last week Friday evening and revised the list of voters and made the following dates for future meetings: At Moors’ [Moore’s] mill, Brookside, Friday evening, October 18; Healy’s hall, Graniteville, Monday evening, October 31; Abbot hall, Forge Village, Wednesday evening, October 23; town hall, Westford, last chance to register, Saturday, October 26, from noon until ten o’clock in the evening.
Forge Village. Rev. A. L. Bumpus will conduct the evening service at St. Andrew’s mission at 7:30 o’clock on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett have returned from a most pleasant visit spent with friends in Yonkers, N.Y., and Bridgeport, Conn.
The sympathy of the village is extended to Mrs. Margaret Rose and family, of Belmont, in the loss of her beloved husband Frank Rose, who died suddenly at his home on Tuesday evening [Sept. 17, 1912]. This sympathy is also extended to Mrs. Rose’s mother and family of this village, who in the death of Mr. Rose have lost a devoted son and brother.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blodgett and family, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Blodgett and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William Blodgett and family of Groton road attended the Clinton fair last week, driving in a large two-seater.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole were guests of relatives in Clinton on last Saturday and Sunday.
Little Laura Morton is ill at her parents’ home on Central [now W. Prescott] street.
Miss Elizabeth Simpson, of Boston, returned on Sunday after a pleasant visit with her aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Splain.
Sunday school reopens at St. Andrew’s mission on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock.
Miss Helen Lord, who has been spending the month at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Lord, enters the South Framingham hospital on October 1, to study for a trained nurse. Her sister, Miss May Lord, is now on her second year of study at the hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hobson and family arrived from Keighley, England, on Tuesday. Mrs. Hobson is a sister to William Venn.
Mr. and Mrs. David Lord entertained Dana Stockbridge, of Lowell, on Sunday.
The teaching staff of the Cameron school were the guests of the Misses Mary B. Raynes and Ethel Kimball at their camp on the shores of Forge pond on Monday night, and spent a most enjoyable time. Miss Raynes is the supervisor of music in the schools of Westford, and Miss Kimball is the secretary of the Lowell Normal school.
Auto Accident. On Sunday afternoon, on Groton road, opposite the Ridges, a serious automobile accident occurred when H. N. Elliott’s big car of Lowell dashed into the auto belonging to Mr. Towne, of East Jaffrey, N.H. As reported, both cars were going in the same direction. Mr. Elliott’s being in the rear and going at a much faster speed than the Towne car, suddenly dashed on to the latter car at the side of the road at the turn, completely demolishing the machine. Mr. and Mrs. Towne were thrown out, but with the exception of bruises, no serious results are expected. The injured party were taken into the home of Samuel Blodgett and cared for until an auto from Murphy’s garage, Ayer, arrived and took them home. Mr. Elliott will see to all expenses of machine and occupants.
Graniteville. The Groton A.A. baseball club visited here on last Saturday afternoon and presented its strongest lineup in the hopes of putting it all over the local club, but they were sadly disappointed when our boys called the trick at every turn and defeated them by the score of 8 to 7. It was one of the most exciting games of the year, and as both pitchers were being hit freely, it was a question of doubt until the last man was out, as to which club would be the final winner.
The Graniteville baseball club is now disbanded for the season.
In St. Catherine’s church on last Sunday morning both masses were celebrated by the pastor, Rev. Edmund T. Schofield.
Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Sherman, of Damariscotta, and T. B. Hunter, of Phillips, Me., have been recent guests of Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Sherman.
The regular meeting of Court Graniteville, F. of A., was held in their rooms on Thursday evening with W. E. Dudevoir, chief ranger, in the chair. Business of importance was transacted and plans formed for an entertainment to be held in the near future.
Wallace Walsh, who has been visiting with Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Dudevoir for the past few weeks, is now visiting friends in Boston.
The sporting element in this village will hold a meeting in the near future for the purpose of forming a football club to represent Graniteville on the gridiron this fall.
Many of the local hunters have had considerable sport during the past few days shooting ducks that are quite plentiful in this vicinity.
Considerable interest is now being manifested in the coming primaries that will be held on September 24, and the different candidates are making strong appeals for nominations for the various offices. Judging from a local standpoint there would be a hot time politically in the fall campaign.
Saturday, September 28, 1912
Haynes-Piper Co., Ayer, Mass., will start grinding apples at their plant on Monday, September 30. See advertisement on first page.
Center. The John C. Abbots are at Newton Center for the winter. Their sons, Fletcher and Robert, are enrolled as pupils at the Fessenden school.
Miss Mary R. Raynes, whose health necessitated relinquishing of her supervision of music in the Westford schools last year, has been able to take up the work again this year. Miss Raynes is an excellent music teacher and all connected with the schools are glad to have her back again. The new supervisor of drawing is Miss Marion Taylor.
Net results from the recent agricultural fair under the auspices of the Congregational [church] is $160.00.
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bright, from South Royalton, Vt., have moved into their new home recently purchased, and familiarly known as the Gilman Wright place [9 Depot St.]. The late Mrs. Josephine Bright Baker’s little daughter, now eight months old, is the third member of their family.
An interesting curiosity recently presented to the library is a framed program of the play given at Ford’s theatre in Washington the night President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. This was given to the library by Will R. Carver and has been in the possession of the family for many years. It will be remembered that the play given that memorable night was “The American cousin,” and this program with its list of characters, etc., now nearly fifty years ago is in an excellent state of preservation.
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Wright have returned from a very pleasant White Mountain excursion of several days.
Warren E. Carkin has bought and moved the building that has stood in the side yard for many years of the place recently purchased by J. W. Bright. Mr. Carkin plans to convert it into a work shop.
Rev. Charles P. Marshall’s many Westford friends will be interested in the change he is about making. He has recently accepted a call to the Pilgrimage church in Plymouth, beginning his new pastorate on October first. The Pilgrimage church is one of the old, historic churches of the old colony district, having been organized in 1801, the present edifice having been built in 1840. Its present membership is 348 and 400 families are reckoned in its parish. The good wishes of Mr. Marshall’s former Westford parishioners go with him in his new field.
The J. Herbert Fletchers were week-end guests of the J. M. Hartwells at their Spectacle pond camp, Littleton, this last week.
Mrs. Gertrude Carver Skidmore closes her summer home this week for the season and returns to Somerville for the winter.
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Carver are busy getting their new home ready to occupy and hope to get settled therein early in October.
The Frank E. Miller place, including house, barn, blacksmith shop and considerable personal property, will be sold at auction on Tuesday, October first, at one o’clock
Arthur G. Hildreth has entered Dartmouth college, the fall term of which opened this last week.
The new calendars for the season for the Tadmuck club will be distributed this next week preparatory to the opening meeting of the season on Tuesday, October 8.
Rev. J. K. Jones will again conduct a service at Long-Sought-for chapel on Sunday afternoon at three o’clock.
The Ladies’ Missionary meeting was held with the president, Miss Sarah W. Loker, at her home on Wednesday afternoon.
Telephone subscribers are urged to cultivate the habit of ringing off after finishing with each call. Doubtless the former automatic system is responsible for not getting this habit easily, but it is the subscribers’ part toward the good of the service.
The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, who have been setting poles on the opposite side of the street from the electric car wires, have been putting up the new cable this week. This additional cable will be a benefit to the telephone service because the other cable was well taken up, and will also be ready for more subscribers.
About Town. Hugo T. Page, of Westford, has been nominated by the socialists as a candidate for representative to the legislature from the eleventh Middlesex district.
Middlesex North Pomona will hold its next meeting at Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell, on Friday, October 4. The afternoon meeting will be open to the public when the following question will be discussed: Resolved, “That child labor is a menace to the state.” George P. Greenwood, of Billerica, has been requested to speak on the affirmative, and Samuel L. Taylor, of Westford, for the negative. Both sides are sharpening hammer and tongs and some wits for the contest. Music and other cheerful features will be sprung on the situation between rounds.
George Spalding, of the four score and more, is seriously ill with dysentery at his home on Francis hill, just over the line in Chelmsford. He is a well-known familiar figure at Brookside and Westford Corner, and to the older residents in other parts of the town.
Charles A. Chamberlain has been chosen superintendent of the Unitarian Sunday school at Medford. As a native of Westford, and former superintendent of the Unitarian Sunday school and member of the choir, he is well-known. The society at Medford is to be congratulated on their selection on so naturally an efficient worker.
F. Willard Fletcher was seriously injured in a runaway accident on Wednesday noon. The accident happened close by the switch tracks at Westford station. The horse, which was partly unhitched from the wagon, took fright at a passing train and started to run. Mr. Fletcher in attempting to control him, was dragged some distance and thrown against the end of a freight car, breaking one rib and otherwise jarring and interfering with the harmony of bodily existence.
The caucus on Tuesday was well attended as compared with surrounding towns. A total of about 152 votes were cast as by the ballot box register and checklist. The result was as follows: Governor, Benton 66, Walker 33, Foss 24, Pelletier 9; congressman, Bartlett 20, Grimes 4, Rogers 68, O’Sullivan 32, Carmichael 6; senator, Walsh 68, Fisher 32; representative, Carney 30, Taylor 86; councilor, Simpson 41, Marchand 23, Hibbs 20. The polls opened at two o’clock and closed at eight. The selectmen appointed T. Arthur E. Wilson, Frank Haley, John M. Fletcher and Walter J. Merritt election officers.
The efficient lecturer of Westford grange, Mrs. Clara Greig, is arranging with zeal her program for neighbors’ night at Littleton, Wednesday evening. By request of the lecturer, Leonard W. Wheeler and S. L. Taylor will debate the negative of the question: Resolved, “That a third party is necessary in American politics.” At the time of writing the third speaker had not been selected. Also by request, S. L. and W. R. Taylor will present the farce, “Interviewing a granger.” S. L. Taylor will appear as a hayseed and W. R. Taylor as a dude. Aside from this the lecturer has got many interesting promises on the reel.
On last Saturday evening Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Snow gave a social party of sports and games at their residence in West Chelmsford to former schoolmate friends and other companionable attractions. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elliott.
Westford grange will hold its next meeting on next Thursday evening. Conferring of the first and second degrees has been postponed and the balance of the program reads: Music, Dr. Blaney.
David Sherman, while at work on Wednesday handling stone at the bridge near Westford station, had his leg badly pulled by an unmanageable stone crowding against him. He has been working for George C. Moore in the general tear down improvements at the old grist mill.
The Fletcher Cold Spring farm have just finished harvesting a large field of ripe oats that were late spring sowed.
Amos Polley has finished digging potatoes. The yield was over two hundred bushels per acre, not including smaller assortments for home use and poultry sizable grades. The Stony Brook valley land is Aroostook for potatoes.
Charles W. Whitney has sowed and sowing a large acreage of rye for the milk can market next spring.
Graniteville. The state primaries brought out a rather large vote here and autos were kept busy from two until eight p.m., carrying voters to and from the polls. The new primary law does certainly make a man show his colors, and offers great surprises at times, judging from a local standpoint.
The funeral of Mrs. Zoe Pelletier, wife of Joseph Pelletier, took place from her home in this village at 8:30 o’clock on last Saturday morning. At nine o’clock a funeral mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church by Rev. Edward Mitchell. The choir, under the direction of Miss Mary F. Hanley, sang the Gregorian chant. The bearers were Hormenigle Brule, Fordina Cote, Mede Cote, Alfred Bellen. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery.
The White Sox baseball club played what will probably be their last game of the season here on last Saturday afternoon, when they met with defeat at the hands of the Salem A.C. by the score of 5 to 3. The day was very cold and not at all conductive of good baseball.
In St. Catherine’s church on last Sunday morning both masses were celebrated by Rev. Edward Mitchell, who gave a very forceful sermon on the welfare of the children, and also announced that he would meet the children of the parish every Saturday morning in the church at nine o’clock for the purpose of instruction.
Miss Luella Beebe, telephone operator at Groton, has been enjoying a brief vacation with relatives here.
Thomas Horan, of Charlestown, has been visiting relatives here during the past week.
Court Graniteville, F. of A., will hold their annual dance in October that has been the custom for years, but the committee has decided to hold the affair in Abbot hall, Forge Village, instead of the town hall at Westford.
Death. Epifanio Pivirotto, the ten-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Battista Pivirotto, died at the home of his parents on last Sunday afternoon after a brief illness. The immediate cause of his death was blood poisoning. Besides his father and mother, he leaves four sisters, Theresa, Christina, Lena and Winnie, and two brothers, Anthony and William.
“Fanio,” as he was familiarly called by his little playmates, was a bright little fellow and a great favorite with the teachers and children of the Sargent school, which he attended.
The funeral took place from his late home on Tuesday morning at 8:30 o’clock and was largely attended. At nine o’clock a funeral mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church by the pastor, Rev. Edward T. Schofield. The regular choir was in attendance and under the direction of Miss Mary F. Hanley, organist and director, sang the Gregorian chant. At the offertory Miss Hanley sang the “Pie Jesu,” and as the casket was being borne from the church the “De Profundis” was sung by the choir.
There were many beautiful floral tributes. The bearers were Raymond Wall, Edward Dailey, Albert Reeves, jr., Raul Cote, Armand Cote, George Brule. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery.
Forge Village. Arthur Milot and family have returned from Canada and have moved into Richard Prescott’s block on Central street.
Peter Mokovitsch, employed in the mill of the Abbot Worsted Co., injured his hand recently while at work in the combing room.
Edward Van Tassel has left the Abbot Worsted Company’s mill and is now employed in the suspender factory at Littleton.
Mr. White, of Prince Edward Island, is visiting his son, Harry White, of this village.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blodgett and family, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blodgett, Mr. and Mrs. William Blodgett and family and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Blodgett and daughter took in Groton fair on Thursday.
Rev. Edward Mitchell, curate at St. Catherine’s church, extends a cordial welcome to all the children of the parish and earnestly requests that they meet him for a course of religious instruction at the church on Saturday morning at nine o’clock. It is hoped that every parent will see that their children attend these instructions.
Mrs. Elizabeth Splain and daughter, Mrs. Elmer Nutting, are still with their daughter and sister, Mrs. Margaret Rose, of Belmont.
A birthday party was tendered Miss Elizabeth Spinner at her home on last Saturday evening in honor of her nineteenth birthday. Music and games took up the evening, after which refreshments were served. Miss Spinner received many pretty presents as souvenirs of the occasion.
Mrs. James Benoit is now able to be about the house, being much improved from injuries received from her fall from a carriage on last Wednesday evening. Mrs. Benoit was driving on Bradford street when the horse suddenly became frightened at an automobile which was passing at the time.
Mrs. Michael Keefe, of Townsend Harbor, with her son Cornelius, was the guest of her sister, Mrs. John Carmichael, on Saturday and Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Burnett spent the weekend at the home of their sister, Mrs. Chester Blodgett, of the Ridges.
Mr. and Mrs. James Whigham and family visited their sister, Mrs. Camplin, at her home in Lawrence over Sunday.
Misses Mary Merrick and Margaret Graham arrived here on last Thursday from Keighley, England. They were met in Boston by the Misses Sadie Smith and Mary Kelley, of Pond street.
Mr. and Mrs. L. Holt, of New York city, have returned home after a most pleasant visit spent at the home of Mrs. Holt’s father, Patrick May.
The new cottages being built by the Abbot Worsted Company on Pine street are to be painted this week; also, the new house belonging to Charles Eaton, of Graniteville. All these homes will be ready for occupancy soon. P. H. Harrington, of Graniteville, has charge of the work.
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Pheasey, of Lowell, were weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. David Lord.
St. Andrew’s Sunday school opened on last Sunday with a large attendance. C. S. Griswold, of Groton, is superintendent.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Catchpole are entertaining Mrs. Annie Crooke, of Valley Field, Canada. Mrs. Crooke intends soon to reside in Lowell with her family, who are still in Canada.