The Westford Wardsman, September, 1915
Saturday, September 4, 1915
Center. Miss Evelyn Hamlin is expected to arrive home this Saturday from a most enjoyable eight-weeks’ trip to the California exposition [in San Diego], and goes on Monday to Cranston, R.I., where she is to teach this year. The other members of Miss Hamlin’s party were Miss Clara Fisher and Miss Elizabeth Kittredge, formerly of Westford.
Mrs. Nellie Carkin and son, Warren E. Carkin, have moved from Mr. Seavey’s tenement over the old store of Mrs. Frances Prescott’s house on Boston road.
A tribute to Ex-Gov. [John Davis] Long’s memory at the J. V. Fletcher library on Tuesday, the day of his funeral was the placing of two of his photographs on the librarian’s desk. One of the photographs was taken in early life, as he looked when preceptor at Westford academy, and the other in later life and as the present generation knew him. These pictures had previously been presented to the library by Miss Harriet M. Rogers, also a former teacher at the academy. The pictures were placed Tuesday against a flag draped background and bouquets of flowers before them, while overhead was a picture of the beloved Lincoln.
Miss Marion Gill, of Waltham, is a guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher.
Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding, assisted by her sister, Mrs. John S. Greig, entertained the Bridge Whist club Wednesday evening. There were seven tables of whist and all details of the game, decorations and refreshments were most delightfully carried out for the enjoyment of the guests present. On Friday afternoon of last week Mrs. Harry B. Prescott entertained the club at a very pleasant porch party. Delicious refreshments were served.
All the schools in town will open next Tuesday morning. Caretakers W. M. Wright at the academy building and Edmund Baker at the Frost school have their respective buildings in the pink of condition for the opening of school.
Among our young people going away to teach are Miss Ruth Tuttle to Winthrop, Miss Stella Hartford to Attleboro, Miss Gertrude Hamlin to Berwick, Me., Miss Evelyn Hamlin to Cranston, R.I., Miss Lillian Sutherland to East Wilmington and Miss Margaret Sullivan to State Line.
Principal and Mrs. William A Roudenbush are at home again after a most enjoyable summer spent in travel and sight-seeing principally to the California exposition.
James Rafter, who has been spending the summer at Clifton Springs, N.Y., has returned to his Westford home.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Foss, of Cambridge, have been spending a week with Mr. and Mrs. C. Willis Hildreth.
Mr. and Mrs. John Hildreth and their children, of Bayonne, N.J., while en route to a visit to kinspeople in New Hampshire, stopped over for a night at Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth’s the first of the week.
Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth and son Roger are guests of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hildreth at Juniper Point, and Mr. Hildreth joins them for the weekend, all staying over to the holiday.
The explosion at the Acton powder mills, which took place shortly after three o’clock last Sunday morning, was most distinctly heard and felt by Westford residents and many inquiries were made at the local telephone exchange during the forenoon. Various causes that we have heard first given by sleepy citizens were thunder, earthquake, explosion and the real cause. One tired resident taking his well earned rest decided that a neighboring poultry man was up shooting skunks., last week Friday. The Tyngsboro team was mostly a picked Sherburne company, the others unknown.
Middlesex North Agricultural fair will be held next Wednesday and Thursday. Music will be by the Middlesex Training School band. Four premiums are offered for the best exhibit on any vehicle or auto of fruit and vegetables, decoration to be a part of the consideration.
For the busy season of the year Middlesex-North Pomona Grange held well to its reputation for enthusiasm at its first meeting of the season on last week Friday in Lowell. The forenoon was given over to business and the afternoon was given over to addresses by Hon. Guy A. Ham, of Boston, and Rep. Cliffler, of Bedford. Music was furnished by Westford Grange, Mrs. Harry Saxon appeared in song, and the J. Willard Fletcher twins [Marion & Mildred, born July 1, 1902] were effective in piano duet.
In a crack game of tennis on the grounds of the Old Oaken Bucket farm Tuesday, between Carter Hoyt of Lowell and John A. Taylor, Westford won by a close margin.
This week Saturday Tyngsboro Grange will give an exhibition of sports at the Hairpin Turn on the boulevard. Joe wall will be there with his crowd drawing whoop tossing game.
Miss Luanna B. Decatur finished her summer vacation at her home on the Lowell road, leaving Monday for her school in New Rochelle, N.Y.
Westford Grange will hold its next meeting on Thursday evening, September 16. The meeting will be neighbors’ night and Acton, Ayer and West Chelmsford Granges will be present.
J. D. Sarlee, of the teaching force of the high school, Lowell, and J. A. Taylor defeated F. A. Snow and W. R. Taylor on the lawn tennis court of the Old Oaken Bucket farm Labor day afternoon.
On the twenty-eighth anniversary of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. David L. Greig were remembered on Tuesday evening [Sept. 7] by pleasant remembrances from Mr. and Mrs. John Feeney and the J. Willard Fletchers.
Charles S. Edwards and Miss Mabel Yarnold, both of Westford, were united in marriage Tuesday evening at their future home at Brookside by Rev. E. A. Trites, of Lowell.
Anthony S. Anderson and Miss Rita Bickford, both of West Chelmsford, were united in marriage at the Village church, Tuesday evening, by Rev. Mr. Hancock. They will reside in West Chelmsford.
Ralph Fletcher is ill with diphtheria at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert E. Fletcher on Oak hill. Dr. O. V. Wells is in attendance.
Amos Polley has builded unto himself a new concrete cement piazza at the Prairie farm, strong and durable enough to withstand the roughage of farm cowhide boots.
Charles E. Walker, of the Old Homestead, has been on the ill turn list, but is now on the recovery list.
The town teams have been busy hauling gravel from the John H. Decatur farm to roads on Tadmuck hill and other close by side roads.
Graniteville. All the schools opened here Tuesday for the beginning of the fall term. Following is the list of teachers: Miss Issie A. Parker, principal, Miss Lillian Wright, Miss Esther Smith, Miss Katherine Jantzen.
Many from here attended the Westford-Townsend game in Townsend on Labor day, while others took in the attractions at the Worcester fair.
The sudden passing away of Daniel Hanley, who died at his home in Forge Village on last Tuesday came as a severe shock to his many friends here. The deepest sympathy is expressed for the bereaved family in their sad hour. The funeral took place on Thursday. Burial was in St. Catherine’s cemetery, following a solemn high mass that was celebrated in St. Catherine’s church.
Baseball. The third in the series of big games between the Graniteville and Westford baseball teams was pulled off at the Whitney playground in Westford on last Saturday afternoon under conditions that were in every way ideal, and before a large crowd. On this occasion Graniteville reversed the order of things, for instead of Westford making a clean-up as intended, they got goose eggs instead, Graniteville winning by the score of 2 to 0. Westford was never dangerous at any stage of the game for Bob Johnson held them in the hollow of his hand, only one scratch hit being made off his delivery, and not a Westford player reaching third. Connell gave him great support behind the bat and scored the first run. He reached first on a hit, stole second and came home on Prinn’s clean drive to center. Bridgeford scored the second run, getting a hit and stealing two bases. On the throw to catch him napping at third the ball went through Shea and Bridgeford came home.
Page, who has been pitching great ball for Lincoln all summer, was on the firing line for Westford, and why he displaced Knight remains a mystery to the fans, for Knight showed much better pitching ability against Graniteville than Page displayed.
Graniteville had a good, fast team on the field, showed lots of “pep” and out-played their opponents in all departments. As a result the play season for the Westford club has been extended, and they will meet the Graniteville team in the fourth game of the series on the home ground in Graniteville this week Saturday afternoon. It goes without saying that this will be a battle royal and no doubt Westford will make many shifts in its lineup.
People were present at last Saturday’s game from a radius of twenty-five miles, and on Saturday no doubt the circle will be larger. The local management will have the grounds all fixed up for the battle, the sidelines roped off for the fans and everything all in readiness when the call comes to play ball. George Reed umpired his usual fine game and is expected to be on hand Saturday. The score:
Graniteville | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Prinn, rf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Lent, 3b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Bridgeford, lf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Buckingham, cf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
McGovern, 1b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
Smith, 2b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
Hanley, ss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Johnson, p | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Connell, c | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
Totals | 32 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 27 | 12 | 3 |
– | |||||||
Westford A.A. | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Gildea, cf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Hartford, lf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Baker 1b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
Delaney 2b | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Powers, rf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Harvey, c | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Prouty, ss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Shea, 3b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Page p | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
*Thormaklen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Totals | 29 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 12 | 1 |
*Batted for Hartford in ninth
Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
Graniteville | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Two-base hit—Buckingham. Stolen bases—Prinn 2, Bridgeford 2, Connell. Left on bases—Graniteville 3, Westford 3. First base on errors—Westford 3. Bases on balls—Off Johnson 1. Struck out—By Johnson 8, by Page 6. Umpire—George Reed. Time—1 hr. 30 m.
Forge Village. Misses Annie and Ellen Towne, of New Bedford, have been visiting with friends here this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Percy Hargreaves, of Beverly, were the guests of their grandmother, Mrs. M. A. Lowther, over the weekend.
Mrs. Ernest Longbottom, of East Lexington, who removed to Charlton this week, where Mr. Longbottom is employed, spent Labor day at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett.
Mrs. Frank Collins is teaching in Shirley.
Miss Edith Precious was the guest of relatives in Townsend Harbor over the holiday.
Mrs. Emily E. Lewis, of Plattsburg, N.Y., and Mrs. Mary Antaya, of Leominster, spent Saturday and Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer E. Nutting.
Mrs. Arthur Blodgett, of Medford, and Mrs. Mary DeRoehn, of Worcester, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. William Weaver the last of the week.
Cameron school reopened on Tuesday morning with Miss Edith M. Foster, principal. The teaching force remain the same as last year. In the absence of the principal, Miss Letitia V. Ward, who has been ill, Miss Foster resumes her work. Miss Ward intends to resume her duties in a few weeks.
The services at St. Andrew’s mission last Sunday morning were conducted by Rev. W. M. Ford. Until further notice services will be conducted at nine o’clock Sunday mornings instead of at two as heretofore.
On Labor day all the camps on the shores of Forge pond were occupied. An unusually large number visited the village.
After the summer’s camping at Forge pond Mr. and Mrs. William Murphy have returned to their home in Lowell.
A. A. Wyman and family, of Somerville, have returned home after spending the summer in camp here.
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Hartwell, of Boston, have returned home.
Master Roy Gorman, of Wheelwright, has been the guest of his cousin, John B. Gray.
Miss Hannah Coburn has entertained her cousin, Miss Harriet Shepard, of Cambridge, the past week.
A fire bell and sprinkler has been installed in Abbot hall. Town water has also been put in which will be an added advantage.
Ellsworth E. Rose and sister, Carmel E., who have been spending the summer with their grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Splaine, have returned to Belmont. Master Ellsworth returns to resume his studies at Boston college while Miss Carmel enters the Belmont High school.
Miss Rita Smith of Lowell has spent a few days at the home of Mrs. Margaret Wilson.
Mr. and Mrs. Miles Collins entertained Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Kershaw and little son of Lowell last Wednesday.
Mrs. Edmund Hunt and children have returned after a visit at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Cockroft of Barre. Mrs. Cockroft has returned here for a visit.
Edmund and William Hunt were called to Barre on Thursday by the serious illness of their sister, Miss Sarah Hunt. The trip of fifty miles was made in Elmer E. Nutting’s auto.
Saturday, September 18, 1915
Center. Frank C. Wright is having the customary two weeks’ vacation allowed by the postal authorities and Wm. E. Green is substituting on R.F.D. route No. 1 for him.
The enrollment of pupils at Westford academy is fifty-one, being pretty evenly divided with twenty-five girls and twenty-six boys.
Joseph E. Knight has purchased a five-passenger Reo automobile and is busy learning its care and control.
Mrs. Kate Allen of Malden has been a recent guest at H. V. Hildreth’s.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Whitney enjoyed a trip to Salisbury and Hampton beaches last Saturday, going by auto with friends.
Miss Grant, Miss Crocker and Miss Osborn are the teachers boarding at Mrs. Knights and Miss Young boards with Mrs. Walker, the same as last year.
Mrs. Bert Walker has been entertaining her friend, Miss Havens, of Waltham, as a guest at her home this week.
Two new telephone subscribers have been added to the already large list this week—Herbert E. Kendall 44-14 and David Sherman 36-4.
Mrs. Mary E. Haywood enjoyed a visit this last week with Mr. and Mrs. Kendall Heywood at Sterling, staying from Friday until Monday.
Among the little people just entering school at the Center are Elizabeth Wells, Elizabeth Hildreth, Everett Willis, Esther Fisher, Evelyn [torn page] and Ruth Galusha.
Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Hildreth and [their daughter-in-law] Mrs. Harold W. Hildreth [nee Edith M. Lawrence] entertained the Bridge Whist club very pleasantly at the home of the former Wednesday evening of this week. The party took place on the pleasant screened in porch, which was a very successful arrangement for the warm evening. The decorations, the arrangements for the game and the delicious refreshments were all most successfully planned for the enjoyment of the thirty guests present. Mrs. Lawrence, the mother of one of the hostesses, was a special guest of the evening.
Mrs. Donald M. Cameron gave a very pretty summer afternoon party at the Cameron summer home [39 Main St.] Friday afternoon of last week, given in honor of her mother, Mrs. Fiske, and her aunt, Mrs. Calvert. Whist was arranged for those who enjoy the game and there was much merry sociability and a pretty luncheon was served. About thirty-five were present.
A pleasant event which we inadvertently failed to chronicle last week was a pleasant party given by Miss Beatrice Sutherland, given for the younger set just before the opening of schools. Whist was enjoyed for which there were five tables and refreshments of ice cream and cake were served. Another pleasant gathering of the young people the same week was at the home of Ethel Burland.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Streeter are guests at Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Colburn’s.
The greatest interest centers on the rubber game of baseball between the Graniteville and Westford teams to be played this Saturday afternoon at Whitney playground.
All the land owners are busy getting the crop of rowen hay which has not been so abundant for a number of seasons.
Death. The community was shocked and saddened Monday to hear of the tragic and sudden death of Edward Chamberlain Read, of Barre, aged seventeen years, caused by an injury received in diving while bathing at Dana the previous day. The Read family had only removed to Barre a little more than a year ago and Edward was graduated from Westford academy in the class of 1914, so the fatality seems very real to the Westford friends and the very sincerest sympathy of the community goes out to the sadly stricken father, mother and other relatives.
Edward was a fine, likable boy of fine physique and good mentality, always having stood well in his classes. In his generation he represented the name of one of Westford’s old families.
The body was brought to Westford on Wednesday forenoon for interment in the family lot at Fairview cemetery. A large number of relatives and friends attended the committal service. A delegation of sorrowing classmates of the class of 1914 and also of the present class were in attendance, both classes sending beautiful floral tributes. There were many other beautiful tributes. Rev. David Wallace conducted the services with tender sympathy in the committal readings, in prayer and the reading of “Thanatopsis,” Emmitsburg, Md.
The deceased was employed by the Abbot Worsted Co., of this village, and Graniteville, for over thirty-five years, having charge of the wool sorting department. He retired five years ago. He was a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted in the navy at Charlestown at the age of eighteen years.
During his early residence here Mr. Hanley, with the assistance of his family, conducted a Sunday school at his home. He was one of the many who gave their time and services freely until St. Catherine’s church was established.
He was a member of the Foresters of America, Court City of Lowell, and a member of the Holy Name society of St. Catherine’s church and the Westford Veteran association.
The funeral services were held at St. Catherine’s church at 9:30 o’clock on Thursday morning. A solemn high mass or requiem was sung by Rev. E. T. Schofield. Rev. Scott was deacon and Rev. Callahan sub-deacon. The regular choir, under the direction of Edward Ryan of Marlboro, as organist, rendered the Gregorian chant. At the offertory the “Pie Jesu” was effectively sung by Miss Rebecca Leduc, and as the casket was borne from the church the choir rendered the “De profundis.” The bearers were James Sullivan, James O’Brien, Elmer E. Nutting, Hugh Daily, Henry Provost and William Harrington.
The body was met at the church by the Westford Veteran association, who draped the casket with the American flag. The floral tributes were beautiful and numerous. Relatives and friends were present from Boston, Lowell, Marlboro, Worcester, North Chelmsford, Ayer and Graniteville.
In the death of Mr. Hanley the town loses an honest and upright citizen; his neighbors and friends who had learned to feel the better for having known him lose a friend worthy of the highest respect; in the home, where he was ever present with his kindly words of comfort and advice, his place will be sadly vacant. The deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved wife and family.
Miss Agnes Moran, a well-known and esteemed resident, died at St. John’s hospital, Lowell, Tuesday, at the age of twenty-eight years. Miss Moran had been an intense sufferer and death came as a great relief. Two sisters are left to mourn her loss, Miss Mary Moran, of this village, and sister Columba of Peoria, Ill. Burial took place in Lowell.
Graniteville. Miss Bertha Golbraith, of the office staff of the C. G. Sargent Sons’ Corp., is now on a vacation of four weeks, the first two of which will be spent in Montville, Conn., and New York, and the last two weeks at the home of her parents in Springfield.
Miss Lilly Mae Moran has recently returned from a very delightful vacation spent at the different beaches along the North Shore.
Vote for Messer for Sheriff.
Baseball. The fourth big ball game between the Westford and Graniteville teams was pulled off here on last Saturday before the largest crowd that has attended a game in the town. Graniteville won by the score of 5 to 1, and the count in the series now stands two-all, each club having won two games. The “rubber” game, that was decided by a flip of a coin, will be played on the Whitney playground in Westford this week Saturday afternoon at three o’clock, and it goes without saying that this game will be very largely attended.
The game last Saturday was filled with thrills from start to finish and excitement ran high from the time of “play ball” until the last man was out. George Reed umpired his usual good game and will probably officiate this Saturday. Following is the score:
Graniteville | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Moulton, 2b | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Dee, ss | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Stimpson, lf | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ahearn, c | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
Lohman, p | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Connell, 1b | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 1 |
Brigeford, rf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
McGovern, 3b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Buckingham, cf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Totals | 29 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 27 | 15 | 4 |
– | |||||||
Westford A.A. | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Gildea, cf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Hartford, lf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Baker, 1b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Delaney, 3b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Harvey, c | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
Prouty, 2b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Powers, 2b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Knight, rf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Bailey, p | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
*Morse, rf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Totals | 33 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 24 | 9 | 5 |
*Batted for Knight in the seventh
Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
Graniteville | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | x | 5 |
Westford A.A. | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Two-base hits—Connell, Hartford. Three-base hit—Dee. Stolen bases—McGovern, Stimpson, Harvey. Sacrifice hits—Connell, McGovern, Hartford, Harvey. Left on bases—Graniteville 7, Westford 6. First base on errors—Graniteville 2, Westford 2. Bases on balls—Off Lohman, 1, Bailey 3. Hit by pitcher—Connell. Struck out—By Lohman 10, by Bailey 6. Wild pitch—Bailey. Passed balls—Ahearn, Harvey. Umpire—George Reed. Time—2 hrs. Attendance—800.
Death. Mrs. Janet Eldes [Elder] Carmichael, an old and highly respected resident of this village and the widow of the late John Carmichael, died last Saturday at the family residence, Main street, Graniteville, aged 77 yrs. 4 mos. and 20 days. She leaves to mourn her loss two sons, John of Forge Village, and James of Lowell; also two daughters, Mrs. Clifford Legion, of Oakland, Cal., and Mrs. Alva Bicknell, of Somerville.
The deceased had been ill for a long time, during which her daughter, Mrs. Bicknell, gave her every attention that a loving daughter could give and the two sons shared with her in showing their devotion for their mother. In the passing of Mrs. Carmichael this village loses one of its oldest residents and one who was always held in the highest esteem by the village people.
The funeral took place from the house on Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock. The services were conducted by Rev. David Wallace, pastor of the Congregational church, Westford. There were many beautiful floral tributes sent by loving friends. The bearers were John, James and John B. Carmichael, Alvah H. Bicknell. Burial was in Fairview cemetery, Westford, where the committal service was conducted by Mr. Wallace.
Saturday, September 25, 1915
Center. Mrs. Fred A. Hildreth, of Malden, has been a guest several days this week at H. V. Hildreth’s.
Miss Ruth Fisher, who has been at camp in company with Miss Clara Fisher at The Birches, Forge pond, was in the village on Wednesday, visiting friends and relatives.
Mrs. Sydney has an unusually beautiful amaryllis or Persian lily in bloom, there being more than the usual number of blossoms on a stalk.
Mr. and Mrs. Skidmore and little daughter, accompanied by Mrs. A. W. Hartford, returned from their eight-days’ auto trip through Western Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire the first of the week. The trip was most successful in every way with over 700 miles covered through beautiful scenery.
A group of equal suffrage workers were busily at work in town on Tuesday making a house to house canvas and the speaker in the evening in front of the postoffice is reported as presenting the arguments for the cause logically and intelligently.
The Ladies’ Missionary society met with the president, Miss Sarah W. Loker, at her home last week Thursday afternoon, it being the first meeting of the season. Plans for the winter’s work were discussed and a paper was given by Miss Loker.
Mrs. David Wallace conducted the Sunday evening service at the vestry this last week.
Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. William C. Roudenbush, enjoyed an auto trip to Springfield, Amherst, Westfield and Greenfield this last week, starting Saturday morning and returning Sunday evening.
A paper received from one of the relatives of the late Edward C. Read, of Barre, whose tragic death took place in the waters of Lake Pauttapaug, September 12, might indicate that death was caused by sudden illness of some sort, and falling into the water from the canoe and sinking, rather than actual drowning. This theory is borne out by the testimony of those at hand and the findings of the medical examiner. Every known method of resuscitation was tried after the recovery of the body without avail, and with only the result of the going out of a valuable young life so full of promise.
Rev. and Mrs. William A. [E.] Anderson and little son arrived in town this week and are with Mrs. Wright’s [Anderson’s] home people [the Wrights] for the present.
Members of the Tadmuck club are reminded of the opening meeting on Tuesday afternoon, October 5. A most attractive afternoon of vacation notes reception, music and social tea is being planned for.
J. C. M. Valentine, senior land appraiser of the division of valuation of the Interstate Commerce Commission, was in town on Wednesday in his work in connection with the government’s physical valuation of the railroads of the country. The Nashua and Acton railroad was receiving his attention. He interviewed the tax collector for data as to the value of land adjoining the right of way of that railroad.
Fair. The twenty-sixth annual agricultural fair under the auspices of the Congregational church took place on Wednesday afternoon and evening at the town hall under most favorable conditions. The hard working committees feel thoroughly grateful for the hearty cooperation of many for the liberal patronage and the fine, clear weather.
The agricultural features of the fair were perhaps not as pronounced as in some previous years but there were some good displays of fruit and vegetables attractively arranged. Among those exhibiting were the Drew Fruit farm, H. G. Osgood, Edward M. Abbot, Charles O. Prescott, William C. Roudenbush, John Wilson, Charles D. Colburn, S. L. Taylor. Judge Fred A. Fisher, of Lowell displayed some especially fine peaches. Several baskets of choice blackberries from the Walker farm and some nice currants from the Misses Atwood garden were some of the out-of-season fruits.
There were attractively trimmed tables for the sale of fancy articles, aprons, candy, food and a mystery table for the children.
An appetizing supper was served from 5:30 to 7:30 and received liberal patronage and ice cream and cake was on sale during the afternoon and evening.
The entertainment in the evening consisted of “Blueberry Corners,” a laughable farce of “ye olde deestrict schule,” when grown-ups disguised themselves as children with remarkable costumes and more remarkable names. Fred A. Blodgett, as the schoolmaster, was very successful. The hard working members of the school committee were personated by S. L. Taylor and Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Knight. The school visitors were represented by Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. John Wright and Mrs. Murphy. The pupils who acquitted themselves in lessons, recitations and song were Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Greig, Mr. and Mrs. J. Willard Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Sutherland, John P. Wright, Mrs. S. B. Wright, Mrs. Florence Walker and Misses Grant, Crocker and Osborn. The following committees were in charge:
Arrangements—Rev. David Wallace, L. W. Wheeler and Miss L. B. Atwood.
Decorator—Elliot F. Humiston.
Entertainment—Mr. Wallace, Miss May Atwood, John P. Wright.
Food table—Mrs. Hartford, Mrs. John Wright, Mrs. D. L Greig.
Display—Mr. Rafter, Mr. Humiston, Mrs. Lambert and Miss Martha Symmes.
Supper—Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Isles, Mrs. C. D. Colburn, Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. Shea, Mrs. Bannister and Misses Leighton and McMaster.
Candy table—Misses F. Wilson, McMaster and Grant, Mrs. Charles Hildreth, A. E. Wilson and Bert Walker.
Mystery table—Misses Bunce and Crocker.
Fancy table—Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs. Roudenbush, Mrs. Humiston, Mrs. Merritt, Mrs. Goode, Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth, Mrs. Elliot, Mrs. Snow, Mrs. A. E. Day, Mrs. Amesbury, Mrs. P. E. Wright, Mrs. W. E. Wright, Mrs. Osgood, Misses S. C. Atwood, Bannister, Pyne and Weitz.
Apron table—Miss Loker, Mrs. C Wright, Mrs. Burnham, Mrs. Whitney, Mrs. Hildreth, Mrs. Day, Mrs. Burland, Mrs. Symmes, Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. Pyne, Mrs. Bridgeford, Mrs. Steele, Mrs. Judd, Mrs. Kendall, Mrs. Parfitt, Miss A. Walker.
The financial results of the fair amounts to $170.
About Town. Rev. Frank D. Crandell of Boston, conducted the services at the Unitarian church last Sunday and gave a wise and thoughtful sermon on “What it is to be lost.” On Sunday, September 27, Rev. Louis H. Buckshorn, a former well-known minister of the parish, will conduct the service in his usual energetic and thoughtful manner. Since his former ministry here he has become the owner of extensive orcharding.
Neighbors’ night at Westford Grange last week Thursday evening was one of the best Westford Grange has fallen in love with since the days of the charter. Only the limitations of knowledge prevents individual mention of the names of those from Ayer who sang, recited, read letters and played on the harp of entertainment generally. Acton Grange also entertained in solo and duet song by men folks. West Chelmsford Grange startled the interest by the novelties of the “kitchen band” and some solo side shows. All in all it was a merry-go-round evening. Westford Grange will hold its next meeting on Thursday evening, October 7, when the following questions left over from away back will be extricated: “Shall Massachusetts have an exposition in 1920 to celebrate the landing of the Pilgrims?” and “Does the European war indicate that Christianity is a failure?”
The next meeting of Middlesex North Pomona Grange will be held at Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell, next Friday, with afternoon and evening sessions only.
Mrs. Sarah (Irish) Bussey, widow of George W. Bussey, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. George W Hunt [nee Anna P. Irish] in Tyngsboro, aged sixty years. For many years she lived with her husband on the farm at Brookside, a quiet, gentle spirit wisely conserving the resources of life. The funeral took place from the home of her sister in Tyngsboro last Saturday afternoon. Rev. R. G. Clapp of Lowell, conducted the services. The bearers were relatives and burial was in West Chelmsford.
Miss Helen A. Whittier, of Lowell, was present at the Unitarian church last Sunday, the guest of her friend, Miss Ella Wright.
At the primaries on Tuesday evening John M. Fletcher, T. A. E. Wilson, William H. Wall and Walter E. Merritt were appointed election officers. Of the 400 or more registered voters only 89 votes were cast on the important contests. Samuel W. McCall received 43, Grafton D. Cushing 30, for governor. For lieut. governor Calvin Coolidge received 40, Guy A. Ham 25. Alfred W. Hartford and Samuel L. Taylor were elected delegates to the state convention.
Middlesex North Agricultural society held its annual fair last week Wednesday and Thursday with lots of heat and a large exhibit. Westford was represented by the Old Oaken Bucket farm folks who led first on field corn and Siberian crab apples, and third on Porters and outled all competitors on exhibit of a bushel of largest potatoes. The New Stony Brook, an annex of the Old Oaken Bucket, led first on McIntosh Reds, Newtowns, Pippins and second on Tolman Sweets.
The first frost of the season occurred on Wednesday night, along the farm lands of Tadmuck brook. The pumpkin vines show symptoms of a serious encounter.
The campaigners against woman suffrage will speak from the following places in Westford on the afternoon of September 28: In front of Wright & Fletcher’s store, Westford Corner, from 2:40 to 3:10; in front of Abbot’s mill, Graniteville, from 3:20 to 3:50; in front of the railroad station, Forge Village, from 4:00 to 4:20. A good list of speakers will be on hand.
Graniteville. The mills of the Abbot Worsted Company were closed this week and will start up again on Monday at the usual time.
The hot wave has passed on and it is needless to say that everybody is satisfied with the change.
A large number assembled at post-office square on Tuesday evening to hear Mrs. Gertrude B. Newell, county chairman of the Equal Suffrage league of Norfolk county, give a speech expounding the cause as to why women should vote. Mrs. Newell received close attention from the large crowd present and at the conclusion of her address left with her party for Westford, where she was scheduled for another speech.
Baseball. Under sunny September skies and in the presence of over 1500 wildly enthusiastic fans, the fifth and “rubber” game between the Westford and Graniteville clubs was pulled off at the Whitney playground in Westford on last Saturday afternoon and Graniteville made it three straight by winning to the tune of 6 to 0, thereby landing the game and “bringing home the bacon” for the series. As Westford has already won the series from Townsend this year Graniteville, by defeating Westford has full authority to claim the suburban championship.
In the lineup of Saturday’s game the local men on both sides were entirely lost in the shuffle for the cream of the New England league was pitted against each other in this “big game,” with a couple of players from the Boston Red Sox with Westford for good measure [a joke, apparently]. Graniteville had three men who are classed as semi-pro players, but they certainly played in big league form on last Saturday, not an error being chalked against them.
Fuller, of Lawrence, took up the pitching burden for Westford, with Holmes, of the Red Sox, on the receiving end. Graniteville pinned its fate to reliable “Zeke” Lohman, of Lowell, while “Lengthy” Connell, a South Boston boy, handled Zeke’s twisters in a faultless manner.
Graniteville scored in the third, fourth, seventh and eighth innings. Westford came to bat in the final inning for the purpose of averting a shut out if possible. Duggan sent a long fly to Harris and was retired. Holmes followed with his first hit of the game, a single to right center. Halstein struck out. Lonegren popped to Camley and the game was over.
The Tiger-Red Sox game had nothing on the demonstration that was manifested on the final put out. All they lacked was numbers, but they were not deficient in noise producers. Hats flew in the air, auto horns were brought into play, while a regular war dance was given by the men fans on the diamond. The girls were right there with the parasol parade and they certainly formed a pretty picture as they waltzed on the green at the Whitney playground at the conclusion of one of the biggest baseball games ever staged in the town. Everything was well conducted. Two uniformed members of the Lowell police force kept the large crowd in check during the game and assisted in clearing the ground at the finish.
In the evening the Graniteville rooters assembled at the postoffice square in Graniteville, the local band was brought out and some forty odd men and women boarded a big auto truck. Headed by a line of automobiles filled with fans and with a big sign giving the score 6-0, the start was made for Westford via Cold Spring. Others joined them enroute and on arriving on “the hill,” the first stop was made at the home of former senator Edward Fisher, president of the Westford A.A. Mr. Fisher’s war cry was repeated for him and after a short speech he remarked that everything was all right, but that 6 to 0 sign, for that was something he wanted to forget. The procession was again started after giving Mr. Fisher three cheers and a circuit was made of the historic common with the band playing and the singing of “Tipperary” with appropriate words being very much in evidence. The next stop was made at Wright & Fletcher’s store, where a large crowd had collected. Cheers were given both teams, managers and all connected with local baseball, including three for Zeke Lohman. The band played a selection and songs were sung by Frank Charlton and Fred Defoe. The “royal root- [line missing] Manager A. W. Hartford was right there with a smile and after exchanging greetings with Manager York and others connected with the Graniteville team, the cigars were passed and all invited to “smoke up.” Genial “Dick” Wright was right there on the entertainment committee, assisted by Dr. Blaney, who had a ready handshake and a smile to show that they accepted the situation in the proper spirit, which shows the true Sportsman. After more singing and music by the band, three rousing cheers were given all round and the homeward trip to Graniteville began.
The whole village, that is those who couldn’t get to Westford for the parade, were there to greet them on their return and in order to do the thing right Healy’s hall was hired, the doors thrown open and all invited to come in and join in the dance. The home band was right on the job and dancing was enjoyed until shortly after eleven with a large crowd in attendance. It was certainly one grand day from a Graniteville standpoint and no doubt it will long be remembered as the time when there were so many league players in town. No doubt things will be different as to the line-up next year. So here’s good luck to Westford. Shake! We can still be friends if we did land the series.
Following is the score:
Graniteville | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Moulton, 2b | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
Dee, ss | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Lynch lf | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Murphy, cf | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Cawley, 3b | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
Harris, rf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
McGovern, 1b | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 3 | 0 |
Connell, c | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Lohman, p | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Totals | 37 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 27 | 16 | 0 |
– | |||||||
Westford A.A. | |||||||
ab | r | bh | tb | po | a | e | |
Burns, rf | 4 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Mulvey, 2b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Duggan, lf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Holmes, c | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
Halstein, 1b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 1 |
Lonegan, ss | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Conley, 3b | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
Morgan, cf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Fuller, p | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Totals | 32 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 28 | 14 | 2 |
Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
Graniteville | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
Three-base hits—Burns 2. Two-base hits—Connell, Duggan. Stolen bases—Cawley, McGovern, Conley. Earned runs, Graniteville 4. Sacrifice hits—Dee, Cawley, Harris 2, Lohman, Mulvey. Double play—Cawley to McGovern. Left on bases—Graniteville 6, Westford 5. First base on errors—Graniteville 2. Bases on balls—Off Lohman 1, off Fuller 2. Struck out—By Lohman 4, by Fuller 5. Wild pitch—Fuller. Passed balls—Holmes 2. Umpires—J. A. McGrail, George Reed. Time—1 hr. 15 m.
Forge Village. Mr. and Mrs. John Bennet of Worcester, Walter Bennett of Townsend and Mrs. Mary Drake of Shrewsbury have been recent guests at the home of Mrs. Harriet E. Randall.
Mrs. Margaret Wilson entertained the members of the W.C.T.U. at a meeting held at her home on last Wednesday afternoon. Among other business officers for the ensuing year were elected: Mrs. A. B. Carr, pres.; Mrs. Quincy Day, vice-pres.; Mrs. H. Ingalls, treas. and sec.; Mrs. Lionel Goucher, Mrs. Bessie Robinson, medal contest. Mrs. A. B. Carr, Mrs. Quincy Day, Mrs. Harry Ingalls, Miss Bertha Wilson were the members elected to attend the convention which was held at the Old South church, Reading, Thursday. A dainty luncheon was served on the lawn adjoining the home, after the meeting. Mrs. Geo. Weaver and Mrs. Frank Farrell poured.
Mrs. Samuel Blodgett of the Ridges entertained her sister, Mrs. Frank Wiggin and daughter Ethel of Providence, R.I., the past week.
Alvin S. Bennett, our oldest resident [aged 88 years], who has been very ill at his home, is reported as improving.
Miss Priscilla Bennett and her niece, Elizabeth Hosmer, are the guests this week of Miss Bennett’s sister, Mrs. August Myers, of Dorchester.
The mills of Abbot & Co. reopen on Monday, September 27, after a week’s shut-down.
After a vacation of two months the Ladies’ Sewing Circle of St. Andrew’s mission will resume its work. The first meeting was held on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, in Recreation hall.
Misses Emily, Bertha and Ethel Collins visited their sister, Miss Violet Collins, of Providence, R. I., during the week. Miss Violet is recovering from an operation for appendicitis.
The bath houses have been repaired and notices have been posted to the effect that any person found mutilating or defacing them will be punished to the full extent of the law.
A clam bake was held at the hose house by the members of the John Edwards Hose Co. on Saturday evening, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.
Mrs. Wadernau and daughter, Miss Katherine McNiff, are moving into the tenement in Bradford street recently vacated by Miss Mary Moran.
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Scott and family of Pepperell are to occupy the house on Pleasant street vacated by Mrs. Wadernau.
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Elliott are home on Beaver Brook road.