A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Misses Gertrude D. and Julia H. Fletcher have been on a vacation this week at
Hampton Beach and other points of interest.
“An aeroplane [sic], v
ery audible and visible, passed over town Wednesday evening about seven o’clock, going in an easterly direction.
“Elmer Bridgeford has recently spent a week with relatives in Townsend.
“Miss Maude Robinson, who has had an interesting experience in school teaching in Montana,
and who had remained after the usual closing of schools in June for special summer work in
teaching, arrived in Westford on Thursday of last week and was able to be with her sister, Mrs.
Hartford, the last days of her life. The tie between these two sisters was an especially affectionate
one and she has the sincerest sympathy of her friends in the loss of her only sister.
“Sidney B. Wright’s team and an auto truck collided Wednesday morning not far from the
town hall, and what looked like a serious mix-up for a few minutes came out without serious
result to either party. The accident was caused by Mr. Wright’s horse taking fright and backing
into the auto truck.
“A series of tragic happenings have come to the George H. Hartford family within a
comparatively few months, or at least well within a year. Last fall Stella, the youngest daughter
of the family and a young bride in a new home, died [Dec. 27, 1918, in Plaistow, N.H.,] after a
few days’ illness with influenza. This was during the serious epidemic of influenza last fall. A
few weeks later the husband of Marion, another daughter, was killed in an automobile accident
[May 5, 1919, in Lowell]. This was the late Bert E. Cole. And now comes the sad death [August
10, 1919, in Westford] of the wife [nee Grace May Robinson] of the youngest son, James B.
Hartford.
“Death. The community was sincerely saddened Sunday morning to hear that Mrs. Grace
Robinson Hartford had passed away in the early morning hours. Death was not unexpected for
reports had gone out from her sick room for some days of her very critical condition. Mrs.
Hartford had been ill for about six weeks and the result of death was from complications
following an attack of influenza…. She was the oldest daughter of Capt. and Mrs. Charles W.
Robinson. Her education was received in the town schools and at Westford academy, and later
she finished her training along business lines at the Lowell Commercial college….
“On May 8, 1918, Miss Robinson was united in marriage to James B. Hartford, and they had
established for themselves a pleasant new home in Ayer, where Mr. Hartford is employed by the
Lowell and Fitchburg street railway….
“Graniteville. The G.A.C. team of this village visited Littleton last Saturday afternoon and
met with defeat at the hands of the Littleton A.A. by the score of 8 to 7. Littleton will play a
return game here later.
“Baseball. The Abbot Worsted Co. team defeated the strong Putnam Machine Co. team of
Fitchburg on the local grounds here last Saturday afternoon by the score of 8 to 7, in one of the
best games of the season…. It was surely a battle royal with both clubs getting the same number
of hits. Although both sides made errors there were some brilliant plays pulled off. The feature
of the game was the triple play staged in the third inning by Mulno, Liston and Belleville. In the
first of the third for the Putnams, Warsans and Morin were passed, Sargent was safe on an infield
fumble, and the sacks were filled. Francis, the next man up, sent a roller to [the pitcher] Mulno,
who got Warsans at the plate. Liston threw to Belleville at first, getting Francis, and Morin, who
tried to score, was extinguished at the plate, Belleville to Liston….
“Forge Village. The Forge Village A.C. will commence football [i.e., soccer] practice shortly
and Manager Kelly is making arrangements for the coming season.
“Pleasantly Surprised. The home of Mrs. Edmund Pendlebury was the scene of a pretty
party on Thursday evening, when the many friends of Mr. and Mrs. William Cushing gathered to
wish them many years of happiness. Mr. and Mrs. Cushing were married on July 24. Mrs.
Cushing was a popular teacher in Cameron school until a year ago, when she accepted a position
in the First National bank, Ayer. She was very active in the Red Cross, being the chairman in this
village practically all the while the Red Cross was active.
“Mr. Cushing arrived at Camp Devens on July 4 from overseas, he being a member of
Company B, 326 th Field Signal Battalion….”