Middlesex County Newspaper Abstracts


The Concord Enterprise, 2 June 1888

Memorial Services in Acton
   On Sunday, May 27, Isaac Davis Post, No. 138, with the W.R.C. in large numbers, attended the Baptist church at West Acton to listen to the memorial sermon, which was delivered by the pastor, Rev. Frank Heath. The reverend gentleman took for his text John XV 12, and in a very able and truly eloquent manner did he set forth the noble work done and the sacrifices made for our country during her days of trial, and paid glowing tributes of praise to her sons who went forth at their country's call. The singing by the choir was, as usual, fine and the services closed with the singing of America in which the congregation joined. The church was filled to the utmost capacity.
   On Memorial day the programme was as follows: Though the weather in the morning was unfavorable quite a good number of the post joined in decorating the graves in the two cemeteries in Maynard. From Maynard the post started for the G.A.R. hall where it was joined by the W.R.C. and all partook of a bountiful dinner prepared by the ladies of of the Corps, after which they proceeded to Mt. Hope cemetery. Here the dedication of a lot lately purchased and presented by the Corps to the Post for the “unknown dead,” took place. The services consisted of prayer by Rev. Mr. Heath, dirge by the Maynard band, recitation and poem by the chaplain of the W.R.C., Miss C. A. Allen, and singing by twelve young misses under the direction of Miss Lettie Newton and the placing of flowers upon the lot by the same young misses. At the close of this ceremony the usual service of decoration of graves was performed by the comrades. One very pretty feature was the intermingling of the very small children, who assisted in this part. Mr. Chas. B. Stone directed and trained them and judging from his beaming face we knew his heart was in the right place.
   At 3 o'clock line was again formed for Woodlawn cemetery, where after prayer by Rev. Mr. Stearns, the graves were decorated, and at 4 all repaired to town hall to listen to the youthful orator of the day, Mr. Wm. Chapman of Everett. Previous to the oration prayer was offered by Post Chaplain Wilson, music by the band, singing by a male quartet, Messrs. Edgar Hall, Geo. Houston, E. F. Richardson and Sidney L. Richardson, a recitation by Miss Viola Preston, which was delivered in a very pretty style, and also one by little Tessie Smith, entitled “Our Boys and the Flag.” Owing to the youth of the young miss she was greeted with a hearty applause and made her appearance upon the stage a second time. The oration followed and was well worthy of the son of the old commander of the 26th Mass. Regt., as he handled his subject in a manner which would have elicited much praise for those who have been in the field of orators for many years. At the close of the oration Tessie Smith, on behalf of the Post, presented the orator with a beautiful boquet of flowers.
   Altogether the day was a great success in all its work and a much larger number turned out from both orders and also from the town than any year previous.
MAYNARD
   Mr. C. A. Whitney met with a serious accident on Saturday night in front of his store on Nason street. Mr. W. and wife had just taken a seat in their carriage when the horse turned suddenly around, caused by the rein becoming entangled in the wheel, and threw the occupants to the ground. Mrs. Whitney escaped without injury, but her husband was less fortunate, and had to be helped to his feet, and upon examination it was fouind that his collarbone was fractured. He was taken to his home and Dr. Marsh has the patient in his care. He is improving as rapidly as it is possible for a young man with a good constitution to do, and it is hoped he will soon be able to be about his accustomed business.
   The order of exercises as mapped out in the ENTERPRISE of last week was carried out in all its details by Isaac Davis Post on Memorial day. About forty veterans were in line and headed by the Maynard brass band marched to Glenwood cemetery where the beautiful and solemn service of decorating the soldiers graves was gone through with. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Merrill, and a short and patriotic address was given by Rev. Mr. Brewer. Quite a company of citizens followed the procession to the cemetery and witnessed the impressive ceremony, which, with the advancing years, grows more impressive. The veterans' ranks are slowly but surely becoming thinned and soon the last survivor will come to cast his offering upon the graves of his comrades. Members of Isaac Davis post from Maynard took barges for Acton and assisted in the services in that town in the afternoon.

SOUTH ACTON
   Mr. Wm. S. Handley has left the piano stool factory.
   Horse for sale; great roader. O. L. Wright.
   On Thursday Mr. Geo. Warren was obliged to go to the hospital in Boston for medical treatment.
   The boating season has opened on the mill pond, and we expect to see quite a fleet of boats and canoes afloat.
   Postmaster L. E. Reed has put out newly ornamented awnings at the post office.
   Work at the saw mill is about done for the season. The big piles of lumber show a good winters work.
   We heard a little girl express her opinion of the oration on Memorial day which was “he had a very long piece to speak and he spoke it very well indeed.”
   Little Florence, daughter of Mr. Waldo Tuttle, who has been in danger from bleeding at the nose for some days past, is said to be on the road to recovery.
   The Maynard band, after doing a good day's work on Memorial day, kindly gave the citizens of this village a free concert. Thank you, gentlemen.
Submitted by dja
The Concord Enterprise, 23 June 1888
SOUTH ACTON
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   Mr. Herbert Tuttle of Chelsea, spent the 17th with his father, J. W. Tuttle.
   Miss Bertha Jones visited friends in Malden last week, returning this week.
   Mrs. James Tuttle spent the 17th with her daughter, Mrs. Lucius Hosmer, at Charlestown.
   Mrs. Hepsey Piper, who has been sick for some time is at present writing very low.
   Mrs. Chas. Davis and son started this week for South Orrington, Me., where they will spend the next four weeks.
   Mr. Clarence Jones and family of Somerville were the guests of his brother Mr. Lowell Jones on the 17th.
   Mr. Geo. W. Daniels has put the lightest canoe on the pond yet; 6 1-2 pounds being the weight.
   Mr. Augustus Fletcher is driving a fine team for the Marlboro laundry. He will make two trips about town every week.
   The house occupied by Mr. L. A. Hazellton has been newly painted and Mr. Frank Conant has followed suit and the three houses owned by him opposite are being painted.
   Miss Adeline Allen, president, and Mrs. I. S. Ford, A.C. of the W.R.C. went to Worcester on Thursday to witness the exemplification of the work of the order.
   Rose Sunday will be observed in the Universalist church (on Sunday) with appropriate services. In the evening there will be a concert and the church decorated with flowers.
   The statement in the Maynard items of last week that ice cream was furnished for a strawberry festival at Westvale on Wednesday night by Maynard parties is not correct, as the party took place Friday evening and the cream was furnished by O. L. Wright of this village.
   Mr. John F. Fitzgerald of the Customs House, Boston, and Miss Josie M. Hannon of this town, enjoyed quite an extensive trip among the mountains, two or three days the past week. They visited Winchendon, Rindge, Jeffrey [sic], Peterboro and Dublin and they regard the scenery and drives in this part of the country as magnificent. They also have been the recipients of invitations to the class day exercises at Harvard, Friday, and we feel certain that some of the city belles will have to look to their laurels when this charming representative of South Acton is about.
MAYNARD
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE
   On Monday June 4th, Patrick Noonan left his boarding place at Mrs. Townend's [sic] on Main street and has not been heard from since. On Wednesday his absence was brought to the attention of the people in the place by the finding of a man's clothing on the banks of the river just above the canal, and which were said to be those last worn by Noonan. This rumor led us to make an investigation, and upon inquiry at his last boarding place we gathered the following facts from the landlady. It appears that Noonan has been addicted to intemperate habits during the seven or eight years that he has lived in town, but was of a peaceable disposition and never made any trouble. His sprees were periodical and he was usually able to attend to his work at the mill when required. On the morning when last seen he had arrayed himself in his best attire and left the house, but without any intimation that he should not return at noon.
   Our informant says that the only tidings she has had of the absentee was about a week or ten days ago, when a Mr. O'Brien from Waltham told her he picked Pat up on the road between this place and Waltham and brought him to Maynard. He was in a sorry plight, and very dejected in mind. But we have been unable to find any one else who saw him after he reached Maynard, and if O'Brien's story is correct he must have disappeared at once.
   His trunk and clothing was left in his room, but are of very little value. He did not collect all his wages at the mill, there being a sufficient amount to liquidate his board bill.
   The matter is now in the hands of the officers and more light may be developed later on.

SUDBURY
———
   Mr. and Mrs. George Smith are at home on the sick list.
   Mary Clough has returned from New Hampshire, after quite a long visit.
   Miss Emily Willis went to Norton Wednesday, June 20th, to attend the graduating exercises at Wheaton Seminary at which time Josie Brown was among the graduates.
   The flowers in the Congregational church last Sabbath were arranged by the Christian Endeavor Society, Arthur Burr being the principal. They were considered very elegant.
Submitted by dja

The Arlington Advocate, 29 June 1888

POLICE COURT
On Monday Timothy Cronan paid $1 and cost in court for drunkness. The next day Michael Lane was fined $10 and costs for disturbing the peace, and Edward LeBaron, engaged in a different affray, was also fined $7 and costs for a similar offense.
Submitted by dja


1888 Newspaper Abstracts
Middlesex County Massachusetts

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