Turner's Public Spirit, February 5, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Mrs. Isles at the telephone exchange is much improved after several weeks with a
cold and throat trouble. One of the pleasant days this week she was able to go out of doors for the
first time in two months.
“The Edgar A. Mann family is now quarantined with measles. We understand two of the
children are sick with them. Quarantined with scarlet fever and now for a second time with
measles makes it hard for all concerned.
“Both Elizabeth and William Carver are sick with scarlet fever, although mild cases are
reported. During the family quarantine Mr. Carver is boarding at H. L. Wright’s.
“We are requested to say that the station at East Littleton is not wholly closed. It is open to
receive prepared freight and is kept warmed, and Mrs. Dietrich, who lives nearby, is employed as
caretaker.
“Westford residents are glad the ice harvest for use next summer is secure. Mr. Johnson and
men have secured a sufficient supply of good quality ice [from Burge’s Pond].
“An accident to a large automobile truck is reported on the Graniteville hill Tuesday. This is
one of the large trucks from Boston which carries wool from the Abbot Worsted Co. In coming
up the long Graniteville hill some part of the steering gear gave way and the machine backed
down hill and over the embankment where the grade had been raised when the road was
extensively repaired and regraded two years ago. We are told that no one was hurt and that the
work of extricating the machine was being done the next day.
“The snowstorm of the first of the week did not prove a blocking snow and after so much bare
ground made the prettiest of winter scenery and the roads unusually smooth for the time of year.
“O. R. Spalding, William E. Wright, A. G. Walker, Robert Prescott, W. E. Anderson and A.
W. Hartford were in attendance last Wednesday at the hearing relative to the standard bushel box
to be used by the fruit growers of the state. The delegation was unanimous for the so-called
smaller box used by so many states. More than 150 people interested in the passage of the bill
were in attendance and the hearing was held with the committee on agriculture….
“About Town. While we are not particularly fond of snow, the light snow of Sunday acted as
an efficient fire department in putting out numerous grass fires. It is unusual to have grass fires in
January. Last week Friday another grass fire started on the line of the Stony Brook railroad on
land now owned by the Abbot Worsted Co., located east of Westford station. It burned over all
the acres that were between the railroad track and Stony Brook.
“Daniel H. Sheehan on the Stony Brook road raised 1700 acres of cotton last year on his farm
in North Carolina and hustled the selling of it before the decline in price.
“Town Caucus. The town [Republican] caucus Monday evening exemplified in many ways
the brotherhood of man and the fellowship of woman in that there were no disturbing small
politics and pantaloons didn’t do all the voting, the women being out in large numbers to look
after their old rights newly conceded. It was a full house as rarely ever before. There was a
quorum and plenty for several more quorums….
“Graniteville. The Richard bowling alleys are a busy place here these nights and the special
matches between the Forge Village and Graniteville teams are attracting wide attention….
“A strong bill was presented at the movies here on Monday night when Tom Mix was seen in
‘The Untamed.’ A comedy, ‘The huntsman,’ followed by the Pathé news, was also given….
“Many people from this village attended the Republican caucus that was held at the town hall
in Westford Center on last Monday night. The women’s vote was very much in evidence. The
annual town meeting will be held on Monday, February 14.
“The recent fall of snow in the early part of the week made good sleighing for a couple of
days.
“The Abbot Worsted Co. soccer football club defeated the Arlington mills eleven of Lawrence
at Forge Village on last Saturday afternoon by a 1 to 0 score. The lone goal was scored by Joe
Gilmartin in the second period. It was a closely contested game throughout, and many fans were
present from Lowell, Lawrence and the surrounding towns. The day was good for football, but
the frozen ground made playing rather difficult.”
Tom Mix (1880-1940), Hollywood’s first Western star, appeared in 282 silent films and 9
talkies. “The Untamed” was released in 1920. Courtesy Photo /
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Untamed_(1920_film).