Turner's Public Spirit, June 25, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Mrs. Dorothy B. Roach, the teacher at Parkerville, was the recipient of several
attractive gifts, among them a salad set and cut glass bowl from the parents of her pupils, in token
of appreciation for her faithful work.
“Miss May E. Day has been attending the meetings of the American Library association in
Swampscott this week. Mrs. Roy L. Keizer is substituting during her absence.
“Graduation Exercises. Once again a large class of boys and girls has graduated from
Westford academy. An audience consisting of many relatives and friends listened with pleasure
to the exercise which were held at the town hall on Wednesday morning at ten o’clock. The class
colors of blue and gold were used in decorating the room.
“The Titania orchestra opened the program with a march and overture while the pupils
marched to their places. Rev. O. L. Brownsey made the invocation, after which Francis H. Daley
gave the salutatory. The class history was given by Miss Marjorie E. Bell, and the class grinds
[sic] by Miss Alice E. Johnson. Miss Lillian M. Hunt read the last will and testament of the class.
A Cantata, “The landing of the Pilgrims,” was given by the school. Conrad E. J. Cote, a member
of last year’s class, was the soloist. The presentation of the class gift was made by Miss Ruth
Johnson and accepted by Miss Helen M. Kimball of the class of 1922. The gift consisted of a
clock much needed in one of the rooms. Following this was the class prophecy by Chester
Lapniewski.
“Principal William C. Roudenbush was the speaker of the morning, taking for his subject “His
new day.” His words were listened to with attention and appreciation by all. The valedictory was
given by Stanley J. Smith. Supt. H. C. Knight presented the prizes and diplomas.
“The graduates in the academic course were Marjorie E. Hall, Francis H. Daley, Harold A.
Harrington, Henry D. Harrington, Gladys M. Ingalls, Chester Lapniewski and Stanley J. Smith; in
the English-business course, Carl O. Anderson, Mabel G. Dane, Marion Fletcher, Mildred
Fletcher, Lillian M. Hunt, Alice E. Johnson, Ruth Johnson, Marjorie Pollock and Hattie Gladys
Simpson….
“About Town. A passing engine and caboose on the Stony Brook road discovered fire that
threatened the grass and woodland of Daniel H. Sheehan and notified Bernard J. Flynn. The
Westford fire department was notified and made a quick response. The fire was extinguished
before it had made any headway towards sweeping the large wooded area towards Lake
Nabnassett. The dry, high wind and dry grass and underbrush were favorable for some business.
“Plans are being discussed by the school committee and others for two new schoolhouses next
year, one at Forge Village and one at Brookside. The town is now paying $8000 a year for
transportation; of this sum, if we are correctly informed, $22 a day is from Brookside, which is a
growing manufacturing village, [and] is entitled to modern school accommodations, besides three
miles is a long, cold journey in the short cold days of winter. A modern school building will add
to the thrifty appearance of the village.
“A large deer was seen browsing in the pasture of Guy R. Decatur on the easterly slope of
Little Tadmuck hill last Saturday.
“Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher and sons of Oak hill have the contract for building the new bridge
over the Merrimack river at the town of Merrimack, N.H. Mr. Farrar, who lives on the Groton
road, will superintend the construction.
“We were pleased to meet our old genial friend and native, Hiram Dane, after a few years’
residence at Long Beach, Cal., recently. He has lost none of his enthusiasm for service and still
has the same buoyant spirit as in his more youthful days, although close to his eighty-second
birthday. He mentioned going to church [in Long Beach] where Rev. Oliver J. Fairfield, formerly
of Littleton, is minister, and reports that his congregation has increased to the size of a
contemplated new church.
“There will be a concert by the Abbot Worsted Company band on the common Sunday
afternoon from two to four o’clock.
“Graniteville. In one of the best-played games of the season the Canton town team defeated
the Abbot Worsted Co. club here on last Saturday by the score of 6 to 3. The games was filled
with good hitting and fast fielding from start to finish. Brilliant plays were pulled off on both
sides. Olaf Hendrickson, the former Boston Red Sox star, played center field for Canton and
poled out two three-baggers….”
Stanley Smith was the valedictorian of the Westford Academy class of 1921. Courtesy photo /
Charles L. Hildreth Collection, Westford Historical Society.