Turner's Public Spirit, January 19, 1924
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
Center. The next meeting of the Tadmuck club will be held at the Congregational church on January 22, at 2:45, and will be in charge of the civics and legislative committee. The program will be as follows: Poem, Miss Alice Howard; talk on “Fitting the prison to the prisoner”; music, Miss Hazel Tuttle, soprano. There will also be a club tea with Mrs. Fred Meyer as hostess.
There will be a supper and entertainment at the Congregational church on Thursday evening, January 24. Mrs. Alonzo Sutherland and Miss Lillian Sutherland will be in charge and both supper and entertainment promise to be well worth attending.
The Alliance met with Mrs. William R. Carver on last week Thursday, the meeting being a very fine one with a large attendance. The forenoon was spent in sewing and at the afternoon session Miss Lucinda Prescott read a very interesting paper on “Fifty years of Grange work.” There were also religious notes by Mrs. Alma Richardson and Mrs. Adeline Buckshorn.
The Legion and Auxiliary held meetings at headquarters on Monday evening. At the Auxiliary meeting Mrs. Harry Whiting was elected as president to succeed Miss Nancy Paterson, who resigned, and Miss Marion Lord will succeed Mrs. John B. Gray as secretary. At the close of the business meeting refreshments of coffee, doughnuts and cheese were served.
The citizens’ caucus for the nomination of candidates for town offices to be elected in February will be held on January 28.
- W. Knowlton, of Wollaston was a weekend guest in town.
Mrs. Charles Campbell [nee Annie Maria Knight], of Hudson, N.H., and Mrs. Gerald Davis and daughter Geraldine, of Wayland, have been recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Knight, and Mrs. Herbert Ranney, of Wayland, has been spending the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Knight.
The basketball team played Ayer high last week, the score being 24 to 19 in favor of Ayer. On Wednesday of this week the team went to Salem to play the Salem Normal team. They were accompanied by Miss Bashford, Miss Ott and Miss Gothberg of the faculty, and Mr. Fitzgibbons, the coach, and several rooters.
The Young People’s league of the Congregational church held a social and business meeting on last Saturday evening. It was voted to change the name of the society to the Christian Endeavor, and the following officers were elected: Arthur Whitney, pres.; Miss May Day, vice pres.; Raymond Shea, sec. and treas.
Charles Robey, who is at the Lowell General hospital, is improving.
Almon Downing, who recently underwent an operation at the Lowell General hospital, is improving.
The annual church dinner and business meeting was held at the Congregational church on Monday and brought out a large attendance. The ladies of the church served an excellent dinner, Mrs. Harry Ingalls being chairman of the committee. At the business meeting the same officers were re-elected.
One liquor case from this town was before the court in Ayer on last Saturday, when John Tydus [sic, possibly Tandus?], of Graniteville, was fined $75 for the keeping and exposing [of liquor for sale].
Misses Lillian Sutherland and Elva Judd had the solo parts at the installation of the officers of West Chelmsford Grange, which was held in Abbot’s hall, Brookside, last week Thursday evening.
About Town. The Farmers’ institute under the auspices of Middlesex-North Agricultural society will be at the First Congregational church in Lowell on next Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock. During the first [session?] there will be a discussion on “Home and community interests”, at three o’clock a public forum on “Some sane ideals for American life.” Speakers expected, State Treasurer [James] Jackson, Alfred L. Cutting, chairman of the county commissioners, Hon. Edward Fisher of Westford and Lowell, Robert Marten of the Lowell Courier-Citizen and others. Supper at 6:30. Entertainment by Miss Carpenter, reader. It is hoped and expected that all of the farmer folks will be present.
Last week I reported that Bishop McConnell, a former minister of the Methodist church in West Chelmsford, conducted services at King’s chapel, Boston. This week he conducted services at the Arlington street (Unitarian) church. I recall an incident in the career of a former minister of West Chelmsford church who exchanged once a year with the Unitarian minister, Chelmsford Center. When asked why, he said “I think it will do them good to have the gospel preached to them once a year.”
As evidence of the mildness of winter, or better yet let us hope the near approach of spring, the small fly fleas were dancing their jigs of joy in the air at the Old Oaken Bucket farm last week Friday evening, which made some of us think of our potato and corn planter stored at the Morning Glory farm.
Houghton G. Osgood has sold some pasture land to William J. Parfitt. This land is located east of Chamberlain’s Corner on Main street.
We notice that the chimney on the town hall and Nabnassett school have been ornamented with an artistic piece of sewer pipe, and in the absence of not knowing the reason for doing this I assume it is to make the new heating apparatus get a better draught and thus be more effective in heating. If there is any better heating apparatus than the old fashioned stoves burning old-fashioned oak wood, it has not yet been demonstrated. The place for a heating apparatus is in the room where folks live, and not in the cellar, where the rats and the mice live and play hide and seek. But of course it is better to be modern, even if you have the chilly-chatters in demonstration that you are modern.
I have just received a copy of the San Diego Union from our old former neighbor, Harper Bailey. He is still enjoying the delights of Sunny California with its sunny climate and sunny fruits. It makes me wish I was a sonny again to live where nature does the heating.
Some more sunny climatic papers have just been turned in from Florida from our old-time friend and townsman, Emery J. Whitney.
An exhibition of the work of the pupils at Cameron school is loaned to the library for a few weeks. During the month of December the children made a special study of wool from the sheep to the finished product. The mills were visited and samples of wool in its various stages were obtained and mounted. Each grade had a share in the work. Parents and friends are invited to come to see the work of the children. A second set of pictures by Jessie Wilcox Smith has been received from the Library Art club and hung in Library hall. This set consists of pictures from well known children’s books illustrated by Miss Smith.
Mr. Scattergood Scatters Light. We read a whole sermon of truth last week from the “Man About Town”—“Prospects of getting money from our European debtors are said to be growing fainter. They couldn’t be.” That is the unanimous truth of the situation because by the law of eyesight as operated by the natural law it is impossible for anything to grow fainter to sight that never was at any time visible, and to say it is growing fainter is a paradox statement.
As a hearing on the realities of the league [of] nations that unchristian America has been blamed for not joining I wish to quote from the Christian Register, briefly, the opinion of J. Henry Scattergood, a Philadelphia Quaker and a national authority on the situation in Europe:
“The sixth Christmas day has come and gone since the signing of the armistice. Millions of people all over the world are asking why is it that five years after the war there is still no settled peace? Why is it that out of a war to end war several new wars have sprung? Why is it that after a war to end militarism there should be in Europe today half a million more men under arms even with Germany disarmed than before the war? Why is it that France and England are drifting farther and farther apart? Why is it that the reparation question seems no nearer a settlement? Why is it that even the bitterest enemies of Germany must admit that today she cannot pay any further substantial reparations? Are not the answers to all these question to be found in the treaty of Versailles and the spirit of the world at the time it was made? Our American soldiers died for an ideal principle that the Versailles treaty did not contain.”
Such is all that Mr. Scattergood can audit that the league of nations has thus far accomplished and for not joining the United States has been cussed all over the universe. Let us remember that Mr. Scattergood thus stands introduced to the public by the Christian Register: “Mr. Scattergood is now a national authority on the situation in Europe. His address, entitled ‘America speaks as a friend of France,’ has given him a second to none in authority and printed exclusively in the Register of September 6. It has been reprinted in pamphlet form and distributed to all parts of America. There has been also a formal request which has been granted for its republication. Never was a man’s name more fully illustrated in his words. The Register invited Mr. Scattergood to tell far and wide of developments since he spoke and of things yet to be done to bring peace upon God’s earth and fellowship among the nations.”
I will add that Mr. Scattergood gave a similar address before the Rotarian club in Lowell last week. As Mr. Scattergood, with many other people, thinks it very unwise for France to collect its debts by seizing the Ruhr when “another way is open.” Now with your permission, Mr. Scattergood, I would like to change your name long enough to ask a question and call you Mr. Scatterlight, because a lot of us cannot see. “Another way is open.” Thank you, Mr. Scatterlight, for allowing me to change your name. Now, Mr. Scatterlight, consider yourself on the witness stand under cross-examination. You have already testified under direct examination that Germany is so poor that she cannot pay any more, which is nothing yet for its equivalent. Will you be forward enough, Mr. Scatterlight, to diffuse of your good light to show the rest of us who sit in darkness about “another way is open?” I do not know of any other way that would be certain to collect the debt, for this seizure of the Ruhr is a foreclosure to collect a debt when all other promised ways have thus far become as valueless as the German marks and German promises in general worth about a cent a ton.
There are fifty-three nations in the league, and all have violated the most vital part of the agreement for peace, limiting the military forces, and have exceeded it by 500,000 and the United States being cuffed and cussed because she does not join this league of peace which has not done a thing for peace except prepare for another war. How queer and funny it is that the United States does not seem to know preparedness for peace when they see fifty-three nations exemplifying?
Drowned. With only one night of zero weather so far this winter the ice is not yet thick enough for harvesting, but in many places it has been just thick enough for drowning purposes, and this was proved on last Saturday afternoon when Raymond Shaughnessey, of Brookside, nine years old, was drowned in the West Chelmsford mill pond, near the Westford-Chelmsford town line, in the rear of the [West Chelmsford] Methodist church. A group of children, among them the Shaughnessey boy, were sliding, skating and coasting on the pond. The victim of this drowning accident was one of the coasters and slid out upon the thin ice, which gave way beneath his weight and he was thrown into the pond. His older brother, Alfred, went to his rescue and he, too, was soon struggling in the water for his life. An alarm was soon spread and a rescue party soon arrived. William Miller and Edward Burns were the first to arrive. With the thin ice the rescue was not an easy one. A rope was tied around young Burns and Miller and others held the rope while Burns crawled out on the ice and was able to rescue the older Shaughnessey boy. In about half an hour the body of his brother was recovered. Dr. Phillips, of North Chelmsford, was summoned and attempted to revive life by resuscitation, but it proved unsuccessful after a long effort.
Besides his parents, Alfred and Delime Shaughnessey, the youngster leaves eight brothers and sisters.
This should be a mild winter weather warning to all, especially to parents with young children. We have not had enough steady, cold weather to make ice safe to venture on for promiscuous sports, especially on brook flowage, and no amount of urging can prove it safe.
Grange Installation. The annual installation of the officers of West Chelmsford Grange took place last week Thursday evening at Abbot’s hall, Brookside. The installation ceremonies were conducted by Willard G. White and suite, of Ayer Grange, in his usual effective and impressive manner. The following were installed: Arthur Nystrom, m.; Florence Flavell, o.; Emily Wilkins, chap.; Walter Wilkins, stew.; Florence Nystrom, l.a.s.; Edmund B. Whitney, asst. stew.; Sumner Edwards, g.k.; Wilbur Cole, sec.; Winifred King, treas.; Eleanor McNaughton, Pomona; Alice Newbold, Ceres; Jennie Brown, Flora; Bernice Brown, ex. com.; Hellena [sic] Merrill, pianist; Elizabeth Smith, press Correspondent. Misses Judd and Sutherland, of this town, sustained the solos during the ceremony. A past master’s jewel was presented to the retiring master, Adolf Lofstedfd [sic], for his efficient services the past two years. He responded in a vigorous manner and happy vein. The usual installation supper under the direction of Miss Margaret Reid, assisted by Mrs. Annie Edwards, Miss Grace Whitney and Mrs. Julia St. Onge. Visitors were present from Tyngsboro, Burlington, Ayer, Groton, Lowell, Chelmsford, Dracut, Littleton and Westford.
The Situation in Russia. I read with much interest all that appears in this paper, under every town, and I hope I shall not be considered meddlesome in any needless sense in trying to pose as precocious above my fellows in attending to things that appear weekly.
I read with more than passing interest under the Groton news extracts of a sermon given by Rev. Earl R. Steeves, of Ayer, on “Present conditions in Russia.” It was a most hopeful, helpful and encouraging picture and I must not be construed as disbelieving it in offering in partial rebuttal another picture fresh from the Congregationalist, which paper is sane enough for all who haven’t lost their heads, if they ever had any head to lose, which is doubtful of those who threaten to “smoke into silence all who do not agree with us.”
Thus from the “Federationist,” the Labor and Socialist paper [probably The American Federationist, a publication of the American Federation of Labor (AFL)], as it appears in the Congregationalist of January 10. The appeal is dated September, 1923, and the “Federationist” vouching for it, says: “There are 60,000 working people, Socialists and Laborites, dying a slow death in the frightful Soviet prisons and in frozen concentration camps in Siberia or in the Arctic seas. A monstrous crime is being perpetrated in Soviet Russia. It is kept secret from the broad masses of the population. While the Communist spell-binders keep fulminating, while pompous welcomes are accorded to distinguished European and American capitalists visiting Russia, the hangman is busily at work under cover of darkness. Long ago all social endeavor had been turned into a barren void. Today the war of the government against Russian social democracy without a moment’s cessation is already taking the brutal form of a deliberate bodily extermination of those who are suspected of belonging to or aiding our party. Thousands of people are being arrested, kept in prison without trial or defense and subject to the refined cruelties of the Cheka. By the single stroke of the pen people are sent by the hundreds to places of hunger and death. All the centers of Tsarist exile have been reopened. These are already overcrowded. Once more the notorious territories in Northern Siberia receive in their icy embrace the champions of labor cause. Workers, students, young men and women and sick, old persons are being transported back and forth all over Russia, herded like cattle in the notorious “Stolypin” convict cars. Not a word is said about these things anywhere. Not a line about it anywhere in the official Soviet papers.
“Socialists are being murdered in the appalling darkness of our strangled country with every avenue of escape closed to them. Fellow-workers, to you above all others, do we address our pleas, for it is in your name that this monstrous crime is being committed. We appeal to all the workers of Russia, to the democratic students, to all toilers everywhere and to all who have not lost the last spark of citizenship and humanity to protest against the extermination of Socialists in Russia.”
The Congregationalist adds this comment: “It is generally claimed that all adverse comment on the present government of Russia is lying propaganda sent out in the interest of capitalism. This material reported by the Federationist, cannot be open to that accusation. It is an appeal by the workingmen of Russia to the workingmen of the world, and it is fully confirmed by the testimony of Emma Goldman, the famous anarchist, in her recent book, “My disillusionment in Russia” [published in 1923].
While I was never made round-shouldered or bow-legged in lugging around my excess love for the Socialist in general, they are entitled to humane treatment and the rights of civilization—that is the inheritance of nature. Between this picture of cruelty, as pictured in the Congregationalist, and the portrayal of the sinless people of Russia by Editor Hartman of Zion’s Herald [published by the Methodist Church] and Bishop Blake, which portrayal the Methodist church are a long ways from unanimously accepting, I still believe that Russia and Germany are twins in cruel, treacherous sinners.
Church Notes. Unitarian—Sunday service at 1 p.m. Music: “Our Father,” Mason, chant by chorus choir; “Comfort ye my people,” adapted from “The Messiah,” chorus; “Light of the world,” Miss Eleanor Colburn, soprano. Rev. Frank B. Crandall, the minister. Subject, “The ninth crusade.” Church school at 2:30 p.m.
The choir will meet for rehearsal at the church Saturday evening at 7:30.
The men of the parish and their friends are invited to meet at the vestry Sunday afternoon at five to consider forming a men’s club. Arthur Bartlett of Marblehead, New England field secretary of the Unitarian Laymen’s League, will speak. Refreshments will be served.
A Letter. To the men of the First Parish.
Brethren—The minister and some of the men of the parish, who have hoped for some time that a chapter of the Unitarian Laymen’s League might be formed in the parish, are calling together at five o’clock on Sunday afternoon all of the men of the parish or their friends, who may be interested in forming such an organization. It has occurred to the writer that it might be well to say in advance something about the League and how it has worked in practice.
The League has been a broad-gauge [line missing] [was founded April] 11, 1919, by a group of prominent and loyal Unitarian laymen meeting in Springfield. The society has had a remarkable growth since then and has displayed a zeal and efficiency unequalled by any laymen’s organization in any other church.
The League has been a broad-gauge and straight-forward organization from the first. Who is eligible to membership? “Any man of good character over sixteen year of age,” says the constitution. The objects of the society are to promote the worship of God and human brotherhood. The society is not the mouthpiece of any propaganda, but seeks only to bring the truth to light and promote peace and fellowship among men. The society stands squarely for free inquiry and free speech and is at all times ready to cooperate, man-fashion, with every other organization of men that stands for high principles, American ideals, and the welfare of all the people.
One dollar of the member’s dues is sent by the chapter to Boston as dues to the general body and secures for the member full privileges in the Unitarian club, at 7 Park square, Boston.
The Ayer chapter of the League may be taken as an example of how the society works in practice. The chapter now includes about 60 members and is growing steadily. The chapter meets once a month, always having a dinner before the meeting. Over 50 of the 60 members are generally present. The business of the chapter is done and a smoke-talk follows. Speakers from town and away have given most interesting talks on a wide variety of subjects, such as travel, hunting, fishing, manufacture, the courts, and great public questions generally. In a question-period following the members have an opportunity to “get back” at the speaker or get additional information.
The chapter also puts on various social affairs for the enjoyment of the members and benefit of the church.
We shall have with us Sunday afternoon Arthur Bartlett of Marblehead, New England field secretary of the League, a good fellow and a “live wire.” He will speak about the League and assist in organizing a chapter if those present are ready to do so. Let’s have a big turnout of men for Sunday afternoon. The young men of the Y.P.R.U. will have a spread ready about 6:30.
Frank B. Crandall.
Graniteville. In a special bowling match at the Richard bowling alleys last Saturday evening Conrad Richard and Raymond Wall defeated Johnson and Synest of North Chelmsford, 1337 to 1180. A return match will be bowled in Lowell later.
At the Dudevoir & O’Hara alleys at Forge Village on Monday night the Graniteville bowling team defeated the Forge Village team 1476 to 1354 pins.
The overseers of the Abbot Worsted Co. at the Graniteville mill were guests of the Forge Village overseers at their cozy rooms in Forge Village last Monday evening. The guests were enjoyably entertained by some excellent concerts on the radio that has recently been installed. Whist and other games were also enjoyed, and all had a thoroughly good time. During the evening refreshments were served.
The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church held a fair and entertainment in the church vestry on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. During the fair there was a sale of home cooking, candy and fancy articles. The program on Wednesday evening included a playlet by the children entitled, “O Henry! Where are you?” There was also singing by Miss Stewart of North Chelmsford. On Thursday evening Lowell talent presented the sketch, “The girl who pays the bills.” There was also piano solos by Mrs. Walter Blanchard, songs by Miss Stewart and some very fine readings by Miss Regina McLenna. The whole affair was a great success.
Many people from this village attended the illustrated lecture given in Abbot’s hall, Forge Village, on Wednesday evening by Rev. James E. Walsh, supervisor of Maryknoll mission in China, on “Missionary life in China.” The affair was largely attended and the lecture proved to be both interesting and instructive.
The Abbot Worsted soccer team will play the Fore River club in the big eastern semi-final for national cup honors at Pawtucket, R.I., on this Saturday. A special train will leave Forge Village for Pawtucket at 9:50 Saturday morning, going via Ayer and Worcester. The return trip will be made from Pawtucket about 6:30 or seven o’clock. Weather permitting there will surely be a record crowd in attendance.
Ayer
District Court. On Saturday morning the continued case of John Tajduss [sic, probably Tandus] of Westford was before the court for trial. Tajduss was charged with keeping and exposing liquor for sale and was found guilty and fined $75. He appealed, but later withdrew the appeal and paid the fine. The woman who occupies a tenement in Tajduss’ house and who was tried several weeks ago for a sale of liquor, the finding of the court in her case being reserved until the end of the Tajduss case, was found not guilty. Attorneys John D. Carney and John M. Maloney both appeared for the government in the Tajduss case and Attorney Robert H. J. Holden appeared for the defense.
Real Estate Transfers. The following real estate transfers have been recorded from this vicinity recently:
Westford. Adelard Brule to Abbot Worsted Co., land at Forge Village; Henry M. Hanson to Thomas W. Caless; Joseph A. Leclerc to Abbot Worsted Co., land at Forge Village; Rachel W. Reed to Charles Benson et ux., land on Main street.
Harvard
Grange Installations. The officers of the Grange were duly installed into their respective offices by Deputy H. Prescott Burroughs, assisted by Mrs. Richardson, of Boxborough; Mrs. Edson Boynton, pianist; Miss Anna Scorgie, emblem bearer; and Mrs. Blanche Preston, regalia bearer, Tuesday evening. Edson G. Boynton and Miss Elvira Scorgie added to the impressiveness of this beautiful service with solos. Every officer was present and duly installed. … Following the installing ceremony, which was well done, a lunch was served and general good fellowship and speeches were in order. Visitors were present from Westford, Ayer, Bolton and Boxborough. The program for the year is to be a collective one with all the subordinate Granges of the Worcester East Pomona, and they will be ready for distribution at the next meeting.
Pepperell
News Items. Mrs. Edna Kittredge Clements, of Westford, has been a recent guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ingalis Kittredge, Tucker street.
Notes
Born into a prominent Philadelphia Quaker family, Joseph Henry Scattergood (1877-1953) is best known as an American cricket player of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was also a mountaineer and a founding member of the American Alpine Club. He was a prominent Philadelphia businessman and the first chief of the Friends Reconstruction Bureau during World War I. He organized the Friends relief work in France so was quite familiar with the situation in Europe after the war. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Scattergood and his obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 16, 1953, p. 15.
“Emma Goldman (1869-1940) was a Lithuanian-born anarchist revolutionary, political activist, and writer. She played a pivotal role in the development of anarchist political philosophy in North America and Europe in the first half of the 20th century. Born in Kaunas, Lithuania (then within the Russian Empire), to an Orthodox Lithuanian Jewish family, Goldman emigrated [from there] to the United States in 1885.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Goldman.