Turner's Public Spirit, January 2, 1922

“About Town.  A revised and more detailed account of the recent sidetracking of a heavy freight at Brookside discloses the fact that the engine ran onto the Fletcher track for a carload of stone from H. E. Fletcher & Co. for the Boston and Maine railroad, for which they were in a hurry; that after returning to the main track they left the switch open  and ran with full speed onto the Fletcher track; that they were unable to back the train off; that they were delayed several hours waiting for help, and that the engineer was discharged by the management of the Boston and Maine railroad for carelessness in running over an open switch.

“The Fortnightly club of North Westford will hold a debate at the Wright schoolhouse [now 125-127 Groton Road], Friday evening, Jan. 9, on the subject, “Resolved that small fruit farming is more profitable than market gardening.”  For the affirmative, Horace E. Gould, S. L. Taylor; negative, Hiram Dane, J. F. Chandler.

“Graniteville.  The annual Christmas tree exercises were held in St. Catherine’s church on Wednesday evening, Dec. 23, at 7:30, and were very largely attended.  A large tree had been tastefully arranged by the Sunday school teachers, and was loaded down with gifts for the children.  Through the generosity of the Abbot Worsted Co., who sent a substantial check, the Sunday school teachers were enabled to make a fine showing, both as to decorating and in the line of presents for the children, for each child received a pretty gift of some sort.  The parishioners of St. Catherine’s church are very grateful for the kind and thoughtful act of the Abbot Worsted Co.  All the children that took part did finely in their respective parts, which showed the result of their careful training under the direction of Miss Catherine Conley, who had entire charge, assisted by Miss Harriet O’Brien, Miss Fannie McCarthy and the other teachers of St. Catherine’s church Sunday school.  Joe Wall was the Santa Claus and kept the children in good spirits from start to finish.

“The Graniteville M.E. [Methodist Episcopal, now United Methodist] church was filled to the doors Thursday evening, Dec. 24, when the annual Christmas tree exercises were given by the children of the Sunday school.  The genial superintendent, W. O. Hawkes, has been the prime mover in this affair and being aided by Mrs. Chas. H. Wright, who drilled the children, and Miss Emily Prinn, who had charge of the musicale end of the program, the result was a success in every way.  The Sunday school children were handsomely remembered by the Abbot Worsted Co., who presented to Superintendent W. O. Hawkes a substantial check to be used for presents for the children.  Mr. Hawkes turned the money over to a committee composed of Mrs. W. C. Wright and Mrs. L. A. Blood, who showed excellent judgment in their purchases, for it seemed that every child got just what he wanted and not one was forgotten.  The tree itself, which was a fine specimen, was the gift of J. Everett Woods.  The pastor, Rev. S. H. Armand, was remembered by his parishioners, a well-filled purse being his portion.  He thanked them sincerely in a few well chosen words, his remarks being thoroughly in accord with the Christmas spirit.

“Walter Shattuck was a lively up-to-date Santa Claus, and although his beard got tangled up in the tree at one stage of the game it did not change his good nature in the least, and, besides, it pleased the children immensely.

“Center.  The increased use of the library by the children has made it desirable to have a room arranged especially for them, as is common in the larger libraries.  The former reference room has been chosen for this purpose and will now be devoted to the children’s use.  A large number of juvenile books will be placed there.  In the reading room shelves have been added for the reference books, so that this part of the library’s usefulness need not suffer by the change.  It is expected that the new arrangement will be finished before the schools open.”