Turner's Public Spirit, April 11, 1925

A look back in time to a century ago

By Bob Oliphant

Center.  The Easter services at the Congregational church will be held at 10:45 in the morning, and a cantata, “The risen King,” with a chorus of twenty voices; reception of new members, Mrs. Mattie Lawrence, Margaret E. Foster, Helen M. Gallagher, Evelyn M. Green, Grace M. Hildreth, Genevieve L. Blaney, Inez C. Blaney, Ruth A. Mateer, Astfold L. Wickham, communion.  Vesper service at 7:30 in the evening; pageant, “The spirit of Easter,” in six episodes with a cast of twenty-five.

The Men’s club of the Congregational church will meet on Tuesday evening, April 14.  They will discuss “Hen dairying.”

The Oratorio society will hold its second rehearsal on Thursday evening in the Congregational church.

The Laymen’s league will hold a meeting in the Unitarian church on Sunday evening at seven o’clock.  At eight o’clock there will be an open meeting with Prof. Burrill, of Northwestern university, as the speaker.

The Grange held a military whist party in the town hall on last week Thursday evening, with fifteen tables in play.  Clifford Johnson and Joseph Sargent made the highest score and were awarded first prize.

The Y.P.R.U. held a dancing party in the town hall last week Friday evening with a good attendance.  A Lowell orchestra furnished music.  Refreshments were served in the lower hall.

Miss Elizabeth Wells has returned to Westbrook seminary, Portland, Me.

The musical comedy, “Spring-time,” with a cast of over 100 all local talent, will be presented in Abbot’s hall Forge Village, on April 16.  Besides the evening performance there will be a matinee for the children in the afternoon.  The affair is under the auspices of the senior class of the academy, and the proceeds will be used towards defraying the expenses of their trip to Washington.

The Misses Sarah, Lillian and May Atwood have returned to their Westford home [at 4 Graniteville Road] after spending the winter in Florida.

Frank A. Wright has purchased the cottage on the Hildreth estate formerly occupied by Mrs. Holbrook.

The Ladies’ Aid held an all-day meeting at the home of Mrs. A. H. Sutherland.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cadman have returned to the “Old Homestead” farm on [21] Depot road.

William E. Wright was operated upon at the Lowell General hospital, Tuesday.

Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Parsons and son, Mrs. Blanche Parsons and Alfred Marshall, of Gloucester, and Mrs. John Sears, of Rockport, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Whiting on last Sunday.

Alfred Tuttle, R.F.D. carrier, has purchased a new Ford.

William E. Wright has a new Nash sedan.

As customary, potted plants and flowers in memory of relatives or friends will be received at the Unitarian church to be used as decoration for Easter Sunday.

Mrs. S. B. Wright reports beans having been planted at her farm on the Hildreth road.  Can the Old Oaken Bucket or Morning Glory farms report such advanced farming?

About Town.  The funeral of Mrs. Adelaide (Roberts) Decatur was held at her home on the Lowell road last week Friday afternoon.  There was a large gathering of relatives, neighbors and friends from Westford, Lowell, Chelmsford, West Chelmsford, Carlisle, Somerville, Malden and Cambridge.  The floral offering from neighbors and friends was unusually large and beautifully appropriate.  Rev. Frank B. Crandall of the Unitarian church in Westford and Ayer, conducted the service.  The Mendelssohn male quartet of Lowell, Harry Hopkins, Harry Needham, Harry Patten and George Howard, sang “Nearer, my God to Thee,” “Abide with me” and “Beautiful isle of somewhere.”  The bearers were Alfred W. Hartford, Harwood L. Wright, William R. Taylor, [and] Albert Barnes.  Interment was in the family lot in Fairview cemetery, where the committal prayers were read by Mr. Crandall.

1. E. Jordan is seriously ill at his home (Bunce farm) on the Providence road as the result of a second paralytic shock [i.e., a stroke].

True to the vote of the town at the annual town meeting, work has commenced on enlarging Fairview cemetery.  The wall between the cemetery and the land for the proposed enlargement on the south side of the cemetery is being removed, and the land graded off.  The removal of this wall is a great improvement, as it was much in the way at the terminal of the main entrance to the cemetery, and it was with difficulty that autos could turn without encroaching on closeby graves.

Amos Polley, on the Morning Glory farm, is planning on planting an acre of sweet corn next week.  This will leave seven more acres to be planted in late April and early May.

1. Arthur O’Brien has been helping to put in the cellar on Nabnassett road at the Moore farm for the bungalow house to replace the one destroyed by fire a few months ago.

The Old Oaken Bucket farm has planted sixteen quarts of peas and eight bushels of potatoes.  This is only a small item compared to what is stirred up in memory that is planned to transplant from memory to the soil.

A woodland fire started about noon on Tuesday on Scribner’s hill, just over the Westford town line in Tyngsboro, and threatened more than it was able to carry out, because the Westford fire department at the Center responded to the fire alarm in prompt time and a force of men under the direction of Harry L. Nesmith, forest fire warden, aided by the fire department of Tyngsboro, got it under control after about 200 acres were burned over.

Harry L. Whitney has his new house nearly completed at the corner of Main street and Providence road.  It is modern in style and [an] addition to the environment of its location and is two stories high.

Gerry Decatur, teacher in New Rochelle, N.Y., who came home to attend the funeral of his mother, returned to his school on Monday.

We have received the following report from Sears, Roebuck Agricultural Foundation national seed corn show: Report to exhibitors: “Your ear of seed corn was received, entered and duly considered by the judges.  Three kernels from your ear were tested for germination and disease-resistance.  The condition of your entry was found to be as follows.  Number of kernels germinating three, indications of disease none.  This report will indicate to our good judgment the importance of your seed corn problem.  Your cooperation in holding the world’s largest show of seed corn is greatly appreciated.  We trust that this will prove mutual.  And we hope that your corn crop this year will break all records.  Whenever we can be of any service to you or your neighbors you have only to command us.”

Mr. and Mrs. Seth Banister and two children, of Strafford, Vt., are spending vacation days from teaching at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Banister, on the Lowell road.

William C. Edwards has sold a large lot of standing white [pine] timber to the William P. Proctor Company, North Chelmsford.  This lot is located in West Chelmsford, on the line of the Stony Brook railroad, just over the Westford town line.

Back-Log drama, “Nothing but the truth,” Littleton town hall, April 18.

Pomona Meeting.  Middlesex-North Pomona Grange held one of its old-time enthusiastic meetings in Lowell last week Friday and was known as “stunt day,” in which every member was expected to say a few words on their favorite subject, even if they didn’t talk over an hour or settle in cash for failure.  The parcel post table was in charge of Mrs. Elizabeth Vinal.  S. L. Taylor was assigned “Current events,” but was unexpectedly but explainably absent, and his contribution was read by Mrs. Maude Gage, of Billerica Grange.  Edward F. Dickinson, of Billerica, gave an interesting and educational address on “Safety on the highways.”  Billerica Grange provided the dinner, with T. Emery Smith as chairman of the committee.  The afternoon session was open to the public as usual.  Frank P. Morse, supervisor of secondary education, gave an interesting address on the progress and requirements of secondary education throughout the commonwealth, particularly in reference to the county schools.  Entertainment was provided by Miss Margaret S. Dows, of Lowell, reader, who is a graduate of the Emerson school, Boston, and banjo duets arranged for by Everett M. Maddocks.

At the evening session the fifth degree was conferred on a large class.  Frank E. Howes, of Dennis, was the inspecting deputy and gave an interesting address on various phases of the work.  A warm tribute was paid to the late John Jacob Rogers by Margaret Sarre, lady assistant steward of the State Grange.

Restricting of Acreage.  As the time is approaching for the planting of potatoes farm organizations are getting their backs up in an effort to head off increased acreage of potatoes this spring.  Here is a sample copy of one of these efforts as found in the Rural New Yorker:

“The Suffolk County (N.Y.) Farm and Home Bureau has sent the following resolutions to the department of agriculture at Washington.

“’Whereas potato production has been ample or excessive during the past five years, and whereas excessive production has caused heavy losses to potato producers in much of the United States, whereas the increased yields are due to improved seed and improved methods and are likely to result in increased average yields permanently; be it resolved by the executive committee of the Suffolk County Farm Bureau that the recommendation of the United States Department of Agriculture tending to lower an increase in potato acreage for 1925 is opposed to the best interests of potato growers.  And be it further resolved that the said recommendation is obviously mistaken and should be promptly retracted, and full publicity be given to such retraction.’”

The editor of the Rural New Yorker backs up the above with this:

“That is good, sound sense.  Unless something can be done to increase the consumption of potatoes there will be a slump in the price with a normal and a good season.  Here in New York we see good potatoes selling ten pounds for twenty-five cents.  The average producer will not get thirty cents on the dollar of that and pay the cost of production and package.  It is a great mistake to encourage increased potato planting under such conditions.”

And now comes forward Texas in a letter to the Rural New Yorker and says:

“The [paper torn, rest of line missing] better than was at first expected, will no doubt resulting in a large acreage planted, which is not always a wise thing to do, as with a large crop the price is lower and often the farmer finds it difficult to get help to pick the crop.”

Now how very simple it is to settle all questions, whether farming, manufacturing or labor, from our own selfish viewpoint as though that was the only element to be considered.  Less acreage and less yield of potatoes, we are informed means better money returns for the farmer, and this selfish view would not be selfish if what is the farmers’ gain was not the consumers’ loss, and as whereas the laborer and his family are the largest consumers of potatoes and as whereas leaders have already shouted themselves into a modified form of hydrophobia over “pauperizing labor” and whereas if farmers combined to double up the price of potatoes by cutting down half the acreage it would add to the burden of “pauperized labor” and then labor leaders would have the real hydrophobia, and then what would labor do without these labor leaders?

Says the Merrimack Manufacturing Company of Lowell:

“We were getting along nicely until cotton took a rise, and then we could not manufacture to advantage of the advanced price of cotton.”

A few years ago cotton was hauled into the field and burned up in sufficient quantities to make a noticeable rise in cotton to balance the rise of smoke.  Now it is changed to acreage control and if you could get all the cotton section in the world to agree to it the price of cotton could be forced so high that it would shut down all cotton manufacturing as the manufactured goods couldn’t be sold on the basis of that price of raw cotton—and oh, how nicely that would help business along!  Don’t think, gentlemen of the acreage control, that you have solved the law of supply and demand, production and consumption.  It will only cure one evil and develop several more and for worse.

Church Notes.  First church (Unitarian)—Easter Sunday service at 4 p.m.  Special music by choir assisted by Miss Elinor Colburn, soprano; solos, “I know that my Redeemer lives” and “Easter bells,” Miss Colburn.  Preacher, Rev. Frank B. Crandall, the minister.  Subject, “Resurrection.”  Church school at 3:30 p.m.

The pupils of the church school will bring on Sunday their banks for the children’s mission, Boston.

Graniteville.  Joseph Wall and Arthur L. Healy are serving on the jury in Lowell.

Joseph Wall has recently been elected as president of the Lowell Fish and Game association.

During holy week special Lenten services were held in St. Catherine’s church on Wednesday and Friday evenings, with services for the children on Holy Thursday morning and Good Friday afternoon.

Charles E. Eaton has been ill at his home on First street.

Obituary.  The death of Mrs. Mattie Blanchard Gilson, wife of William Gilson, who died at the Lowell General hospital early last Saturday morning, has caused widespread sorrow to her numerous friends throughout this community.  Mrs. Gilson was a young woman [32 years old] of beautiful character whose amiable disposition and pleasing personality endeared her to all with whom she was acquainted.

During her residence here Mrs. Gilson took a deep interest in the community life of the town and was ever ready to assist in church and social work.  She will be greatly missed by her friends, and from the activities she pursued.  Besides her husband she leaves an infant daughter; her father, a sister and three brothers, to whom the sympathy of the community is extended.

The funeral was held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Q. Gilson [Mattie’s father-in-law and mother-in-law] at two o’clock on Monday afternoon and was largely attended, many being present from out of town.  The services were conducted by Rev. Percy Kilmister, of Concord, N.H., and Rev. Alfred O’Brien, pastor of the Methodist church here.  Mr. O’Brien led in prayer and was followed by Mr. Kilmister, who delivered an eloquent eulogy on the life of the deceased.  The singing was by Miss Lilley Mae Moran and Harry Hopkins of Lowell, who sang, “In the garden” and “Abide with me.”  The floral offerings were varied and beautiful and testified in a marked degree to the esteem in which the deceased was held.  The bearers were Elmer Trull, Albert Forty, George D. Wilson and Edward Burne.

Interment took place in the Fairview cemetery, Westford, where the committal service was conducted by Rev. Percy Kilmister and Rev. A. L. O’Brien.

Military Whist Party.  The West Chelmsford Grange will hold their first military whist party and dance on Saturday evening, April 18, at Abbot hall, Brookside.  Members and committee are showing splendid cooperation and all are planning to make the affair a brilliant success.  Games of whist will be in order from 8 to 10, after which general dancing will be enjoyed.  Excellent music will be furnished by Lowell musicians.  Many beautiful prizes have been donated by local merchants and tickets are selling fast.  All signs point to a record breaking attendance.

The committee in charge of the affair consists of Miss Emma M. Regnier, general manager and chairman of the assisting committee, Mrs. Matthew Smith, Mrs. Harriet Delahaye, Mr. and Mrs. Riney, Frank McGlinchy, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Nystrom, Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Whitney, Mrs. Brown, Miss Edna Whitney and the Misses Nystrom.  The gift table is in full charge of Mrs. Mary L. Regnier [Emma’s mother].  Those who wish to communicate in regards to donations may do so by calling Westford 54-4.

This party by the Grange is one that is looked forward to by a large number, not only members of the order, but many friends who have enjoyed the previous dances and whist parties.  Further details will be given later.  Look for advertisement in Westford Wardsman next week.

Ayer

News Items.  Rev. Frank B. Crandall officiated on last week Friday afternoon at the funeral of Mrs. Adelaide Decatur at her home, the old Peletiah Fletcher homestead [54 Lowell Road], built 250 years ago, and the oldest house in Westford.

Real Estate Transfers.  The following real estate transfers have been recorded in this vicinity recently: …

Westford, Edson G. Boynton et ux. to Robert Prescott, land on Town road.