Turner's Public Spirit, August 20, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. The [American] Legion carnival was quite the event of last week, and on Saturday,
when it was in full swing, Westford Center was quite the deserted village, for everyone who
possibly could go was in attendance…. The Westford Legion men are to be congratulated on
winning the prize cup at the competitive drill.
“The H. V. Hildreths attended the Pilgrim pageant at Plymouth last week.
“Miss Mary Morin, who has been visiting in Providence, also attended the pageant with her
sister-in-law, Mrs. Frank Morin. The latter, who has been visiting eastern relations this summer,
returns next week with her two little sons to her home in California.
“The grounds at Whitney playgrounds and the academy at the time of the Spalding Light
Cavalry outing were in the best of condition. Lawns, walks, shrubbery and edges were all in fine
order and reflected the greatest credit upon their care-taker, W. M. Wright.
“The front of the town hall has been having some repairs this week.
“The Twilight league game at Whitney playgrounds on last week Thursday evening was well
attended and was between Westford and Chelmsford, being won by the Westford team by the
score of 2 to 1.
“Westford and Ayer police officers raided the ‘Take a Rest’ camp at Flushings [sic] pond on
Tuesday night to some effect. They secured twelve gallons of moonshine, fifty gallons of mash
ready to cook and two complete copper stills. Police officers Harry Whiting, C. H. Robinson and
A. H. Sutherland, with Edward Clement, who drove the truck, were the Westford men who went;
also, the three officers from Ayer. The case will come up for trial in Ayer on this Saturday.
“Cavalry Outing. Spalding Light Cavalry association held its annual outing on last week
Thursday with ideal weather and a pleasant reunion of its members. There were about seventy-
five in attendance. In the afternoon a clay pigeon shoot was held at Whitney playground, which
was won by Edwin Currier, of Littleton. The prize awarded was the association prize. The
sweepstakes prize was won by J. Willard Fletcher after a tie with Robert Prescott….
“Former members of Troop F, from all the surrounding towns, were present and the outing
was voted very much of a success.
“About Town. We were helpfully entertained by the program of the Westford post, A. L., at
the Abbot park at Forge Village on last Saturday afternoon. We were especially entertained by
the music of the Abbot Worsted Co. band and the competitive military drill by the squads from
Groton, Westford and Chelmsford. We could have been entertained by those two features until
sundown and moon rise. We also enjoyed seeing the people enjoy the game of baseball and this
is as far as we dare go, but we will offer a future suggestion, that between the innings, which we
assume are the opposite of outings, the band be allowed to play three minutes. It would add
inspiration to the audience and push to the pushers of the ball game.
“Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted Company team defeated the Lawrence C.C. at the big
carnival given by Westford post, A.L., at Forge Village on last Saturday by the score of 7 to 3….
“Forge Village. Westford post, A.L., held a big outdoor carnival at Abbot’s field on last
Friday evening and all day Saturday, which proved to be a most successful event. On Friday, the
opening night, the festivities consisted of the big midway with its numerous attractions, and
dancing on the green with fine music by Larkin’s orchestra. The grounds were illumined with
varied colored electric lights, combining to make a most beautiful sight. The various booths were
well patronized. Fully 2000 people were in attendance on Saturday, the main attractions being
the competitive drill in which the Westford, Chelmsford and Groton posts were entered and the
big ball game between the Abbot Worsted Company team and Lawrence C.C. of Lawrence. A
musical program was given during the afternoon by the Abbot Worsted Company band and Frank
E. Charlton, soloist.
“The first event of the afternoon was the drill of the different posts…. The silver trophy,
donated by the citizens of Westford, was won by Westford post with 97 ¾ points; Chelmsford
and Groton tied with 97 ½ points.
“The ball game between the Abbot Worsted Company and Lawrence C.C. teams followed the
drill, which was won by the Abbots by the score of 7 to 3….
“The local Legion post are grateful to all who helped toward making the carnival the grand
success that it attained, particularly to those who gave free use of their automobiles to convey the
wounded soldiers from Ayer.”
Willey Merton Wright (1857-1938) was the able groundskeeper for Whitney Playground and
Westford Academy (now Roudenbush Community Center) in 1921. Courtesy Photo / Westford
Historical Society.