Turner's Public Spirit, December 15, 1923
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
Center. The following delegates from this town attended the three days’ session of the state grange held at Worcester this week: Mrs. Eben Prescott, who went as an alternate for the new master, Fred Meyer, Miss Eleanor Colburn, the newly elected lecturer, and Clyde Prescott, who goes as a delegate from Lowell Pomona.
Mrs. William R. Carver is reported quite ill with tonsillitis.
Mrs. George H. Walker entered the Lowell General Hospital on Tuesday to undergo an operation.
The regular meetings of Westford post, A. L., and Ladies’ Auxiliary were held on Monday evening. The following Legion officers were elected for the next year: Harold W. Hildreth, com.; Dr. Fabyan Packard, Edward T. Hanley, vice com.; Joseph Walker, finance officer; Harry C. Paterson, adj.; Dr. Harry R. Coburn, Harry E. Whiting, Dr. Fabyan Packard, ex. com.; Frank C. Johnson, chap. Ladies Auxiliary, Nancy Paterson, pres.; Gladys Hildreth, vice pres.; Marjorie Gray, sec.; Edna K. Clements, treas.
Mrs. Mary A. Grant and little granddaughter, Jean Grant Whiting, are the guests of relatives in Rockport.
The following new telephones have been installed, the numbers being as follows: Rev. Edward Disbrow 120, Walter L. Blanchard 78-3, Ernest Deeming 21-11, Mrs. Maggie Graves 73-4 and Alfred Shaughnessy 64-3.
Mrs. Ella May Wright underwent an operation at the Lowell General Hospital on Tuesday and at last reports was resting comfortably.
The Christmas tree exercises of William E. Frost school will be held at the town hall next Thursday at 1:30 p.m. It is hoped that a large number of parents will attend.
The Village Improvement society conducted a largely attended supper and old-fashioned dance at the town hall on Wednesday evening. Hibbard’s orchestra of Lowell furnished the music for dancing. The proceeds will be used to defray expenses for illuminating the clock on the Unitarian church.
About 125 attended the supper and reception to the new pastor and wife, Rev. and Mrs. Edward Disbrow, at the Congregational church last week Friday night. The men of the church headed by Messrs. Hanscom and Ingalls were in charge of the excellent supper. During the evening a fine entertainment was given, consisting of readings by Rev. Gray Robbins and Mrs. Perley Wright, singing by a quartet composed of Miss Daisy Precious, Miss Elva Judd, Mrs. W. R. Taylor and Mrs. Frederick Meyer with Miss Julia Fletcher as accompanist, and organ and piano selections by the Misses Precious. During the reception to the new pastor and his wife Miss Daisy Precious presided at the organ.
Charles L. Hildreth attended the meeting of the newly organized Dartmouth club held at Lowell on Monday evening. Robert Elliott, a summer resident, was elected treasurer of the new organization.
A son [Harry Elmo Whiting, Jr.] was born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Whiting on Monday [Dec. 10, 1923, on Boston Road, Westford].
The following boys played on the Westford academy [basketball] team at Lowell on Tuesday evening: William Watson, Nathaniel Phillips, John Trask, Richard Wall and Fisher Buckshorn.
Academy Notes. The junior play, “Renting Jimmy,” will be given at the town hall on December 17, at eight p.m. After the play a Christmas pageant entitled “The spirit of Christmas,” will be presented by pupils of the school, and an orchestra will furnish music for dancing after the play.
The first basketball game was played at Lowell on Tuesday evening with the Lowell Vocational school as opponents. The score was Westford academy 19, Lowell 11.
A class in drawing meets every Thursday under the direction of the new instructor in drawing, Mr. Silver.
About Town. The state built 186 miles of roads this year, ending December first, and expended more than $9,000,000 in construction and repairing.
Christmas is close pressing us for an answer and we must be ready with an answer to “the day we celebrate.” But the state has set the danger signals, so be careful with whose greenery you trim Christmas with. Listen while we read law together, consider yourself in a kindergarten class and your teacher at the foot of the class: “A fine of $500 or a six-months’ jail sentence will be the Christmas present which the department of conservation will attempt to serve on anybody who goes into the woods this season after Christmas trees or greenery, unless it is on his own land.”
Gardner W. Pearson[1], first assistant district attorney for Middlesex county, has resigned to resume his law practice in Lowell. He has been an efficient assistant.
The first farmers’ institute of the season was held in Billerica last week Thursday. The day was remarkable (or would have been if it had been last summer) for the tremendous ability of the weather to rain all day and all the time of all day. Sixty people attended the supper. Frederick A. Fisher, of Westford and Lowell, spoke very sensibly on “Farm law.” This was followed by an address on “Savings banks” by Edward B. Carney, of Lowell and Tyngsboro, and treasurer of the Lowell Institution for savings. It was a valuable advisory address to farmers in regard to investing their left-over money. In the town hall in the evening Miss Crosby, of Boston, entertained as reader and soloist in a charmingly entertaining manner. Plans are being considered to hold the next institute at Grace Universalist church at Canton and Princeton streets, Lowell, the first week in January in connection with the monthly supper of the church. At the time of writing it is not known if the church will accept our invitation.
On Tuesday afternoon members of the Old Oaken Bucket farm, past and present, went to Harvard, right up over the high heights of Oak hill and at the top of these heights and looked off over the rest of the United States that cannot be looked over from Old Oaken Bucket farm. I could not help recalling that highly Emersonian exclamation of a former neighbor, “Ain’t it a handsome sight?”
The Sunday school of the Unitarian church will hold their Christmas tree celebration at the church on Monday evening, commencing at four o’clock, and supper for the junior children, games, etc. At seven o’clock some playlets will be let loose, “Spirit of Christmas” and “Here am I.” It is hoped that fathers and mothers and more remote kin will come and encourage the Christmas spirit of youth. Try it.
The next meeting of the Village Improvement association will be held on Thursday evening, December 27. As the association is justifying its existence and meetings keep it going. [sic]
The lighting of the clock on the belfry of the Unitarian church seems to indicate that the light of the town is not all under a bushel [basket] and the Village Improvement association is doing much to keep the social and intellectual life of the town from deteriorating into a flickering tallow candle power. Behind the lighting of the clock on the belfry is the trade mark of the Village Improvement association, “service.”
Be it known to our road authorities that the railing on the east side of the arch bridge on the Stony Brook road was borrowed by someone or appropriated by the law of self-service and has not been returned by the law of public service, and the bridge is in an illegal and dangerous condition for an automobile might take fright here and plunge into the brook and spoil the hornpout fishing of which there is day and night programs.
Governor [Jonathan M.] Davis of Kansas [1923-1925] has had his hat announce that he is a candidate for the presidency on the platform of a dirt farmer. Hurrah! We down-trodden farmers are having our innings at last. The more hats and dirt and overalls the more the fitness for the place.
At the Old Oaken Bucket farm last week Thursday morning the thermometer answered roll call at 60° on the warm, sunny side of zero. Who says Florida now or starts up a red face worrying a shortage of coal? Ice is what some of us are worrying up a red face over.
Dogs are abounding and hounding around loose just as though they had not all been ordered under cover by the selectmen on account of an epidemic of rabies, some without collars, some without muzzles and all without restrictions in open defiance of the law.
- Arthur O’Brien would make the dust cloud the sun with the rash speed spirit with which he is ploughing at the Old Oaken Bucket farm, only for the spirit of rain that has dampened the ability of the dust to arise and go to it. It looks very much like Florida here in the Stony Brook valley, the way the ground is being tossed around, and spring work in its incipient beginning.
Amos Polley, on the Morning Glory farm [adjacent to the Old Oaken Bucket farm], is inspecting his potato planter, getting ready for a sudden emergency call of orders.
The Old Oaken Bucket farm folks have made a hurry-up call for the “History of Groton” from the J. V. Fletcher library. We were led to this hurry up by reading in last week’s issue a communication signed “H., Ayer.” After mentioning someone who would like to have left a legacy of trust funds for the benefit of the town of Groton, “H.” says, “But the prostitution and diversion of such gifts in the progressive decline of modern Groton is so appalling, appalling that she could not covet the reproof of Matthew 7:6.[2]” After mentioning the names of some who have left trust funds, prostituted and diverted, “And others are witnesses of these tragedies.” Personally, what I know of Groton after living eight miles to the east of it for seventy-eight years, leads me to say if “H.” does not hew any closer to the truth in his daily life than in the communication referred to, I should be tempted to propose him for membership in Roosevelt’s Ananias club provided they would take him in.
The next meeting of the Grange will be held on Thursday evening, December 20. “Christmas tree and social—each member to bring a ten-cent present.”
President Coolidge’s message to congress[3] ought to be read for its practical, sensible sanity and its freedom from that disgusting egotism that thinks itself the only world torch-bearer that has headlight enough to get the world back to peace and business. There is no evidence that he is catering for votes. His declaration against the soldiers’ bonus bill is evidence of that, and then there is the Mellon tax bill and predatory wealth, and it is so refreshing to find a president that is not so overcharged with his own disgusting egotism that it’s votes for me first and the good of the nation allowed to play second fiddle afterward.
How many of us know that there is a law compelling that all chimneys be kept clear of creosote collections in chimneys as a preventative against fires? And how many know of a case where the law was ever enforced. Chimney’s burning out and threatening large destruction of property are a daily occurrence in the state and no protest against the non-enforcement of the law or [to] have it repealed is ever heard, but when the eighteenth amendment says that people are forbidden from selling intoxicating [spirits] the anti-folks shout themselves like a lot of screech owls for its repeal.
Mrs. Alexander, of Billerica, raised 1500 bushels of potatoes this year besides several acres of cauliflowers and much else. As I roughly estimate it she raised more potatoes than the whole town of Westford, containing 19,000 acres and 200 farmers. Mrs. Alexander has bought a house and about two acres of land on Brookside road at Westford Corner, and proposes to sell her farm in a few years or perhaps sooner and return to this small place.
A trapper from Lowell called at the Old Oaken Bucket farm last Saturday, evidently looking to the enforcement of the law relating to the setting of traps. He claimed to have found several traps set on the banks of the Stony Brook without the owner’s name on them. This law was passed in 1913 in the interest of humane trapping, and humane trappers in Ayer and vicinity were petitioners for the bill, having under the old law had valuable dogs caught in traps and remaining in the traps the better part of a week in the then below zero weather frozen to death and starved and tortured to death, and the present law was passed to try to prevent any such repetition of such unintentional torture, but the suffering is not lessened any by its being unintentional. The present law compels all who set traps to have their names plainly marked on the trap and must visit said trap no less than once in twenty-four hours with heavy penalty attachment for a violation of this law.
Pomona Meeting. One of the largest and most interesting meetings of Middlesex-North Pomona Grange was held in Lowell on last week Friday. The program of the day was in charge of the lecturer, Mrs. Henry Dawson. The morning discussion was on the subject, “What is the greatest hindrance to cooperation among the farmers, and how may it be overcome?” By a personal invitation of the lecturer, S. L. Taylor, of Westford, opened the discussion. The chief reason that he assigned in the ten minutes left before dinner was the nature of the business, millions of farmers on millions of acres of land of all varieties of soil and climatic conditions and more and worse, a heterogeneous conglomeration of representatives of all the nations of the world of all grades of intellectual, moral and financial capacity, and all this heterogeneous show thousands of miles apart. The power that could make an adhesive cooperation of all this diversity of gifts, soils, climate and markets would outdo ancient and modern miracles.
A delightful and instructive account of the National Grange meeting at Pittsburgh, Pa., was given by George Holt, of Lowell Grange, and a humorous and instructive paper on “Current events” was read by Mrs. Eunice Clark, of Windham Grange. Clyde Prescott, master of Westford Grange, and Mrs. Harry C. Dawson, lecturer of Middlesex-North Pomona Grange, were elected as delegates to the meeting of the State Grange. A report of the Pomona cup contest was given, showing that West Chelmsford Grange was in the lead, with Tyngsboro Grange a close second in the race for the trophy which will mark the most efficient and hard-working Grange in Middlesex county. Thus far West Chelmsford Grange has won 95.5 points as against Tyngsboro with 90.25. The contest will close December 15, and the cup will be awarded to the winner at the January meeting, the first Friday in the month.
The speaker of the afternoon was Mrs. E. J. Prescott, of North Andover, who spoke on “Americanization.” Mrs. Prescott recently won a Grange debate in North Andover on the topic of “Restriction of immigration,” and won the debate handily for the affirmative. Among the entertainment numbers in the afternoon were a piano solo, Miss Margaret Martin; song, Mrs. R. W. Robertson; sketch, “Moth Balls,” Ida Whitely, Vera Brown, Alice Joy; violin selections, Rev. E. J. Prescott, of North Andover. Mr. Prescott will be remembered by many as a former minister of the Unitarian churches in Littleton and Carlisle.
Sane Sentiments. For terseness, Yankee common sense and universal justice to ourselves and all the world I recommend President Coolidge’s recipe to the unconveiled [sic] as a substitute for jumping into a foreign hornet’s nest head first, blindfolded, handcuffed and ball and chain attachment. The president’s recipe is so charmingly sensible and just that I feel that I cannot help quoting it for the benefit of the ego dissenters: “For us peace reigns everywhere. We desire to perpetuate it always by granting full justice to others and requiring of others full justice to ourselves. Our country has one cardinal principle to maintain in its foreign policy. It is an American principle, it must be an American policy. We tend to our own affairs, conserve our own strength and protect the interest of our own citizens. But we recognize thoroughly our obligations to help others, reserving to the decision of our own judgment the time, the place and the method. We realize the common bond of humanity. We know the inescapable law of service. Our country has definitely refused to adopt and ratify the covenant of the league of nations. We have not felt warranted in assuming the responsibilities which its members have assumed. I am not proposing any change in this policy, neither is the senate. The incident as far as we are concerned is closed. The league exists as a foreign policy. We hope it will be helpful. But the United States sees no reason to limit its own freedom and independence of action by joining it. We shall do well to recognize this basic fact in all national affairs and govern ourselves accordingly.”
Church Notes. First church (Unitarian) Sunday service at 4 pm. Chorus choir with Miss Eleanor Colburn, soprano soloist. Preacher, Rev. Frank B. Crandall, the minister. Subject, “Prophecy and the advent hope.” Church school at 2:30 p.m.
Any who were unable to be present last Sunday and contribute to the fund for the annual Christmas tree and party of the church school may leave their contributions at the service on Sunday.
The Y.P.R.U. will hold an invitation dancing party at the town hall Friday evening, December 21.
On Sunday the preacher will point out the difference between the popular and the theological ideas of prophecy, referring to the time before the birth of Jesus as typical of human experience.
Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted soccer team by defeating the Pacific Mills team of Lawrence at Forge Village last Saturday have qualified for the fourth round of the national cup series. The Abbots will meet the Falcos of Holyoke at Holyoke in the fourth round on or before December 25. It is expected that the game will be played Saturday, December 22, and there is some talk of running a special train from Forge Village to Holyoke for the game.
His Eminence William Cardinal O’Connell, archbishop of Boston, with Monsignor M. J. Splaine, were guests of Rev. A. S. Malone at St. Catherine’s rectory here on last Tuesday. Luncheon was served, after which the cardinal was shown through the new rectory and also the church. His eminence was highly pleased with his brief visit spent amid such pleasant surroundings.
Miss Emma Packard of Lowell has been a recent guest of Dr. and Mrs. Fabyan Packard.
Principal W. E. Roudenbush and members of the faculty of Westford academy attended the basketball game in Lowell last Tuesday evening when the academy club played its opening game with the Lowell Vocational team in the high school annex.
A food sale and dance in aid of St. Catherine’s church building fund will be held in Abbot’s hall, Forge Village on Friday evening.
The young People’s Social club will meet in the vestry of the M.E. church on Saturday evening at 7:30. A very pleasing program has been arranged.
Harvard
News Items. Teacher No. 3 has received a note from the Westford “young idea,” proprietor of the Old Oaken Bucket estate [Samuel L. Taylor]. He informs us that he is coming to Harvard this week someday to call on his teachers. Teacher No. 3 regrets that he is to be away this week and will therefore miss the pleasant hour with the others.
Still River. F. S. Savage, Sr., had the pleasure of a call on Tuesday afternoon from his friend, Samuel L. Taylor, the Westford scribe, and his daughter, Mrs. [Esther] Snow. They motored through the single tax colony, and also Tahanto farm, including a call at the large stock barn, viewing the large herd of well-kept cattle. They also motored down Lovers’ Lane to call upon the Harvard scribe, Arthur T. West, and it was a great disappointment not to find Mr. West at home, for Mr. Taylor had been practicing for several months so as to be able to go through several rounds with the Harvard scribe when they should meet.
[1] Gardner Whitman Pearson (1869-1953), an American military officer and politician, previously served as Adjutant General of Massachusetts, 1911-1914 and 1916-1917. In 1917, Pearson resigned as Adjutant General to become the chairman of the Governor’s Military Council. From 1920 to 1923, Pearson represented the 7th Middlesex district in the Massachusetts Senate. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardner_W._Pearson.
[2] Matthew 7:6 – Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. KJV
[3] President Calvin Coolidge gave his first annual message to Congress on Dec. 6, 1923. It was the first such address to be broadcast nationwide over the radio. “The President first comments on the legacy of his predecessor, President Harding, before moving on to state his intention to remain distant from the League of Nations, facilitate tax cuts, and tighten up immigration laws–hallmarks of his tenure in the White House.” For the complete address see: https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/december-6-1923-first-annual-message.