Turner's Public Spirit, January 14, 1922
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Two pool tables have been installed this week at the firehouse rest rooms….
“Arthur G. Hildreth instructor at the Newton Technical high school, returned to his duties last
week, having had a short vacation at home.
“A goodly sized number of members of the American Legion, under the newly-elected
commander, Dr. H. R. Coburn, met at Cavalry building [20 Boston Road] on Monday evening….
The meeting adjourned to the lower hall, where the Ladies’ Auxiliary had met and adjourned,
where both organizations enjoyed a social hour. A capable committee of the auxiliary prepared
the collation given by the Legion of hot coffee, doughnuts and cheese.
“The honor lists for the months of November and December of the grammar grades at the
William E. Frost school are as follows: High honor list, Roger H. Hildreth, Jean E. Bell, Jardine
Davis, Everett M. Millis; honor list, Angie Parfit, Elizabeth Pollock, Gwendolyn C. Pitkin,
Elizabeth Wells, Alice F. Heywood, Elizabeth Carver, Lillian E. Dane, George W. Kimball,
Helen Desmond, Alexander Gorbunoff, Winthrop W. Sargent.
“The installation of the officers of the Grange took place last week Thursday evening at the
town hall: … Clifford Johnson, m.; Harry O. Hartford, o.; Fred Robinson, stew.; Austin Fletcher,
asst. stew.; Ruth Johnson, l.a.s.; Frederick A. Hanscom, chap.; Ruth Sargent, lect.; Mrs. Aurilla
Wright, sec.; A. H. Sutherland, treas.; Gladys Ingalls, Flora; Alice Swanson, Ceres; Marion
Fletcher, Pomona; Herbert Shea, g.k.; Frank C. Wright, ex. com….
“Auxiliary Notes. The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Legion held its meeting in the Cavalry
building on Monday evening with a fair attendance of members from different sections of the
town…. The following officers were re-elected for the year 1922: Mrs. Arthur G. Hildreth, pres.;
Miss Edith Spinner, vice pres.; Miss Nancy Patterson, treas.; Mrs. A. A. Cameron, sec.; Mrs. H.
W. Hildreth, Mrs. Alice M. Wells, Miss Eva M. Lord, ex. com.; Miss Marion Lord, pianist. Miss
Eva M. Lord was appointed to act as chairman on the welfare work committee and Mrs. Alice M.
Wells was appointed chairman for the entertainment committee.
“Obituary. After a five-day fight with pneumonia … Mary H. Wheeler quietly and
peacefully passed away on Friday, January 6. In the prime of usefulness and activity a noble soul
started on a new and long pilgrimage.
“The deceased was born in Taunton on June 20, 1871, and so was 50 years, 6 months and 17
days of age…. On March 23, 1896, she came to this town, a bride. For over twenty-five years
she had so identified herself with the work of the Union Congregational church; … with the
Grange; with the Tadmuck club … and with various other social and civic activities that it will be
hard indeed to fill her place.… The pride she took in everything she did, whether it was
needlework or cooking, care and adornment of her home, or keeping it neat, writing her
[“Center”] newspaper items or speaking in church or club meeting, in all of which she excelled,
will long be remembered…. She leaves her husband, Leonard W. Wheeler…
“About Town. In our essay last week in regard to naming a road the Francis Hill road we
find by the town historian that the name should be spelled Frances, in memory of Frances Grant,
who married Solomon Keyes in Newbury in 1653, and settled on what is now known as the
Trueworthy Keyes place on Frances hill….
“The electric lights were turned on the Lowell road last Saturday evening for the first time
[since] they were blown out and down by the ice sleet of weeks ago [Nov. 28]….
“The beautiful new Methodist church at West Chelmsford will be dedicated … on Wednesday
afternoon, January 18….
“The Gage Ice Company of Lowell have been busy cutting ice on Hart [sic] pond, South
Chelmsford twenty-five acres of this pond being located in Westford….
“The next meeting of the Grange will be held on Thursday evening, January 19. As the
telephone is still all out we cannot report who or what will be it in the lecturer’s hour.
“Graniteville. Coasting has been enjoyed by the younger element this week, but the skating
has not been very good.
“Soccer Football. The Abbot Worsted soccer club visited Providence, R.I., last Saturday and
defeated the Fairlawn Rovers in the fourth round of the national cup series, 2 to 0….
“The Abbots are now scheduled to meet the Fore River club in the state semi-finals and the
Falcos of Holyoke in the national semi-finals….”
Arthur Griffin Hildreth (1887-1964), a 1915 graduate of Bowdoin College (senior pictureshown), taught at Newton Technical (now part of Newton North) High School in 1922. Courtesy Photo / Sandy Parkhurst Johnston, Arthur’s granddaughter.