Turner's Public Spirit, January 17, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Alec McDougall is still confined to his home with a hard cold, complicated with
rheumatism.
“Miss Maude Robinson has resumed her teaching at the Frost school, teaching the fourth and
fifth grades. Mrs. Lottie L. Blodgett, who taught from Thanksgiving until the Christmas
vacation, found the work too hard, living at the distance from the schools that she did.
“For some time various interested people have had in mind what might be done for the social
welfare of the young people in the village, especially the boys. Through the efforts of a
committee of the men’s class of the Congregational church, the W.C.T.U. and the civics
department of the Tadmuck club, there will be, as a sort of a starter, a social at the Congregational
vestry this Saturday evening to which all the young people are most cordially invited.
“Annual Meeting. The annual dinner, roll call and business meeting of the Congregational
church took place on Monday with fully the usual attendance and a fine spirit of good fellowship.
The dinner at noon … consisted of roast meat and hot vegetables, rolls, coffee and relishes, and
finished out with pies, ice cream and cake. The ribbon-tied quotations at each place for the
responses were the handiwork of Miss S. W. Loker.
“The roll call at the conclusion of the dinner was well responded to and proved the usual
round table of the church family. Two members, Mrs. Sarah T. Harris and J. Henry Colburn,
have died during the year. Five have joined the church and there have been nine letters [of
transfer] granted.
“At the business meeting called at two o’clock J. W. Rafter was chosen moderator. Reports
were given by the various officers. All bills were paid and a balance in the treasury. In round
numbers the church has received during the year $1932, with expenditures of $1750, leaving a
balance of $227. Benevolences have amounted during the year to $275. The Sunday school has
received during the year $97. A new furnace has been installed and a new range in the kitchen;
also, new hymn books have been placed in the pews….
“About Town. Harold Hill Fletcher, Jr., was a New Year’s present [born Jan. 1, 1920, in
Boston] to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hill Fletcher on prosperous Oak hill.
“It is reported on the authority of ‘they say so’ that the peach buds are all killed, owing to an
engagement with 15-below-zero. We have known a heavy crop of peaches when the newspapers
and other folks had all buds killed.
“Ralph Adams Cram, who is the architect in charge of remodeling All Souls church in Lowell,
will be remembered as a bright boy in town with the rest of the family, when his father, Rev.
William A. Cram, was minister at the Unitarian church.
“Forge Village. The total proceeds from the sale of Red Cross Christmas seals for the town
of Westford amounted to $177.08. While the quota of $257 was not reached, the public
responded well in view of the fact that there have been repeated calls for aid, particularly in the
last few months. Mrs. William Curshaine [Courchaine], postmistress, who was in charge of the
drive, was gratified by the manner in which the factories and school children assisted in the sale.
“Abbot Hall Dedicated. Abbot’s hall was filled to the doors again on last week Friday
evening. The employees of the Abbot Worsted Company from Brookside and Graniteville were
brought to the hall by special car. The entertainment started with a concert by the Abbot Worsted
band of popular airs. Each number was received enthusiastically by the audience and the players
were obliged to respond to encores. The concert was followed by a Pathé Weekly picture. Miss
Edith Marshall, of Boston, entertained again with excellent musical numbers. Her interpretation
of ‘The lost chord,’ with hand bells, and selections from the operas were unusually well given.
She also played on the cello, musical lyre and xylophone. All her numbers were greatly enjoyed
by the audience. A Mack Sennett comedy moving picture was the next feature of the program.
Miss Caroline Precious was the pianist for the moving picture numbers. Walter Eccles of Boston,
humorist, impersonator and general entertainer, held the close attention and interest of his
audience through each number of his program. His impersonation of Harry Lauder was
particularly pleasing. The last number on the evening program was a Fatty Arbuckle comedy
picture….
“The first motion picture entertainment was given Tuesday evening. The hall, which has a
seating capacity of five hundred, was filled at both performances. The attractions were Douglas
Fairbanks in ‘His majesty, the American,’ and Charlie Chaplin in ‘Shoulder arms.’
“Graniteville. Excellent sleighing has been enjoyed here.”