Turner's Public Spirit, July 14, 1923
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
Center. Frank C. Wright, who has been quite ill, is able to be out again.
William R. Carver spent the holiday in town with his family.
Mrs. William E. Wright and two children Kenneth and Phyllis, and her mother, Mrs. Carter, are enjoying a three-weeks’ vacation in East Jaffrey, N.H.
Mrs. Schnare and children, of Salem, Mass., were Sunday guests of the former’s sister, Mrs. Peter Clement.
Mrs. Forrest Nelson and two children, Dorothy and Forrest, and maid are guests of Mrs. Nelson’s grandmother and mother, Mrs. Fred Hildreth and Mrs. Katherine Allen.
Mrs. Walter Browne, of Providence, R.I., is the guest of her sister, Mrs. John Feeney, Jr.
Master Claude Wright is able to be about again after his serious accident.
Charles O. Prescott, John P. Wright and Rev. Charles Marshall are enjoying a vacation at Manomet.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Carter have returned from New York city.
Misses Gertrude and Julia Fletcher have returned from a week’s vacation spent at the Isles of Shoals, where they attended the meeting held for members of the Unitarian church.
Thirty-four members of the Ladies’ Aid gathered at the home of Mrs. George F. White on last week Friday afternoon and tendered a surprise party to Mrs. Phonsie Isles, the popular manager of the local telephone office, the occasion being Mrs. Isles’ [50th] birthday. She was presented with a purse of money and a bouquet of roses and sweet peas. The presentation speech was made by Mrs. Eva Wright and during the afternoon refreshments were served. The party was in charge of Mrs. Joseph E. Knight and Mrs. George F. White.
Miss Marion Marshall will enter Wheaton seminary next fall. Miss Marshall will be remembered as the only daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Charles Marshall, her father having been a former pastor at the Congregational church [1905-1910].
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Decatur, of Roseville, Cal., are being congratulated upon the arrival of their fifth son on June 29. The new-comer has been named Frederick Alden. Mrs. Decatur, before her marriage, was Miss Rose Adams, of Groton. Both will be pleasantly remembered as former residents, and while living here were actively engaged in Grange and other social affairs of the town. Mr. Decatur moved to California some years ago [1894], where he has taken up large interests in the real estate business.
Twenty-six members of the Ladies’ Aid enjoyed an outing at Salem Willows on Wednesday, going by auto bus. A shore dinner was enjoyed and the party returned by way of Revere Beach, where a stop was made. All report a very pleasant day.
Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Sutherland and daughters, Lillian and Beatrice, motored to Salem Willows on Wednesday.
Rev. John H. Blair conducted an open-air meeting on the common last Sunday evening in place of the regular indoor meeting.
Special Town Meeting. Approval of several appropriations for the removal of snow, improvement of roads, a new heating system for the town hall, the regrading of the common and the appointment of a committee to investigate and report at a future meeting on the reforestation project were interesting items which came before the voters at a special town meeting held on Monday evening. Alfred W. Tuttle acted as clerk and Alfred W. Hartford as moderator. The attendance was fair. The sum of $400 was voted for the removal of snow, this being explained as arising from the severe storms of last winter the conditions making it necessary for the expenditure of a larger amount than was available for this purpose. To pay overdrafts the sum of $3114.50 was approved and $3000 was voted for the improvement of roads, the greater part of which will be expended in putting in shape the North road leading to North Chelmsford [Groton Road]. A new heating system was voted for and $2250 was the amount raised for this purpose.
The sum of $2500 was appropriated for the work of regrading and building walks at the common. This work will be supervised by a committee composed of the selectmen, Frank L. Furbush, John E. Gary, Arthur G. Hildreth, and Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher and John C. Abbot. It was also voted to erect and maintain two hydrants in Union street [E. Prescott St.], Forge Village.
About Town. I quote the following for the benefit of those who think that Maine is the only New England state where the sleighing is rather poor two months in the year: “Worthington, [Mass.,] July 5. The weather man celebrated the Fourth of July in this place by covering the hills about the town with four inches of snow and sleet. The storm came about five in the afternoon and continued until six in the afternoon. Two hours later a strong sun dissolved most of the storm’s traces.” Worthington is 143 miles west of Boston [now 120 miles via the Massachusetts Turnpike] in the northwesterly section of Hampshire county on the easterly declivity of the Green Mountains.
Yes, the Old Oaken Bucket farm with its tall, boastful corn, got beat after all in first place for first corn, for the Morning Glory farm adjoining is listed for sweet corn for dinner on Saturday, July 14. This beat us by three hours and sixty-one minutes as we cannot coax ours to come to time earlier than for supper.
William J. Parfitt has bought the standing grass on the William E. Green and Tadmuck meadow and has commenced cutting it.
Here is something right up to date in exemplifying the modern lay of “We can and so we will.” This was to be done by holding back from the market 200,000,000 bushels of grain, which would result in doubling the price of flour. Although the conference voted it down it is expected that an attempt will be made to push a bill through congress by the aid of the new Intermediate Credit bank. Say, Mr. Congress, build a hotel to keep these fellows in. It is more humane than to let them plunder producer and consumer in their head-long madness to be millionaires.
A small but interesting display of seaweed, shells and other beach treasures is being exhibited at the library for the benefit of the children. Books and pictures on the same subject add to the value of the collection.
The Morning Glory farm has a flock of white guinea chickens. The eggs were procured from the Berkshire Hills.
Carl Swanson has accepted the position of janitor and manager of the hall at Brookside of the Abbot Worsted Company.
The Abbot Worsted Company at Brookside are painting all the yellow houses white that were there when they bought the mill property of George Moore.
Congressman John Jacob Rogers sailed last Saturday from New York for England upon receiving a cablegram that his sister, Mrs. Frank H. Dunbar, was seriously ill in London.
Grange lawn party Littleton Center, July 20. Abbot Worsted band concert.
Receives Professorship. The University of Minnesota at Minneapolis has elevated Robert M. [sic, Richard Maurice] Elliott to the chair of a full professor. He has recently been made chairman of the department of psychology. Prof. Elliott is a graduate of Dartmouth college. After receiving his degree he attended Harvard university for a year and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He then went to Europe, where he studied at the University of Berlin for a year. Upon his return to this country he accepted an instructorship at Harvard. Later he went to Yale university, where he held an associate professorship. Early in September Prof. Elliott will go to San Diego, Cal., to study and make photographs of a four-minute eclipse of the sun. Prof. Elliott is a brother of Robert H. Elliott, of this town, and Herford N. Elliott, of Lowell, both members of the well-known real estate firm of Thomas H. Elliott, of Lowell, and the oldest real estate firm in Lowell. His father is well remembered by many as president of the Middlesex-North conference of Unitarian and other Christian churches and still maintains a summer farm in town. Prof. Elliott’s mother is remembered by many of us as a sister of the late Samuel Naylor, of West Chelmsford.
Death. The death of Miss Abbie J. Cutter, of Littleton, brings to mind many reminiscences of earlier days when the Cutter family were a part of the social and church life, living three miles from Westford Center, on the farm now owned by George A. Kimball. It was a stormy, blocked-up Sunday when the Cutter family were not at church and Sunday school. Those were the days of church going before the automobile had crowded church going off the chart of life. I clearly recall the Cutter family as a wise part of the rudder of any community, “a salt that hath not lost its savor.” Deacon John E. Cutter, the grandfather, was a long-time attendant at the Congregational church. I recall the humility of spirit that always accompanied his prayers at the opening and closing of the Sunday school and no one could listen that knew him and the family without feeling that his life was consistent. I acknowledge a personal benefit for having been a constant listener for many years, and it seems to leave a sad void to record that Deacon John E. Cutter and Mrs. Cutter and Mr. and Mrs. Asaph B. Cutter and all of their five children once so [torn paper, line missing] with us no more in visible form.
A Pleasant Visit. Yes, we had a delightfully inspiring visit to Harvard on Tuesday. Teacher No. 1 acted as master of ceremonies, introducer and interpreter. Called on Teacher No. 2, who proved to be A-No. 1 teacher and in the contest of who could ask and answer the most questions per minute the Old Oaken Bucket fellow came the nearest ever of being sent down for the count with a K.O. haymaker, but Teacher No 1 came to [his] rescue and coaxed him into his corner to rest his wearing talking apparatus. This was the first round and lack of time prevented the second round as Teacher No. 1 was anxious to have us go to Hell pond. We found it a much cooler place than we expected, considering its name and the day. Sorry that Teacher No. 3 was not at home as I had something up my sleeve especially for him, but it will keep until we go to Harvard again. For a second round of reminiscences was glad and inspired to hold a social chat in a house built in 1734, two years after the incorporation of the town, and long one of old-time New England hotels and more recently for many years the home of Rev. Charles S. Dodge, whom I knew in my younger days and recall his preaching and always in the role of love. I recall his personality more vividly than any minister at that early date.
By the courtesy of Teacher No. 1 we had an introduction to Stanley Hildreth. We had a most pleasant reminiscent interview of Westford days where his father, Abijah Edwin Hildreth, was born, and whose sister married Deacon George E. Burtt [sic Burt] and died in Harvard in 1849. Stanley Hildreth, whom I had never met before, I found to be one of the most genial of men, so easy and affable and courteous to converse with and wholly free from that detestable attitude of “stand thou here while I go and pray yonder for I am holier than thou.” Having heard so recently about “strings attached to it” I was on the sharp lookout lest I got strung up, but we did not seem to have any trouble in starting the automobile. If Harvard does not feel like being tethered to some of the free benefits of Hildreth brothers come over to Westford, the home of your father and mother and grandparents—lots of room here for thankful improvements.
Seriously Injured. Charles A. Randlett, of Chelmsford, well known in this town, was seriously injured last week Tuesday. Mr. Randlett was crossing the road about sunset at the junction of the Lowell and North Chelmsford roads to get his cattle from the pasture, when a Ford truck belonging to the Y.M.C.A. of Lowell, came down the road in the direction of Lowell. Simultaneously a Haynes machine with New York number plates entered the square from the south side. The Ford machine rammed the Haynes broadside and threw it forcibly against a telegraph pole at the side of the road. Mr. Randlett stood so that the Haynes car struck him as it lurched heavily sidewise and he was thrown backwards upon a stone wall. Other autoists arrived speedily, including Dr. Leonard Dursthoff, of Chelmsford, who picked up Mr. Randlett and carried him to the Lowell General hospital. He was bleeding profusely. At the hospital he was found to be in a serious condition, and at last reports his condition had not sufficiently improved to insure his recovery. The Y.M.C.A. car was driven by Clarence E. Towne, with two boys in the car, and all maintained their hold on their seats. The owner and driver of the Haynes machines was Ernest R. Park, of Syracuse, N.Y. With him was Miss Martha Bixby, of Quincy, who was thrown out but not seriously injured.
Littleton
News Items. Peas ready for market on June 12, sweet corn now over five feet high, tomatoes coloring, and summer squash nearly ready for the table is the report of a Littleton garden seven miles farther west of the rising sun than the Old Oaken Bucket farm.
Mrs. Fred O. Stiles and daughter Thelma leave home Sunday evening for Nova Scotia to spend two weeks with Mrs. Stiles’ aged mother and sisters.
Obituary. Miss Abbie J. Cutter passed away at the Groton hospital last week Friday, only three days after she was taken there. Funeral services at her late home on Goldsmith street were held Sunday afternoon and attended by many friends, including cousins from Graniteville, Tyngsboro, Lowell, Billerica, Winthrop and Boston, church friends, associates at the factory and neighbors. Further tribute was paid the deceased by the profusion of beautiful flowers. Miss Cutter’s pastor, Rev. Chester A. Wheeler, officiated, and Deacon W. E. Conant, Deacon F. S. Kimball, N. B. Conant and E. N. Robinson acted as bearers. The interment was made in the family lot in Westlawn cemetery, Westford.
Miss Cutter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Asaph Cutter, was born in Westford on September 18, 1861. The family lived on two different farms in Westford, their last home in that town being the place now owned by George A. Kimball, on the Lowell road. A grandfather, Deacon Cutter, was a very prominent citizen of the town and a tower of strength in the Congregational church. Miss Cutter was a member of the Congregational church here and served as its clerk for some time. With her sisters [Alice B. and Mary Ellen] she had regularly attended the service every Sunday morning and Sunday school up to the time of the death of Miss Alice Cutter [in 1922].
Her interest in reading was marvelous, and there was probably no one in town that went oftener for books to the public library than Miss Cutter. She had an unusual record in her life work as bookkeeper covering a period of over thirty years, first in the Conant & Company store at the common and afterwards in the office of Conant, Houghton & Co., Inc., which position she held until less than a year ago. She is the last of the family and is survived only by a nephew, Ernest C. Cutter, of Kansas City, Mo., and several cousins living in Massachusetts.
The house is now deserted, but the three sisters who lived there happily, enjoying each other, their flowers and books, will not be forgotten by their friends, relatives and church associates.
Ayer
District Court. Two cases from Westford for violation of the Lord’s day law were continued until July 16.
Real Estate Transfers. The following real estate transfers have been recorded from this vicinity recently:
Westford—Emma M. Wright et al. to Risimon Degagne, land on North street.
Notes:
This quote is taken from Matthew 5:13: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” KJV Also similar verses at Mark 9:50 and Luke 14:34.
A quote from Isaiah 65:5a: “… Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.” KJV