Turner's Public Spirit, June 24, 1922
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Tyngsboro won from Westford in the twilight series at Whitney playground last week Thursday evening, the score being 9 to 2.
“Mrs. Susan Pond, of Needham, is the guest of Dr. and Mrs. C. A. Blaney, Mrs. Blaney being a daughter of Mrs. Pond.
“Mrs. Sidney Wright, in this year’s brood of chickens, has a freak chicken in that it has no toe nails.
“A recent work of fiction published by the Cornhill Publishing Co., Boston and New York, the title of which is ‘The stronger light,’ will probably be widely read in this section as the author is Miss May Balch of this town. Miss Balch is a highly talented woman and her friends congratulate her upon the publication of her book.
“Graduation Exercises. The graduation exercises of the class of 1922, Westford academy, were held in the town hall on Wednesday morning and were largely attended by parents and friends….
“The following were the graduates: Academic course, Jessie Carolyn Bell, Norman Leslie Cutter, Helen May Kimball; commercial course, Eric Julian Anderson, Florence Elizabeth Caunter, Frances Margaret Courchaine, Helen Lucy Griffin, Lawrence Alvin Ingalls, Kathleen Mary Kelly, John Allen Kimball, Vanner William Lundgren, Frederick Martin, Leo Courtney McDonald, Catherine Margaret O’Neill, Gordon Bailey Seavey, Rupert Sundberg, Orrin Augustus Treat, Jr., Alice Mary Walsh, Alice Edith Hosmer.
“Patriotic Night. Patriotic night was observed by the Grange in the town hall on Thursday evening, June 15, at an open meeting, which was largely attended. The invited guests of the evening were the local Legion and veterans of the G.A.R…. Rev. William Anderson read the program and introduced the speaker of the evening, Joseph Walker, former speaker of the house of representatives…. Mr. Walker gave a thoroughly interesting talk on ‘Patriotism,’ which was much enjoyed by all present….
“About Town. We reported as printed in the issue of last week in regard to the burning of Marshall’s hall, that the entire front was in Westford and the rear in Chelmsford, and that the line ran in an angle from northwest corner to southwest corner. Inquiry has been made how we could figure out an angle that way. Well, it was a mistake and should have read ‘In an angle across the hall from the northeast corner to the southwest corner.’ We wish to correct another error about the fire…. We reported that the Westford fire company was hindered by the detour at Edwards Corner. It seems that they did not stop for the detour, because the flames which they saw made them take a chance—they took a three-foot drop on the detour and landed at the scene of the fire in quick time. They say in West Chelmsford that the arrival of the efficient Westford fire company probably saved their new church and the houses close by, because the Westford men used their hydrant close by.
“In the death of Mrs. Sarah A. Day Jones at her home in Ayer on Sunday evening we recall her early life in Westford, where she was born on July 30, 1847, the daughter of John and Hannah (Wright) Day. She was one of three children, being a sister of the late J. Warren Day. She was born at the old homestead which has been in the Day family for nearly a century at the junction of the Cold Spring and Graniteville Roads….
“Recently pleas were made before Judge Cox of the superior court, who is a brother of Governor Cox, for probation for two youthful bank looters. The judge’s reply was ‘If they were to be put on probation we might as well abolish all our laws at once.’ To this decision of the judge we say Amen and Amen, and that is not enough if someone will give us an encore and we will repeat it….
“Graniteville. Both masses in St. Catherine’s church Sunday morning were celebrated by Rev. J. J. Linehan, the occasion being the last time he would officiate at mass here as curate, as with the arrival of Rev. Fr. Malone, the new resident pastor, Fr. Linehan will remain in North Chelmsford….
“The members of the Lend-a-Hand club of the M. E. church held a successful food sale at the church last Saturday afternoon and evening. In the evening an entertainment was held in the church vestry.
“The people here have had enough of rain to last them for some time and it is hoped that fair weather will prevail Saturday, June 24, when the Abbot team will meet the fast Marblehead town team in what promises to be the best game of the season….”
Westford Academy students in 1922 on steps of the Academy building, now Roudenbush Community Center. Principal William C. Roudenbush stands in back row before the right door. Westford Museum photo.