Turner's Public Spirit, June 4, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“About Town. The splendid condition of Fairview cemetery was favorably commented upon
Memorial day by a number of people. Its exceptionally well trimmed lawns and shrubbery and
gravel paths showed exceptional care. A person of extensive travel in the state said that it was
among the very best and tastefully cared for cemeteries in the state. The D. L. Greigs [who lived
on the farm across Main Street from the cemetery and were also undertakers] have general
oversight.
“Mr. and Mrs. John Quessey, of Lowell, formerly of Westford Center, have had a beautiful
monument placed in West Chelmsford in memory of their son, Corp. George Ralph Quessey,
who was a soldier in the world war.
“Wallace Johnson slipped while in the run of his icehouse and a cake of ice followed down the
run, breaking both bones of one leg. Dr. Coburn was called and had him removed to the Lowell
hospital.
“Last Saturday Harry Kennedy came from Boston to Brookside to repair the pumping engine
of the Abbot Worsted Company at Brookside. He was found dead at the pumping station on
Sunday morning by Harry Bell. He had worked all day Saturday and was apparently all right
when last seen. He was about fifty-five years of age. Medical Examiner Bulkeley of Ayer was
summoned and found the cause of death to be heart disease….
“Guy R. Decatur is taking care of the horse of Leonard W. Wheeler while the latter is on a trip
to the west, using it on the farm and general utility work.
“Daniel H. Sheehan has finished sawing several million [probably meant as a humorous
exaggeration] feet of lumber at Sudbury and is now looking after his farm on the Stony Brook
road.
“Center. Fred Robinson, who has been spending a few days at home since finishing his
examinations, will graduate from his two-year course at Amherst next week. He has specialized
in fruit growing and plans to take up that work at once.
“The canning, pig and garden clubs for boys and girls are being formed now under the
leadership of Misses Ruth and Edna Sargent.
“The Frost school will close for the summer on June 10. The academy graduation comes on
June 22, when a class of six boys and ten girls will receive their diplomas. Two of the pupils
have completed four years’ work in three years.
“As far as information goes, the first strawberries of the season were picked on the Day farm
on May 26. Up to the present twenty-five quarts have been picked.
“A good time was enjoyed by all who attended the social at the Congregational church last
week, when the farce ‘No cure, no pay’ was given before a well filled room. The various parts
were taken by Misses Ranny [sic], Crane, Connors, Edna Sargent, Mrs. Sutherland, Mrs. Meyer
and Mrs. P. E. Wright. The Tadmuck orchestra furnished the music….
“Mrs. Abiel J. Abbot and Edward Abbot have returned home after spending the winter in
Boston.
“Memorial Day. The weather for Memorial Sunday and Monday was very satisfactory
although Sunday night looked threatening. Nine veterans of the civil war were present at the
exercises on both days. A good sized audience listened attentively to Rev. Frank B. Crandall’s
sermon ‘In remembrance of them.’ In the afternoon the veterans and the Legion decorated the
graves of all soldiers.
“On Monday the veterans, sons and daughters of veterans and the Legion met at the Cavalry
building [20 Boston Road] and marched to the [Civil War] monument, preceded by the Abbot
Worsted Company band. After the reading of the memorial services ‘taps’ were sounded and a
firing squad saluted the dead. The rest of the program was held in the town hall…. The exercises
closed with ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ by the audience and the band.
“In the afternoon a fine program was given by the band on the common.
“A group of four enterprising boys set up a tent on the commons on Memorial day in which
they sold ice cream, tonics, etc. Their venture was a financial success.
“Baseball. A great ball game was played here on last Saturday when the Abbot Worsted
Company team defeated the fast Bennett A.A. of Somerville by the score of 1 to 0. Williams and
Carrigan did the battery work for the Abbots….
“The Abbot team had a walk-over here on Monday afternoon, when they defeated the
Medford town team by the score of 15 to 2. The game was late in starting owing to a breakdown
of the Medford Motor truck near Concord.
“Forge Village. Moving pictures at [Abbot Hall in] Forge Village every Saturday evening at
7:45.”
Corp. Quessy Memorial at Winship Square (intersection of Main and School Streets), West
Chelmsford. Courtesy Photo – Chelmsford Historical Society.