Turner's Public Spirit, March 25, 1922
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. At the meeting of the Missionary society at the home of Mrs. George F. White [62
Main St.] on Wednesday afternoon there was a good attendance. The president, Miss Sarah
Loker, addressed the meeting and was assisted by Mrs. Roudenbush, who gave many valuable
suggestions in the course of their talks, the topic being ‘The study of India.’ …
“The Middlesex County Bureau of Agriculture and Home Economics will present ‘Spring
Valley,’ the truest and most pleasing story of country life ever told in motion pictures—five reels
chock full of profitable entertainment, prepared by the American Farm Bureau Federation….
“The contract for building the new schoolhouse at Brookside [“Old Nab”] has been given to
Edwards and Monahan, of West Chelmsford; work will begin early this spring.
“The public schools were closed on Friday, it being a teachers’ visiting day.
“There was a very good attendance at the meeting of the Grange on last week Thursday
evening…. A discussion ‘Shall a boy on the farm have his Saturday afternoon off to play
baseball or other recreation?’ was … enjoyed and the question was decided in favor of the boy to
have an afternoon off….
“Extension School. The extension service school, under the auspices of the County Farm
Bureau, was held at the town hall on Thursday with a large attendance present from this and
surrounding towns. This meeting was held under the direction of Otis W. Day, the agent here….
“Library Notes. A collection of books on Indians has been gathered together and placed on
the table in the children’s room for the convenience of the boys who enjoy reading about
Indians….
“About Town. We read with much helpful interest the one-page article in last week’s issue
by L. W. Wheeler, entitled ‘Our silver wedding anniversary.’ We have long wanted to take this
trip to Denver and we were glad of this inexpensive opportunity to trail it through the mud, the
washed away bridges and detours, its occasional oasis of forest, its cornfield and pumpkin vines,
its cattle, swine, horses and small affairs, its unusual charming wild flowers, its rolling prairies
and snow-capped mountains, its wet thunder showers and rattlesnakes….
“The hall at Westford Corner, long known as Marshall’s hall and located directly on the line
between Westford and Chelmsford, is now appearing under the name of Trudell’s hall, for its
present owner [Lewis Trudell, of Lowell]….
“Arthur J. O’Brien is still doing some log rolling from his place on Stony Brook road to the
several miles distant portable sawmill of F. A. Russell on the state road, near Ward’s corner
[Littleton Road in Chelmsford near Garrison Road].
“The town teams are semi-weekly using the drag scraper on the Lowell road to prevent bad
from going to worse. This is in harmony with that familiar proverb, ‘A stitch in time saves nine.’
“Strawberries appear to have wintered the weather in a prosperous way and are now in
seasonable harmony with ‘the wearing of the green.’ The recent rain makes irrigation
unnecessary.
“Last Saturday morning the pulse of the weather cooled off at 10 above zero. This, with the
strong north wind, made it feel more like the north pole than anything yet sprung on us even
during the below zero pulse period.
“Spring skunks are out and transacting their usual business, and we willingly allowed them to
transact while crossing fields adjoining the Morning Glory farm. Experience along the meddling
lines has made us an apt scholar of wisdom.
“Graniteville. Richards’ bowling league, which enjoyed a successful season, came to a close
here recently. The teams, with their captains, were as follows: Giants, Raymond Wall; Yanks,
Wilford Ducheneau; Pirates, Carl Hanson; Tigers, Leon McMullen….
“The Abbot Worsted Junior Soccer Football club defeated a team from Maynard at the Forge
Village grounds last Saturday afternoon, 5 to 1….
“On Saturday, April 1, the Abbots will meet the fast Fore River club of Quincy in the semi-
final for the state cup … in Lawrence.
“The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church served a fine supper of baked beans, cold meats,
salads and other good things in the church vestry on last Wednesday evening, and the affair was
very well attended. Following the supper a fine entertainment was given consisting of readings
by Miss Hilma Hanson, Miss Mary Profitta and other local talent….
“All persons now having books from the local branch of the J. V. Fletcher library are
requested to return them as soon as they have finished reading them. Many books have been out
for a long time and it is essential that they be returned for exchange and later sent to Westford to
be replaced by other books….”
Farm Agent W. Otis Day and son Roger at his poultry farm, 51 Graniteville Road, Westford,
c. 1944. Courtesy Photo / Roger & Marilyn Day.