Turner's Public Spirit, March 26, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Pleasant greetings came from the Robert H. Elliotts on their European trip. They
with the rest of their party enjoyed a good trip across and were in Paris when they wrote to
Westford.
“Mrs. C. A. Blaney has been among the shut-ins with a bad cold.
“Special preparations are being made at both the churches for the observance of the glad
festival of Easter Sunday.
“At the Congregational church there will be special music, sermon and decorations. Mr.
Brownsey will preach from the subject, ‘Christ is risen.’ Mrs. Norah M. Colburn is in charge of
the music and Miss Elinor Colburn will be at the organ.
“First Parish church (Unitarian) Easter Sunday service at four pm. Special music: anthem,
‘Hosanna;’ anthem, ‘In the end of the Sabbath;’ response, ‘God shall wipe away all tears;’
anthem, ‘Alleluia. Choir of Grace church, Lowell. Preacher, Rev. Frank B. Crandall. Subject,
‘The Easter mysteries.’ Last Sunday a special offering was received for the work of the
American Unitarian association.
“The time for frequent alarms and appeals for help from other busy people for grass and forest
fires is here. At least four grass fires have got beyond control of those in charge this last week
and help called for. Property holders and others are reminded that a permit is necessary after
March 1 and burning brush without the necessary permit is liable to a fine.
“Tadmuck Club. A well attended and enjoyable meeting of the Tadmuck club took place
Tuesday afternoon when Mrs. J. R. Draper was the speaker of the afternoon with ‘Ethics of dress’
as her subject. Mrs. Draper is a bright, versatile and easy speaker and coming as an old friend her
talk was friendly and informal and helpful to a degree.
“Her subject being one of vital interest to all women was followed with closest attention.
Suitability, becomingness, cost and good taste were among the points well elucidated. Mrs.
Draper also gave many practical points for the home sewer and buyer….
“About Town. Amos Polley is planning on building this fall a modern silo of capacity for
[feeding] 25 cows and specializes in raising milk.
“The last and worst stick in the mud occurred last week Wednesday afternoon at four o’clock
at the old mud spot on the Lowell road between the residences of S. L. Taylor and Amos Polley
when a five-ton truck loaded with four tons of wood from Lawrence for Forge Village got
stranded in the mud at least two feet. After unloading the wood onto several horse wagons it
required four horses and two sets of pulley blocks until ten p.m. to pull the truck out.
“The W. B. Tyler family of Lowell have moved into the Read-Drew farmhouse [164 Main
St.]. The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler and three children.
“As per notification the county commissioners viewed the Lowell road on Monday to
ascertain the best method of improving this road and act in relation to the same. We have not
heard their conclusions. They were shown around by the selectmen and other interested parties.
“Representative Alfred W. Hartford of the 11 th district voted to repeal the daylight saving law.
As amended, clock pushing will not begin until May and continue pushed for five months.
“Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted Co. soccer football team defeated the Amoskeag club of
Manchester, N.H., in an industrial league game at Forge Village on last Saturday 2 goals to 1.
The game was hotly contested, and many fans were in attendance. On Saturday, March 26, the
Abbot Worsted team will meet the Hendee Indians of Springfield in the semi-final for the state
cup at the grounds of the Fore River club in Quincy. Many soccer fans from this vicinity will
take in the game.
“The rehearsal of the old-fashioned dances, given under the direction of the Westford Grange,
was held on Wednesday evening and was well attended. Excellent music was furnished by Joe
Hibbard.
“Mrs. Elizabeth Buckingham has recently returned from a brief visit spent in Groton as the
guest of her son and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Buckingham.
“On Friday night at the movies the attraction will be Mary Miles Minter in ‘A Cumberland
Romance,’ followed by a mermaid comedy, ‘Duck Inn.’ The bill will close with the Paramount
magazine. The same program will be repeated in Forge Village on Saturday night. In addition to
the movies in Forge Village there will be a concert by the Abbot Worsted Co. band from 7 to 7:45
p.m.”
A 1922 photo of film star Mary Miles Minter (1902-1984), who appeared in 53 silent films
from 1912 to 1923. Her movie career was cut short by scandal. Courtesy Photo / Wikipedia.com.