Turner's Public Spirit, March 4, 1922
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Miss A. Pamelia Precious, Forge Village, presided at the organ at the Unitarian
church last Sunday.
“Among those confined to the house by illness are Mrs. Cyril A. Blaney, Mrs. Perley E.
Wright, Warren K. Hanscom and Kenneth Greene.
“James William Pyne, aged 65 years, died suddenly last Saturday night at his home, Pine
Ridge. Mr. Pyne, who was one of the oldest section foremen in point of service on the Worcester,
Nashua and Portland division of the Boston and Maine railroad, worked all day Saturday and
seemed to be in his usual health during the evening. He was suddenly attacked by illness due to
heart trouble and expired within a short time….
“At the meeting of the board of selectmen, which was held on last week Thursday evening in
the town hall, two appointments were made. Harry Whiting was appointed again this year as
police officer with a salary of $1500, and an addition of $300 allowed for expense of an
automobile. The other bids were $1200 by William R. Wall, including expense of an automobile,
and $1350 by Joseph Regnier, without automobile expense. Mr. Spalding and Mr. Furbush voted
for the appointment of Whiting, with John B. Gray opposing. Alec McDonald was appointed
superintendent of streets by a unanimous vote of the board.
“The net average per capita cost for education in the four towns of the district is as follows:
Littleton $93.92, Acton $82.72, Westford $67.64, Carlisle $113.10.
“Samuel L. Taylor is confined to his home by illness.
“Tadmuck Club. The regular meeting of the Tadmuck club was held in the vestry of the
Congregational church on Tuesday afternoon. An impressive memorial service preceded the talk
of the afternoon, when Mrs. William C. Roudenbush carefully laid a most beautiful white rose
down and read a beautiful poem, ‘The mirror of life,’ in memory of their late member, Mrs. L. W.
Wheeler. A beautiful white rose was next laid down in memory of the late beloved member, Mrs.
Edith Hildreth, and a poem nicely composed and read by Miss Mary A. Balch. The service
closed with a beautiful prayer made by Miss Sarah Loker.
“The president, Mrs. George F. White, presented Mrs. Margaret M. Cummings, who gave a
very interesting talk on the topic ‘Current events,’ touching on the subject of the peace conference
and the bonus bill, all of which proved to be very instructive.
“Graniteville. The millinery class had two sessions here this week. On Monday evening the
class met with Mrs. Joseph Wall, and on Thursday evening at the home of Mrs. Packard. The
instructions on both nights were conducted by Miss Keyes, of Lowell, who gave much
information on advanced work in millinery….
“The motion pictures here on Monday evening attracted a large number, when two shows
were given. The feature attraction was Alice Ayres and Rudolph Valentino in ‘The sheik,’
followed by the droll comedian, Ben Turpin, in ‘Love and doughnuts.’
“Lose Soccer Final. The Abbot Worsted soccer club was defeated by the Todd Shipyard
team of Brooklyn, N.Y., at Fall River on last Saturday two goals to one. This was the final for
the eastern championship in the national club series. The Todds will now meet the Scullins Steel
club in St. Louis for the championship of the United States. The loss of the game on last
Saturday proved to be a great disappointment to the Abbot players and their many supporters, for
the Abbots put up a great game, and the Todd team only won by getting the breaks. Almost 300
of the Abbot fans went down to Fall River by special train, with the Abbot band of thirty-five
pieces. In the absence of J. P. Larkin, the leader, the band was conducted by Alvin Nelson, who
did finely. The members of the Abbot soccer club will still keep in training in preparation for the
many important league games and state cup games that will be played in the early spring. The
Abbots have had a very successful season so far and are out for the state championship….
“Concert and Ball. The first annual costume ball and concert of the Westford post, A.L.,
assisted by the Auxiliary, was held on the evening of February 22 in the town hall with an
attendance of about one hundred couples. Attractive costumes and decorations and a beautifully
executed grand march were among the features. The grand march was led by Dr. Harry R.
Colburn and Miss Nancy Patterson, who were clad in Scotch costumes. Robert Abbot and Miss
M. Brown won first prize for the prettiest costumes….”
For Westford Wardsman readings see “Bob Oliphant’s Westford Wardsman Podcast” at
museum.westford.org.
Rudolph Valentino and Agnes Ayres starred in the 1921 silent film classic “The Sheik,” shown in Graniteville, Feb. 27, 1922. Courtesy Photo / Wikipedia.com