Turner's Public Spirit, March 7, 1925

A look back in time to a century ago

By Bob Oliphant

Center.  The Unitarian Laymen’s league will hold their next meeting on Sunday evening at seven o’clock. The speaker will be Arthur Bartlett, of Boston.

The [American] Legion and Auxiliary will hold their next meeting on Monday evening.  There will be an entertainment and refreshments.

The next Alliance meeting will be held in the Unitarian church on Thursday, March 12.  In the afternoon Rev. Frank B. Crandall will speak on “The ideal of a Unitarian home.” The hostess will be Mrs. Eben Prescott.

At the meeting of the Grange on Thursday evening Berton Mowbrey, lecturer of the State Grange, was the speaker.

The young people were in charge of the supper held in the Congregational church on last week Thursday evening.  At the closing of the supper an entertainment was given consisting of a solo, Master Herbert Ingalls; reading, Miss Ethel Ingalls, and a farce, “Wanted, a wife,” which proved very amusing.  Those having parts in the farce were Otis Day, Miss Ruth Swenson, Miss Ethel Ingalls, Ralph Jocelyn, Mrs. Edith Blaney, Miss Alice Swenson, Miss Gladys Ingalls, Raymond Shea, Miss Elva Judd, Lawrence Ingalls, Mrs. Perry Shupe, Vivian Hildreth, Billy Prescott, Kenneth Smith and Phyllis Wright.

The Ladies Aid will meet in the vestry of the Congregational church on next Thursday.  Mrs. Edith Blaney will be the hostess of the day.

It was with deep regret that the many friends of George Brigham learned of his death which took place in Daytona, Fla., Wednesday.  Mr. Brigham, who was in his eighty-second year, had for some years made his winter home in Florida and spent his summers in Westford.  He served through the civil war and was a member of the Kearsarge Veterans and G.A.R.  He is survived by two brothers, a daughter, a step-son, William R. Carver, of this town, and a step-daughter, Mrs. Gertrude C. Skidmore; also, three grandchildren.

Mrs. Nora Colburn spent the weekend as the guest of her daughter, Miss Eleanor S. Colburn, in Concord, N.H.

Miss Eunice Smith, of Franklin, N.H., niece of Mrs. S. B. Wright, lost all her belongings as a result of the earthquake on last Saturday evening[1] and was fortunate to escape with her life, as the house of which she was an occupant was destroyed by fire.  One of the members of the family, a two-year-old child, died from suffocation, while another member suffered from an ankle injury sustained [paper torn, 2 ½ lines missing] in giving the alarm.  The cause of the fire was given as crossed wires caused by the earthquake.

The next meeting of the Tadmuck club will be held in Library hall on next Tuesday afternoon.  Mrs. E. W. Cummings will relate stories of the Children’s hospital.  On next Wednesday about twenty-five members are planning to visit the Modern Priscilla Proving Plant[2] at Newton.  Another visit is also being planned for April.  All members who desire to go next Wednesday, and any who have cars which they would be willing to use to convey members to Newton, will please notify Mrs. A. A. Cameron as soon as possible.

The W.C.T.U. held an interesting meeting at the home of Mrs. Charles Wright on Wednesday afternoon.  The scriptural reading and prayer were given by Rev. Edward Disbrow.  Mrs. Mattie Lawrence gave a report on the happiness brought to unfortunates and shut-ins by the work done by the flower mission.  It was voted to send money and other donations at Easter time for this splendid work.  Mr. Disbrow also gave an interesting talk relating to the prohibition work.  Refreshments were served by the hostess, Mrs. Wright.

William R. Taylor, who has just retired from the school committee, has given seven years of faithful service, and for several years had been the efficient chairman of the board.

Mrs. Frank C. Wright, who was operated upon at the Lowell General hospital on last week Friday, is reported as resting comfortably.

Jenny Lind Concert.  In connection with the Jenny Lind program given at the Memorial Auditorium in Lowell on Wednesday evening by Freda Hempel[3] and assisting artists, it was interesting to note that Miss Gertrude D. Fletcher sent the prima donna an account of the Jenny Lind[4] concert in Washington in 1851, which was written to her grandfather, Sherman D. Fletcher, by his cousin, Miss Marion E. Fletcher, who was living in the capitol at the time.  The letter says:

“I have been very quiet this season not mingling in the fashionable gayeties.  The largest and most brilliant assembly which I have attended was drawn together by the far-famed Jenny Lind.  The National theatre was fitted up for the occasion and crowded not only with the beauty and fashion of the city, but graced by the distinguished men of the nation, Millard Fillmore [President 1850-1853] at the head.  The appearance of Miss Lind was very attractive and her singing beyond description.  I felt as much interested in looking at her as in listening to the bird-like trilling and perfect ease with which her voice executed the many intricate and exquisite passages which embellish her songs.  When the concert was over and she left the stage, after gracefully acknowledging the applause, I felt as if I had parted with a dear friend and longed to see her again.  Her sweet, unaffected manner makes an impression on one equal to her remarkable vocal powers.  This is the dearest pleasure I have indulged in this winter.”

Several from town attended the concert on Wednesday evening.

About Town.  Senator Walter Perham, of this eighth senatorial district, was a member of the legislative committee of 100 who attended the inauguration exercises of President Calvin Coolidge on Wednesday.  This party included Governor Fuller and his staff.  The expenses of the trip, which covered the greater part of the week, will be borne individually.

Rain, snow and thunder, with lightning accompaniment, commenced the season’s activities in Bowdoinham, Me., last week Wednesday afternoon, when the lightning struck and burned a large hay barn owned by E. P. and W. B. Kendall, grain dealers.  We thought it was a long and sudden leap in November from above freezing to 4 below zero, but February has made longer leaps and more of them, running from 60 above to zero or lower.  The above freezing temperature of the month, without snow, is a remarkably happy showing for those who love neither snow nor below zero.

Alec Fisher has sold the Cummings lumber woodlot of eight acres on Depot road, near Hillside cemetery, to Oscar R. Spalding, who is cutting it off in connection with the Heywood & Fletcher lot near Burgess pond.  Some of the trees on the Cummings lot sawed out 1700 feet board measure.

In the hearing to discontinue the operation of the Nashua & Acton railroad, the books of the Boston and Maine railroad, who leased the road, showed a yearly income of $1500 and expenses of $56,000 in operating it.  We would be hoggish selfish if we expected to be accommodated on the bases of these figures.  [The Nashua & Acton was nicknamed the Red Line because they always operated in the red, per Westford historian H. Arnold Wilder (1909-2009).]

The Man About Town covered himself all over with glory in his description last week of peace and the folly of unpreparedness.  Secession that culminated in the civil war was in spirit as old as President Washington, who had to contend with free trade and protective state rights and national rights, and the tory element that wished to return to the rule and government of England.  Amidst all of this conglomeration of diverse opinions and desire, the south bobbed up with the thought that “We are a part of this union so long as it is for our interest to be a part.  When it is not for our interest we withdraw.”  It would seem that this civil war would have rubbed into us the folly of unpreparedness—but it hasn’t.

The Nashua & Acton railroad has been given leave to discontinue operating it, and they have foreclosed on their leave to do so, and all traffic has ceased.  This road was operated by the Boston and Maine railroad and never should have been built or operated after it was built.  This is a part of a series of leases by the Boston and Maine in New Hampshire and Vermont of roads that never paid operating expenses before the Boston and Maine leased itself into control, ostensibly for the purpose of gobbling up competition, but the gobbling turned on the Boston and Maine in adding to its already over-burdened finances.

I read with delight, because of its truthfulness, the “picter” [sic] of the Poet-Congressman Vinson as drawn by V. T. E. in last week’s issue, and anyone who would quarrel with this “picter” because it is not true would quarrel with the proven fact the earth is round and not flat, and that we are not the center of the universe, and that the sun, moon and stars (of which there are none) revolve around we, it and company, called the earth.  If there are congressmen who are so idle lounging with their time that they have nothing else to do but to write a silly, senseless poem on the personal habits of President Coolidge, whose life is one grand national object lesson of simplicity and frugality which as a nation we sadly need, then it proves that the old familiar lines which I learned at the Old Stony Brook school are true to life, “Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.”[5]  There are a few scattering congressmen who would be worth more at home raising beans, provided they knew what they were after they got them raised.

Just as was foretold by the opponents of national prohibition, “The next move will be a constitutional amendment prohibiting the sale and use of tobacco.”  And good authority says such an anti-tobacco movement has already been [paper torn, two lines missing] -ment the Anti-Salon league is reported to have said, “We will have nothing to do with this movement.”  This comes about as near being wise as human wisdom can be expected to be workable.

Amos B. Polley and Nathaniel W. Phillips went to Revere Beach on last Sunday to reinvigorate life before the summer rush season invites a crowding, tiresome crowd.  Wisdom is justified of her children.  Incidentally they went on to Lynn to visit the former’s brother, David Polley.

Warren O. Day, the proprietor of the largest “hatchability incubator” in these whereabouts, recently shipped 2800 chicks in a day, some of them going as far south as the land of anti-tobacco—“Ma” Governess Ferguson. [Miriam Amanda “Ma” Ferguson served two terms as Governor of Texas, 1925-27 and 1933-35.]

The conservation commission in Albany, N.Y., operates three game bird farms, from which pheasants and their eggs are distributed.  Last year 10,200 live bids and 125,000 pheasant eggs were distributed.  This is certainly encouraging.  Now close up the open season and your efforts will count for increasing our song, plumage, insectivorous birds, including the dear old crow.  But to build up and still continue the cruelties of the shot-gun-open season is just like playing in a bowling alley—set ‘em up and knock ‘em down—that the sport of the bowling alley carried over to bird life, build up today and tear down tomorrow, is the undoing of almost all that is done to build up and encourage bird life.

There will be a community meeting on Wednesday, March 11, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the town hall.  This is an extension school given by the Middlesex County Extension Service.  Prof. Thies of the Massachusetts Agricultural college and agent for extension service will conduct the program.

Facts and Fancies.  In last week’s issue, under the title “Middlesex County Extension Service—Happenings Hereabouts,” is some valuable wisdom information.  First comes “Corn seed should be tested.”  As I sit at my writing desk I am quoting from memory a notice which was sent me, reading, in substance, as follows: There will be a corn testing experiment at Chicago from March 2 until March 7 under the auspices of Sears-Roebuck Agricultural Foundation.  The test will be fore germination and disease resistance.  Prizes of $15,000 have been offered.  Of this amount $1000 has been offered for the best single ear.  Another prize of $1000 for the largest county exhibit.  This experiment is open for entries to every man, woman and child in the United States.”

In accordance with so broad an invitation and with a very short time notice the Old Oaken Bucket farm hustled fourteen-cents’ worth of parcel post corn right out to Chicago.

It seems that only 23% of the 1924 corn crop is fit for seed, and that is less than one-fourth of the crop, which is an alarming tumble from the usual 60%.  This, I expect, relates mostly to western corn, which is rarely planted in these hereabouts except for ensilage.  If it fails to germinate for ensilage it will be a very, very small loss to the cause of New England agriculture.  But look out for New England seed corn, it did not ripen out to average normal ripening and test it before planting.  Remember, that the seed corn of 1923, planted in 1924, did not more than 65% germinated, partly, perhaps, on account of an unusually cold spring.

This was the experience at the Old Oaken Bucket farm, and the adjoining farm, the Morning Glory farm.  Whether it was home-grown seed or boughten [sic] seed, it was all below normal germination, and the 1924 seed corn is away below that of 1923 as per surface indications, so test out and try out.  But there, after all, what’s the use of making such a fuss about raising corn in New England?  We raise just enough to make us want to shoot all of our beloved New England crows into the land of extermination because they cannot be taught to live without eating.  Of course you cannot expect the crow to live on New England rum and moonshine, the same as some folks do.

Next on the program is “Hatchability.”  We quote: “To secure maximum hatches the eggs should not be kept more than ten days.”  We believe it to be a far-fetched warning and with very little foundation for it to rest on.  There are other considerations for maximum hatches not so far-fetched and more important, with more foundation to rest on and very much overlooked.  “Tests show that hatchability is very much increased with eggs from hens who have free range as compared with eggs from hens without free range.  Not only more hatchability but stronger chickens and more ‘liveability’; also nonelectric lighting, whose whole tendency is to weaken the constitution of the hen.”  Thus sayeth the Mansfield Hatchery, who shipped 28,000 chicks in one day.  What have you got to say to this, Mr. Middlesex County Bureau?

The next on the bill of fare is entitled, “School boys judge apples.”  Littleton, Groton and Westford—four boys from each town who do the best work will be the judges at our fairs this coming autumn.  Hurrah, this is too good for the likes of me to attempt to make a speech over.  I take off my hat to this “new wine in new bottles.”[6]  Let us all so encourage youth that the question of old cannot be asked, “Ye did run well who did hinder you.”[7]

Next on the docket for trial is “Can scab[8] be controlled?”  While I have quite a few McIntosh I had just as soon get health from a scabby apple as from an unscabby one.  We are spraying our trees more than eleventeen times than is either necessary or good for the life of the tree.

Now we come down to where it is all Westford—Elmer Bridgeford, Edward Sullivan and Dorothy Heywood.  Oh, yes, and Leroy Shattuck, of Pepperell, in the egg-laying contest.  Well, my youthful contestants, I have neither room nor time to make a separate speech, but you just apply those immortal words of mine that I have just delivered over the “School boys judge apples,” and apply it to your case, every word of it, except where it says apples you can recite it eggs.  I will only add to those immortal lines.  That is, in your January contest you beat the Old Oaken Bucket farm boy 140%.  If this does not add anything to your laurels you need not commit it to memory with the rest of the immortal verses.

Next, we come to Nashoba, who has never made but one mistake since organizing, and that is when they urged the making of a box marked Massachusetts standard box that will not hold at least the Massachusetts standard weight for anything.  It is too small to hold forty-eight pounds of apples as per Massachusetts standard, too big for three layers of apples, and too small for four layers.  As a betwixt and between everything weighable and measureable it certainly is entitled to all first prize premiums.  But we will forgive and forget in the satisfaction that Nashoba is doing a splendid work in exemplifying the vital qualities of cooperation that have been slumbering since man escaped the embryo of his early habitat of his wet environment, and the motto of Nashoba, “Eat more fruit” cannot be over-valued or over-emphasized.  Some of us feel that there is more health in one apple than in the dead carcass of an ox which will cost you from ten to fifty cents per pound when you can buy more health in apples for four cents per pound, and the best at that.  People of sedentary pursuits should live on fruit and vegetables, with the emphasis on fruit.  [paper torn, line or two missing] “Meat should only be eaten once a day, and that for diner.”  This advice seems to be the condensed amen of the slogan of Nashoba’s “Eat more fruit.”

Telephone Logic.  We read with much interest and approval the missionary tract of the telephone company for January, 1925.  But for all of our approval we desire to do a little quoting.  “We’re a human institution.  We like to have our customers think of our service for our management.  Away down deep we hope most of you do—after candidly balancing our good points against our defects.  Some apparently do not.  Judging by their quoted remarks, if they were managing the telephone business they would do differently; maybe.”

Say, Mr. Telephone Company, in the words of another, “Whom are you hitting at?”  Personally, I have yet to be introduced to even one person who is dissatisfied with service or price as at present operating.  The proposed-to-be-price of a future not yet arrived is a separate consideration over which there is a diversity of opinion.  If that is what is meant by “some apparently do not,” then you are very much confusing the issue.  If I was buying honey that gave the best of satisfaction and it was proposed to increase the price without adding anything to its quality, would it be finding fault with the quality of the honey to ask “Why is it necessary to increase the price?”  We must be an insipid, spineless lot not to ask “Why?” over the telephone.  The quality of the service is quite one affair, and the price is quite another affair.  An apple at five cents is not worth any more for palate or food than the same quality of apple at one cent, but conditions my make it necessary to charge five cents.  That is what the public is trying to find out, and that brings us right back to “Whom are you hitting at?”

“If what you get is worth what you pay, and you need it—it’s a good buy.”  This logic, while seemingly correct on the surface has sent many a person down for the financial count.  People frequently go to auctions and buy themselves out of their financial ability to pay their taxes, grocery bills and grain bills, and did not appear to buy only what they needed and at a price that’s “worth it,” but most of it could have “sot.”  The modern illustration of the question of a “good buy” is the automobile.  I do not profess to have any wisdom to spare for other people, but I will just venture to say “Don’t risk only small doses of this logic.”

Freight Rates, Etc.  Here is something bearing on freight and commission tariff rates and the unorganized, shiftlessness of a class of farmers.  We quote from the Rural New Yorker:

“Ernest Leach, president of the Plymouth County Agricultural society, bought a carload of baled hay from a Boston dealer.  The car was shipped from New Jersey to Bridgewater, Mass., and the total bill was $350.  Of this amount the railroads gather in for themselves the record price of $265.48, leaving $81.52 to be divided between the producer in New Jersey and the hay dealer in Boston.”

The comment by the Rural New Yorker is, “This is without doubt a case of extortion, but there is another side to it.  Why should a Massachusetts man ever go to New Jersey to buy hay?  All over the state are farm lands well located where the best of hay can be grown and the highest records of yield of hay per acre were made in New England.”

Why, Mr. Editor, where have you been living this last half century?  I am surprised that you did not know that within the last fifty years Massachusetts farmers only raise about 15% of the food to be consumed by man and beast, including hens, cats and mad dogs.  Yes, and the poor crow we want to annihilate because we cannot afford even one kernel of corn to keep him with.  In other words we own our farms and buy our victuals.  I do not wish to be understood as saying this indicates widespread shiftlessness; part of it is, but much of it is due to the system which has had its day, and we have got to be shaken out of it in part as surely as the recent earthquake shook the earth.  He is a sample of the earth tremors as it relates to farming that we are on the way—again we quote from the Rural New Yorker:

“During the war and shortly after it many of our fruit growers concluded that it would be cheaper to buy the farm supply of hay and grain rather than try to grow it.  It was thought that tractors would soon supplement horses and that it would be economy to give up grain-growing.  A craze for ‘specializing’ swept over the country.  We took up the plan and followed it faithfully.  We found that we must still feed a number of livestock.  The failure to do the usual seeding has had a bad effect upon the soil.  We are not so likely to use clover and similar crops which are so necessary in keeping up fruit lands.  When we come to buy all our hay and grain we were surprised to find what this item cost.  Last year we came back to older methods, seeded considerable grass and grain, and planted corn.  It paid in several ways.  When one has a fair acreage of land, our judgment is that it will pay to grow at least all the hay, grain and straw needed on the usual fruit farm.  Our experience is that this idea of specialization may be carried down to too sharp a point.”

Where is the average farmer who will dissent from the proven facts of the changed conditions that are gradually fronting us that compel us to fall in with, even if we are called old-fashioned in tumbling to the new change?  Some of us will not have to tumble far enough to injure our new-fashioned notions.

Church Notes.  First church (Unitarian)-Sunday service at 4 p.m.  Preacher, Rev. Frank B. Crandall, the minister.  Subject, “Lent and the community.”  Church school at 3.

On Sunday Miss Mollie J. Floyd of the Children’s mission, Boston, visited the parish, speaking at the church session and attending the service.

The Westford chapter of the Y.P.R.U. met on Sunday following the service.  The speaker was Miss Mollie J. Floyd, who spoke on the work of the Children’s mission and of the summer meetings at the Isles of Shoals.  A supper was served by the hosts at 6 p.m.

On Sunday the Westford chapter of the Laymen’s League will meet at the vestry at 7 p.m. when a supper will be served.

The Y.P.R.U. held a successful military whist party at the Unitarian vestry, Friday evening, February 27.  There were fifteen tables.  Those that won the first prize were Mr. and Mrs. Cram, [and] Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Johnson.  The consolation prizes went to Miss Betty Prescott, Miss Edna Hamlin, Donald Wright and Everett Millis.  Miss Angie Parfitt was in charge of the party, assisted by Charles Robey and members of the Y.P.R.U.  Refreshments of coffee and cake were served.

Graniteville.  Many Graniteville people attended the inaugural ball that was held at the town hall, Westford, on Wednesday night.

The members of the Brotherhood are making arrangements for a concert to be held in the M.E. church in the near future.

Many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hanson tendered them a house warming at their new home on Main street Tuesday evening.  [paper torn, two lines missing] floor lamp.  Progressive whist was enjoyed during the evening and refreshments were served.  The affair was in charge of Mrs. Edmund Pendlebury and Mrs. Charles Benson.

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Littleton

News Items.  The apple judging class of twenty-four boys, eight each from the towns of Groton, Westford and Littleton, met last Monday in the high school building here and enthusiastically entered upon their work.  The apples were sent from the state agricultural college at Amherst.  Instruction was given by George Erickson, James Dayton and Prof. Drain.

[1] “The 1925 Charlevoix–Kamouraska earthquake struck northeastern North America on February 28, [at 9:19 pm local time] reaching 6.2 [or 6.3] on the moment magnitude scale. It was one of the most powerful measured in Canada in the 20th century, with a maximum perceived intensity of VIII (Severe) on the Mercalli intensity scale at its epicentre in the area of Charlevoix-Kamouraska along the Saint Lawrence River near île aux Lièvres and not greater than VI (Strong) in the United States. The quake was felt in Quebec City, Shawinigan, and Montreal in Canada, and as far south in the U.S. as Virginia, and as far west as the Mississippi River.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1925_Charlevoix%E2%80%93Kamouraska_earthquake.

[2] The Modern Priscilla magazine was published in Boston from 1887 to 1930. It started out as a needlework magazine for women, but by the early 1900s added recipes, china painting, and quality fiction to the dress patterns and fancywork. By the 1920s they were publishing the Modern Priscilla Cook Book, One Thousand Recipes Tested and Proved at the Priscilla Proving Plant. This was the Modern Priscilla Proving Plant at Newton. Several issues during the 1920s advertised “Personally conducted tour through the Proving Plant.” They also had a seal of approval that can be found on such products as canning lids.

[3] “Frieda Hempel (1885-1955) was a German lyric coloratura soprano singer in operatic and concert work who had an international career in Europe and the United States.” Quoted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frieda_Hempel.

[4] Jenny Lind (1820-1887), the “Swedish Nightingale,” was “one of the most highly regarded singers of the 19th century, she performed in soprano roles in opera in Sweden and across Europe, and undertook an extraordinarily popular concert tour of the United States beginning in 1850” and ending in 1852. Quoted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Lind.

[5] This quote is from Isaac Watts’ 1715 poem “How Doth the Little Busy Bee,” which compares the industriousness of a bee to how people should be busy and encourages people to spend their early years in books, work, or play so they can give a good account of their days. See https://fandom-grammar.livejournal.com/87421.html?. The idea is more commonly expressed today as “Idle hands are the Devil’s playground.”

[6] This quote is from Matthew 9:17. “Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.” KJV

[7] This quote is from Galatians 5:7. “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? KJV

[8] Apple scab is a fungal disease (primarily caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis) that affects apple trees, causing unsightly blemishes on the leaves and fruit. On apples the disease appears as dark scabby spots ranging in size from pinpoints to large patches. The spots may cause the fruit to become misshapen and unmarketable thereby significantly reducing fruit yields and quality. It can also weaken trees and make them more susceptible to other diseases. Taken from AI Overview from google.com.