Turner's Public Spirit, May 21, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. J. Herbert Fletcher has changed his Dodge automobile for a Hupmobile.
“George F. White, of Westford and Lowell, has recently been appointed first vice president of
the newly organized Automobile Dealers’ Association of Lowell.
“William C. Roudenbush was in attendance on Tuesday evening at the Massachusetts
Conference of Congregational churches at Lawrence. Accompanying him were four of the young
people of the Y.P.L., who attended the young people’s conference held at the same time. Those
who went were Misses Ruth and Edna Sargent, Mabel Prescott, and Paul Rhodes.
“The union memorial services will be held this year with the Unitarian church on Sunday,
May 29, at eleven o’clock. It is hoped this notice may correct the impression that these services
were to be held this coming Sunday.
“Mrs. Gretchen Sargent entertained her sewing class at her home on last week Thursday
evening. These classes have been held at Forge Village during the winter and the social at Mrs.
Sargent’s home closed the season. There were about forty in attendance. Refreshments were
served and Mrs. A. M. Wells and Miss Betty Eastman assisted in serving.
“The play, ‘The black diamond,’ given by the senior class of the academy on Wednesday
evening, was very well attended and well received. Further details concerning the play and cast
will be given next week.
“An interesting event under the direction of the selectmen takes place next Monday evening at
the town hall at eight o’clock, when the town will present the American Legion with a stand of
colors. This was voted at the annual meeting. Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher will present the colors in
behalf of the town, and Mrs. F. L. Roberts will sing. Everybody cordially invited.
The dancing party given by the ladies’ degree staff of Westford Grange las week Friday evening
was very much of a success, both in attendance and enjoyment and good music. Hibbard’s
orchestra played, and all the old-fashioned dances were on the program. About 100 couples were
present from this and surrounding town.
“One day last week a delegation from the American Legion post went to the convalescent
hospitals in Groton and Pepperell on a friendly visitation to the patients there. With the
cooperation of some of the townspeople they did not go empty handed, but carried smokes,
candy, cakes, cookies and reading matter. This fine manifestation of friendly good fellowship
was much appreciated by the men whose days at best are pretty dull. At the same time they
expressed themselves strongly that where they are is an ideal spot for a convalescent home and
very much hope that they will not be removed as has been talked of somewhat.
“The Center correspondent, Mrs. L. W. Wheeler, expects to be away for a few weeks, and
during her absence Miss May E. Day, at the library, will attend to the correspondence. Kindly
show Miss Day the pleasant cooperation you do the regular correspondent and send all items to
her at the library.
“About Town. The contact for building the M.E. church in West Chelmsford [destroyed by
fire July 16, 1920,] has been awarded to the well-known firm of Edwards & Monahan, of
Westford Corner and West Chelmsford. The church is expected to be completed by November
first.
“Seth W. Banister, one of the progressive young farmers of the Stony Brook valley, has
bought an International tractor of the Montgomery Hardware Co., Ayer.
“The freeze on Thursday morning of last week scorched the hardy peas so that they postponed
the usual date of early harvesting. Strawberries of the early-blossoming variety got hit so hard
that they will be unable to answer the roll call at picking time. Asparagus, tender by nature,
received rough treatment, but easily rallies with warmer weather. The prospect for Baldwin
apples is much better than early reports—it now looks like a possible half crop or a third of a
crop.
“Graniteville. The mission services that have been held in St. Catherine's church for the
French speaking people of the parish came to a close on last Sunday. The services were largely
attended and the mission was a great success.
“The baseball fans want to see the local club in action and are hoping for fair weather on next
Saturday, May 21 [sic], when the Abbot Worsted Co. club will meet the fast Saxonville team in
what promises to be a great game. The Abbot Worsted Co. band of thirty-five pieces will furnish
music during the afternoon. Fans from all the surrounding towns will take in this game.”
Westford farmers often bought International tractors and other farm implements from
Montgomery Hardware in Ayer. This ad appeared in the April 16, 1921, issue of “Turner’s Public
Spirit.”