Turner's Public Spirit, November 10, 1923
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
Center. The next meeting of the Tadmuck club will be held at the Congregational church on November 13 at 2:45 p.m. President’s day will be observed. The meeting will be in charge of the Literature and Library committee. The speaker of the afternoon, John Clark Minot, will take as his subject, “What’s what among the new books.” The musical part of the program will be furnished by Miss Ruth Shepley, pianist. A club tea will follow with Mrs. Clarence Hildreth as hostess.
A son Charles [Ripley Fletcher] was born to Mr. and Mrs. Austin D. Fletcher (Ethel Ripley) at the Lowell General hospital on Friday of last week [Nov. 2, 1923].
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Burland and two children, Marjorie and Pauline, of Westfield, were visitors in town on Tuesday.
The young son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Hall of Pine Ridge station was quite badly burned while playing with a match at his home on Monday.
The firemen held another of their enjoyable suppers at the firehouse [now the Westford Museum] on Tuesday evening with twenty in attendance.
The teachers of the lower grades attended a teachers’ meeting at the Sargent school, Graniteville, on Tuesday afternoon and the upper grade teachers on Wednesday, at which time the new course of study was discussed.
The W.C.T.U. met with Mrs. Lucy Keyes on Wednesday afternoon. At the business meeting Mrs. Janet Wright gave a report on the recent convention held at Brockton which she attended as a delegate. Under the Americanization work the local society recently sent a box of fruit to the Italian settlement for their annual banquet. It was voted to make a donation to the Flower mission which does such splendid work among the shut-ins. Money was also appropriated to the evangelistic department for use among the lumbermen of Maine. At the close of the business meeting refreshments were served.
A farewell dinner was given to Rev. and Mrs. William Anderson and son William at the home of Mrs. Anderson’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wright, on Tuesday evening, which was attended by the immediate family. During the evening many friends from the different villages called informally to extend their best wishes. Rev. and Mrs. Anderson and son left on Wednesday morning by auto for West Virginia where they will remain until spring.
Miss Margaret Munroe and Joseph Murphy were quietly married at the rectory at Graniteville on Wednesday morning by Rev. Fr. Malone. After a wedding trip to New York they will reside at Graniteville. Both bride and groom are popular telegraph operators for the Boston and Maine railroad and Mrs. Murphy has been employed at Westford depot for some time, where she has made a host of friends who extend their best wishes to the couple.
Mrs. Herbert Kendall and Mrs. Charles Blodgett attended a whist party given by the Daughters of the Civil War at Lowell last Wednesday.
Auto registration blanks for 1924 may be obtained at Furbush’s garage, Graniteville, Prospect Hill garage, Westford, at J. B. Gray’s store, Forge Village, or from Chief of Police Whiting. The blanks are not being mailed to car owners this year as heretofore.
Westford post A.L. [American Legion], will hold an Armistice ball at the town hall on Friday evening, November 9. Fogg’s orchestra of Brockton will furnish the music.
The fire department answered a call for a chimney fire at the home of Frank Drew on Thursday morning of last week.
The Ladies’ Aid of the Congregational church will meet with Mrs. Frederick Meyer on Thursday of next week.
Following the business meeting of the Grange on last week Thursday evening there was a Halloween party, in charge of Mrs. Clifford Johnson, who is acting as lecturer. The members were escorted by a ghost to the lower hall, where a ghost story was told by another ghost. The usual games were enjoyed and refreshments of doughnuts, cheese and coffee were served. All present spent a very enjoyable evening. The next meeting will be held on Thursday evening, November 15, at which time the officers will be elected for 1924.
About Town. The funeral of Estella E. Eames, who died of pneumonia last Saturday, took place from the home of Mark Jenkins at Chamberlain’s Corner on Monday, Rev. Daniel Thompson, of Littleton, conducting the services. Mrs. Blaney sang several appropriate selections. Thoughtful neighbors and relatives contributed a large display of flowers. She leaves as near relations a sister, Mrs. Charles H. Cahoon, of Lynn; three nephews, Arthur and Herbert Cahoon, of Lynn, and Frank Cahoon, of Brighton, and two nieces, Mrs. Grace Boutwell, of Lynn, and Mrs. Hazel Clark, of Lynn. The bearers were Herbert and Arthur Cahoon and Mark and Justin Jenkins. Interment was in Fairview cemetery. Among those from out of town at the funeral services was Miss Susan Taylor Hannaford, of Lowell, associated with the deceased in church work.
The cold freeze on last Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings intruded on the rights of sweet corn and sweeter lima beans, and chilled their prospects to continue sweetly green with the thermometer at 14 above zero at the Old Oaken Bucket farm.
J. Arthur O’Brien is ploughing at the Old Oaken Bucket farm for next spring’s wheat crop. This guarantee by the United States for all we can raise at $1.75 per bushel, regardless of whether in the market of the world it was worth fifty cents per bushel, starts the old plow going and enthusiasm soaring. I wish now that I owned the whole town of 19,000 acres.
As usual I read with much interest the communication of V. T. E. on “Henry’s Prospects” and will only add a few condensed extracts from my own sub-normal self. Henry would never be thought of for president of the United States by anyone who had even the wisdom of the beginners in a sub-conscious kindergarten class, except for a duplication of the historical golden calf which has come down to be the curse of modern life. It will be the golden calf that will nominate him and elect him, if at all, and let no one be so empty-headed as to try and argue it differently. Henry, as a business man, I admire and believe that he is above the average American business honesty, and as such I take my hat off to him and keep it off even at the risk of catching pneumonia in my hairs, but I am unable to discover any evidence in his personality for president that couldn’t be duplicated in every small town from Carlisle to Boxborough, and all this bowing down before him for president is but the same old golden calf nonsense that we have had handed down to us.
The Man About Town called to see me last Sunday, this being the second time, but so far no interview of fixing of dates for a wrestling match, catch-as-catch-can, best two in three.
The funeral of James Savage, Jr., infant son [aged 5 days] of Mr. and Mrs. James and Mary (Flynn) Savage took place from the home of his parents in West Chelmsford on Monday afternoon at four o’clock. Interment was in St. Patrick’s cemetery, Lowell. Mrs. Savage will be remembered as Mary Flynn and lived in town on the Stony Brook road, Pigeon hill section.
I read with much pleasure and reviving of forgetful facilities the second installment of “Trustees and Teachers of Westford Academy” by Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher, secretary of the board of trustees. It brought to mind some of the active spirits in the life of the academy, the old First Parish church and the ideal welfare of the town. The reference to Catherine Abbot as one of the teachers in the words “the interests of the church, library and academy were identified with her life and she extended to each invaluable aid.” After the lapse of these years memory calls her back to these labors of unselfishness. I still see her as one of the most ideal of women.
The Middlesex County Extension Service will present motion pictures of a very interesting, educational and entertaining nature at town hall on Monday evening, November 26, at 8 o’clock.
The next meeting of the Grange will be held on Thursday evening, November 15, with election of officers.
The first sermon on the wayside pulpit was preached by John Bunyan, “Religion is man’s best help, but his worst cloak.” Hurrah for Bunyan! He pictured great truths most of the time even if they were a little overheated some times.
All wayside pulpits are for the benefit of those who attend church from the outside, and when I read of the hard work of locating the pulpit I felt like reading this over and into it: “And the Lord placed great stones there to prevent its location.” As a wayside pulpit for outside attendants it should be close to the sidewalk and the ground walk to the church so that the automobilists could read it.
Wilson’s orchestra of Ayer will furnish music for the dancing party to be given at the town hall Friday evening, November 16, by the Westford Y.P.R.U. [Young People’s Religious Union]. The orchestra will include in its dance program a number of old-fashioned dances by request.
Deaths. George C. Moore, the large and extensively known manufacturer, died at his home in North Chelmsford on Tuesday, aged seventy-five years. He was born in this town, being one of several children of George R. and Philanda (Richardson) Moore. Nearly all of his youthful days were spent in Graniteville, where he attended the district school, and Westford academy at the Center. He was widely known as a manufacturer of carpet yarns and wool scourer. He built the large mill at Brookside now owned by the Abbot Worsted Co. He also built the large mill at North Chelmsford now owned by the Silesia Worsted Co., and later built the large wool scouring mill at North Chelmsford. Besides these enterprises he bought the saw and grist mill and all water rights and a large tract of land, including the old Dupre farm near Westford station, now owned by the Abbot Worsted Co. Prior to this he bought the Hiscox file shop, water rights, land and buildings in West Chelmsford, which is still part of his estate. He bought of Oliver Woodard the Nabnassett farm, making extensive improvements, building a new modern barn, which was burned a few years ago, and which he replaced with a still more modern barn.
About two years ago he deeded the farm to his daughter, Mrs. Bessie Gilchrist Griffin, who has since died. He made extensive improvements at Lake Nabnassett, remodeling the dam and control of its outlet water rights, and building the large hall for excursion parties. The substantial faced band walls about this farm and around Lake Nabnassett are evidence of the substantial thoroughness of his life, even if he hadn’t left the substantial mill property as an added and greater testimonial of his efficient thoroughness.
Besides all this he was treasurer of the North Chelmsford Machine Company and Brookside mills.
He leaves as close relatives a son George L. Moore, Jr., and several grandchildren.
Otis P. Wheeler, a well-known resident of North Chelmsford, where he had resided for the past fifty-six years, died last week Friday evening after a long illness at the home of his son Arthur, North Chelmsford, aged 74 years and 8 months. He was for many years employed by the North Chelmsford Machine & Supply Company, being at one time superintendent of the company. He was active in church work, being a member and senior deacon of the North Chelmsford Congregational church and was also secretary of the North Chelmsford Library Corporation. He was a native of this town, being one of a large family of children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Wheeler, who resided on the Boston road in the house now owned by Alexander McDougall. The family is still well remembered by the older residents, being constant attendants at the Unitarian church, and part of the social and industrial life of the town [of Westford]. They were of a quiet and thoughtful disposition and never were mixed in any Halloween mischievous nonsense on Halloween night or any other night not Halloween. Mr. Wheeler is survived by a son, Arthur O. Wheeler; a grandchild, Albert E. Wheeler; two brothers, Isaac J. of Acton, and Alonzo D. Wheeler, of Westminster, and a sister, Miss Delia Wheeler, of Westminster.
The funeral of the deceased was held at the Congregational church in North Chelmsford on Monday afternoon and was largely attended by relatives, church and village people, including a delegation composed of Michael Grady, Richard Davis, Edward Davis, George Trueby, John Daley and George Pope, representing the machinists of the North Chelmsford Machine & Supply Co. Rev. E. A. Jenkins and Rev. W. T. Harrison conducted the services. There was singing by a quartet, Mrs. Annie Russell, Miss Signe Reenstierna [sic], Harry Hopkins and Charles Howard, with Miss Ella Gale as organist. A profusion of flowers were everywhere. The bearers were Stanley Crysler [sic], Henry Wood, John Bridgford [sic] and John Litchfield. Interment was in Riverside cemetery in the family lot, North Chelmsford, where the committal service was read by Revs. Jenkins and Harrison.
Library Notes. Miss Ellen F. O’Conner, who recently spoke at the Tadmuck club on Celtic art, has loaned to the library several pictures on Celtic and Egyptian art.
In accordance with the slogan “More books in the home,” a new feature here this year will be the sale of children’s books at the library, a plan which has proved successful in some other places where there was no bookstore. This will give an opportunity for more careful selection of that most desirable of gifts—a book, than is possible in a hasty visit to the city.
Children’s book week will be observed at the library November 11-18. As usual an attractive exhibition of books will be found on the table in the reading-room for parents and friends of children to examine. These can later be borrowed from the library.
Pomona Meeting. At a largely attended meeting in Lowell on last week Friday of Middlesex-North Pomona Grange the following officers were elected for 1924: Mrs. Sarah K. Mooney, Lowell, master; Mrs. Lillian Snow, Tyngsboro, overseer; Mrs. Mary L. Dawson, Tewksbury, lect.; Mrs. Evelyn Richardson, Burlington, stew.; Frederic L. Fletcher, Chelmsford, asst. stew.; Mrs. Etta Spalding, Chelmsford, chap.; Norman L. Peavey, Dracut, treas.; Mrs. Lulu Hutchins, Billerica, soc.; Miss Griffin, Tewksbury, Flora; Mrs. Herbert Swallow, Dunstable, Ceres; Mrs. Elizabeth Vinal, West Chelmsford, Pomona; Mrs. Leslie Putnam, Chelmsford, pianist; George R. Burnett, Chelmsford, gatekeeper; Clyde Prescott, Westford, chairman executive committee.
At one o’clock dinner was served under the direction of Dunstable Grange and sub-direction of Mrs. Herbert J. Swallow. She was assisted by Mrs. John K. Whittier, Miss Mary K. Darling, Mrs. Mary J. Keene and Robert Trimble. Officers of the Legion Auxiliaries of Lowell and surrounding towns together with Stephen C. Garrity of the Middlesex County Council, were special guests at the dinner. The hostesses at the guest table were Mrs. Emily Blodgett and Mrs. John Vinal. Music was employed in aid of inspiration and digestion and the social hour that followed.
The afternoon session opened with a piano duet by the Misses Gladys and Edna Whitney, of Brookside; reading, Mrs. Millicent Tracy, of Dunstable; solo, Mr. Gifford, of Medford. Master Clyde Prescott of Westford Grange was the presiding officer at the afternoon session and introduced Stephen C. Garrity, commander of the Middlesex County Council of the American Legion, as the speaker of the afternoon.
Commander Garrity’s talk was of the great work that is being carried on by the Legion and its auxiliaries that the greatest of comfort and welfare might be afforded the disabled veterans of the world war. Among the other duties ascribed to the Legion are the decorating of graves, the helping of mothers, wives or next of kin, the filing of claims, the securing of affidavits, the visits of district officers of the Veterans’ Bureau and many other things that have to do with the government and its policies toward veterans. The commander closed with a word on immigration. He said the Legion urges the examination by the government of the alien’s passport and that admittance be refused if found unqualified.
During the evening several scores of members were initiated into the fifth degree by a degree team composed of officers represented by the Granges represented. During the supper hour Mrs. John Vinal, a gold-star mother, was presented with a bouquet of chrysanthemums by James McManmon [sic].
Church Notes. First church (Unitarian) Sunday service at 4 p.m. Special music by Miss Eleanor Colburn, contralto. Preacher, Rev. Frank B. Crandall, the minister. Subject, “The meaning of Armistice day.” Church school at three.
The new wayside pulpit has been painted preparatory to having the glass set.
Fisher Buckshorn was elected treasurer of the North Middlesex Federation of Y.P.R.U. chapters at the conference held at Chelmsford last week Saturday.
Those who have volunteered for service to the church in organizing a chorus choir are requested to meet at 3:30 Sunday afternoon with the organist. Members of the church school are asked to report at the close of the school’s session.
Graniteville. The members of the Brotherhood are receiving many pleasing comments on the great success of their banquet held last week in the Methodist church. The affair was finely arranged and largely attended by people from the surrounding towns.
Local soccer fans are looking forward with deep interest to the big game between the Abbots and Fore River of Quincy at the Abbot field in Forge Village on this Saturday. This is a cup tie game, being the second round in the national cup series.
J. Austin Healy, superintendent of streets, has had a force of men at work this week cleaning the streets of leaves and other debris, and also cleaning out all the catch basins before the cold weather sets in. Our streets now present a fine appearance.
The social dancing party given by the Girls A.A. at the town hall in Westford on last week Friday evening proved to be a very enjoyable affair. Excellent music was furnished by Venn’s orchestra and at intermission refreshments were served.
The Abbots by defeating Shawsheen on last Saturday now enters the second round for the national soccer championship.
Preaches Final Sermon. Rev. William E. Anderson, pastor of the Methodist church, preached his farewell sermon at the evening service last Sunday before a large congregation. With his wife [nee Clara Belle Wright of Westford] and son William, Jr., Mr. Anderson leaves for West Virginia, where they will spend the winter. Mr. Anderson’s departure is really in a way a leave of absence, as he will return in March to conclude his pastorate before the April conference. By that time he will have completed five years of service as pastor at the local church and with two years that he had previously spent in a like capacity [1905-1907] make seven years in all in the service of the local church. During all that time Mr. Anderson has done much good work for the church and the community. The Brotherhood was organized by him and much of the success of that thriving organization is due to his magnetic personality and the ability to get things done in spite of all obstacles.
Many improvements have been made to the church property during Mr. Anderson’s pastorate. The church building has been entirely renovated, the roof shingled and the building recently painted. A beautiful organ has also been installed. The latest improvement is a fine new dining-room in the basement of the church. He has also met with great success in the spiritual work of the church, and the different church societies have become live organizations under his careful guidance He has had the full confidence and loyal support of his parishioners at all times, and the highest esteem and respect of the townspeople of all denominations. In all this good work Mr. Anderson has had the assistance of his faithful wife, who has cooperated with him for the welfare of the church and the community. They leave for their southern trip for a few months with the best wishes of all and with the fond hope that they may meet here again for a grand reunion in the early spring.
Harvard
News Items. Mr. and Mrs. Horace Pattee received word on last week Friday that a great-grandson had been added to the family circle, he being the son of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Fletcher (Ethel Ripley), of Westford. Mrs. Pattee flatters herself that she has the distinction of being the youngest great-grandmother in town. Mrs. Fletcher’s friends and schoolmates here rejoice in her happiness and congratulations are extended to the joyous parents and best wishes for the little man. [Charles Ripley Fletcher was born Nov. 2, 1923, in Westford.]
Ayer
Real Estate Transfers. The following real estate transfers have been recorded from the vicinity recently:
Westford—Claude L. Allen to Frank G. Kloppenberg, land on Sand Beach road; Danenika Kowalchuk et al. to George Butko, land in Forge Village.
Church Notes. The North Middlesex young people’s fall conference of the Unitarian churches was held at Chelmsford on last Saturday at the Unitarian church. …
At the business session the following were chosen officers of the organization: … Fisher Buckshorn, Westford, treas. …
Members of the Parish are invited to attend an invitation dancing party given by the Westford U.P.R.U. in the town hall, Westford, Friday evening, November 16. Those desiring invitation cards may procure them from Rev. F. B. Crandall.
Shirley
News Items. A good number attended the meeting of the Altrurian club on Thursday afternoon and enjoyed the entertainment provide by the Harvard Woman’s club, who gave folk songs in costume, either singly or in groups, and made a decided hit. … During the business hour an invitation was read from the Westford Woman’s club for the president and a member to visit their club on Tuesday, November 13.
Notes:
“V. T. E.” is Vernon T. Esten, a Littleton correspondent for Turner’s Public Spirit, and the column referred to appeared in the “Littleton” section of the November 3, 1923, issue on page 4. The Henry referred to is Henry Ford of Ford Motor Company. In the spring of 1923 Collier’s magazine showed Ford, who was not actively running, leading all candidates for President, including the then-current president, Warren Harding. Ford instead supported Calvin Coolidge, the pro-business Republican candidate who had become President upon Harding’s sudden death Aug. 2, 1923, and who would win the 1924 election. See https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/138750
This seems to be an imaginary Bible verse concocted to support the writer’s suggestion for moving the wayside pulpit.