Turner's Public Spirit, November 12, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted Company Soccer club defeated the American Woolen
Company team of Lawrence in the second round of the National Cup series at Forge Village on
last Saturday, 2 to 0. The play was rather difficult at times owing to the high wind that prevailed
all through the contest. This Saturday the local team will play the Methuen club in Methuen in a
contest for the state cup.
“The mills and shops were closed here on Friday, Armistice day.
“Many of the overseers of the Abbot Worsted Company mill attended the textile exposition
that was held in Boston last week.
“Business here appears to be fairly good at present.
“Forge Village. The new school building [now Cameron Senior Center], which will
accommodate a large number of pupils, is now complete. A new furnace has been installed
which will make the rooms comfortable through the cold weather.
“Center. Word comes to Westford of the death of William O. Patten at his home in
Worcester, aged seventy-nine years. He was born in Westford, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus
Patten. The family homestead was on the Forge Village road, the buildings having been
destroyed by fire many years ago….
“At the Tadmuck club on Tuesday afternoon in Library hall the program consisted of three
travel tales by members of the club. Miss Elinor Cameron gave an interesting description of
journeyings in Spain and Egypt and exhibited many interesting souvenirs. Miss Ruth Tuttle
described a trip to Niagara Falls, Montreal and Quebec, and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler sketched an
automobile trip to Colorado, outlining routes, outfit and many points of interest in and about
Denver….
“Notwithstanding two snowstorms up to November 9, one resident reports gathering eighteen
dandelion blossoms one recent sunny day.
“About Town. Amos Polley has a gasoline engine set up transacting business sawing wood
in his woodlot on the Rocky Hill road.
“Tuesday morning was the coldest yet so far as heard from–18° above zero. Some precincts
have not wired us yet, but enough has come in by wireless to know that water got badly frost-
bitten and exposed potatoes got badly swollen eyes.
“Donald M. Cameron and Graham R. Whidden, formerly of Westford, are candidates for
office under the new city charter of Lowell.
“The parsonage and barn of the Baptist church at South Chelmsford was consumed by fire on
Tuesday morning about one o’clock. Rev. Mr. Nickerson and family escaped with the usual loses
of a night fire. The fire originated in the barn. The loss is unknown, but is covered by insurance.
“Grange. There was a good gathering at the meeting of the Grange on last week Thursday
evening and the question, ‘Why are not more farmers sent to the legislature?’ brought out a lively
discussion and a variety of reasons. Rev. W. E. Anderson claimed that they were not wanted
down there by the lawyers and other professionals. Besides, the farmers worked so hard and long
hours that they were too tired to properly prepare to go to the legislature. Harry Ingalls, in his
bright, right-to-the-point way, thought that the farmers had not kept themselves up to date. Mr.
Hanscom, in his usual hold forth fashion, thought that just in proportion to the decline in
agriculture in the state from producing all of our food in the early history of the state down to the
present production of only fifteen percent of our food, has there been a corresponding decline in
representation at the legislature….
“Special Town Meeting. The special town meeting advertised by legal warrants and other
literature got harnessed up for action Monday evening at the eighth hour of the evening…. The
lower hall of the town house was well filled….
“Art. 3. To see if the town will instruct the assessors to make a new valuation to be effective
the ensuing year. This same proposition got an affirmative nod at last annual meeting but we are
informed did not get a new valuation, but seemed to get a rise in values, but since the taxpayers
got their risen tax bills they decided by a close vote that they didn’t want any more arises in their
tax bills on which a new valuation might bring.
“Art. 7. To see if the town will appropriate money for school purposes. It was voted to lay
this article on the table until the state, dear mother of the distressed, gets out from under the table
and shows her hand as to how much she is going to put in our stocking for Christmas or sooner if
she can figure out our due.”
William Oliver Patten (1842-1921), a Westford native, died Nov. 9, 1921. Patten Road was
named for his family. Courtesy Photo / Diana Halgren Family Tree at Ancestry.com.