Turner's Public Spirit, October 15, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. When the records of the library books at the academy were checked up last June
three books were discovered missing, Perry’s ‘North Pole’ a large blue book; the first volume of
Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ and another volume which has since been returned. If
anyone has any clue to the whereabouts of either of these books please notify the librarian.
“The Cavalry association building [20 Boston Road] has been leased to the town and is the
headquarters of the American Legion post. A new furnace has been installed and new ceilings
put in, making it an attractive meeting place for the Legion. Another fine improvement in public
buildings is the renovation of the town hall kitchen. Fresh and clean, with new paint in light
color, it makes a much more attractive place to work in and to prepare food in.
“Tadmuck Club. The opening meeting of the sixteenth season of the Tadmuck club took
place on Tuesday afternoon at the Unitarian church parlors. Almost the entire membership was
represented, as well as a group of guests…. Mrs. Adeline M. Buckshorn gave a very interesting
review of Sinclair Lewis’ book, ‘Main street.’ It was readily conceded that Mrs. Buckshorn’s
clever interpretation of the book and analysis of its characters made it one of the best book
reviews the club has ever enjoyed.
“Following the program club tea was served in charge of the reception committee….
“Special Town Meeting. The special town meeting on last week Thursday evening was
largely attended and much interest shown in the appropriations. The vital subject of schools was
the cause of special interest. …
“The sum of $5900 for the erection of a schoolhouse in Forge Village was voted for under
article four.
“It was voted, under article five, to authorize the selectmen to purchase, take or otherwise
acquire three acres of land at the junction of Plain and Oak hill road in Brookside, owned by
Charles S. Edwards and in front by William C. Edwards or any other land in said Brookside.
“Under the next article it was voted to erect and equip a schoolhouse on the land to be
acquired by provisions of [the] previous article. The sum of $30,000 to acquire land, erect a
schoolhouse and equip the same was voted.
“It was also voted to take charge and keep in order the Wright cemetery.
“About Town. W. R. Taylor having built a new garage, James H. O’Brien is engaged in
moving the old garage to [his father’s] Old Oaken Bucket farm….
“Brookside is pleased that the voters at the special meeting voted a schoolhouse for that
section. It is very much needed and it is due this part of the town that there should be one.
Brookside is growing and it is on the map to stay.
“The apple crop skipped about in almost unaccountable ways to be charged up exclusively to
the frost where there is no apples or only a scattering at the Sidney B. Wright farm which is fairly
frosty. He has a good show of apples for this year, … quite a number measuring fourteen inches
in circumference. He also has a splendid showing of squashes that were planted on July 15, many
of them weighing fifteen pounds. We account for his comparative freedom from damage from
frost at apple blossom time by his farm being sheltered on the north by Prospect hill….
“Republican Field Day. The Massachusetts Republican league held a big field day last
Saturday afternoon on the Whitney playground. It was attended by all the countryside, as the
number of autos indicated that were parked in the splendid parking place behind the academy.
Westford may well be proud of her beautiful Whitney playground which lends itself so well for
such occasions…. More than 2000 persons listened most attentively to the speakers of the
afternoon.
“The Abbot Worsted Company band gave a splendid concert and then went over to the Frost
school and met the governor of Massachusetts, Channing Cox, who arrived in a car flying on its
hood a flag with the seal of the commonwealth…. Governors have been here before, and one
governor was a teacher at the old academy [John Davis Long]….
“Governor Cox paid a tribute to our town clerk [Charles Lewis Hildreth], who was his
classmate at Dartmouth [Class of 1901]….
“Graniteville. Dr. R. Y. Raymond, whose dental offices are in the Abbot Worsted Company
hospital building in Forge Village, has established permanent office hours from seven to ten in
the evening, Thursdays, and from nine in the morning until ten in the evening on Fridays.”
Channing H. Cox (1879-1968), Governor of Massachusetts 1921-1925, spoke at Whitney Playground, Westford, October 8, 1921. Courtesy Photo / wikipedia.org.