Turner's Public Spirit, September 13, 1924

A look back in time to a century ago

By Bob Oliphant

Center.  The annual fair of the Congregational church will be held at the town hall on September 19.  Besides the candy, jellies, fancy work and mystery tables, etc., there will be a display of vegetables, fruits and flowers, and it is hoped that the contributions will be large.  Supper will be served at 6:30 in charge of Mrs. George White.

Fred Hanscom and son Warren, of this town, and daughter, Mrs. Loveless, of Melrose, are on an auto trip to Maine.

The enrollment at the academy this year is 87—55 girls and 32 boys.  In the freshman class there are twenty girls and twelve boys.  Of last year’s graduating class Alice Socorelis will attend Salem Normal school; Dorothy Anderson, Fitchburg Normal; Frank Jarvis and Eliot Humiston, Boston university; Veronica Payne, St. John’s hospital, Lowell, where she will train to be a nurse.

The patriotic supper to be given on Friday evening, September 12, promises to bring out a large attendance.  Mrs. Gertrude Skidmore is chairman of the committee in charge.

Dr. and Mrs. Merryday, of Daytona, Fla., have been the guests or Mrs. Gertrude Skidmore.

Neighbors’ night was observed by the Grange on last week Thursday evening of last week, Stow Grange being the invited guests of the evening and furnishing the entertainment which consisted of several musical numbers.  Visitors from other nearby places were also present.  An excellent supper was served in charge of Mrs. Josie Prescott.

Rev. Mr. Disbrow, pastor of the Congregational church, will observe New England week by taking as his subject for Sunday morning’s sermon, “New England’s great asset.”  A communion service will be held at the close of the regular morning service.

Rev. Edward Disbrow attended an executive meeting of the Manning association at the Manning Manse[1], North Billerica, Wednesday.

At the next meeting of the Auxiliary, September 22, Mrs. Josie Prescott will be in charge of the entertainment for the evening.

Wedding.  Miss Eleanor Abbot Cameron, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julian A. Cameron, and Howard Shepard Hayward, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Hayward, of Boston, were married last Saturday afternoon by Rev. Frank B. Crandall, pastor of the Unitarian church.

Miss Cameron, who was given in marriage by her father, wore a wedding gown of white crepe olivette, embroidered with silver and pearls, with a long train edged with ostrich [paper torn, line or two missing] Spanish lace, fastened with orange blossoms and pearls.  She carried a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley and swansonia.

Mrs. Alexander Cameron was matron of honor and Miss Marjory Cameron, sister of the bride, was maid of honor.  Miss Margaret Breckenridge, of Philadelphia, and Miss Louisa A. Pratt, of Concord, were the bridesmaids, and Miss Betty Sargent of Boston, was the flower girl.

The groom was attended by his brother, Edward E. Hayward, of Boston, and the ushers were Bradford Storey, of New York, Eugene Frost, of New York, Robert Goode, of Brookline, and Alexander Abbot Cameron, of this town.

About Town.  Martha Taylor Howard has returned to her home in Bound Brook, N.J. [after returning home to Westford for the funeral of her brother, John Adams Taylor.]

Wetmore-Savage Company officials were host of their employees at a dinner at the Hotel Brunswick, Boston, last week Friday evening, the occasion being the semi-annual get-together at which policies were outlined and business conditions talked over.  V. C. Bruce Wetmore, president of the company, which deals in radio, automobile and electrical supplies, was on hand early to greet the sales force on arrival.  The annual dinner was followed by the usual social hour at which Mr. Wetmore presided.  He will be remembered as an occasional visitor in town, being the owner of the large fruit farm, “Nashoba,” at the intersection of Concord and Hildreth roads, which he had remodeled into one of the finest and modern set of farm buildings, destroyed by fire in a comparative short time [Jan. 14, 1918].

Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Proctor, of Cambridge made a short visit last week Wednesday at the home of their cousin, S. L. Taylor, at the Old Oaken Bucket farm.

The improved repairs on the roads at Brookside have been completed.  They look well and stand up well under fair weather pressure.  How they will stand up under [the most] pressure of next spring [no one can] foretell. [paper torn, inferred words]  The superintendent of roads did the best he could with the money available.  More desirable work could not be done, such as excavating and filling with stone for drainage, without an additional drainage on the finances of the town, and this was not available this year.

Luanna B. Decatur has returned to her teaching in New Rochelle, N.Y., after spending pleasant weeks at home and social life with friends.

The Henry A. Fletchers and the Eben Prescotts have been enjoying camp life and sweet corn at the Fletcher camp at Nabnassett and listening in on the hoot of the 100 years old owl.

The patriotic supper announced to be given by the Alliance of the Unitarian church on Friday evening, September 12, should call out all of the reserves of those who know all about defense day, for it and against it, and those who are in the anxious and learners’ class, and are from Missouri and desire to be shown.  Rev. Frank B. Crandall, as instructor, is well informed and it will be helpful to be present and learn and unlearn.  Then there will be Rev. C. Guy Robbins, a native of the close-by town of Dunstable, as lecture entertainer, who always has the goods.  For music to charm and cheer up, Mrs. Benjamin Derby, of Concord, will be soloist, and the Precious sisters’ orchestra, of Forge Village, has the knowhow of soothing appeal, an appeal we much need and oftener need to help keep a well-balanced poise of our stressful, modern life.  If there is anything lacking to make the program of the evening ideally useful we have not been able to microscope it.

Gerry Decatur, who has been spending vacation days at home and other whereabouts, has returned to his public and private teaching at New Rochelle, N.Y.

Mrs. C. R. P. Decatur, Miss Luanna B. Decatur and Guy R. Decatur were special guests on last Saturday evening of Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Decatur, of Lowell.

The new automatic flagging signal installed at the railroad crossing at Westford station, we believe, is efficient enough to displace the necessity of a flagman.  To some of us who do not pretend to know much and forget much of that, this automatic signal looks too high up—more for signaling Mars than men.  When crossing a railroad our eyes are more on a level of the track than forty feet above it.  But, then, I presume we do not know anything and I about the same as hinted at it before.

One evening last week an engine drawing a long freight on the Stony Brook road headed for Lowell, screamed a continuous whistle all through the Stony Brook Valley.  Some of us thought it was an expression of the realization that the automatic signal at Westford crossing was too high up and this never-shut-off whistle was to call the attention of the traveling crossing public to this fact.  But, then, perhaps we do not know—just like as not that’s what’s the matter with us.

Amos Polley, on the Morning Glory farm, is the largest grower of sweet corn in town or several towns, having five acres worth.

Snow fell near Cassadaga Lake and Dayton, near Dunkirk, N.Y. [near the southeast end of Lake Erie], September 7, the first time in twenty-five years that snow has fallen in this neighborhood in September.

Alfred W. Hartford and Mrs. Josephine A. Prescott were elected at the primaries as delegates to the republican state convention in Worcester.

Rev. Frank B. Crandall made an appreciated visit last Sunday evening to the Old Oaken Bucket farm homestead [to console Samuel L. Taylor and family on the untimely death of John Adams Taylor].

Let the farming community keep raked up to memory that the annual charity fair under the auspices of Middlesex-North Agricultural society will be held at the Auditorium, Lowell, next week Thursday and Friday.  The exhibit is free of admission, and after the exhibition the fruit, vegetables, flowers and all else that makes up the exhibit will be donated to fifteen different charity [paper torn, one or two lines missing] loveth a cheerful giver.”  So toss in something and get a cheer from the Lord.  Solicitation has already commenced.  Mrs. Frank C. Wright has been appointed by the trustees of Middlesex-North to do the soliciting.  At the last meeting of the trustees the chairman said, “She is one of the best.”  So pony right up with your farm apple sass and keep us on the honor roll.  Besides the exhibit there will be entertainment day and evening.

The next meeting of Westford Grange will be held next Thursday evening.  Miss Alice Johnson will be in charge.  Reception to the school board and teachers.  Refreshments.

Associate County Agent Dayton will hold an apple-grading and packing demonstration at the farm of G. Henry Cadman, Tuesday afternoon, September 16, at two o’clock.  This meeting should prove of great interest to all commercial apple growers.  A representative of the Bureau of Markets will be present to explain the Massachusetts grading law, to give instruction in grading, and to answer questions relative to the interpretation of the law.  Each person attending is asked to bring two bushels of orchard run apples so that he may have actual practice in sizing, grading and packing his own fruit.

Conservation of Bird Life.  “With the object of cultivating throughout the world an adequate appreciation of the value of living birds to mankind and of the need for their protection, the International Committee for the Protection of Birds has been organized with Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson, president of the National Association of Audubon societies, 1974 Broadway, [New York, N.Y.] at its head.  The committee proposed to extend local and federal activities for bird protection in civilized countries.  Leading organizations in Australia, Canada, France, Holland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Great Britain and the United States have accepted membership.  There are many matters of an international nature affecting bird life which this committee hopes to influence.  The worldwide nuisance of wasted oil poured into the sea is one.  It has been demonstrated that it is responsible for heavy mortality to ducks and other water fowl.  A remarkable instance is the disappearance of the storks in Holland.  They failed to return to nests on the platforms long provided for them because they had been killed by eating poison left by the Transvaal farmers.  The committee proposes that government should control public showing of game birds to prevent depletion of any species and to insure breeding stock.  It seeks to discourage destruction of birds so small as to be of little value for food, but which are of economic value ‘as which by their songs and presence add to the joy of earth.’  Further restrictions on the trade in feathers is urged.”

Thus does it appear that there is world-wide disregard of the rights of bird life to exist even where it is demonstrated that they are an urgent necessity as scavengers against the pests of the farm, as well as their inspiring helpfulness in song and aesthetic plumage, and the slaughter of them, whether for food or fun, is evidence that our evolution is still closely allied to ancient cannibalism.

Groton Fair.  We have just received the annual premium list of the Groton Farmers’ and Mechanics’ club fair in cooperation with the Massachusetts State Department of Agriculture to be held at Hazel Grove park, Groton, September 25, 26 and 27.  The premiums are generous enough to tempt all who have preserved the enthusiasm and spirit of the fair in the individuality of daily life.  Of course if all hands contentedly settled down to daily turning the grindstone of the never varying farm life, why the fair will never appeal to them.

Liberal as the premiums are there are a variety of features of the fair far more beneficial and lasting in its effect for which no premium is offered.  There is no premium offered for the happy, healthy, social hilarity of the day, and would be difficult to decide who gets most out of it.  It is a safe law to say if you go to the fair with an open social attitude, with the windows all open in the receiving line in a mutual exchange.  You are bound by the law of life to take away something more valuable and lasting than a cash prize premium for your punkin [sic].  If you go to the fair society-deaf-dumb-and-blind and armless and legless, why all you will take away will be your old life-long crony, chronic self.

Church Notes.  First church (Unitarian)—Sunday service at four p.m.  Preacher, Rev. Frank B. Crandall, the minister.  Subject, “Which of the three?”

A patriotic dinner will be served this Friday evening at the town hall under the auspices of the Alliance.

On Sunday following the service the officers of the Y.P.R.U. will meet to plan the schedule of meetings and social affairs for the year.

Funeral.  Simple but impressive funeral services for John Adams Taylor were held at the family lot in Fairview cemetery at three o’clock Wednesday afternoon, September 3.  Beneath the clear blue sky and under the shade of the trees which line the avenue, friends and relatives gathered for the last service.  Rev. E. E. Jackman, pastor of the Highland M.E. church, Lowell, a friend of the family, and Rev. Edward D. Disbrow, formerly of North Dakota, pastor of the Union Congregational church, conducted the services.

The casket, with the Masonic emblem, and covered with the blanket of flowers from the University of North Dakota, he had so faithfully served, was placed in its final resting place by his brother, William R. Taylor; his brother-in-law, Frederick A. Snow; his nephew, Perry T. Snow, and Charles L. Hildreth of this town.  Beautiful flowers were sent by neighbors and friends in loving appreciation of a noble life.

He, who never failed in appreciation [paper torn, line or two missing] of appreciation now.  The life of John Adams Taylor was a continual exemplification of the Christian graces.  Whatsoever things were lovely and of good report those he thought of; continually living out Paul’s words, “Thinketh no evil.”  He was keenly interested in young people and gave himself unstintedly [sic] to their service.  Everybody loved him and appreciated him, he was so genial, so approachable, so much of a comrade.  He had a great love for nature and all that the word implies, birds and trees and flowers and the great out-doors, and a great love for human nature and all sorts and conditions of people interested him.  In his speaking tours he accomplished a wonderful work in the middle west in bringing cheer and humor and good messages to everybody.

Gifted and versatile and brilliant from his very earliest school days to the last days at the university, wherever he was there was nothing but the highest appreciation and commendation of his ability and his work.  No one ever heard him utter any discouraging words.  His wife was a woman of like ideals and together they were making plans for the future.  His devotion to his wife and to his loved ones was conspicuous.

Absolute purity of thought, speech and action, consideration for others, devotion to those near and dear to him, consecration to all that was fine and ideal and good and true, his death brings keen sorrow.

Graniteville.  The Sargent school has been entirely remodeled, four new rooms have been added, new seats put in, a new heating system installed, and the building painted inside and out.  P. Henry Harrington [who lived on Cross St. directly across the street from Sargent School] was the general contractor.  The building is now in readiness for the opening of the fall term on Monday.

The Abbot Worsted team defeated the Silesia club of North Chelmsford in the first of a series of games here on Tuesday evening by the score of 9 to 2.  Mitchell and Quinn did the battery work for the Abbots, while Noonan, Stembuilder and Sullivan were on the firing line for Silesia.

Miss Veronica Payne, Westford academy ’24, is taking a course in nursing at St. John’s hospital, Lowell.

The Abbot baseball team journeyed to Sanford, Me., on last Saturday when they defeated the Goodall Textile team, 5 to 1.  Freddie Parent[2], former Boston Red Sox star, played shortstop for the Sanford club.

A fairly good vote was cast at the state primaries on Tuesday.

Many of the Graniteville friends of Rev. E. C. Mitchell intend to greet him at the big field day that is to be held by his parishioners in Groton on Saturday.

1. J. and J. B. Rafferty, of Cambridge, have been recent visitors here.

The Abbot soccer team was defeated by the Saylesville, R.I, team at Forge Village last Saturday, 5 to 1.  On this Saturday the Abbots will play the Fore River club in Quincy.

Ayer

News Items.  Rev. Frank B. Crandall officiated last Saturday afternoon at the wedding of Howard S. Hayward, of Newton, and Commonwealth avenue, Boston, and Miss Eleanor A. Cameron, of Westford.  The ceremony was performed in the Italian garden located near the house on the estate of her parents.  Mrs. Crandall was also present at the ceremony.

Real Estate Transfers.  The following real estate transfers have been recorded from this vicinity recently:

Westford, Claude L. Allen to Marie Kloppenburg, land on Pine Grove road; Adeline T. Burbeck estate by ex. to Mary E. Burbeck et al.; William J. Burbeck to Mary E. Burbeck et al.

 

[1] The Manning Manse, built by Samuel Manning in 1696, is located at 56 Chelmsford Road (State Route 129) in North Billerica and is on the National Register of Historic Places. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manning_Manse.

[2] Alfred Joseph “Freddy” Parent was the first shortstop in the history of the Boston Red Sox [originally the Boston Americans] and took part in the first 413 games the team played, April 26, 1901 to September 25, 1903. He was the starting shortstop when the Americans won the first World Series ever played in 1903, scoring 8 runs, a Series record that would stand until Babe Ruth broke it in 1928.  He also played for the Americans in 1904 when they won a second World Series title. His batting fell off after 1904. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox after the 1907 season. After playing three games for the White Sox in 1911 he was sold to the minor league Baltimore Orioles. He died Nov. 2, 1972, in Sanford, Maine, and was the last survivor of the first World Series (1903). See https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Freddy_Parent.