Turner's Public Spirit, September 22, 1923
A look back in time to century ago
By Bob Oliphant
Center. Beginning on October first Wright & Fletcher store [Main St.], J. Herbert Fletcher’s store and postoffice [Lincoln St.] will close at eight o’clock on Monday evenings; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 and Friday and Saturday evenings at nine o’clock.
Several of the ladies from the Center, members of the Odd Ladies, attended an interesting meeting held in Leominster on Tuesday evening.
The Grange gave a reception to the teachers on Thursday evening.
Alec MacDougall has returned from a pleasant trip to Scotland.
An auto accident in which three cars figured took place on the Groton road on Monday evening. An Overland, driven by Peter Gregorie, of Tyngsboro, was coming out of the Dunstable road when two other cars, one a Packard owned by V. E. Edwards, of West Boylston and driven by a chauffeur, Leo E. Gardner, approached the four corners traveling north while a Dodge touring car driven by Edward H. Carolan, of Lowell, was proceeding in the opposite direction when all three collided, doing some damage to the cars, and two of the occupants of the Packard received minor injuries.
Alexander Bubeshko was before Judge Hayes in the district court in Ayer on Monday, charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor, and was fined $100 and given a sentence of three months which was suspended for one year. The case of Steve Kilowskusk, which was to have come up at the superior court in Cambridge on Monday on an appeal from a $100 fine on a similar charge, was continued to Monday. Such cases are getting very numerous in this town and heavy penalties are needed to protect the general public and make the highways safe for travel.
The farm bureau will hold their first motion picture show in the town hall on Monday evening. The pictures promise to be real interesting and consist of pictures of a trip around the world with a comedy, “Lonely hearts and loose lions.” These pictures have proved very popular in the past and it is hoped that there will be a large attendance.
The agricultural fair held in town hall on Wednesday evening by the Congregational church proved a great success as usual. An excellent supper was served by the ladies, followed by a very enjoyable entertainment consisting of a duet by Mr. Lupin [sic, probably Lupien] and Mrs. Larless [sic, probably Mrs. Hilda Lawless], of Chelmsford; reading, Miss Blanche Lawrence; piano selections, Prof. Samuel Rosenberg; trio, Mr. Lupin, Miss Lupin and Mrs. Larless; piano duet, Viola and Marion Day; reading, Miss Lawrence.
The carnival given by the Legion on last Friday and Saturday proved to be very successful in spite of the coolness of the weather, and a large sum should be added to the post treasury as a result. Some of the ladies of the Auxiliary assisted at the booths, while a large number of ladies not connected with the organization acted as efficient helpers. Mrs. Edward Clement was in charge of the refreshment booth. The committee in charge of the affair consisted of Dr. Harry Coburn, Edward Hanley, Dr. Fabyan Packard, Joseph Walker and Edward Clement. The winner of the Essex coach will be announced at the armistice ball.
Wedding. Eleanor Faye Fillebrown and Robert Bruce Wetmore were united in marriage at the Allston Congregational church at noon on last Saturday. About 300 guests attended the reception at the Copley-Plaza following the ceremony. The maid of honor was Miss Roselle Fuller and the best man was T. Moreland Wetmore, brother of the bridegroom. The six bridesmaids were the Misses Helen R. Price, Alice G. Hallett, Alice G. Hooker, Helen Griffin, Edelweiss Dyer and May Louise Curtis. The ushers were Richard Spero, George Shaddick, Sumner W. Chrimes [sic], Richard T. Topham, Joseph W. Johnson and John G. Waddell.
The bride was attired in a gown of satin Francaise with a bouffant skirt effect trimmed with bands of duchesse and rose point lace, with a tight bodice trimmed with pearl beads. The gown had a train three yards long, and the bride wore a veil of tulle with a head-dress of pearl beads and orange blossoms, and she carried a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley and roses.
Upon their return from an extended trip to Canada they will reside at 42 Orkney street, Brookline.
Mr. Wetmore will be remembered as a former resident of this town, and is the son of V. C. Bruce and Mrs. Florence Wetmore.
About Town. It was a long leap for the weather from 30 degrees last Saturday morning to 80 degrees Wednesday noon. Dog days are renewing their youth.
As evidence of dry rainfalls the water in Tadmuck brook, above Main street, and a long ways below it is clear gone dry and we have reason to believe that the trout which were fairly plentiful have all perished.
Water pipes have been distributed along the highway at Westford Corner to the Chelmsford line, which looks like corner water (not a corner in water) for the Westford Corner inhabitants from the Abbot Worsted Company water supply.
The first frost of the autumnal season arrived somewhat unexpected on last Saturday morning. It struck a knockout at 30° at the Old Oaken Bucket farm to all that was tender and late planted. Some escaped under the wings of many weeds.
Listen, you bright, progressive Nashobaites and anti-partiridgeites; here is something right from Washington, D.C., as furnished by New England crop reports. “The commercial apple crop of New England (including Nashoba) is estimated from reports of conditions, September 1, at 1,582,000 barrels by the bureau of agricultural economics of the federal department of agriculture, it is announced by the New England crop reporting service. The figures for last year were 1,060,000 barrels and the average for the five years from 1918 to 1922, inclusive, was 1,183,000 barrels. Quality on the whole is good, ranging from poor to excellent, and the fruit is coloring quite well. Size is fair to good and would have been better with a little more rain.” So here we are, dearly beloved shouting “The partridges are threatening the apple crop by budding the trees” and a personal testimonial said “I counted 480 apple buds in the crop of one partridge” (if he hadn’t stopped counting he would have counted in the tree branches, buds and trunk).
I have just received a letter from a friend, who writes among other things “I have just bought 3000 acres of meadow land from Daniel Sheehan. The grass is still uncut September 14. I hear that there is a man in Westford who specializes in winter haying; will you send him along to New York without delay and hereof fail not to post me by postal or wireless of your luck.”
Paul Symmes is digging potatoes at the Morning Glory farm. It looks like more than 200 bushels per acre.
The Morning Glory farm is harvesting potatoes with a modern Aroostook potato digger operated by tractor power. It is owned by the Fletcher Cold Spring farm and will dig an acre in four hours.
A local paper is authority for the statement that there are 6,000,000 bushels more of potatoes in New England than last year. If this is true why are potatoes higher by several quarter dollars per bushel than last year? Speak right up so that we can hear you. Hope that your judgment will be nearer potato facts than it is to anti-prohibition fact-finding.
Official Washington’s weather bureau reports the driest August in sixteen years. Only a little over an inch of rain fell against an average of over four inches for the last sixty years. This unusual shortage of rain this season is responsible for an increase of 6,000,000 bushels more of potatoes than last year, we must believe, as the acreage is reported less. Last year it rained all the time and we had such an enormous crop that they had to be sold to the stock in order to dispose of them. This year it has got out of the rain habit and we are burdened with 6,000,000 more bushels than last year.
Mr. and Mrs. John Bell (Jessie Walkden), who have been living for several years at Westford Corner, have moved into the George W. Heywood house now owned by the Abbot Worsted Company, located on the Lowell road and Depot street, near Westford station. Mr. Bell is a stonecutter in company with Matthew McNaughton, getting out stone on the Prescott lot, located on Groton and Forest roads.
I read under the Townsend Harbor news that they have had frosts in their gardens previous to the heavy frost in the Stony Brook valley. I hope it will not ice up the Harbor so as to interfere with shipping. I am planning on a trip up that Harbor to call on a few Grange friends as soon as I get next spring’s work done, so as to get well geared in by St. Patrick’s day. There is a little more furrowing out to do, then for the Harbor.
“The Turnpike potato patch sends greetings to that of the Old Oaken Bucket farm.” Good, splendidly good. Thirteen potatoes from one hill weighing 9 ¾ pounds, and twenty bushels from one bushel planted. I was not aware that they raised potatoes in Harvard. I knew that they raised peaches, but I am not going to tell you how I know because—well, no matter how. In my several visits to Harvard I did not see even one hill of potatoes.
Oliver Desjarden has been selling off a lot of surplus cows so that I do not know as he would care to buy 3000 acres of standing meadow grass quite so late in the season.
If I am not incorrectly misinformed, the Groton fair will come to order on next Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Let us all go and work up a few new, choice friendships; its effect will be universal in its betterment. Then aside from new and old friendships under new environments we can all contribute something towards the Groton fair this year even if it is nothing more than James Whitcomb Riley’s “When the frost is on the punkin”—we all have a big crop this year.
Perry T. Snow, of West Chelmsford, is enrolled as a student at Lawrence academy and has for a roommate Barrett Fisher, of Lowell, son of Judge F. A. Fisher and grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Fisher of Westford.
The Middlesex-North Agricultural society will hold its annual charity fair next Wednesday and Thursday in the new Auditorium in Lowell. This will be a free exhibition and all contributions of fruit, flowers, vegetables and much else will be donated to the charity homes of Lowell. The following have been appointed to solicit from Westford: Rev. William E. Anderson, Frank C. Wright, Frederick A. Hanscom and Samuel L. Taylor. “Blessed is he who considereth the poor; the Lord shall deliver him in time of trouble.” Be a stockholder in the above and pass out your peaches and other stuff. We are dreadfully fond of peaches of the Old Oaken Bucket farm and all that are left there will be thankfully and quickly—yes, I guess that’s just what will become of them.
Sunday service at the First Parish church in the afternoon at four o’clock. Preacher, Rev. Frank B. Crandall, the minister; subject, “Notable signs.”
Death. Gilbert F. Wright died at his home in Chelmsford on last Sunday after a short illness. He was a native of this town, being the youngest of four children of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Wright. Their early home was on the farm recently owned for many years by John McMaster on the Chamberlain road, near Chamberlain’s Corner. His father died when he was about four years of age, and the farm was sold and the family—mother, a sister and two brothers, moved to Westford Center, where he attended the old district school at the Center and was a student at Westford academy in 1870. For several years he lived on in Lowell, but more recently he has been living on an experimental farm in Chelmsford. On this farm he was interested in experimenting with new varieties of fruits and vegetables, and thus trying to diverge from the long-time fixed ways. Some of his experiments included sweet potatoes, rice, almonds, cotton, autumn planting of potatoes as an experiment to prevent blight, frost-proof beans that would stand 8-below-zero. He was also an enthusiastic advocate of the raising of more nut-bearing trees, claiming that they were a nutritious substitute for meat, the excess of which he claimed at the last Westford institute “is fast tending us toward cannibalism.”
Some of us recollect his illustrations at the Westford institute, such as how to develop the roots of nut-bearing trees, claiming that some foreign countries have lined the roadside with nut-bearing trees, income being sufficient to keep the road in repair. His farm is known and named as the Alfalfa Gem farm, he being an enthusiastic and successful raiser of alfalfa, cutting several crops every year on land some of which was clear gravel cubble [sic, perhaps “rubble” is meant]. He was an enthusiastic member of the Middlesex Farm Bureau and his farm, with others, was yearly selected as a demonstration place in this vicinity. He was interested in having the young people start a garden and often offered them seeds of various kinds to encourage them.
Thus has passed out of material view, at the age of sixty-six years, one who was an enthusiastic believer in living for community welfare, who disbelieved in a patent on new developments of new varieties of fruit, flowers and vegetables for selfish gain as against universal welfare. I recall his childhood life as not far off neighbor and his nature life as seen at farmers’ institutes and other agricultural gatherings. Farewell to a life buoyed up and inspired by unselfish love for humanity.
The deceased leaves a son and a daughter and a sister, Miss Marion L. Wright, one of the few remaining scholars of the Old Stony Brook school and one of its bright scholars and for many years school playmate of the rest of us.
The funeral was held at his home in Chelmsford on Wednesday, afternoon, Rev. J. G. Lovett conducting the services. Interment was in the family lot in Fairview cemetery, where the committal service was read by the officiating clergyman. The bearers were Mr. McMaster, Mr. Cole, Mr. Frye and Mr. Lovering.
Anti-Volsteaders. As a bearing on the trend of modern life with its commercialized Sabbath and gold links-baseball holy performances as a part of Sunday spirituality, the report of Attorney-General Daugherty to President Coolidge should be thoughtfully meditated on.
Condensed, it says, “The facts set forth reveal one of the tragic epochs in American history relative to law enforcement. The department of justice has been called upon to prosecute a number of the judiciary, prominent members of the American bar, high officials of the federal and state governments, multi-millionaires, scions of the nation’s aristocracy, and the sordid story of assassination, bribery and corruption that found its way into the very sanctums where in the inviolability of the law was presumed to be held sacred.” And all these tendencies to modern beatitudes is independent of the “Thou shalt not drink anything stronger than one-half of one percent alcohol.”
Of the enforcement of the Volstead act, the report says, “That since the prohibition law went into effect January 16, 1920, more than 90,000 cases of violation have been disposed of, of which 72,489 were convictions. Fines totaling $12,367,600 have been assessed in criminal cases and jail sentences for violations during the last twenty-three months.” And yet we are told there is hardly any pretense to enforce the law.
The Lowell Courier Citizen says, “The Volstead act goes far beyond common sense in its definition, and the effects of its doing so is baneful to the last degree.” Pshaw! I want to know if you know so much as all that comes to? If you do, you know more than the overwhelming opinion of medical experts and scientists generally, who at a hearing testified that anything over one-half of one percent alcohol was intoxicating. In a recent friendly chat with a retired doctor of prominence he said, “If we are going to legalize the sale of light wines and beer we might as well legalize everything regardless of its alcohol content.” And yet, in the face of expert testimony you set your Ebenezer up and declare the Volstead act in its alcoholic restriction goes far beyond common sense. This being thus and so forth, we have got to assume that experts haven’t got common sense because this decision of the court of laymen has handed down such a decision. It’s the first time in the history of court decisions when judges who never studied law (and sometimes it looks as though they had not studied common sense) hand down an infallible decision for government to follow and contrary to expert findings.
“The statute and amendment are together openly flouted, not by the rapscallion elements of the population alone, but by legislators, jurists, people of eminent respectability in all directions.” See here, friend editors, will you not write out a list of those prominent outside of the “rapscallion” element who have been convicted of violating the Volstead act and publish the list in your paper? Of course you could not get them all in at one edition, there is such a crowd of them, but you could issue special editions for several months daily. It would be a great selling scheme for you, for everybody would want to read of the lawyers, judges, national and state jurists, doctors and people of eminent respectability in all directions—oh, yes, I forgot the ministers, too. Don’t leave them out of the crowd of eminent respectability in all directions. Don’t leave them out of the list who are flouting the constitution for an overthrow, for I want to see if my three ministers’ names are there.
Clipping. A San Francisco paper has a few additional facts in regard to the death of Miss Sarah Dix Hamlin: “Sarah Dix Hamlin, principal of the exclusive Miss Hamlin’s school for girls, and one of the best known educators of the west, died at the Dante sanitarium after a week’s illness. Miss Hamlin was taken to the hospital the day her school opened for the new term. A few days previous she gave a tea to the teachers on her staff and appeared to be in her usual good health. Funeral services were held at Grace cathedral in which church she was a devoted and active worker. Dean William Gersham conducted the services, assisted by Bishop William Ford Nichols. A native of Westford, Mass., Miss Hamlin came to San Francisco fifty years ago. Desiring to carry out certain progressive educational ideas which she had long harbored she purchased the famous Van Ness seminary. The school has a registration of 200 day scholars and 25 boarding scholars. Miss Hamlin’s high reputation as an educator is evidenced by the fact that her preparatory school is accredited to the principal universities of the east as well as to the University of California and other leading western higher institutions. She was one of the four women members of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Century club and many other similar organizations.”
Library Notes. The attention of lovers of dogs is called to an article in the May Scribner’s magazine in which the history and training of German police dogs is interestingly described.
Now that the season of the autumn fairs is at hand the article in the August number of the Scientific American entitled “Invention and the grifter” deserves attention. Many of the frauds connected with amusement devices are exposed, especially those in connection with prize wheels, throwing games, etc. As an example may be cited those in connection with the darky who invites the unwary to hit him in the head, and the cat rack where the cats are supposed to be knocked over with baseballs. The article has its sub-heading “Gathering in the foolish dimes and the heedless dollars at the summer amusement parks.”
Graniteville. Miss Lottie York and John B. Carmichael, two well known Graniteville people, were married in the Methodist church in the presence of numerous friends on Wednesday morning at eight o’clock. The marriage ceremony was performed by the pastor, Rev. William E. Anderson. Mrs. Edgar Nutting, sister of the bride, was matron of honor; J. Ellsworth York, brother of the bride, was best man. The bride was attired in a dress of white satin caught up with lilies of the valley. She wore a veil and carried a bouquet of bridal roses. The matron of honor wore a dress of white organdie. The double ring service was used. Immediately after the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael left for a brief wedding trip through the White Mountains. On their return they will reside in Graniteville, where they will be at home after October first.
Dr. Charles E. Spaulding, of Worcester, will preach at the Sunday evening service at the Methodist church at seven o’clock.
The grounds about the new St. Catherine’s church rectory have recently been graded and sown with grass seed and present a fine appearance.
Many from here attended the soccer football games that were played in Forge Village on last Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday afternoon the regular Abbot Worsted team defeated the American Woolen club of Lawrence by the score of 2 to 1 in an Industrial league game. On Sunday afternoon the Forge Village and Graniteville Juveniles met in an interesting game that was won by Forge Village by the score of 2 to 1. Following this game the Abbot Juniors and the Swedish A.C. of Worcester met in a Central Massachusetts league game. After much spirited play the Juniors won, 2 to 1.
On Saturday afternoon at 3:30 the Abbot Worsted team will meet the Charlestown club of the Boston and District league in the first round of the state cup series. As this is the first appearance of the Charlestown outfit at Forge Village the game will doubtless be largely attended.
Largest Taxpayers. The following is a list of those paying the largest taxes [$50 and greater] to the town:
[Residents]
Abbot, Alice M. $1,046.40
Abbot, Edward M. 65.60
Abbot, John C. 884.15
Abbot Worsted Co. 48,561.60
Anderson, Andrew G. 80.16
Anderson, William E. 168.80
Atwood, S. C., L. B. and M. 116.80
Balch, Samuel H. 102.40
Balch, Wayland F. 131.20
Balsor, William W. 52.12
Banister, Francis W. 89.12
Barretto, John 80.00
Beauchamp, Louisa 54.20
Blaisdell, Alvin J., heirs 164.80
Blaisdell, Elizabeth 56.80
Blanchard, Walter L. 133.00
Blaney, Cyril A. 99.20
Blodgett & Co. 86.40
Blodgett, C. A. & F. R. 249.62
Blodgett, Wilfred G. 118.40
Blood, Lucy M. 65.60
Bombush, Peter 80.00
Bonnell, Hattie C. 58.75
Boucher, Charles E. 64.00
Boynton, Delia, heirs 128.00
Bridgeford, Ralph 65.10
Bright, John W., heirs 83.20
Brisson, Adeline 70.40
Brisson, Anaclet 57.60
Brule, Adelord 83.20
Brule, Adelord J. 83.20 [sic]
Buckshorn, Adeline 199.87
Burbeck, Adeline T. 188.32
Burbeck, Fred A. 172.48
Burnham, Arthur H. 262.54
Butterworth, William L. 92.16
Cadman, G. H. 537.60
Calvert, Mary E. 160.00
Cameron, Alexander A. 382.40
Cameron, Julian A. 161.60
Cameron, Lucy A. 464.00
Cameron, Meta J. 387.20
Carmichael, John 89.60
Carver, Cora E. 107.20
Carver, William R. 136.80
Chandler, John F. 56.00
Chaney, George W. 55.36
Christensen, Cora N. 160.00
Charlton, Arthur L. 64.00
Cloutier, Louis A. 73.45
Coburn, Hannah 70.40
Coburn, Harry R. 254.40
Colburn, Charles D., devisees 209.35
Connell, Joseph P. 182.40
Cote, Amede 52.16
Couture, Alfred 67.20
Couture, Charles 135.52
Couture, Joseph 92.80
Cutting, Ralph T. 231.20
Day, Arthur E., devisees 150.40
Day, Quincy W. 192.80
Day, W. Otis 57.60
Decatur, Adelaide 75.20
Denesevich, Zachary 188.16
Desjardines, Oliver 92.16
Desmond, David 248.00
Donnelly, William J. 108.80
Downing, Almon and Mary 109.13
Downs, Matthew F. 160.80
Drew, Frank C. 326.80
Dudevoir, Charles E. 137.60
Dymovwicz, Julian 124.80
Eaton, Hilma M. 54.40
Edwards, Charles E. 104.00
Edwards, Louisa 160.00
Edwards, William C. 187.84
Edwards & Monahan 64.00
Eliason, Lars J. 72.64
Feeney, John 144.00
Feeney, John, jr. 80.00
Ferguson, Hugh A. 54.40
Fisher, Alec 399.52
Flagg, Elbert H. 366.43
Flagg, Lucy M. 118.40
Fletcher, Austin D. 51.20
Fletcher, Herbert E. 1,332.00
Fletcher Co., H. E. 2,880.00
Fletcher, Harry N. 316.64
Fletcher, J. Herbert 203.20
Fletcher, John M., heirs 167.04
Fletcher, John M., trustee 70.72
Fletcher, J. Willard 166.72
Fletcher, R. A. & H. H. 70.72
Fletcher, Sherman H. 228.00
Flynn, Bernard J. 57.12
Foy, Michael J. 51.20
Furbush, Frank L. 196.80
Gardell, August, heirs 135.68
Gilson, George Q. 99.20
Gilson, William 64.00
Gould, H. E. & E. H. 437.12
Graniteville Foundry Co. 626.82
Green, George E. 82.24
Green, John R. 116.16
Green, William E. 71.26
Greig, David L. 383.84
Griffin, Anson L. 97.60
Griffin, Charles M. 112.48
Gumb, Harry M. 116.80
Hale, Alfred H. 83.20
Hamlin, Nathan, heirs 172.80
Hanley, Catherine 64.00
Hanley, Edward T. 185.60
Hanson, Henry M. 146.88
Harrington, P. Henry 232.00
Hartford, George H., heirs 97.92
Hartson, Frank J. 89.12
Healey, Elizabeth A. 163.20
Healey, Frank L. 134.40
Healey, Henry J. 64.06
Healey, J. Austin 89.60
Healey, John A. 70.40
Healey, J.A. & Sons 512.80
Healey, John A., 2d 100.80
Healey, Margaret M. 139.20
Heywood & Fletcher, heirs 80.00
Hildreth, Albert A. 87.62
Hildreth Bertha H. 129.60
Hildreth, Clarence E. 72.00
Hildreth, Charles L. 112.00
Hildreth, Charles W. 123.20
Hildreth, Ella F. 472.00
Hildreth, Frank C. 252.80
Hildreth, Herbert V. 220.80
Hosmer, William E. 54.40
Howard, Calvin L. 191.36
Hunt, William 201.07
Irish, George F. 73.12
Jarvis, Everett P. 88.00
Jenkins, Maria, heirs 65.60
Johnson, Claus 73.60
Johnson, W. W. & Son 146.40
Jordan, Laura P. 140.80
Keyes, Henry O., devisees 113.60
Kimball, George A. 369.12
Kimball, James L. 294.40
Kohlrausch, George E. 198.59
Kowalchuk, Dannenika 112.00
Knowlton, Harlan E. 74.88
Lapniewski, Adam 100.80
Lawrence, Austin 101.12
Lawrence, Grace 67.20
LeClerc, Joseph 208.00
LeDuc, Ferdinand 153.60
LeDuc, Gideon P. 76.80
LeDuc, Hyacinth, heirs 91.20
Leighton, Ida E. 112.00
Lundberg, Axel G. 96.80
Lundberg, Carl A. 82.40
Lybeck, Ebon C. 59.20
McCoy, Fred L. 113.28
McDonald, Alexander 135.52
McDonald, Henry A. 186.88
McDonald, Margaret 256.00
McDonald, William O. 99.20
McDougall, Alexander 69.99
McGregor, Margaret 64.00
McIntosh, John 91.20
Marcouiller, Severe 68.80
Marshall, Hilda 76.80
Matthieu, Joseph N. 59.36
Meyer, Lillian E. 81.60
Miller, Frank E. 73.08
Miller, F. Everett 68.80
Milot, Ephraim 70.40
Milot, Napoleon 72.00
Mountain, Ernest G. 83.52
Murphy, Henry J. 182.40
Nelson, Nels 59.20
Nesmith, George W., heirs 121.28
O’Brien, James H., heirs 64.32
O’Rourke, James J. 88.00
Osgood, H. G. 192.32
Palermo, Samuel 64.00
Palmer, Lewis P. 393.60
Parrot, Arthur B. 73.60
Polley, Amos B. 98.40
Prescott, Augusta B., heirs 140.80
Prescott, Eben 87.52
Prescott, Harry B. 128.00
Prescott, Nathan 64.00
Prescott, Richard D. 114.72
Prescott, Robert 370.80
Prarias, John D. 150.40
Rafalko, Frank W. 73.60
Randall, Harriet 96.00
Reed, Mrs. David, heirs 121.60
Reed, Rachel W. 212.80
Regnier, Francis E. 60.80
Richard, Conrad 196.48
Richardson, Alma M. 172.20
Robinson, Charles W. 76.80
Sargent, Allan C. 385.60
Sargent, C. G., estate 3,471.04
Sargent, C. G., Sons Co. 2,980.80
Sargent, F. G. 169.44
Sargent, James M. 121.60
Sargent, Joseph E. 163.95
Scott, David 84.80
Seavey, Homer M. 135.70
Sedach, Michael 140.16
Sedach, Waril 77.44
Sherman, David 92.80
Shugrue, Rose 129.60
Shupe, Perry E. 136.00
Simpson, John T. 173.28
Skidmore, Gertrude C. 121.60
Spalding & Prescott 145.60
Spalding, O. R. 1,504.24
Spinner, John, heirs 128.00
Splain & Nutting 153.60
Sullivan Bros. 220.48
Sullivan, Timothy 498.80
Sutherland, A. H. 70.40
Swanson, Noah, heirs 65.60
Swanson, Swan G. 86.90
Swett, Edith E. 72.00
Sweetser, Judson F. 416.64
Sweetser, Warren P. 91.20
Symmes, Nancy A. 64.80
Tanders, John 108.00
Taylor, William R. 104.80
Taylor, S. L. 80.64
Treat, Orrin 104.96
Tuttle, Alfred W. 160.00
Union Congregational church 76.80
Velengas & Son 112.64
Vose, Almon S. 212.80
Walker, George A. 332.32
Wall, Albert R. 60.80
Wall, Joseph 160.00
Watson, S. B. 672.00
Wells, Alice M. 155.20
Westford Academy, trustees 96.00
Westford Water Co. 665.60
Wetmore, V. C. B. 750.55
Wheeler, Asa B. 100.80
Wheeler, L. W. 200.45
Whidden, Elizabeth M. 70.40
Whidden, Walter A. 57.60
White, George F. 601.92
Whitney, Julian 63.20
Whitney, N. H. 66.40
Whitton, Cora J. 78.85
Whitton, Winfred 87.60
Wilk, Stanley 107.20
Wilson, T. A. E. 241.46
Wilson, T. A. E. & Florence 56.00
Woitowicz, Florian 88.00
Worcester, Charles 128.00
Wright, Bradley V. 97.60
Wright, Charles H. 250.14
Wright, Emma F. 150.40
Wright, Frank C. 199.36
Wright, Gilman F., heirs 58.88
Wright, Harwood L. 118.40
Wright, John P. 131.20
Wright, Mabel E. 454.72
Wright, Perley E. 236.80
Wright, Sidney B. 114.51
Wright, Walter C. 126.40
Wright, William 56.00
Wright, William E. 185.60
Wright & Fletcher 92.00
Non-Residents
Allen, Claude L. $70.40
Alexander, Mary C. 64.00
Barton, George H. 115.20
Birconet, Hannah L. 80.00
Blanchard, Arthur F. 128.00
Book, Minnie A. 161.60
Brady, Frank R. 80.00
Cara & Parquette 80.00
Conant, Sarah J. 67.20
Decatur, Albert W. 64.00
Drew, George A. 460.80
Elliott, Thomas H. 163.20
Elliott, Robert 256.00
Fletcher, J. Henry, heirs 492.80
Gage, Martina 2,450.56
Griffin, Bessie L. 89.60
Hall Bros. 272.00
Hildreth, Fred A., heirs 64.00
Holmes, Charles P. 73.60
Lawson, George L. 192.00
Lowell Electric Light Co. 1,064.96
Lowell & Fitchburg St. Ry. 512.96
Lougee, Charles E. 132.32
Mason, Fred W. 56.00
Malorey, Frank A. 192.00
Mendlik, Wilhelmina 54.40
Merrill, Samuel, heirs 64.96
Moffett, Adeline 129.60
Moore, George C. 664.96
Murphy, Edward 80.00
- E. Tel. & Tel. Co. 679.30
Parker, Charles W. 430.08
Parker, Edward L. 102.08
Parker, Eudora P. 54.72
Robbins, Thomas G., heirs 89.60
Roman Catholic Archbishop 208.00
Stiles, Fred O., estate 176.00
Stony Brook R. R. 96.00
Wright, Ella T. 153.60
Old-time Associations. Westford Center, prior to 1870, was the usual country village with muddy sidewalks and paths here and there where it was the best walking. No shade trees excepting those here and there as they happened to grow by the sides of the fences and walls. The trees on the common were set out in 1839, and in the fall of 1841 a fence around the common was built by private subscription.
In 1871 Rev. George H. Young, pastor of the Unitarian church, was instrumental in getting the people together and forming an organization called “The Westford Ornamental Tree Association.” Hon. John W. P. Abbot was chosen chairman of this meeting, Asa Hildreth, secretary, and on the motion of George W. Heywood, Rev. George H. Young and Rev. Leonard Bruce were appointed a committee to report a plan of organization, which was as follows:
Act 1. The society shall be called the Westford Ornamental Tree association.
Act 2. The functions of this society shall consist in setting out trees, building sidewalks and otherwise ornamenting the public streets.
Act 3. The officers shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, who shall constitute an executive committee.
Act 4. Any person may become a member of the association by the payment of fifty cents.
Act 5. The annual meeting of this association shall occur on the second Wednesday of April.
The following is a list of the members: John W. Abbot, Abiel J. Abbot, True A. Bean, Allan Cameron, Abel L. Davis, George T. Day, Mrs. Isaac E. Day, Sherman H. Fletcher, William E. Frost, Amos Heywood, Nathan S. Hamblin, Asa Hildreth, Ira Leland, J. H. Newcomb, Hon. J. Henry Read, Ephraim A. Stevens, Samuel Wiley, Andrew S. Wright, Rev. George H. Young, John William Abbot, W. S. Austin, Rev. William A. Cram, Artemas W. Cummings, Mrs. Abel L. Davis, Isaac E. Day, Sherman D. Fletcher, Alvan Fisher, Rev. R. C. Flagg, George W. Heywood, Rev. Edwin R. Hodgman, Rev. Leonard Luce, John Lanktree, Edward Prescott, Elbridge G. Spalding, William D. Thurston, Luther Wilkins, Charles O. Whitman.
Only two of these members are alive today, Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher and Rev. George H. Young.
In the fall of 1871 True A. Bean and Abel L. Davis went with a team to New Ipswich, N.H., and brought back a load of young maple trees which they dug up in the woods. These trees were set out on our streets by a committee on trees, namely, Edward Prescott, George W. Heywood and Sherman H. Fletcher, Rev. George H. Young also assisting. These are the beautiful trees that line our streets today. The row of elm trees on Main street, in front of the academy building and Dr. Coburn’s residence, were set out earlier by Francis K. Proctor, who owned the adjacent land. On account of the smallness of the New Ipswich trees and to protect them from damage the association expended quite a sum of money in having wooden tree guards built around them.
In 1872 Hon. John W. P. Abbot, the president, died very suddenly and his son, John William Abbot, was elected president, and Sherman H. Fletcher, secretary. The committee on sidewalks was composed of Artemas W. Cummings, Luther Wilkins and John Lanktree. Sidewalks were laid out and a beginning was made to build them in the worst places.
In 1873 Alvan Fisher, as agent of the Hook and Ladder association, turned over to the Tree association what surplus money they had on its disbandonment [sic]. Edward Prescott was elected president this year and held the office for ten years. To show how careful the trees were looked after, someone during this year broke down one of the young trees on Main street and a reward of $25 was offered for the arrest and conviction of the person who destroyed it.
In 1875, May first was designated as work day and the members turned out, made sidewalks, set out trees and removed rubbish from streets. The ladies provided a collation in the town hall with someone to give an address. This was followed for a number of years.
In 1878 it was voted to change the name of the association to the Village Improvement association.
In 1881 it was voted to set out trees on the road to Westford depot [i.e., Depot St.]. Other trees on this road were set out later. These are the trees which are being taken care of by the Whitney fund. At the close of this year Rev. Edwin R. Hodgman gave up the office of secretary and William E. Frost was elected in his place. Mr. Hodgman was given a vote of thanks for his zealous and faithful service. During his term of office Mr. Hodgman was one of the most active members. During his spare time you would find him repairing and extending sidewalks, giving his work gratuitously.
From 1883 to 1891 the association appeared to have gone out of existence, but in 1891 a meeting was held in the Unitarian church parlors for the purpose of forming an Improvement association. Rev. T. J. Horner of the Unitarian church called the meeting to order and they elected the following officers: Allan Cameron, pres.; Hon. J. H. Read and Sherman H. Fletcher, vice pres.; Julian A. Cameron, sec.; Mrs. Abiel J. Abbot, treas.; Allan Cameron, ex officio; Mrs. Kate Kebler, Miss Emily F. Fletcher, Dr. J. F. Smith, Dr. W. J. Sleeper and Miss Carrie Read, executive committee.
It was voted that the name should be the Westford Improvement association. The object was to improve and adorn the town of Westford, to preserve its natural beauties and aid any object which may be a benefit to the town. The association started with 150 paid members. Street lights were established in the center, using kerosene oil.
In 1892, to preserve trees on the highway, some 5000 trees were tagged and many of them spiked under the Massachusetts law.
In 1895 George T. Day was elected pres.; Gilman J. Wright, sec., and John M. Fletcher, treas. Herbert V. Hildreth, William E. Frost, Miss Eliza A Babbitt, Sherman H. Fletcher and Miss Emily F. Fletcher were a committee on setting stone and tablet in front of the Robinson house in memory of Lieut.-Col. John Robinson, who fought at Concord on April 12, 1775.
In 1898 a committee of three was appointed, Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher, Herbert V. Hildreth and John M. Fletcher, to make such repairs on the flag pole on the common that were necessary.
Many more interesting things could be written, such as seeding down the triangle at the street corners, setting out shrubs at Drew’s Corner, saving the old milestones on the roadside, endeavoring to save the large boulders [the House and the Barn] in the north part of the town, holding entertainments and collecting money to carry on the work, etc.
Nature has done a good deal for Westford and we rejoice that those who have passed on have left a legacy that is appreciated by those who are living. It was the old New England spirit of love of home and country that entered into their everyday life that urged them on in this good work in the early days of the association. Let us follow their example.
- H. F. [Capt. Sherman Heywood Fletcher]
About Town. The next meeting of the Village Improvement society will be held on Thursday evening, September 27. At this meeting a photograph of the great-great-grandchildren of Joseph Underwood, who was once a large land-owner in Westford, including what is now Westford common, which is being elevated to the rank of [a] $2500 improvement. These grandchildren are living at Kirksville, Mo. Here is an opportunity to see the descendants of Joseph Underwood who figured so prominently in town, First Parish church and the Old North bridge. At this meeting the committee to investigate on the proposal for some suitable tablet to the memory of Joseph Underwood will make their report.
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Taylor arrived at Ann Arbor, Mich., September 15. They planned good guess work, expecting to reach Ann Arbor by six o’clock Saturday evening, and they drove up in front of Whitney hotel five minutes past six. They estimated the distance as about 890 miles and the speedometer [i.e., odometer] registered 896 miles. They estimated that the car would average 21 miles per gallon of gas and the check-up was 21.3 miles per gallon. All these guesses were made before leaving Westford.
Ayer
Real Estate Transfers. The following real estate transfers have been recorded from this vicinity recently: …
Westford, James Benoit to Joseph A. Leclerc, land on Bridleway street; Joseph P. Connell to Josephine C. Socha, land on Groton road; James Palermo to Joseph Sedelicki. …
District Court. On Monday morning Alexander Bubeshko, of Graniteville, was before the court for operating an automobile in that town while under the influence of liquor. The Graniteville officer testified that Bubeshko’s Ford climbed a stone wall and that when Bubeshko was first found he was asleep behind the wheel. Bubeshko claimed that he had not been drinking and that the accident was due to a broken wishbone on his machine. The court found him guilty and imposed a fine of $100, together with a suspended sentence of three months. Atty. John D. Carney appeared for the defense.
Footnotes:
The film was probably the 1919 short comedy “Lonesome Hearts and Loose Lions” starring Dan Russell, Mrs. Dan Russell and Harry Sweet. It was one in a series of Century Animal Comedies distributed by Universal Pictures.
Harry Micajah Daugherty (1860-1941), a prominent Ohio Republican, served as Warren G. Harding’s campaign manager in the 1920 Presidential election and in 1921 was appointed Attorney General by Harding, also serving under Coolidge until 1924. He prepared a “Report Submitted to President Coolidge by Attorney General H. M. Daugherty Concerning Prohibition Litigation throughout the U.S., Covering Period Jan. 16, 1920 to June 16, 1923.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_M._Daugherty.
The Hamlin School in San Francisco is still in operation and bills itself as “the oldest non-sectarian school for girls in the western United States, serving approximately 440 students.” Read about its “herstory,” as opposed to its “history,” at https://hamlin.org/hamlins-herstory/.
“Tree spiking involves hammering a metal rod, nail or other material into a tree trunk, either inserting it at the base of the trunk where a logger might be expected to cut into the tree, or higher up where it would affect the sawmill later processing the wood. It is used to prevent logging by risking damage to saws, in the forest or at the mill, if the tree is cut, as well as possible injury or death to the worker. The spike can also lower the commercial value of the wood by causing discoloration, reducing the economic viability of logging in the long term, without threatening the life of the tree. It is illegal in the United States, and has been described as a form of eco-terrorism.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_spiking. It wasn’t always illegal. In 1890 the General Court of Massachusetts passed “An Act Relative to Preserving Ornamental and Shade Trees on the Highways” (amended in 1891) that encouraged selectmen in villages to identify trees along highways that provide “ornament and shade” and to mark them with a spike having the letter M on its head. This was to be done on an annual basis in September through December. Fines up to $100 could be imposed on anyone violating this act. See Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Court of Massachusetts in the Year 1890 (Chap. 196, pp. 179-180) and 1891 (Chap. 49, pp. 691-692).
Col. John Robinson’s house was located at the site of the house now at 17 Robinson Road. The original house and barn were lost in a fire on July 11, 1937, but the monument remains at the site and is shown in an early photo of the house by Emily Frances Fletcher (1845-1923).
Per the deed at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds in Lowell, Bk. 685, pp. 566-567, the four acres of land in Forge Village is bounded by “a Bridleway” and there is no reference to it being a “street.” The “Bridleway” referenced is probably a reference to an unnamed lane.