A Century Ago in Westford
The Westford Wardsman was published weekly as part of Turner’s Public Spirit, a newspaper based in Ayer. In the 21st century, Bob Oliphant, a dedicated supporter of the Westford Historical Society, transcribed the complete articles from digital copies.
This page is regularly updated, so be sure to check back for the latest articles. You can also browse specific issues by date using the Westford Wardsman Date Index page.
Turner's Public Spirit, July 25, 1925
An old-fashioned dance party at Town Hall on Tuesday night attracts attendees from surrounding towns. More than 100 members of the Nashoba Fruit Producers’ Association hold annual summer meeting at local farm on Depot Street. After previous week’s raid, two more Westford residents are found guilty of selling illegal liquor.
Turner's Public Spirit, July 18, 1925
Westford Oratorio Society’s concert performance of “The Bohemian Girl” at the Forge Village soccer field, with dozens in the cast, is a great success. A freight train, estimated at three-quarters-of-a-mile long, is seen on the Stony Brook line. Another train breaks a wheel, throwing several cars off the track & holding up traffic for hours. Abbot Worsted mills to close for a week’s annual vacation.
Turner's Public Spirit, July 11, 1925
Selectmen order boys to repair damage they caused to the Whitney playground on 4th of July eve. About 500 enjoy men’s club lawn party that featured a 39-piece band from Somerville church. Excelsior Grove, a “desirable resort for excursion parties” created in 1845 on Forge Pond, is described.
Turner's Public Spirit, July 4, 1925
Entertainment at the Grange’s strawberry supper at Town Hall includes piano, vocal, and harmonica solos and piano and violin duets. Police seize more than 400 bottles of homebrew on Makepeace Road and arrest the “alleged proprietor.” Sargent School seventh and eighth graders enjoy an outing at Revere Beach.
Turner's Public Spirit, June 27, 1925
A graduation ball follows WA graduation. In a primary election for a Congressional seat, 290 of 299 voters in town vote for Edith Nourse Rogers. Plans for a multi-event Forge Village “big community celebration” of the 4th of July are described in detail.
Turner's Public Spirit, June 20, 1925
Children provide program of recitations and song at Congregational Church’s Children’s Day. Two students tie for first place in Westford Academy’s annual speaking contest. Frost & Cameron Schools hold graduation exercises. Abbot Junior Baseball Club holds a whist party & dance in Graniteville’s Abbot Hall.
Turner's Public Spirit, June 13, 1925
Congregational Church’s Men’s Club holds Ladies’ Night, featuring an interesting talk on Japan, illustrated with hand-painted slides, and music, with refreshments of strawberries, cream, cake and coffee. WA baseball team beats Groton High School, 14-7. Many from surrounding towns attend regional conference at Unitarian Church.
Turner's Public Spirit, June 6, 1925
Memorial Day is observed with a march of veterans, the Abbot Worsted band furnishing the music. The dedication of the War Memorial on the Town Common and “an excellent dinner” at Town Hall complete the day’s commemoration. Malden beats the Abbot baseball team 2-1 in extra innings.
Turner's Public Spirit, May 30, 1925
Four Civil War veterans attend Union memorial services at the Congregational Church, which included prayers, music and the pastor’s sermon, followed by lunch. Children of the five Westford schools entertain their parents and friends with a program of games and dancing during Field Day at the Whitney playground. Large audience enjoys Epworth League’s comedy-drama, “The Last Loaf,” at the Methodist church.
Turner's Public Spirit, May 23, 1925
Pupils of the schools are selling subscriptions to the Ladies’ Home Journal and Saturday Evening Post to raise money for the athletic association.The successful supper and entertainment at the Congregational vestry features solos and duets, recitations and orchestra selections. An early morning frost chills the Stony Brook valley.
Turner's Public Spirit, May 16, 1925
Town mourns the death of a young resident. Unitarian Church’s Alliance entertains ladies of the Congregational Church with a “dainty luncheon,” a speaker & music. Westford’s American Legion post assigned a $500 quota toward national Legion’s endowment fund.
Turner's Public Spirit, May 9, 1925
The Ladies’ Aid of the Congregational Church and the Alliance of the Unitarian Church hold an all-day meeting. Sargent School students run a cake and candy sale to raise funds to purchase material for their upcoming field day. Abbot “C” soccer team wins its 18th straight victory of the season in the semifinal of the Junior Bay State championship series.