A Century Ago in Westford
The Westford Wardsman was published weekly as part of Turner’s Public Spirit, an Ayer-based newspaper. In the 21st century, Bob Oliphant, a longtime Westford Historical Society supporter, transcribed the complete articles from digital copies.
A more thorough introduction to the Wardsman is available here. A glossary of the abbreviations used in the Wardsman is available here.
This page is continually being updated, so check back soon for more recent articles.
You can also use the Westford Wardsman Date Index page to browse for specific issues by date.
Turner's Public Spirit, April 12, 1924
Middlesex County District Attorney is featured speaker at Unitarian Layman’s League’s supper. The Ladies’ Aid Society of the Methodist Church elects officers for the current year. Abbot Worsted and C. G. Sargent’s Sons mills are running on a four-days-a-week schedule.
Turner's Public Spirit, April 5, 1924
Selectmen order a quarantine for all dogs due to rabies outbreak. First thunderstorm of the season is followed, a few days later, by “a good old-fashioned snowstorm.” Firemen hold “another of their enjoyable suppers” with 22 in attendance.
Turner's Public Spirit, March 30, 1924
White sea gulls seen flying over Stony Brook. Rabid dog bites two people in Graniteville. Brothers rescue a collie that fell through thin ice on the mill pond. -Lynn
Turner's Public Spirit, March 22, 1924
Snow affects attendance at the American Legion dance & prevents delivery of mail from Chelmsford to Westford. Library displays a “fine set of colored photographs” taken in the Madeira Islands. First Parish’s first-floor social rooms are being renovated.
Turner's Public Spirit, March 15, 1924
A moose with horn spread of 4 feet is “freighted” over the Stony Brook Railroad. In spite of one of the worst storms of the winter, a large audience in Graniteville enjoys the Western movie “The Spoilers,” followed by a comedy. Some ardent Forge Village soccer fans attend the big Eastern semifinal between Fall River and Bethlehem Steel in Brooklyn.
Turner's Public Spirit, March 8, 1924
Selectmen vote to not have a salaried police officer, & appoint a Select Board member to act as chief. The Tadmuck Club’s Reading Club holds its first meeting. Graniteville night school students hold a well-attended dancing party in Town Hall
Turner's Public Spirit, March 1, 1924
Man apprehended while stealing property from a Nab Lake camp. Several Westford men petition County Commissioners for relocation & repairs of section of Littleton Road. Library urges fans of “Vanity Fair” to read Thackeray’s letters in Harper’s Magazine.
Turner's Public Spirit, February 23, 1924
No one is seriously injured when an Reo Speed Wagon, filled with high school pupils returning from a basketball game in Groton, skids & overturns. The Progressive Poultry Club has an enjoyable sleighride party & hears a talk on “grading and testing of birds.” The featured movie in Graniteville is Jackie Coogan in “Oliver Twist.”
Turner's Public Spirit, February 16, 1924
Frost School Athletic Club has a coasting & skiing party on Prospect Hill, followed by a franfurt roast with coffee and cookies. Nearly 84% of registered voters come out for the annual town election. Abbot Worsted band takes a sleighride to Brookside, then gives a concert before the regular movie show.
Turner's Public Spirit, February 9, 1924
Abbot Worsted to close its mills on the day of the Annual Town Meeting. Fish and Game Warden releases 27 snowshoe rabbits. The Mendelssohn Male Quartet of Lowell gives a largely attended & very enjoyable concert at the M.E. Church
Turner's Public Spirit, February 2, 1924
Temperatures of 19 and 22 below zero are reported. Successful supper & entertainment held in the Congregational Church. Large crowd attends citizens’ caucus to nominate candidates for local office.
Turner's Public Spirit, January 26, 1924
300 supporters, including the Abbot Worsted band, take a special train to Pawtucket & watch Abbot Worsted soccer team lose the eastern semifinal, 2-1. Men of First Parish Church & their friends form the Westford chapter of the Unitarian Laymen’s League. Two Forge Village women charge each other with assault & battery & disturbing the peace; both are found guilty.