A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Company H, M.S.G., was called together for drill on Tuesday evening. After drill,
rations were served of a different kind and in a different manner from some of the company’s
experiences, making a very noticeable contrast. After the supper Mr. [Frank Palmer] Sibley, war
correspondent for the Boston Globe, gave a very interesting talk, relating his experiences in
France on the front with the Yankee Division….
“Monday afternoon, April 19, opened the baseball season at Whitney playground. The
academy alumni team won from the regular academy team by the score of 4 to 2.
“Tadmuck Club. The spring musicale in charge of the music committee of the Tadmuck club
proved most enjoyable and original, although simple in scope…. A series of Victrola selections
were given with sketches of the composers and singers….
“Death. The community was shocked and saddened on Monday to hear of the death of Mrs.
Bessie M. Watson at the Lowell General hospital…. Mrs. Watson had been ill earlier in the
spring with influenza and later a serious trouble developed in her head and nose which required
special surgery. This, however, proved unavailing and she died from septic poisoning….
“Bessie Maria Day was born on December 15, 1869, and was the only child of Mr. and Mrs.
Edmund Day. She had spent all of her life in the neighborhood where she lived, having been
born in what was known as the George Prescott house, which occupied the site of Mrs. O. V.
Wells’ residence [29 Main St.]. Her education was received in the public schools and from
Westford academy, from which she was graduated, and in addition was carefully educated
musically, and always enjoyed music, both vocal and instrumental.
“On April 14, 1897, she was united in marriage to Sebastian B. Watson, of Newbern, N.C. A
little son … died in infancy….
“She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Maria Day, from whom she has never been separated for
trips or visits, and the tie between them was especially devoted, and by her husband, Sebastian
Watson, and to this devoted family the death of Mrs. Watson comes as an almost overwhelming
blow….
“About Town. The Abbot Worsted Company at their Brookside mill have the batters up for a
new hall and cafeteria, which will be located on the Hamblett land nearly opposite the mill [now
the Fletcher Club]. Excavations for the cellar have already commenced. The top soil is being
moved to grade up and enrich the lawns of the cottages on the Brookside road. The Abbot
Worsted Company are making over and enlarging Brookside as per their usual generosity and
progressiveness….
“A grass fire started Sunday forenoon on the John H. Decatur farm on the Lowell road and ran
over a large acreage, extending from the Lowell road to the Stony Brook. At one time the fire
threatened the cottage house on this land, the shed catching fire but was soon extinguished. Harry
L. Nesmith, forest fire warden, was notified and ordered the fire to stop right where it was and it
did so.“At last reports there is a snowdrift overlooking the crooked waters of Tadmuck brook that is
close to two feet deep. This spot is usually first in the lap of winter and last in the lap of spring.
A few more of these 70-in-the-shade days and it will be merged into the lap of Tadmuck brook.
“About forty farmers gathered at the orchards of Rev. William A. Anderson and William E.
Wright [39 Flagg Road], when Prof. Chenoweth of the State College illustrated the various kinds
of grafting….
“Graniteville. Joe Wall, the local fish and game warden, has recently placed 2000 fingerling
trout in several of the streams in this vicinity. These trout were received from the U.S. hatchery.
“A girls’ baseball club will soon be formed here. In fact there will be two teams fully
equipped. More details will be given later.
“Forge Village. The Abbot Worsted soccer football team played the Thistles of Lawrence at
Abbot park on last Saturday afternoon before an enthusiastic crowd. The Abbot Worsted team
won an easy victory, the game ending by the score of 4 to 0.
“The Abbot Worsted band gave a concert Monday afternoon outside Abbot hall. They
rendered several pleasing numbers. The members are now in possession of their caps which are
black and gold, and are anticipating the arrival of the remainder of the uniforms next week. The
contract is in the hands of the Harding Uniform Co., Boston.”
Abbot Worsted Band after receiving their uniforms, probably taken about May 1920. James Larkin of North Chelmsford was the director. Note the ram’s head on the base drum. Courtesy
Photo/June Kennedy.