Turner's Public Spirit, April 9, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. The minstrel show under the auspices of the Republican League … at the town hall
Friday evening, April 15, is being much anticipated…. A. W. Hartford, Austin Walker, Seth
Bannister, Leon Hildreth, Clifford Johnson, Warren Hanscom, John Greig, Fred Perkins, George
Wilson, Mark Palmer and Frank Caunter are the Westford men taking part.
“State Accountant Pryor from the state house Boston, has been in town the first two days of
this week busy with Town Accountant H. W. Hildreth going over the town officers’ books.
“Mr. and Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding and Mrs. John S. Greig came home Tuesday from a very
enjoyable six weeks’ trip to California and interesting points across [the] country.
“Rev. O. L. Brownsey is having a new Ford touring car delivered to him this week.
“The Misses Atwood arrived at their Westford home [4 Graniteville Road] the first of the
week after their usual pleasant winter sojourn at Jacksonville, Fla.
“Attention is called to a valuable book added this week to the J. V. Fletcher library, ‘The
peace negotiations’ by Robert Lansing. This book is a personal narrative and is a real story of the
peace conference, told for the first time by one of the actual commissioners together with Mr.
Lansing’s frank story of the dramatic event, leading up to his resignation as secretary of state….
“An interesting barn meeting and tractor demonstration was held at the Arthur H. Burnham
farm [then at 142 Littleton Road] last Friday which attracted a large gathering of up-to-date
farmers. ‘Proper feeding of dairy cattle’ was the topic at the barn and the tractors demonstrated
their powers in the field nearby.
“Tadmuck Club. The annual Children’s day of the Tadmuck club proved a great success
Tuesday afternoon at the town hall. It was certainly successful if the enthusiastic appreciation of
the children was a criterion to go by…. They made a pretty sight as they filed up to the town hall
from the [Frost] school in the bright spring sunshine. James Yarrick, magician of Boston, kept
their close attention for a good hour with his clever tricks and stunts.
“Golden Wedding. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Willis Hildreth of this village came the
privilege Wednesday of this week of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.
“The day was made memorable for Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth by a very pleasantly arranged
gathering and reunion of relatives at the home of their son, Charles L. Hildreth…. Relatives of
about 35 in number were present from Wilton, N.H., New Ipswich, N.H., Cambridge, Holliston,
Winchester, New York and Westford.
“A delicious collation was served, the table being handsomely decorated in yellow with
centerpiece of golden jonquils. A handsome wedding cake had its place of honor. Later a picture
of Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth was taken, also a group picture of the company by C. L. Hildreth, who
is skillful at photography.
“Mr. Hildreth was born in New Ipswich, N.H., and Mrs. Hildreth, who was Lucy M. Colburn,
was born in Temple, N.H. They were married at Cambridge, April 6, 1871, by Dr. Alexander
Mackenzie….
“About Town. Nearly all the summer camps around Lake Nabnassett have been broken into
during the winter months.
“There was a demonstration of farm tractors Wednesday at the farm of Charles R. and Fred A.
Blodgett on Millstone hill off the Groton road. Four tractors entered by Ayer Hardware Co. of
Ayer, Fitchburg Hardware Co. of Ayer, Fordson tractor Co. of Ayer, Cleveland Tractor Co. of
Ayer, and International represented by Montgomery Bros. of Ayer.
“The Perley E. Wright truck delivered Tuesday a lot of seed potatoes grown in northern New
York. These potatoes were selected by the farm bureau and appear to be a well-selected lot.
“Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted Co. soccer football club defeated the Hendee Indians of
Springfield at Holyoke on last Saturday in the semifinal for the state cup two goals to 0. The
goals were scored by Taylor and Gilmartin. Orr, the fast right halfback for the Abbot Worsted
team was in the lineup and did good work. All the soccer fans in this vicinity are looking forward
with deep interest to the coming game between the Abbots and Fore River team of Quincy for the
state championship to be played in Worcester Saturday, April 9. ‘Jack’ Kershaw, coach of the
Abbots, will have a good fast team on the field that day. Capt. ‘Billy’ Kelly, the fast center
forward of the Abbots, will be unable to play, owing to an injured knee. This promises to be one
great game.”
Photo by Charles L. Hildreth of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Willis Hildreth, on their 50 th
wedding anniversary. Courtesy Photo / Marilyn Day presentation of C. L. Hildreth photos.