A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. The concert and dance on Friday evening of last week, given by the Westford Service club, with Poole’s orchestra of Boston, as an attraction, was very successful in attendance and financial result. Nearly all our returned soldiers were present and all the surrounding villages and towns were represented. It was estimated that there were about 250 in attendance.
“George H. Cadman, in addition to his large apple crop, is harvesting and sending to the Boston market a good crop of peaches of the early variety.
“Mr. and Mrs. William Atwood, of Daytona, Fla., are visiting at the home of the Misses Atwood. Their journey up to this state amounted to 2200 miles.
“Help was called Monday from the village for a bad wood fire on Forest road. The fire, which is thought to have been started by berry-pickers, was subdued, but broke out again and Harry Nesmith and A. H. Sutherland, with helpers, had to spend much time with it the next day.
“Mrs. S. B. Wright reports already picked and shipped from their farm 200 quarts of fine quality blueberries to the Boston market.
“Westford friends will be glad for Mrs. Daisy G. Colburn that the state, through the efforts of the senator from this district, has been awarded a claim from the state for the death of her late husband, J. Henry Colburn, who was killed while on duty at a military drill of the local company of state guard.
“Interesting Relics. William Pollock, at the Cold Spring farm, has contributed to the loan collection at the J. V. Fletcher library two interesting objects. One is a fine specimen of the stone age, an extra good Indian stone hatchet…. The other curiosity was found by and is loaned by Miss Marjorie Pollock, and is a fine old powder horn of the revolutionary period. Cut into the well preserved horn is the following inscription, ‘Charles Stodder, July 25, 1799.’ … [Capt. Charles Stodder was christened in Chelsea in 1776 and died in Westford in 1821.]
“About Town. The Abbot Worsted Company are reported to have bought of George C. Moore his large worsted mill in North Chelmsford.
“Mrs. May Flynn Savage has been ill with acute indigestion at her home on the Stony Brook road.
“George C. Moore is building a cattle barn at his Nabnassett farm that will have all the latest improvements, including water power, which is being installed in the public waterway close by his present large barn. Since disposing of his Brookside mills he intends to develop farming by brains and science as a lesson in possibilities.
“Graniteville. Rev. U. H. Layton [pastor of the M.E. church at Graniteville 1912-1913], with Mrs. Layton and little son Justin, of Chester, are spending a few days here as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Furbush. Mrs. Layton was formerly Miss Ruth Furbush, of this village.
“Forge Village. A most enjoyable outing was held on last Saturday when the Abbot Worsted Co. entertained the superintendents, overseers and their wives and the office force from their mills in this village, Graniteville and Brookside at Hampton Beach. The trip was made by auto. Dinner was served at 2:30 o’clock at the Casino, where 87 enjoyed the excellent meal served. The large party then assembled on the beach, where a group picture was taken. A trip to Salisbury Beach was then made and the remainder of the day was spent in bathing, dancing and many other attractions the place afforded. The return trip was made in the evening and the women were presented boxes of candy. This affair was the first of its kind to be given by the Abbot Worsted Co. and expressions of gratitude were heard on all sides for the well planned trip.
“The [fifth and] final game of the [Forge Village vs. Graniteville baseball] series was played in Graniteville Tuesday evening when the local team defeated the Graniteville A. C. with the score of 8 to 1. This game called out all of the fans who have been watching the games with much interest. Forge A. C. now holds the championship between the two villages.
“One of the most attractive flower gardens in this vicinity is at the residence of John P. Brown [Bradford St.]. Since early in March he has had a continuous show of blossoms. Many of them are very rare and have been obtained at great expense and have taken a great deal of time and labor….
“About Town. The Abbot Worsted Company have purchased an attractive truck for their mill at Brookside, with the label, Abbot Worsted Co., Brookside mill. This truck and other improvements look very much like thrift.”