Turner's Public Spirit, December 20, 1919
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. On Saturday, December 20, Pine Ridge station [southwest corner of the intersection
of Cold Spring and Forge Village Roads] will be closed to the public. There will be no freight
received or shipped from the station. However, any passengers who wish to go from this station
may do so and purchase their tickets on the train. Mr. and Mrs. Pyne, who have lived at the
station for twenty-eight years, are to continue living there, and the station will be open and warm
for the convenience of any passengers. In their long term of service Mr. and Mrs. Pyne have
certainly rendered a faithful and obliging service to the public.
“We are told that the Isaac Minot farm at Minot’s corner [Boston, Carlisle and Littleton
Roads] has been sold to a Boston woolen merchant and large plans are under way for its
development. Extensive rebuilding and new cement building and the keeping of a large herd of
sheep; also, a registered Ayrshire herd of cows are reported as planned for. An attempt is also
being made to have the town water supply and the electric lighting extended to the corner.
Manuel Avilla has been occupying and carrying on this place for a number of seasons.
“The selectmen have appointed the following committee to act in conjunction with them in
carrying out the vote of the town for a welcome home for the veterans of the world war: Herbert
E. Fletcher, Herbert V. Hildreth, Mrs. Herbert V. Hildreth, Alfred W. Hartford, Frank C. Wright,
Elbert H. Flagg, Capt. C. W. Robinson, Wesley O. Hawkes, P. Henry Harrington, Albert R. Wall,
Mrs. Hammett D. Wright, John Edwards, Thomas Costello, Mrs. Annie Precious and Burton
Griffin. The amount voted for the celebration is $1500.
“Schools closed this week Friday for one week, December 19 to December 29, taking in the
Christmas holiday.
“Reception. A delightful social gathering was given last week Friday afternoon by Mrs.
Julian A. Cameron at her home [7 Graniteville Rd.] to introduce her son’s bride, Mrs. Alexander
A. Cameron, to the Westford friends. After the guests had all arrived and been pleasantly
presented, tables were ready for whist, both auction bridge and plain whist, which were much
enjoyed….
“Christmas Observance. Sunday will be observed as Christmas Sunday at the churches….
“On next week Wednesday, Christmas eve, there will be a supper, tree and entertainment for
the children of the Sunday school. This is planned to commence at five o’clock and end in time
to enjoy the pictures at the Unitarian church, commencing at eight o’clock.
“Death. We note the death on Sunday at her home in North Billerica of Miss Harriet B.
Rogers at the age of 85 years, 8 months, 2 days.
“Miss Rogers was at one time a teacher in Westford academy, teaching therein from 1855 to
1858 [1855-59 and 1861-63], and Westford friends have kept in touch with her through the years
since. She was a woman of scholarly attainments and exceptional ability [notably as principal of
the Clarke Institution for Deaf Mutes at Northampton; see Rev. Edwin Hodgman’s “History of
Westford,” page 326].
“Forge Village. The local soccer team played the Lawrence eleven on Saturday and defeated
them in a score of 7 to 2. Although the weather was threatening, a large crowd gathered at
Abbot’s park….
“About Town. The wood on the Graham R. Whidden lot near Westford station is being
loaded onto the cars for Boston. W. S. Greenough, of Acton, has the contract. There are about
600 cords….
“The Sunday school of the First Parish church will give a Christmas entertainment in the
vestry of the church on Wednesday afternoon, December 24, at four o’clock…. Afterwards for
everybody, and by the gracious goodness of the Abbot Worsted Company, will be motion
pictures….
“Graniteville. The mill pond is now frozen over and some excellent skating has been enjoyed here by the young people during the past few days.
“The sale of the Red Cross Christmas seals have been very brisk here this week.
“Littleton
“Resigns as Superintendent. , superintendent of schools, has presented his
resignation in Littleton, Westford, Acton and Carlisle, to take effect as soon as his successor can
be elected, having been unanimously elected superintendent of Marblehead schools on the first
ballot cast by the school board of that city….
“The united school boards of this district offered Mr. Hill a very flattering advance in salary
with encouraging assurances. While he appreciates all that has been done by way of inducement
to retain him in his present position Mr. Hill is attracted largely by the comparatively small radius
within which the schools of his new field of labor are located….”