Turner's Public Spirit, December 4, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. There will be a final meeting of Co. H at the Armory Monday evening, December 6,
at seven o’clock. Every member should endeavor to be present as it will be the final opportunity
to receive State Guard buttons and to adjust clothing accounts….
“The annual concert and ball of the Edward M. Abbot Hose Company, coming this year on
Thanksgiving, made a pleasant reunion of young people and older ones as well….
“Leon F. Hildreth’s horse started on a wild runaway Tuesday when he was out in the village.
A strap broke in the harness which startled the horse and he started to run bringing up against a
tree and clearing himself from the wagon. After this the horse stopped without doing further
damage.
“Tree Warden, Harry L. Nesmith and his men have been removing two trees at the Centre this
week, one a beech tree in the common and the other, a veteran butternut tree….
“Tadmuck Club. In this long succession of sunless days it was pleasant Tuesday evening to
have so successful a gathering and entertainment as took place at the town hall under the direction
of the literature and library extension committee of the club. It was the annual guest night and
fully two hundred and fifty members and guests were present to enjoy the play, ‘The Gifts of the
Poet,’ written by Miss Mary G. Balch. Miss Balch, who has real talent in this direction, wrote the
play, coached the parts, designed the costumes, and was responsible for the very artistic stage
setting for the three acts….
“‘Gifts of the Poet’ was a symbolic play in three acts, in which the poet studies and interprets
nature, and then lays his spiritual and material gifts before the world. All that he has to give he
offers to humanity. This giving is understood in different ways and each person finds in the gifts
the good or evil that he seeks. The truth the poet offers is discovered only by those who love and
serve and the beauty is found by the pure in heart. The scene was a wooded hill….
“Birthday Anniversary. Samuel Law Taylor celebrates December 4, the seventy-fifth
anniversary of his birth. So well-known is Mr. Taylor in this section of Middlesex county, that
this occasion is worthy of passing notice.
“On the maternal side Mr. Taylor’s ancestors were among the very earliest settlers in this
country, going back even to Pilgrim days…. Three of his great-grandfathers were minutemen and
fought at Concord Bridge, John Adams, Reuben Law and Joseph Piper, while a fourth, Josiah
Hayward, belonged to the committee of correspondence and was a delegate to the first and second
provincial congress.
“On his father’s side Mr. Taylor is connected with ‘bonnie Scotland’ and the Ross Clan, his
father having been born in Paisley, Scotland.
“Samuel Law Taylor was born on the old [Westford] homestead where his long and useful life
has been spent…. He was educated at Westford academy. While a boy, the going of his three
older brothers to serve in the Civil war made a great impression on him.
“Mr. Taylor has always identified himself with everything that was for the best interests of his
home town and of humanity….
“Mr. Taylor has always been ready to speak at a political meeting, a town meeting, a Grange
meeting, or a meeting of any kind and his views have been well expressed with clearness,
originality and force of conviction. He has been a ready and witty speaker whose remarks have
enlivened many a gathering…. Emerson, Thoreau and Whittier have been his favorite authors.
“Mr. Taylor has been a successful farmer on the old farm [70 Lowell Road] so picturesquely
placed in the Stony Brook valley, and many prizes have come to him at agricultural exhibits for
his champion potatoes, flint corn and choice apples….
“About Town. Hon. Edward Fisher has been appointed by Gov. Coolidge commissioner of
labor and industry. We second the appointment as a remarkably wise one for justice to both labor
and capital.
“The last butterfly of the season was seen by the writer [Samuel Taylor] Tuesday on Stony
Brook road swinging away from snow and ice towards a southern part.
“Graniteville. Commencing on Monday, November 29, the high school pupils from here and
Forge Village will go by the 8:30 a.m. train to Westford depot, where they will be transported by
auto bus to Westford academy.
“Forge Village. The Abbot Worsted Co. soccer team met and defeated the fast General
Electric eleven of Lynn at Forge Village on last Saturday afternoon by the score of 2 to 0….”
Edward “Pete” Fisher (1874-1953), of Westford’s prominent Fisher family, was reappointedAssociate Commissioner of Labor and Industry by newly elected Governor Calvin Coolidge in November 1920. Courtesy Photo / Westford Historical Society.