Turner's Public Spirit, December 6, 1919
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Miss Marjory Seavey, who is the English teacher at the Groton high school, [has] been detained at home for a few days with a severe cold. Mrs. Harold W. Hildreth has also been shut in with a hard cold.
“Clifford Johnson has been released from state guard duty in Boston and is at home again.
“Mr. Green, who assists Everett Miller in transporting the school children, has a new Reo truck body for his covered barge. An additional trip is made each morning to Westford depot to bring the children from that neighborhood, and on the down trip any passengers wishing to take the train for Lowell will be accommodated. On the return trip from Brookside in the afternoon Mr. Miller will bring passengers to Westford from the electric car that arrives at that time.
“Special Town Meeting. The special town meeting on Wednesday evening brought out a small attendance…. The report of the committee on a memorial for soldiers and sailors of the great war was accepted as a report of progress. This report suggested grading the common, setting a row of elm trees inside the present rows to replace the old trees as they disappear, placing a walk of seam faced granite between the row of trees and also across the common from the post office and setting the flag pole in a granite base to be suitably inscribed and a tablet to be placed on the flag pole as a civil war relic; also, to grade a small triangle in Forge Village, near the school house, and place thereon a boulder with a tablet for the two Forge Village men who did not come back; also, to grade a small plot opposite the residence of Fred Sargent in Graniteville and place a boulder and tablet for the two Graniteville men who did not come back. Under Article 3 it was voted to appropriate $1500 for a welcome home celebration to be expended under the direction of the selectmen and a committee to be appointed by them.
“About Town. Hon. Edward Fisher, of Westford, has been appointed by Gov. Coolidge as a member of the board of labor and conciliation. He was in the senate when Gov. Coolidge was president….
“Death. Mrs. Ann (Carmichael) Greig died at her home on Main street last week Wednesday evening at the age of 79 years. Mrs. Greig was an exceptional woman in her serenity and sweet disposition. This happy, even balance was a permanent power in all the varied vicissitudes of this changeable life. Clouds did not weaken its influence, or sunshine unduly magnify it. Her attitude towards others was always imbued with love and charity. With her there was more love and charity in silence than in the harshness of unkind words. Thus her life was one of exceptional peace in her home, with her neighbors and the necessary conditions of life….
“Mrs. Greig was born in Alva, Scotland, the daughter of John Carmichael and June Barnett. She came to this county when a young woman and was united in marriage to John Greig in 1840….
“Forge Village. On last Saturday afternoon a large crowd gathered at Abbot’s park to witness the soccer game between Manchester and the local team. During the first half of the game neither side could score, but soon after the beginning of the second half the Amoskeag team secured a goal. Within a short time Abbot scored to the delight of the fans. The game ended in a tie, and as it was then too dark to play, they did not play overtime, which is the usual custom in a tie game….
“Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted Company band is now getting along finely. Rehearsals are held weekly and the band members are making rapid progress. One of the pleasing features is the spirit of cooperation that prevails at all times.
“The first aid class held another interesting meeting in the Abbot club house on Monday evening.
“Littleton
“Hen Thieves. Hundreds of hens have been stolen in Acton and frequent raids on hen roosts have been reported in the neighboring towns in recent weeks…. Constables have traced the touring car used by the thieves to a point a short distance beyond the Acton line in Littleton. While Littleton is not reported as having lost so many hens as Acton and Stow, poultry has been stolen from local coops during the months of December, January and February in years past. It is said that certain chemicals are used to stupefy the hens so that they will make no noise. Certain it is that the thieves understand their contemptible business well enough to be successful every time from their point of view.”