Turner's Public Spirit, February 21, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. A very pleasant sleighing party was enjoyed by the academy scholars on Tuesday
afternoon. There were fourteen who went in McDonald’s big two-horse sled, and Mrs. H. W.
Hildreth acted as matron for the young people. After driving to Groton the party came back to
Forge Village, to the home of the Misses Precious, where hot coffee was provided by Mrs.
Precious to accompany the lunches that had been carried. In the evening the party attended the
motion pictures, seeing Mary Pickford in “Pollyanna” [released Jan. 18, 1920], at Abbot’s hall.
Another enjoyable sleighing party was enjoyed in the afternoon when Mrs. William F. Sargent
acted as hostess, and seventeen went over to Forge Village and enjoyed the same pictures. Mrs.
D. L. Greig furnished and drove the conveyance.
“The tenth annual ball of the Edward M. Abbot hose company was held in the town hall last
week Thursday evening. The bad traveling and much prevalent sickness affected the attendance,
but it made conditions comfortable for the dancers….
“Last Sunday was another unpleasant day for church attendance with the snow in the morning
and the wind and cold at night. At the evening service Mrs. John Felch gave an interesting bible
talk with black-board drawing which will be repeated at some future meeting when weather is
more favorable for attendance….
“There continues to be many cases of [influenza] sickness in the village and both doctors are
kept busy. Recently on Depot street, beginning at Drew’s corner, just about every household had
one or more cases of sickness.
“Traveling continues such that all conveyances are on runners, although one or two
venturesome auto drivers got out for short distances. Both doctors are employing drivers with
horse and sleigh.
“Mrs. Pauline Socrelis [Socorelis] has recently presented to the curio collection at the J. V.
Fletcher library a white fringed towel woven by her in her native Greece at the age of ten. It is of
fine close design and beautifully done.
“American Legion. The members of the American Legion held a general business meeting
last week Friday evening in Abbot’s hall at which refreshments were served, officers chosen for
the ensuing year and plans made for a dance on Easter Monday….
“Officers chosen were Frank C. Johnson, com.; James Costello, William Buckingham, vice
coms.; Harold W. Hildreth. adjt.; Edward Healy, fin. of.; Dr. Coburn, John Gray and John
Connell, ex. com.; Seth C. Bannister, hist.
“About Town. The Abbot Worsted Company have shifted from auto truck to runners in the
transportation of merchandise from Graniteville to Brookside, by way of the Lowell road. Now
and then an auto ventures out and now and then horses haul them out. The roads are not as safe
for auto travel as the roadbed invites. A little unintentional skidding and in goes the truck into the
untrodden snow. On the Lowell road, recently, one buried itself in the snow to the body of the
machine, and then didn’t touch the unexplored depth of the snow.
“Forge Village. On Saturday evening a fine entertainment was provided at Abbot hall. The
movies were preceded by a short concert given by the Precious orchestra, Misses Caroline,
Pamelia and Mildred Precious.
“The Ladies’ Sewing Circle of St. Andrew’s Missions held a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
A great deal of work was accomplished and afterwards a pancake tea was served in honor of the
day, Shrove Tuesday.
“Graniteville. Both masses in St. Catherine’s church last Sunday morning were celebrated by
Rev. J. Emile Dupont, who read the regulations for Lent and also announced that the Lenten
devotions would be held on Wednesday and Friday evenings of this week.
“The regular meeting of Court Graniteville, F. of A. [Foresters of America], was held on
Thursday night with J. W. Shackelton, chief ranger, presiding. Much business of importance was
transacted and several applications for membership were received.
“There is still a great deal of sickness in town.
“Littleton
“News Items. Again Littleton has been hard hit by influenza. Seventy-two cases are reported
on Wednesday.…
“Because of the epidemic the board of health closed the churches on last Sunday and the
schools for a week. The Woman’s club meeting for this week and the musicale for next week
have been omitted for the same reason, and the sunset party of February 23 has also been called
off. The meeting of the Historical society will be postponed unless the members are notified
otherwise.”