Turner's Public Spirit, January 24, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. The monthly social at the Congregational church took place Tuesday evening with supper at 6:30. The committee in charge were sorry to disappoint their audience with the music. The West Chelmsford orchestra, which was to have furnished music for the entertainment, were unable to get through to Westford on account of the traveling, having to give up after they had started….
“Alfred Sutherland injured one of his feet by the fall of a heavy box while at work at Sargent’s machine shop last week. He was quick enough to break the fall of the box somewhat with his knee, or the injury would have been much worse than the bad bruising that the foot received. While not able to work yet he is getting about on crutches a little.
“The automobile show at the Kasino building, Lowell, has attracted many interested visitors this week. It is very complete and staged entirely by Lowell dealers. George F. White, of Westford and Lowell, had Reo and Oakland cars on exhibition and also commercial trucks.
“Members of the state guard company assembled in the lower town hall last week Friday evening. Each man was paid the extra compensation voted by the recent special session of the legislature. Capt. Edward Fisher made some interesting remarks,,,.
“Sunday was one of the hardest days for weather of the season with its intense cold and wind blowing a gale. Westford hill got the full fury of the wind which blew the fresh snow everywhere, and of course in the most unwanted places. It seemed as though every driveway and walk at every house in the village was piled high with snow, not to mention the drifted roads. The streets were strewn with dead branches from the trees….
“There were no sessions of the schools on Monday, owing to the bad traveling and cold.
“About Town. The weather on Tuesday morning got down to real winter business, the thermometer as auditor of cold reporting 20° below zero at the Old Oaken Bucket farm, and 24° below as far away as Westford depot.
“The Sullivan truck carrying milk to Lowell, Sunday, broke down at Amos Polley’s and was obliged to resort to ye old time horse sled. This made it a nearly sunrise-sunset journey….
“George F. White, with his valuable thorough-bred cows is now sending certified milk to the W. J. Burbeck Milk Co., Lowell.
“The Fletcher Cold Spring farm have harvested their supply of ice from Burgess [Burge’s] pond, fourteen inches thick….
“Officers Installed. On last week Thursday evening the officers of Westford Grange were installed in a most efficient and instructive manner by Willard H. White, past master of Ayer Grange, assisted by Mrs. Jennie Hartford, Mrs. Lillian Meyers and Miss Grace E. Ranney. The officers installed were E. Clyde Prescott, m.; Clifford Johnson, o.; Frederick A. Hanscom, lect.; Harry O. Hartford, stew.; Mrs. Frank C. Wright, sec.; A. H. Sutherland, treas.; J. Frank Chandler, chap.; Austin Fletcher, asst. stew.; Elva T. Judd, l.a.s.; Ruth Johnson, Ceres; Marion Fletcher, Flora; Gladys Fletcher, Pomona; Howard Judd, g.k.; W. R. Taylor, ex. com. 3 years….
“Graniteville. Following the snow storm of last Saturday the weather developed into a severe wind storm on Sunday, with the worst cold spell that has been experienced here this winter….
“F. Russell Furbush has recently taken the agency for the Dodge car.
“Tuesday was the coldest morning here this winter, with the mercury registering from 20 to 28 degrees below zero. The fellow who predicted an open winter will have to take a back seat, for so far the winter has been of the old New England type.
“Forge Village. Misses Caroline, Pamelia and Mildred Precious furnished the dance music at the Legion ball given recently in Townsend.
“The ice cutting on Lake Mattawanakee [i.e., Forge Pond] is in full swing. The Daniel Gage Ice Company has a large force of men at work this year.
“On Tuesday and Thursday evenings two good programs were given at Abbot hall with the hall crowded on both nights. The pictures furnished by the Abbot Worsted Company are the best that can be secured and everyone is taking advantage of the opportunity to see these shows.
The Hanley Company was located in the old Prescott Tavern, replaced in 1976 by the commercial building at 2 W. Prescott St. This vintage ad appeared in the “Turner’s Public Spirit” Ayer newspaper of January 24, 1920, p. 2.