Turner's Public Spirit, July 10, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Emory J. Whitney has purchased a new five passenger Overland automobile.
“Fisher Buckshorn is incapacitated from his usual activities with a broken right arm.
“The local strawberry crop is getting by. Lack of drouth [sic] has made the berries extra good this year. Some extra choice berries have been shipped from the Charles A. Griffin farm at the south part of the town.
“Nomination papers have been placed in the different towns in this district for Alfred W. Hartford of this village for representative.
“There was no special celebration for the Fourth in town this year. There were some of the usual demonstrations of noise and exuberance the night before. Flags were in evidence throughout the village and many families entertained company over the holiday, while others went to Littleton, where there was an all-day celebration, finishing with two band concerts in the evening. The fine, cool weather was ideal for anybody’s holiday plans.
“The hay crop is well underway and is a good one this year. Some unusually fine fields of grass are being harvested.
“Several automobiles filled with passengers were in attendance at the band concert given by the Abbot Worsted Co. band at West Chelmsford Wednesday evening of last week.
“Forrest G. White has gone to Lansing, Michigan, in company with one of his father’s garage men, each driving a [Reo] car home over the road.
“Social. The supper and entertainment at the Congregational vestry last week Friday evening was well attended and proved a very successful evening both socially and financially. The supper tables had all their places filled and the tables were attractive with salads and strawberries and other good things with handsome decorations of roses. The entertainment consisted of an old-fashioned concert and a reader from Lowell. The costumes were varied and transformed their wearers into pictures of bygone days. Those who took part were Mrs. Felch, Ruth, John and Elva Judd, Alice Johnson, Mrs. Bertha Whitney, Mrs. Meyer, Mrs. Blaney, Mrs. Colburn, Mrs. Sutherland, Miss Lillian Sutherland, Mrs. W. R. Taylor, Miss Elinor Colburn, Mr. Roudenbush, Carl Anderson and Fred Parker. The singers filed down the aisle of the church to their places on the platform and Mrs. W. R. Taylor in quaintest of costumes gave the prologue in favor of the old songs. The solos, ‘Annie Laurie,’ by Mrs. Blaney; ‘Old Kentucky home,’ by Mrs. Colburn; ‘Grandma’s advice,’ by Lillian Sutherland and ‘Comin’ thru the rye,’ by Mrs. Blaney, were enjoyed. There were several old-fashioned songs by the chorus. Mrs. Bertha Whitney also sang as a solo, ‘Swanee river.’ The final number was the singing of the ‘Red, white and blue’ to the first strains of which Mrs. Charles A. Blodgett as ‘Columbia’ marched down the church aisle and joined ‘Uncle Sam,’ impersonated by Carl Anderson in an effective tableau. …
“About Town. The Swedish convention of the International Bible Students’ association was held in Marshall’s hall, Westford Corner, last Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Delegates were present from many states. Three sessions were held daily and Monday evening the address was in English for the benefit of Bible students of neighboring cities and towns. Among the speakers was Pilgrim brother, Oscar Magnason, who came all the way from Texas to address the meeting. The meetings closed with a baptismal service at Lake Nabnassett.
“Several additional express trains commenced running on the Stony Brook road July 1 from New York to Bar Harbor, Me. These trains have been running by the Nashua, Rochester and Portland route, but [the] Stony Brook route has a more level grade. For a single track the Stony Brook road has at present about all the trains that can find unoccupied time. We recall only one freight train a day on the road and averaging about 25 cars and mostly what was known as half cars, being only about half the length [of] the long box cars. These half cars have long since been discarded.
“The Unitarian church has been closed for the summer vacation, July and August.
“Forge Village. Little Ellen Comiske, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Comiske, whose death occurred Tuesday, was buried Wednesday in the new Russian cemetery on the Westford road. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community. The new cemetery is a tract of land purchased from the Charles Coburn estate by the Russian population of the town. Every evening after working hours a large body of men is seen walking towards the cemetery, where they work until dark, clearing out the stumps and brush. Already a wide space is cleared and a well built stonewall is arranged on two sides. Four beautiful granite memorials have been recently erected. Great credit is due the men for their industry and foresight.”