Turner's Public Spirit, July 3, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Cameron, who have been occupying the old Cameron
homestead while their new home was being completed, are moving this week to the newly
finished home. The house [at 10 Graniteville Road] and newly graded grounds with its sightly
location are an attractive improvement to the community.
“Miss May E. Day, acting librarian at the J. V. Fletcher library, attends the meetings of the
New England Library association at Isles of Shoals July 1 to 3 and expects to remain over for the
Fourth. Miss Alice Howard and Miss Maude Robinson substitute at the library during her
absence.
“A branch work of the library is the sending of a basket of books, between two and three
hundred each week, to Graniteville so that residents there may easily have the reading of the
books. Mrs. Albert R. Wall is in charge of the distribution and care of the books sent.
“Police Officer Sherlock has been absent on a vacation and we are told returns a benedict [a
long-time bachelor who is recently married] and is receiving felicitations of the friends here.
“Edward Clements took two groups of people to the circus in Lowell last week Friday in his
truck. There were a good number of children in the afternoon party and of adults in the evening.
“The siren whistle for fire alarms has arrived after several months’ travel by ‘express’ from
Chicago. It has been put in place in the firehouse [now the Westford Museum] cupola and [is]
being tested this week. The unusual noise Monday, when it was first sounded, carried a good
deal of interest.
“About Town. What a wonderful growth Brookside is having. It has now reached the size of
a postoffice and named Nabnassett. The Abbot Worsted Co., by its progressiveness, has got
Brookside on the US. map.
“The largest sweet corn we have seen was in the garden of Edmund B. Whitney at Brookside
on a sandy soil and sloping southerly close by the hot rails of the Stony Brook railroad. We did
not measure the height of the corn, as we were on our way to church,…
“Last week we reported the marriage of Elmer H. Whidden of Whidden’s Corner, Westford, to
Miss Estelle Earle of Lowell, but we find it printed in the paper, Elmer H. Wheeler. We don’t
know whose error this is, but … we claim the error and bow wow an apology to one party and
hasten to notify Mr. Wheeler that he is not married.
“Here is another testimonial on raising alfalfa. Gilbert F. Wright of Chelmsford is the only
farmer in that vicinity who has made a success in raising it. The first culling was June 9, when
over six tons were put into the barn. During the season he expects to harvest three crops, or
something like four tons to the acre. We are glad to report this success because Mr. Wright was
born in Westford … and is well remembered as one of the younger scholars at the old Stony
Brook school. We were not schoolmates for long. We were just receiving our last flogging when
he was receiving his first.
“Marshall’s hall on Westford-Chelmsford town line at Westford corner has been sold to a
Lowell party by the name of Mr. Somebody, as we received it from a forgetful memory. The hall
has been remodeled … and the new purchaser intends to push it to its value…. The usual dances
will be held there Saturday evenings.
“Under the auspices of the village church, the band of Abbot Worsted Co. gave a concert
Wednesday evening on Cameron park, West Chelmsford….
“Westford now has six postoffices, since Nabnassett was established. If you feel like thanking
anyone for putting Brookside on the map, their address is Abbot Worsted Company, Nabnassett,
Mass.
“Graniteville. The ball game played here last Saturday between the Abbot Worsted Co. and
the Natick town team, which was won by the local club by the score of 5 to 4, attracted many fans
from Lowell and surrounding towns….
“Forge Village. A wonderful assortment of colored worsted yarns, ‘Abbot’ made, is on sale
at Hanley’s store. All the popular shades and heather mixtures are included in the display.
“Ayer
“District Court. Margaret Elliott, sixteen years of age, was in court on Wednesday morning
charged with assault and battery on Camilla Palermo, fourteen years of age, both parties being
from Westford. Both girls are employed in a factory in Westford and while at work the
complainant hit the defendant’s arm with a stick. The defendant replied by kicking the
complainant and calling her an objectionable name. The court found the defendant guilty and
placed the case on file, and advised the girls to return home and live peaceably.”
1975 Photograph of 10 Graniteville Road. Courtesy Photo/Westford Historical Commission.