Turner's Public Spirit, June 19, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Alfred W. Hartford severs his connection at Wright & Fletcher’s this week after
twenty-two years of consecutive service. Mr. Hartford leaves to enter the insurance business in
Lowell and takes with him many good wishes for success from the Westford friends.
“A pleasant happening last week at the class outing at Marblehead was the unexpected
meeting by the young people with their former superintendent, Frank H. Hill. It was a mutually
pleasant meeting and added to the day’s pleasure.
“John M. Fletcher is spending a week or ten days of vacation with kinspeople at Farmington,
N.H. John H. Fletcher drove up with his father and remained over Sunday and Monday.
“Academy Graduation. The event of the week to pupils, parents and friends has been the
graduating exercises of the good-sized class of thirteen. The exercises took place at the town hall
on Wednesday at ten a.m….
“The program commenced with a march and overture by the Titania orchestra, followed by
invocation by Rev. O. L. Brownsey. Miss Julia K. Donnelly gave the salutatory and after singing
by the school John A. Martin gave the class history, followed by the class prophecy by Forrest S.
White. A solo by Conrad Coté preceded the class will by Miss Annie P. Precious, after which the
essay, ‘The Pilgrim forefathers, the real founders of our republic,’ [was read] by Miss Marion M.
Woodbury….
“Principal William C. Roudenbush by the special request of his graduating class was the
speaker for the day, taking the class motto as his subject. His was a very sincere and timely
message to his graduating class and other hearers. The essay with valedictory, ‘The character of
the Pilgrims,’ was given by Miss Mildred V. Precious. Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher presented the
prizes to the recipients and in the absence of Supt. H. C. Knight, on account of illness, Mr.
Roudenbush presented the diplomas and the exercises closed with singing by the girls’ chorus.
“The graduates were: Morton R. Seavey, Yvonne M. Anctil, Conrad E. J. Coté, Julia K.
Donnelly, Webster F. Flagg, Frederick C. Griffin, John A. Martin, Mildred V. Precious, Annie P.
Precious, Edna M. Sargent, Dorothy G. Shugrue, Raymond A. Wall, Forrest S. White and Marion
M. Woodbury.
“The class flower was the American Beauty rose and the class rings were designed by Forrest
S. White.
“At the close of the exercises, luncheon, reception to the graduates and later the annual
meeting of the alumni took place. In the evening came the graduation ball with the Colonial
orchestra furnishing music for dancing. There was a large attendance and the cool evening added
to the pleasure of the dancers.
“About Town. It is reported that the Cold Spring woods on Cold Spring road have been sold
to Dutton & Parkhurst of Chelmsford, who will set up a portable sawmill. This is a handsome
grove of pine and adds so much in attractiveness to the landscape from the western view at
Westford station bordering as it does on Stony Brook. It adds much to the natural charm of the
brook at this point. We regret to see it passing as an asset of beauty and inspiration. It is part of
the Fletcher Cold Spring farm and has reached the point of decline and as such from the
commercial view point it is unwise to longer continue that old plea, ‘Woodman spare that tree, in
youth it sheltered me.’
“Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted Co. baseball club met and defeated the strong Walton A.
A. team of Fitchburg on the home grounds here last Saturday by the score of 14 to 1…. Before
the game the Abbot Worsted Co. band, thirty-five strong, under the direction of James P. Larkin,
marched through the town and gave a brief concert before the game. This was the opening of the
baseball season here, and the game was started by J. C. Abbot, treasurer of the Abbot Worsted
Co., throwing the first ball.
“The work of installing the new pipe organ in the M.E. church here is progressing rapidly.
The work was somewhat hindered owing to the illness of the man in charge, but it is expected
that the whole job will be completed in a short time.
“Forge Village. The annual picnic for St. Andrew’s Sunday school was held in Cameron
grove Saturday afternoon. Rev. Leslie Wallace was in charge of the games and races, assisted by
the teachers….
“A large number of people from here attended the graduation exercises in Westford,
Wednesday. Once more the highest honors are awarded to Forge Village, Miss Mildred Precious
being valedictorian.”
William C. Roudenbush was principal of Westford Academy. Photo taken May 23, 1922.
Courtesy Photo/June Kennedy.