A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. An interesting recent real estate transfer is that of the sale of Francis A. Frost to trustees of Westford academy of land and buildings on Main street. This is the home [now at 12 Main St., formerly between 24 and 30 Main St.] of the late Mr. and Mrs. William E. Frost [Westford Academy preceptor for whom Frost School is named], and this purchase by the trustees insures a house for the principal of the academy….
“The new automobile, a Ford sedan, for the use of Miss Weir, the public health nurse, arrived this week. This is purchased by the town and by the Red Cross society. It will be housed in the garage owned by Mrs. Isles.
“Miss Marjory Seavey has completed her course at Boston university and her commencement exercises have taken place during this week.
“The branch line car service remains closed, and we hear that Alfred Tuttle is planning to start a jitney service as soon as he can procure a suitable car.
“The continued drouth has cut the strawberry crop, which was so promising at the beginning, and the hay crop is much in need of a good rain….
“George F. White is making extensive alterations in his barn, which, when completed, will be one of the most up-to-date and sanitary interiors for the housing of his thoroughbred herd of Ayrshires.
“The winners of the prizes given by the academy trustees are as follows: Historical essay with water color map, upper school, third and fourth years, first prize, Ruth Merle Sargent ’19, $5.00; second prize, Ethel Marjory Collins ’19, $2.50; honorable mention, Dorothy Shugrue ’20; lower school, first and second year, first prize, Helen Kimball ’22, $5.00; second prize, Marjorie Bell ’21, $2.50; honorable mention, Frances Daley ’21. Typewriting, advanced class, first prize, Julia Donnelley ’20, $5.00; second prize, Ethel Marjorie Collins, $2.50; honorable mention, Ethel Minerva Ripley ’19; beginners’ class prize, Gertrude Strandberg ’21, $2.50; honorable mention, E. Pamelia Precious ’20, Hattie Simpson ’21.
“About Town. The selectmen are to be congratulated on the new railing protection to dangerous places. A lack of railing cost the town a few thousand a few years ago. To those who criticize modern posts as compared with stone posts, the stone posts, unless set extremely deep, are top heavy and sag over. Another improvement that the selectmen might wisely undertake would be the lengthening of the bridge on the curve over Tadmuck brook and straightening the curve. The driveway through the brook has long since been discontinued and straightening the curve is the needed finish.
“The committee on the soldiers’ memorial have organized by electing Edward M. Abbot as chairman and Mrs. Julian A. Cameron as secretary. The committee is ready to receive suggestions and later will give a public hearing.
“Walter Fletcher and Miss Evelyn Taylor, of Lowell, were united in marriage on Wednesday afternoon in St. John’s Episcopal church, Lowell, by the rector, Rev. James Bancroft. Austin Fletcher was best man; Miss Janet Sabine was flower girl; Bertram and Alfred Sutherland acted as ushers. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher will make their home on Plain street, near Westford station.
“Graniteville. The Abbot Worsted Co. club met with their first defeat last Saturday at the hands of the
Lamson club by the score of 11 to 4. The home club was very much off form and it is hoped that they got all of the bad baseball out of their system in this game….
“A large number of the Westford men who were in the U.S. service during the world war, both overseas and at home, held a meeting in the Abbot club house on Monday evening for the purpose of forming a post of the American Legion. A permanent organization was formed and during the session the following officers were elected; Ralph Fletcher of Westford, pres.; Eugene Guichard, sec.; Private Costello of Forge Village, treas. All present signed the roster as charter members.
“Death. Albert Rockwood Choate, an old and respected resident of this village, died early Tuesday morning at his home on Broadway, after an illness of two weeks’ duration. His age was 76 yrs. 3 mos. and 22 days….
“Some forty-six years ago he came to Graniteville to accept the position of master mechanic with the Abbot Worsted Company at their mills here, and has filled that position with credit and honor to the firm he represented….
“Forge Village. Miss E. Mae Lord has arrived from overseas where she has been the past year with the Red Cross. She arrived in New York city last Thursday. Her parents are expecting her home any time.”