A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“About Town. The new Victrola mentioned last week from the Abbot Worsted Company at Brookside was for the village church in West Chelmsford and not for the mill as reported.
“Hugo Page met with an accident last week at the stone quarry of the H. E. Fletcher Company on Oak hill. While operating the stone crusher, while attempting to pick it out, the crusher picked it up and threw it with great force, striking Mr. Page a glancing blow on the side of his head and face, breaking his nose, loosening up his teeth arrangements and scaring and battering the face and side of the head generally.
“Death. Mrs. Emma M. Day died at her home here early Sunday morning, aged 77 years, 4 months, 8 days. She had 
been ill several weeks with the prevailing influenza and other complications, and was apparently improving slightly when she suffered a shock from which she was unable to rally.
“She was the widow of John Warren Day [1837-1900] and daughter of Otis and Lydia (Vose) Sprague, and was born in Westford at the home on Cold Spring road, and has been a resident of the town nearly all of her life. She had a dependable personality for everything for moral and social improvement and loyal to the tasks of duty that she considered as her personal call. As a member of the Union Congregational church she was always sensibly enthusiastic for its welfare and consistently true in her loyalty by her personal attendance and support. She was a zealous and constant student of the bible and might be properly classed an old-fashioned bible Christian, with a broad and tolerant spirit in her attitude towards those who might differ.
“The deceased is survived by two sons, Quincy W. and Arthur E. Day; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren….
“Steel Traps Law. We read with much interest and entire agreement the article in last week’s issue by Rev. Thomas L. Fisher, setting forth the story of the dangers and cruelties of the steel trap, closing with these words: ‘In these days of liberation for men, when will the civilization of Massachusetts enact a righteous law for the protection of innocent and wild animals as well from the devilist [sic] brutality of the steel strap.’ …
“Center. The wonderful display of northern lights on Monday evening attracted much attention. It was generally conceded the most spectacular manifestation of this sort ever seen. [These Northern Lights, caused by strong solar storms, were seen as far south as Atlanta, as well as in Chicago, New York City and New England. AT&T reported that its telegraph service was “completely demoralize.” Transatlantic cable service was also severely interrupted.]
“William E. Wright has purchased a new Buick automobile.
“The Harold W. Hildreths are enjoying new electric lighting at their home on Hildreth street.
“Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Wright are having steam heat installed at their home.
“Edward Clement is reported quite sick with influenza.
“The Whitton family, living on Cold Spring road, have had a telephone installed this week—35-4.
“The infant son of the Conley [Connolly] family, living next to Wright & Fletcher’s store, is sick with bronchitis.
“After many Sundays of bad weather and traveling, last Sunday was more nearly normal in point of attendance at the Congregational church, although the snowstorm of Saturday had its effect….
“The roads are clearing up as fast as can be expected considering the great bulk of snow that there has been. The improvement is a great satisfaction, particularly to those whose business necessitates every-day travel.
“Word has been received from the Misses Atwood that they expect to get home from Florida about the first of April.
“Graniteville. Two representatives from the executive office in Lowell were here last Sunday to interest people in the Irish bond drive. A meeting will be held here shortly when a committee will be formed and speakers will be present to more fully explain the issues of the campaign.
“Forge Village. Roland Pendlebury, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Pendlebury, celebrated his fourth anniversary on last Saturday, when twelve of his playmates gathered to make it a joyous occasion….
“The Abbot Worsted Company, under whose management the motion pictures are shown here, have recently received a second machine to be used in connection with the first. When two machines are in use there is no delay between the reels.
“Littleton
“News Items. The spectacular beauty of the Aurora Borealis was seen with wonder and admiration on Monday evening by many of the Littleton people who say that the heavens on that evening were magnificent beyond description.”
*Emma Meriam (Sprague) Day (1842-1920) and her family lived at the historic Day homestead at 47 Graniteville Road. (Courtesy Photo/Roger & Marilyn Day)