The Westford Wardsman, Saturday, May 24, 1919

A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant

“Center. The usual union religious observance of the Sunday preceding Memorial day comes this year with the Union Congregational church. The civil war veterans have been invited as in
previous years. It is desired that men who have seen service in the recent war come with the civil war veterans. Company L, M.S.G., has been invited to attend the services. Capt. Robinson has
accepted this invitation and requests men of the company to be at the town hall in uniform by 10:30 Sunday morning.

“The reading circle of the Tadmuck club met with Mrs. H. V. Hildreth on Wednesday
afternoon and enjoyed reading ‘Candida,’ by George Bernard Shaw….
“Miss Agnes Weir, the public health nurse, gave a helpful first aid talk to the Camp Fire Girls
at the town hall on Wednesday afternoon.
“Little Genevieve Blaney has the scarlet fever, making the second case in Dr. Blaney’s family.
“Fires. Members of the local fire company have been called on for help twice this week. The
first call came Sunday morning, about three o’clock, and was for an automobile fire on the
Groton road, not far from the old brick tavern at the north part of the town. The machine was of
the big auto bus variety and belonged to the Independent Auto Transit Co., of Lowell…. Finding
trouble with his engine the driver had stopped and in starting the engine again it back-fired and
flared and burst into flames. The driver had to jump quickly to save himself. The machine was
completely destroyed, and by the time help arrived was only a pile of junk. The second call for
help came from Fletcher’s quarry on Wednesday evening, about seven o’clock, when fire started
in a shed housing an electric motor. It was gotten under control without serious damage.
Early planted potatoes in the Stony Brook valley are up and hoeing has begun.
“Harry L. Nesmith, as tree warden, has received from the state a consignment of arsenate of
lead in the powdered form for spraying shade trees. The powdered form is easier and cleaner to
apply.
“As a result of the campaign by the farm bureau, 3800 grapevines have been planted in back
yards by boys and girls in seven towns in Middlesex county.
“The State Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine on corn in many of the towns of
Middlesex county…. The quarantine prohibits the shipment from any points within the
quarantined area to points outside the quarantined area of corn. This quarantine is an effort to
curtail the progressiveness and persistence of the European corn borer….
“The cottage on the Plain road, near Westford depot, owned by J. Willard Fletcher, is
undergoing extensive repairs and remodeling to the modern taste.
“The one o’clock electric car, Sunday, became derailed near the Capt. Peletiah Fletcher place
and was unable to run until four o’clock Monday. The derailment was evidently caused by

spreading rails, caused by rotten ties. While derailment was enforced the school children were
carried by the Perley E. Wright truck. The branch track is being put into safe condition with new
ties.
“Graniteville. Plans are now being formed by the Westford Veterans’ association to have the
usual singing program at the different cemeteries in the town on Memorial Sunday.
“Corp. Henry J. Healy of the A.E.F. is still in Bordeaux, France, and cannot say just when he
will be sent home. Corp. Healy is connected with the Medical Corps.
“The Abbot Worsted Company baseball team will open the season here on Saturday, May 31,
when they will have for opponents the strong Lamson Company team of Lowell. On Saturday,
June 7, the A.W.C. team will meet the fast Bellevue club of Lowell…. It is intended to play a
game in Graniteville one week and in Forge Village the next, throughout the season….
“Forge Village. Miss E. Mae Lord, who has been overseas for the last year as a Red Cross
nurse, is expected home in June.
“There is every indication of a large fruit crop this year, judging by the blossoms. The peach
and apple trees are loaded with blossoms and the blueberries promise to be the best in many
years.
“The members of the brass band are doing splendid work here under the supervision of James
Larkin. Rehearsals are to be held twice a week, commencing Tuesday of this week, and every
Thursday evening. Several more are anxious to join. The band comprises twenty-four members,
and it is probable that more instruments will be purchased for those who wish to join. The band
has made a big hit here and it will not be long before it is in first-class shape.”