Turner's Public Spirit, November 27, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. The chairman of the Red Cross drive for memberships reports only a fair response
to date. If it is not too late, let everyone do their duty in this matter. It’s one of the best kind of
missionary work.
“Dorothy Heywood, at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Alice McDougall, is the
latest case of scarlet fever. Leslie Sherman, Lawrence Ingalls and Howard Felch are all reported
as doing nicely, with hopes of quarantine restrictions being removed in another week or so.
“Schools closed Wednesday for the Thanksgiving recess and re-open Monday. The out-of-
town teachers returned to their homes for the holiday, with the exception of Miss Grace Ranney,
who goes to Hudson, N.H. with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Knight to spend the day with relatives.
“The J. V. Fletcher library will close at eight p.m. next Tuesday evening on account of the
play at the town hall. In these [300 th ] anniversary days of the Pilgrim fathers and mothers the
attention of patrons of the library is called to the beautiful large picture, which has hung in the
children’s reading room for many years, ‘The signing of the Pilgrim compact’ in the cabin of the
Mayflower.
“Twice before Thanksgiving the ground has been white with snow. The hard rain storm of the
first of the week which had several of the fifty-seven varieties of weather, including snow, ice,
rain and wind, must have done much to fill up wells and cisterns. There was considerable
disturbance to telephone and electric light wires.
“About Town. We were in error last week in reporting that Mr. and Mrs. Albert R. Wall of
Graniteville would have charge of the new clubhouse and cafeteria of the Abbot Worsted Co. at
Brookside. This unexpected news to Mr. and Mrs. Wall caused a good-natured jolly laugh over
the phone with your correspondent [Samuel L. Taylor]. We find that the lucky number is Mr. and
Mrs. William J. Healy.
“At the last meeting of the Grange the following officers were elected: Clifford Johnson, m.;
Austin Fletcher, o.; Harry O. Hartford, s.; Lawrence Ingalls, a.s.; Evelyn Fletcher, l.a.s.; Mrs. J.
Willard Fletcher l.; Gardner Seavey, g.k.; Mrs. Clara Greig, c.; Eleanor Colburn, Ceres; Freda
Johnson, Pomona; Mrs. Franck C. Wright, sec.; Alonzo H. Sutherland, treas.; Clyde Prescott, ex.
com.
“We apologize for reporting last week that Norman Whitten had sold the cows and bought an
automobile. The true facts are Mr. Whitten sold the cows several months ago and recently his
son, Frederick Whitten, who lives with him, has bought an automobile and there is no financial
connection between the sale of the cows and buying an automobile as a wrong interpretation
might infer.
“Graniteville. Miss Hilda Sugden, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sugden, was tendered a
miscellaneous shower in the vestry of the M. E. church on last Saturday evening in honor of her
approaching marriage to Corp. Walter Blanchard of this town, a veteran of the world war….
“The mills of the Abbot Worsted Co. closed on the holiday for the remainder of the week.
“The members of Westford post, A.L., have recently placed a neat black and gold sign in front
of their headquarters in the postoffice building here.
“Forge Village. The many soccer fans who attended the great game between the Fore River
eleven and the Abbot Worsted Co. club here last Saturday witnessed the best game of the season.
Fore River won 1 to 0 in an overtime game. Both sides put up a great battle and the game
attracted crowds from all the surrounding towns. The Abbot Worsted Co. and the Forge Village
fans can well be proud of their soccer club.
“The Abbot Worsted Co. soccer club held a very successful dancing party in the Abbot hall on
Friday evening of last week that was well attended. Many were present from out of town.
Larkin’s orchestra furnished excellent music for dancing and at intermission refreshments were
served. The affair was a great success and all had a very enjoyable time.
“Littleton
“News Items. Many Littleton people attended the soccer football game between Fore River
and Abbot elevens in Forge Village last Saturday.”
A replica of the signing of the “The Mayflower Compact” once hung in the J. V. Fletcher Library. This painting is by American artist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863-1930), creator of numerous paintings depicting significant events in American history. Courtesy photo /
commons.wikimedia.org cph.3g07155.