USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1889 > Part 1
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Y
ANNUAL REPORT
ASOF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
ASOF THESE
TOWN OF OAKHAM
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1ST, 1889.
1889. PRESS OF MAYNARD, GOUGH & CO., Worcester, Mass.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF OAKHAM,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1889.
WORCESTER : Maynard, Gough & Co., Book and Job Printers, 187 Front Street. 1889.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER-SS :
To either of the Constables of the Town of Oakham, in the county of Worcester, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Oakham qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the town hall, known as "Memorial Hall", on Monday, the fourth day of March next at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following Articles, to wit :
ARTICLE I .-- To choose a moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2 .- To hear the annual report of the several town officers, and to act thereon.
ART. 3 .- To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year.
ART. 4 .- To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropriations of the same.
ART. 5 .- To see if the town will borrow money to meet any liabilities of the town, or pass any vote relative thereto.
ART. 6 .- To see if the town will accept the list of jurors nominated by the selectmen.
ART. 7 .- To determine the manner of collecting taxes the ensuing year.
ART. 8 .- To determine the manner of repairing highways the ensuing year.
ART. 9 .- To see if the town will employ some person to take care of the town hall and ring the church bell the ensuing year, or pass any vote relative thereto.
ART. 10 .- To bring in their ballot "Yes" or "No", in answer to the question, "Shall license for the sale of intoxicating liquors be granted in this town."
ART. II .- To see what compensation the town will allow for men and teams in repairing highways and opening roads the ensuing year.
ART. 12 .- To see if the town will abate any taxes that may be presented for abatement.
ART. 13 .- To determine the manner of supporting paupers the ensuing year.
ART. 14 .- To see if the town will provide for lighting the street lamps in the Center Village and in Coldbrook Village the ensuing year. or to take any vote relative thereto.
ART. 15 .- To see if the town will grant to the Oakham Farmers' and Mechanics' Club, the use of the town common and town hall for their exhibition in September next.
ART. 16 .- To see if the town will vote to hold their annual town meeting on the first Mon- day in April, or pass any vote relative thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up three attested copies thereof, one at each of the post-offices, and one at the Congregational meeting-house in said town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon, to the town clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this eighteenth day of February, in year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine.
CLARENCE H. PARKER, DAVID R. DEAN, LEWIS N. HASKELL,
A true copy attest,
Selectmen of Oakham.
N. W. PACKARD, Constable.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1888.
TOWN CLERK, JESSE ALLEN.
C. H. PARKER,
SELECTMEN, D. R. DEAN, L. N. HASKELL.
D. R. DEAN,
ASSESSORS, S. H. BULLARD,
H. W. LINCOLN.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR,
JESSE ALLEN, H. P. AUSTIN, W. M. ROBINSON. COLLECTOR, F. S. CONANT,
TREASURER, S. M. SARGEANT.
C. H. PARKER,
CONSTABLES, N. W. PACKARD, J. W. BEMIS. H. P. AUSTIN, - E. MULLETT.
AUDITOR, E. A. LINCOLN.
FENCE VIEWERS. A. C. BULLARD, JESSE ALLEN. 1 FIELD DRIVERS, MICHAEL GAFFNEY. JASON A. ALLEN.
MEASURERS OF LUMBER. D. M. PARKER,
D. R. DEAN.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK.
D. M. PARKER, W. S. CRAWFORD, D. R. DEAN, W. P. ADAMS.
JESSE ALLEN,
SCHOOL COMMITTEE. L. P. LOVELL, H. P. AUSTIN.
J. P. MORSE. G. N. BRIGGS. D. M. PARKER, H.W. LINCOLN, J. E. STONE,
HIGHWAY SURVEYORS. WM. C. CRAWFORD, LEWIS N. HASKELL, H. P. AUSTIN, S. H. BULLARD, ALFRED WOODIS,
H. D. BULLARD. MICHAEL GAFFNEY, PATRICK GAFFNEY, J. K. PARMENTER,
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
In accordance with custom, we beg leave to submit the following Report of our doings for the year ending March Ist, 1889 :
TOWN CLERK.
Paid Town Clerk for services, 66 express and stationery, 4 31
$22 00
$26 31
COLLECTOR.
Paid Collector for services,
50 00
postage and stationery,
8 21
58 21
TREASURER.
10 00
10 00
ASSESSORS.
Paid Assessors for services, D. R. Dean,
32 00
H. W. Lincoln,
31 00
S. H. Bullard,
20 00
83 00
SELECTMEN.
Paid Selectmen for services, 65 00
postage and stationery, 58
65 58
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Paid School Committee for services, L. P. Lovell, 30 00
Jesse Allen, 40 50
70 50
SUPPORT OF PAUPER.S.
Paid Overseers of the Poor,
1,338 91
SCHOOL EXPENSES.
Paid for Center District,
498 75
66 Coldbrook
264 00
66 West 66
199 50
South
189 95
East
25 00
66 School supplies,
108 02 1,285 22
Paid Treasurer for services,
6
REPAIRING HIGHWAYS.
Paid William O. Keep,
50 41
J. P. Morse,
47 48
D. M. Parker,
40 17
W. C. Crawford,
49 II
Geo. N. Briggs,
24 88
J. K. Parmenter,
50 00
J. E. Stone,
57 66
Michael Gaffney,
51 27
Patrick Gaffney,
5I IO
W. M. Robinson,
58 II
H. W. Lincoln,
59 16
S. H. Bullard,
57 30
L. N. Haskell,
52 50
H. P. Austin,
58 56
H. D. Bullard,
25 25
L. N. Haskell, in W. C. Crawford's District,
14 50
747 46
BRIDGES AND RAILING.
Paid D. M. Parker,
78 48
D. R. Dean,
24 00
102 48
OPENING ROADS.
Paid Michael Gaffney,
71 22
H. D. Bullard,
34 90
H. W. Lincoln,
74 54
Patrick Gaffney,
77 87
J. E. Stone,
61 81
J. P. Morse,
40 98
Wm. O. Keep,
41 83
Geo. N. Briggs, "
80 58
D. M. Parker,
55 92
L. N. Haskell,
65 62
W. C. Crawford,
III 26
W. M. Robinson,
33 II
H. P. Austin,
61 83
H. A. Crawford,
3 61
H. W. Bartlett,
6 79
J. K. Parmenter,
49 47
S. H. Bullard,
41 09
912 43
STATE AID.
Paid Eliza Caldwell, 48 00
Elbridge Mullett, Guardian for Charlotte Mullett, 48 00
H. V. Parmenter, 16 00
Geo E. Reed,
36 00 148 00
7
MILITARY AID.
Paid Horace M. Green,
So 00 So oo
EXPENSE OF REBUILDING ROADS.
Paid Geo. A. Putman, for surveying,
32 00
I. N. Monroe,
7 88
L. Knight,.
3 00
C. W. Burbank, making specifications,
3 50
J. H. Seaver, building roads,
810 00
J. K. Clark, land damage,
50 00
J. C. Bemis,
II OO
Selectmen, for services,
24 00
941 38
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Paid Barre fire department,
100 00
O. S. Kendall, register face,
I 26
Abatement of Taxes, F. S. Conant, 6 59 66 L. P. Lovell, 6 00
James Packard, services as Sexton,
52 50
A. J. Lawrence, Printing,
45 25
Wm. M. Thompson, ringing church bell,
30 00
Geo. H. Temple, Memorial Day,
13 44
Repairs on Coldbrook school house,
74 83
Interest on Note, Spencer Savings Bank,
37 50
Principal 66 66
1,500 00
Wm. S. Crawford, repairs on school houses,
4 25
County Tax,
254 00
State Tax,
427 50
W. C. Ireland, town safe,
190 00
M. M. Butterfield, moving safe,
8 00
W. H. White, repairs on stove,
3 95
Suppression of the liquor traffic,
61 15
Interest Barre Savings Bank,
5 25
Interest on Note to. Commonwealth,
287 50
Principal
3,500 00
H. P. Austin, grading common,
20 00
E. L. Sawyer, certificates of births,
8 00
A. J. Holden, lighting street lamps,
25 00
Coldbrook Village Society,
25 00
F. E. Reed, repairs on school house,
I 75
Discount on Taxes,
223 34
Wm. S. Crawford, erecting guide boards,
50 00
Chas. A. Gleason, ringing church bell and care of Memorial Hall, 35 00 6,997 06
8
RECAPITULATION.
Paid Town Officers,
313 60
Support of Paupers,
1,338 91
Schools,
1,285 22
Repairs on highways,
747 46
bridges and railing,
102 48
Opening roads,
912 43
State aid,
1'48 00
Military aid,
80 00
Rebuilding roads,
941 38
Miscellaneous expenses,
6,997 06 12,866 54
SETTLEMENT WITH THE TREASURER.
S. M. SARGEANT, Treasurer.
DR.
To balance in Treasury March 1, IS8S,
1,863 78
Cash from use Memorial Hall,
3 00
،، A. W. Beard, 59
Cash borrowed Spencer Savings Bank,
1,500 00
Cash from sale of grass on common,
2 85
Cash borrowed Barre Savings Bank,
700 00
Commonwealth,
3,500 00
Cash from Corporation tax,
18 62
National Bank tax,
IO 69
66 State aid,
147 00
66
Dog fund, .
115 47
H. P. Austin, guardian for Benj. Nourse, 200 00
66 Town Milford,
71 00
School fund,
375 27
66
Town tax,
5,440 co
66
L. P. Lovell, interest on taxes,
4 25
66 State tax,
427 50
County tax,
254 00
66
Overlayings,
96 33
Sale school supplies, 4 92
14,735 27
CR.
By paying Selectmen's orders, 12,866 54 Uncollected taxes of 1887, due from F. S. Conant, 182 27 66 . 6 1888,
1,393 57
Cash, 292 89 . 14,735 27
9
COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
DR.
To State tax, County tax, Town tax, Overlaying tax,
427 50 254 00 5,444 00 96 33 6,217 83
CR.
By Treasurer's receipts, Uncollected taxes,
4,824 26 1,393 57
6,217 83
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE H. PARKER, DAVID) R. DEAN, LEWIS N. HASKELL,
Selectmen of Oakham.
Treasurer's Bond.
KNOW ALL MEN by these presents, that we, Stephen M. Sargeant of Oakham, County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, as princi- pal, and Henry P. Austin and Jesse Allen, both of said Oakham, as sure- ties, are holden and stand firmly bound unto the inhabitants of said Oakham, in the sum of five thousand dollars, to the payment of which to the said inhabitants, we hereby jointly and severally bind ourselves, our heirs, ex- ecutors and administrators. The condition of the obligation is such, that whereas the said Stephen M. Sargeant has been duly elected Treasurer of the above-named town of Oakham, and has accepted said office: now there- fore, if the said Stephen M. Sargeant shall faithfully perform and dis- charge all the duties of said office during the term for which he has been elected, then this obligation shall be void, otherwise it shall be and remain in full force and virtue. In witness whereof we hereunto set our hands and seals, this second day of April, A. D. 1888.
Signed and sealed in the
presence of F. S. CONANT, W. R. DEAN.
STEPHEN M. SARGEANT,. HENRY P. AUSTIN, JESSE ALLEN.
Collector's Bond.
KNOW ALL MEN by these presents, that we, F. S. Conant of Oak- ham, County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, as principal, and Sanford Bullard and G. F. Conant, both of said Oakham, as sureties, are holden and stand firmly bound unto the inhabitants of said Oakham in the sum of three thousand dollars, to the payment of which to the said inhab- itants we hereby jointly and severally bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators. The condition of the obligation is such, that whereas the said F. S. Conant has been duly elected Collector of the above-named town and has accepted said office, now therefore, if the said F. S. Conant shall faithfully perform and discharge all the duties of said office during the term for which he has been elected, then this obligation shall be void, otherwise it shall be and remain in full force and virtue. In witness where- of we hereunto set our hands and seals this 30th day of August, A. D. 1888. Signed and sealed in the - presence of
F. E. REED, J. K. PARMENTER.
F. S. CONANT, SANFORD H. BULLARD, G. F. CONANT.
Report of the Overseers of the Poor
OF THE TOWN OF OAKHAM.
Received of the Town for support of the poor, $1.338 91
66 of Rutland, 75 00 1.413 91
There has also been received and paid to the Treas-
urer of the Town, from the Guardian of Ben- jamin Nourse, 200 00
Received from the Town of Milford,
71 00 271 00
Excess of the pauper expenses above the amounts
. remitted to the Town,
$1,067 91
WE ACCOUNT FOR THE AMOUNT RECEIVED AS FOLLOWS :
Paid State Lunatic Hospital for Eunice M. Walker, 169 92
Benjamin Nourse, 169 92
Mrs. S. M. Thresher for Lyman Crawford,
68 10
Burial expenses of Lyman Crawford,
10 00
Mrs. S. M. Thresher for Lydia Chamberlain,
106 S6
H. P. Austin for Moses Bartlett,
26 00
S. O. Butler 66
64 00
For clothing,
3 25
Zebina Winslow for Rasselas Winslow,
192 00
Burial expenses
12 00
Wm. Mandall for Almira Woodis,
104 00
Mrs. S. M. Thresher for Ella Babbitt,
40 00
Burial expenses
13 00
Town of Athol for Mrs. Lavina B. Field,
31 88
Aid furnished family of Edgar Cleaveland,
137 14
For surgical treatment and general care of Wm. Minton, 71 00
Dr. E. L. Sawyer, medical attendance,
72 25
For keeping seventeen tramps,
12 75
N. W. Packard for sundries,
15 42
C. H. Parker;
I 95
Hon. Charles Brimblecorm, (Mundall Case),
24 64
Counsel in Field case,
5 00
H. P. Austin, two journeys to Athol,
9 33
Jesse Allen, travelling expenses, stationery and postage, 23 50
Overseer's general services,
30 00 1,413 91
All of which is respectfully submitted,
JESSE ALLEN, H. P. AUSTIN, W. M. ROBINSON, Overseers of the Poor.
This certifies that I have examined the accounts of the Selectmen. Overseers of the Poor and Treasurer for the year ending March Ist, 1889, and find them correct. E. A. LINCOLN, Auditor.
12
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS IN OAKHAM IN 1888.
BIRTHS.
Jan.
19
. Daughter to
Frank S. Conant.
Feb. 21.
Son to
George W. Reed.
22.
Son to
Charles S. A. Woodbury.
March 29.
Son to
Marcus M. Butterfield.
April 6.
Son to
Horace M. Green.
May 17.
.Daughter to
Jesse Allen.
June 4.
. Daughter to
James L. Cockran.
July 6.
Daughter to
Frank Weld.
6.
10.
Daughter to
Patrick McGrevey.
20.
Son to
George E. Thresher.
Aug.
12.
Son to
Charles E. Parker.
Sept. 3.
Son to
Jennie McHugh. Wallace Grimes.
66
24.
. Daughter to
Albert H. Matthews.
Oct. 5.
Son to
Charles H. Nourse.
Nov. 18.
Son to
John Saunders.
Dec.
24.
. Daughter to
Burt Banks.
TOTAL 17.
MARRIAGES.
Jan. 3.
. Cornelius P. Warren to
Katie D. Sheern.
March 24
James W. Caldwell to
Mrs. Rachel McLoud.
.6 25.
Charles H. Nourse, to Elsie L. Sargeant.
April 28
. Carlos P. Hill
to Mrs. Josie E. Thompson.
May 12
John V. Gibson
to Mrs. Harriet V. Parmenter.
July 29
Mason M. Luce
to Mary E. Ball.
TOTAL 6.
DEATHS.
YEARS. | MONTHS. |DAYS.
Feb.
14.
. Mrs. David Lovell,
66
1
3
March 31
Albert Fuller.
71
11
18
April 3. Mrs. Eliza Hill,
80
0
4
May 26. . Lyman Crawford,
74
4
27
June
2.
Charles Humes,
20
5
3
66
9.
. Isaac Jones,
8-1
S
4
30.
. Mrs Lucy A. Leonard,
49
8
6
Sept. 16.
. Mrs. Irene P. Briggs,
77
5
27
26.
George F. Conant,
69
5
16
28.
. Nathan S. Walker,
76
3
24
Oct.
16.
Mrs. M. E. Smith,
56
2
Nov.
30.
Rasselas Winslow,
58
3
10
Dec.
10.
Ella A. Babbitt,
41
7
4
BURIED IN TOWN.
TOTAL 17.
July
29.
William C. Fuller,
25
0
S
Jan. 22.
Mrs. Sullivan Dean,
74
2
8
Feb. 23. Mrs. Nancy Hardy,
75
3
16
28.
Ida D. Ayres,
4
1
21
May
10. Fred. B. Thompson,
26
6
6
3
5
Aug.
2.
John A. Kane,
5.
. Eva E. Hatstal,
. Grace M. Reed,
3
1
23.
20. Nicholas H. Kent,
28
9.
Son to
JESSE ALLEN, Town Clerk.
SCHOOL REPORT.
The Report of the School Committee of the Town of Oakham, for the year ending April Ist, 1889, is as follows :
DR.
To amount appropriated for support of schools by the town, $850 00
Received from State school fund, 375 27
Cash for school supplies, 4 92
Dog tax returned to the town for support of schools, 115 47
Total for the support of schools,
1,345 66
CR.
By expenses of the several schools as follows : SOUTH SCHOOL.
Amount paid Lillian Robinson, spring term,
$60 00
..
fall term, ·
60 00
66
winter Term,
65 00
Fuel and care of house,
4 95 :
COLDBROOK SCHOOL.
Amount paid Ina M. Thompson, spring term, 66 66 fall term,
88 00
Lellia Adams, winter term,
77 00
Fuel and care of house,
19 00
WEST SCHOOL.
.
Amount paid H. M. Hunt, spring term, J. H. Orzina Lovell, fall term, 66 winter term,
54 00
60 00
70 00
Fuel and care of house,
15 50
199 50
CENTER SCHOOL-PRIMARY.
Amount paid J. H. Orzina Lovell, spring term, Mrs. Minnie L. Woodis, fall term, Ada V. Walker, winter term,
31 50
65 00
65 00
161 50
189 95
So 00
264 00
14
CENTER SCHOOL -- GRAMMAR.
Amount paid Minnie L. Woodis, spring term, Alice M. Gardner, fall term, winter term, -
63 00
92 50
IO1 75
Fuel and care of house,
71 50
EAST HILL SCHOOL.
Amount paid Mrs. Henry Bartlett, fall term, 15 00 60 winter term, IO CO
25 00
Total expenses of teachers, care of houses and fuel, 1,168 70
REPAIRS OF SCHOOL HOUSES.
Coldbrook, paid R. F. Parker, work and lumber,
74 83
Center, paid Fred Reed, I 75 76 58
TEXT BOOKS FOR USE OF SCHOOLS.
Cash value of school books and school supplies belong- ing to the town Feb. 1, 1888, was $152 49, beside those in use.
Value of supplies Feb. 1, 1889, 86 19
Reduced during the year,
66 30
Bought of F. S. Conant,
3 24
School supplies by F. S. Conant,
19 89
Coperthwaite & Co.,
17 34
B. A. Fowler & Co., one set International Encyclo-
50 00
Cash paid N. W. Packard, supplies,
5 08
Paid F. S. Conant, care of supplies,
8 50
Entire cost of school supplies, 173 35
Total expense of schools during the past year,
1,338 55
Due School Committee for services the past year :
Jesse Allen, 52 50
L. P. Lovell, 37 00 H. P. Austin, 10 00
We believe our schools have been unusually successful during the past year. There has been a great change in the methods of teaching during the past few years, and in no branch greater than in grammar. We have been slow, perhaps too slow, to adopt the new methods in use around us. Two years ago we spoke of our need of new grammars. We have sought in vain for a grammar that would satisfy ; but we intend the change shall be made before our schools commence for another year.
pedias, 15 vols.,
328 75
15
We are satisfied with the length of our school year, as being all the town is able to furnish, as well as being long enough for the best good of most of our scholars.
We think from our experience of the past year that the best of teach- ers should be eagerly sought for, even if they do cost a little more.
The School Committee were invited a short time ago to meet with Committees from four neighboring towns, to consult as to the advisability of chosing a General Superintendent of Schools, who should act in con- nection with local school Committees. It was unanimously agreed that the best interests of our school did not require it.
$50 were appropriated for repairs last year. Your Committee have expended $76.58, most of it on Coldbrook school house. We would advise an appropriation of $50 for the ensuing year. We will try to get along with the same appropriation for the support of schools as last year, $850.
The attendance in the several schools has been as follows :
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Spring term, whole number of scholars, 16 Average attenda ce, 14
Fall 66 66
66 17
66
Winter “ 66
II
. .
S
-
COLDBROOK SCHOOL.
Spring term, whole number of scholars,
29
Average attendance, 26
Fall 66 66 66
66
33
66
.30
Winter “
35
29
WEST SCHOOL.
Spring term, whole mimber of scholars,
I7
Average attendance, 15
Fall 66 66
22
20
Winter “ 66
66
66
66
17
CENTER-No I.
Spring term, whole number of scholars,
38
Average attendance, 33
Fall 66 66
66 2I
66
66
19
CENTER-No. 2.
Fall term, whole number of scholars,
28
Average attendance,
25
Winter 6. 66
66
28
66
24
The attendance in all the schools has been as follows :
Spring term, whole number,
ICO Average attendance, S8
Fall 66
I21
66
104
Winter “
66
122
66
97
Number of scholars enrolled in all our schools, 132.
173
Winter “ 66 66
24
66
24
.6
ROLL OF HONOR.
Names of scholars neither absent nor tardy : SOUTH SCHOOL. Two TERMS-Walter Woodis, Eugene Sanders. ONE TERM-Florence Bothwell, Lena Dwelly, Leon Sanders.
COLDBROOK SCHOOL.
THREE TERMS-Henry Butterfield, Mary Cleaveland. Two TERMS- Bertie Butterfield, Martin Brooks, Mabel Caldwell, Eddie Needham, Ida Needham, Denny Needham, Elmer Cleaveland. ONE TERM -- Virgil Parker, Dell Parker, Charlie Clark, Bertie Needham, Ethel Brooks, Blanche Caldwell.
CENTER.
THREE TERMS-Fannie Robinson, David Robinson. Two TERMS- George Loring, Blanche Packard. ONE TERM-Ellen Singer, Ella Sheern, Irvin Mullet, Daniel Holden, Jesse Robinson, John Sheern, Jennie Loring, Bertie Sargeant, Jennie Day, Frank Parker, George Briggs, Jerry Murphy.
JESSE ALLEN, L. P. LOVELL, H. P. AUSTIN.
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