USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1893 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF OAKHAM,SE
FOR THE
Year Ending March 1, 1893.
OAKHAM, MASS. I. W. MULLETT, PRINTER AND PUBLISHER, 1893.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1892.
Town Clerk, JESSE ALLEN.
C. H. PARKER,
Selectmen, D. R. DEAN,
L. N. HASKELL.
Assessors, S. H. BULLARD. E. N. HUNT.
H. W. LINCOLN,
JESSE ALLEN,
Overseers of the Poor. J. PACKARD,
W. M. ROBINSON.
Collector, LEONARD P. LOVELL.
Treasurer, ' JESSE ALLEN.
Constables,
C. H. PARKER, H. P. AUSTIN, W.M. ROBINSON, J. W. BEMIS. WM. S. CRAWFORD.
PATRICK GAFFNEY.
Auditor, EDISON HAPGOOD.
A. C. BULLARD.
Fence Viewers. L. N. HASKELL. JESSE ALLEN.
Field Drivers.
MICHAEL GAFFNEY. W. M. ROBINSON. JESSE ALLEN. JASON A. ALLEN, HENRY D. BULLARD.
Surveyors of Lumber. D) R. DEAN. J. N. MORSE.
D. M. PARKER.
Measurers of Wood and Bark. WM. S. CRAWFORD. S. H. FOSTER. D. M. PARKER.
Sealer of Weights and Measures, JAMES PACKARD. School Committee, W. M. ROBINSON.
JESSE ALLEN,
II. P. AUSTIN.
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 sixth day of March next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to aet on the following articles, to wit :
ART. 1 .- To choose a Moderator to preside at said Meeting.
ART. 2 .- To hear the annual report of the several town officers, and to act thereon.
ART. 3 .- To bring in their votes for Town Clerk, three Selectmen, three Assessors. three Overseers of the Poor, Collector of Taxes, Treas- urer. three Fence Viewers, six Constables and Auditor for one year. One School Committee. Library Trustee, and Cemetary Committee for three years. Also to vote "Yes" or "No" in an- swer to the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of in- toxicating liquors in this town." all on one ballet. Ballot to be folded as received, when presented for deposit in the ballot box The polls to be opened at ten o'clock in the forenoon, and may be closed at two o'clock in the afternoon.
Amy. 4 .- To choose all necessary Town officers and Committees for the . ensuing year. not required to be elected by ballot.
ART. 5 .- To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropriations of the samle.
Arr. 6 .- To see if the town will borrow money to meet any liabilities of . the town. or pass any vote relative thereto.
ATT. 7 -- To see if the town will accept the list of jurors prepared by the Selectmen.
ART. 8 -To determine the manner of collecting Taxes the ensuing year. ART. 9 .- To see if the town will employ some person to take care of town hall and ring church bell the ensuing year, or pass any vote rela- tive thereto.
ART. 10 .- To see what compensation the town will allow for men and teams in repairing highways and opening roads the ensuing year.
Agr. 11. - To see if the town will abate any taxes that may be presented for abatement.
ART. 12 .-- To determine the manner of supporting paupers the ensuing vear.
ANr. 13 .- To see if the town will provide for lighting the street lanips the ensuing year. or pass any vote relativ thereto.
ART. 14 .- To see if the town will vote to have their Valuation by the Assessors printed the ensuing year.
ART. 15 .- To see if the town will vote to purchase any apparatus for pro- tection from fire, or pass an y vote relative thereto
ART. 16 .- To see if the town will accept the provisions of Chapter 431. of the Acts of 1888, relating to the employment of a Superinten- dent of Schools, and appropriate money thereof.
ART. 17 .- To see if the town will discontinue a town way as laid out by the Selectmen and accepted by vote of the town on the thirtieth day of August, 1888, commencing near a point in the old road leading from Oakham to Coldbrook Springs. near the Station on the Central Mass. Railroad, opposite a hard pine tree. thence over said old road and land of Jason A. Allen, seventeen hundred feet to a point in said old road, or do anything with reference thereto.
ART. 18 .- To see what compensation the town will allow their Treasurer and Collector the ensuing year.
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 twenty-fifth day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three.
CLARENCE H. PARKER. ) Seleetmen DAVID R. DEAN, of
LEWIS N. HASKELL, Oakham.
EPORT OF ELECTMEN.
We herewith submit in detail the Report for the year onding March Ist. 1893 :
TOWN CLERK.
Paid Town Clerk for services, $23 90
express and postage, 7 46
$31 36
COLLECTOR.
Paid Collector for services,
50 00
book, tax bills, postage, stationary. 10 30
60 30
TREASURER.
Paid Treasurer for services.
30 00
postage,
55
30 55
SELECTMEN.
Paid Selectmen for services, C. H. Parker, 25 00
D. R. Dean, 25 00
L. N. Haskell, 25 00
traveling, postage and stationary. 5 83
80 83
ASSESSORS.
Paid Assessors for services, S. H. Bullard, 26 00
E. N. Hunt,
17 00
43 00
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Paid School Committee for services, Jesse Allen, 55 50
H. W. Lincoln. 21 00
76 50
SUPPORT OF PAUPERS.
Paid Overseers of Poor,
804 49
SCHOOL EXPENSES.
Paid for Center Distriet,
537 00
Coldbrook “
267 04
West
241 25
South
209 67
School Supplies.
182 35
Conveying Scholars.
104 85 1542 16
.
6
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Paid W. A. Nye, repairs ou highways,
965 62
opening roads, 6 70 972 32
STATE AID.
Paid Eliza Caldwell.
18 00
24 00
Geo. E. Reed, H. M. Green, Chas. L. White.
36 00
9 00 117 00
MILITARY AID.
Paid Daniel Rogers, 6 00
MATERIAL FOR LOCKUP.
Paid Marcy & Gardner for brick,
54 00
Frieght on brick, 12 60
Wilder & Puffer for lime and cement.
12 78
H. C. Fish, iron door,
9 30
Geo. N. Briggs, drawing brick and stone,
27 45
J. W. Bemis, drawing brick,
8 00
W. W. Grimes, labor on foundation.
5 50
E. Swindell, labor on foundation.
9 62
139 25
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES
Paid Principal on note to Commonwealth. 1500 00
Interest .. .. 160 00
Principal on note Barre Savings Bank.
1000 00
Interest . .
24 31
State Tax,
262 50
County Tax,
258 00
1. W. Mullett, printing Town Reports. 20 00
I. W. Mullett, Assessor's Report, 22 00
L. P. Lovell, abatement of taxes. 21 59
F. S. Conant, abatement of taxes,
40 28
L. P. Lovell. discount on taxes,
230 56
C. A. Gleason, ringing church bell.
35 00
. . 6: care of Memorial Hall.
10 00
part payment ringing bell 1892. 22 50
For wood for Town Hall. 14 00
Town Library. 25 00
James Packard. services as sexton. 35 60
for certificate of deaths. 6 25
T. G. Garrigan for certificate of death. 50
John Newton, service fire inquest,
10 00
Geo. W. Hall, table and chairs for Selectmen's room. 18 37
C. H. Parker, arrest of P'. Caffrey. 4 50
S. Bothwell, arrest of H. M Green. 4 25
H. E. Sargeant, lighting street lamps. 25 00
Coldbrook V. I. S., lighting street lamps. 25 00
8775 21
7
RECAPITULATION.
Paid Town Officers. 322 54
Support of Paupers.
804 49
Schools. 1542 16
Highways.
972 32
State Aid,
117 00
Military Aid.
6 00:
Material for Lockup.
139 25
Miscellaneous Expenses.
3775 21
7678 97
SETTLEMENT WITH THE TREASURER. . JESSE ALLEN. Treasurer. DR.
To Balance in Treasury. 1892. 1902 48
Cash for use of Memorial Hall,
24 00
H. P. Austin. auctioneer's license. 2 00
.. Grass on common.
: 25
.. Borrowed Barre Savings Bank.
1000 00
Sale school supplies.
4 32
F. S. Conant. interest.
54 91
. . State Treasurer, Corporation Tax.
8 49
National Bank Tax.
8 79
6.
Military Aid refunded.
60 00
..
. . State Aid refunded. 93 00
Dog Fund,
159 48
State Tax.
252 50
County Tax.
258 00
Town Grant.
6015 00
Overlayings.
63 14 10,185 36
CR.
By paying Selectmen's Orders, 7678 97
Balance in Treasury. 2506 39 10,185 36
INDEBTEDNESS OF THE TOWN.
Due Commonwealth Dec. 26, 1893. note at 4 per cent. 1000 00 Dec. 31. 1894. . .. . ..
1500 00 2500 00
..
School Fund.
275 00
County
8
COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
DR.
To State Tax,
262 50
County Tax.
258 00
Town Tax,
6015 00
Overlayings,
63 14
Uneolleeted Taxes for 1890
62 92
66 « 1891,
1526 69
8188 25
CR.
By Treasurer's Receipts, 1890, 62 92
66 66 1891.
1472 05
1892,
4937 83
Uncollected Taxes, 1891,
54 64
66
1892.
1485 16
Cash on hand,
175 65 8188 25
L. P. LOVELL, Collector.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE H. PARKER, ) Selectmen DAVID R. DEAN, of
LEWIS N. HASKELL. Oakham.
LIST OF JURORS, AS REVISED BY THE SELECTMEN.
K. L. Parker, Jesse Allen, Walter R. Dean. James F. Robinson, W. M. Robinson. James Sheern, Geo. W. Stone, W. S. Crawford. Elbridge Mullets, F. S. Conant.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEB. 15, 1893.
FOR REPAIRING HIGHWAY.
Paid W. A. Nye,
$395 35
Edwin Green,
:28 14
i. B. Spooner.
26 50
L. P. Green,
65 71
Wallace Grimes.
3 50
Edgar Crawford.
3 85
Edward Crawford.
2 98
Win. C. Crawford.
2 00
Geo. E. Reed.
71 22
J. E. Stone,
2 63
James Sheern,
6 30
Elbridge Mullett,
63 22
H W. Lincoln.
6 58
Wm. Gaffney,
19 00
Mrs. Caroline Maynard,
88
Patrick King.
75
L. N. Haskell.
16 00
James Butler.
4 20
W. M. Robinson.
2 02
Patrick McGreavy:
45 75
Bert Banks.
3 38
Frank Weld.
5 25
John Fenton.
1 75
John Haire.
14 33
J. A. Butterfieldi.
1 23
Loring Bros.,
3 25
Geo. E. Allen.
18 25
D. R. Dean.
16
D. M. Parker.
2 70
W. H. White.
29 64
H. Moore.
3 00
F. S. Conant.
1 80
N. W. Packard.
75
F. E. Reed,
35
Edson Hapgood.
1 50
Horace Green,
70
965 62
1892.
OPENING ROADS.
Paid W. O. Keep, 1 13
W. M. Robinson,
1 37
H. W. Lincoln.
3 20
Win. Gaffney,
1 00
6 70
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM A. NYE. Street Superintendent.
10
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The town, at its last Annual Meeting voted to join with the towns of Princeton, Holden, Hubbardston, Paxton and Westminster in the co-oper- ative care of her Poor, beginning Apr. Ist, 1892. The result of this ar- rangment has been highly satisfactory, our deserving Poor, in every in. stance, receiving as good or better care than under the old system, and at a greatly reduced expense to the town. The Town Farm in Holden has again been leased to the Association for the term of five years, from April 1st, 1893.
Expense for the year ending Jan. 1st, 1893, As follows :
$804 49
For the Quarter ending Apr. 1, 1892, 303 79
66 66 66 .. July 1, 1892, 138 43
66 66 Oet. 1, 1892, 158 86
Jan. 1, 1893, 203 41 $804 49
EXPENSES IN DETAIL.
Paid Poor Farm Association,
State Lunatic Hospital for Miss Walker, .
For support of Lydia Chamberlain,
"' Moses Bartlett,
61 50
" Almira Woodis.
65 00
" Lucy Robinson,
74 75
Mrs. Field,
19 50
66
" Mrs. King,
13 00
" family of O. N. Lloyd.
97 61
'' Daniel Rogers. 51 05
" Mrs. Sarah Wood, 18 75
Dr. Sawyer, Med. att. on Lucy Robinson,
15 00
..
..
5 00
66
4 70
H. P. Austin, journey and ex. to Athol, Postage, ex. and stationery.
1 40
J. W. Bemis, keeping 57 tramps, 38 40
Overseers for Services, 45 00
$804 49 Persons wholly or partially supported by the town : Miss Eunice Walker, Miss Lydia Chamberlain. Miss Almira Woodis. Miss Lucy Robinson. George Ash, Moses Bartlett, Family of (): N. Lloyd.
Average Annual expense tor the care of the Poor, for the five years ending Jan. 1. 1892. $1158 99
Expense for nine months under present method. 500 70
At same rate for the year ending Apr. 1. 1893. 667 60
Balance in favor of present method.
491 39
Respectfully submitted. JESSE ALLEN. Overseers JAMES PACKARD, of the
W. M. ROBINSON. ! Poor
175 00
48 83
65 00
.6
Dr. Prouty. 66 .6 Moses Bartlet,
7 00
11
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS IN OAKHAM IN 1892.
BIRTHS.
Apr. 14.
Son to C. S. A. Woodbury.
May 29. June 2. July 15. July 19.
-
Son to J. Win. Bemis.
July 29.
- Son to Chas. P. McClenathan. Son to John Fenton.
Sept. 20. Oct. 17.
- Son to Dr A. II. Prouty . Daughter to Geo. E. Thresher.
Nov. 1,
- Son to Mason S. Dean.
Total 10.
MARRIAGES-
Apr. 13.
John H. Keep to Grace C. Gleason. John J. Griffin to Mary Donohue.
Sept. 15.
- Benjamin D. Smith to Alice W. Ayres. Charles L. Haskell to Marion L. Clark.
Total 4.
DEATHS.
YEARS. | MONTHS. | DAYS.
Jan. 6.
Sarah S. Towne,
86
6
Jan. 8,
Nellie M. Green,
10
1 9
Jan. 10.
Flora Green,
8
1
15
Jan. 12.
Mary Green.
5
9
13
Jan. 12.
Mary E. Gaines,
70
Jan. 17.
Patrick Tobin.
70
Jan. 29.
Edna White,
7
14
Apr. 8. -
Susan R. Barr.
85
1
15
May 7.
Mary E. Green,
9
22
June 5.
Charles Butler,
65
June 12
Almira B. Clapp, Mary Reed,
93
10
Aug. 10.
Robert E. Munroe,
2
Sept. 2.
Stephen H. Lincoln.
23
8
8
Sept. 25.
Archibald B. Woodbury.
5
11
Oct. 3.
Herbert (. Bemis,
2
13
Oct. 17.
Alice M. Thresher,
40
Oct. 20.
Charles A. Sargeant,
80
5.
28
Oct. 23.
William P. Dwelly,
73
10
15
Oct. 24.
Marietta Winter,
52
3
24
Nov. 7.
Harriet W. Ayres,
81
7 26
Nov. 16.
- Anna Ryley,
38
6
Nov. 27.
Rev. Il. P Leonard,
70
6
24
Nov. 30.
David F. Parmenter. -
71
6
Dec. 17.
Ralph L. McClenathan.
4
19
Total 26.
JESSE ALLEN. TOWN CLERK.
-
1
May 29.
Mary White,
88
0
14
June 14.
-
1
Daughter to Adolph White. Son to J. Frank Baleom.
-
- Son to Geo L. Parker.
Aug. 3. -
May 12.
Dec. 18. -
.
12
CHOOL EPORT.
The Report of the School Committee of the Town of Oakham for the year ending March 1st, 1893, is as follows :
DR.
To amount appropriated for Schools by Town.
$850 00
" School house repairs, 75 00
275 00
Dog tax refunded,
159 48
Cash for school supplies,
4 32
CR.
By expenses for the several schools, as follows : CENTRE SCHOOL -- GRAMMAR.
Amount paid Miss Maria L. Lincoln, spring term, 90 00) Edith G. Gray. fall term, 80 00 .. 66 winter term. 80 00
$250 00
CENTRE SCHOOL-PRIMARY.
Amount paid Miss Florence I. Sargeant. spring term, .. 66
70 00
fall term. 70 00
66
. . . . winter term, 70 00
210 00
" Fuel and care of school rooms, COLDBROOK SCHOOL
67 95
Amount paid Miss Bertha C. Lovell, spring term. .. 66 fall term.
80 00
80 00
..
..
.. winter term.
SO 00
66
Fuel and care of house,
21 89
WEST SCHOOL.
Amount paid Miss J. H. O. Lovell. spring term,
65 00
.. .. .. .. fall term.
65 00
66 66 66 66 .. winter term;
70 00
.. Care of house,
7 00
261 84
207 00
Received from State school fund,
$1363 80
13
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Amount paid Miss Lilla B. Spooner. spring term 60 00
.. fall term. 60 00
1.
. . Sara E. Butler, winter term, 60 00
. .
.. Fuel and care of house, 15 00
195 00
l'aid for School House Repairs.
59 32
CONVEYANCE OF SCHOLARS.
Paid Edgar O. Crawford. Sara E. Butler. George E. Reed.
53 35
24 50
27 00
104 85
Total Expense.
$1356 01
SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
Value of School Supplies on hand March Ist. 1893. 124 14
.. .. ..
1892.
145 73
Paid for school supplies during year, .. care of school supplies. 10 00
176 90 Singing has been introduced into our Schools, with very plesaant results. The schools being supplied with the "New Golden Wreath" song book. The attendance in the several schools has been as follows: CENTRE SCHOOL-GRAMMAR.
Spring term. whole number of scholars. 19 Average attendance. 16
Fall ..
29
וי
24
Winter ..
..
.. ..
. .
34
.. ..
30
CENTRE SCHOOL-PRIMARY.
Spring term. whole number of scholars,. 27 Average attendance, 24
Fall
34
.6 28
Winter .. .. .:
30
26
COLDBROOK SCHOOL.
Spring term. whole number of scholars. 34
Average attendance, 32
Fall. 6.
34
66
31
Winter 6.
·
30
. :
26
..
166 90
14
WEST SCHOOL.
Spring term. whole number of scholars.
Average attendance. 14 Fall .: . .
66
16
12
Winter
. .
..
20
.6
..
14
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Spring term, whole number of scholars.
Average attendance. 7
Fall . . 66 y
،٠
7
Winter .. . . .6 .6
10
..
1 -
The attendance in all the schools has been as follows :
Spring term, whole number. 104
Average attendance. 93
Fall
121
.. 102
Winter
124
..
103
Number of scholars enrolled in all our schools. 149.
' :
15
ROLL OF HONOR.
Names of scholars neither absent nor tardy :
CENTRE SCHOOL.
THREE TERMS -- Geo. A Loring. David H. Robinson, Alice E. Allen, Edith Clifford. Susie Gleason, James Allen, Clement Ayres, Walter Clifford. Two TERMS-Blanche E. Packard, Eva A. Stone, Mabel Austin. Edith Bartlett. Effie Bartlett, Maud Sargeant, Leymert Bal- com, Ralph Lovell. ONE TERM-Walter Green, Fannie Robinson, Stella Wyman. Ethel Babcock, Walter Woodis. John P. Day, Roger Conant. C'athie Bullard, Sadie Packard, Alice Reed, Roy Burt. Henry Grimes, Bertie Hapgood, James Hatstat, Mortie Sargeant.
COLDBROOK SCHOOL.
THREE TERMS --- Esther Clark. Nattie Butterfield, Myron Butterfield. Ed- ward Bliss. Two TERMS-Mildred Bliss. Dell Parker, Ruth Butter- field. Blanche Caldwell, Maud Parker, Maud Caldwell, Denny Needbam. Henry Butterfield. ONE TERM-Olive Laplante, Ralph Clark. Gertrude Needham, Winnie Parker, Olive Woodbury, Millie Parker, Elmer Cleveland.
WEST SCHOOL.
THREE TERMS-Milton Bullard. Two TERMS-Minnie Bullard, Stella Wyman Willie Bullard, Clifford Knight. ONE TERM-Mabel Austin. Althea Russell, Alma Russell, Alice White, Katie King, Jerry Haley. Lester Knight, Justin Rawson.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Two TERMS-Alice Dwelly, Johnnie Dwelly, Robert Dwelly. ONE TERM --- Melvina Brook, Flora Guely, Henry Cummings.
Respectfully submitted, JESSE ALLEN, HENRY P. AUSTIN, WALTER M. ROBINSON,
School Committee.
16
1
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
For the first time in its history. Oakham is enjoying the advantages of a Library. FREE to ALL her citizens.
For nearly or quite one hundred years, a small subscription Labrary has been supported by public spirited citizens of the town. There is still in existence a list of the names of the "proprietors" of the 'Oakham Social Library." sixty-five in number. bearing the date of Mar. 2. 1803. These ' proprietors." at that time. taxed themselves cach twenty-five cents. thereby raising $16.25 for the purpose of "enlarging the library."
The patrons of this small Library, during its existence of a century. have received, doubtless. incalculable good therefrom.
The Legislature of 1890 passed an Act, introduced by Hon. E. B. Hayes, present mayor of Lynn, by which the small towns of the State. having no Free Public Libraries by accepting the provisions of the Act. and annually appropriating a small sum, would be added by the State to the amount of one hundred dollars.
At its last Annual Meeting the town, by a unanimous vote accepted of this generous proposition, and appropriated twenty-five dollars for the purpose of establishing a " Free Public Library" in Oakham.
Kind friends of the town have also shown a deep interest in the success of this enterprise. We would make especial mention of Miss E P Sobier ot Beverly, member of the "State Library Commission." who has been untiring in her efforts in our behalf.
We have received from our Beverly friends more than 200 valuable books. Valuable volumes have also been received from Hon. E B. Hayes of Lynn. Also from our own citizens as follows: D. Oscar Lovel !. Mrs. M. T. F. Rugg, J. H. O. Lovell, E. J. Crawford. I. W. Mullett. ard Jesse Allen. Thus. with the valuable portion of the Old Library, and the one hundred dollars worth of books formshed by the State, we have a well selected Library of 541 volumes.
Further contributions, it is believed, will be made by other friends of the town. A catalogue will be printed before many months.
132 different persous have taken out books. 1117 volumes have been charged in the six months since the Library has been opened.
No expense has attended the care of the same thus far.
A growing interest is shown by our citizens in our "New Library" es- pecially by our children and youth, and we are certain that its influence for good, especially upon the rising generation, cannot be estimated.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
CR.
Received Town Appropriation, $25 00
Fines.
75
DR.
Paid D. M. Parker, book case,
9 00)
Wm. S. Crawford, work and material, 9 50
.. F. S. Conant, hanging lamp. -1 55
.. Jesse Allen, express, postage, etc .
2 92
$25 97
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE ALLEN. ? Library H. W. LINCOLN.
EDWARD J. CRAWFORD. ) Trustees.
$25 75
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