USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1878 > Part 7
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$ 4,900 00
66
Bromfield street. 7,000 00
. .
66
School street 12,000 00
66
66
Temple street 3,500 00
66
State street. 500 00
66
66
High street ..
1,800 00
66
Congress street 5,000 00
66
16
Wesley street. 3,200 00
6.
66
Forrester street. 8,000 00
66
corner High and Auburn streets 41,000 00
Wooden school house on Purchase street. 200 00
Purchase street.
3,500 00
Charles street. 900 00
66
State street.
4,000 00
2
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Two wooden school houses on Congress street. 3,000 00
66
Ashland street. 3,000 0C
101,500 00
ENGINE HOUSE.
No. 2 engine house on Water street. $1,600 00
No. 3 - 66 Congress street 2,000 00
No. 6 66 Monroe street 1,000 00
No. 7 66 66 Merrimac street 2,500 00
No. 8 66 66 Purchase street.
2,500 00
Hook & Ladder and Hose house on Pleasant street 3,500 00
13.100 00
PERSONAL PROPERTY.
Furniture in City Hall, Market Hall and Engine houses $ 3,000 00 Three steamers, 3 hand engines, hook 'and ladder, hose carriages, hose, hooks, ladders, hydrants, &c 34,100 00 Furniture, stores, fuel, tools, farming implements, and animals, in and about the almshouse and outbuildings. 6,500 00
Standard weights and measures 300 00
Nine horses. 1,800 00
Carts, sleds, harnesses, &c .. 1,000 00
Stock in the Newburyport City railroad. 74,200 00
Stock in the Newburyport and Amesbury Horse railroad. 25,000 00
145,900 00
RECAPITULATION.
Real estate. $ 67,000 00
School nouses. 101,500 00
Engine houses.
13,100 00
Personal Property 145,900 00
328,200 00
REPORTS.
FOLLANSBEE FUND.
To the Hon. Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of New- buryport :
GENTLEMEN,-In accordance with the requirements of regula- tion adopted for controlling the Follansbee Fund, I herewith, as treasurer of said fund, present the fifth annual report.
Fund invested as follows:
$3000 .- City Railroad Bonds, at 7 per cent. $2850 00
Deposit in Five Cents Savings Bank, Newburyport. 150 00
3000 00
Income account as follows :
Unexpended balance from 1877 $ 1 72
Coupons due March 1, 1878. 105 00
Coupons due Sept. 1, 1878. 105 00-211 72
Expended-paid orders of Aldermen :
April 13, 1878-To Amos Coffiin. $100 00
Dec. 5, 1878-To Amos Coffin . 59 20
Dec. 5, 1878-To W. H. Bayley, clerk. 49 00-208 20
Unexpended balance to new account. 3 52
Distributed in Ward one. $37 05
60 two
21 15
66 three 47 75
66 four
30 85
66
66 five 37 45
66 six. 33 95-208 20
Coal, 46200 lbs. ; 7 6-8 cords wood; 48 bushels kindlings.
Thirty-two different individuals or families have been assisted in their supply of fuel-20 being assisted' but once, 9 twice, 2 four
4
REPORTS.
times, and 1 five times. During the yeur a change was made in the manner of disbursing the fuel from this fund, with the expecta- tion of realizing more fuel for the money expended; but a compari- son of prices charged is in favor of the private dealer, to say noth- ing of the odium attaching to the fact of receiving this charity through the pauper conveyance.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE H. STEVENS, Treasurer. Newburyport, Dec. 30th, 1878.
CITY MARSHAL'S REPORT.
To His Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN, -- The whole number of arrests during the year eighteen hundred seventy-eight for offences committed within the City of Newburyport, is five hundred sixty-two, of which three hundred thirty-one were of foreign birth, two hundred twenty-one were born within the limits of the United States, forty-eight were females, and one hundred thirteen were mincrs.
The arrests were for the following causes, viz :- Assault and battery, 47; assault on officers, 4; assault with a dangerous weapon, 2; adultery, 2; arson, 1; burglary, 2; breaking and entering, 1; common durnkard, 4; drunk, second offence, 5; cruelty to animals, 1; drunkenness, 316; disturbing the peace, 38; driving throughi funeral procession, 1; interfering with an officer, 1; panpers, 2; deserter, 1; murder, 1; defrauding, 1; larceny, 43; malicious mischief, 6; on suspicion, 4; violation of liquor law, 10; violation of City Ordinances, 14; vagrancy, 16; violation of dog law, 1; conveying tools into , prison, 1; bastardy, 7; insane, 12; pickpockets, 2: lewd and lascivious, 4; highway robbery, 1; carrying concealed weapons, 1; exposing person, 1; lar. ceny from person, 1; rude and disorderly, 7; assault with intent to kill, 2. Total, 562.
Disposed of as follows, viz :- Appealed, 13; bound over to Superior Court, S; committed for non-payment of fine, 63; committed to State Reform School, 3; discharged without complaint, 273; discharged by court, 23; fined and paid, 57; House of Correction, 28; Newburyport Workhouse, 20; ordered to pay ¿costs, 7; put on probation, 17; placed on file, 16; put under bonds to keep the peace, 11; sentence postponed, 2; turned over to other officers, 9; committed to Danvers Hospital, 2; committed to Ipswich Hospital, 1; cases
5
REPORTS.
continued, 3; cases settled without trial, 3; detained as a witness, 1; sent to jail, 1; turned over to doctor's charge, 1. Total, 562.
Miscellaneous :- Buildings found open and secured, 23; fire alarms given, 5 ; fircs extinguished without alarm, 4; intoxicrted persons helped home, 152; lost children restored to parents, 19; persons provided with lodgings, 1044; street obstructions removed, 118; stolen property recovered, $3,868.25; in- jured persons assisted, 9; disturbances suppressed without arrest, 196; com- plaints investigated, 778; defective places in streets reported, 85 nuisances investigated, 52; assisted other officers, 230; lights furnished for dangerous places, 5; dogs killed, 31; scarch warrants served, 45; truancy, 1; carried to Danvers Hospital without being confined in station house, 4.
Respectfully submitted,
C. H. DE ROCHEMONT, City Marshal. Newburyport, December 31st, 1878.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
To the City Council of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN :- At the municipal election held on the second Tues- day of November, 1877, the citizens of this city voted to accept the act authorizing cities in this commonwealth to organize Boards of Health, to be composed of citizens not members of the City Coun- cil. In January, 1878, the Mayor and Aldermen appointed the following to constitute the Board of Health :
WARREN CURRIER, for two years ; DAVID T. WOODWELL, for one year ; GEORGE W. SNOW, City Physician.
They organized on the first Monday in February, by the choice of Warren Currier as chairman, and George H. Stevens as clerk.
The acts of 1877, chap. 133, provides that said Board of Health shall, in the month of January annually, present to the City Coun- cil a report containing a full and concise statement of the acts of the Board during the year ending Dec. 31, preceeding with a re- view of the sanitary condition of the city.
We would respectfully present the following as the first annual report :
6
REPORTS.
The death rate during the year speaks well for the sanitary con- dition of the city. We have been exempt from any severe spi- demic. There have been some cases of scarlet fever reported every month during the year with only two deaths resulting therefrom, and both cases were children under six month of age.
The following extracts are made from the State Board of Health for preventing the spread of scarlet rever :
"Scarlet fever, scarlatina, scarlet rash, canker rash and rash fever, are names of a contagious and infectious disease of varying degrees of severity, but in which all the forms are capable of conveying the most severe type. A person may become ill with the fatal scarlet fever from association with an- other who had so mild an attack of the disease as not to keep him in the liouse, much less in bed.
The means of transportating the contagion of scarlet fever may be furnished by anything that has come in contact with an infected person or object, air, food, clothing, shoes, blankets, whiskers, hair, furniture, toys, library books, wall paper, curtains, cats, dogs, &c. Funerals have occasionally spread the disease, the exhalations from the dead body being also dangerous.
The period from exposure which results in scarlet fever to the time whenl the symptoms manifest themselves varies from several hours to three and possibly four weeks. The average time is variously given from six to eight or ten days. The time at which one who has been ill with scarlet fever may safely mingle with other people is not always easy to determine; but it is for convenience usually placed by sanitarians at four weeks from the commence- ment of the illness, as that covers the vast majority of cases, and it is best to have some arbitrary rule. A physician's certificate however should be always required.
It would be well to designate every house where scarlet fever exists by some marks not too conspicuous and yet sufficient to give the proper informa- tion.
Should the sick person die the body ought not to be removed from the sick rooin until it has been sealed in the coffin with carbolate of iron, carbolized earth, or some similar agent. It is advisable that the funeral should be as pri- vate as possible and not attended by children.
Anything which deteoriates health tends to render the system liable to any disease, and in that sense filth may be considered to promote scarlet fever, or to increase its mortality. Perfect cleanliness should therefore be enjoined. Overcrowding is one of the active ways of propagating contagious disease. Finally fresh air is one of the best disinfectants. The Board of Health at present require small pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria and typhus fever to be re- ported to them. Sufficient power is given to school committees also to re- strict the attendance at school of children from infected houses.
We are fully aware that many individual cases of scarlet fever occur with- out any spread of the disease : but the rule is to the contrary, and we have no means of knowing that we are safe without taking precautions which a different course might occasionally have proved it to be unnecessary."
7
REPORTS.
By following strictly the above suggestions, we believe that the spread of scarlet fever can be limited in case an epidemic should break out in the city. It requires not only the co-operation of the physicians, but a firm and decided action on the part of the school board in enforcing the following rule, viz : That no child from a fan- ily in which a case of scarlet fever has occurred, or shall hereafter occur, shall without a written permit from this Board attend any school in this city until the expiration of four weeks from the com- mencement of the last case in such family. Such length of time shall be certified in writing by a physician or some responsible inem- ber of the family. The certificate to be presented to the teacher of the school before the child is admitted.
From a weekly report of the Board of Health of New York City we find that the number of deathis from scarlet fever decreased nearly one-half by enforcing the rule of non-intercourse among families where scarlet fever exists.
Since last, June we have had an epidemic of measles in a mild form with no deaths resulting therefrom.
There have been but two deaths reported from diphtheria, and both occurred in one family in December.
Our death rate shows a large percentage of mortality among the aged. The whole number of deaths for the year is 238, seventy- six of whom were sixty-five years of age and upwards.
To maintain this exemption from a severe type of zymotic dis- eases in the future, we urge upon the citizens the importance of paying prompt attention to drainage, sewerage, stagnant and waste water. As we are dependent on wells for our supply of water for domestic purposes great care should be taken that the water may not be contaminated by drainage from defective cess pools or vaults. It is a well known fact that typhoid fever is frequently caused by using water that is contaminated by filtlı.
In July, 1878, the following circular was addressed to the physi- cians having reference to the investigation of the causes of all cases of diphtheria and typhoid fever in this city, viz :- The Board of Health would respectfully call the attention of the physicians of this city to the importance of investigating the condition of the sinks and drains about the premises of any family in which a case of diphtheria or typhoid fever should occur, and also request that a written report be forwarded to the chairman of the Board, stating as fully as possible the sanitary condition of the location.
8
REPORTS.
The complaints have been so numerous during the year of the odor arising from hog pens, especially in the central part of the city, that the Board deem it best for the health of the community to prohibit any hogs being kept within the health limits (as laid down in the regulation published in February) unless by special permit, and those only granted with stringent provisions for clean- liness, &c.
It may therefore be necessary for the city to provide some method for the collection and disposal of kitchen refuse. It should be done by some responsible person and removed in water tight carts in as cleanly a manner as possible.
The present system for the removal of night soil is uncleanly, offensive and dangerous to the health of the city. The instruc- tions of the Board were disregarded in many cases. The rules adopted by the Board restrict the removal from the first day of April to the first day of November, only between the hours of 10 p. m. and sunrise, and then only by permission granted specially, and between the first day of November and the first day of April be- tween the hours of 3 p. m. and sunrise, and the Board also require that the carts shall be water tight.
But it is almost impossible to prevent leakage or to suppress the offensive odors. The only manner in which vaults can be properly cleansed is by the use of some odorless excavating apparatus. The expense of which apparatus deters us from recommending its adoption by this city.
A marked case of lead poisoning occurred in a family occupying a tenement over a paint shop. There was simply a board partition between the kitchen and the rear of the shop, and the smell of paint was perceptible throughout the building. On notice being given to the owner of the property, he promptly removed the painters from the building and thus the nuisance was abated.
The Board personally have visited upwards of three hundred places to which their attention has been called of accumulations of filth or nuisances, and to the suggestions made for their abatement the citizens have generally acquiesced in prompt removal, and have shown a commendable desire to improve our sanitary condition.
The old burying ground where repose the remains of some of the oldest residents of this city has been sadly neglected for many years and allowed to become almost a wilderness, being overgrown with weeds, brambles and underbrush of all kinds. The grave-
9
REPORTS.
stores were falling down, either by age or frost, or thrown out of position by the roots of old trees, and the whole burial place had a dilapitated appearance. In June the City Council appropriated one hundred and fifty dollars to be expended by this Board in clear- ing up the grounds. After viewing the premises carefully, and ob- serving how much was required to be done in order to make it a respectable place for burial, we found that the amount was not sufficient to accomplish the work required, we therefore decided to do thoroughly what we could and trust to receiving an additional sum this year to complete the work. In the first place the ground was mown and cleared of underbrush of all kinds, stumps of old trees removed, &c., and the fruit trees were cut down. Then the grave stones facing Greenleaf and Pond streets were placed in po- sition. Still a great deal needs to be done in this and also in the new burying ground. The improved condition of the old ground will indicate whether the money has been well and judiciously ex- pended.
BATHING HOUSE.
Last summer this board called the attention of the City Council tu the importance of providing a suitable bathing house for the use of men and boys. The city ordinance makes it a penal offence for persons to bathe where they are exposed to public view. Still we all recognize the importance of cleanliness as a sanitary measure. An appropriation was made for a bathing house and the plans drawn up, but the estimates so far exceeded the appropriation that the scheme was a failure. We hope the subject will receive your early attention and that a suitable building will be provided before the advent of warm weather.
METEOROLOGICAL.
The location of our city at the mouth of one of the largest rivers of New England makes it peculiarly interesting in climatic plie- nomena.
It is a matter of public and scientific interest to know how the pressure, temperature, humidity, etc., of the air in this city compare with that in other places, as by such data the healthfulness of places is determined. It is impossible to have the data, however, except by observations made in the most careful manner and with apparatus capable of giving exacts results.
The instruments required are but few in number and are not too
2
10
REPORTS.
costly to be afforded by the city. The principal items of cost of such a record are the time, patience and skill required in doing the work, but should the apparatus be bought there is no doubt but that some person can always be found in the city who will be will- ing to do the work in the interest of science without cost to the city, except for repair and adjustment of instruments and the sta- tionery needed, which would be a trivial expense.
In conclusion, we would call your attention to the annexed sta- tistical account of the deaths, showing a low death rate as com- pared with other cities.
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN CURRIER, D. T. WOODWELL. GEORGE W. SNOW.
Newburyport, January 28, 1879.
Statistical Account of the deaths in Newburyport FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1878.
In the following account we have included all the deaths occurr- ing in this city for twelve months, although our duties did not com- mence until the first Monday in February. There have been 54 bodies brought to this city for interment of persons who died else- where. The whole number of deaths for the year is 238, viz: 117 males, and 121 females. The actual mortality, based on a popula- tion of 13,400, shows a death rate of 17.76 per 1000.
Causes of death as per returns, are classed as below :
Males. 13
21
Paralysis and apoplexy
9
14
Diseases of the heart ..
11
9
Pneumonia.
8
5
Old age and general debility
5
20
Cancers.
5
4
Cholera infantum
5
7
Diseases of brain.
4
4
Scarlet fever
2
Erysipelas
2
Females.
Consumption.
11
REPORTS.
Males. Females.
Hydrochephalus
4
1
Dysentery.
6
3
Inflammation of bowels, &c.
4
5
Cere. meningitis
7
2
Congenital debility
5
Bronchial and lung diseases.
3
3
Still born
2
3
Drowning
3
Diphtheria.
1
1
Other diseases
22
15
Total
117
121
Percentage.
Ages.
Males.
Females.
Males.
Females.
Under 1 year
47
28
19
.1176
.0799
1 year to 5 years
24
18
6
.0756
.0252
5 years to 10 years
5
2
3
.0084
.0126
10
20
7
5
2
.0210
.0084
20
30
18
7
11
.0294
.0462
30
66
40
66
15
4
11
.0168
.0462
40
50
8
4
4
.0168
.0168
50
60
23
14
9
.0588
.0379
60
70
66
23
13
10
.0546
.0421
70
80
16
43
16
27
.0672
.1135
80
6:
90
66
21
5
16
.0210
.0672
90
66 and upwards
4
1
3
.0042
.0126
By this table it will be noticed that nearly 54 per cent of the fe- males lived to the age of 50 years and upwards, while of the males nearly 42 per cent only past that age.
The nativity is as follows :- Newburyport, males 77, females 65; Newbury, males 2, females 7; Massachusetts, males 7, females 17; other states, males 19, females 18; foreign countries, males 12, females 14.
Nativity of the parents :- American, fathers 140, mothers 139; foreign, fathers 74, mothers 71; unknown, fathers 24, mothers 28.
Males under 21 years, 54; females under 21, 31 ; married, males 50, females 25; single, males 7, females 20: widowers, 6; widows, 45.
WARREN CURRIER. D. T. WOODWELL. GEORGE W. SNOW.
Newburyport, January 28, 1879.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
FOR THE
YEAR 1878.
OF
CITY
NEWBURYPORT
TERRA
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
NEWBURYPORT : WILLIAM H. HUSE & CO., PRINTERS, 42 STATE STREET, 1879
REPORT.
In accordance with the requirements of the laws of the commonwealth and the general custom, it be- comes our duty to make a report of the condition of the schools of Newburyport. Different theories are advocated as to the excellence of the Massachusetts Public School system, and as to whether it is better or worse than systems adopted elsewhere. Whether we have arrived at perfection, or not, our common schools are the pride of the people who were formed by them, who support them liberally, and who criticize them jealously.
The schools of our own city are in accordance with the system, and we can report their present condition as excellent, and that on the whole there has been an improvement over the previous year. The teachers are mostly experienced, and no changes in teachers have been made for the sake of change. If any have been replaced for any other reason than the resigna- tion or death, or inability from sickness, it has been for the advantage of the school. The service of each year trains the teachers as well as the pupils, and if they are earnest in their work, they of course improve
4
in it up to any age at which they ordinarily keep to the profession. We believe that we can claim that our schools at present are in better condition than ever before.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL HOUSES.
As copies of the school reports are preserved by some, it will be interesting in the future to know where our schools were in 1878 as well as their con- dition. Indeed it is of interest now, as many persons of the city do not know where all the schools are sit- uated, being of course more interested in those of their own neighborhood. Of the schools themselves. , there are four in Ward one; six in Ward two; one in Ward three; two in Ward four; five in Ward five, and five in Ward six.
The school houses are unequally distributed; Ward one has two. The Hancock street school house is a brick building in which is a girls' Grammar school on the upper floor, and a girls' Primary school on the lower floor. It is at the lower end of Hancock street, near Marlborough, is in good repair and well ar- ranged for the convenience of teachers and pupils. The Bromfield street school is also a brick building with four school rooms, two on the upper floor, one for the two upper classes of a boys' Grammar school under the principal, and one for the lower classes un- der his assistant. The lower floor also is divided in- to two school rooms, used for a boys' Primary school.
In Ward two there are three school houses for the six schools. The school house on Charles street is a
5
one-story wooden building, having very much the ap- pearance of the school houses of the poorer country towns. It has, however, been fortunate in having ex- cellent teachers for the boys' Primary school taught there, although at one time it had a disagreeable no- toriety as being haunted by ghosts. The Purchase street school house, on the corner of Purchase and Charles streets, is a wooden structure, occupied on the second floor by a girls' Grammar school, and on the lower by a girls' Primary school. In both, the principal's and assistant's rooms are divided by a par- tition. The building is in a poor condition, being old and out of repair, and poorly provided with seats, which are of an antiquated pattern and uncomfortable to the pupils. The Jackman school house on School street, a large brick structure, is devoted to boys. There is a Grammar school on the upper floor, a Primary school below, each with a principal and as- sistant in separate rooms, and a Primary school in the ward room, in the basement, of the youngest class of pupils.
Ward three has but one school house occupied, a brick building on Temple street which is used for a girls' Primary school, the principal's room on the up- per floor and that of the assistant on the lower floor.
In Ward four the city owns but one school house. The High schools occupy the large and commodious house owned by the trustees of the Putnam Free School fund, an arrangement which ceased with last year, but which was renewed for one year longer by a temporary arrangement. For the accommodation of the High schools something will be necessary the next year, either by a new contract with the trustees
6
of the Putnam Fund, or by a rearrangement of the schools, or by building a new school house or houses for the boys' and girls' high schools. The Kelley school house is the largest in the city, built of brick, and situated on the upper side of High street, facing the head of Market street. It contains eight school rooms, the school being a mixed graded school from the lowest class of the primary to the highest of the grammar, and one room being used for each class. This is the only school house owned by the city in Ward four, occupied for school purposes.
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