USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1898 > Part 9
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OF THE
Street Watering Department
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of New- buryport :
GENTLEMEN :- I respectfully submit the following as the report of the street watering department for the year of 1898.
On March 16th, the board of aldermen voted to advertise for proposals to do the watering for the coming season, bids to be per lineal foot. April 6th, Cashman Bros. were given the con- tract to do the work for 7c per lineal foot. Watering was com" menced April 8th, and continued until November Ist.
The board made the assessments and apportioned them the same as in 1897. Arrangements were made by a sub-committee of the board of aldermen with the water commissioners for water, cost to be $100 per mile. Three petitions were received and granted for watering, and one additional street watered by order of the board of aldermen.
To all appearances the system is giving general satisfaction. Complaints have been few and the assessments promptly paid. An important decision has been made by the Supreme court re- cently, declaring the Act of 1897, chap. 419 as constitutional. "An Act relative to watering streets in cities."
Following is a list of the streets watered, the locations of standpipes and the number of feet watered :
175
STREET WATERING
STREETS ORDERED WATERED BY THE BOARD OF AL- DERMEN
STREET
FROM
TO
- Bartlett,
Inn,
No. 4 Bartlett st.
-Birch
Market
Winter
Charter
State
Fair
Essex
State
Fair
Federal
High
Middle
Fruit
High
Prospect
Fair
Prospect
Liberty
Garden
State
Otis Place
Green
High
Merrimac
Harris
State
Green
High
Marlboro
Three Roads
Inn
Pleasant
Market Square
Liberty
Market
Fair
Middle ·
State
Fair
Market Square
Market
High
Merrimac
Merrimac
Market Square
Broad
Otis Place
Orange
Fair
Federal
Prospect
State
Bromfield
Pleasant
State
Market
Prince Place
Park
High
Harris
Pond
State
B. & M. Station
State
Boyleston
Market Square
Spring
Fair
Federal
Temple
State
Fair
Tremont
High
Prospect
Titcomb
Washington
Pleasant
Threadneedle alley Inn
State
Water
Market Square
E. R. R.
Washington
Green
Kent
Making a total of 46 884 linear feet.
STREETS WATERED BY PETITIONS
STREET
FROM
TO
1
Allen
High
Prospect
-
Atwood
Federal
Lime
Bromfield
High
Water
Broad
High
Monroe
1-6
ANNUAL REPORTS
STREET
FROM
TO
Lime
Prospect
School
Middle
Fair
Federal
Milk
Lime
Bromfield
Purchase
Lime
Marlboro
Temple
Fair
Federal
Winter
High
Washington
Making a total of 4097 linear feet watered by petition, and a grand total of 50,981 watered for the season.
LOCATION OF STANDPIPES
Bromfield street near High. Merrimac st. near E.R.R. bridge.
Bromfield street near Water.
Kent street near High.
Water street near No. 77.
High street near Belleville ch.
Fair street near Prospect.
Merrimac street near Kent.
State street near High.
Washington street near Olive.
Green street near City hall.
Oakland street near High.
Federal street near High.
High street near Jefferson.
Liberty street near Center.
Harris street near Park.
Market street near High.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY W. LITTLE, Clerk.
Annual Report of the City Marshal
To His Honor the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN :- The whole number of arrests during the year of 1898 for offences committed within the city of Newburyport is 595, of which 163 were of foreign birth. 432 were born with- in the limits of the United States, 38 were females, and 58 were minors.
ARRESTS WERE FOR THE FOLLOWING CAUSES, VIZ :
Assault and battery 22
Assault (mutual) 4
Assault (felonious) I
Adultery 3
Deserter from U. S. A.
I
Bastardy
2
Breaking and larceny
I
Breaking and entering and larceny .
9
Cruelty to dumb animals
2
Common night walker 3
Contempt of court 7
Drunkenness 393
Drunk, disorderly house
2
Disturbing the peace
20
Defrauding
3
Evading fare
I
Emily zzlement
I
Fraud
I
Fighting
I 2
Gaming
6
Insane.
3
Interfering with an officer
2
17S
ANNUAL REPORTS
Larceny 46
Larceny from the person
I
Neglect of family 2
Malicious mischief 3
Obtaining goods under false pretences I
Runaway boys 4
Safe-keeping
II
Attempt to rape I
Stubborn and disobedient 2
Threatening language
2
Violation of cigarette law.
I
Vagrancy
2
Violation of city ordinance.
I
Violation of the dog law I
7
Total 595
DISPOSED OF AS FOLLOWS, VIZ :
Appealed
Bound over to Superior court 3
Cases continued 15
Committed for non-payment of fine 90
Committed to State Lyman school
2
Committed to Danvers hospital.
2
Discharged without arraignment 5
Discharged by court 29
Fined and paid [27
House of correction 23
Newburyport workhouse 2
Ordered to pay costs 2
Put on probation I72
Placed on file 26
Put under bonds to keep the peace
2
Sentence postponed
2
Sent to jail 41
18
Turned over to parents
9
Released .
2
Sent to Tewksbury by overseers of poor
I
Turned over to Superior court. 2
State farm, Bridgewater 2
Defaulted 2
Bailed on call II
2
Violation of the fish law
Violation of the liquor law
Turned over to other officers
179
CITY MARSHAL
Concord Reformatory I
State board of Lunacy and Charity I
Sherborn Reformatory I
Total
595
MISCELLANEOUS
Amount of property reported lost $1,210 90
Amount of property recovered 983 70
Amount of imprisonment imposed
50 years, 12 days
Accidents reported 63
Assisted other officers
145
Buildings found open and secured.
I25
Complaints investigated
1,337
Defective places in streets reported .
62
Dogs killed .
4
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
85
Escorts furnished processions
5
Fire alarms given
I
Fires extinguished without alarm
2
Injured persons assisted .
32
Intoxicated persons helped home.
65
Lights furnished for dangerous places
14
Lost children restored to parents
16
Meals furnished lodgers and prisoners
2,470
Nuisances investigated
9
Officers for extra duty
39
Officers for extra duty at City hall
57
Persons provided with lodgings
1,875
Street obstructions removed
I22
Stray teams put up
17
Street lights reported out.
71
Money taken from and returned to prisoners
$1,018 83
Officers for two circuses and yacht race and ball grounds. 26
Taken to Foxboro Asylum. 2
-
Total 595
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. LATTIME, City Marshal.
Search warrant for liquor served IO
Notified to shovel snow 265
Annual Report of the City Solicitor
To the City Council :
In accordance with the ordinance, I submit my annual re- port. At the beginning of the year there were but two suits (aside from the water case) pending in the courts against the city. One that of Mary Fenton, of Lynn, the other that of Humphrey Coffey, of Salisbury. These suits, as has been said by my predecessor, are both trivial in character and will proba- bly never be pressed to trial by the plaintiff's.
The following cases have been begun during the year and are now pending :
Cornelius Kelleher vs Newburyport.
Michael Hosman vs. Newburyport.
Mary Mannix vs. Newburyport.
A. Adnoff vs. Jason E. Lawrence, city of Newburyport, trustee.
Kelleher vs. Newburyport is an action of contract in the Superior court for this county. The plaintiff claims that the de- fendant, without just cause, refused to accept his bid for the work of street sprinkling for the year 1898, and awarded the contract to another person. An appearance has been entered and an an- swer filed.
Hosman vs. Newburyport is an action growing out of anoth- er suit which was brought last year in which the city was sum- moned as trustee. The plaintiff obtained judgment in the first suit, and demanded payment of the city treasurer who answered that he had no funds of that defendant in his hands. The plain- tiff then brought this action against the city to compel it to pay out of its own funds. The case was heard in the Newburyport
181
CITY SOLICITOR
police court and decided against the city. Being strongly of opinion that the city is not liable, I have appealed the case to the Superior court where the same is now pending. The amount in- volved is small.
Mannix vs. The city of Newburyport is an action of tort for personal injuries alleged to have been received through a defect in the sidewalk on Lime street in 1897. Before suit was brought this matter was referred to the mayor and myself with full pow- ers. At first we were inclined to settle it, but before we had done so, such information came to us that we decided that it should be fought to the end. The plaintiff therefore brought suit in the Superior court for this county. An appearance has been entered and an answer filed.
The case of Adnoff vs. Lawrence, city of Newburyport, trustee, was brought in the Second District court of Essex at Amesbury. I appeared for the trustee and filed an answer. The case involves the construction of the ordinance relating to compensation of the fire department.
As to the water case. It being in the hands of special coun- sel there may be some question as to whether any report from me is called for. It is now in the Circuit court of the United States. I would say that the city's demurrer to the bill having been over- ruled a petition for rehearing of it, supported by a very able brief submitted by Mr. Pillsbury, seems to have had considerable effect, and the last utterance of that court is much more favorable to the city than any heretofore. There remains to be heard a special demurrer filed by the city, and designed to eliminate from the proceedings in the United States court, the matter of retrying the question of the value of the property. If that demurrer is sustained there is but little in the way of matter of fact to be tried there, and a decision may be looked for at a comparatively early day.
In August last, by direction of the board of aldermen, I pe- titioned the Supreme Judicial court to compel the observance by the Newburyport & Amesbury Horse Railroad Company of the order of that board of August first 1898, as to changing the loca- tion of the tracks of said company on Storey avenue. The mat- ter was contested by the defendant whereby some delay was caused, but in September an injunction was issued against the
IS2
ANNUAL REPORTS
continuation of the tracks on the old location. The road then went into the hands of a receiver appointed by the United States Circuit court in Boston. I then petitioned the United States Cir- cuit court which made an order that the receiver comply.
In addition to the foregoing there have been several trustee writs brought wherein the city was summoned as trustee of cer- tain persons to whom it was claimed the city was indebted. These have all been disposed of except the one hereinbefore named.
I have attended to the prosecution of several criminal cases in the Newburyport police court. I petitioned the legislature for two bills, one as to reimbursement from the county on the Merri- mac river bridges, and one as to new schoolhouse, and drew the bills touching these matters, and attended the hearings on these and other matters at the State house. Have had several inter- views with the State highway commission touching the matter of State roads, accompanied a committee of the board of aldermen in consultation with the railroad commissioners on street railway matters. I have attended all meetings of the committee on claims, many meetings of the city council and board of alder- men, drawn many orders and instruments of different sorts, ad- vised diver boards and officials of the city, and done a considera- ble amount of other and miscellaneous work.
I have received from the city treasurer $82.44 and have dis- bursed the same.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE I. BARTLETT, City Solicitor.
Annual Report of Superintendent of Sewers
To the Joint Standing Committee on Sewerage :
GENTLEMEN :- The following report for 1898 is respectfully tendered :
The system of sewerage has, in general, given the same ef- fective service as in previous years, and is in good working or- der.
Notices have been received in four cases, of trouble in the sewer, one of which was a false alarm, a private drain 2 Harris street, cleared by a plumber.
February 25. Merrimac street, near Merrill, yielded to a flush by hydrants ; has been cared for thrice since without notice. Cost, very small.
March 21. Manhole, upper Washington street, collects mat- ter from a water closet, the other drainage from the house not going to sewer ; flushed it out, and twice since, but the arrange- ment is wrong, the sinks and tubs should go to the sewer.
October 15. Munroe street. A sudden and bad stoppage caused by roots ; was clear running in August, now had to cut sods out for 20 feet, rods used 242 feet. Time from notice to en- tire clearing, four hours.
This matter of fine roots growing into sewers has been en- countered to some degree elsewhere, but easily managed so far, as soon as recognized.
Three rounds of inspection and clearing of dust pans were made during the season, and the final and complete flushing of the system November 10 to 19th. During these rounds several incipient obstructions came to light. March 25. Unicorn street,
IS4
ANNUAL REPORTS
a very hard one ; no matter had passed out for some months, but was accumulated in the sewer, and manhole full; 260 feet of rods, boring, opened it; caused by two pieces of steam pipes thrown into sewer. March 17th, High near Summer ; 18th, ditto near Green ; November 17th, High near Carter. all yielded to judicious flushing.
P. S. Bradford relaid. July 29, the drain to Federal street sewer for Mr. Frank Alley's house. The writer directed and graded the same as the first one; and Bradford did his work carefully, but it proved that the first had been broken and relaid at a lower pitch by some unknown party, and was very crooked.
The completion of the survey, sketches and booking of 912 drains with the buildings they drain, all to a uniform and reada- ble scale, is the important measure of the year. No written records can answer the purpose of this record. The rules for drainlayers to furnish readable sketches was inoperative, for want of a fixed scale, and disability of appointees barred the way. The rule was dropped in 1895. Observation will show how herculean was the job, but it is believed to be complete and re- liable, except in two or three tough cases, and it is doubtful if better records can be found.
It was manifest in the work that errors could not be made this way so easily as by the old plan, and several have been cor- rected. Now if it be properly continued, there cannot be so much confusion as in some other cities occurs now. And any man who cannot do this work well, cannot understand and care for a good system of sewers properly.
The number of new drains is 77 ; of old drains hitherto not recorded, 11, which have all been duly entered, and the new ones directed, graded, and insertion to sewer witnessed person- ally.
Streets where drains are added :
Atwood 2
Federal I
Orange
Auburn I Franklin 4
Purchase 6 Birch I Garden I
Prospect I Beck . 2
Greenleaf I
Salem I Broad I
High . 7
School 3 Bromfield 4
Independent .. I Smith's court . I Bromfield court I
Johnson .. 2
Spring . . I
I85
SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWERS
Boardman .I Kent . 4
State 3
Carter 2 Liberty 2
Temple I
Charter I Lime . I
Washington . . 3
Congress I Market I
Winter 2
Dalton 2
Middle 2
Warren I
Essex . 2
Milk 2
Water
I
Elm 2
Merrimac 7
Fair · 3
Olive 2
Total 88
Classified, premises served : Stores
8
Halls and schools
9 Tenements IOI
Factories, workshops,etc. 6
I24
Previously laid 912 drains. Added in 1898 77
Total drains to date 989 (3 drains sealed. )
Total c'assified list to date :
Stores I44
Halls and schools 74
Tenements 1,267
Hotels and boarding 25
Factories, work shops, offices
I22
Total
1,632
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Labor on sewers $59 25
Tools, labor C. R. Sargent I 25
Toppan & Wilson, Stillson wrench 2 00
Cement, J. C. Colman . 36
Use of Water-cart and team flushing 24 00
Printing sewer blanks 2 25
Total sewer work
$ 89 II Salary of superintendent, (including carting tools). .. 525 00
$614 II
Engineering labor, surveying, and making three volumes of sewer plans and sketches $72 00
Assistance to survey 9 40
Brought forward $81 40
I86
ANNUAL REPORTS
Brought forward $81 40
$614 II
Raising and regrading covers for highway department 16 70 98 10
Total charged department
$712 21
The overdraft is pure extras, the $12.21 would be $60.19 the other side, if the books were taken out, and highway work also.
F. CURTIS, Superintendent.
December 30, 1898.
Annual Report of the Park Commissioners
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN : -- The Park commissioners hereby submit their annual report for the year ending December 17, 1898.
The amount of appropriation for Parks was $450, and was expended as follows :
Daniel W. Cate, labor $288 40
William J. Creasey, stock and labor 2 45
William Holker, tools 6 90
J. Breck & Sons, 10 lawn settees 31 78
F. E. Davis, repairing fountain and mower 9 10
L. I. De Vebber, one lawn mower 5 00
T. Y. Cotton, stock and labor 3 05
A. Russell & Son, 18 signs 4 50
Hermon Staples, stock and labor
I 19
John W. Walker, 24 30
John E. Bailey, labor on settees 3 20
Teaming 30
Assessment watering streets 62 80
General labor IO1 40
Amounting to $544 37
Showing an overdraft of $94.37.
These sums were expended in the care of Washington Park and Brown Square. As the appropriation has been charged for sprinkling for the frontage of these parks, this amount has not been available for necessary work, thereby causing an overdraft. We would recommend that, if this plan is followed another year, the appropriation be increased accordingly, in order that these
188
ANNUAL REPORTS
two beautiful spots may be properly cared for after having been made so attractive.
We would also recommend that some place be provided by the city council of 1899 for the boys of the city to play ball and other games, as we have had to pay bills amounting to nearly $25.00 for broken glass caused by careless ball playing at River- side Park.
The Kent street Common, which has been neglected for so many years, the present year received an appropriation of $200. The improvements made at this park were the laying of a con- crete walk four feet wide extending from the corner of Washing- ton and Kent street to the main walk, placing ten substantial set- tees ; making three large flower beds, and providing a large iron vase. These improvements were greatly appreciated by the public, and we would recommend that they be continued the coming year, and also that some more appropriate name be given to this park. The amount expended is $167.01 leaving an un- drawn balance of $32.99.
GEORGE H. PLUMER, JOHN H. BALCH, JR. CHAS. C. STOCKMAN, ORRIN J. GURNEY.
Park Commissioners.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Draw-tender of the Newburyport Bridge
Newburyport. December 22, 1898.
To the Committee on Bridges and Culverts :
GENTLEMEN :- The total number of steamers, sailing ves- sels, and sailboats passing through the draw was 1610, against 1489 in 1897.
The first opening was on the IIth of March, for the tug Hazel Dell, and the last for the tug Clara E. Uhler, on the 20th of December, viz :
Steamer Merrimac 327
Tug Bronx 386
Tug C. E. Uhler 249
Tug Hazel Dell I68
Steamer Cignet
87
Steamer Three Brothers
.38
Steamer Pet
39
Sailboats
225
Vessels 66
Transients
25
Total 1610
Coal in vessels 12, 111 tons
Fertilizer
175
I have consumed the following supplies, viz :
Coal
4,000 1bs.
Sperm oil
4 gals.
Machine oil 2 gals.
190
ANNUAL REPORTS
Matches 6 bundles. Kerosene oil 15 gals.
Lamp chimneys
6
Lumber 16,245 feet
Nails
300 1bs.
There are a few necessary repairs which should be attended to before spring which I beg leave to call the committee's atten- tion to.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM I. HUNT, Drawtender.
Annual Report of the City Registrar.
CITY REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, March 1, 1899.
The following statistics relating to births, marriages, and deaths in the city of Newburyport for the year ending December 31, 1898, are compiled for information and comparison, and are respectfully submitted,
BIRTHS
The number of children born in the city during the year IS98 and recorded in this office is 283, thirty-two less than the previ- ous year. Of this number 155 were males and 128 females. Three pairs of twins. one pair both were males. two pair were male and female ; but one colored. Four returned as illegitimate. Births occurred by months and quarters as follows :
January 25 April . 24 July . .20
October .. 19
February 26
May .32 August ... 14
November .17
March 22
June 24
September .30
December . . 30
73
80
64
66
Total 283.
NATIVITY OF PARENTS
Fathers
Mothers
Born in the United States
166
160
British Provinces
30
33
Ireland .
62
68
other foreign countries
22
22
Unknown
3
O
Of 49 children born, both parents returned as natives of
192
ANNUAL REPORTS
Newburyport ; of 49, the fathers only so returned, and of 31 mothers only as natives of this city.
MARRIAGES
The number of intentions filed and certificates issued from this office 113; two more than for the previous year. All re- turned for record, the marriages having been solemnized in this city or elsewhere
The number of marriages recorded, 122; one less than last year ; 99 married in this city, 23 in other places. Marriages in each month and quarter as follows:
January . 6 April. 17
July. 5 October ... 18
February 8 May 7 August 6 November .18
March 2 June 12 September . 12 December .. II
Total 122. 16 36
23
47
Marriages solemnized by the following clergymen and offi- cials :
Congregationalist, F. G. Alger 7
A. W. Hitchcock
9
Charles P. Mills
1
Myron O. Patton 2
D. T. Fiske 3
C. S. Holton 3-28
Presbyterian, . Horace C. Hovey 6
T James Macfaddin 2- 8
Unitarian
. Samuel C. Beane 7-7
Baptist. Louis A. Pope
12-12
Episcopal James H. VanBuren 3
P. Vooer Finch I- 4
Methodist Alexander Dixon 2
James H. Stubbs 4 John Webster Ward I Jerome Wood 6 -- 13
Roman Catholic, William H. Ryan 22
George W. Halley I J. B. Labossiere 3-26
Justice of the peace Albert T. Gould I- I
Non-resident clergymen .23-23
I22 122
Average age of grooms 29 years ; average age of brides. 26
193
CITY REGISTRAR
years. The oldest couple married, the groom 77 years, the bride 59 years ; the second marriage of each. The youngest couple, groom 20 years and the bride 18 years. There were five grooms under age and all at 20 years of age ; no bride under age. First marriage of 101 grooms and 105 brides; second marriage of 20 grooms and 16 brides ; third marriage of one each. Of 22 cou- ples the brides were older than the grooms; of 13 couples ages returned as the same.
DEATHS
Deaths occurring in this city during the year 1898, not including stillbirths, 254; 22 more than last year. The number of deaths recorded. including 16 stillbirths, 346. Of this num- ber 76 were from other cities and towns brought to this city for interment. These places include 15 cities and twelve towns in this commonwealth, and eight of the other States.
Interments always exceed the deaths ; 56 were removed to other places and 76 were received from other places. Of the number removed 28 were interred in the adjoining towns of Newbury, West Newbury and Amesbury.
Deaths by months and quarters :
January 24 April . 30 July . 8 October ... 22 February 27 May 25 August . 30 November . . 19
March 12 June 22 September . 25
December .. 26
63
77
63 67 Total 270.
The month of July shows a remarkably small death rate, eight. with but two cases under five years of age; the four cases of cholera infantum of the six returned occurring on the 6th of August.
The number of deaths from zymotic diseases, six, six less than last year-croup 1, diphtheria 2, typhoid fever 2, whooping cough 1-which speaks well for the watchfulness of the board of health and its agents.
Deaths from consumption and heart disease 20 each, old age 19, Bright's disease 18, pneumonia 11, bronchitis to, apoplexy IO.
Deaths from all causes (not including stillbirths)-under 10
194
ANNUAL REPORTS
years 47, thirty-six less than last year. Deaths 60 years old and upwards 113, fourteen more than last year; of this number five were over 90 years of age.
Average age 44-45. For further information reference can be had to the tabulated list hereto annexed.
Attest. GEORGE H. STEVENS, Registrar.
961
Statement of Deaths in the City of Newburyport for the Year 1898
CAUSE OF DEATH
Males
Females
Total
_ | January
| February
| March
-: | April
: | May
| June
| July
| September
: | October
| November
| December
: | Under 1 yr.
: | 1 to 5 years
N | 5 to 10 yrs.
| 10 to 20 yrs
20 to 30 yrs.
: : | 30 to 40 yrs.
| 40 to 50 yrs.
50 to 60 yrs.
60 to 70 yrs.
70 to 80 yrs.
.. .. : : | 80 to 90 yrs.
90 to 100 yrs
Accidental, drowned
4
1
5
1
. .
1
. .
. .
1
.
.
. .
. .
.
.
1
1
. .
. .
..
..
.
.
.
. .
..
.
·
. .
1
.
1
1
1
1
..
. .
..
..
Aortic reguaritation.
1
1
2
. .
. .
·
1
10
1
1
.
.
·
·
1
1
2
1
·
·
1
1
.
. .
. .
. .
..
..
1
. .
.
.
.
.
Cerebral Hyperemia ..
1
1
. .
1
. .
. .
.
..
·
. .
.
.
1
.
·
. .
.
.
. .
.
.
.
1
..
·
.
2
..
· 7
. 2
.. 3
1
. . .
Consumption (phthisis). .
2
8
1
1
2
..
. .
.
1
1
.
..
1
..
.
.
..
1
1
1
·
.
Cirrhosis of liver
1
2
3
..
.
1
. .
..
1 1
:
.
2
1
. .
. .
..
. .
. .
..
·
.
Diabetes . .
1
1
2
. .
. .
..
.
. .
..
..
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