USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1905 > Part 9
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E. H. Noyes, vaccinations.
7 50
C. L. Davis, formaldahyde, vaccine points, express, etc ...
27 60
F. A. Snow, M. D., services of nurse 21 00
E. C. Hadley, burying fish.
13 50
E. N. Hobson, collecting garbage.
162 50
J. E. Bailey, repairing detention hospital .
17 08
J. M. Greenough, horse hire
1 00
J. C. Currier, groceries
IO 26
J. Gorwaiz, oil stove.
30
Karl Castelhun, alcohol
80
B. S. Woods, groceries and provisions. IO 30
Joseph Woods, coal.
80
J. J. & W. W. Woods, groceries II 18
W. J. Cook, groceries. 12 48
: 92
ยท
BOARD OF HEALTH
225
C. Harrison, milk. $ 84
D. F. Noyes, coal stove 6 00
Total.
$1,990 95
REPORT OF THE AGENT
Mr. John Burke, the agent, submits the following re- port :
Contagious diseases reported.
Diphtheria 22
Scarlet fever. I2
Typhoid fever
27
Spotted fever.
I
Leprosy
T
Measles
20
-
Total 83
Complaints attended to and calls made.
Cesspools
37
Swill.
24
Sink drains
22
Dirty yards
16
Pigs
II
Rubbish .
8
Slops
15
Filthy houses
3
Foul culverts.
4
Urinals.
3
Fertilizer odor
I
Dogs in cellar
Sprinkling
I
Manure.
2
Vent pipe
2
Outhouse
I
Water closets
4
Foul cellars
3
. Notices sent
142
226
ANNUAL REPORTS
Nuisances abated 37 Animals buried 31 Calls made 988
Minor calls 123
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
No unusual epidemic has visited the city during the year. We have had a certain amount of contagious dis- eases which is always expected, but the mortality of these cases has been within normal limits as the table on vital statistics will show.
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABRATORY
The wisdom of the establishment of a bacteriological labratory has been apparent from the start. It has made it possible to make a quick and positive diagnosis of all cases of diphtheria, especially those doubtful cases that must necessarily appear from time to time. It has also enabled the board to reduce the length of quarantine, thereby saving to the city so much in the household ex- penses of those so quarantined, and has proved itself very satisfactory to the board, and also to the medical profes- sion. The details of the work will appear in the report of the bacteriologist.
SEWER CONNECTIONS
After mature consideration, the board issued orders for a general sewer connection. This has been pushed as rapidly as the amount of work necessary for the execution of the order would permit. This is in our opinion an im-
227
BOARD OF HEALTH
portant sanitary measure which will do away with the collection of night soil, and carting the same through the streets which is necessarily filthy and unsanitary. The only disposition of this filth at hand is its use as a fertili- zer which is considered by the best authorities unsafe.
SEWERS
That part of the city below Marlboro street which is without the sewer system should receive the early consid- eration of the city council, as the present disposal of the sewage is unsanitary and a menace to the public health.
GARBAGE DISPOSAL
The question of the disposal of the city garbage was discussed early in the year. As the method adopted some years ago was becoming very unsatisfactory, it was de- cided by the board after much discussion, at different meetings, to advertise for bids for its removal without the city limits. E. M. Hobson of West Newbury, was awarded a five-year contract. He commenced his duties in June, and although this has not been accomplished with- out some dissatisfaction and friction, it has as a whole worked well, and is a great improvement over past methods.
CITY WATER
After numerous complaints of the disagreeable taste and odor of the city water, the board through the state board of health, made a full investigation of the water supply.
228
ANNUAL REPORTS
The result of that investigation is now general knowledge, and the board feels sure the water commissioners in con- junction with the city council, will take the necessary steps the situation demands.
REPORT OF THE BACTERIOLOGIST
Following is the report of Dr. R. D. Hamilton; To the Newburyport Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN : - I have the honor to submit the follow- ing report of my work as bacteriologist of your board from March Ist to December 25th, inclusive. During the time, 159 throat cultures have been sent in by the local physi- cians for examination for the presence of diphtheria bacilli. In the great majority of cases the result of the examination has been telephoned to the physician in charge on the morning of the day following the receipt of culture, but in several instances it has been possible to give a report on the evening of the same day.
Summary : Positive cultures 44, negative cultures 115, total 159. The number received per month: March 26, April 10, May eight, June four, July three, August 14, September seven, October 43, November 34, December 10, total 159.
229
BOARD OF HEALTH
INSPECTION OF PLUMBING
Mr. Charles H. Sargent, inspector of plumbing, makes the following report :
To the Newburyport Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN : - The work of the inspector of plumbing and the deputy for the year ending November 30, 1905, is as follows :
Whole number of inspections .. .. 285
Total number of separate fixtures 478
Divided as follows :
Water closets 220
Kitchen sinks 162
Bath tubs.
35
Lavatories. 45
Wash trays.
9
Urinals
6
Other fixtures I
The excess of water closets over sinks is due to the order of the board of health, abolishing privies on the line of the sewer. I find this order meets with the hearty ap- proval of nearly all of our citizens. The number of bath rooms (5) is very small for a city of our size and is not in keeping with the number of closets. This is due partly to the fact that many of the houses are very old, and not suited for plumbing of any kind, making even the placing of a closet a very difficult job. The taking over of the sewer connection work by the city has been a great help
230
ANNUAL REPORTS
both to plumber and house owner, the benefits of which will show up better later on.
JOHN E. BAILEY, Chairman, SIMEON O. PILLING, M. D., CHARLES W. PAGE,
Board of Health.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
City Marshal
To His Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Newburyport:
GENTLEMEN : - The whole number of arrests during the year ending December 31st, 1905, for offences com- mitted within the city of Newburyport is 877, of which 285 were of foreign birth, 592 were born within the limits of the United States, 36 were females, and 86 were minors.
Arrests were for the following causes, viz:
Assault and battery 58
Assault on officers 6
Assault (felonious) attempt to rape
2
Assault with a dangerous weapon. 2
Assault with intent to rob
I
Adultery
4
Arson
2
Bastardy .
4
Idle and disorderly
8
Breaking and entering
23
Cruelty to dumb animals
3
Trespass
2
House of ill fame
I
23I
232
ANNUAL REPORTS
Threat
3
Deserter
2
Violation harbor law
I
Capias
I
Drunkenness
502
Disturbing the peace
33
Concealing mortgage property
I
Disorderly house
2
Evading fare.
2
Escaped prisoner
4
Exposing person ..
I
Violation of the ferry law
I
Violation of the game law.
2
Fornication
3
Having gaming machines.
I
Detained as witness
I
Incest
I
Fraud.
6
Gaming
16
Highway robbery
4
Insane ...
II
Receiving stolen goods.
I
Larceny
57
Fighting
7
Violation of pawn broker law
I
Malicious mischief
6
Non support.
I3
Rape.
I
On suspicion.
I
Runaway boys
8
Safe keeping.
I5
Stubborn and disobedient.
3
Violation of the food law
I
Vagrancy.
5
Violation of the rules of the board of health.
I
Violation of city ordinances . .
23
Violation of the registered bottle law
I
Violation of the cigarette law
2
Violation of the liquor law.
15
Stealing a ride
I
Total
877
233
CITY MARSHAL
Disposed of as follows, viz :
Appealed .
2
Bound over to superior court
16
Cases continued . . 36
Cases settled without trial
5
Committed for non-payment of fine.
36
Committed to Danvers hospital.
IO
Committed to Wastboro hospital
I
Committed to state farm, Bridgwater.
IO
Committed to woman's prison, Sherborn
I
Defaulted
7
Discharged without arraignment.
13
Discharged by court.
39
Fined and paid.
207
Ordered to pay costs.
2
Put on probation
2I
Placed on file
I43
Put under bonds to keep the peace
3
Released .
22
Sentence postponed
19
Sent to jail .
48
Turned over to other officers
21
Turned over to parents.
S
Committed to Concord reformatory
I
Turned over to United States navy.
I
Recommitted to state farm 2
4
Released by probation officer
198
Turned over to superior court
I
Total 877
MISCELLANEOUS
Amount of property reported lost $4,954
Amount of property recovered . $4,516
Amount of imprisonment imposed (days) 4367
Accidents reported .
32
Assisted other officers
I74
Attempt suicide I
Suicide 5
Cases dismissed .
234
ANNUAL REPORTS
Ambulance calls
15
Buildings found open and secured 210
Horses killed . 3
Complaints investigated
1832
Defective places in streets reported .
52
Dogs killed.
22
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
83
Dangerous wires and poles reported
IO
Extra duty, ward room, ball grounds, yacht race, fair grounds, circus.
89
Escorts furnished processions
4
Fire alarms given.
2
Fires extinguished without alarm
6
Horses found cast ; owner notified.
7
Injured persons assisted .
53
Intoxicated persons helped home
76
Lights furnished for dangerous places
31
Lost children restored to parents.
25
Liquor seizures
15
Lights found burning in buildings
17
Lights reported out in stores.
8
Meals furnished lodgers and prisoners
1634
Notified to remove snow from sidewalk
I27
Nuisances investigated .
9
Officers for extra duty at church
7
Officers for extra duty at City hall
78
Over heated stoves
2
Persons provided with lodgings
768
Runaway teams stopped.
6
Search warrant for liquor served ..
I8
Street obstructions removed .
21
Stray teams put up. I7
Search warrants for property 4
Street lights reported out. 52
Sudden or mysterious death, notified medical examiner II
Streets barred on account of sickness
2
Water found running in buildings 4
235
CITY MARSHAL
Water main burst, superintendent notified
I8
Gas escaping in building Private duty
4
2I
Gas leak in street reported
I
Search warrant for gaming.
I
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. LATTIME,
City Marshal.
City of Newburyport, 1905.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
City Solicitor
To the City Council:
GENTLEMEN : - In compliance with the ordinance I have the honor to submit a report of the business of this office during the past year.
At the beginning of my term of office there were pending the following actions in which the city was a party :
I. The case of Dame vs. the City of Newburyport. This case has been referred to an auditor, and one hearing was held in 1903. Since then there has been no movement by the plaintiff.
2. Little vs. City of Newburyport, an appeal from the assessors valuation of plaintiff's real estate. No action on the part of the plaintiff has been taken in this case.
3. Healy vs. City of Newburyport. This is an action of tort, damages claimed to an ancient building by a change of grade in the highway ; the case was tried at the superior court at the October term, in this city, and a ver- dict rendered for the city.
237
238
ANNUAL REPORTS
4. James Leonard et als. vs. City of Newburyport, an appeal from the decree of the board of aldermen adjudg- ing a building on Prospect street to be a nuisance. No progress has been made in this case, as the petitioners were not ready for trial.
5. McGrath vs. City of Newburyport. This was an action of tort for personal injuries alleged to have been re- ceived by the caving in of a sidewalk on State street. The case was tried at the October term in this city, and a ver- dict rendered by the jury against the Newburyport Gas & Electric Company, the court directing a verdict in favor of the city.
6. Henry B. Little et als, trustee of the E. P. Dodge Company, vs. City of Newburyport. This is an appeal to the superior court, of this county, for an abatement of as- sessed taxes. Thus far the matter has not been heard by the court.
7. Hudson vs. City of Newburyport. This is an action of tort for an alleged injury received on one of the high- ways of the city. The case would have been tried at the October term of the superior court in this city, but was not reached.
8. Varina et als. vs. City of Newburyport. This is an action brought in the land court, so called, to recover damages alleged to have been received by the taking of land in connection with the rebuilding of the Newbury- port bridge. No hearing has been had thus far in this case.
9. In re Federal Clay Manufacturing Company. This case was an appeal to the court of county commis-
-
239
CITY SOLICITOR
sioners from the assessors' valuation of the petitioners property. A hearing was held before the court of county commissioners at Salem. The petitioner was represented by counsel from Boston. After a full hearing the petition was dismissed.
During the past year I have been called upon to furnish many opinions, both oral and written, to the several de- partments of the city. I have also given advice to nearly all the city officials and have appeared before the commit- tee on claims and all other committees when requested. In addition to this I have attended several hearings before committees of the legislature, and the court of county commissioners. As usual I have been called upon to draft numerous contracts and legal documents, the number of which is increasing annually.
My disbursements during' the year have amounted to $70.77.
Respectfully submitted, J. C. M. BAYLEY, City Solicitor.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Drawtender of the Newburyport Bridge
To the Committee on Bridges and Culverts :
GENTLEMEN : - The following number of steamboats, vessels and sailboats passed through the draw in the year 1905 was 1928, against 2491 in the year 1904. The first to pass through was the tug Hazel Dell on January 3rd, the last to pass through was the Hazel Dell on December 14th :
Tug Bronx
495 times
Tug Powow 356
Tug Hazel Dell 306
Tug S. Little ... 42
Steamer Merrimac
309
Steamer Blanche.
8
Sailboats and small steamers.
360
Lighters
42
Total
1928 times
241
ANNUAL REPORTS 7 242
Carried up the river:
Coal.
94,263 tons
Kerosene oil
10,500 bbls
Stone.
10,050 tons
Pulp
850 "
I have used the following supplies:
Coal
4 tons
Oil.
40 gals
Matches
7 bdls
Brooms
2
Lanterns
2
Globes
8
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM I. HUNT.
ANNUAL REPORT . OF THE
Superintendent of Sewers
To the Joint Standing Committee on Sewers:
GENTLEMEN : - I herewith submit my first annual re- port of the doings of this department.
By ordinance, on February 6, 1905, the office of super- intendent of sewers was abolished and the sewer depart- ment was put under the charge of the superintendent of highways,-more properly speaking, on the above date, the superintendent of highways became ex-officio, super- intendent of sewers also.
As later on in the year other changes were ordered which seemed to confuse in the minds of some, the ac- counting of its expenses, I shall make this report in two sections, first the regular sewer maintenance account which is for the regular routine work of caring for the system, and secondly will touch on the sewer construction account, which was begun to be used when the city un- dertook by ordinance of June 5, 1905, to lay all sewer connections under the streets and sidewalks.
243
244
ANNUAL REPORTS
SEWER MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT
Appropriation .
$200 00
Expended previous to my taking charge 105 47
Balance
94 53
EXPENSES
Tools and supplies. $ II 98
Teaming. 3 60
Advertising and printing
8 00
Extra labor (lost Y on Arlington street) .
9 00
Labor
116 67
149 25
Overdrawn
$54 72
To this account should properly have been charged the bill of Mr. Curtis of $140, for making and recording sketches of connections made in 1902, 1903, 1904, but the bill did not meet with your approval until too late to be charged to the 1905 account.
During this portion of the year I granted permits to the various plumbers and drainlayers and personally super- vised the connections to six stores and 78 tenements.
In three cases where severe stoppages were caused by roots, the drains were taken up and relaid. One case caused by faulty laying was also relaid. Two cases were found where the pipe that goes through the wall, which is required to be "extra heavy," was light pipe and the change was made.
Any public change will cause very close scrutiny and severe criticism at first and this one has not escaped, even more than its share. But notwithstanding the fact that much fault has been found as to the expense of some con-
245
SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWERS
nections, I feel that the work has been done as cheaply as could be expected under the circumstances, and that expe- rience will enable this department to improve in this re- gard. Under this head the department has connected with four halls and 163 dwellings at a total expense of $2840.50. This account is temporarily charged to a sewer construction fund, and as it is collected entirely from the parties entering the sewer, is not an item of expense to the city.
This portion of the work of the superintendent of high- ways requires constant attention, (it is one man's work practically all day long), and as he has other calls on his time, he has found it absolutely necessary to deputize another in his place. In other words I have found that the needs of the department have made it necessary for me to engage an expert assistant to oversee the laying and connecting of the drains. Mr. C. R. Sargent has filled the position of foreman of this department during the past season, and I wish here to express my thanks to him and my satisfaction with the manner in which he has handled the work.
The enforcing of the order of the board of health, caus- ing owners to connect their buildings with the public sewer has caused very unusual activity in this work dur- ing the past season as will be seen by the following com- parative figures : Number of connections for the previous five years, 559, average per year 112. Connections made in 1905, 251.
While all of the entries are noted in the "Location Books," I have not caused the work to be done in the
246
ANNUAL REPORTS
large Drain Sketch Books, as there seemed to be much question in your committee as to the need of going to any such expense, and under the circumstances I would not undertake it without a special vote of the committee. In my opinion however, it is of the greatest importance and should be carefully done each year. I urge your earnest consideration of the matter.
The only addition to the system made this year has been a 6-inch drain put in on Vernon court. This was undertaken so late in the season as to prevent relaying the paved gutter there until spring.
Respectfully submitted,
G. W. LANGDON,
Superintendent of Sewers.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE 1
City Registrar
CITY REGISTRAR'S OFFICE,
March 1, 1906.
The following statements relating to marriages, births and deaths in the city of Newburyport, for the year end- ing December 31, 1905, have been compiled from the records of the city and are respectfully submitted.
BIRTHS
The number of children born in the city during the year 1905, and recorded in the office is 308, 20 less than the previous year. Of this number 150 were males, and 158 females. Three were black. There were six pairs of twins, four of which were male and female, two pair being all females. Twelve were returned as illegitimate.
247
248
ANNUAL REPORTS
Births occurred by months and quarters as follows:
January. .31 April .27
July. .22 October ..... 23
February . .23 May . 24 August I9 November . . 23
March . . 29
June .33
September .30 December .. . 24
83
84
71
70
Total, 308.
Of 139 children born, one or both parents were natives of Newburyport.
NATIVITY OF PARENTS
Fathers 184
Mothers
Born in the United States ..
196
British Provinces
44
45
Born in Ireland .
34
43
other foreign countries
34
24
Unknown
I2
O
308
308
MARRIAGES
The number of intentions filed and certificates issued from this office during the year 1905 was 149, nine less than the previous year. The number returned for record the marriages taking place in this city or elsewhere was 148. But one failed to be returned.
The number of marriages recorded was 158, 10 less than the preceeding year, III couples were married in this city, 47 in other places and returned here for record.
Marriages occurred in each month and quarter as fol- lows:
.January . .12 April .. 13 July ... .17 October ..... 16
February .IO May. .IO August I3 November . . 23
March 7 June .2I
September. . 9 December ... 7
Total, 158. 29 44
-
39
46
249
CITY REGISTRAR
Marriages solemized in this city and vicinity by the fol- lowing clergymen and officials:
Congregationalist .. F. G. Alger
Charles S. Holton
5
Richard Wright. 8
Edward H. Newcomb. 8
George Plumer Merrill. 2
Baptist.
George H. Mine
4
Episcopal.
Arthur H. Wright.
IO
Rufus Emery .
2
Methodist.
Henry G. Alley
2
Alexander Dixon
17
Howard S. Wilkinson
3
W. J. Kelly.
I
Presbyterian
Horacc C. Hovey
2
Advent
Arthur G. Lyon
I
Unitarian
Samuel C. Beane.
5
Roman Catholic .. .J. L. M. Levesque
8
William H. Ryan 27
I
P. S. Buckley.
I
Justice of the Peace Edward F. Bartlett. 2
Out of town clergymen and justices of the peace
41
-
158
Average age of grooms 29.58 and of brides 24.8. Oldest couple married, groom 58, his second marriage; bride of 57 years, her first marriage. The youngest couple, the groom 20 years, the bride 16 years. There were nine grooms under age, one at 18, two at 19 and six at 20 years of age. Brides under age five, and all at the age of 16 years.
It was the first marriage of 131 grooms and 138 brides ; the second marriages, 23 grooms and 19 brides; and the third marriage of four grooms and one bride.
3
T. James Macfaddin 5
John T. Flood.
250
ANNUAL REPORTS
Of 28 couples the bride was older than the groom, eight recorded of the same age.
DEATHS
Deaths occurring in this city during the year 1905, not including stillbirths were 290, 12 more than the preceding year; 146 males, 144 females. The number of deaths re- corded, including 18 stillbirths, were 411; 35 more than the preceding year. Of this number 103 occurred in other places and were brought to this city for interment; 59 were removed from the city for interment, 15 of which were to the mother town of Newbury.
Deaths occurred by months and quarters as follows, in- cluding stillbirths:
January . .29 April .. .16
December .. . 23 March .31 June 28 September. .27 - 61 July ... .29 October ..... 25 February .26 May. I7 August 28 November .. 29
- 86
84 77
Deaths from zymotic diseases during the year 1905 were as follows: Diphtheria one, typhoid fever seven; one more than in 1904. Only three of the typhoid cases really belong to this city. Four of the cases were hospital cases, one from Seabrook, one from Georgetown and two from Row- ley.
Deaths from accidental causes, seven, six less than last year; from burns four, two from falling and one electric street railroad accident - compound fracture of skull.
Suicides three; one each of hanging, drowning and shooting.
251
CITY REGISTRAR
Deaths: pneumonia 26, old age 20, disease of heart 19, apoplexy 17, bright's disease and nephritis 17, consump- tion or phthisis 12, tuberculosis 12, natural causes (sudden deaths) nine, cancer nine, cholera infantum nine.
Average age, not including stillbirths, 48.2 years.
Death rate per thousand, 19.82.
The largest number of deaths in any month was in March (as in the previous year), 31 ; the smallest number being in May, 17.
AGES AT DEATH
Males
Females
Under I year.
41
25
I6
From I to 2 years ..
9
4
5
66
3 to 4
4 to 5 66
I
I
O
5 to 10 66
4
0
4
Io to 15
15 to 20
66
4
I
3
20 to 30
I5
I3
2
30 to 40
20
9
II
40 to 50
19
IO
9
66
50 to 60
66
40
16
24
60 to 70
41
24
I7
70 to 80
44
16
28
Over 80
66
44
21
23
2 to 3
7
6
I
O
O
O
I
O
I
There were seven persons over 90 years of age and one over 100.
Nathaniel P. Bunker died January 2, 1905, aged 93 years, five months, 23 days.
Mary (Murphy) Lynch died January 5, 1905, aged 105 years, seven months.
Mary Ann (Neal) Shepherd died January 21, 1905, aged 92 years, six months, 17 days, widow of Job D. Shepherd.
252
ANNUAL REPORTS
Lydia Silloway died February 19, 1905, aged 95 years, eight months.
Abigail (Page) Sawyer died March 22, 1905, aged 90 years, five months, widow of Joseph Sawyer.
Joseph Moody Titcomb died July 1, 1905, aged 96 years, II months, 21 days.
Edmund Bartlett died July 6, 1905, aged 90 years, five months.
Salome P. (Kniffin) Whitney died July 12, 1905, aged 92 years, three months, 10 days, widow of Thomas H. Whitney.
For further information reference can be had to the tab- ulated statement hereto annexed.
GEORGE H. STEVENS,
City Registrar.
STATEMENT OF DEATHS IN CITY OF NEWBURYPORT IN 1905
CAUSE OF DEATH
Males
Females
Total
January
March
April
May
| June
| July
| August
October
November
| December
| Under I yr
I to 2 yrs
2 to 5 yrs
5 to 10 yrs
Io to 15 yrs
15 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 So yrs
| So to 90 yrs
90 to 100
100 yrs up
Accidental
4
3
7
2
I
I
I
I
Adynemia .
.
I
I
Alcholism .
I
.
I
2
3
4
13
17
2
I
I
3
I
2
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