USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1862-1879 > Part 37
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FIRST GRAMMAR.
This school deserves special mention, because of the difficulties in change of voice, which are liable to overtake the boys at this age. The determination with which the class have endeavored this year to make the most of every good opportunity for advancement, is more than commendable, and the evidence speaks for itself in the taste- ful rendering of many choruses, which have only been acquired by continued practice and patience. The study of three and four- part songs, brings the pupil at once in contact with many of the chief obstacles in harmony and rhythm ; and so, standing with an unmanageable voice between two tones, and struggling with an in- terval which is bound to go the wrong way, I think such boys de- serve my hearty support, vocally, for their courage and persever-
113
REPORT ON MUSIC.
ance. Much credit is also due the girls, who not only sustain their own parts, but help the weaker ones over frequent stumbling-blocks, which are unavoidable at this age of school experience. I felt very desirous to introduce a new book in this grade at the commence- ment of the fall term, but as many already owned the "Hour of Singing," I decided to go on with the same work another year.
HIGHLAND MIXED, GREEN ST. MIXED, UPHAM ST. MIXED.
I am still using one-part songs in these schools, owing to the primary classes. The voices are improving steadily every month, and I find much more natural ability among the older pupils than last season. In the absence of singing books, blackboard work monopolizes much time in this department. The music lesson seems a welcome hour, and the children look happy and refreshed when play-time comes, and the seats are vacated for the marching songs. These schools, which are on the outskirts, demand my best efforts to enliven the ambition and desire to learn "more pretty songs," and do the best they can.
A musical instructor must have the cordial co-operation of all the teachers in order to meet with success. In this respect I have received hearty assistance and friendship from all directions, and I am continually encouraged and sustained in every effort by this fact, viz. : that the teachers of Melrose are thoroughly alive to the importance of music, and the necessity of being wide awake and well informed upon the present standard of excellence toward which we are all aiming.
Along the shining row of happy faces that fill the school-rooms, I sometimes see a little child whose scanty clothes and subdued manner tell me of all that dreadful absence of necessary home comforts which poverty brings to the young and innocent. How often have I seen a merry, joyous song bring a sudden thrill of pleasure to such a little heart, and watched the happy thought bub- bling up and out through the large eyes and pinched cheeks, and heard a sweet, small voice piping its notes with the rest. If a simple song can lift one such little soul out of its comfortless body for a moment, and make the poor bird forget that its feathers are torn and beaten by the storms of adversity, what may not mu- sic do for all those in prosperity, who have strength equal to their
.
114
REPORT ON MUSIC.
requirements, and healthy brains to appreciate what is offered for their intellectual enjoyment in the future? I believe there is no power so potent and so productive of real happiness and satisfac- tion, as music in the school-room.
Fully appreciating the approval and encouragement extended to me by the Committee, and still feeling the same earnest interest for the progress of music in the public schools, I remain,
Very respectfully, MRS. GEORGIE N. BORDMAN,
Musical Instructor.
REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS OF MELROSE,
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1878.
BOSTON : L. B. WILDER & CO., 73 FEDERAL STREET.
1879.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1878-79.
Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Highway Surveyors. NATHAN D. BLAKE. HENRY G. FIELDS. CHARLES H. EDMONDS.
Town Clerk. JOHN LARRABEE.
Treasurer. V GEORGE NEWHALL.
Collector. JOHN R. JONES.
Assessors.
JAMES C. CURRIER.
CHARLES T. STEVENS. HENRY A. LEONARD.
Water Commissioners.
JOSEPH D. WILDE
Term expires 1881.
JOSEPH R. SIMONDS
1880.
W. IRVING ELLIS
66 1879.
Commissioners of Water-Loan Sinking-Fund.
DANIEL RUSSELL
Term expires 1881.
ROYAL P. BARRY
66 1880.
JOHN W. FARWELL .
66
66 1879.
School Committee.
ROYAL P. BARRY, Chairman
Term expires 1881.
LAFAYETTE BURR, Secretary .
66 66 1880.
66
66
1880.
MISS PHŒBE A. NORRIS
66 66 1879.
V MRS. ANN M. KUNHARDT
66 1879.
EVERETT W. BURDETT
66 66
1879.
MOSES S. PAGE
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1878-79.
Trustees of the Public Library.
FREDERIC KIDDER. ELBRIDGE H. GOSS. CHARLES C. BARRY. HANNAH LYNDE. ADDIE A. NICHOLS.
Auditors. JOHN R. NORTON. FRANK E. ORCUTT.
Constable. ANSEL B. PIERCE.
Representative in the General Court. JOSEPH D. WILDE.
Engineers of the Fire Department. ARTHUR E. WORTHEN, Chief. RICHARD WHOWELL, Clerk. HENRY BARRON.
Measurers of Wood and Bark, Weighers of Hay and Coal. SETH E. BENSON. JAMES D. LITTLEFIELD.
Surveyor of Lumber. HENRY A. LEONARD.
Committee on Cemeteries.
GEO. NEWHALL. NATHANIEL HOWARD. JOHN LARRABEE.
Field-Drivers.
OTIS HOWARD. HORACE W. CUSHMAN. FRANK GIBBONS. HENRY B. NEWHALL.
Fence-Viewers.
/ AARON GREEN. CHARLES T. STEVENS.
Police Officers.
A. B. PIERCE. VJ. D. LITTLEFIELD.
H. C. RICHARDSON. H. W. CUSHMAN. H. B. NEWHALL. HENRY ROBINSON.
S. F. BARRETT.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
REPORT OF SELECTMEN .
7
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
15
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK .
16
APPROPRIATIONS, 1878 .
20
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
22
School Contingent Fund
24
Support of Poor
Contingent Expenses
26 31
Fire Department .
32
Highways
35
Melrose Water Fund
36
Town Hall
37
Drainage
38
Wyoming Cemetery
39
State Aid
40
Town Officers
41
Police
42
Public Library
42
Street Lights .
42
Armory Rent .
43
Counsel Fees .
43
Relief to Soldiers .
44
Drainage, Emerson Street
45
Guide-boards .
46
Interest
46
Sidewalks
47
REPORT OF COLLECTOR
50
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
51
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
54
Reduction of Town Debt
55
Statement of the Town Debt
.
57
Treasurer's Account
59
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
63
Report of the Superintendent
68
Water Rates . 74
REPORT OF THE WATER LOAN SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS 76
.
6 1
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
81
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
89
School Regulations
117
School Statistics
120
Report of Musical Instructor
123
ASSESSORS' REPORT FOR 1878
129
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
THE selectmen herewith submit, for the inspection of the citi- zens, their Annual Report.
The by-laws of our town, approved by the Superior Court, April 18, 1878, provide that our financial year shall commence Jan. 1 in each year, and end with the last day of December following. Consequently this report covers only the transactions of the town for the past ten months, viz., from March 1, 1878, to Jan. 1, 1879 ; with the exception of the salaries of the town officers, which have been paid for the full year.
POOR.
The whole number, more or less aided, for the ten months end- ing Dec. 31, is 147. This includes the insane in the hospitals, the truants at Monson, and all who are chargeable to other towns or to the State. Of this number, 18 have received full support for the whole or a part of the term. Of the above, 123 have legal settlements in this town. There have been six in the hospitals for the insane ; but one has been discharged, and one has died, leaving four. There are three truant boys at the State Primary School at Monson, at an expense of $50 a year each.
Seven hundred and fourteen tramps have been lodged in the lock-up for the ten months ending Dec. 31. The next two months will probably increase the number to nearly or quite 1,000, which is nearly double that of any preceding year. This may be attrib- uted largely to the stringent act of the legislature of the adjoining
18
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
State of New Hampshire, which amounts to nearly a total prohibi- tion of the tramp within their borders, and which drives them upon new circuits, many of them, doubtless, within our own State. We earnestly recommend to our honorable representatives to the General Court, to favor, if possible, a similar enactment, in self- defence against this horde of itinerants. There have been several casualties within the year, which have increased the expense in this department nearly $800, and which did not of course enter into our calculations for the year's appropriation. We allude to the death of Mr. Kelly, and to the subsequent insanity of his wife, which threw a large family of children upon the town for support until they could be otherwise provided for. This caused an ex- pense of $237.86. Also the Waitt tragedy-the funeral expenses, the details of care, provisions, and settlement of the children - has cost thus far $231.20. And we also refer to the long and expensive sickness.of Charles Holbrook. A portion of the above amounts, it is expected, will be reimbursed to the town upon the settlement of those estates.
It will be seen, that there has been no marked improvement in the condition of the poor since our last annual report, when there were 126 legal settlements reported. We feel called upon, in this report, in justice to ourselves and to the disbursing officer, to say to those who feel aggrieved, and who have a right to complain of the unfairness with which so large a share of this fund falls to the unworthy in its distribution, - that this is a difficulty from which, under existing laws, it is impossible to extricate ourselves. Under the pressure of the times, and the burden of taxation which we are feeling so heavily, we are not surprised to hear, so often, many of our citizens complaining sharply and bitterly against those who in prosperous times were improvident, and heedless of their future needs, and of those who have led disso- lute and debauched lives, who in some instances have laid bare and desolate their own homes, throwing all who were dependent upon them upon the public charity for support, - that such must
9
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
now demand to share in those fruits of honest toil which they have borne no part in earning, but which others of industrious, temperate, and frugal habits have striven long and hard to obtain for themselves.
It is true that all are placed under responsibility, which, if recognized and borne alike by all, would render such inequality and injustice impossible. But the poor-law deals in existing facts, and not in morals. It is plainly gracious alike to all who suffer from want, and does not discriminate between these and the unfortunate but worthy poor with whom we cheerfully share our means. The immediate dependence of those who fall into sickness is at present noticeable beyond that of any previous time. We have several expensive cases upon our hands at the present time. All means of living without constant employment are exhausted with a large percentage of our citizens. The town has always voted cheerfully the several amounts which we have called for in this department, and for which we have always hoped to carry it through to the end of the year. We know that your united voice is to take good care of the poor; and we may, perhaps, for this reason, have been more ambitious to reach all cases of actual suffering, within our province to relieve, than we have to keep the expense within the limits of certain appropriations ; but we have, in our judgment, dispensed your charities as prudently as the needs of the worthy poor would admit of, without stinting them.
HIGHWAYS.
Our streets, as usual, have required a great deal of care. The frequent and violent rains of the past year have washed and ' gullied them badly in many places, requiring frequent repairing. Many streets out of the course of constant travel, we have not been able to give the care to that they need and should have, and which they must have before long ; the necessary expenses con- stantly needed on the main thoroughfares completely using up our
.2
10
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
moderate appropriations. What has been done, we have endeav- ored to have done thoroughly.
We have employed Mr. James Marshall to superintend the work ; and we believe he has performed his duties faithfully, and that the men he has employed have endeavored as faithfully to second him in.his efforts.
DRAINAGE.
At the Annual Town Meeting in March last, the Hon. D. W. Gooch and F. S. Hesseltine were appointed a committee to act with the selectmen in the matter of draining the westerly end of Emerson Street. .
After several meetings of the committee, it was decided that the best and only practicable plan was to put down a suitable pipe through the estate of D. L. Taylor ; and, as we could make no other arrangement than to carry it down the drive-way through his premises, we were obliged to raise the grade of Emerson Street (at its junction with Cedar Park), and to put in a cesspool on Emerson Street, to properly provide for carrying the water over the course adopted. We have used 15-inch drain-pipe. The whole job is done in a thorough manner, and we feel to con- gratulate the town on the settlement of this much-talked-of and vexatious subject.
The town has deeds from all the parties interested in the estate, which have been duly recorded, and are filed in the office of our town treasurer, giving us the right to enter and maintain this drain whenever necessary.
The breaking down of the drain leading from Dix Pond to Ell Pond Brook necessitated a heavy expense in opening it, and put- ting in new planking, from its great depth, and the quicksands through which it is laid.
We have caused the Main Brook from Malden line to Ell Pond, and Spot Pond Brook as far as the culvert on Wyoming Avenue, to be thoroughly cleared of all obstructions. The water from Sar-
11
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
gent's Hill, down Wyoming Avenue, we have provided for by a concrete gutter on the south side, from Chestnut Street to the cesspool near the railroad, carrying it across Main Street by two concrete depressions.
There are several other places where it is important that atten- tion should be given to drainage ; but from lack of funds we have been compelled to delay action till another season.
The subject of drainage is one of the most important ones to be considered by every citizen interested in the welfare of our town ; and we would urge upon you the necessity of an appropriation that will allow all necessary work to have immediate attention. In anticipation of some expenses which we know must come, we would reccommend the sum of $600 for the ensuing year.
CONCRETE SIDEWALKS.
At the last Annual Town Meeting the sum of $1,000 was appro- priated " to be expended in laying concrete sidewalks, under the provisions of chapter 303 of the Acts of 1872, &c. ; " which, in substance, was a vote to spend $1,000 of the town's money, and assess a like sum upon the abuttors adjoining whose premises these walks were laid.
We immediately commenced an examination of these walks in the various towns around us, to ascertain the proper method of building, - the proper materials, cost, &c .; and, after advertis- ing for proposals, adopted a price, which, in our judgment, was as low as was consistent with good work and good material; and decided to give the work to any responsible one of the various contractors wishing to do it at that price, subject to the approval, when finished, of our superintendent of highways.
We have endeavored to select such routes, in expending this money, as would prove of the greatest public convenience ; and have succeeded, so far as we have learned, to the general accept- ance of the citizens, without being compelled to assess a dollar ;
12
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
the property-holders, in every instance, having the work done of their own accord, by men of their own selection, the town paying one-half the bill after the approval of the work by our superin- tendent.
We feel that this money has been judiciously expended, and that the construction of these walks has proved of great advantage not only as a convenience to our own citizens, but as an additional proof to strangers visiting our town, with a view to coming among us, that we are alive to the wants of the community.
The continuance of a moderate appropriation each year for this purpose will in a few years provide us with good sidewalks throughout our town.
LIGHTING STREETS, AND ADDITIONAL STREET-LIGHTS.
In making the appropriations at our last Annual Meeting, for this purpose, by some mistake in putting the vote, or in recording the same, we were given but $1,650, this amount being the same as voted the previous year (although it was voted that the select- men be instructed to locate ten new posts, for which it was in- tended to allow an additional $150).
This mistake was not discovered until too late to correct it.
Upon presentation of the above facts to the "Globe Gas-Light Co., of Boston," who had been furnishing us light for the previ- ous five years, they were induced to accept the situation, and to furnish the additional lamps required, to put them all and keep them in good order, and light them for the year, for the amount recorded as appropriated.
Additional Street-Lamps located since the last Annual Meeting.
One on Vinton Street, at the turn near the railroad.
One on Vinton Street, at the turn near the estate of J. P. Mendum. One on Main Street, north of estate of C. Demain.
One on Melrose Street, near Arch, under railroad.
-
13
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
One on Upham Street, near house of Charles Parker.
One on Upham Street, near house of Mr. Upham.
One on Poplar Street, corner Pine.
One on Green Street, corner Avon.
One on Mount Vernon Street, near W. P. Sargent's estate.
One on Cedar Park, near J. O. Norris's estate.
One on Otis Street (at the expense of abuttor).
And iron posts have been used exclusively.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department is in its usual first-class condition, with good apparatus, good officers, and good men. Not a fire during the past year. A more full report of this department is made by the engineers.
TOWN HALL.
The expenses incurred upon the Town Hall, aside from fuel, gas, and janitors' bills, have been for the necessary repairs about the building, changing the outside doors to swing outwardly (by order of the Inspector of Public Buildings), ventilating the hall, selectmen and water-commissioners' rooms.
A full report of the receipts and expenditures will be found in the Treasurer's report.
In this connection it seems proper to suggest that an appropria- tion sufficient to meet the expense of properly laying out the grounds about the building would meet with the hearty approval of a larger portion of the citizens.
STATE AID AND RELIEF TO INDIGENT SOLDIERS.
In accordance with the provisions of a recent statute for the above purpose, we have paid the sums authorized to the various persons presenting the proper vouchers for the same, which sums are to be refunded to the town from the State Treasury.
14
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
ARMORY.
We have paid out for rent during the year $600, all of which has been paid back to the town by the State.
PERAMBULATION OF TOWN LINES.
We met the selectmen of Wakefield, and perambulated the lines between the towns of Wakefield and Melrose, according to the statute of the Commonwealth ; found all the bounds in good con- dition, and properly marked, a joint report of which will be found on record at the office of the Town Clerk.
SUITS.
All suits against the town are now settled, the last one being the case of Malden vs. Melrose, for the support of the Waitt brothers, paupers. At the time of our last report, this case had been carried to the Supreme Court on points of law ; since which time it has been decided in favor of Malden. At a meeting of the town in the month of September, it was voted to leave the settlement of the case in the hands of the selectmen. After due consideration, the board decided that the best course to pursue was to settle the same, which was done by paying the town of Malden $2,135.46 ; which amount the Treasurer borrowed for this purpose, and which must be provided for, by appropriation, at our next March meeting.
All suits and claims in connection with the Taylor estate were ended by the negotiations in connection with the drainage of westerly end of Emerson Street.
Respectfully submitted.
N. D. BLAKE, H. G. FIELDS, C. N. EDMONDS, Board of Selectmen.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
As a result of the thoroughness of the work performed by our predecessors, and the general desire on the part of most of our citizens to take every precaution to preserve the best possible sanitary condition, the labors of this Board during the past year have not been unusually arduous.
Occasional complaints have been made of the unpleasant near- ness of pig-pens, cow-yards, improperly protected cesspools, &c., in various locations ; but in nearly every instance an unofficial interview with the parties upon whose premises the annoyance existed has resulted in an immediate effort to correct it. It will not probably be necessary to take any further action in more than one or two cases; and we trust that in these all cause for com- plaint will be removed before the opening of another warm season.
Respectfully submitted.
C. H. EDMONDS, N. D. BLAKE, H. G. FIELDS, Board of Health.
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Statistics of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, in the Town of Melrose, during the year 1878.
BIRTHS.
MARRIAGES.
DEATHS.
January
9
1
13
February
7
1
4
March .
5
1
5
April .
7
5
6
May
4
2
4
June
6
7
3
July
2
6
5
August
12
3
9
September
7
2
3
October
4
4
3
November
10
5
1
December
9
2
5
-
82
39
61
BIRTHS.
Number registered
.
·
93
Males
48
Females
45
Of the above number,
82 were born in Melrose. 11 were born in other places.
Born of American parents .
58
foreign parents
13
American father and foreign mother
4
foreign father and American mother
7
-
82
17
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
INTENTIONS OF MARRIAGES RECORDED.
Whole number of couples . · 36
Both parties residing in Melrose
·
18
But one party residing in Melrose
· 18
MARRIAGES.
Whole number .
· 39
More than last year
·
8
Both parties American
27
Both parties foreign .
6
Parties American and foreign
6
39
First marriage of persons .
65
Second marriage of persons
12
Third marriage of persons .
1
78 -39 couples.
Age of oldest person married, 70 years. 66 youngest " 66 18 “
DEATHS.
Whole number .
61
More than last year
4
Males (married)
10
Females (married)
9
Widows
6
Widowers .
1
Males (single) .
4
Females (single)
5
Male children
19
Female children
7
- 61
Number of dogs licensed in Melrose during the year 1878, 216.
Amount of money paid to County Treasurer as required by law, to be refunded to the town and expended for Public Library, $427.80.
Number of orders drawn on Town Treasurer, 1,233, amounting to the sum of $35,712.26.
JOHN LARRABEE,
Town Clerk.
·
18
DEATHS REGISTERED IN MELROSE, 1878.
AGE.
DATE OF DEATH.
NAMES.
Years.
Months.
Days.
January
2.
Anna Baker .
80
8
27
Old age .
.
66
6.
George W. Crocker
60
7
0. 9
9.
Frank Leonard
·
.
66
5.
Richard Price Sprague . - Singer
83
·
·
10.
Edward A. Small .
50
6
16
14.
Harvey Briggs Pierce
2
2
17
Eclam. inf. and cap .- bronch. .
Melrose.
Belfast, Me.
18.
Geneva E. Bragdon
21
6
Apnœa from coal gas
20.
Ora M. Bragdon .
.
·
Corinth, Me.
24.
Mary Wilson .
96
11
20
Diarrhœa ·
Rose Rabbit
.
.
·
¥
17.
Mary Emina Norris
·
30
3
7
Typhoid F. and pneumonia, . Croup
Melrose.
Charles H. Morcomb
16
8
9
Leucocy-themia
Melrose.
11.
Charles T. Hayes .
.
.
·
2
17
.
20.
Silvester Bowker .
62
6
8
Injuries (consumption)
.
March
6.
Nathaniel K. Hunt Edwin H. Stone
24
1
25
Pneumonia tuberculosis . Brain disease
Melrose. Nova Scotia.
April
11. 15.
Mary Alice Dole
11
7
18 Typhoid fever
66
19.
Henry Albert Clark
17.
- Wildes
·
16.
Walter S. Farnsworth .
7
7
19
Debility .
Melrose.
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
North Malden. Melrose.
·
·
·
Aneurism of heart
Apnœa from coal gas and pul. hyperæmia .
North Malden.
Ireland.
Chester, N.H.
John H. Gray
·
·
.
6
14
·
18.
Teething (convulsions) . Old age .
Scituate.
Duxbury.
Melrose.
12.
Isabella Phillips Lewis
40
Anthrax, pleuritis
·
66
22.
Rebecca E. Vanbuskirk
Melrose.
31.
Nathan Blake Safford . Cynthia Curtis
73
5
·
Premature birth Paralysis
·
·
Scituate.
.
Chicago, Ill.
1
19 Heart disease
Melrose.
·
.
S. B.
Melrose.
DISEASE, OR CAUSE OF DEATH.
PLACE OF BIRTH.
Salem.
Falmouth.
.
Melrose.
4
Bronchitis and pneumonia Purpura and hæmorrhage S. B.
·
·
Hampden, Me.
36
3
20
.
84
Old age .
27.
22.
February 9.
2
Hæmorrhagic diathesis
Melrose.
Melrose.
Garrett Mclaughlin
89
3
7
19.
.
4
2
Lympho-sarcoma
12.
19
. ·
2
6
15
Cholera infantum .
East Somerville.
31.
Walter Spinney Dyer Edith Pratt
7
5
Tuberculosis .
Melrose.
August
2. 3. 9.
James M. Gately . Gelana S. Hall
14
4
7
Railroad accident .
Melrose.
1
9
11
Congestion of brain S. B.
Melrose.
12.
Owen Jones McCrillis
15.
Pelatiah R. Waitt.
Elizabeth Waitt
45
·
.
General debility
·
.
·
32
8
Phthisis pulmonalis
Cambridgeport.
26.
Hannah S. Follansbee . Fred. D. Littlefield Francis Richards
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