USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1879-1884 > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
(65)
66
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
WATER-TAKERS, 1884.
Families
1,066
Apothecaries
2
Aquarium
1
Armory
1
Barber shops
2
Bakehouse
1
Blacksmith shop
1
Churches
6
Carriage shop
1
Engine and hose houses
4
Fish markets
2
Greenhouses
6
Hand hose
271
Hydrants
99
Halls
5
Livery and boarding stables
4
Manufactories
6
Motors
2
Ornamental fountains
6
Private stables
32
Printing-office
1
Public drinking-fountains
5
Public ornamental fountains
2
Railroad depots
3
Standpipes
3
School-houses
8
Stores and shops
20
Truck and cart stables
15
Number of water-takers as per register 1884
1,176
Number of water-takers as per register 1883
1,076
Increase over 1883
100
RECEIPTS FOR WATER.
Amount received for Water-Rates exclusively.
1860-71
. $3,909 29
1872
·
. 5,141 84
1873
.
.
·
. 6,133 88
1874
.
. 7,202 31
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
67
1875
. $7,882 85
1876
8,788 93
1877
£ 8,850 45
1878
9,267 95
1879
9,717 13
1880
9,863 14
1881
. 10,223 84
1882
. 10,818 84
1883
. 12,826 05
Estimated income for income for 1884
. 13,500 00
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
Cost of water-works to Jan. 1st, 1883 $181,672 69
Expended this year as follows : -
City of Malden, pipe
$830 40
Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co., iron boxes
38 54
Dalton & Ingersoll, brass fittings 87 20
Thomas McCoubry, sharpening tools
40 10
Summers & Hunt, fittings
112 00
Richard Pattee & Co., hydrants
132 00
Boston Machine Co., gates
102 40
J. H. & T. Cunningham, pipe
671 40
Bills for trenching
. 1,440 72
Goodhue & Birnie, pipe
152 50
S. E. Benson, cement
210 20
Somerville Iron Foundry, iron boxes 66 00
J. C. Howes, labor and material
141 32
Cost of water-works to Jan. 1st, 1884
$185,697 47
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.
There has been paid out on the above account the sum of three thousand six hundred and sixty- six and row dollars, for which the Town holds the vouchers .
$3,666 09
INTEREST ACCOUNT.
April 1, 1883, Coupons on $50,000 $1,500 00
July 1, " Coupons on 100,000 3,000 00
Oct. 1, " Coupons on 50,000 1,500 00
Jan. 1, 1884, Coupons on 100,000 · 3,000 00
$9,000 00
$12,666 09
1
·
·
·
.
$4,024 78
.
68
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
RECEIPTS.
Received from Town, for use of water $2,000 00
66 " City of Malden, care of gate-house, &c. 339 08
66 on pipe account
953 63
for stone sold
16 75
66
" stock sold
2 60
66
" notices 80
66
" water-rates
12,826 05
$16,138 91
CONTRA.
Paid on interest account
$9,000 00
Maintenance 66
3,666 09
12,666 09
Surplus for the year
$3,472 82
Furniture, Stock, and Tools on hand, Jan. 1, 1884.
Furniture
$170 00
Tools of all kinds .
175 00
Stock
829 58
$1,174 58
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Gentlemen, -I herewith submit to you my Annual Report, show- ing briefly the operations of this department during the year ending Dec. 31, 1883.
THE POND.
It will be seen by the following record that the water has been drawn to a point lower than at any time since the water was intro- duced ; having been obliged to pump since the 23d of September, and continuing at the present time, December 31st.
As the water continued to go down, it became necessary to carry the suction pipe out about seven hundred feet further into the pond. The pump was connected with the long suction pipe, Sun- day morning, December 9th; since which time there has been an uninterrupted supply of water.
The low state of the water left a wide space of the shore ex- posed which was usually covered with water. Several days' labor were given to cleaning up the rubbish along the shore, so as to give it a more cleanly appearance.
69
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
RECORD.
Rise and Fall of the Pond in 1883. Water was 37 inches below high-water mark. ·
Jan. 1
66
10
20
394
66
66
66
30
39
66
66
Feb. 10
374
66
66
66
28
344
. ..
66
Mar. 10
20
273
66
66
66
30
231
66
66
April 10
224 66
66
66
20
17
66
66
. .
30
164
66
66
May 10
17
66
66
20
173
15
the highest point.
162 inches below high-water mark.
66
20
19%
6
66
30
23
261 66
66
66
20
30}
34
66
Aug. 10
404
66
66
66 20
43}
66
66
66
30
Sept. 10
66
20
23
Oct.
1
10
66
20
66
30
Nov. 10
66 16
Dec. 5
763
66
66
10
.
773
66
66
80
66 66
66 30
.
.
82
66
F
Commenced pumping. From Sept. 23 to Oct. 1, no record. Water was 63 inches below high-water mark. .
65}
683
66 66
684 66
66
721
66
743
66
66
60
66
66
30
June 10
333
66
66
20
353
66
38
.
.
.
From Nov. 16 to Dec. 5, no record .
.
491
55
July 10
66
30
20
70
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
COMPARATIVE RECORD,
Showing the lowest points below high-water mark to which the pond has been drawn since 1874.
1874. - Lowest point, 43 inches, Dec. 7.
1875. - Lowest point, 61 inches, Feb. 22. Pond full, June 23. Next lowest point, 33 inches, Nov. 10. 1876. - Lowest point, 37 inches, Nov. 6. Pond full, March 25. 1877. - Lowest point, 33 inches, Sept. 30. Pond full, March 15. 1878. - Lowest point, 272 inches, Nov. 13. Pond full, Jan. 15. Pond full second time, Dec. 14.
1879. - Lowest point, 45 inches, Dec. 20. Pond full and running over at waste-way from Jan. 1 to May 20. 1880. - Lowest point, 634 inches, Dec. 30. Highest point, May 10, being then 12 inches below high-water mark.
1881. - Lowest point, 65 inches, Jan. 8, at which time the water was down to the top of the pipe at the gate-house, commenced pumping and continued until Jan. 22. The pump was started again Feb. 6, and run until Feb. 13. Pond full and running over from March 22 to April 30. Next lowest point, 32 inches, Dec. 22.
1882. - Lowest point, 372 inches, Dec. 21. Pond full and running over at waste-way from March 3 to April 3.
1883. - Lowest point, 82 inches, Dec. 30. The highest point reached was 15 inches below high-water mark, May 30. Commenced pumping Sept. 23, and continue to pump at this time, Dec. 31.
STREET MAINS.
Three thousand nine hundred and twenty-four feet of street mains have been laid the past season, mostly on new streets. Ten leaks have occurred and been repaired.
About one hundred feet of four-inch pipe on Youle Street has been taken up and relaid to a greater depth.
Total length of street mains, eighteen miles.
71
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
HYDRANTS.
Four new hydrants have been added to the fire service since the last report, namely : -
One on Rowe Street; one on Emerald Street; and two on Brazil Street, at the new Rubber Works.
Whole number now in use, ninety-nine.
All have been carefully examined, oiled, and painted. By the widening of Washington Street the hydrant near Trenton Street had to be taken up, and set back to correspond with the width of the street. Four have been taken up, and the waste cleared out.
Repairs made in 1883.
March 14. - Repaired leak in lead connection to service pipe on Vinton Street.
Feb. 20. - Repaired leak in 4-inch pipe on Washington Street. Rusty pipe.
May 11. - Repaired leak in service pipe on Youle Street. Leaky stop.
May 31. - Repaired leak in 4-inch pipe on Brazil Street. Joint leak.
June 9. - Repaired leak in 4-inch pipe at new Rubber Works. Leak in joint.
June 18. - Repaired leak in lead connection to service pipe, Masonic Building.
July 19. - Repaired leak in service pipe, Waverly Place. Rusty pipe.
July 25. - Repaired leak in 8-inch iron pipe at Boston Rubber Shoe Co. Defect in casting.
Sept. 1. - Repaired leak in lead connection to service pipe on Myrtle Street.
Sept. 3. - Repaired leak in 4-inch pipe on Youle Street. Pick hole.
Sept. 5. - Repaired service pipe on Grove Street. Rust in
corporation.
Sept. 18. - Repaired leak in 16-inch main on Wyoming Avenue. Leak in joint.
Oct. 8. - Repaired service pipe on Wyoming Avenue. Rust in corporation.
Oct. 27. - Repaired leak in 12-inch gate on Main Street, Wyo- ming.
Nov. 8. - Repaired leak in 16-inch main on Ravine Road.
72
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Nov. 13. - Repaired leak in 4-inch pipe Winthrop Stree t Rusty pipe.
Nov. 14. Repaired hydrant on Tremont Street by clearing out waste.
Nov. 15. - Repaired hydrant on Ashland Street by clearing out waste.
STAND-PIPES.
There are now three stand-pipes for water-carts located in different sections of the town ; one having been placed on Franklin Street, Highlands, the past summer.
DRINKING-FOUNTAINS.
Additional stop-cocks have been put into the five drinking foun- tains, so that the flow of water can be more easily regulated.
GATES SET IN 1883.
Eleven new gates have been added to the pipe-lines the past season, located as follows : -
One four-inch gate on Rowe Street, north of Upham Street.
One four-inch gate on Ashland Street, north of Franklin Street. One four-inch gate on Brazil Street, west of Washington Street.
One four-inch gate on Rowe Street, north of Emerson Street.
.
One four-inch gate on Orris Street, near Warren Street.
Two four-inch gates on Emerald Street,- one south of Emerson Street, and one north of Upham Street.
One four-inch gate on Mount Vernon Street.
One two-inch gate on Berwick Place, east of Berwick Street.
One two-inch gate on Highland Avenue, west of Ashland Street.
One two-inch gate on Orris Street, near Warren Street.
There are one hundred and fourteen gates of various sizes now in use.
SERVICE PIPE.
One hundred new services have been put in the past season, being forty-two more than was laid in 1883. As many of these services supply two or more families, the whole number of water- takers is eleven hundred and seventy-six.
2,643 feet of service pipe has been laid from main pipe to street line, and 2,883 feet inside of street line. As fast as the wooden service boxes become decayed they are being replaced with others of iron.
73
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
AMOUNT OF PIPE LAID IN 1883.
Street Mains.
The following record will show the streets in which pipes have been laid the past season, giving the size of pipe and number of feet in each street.
6-inch pipe on Bellevue Avenue 200 feet.
4 “
" Rowe Street 670 “
4
" Brazil Street 780 “
4 66 " Circuit Street . 100 “
4 66 " Ashland Street, north 480 “
4
" Emerald Street
508 “
4 66 66 " Orris Street
350 “ 4 66 " Youle Street, relaid
100 “
2 66
" Highland Avenue
250
2
66 " Berwick Place
138 “
2
66
" Orris Street
148
66
3,724 feet.
Service Pipe.
¿ inch from main pipe to street line 2,033 feet.
1 4
66
233 “
14 “ 66 66
321
3 4
inside of street line
2,883
3
66
66 66 66 relaid
50
4
2 from main pipe to street line 66 .
56
5,576 feet.
Total
9,300 “
I have also, as Water Registrar, collected for water-rates the sum of $12,826.05, and from other sources $1,312.86 ; making a total, $14,138.91, which sum has been paid to the Town Treasurer, for which I hold his receipt.
The following table will show the different classes of water-takers, and the amounts paid by each ; also, the amounts received from other sources :-
Received from families $10,306 18 165 00
stores and shops
' manufactories 773 87
" use of hose . 813 00
Amount carried forward,
$12,058 05
74
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Amount brought forward, Received from stables
$12,058 05 480 00
" motors
55 00
" greenhouses
88 00
66
" halls .
48 00
" fountains
33 00
66
" churches .
46 00
66
" depots
18 00
$12,826 05
66
"' City of Malden
339 08
66
" pipe account
953 63
66
" stock sold, etc.
20 15
1,312 86
Total
$14,138 91
Respectfully submitted, -
ADDISON LANE,
Superintendent.
MELROSE, Feb. 9, 1884.
By request of the Board of Water Commissioners, I have audited the books and accounts kept by Addison Lane, as Registrar, and find charged for water-rates, on the register for 1883, the sum of $12,880.40, of which amount, $54.35 has been abated, leaving balance of $12,826.05 ; all of which has been collected and paid to the Town Treasurer, together with $1,312.86 collected on pipe account for stock sold, etc., -making a total of $14,138.91.
JOHN LARRABEE,
Town Clerk.
75
TOTAL AMOUNT AND LOCATION OF DISTRIBUTING PIPES TO THE PRESENT TIME.
FEET OF PIPE.
HYDRANTS.
GATES.
STREETS.
8-inch
6-inch.
4-inch.
2-inch
6-inch 4-inch 2-inch
8-inch
Circuit
Eleventh.
255
Third
287
Main
3,784
478
9
2
Green
2,700
3
1
Franklin
3,155₺
360
4
2
...
. . .
Vinton
3,497₺
436
6
2
1
. . .
Trenton
1,233
1,331₺
1
3
2
. . .
Melrose
2,339}
1
1
. . .
Ashland
1,475
2
2
Tremont
3,180
2
4
.
Greenwood
637
1
Perkins
236
1
Baxter
484
1
1
Florence
1,340}
1
3
. .
Maple and Poplar ..
2,265%
2
3
. .
Emerson
3,977
6
4
..
Youle
9983
342
1
1
.
Otis
780
Oakland.
1,161
1
1
. . .
Linden Place
286
Cedar Park
1,206}
2
2
...
Laurel
457
. .
...
Cottage
1,142
193
2
2
· . .
Hurd.
768
1
. ..
Berwick.
1,226₺
1
2
Herbert
220
1583
1
. .
. . .
Waverly Place.
690₺
1
1
. . .
Foster
1,470₺
1
3
Myrtle and Lake Ave ..
3,170
4
8
.
. . .
Winthrop
6953
1
.
. . .
Vine
691
1
Essex
1,437
4
2
. ..
Willow
663
1
. . .
Short and Main.
470}
Reading Hill
3
1
1
. . .
Porter.
2,514₺
3
1
. . .
495
.
Rubber Works
1,050
18
3
1
Prospect Avenue.
500
1
1
.
Tremont (North). .
500
1
. .
Place off Emerson. .
291
1
Ellsworth Avenue. .
314
1
Albion .
222
1
Pleasant.
1,125
1
1
Winter
241
. .
1
Charles
335
1
.
.
1
. ..
...
.
287₺
1
. . .
.
. . .
. . .
School
· .
.
.
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
.
..
. . .
·
. . .
Grove (West)
.
310
1
1
76
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
TOTAL AMOUNT AND LOCATION OF DISTRIBUTING PIPES TO THE PRESENT TIME - Concluded.
FEET OF PIPE.
HYDRANTS.
GATES.
STREETS.
8-inch
6-inch.
4-inch.
2-inch
6-inch 4-inch 2-inch
8-inch
Warren
632
1
Bellevue Avenue.
200
1,000
2
1
Upham
3,283
5
2
Stevens Place.
216
Lebanon
2,750
2
1
Grove.
1,366
1
Walnut
187}
1
Lynde and Lindwood
2,960
3
1
Summer ..
701
2
1
Wyoming Ave. (East)
1,076
. .
3
Chestnut
572
1
2
Mt. Vernon
394
1
1
Auburn
372
1
Winthrop Place.
520
1
1
Belmont.
376
1
High
376
600
1
1
Prospect ..
1,026
1
1
Essex and Lake Ave ..
1,082
Avon.
422
1
Elm
1,057
1
Howard .
272
550
1
1
Upham and Dell'Ave.
3,488
2
East.
534
1
Washington
760
2
Emerson Place.
251
1
.
Seventh .
288
1
Wastes, 27 x 24.
51
80 Plugs.
80
Grove Street (East)
1,865
16
2
1
.
.
Emerson Street (East)
7432
10
1
Rowe Street .
670
552
1
2
1
Ashland, (North)
480
1
Brazil
780
2
1
Orris
350
148
1
1
Highland Avenue
250
1
Berwick Place
138
1
Emerald.
508
1
2
Total
1,050 17,178} 66,0333
9963
99
12
85
16
1
.
.
.
· .
Irving ..
387
1
...
.
.
.
1
Wyoming Ave. (West)
.
.
1
.
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
WATER-RATES.
DWELLING-HOUSES.
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet $6 00
For each additional faucet to be used by the same family, 2 00
When a house is occupied by more than one family, and
less than four, one faucet only being used for all, for each family 5 00
When a house is occupied by four or more families, and but one faucet is used for all, for each family . 4 00
When a house is occupied by more than one family, the highest rates will be charged for each family having water carried into their part of the house.
For the first water-closet 5 00
For each additional water-closet 3 00
For hopper water-closet 8 00
For first bath-tub
5 00
For each additional bath-tub
3 00
Provided that no private house shall pay more than $25 per year.
BOARDING-HOUSES.
For the first faucet
$10 00 .
For each additional faucet
·
2 00
For water-closet or bath-tub when used for boarders · 10 00
Other charges as above.
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, both emptying into one vessel, but one charge will be made for both.
STORES.
Occupied as office, shop, or similar purpose . $6 00 to $20 00
For each additional faucet
2 50
For water-closet or urinal
·
6 00
STABLES.
For first horse
$5.00
For each additional horse
3 00
For first cow
2 00
For each additional cow
1 00
FOR LIVERY, CLUB, AND BOARDING STABLE.
For first horse $5 00 .
For each additional horse
3 00
The above includes water for washing carriages.
Where hose is used, $5 additional.
77
78
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
TRUCK AND CART STABLES.
For first horse
$5 00
For each additional horse
2 00
The above includes water for washing carriages.
HOSE.
For sprinkling streets, washing windows, and similar uses $3 00 When several desire to use the same hydrant for watering streets or watering gardens, see Superintendent.
HOTELS.
For each bed for boarders and lodgers $3 00
BATHS.
For public baths, and for each bath in any hotel . $10 00
For water-closet in public bath-houses 10 00
STEAM-ENGINES.
For each stationary steam-engine working not over ten
hours a day, for each horse-power . $6 00
BUILDING PURPOSES.
For every cask of lime or cement used $0 05
ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS.
(Ordinarily used three hours a day for a period of not more than four months a year.)
For a jet of one-sixteenth of an inch $3 00
For a jet of one-eighth of an inch 5 00
For a jet of one-quarter of an inch 8 00
To be cut off at the discretion of the Superintendent.
MANUFACTORIES.
And for all purposes not enumerated in the foregoing rates, special contract to be made with the Water Board.
This schedule of prices was printed in a circular, and distrib- uted among the citizens, with this additional note :-
" All parties wishing Spot Pond water introduced into their buildings will be required to sign an application for the same. A book for that purpose may be found at the Town Clerk's office."
JOSEPH D. WILDE, W. IRVING ELLIS, WILBER D. FISKE,
Water Commissioners.
REPORT
OF THE
Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioners.
The Annual Report of the Water Loan Sinking Fund Commis- sioners for year ending Dec. 31, 1883, is herewith respectfully submitted : -
At the beginning of the year we had,-
Cash on hand
$107 91
We have received from Water Board surplus income for 1882 2,773 23
We have received interest on investments 627 59
We have loaned at 6 % on note secured by mortgage on real estate in Melrose . 2,800 00
We carry to credit of new account in cash deposited in Melrose Savings Bank 698 73
The Water Loan Sinking Fund at this date, counting securities at their par value, stands as follows : -
U. S. bonds, 42 % City of Salem, 5 %
$3,500 00
3,000 00
City of Lynn, 6 % .
1,000 00
. City of Cambridge, 6 % 2,000 00
City of Providence, 5 %
1,000 00 .
Note secured by mortgage, 6 %
2,800 00
Cash in Melrose Bank · 698 73
$13,998 73
For additional particulars concerning this fund we refer to the Report of our Treasurer.
DANIEL RUSSELL, ROYAL P. BARRY, JOHN W. FARWELL.
MELROSE, Dec. 31, 1883.
80
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE
DR. 1883.
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Feb. 27, 2 " 12, '84, 5
To cash paid U. S. War Department, books
$4 45
Mar. 6,
66 Geo. E. Littlefield,
3 15
66 9, 66 22,
66 66 A. Williams & Co., 66
3 50
66 24, 66 66 G. W. Reynolds, 66
27 57
Feb. 12,'84,
Mar. 24, 66 66
66 printing
45 50
Feb. 12,'84,
66 66 P. S. Meston, binding
20 60 S
136 40
Aug. 7,
1
April 9,
66
66
De Wolfe, Fiske & Co., books
315 90
April 9,
66
66
Geo. B. Sargent, ribbons
1 50
April 14,
66
66
G. E. Bruce, books
2 00
Dec.
31,
66
Miss Carrie M. Worthen
200 00
May 17, 2
66
66
Willard Small, books
11 60
Dec. 31, 5
May 19, 66
66 C. B. Goodrich, “
2 80
19 1
66
66
G. F. King & Merrill, stationery .
3 50
Oct. 12 5 May 1
19,
66
Little, Brown & Co., books . 59 39
50 30
Jan. 20,'84, S
66
66
J. Anglier & Co. 66
8 80
July 66 Oct.
9, 2 66
66
T. W. Ripley, catalogues
248 33
July
66
66
Eastman's Express
8 05
July
14,
66
66
J. A. Cochran, books
3 35
Aug.
29,
66
66
Babb & Stephens, printing
4 25
Oct. 6,
66
12
66
66
T. Ireland, repairing clock Mass. Hist. Soc., books
3 00
66
12,
66
66
Dr. S. A. Green 66
7 50
25,
66
66
M. F. Rogers. 66
1 75
Nov. 14,
66
66
Lockwood, Brooks & Co., books .
3 25
66
20,
66
66
Royal Ins. Co.
28 50
1SS4.
Jan. 11,
66
66
Doyle & Whittle, books
1 67
66
20,
66
66
D. L. Guerney,
6 20
66
66
Extra help during the year
17 00
66
66 P. O. Box
1 00
66
66
Sundries, stamps, mucilage, matches. envelopes, &c.
5 13
Feb.
12, Balance on hand
$1,376 03
DR.
HORATIO NELSON PERKINS FUND
1883. Nov.
66 66 66 Webster Hist. Society,
1 00
Mar. 28,
$115 80
Feb. 12,'84,
Mar. 28, 66 66 Chas. Taylor, shelving .
112 45
Feb. 12,'84,
Jan. 20,'84, S 1
21, 5
Dec. 31. S
June
19, 2 66 66
Estes & Lauriat 66
3,
6, 5
Dec.
9, 2 8, 5
66
1 50
45 74
20, To cash deposited in Melrose Savings Bank, subject to order of the Trustees · $500 00
81
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
IN ACCOUNT WITH E. H. GOSS, TREASURER. CR. 1883.
Feb. 14, By cash on hand from account, 1882
$44 10 66 66 17, 2 66 from Librarian for fines 64 95 " 12, '84, 5 66 66
Mar. 1, '83, 66
Town Treasurer, dog tax of 1882 451 98
Oct. 10, 5
66 66 66 catalogues 15 00
June
9 , 1 66 66 66 appropriations for 1883 800 00
$1,376 03
IN ACCOUNT WITH MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY. £ CR. 1883. 20, By cash received from Mr. Joseph A. Titcomb, Exec- utor of will of Horatio N. Perkins $500 00
Nov.
Respectfully submitted, E. H. GOSS, Treasurer.
MELROSE, Feb. 12, 1884.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
OF THE
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees of the Public Library present their Thirteenth Annual Report.
In our last Report, among the needs of the library were enu- merated : first, an enlargement of shelf-room ; second, a catalogue of the books added since 1875 ; third, a reading-room ; fourth, the opening of the library every day in the week.
The two last-mentioned needs are still the needs of the Public Library ; and, as there is a slight increase in the circulation of books, a marked increase in the number of persons using the lib- rary, and especially in the average attendance of borrowers on Saturdays, these needs have become pressing, and the failure to make provision for the growth of this department of public educa- tion will soon depreciate its real usefulness.
Early in the year the Trustees contracted with Mr. Charles Taylor for the enlargement of the shelf-room, and the alcoves are now capable of receiving the additions of another year.
The catalogue was placed in the hands of our townsman, Mr. T. W. Ripley, and all books added since 1875 were properly arranged and printed in the new supplemental catalogue.
The old catalogues were then bound in with the new, making a complete book of 175 pages.
In the death of Horatio Nelson Perkins, Esq., the Town of Mel- rose suffered the loss of one who, from the founding of the lib- rary in 1871 until his death, watched its growth with exceptional interest. The executors of his will seem to have found evidence of this special interest in the Melrose Library in a pencil memoran- dum, which we subjoin, and which was found inside the papers connected with his will, as though he purposed making it a part of that instrument : -
" $500 - to the Melrose Public Library, etc., in trust, and the annual income of the same is to be expended for the purchase of books forever."
83
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
As this was merely a pencil memorandum, and in no sense a part of the will, the Trustees feel under lasting obligations to Joseph A. Titcomb, Esq., the Executor, and to the other devisees, for their generous interpretation of what they conceived to be the wishes of the late Mr. Perkins, and for carrying out that interpre- tation in the spirit rather than in the letter of the law.
As this is the first bequest of money to the library, and as it is in the form of a perpetual trust, we annex a copy of the receipt given the Executor, for the information of those who may desire to establish similar funds : -
" MELROSE, November 10, 1883.
" Received of Joseph A. Titcomb, Esquire, Executor of the will of Horatio Nelson Perkins, the sum of five hundred (500) dollars, to be held by us and our successors, as the Trustees of the Melrose Public Library, as a perpetual trust ; the principal thereof to be invested, and the income only to be used from year to year in the purchase of books for said Public Library, in accordance with the terms of a memorandum found among his papers."
This fund is now deposited in the Melrose Savings Bank, and the income will be expended in each year for books, which will be designated as purchased with the "Horatio Nelson Perkins Fund."
Among the donations of the year is one from Wm. L. Williams. Esq., of forty-one pamphlets, comprising the eulogies delivered on the death of Daniel Webster. The collection is at once unique and valuable, comprising many of especial interest. Among them may be mentioned those of Rev. Nehemiah Adams, Theodore Parker, Professor Hitchcock, John Weiss, Professor Sanborn, Bishop Eastburn, and Rev. Dr. Leonard Woods.
It is a pleasant duty to chronicle still another donation from one of the library's best friends,- Mr. Daniel Jefferson, who has often before remembered it by adding to its treasure suitable and appro- priate works. This one is entitled, " The Abbey Church of Mel- rose, Scotland," illustrated by Frederick Pinches, architect : London, 1879. It is a large portfolio, 12 by 22 inches, containing nine plates of views of the old ruin, with " An Historic Sketch " and " Architectural Remarks." The type of the text is large and beautiful, pages red-lined, and the whole work done in a most sumptuous and costly manner. It is quite a different work from Bower's "Description of the Abbeys of Melrose," given us by the
84
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE
same donor last year, but with that, helps very materially in get- ting a proper understanding of that formerly magnificent structure, and now imposing ruin.
One of the sources of information for the historical sketch is the old " Chronicle of Mailross," which was written by the monks of this abbey, covering the period from A. D. 735 to 1270. From this and other works Mr. Pinches gives a condensed story of the various monasteries that have stood upon the banks of the beauti- ful Tweed ; of their abbots, their destruction, their rebuilding.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.