USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1912 > Part 4
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15
13
2
·
7
2
. .
5
. .
. .
. .
. .
1
381
Measles .
66
65
39
86
85
4
. .
. .
. .
.
. .
. .
.
5
Ophthalmia Neonatorum .
. .
. .
. .
2
1
..
. .
Total .
114
102
58
104
95
42
16
5
3
3
11
32
585
.
.
2
2
18
1
. .
2
.
.
.
..
.
.
. .
. .
1
2
15
Tuberculosis .
1
:
1
1
1
German Measles
. .
1
1
. .
. .
·
5
20
94
Typhoid Fever.
2
1
1
Whooping Cough.
3
Diptheria. . .
. .
·
. .
1
34
7
..
.
. .
1
2
17
9
31
1
Table II. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES SINCE 1900.
Diseases.
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
Scarlet Fever
38
33
23
26
23
59
36
80
89
106
32
36
17
Diptheria. .
44
52
35
41
19
30
40
50
58
18
41
20
18
Typhoid Fever.
19
17
12
10
11
14
9
8
13
15
14
6
9
Chicken Pox.
3
4
5
18
41
15
10
27
22
33
44
39
Whooping Cough.
2
30
22
13
1
77
14
7
124
39
94
Measles .
467
75
32
76
459
63
18
379
24
18
129
381
Tuberculosis .
. .
1
1
4
11
20
22
28
39
27
15
15
Cerebro-Sp'l. Men.
. .
. .
.
. .
. .
4
17
. .
. .
.
. .
. .
. .
. .
1
.
.
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
. .
. .
1
Erysipelas.
. .
. .
·
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
1
1
. .
. .
. .
·
. .
.
. .
. .
2
1
. .
. .
·
. .
. .
.
.
2
2
1
·
. .
Infant Paralysis ..
. .
1
. .
2
10
7
German Measles .
1
1
3
5
Orphthalmia .
.
.
. .
Tetanus.
..
Tub. Meningitis .
. .
MELROSE, MASS.
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY
·
.
2
. .
Table III. MORTALITY FROM PRINCIPAL DISEASES SINCE 1900.
Diseases.
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
Diphtheria .. .
5
3
2
1
2
0
3
3
2
0
3
0
1 . .
Scarlet Fever .
3
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
4:
1
1
1
0
3
1
2
3
1
0
1
Typhoid Fever.
20
17
18
18
20
20
21
23
15
17
17
10
14
Consumption.
14
6
16
16
18
8
13
21
14
21
21
7
16
Heart Disease .
27
21
30
17
29
37
27
39
31
33
29
27
30
Old Age ..
9
6
4
8
6
2
5
3
6
7
2
5
13
Cancer .
10
11
12
10
14
20
18
15
17
15
19
14
27
1
Table IV.
Births
Death of Children Under 1 year
Rate of Mor- tality of Chil- dren under 1 year per 100 of Children born
1910.
325
18
5.54
1911.
305
10
3.24
1912.
312
36
11.53
Pneumonia . ..
.
59
HEALTH REPORT
DEATHS. DEATHS BY SEXES. (Still Births Excluded).
Number of deaths of males
80
Number of deaths of females.
. 98
DEATHS BY AGES. (Still Births Excluded).
Total
Males Females
Deaths of persons under 1 year ..
10
5
5
from
1 to 2 years.
4
3
1
66
66
3 to 4 years.
2
1
1
66
66
66
66
5 to 10 years.
2
1
1
66
66
66
66
10 to 15 years
4
1
3
66
66
20 to 30 years.
6
3
3
66
66
66
30 to 40 years.
10
3
7
66
66
66
40 to 50 years.
18
7
11
66
50 to 60 years.
14
10
4
66
66
60 to 70 years.
29
14
15
60
66
66
70 to 80 years.
44
14
30
66
60
66
over
80 years.
33
17
16
178
80
98
DEATHS BY MONTHS. (Still Births Excluded).
Deaths in January.
18
Deaths in July
14
66
" February
15
" August.
12
66.
" March .21
66
" October.
17
" May
12
66
" November.
13
" June.
21
" December 15
Total number of deaths from all causes (exclusive of still births), 178. Still births, 11.
CAUSES OF DEATHS I .- GENERAL DISEASES.
Typhoid Fever.
1
Measles .
1
Whooping Cough.
1
Diphtheria and Croup.
1
66
66
2 to 3 years.
2
1
1
4 to 5 years
66
15 to 20 years
" September. 9
" April 11
60
CITY OF MELROSE
Erysipelas. 1
Other epidemic diseases .
1
Purulent infection and Septichaemia. 1
Tuberculosis of Lungs. 10
Tuberculosis Meningitis. 2
Abdominal Tuberculosis 1
Tuberculosis of other organs . 1
Cancer and other malignant tumors of the stomach and liver. 9
Cancer and other malignant tumors of the intestines. 2
1
Cancer and other malignant tumors of other organs
15
Chronic Rheumatism and Gout.
1
Diabetes .
1
Pernicious anaemia . 1
II .- DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND OF THE ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSE.
Locomotor Ataxia. 1
Cerebral Apoplexy 18
1
Epilepsy
1
Diseases of the Ears
1
III .- DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
Chronic Endocarditis.
1
Valvular Disease of Heart 14
Myocarditis. 6
Angina Pectoris 2
Arteriosclerosis.
1
Aneurysm .
1
Heart Disease. 5
IV .- DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.
Broncho-pneumonia. 5
· Pneumonia 16
V .- DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
Diarrhoea and Enteritis (under 2 years) 2
Diarrhoea and Enteritis (over 2 years)
1
Appendicitis 2
Trichinosis. 1
Biliary Calculi 2
Other diseases of the Digestive System. 4
VI .- DISEASES OF THE GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM. Chronic Bright's Disease. 11
General Paresis.
Cancer and other malignant tumors of the female genital organs.
61
HEALTH REPORT
Prostate, Hypertrophy of
2
Pelvic Abscess 1
VII .- THE PUERPERAL STATE.
VIII .- DISEASES OF THE SKIN.
Carbuncle . 1
Senile Gangrene.
1
IX .- DISEASES OF LCCOMOTCR SYSTEM.
X .- MALFORMATIONS.
Hydrocephalus
1
XI .- DISEASES OF EARLY INFANCY.
Atelectasis.
2
Compression of Cord
1
XII .- OLD AGE. 5
Dementia ..
2
General breaking down. 2
Senile Heart . 2
Exhaustion. 1
XIII .- AFFECTIONS PRODUCED BY EXTERNAL CAUSES.
Suicide by fire-arms. 1
Suicide by opium. 1
Suicide by cutting throat. 1
Traumatism by falling down stairs. 1
Traumatism by falling on floor. 1
Traumatism by falling from tree.
1 Ptomain poisoning. 1
Suffocation by smoke 1
XIV .- ILL DEFINED DISEASES, 2.
1910 1911 1912
Apparent death rate per 1,000 population. .. 13.00 10.98 10.33 Corrected death rate per 1,000 population .. . 14.43 12.03 11.88
NOTE :- The corrected death rate is found by eliminating the records of all non-residents dying in Melrose, and adding the records of all Melrose residents dying elsewhere, as shown by the records of the City Clerk.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Expenditures of the Board of Health in detail: General Administration
62
CITY OF MELROSE
Salaries of Board $531.25
Salary of Clerk. . 267.19
Stationery, Postage, and Printing 61.65
Telephone. 49.21
Office Furnishings
3.50
Sundries
25.82
Total
$938.62
Other Expenses:
Examination of Cultures $14.00
Sanitary Inspection ..
150.00
Plumbing Inspection. 650.00
Fumigation and Disinfection.
70.07
Dumps.
6.50
Burial Dead Animals.
46.50
Office Furnishings
14.25
Care of Insane.
20.00
Inspection of Ice.
24.00
Sundries
60.64
Total
$1,055.96
Quarantine and Contagious Disease Hospital:
Outside Aid . $22.31
Maintenance of Contagious Hospital. 24.05
Maintenance of Patients at other
Hospitals. 735.69
Reimbursement of other Cities and
Towns 234.00
Ambulance and Carriages. 49.25
Total $1,065.30
Inspection :
Inspection of School Children . $225.00
Inspection of Animals and Slaughter
Houses. 100.00
Inspection of Milk 100.00
Total $425.00
63
HEALTH REPORT
Refuse and Garbage Disposal:
Removal of Garbage. $1,856.68 $1,856.68
Tuberculosis:
Board at Hospitals.
$570.00 $570.00
Total Expenditures $5,911.56
Revenues of the Board of Health:
Licenses
$49.00
Contagious Disease Reimbursements 151.06
Total Revenues
$200.06
CLARENCE P. HOLDEN, ARTHUR A. HAYDEN, EDMUND L. GRUNDY, Board of Health.
Jan. 31, 1913.
Report of Inspector of Plumbing
January 1, 1913.
To the Board of Health, City of Melrose, Mass. Gentlemen :-
I submit the following as the annual report of plumbing inspection for the year ending December 31, 1912.
Number of applications received.
154
Number of permits granted. 154
Number of new buildings connected with sewer. 44
Number of old buildings connected with sewer . 31
Number of new buildings connected with cesspools. 10
Number of old buildings connected with cesspools 3
Number of sinks installed .. 156
Number of wash trays installed . 89
Number of water closets installed. 194
Number of bath tubs installed . 124
Number of wash bowls installed. 145
Number of new traps installed . 22
Number of pantry sinks installed. 1
Number of slop sinks installed 5
Number of urinals installed 1
Drinking fountain installed. 1
Shower baths installed . 1
Garage wash stands, floor drains and traps installed. 14
Total number of fixtures installed . 753
Respectfully submitted, ANDREW J. BURNETT, Inspector of Plumbing.
Report of Inspector of Milk
January 31, 1913. Melrose, Mass.
To the Honorable Board of Health,
Gentlemen :-
It is my pleasure, as Inspector of Milk of the City of Mel- rose, to state that in my report for the year 1912, I have been highly pleased with the standard maintained by the Milk Dealers in Melrose.
During the year just closed, I have made analyses of one hundred and seven samples of milk, and in only one case has it failed to measure up the required standard.
Respectfully yours, (Signed) CALEB W. CLARK, M. D., Milk Inspector.
Report of Inspector of Animals
February 1, 1913.
To the Board of Health, Melrose, Mass.
Gentlemen :- The routine examination of animals and stables under the regulations of the State Department of Animal Industry is now made in the month of February, and therefore has not been made since I undertook the duties of the office.
I found during the year, one glandered horse, which was killed. I have made two inspections of slaughtering, passing 68 pigs and condemning 2.
Respectfully submitted, F. P. STURGES, V. S. Inspector of Animals.
Report of the City Solicitor
Hon. Oliver B. Munroe, Mayor, Melrose, Mass.
Pursuant to the requirements of the ordinances, I have the honor to submit herewith the annual report of the Law Department for the year 1912.
When I took office on March 4th, 1912, there were twenty- two suits pending against the City. During the year one more suit has been brought and thirteen suits have been dis- posed of, making the total number of suits pending on Janu- ary 1, 1913, ten in number, the fewest ever pending against the City in recent years. Of this number it is probable that a decision of the Supreme Court will prevent four from ever being successfully maintained. A fifth, if ever tried, will be defended by the Bay State Street Railway Co., which is a co- defendant, and two others are the only remaining cases grow- ing out of the dynamite explosion on Main Street, several years ago.
Owing to an act of the Legislature passed in 1911, all cases which had been pending in the Superior Court more than two years, were ordered by the Court to be tried. This order brought forward for trial, a number of cases instituted several years ago in which no opportunity existed to obtain accurate evidence of the facts and which it had long been assumed by this Department, would never be tried. Three of these cases resulted in verdicts, one of which was paid, and the other two compromised at a substantial reduction below the verdict. Of the remaining ten cases disposed of during the year, eight were dismissed with either nominal or no expense to the City, after consultation with the parties or their attorneys and appearance in Court, and the other two were settled upon re- commendation of this Department and after consideration by the Committee on Legal and Legislative matters.
When I assumed the duties of this department, there was but one case pending in which the City was plaintiff. That case was a petition to the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County for an apportionment of the expense of reconstructing Spot Pond Brook, in accordance with the provisions, Chapter 406 of the Acts of 1904. The petition was brought in 1904
68
CITY OF MELROSE
soon after the passage of said Act but never prosecuted inas- much as the act left it optional with the Cities to accept the award and it was believed that consequently nothing could be gained by the proceeding. During the past year the same question has been raised in another and more effective way, namely, the appointment of a commission by the Legislature of 1912 to again investigate the Spot Pond Brook problem. The report of this commission is now before the General Court of 1913.
During the past year, this department has been called upon to bring but one suit in behalf of the City. This was a bill in equity to restrain the operation of a stone crusher on Linwood Avenue and was instituted at the request and pur- suant to an order of the Board of Aldermen passed in No- vember, 1911. The Court has recently over-ruled the defen- dants' demurrer to the City's amended bill and the case now stands ready for trial on the merits, subject to the defendants' right of appeal to the Supreme Court. The opinion of the Court in this case has brought forth the fact that our building ordinances are not only inadequate but in some instances in- valid. I wish, therefore, to concur with the recommendations of the Inspector of Buildings in his report that the building laws of the City be revised.
In addition to the work incidental to and connected with the litigation, settlement and disposal of the aforesaid pend- ing cases, four claims against the City have been settled after hearing before and consultation with the Committee on Legal and Legislative matters, but by far the greater amount of time devoted to the department has been spent in the preparation and rendering of opinions to the various members of the Board of Aldermen and other City Officials on questions which have arisen from time to time, often requiring an extended and care- ful consideration of the law, in the drawing of contemplated orders for action by the Board, examination of land titles and preparation of deeds in connection with the taking of land for park and highway purposes and the drawing of contracts. This last item includes practically all the contracts for the con- struction and equipment of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building, so called, which involved many conferences with the
69
SOLICITOR'S REPORT
Building Committee, the Architect and the various contrac- tors.
Whenever pending legislation at the Staate House has threatened to affect the City, I have appeared before the Com- mittee of the Legislature having the matter in charge, and pre- sented to them the arguments which seemed to best conserve the interests of the City.
In closing I wish to take this opportunity to thank my brother officials for the many courtesies and much assistance they have rendered me during the year, which have greatly facilitated my work and at the same time made it a pleasure.
Respectfully, CHARLES H. GILMORE, City Solicitor.
-
Report of the Inspector of Wires
January 1, 1913.
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen:
Gentlemen :- I respectfully submit the following report of the Wire Department from February 24, to December 31, 1912:
Fire Alarm System
Has been kept in repair and have installed one new box, No. 46, corner Main and East Emerson streets.
Police Signals
General repairs.
Electrical Work in Buildings.
This class of work is improving, especially the so called reconnections. I have received four hundred notices for in- spections, many of which I have visited two or three times. Among these have been four factories, one theatre, one memorial building and one hospital which I have visited three times a week for a period of three months each.
Street Wiring.
The New Eng. Tel. & Tel. Co. has added West Foster and Vinton streets to its underground system, also has raised cables and wires over our streets, has replaced old fixtures and poles with new and in many places has insulated wires from trees.
The Malden Electric Co. has increased the size of its main feed wires throughout Main street, also has replaced old poles and old wires with new and in many places have insulated wires from trees.
I. L. CORTHELL,
Superintendent of Wires.
Report of the Chief of Police
January 30, 1913.
To the Honorable Oliver B. Munroe, Mayor, and the Members of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Melrose,
Gentlemen :- In compliance with Chapter 33 of the Ordinances of this City, I respectfully submit the following report of the Police Department for the year 1912:
Appropriation :
Salaries and Wages.
$16,996.80
Expenditures.
16,589.26
$407.54
Transfer to Other Expenses .
100.00
Balance.
$307.54
Appropriation :
Horses and Care of Same
$425.00
Expenditures.
396.95
Balance ..
$28.05
Appropriation :
Other Expenses.
$180.78
Transfer from Salaries & Wages . ..
100.00
$280.78
Expenditures
258.01
Balance ..
$22.77
Appropriation :
Equipment and Repairs
$200.00
Expenditures
190.17
Balance. $9.83
72
CITY OF MELROSE
Offences for which complaints have been made in Court: Adultery . 1
Assault with dangerous weapon 1
Assault with battery
11
Bastardy
2
Breaking and entering.
2
Breaking and entering and larceny
3
Contempt of Court.
4
Carrying revolver without license
1
Cruelty to animals
1
Default warrants.
2
Disorderly conduct.
3
Disturbance of the peace.
7
Delinquent children
2
Drunkenness
139
Fornication
1
Gaming on the Lord's Day
4
Keeping and exposing liquors.
2
Larceny .
4
Non support ..
13
Peddling without license.
3
Search warrants for liquors.
2
Search warrant for goods .
1
Violation of auto laws
2
Violation of City Ordinances.
2
Violation of probation
1
Violation of Statutes.
2
Trespassing .
1
Miscellaneous Report.
Accidents reported.
6
Arrests for out of town officers. 7
Arc lights reported out .
42
Autos stopped and warned. 14
Bicycles found and returned.
3
Board of Health notices served .
5
Buildings and houses specially protected.
14
Cases and complaints investigated.
205
Cats disposed of . 3
Defects in streets reported. 30
73
POLICE REPORT
Defects in sidewalks reported
2
Disturbances suppressed . 22
Dogs killed.
8
Doors and windows found unlocked and secured 224
Electric and telephone wires burning trees. 14
Electric and telephone wires reported down 16
Fire alarms attended by officers. 53
Fire alarms given by officers.
3
Fires extinguished without giving an alarm.
3
Fire Department called on still alarm
2
Gas leaks reported
3
Horses killed
2
Horses found roaming and taken care of
3
Houses found vacant.
9
Incandescent lights reported out.
125
Insane committed
8
Investigation of Jurymen
156
Lost children found and returned home
8
Letters delivered for City Clerk.
1,231
Leaks in water pipes reported .
31
Lanterns hung in dangerous places
10
Miscellaneous notices delivered . 85
Notices delivered for police of other cities and towns .. . 14
Obstructions removed from streets 15
Persons assisted home 8
Runaway horse stopped .
1
Street signs reported down
20
Summonses served
82
Special messages delivered by Patrolmen.
25
Stray horses found in street
2
Trees reported down 3
Value of property recovered and returned. $450.00
Duty calls by officers from boxes (April 24, to Dec. 31, 1913) 23,577
Telephone calls from boxes, (April 24, to Dec. 31, 1913) 2,537
Wagon calls from boxes, (April 24, to Dec. 31, 1913) . .. 51
Ambulance calls from boxes, (April 24, to Dec. 31, 1913) 4
Wagon calls other than from patrol boxes 101
74
CITY OF MELROSE
Ambulance calls other than from patrol boxes
106 Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. KERR, Chief of Police.
Report of the Overseers of the Poor
Feb. 1, 1913.
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen, City of Mel- rose, Massachusetts :-
Gentlemen :- The Board of Overseers of the Poor here- with submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1912.
The entire expenditures of the department, exclusive of official salaries, amounted to $7,180.24. The receipts of the department amounted to $1,006.06, $1,000.00 of which was appropriated for departmental purposes and is included in said $7,180.24. The net cost to the City of the department, amounted, therefore, to $6,180.24.
The entire number of families aided was 58, the total number of individuals 196. This is exclusive of 17 persons, who at some time during the year were or became absolutely dependent upon the City. While this shows an increase from the previous year in the number of those receiving assistance, a study of the following table will indicate that, considering the advancing cost of living and the increasing population of our City, the situation is, on the whole, very satisfactory.
Families Partially Aided
Individuals Partially Aided
Individuals Wholly Supported
1900
62
243
43
1901
45
283
40
1902
296
49
1903
89
300
16
1904
99
299
9
1905
94
(outside relief).
(City Farm).
1906
75
261
21
1907
67
258
16
1908
83
297
18
1909
71
254
17
1910
79
205
32
1911
38
121
11
1912
58
196
17
(outside relief).
(City Farm).
(outside relief).
334
(City Farm). 11
The members of the Board have spent much of their in- dividual time in thoroughly investigating every application
76
CITY OF MELROSE
for relief and have kept the progress of each case under careful observation so that the amount and nature of the relief granted should be constantly appropriated to the necessities of each case, often found to be variable.
The Board has not hesitated to discontinue relief when, in their judgment, a period of need has passed or to deny aid when it was felt that an imposition upon the City was at- tempted. The Board feels today that every case carried on its books is meritorious and deserving of the quantity of relief granted.
Many of those assisted are women, widowed or deserted by their husbands, and left without means of support with dependent children. Many of these families are in a very necessitous condition and are leading cheerless lives.
The Board feels that much more assistance is deserved in many cases than is granted, but as much is done as the size of the appropriation permits. It is believed that the affairs of the department are conducted with reasonable economy and efficiency and that as much effective work in the relief of the needy is accomplished as is possible within the limits of the department's appropriation. The work, moreover, has been done in as quiet and inoffensive a manner as possible. The identity of those assisted being withheld from the public at large. The Board has always sought to spare the feelings of those unfortunates who have asked relief and save them from humiliation.
The conditions at the City Home have occasioned much favorable comment during the past year. The buildings are in a good condition of repair and the interior arrangements are convenient and comfortable. The inmates have been ex- ceptionally well treated and are furnished with as many of the accessories of a real home as is possible in a public institution.
The farm itself has been cultivated as extensively as was thought economical in view of the present cost of labor.
The Superintendent and Matron have discharged their duties satisfactorily and have co-operated with the Board to reduce the expense of the Home, without, at the same time, impairing its usefulness. There are at present 5 inmates, all of advanced age and suffering from some physical disability.
77
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR
A large proportion of the poverty that has come under the Board's observation is caused or greatly aggravated by the use of intoxicating liquors. Members of families have be- come estranged, wage earners have been deprived of em- ployment or have deserted their dependent families, money needed for the necessities of life has been squandered, and im- moralities have been practised all through the agency of drink. Unfortunately the sufferers have been, in many cases, the innocent dependents. The Board has exercised severity in many cases and has not hesitated at court proceedings, when such a step seemed wise. In the effort to prevent rather than cure the discase of needless poverty, there is much work that can profitably be done in the cause of temperance.
FInancial Statement.
Total Appropriation
$7,512.25
General Administration $750.00
Almshouse ($1,000 from receipts). 2,412.25
Outside Relief . 3,400.00
Relief by other Cities and Towns 950.00
Total Expenditures. .
$7,577.74
General Administration $734.09
Almshouse. 2,423.80
Outside Relief
3,369.06
Relief by other Cities and Towns. 894.65
An unpaid account contracted during
1912 156.14
$7,577.74
General Administration.
Budget Appropriation.
$750.00
Expended .
$336.59
Salary of Board.
397.50
Transfer to "Almshouse" 11.55
Transfer to "Relief of other Towns
and Cities"
4.36
$750.0
78
CITY OF MELROSE
Partial Support.
Individuals Aided . 196
Having settlement in Melrose. 184
Having settlement elsewhere in State 38
Having no known settlement .. 11
Having disputed settlement. 13
Individuals receiving Medical Aid only
14
Families Aided. 58
Having settlement in Melrose
43
Having settlement elsewhere in State.
8
Having no known settlement. 5
Having disputed settlement. 2
Full Support.
Supported at City Farm during year 14
Deaths at City Farm during year 1
Cases discharged . . 8
Remaining at City Farm January 1, 1913. 5
Boarded in private families 3
GEORGE R. FARNUM, Chairman,
JABEZ S. DYER, MRS. ADALINE G. REED,
March 17, 1913.
Charity Department.
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF PINE BANKS PARK.
Only within the past few years has the public begun fully to realize and in so doing, to enjoy the benefits and pleasures encompassed within the area of the Park. Always has this woodland been an attraction to nature lovers,-hill and dale, wooded clumps and open spaces, tall pines and white barked birches, birds and running water,-but even after it became public domain, nature alone was not a sufficient allurement, and athletic fields were added, and now not infrequently, a thousand lovers of base ball have witnessed a single game, and during the season just passed, about one hundred permits have been issued.
In 1909 the "Zoo" had its unpretentious beginning and the Trustees were soon made to realize that the public enjoys not still nature, but life in any form,-bird or beast,-and acting upon this quickened interest, they have sought to re- populate these tracts with the former fur and feathered in- habitants which in years of the past freely came and went in their own way. Pigeons, rabbits, squirrels and raccoon live within the Park, now confined in cages so that they may be observed, and hundreds of children with their parents come to watch them. During the past year an owl, some crows and deer have been added, the latter a gift of Col. Harry E. Con- verse, a son of the donor of the Park, and within the large en- closure they are given ample opportunity to roam, and the observer is led back to the period when these beautiful creat- ures found here their native habitat.
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