USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 25
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 25
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 25
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 25
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 25
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IMMIGRATION OF RODENTS. In our Annals, under date 1861, appears some account of the famous Nahant Hotel, a huge structure, which, after an unsuccessful career of some years, as a watering-place hotel, was destroyed by fire on the night of Sep- tember 12, of that year. Romantic stories were long current about the annual emigration of rats from Lynn, to its hospitable precincts. An old resident solemnly affirmed that he had seen troops of the gluttonous animals wending their way over the beaches towards those luxurious quarters on the opening of the season ; asserting, with a positiveness that he seemed to think ought to insure belief, that on one occasion he had seen an old blind rat with a long straw in his mouth, by which some of the younger ones piloted him along. Rats are known to be remark- ably sagacious animals, and of extraordinary acuteness of scent. Some may have been toled up from their hiding places among the rocks ; but travelling over the beaches is quite another thing. The story, however, is not more wonderful than some other stories told of transactions about that celebrated house.
The oldest portion of this Hotel was built in 1819; and by a marvelous coincidence - perhaps we should say gracious prov- idence - it was hardly finished when the astounding news of the first appearance of the sea-serpent in the offing, took the country by surprise.
In the first edition [1829] of the History of Lynn appeared a fine engraving of the house as it then stood - picturesque and beautiful - with its airy piazzas and sunny surroundings. And in the 1865 edition there was an engraving of it as it appeared at the time of its destruction, in 1861. The history of this noted establishment furnishes some weighty lessons for enter- prising landlords to ponder over.
DEFENSE OF BOSTON. At the building of the fort in Boston harbor, in 1813, some eighty-five of the patriotic men of Lynn volunteered to labor on the works, one day. Early in the morn- ing they left town, with drum and fife, rode to Winnesimmet ferry, and were thence taken by boats to the fortification, where they industriously worked during the day, and marched home about nine o'clock in the evening, in jolly trim, as might have been expected from such an expedition.
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LYNN POST-OFFICE. The Post-office was established in 1793, the population being then about 2.500 - including Lynnfield. Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant. Ebenezer Breed, a native of the section now known as West Lynn, and who was at that time a prominent business man in Philadelphia, but who became reduced, and died in our alms-house, on the 23d of December, 1839, at the age of 74, was chiefly instrumental in securing its establishment. Previously to that time the Lynn people received their mail matter at Boston. It was ten years before the Turn- pike was opened, and forty-five before the Rail-road was built, Boston street still being the chief avenue of travel and business. A biographical notice of Mr. Breed may be found in the 1865 edition of our History.
Col. James Robinson was the first post-master. He lived in the ancient house, built in or about the year 1700, still standing on Boston street at the south-east corner of North Federal, and kept the office in a small building near the house. A large family of sons and daughters were there born to him, and the writer holds occasional correspondence with descendants of his now dwelling in widely separated and distant parts of the country, where they maintain honorable positions. Like many others who in active manhood did much to advance the interests of Lynn, he died in indigence and comparative obscurity.
Col. Robinson was succeeded in the office, in 1802, by his brother-in-law, Major Ezra Hutchings, a biographical notice of whom the reader may find by turning to page 154 of the present volume. He continued the office in its first location, in connec- tion with his West India goods and grocery store, for the few months he held the position.
In 1803, Samuel Mulliken became post-master. And the Turnpike being opened that year and diverting the travel and business from Boston street, he removed the office to the south end of Federal street, where, and in the vicinity, it remained till the Rail-road was built, at which time it began to move towards its present location on Market street, halting for a brief space on South Common street, corner of Pleasant. Mr. Mulliken was a man of worth, and at one time did a large business in tanning and the morocco line. He possessed some occasionally uncom- fortable gifts, among which wasa notably uncompromising will,
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which sometimes led to untoward consequences. A whimsical instance is given in our Annals, under date 1847, where a brief notice of him appears.
The entire line of post-masters is as follows: 1793, James Robinson. 1802, Ezra Hitchings. 1803, Samuel Mulliken. 1807, Elijah Downing. 1808, Jonathan Bacheller. 1829, Jere- miah C. Stickney. 1839, Thomas J. Marsh. 1841, Stephen Oliver. 1842, Thomas B. Newhall. 1843, Benjamin Mudge. 1849, Abner Austin. 1853, Jeremiah C. Stickney. 1858, Leo- nard B. Usher. 1861, George H. Chase. 1869, John Batchelder. 1877, John G. B. Adams.
LYNN FIRE DEPARTMENT. The means supplied for protection against fire have long been the boast of our people. We have hitherto been singularly favored in freedom from such great losses by fire as most places of so extended a history as ours have suffered ; and well may we fervently pray for a continuance of our good fortune. But security will be most certain to result from unrelaxed preparation.
The Department is now well provided with discreet officers and alert men, trained horses and approved "machines." There are five engines, worked by steam, and a number of chemical extinguishers ; several thousand feet of hose, ladders, hooks, and all other things necessary for an efficient contest with the fiery element. Then we have about the streets 453 hydrants, 19 reservoirs, and numerous wells, to say nothing of our brooks and ponds, Saugus river, and the Atlantic ocean.
The number of fire alarms during 1881, was 122. And the total loss was $199.544.50 ; of which $161.877.50 were returned by way of insurance.
As the city year by year becomes more compact, and taller buildings and those less isolated are erected in the different neigh- borhoods, it is evident that tireless vigilance will be required to preserve our traditional immunity. As to the past, we can only speak favorably ; and there seems no reason to apprehend that in the future we may not have as good a record. There is, indeed, an old insurance maxim, declaring that all " wooden" towns, and all large towns, must sooner or later have a sweep- ing conflagration ; but let no one be disturbed by it, though all
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of us have some tincture of fatalism ; let us rather endeavor to show that there may be at least one exception.
Our authorities have all along been prompt in adopting such new measures and procuring such new appliances as promised most favorably ; and a policy of that order, in municipal affairs, is, notwithstanding all murmuring and discontent, the most approved and satisfactory, whatever the result. Why, supposing the authorities had refused to procure steamers, or to establish the electric alarm, or furnish hydrants - what would have been the effect, in many conceivable ways ; on instirance rates, for in- stance ; to say nothing of comfort and safety? Even Boston worked the old hand " machines" till within a few years ; but it was because nothing better was known. Possibly somewhere in the future an invention will be made to supersede the best we now have ; and when it comes, undoubtedly it will be welcomed by all who are most faithful to our municipal interests.
LYNN SCHOOLS. So many allusions have been all along made in our History, in relation to the Schools, their grades and con- dition, that nothing more than a remark or two and a brief summary can now be desirable. The boast that these primary seats of learning, in our day, are far superior to anything known in former years, is often heard. But is it exactly so? They are unquestionably superior in costliness, elegance of appoint- ment and variety of studies. But are they superior in adaptation to existing wants ?
In former years, such studies were pursued as best prepared the pupil to meet the requirements of the position he was in homely honesty expected to occupy in after life; not such a position as imaginative parental affection might picture. There is so much knowledge, the possession of which is sure to add to our well-being, that it seems unwise to occupy ourselves in efforts to gain that which is of doubtful utility. It has been said that all knowledge is useful ; but that must be understood in a limited sense ; most certainly al! knowledge is not equally useful. No one can learn everything, as life is not long enough for that ; and hence, is it not the part of wisdom to learn as thoroughly as may be, that which is indispensable, or sure to be most useful ? There is a gray-headed aphorism that speaks of the jack-at-all-
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trades being good at none ; and why not apply the suggestion to the departments of learning ?
Our venerated fathers, practical and shrewd, kept these things in view. We their children are more prone to theorise ; more charmed with the ideal ; perhaps a little more under fancy's lead. But it may be asked, Is not the mind more fully developed and strengthened, better disciplined and polished, through these modern requirements - are not more extensive, beautiful, and ennobling avenues of thought opened through such means ? This is a point for the wisest to discuss. And some philosophical " exploring circle" may yet discover a way out of the difficulties that beset the great educational interest. Every true philanthro- pist will pray for the adoption of any course that will make men better and happier ; for there yet linger in the world vice and misery enough to call for determined warfare with the best weapons we can find.
The studies in our common schools, are however, apparently to an injudicious extent, prescribed by statute ; and hence to the local supervisors entire freedom of action is not allowed ; but there are so many details to be observed, so much care and oversight to be exercised, that their sphere of duty is large and their labors great. The School Committee is wisely made by law, to a considerable extent, an independent board, a board not to be controlled by the caprices of any other body, whose line of duty may not be expected to embrace special qualifications.
The full and perspicuous reports made annually by the Com- mittee furnish all the information that can be needed by our fellow-citizens to understand the condition and requirements of the entire educational interest. And a few statistical items only need be added here. It is easier for lookers-on to make suggestions, perhaps very good in themselves, than to show how they can be properly dove-tailed into a system ; but it is yet true that useful suggestions may sometimes come from minds hardly expected to bear ripened fruit. There seems no reason to doubt, that with here and there an exception, those selected to supervise our schools are actuated by a sincere desire faithfully to perform their responsible duties, and endeavor to adopt the best means to accomplish the best ends.
Number of Schools. The whole number of our Public Schools,
.
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in 1881, was 64: namely, 1 High School ; 7 Grammar Schools ; 55 Primary Schools : 1 Evening Drawing School.
School Houses : These are in number as follows : for High School, 1; for Grammar Schools, 7; for Primary Schools, 21 ; and there are 7 Primary Schools in Grammar School-houses.
Teachers. Whole number in day Schools, 118; in evening Drawing School, 3.
Pupils. Number belonging to all the day Schools, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 5.516 ; of the age of 15. and upwards, 400 ; making the pupils in the day Schools, 5.916.
High School Graduates, June 1, 1881. 30.
Cost of Support. The following extract from the Report of the Committee for 1881, sufficiently exhibits the items of expen- diture :
The charge upon the city for the maintenance of its system of public schools has been $93.677 17, divided into the following items of expenditure :
Teachers' salaries,
$65.823 79
School houses and repairs,
6.042 (5
Apparatus and furniture,
2.058 (1)
Care of school-houses,
6.438 78
Fuel,
5.030 86
Books and stationery,
5.452 45
Printin ...
1.255 63
Incidentals,
1 544 32
Total,
$ 73.677 17
To gain some knowledge of the increase in our school system, the reader can refer to the brief summary on page 586 of our 1865 edition. The number of schools at that time was 48; teachers, 59 ; pupils. 4.332.
LYNN NEWSPAPERS. The proximity of Lynn to Boston and Salem, may be sufficient to account for our not having had a local newspaper before the year 1825. And for forty years after that date it can hardly be claimed that we had a permanently successful publication, in a pecuniary way, though there were three or four that by their ability and usefulness well deserved success. But within the last few years a great advance has been made. The papers are now much better, as a general thing, and much cheaper ; and they have greatly improved in the quality of the paper, the printing, and in the mechanical aspect generally ; excepting that just now it is the fashion to make such displays
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in the advertising columns that some have the appearance of tradesmen's handbills.
The relative number of readers has increased quite as rapidly as anything connected with the business. At the time Mr. Lummus published the Mirror, four hundred subscribers were thought a goodly number for a country weekly ; and thus it was, with here and there an exception, for many years. Indeed the great bulk of working people thought they could not afford to take a paper ; and it was not difficult after a little experience, for a publisher to know on just what individuals to call, with any prospect of success, when he set out on his soliciting tours. The writer well remembers a conversation with Mr. Lummus, during which, in his hyperbolical way, he remarked after this sort : Why, I know just who will take a paper ; I can get four hundred subscribers for anything I will print ; but I can't get four hundred and one - without I will accept a Woodender ; and do you sup- . pose I would do that ? His antipathy to the people of Woodend would often crop out in that brusk way. Yet it is doubtful whe- ther the feeling was not rather feigned than real, for some of his best friends and correspondents lived in that section - Mr. Lewis and Enoch Curtin, for instance. But his tart declaration that if certain persons wanted his paper they would have to move out of Woodend to get it, was made while he was actually crossing their names from the carrier's list.
The papers were then published strictly on the subscription plan, the purchase of single copies being almost unknown.
We now [1882] have in Lynn two dailies and four weeklies, that circulate their thousands ; and by the ability and industry of their conductors deserve the success they enjoy. In addi- tion to this home supply, thousands of papers from Boston and other places are every day sold in our streets. The Lynn papers are at this time as follows :
Daily Evening Item, established in 1877.
The Lynn Bec, (daily) established in 1880.
The Lynn Reporter, (weekly) established in 1854.
The Lynn Transcript, (weekly) established in 1867.
The Lynn City Item, (weekly) established in 1876.
The Lynn Union, (weekly) established as The Lynn Record, in 1872-adopting the name of the old Record, of 1830.
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LYNN HOSPITAL. This beneficent institution was incorporated in 1880, and after a thorough examination into the merits of several proposed locations, carly in 1882 the Hathorne estate, so called, on Boston street, was purchased as a site for the necessary buildings. It is on the southerly side of the street, a few rods east of Franklin. The brook which runs from Flax Pond flows in front, and in the vicinity rise abrupt woody hills, with here and there a towering porphyry cliff; the whole surrounding being strikingly picturesque. It is in the quarter known from carly times as Mansfield's End. Deacon Mansfield's house stood on the hospital grounds ; and there, also, one or two other con- spicuous individuals of the name resided. And being on the principal thoroughfare, some of the most prominent people of the town lived in the vicinity. The old mansion standing at the time the hospital corporation purchased, was long known as the Deacon Farrington house, that dignitary having lived there for some years. Long afterwards it was occupied by Capt. John White, of the United States navy, who, in addition to his fame as a naval commander, gained some reputation as an author Subsequently it was occupied by Rev. Mr. Barlow, second min- ister of the Unitarian society, and later still by William Hathorne, from whom it took the name of Hathorne house. The estate formerly embraced many acres ; and Washington street was extended over a portion.
In our Annals, under date 1875, a " Lynn Hospital" is spoken of as having been formally opened on the 31st of March, in the Phillips mansion, on Water Hill. The site was airy and pleasant, and the institution seemed to be doing much good. But the contributions for its support were not sufficient, and its doors were soon closed, much to the regret of worthy but not wealthy friends.
Several liberal donations in aid of the funds of the present hospital have already been made, the largest of which was by John B. Alley- $10.000. John B. Tolman, an old Lynn printer, gave $2.500, in respect of his craftship. And numerous other generous contributions have been made, some of hundreds of dollars, and thence down even to a few cents. Little tin recep- tacles were deposited all about the city, in convenient places, to receive the sanctified mite that even a poor widow might give.
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POPULATION OF LYNN. At this time [1882] the population no doubt is a very little above 40.000. The last numbering related to June 1, 1880; and at that time we had 38.284 ;- males, 18.255 ; females, 20.029. From the first, there has been a steady, but not rapid accession. The first recorded census, [1765] gave the number of inhabitants as 2.198. In 1800, it was 2.837. In 1820, 4.515. And for each ten years thereafter, the enumeration has stood as follows - Swampscott having been set off in 1852, and Nahant in 1853 :
Years : : : : 1830 1840 9.367
1850 14.257 1860 19.083 1870 28.233
1880
Population : : 6.138
38.284
STREETS OF LYNN. The number of streets, the present year, [1882] is 509, and the lighting is by 313 gas burners and 253 kerosene lamps. The first paved street was Munroe; and the paving was done during the summer of the year just named, the material being dimension granite blocks. It has hitherto been an expensive and laborious charge to keep our streets in a proper condition, for they are extensive and not in all cases laid upon the best bottoms. But yet they have been kept in remark- ably good repair, for we have had at hand a supply of serviceable material. Our many beautiful drives have long been a source of boasting for ourselves and of pleasure for visitors. When however, a place has attained a population of forty thousands, something more than crushed stone and gravel is needed on the constantly used avenues.
POLICE BUSINESS - POLICE COURT. The number of arrests for criminal offences, in 1881, was 1.289; among them, for drunken- ness, 771 ; assault and battery, 156; larceny, 89; truancy, 30 ; profanity, 27 ; vagrancy, 21 ; breaking and entering, 20; stubborn- ness, 16; malicious mischief, 13; violation of liquor law, 12; and one or more for almost every other offence known in the catalogue of crime. A large portion of the persons arrested were examined in the Police Court.
Down to 1849, all justices of the peace here, had authority to try minor cases, civil or criminal. But population having then become considerable, it was thought best to have some more
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centralized and regular jurisdiction. In pursuance of this view the writer headed a petition to the town asking their intercession with the legislature for the establishment of a Police Court. The matter was favorably acted on, and the Court went into operation during that year. It was made a court of record, in 1862. And before it are tried the " small cawses," as they were called in colonial times, civil and criminal. It has a Standing Justice, two Special Justices, and a Clerk. See Annals, 1879.
CHILDREN'S HOME. In 1881 a two-story wooden building was erected on Tower Hill, and called by the above name - the purpose being to provide suitable nurture and education for exposed young children, to save them from the stigma of work- house life and from the sometimes worse consequentes of vicious and degraded homes. The house occupies one of the most healthy and beautiful sites in all Lynn -airy, and commanding charming views. This unpretending institution can hardly fail to do a meritorious work, and may be the means not only of saving many from lives of degradation and misery, but of developing characters that will in a ten-fold degree repay all the cost and care that the benevolent enterprise will involve. At the opening of the Home, in 1882, some twenty-five children were received from the alms-house.
STATISTICAL ITEMS. As elsewhere remarked, it can hardly be necessary to occupy much space with statistical details, as the information that is given year by year in our Annals, supplies all that will in most cases be desirable. And then, as to the management of our municipal affairs : the annual reports from the various departments are so full and so accessible, that nothing beyond here and there a brief summary can now be needed. Yet, in a work of this kind, which in years hence may be looked to for information of almost every kind there is scarcely any topic that should be passed by in entire silence. The few items that follow relate to the year 1881, excepting where otherwise stated.
Valuation and Taxation. The total valuation of the city was $24.992.084, viz : Real Estate, $19.036.008 ; Personal Estate, $5.956.076. Rate of taxation, $17.40 on $1.000. [In 1882 the valu- ation was a little lower, and the rate of taxation $21.00 on $1.000.]
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MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
City Debt. Whole debt, $2.208.000.00 ; but by certain assets, usual in municipal reckoning, the net amount of the debt was $1.646.633.94.
Appropriations and Expenditures. Whole amount of appropri- ations, including certain receipts, $706.591.15. Expenditures, $686.571.45.
New Buildings. Two hundred and sixty-five buildings were erected during the year-253 of wood, II of brick, and one of stone. 153 were dwellings. That the frequent removal of buildings, for which Lynn has been long noted, is a custom still in practice, is shown by the fact that during the year sixty- two were started on their travels.
Number of Polls - 10.990. [In 1882, 11.465.]
The number of Houses in Lynn, in 1882, was 6.309. The number of Horses, 1.962., The number of Cows, 438.
Frce Public Library. There is, and always has been, a steady accession to the number of volumes in this institution, from month to month, and, it is believed, a corresponding increase in its usefulness. The number of volumes at the close of 1881 was 30.500- a very satisfactory growth from the 4000 of 1862. Number delivered during the year, 95.927. The largest number taken out in one day was on Saturday, March 5, when 972 were delivered.
Pine Grove Cemetery. The number of interments in this beautiful burial place, during the year, was 418, which was a little more than half of the whole number who died, the other burial places receiving the remains of the others. The first inter- ment in this cemetery was on Sunday, October 13, 1850, when the remains of Harriet Newell, wife of George W. Stocker, were laid there. And the whole number of burials there has now reached 7.801.
Vital Statistics. There were 799 deaths in Lynn, during 1881, of which 153 were by consumption, 59 by pneumonia, 50 by diphtheria, 39 by cholera infantum, 24 by typhoid fever, and 6 by scarlet fever. Two hundred and seventy-two of the deceased were under the age of five years.
Marriages. The number of marriages during 1881, was 513.
Banks - of discount and circulation, 4, with an aggregate capital of $1.000.000. Savings banks, 2.
18
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MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
CITY CLERKS. In our 1865 edition may be found a list of Clerks of the W'rits and Town Clerks, extending back to the earliest days. It is unnecessary to repeat the list here. But it may be convenient for the reader to have by him the names of the City Clerks, in the order in which they served. And hav- ing at hand engraved fac-similes of their autographs it may not be amiss to use them, as they will not require much space, although one or two appear in other connections in the present volume.
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