USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 53
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Lowell Lodge, No. 24. Instituted 1870. C. C., E. D. Shadduek.
Wamesit Lodge, No. 25. Instituted February 1, 1870. C. C., O. P. Romaine. Meets in Hosford's Block.
Cavalier Lodge, No. 2. Instituted May, 1888. C. C., Albert M. Gray. Meets at No. 84 Merrimack Street. 45
Samuel H. Hines Lodge, No. 56. C. C., L. E. Con- ley. Meets at Hosford's Bloek.
Middlesex Lodge, No. 58. C. C., John F. Bateman. Meets at Highland Hall, Braneh Street.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR .- The Knights of Honor have two lodges, whose objeet is the mutual insurance of the lives of the members. The order started in Louisville in 1873. The members number over 130,000. Since its organization it has collected and disbursed more than $28,000,000.
Excelsior Lodge, No. 139. P. D., Fred. D. Mansur . Meets in Union Hall, on Middle Street.
Fredonia Lodge, No. 2980. P. D., G. S. Gilman, meets at State Hall, Central Street.
THE KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR have one lodge, in Lowell, whose object is insurance of life and mutual protection. " Its experience has demon- strated that female risks are better by 4 per eent. than male." The order was chartered in 1878, and was the first to admit female members. It has paid to beneficiaries more than $4,000,000.
Edson Lodge, 1029, P. P., H. E. Dutton, meets at G. A. R. Hall, eor. of Merrimack and Central Streets.
IRON HALL .- The eity has the two following lodges of the Order of the Iron Hall, whose object is to afford aid to sick or disabled members, and, under eertain rules and restrietions, to disburse money to the families or heirs of deceased members.
Branch No. 386. Chief Justice, Charles S. Dodge. Meets at Uniou Hall, Middle Street.
Local Branch Sisterhood, No. 526. Chief Justice, Mrs. Benj. Holt. Meots at Union Hall, Middle Street.
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LOWELL.
UNITED WORKMEN .- Lowell has one lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, whose object is the benefit and protection of its members and the relief of their families when in distress. The order was started in Meadville, Pa., by John J. Upchurch in 1868. In the twenty-one years of its existence its beneficiaries have received more than $38,000,000.
Lowell Lodge, No. 22. Master Workman, Orrin F. Osgood. Meets in hall over the Boston and Maine Depot.
ORDER OF ÆGIS .- Of the Order of Egis, the Star Lodge, No. 2, President, D. J. Moran, meets at Highland Hall. Its object is to afford aid to sick and distressed members, and to insure the lives of mem- bers.
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AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR .- There are two councils, whose object is to establish a fund for the relief of sick and disabled members, also to aid the family of deceased members. The order was chartered under the laws of Massachusetts in 1879. The order has paid to beneficiaries over $15,000,000.
Lowell Council, No. 427. Commander, James W. Kilburn. Meets at Caledonia Hall.
Middlesex Council, No. 1027. Commander, Hugh Walker. Meets at Lincoln Hall, Odd Fellows' Block.
UNITED ORDER OF THE GOLDEN CROSS .- There is one commandery whose object is the mutual insur- ance of the lives of its members. Temperance men alone can be members of this order. Its spirit incul- cates the visiting of the sick and the supplying of their wants.
Washington Commandery, instituted Nov. 7, 1878. Noble Commander, Frank W. Corson. Meets at Union Hall, Middle Street.
ORDER OF UNITED FRIENDS .- There are the follow- ing three councils, whose object is to establish a relief fund for use in case of suffering or misfortune of its members. The order was organized in Albany, N. Y., in 1881.
Highland Council, No. 287. Chief Councilor, Sum- ner P. Smith. Meets at Highland Hall, Branch St.
Mystic Council, No. 10. Chief Councilor, Emu- lus Thompson. Meets in Union Hall, Middle Street.
Spindle City Council, No. 196. Organized Jan. 8, 1886. Chief Councilor, Cyrus Barton. Meets at Union Hall, Middle Street.
SONS OF ST. GEORGE .- Lowell has one lodge of the Sons of St. George. This order was instituted at Scranton, Pa., in 1871. It is composed of English- men, their sons and grandsons, and its object is to bind in one common brotherhood the natives of the mother country and their descendants.
Waverly Lodge, No. 104, instituted Nov. 2, 1882. P. P., Geo. H. Harris. Meets in Union Hall, Middle Street.
UNITED ORDER OF PILGRIMS .- There are two col- onies of the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, whose object is the mutual insurance of the lives of its mem- bers. It members are of both sexes.
Garfield Colony, No. 34. Governor, Edwin De- mack. Meets in Pilgrim Hall, Wamesit Bank Build- ing.
Bay State Colony, No. 71. Governor, Melvin J. Brown. Meets at No. 55 Central Street.
THE CATHOLIC UNION .- This society contains about 300 members of both sexes. Its object is the moral, mental and social advancement of its members. Under its auspices a Choral Society, conducted by P. P. Haggerty, has been organized.
KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK .- Michael Corbett, Com- mander. Meets at Farragut House, Central Street. This society has for its object the social interests and enjoyment of its members. Its meetings are not fre- quent.
THE IRISH NATIONAL LEAGUE .- President, Ed- ward Gallagher.
THE NEW ENGLAND ORDER OF PROTECTION .- Organized Jnne, 1888. Warden, H. P. Kittredge. Meets at Highland Hall. Its members are of both sexes, and its object is the mutual insurance of the lives of its members. It is limited to New England.
THE LOWELL LODGE OF B. P. O. ELKS was insti- tuted April 10, 1888, and is designed for the social and convivial enjoyment of its members, and for the aid of members when in sickness or distress. Its Ex- alted Ruler is Frank M. Merrill, and its Esteemed Lecturing Knight is Charles F. Libby. Mayor Palmer and Postmaster Haggett are among its trustees. This order is composed mostly of men in musical or theat- rical employments.
A LOYAL LODGE OF ORANGEMEN, Knox's True Blue, Master, Thomas G. Little, meets at Good Tem- plars' Hall, on Middle Street.
The Caledonia Club, Chief, Andrew Livingston, meets in Wyman's Exchange.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS .- Lowell has four divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, organized for benevolent purpose.
Division No. 1. Organized in 1867. President, Patrick J. Custy. Meets at Lynch's Hall, Market Street.
Division No. 2. Organized in 1869. President, Dennis O'Brien. Meets in Tyler's Hall, Middle Street. Division No. ?. Organized in 1873. President, P. J. Bolton. Meets in Tyler's Hall, Middle Street.
Division No. 28, President, Joseph McQuade. Meets in Hibernian Hall, Market Street.
FORESTERS .- Lowell has four Courts of the Ancient Order of Foresters, whose object is to furnish its mem- bers with the services of a physician in sickness, to pay a weekly sick benefit of five dollars during illness and otherwise afford mutual and fraternal aid. The society seems to have derived its name and inspira- tion from the forest life and benevolent character and acts of Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck and other foresters in Sherwood Forest in the twelfth cen- tury. The present membership in the United States is about 75,000.
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Court City of Lowell, No. 7389. Chief Ranger, James O'Brien. Meets at G. A. R. Hall, Central Strect.
Court Merrimack, No. 6462. Chief Ranger, C. F. Marren. Meets in Union Hall, Middle Street.
Court Middlesex, No. 7077. Chief Ranger, James H. Hickey. Meets in Union Hall, Middle Street.
Court Gen. Shields. Chief Ranger, M. F. Conley. Organized in 1890.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC .- There are in Lowell seven Posts of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, whose object is to relieve the wants of soldiers who served in the War of the Rebellion and also to care for their families when in need.
The Gen. Butler Encampment, Post 42, Com- mander, C. A. R. Dimon, meets at the Grand Army Hall, Central Street. Number of members about 325.
James A. Garfield Encampment, Post 120, Com- mander, Luther A. French, meets in Grand Army Hall, Merrimack Street.
Ladd and Whitney, Post 185, G. A. R., organized April, 1886, Commander, F. S. Pevey, meets at G. A. R. Hall, Wyman's Exchange.
James A. Garfield Woman's Relief Corps, No. 33. Organized Nov. 1883. President, Mrs. Sarah E. Mer- chant. Meets at Grand Army Hall, Merrimack Street.
Woman's Relief Corps of Post 42. President, Mrs. E. T. Bean. This organization has for its object to as- sist soldiers and their families in sickness and dis- tress; also to assist army nurses who were connected with the Civil War. The membership in Massachusetts is over 8000.
Post 42 G. A. R. Drum, Fife and Bugle Corps, Lcader, James A. Murphy, meets at Grand Army Hall, Central Street.
Post 120 G. A. R. Band, Leader, Albert Gregoire, meets in G. A. R. Hall, Central Street.
SONS OF VETERANS .- There are two associations, whose design is to perpetuate the name and honor of their fathers who served as soldiers in the War of the Rebellion.
Admiral Farragut Camp, No. 78, Captain, A. C. Blairsdell, meets at 129 Central Street.
Sons of Veterans' Benefit Association, organized May, 1887. President, Fred. J. Bradford.
SIXTH REGIMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS VOLUN- TEER MILITIA .- Colonel, Henry G. Green, of Fitch- burg. Two companies belong to Lowell.
Lowell Mechanic Phalanx, Company C, Captain, O. M. Pratt, has its armory in the Market-House Build- ing.
Putnam Guards, Company G, Captain, Charles H. Richardson, has its armory in the Market-House Building.
AMBULANCE CORPS, FIRST BRIGADE M. V. M., Lieutenant, Amasa Howard, Jr., M.D., has its armory in Hildreth's Building.
WELCH GUARDS, COMPANY M, NINTH REGI- MENT M. V. M., Captain, Charles Connor, has its armory in Urban Hall.
SECOND CORPS CADETS, COMPANY D, Captain, Charles S. Proctor, has its armory in Hildreth's Building.
THE LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL BATTALION, Major, F. Roy Martin, has four companies, as follows : Com- pany A, Captain, Frank E. Johnson ; Company B, Captain, Michael Corbett ; Company C, Captain, Charles E. Doulan ; Company D, Captain, Arthur J. Lamere.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES .- Lowell has fourteen temperance organizations, as follows:
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, President, Mrs. Almira Sturtevant, meets at 10 John Street.
Irene Lodge, No. 74, I. O. of G. T., organized 1870, meets at the chapel of the Ministry at Large, on Mid- dlesex Street.
Wide-awake Lodge, I. O. of G. T., meets at Good Templars' Hall.
Hope of Lowell Lodge, No. 7, I, O. of G. T., meets at St. Joseph's Building, Dutton Street.
Golden Cross Lodge, I. O. of G. T., meets at Pil- grim Hall.
Merrimack Lodge, I. O. of G. T., meets at St. Jos- eph's Building, Dutton Street.
Mt. Zion Lodge, I. O. of G. T., meets at Good Tem- plars' Hall, at Davis' Corner.
Lowell Reform Club, President, Dennis J. Ring, meets at Welles' Hall, Merrimack Street.
Lowell Reform Club Corporation, President, Alvin E. Joy. Directors meet in Welles' Hall.
St. Patrick's Temperance Society, organized in 1869, meets in rooms of Parochial School, on Suffolk Street.
Burke Temperance Institute, organized June, 1884, President, James A. Sullivan, meets at 18 Middle St.
Elliot Temperance Institute, organized June, 1884,. meets in Albion Block, Merrimack Street.
Mathew Temperance Institute, President, James J. Quinn, meets at 37 Market Street. ,
Sunbeam Union, No. 650, President, A. J. Boies, organized March, 1888, meets in Mathew Temperance. Hall, Market Street.
THE " ASSOCIATED CHARITIES OF LOWELL," or- ganized May 6, 1881, President, Rev. L. C. Manches- ter, has its office at the rooms of the People's Club, in Wyman's Exchange. The object of the society is to give proper direction to the charities of the benev- olent, to aid in discriminating between the deserv- ing poor and the fraudulent, and to secure justice in the proper distribution of the contributions in aid of the suffering.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS' UNION of Lowell and vicinity. President, John McKiunon.
CHANNING FRATERNITY. Presideut, C. F. Coburn. " An organization for the purpose of furuishing fruit and flowers for the sick, and Suuday evening lectures during the fall and winter months; and also country week for children." It is under the auspices of the Uuitariau Church.
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THE DORCASTRIAN ASSOCIATION, organized 1883, President, Miss C. P. Kitson, has its rooms in the ves- try of Kirk Street Church. Its object is to aid and encourage the poor to learn the means of self-support, especially by instructing girls in the art of sewing and other kindred work.
ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL, Bartlett Street, Belvidere. "Organized May 1, 1867, under the charge of the Sisters of Charity. Visitors will be admitted daily. Open at all hours for the reception of patients, who are admitted upon the lowest possible terms, varying from $4 to $10 per week. The staff consists of the following physicians: Doctors Savory, Spalding, Plunkett, Gilman, Fisk, Pillsbury, Irish, Parker, Huntress.
"Also an out-patient department, where the poor of the city are treated free of charge by the following physicians : Doctors Parker, Benner, Jefferson, Bell, Lawler, Gage, Walker and Burns."
ST. PETER'S ORPHAN ASYLUM, 39 Appleton Street. Spiritual Director, Rev. M. Ronan. Superior, Sister Hildegarde. This asylum, formerly in charge of the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul, has for about two Fears been in charge of the Sisters of Nazareth.
FAITH HOME, No. 3 Leroy Street .- Incorporated December, 1884. President, Rev. O. E. Mallory. The Faith Home is an orphanage, under the auspices of the Branch Street Baptist Church.
THEODORE EDSON ORPHANAGE, No. 13 Anne Street. President, Rev. A. St. John Chambre. Matron, Albertine J. Harrison. This orphanage owes its existence to the efforts of the Rev. Dr. Edson, of St. Anne's Church.
THE HOLY NAME SOCIETY OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH meets in St. Patrick's Church. President, Michael McDermott. The object of this society is religious, having in view the repression of profanity and the cultivation of a reverent spirit in the use of the names of the Divine Being.
LOWELL BAPTIST UNION .- , President Rev. A. Blackburn. The board of management consists of five delegates from each Baptist Church, with the pastors and superintendents of Sunday-schools.
MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN .- Headquarters, Police Sta- tion, Market Street. Agent, James E. Webster.
LOWELL BOARD OF TRADE, No. 29 Post-Office Building .- Organized May 12, 1887. President, Charles H. Coburn.
LOWELL UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION, No. 31 Central Street. President, Charles Coburn.
MIDDLESEX MECHANICS' ASSOCIATION, Mechanics' Building, Dutton Street. Incorporated 1825. Presi- dent, Hamilton Burrage. The history of this associa- tion will be found under " Libraries."
LOWELL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, on Hurd Street. Organized 1866. President, Wm. F. Hills. The history of this association will be found under "Churches."
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MAINE ASSOCIATION meets at G. A. R. Hall, Central Street. President, W. A. Stinson.
THE OLD RESIDENTS' HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION .- Organized Dec., 186S. President,C. C. Chase. Secre- tary, Alfred Gilman. Meets at Banquet Hall of the Middlesex Mechanic Association. This association has for its object the collecting, publishing and pre- serving of the history of the city of Lowell from its earliest days. It has already published three valuable volumes of reminiscences, and at its quarterly meet- ings papers upon local history or biography are regu- larly presented.
THE FRANKLIN LITERARY ASSOCIATION is an in- corporated society of about fifty members, having for its object the literary and intellectual improvement of its members.
LOWELL BAR ASSOCIATION .- Organized Oct., 1875. Meets at Police Court Building. President, Hon. Arthur P. Bonney.
LOWELL CHORAL SOCIETY .- Incorporated 1886. Meets at Mechanics' Hall. President, Solon W. Stevens.
LOWELL HAHNEMANN CLUB .- Organized Nov., 1881. President, Dr. S. G. Bailey. Meets alternately in office of members. This club has for its object the propagation and defence of the principles of home- opathy.
THE MINISTRY AT LARGE in Lowell. Organized in 1843. President, Geo. F. Richardson. Church and office on Middlesex Street. The history of this or- ganization will be found under " Churches."
LOWELL PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION .- Presi- dent, Greenleaf C. Brock. This is an association of apothecaries for the purpose of mutual aid in impart- ing a knowledge of the most recent discoveries and of the best methods of conducting their business.
LOWELL MASTER BUILDERS' EXCHANGE, corner of Appleton and Central Sts. President, J. W. Bennett.
LOWELL STONE-MASONS' UNION meets in Wyman's Exchange. President, Patrick McCabe.
LOWELL PRESS ASSOCIATION .- President, James Bayles.
LOWELL RETAIL GROCERS' ASSOCIATION .- Organ- ized October, 1881. President, E. W. Clark.
DAY NURSERY, 33 Moody Street .- Organized 1885. Matron, Miss Ellen O'Leary. The design of this organization is to care for the young children of la- boring women while away from home on service, and other like purposes.
HOME FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND CHILDREN .- Or- ganized March, 1873. President, Mrs. Wm. Nichols. Matron, Mrs. A. G. Rouviere. The design of the institution is to protect and befriend young women and children who, on account of being strangers in the city, or from sickness or other misfortune, need support and protection. The institution owns an eligible building on John Street, and is supported by fairs and the gifts of the benevolent.
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
THE OLD LADIES' HOME, on Fletcher Street. Or- ganized July, 1867. President, Mrs. George Hcd- rick ; physician, Dr. Win. Bass. It is the design of the Home to support aged and fccble females. Of the 29 inmates, whose names are given in the last report, the oldest was 78 years of age, and the young- cst 58, the average age being 68 ycars 3 months. For many years the Home was in a house on Moody Strcet, but in September, 1882, possession was taken of its new and elegant building on Fletcher Street, which is admirably adapted to the purpose for which it was erected. At present the number of inmates is 36, this being the full number which the house was designed to accommodate. The institution is mainly supported by annual fairs and gifts of the benevolent.
LOWELL ASSOCIATION OF VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR .- Headquarters, No. 256 Fletcher Street. President, John P. Searle.
CRESCENT CLUB .- Rooms in Wyman's Exchange. President, Joseph P. Donohoe. This is a social asso- ciation.
PEOPLE'S CLUB .- Rooms for men in Nesmith's Building, on John Street; for women, in Wyman's Exchange. President, Fred T. Greenhalge. The ob- ject of this club is to afford to men and women such places of resort and entertainment as will promote virtue and improve the mind and save them from the allurements of vice.
HOME CLUB .- Rooms at Wyman's Exchange. Or- ganized April, 1878. President, Leroy S. Kimball. The object of this club is the social entertainment of its members.
LOWELL HUMANE SOCIETY .- Incorporated 1889. President, James Bayles. The object of the society is the prevention of cruelty to animals. Charles H. Philbrick is employed as agent of the society in pros- ecuting its work.
LOWELL CAMERA CLUB .- Meets in Central Block, Central Street. President, William P. Atwood. The object is to afford mutual aid in learning the art of photography.
LOWELL CRICKET CLUB .- Organized 1874. Meets at Bay State Hall. President, John J. Hart.
VESPER BOAT CLUB .- Boat-house on Pawtucket Street. Number of members, 150. President, Paul Butler.
LOWELL ROD AND GUN CLUB .- Headquarters, O. A. Richardson's gun store, Central Street. Presi- dent, L. A. Derby. Shooting-grounds at Tewksbury Centre.
YOUNG MEN'S SOCIAL CLUB AND READING ROOM, No. 249 River Street. President, Thomas Gamble.
YORICK CLUB .- Rooms, 51 Central Street. Presi- dent, George R. Richardson. This is a social organ- ization.
LOWELL CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, No. 58 Dut- ton Street. Organized January, 1876. President, John Dobson. Its object is to furnish its members with groceries, coal, etc., at their net cost.
L'UNION ST. JOSEPH'S DE LOWELL (French Ca- nadian), St. Joseph's Block, 59 Dutton Street. Pres- ident, Isadore Turcotte. This society has about 500 members, and its object is to aid its members in sick- ness or distress, and to befriend and help the widows and children of deccased members.
SOCIETY ST. JEAN BAPTISTE (French Canadian). -Organized May, 1869. Meets at 198 Middlesex Street. President, George D. Jaques. This society contains about 625 members. Its object is like that of the last-mentioned society.
ASSOCIATION CATHOLIQUE DE JEUNES GENS OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH (French Canadian) .- Organ- ized December, 1878. Meets at 83 Middle Street. President, Henri Daigle. The object of this society is the social and religious improvement of its mem- bers and others.
CORPORATION ST. ANDRE (French Canadian) .- Organized February, 1889. Meets at St. Joseph's Block, Dutton Street. President, Joseph S. Lapierre. Its object is like that of St. Joseph's.
LE CERCLE CANADIAN, No. 83 Middle Street. President, C. H. Parthenais. This circle is for social purposes.
BRITISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION, President, Jos. Miller. This is a political association, whose object is to persuade Englishmen and other foreign residents to become naturalized and to cast their votes for sus- taining the free public schools and other kindred institutions.
MIDDLESEX NORTH DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY, embracing Lowell and neighboring towns. Quarter- ly meetings held in Lowell. President, N. B. Ed- wards, M.D., of North Chelmsford. This is a society of long standing and of high character.
MIDDLESEX POULTRY ASSOCIATION, President, John H. Nichols, Lowell.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CATHOLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIA- TION has long been of great service to young Irish- men in giving them free instruction, encouraging them to obtain an education, to read useful books and in general to seek the cultivation of their minds. Many a promising young Irishman of the city has received his first inspiration from this society. The association possesses a library and has from time to time afforded instruction to young men who desire to cultivate their minds.
MIDDLESEX NORTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, in- corporated in 1855. It embraces Lowell and neighbor- ing towns. President, A. C. Varnum. This society was started in 1855 by the efforts of Hon. John A. Goodwin, Abiel Rolfe, Samuel J. Varney and others. In the act of incorporation the names of William Spencer, Josiah Gates and Josiah C. Bartlett are mentioned. Its first president was William Spencer, superintendent of the Print Works of the Hamilton Corporation. Its first exhibition was held in September, 1855. The society owns extensive fair-grounds and a spacious exhibition building in the south part of the eity.
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LOWELL.
The successive presidents of the society have been William Spencer (1855), Tappan Wentworth (1856), John C. Bartlett (1858), Elijah M. Read (1860), E. P. Spalding (1863), James T. Burnap (1865), Asa Clem- ent (1867), H. H. Wilder (1869), Jonathan Ladd (1870), Elijah M. Reed (1872), William F. Salmon (1878), John A. Goodwin (1875), Joseph L. Sargent (1877), A. C. Varnum (1879).
CITY DISPENSARY, at the Market-House Building, on Market Street, in charge of the following corps of physicians : Doctors Ricker, Colton, Gillard, Viles, Spaulding, Patterson, McOwen, Sullivan, W. A. Johnson, Willard and Eaton. This institution has for its object to furnish medicine to the poor without charge upon the prescription of a physician.
LOWELL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, "organized in 1840 by the several manufacturing companies for the benefit and medical care of those in their employ who may be sick. It is also free to the public bythe cost of board. The agents and superintendents of the sev- eral companies are its trustees. Superintendent, C. E. Simpson; Matron, Miss C. B. Whitford."
CHAPTER XIV.
LOWELL-(Continued).
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE POST-OFFICE .- If those institutions of a city which touch the daily life and thought of the great- est number of its citizens most deserve historic men- tion, surely no one presents a higher claim to notice than the post-office. The eyes of half the people of a city are almost daily turned toward the post-office, for almost everybody is expecting a letter. The revenue of the Lowell post-office was, in 1888, over $85,000, and the number of letters, etc., delivered was probably over 5,000,000. The number of clerks and carriers employed is above 40, and the institution in many ways comes near our social and domestic life. The postmasters of a city become very widely and very familiarly known to the citizens, and a brief record of their lives cannot fail to interest them.
In the early days of our city, letters were very much less frequently written than now, and those that were written were very much less frequently entrusted to the mails. The cause of this is easily found-there was much less money and much higher postage. From 1816 to 1845 the postage of a single letter was six and one-quarter cents for thirty miles and under, ten cents from thirty to eighty miles, twelve and one- half cents from eighty to 150 miles. Accordingly, letters were often sent by stage-drivers, teamsters, and occasional travelers. Letters were left for de- livery at stores and hotels, in order to save the post- age. Lowell (then called East Chelmsford), for two
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