USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston (its past and present) and prospects for the future, with sketches of prominent men > Part 30
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The following year, former Representative Toomey saw that the matter was again brought up, and on February 28, 1898, another hear- ing was given by the Committee on Military Affairs. Those who spoke on this occasion were President Edward S. Barrett of the Sons of the American Revolution, Mrs. William Lee of the Daughters of the Revolution, Col. J. Payson Bradley, Commander Fredolin Kramer of Dahlgren Post No. 2, G. A. R., Representative James B. Clancy, former Representatives John J. Toomey and Charles J. Chance, and letters were read from Rear Admiral Belknap, U.S.N., and Dr. William H. Ruddick.
As a result the committee expressed itself as favorable to an appro- priation providing the City of Boston would set aside a suitable place
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on Dorchester Heights for the monument and promise to maintain it. At a conference with the legislative committee held March 4, Mayor Josiah Quincy gave this assurance, and the committee reported favor- ably for an appropriation of $25,000.
The Boston Transcript, through its editorial columns, did much to aid in securing the appropriation and also to urge the completion of the monument without delay. It was not until October that the formal provision for a site was made, and though Messrs. Toomey, Bradley
DORCHESTER HEIGHTS MONUMENT. Commemorating the erection of redoubts by General Washington and his army, March 4 and 5, 1776. (Erected by the State of Massachusetts, 1900.)
and Ruddick continued their efforts, it was not until March, 1899, that Gov. Wolcott appointed a committee of his council to decide upon a design. This committee comprised Lieut .- Gov. Crane and Coun- cillors Charles I. Quirk and William W. Davis.
Several conferences were held with the South Boston committee, and eight architects of the city were invited to offer designs, the suc- cessful one to receive five per cent of the appropriation and each of the others $100. A design was accepted in October, although the material,
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
which was of brick, was rejected, and it was proposed to build it of granite. This was later changed, through an offer made by a concern which desired to construct the shaft of Georgia marble, and the bid being satisfactory a contract was made the latter part of October.
The site chosen for the monument was the topmost point of what, in Revolutionary times, was known as the West Hill, thus distinguishing it from the other Twin Hill, on which the Perkins Institution is located. Plans in the possession of the City Engineer denotes this point on the West Hill as the exact location of what was the centre of the redoubts.
It was not until February, 1900, that ground was broken, and on March 18, the first stone was laid. The work then progressed, and on the morning of May 25, 1900, the corner stone was laid by Gov. W. Murray Crane in the presence of a small gathering. Addresses were made by Gov. Crane, former Representative Toomey and Dr. W. H. Ruddick.
The work was then carried on, and when the shaft had been com- pleted iron spiral stairs were built inside which have proved to be insufficient. No terrace was built as had been planned, as the appropriation was simply for the monument. More delay occurred until Representative Edward L. Logan in 1901 introduced a resolve calling for an additional appropriation, and $8,000 was provided to continue the work, but owing to a delay in the Senate it was not until June that it reached Gov. Crane, who immediately signed it.
Shortly afterward, Gov. Crane, at the request of the South Boston committee, appointed a committee to take charge of the work, comprising Lieut .- Gov. John L. Bates and Councillors Jeremiah J. McNamara and Arthur Maxwell. This committee, September 18, 1901, voted to approve the execution of a contract for the building of the terrace and grading the surroundings in accordance with the plans of the architect, and it is now expected that the monument will be com- pleted in the spring of 1902, although another appropriation may be necessary to remove the present stairs and put in proper ones.
This monument, one of the finest in the eastern part of the United States, serves the double purpose of being a memorial to a great national event and at the same time an observatory from which a beautiful view may be had within a radius of fifteen miles.
It is constructed of Georgia marble rising from a mound ten feet high at the intersection of the various walks on top of Dorchester Heights. It reaches a height of 106 feet 7 inches surmounted by a pinnacle and weather vane 18 feet high. At the base the monument is 18 feet 4 inches square. The entrance, on the easterly side, is IO feet 8 inches in height and 4 feet 8 inches in width.
About seventy-eight feet above the surface of the park is the chief observation point while below this are other levels from which a view can be had. The first of these are the openings on all four sides which
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IIISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
are about forty feet from the ground and the others are the balconies on all four sides which are about twenty feet above the windows.
It is planned to place on the west side of the monument a large bronze tablet suitably inscribed, and to President Elliott of Harvard University has been accorded the honor of writing the inscription, the following being a copy of what he has submitted :
ON THESE HEIGHTS DURING THE NIGHT OF MARCH 4TH 1776, THE AMERICAN TROOPS BESIEGING BOSTON BUILT TWO REDOUBTS WHICHI MADE THE HARBOR AND TOWN
UNTENABLE BY THE BRITISH FLEET AND GARRISON.
ON MARCH 17TH THE BRITISH FLEET CARRYING II,OOO EFFECTIVE MEN AND I,OOO REFUGEES DROPPED DOWN TO NANTASKET ROADS AND THENCEFORTH
BOSTON WAS FREE. A STRONG BRITISH FORCE HAD BEEN EXPELLED
FROM ONE OF THE UNITED AMERICAN COLONIES.
It is intended by the projectors of the monument and it is the desire of the state authorities that admission to the monument shall be absolutely free, that thus thousands of visitors may visit our historic section, and from the top of Dorchester Heights monument, get a good idea of the magnificence of our domain.
The most recent of memorials to heroes who gave of their best to the country's cause, is the bronze tablet on the walls of the High School building, commemorative of those soldiers who died in the Spanish-American War. With the hundreds of others from the district, they quickly responded to the call of their country, ready to do or die, not knowing which might be their lot.
Besides those who died upon the field of battle there were many who contracted disease in the hot climate of Cuba, which resulted in their untimely death.
Two years after the close of the war, one of the first acts of Major M. J. O'Connor Camp 4, Legion of Spanish-American War Veterans, was the appointing of a committee to arrange for a tablet to contain the names of the soldiers from South Boston who died during the war. Through the efforts of Dr. William J. Gallivan, President of the School Board, a space in the walls of the High School building, then being erected, was reserved for the tablet and the committee of the Camp then proceeded with its work.
A most careful and diligent search was made for the names of all the soldiers from South Boston who died in the war, and the committee,
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
325
when it had completed its investigations, felt satisfied that no soldier's name had been omitted.
This memorial is to be seen on the first floor of the High School
THIS TABLE WAS FRECTED BY
MAJOR M. J. OCONNOR CAMP NO 4
LEGION OF SPANISH WAR VETERANS TO COMMEMORATE THE MEN OF SOUTH BOSTON WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN NINTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
MAJOR MICHAEL JS OCONNOR.
SERGEANT STEPHEN D MURPHY CO ..
FORPORAL THOMAS W. GALLAGHER, CO.B.
CORPORAL. THOMAS D. MCLEOD. CO. B.
ART FIGER LEO J. BRADY, CO. G.
CORPORAL SAMUEL P. WILEY CO. C. CORPORAL THOMAS A. COSTELLO, CO. H. PRIVATE TIMOTHY J. TEHAN. CO. H.
PRICATE JOFIN J. PFA D. SO. B.
PRIVATE GEORGE P. MCLAUGHUNI CO. B.
PRIVATE MICHAEL F. LEONARD. CO. G.
PRIVATE PATRICK J. DONAHUE, CO. H. PRIVATÉ JOSEPH.S. DONAHUE. CO. H. PRIVATE ELDEN P. KEÈNE ČO. H.
ERIVATE JOHN ING TOOLE, COME
PRIVATE THOMAS F. FENTON. CO, I.
PRIVATE PATRICK F. MORIARTY CO. E.
PRIVATE HENRY S DRISCOLL CO.E.
PRIVATE MARTIN GREEN, BATTERY B .. SECOND U. S. ARTILLERY. PRIVATE GEORGE J. WHITTEN. CO. E. SEVENTH U.S. INFANTRY
PRIVATE ALBERT F. GATELEY. CO. H. ,SEVENTH U. S. INFANTRY.
PRIVATE HENRY C KNAPP HOSPITAL CORPS, U. S. ARMY.
HIGH SCHOOL TABLET-Commemorating men who died in the Spanish War.
building, directly opposite the main entrance, and it immediately attracts the attention of all visitors.
The tablet contains twenty-two names, is of heavy bronze and is a splendid piece of work. Major M. J. O'Connor Camp may well feel proud of its memorial to its honored dead.
Thus it is that South Boston has four memorials commemorative of valiant and noble deeds rendered in times of war. The first, Farra- gut Statue, recalls the hero of Mobile Bay. It was erected by the City of Boston. The second, Nook Hill tablet, marks the spot where the American troops, under Gen. Washington, took its final stand and whereon they built fortifications on the night of March 16, 1776. This was placed on the Lawrence School by the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the Revolution. Then the monument on Dorchester Heights, commemorative of the great strategic movement of March 4 and 5, 1776, which was responsible for the evacuation of Boston, was erected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is the work of Norcross Brothers, contractors. Finally the High School tablet, the result of the efforts of Maj. M. J. O'Connor Camp, L. S. W. V., recalls the young men who gave up their lives in the Spanish-American War of 1898.
CHAPTER VIII.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLMASTERS.
Sixth Division -Number of schools- Special studies and teachers - Other than the Boston public schools - South Boston High School - Description -Dedication - Bigelow School district -Changes - New Building - Masters - Staff of 1901 - Gaston School district - Grammar School once damaged by fire - Staff -John A. Andrew School district - Staff - Lawrence School district - Location an historic one - Splendid library a feature - Staff - Lincoln School district - Staff - Nor- cross School district - Staff - Shurtleff School district - Location - Staff - Thomas N. Hart School district - Historic location - Staff - Sketches of Masters.
S EVERAL divisions go to make up the school system of Boston the section included within the boundaries of South Boston being known as the Sixth Division. In order to facilitate matters each division is made up of several districts, each district including at least two school buildings, one for primary and the other for grammar classes, the district taking the name of the grammar school included within its limits.
The Sixth Division, therefore, consists of the High School and eight districts, including the following schools: Bigelow (grammar), and the Hawes and Simonds Schools, Gaston (grammar) and the Ben- jamin Pope Schools, John A. Andrew (grammar) and the Ticknor Schools, Lawrence (grammar), Parkman, Old Parkman and the Samuel G. Howe Schools, Lincoln (grammar), Tuckerman and Choate Burn- ham Schools, Norcross (grammar), Drake and Cyrus Alger Schools, Shurtleff (grammar) and Clinch Schools, Thomas N. Hart (grammar), Capen and Benjamin Dean Schools.
In this way the masters of the grammar schools not only have charge of one school but of all that come within their particular district. Besides these, every district, with the exception of the Bigelow, have kindergarten schools, or classes as they are more generally called. It will therefore be seen that a pupil passes through the kindergarten, primary and grammar classes, without going outside of the district.
The South Boston High School is not included in the districts of the Sixth Division, as, like other high schools, it depends upon the entire division for its pupils. Graduates from all of the grammar schools of the division and even outside of it are received at the High School.
Besides the usual studies in the grammar classes special studies are also given in manual training, sewing and cookery. The manual training instructors are Sybel G. Brown, Louise H. Billings, Olive I. Harris and Helen F. Veasey, cookery Julia T. Crowley, sewing Mary
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T. Patterson, Elizabeth S. Kenna, Catherine J. Cadogan, Mary J. McIntyre and M. Lillian Dunbar.
Another feature of the public school system is the evening classes that are open to both young and old during the winter months. These schools are conducted in the Lincoln and Bigelow school buildings. During the erection of the new Bigelow School the Norcross School has been used for the evening classes.
Besides the public schools, there are within the boundaries of South Boston three parochial schools, St. Agnes School of the Gate of Heaven parish, St. Augustine's School of St. Augustine's parish and St. Joseph's Female School of SS. Peter and Paul's parish.
Under the head of schools must be mentioned, also, the South Boston School of Art, which, through the benevolence of the late John Hawes, has provided South Boston with a place of learning where not only art, as the term implies, but stenography, naval architecture and various other studies are taught. This school is free to residents, both male and female. There is also the German School at the corner of F and West Sixth Streets.
SOUTH BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL.
It was not until the fall of 1901 that the district could boast of a high school. In saying this it is not amiss to make use of the old proverb, "Patient waiters are no losers," for the building is one of which every resident can be justly proud.
The building, which occupies what was formerly the reservoir lot in Thomas Park, a section of historic Dorchester Heights, is a most imposing structure, and situated as it is upon the highest ground in South Boston, is conspicuous from all directions, making it a prominent landmark, overlooking as it does the harbor and the entire city.
It was constructed from plans of Herbert D. Hale, and is a three- story structure above a half basement, having a front line of 220 feet facing G Street and a depth of 122 feet toward Telegraph Hill. Gen- erally speaking the architectural style is colonial. The skyline is a fac- simile of the Executive Mansion at Washington, D. C.
The building is constructed of light mottled gray brick with lime- stone trimmings and is lighted by four pane windows throughout. The keynote of the plan is the two large interior courts, open from the base- ment to the roof and lined with light gray brick, which arrangement gives ample light and ventilation to the corridors and central rooms.
Setting well back from the street line the building is approached by a walk. Sixteen granite steps lead up to the central entrance which consists of a group of three doors that open into a large vestibule, fin- ished in white and Knoxville marble.
Beyond this is the stair hall, sixty feet wide, exclusive of the stairs. The floor is of marble mosaic and the walls are finished with marble dadoes, the space being relieved by Doric columns, similar to those of
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
the old Doric Hall at the State House. From this magnificent hall entrance is had to the gallery of the gymnasium and drill hall.
At each of the front corners of the first floor are double class room», with single class rooms and recitation rooms adjoining, also class rooms at either side of the drill hall, making practically ten class rooms on this floor. The second floor is laid out in a similar manner, with the exception of the master's room, assistants' room, library and toilet room, which are directly over the main corridors of the first floor.
From the corridors on the second floor four doors open into an assembly hall, having a seating capacity of 1,000. This is directly over
. HIGH SCHOOL.
Thomas Park, Fronting on G Street.
the gymnasium and is finished in quiet colors, the general effect being Pompeiian. The stage is fitted with rising tiers of seats sufficient to accommodate an entire graduating class of 120 or 150, and has two ante-rooms leading from it, one on either side. The gallery, supported by Doric columns, is a feature of the hall. The hall is lighted from the ceiling which is of glass, having a border of fretwork.
On the third floor, which takes in the upper part of the assembly hall, are two class rooms, laboratories for physics, chemistry, zoology, botany, etc., besides rooms for apparatus and instruction in drawing. There is also a large lecture hall on this floor fitted with seats placed in rising tiers.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
In the basement is the main part of the drill hall and gymnasium measuring 60x77 feet. Here also are two large rooms fitted with many tiers of lockers. Besides these there are the shower bath rooms, bicycle rooms, lunch room, kitchen and janitor's quarters. The con- tract for erecting the building was $242,971, but before completion cost nearly $300,000.
At the beginning of the school year, in the fall of 1901, the build- ing was first occupied, the boys and girls of South Boston, who had been attending the high schools in the city proper, being transferred to the new school. It was not until Tuesday, November 26, 1901, how- ever, that the new building was dedicated, at which time fitting exer- cises were held, consisting of addresses by Mr. Thomas J. Kenny of the School Board, who presided, Mr. Herbert D. Hale, Mr. William F. Merritt, Chairman of the Committee on New Buildings, Dr. William J. Gallivan, President of the Boston School Board and Chairman of the Committee on High Schools, Headmaster Augustus D. Small, Mr. Thomas A. Mullen and Mr. Edwin P. Seaver, Superintendent of Schools. Letters of regret were read from Thomas N. Hart, Mayor of Boston, the Rev. Edward Everett Hale, D.D., and the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Denis O'Callaghan, D.D.
At the opening of the school a very large number of boys and girls registered, and the average attendance the first year was nearly 500.
Augustus D. Small, formerly sub-master of the Lawrence Gram- mar School, is headmaster of the high school and the masters are Myron W. Richardson, William I. Corthell and Frank V. Thompson. The instructors in the various branches are Misses Clara W. Barnes, Agnes G. Gilfether, Margaret A. Leahy, Lillian J. MacRae, Susan L. Mara, Annie M. Mulcahy, Marie A. Solano, Elizabeth Tracy, Bertha Vogel, Blanche A. Bemis, Henriette Goldstein, Ruth E. Hubbard, Charlotte A. Kendall, Annie G. Merrill and Lillian A. Bragdon.
Headmaster Augustus D. Small is a man of wide experience in educational matters and since assuming charge of this new institution he has given entire satisfaction to pupils and parents alike. He was born in Bangor, Me., and his early education was that afforded by the country schools of his native town and his studying at home outside of his working on the farm.
Mr. Small comes of pioneer Cape Cod stock, his ancestors having been among the immigrants that settled Provincetown and Truro, according to Rich's history of those towns.
He entered Colby University, graduating in 1865 at the head of his class, and during the two terms of his senior year he was in charge of the academy at Waterville. Graduating, he taught classes in modern languages and the higher mathematics in Suffield, Conn., and was then for four years high-school principal in Rockland, Me., and then, for six months, principal of the high school in Newport, R. I., when he was chosen Superintendent of Schools in that city. During the two years
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
that he occupied the latter position, he was also a member of the Rhode Island Board of Education.
For eight years Mr. Small was Superintendent of Schools in Salem, Mass., and in 1881 he was appointed sub-master of the Lawrence School on B Street, and was teacher of the first division from 1888 to 1901. In April of the latter year, he was appointed headmaster of the new high school. During the summer of that year, Mr. Small spent all but two days of the time preparing for the opening of the new school, corres- ponded or talked with hundreds of the prospective pupils, advising them on the course of studies, selected and in- structed his staff of teachers, and made a complete working program for the school.
In his examination for certificate for high school master, Mr. Small took first rank. He was highly recommended for high school work by Hon. Solomon Lincoln, overseer of Harvard, Col. Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Dr. William T. Harris, U. S. commissioner of education, and a score of other well known educational experts. Although his name was omitted, for some reason, from the Phi Beta Kappa roll of Colby HEADMASTER AUGUSTUS D. SMALL. University, when it was made up a few years ago, this error has been corrected and Mr. Small is included in this list of best scholars that the college has graduated.
He was for five years secretary and treasurer of the Massachusetts Schoolmasters' Club, and for seven years president of the Schumann Club, a leading musical organization of Allston. He is well known in musical circles, a member of the Handel and Haydn Society, and other similar organizations.
Mr. Small is held in high esteem by the people of South Boston and he endeared himself to the boys of the Lawrence School, who re- gretted his departure from them, though pleased at the merited promotion.
BIGELOW SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The Bigelow School was organized in 1849 as a school for girls, and the schoolhouse erected during that year on the present site of the new school building, corner of E and Fourth Streets. It was named in honor of Hon. John P. Bigelow, who was mayor of Boston from 1849 to 1851 inclusive. It was dedicated May 2, 1850. The building was a brick structure with granite trimmings four stories high and contained twelve rooms and a large exhibition hall. Owing to the rapid growth
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
of the school it became necessary to add two more rooms on the top floor, a part of the hall being taken for this purpose.
- It continued as a school for girls until 1859, when, upon the Hawes School being discontinued as a grammar school, the boys were sent to the Bigelow, making the latter a mixed school. It continued as a
M
BIGELOW GRAMMAR SCHOOL (BOYS')-New Building. E and West Fourth Streets.
school for both sexes until September 1, 1869, when, upon the comple- tion of the Shurtleff School, the girls were transferred to this new building, making the Bigelow a boys school, which it has been since that time.
In 1899 the building, being old and inadequate both in size and conveniences, was razed for the purpose of erecting the present hand- some and modern structure. This building is one of the finest in the city, having, besides seventeen school rooms, a science room, exhibition hall, gymnasium, shower-bath room, lunch room, teachers' room, master's room, sub-masters' rooms and library. The building is constructed of buff brick and Warsaw blue- stone trimmings and is fitted with all of the most modern facilities for heating, lighting and ventilating.
Frederick Crafts, who was the eighth master of the Hawes School (from 1839 to 1850), was placed in charge of the Bigelow School at the time of its establishment. He MASTER J. GARDNER BASSETT, remained two years and was succeeded by Joseph Hale, whose place in 1862 was taken by C. Goodwin Clark,
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
and in 1865 Henry C. Hardon, now of the Shurtleff School became master. Thomas H Barnes, now of the Gaston School, succeeded Mr. Hardon in 1869 and remained until 1889. In the latter year Frederic H. Ripley assumed charge and was succeeded in 1896 by J. Gardner Bassett, the present master.
There are two primary schools in the Bigelow district, the Hawes and the Simonds Schools.
HAWES PRIMARY SCHOOL .- This is the oldest school in South Boston, having been established in 1811. A detailed account of its interesting history is given in a preceding chapter. The first building occupied by the school was situated in the vicinity of G and Third Streets and was known as the South Boston School. The present building was erected in 1823, the site being given to the city by John Hawes, a prominent resident of South Boston. According to old records it was not known as the Hawes School until 1827.
The Hawes School originally consisted of two large halls, with side rooms for recitations and could accommodate 360 pupils. The teachers were a master, sub-master, an usher, a head assistant and five assistants, whose combined salaries amounted to $6,369.14. There were six Primary Schools included in the Hawes District at that time, two were kept at the rear of the Hawes school house, two in Blanchard's Building and two at City Point. The Hawes was discontinued as a. grammar school in 1859 and has been a primary school since that time. The present building is two stories high and contains eight rooms.
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