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 39
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
he possesses all the qualities that this important position requires, and his superiors have never had occasion to do other than commend him. He is a member of the Columbian Lodge of Masons, a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and a comrade of Post 15, G. A. R. October 19, 1862, he married Miss Ann Marion Sprague.
Deputy Master William A. Witham was born in Rockland, Me., Oct. 29, 1845, and was educated in the country schools of that place. Oct. 26, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, Ist Battalion of Maine sharpshoot- ers, and was discharged when the war ceased in April, 1865. Sept. 12, 1867, he came to South Boston to the House of Correction and re- mained three years, when he resigned and went to Leavenworth, Kan- sas, and was engaged as an officer in the penitentiary for six years from 1870. He then came to Boston and was assigned to Deer Island as an officer. Oct. 16, 1878, he joined the Boston Police force and remained until March 1, 1882, when he went to Rainsford Island as an officer. July 5, 1883, he went to Deer Island as deputy superintendent under Col. Whiton, who was superintendent. March 18, 1889, with the transfer of Col. Whiton to South Boston, Deputy Witham came also, and has served at the South Boston institution ever since. Deputy Witham is a member of Mt. Tabor Lodge, F. & A. M., of East Boston. He has ever been a faithful and zealous officer.
SOUTH BOSTON MUNICIPAL COURT. - Dorchester Street.
By an act of the Leg- islature, which took effect July 1, 1874, district courts were established in several of the districts of Boston, including South Boston.
South Boston con- sisted of Ward 12 and a part of Ward 7,at that time, and the ward room on Dorchester Street at the corner of West Fourth Street was selected as the place for the sittings of the court, and, through an appropriation of $690, the place was fitted up for its intended purpose.
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Justice Robert J. MUNICIPAL COURT, Dorchester St Courtroom on corner, first floor, and Engine Quarters on the right. Burbank presided over the court. There were also Special Justices Joseph D. Fallon and Benjamin F. Burnham and Clerk Joseph H. Allen. The court sat for the transaction of criminal
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
business every week day except legal holidays, commencing at 9 A. M .; for the return and entry of civil actions, every Tuesday at II A.M. The record of the first day was three cases of drunkenness, one case assault and battery and one case of larceny.
The following year an addition was made to the court, by con- structing an "L" of two stories over a basement. In this "L" in the basement, was constructed the cell room for prisoners, on the first floor, the judge's private office, clerk's office and toilet room, and above this a large double room for juvenile sessions of the court.
On the resignation of Special Justice Benjamin F. Burnham, the vacancy was filled by Patrick A. Collins, and he was later succeeded by Charles J. Noyes. The court remained under the jurisdiction of Jus- tice Burbank until his death May 6, 1893. Shortly after his death Special Justice Joseph D. Fallon was appointed to the vacancy, Charles J. Noyes becoming senior special justice and Josiah S. Dean junior special justice.
The justices have been the same since that time. The other officers of the court are, Clerk Frank J. Tuttle, Asst. Clerk A. B. Smith, Constables William L. Drohan and Thomas J. Condon.
SOUTH BOSTON BRANCH, BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. - W. Broadway and E Street.
At the present time South Boston possesses a branch of the Boston Public Library, situated in the Masonic Building, West Broadway and E Street, and a reading room, known as Station Y, in the John A. Andrew School, Dorchester Street, and an appropriation has recently been made to provide a station for the City Point section.
Though so well provided for in this respect now, South Boston was without any library, reading room or station up to the year 1872, and then it was only through the generosity of a private organization, the Mattapan Literary Association, that the branch was secured.
This organization was composed of well known residents and was among the most prominent of the organizations in South Boston. The need of a library had impressed itself on the members, and finally, at a meeting of the association, it was voted to give the private library of the association, as a nucleus for a branch library in South Boston.
This gift, comprising about 1,500 volumes, was accepted by the Central Library, and shortly afterward, books that had been withdrawn from the Central Library and others procured through donation and pur- chase, were added to those presented by the Mattapan Literary Associa- tion, the aggregate being about 5,000 volumes, and May 1, 1872, the South Boston Branch was opened to the public and has been in opera- tion ever since.
Almost immediately it proved its usefulness and popularity and the demands made upon it required additional volumes. During the
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year 1874, two years after its advent, the number of volumes loaned amounted to 108,000, and in the report of the Library Trustees of that year it was shown that every book had been returned to the shelves, this immunity from loss being commented upon as remarkable and gratifying.
From time to time additions have been made to the Library, both in books and periodicals, until at present this branch is one of the most important connected with the Central Library, both in equipment and patronage.
STATION Y. Dorchester Street. - This station, which has be- come known as the Andrew Square Reading Room, was opened to the public in January 1901, and, though the newest station in the city, it has already proved its worth through the patronage it has received.
It was through the efforts of Mr. Cornelius P. Flynn and others of the Andrew Square district that this station was obtained, and before their efforts terminated as they desired, the City Government, School Committee and Library Trustees all took action in the matter.
As its necessity was apparent to all no difficulty was encountered after the project had been introduced. The action of these three bodies was necessary owing to the fact that they all co-operated in establishing the station. The School Committee granted the use of a part of the basement of the Andrew School for the purpose, the City Government appropriated the sum of $2,000 for altering and fitting up the room, and then the library trustees accepted the place and immediately sent a liberal supply of books, periodicals and art pictures and the place was opened to the public January 5, 1901.
From the start it has proved to be one of the busiest in the city, the reading room being filled both day and evening, a strong indication that it is an appreciated acquisition. The number of books loaned during the month of January was 1, 580.
This is the only station of the library located in a public school building.
SOUTH BOSTON STATION, BOSTON POST OFFICE. - West Broadway.
This is one of the busiest and most important branches of the Central Post-Office and yet it is not many years since it was conducted similar to country branches, where the mail was merely left at stated intervals and where it was called for by the residents, and not delivered as it is today.
At that time 1846, Mr. Thomas Spinney, a printer, whose place of business was in the city proper and who resided on C Street, on his way to and from work brought mail to and from the Central Post-Office for the residents of South Boston. Later on a Mr. Hunting performed a like service for his neighbors.
The first instance of even a postoffice did not come until 1849
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
when a contract was entered into between Mr. Patterson and the Boston postmaster for the delivery of mail in several places, among them being South Boston. Mr. Patterson then arranged with Mr. Caleb Gill, who kept a store on West Broadway near B Street, to take charge of the mail, which was delivered morning and afternoon of each week day by the South Boston Omnibus Company.
Business and urgent private letters Mr. Gill had sent to their proper destinations, the other mail matter was called for. Mr. Gill continued in charge of the mail until 1855 when Mr. Jordan, who was engaged in the dry goods business at B Street and Broadway, took care of it. In 1856 Mr. Edwin B. Spinney assumed charge and the post- office was again changed, this time to 218 West Broadway, Mr. Spinney's place of business.
The office was again re-located March 7, 1863, when George W. Bail was appointed and E. H. Gill's store, at 245 West Broadway, became the postoffice headquarters. It was destined to remain here but a short time, however, for in June of the following year, head- quarters were secured at 163 West Broadway, and two years later at Lyceum Hall, located at West Broadway and E Street.
In 1867, the office being reduced from a sub-postmaster to clerk, Mr. Bail resigned, and Thomas Burns, the clerk in charge, took care of the mail. Two years later he was appointed superintendent and held the position until his death, which occurred in November 1876. Dur- ing his regime the office was again re-located, at 417 West Broadway.
After the death of Superintendent Burns, William F. Clerk was appointed to fill the vacancy, and it was during his term of service that what might be called the first properly equipped office was secured. This was at 474 West Broadway. It was not alone well equipped but excellently located, and the mail was delivered several times a day by a a corps of eight carriers, and the office work was performed by four clerks.
Mr. Clerk remained in charge until March 20, 1888, when he was succeeded by John H. Giblin. There were twelve street letter boxes located at various points throughout South Boston, at this time, from which the mail was collected at stated intervals, and the service was equal to that of any other district at that time.
Supt. Giblin proved himself a progressive man, and with the excel- lent work performed by his predecessor, he soon made improvements that brought the postoffice department of South Boston up to its pres- ent excellence. He filled the position with most commendable success until Sept. 1, 1891, when he was succeeded by Henry S. Treadwell.
Business had rapidly increased, and the need of new quarters was apparent, nineteen mails being received and delivered each day. Finally, January 1, 1899, the office was moved to 399-401 West Broad- way, its present location. There are at present fifty-one street letter
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
boxes, four boxes for packages, and three sub-stations. The office force comprises : Supt. Henry S. Treadwell ; Asst. Supt. Daniel J. Driscoll ; Clerks John J. Lavery, Asa N. Smith, Edward P. McGrory, Charles A. Donovan, J. D. Bowden, William J. Keefe, Daniel O'Malley ; Carriers E. Whittemore, J. P. Duffy, S. W. Babcock, S. H. Appleton, M. J. Brennan, T. J. Curtis, Edward Brown, J. J. Norton, T. F. Welch, J. J. Smith, D. J. Rull, C. J. Rhodes, A. A. Robinson, T. F. Dillon, M. J. Peters, T. W. Ramsay, J. E. O'Leary, H. E. Norris, R. J. Neale, F. X. Hennessey, P. J. Murray, C. W. Mehegan, J. J. Howard, William Hunt, C. J. Kelley, J. A. Kelley, T. J. Lane, Isaac S. Fish, John J. Dwyer, Joseph A. Clausen ; Substitute Carriers J. J. Hogan and John Griffin.
The sub-stations are at the stores of Clarence Hallett, East Broad- way ; John J. Tobin, Dorchester and Eighth Streets, and Cornelius P. Flynn, Andrew Square.
MATTAPAN DEPOSIT AND TRUST COMPANY. - Located at the corner of E Street and West Broadway is the Mattapan Deposit and Trust Company, instituted in 1892, through the efforts of Mr. Richard J. Monks, a former resident of the district, who interested many of the business men in the project. Conducted on the plan of a national bank, it is the only institution of the kind in the district and is subject to the laws of the savings bank com- missioners. The company is autho- rized to receive deposits subject to check and to transact regular bank- ing business and to act as trustee of estates and trustee funds. For the past five years the bank has paid four per cent annual dividends to the stockholders and interest on deposits, over a certain amount. The capital is $100,000 and there has always been a surplus of at least $43,000. The officers of the corporation RICHARD J. MONKS, President Mattapan Deposit and Trust Company. are Richard J. Monks, president ; Ezra H. Baker, first vice-president ; Francis C. Hersey, second vice-presi- dent ; George A. Tyler, actuary ; Richard J. Monks, Ezra H. Baker, George H. Bond, David H. Coolidge, John F. Falvey, Dr. Michael F. Gavin, Francis C. Hersey, Charles S. Judkins, Col. Lawrence J. Logan, Hales W. Suter and George A. Tyler, directors.
With such excellent backing as the leading business men of the district, the company is a strong institution and since its inception has been a great convenience to storekeepers and others.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
President Richard J. Monks is of an old South Boston family and was engaged in the lumber business here for many years. He was also president of the Broadway National Bank. He is well known in the financial world and has had the care of large corporations and trust companies for many years.
Actuary George A. Tyler is a resident of South Boston and was for fifteen years with Lee, Higginson & Co., of Boston. He is genial, courteous and untiring in his efforts for the Company.
SOUTH BOSTON SAVINGS BANK. - Incorporated March 3, 1863, the South Boston Savings Bank has had a successful existence ever since.
The business of the Bank may be judged from the deposits and assets of 1900, as follows : Deposits, $4, 117, 133 ; assets, $4,444,254. The Bank is open for business from 9 A. M. to 3 P. M. and Monday evenings from 7 to 9 P. M.
117|1
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MASONIC BUILDING AND SOUTH BOSTON SAVINGS BANK,
E Street and Broadway.
THOMAS HILLS, President South Boston Savings Bank.
The officers of the Bank are as follows : Thomas Hills, president ; John E. Alden, vice-president ; Edward H. Barton, treasurer ; Thomas Hills, Charles H. Hersey, Solomon A. Woods, William S. Crosby, George H. Bond, John E. Alden, Charles T. Gallagher, Horace T. Stickney, Joseph C. Storey, Francis C. Hersey, Mgr. D. O'Callaghan, Walter Jenney, Col. J. Payson Bradley, Horace Manson, J. Alfred Mitchell, William P. Stone, J. Carlton Nichols, Edward A. Church, George F. Lawley, Albert M. Williams, Albert H. White, William H. H. Soule and Henry J. Bowen, trustees.
President Thomas Hills was born in Boston, Aug. 13, 1828, and attended the public schools. He served an apprenticeship with Lawson
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
& Harrington, upholsterers. In May, 1849, he sailed to California in the bark Edward Fletcher, going around Cape Horn. He was later of the firm of Plum & Hills, upholsterers, in San Francisco, and until he sailed from that place in 1850 for the Sandwich Islands on the ship Rose Standish, then sailing to New York, thus completing a circum- navigation of the Globe.
Mr. Hills returned to Boston in September, 1851, and continued in the upholstery business until 1865. In 1860, 1861 and 1865 he was a member of the Legislature from Ward 9, and in 1865 was elected one of the assessors of the city of Boston and held that position until his resignation in May 1893. During the last twenty-five years as assessor he was chairman. In 1868 he removed to South Boston where he has lived ever since.
In 1876 he was elected a member of the corporation of the South Boston Savings Bank and in 1884 was elected president, which office he has held ever since. He has been connected with the Barnard Memorial, formerly the Warren Street Chapel, since 1834, and was a member of the infant class of the school, and for many years past has been chairman of the committee on management.
Mr. Hills resides at 157 K Street.
MT. WASHINGTON CO-OPERATIVE BANK. - One of the best and most beneficial institutions in our district is the Mt. Washington Co- operative Bank, which was started in 1893 through the efforts of Dr. Thomas J. Giblin. Realizing fully the benefits of the co-operative bank system, and of the great good it would do the people of South Boston, Dr. Giblin called a meeting in Gray's hall which was addressed by ex-Gov. J. Q. A. Brackett, and the bank was started with an encourag- ing membership. It was chartered June 20, 1893, with an authorized capital $ 1,000,000. Dr. Giblin was elected the first president and has held that position ever since.
The Bank has just issued its 18th series, 772 shares. Of the entire eighteen series there are out just 3574 shares. Meetings of the bank officers are held the third Wednesday of each month at the head- quarters, 442 West Broadway.
The officers of the Bank are as follows: Dr. Thomas J. Giblin, president ; Michael J. Murray, vice-president ; John M. Shea, secretary and treasurer ; Phineas Elton, John H. Giblin, Frank J. Hannon, Thomas H. Keenan, Dr. Thomas J. Giblin, Martin A. Leary, Dr. Francis Magurn, Charles P. Mooney, John M. Sullivan, Matthew J. Mullen, Michael J. Murray, George H. Sallaway, Alfred Smart, John M. Shea and William J. Hennessey, directors ; Thomas F. Reilly, James T. Powers and Robert E. Burke, auditors ; Hon. John A. Collins, attorney.
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WM. J. HENNESSEY
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JONNY M SHEA SEC-THEAS.
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OFFICERS OF THE MT. WASHINGTON CO-OPERATIVE BANK, 1901.
CJAMEST
6
CHAPTER XII.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
First Patrol Service - Night Watch Established - Inspectors of Police - City Marshal -- First Regular Police Organization - Gradual Increase in the Force - Chief of Police - Harbor Police Organized - Watch and Police Departments United - Members of Common Council. Special Police - Reorganization of Department - " Dog-Watch " - Transportation of Prisoners - Telegraphic Communication Between Stations - Police Boat - Mounted Squad - Telephonic Communication - Another Reorganization - Ambulances - Board of Police Established - Signal System. Station 6. Station 12.
L IKE all of the early settlements, Dorchester, of which South Boston was once a part, had no regularly organized police force, depending upon a constabulary invested with the power to serve both civil and criminal processes. Later, members of this force were selected to take charge of the town-watch, and others were employed on public days and special occasions. In the early days some of these constables were employed to patrol the streets, the first instance of patrol duty, and when thus employed by the town they received their pay from the treasury.
As South Boston was annexed to Boston long before the latter became a city, the story of the police department of the former is identical with that of the latter, as it was a part of the general system, and therefore was conducted and governed the same as the city depart- ment. In consequence of this, a sketch of the Boston Police Depart- ment includes that of South Boston.
Boston established a night-watch February 27, 1634, and this was continued, under various rules and regulations, with the exception of about a year during the Revolutionary War, until 1854. Up to August 31, 1812, this watch came under the direction of constables, and on this date a captain was appointed. The term police does not appear in the records until April 17, 1788, at which time Captain John Ballard and two others were chosen as "Inspectors of Police," their duties being " to maintain cleanliness and good order in the town." The office of Inspector of Police was continued until March 13, 1817, when it was changed to " Superintendent of Police," and this in turn was changed to " City Marshal," May 30, 1823.
The City Marshal had one or more assistants, and on May 1, 1832, a Deputy Marshal was appointed. The Marshal had the direc- tion of all the constables when engaged in the service of the town, and also of the police force after its organization in 1838, which was brought about principally through various disturbances that occurred from time to time, including the breaking up of a watch meeting in the
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Bromfield Street Methodist Church, December 31, 1832, the burning of the Ursuline Convent, Charlestown, October 23, 1835, and the Broad Street riot, June 11, 1837.
A law was passed May 15, 1838, authorizing the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Boston "to appoint, from time to time, such police officers for said city as they may judge necessary, with all or any of the powers of constables of said city, except the power of serving and executing any civil process."
On May 21, 1838, six police officers were appointed under the new law, and were placed on day street patrol duty, under the direction of the City Marshal, thus establishing the first regular police organization for Boston. The force was increased by degrees, and in 1846 consisted of a marshal, a deputy-marshal, six week day and ten Sunday patrol- men. On June 22 of that year Francis Tukey was appointed marshal, and during the years 1846 and 1847 the city was divided into districts, with an officer detailed on each. A clerk was appointed, the force increased, and a small night patrol and detective force established. The following year a superintendent of hackney carriages and another of trucks and wagons was appointed.
January 1, 1850, the force numbered thirty men, and on October 24, 1851, there were registered in the marshal's book a day force of forty-one and a night force of twenty-five. The following year, how- ever, owing to irregularities being discovered in the night force, this branch of the department was abolished on May 31, and the day force was increased to fifty men. On May 22, 1852, a new liquor law was passed, imposing serious responsibilities upon the city marshal and in which the chief of police was not recognized. In consequence of this it appears that the office of city marshal was abolished and a chief of police appointed.
The harbor police, consisting of a captain and ten men, was organ- ized July 26, 1853, as a result of the daring actions of a gang who made vessels in the harbor their particular prey. Station 8 was established the following year for this branch of the department, the force at that time numbering sixty-five men. Shortly afterward fifteen members of the force were discharged, reducing the number to fifty, it being claimed that politics was the main cause for the reduction.
Beginning in 1852, there was much agitation in favor of uniting watch and police, it being claimed that the former were poorly paid, and that the two, being distinct and unfamiliar with each other's doings, frequently worked against each other's interests, unknowingly. Finally May 23, 1853, an act was passed authorizing the City Council of Boston to make an ordinance uniting its watch and police departments under one head. The matter was taken up by the Board of Aldermen in 1854 and was passed, but the Common Council refused to concur. The Mayor and Aldermen, having the power, took the matter into their own hands, and on April 19 passed an "order " to unite. This was followed
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on May 23, ensuing, by discharging every member of the watch and ap- pointing out of both departments some two hundred police officers, the order taking effect within three days. The chief of police was appointed captain of the watch, and the captains and lieutenants were appointed constables of the watch.
In completing the new arrangements, night police districts were established on the line of the old watch districts, watch-houses were changed to station houses, one captain, two lieutenants and a requisite number of patrolmen were detailed to each station, the patrol being arranged in three divisions, one for day and two for night duty, through which arrangement the entire territory was constantly covered.
With this system perfected, the watch and police departments ceased to exist at six o'clock May 26, 1854, and the new police depart- ment assumed its duties as quietly as if nothing had occurred. Almost a year later, May 10, 1855, the Common Council concurred, when the Board, by way of courtesy, appointed the members of the Council special police.
Under the new system thus organized there was a central office and eight stations, located as follows : Central office at City Hall ; Station No. 1, Hanover Street ; No. 2, Court Square ; No. 3, Leverett Street ; No. 4, Boylston Place ; No. 5, Canton Street Place ; No. 6, Broadway, South Boston ; No. 7, Meridian Street, East Boston ; No. 8, (harbor police,) head of Lincoln's wharf. The entire force comprised a chief, salary $1,500 per year ; two deputies, salary $1,100 each ; one clerk, salary $800 ; eight captains, $3 per day each ; sixteen lieutenants, six detectives, two superintendents of carriages, $2.50 per day each, and about 170 patrolmen at $2 per day each.
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