USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > Illustrated history of South Boston > Part 5
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SOCIETIES.
The social condition must naturally follow any discussion of the religious and political aspects of a community, and it may be said that in no city and among no people are social functions more in vogue or more interesting than in South Boston. All of the churches maintain
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
societies for social intercourse. and the organizations formed for charitable, re- formatory, protective and beneficent pur- poses are well represented in South Boston, and the public halls are hardly adequate for the accommodation of the numerous bodies that constitute its social life. First in importance are the Ma- sonic bodies which, in 1860, consisted of St. Paul's and Gate of the Temple lodges, F. A. M. Two lodges, Adelphi and Rabboni, have since been constituted, the latter, however, having recently lo- cated in Dorchester, where the member- ship largely resides. St. Matthew's Royal Arch Chapter and St. Omer Com- mandery of Knights Templar, complete the Masonic fraternity, which have spa- cious and elegant apartments in the two upper stories of the Savings Bank build- ing at the corner of Broadway and E street, where all the bodies hold their regular communications and public as- semblies.
Odd Fellowship in South Boston, has also made an advance since the civil war, when the contingent consisted of Be- thesda Lodge and Mount Washington Encampment. Hobah Lodge is an off- shoot of Bethesda, and the Rebekah dispensation is represented by Bernice Lodge. Bethesda Lodge has a large building fund, and owns a site at the corner of Dorchester and Fourth streets, but the erection of an Odd Fellow's build- ing was postponed when the -Baker block was constructed at the corner of Broad- way and F street, and apartments were specially planned to accommodate the lodge. These are known as Bethesda and Bernice Halls, and they are leased for a term of years. Hobah Hall is at the corner of Dorchester and National streets.
The South Boston Citizens' Associa- tion is now making arrangements for the dedication of the memorial monument on Thomas Park, that has been erected by the commonwealth to commemorate the Evacuation of Boston by the British in 1776. The Association was largely instrumental in securing the appropria- tion for this suitable memorial of an event that contributed in a great degree,
to American independence. Before the dedication exercises will occur the one- hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the evacuation of Boston. Evacuation Day, March 17, will now be one of South Boston's annual observances. John H. Means, president of the association, has appointed an efficient committee of ar- rangements, and planned to have the festivities close with a banquet, at which Senator Hoar will probably deliver the principal address.
Since the civil war, there has been no social organization that has attracted more notice or commanded more public sympathy, than the Grand Army of the Republic, which is composed of the vet- eran soldiers and sailors who engaged in defending the nation when its existence was threatened. Dahlgren Post has a membership of nearly two hundred, and meetings are regularly held in Memorial Hall on E street. Washington Post has a membership of nearly one hundred, and meets in Pythian Hall on Broadway. Auxiliary to these posts, there are two branches of the Woman's Relief Corps, and a camp (Dahlgren No. 98) of the Sons of Veterans, is associated with Dahlgren Post. Gettysburg Command, Union Veterans' Union, is another organ- ization of veterans of the civil war, that meets in Tonti Hall on E street.
The City Point Catholic Association is a prominent social organization with a clubhouse at 744 Fourth street, where fashionable receptions are held and en- tertainments are given. The society is noted for its negro minstrelsy, and its public performances are always attended by crowds of delighted patrons.
The Church Home for orphans and destitute children on N street, is an insti- tution that is maintained by Episcopalian contributions, and it constantly cares for the education and support of several hundred helpless children.
Other societies located in South Bos- ton, are as follows : Unity, Mount Wash- ington and Farragut lodges, Ancient Order of United Workmen; Mattapan- nock, Broadway and City Point lodges, Knights of Honor ; Lincoln and Winthrop councils, Royal Arcanum ; South Boston
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Council, Knights of Columbus; Beulah Chapter, Golden Rule Alliance ; Divi- sions 6, 7, 11, 13, 32, Ancient Order of Hibernians ; Good Shepherd Court, For- esters of America ; St. Patrick's, SS. Peter and Paul, St. Augustine, St. Michael, Notre Dame and St. Aloysius Courts, Catholic Order of Foresters ; Washington Lodge. Knights of Pythias ; Welcome Council, Home Circle; Taylor and Garfield councils, American Legion of Honor ; Friendship Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Honor; Mount Carmel Commandery, Knights of Malta ; Colum- bia Lodge, Order of New England ; Volunteer, Mizpah and Defender lodges, N. E. Order of Protection ; Mount Wash- ington Colony, United Order of Pilgrim Fathers ; Mount Washington, Shawmut and Echo commanderies, United Order Golden Cross ; Washington Lodge, Ger- man Order of Harugari; Puritan, Gar- field and old Colony assemblies, Royal Society of Good Fellows; Signet and Wendell Phillips councils, Order of United Friends ; Admiral Nelson lodge, Sons of St. George ; Clan Farquharson, Order of Scottish Clans ; Frank Haven Hinman lodge, Loyal Orange Institution ; Freight Handlers and Longshoreman's assemblies; Knights of Labor; SS. Peter and Paul, Father Mathews and St. Augustine societies, Catholic Total Abstinence Union. The Associated Charities have a branch office at No. 366 Broadway, and the Provident Association at No. 325 E street.
BANKS.
In the early days of South Boston, the Mechanics Bank figured as the only financial institution, and it prospered un- til the flight of our industries compelled removal, together with the Broadway Bank that was founded in 1853. The former is still conducting a prosperous business in the city, and it was not until recently that the Broadway discontinued. The only bank of deposit in South Boston now existing is the Mattapan Deposit and Trust Company, with banking rooms at Broadway and E street. It was es- tablished some ten years ago and is quite
conservative in its methods, although in- terest is allowed upon balances exceeding a certain sum.
The South Boston Savings Bank was established and incorporated during the civil war, and its business has always been skillfully managed by a body of citi- zens who render gratuitous service. Its investments have been profitable, one of which was in erecting the building in which it is now located at Broadway and E street.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department is represented by six steam engines, one chemical en- gine, two combination wagons, one com- bination ladder and one ladder truck. Notwithstanding that buildings are here principally built of wood, there is seldom a serious loss by fire, for although very combustible, the buildings are not high, excepting in the business section, and therefore can easily and quickly be drenched with water. Alarms are given from sixty signal boxes scattered through the streets, and from private boxes in some of the large manufactories and storehouses.
MUNICIPAL COURT.
The South Boston Municipal Court was established in 1875, since which time it has been in continuous operation. Hon. Robert I. Burbank was the first presiding judge, and Hon. Joseph D. Fallon was an associate justice. Hon. Joseph D). Fallon is now presiding judge, and his associate justices are Hon. Josiah S. Dean and Hon. Charles J. Noyes.
POLICE SERVICE.
The police force of South Boston consists of two captains, four lieutenants, six sergeants and about one hundred and twenty patrolmen. There are two police stations, Nos. 6 and 12, fitted with sleeping rooms for the night relief, and cells for prisoners. Each station has a patrol wagon, and is in communi- cation by telephone with headquarters and with the other stations, also with the signal boxes in the public streets.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The location of the Insane Asylum and House of Correction in South Bos- ton was generally regarded as detrimen- tal, and for many years efforts have been made to secure their removal. The former has been re-located, but the House of Correction remains as a stigma upon this portion of the city. The buildings have repeatedly been declared by com- mittees and experts to be unsuitable for such an institution, and it is expected that new buildings will soon be erected at Deer Island, where there is ample space and where the prison will cast no slur or reflections upon any portion of the municipality.
RECREATION.
The city has wisely devoted a square of the reclaimed land elsewhere men- tioned for a public playground, where various athletic games are played, and out-of-door sports are indulged in. It is called Commonwealth Park, and is open to all who desire recreation. A gymna- sium building has been erected upon the grounds that is equipped with all the paraphernalia and apparatus necessary in such an institution. It is free for public use under certain regulations. A playground is also located in the square bounded by First, Second, M and () streets.
A salt water swimming beach for men and boys, is maintained by the city at the southerly end of I. street, and per- sons from very distant localities visit it to enjoy a swim in salt water, having a more agreeable temperature than at the open sea. It is the greatest bath of its kind in the whole world. Floating bath- ing houses are also available in summer, for men and boys at Mount Washington avenue and Dover street bridges, and for women and girls at Dover street bridge and at the foot of M street. These baths are free and are used by an al- most incredible number of people.
THE OLD RESERVOIR.
It was November 8, 1849, that the water was let on in the reservoir, on Telegraph Hill, then just completed. This reservoir
had a capacity for 7,500,000 gallons of water and served its purpose as a source of local supply until about 1872, when the supply, which had become inadequate, was shut off. The water having also become somewhat stagnant, the reservoir was then cleaned out. For some years thereafter the reservoir was resorted to only in case of fire.
In 1895 the land on which the reser- voir then stood was taken from the water
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OLD SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH. FORMERLY BROADWAY AND F STREET.
department for the purpose of erecting in its place the new and costly South Bos- ton high school, soon after which the reservoir was torn down.
STREET EXTENSIONS.
The agitation for a nearer avenue to the South End and Roxbury, culminated, in 1875, in the building of Swett street, from Washington Village to Albany street, and a line of cars through this street and Columbia road, is contem- plated. The latter has recently been constructed by the widening of Boston and Columbia streets to Blue Hill ave- nue and Franklin Park. As a part of this improvement, the extremely danger-
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
ous grade crossing of the Old Colony Railroad on Dorchester avenue, has been eliminated. To accomplish this, the road bed was re-located to skirt the South Bay, and thence cross beneath Boston street and the avenue, the grades of which were raised to perfect the scheme.
SPANISH WAR.
The recent war with Spain was fatal to quite a number of young South Bos- tonians who were connected with the Ninth Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- teer Militia. This regiment was accepted by the United States government for active service, and it formed a part of the forces that besieged the city of San- tiago, Cuba, in the summer of 1898. Three companies, B I and C, were re- cruited almost exclusively, in South Boston. Company B was commanded by Capt. George F. H. Murray, Company I by Capt. John H. Dunn, and Company C by Capt. T. F. Quinlan. Lieut .- Col. Lawrence J. Logan, Major Michael J. O'Connor and Surgeon William II. De- vine, all of South Boston, were among the regimental officers. The regiment was among the first to land and to attack the enemy, which retreated with a deter- mined show of resistance. Two engage- ments and several skirmishes were experienced before the Spanish forces reached their fortifications in front of Santiago, where the Americans estab- lished entrenchments, in which the Ninth regiment was stationed for many days, beneath a tropical sky, and without shelter from the almost incessant rain storms that prevailed. With insufficient or improper food, these well-bred heroes from Massachusetts maintained a con- stant musketry fire or participated in numerous sorties upon the enemy. The terrible hardships experienced culmi- nated, upon the surrender of the Spanish, in attacks of fever, and disorders peculiar to the Cuban climate, that were shared by the entire American army, which was none too soon withdrawn to save those who finally recovered. Before this evac- uation, however, many of the strongest and most robust were quickly reduced to
perfect helplessness, and deaths were numerous. Among these, were Majors Grady and O'Connor. Colonel Bogan was an early invalid and came home to die. He was succeeded by Colonel Logan who was himself soon disabled, and forced to retire. Major Murray was seized with fever, but he continued with the regiment until its departure from Cuba.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
A branch of the Boston Public Lib- rary was opened in 1885, and it occupies the second story of the Savings Bank building. It is open daily and on Sun- day evenings. There are spacious read- ing rooms and books are loaned for home use. In January, 1901, a sub-station of the public library was established in the basement of the John A. Andrew school.
A " Family Directory of South Boston " was published in 1891 by Mr. Fred C. Floyd. It contained the names of the occupants of dwellings, stores, and manu- factories in South Boston, arranged sep- arately by streets. It also contained an alphabetical directory of residents, and a business directory. It was in- tended to publish this directory annually, but in this the publisher failed in his purpose.
FREE TRANSFERS.
In common with other parts of the city, South Boston participates in the free transfer system of the Elevated Railroad Company, by which, for a sin- gle fare, transportation is furnished in every direction, and special lines of cars are operated from City Point to Dor- chester, Roxbury, Brighton, Cambridge, Medford and Everett. Free transfer stations are maintained at Broadway and Dorchester street, and at Broadway and Dorchester avenue. Transfer can also be made again, at any transfer station along the route, to proceed in the same general direction.
POPULATION.
The population of the three South Boston wards according to the United States census one year ago, was 70, 161,
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
WATH CONTOS MICH NIKAN
THE SOUTH BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL IN PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION.
or one eighth of the population of the city. . The number of assessed polls last April, was 19,916, and the number of ballots cast for president at the recent election, was as follows : - For William J. Bryan, Democrat, 7887. For William McKinley, Republican, 2801. Total, 10,688.
When it is considered what tremen- dous disadvantages the early residents of South Boston encountered and contended with, the present inhabitants may well wonder at the achievements of their pred- ecessors, and be truly thankful that they are living in the era of electricity, by which rapid transit and cheap transpor- tation through the public streets, have been made possible.
FRED C. FLOYD.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public schools of South Boston hold rank with any in the city, and when graduating from the city high schools, South Boston students have taken their full proportion of prize medals, although handicapped by distance and consequent fatigue ; which forced many South Boston students to relinquish their cherished desire for a higher education. Others continued on to find their health injured before the precious diploma could be secured. Conscious of these difficulties, the people of South Boston began several years ago, to demand the establishment
of a high school where the higher branches of education could be studied without sacrificing home comforts and without traveling many weary miles through rain and snow. It was not, however, until six years ago that the necessary appropriation for a building was secured. A site was selected in 1895, on G street, where the reservoir was formerly located, and a handsome high school building is now in process of erection, that will be equipped with all of the modern appliances and the neces- sary apparatus for demonstration. It is hoped that the school can be instituted when the next school year begins.
Free evening elementary schools are held in South Boston during the winter. to which all are admitted regardless of age or proficiency in study. The ses- sions of these schools are held in the Bigelow and Lincoln school houses.
LAWRENCE SCHOOL.
Previous to March, 1868, the Law- rence school was a mixed school, under the charge of Josiah A. Stearns, master, and Larkin Dunton, sub-master. At this time Master Stearns and the girls were transferred to the new' Norcross building. and the Lawrence was organ- ized as a boys' school, under the charge of Mr. Dunton as master. Mr. Stearns was a kind-hearted, sympathetic, courte- ous gentleman, beloved and respected by everybody. He served the city most
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
faithfully and ably as master of the Mather, Lawrence and Norcross schools for a period of forty years, beginning in 1842. A few years ago Master Leonard had one of the class-rooms that was no longer needed for pupils, partitioned off and converted into a comfortable teach- ers' reception room, and a large library room fitted up with book-cases, tables,
LAWRENCE SCHOOL.
etc. The best books remaining of the old Lawrence Association Library are preserved in the new library. The city has supplied the school from time to time with a large collection of valuable books, and additions are now made every year from the Gibson fund, the object being to build up, for the use of teachers and pupils, a useful school library. In the library room there are cases for the phil- osophical apparatus, minerals, mounted birds, etc. The school hall has been greatly improved. A new stage has
been built, the old black-boards on the walls have been removed, the walls tinted and decorated with appropriate pic- tures and busts of eminent men, the gifts of the several graduating classes since 1878. A stereopticon bought with money from the Gibson fund has been set up in the hall.
For many years the Lawrence school was the largest in the city, there being sometimes over one thousand grammar pu- pils ; but during the last few years the number has been gradually diminishing, ow- ing chiefly to the taking of land for railroad purposes. At the present time there are six hundred and nine pupils in the grammar school. The teachers are : Master, Amos M. Leonard. Sub-Masters, Augustus D. Small, George S. Houghton. Assistants, Charlotte L. Voigt, Agnes G. Gilfether, Isabella F. Crapo, Kate Haushalter, Mary E. Mc- Mann, Maud A. Gleason, Mary A. Montague, Mary A. Conroy, Margaret J. Schenck, Mary F. O'Brien, Jennie E. Bailey, M. Louise Gillett and ElizabethJ. Andrews.
There are 539 primary and ninety-seven kindergarten pupils in the Lawrence dis- trict. These occupy the old Mather building on Broad- way, and the Samuel G. Howe building on Fifth street. The old Parkman building on Silver street is no longer used for primary pupils. The names of the primary teachers are :
First Assistants, Sarah E. Lakeman, Martha S. Damon. Assistants, Margaret M. Burns, Maud F. Crosby, Lena J. Cros- by, Mary E. Flynn, Eva C. Morris, Amelia Mckenzie, Emma Britt, Minnie F. Kee- nan, Martha J. Krey, Mary E. T. Shine, Henrietta Nichols and Sabina F. Kelly.
Kindergarten Teachers, Principals, Mary Wall, Bertha Arnold. Assistants,
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Anna M. Mullins and Ida G. Thur- ston.
Amos M. Leonard, master of the Law- rence school, is a descendant, in the seventh generation, of James Leonard who, with his brother Henry, established the first permanent iron works in this country, at Taunton, in 1652. They had previously been interested in the same business in England and Wales. They claimed kinship with Lord Dacre who was descended from William the Con- queror. There have been iron workers in each generation of the Leonards. Mr. Leonard was born in Stoughton, the third of nine children. His father owned a small farm on which was a mill pond and small factory or shop in which he made shoemakers' kit and edge-tools. Mr. Leonard, with his brothers, when not attending school worked on the farm and sometimes assisted his father in the shop. When fourteen years of age he came under the influence of a remarka- ble teacher who boarded in the family. A new interest in his studies was soon awakened. What before had been an unwelcome task now became a keen delight, and his highest ambition was to become, like his ideal, a teacher. As there was no high school in Stoughton, at that time, he began the study of Latin, algebra and geometry under this teacher in the ungraded district school -the same school that the Hon. Ilenry L. Pierce and his brother Edward attended when they were boys. Wishing to pur- sue his studies further, he entered Pierce Academy, Middleboro, in the fall of 1859. At the end of three years ---- hav- ing been engaged in teaching school in Stoughton one-half of this time - he en- tered Tufts College. Believing there were greater advantages at a larger institu- tion, at the end of one year he applied for admission to Harvard University, passed the examinations successfully. was admitted. and graduated from that institution in 1866. He was a member of two college societies, the Theta Delta Chi and the Pi Eta. During his college course he taught school in Stoughton for three winter terms. The extensive knowledge of a practical sort acquired in
early life and the habits of industry, per- severance and self-reliance then formed have been a constant advantage to him in his profession.
In September, 1866, Mr. Leonard was engaged as teacher of Latin and mathe- matics in Mr. David B. Tower's Latin school on Park street. He resigned this position and entered the service of the City of Boston, October 22, 1866, on a larger salary, having received the ap- pointment of usher after a competitive
AMOS M. LEONARD, LAWRENCE SCHOOL.
examination to which he had been invited by a member of the school committee. He was placed in charge of a branch of the Quincy school then located in the old Franklin building on Washington street, near Dover street. May 1, 1868, he was appointed sub-master of the Lawrence school after a competitive ex- amination of over sixty applicants for the position. September 1, 1872, he was appointed master of the Lawrence school to succeed Mr. Larkin Dunton, who had been selected to organize and take charge of the new Boston normal school. At that time Mr. Leonard was the young- est master in Boston, and the Lawrence was the largest school. He is a member of the Boston Masters' Association, and of the Massachusetts Schoolmasters C'lub. He is interested in historical
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
studies and in good literature. He is very fond of good music, especially clas- sical music, and was a member of the Handel and Haydn Society, and of the Boylston Club for many years.
NORCROSS SCHOOL.
The Norcross school was founded in 1868 and is located at the corner of D and Fifth streets. The district was formed out of the Lawrence and Bigelow
investigation. The first principal, Mr. Stearns, was a superior. teacher and true gentleman. He practically died in the harness, for, resigning his mastership in 1882, enfeebled by many years of faithful service, he survived but a few months. This school has a membership of about seven hundred. The teachers of this excellent school are as follows,
Master, Fred O. Ellis. First Assistants, M. Elizabeth Lewis. Mary R. Roberts. Assistants, Emma L. Eaton, Mary E. Downing, Miria L. Nelson, Emma F. Crane, Juliette Smith, M. Joseph- ine Leary, Elsie M. Paul, Agnes J. Hal- lahan, Cherrie W. St. Clair, Ellen T. Noonan. Special In- €/ structors, Cookery, Julia T. Crowley. Sewing, Catherine J. Cadogan, Mary J. McEntyre. Jan- itor, Samuel T. Jeffers, Truant- officer, Amos Schaf- fer.
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PRIMARY SCHOOLS. DRAKE SCHOOL, THIRD STREET. First Assistant, Eleanor J. Cash- man. Assistants, Fannie W. Hussey, Abbie C. Nicker- son, Kate E. Fitzgerald.
NORCROSS SCHOOL.
districts. The Lawrence was then a mixed school which was then divided, the boys remaining in the old quarters ; and the girls, with their old master, the esteemed Josiah A. Stearns, moving into the new Norcross building. This build- ing is unfortunately one of that obsolete type which illustrates the folly of entrust- ing school architecture to men unac- quainted with the needs of schools, and perhaps indifferent to their welfare. The old rule however . holds good that the teacher makes the school and in this particular the school is one of the best in the city. Here visitors are always welcome, as the business of the school is always open to inspection and fullest
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