USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1897 > Part 6
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The Board has visited personally, nearly all the public build- ingsin the city during the year. Also many of the brooks and in- vestigated many cases of complaint when invited to by the in- spector, in every case of complaint the parties have manifested an eager desire to comply with the suggestions made in each case.
Respectfully submitted, BENJ. F. CURTIS, JOHN H. ASHI, M. D., JOHN A. McDONNELL.
Board of Health.
155
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
B. F. Curtis, Chairman of the Board of Health :
DEAR SIR :- I beg leave to submit my third annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1897.
During the year sixty-five cases of Scarlet fever, Diphtheria and Membraneous croup were reported to the Board by attend- ing physicians and the rooms occupied by the patients, fumi- gated and disinfected by your Inspector.
Five complaints were made in the District Court against persons violating the Board of Health ordinances and the offenders fined in each case. I desire to again call the attention of the Board to the unsanitary condition of the brook or drain that runs parallel with Water street between Hammond place and Quincy avenue.
This nuisance is due to the large territory that is being drained into this brook and complaints are constantly being made of its offensive condition. All the drainage of Franklin street from L. M. Pratt's store to the residence of George H. Field and of Water street from the Quincy Adams Depot to Quincy avenue empty into this brook and remains stagnant, as the grade of the brook is not sufficiently steep to carry it away.
As a remedy I would suggest that a catch basin be put in, at the corner of Franklin and Water streets and a pipe drain laid to conduct the drainage of this section to the brook at Quincy avenue where the flow of water is rapid enough to carry it off
The following is a list of nuisances discovered and orders to abate the same served :
Unclean privy vaults
429
Unclean cesspools
119
Defective house drains
53
Sewage flowing on surface
12
Untrapped waste pipe .
10
Unclean cellars .
5
156
Defective: Plumbing
Filthy premises
17
Wet cellar
1
Sewage flowing into brook
1
Respectfully submitted,
TIMOTHY F. FORD.
157
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING.
B. F. Curtis, Chairman Board of Health :
DEAR SIR :- I herewith tender you my fourth annual re- port as Inspector of Plumbing of the City of Quincy. The work attended to during the year has been as follows :
Dwelling houses 214
Stores
8
Churches
3
Halls
2
Factories
2
Representing a total, estimated, value of forty-six thousand dollars.
Respectfully yours, J. J. KENILEY,
Inspector Plumbing.
159
Inspector of Animals and Provisions.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
I beg leave to submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1897. " The duties attending this department touch very closely the health of the community, and by a strict enforcement of the law miny contagious, diseases among men and animals are prevented. I have 'given the work my close attention the past year and have at all times acted in consulta- tion with the Board of Health. I have inspected the meat and provisions stores of the City at least once in two weeks and during the warm weather much oftener.
The meat, fish and fruit "peddlers I have 'inspected when- ever I found them upon the streets of the City with their goods exposed for sale.
An inspection of the Cattle and Tstables of the City was ordered by the cattle Commissioners last March"and this work was completed before I assumed the duties of the office, I received notice from the cattle Commissioners Nov. 20, 1897 requesting me not to make an inspection of the Cattle or Stables this fall but that one would be ordered in the Spring, I await their instructions in this matter.
160
I have found the meat and provision stores of this City well kept and a desire on the part of the proprietors to comply with the law and a ready response to any requests I made of them.
The same can be said of the meat, fish and fruit peddlers who reside in the City, but I have found nearly all of the peddlers who come here from the City of Boston hard to manage, the quality of their goods is very poor and I would recommend the passage of an ordinance requiring a license to peddle in the City. The above men are a menace to our local dealers and the goods they offer are the refuse of the market.
The attention of the Board of Health was called by me to the condition of several of the stables in the City and in each case the owners complied with the requests made.
Several suspected cases of tuberculosis were reported and the cows were an once quarantined. Four cows were killed during the year having the disease known as tuberculosis.
During the month of August the dangerous and contagious disease known as glanders became prevalent in the City and an epidemic was only prevented by a great effort and proper care of the several watering places of the City. Every horse seen by me or reported as having symptoms of glanders was at once quarantined, 15 cases were reported and 10 Horses were killed after being inspected by a veterinary sent by the Cattle Com- missioners.
The following is a condensed report of goods seized and destroyed as being unfit to offer for sale :
Beef, 386 lbs, Pork, 175 " Lamb, 191 « Veal, 176. « Fish, 70 1₺ Bbls. Mackerel :.
8 Bunches bananas, 20 Boxes grapes.
161
Box cucumbers, Box plums. 30 Bunches asparagus. 2 Bbls. vegetables.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES H. JOHNSON, Inspector Animals and Provisions.
163
Milk Inspector.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy.
DEAR SIR :- I respectfully submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1897 :
Fifty-one licenses have been issued to milk peddlers and nineteen persons have registered as dealers in milk. The total receipts of the office have been $35 and this sum has been re- turned to the City Treasurer.
Few inducements are offered to dealers in milk of ordinary prudence, to violate the laws regulating its sale, owing to the disparity between the penalty for its violation and the profits feloniously obtained. The activity of the Inspectors, both State and local, tends to admonish dealers that the Milk supply must at least be honest. From my examination of samples of milk I am sure that Quincy is reasonably well supplied with pure and wholesome milk.
Complaints concerning the quality of the milk most com- monly come from people who expect too much cream, from a small quantity of milk. When it is remembered that only from three to four per cent. (less than 33) of the milk must be fat and not more than 1 of the volume must be cream, it clearly appears unreasonable to expect cream enough for coffee for an ordinary family, from a quart of milk.
Only one dealer licensed at this office has been prosecuted for violation of the Statutes relating to the sale of milk during the year.
164
I again call the attention of owners of cows, who do not realize that selling milk at their own homes requires registra- tion, to the Ordinances and Statutes.
Respectfully,
HENRY C. HALLOWELL, M. D.
Inspector of Milk.
165
Report of Overseer of the Poor.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy.
I have the honor to report :
The appropriation for this department for the year 1897 was $9,000. The amount expended on December 31, 1897 was $8,955.96 of which $6,876.28 was for the Outside Poor and $2,- 079.68 was for the Almshouse. The collections for the depart- ment for the year were $1,195.90
The number of families assisted has not materially in- creased, but owing to the depression of business, the calls for aid have been continuous, and there have been several families nearly, if not quite dependent upon this department for their support, which has caused a heavier draught than usual upon the appropriation.
All repairs in and about the Almshouse buildings have been made at an expense of material only ; the labor having been per- formed by the inmates.
The management of the Almshouse by Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs has been satisfactory ; the health of the inmates has been good and no deaths have occurred.
1
166
Appropriation $9,000 00
Expended Outside direct $5,186 12
Expended Outside from Almshouse
1,690 16
Expended Almshouse net 2,079 68
Balance unexpended
44 04
9,000 00
EXPENSE OF OUTSIDE POOR.
Provisions
$1,868 85
Fuel
849 64
Support of Insane
3,510 43
Clothing
79 95
Rent
243 00
Boston City Hospital
138 00
Burials
135 00
Miscellaneous
51 41
Net cost
$6,876 28
EXPENSE OF ALMSHOUSE.
Salary of Superintendent
$500 00
Wages
245 90
House supplies
1,992 42
Clothing, bedding, etc.
175 27
Stable supplies
82 38
Fuel
332 73
Water
55 50
Telephone
40 56
Lumber, tool, etc. .
81 88
Repairs on wagon, shoeing etc. ·
.
82 89
167
Medicine
17 25
Miscellaneous .
163 06
$3,769 84
Cr. by supplies to Outside Poor 1,690 16
Net cost
$2,079 68
The inmates of the Almshouse on January 1st, 1897 were 18
Admitted during the year 15
Total
33
Discharged during the year
11
In the Almshouse December 31, 1897 .
22
Number of families assisted
133
Number of families settled in Quincy .
105
Number of families settled in other cities and towns
13
Number of families of State paupers
15
Number of insane persons . .. .
29
Respectfully submitted, E. W. H. BASS,
Overseer of the Poor.
169
Police Department.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy.
SIR :- In compliance with the ordinance governing the Police Department, I have the honor to submit this, the ninth annual report of the department, for the year ending December, 31,1897.
There has been one regular officer added to the force since my last report, and it now consists of a Chief of Police, nine regular men and one special officer, doing duty as follows: Six regular men and one special on duty at night time, one regular man on duty in the day time, one detailed on Inspection duty and Enforcement of the Liquor law, and one for night officer in charge of the Police Station. The officers have worked to- gether harmoniously and have shown a willingness (when off as well as on duty) to endeavor to keep peace and good order in the community.
Following is a synopsis of the work of the department :
Number of arrests
553
Number of Males
512
" Females
41
" Married
215
" Single
338
" Adults
497
" Minors
56
66 " Residents .
355
" Non-residents
198
170
NATIVITY OF THOSE ARRESTED.
Arabia
1 New Brunswick
7
Austria
1
Norway .
2
Canada
18
P. E. Island
10
England
9 Portugal .
1
France
3
Russia
8
Finland
26
Spain
1
Germany
10
Sweden
15
Ireland
109
Scotland
20
Italy
21
United States
261
Newfoundland
3
Syria
8
Offences for which arrests were made.
Assault
36
Assault and battery
4
Assault on an officer
1
Assault felonious
1
Adultery
2
Bastardy
7
Breaking and entering
6
Breaking, entering and larceny
2
Concealing mortgaged property .
1
Contempt of Court
2
Cruelty to animals
8
Defrauding boarding house
1
Delirium
1
Default
3
Disturbing the peace
34
Drunkenness
309
Extradition warrant
1
Embezzlement
3
Forgery
1
'Fraud
1
Nova Scotia
.
19
553
171
Insane
7
Indecent exposure
2
Keeping disorderly house
1 26
Larceny
Loitering around Railroad Station
Malicious mischief
Milk selling under standard
Neglected child .
4
Out of Town officers
7
Profane language
2 12
Runaways
4
Safe keeping
3
Stubborness
1
Selling mortgaged property
1 1
Threat
Unlawful taking
2
Vagrancy .
2
Violation Lord's Day
1
Fish and Game law
5
66 Liquor law
13
Board of Health rules
8
City Ordinance
9
66 Engineer's license
1
66 Tobacco law
6
553
Number of lodgers accommodated,
3,251
Number of cases before East Norfolk District Court, 550
Disposition of cases :
Committed to Institutions
" .Jail 87
10
" in default of bail
10
66 " House of Correction.
62
66 " on sentence .. 7
66
" for non-payment of fine 55
3 6 ·2
Peddling without license
172
" Concord Reformatory
1
66 " Almshouse
1
" Sherborn Prison
" State Bd. Lunacy & Charity
3
" Insane Asylum
Discharged
35
Released
13
Paid fines .
308
Placed on probation
3
Placed on file
36
HIeld for Grand Jury -
11
Settled by mutual consent
5
Continued cases .
S
Defaulted
6
Appealed other than liquor cases
14
Held for Superior Court
4
Delivered to out of town officers
16
Ordered to Hospital
2
Delivered to friends
Amount of fines imposed by the Court
83,167 77
" paid to the Court 1,892 77
66 paid after commitment 140 00
Care of prisoners from towns
40 10
$2,072 87
Amount paid to City Treasurer,
$1,105 44
MISCELLANEOUS WORK.
Abandoned children cared for
1
Accidents prevented
4
Accidents reported
4
Aged persons cared for
2
Bicycles found .
1
Complaints investigated,
29
Carriages found and returned to owner
1
Cows found and cared for .
1
Dangerous electric wires reported
17
7
173
Dangerous lights in stores reported
6
Defective streets reported .
14
Defective sidewalks reported
36
Dead bodies found
2
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
42
Doors found open and secured
138
Dogs killed
5
Demented person cared for
1
Fire alarms rung in .
1
Fires extinguished without alarm
4
Fire alarm box out of order reported
1
Goods left on sidewalks
5
Horses found cast
20
Horses found and cared for
5
Horses runaway caught
9
Horses killed
6
Injured persons cared for
2 26
Lost children returned to parents
7
Leaks reported in water mains
3
Lanterns furnished in dangerous places
43
Lights out (electric arc)
149
(incandescent )
148
6: " (gas) 69
6
Obstructions removed from streets
21
railroad
1
8
2 66
2
Runaway boys returned to parents
1
Teams taken from intoxicated drivers Teams found and returned to owners . Windows found open and secured Pocket-books found and returned
(oil) .
Leaks reported in water pipes
174
Comparison of Police work since 1889.
TOTAL ARRESTS.
DRUNKENNESS.
LODGERS.
1889
185
94
864
1890
216
108
629
1891
293
135
509
1892
396
230
468
1893
420
218
626
1894
380
206
1876
1895
559
306
2201
1896
591
325
2638
1897
553
309
3251
For the last three years I have pointed out in my reports the needs of this department and have given reasons why they should be supplied, but as yet, there has been nothing done, no wants supplied. In fact, we have nothing that goes towards the make-up of an up-to-date police equipment. We are no better equipped than the Town of Quincy was twenty-six years ago. The officer in charge of the Station, at night, has been obliged on several occasions the present winter, to allow people to re- main in the rooms over the Police Station because he had no room for them. We have less than half the number of officers that is required by the standard for the number of inhabitants of a city as large as Quincy, and the officers are all that we have. We are obliged to hire teams when we can get them, and when we cannot, the officers must get their prisoners to the Police Station as best they can. There is no communication between the Station and officers on their routes, no signal service, no pa- trol wagon or even a place to put a wagon if we should get one.
The enforcement of the liquor law has required more at- tention the past year than for several preceding years. There seems to be a class of people among us that are ignorant of the law and do not realize the consequence of violating the sanie.
The amount of stolen property reported has been much less than in 1896, and the acting-inspector has succeeded in recover- ing nearly all that has been reported, and some that has not, so
175
that the value of what has been found is more than that which has been reported lost. (See officers report.)
In conclusion I desire to express my thanks to ex-Mayor Adams for his ever faultless support and counsel, to all mem- bers of the department for their. faithful attention to duty and to all others who have in any way helped to keep good order in our midst.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH W. HAYDEN, Chief of Police.
176
INSPECTOR'S REPORT.
To JJoseph W. Hayden, Chief of Police. -
SIR :- I hereby submit my report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1897.
I acknowledge my obligations to you and all officers for as- sistance in endeavoring tokeep Quincy up to the standard of the last fifteen years, viz: Free as possible from the sale of intoxi- cating liquors. We have had more of the unscrupulous to con- tend with this year than for several years past and it seems that every succeeding year requires more attention and a greater de- termination to keep the evil out than the one previous.
I wish here to acknowledge the fact that Mr. Henry H. Faxon has aided me a great deal in the way of information and advice for which I acknowledge my thanks.
Following is the result of our work :
Number of search warrants issued
19
66 served 16
" places where liquors were found
16
" forfeitures
15
" returned
1
" fined
11
66 " paid fines .
5
66
" appeals prosecuted
1
" prosecutions for illegal sales
11
66
" convicted in Superior Court
2
" discharged in Superior Court
2
66
" committed for non-payment of fine
3
In regard to the duties of the Inspector I will say that there has been less crime in this line this year than heretofore. We have been comparatively free from burglaries compared with other cities.
S
" appeals
177
Amount of property reported lost or stolen . $583 00 Amount of property found and returned to owners . $710 00
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL R. MCKAY, Police Officer, Acting Inspector and Liquor Officer.
179
Report of the Fire De= partment.
-
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy:
In compliance with the requirements of the City Ordi- nance I hereby present my fourth annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1897, containing a statement of all fires and alarms for the year ; the loss and insurance on the same as far as could be ascertained ; a list of the permanent force of the department and their ages ; also a schedule of the property under their charge.
ORGANIZATION.
The force consists of one Chief and Six assistant Engi- neers, nine permanent men, 51 call men, three hose companies, two with six men each and one with five men, one ladder company of twelve men, two combination chemical engines, one with eleven men and one with ten men, hose wagon at Hough's Neck with one thousand feet of hose and one volun- teer company with a steward to take care of apparatus.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus consists of one steam fire engine in good condition, two combination chemical engines, one ladder truck, four hose wagons, three hose reels and one hose carriage,
180
one express wagon for fire alarm purposes, one exereise wagon loaded with one thousand feet of hose ready at all times at Central Fire Station in case of a large fire, also one chemical engine and one hand engine that are not in service.
The number of horses in the department owned by the city is twelve. We have in service nine thousand feet cotton hose, rubber lined, five hundred feet of which is in poor condi- tion. The water supply continues to be good, new hydrants have been added the past year in several parts of the city there- by increasing the facilities of the department to get a better supply of water and to use shorter lines of hose. The efficiency of the department has been made permanent in Wards 4, 5 and 6 which shows by the report of fire losses to be a great success. I would also recommend making Hose 4 in Ward 2 permanent.
RESERVOIRS.
The reservoirs are fourteen in number and are in the same condition as they were a year ago.
FIRE ALARM.
The fire alarm has been extended through Whitwell Street also rebuilt on Squantum Street and Beal Street thereby giving better fire alarm service.
CONCLUSION.
In closing my report I desire to tender my sincere thanks to His Honor the Mayor for his interest in the welfare of the department, to the Council for all favors rendered me during the year, to City Auditor Hall and Treasurer Gray for all favors rendered, to Chief of Police Hayden, officers and men for the efficient manner in which they performed their duties at all fires, to the Committee on Fire Department, for the interest they have manifested in the business of the department, to Electrician Gavin for the pains taken at all times to keep the fire alarm in order, to my associates of the Board of Engineers and to the officers and members for the prompt and efficient
181
manner in which they have discharged their duties thereby maintaining the reputation of the Department for efficiency.
I would recommend putting in fifty hydrants more on the old line of pipes as that would give shorter lines and better fire protection.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
There were 65 alarms during the year : 44 bell alarms and 21 still alarms.
The value of property at risk, $147,431.50; loss $8,994.30
Insurance upon same $106,870.
Loss on property for 4 years $59,170.34 with 232 alarms.
PERMANENT FORCE.
AGE.
Charles P. Costa, 51
Engineman.
Michael P. Barry,
36
Asst. Engineman.
Henry T. Brown,
38 Driver engine.
William A. Gavin,
39
Supt. fire alarm.
John J. Faircloth, 40 Driver II. & L. No. 1.
Charles C. Weeks,
John J. Crowley,
41 Driver Combination No. 1; Driver Combination No. 2.
James F. Morrissey,
Jeremiah Lyous,
34 Driver Hose No. 2. Driver Hose No. 3.
FIRE ALARM-Location of Boxes.
There are 53 fire alarm boxes in the circuit at the present time located as follows :
BOXES.
12. Palmer street, front of H. C. Weeden's house.
14. Hough's Neck, hose house.
182
21. Corner of Whitwell and Granite streets.
23. Hancock street, opposite Cottage avenue.
24. Corner Whitwell street, near Quincy City Hospital.
25. Corner Newcomb and Canal streets.
26. Unitarian church, opposite City Hall.
27. Washington street, opposite Universalist church.
28. Corner Greenleaf and Hancock streets.
32. Corner Franklin and Independence avenue,
35. Corner Hancock and School streets.
36. Corner Quincy and Pleasant streets.
37. Corner Franklin and Water streets.
38. Corner Plain and Liberty streets.
39. Corner Penn and Liberty streets.
138. Corner Brooks avenne and Centre street.
41. Corner School and Granite streets.
42. Corner Garfield and Copeland streets.
43. Corner Common and Copeland streets.
45. Junction of Crescent aud Willard streets.
46. Old Granite Engine house.
47. Bates avenue and Grove street.
48. Corner Robertson and Willard streets.
49. Willard street and Larry place.
441. Corner Smith and Quarry streets.
442. Hitchcock's quarry.
443. Corner Hayden and West streets.
446. Junction of Crescent and Copeland streets.
51. Mellen Bray & Co.'s Tubular Rivet Factory.
52 Corner Farrington street and Elmwood avenue.
53. Corner Warren and Winthrop avenues.
54. Corner Fenno and Hancock streets.
56. Wollaston hotel, corner Newport avenne.
57. Corner Beach and Willow streets, Norfolk Downs. 58. Corner Adams and Beal streets.
59. Corner Central avenue and Beale street.
151. Corner Rawson road and Billings street.
152. Corner Billings and Beach streets.
61. Corner Squantum and Hancock streets.
1.83
62. Corner Atlantic and Hancock streets.
63. Atlantic Bridge.
64. Corner Billings and Newbury streets.
65. Corner Faxon road and Squantum street.
67. Corner Atlantic and Squantum streets.
68. Squantum.
71. Corner Mill and Washington streets.
72. On church, corner South and Washington streets.
73. Corner Howard and Winter streets.
74. Corner River and Washington streets.
75. Corner Main and Sumner streets.
76. Corner Wharf and Washington streets.
171. Whicher's factory, Union and Main streets.
172. Glencoe place and New Road.
135. Weymouth.
137. Braintree.
158. Milton.
162. Boston. General alarm,-Twelve blows, followed by box number. Recall,-Two blows, "fire all out."
One session school,-2-2 three times. Test,-One blow, 7 A. M., 5 P. M. Three blows calls Chief to Central Fire Station.
Six blows, followed by box number, calls Supt. of Water Works. Police call,-3 three times. Militia call,-4 three times.
184
FIRE RECORD 1897.
January 1, 12.05 a. m., box 151 .- Dwelling and boat house of Annie E. Youngquist, Norfolk Downs.
Value of building, $1,200 00
Damage to building, 960 00
Insurance on building
1,000 00
Value of contents,
500 00
Damage to contents,
500 00
Insurance on contents,
300 00
Defective flue.
January 16, 6.45 a. m., box 446 .- Office of George L. Miller Granite Co.
Value of building,
$900 00
Damage to building,
25 00
Insurance on building, 600 00
Value of contents, 500 00
Damage to contents, 00 00
Insurance on contents,
00 00
Supposed incendiary.
January 17, 10.15 a. m., box 49 .- Unoccupied building of Frank Marone near Berry Bros. quarry.
Value of building,
$200 00
Damage to building,
200 00
Incendiary
January 17, 8 p. m., box 441 .- Engine house of F. H. Hardwick & Son.
Value of building,
$300 00
Damage to building,
15 00
Insurance on building, 150 00
Value of contents,
1,500 00
Insurance on contents,
600 00
Supposed incendiary.
185
January 18, 7 p. m., box 46 .- Dwelling and stores of J. Sidney Smith occupied by Stephen Little.
Value of building,
$8,000 00
Damage to building,
49 63
Insurance on building,
Insurance paid on building,
49 63
Value of contents,
4,000 00
Damage to contents,
200 00
Insurance on contents,
4,000 00
Insurance paid on contents,
100 00
Total insurance paid,
149 63
Dropping a lighted match.
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