USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Lancaster > Lawrence yesterday and today (1845-1918) a concise history of Lawrence Massachusetts - her industries and institutions; municipal statistics and a variety of information concerning the city > Part 10
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Eleven well equipped school buildings provide accommodations for the 5,878 parochial school pupils. Based on the estimated cost per pupil of $41.20 a year for maintaining the public schools for the school year ending in 1917, the maintenance of the parochial schools, which are supported by the Catholic parishes, saves the City of Lawrence the sum of nearly a quarter of a million dollars a year. This sum does not include the interest on the capital invested in school buildings.
The parochial school system had its beginning here in the St. Mary's schools, the first parochial schools established in this city, al- though there had been in the early days a small private school conduct- ed by Catholic laymen. In August, 1859, five sisters of the Notre Dame were brought to Lawrence by Rev. James O'Donnell, Sister Constance who died July 1, 1878, being the superior. An ordinary dwelling house, No. 346 Oak street, was given them for a residence, in which, with additions made at two different times, they remained for nearly 35 years. On September 5, following, St. Mary's school for girls was opened under their teaching. They commenced with 200 pupils in three departments, viz., primary, intermediate and grammar, with accommodations on the first floor of what, for over a score of years, was known as the "Girls School", in a wooden building on Haver- hill street, since removed, and which was situated about half way between the present stone school building (then St. Mary's church) and the new convent.
Ten years after that beginning, Father Edge opened a school for boys in old "St. James' Hall", also since removed, but then standing at the corner of Haverhill and White streets. This, also numbering about 200 pupils at the start, was placed in charge of the same sisters who were allowed for some years to teach the boys until they had received their first communion.
Both schools grew rapidly and soon the buildings became inade-
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quate. On September 19, 188c, Father Gilmore had the stone building which since the erection of the new edifice had been known as "St. Mary's Old Church", transformed into a school and hall. The exterior of this building now occupied by the boys' department of the school, and in which are located the quarters of the Catholic Young Men's Associa- tion, organized in 1886, has been but slightly changed in appearance.
In accordance with their rules, the Sisters of Notre Dame were obliged to relinquish the teaching of all but the youngest of the boys in St. Mary's schools, so in 1889 Rev. James T. O'Reilly secured the services of the Xaverian Brothers to take charge of the older ones. As a residence for them he remodelled the old parochial house of the Immaculate Conception church on White street.
On December 20, 1893, the Sisters moved into the new convent at the corner of Haverhill and Hampshire streets, upon the completion of that handsome and commodious structure. The convent is one of the finest of its kind in the state and cost about $48,000. The old convent on Oak street has been replaced by a modernly construct- ed brick school building of 16 class rooms. This is occupied ex- clusively by girls. The stone building has HI class rooms.
During the term ended in June, 1917, St. Mary's schools were attended by 2,103 pupils. In the high school for girls there were I4I pupils, and at the commencement exercises 25 were awarded diplomas. In conjunction with the schools on Haverhill street, St. Mary's parish also supports St. Rita's school for boys and girls. This is also in charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame. It has about 500 pupils. The Assumption school for boys and girls, in charge of Sisters of St. Domenic, is connected with St. Mary's schools. It has 80 pupils.
A remarkable feature in the development of St. Mary's schools, and which is a forceful demonstration of the influence of the paro- chial school system, is the annual May Procession, held in honor of the Blessed Virgin. This institution was established in the early days of the parish, and it has grown bigger and more attractive each year. This year, 1918, fully 3,500 children took part.
Other parishes, following the lead of St. Mary's, have established schools, all of which have become important factors in the educational work of the church. Besides St. Mary's schools, there are :- St. Anne's ( for boys), in charge of Marist Brothers, and St. Joseph's ( for girls ), in charge of Sisters of Good Shepherd; 1,793 pupils. St. Laurence's ( for boys and girls ), in charge of Sisters of Notre Dame, 321 pupils. St. Patrick's ( for boys and girls), in charge of Sisters of Charity : 551 pupils. Sacred Heart ( for boys and girls), in charge of Sisters of Holy Union of Sacred Heart: 539 pupils. Holy Rosary (for Italian boys and girls), in charge of Sisters of Notre Dame: 346 pupils. Holy Trinity (for Polish boys and girls), in charge of Felician Sisters of St. Francis ; 225 pupils.
ST. MARY'S PAROCHIAL: .SCHOOL (GIRLS)
ST. MARY'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (BOYS)
ST.MARY'S CONVENT
ST.PATRICK'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
ST. ANNE'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
-- Photography by Silverthorne
A GROUP OF PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Franklin Library which was the nucleus of the present Law- rence Public Library was incorporated in April, 1847. Capt. Charles H. Bigelow, the engineer under whose direction the dam was built, was its first president.
Hon. Abbott Lawrence donated $1,000 to it, to be expended in the purchase of such books that would "tend to create mechanics, good Christians and good patriots", and at his death, in 1855, Mr. Lawrence bequeathed an additional $5,000 to the institution.
The Franklin Library Association was the solitary literary socie- ty in Lawrence for many years. The "Lawrence Athenaeum" sustained a course of lectures for two seasons, and the "Lawrence Lyceum" a course for one or two seasons, but both were finally merged into the Franklin Library Association. A course of 12 lec- tures was sustained for several years by this organization.
In 1872 the library and funds of the association were turned over to the city by definite arrangement, and the Free Public Library, aided by the White Fund, was successfully established. Library and reading room found immediate favor with the people. Circulation books reached an almost unprecedented average; patrons outgrew accommodations, and, in three years from the first opening, the library was removed from the Saunders block to spacious rooms in the new Odd Fellows block.
The present library building at the corner of Hampshire and Haverhill streets was opened to the public in 1892. Originally it cost $50,coo, but in 1902 it was enlarged at an additional cost of $37,300.86. Today it has 70,475 volumes (including 7000 volumes turned over in 1895 from a library conducted by the Pacific mills), a valuable reference department and as modern facilities as any institution in a city the size of Lawrence in the country. On August I, 1898, a branch library was opened on South Broadway, and this gives good service to the people of South Lawrence.
The land upon which the library building stands is a plot saved from the original White tract. The main library building was given to the city by Mrs. Nathaniel G. White and her daughter, Miss Eliza- beth W. White. While there is a similarity of names the donors were not related to Judge Daniel Appleton White who made possible the White Fund which provides for a course of lectures annually and defrays the cost of other educational enterprises.
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The White Fund has given thousands of dollars toward the maintenance of the public library, besides having provided the land on which the building is located. The present librarian is William A. Walsh.
Judge Daniel Appleton White, whose name is so familiar with educational matters in Lawrence, was born in June, 1776, in an old farmhouse which stood on the site of the present high school at the corner of Haverhill and Lawrence streets. He was graduated from Harvard college in 1797. For many years he was judge of probate in Essex county, residing in Salem, where he was first president of the Essex Institute. He also served one term in Congress, while a resident of Salem.
Judge White's old homestead, with the lands lying between the Merrimack and Spicket rivers and Appleton and Franklin streets, was first conveyed in January, 18.45, by a conditional deed, to the Water Power Association. The first conveyance by Judge White embraced all his holdings without restriction. He soon after- wards became aware that provisions in old deeds required that part of the lands should be reserved as a family burial ground. In consequence of this, at his earnest solicitation, the associates in taking their absolute deed, dated March 28, 1845, relinquished their claims to a lot of about six acres, nearly in the centre of the tract they had purchased. It was provided, however, that these six acres should be restricted as to use, or reserved as a public or private burial ground. Immediately after the organization of the Essex Company, the associates conveyed to that company all the land they had purchased ; consequently their deed contained the reservations and restrictions.
Judge White seemed to have had little enjoyment in the possession of the property, constantly increasing taxes becoming a burden. There was no income from the property; sanitary considerations prevented its use for a cemetery ; no one would purchase any part . of it in the condition in which the title then stood. It became evident that the land could only be utilized by joint action of both Judge White and the Essex Company. There were upon the land but three graves (still undisturbed, near the corner of Hampshire and Concord streets, surrounded by dwellings), occupying together a space not larger than an ordinary burial lot. This left nearly six acres of unoccupied land in the heart of the city. Joint action of the two parties might have given to this land a value of many thousands of dollars, to be divided between them. Happily, at the suggestion of Judge White, he and the Essex Company, joined in devoting this property to a purpose which would benefit, not a class or a single generation, but all who might dwell in Lawrence in time to come. The indenture conveying
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the land to trustees, with power to sell and invest proceeds in a fund, for a purpose clearly stated, is a model of precise wording and clear- ness in detail, so far as it relates to the character of the lectures and use of the fund for that purpose. The language is that of Judge White.
The original proposition of Judge White, as explained in his letter of June 19, 1852, to Treasurer Storrow of the Essex Company, proposed simply the establishment of an annual course of lectures, the special subjects being those first specified in the indenture or deed of trust. Being confident that the value of the land and the sum that would eventually be derived from it would far exceed the expectations of Judge White, Mr. Storrow suggested that, while the original object which he had in mind should first be fully provided for, precisely as Judge White intended, it might be well to allow the trustees to select other methods for promoting morality and education, especially to authorize liberal appropriations from the income in aid of a free library and provide for the gift of a building site for such an institu- tion. Thus originated the White Fund, and thus Lawrence obtained valuable help for its public library.
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THE LAWRENCE COMMON
Few communities lay claim to a public park more beautiful than the Lawrence Common. This reservation, located in the very heart of the city, and comprising 171/2 acres, was deeded to the people of Lawrence in 1848, by the Essex Company, the deed being dated October 1, of that year. Traversing the common, in every direction, arc broad paths, lined with stately elm and maple trees which enclose expansive grass plots, set off with attractive flower beds. The last report of the Park Department gives the number of trees on the reservation as 421.
The common was originally, in the greater part of its area, a sand heap. The high ground was sown occasionally with buckwheat which was ploughed in as a fertilizer. At one time, near the north- eastern corner, two acres were set out with cabbages. The eastern section, along Jackson street, was an alder swamp with a brook running through it. The willows in the southeastern corner, the last of which were removed several years ago, were some of the original trees that grew up by the wall which was one of the boundary lines. of the Gage farm that stretched away to the eastward. One of these willow trees, cut down in 1899, had 69 rings in the trunk, denoting an age of 69 years.
In 1874-75, the old fence which enclosed the park was removed, and the granite curbing was provided. The present concrete water- basin, or artificial pond, built in 1914, replaced the original goldfish pond for which ground was broken in August, 1857.
The Soldiers' and Sailors' monument was erected on the common in 1881. The initiatory steps for this purpose were taken by Post 39 of the Grand Army of the Republic in September, 1879, when $500 was contributed by the Civil War veterans. This action was followed by a meeting of citizens on November 13, when a committee was appointed to consider the matter. This committee reported to a large assemblage of people on November 24, recommending that a monu- ment of granite be placed in some central position on the common, and that contributions be solicited in small sums in order that the monument might literally be the people's memorial to the deceased soldiers and sailors.
An association was at once formed under the name of "The Monument Association". Its officers were :- President, Robert H.
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Tewksbury ; vice presidents, John R. Rollins and Thomas Cornelie ; secretary, Frank O. Kendall; trustees to receive and invest funds, Mayor James R. Simpson, Hezekiah Plummer, Waldo L. Abbott, Joseph Shattuck, Frederick E. Clarke, James S. Hutchinson, Byron Truell, John Hart, Edmund R. Hayden. Subsequently a society of women was organized in aid of the association, and active work was commenced on the project.
The several corporations, by their agents and treasurers, con- tributed $3,000. The school children, through the efforts of Capt. Horatio G. Herrick, by a penny and dime contribution, raised over $200. A concert by the Ladies' Choral Union, under the direction of Reuben Merrill, added about $200 more, and the remainder was contributed by the people generally, in the mills, workshops, stores, municipal departments, etc., the Grand Army members raising their donation to $700. The total cost of the monument was $II, III.75, the total number of subscribers being 9,136, and in this list the names of three Chinese residents appear.
The crowning figure of the monument, representing "Union", was designed by David Richards. The figure was cut from Concord granite by Theodore M. Perry, at the Quincy granite works. The shield bears the legend of the Lawrence municipal seal, "Industria", and the emblematic bee. On the buttresses at the base of the column stand three figures in bronze. The first representing an infantry soldier, nearly a duplicate of one in Albany, N. Y., was designed and modelled by Henry Ellicott of New York. The other two, one representing a sailor and the other a dismounted cavalry officer, were modelled by William R. O'Donovan at the foundry of the general designer of the monument, Maurice J. Power, in New York where all were cast.
The monument bears the following inscriptions :
"ERECTED IN 1881 By the People of Lawrence In Honor of Those Who Served in the Army and Navy, 1861-1865"
"In Memory of Brave Men, Whose Sacrifice and Death PRESERVED THE UNION"
Three bronze tablets contain the names of those who died in service or were killed in battle. They number 255.
The monument was dedicated on the evening of November 2, 1881, amid a brilliant display of fireworks and calcium lights. It was accepted in behalf of the city by the Mayor, Hon. Henry K. Webster, who delivered an appropriate address.
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THE LAWRENCE COMMON
As one of the results of the great Flag Day demonstration on October 12, 1912, following the big strike earlier in the year, Lawrence has a permanent and elaborate flagstaff on the common, the gift of Joseph Shattuck. This flagstaff replaced a less costly one which was destroyed in a storm of hurricane proportions, that swept through the city on the night of August 4, 1910, entailing considerable damage, especially on the common where a number of large trees were up- rooted.
The gift was offered to the city on October 18, 1912, and on December 18 Mr. Shattuck wrote a second letter to the government, stating that he would deposit with the city treasurer a check for $4,000, the money to be expended upon the flagstaff, its base and approaches, and another check for $1,000 in the Essex Savings Bank in the name of the City of Lawrence, the income only to be drawn by the city treasurer and to be used for the perpetual replacement of flags for said staff or any other erected in its place.
The city government accepted the gift on December 23, 1912. On January 6, 1913, the following commission was appointed to carry out the deed of the gift :- Rev. George E. Lovejoy, Joseph Mccarthy, James D. Horne, Fred H. Eaton, William T. Kimball, Michael S. O'Brien, James R. Menzie and Alderman Alfred Bradbury, the last named being director of public property and parks. Alderman Brad- bury was elected chairman, and Mr. Kimball, secretary of the com- mission.
The commission, after investigating the qualifications of ar- chitects of country-wide reputation, finally decided unanimously upon R. Clipston Sturgis of Boston to furnish the design. It was the desire of the commission to have the memorial flagstaff dedicated on October 12, 1913, the first anniversary of the memorable Flag Day parade, but circumstances compelled a postponement, and it was not until the observance of Patriots' Day on Monday, April 20, 1914, that the unveiling and dedicatory exercises were held.
Prior to the ceremonies there was a great civic and military parade in which thousands participated. The procession terminated on the common where, amid the booming of cannon and the crashing of bands, the cheers of the multitude and the grateful beating of thousands of hearts, the memorial was uncovered by little Dorothy Shattuck, daughter of the late Joseph Shattuck, then president of the Third National Bank of Springfield, and granddaughter of the donor. John Campbell, commander of Needham Post, 39, G. A. R., and John H. Gilman, past junior vice commander of General Lawton Post, 146, G. A. R., raised the first flag to fly from the staff- head. Alderman Bradbury presented the gift, in behalf of its donor, and Mayor Michael A. Scanlon delivered the speech of acceptance.
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A tablet at the base of the flagstaff bears this inscription :-
"The gift of Joseph Shattuck, to the people of Lawrence, as a perpetual remembrance of October 12, 1912, when 32,000 men, women and children of the city marched under the flag for God and Country."
The granite base is surmounted by one of bronze, symbolic of the City of Lawrence and its industries. This base is supported by four cogwheels. The first band is ornamented by threads. On the four corners are wound spindles from which the thread leads to smaller spindles and is then transformed to cloth. What represent four folds of cloth are spread on the four sides, and on these are inscribed appropriate quotations from ancient and modern authors.
Above these inscriptions, the next band is composed of shuttles. Up to this point, the design is symbolic of the industries of Law- rence. Further above are designed flowers and fruits, symbolic of the joy and pleasure of living, and the fruits of industry. On the staff, itself, are carved arrows, symbolizing war. They are bound together with laurel. At the very pinnacle of the staff stands the emblem of peace, with her hand outstretched, symbolic of the blessing of our industrial community.
The present bandstand on the common was built in June, 1904, replacing the old structure which for so many years occupied a site near the location of the Shattuck flagstaff.
The public sanitary station, located in the same section, was completed and opened to the public December 30, 1907.
Besides the common, the city's park system includes parks and playsteads in every ward, which are of great benefit in keeping the children off the streets and in providing breathing spots.
Note : As a recognition of the nearly 3,600 young men from Lawrence, who had entered the service of the United States during the first year of the war against Germany, a handsome service roll, bearing their names, was erected on the common, near the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument. This was dedicated with patriotic exercises on April 19, 1918. The celebration included a great parade through the city's streets.
THE PLAYGROUND MOVEMENT
Lawrence had its playgrounds and recreation spots away back in 1848 when the Essex Company deeded the present Common to the city, but it was not until 1912 that the Municipal Department of Parks, under Alderman Michael S. O'Brien who was elected a mem- ber of the first City Council under the commission form of govern- ment and served as Director of Public Property and Parks, installed for the first time in the city's history a system of supervised play and public recreation.
Before proceeding, however, with a brief story of the play- ground movement in Lawrence it might be well to look back a little. The Essex Company, following its liberal gift of the Common, from time to time deeded other tracts of land to the city, which are now favorite breathing spots, and, incidentally it might be added, made possible the development of the playground movement. There is Storrow Park, a reservation of 10 acres on the highlands of Prospect Hill, in Ward One, which was deeded to Lawrence December 3, 1853. By a deed dated November 19, 1873, the Essex Company made another gift of a tract of land, containing seven acres and closed on three sides by low ridges lying in Ward Five south of Bodwell street, which is known as "The Amphitheatre", or Bodwell Park. The conditions of this grant required that the city appropriate at least $200 a year for a term of 10 years in improving and embellish- ing the grounds, and forever keep the same as a public park. In ad- dition to these gifts, the Essex Company laid out as a public park a beautiful reservation of 1112 acres, extending easterly from South Union street in Ward Six and known as Union Park. The public park off Hampshire street, familiarly known as "The Jail Common", is another gift from the Essex Company, besides the small Stockton Park at the junction of South Union street and Winthrop avenue. All of these parks were given outright to the city and are today valuable assets.
As has been stated, the supervised playground movement was begun in Lawrence early in the summer of 1912, the first cost being borne by the city with some financial assistance from private citizens who were interested in bringing it about. For the purpose of exper- imentation only four stations were established that year. The principal playground was located on the Common where an average
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of 500 children of both sexes were accommodated daily. The other experimental stations were located at the Tarbox school playstead, Union Park and on land leased for the purpose from the Essex Company off Rowe street and along the Merrimack River. Expert men and women instructors were employed, and the boys and girls were not only afforded instruction in helpful physical exercises but other educational features were introduced, especially for the girls who were taught basketry, needlework and the like. These play- grounds are equipped with paraphernalia for amusement and muscu- lar exercise.
The physiological value of the supervised playgrounds was instantly recognized as a powerful influence for good, and the idea met with popular favor in Lawrence with the result that each succeed- ing year has seen new activity in this line. There are now 17 public parks and playsteads in the city, containing 164.67 acres. This num -- ber includes *Riverside Park.
* Shortly after the beginning of 1918 the city secured by purchase Riverside Park ball grounds on Water street. By a vote of the City Council the park was named for the late Hon. Edward F. O'Sullivan.
CHURCH HISTORY
An All-wise Providence has put it into the hearts of all His rational creatures to worship, and it was only natural that the first comers to the "new city" should have their thoughts turned religiously.
Church history in Lawrence really began with the founding of the town. Religion has always been a most potent factor in the life of the community. Its importance today is evidenced in the great num- ber of houses of worship here.
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