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 12
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The first step for the cause, and the forerunner of the call to arms, was the formation, on April 2, 1917, of a Public Safety Com- mittee, which followed the appointment by legislative act of a State Committee on Public Safety that contemplated adjuncts in the dif- ferent cities and large towns of the commonwealth. The local com- mittee was composed of 45 members, divided into nine sub-committees.
At that time, with the sudden entrance of our country into the World War, with stories of plots threatening the safety of our manu- facturing and producing sections, the committee devoted itself, first of all, with other cities, towards perfecting measures that would conduce as far as possible to a continuance of public safety and the maintenance of order. Funds were raised by public subscription to meet the expenses of the committee, and later the municipality took up the support of the organization, appropriations of money being made for the purpose as the necessity presented itself. This money was expended to relieve conditions growing out of the war. Every precaution was taken against the activity of enemy prop- agandists.
Under the order of the President, Lawrence conducted her selec- tive draft registration on June 5, 1917, without expense to the Feder- al government. No disorder accompanied this first important step in the movement for the mobilization of the manpower of the country.
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LAWRENCE BOYS WHO HAVE MADE SUPREME SACRIFICE
APITZ, OSWALD E., U. S. Regular Army ASHKENAZY, JOSEPH D., U. S. Regular Army BEEVERS, FRANK, U. S. Marine Corps BERWICK, THOMAS, British Army BODKIN, JOHN, American National Army BOOTH, JOHN, British Army CATE, THOMAS J., U. S. Aviation Corps CRANSTON, JOHN, Canadian Army
DAMPHOUSE, JOSEPH, Canadian Army
FALLON, THOMAS J., American National Army FYFE, CHARLES G., Headquarters Co., 102nd F. A. GAUDETTE, GERRY, Canadian Army
GUTHRIE, WILLIAM J., Company L, 104th Infantry HEWETT, ALFRED, Canadian Army HUTCHESON, ELWOOD C., American National Army *KAPLAN, SAMUEL, Company F, 101st Infantry KELLETT, JOHN, British Army
KENNEY, EVERETT R., Battery C, 102nd F. A.
LYNCH, FELIX, Canadian Army
McDONALD, WARREN, U. S. Navy McGILLEN, DANIEL, Canadian Army
MARTIN, CHARLES A., U. S. Navy MORGAN, FRED, British Army
O'CONNOR, FRANK, U. S. Regular Army
PEEL, ROBERT, Company F, soist Infantry ** RAVICH, JOSEPH, U. S. Regular Army ROGERS, THOMAS, British Army
RUSSELL, ERNEST, U. S. Regular Army SWEENEY, JOHN J., Company F, 101st Infantry TOWNSEND, BENJAMIN, British Army VAUDREUIL, ARTHUR, Company L, 103rd Infantry WELCH, JOHN, Canadian Army
*First Lawrence soldier with the United States forces to be killed in action (died February 26, 1918).
** First Lawrence boy with the United States forces to die in service (victim of appendicitis at Fort Slocum, N. Y., December 21, 1917).
While the draft was going on, four local units of the National Guard were sent to training camps, where they were merged into new regiments, and subsequently sent to France to take their places in the fighting lines on the western battlefront. These units were Battery C, Ist Field Artillery ; Company L, 8th Massachusetts Infantry ; Company F, 9th Massachusetts Infantry, and Head- quarters Company, Field Artillery. They arrived at the front line trenches early in February, 1918. Battery C fired its first shell into the German lines on February 8th.
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Drafted men were sent to cantonments, as the National Guard companies were sent overseas, until after one year of the declaration of war Lawrence had given all told 3,550 men to the army and navy forces of the United States. Of this number about 3,000 were volunteers. Besides, a great number of Lawrence young men had enlisted in the armies of England, France and Italy. Officially, the city aided in the recruiting of residents of British allegiance. From Lawrence, 610 of such joined the British colors.
Unstinted was the response of Lawrence to the many calls for money to back up at home the sacrifices her soldiers were in part making across seas. Three Liberty Loans, asked for by the National government, were oversubscribed far beyond the quotas named. The third loan drive in Lawrence was the most remarkable success. While the amount subscribed was smaller than in the second loan drive, in which the corporations bought heavily of bonds, the number of subscribers was more than doubled. In the third loan drive there were 31,oco subscribers, a little less than one-third of the city's popu- lation. In two Red Cross drives for funds Lawrence gave generous- ly. Likewise did the city respond in the raising of money to support the Y. M. C. A., Knights of Columbus and several other organ- izations in their activities for the moral and physical comforts of our soldiers, and the succor of the suffering people of war-ridden Europe.
The chairmen of the organizations in charge of the major move- ments for the raising of money, and the amounts raised were as follows :- First Liberty Loan, Fred H. Eaton, $3,387,100; second Liberty Loan, Albert I. Couch, $6.368,000; third Liberty Loan George Fred Russell, $4,6oc,cco; first American Red Cross War Fund, Leonard E. Bennink, $32,000; second American Red Cross War Fund, George Fred Russell, $138,867; Y. M. C. A. Red Triangle War Fund, George Fred Russell, $104,792; Knights of Columbus War Fund, James H. Bride, $46,coo. During a drive for membership in the American Red Cross 21.353 joined the or- ganization in Lawrence. George Fred Russell was also chairman of the local committee in charge of this movement.
The Draft Exemption Boards comprised :- Division 1 -- H. Christopher Chubb, chairman; Fred E. Twiss, Dr. Granville S. Allen. Division 2-Wilbur E. Rowell, chairman ; Clinton O. Andrews, Dr. George W. Dow. Division 3-John Hendry, chairman ; Nathaniel E. Rankin, Dr. John J. O'Sullivan. On the District Board of Appeals Lawrence was represented by Matthew A. Cregg.
Appeals for soldiers' benefits were met in innumerable cases by the people of Lawrence. School children, societies, churches and individuals joined in the work of knitting and sending comforts of many kinds to the soldiers in camps, while the boys in active service
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across the Atlantic were not forgotten. Three score calls of a smaller nature were all generously responded to. When disaster overtook Halifax, Lawrence officially had a relief committee appointed, and, besides sending clothing, forwarded a large money contribution to the stricken Nova Scotia city.
There has been from among the poorest to the wealthiest in the city a spirit to aid in every way to a winning of the war, and a kindred spirit to accept with cheer the burdens that the war of necessity imposed.
The municipality, in honor of the Lawrence boys in the service, erected on the common a handsome large tablet bearing the names of those who have joined the colors. This so-called service roll was dedicated with appropriate exercises on Patriots' Day, April 19, 1918. After the war it is intended to replace this memorial by a more permanent monument.
Lawrence early realized that food would be an important item in the prosecution of the war, and she increased the production of food supplies by preparing land, free of cost, for tillage in both city and suburbs. In all 720 such garden plots were prepared in the summer of 1917. These aggregated 98 acres, and the yield was bountiful. A fuel committee was organized to regulate the fuel supply. Steps were taken to conserve the supply, and many diffi- culties, caused by inadequate transportation facilities, were mitigated.
With the regular companies of the National Guard in the ser- vice, home protection was assured by the forming of a company of the Massachusetts State Guard, which was equipped partially by the state and partially by the city. This organization has regular drills at the State armory, and has become practically another con- tribution from Lawrence to the needs of the war. An emergency police force of 1000 men has been formed, consisting of nine com- panies, all officered, assigned to stations, and under a chief. This force also meets and drills regularly. It has been equipped for any required action, but it is to be called into service only in case an emergency might arise which would cause the police authorities to believe that its assistance was needed.
Volunteer enlistments are still going on, selective draftees still going away to join the colors, and with no fault-finding or attempt at back-sliding. Lawrence is behind the President 100,000 strong, ready to make any sacrifice for our country's cause. All hope for an early peace, but it must be peace with honor, and with assurance that the principles which gave America her birth and happiness shall not perish from the earth.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS
POST OFFICE
The Post Office, located in a handsome sandstone structure at the corner of Broadway and Essex street, was established under the name of "Merrimack" on September 7, 1846. The present building was occupied in 1905, and provides excellent facilities for the enor- mous amount of business of the office. The parcel post and postal savings departments, recent additions to the service, have become im- portant branches. In 1917 the postal savings department had deposits of about $200,000. In the handling of the mail, there are 33 clerks and 52 carriers regularly employed.
COUNTY COURT HOUSE
At first the people of Lawrence were obliged to travel either to Salem or Newburyport when concerned with matters having to do with the superior court. After the Town House or City Hall was built quarters were provided for the court, then known as the court of common pleas, in the audience hall of the building. Later sessions of the court were held in old Lawrence hall ( Music hall), but this was inadequate and in 1858 the first county court house was erected. the Essex Company giving the land, the city providing the foun- dation and the Essex county commissioners erecting the building. James K. Barker who was mayor of the city in 1861, was the architect. In the fire which destroyed the United States hotel in 1859, this building which stood at the corner of Common and Apple- ton streets, about on the site of the present court house, was ruined. It was rebuilt in 1860. In 1900 the Lawrence Bar Association inaug- urated a movement for larger quarters and finally the legislature authorized the expenditure of $100,000 for an addition. George G. Adams was selected as architect, and J. N. Peterson & Co. of Salem was awarded the contract. Another $100,000 was required to finish the addition and when it was completed the appearance of the original portion was so much at variance with the newly constructed part that an additional $50,000 was set aside to provide the handsome, commodious court house that is in use today. The building furnishes accommodations for a superior criminal, a superior civil and a probate court, a registry of deeds, a law library, besides offices for various
PUBLIC LIBRARY
COUNTY COURT HOUSE
CITY HALL
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POST OFFICE
POLICE STATION and DISTRICT COURT
- Photography by Silverthorne
A GROUP OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
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county officials, grand jury and petit jury rooms, etc. The law library is the finest in New England, outside of Boston. It has 13,000 volumes. The structure is fire-proof, built of brick with freestone trimmings.
HOUSE OF CORRECTION
The Jail or House of Correction was built in 1853, and has since been very much enlarged by additions and improvements. The original structure cost $100,000. The building, located on Auburn street, is built of stone and is imposing in appearance. The main portion is octagon in shape with wings extending north, east and west. It has 116 cells with accommodations for about 180 prisoners. The town purchased the site for $2,000, and also an acre of land, in front of the building, laid out as a park, for $1,280.
COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL
The Essex County Training School, located off Marston street, was established as a county school in 1891. It was first opened as an industrial school for refractory boys by the City of Lawrence in 1869, and became known as the Lawrence Reform School in 1870. In 1891 the county took over the school and later it became known as the Essex County Training School. Only truants and those who have committed school offences are admitted. There are several well appointed buildings and also extensive grounds. Besides the common school instruction, attention is given to trade subjects and practical gardening is taught. In 1917 the inmates included 132 boys and six girls.
STATE ARMORY
The State Armory, on Amesbury street, was opened in 1893, when the large brick structure was completed and the local units of the State Militia took up quarters there. In the building are officers' and company rooms, drill and gun sheds, shooting gallery, mess hall, and other necessary accommodations. In 1913 an annex to the Lawrence armory was built for the battery on the Lowell road in Methuen. It is of brick construction, and includes assembly, company and officers' rooms, gun shed and stable, besides having an extensive drill field. The annex was established for outdoor drilling, and it was the first of its kind in the state.
POOR FARM AND MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
The Poor Farm and Municipal Hospital, officially known as
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the Lawrence Almshouse and Almshouse Hospital, are located on Marston street. The institution includes several roomy buildings, and it has a large acreage of cultivatable land. The Almshouse was opened by the town on February 20, 1849, when seven persons were admitted. It now averages 130 inmates. Provisions are also made for the care of indigent people in the hospital department where there are four wards, with 33 beds, for their accommodation. In 1912 a movement was started for the establishment of a hospital section free from the stigma of pauperism. Fourteen rooms in this portion are now fitted up with 24 beds for private patients. The hospital has since been called the Municipal Hospital, having been known prior to then as the "Cottage" Hospital. It has a resident physician, a surgical staff and twelve nurses, and it is well equipped for the treatment of all kinds of medical and surgical cases. In addition to the medical service at the hospital, the Charities Depart- ment of the city employs six ward physicians who treat the outdoor poor in need of such attention.
ISOLATION HOSPITAL
The Isolation Hospital, located off Marston street, is used by the Health Department in cases of highly contagious and infectious diseases. It has two wards and nine rooms, and can accommodate as many as 27 people. When it was established, in 1902, small-pox epidemics were not uncommon, and the local institution was prepared for the proper isolation of Lawrence cases. For several years past there has been little occasion to use the hospital.
TUBERCULOSIS HOSPITAL
The Tuberculosis Hospital on Chickering street was established by the city in 1909. Prior to that time provisions were made for tuberculosis cases in the day camp at the General Hospital. The patients used to stay at the camp during the day and went to their homes at night. Through the efforts of the Anti-Tuberculosis League the hospital was established. In 1917 the Municipal Health Depart- ment took over the Tuberculosis Dispensary, maintained by the league, and this is now conducted in connection with the Tuberculosis Hospital. The institution occupies a commodious building, situated on sandy ground and having a southern exposure. There are plenty of windows so arranged that patients get all the fresh air and sun possible. It has four wards with 22 beds each, and has averaged 75 patients. There are in attendance a superintendent and seven nurses, besides two visiting doctors.
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DENTAL CLINIC
In April, 1917, the Health Department established a Dental Clinic, well equipped for the examination and treatment of children with defective teeth. Two dentists are regularly employed in con- nection with the work which also includes visits to the schools and instructions on the care of the teeth. This is an adjunct to the system of medical inspection carried on in the schools, in which the services of six physicians, one for each ward of the city, are employed.
WHITE FUND AND LECTURES
In 1852 Hon. Daniel A. White of Salem, and a native of one of the pioneer farms that had occupied the site of Lawrence, gave a large tract of land extending from the vicinity of Amesbury street westerly, and now intersected by Haverhill, Bradford and Concord streets, the proceeds from the sale of which were to be devoted for educational purposes, including a free course of six lectures each year for the industrial classes of Lawrence. The income was to be known as the White Fund. Trustees were appointed under a deed of trust to carry out the provisions of the gift, and the original trustees were Charles S. Storrow, Nathaniel G. White and Henry K. Oliver. It was suggested by Judge White, the trustees seeing fit, that a lot of land be reserved for a public library building. The intentions of the donor were carried out, and the proceeds, derived from the sale of the land, formed the nucleus of the proposed fund. The White Fund lectures were established in 1864 and have since continued from year to year. The lot of land whereon the Public Library building stands was reserved as intended. The introductory lecture of the White Fund course was by Dr. James Walker, president of Harvard University. Among the other lecturers of that year were Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes. It has been the aim of the trustees to secure the very best talent obtainable, and the courses have been of a high degree of excellence. The subjects are varied, and there is something interesting and instructive for all. Beginning with the establishment of the Public Library in 1872 the White Fund has made an annual appropriation, usually of $1,000, for the purchase of books and pictures for the library. The proceeds from the fund, greatly exceeding the amount required for the lectures, and the language of the indenture being broad in its scope, the trustees have been enabled to use a part of the proceeds for a number of purposes tending to the moral and intellectual uplift of the inhabitants of the city. Among other notable undertakings for which the income of the fund has been used was the survey of the housing conditions of Law- rence, made in 1911. This survey was the means of bringing about a great improvement in the building and sanitary regulations of the
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city. Besides the three original trustees mentioned, George D. Cabot, James H. Eaton, Charles U. Bell, Wilbur E. Rowell, Walter E. Parker and *Charles G. Saunders have acted as trustees of the White Fund, the last three named serving at present.
THE PEOPLE'S FORUM
One of the popular and instructive institutions in the winter life of Lawrence is the People's Forum. The purpose of this activity is a free and sane discussion of the questions of the day with the view of breaking down the walls of prejudice and engendering a regard for one another's opinion. A great employer of labor once said, after listening to an expression of the views of the other side in what had become a bitter industrial dispute, that most of the misunderstanding in life was due to failure to show proper respect and regard for the other fellow's opinion. In creating an opportu- nity for an interchange of opinions the Forum is of great benefit. No church, political combination or "ism" controls it. It brings to- gether people of different nations and creeds, from all the walks of life, and it is regarded as having a broadening influence on the minds of many. Capable lecturers and good selection of subjects have made the meetings attractive. The Forum was established January 31, 1915, by a number of public spirited citizens. Its chairman from the beginning has been Leonard E. Bennink to whose commendable zeal and indefatigable energy is largely due the success of the project.
THE ORPHAN ASYLUM
The Orphan Asylum and Home for Invalids, known as the Protectorate of Mary Immaculate, on Maple street, was the first purely charitable institution permanently established and located in Lawrence. The house was opened by the Sisters of Charity, or the "Gray Nuns", on January 29, 1868. In recent years large additions have been made to the original building. The inmates include 221 boys and girls, besides 22 aged women who at this writing are cared for by the sacrificing nuns. There are 19 sisters in charge of the institution. Everything possible is being done for the moral. intellectual and physical development of the children. A system of education is maintained which enables them to finish the grammar school course at the asylum. When the boys reach the age of 12 years good homes for them are found outside the institution. The girls may stay as long as they wish. An excellent course in domestic
* Charles G. Saunders died Feb. 19, 1918. On June 24, 1918, Irving W. Sargent was appointed to succeed him.
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science is given. On January 29, 1918, the asylum celebrated its golden jubilee, or fiftieth anniversary of its establishment. The receipts of the "Patriots' Tea", held April 19, of each year, are given toward the support of the institution.
LAWRENCE GENERAL HOSPITAL
The Lawrence General Hospital, a private institution but one of great benefit to the community, was established in 1883 in a building crected for the purpose on Methuen street. In 1902, the hospital moved to the present ideal location on the summit of Prospect Hill, away from the hum of industry about the old location. The institu- tion is one of the best equipped of its size in the state. It has 137 beds, with wards for acute medical and surgical cases, a maternity ward, a children's ward and an isolation ward for diphtheria and scarlet fever, with a staff of 27 physicians and surgeons and a large corps of trained nurses, besides an ambulance service. Also con- nected with it is a training school for nurses. The institution is partly supported by contributions and donations. The proceeds from the annual "May Breakfast", begun in 1876 and primarily conducted in support of the Children's Nursery and Home, are given in aid of the hospital which also has received many bequests. The Children's Home referred to was abandoned in 1912, when the property on Howard street was purchased by the Ruth Verein and devoted to the use of the German Old Folks Home.
LAWRENCE HOME FOR AGED
The Lawrence Home for Aged is located in a handsome brick structure on top of Clover Hill, built in 1909 on land donated by Edward F. Searles, Methuen's millionaire philanthropist. Spacious grounds surround the home, and together with the great elm trees and beautiful flower beds add much to the attractiveness of the place. The home was incorporated in 1897. It was for many years situated in South Lawrence and had been familiarly known as the Wood Home, named for its first benefactors. It has 28 inmates. It is supported mostly by gifts from charitable people.
LAWRENCE CITY MISSION
The Lawrence City Mission, located on Jackson street, was organized in 1859, and incorporated in June, 1876. The purposes of the mission are to relieve distress, to prevent unwise giving, to encourage independence, to protect children, and to study social prob-
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lems. Rev. Clark Carter is the missionary in charge. The foundation of the present evening school system was laid by the Lawrence City Mission.
The Arlington Day Nursery, a nursery and permanent home for children whose parents are unable to give them care; the Asrath Noshim, for the purpose of financially aiding the poor and needy of the Jewish race; the German Ruth Society, a home for destitute men and women, and the Lawrence Boys' Club, for promoting good citizenship and morality, and providing a vacation centre, physical instruction and manual training, are included among the local char- itable corporations, listed by the State Board of Charity. Besides these, there is a number of public benefit organizations working for the physical, mental and moral improvement of the community, out- side of the regularly recognized institutions.
STREET RAILWAYS
The growth and development of communities is largely dependent upon their transportation facilities. Usually the expansion of the former follows the extension of the latter. This is especially true in the case of street railways which are more closely identified with the communities they serve than are the steam roads.
The street railways have been a potent factor in the development of Lawrence and outlying districts. By making travel easy and rapid, they have brought all sections into closer touch, and incidentally have been of great benefit in encouraging building, lessening con- gestion and increasing property valuation, besides being a big help to general business.
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