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 18
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GENERAL OLIVER LOSES COAT TAIL
Lawrence has seen some turbulent elections, but very few that equalled in animation the last meeting of the electors of the town. B. F. Watson led the Democratic hosts. Early in the day, Mr. Watson made some motion intended to give advantage to his party and was declared out of order. Exasperated at his failure, he planted himself in the way to the polls and in a loud voice announced that "There shall be no voting here today," and called upon his friends to block the passage to the ballot box. The hall was filled with excited men who rushed to the point where Watson was standing. A party fight, on an extended scale, seemed almost unavoidable, when, above the din of angry tumult, the clear, calm voice of William R. Page, chairman of the selectmen, echoed through the hall: "Gentlemen, you will bring in your votes." Instantly General Oliver, agent of the Atlantic Mills, started, over the heads of the crowd, for the ballot box. After a severe struggle he finally arrived at the object of his aim, minus his coat tail. This incident operated like magic in allaying the disturbance. All parties regarded it as a joke worth laughing at, and order was far more easily restored than the coat tail.
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THE CITY HALL PUMP
In the old days everybody had a well or cistern, but a well today is considered almost a prize, so few are they. Probably the most notable of the old time pumps and the best remembered by some of us today was the City Hall pump in Pemberton street. Although the pump was removed some years ago, it is only within a very short time that the well was filled up and the platform removed. It fell a victim to modern ideas of public health preservation. It was a popular resort during the hot weather. Every warm day this well was pumped dry, for its water was sparkling and refreshing, and in great demand.
MANIA FOR WELLS HIT THE CITY
In the late 60's the advocates of temperance in Lawrence were especially active. Although the State had some kind of prohibitory liquor law, and the City had a liquor agent who dealt out such liquors as were legitimately called for, it is said that there were between 200 and 300 places in the city where intoxicants were sold illegally. Temperance societies flourished proportionately, claiming a total of a thousand adherents. Public meetings, several of them, were held every month in the churches and in the City Hall. The result of these meetings seemed to be the demand that many public wells be sunk throughout the city. One prominent citizen suggested that as many as six to a block were necessary. Dr. Packard, the venerable rector of Grace church, headed the petition praying that at least two be dug on the common, and one in Storrow Park. Others wanted wells dug in the cemetery. The City Council did provide some wells in answer to this demand, and those who could imagine themselves satisfied with water had a chance to work a pump handle. The last public pump to disappear was in the city park on Bodwell street. The State Board of Health diminished the number by condemning most of the wells, but their condemnation did not always close them at once. The people clung to them with great pertinacity and it was with much reluctance in many instances that they were finally given up.
NOTICE TO THE DEAD
In 1859 the following peculiarly worded order passed the City Council :- "That Aldermen Bryant and Norris be a committee to prepare a notice to the parties now occupying lots in the cemetery, unpaid for, and to cause such notice to be served on each party, requesting them to call for deeds of such lots and to settle for the same."
GOOD TIME AT CITY'S EXPENSE
In December, 1856, both branches of the City Council voted $200
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HISTORICAL REMNANTS
of the city's money for a farewell banquet to themselves and their friends to be served in Lawrence Hall. One hundred and fifty plates were to be laid and the price was to be $1.25 per plate. Some citizens petitioned the Supreme Judical court for an injunction against this appropriation, which was secured.
OLD FIRE SIGNAL
August 3, 1868, before the fire alarm system was installed, the City Council provided that the fire bells should first strike or toll the number of the ward where the fire was, then ring rapidly for twenty seconds, then stop for about twenty seconds, and then repeat the operation continuously so long as the bells should ring. The City Hall bell was only to toll the number of the ward throughout the whole ringing.
SUN DIAL OWNED BY CITY
For some six or seven years the city owned a sun dial, although there is no record of it having been used. It was purchased in 1856 by the city government from the patentee for $100. During the years that the city had it in its possession it remained in the safe connected with the city clerk's office, no effort having been made to test its value. What eventually became of it we have failed to learn. The dial was eighteen inches in diameter, and was said to be like those sold to the city of Portland and to the several Maine counties.
COMPASS POSTS ON COMMON
On the easterly side of the common there are three stone posts in line, about 200 feet apart, nearly parallel with Jackson street. These define a true north and south line. The needle of the compass, as is quite generally known, points to the magnetic and not to the true north. The variation from the true north is now about twelve degrees, with an increasing variation westerly of about two and one-half minutes annually. These posts are of valuable assistance to nautical and civil engineers who come here to adjust their instruments. The placing of these markers was brought about by Gilbert E. Hood who as superintendent of schools sent a communication to the City Council in 1871 stating that the legislature of 1870 had provided that the county commissioners of each county should by means of stone posts establish a true north and south line in one or more places in the county. He represented that the common was the most suitable place for the establishment of such a line, and that it would be of great advantage to pupils in the High school. Upon petition of the City Council the county commissioners placed the posts at their present location.
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DISTINGUISHED VISITORS IN LAWRENCE
Lawrence has had many distinguished visitors, among them being : On November 14, 1847, Daniel Webster and his wife; September 8, 1849, Father Theobald Mathew, the distinguished Irish temperance reformer; in 1850, Horace Greeley, the famous journalist, who 25 years later lectured at City Hall on observations from his early visits ; in February, 1853, Thomas Francis Meagher, the Irish patriot and afterwards a major general in the Union Army ; in December, 1856, Senator Thomas H. Benton, for 30 years a member of the United States Senate : in 1860, Stephen A. Douglass, Lincoln's great opponent ; in the spring of 1863, Gen. George B. McClellan, famous Union com- mander, and his wife; in August, 1865, Gen. U. S. Grant, commander- in-chief of the Union Armies, with his family and staff ; December 21, 1877, Gen. James Shields ; January 16, 1880, Charles Stewart Parnell, the Irish statesman ; in 1889, President Harrison ; in September, 1896, William J. Bryan, Democratic candidate for President and later erst- while Secretary of State under President Wilson ; January 2, 1897, Monsignor Martinelli, apostolic delegate to the United States, from Rome; August 26, 1902, President Roosevelt with members of his Cabinet. In the fall of 1912, during the Presidential campaign, Law- rence had the distinction of receiving a President and an ex-President of the United States on the same day. In the morning ex-President Roosevelt, Progressive candidate for President, visited the city, and in the afternoon President Taft, Republican candidate for re-election, came here and addressed a gathering of citizens on the common. A Chinese embassy, a Japanese embassy, and a company of naval officers and officials representing the Czar of all the Russias, have paid special visits to the city, inspecting the mammoth mills with great interest.
NOTES
In the spring of 1896 the Merrimack River rose out of its banks to a height of nine feet nine inches above the crest of the dam, three inches short of that reached during the great freshet of 1852. Little damage was done beyond the flooding of a number of cellars.
On February 1, 1898, occurred the greatest snowstorm in the city's history. In one night 36 inches of snow fell, and for a time business was completely paralyzed.
On June 1, 2 and 3, 1903, the semi-centennial of the founding of Lawrence as a city was celebrated. Imposing ceremonies were held, which were attended by Governor Bates and staff. A big feature was a great parade, representing all nationalities.
WHO'S WHO IN PUBLIC LIFE
HON. JOHN J. HURLEY MAYOR
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ROBERT S. MALONEY ALDERMAN AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND CHARITIES
Robert S. Maloney was born in Lawrence February 3, 1881. He at- tended the public schools. At the age of 13 years he started to work in the Washington Mills. He took up the printer's trade at the old Tele- gram office in 1895, and he has since become prominently identified with that craft and the labor movement. He was the New England organizer for the International Typographical Union for five years. In 1907 he rep- resented the American Federation of Labor as fraternal delegate at the convention of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada. in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was elected, as a Re- publican, to the Board of Aldermen, in 1909, and served as president of the board. In 1912 he held office as Al- derman and first Director of Public Health and Charities under the new city charter. During 1913 he engaged in the job printing business. In 1914 he was again elected Alderman and Director of Public Health and Char- ities, for a two-year term, at the expi- ration of which he was re-elected for 1917 and 1918. He served as Presi- dent of the City Council in 1916, 1917 and 1918. Many notable improvements have been made in the Health and Charities Department during his ad- ministration. He has the record for tenure of office as Alderman.
JOHN A. FLANAGAN ALDERMAN AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PARKS
John A. Flanagan is a native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. He was born February 14, 1865. Hc attended the parochial and public schools at Charlottetown, and upon leaving school he took up the trade of carpentering, with which he has been since identified. In 1884 he moved to Boston. He came to Law- rence from there in May, 1896. For several years prior to his entering public office he had been a building contractor. He was Assistant Super- intendent of Public Property in 1905- 'II. In 1913 and 1014 he served as Superintendent of Public Property and Inspector of Buildings. In 1914 he was elected Alderman and Director of Public Property and Parks, which office he has since held, being re- elected for a second two-year term in 1916. Alderman Flanagan has the care of all city buildings, parks and playgrounds. Notable public improve- ments during his administration have been the construction of the new Oliver (Central) Grammar School and the addition to the Tarbox Gram- mar School, over which he had super- vision. The supervised playground movement has been largely developed since his induction into office, and the city's park system has been consid- erably extended. He is married and has two children.
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WHO'S WHO IN PUBLIC LIFE
JOHN F. FINNEGAN ALDERMAN AND DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING
John F. Finnegan is a native of Law- rence, being born here April 15, 1878. He attended the parochial and public schools of the city. Upon leaving school he started to work in the mills, and later was employed in the meat and provision business. Fourteen years ago he became connected with the Street Department, and has since served in various capacities in that municipal department, securing a wide range of experience. In the municipal elections of 1915 he was nominated and elected Alderman and Director of Engineering for a two-year term, and he was re-elected in 1917 for the years 1918 and 1919. A number of impor- tant improvements have been made in the Department of Engineering under his supervision, including the recon- struction of the east section of the old filter and the installation of the auxiliary water supply system on Phillips Hill. The latter improvement has fulfilled a crying need of several years standing. The granite block per- manent pavement. for which Lawrence has become noted, has been extended by him in a number of thoroughfares. Alderman Finnegan has charge of the city's streets, sewerage, bridges and water works. He is not married.
PETER CARR ALDERMAN AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Peter Carr was born in Ireland April 2, 1884. He came to Lawrence, with his parents, at the age of nine years. He attended the public schools, and the Lawrence Commercial School. For a number of years he was employed in the mills. He first appeared in the public eye in the fall of 1913 when he was elected, as a Democrat, to the State Legislature from the 6th Essex Representative District. He served as Representative in 1914 and 1915. He never missed a roll call, and was re- garded as an active member of the House. He was deeply interested in labor legislation. being instrumental in having the amount of weekly allow- ance, under the Workingmen's Com- pensation Act, increased from one-half to two-thirds of the weekly wage of the applicant. He took a prominent part in the fights for the Merrimack Navigation and Salisbury Beach Res- ervation Bills. In 1916 and 1917, Mr. Carr engaged in the tea and cof- fee business. In December, 1017, he was elected Alderman and Director of Public Safety for 1918 and 1919. In connection with his administration of the Police and Fire Departments, he has proposed a number of pro- gressive ideas, including a well thought out plan for the motorizing of these departments. Alderman Carr is not married.
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HON. JAMES R. TETLER SENATOR
James R. Tetler was born in Law- rence August 26, 1877. Upon leaving the public schools, he became a plumb- er's apprentice, later attending the North End Plumbing Trade School, Boston. where he completed his train- ing. He started in business for him- self in 1904. He has been prominent in local politics. In 1903 and 1904 he was in the Common Council, and in 1909 and 1910 he served as a Rep- resentative. In 1913 he was elected to the State Senate. He was re- elected for a fifth term as Senator in November, 1917. Senator Tetler is regarded as an influential member of the upper branch of the Legis- lature. He has served on the most important committees. The Constitu- tional Amendment Bill, allowing the State to seize, by eminent domain, land at Salisbury Beach and return it to the people by lease or sale, was twice carried through the Senate by Senator Tetler, only to be defeated in the House the second year. To become law, it was necessary that the measure pass the Legislature two years consecutively. As chairman of the Merrimack Valley delegation, in 1917, he led the fight for the Merri- mack River Navigation Bill which passed both branches of the Legis- lature, but which was vetoed by Governor McCall. Senator Tetler is married.
HON. MICHAEL F. PHELAN CONGRESSMAN
Michael F. Phelan was born in Lynn, Mass., October 22, 1875. He was educated in the public schools of Lynn, and Harvard University, receiving an A. B. degree in 1897 and an L. L. B. degree in 1900 from the latter institution. He took up the practice of law in Lynn. In 1905 and 1906 he served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representa- tives. In the fall of 1912 he was elected, as a Democrat, from the 7th Massachusetts District, to the 63rd Congress, and in 1914 and 1916 he was re-elected to the 64th and 65th Congresses. He is an active member of the national legislative body, and is regarded as one of the best in- formed men in Congress on matters bearing on financial legislation, partic- ularly in relation to banking and currency. He was chairman of one of the sub-committees which drew up the Federal Reserve Act that has put into the hands of the United States government the control of the banking system of the country, the first notable achievement of the Wilson administration. He also wrote and fathered the bill for the Rural Credits Law which passed Congress in 1916, and which has proven a great boon to the agricultural indus- try. Congressman Phelan is married and has three children.
WHO'S WHO IN PUBLIC LIFE
20I
HON. LOUIS S. COX DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Louis S. Cox was born in Man- chester, N. H, November 22, 1874. Being graduated from the Manchester High School in 1892, he entered Dartmouth College where he re-
ceived an A. B. degree in 1806. Studied for half of one term at Har- vard Medical School. Then entered Boston University Law School. Giv- en his degree in law and admitted to the bar in 1899. In January, 1900, he came to Lawrence and became associated with Charles A. De- Courcy, now a Supreme Court Jus- tice. Later became a partner in the law firm of Sweeney, Dow & Cox, now known as Sweeney, Cox & Sargent. He has been prominent in politics. Served three years as mem- ber of Republican State Committee, and has also served as chairman of Republican City Committee. Elect- ed to State Senate in fall of 1905. Appointed Postmaster in July, 1906, holding that position until January, 1914. Elected District Attorney in the fall of 1015 to fill the unex- pired term of Henry C. Attwill, and re-elected in 1916 for three years. He was captain of Battery C. Light Artillery, for three years. In Sep- tember, 1917, he was appointed a colonel in the State Guard. Mr. Cox is married and has two children.
Note :-- Mr. Cox was appointed Justice of the Superior Court March 27. 1918.
BERNARD M. SHERIDAN SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Bernard M. Sheridan was born in Wellesley. Mass., October 26, 1866. He was educated in the public schools of his native town. He was graduat- ed from the Wellesley High School in 1883, and from Boston College in 1887. He received the degree of A. M. from his Alma Mater in 1893. The year after his college graduation he began teaching in Amsterdam, N. Y. The following year he became principal of a grammar school on Cape Cod, where so many other well- known educators served their appren- ticeship. Soon after, he was promoted to the High School principalship in the same town. In 1895 he was elected master of the John K. Tarbox gram- mar school of this city. In 1897 he succeeded B. F. Dame as principal of the Oliver school. He remained in this position until his unanimous election as Superintendent of Schools in April, 1904. Mr. Sheridan is well versed in educational matters. He is a member of the National Education Assn., Massachusetts Superintendents' Assn., New England Superintendents' Assn., National Council of Teachers of English, and the Essex County Teachers' Assn. He is the author of "Speaking and Writing English", a course of study in elementary Eng- lish which has given him a national reputation. Mr. Sheridan is married and has one child.
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JAMES D. HORNE MASTER OF HIGH SCHOOL
James D. Horne was born in Bidde- ford, Me., July 21, 1860, coming to Lawrence in 1862. He was educated in the public schools of this city and Methuen, Phillips-Andover Academy and Dartmouth College, be'ng grad- uated from the last named institution in 1884 with an A. B. degree and with Phi Beta Kappa rank in scholarship. In 1890, Dartmouth conferred the degree of A M. upon him. For three years prior to this academic training he worked in the weaving room of the Arlington Mills, and he taught district schools in the last three win- ters of his college course. Upon graduation from college, he began the study of Law in the office of Hon. J. N. Marshall of Lowell; also attended Boston
University Law School. During the law course, he served as principal of the Lowell Evening High School. In June, 1886, he was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar, and in July, 1887, to the Minnesota Bar, having gone to St. Paul, Minnesota, the spring previous. In the fall of 1887 he returned to Lowell. Giving up the practice of law for school teaching, he was elected Sub-Master of the Haverhill High School in 1888. He became Principal of the Brattleboro, Vt., High School in 1891. He came to Lawrence as Principal of the Lawrence High School in 1894.
DANIEL J. MURPHY CITY SOLICITOR
Daniel J. Murphy was born in Law- rence November 15. 1875. He attend- ed the public schools, and was grad- uated from the Lawrence High School. He then went to Harvard College, was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa, and completing his college work, entered the Harvard Law School. In June, 1903, he was grad- uated from the law school, having previously been admitted to the bar, in March, at Boston. While attend- ing law school he taught in the college as an assistant in History. For a short time he was in the office of Judge J. F. Quinn at Salem. He began the practice of law in Law- rence in October, 1903. was later a member of the firms of Knox, Coul- son & Murphy, and Coulson & Murphy, and since 1909 has conducted law offices of his own. He has been City Solicitor from 1906 to 1908 and from 1910 to date, Counsel to the Lawrence Bridge Commissions, and Associate or Town Counsel for the Town of Andover, since 1906. As City Solicitor for the City of Law- rence he has defended the city in im- portant cases, in which his contentions have been established as precedents in municipal law. In 1905 Mr. Murphy married Mary T. Curran of Andover. He has three children.
WHO'S WHO IN PUBLIC LIFE
203
DR. PETER L. McKALLAGAAT ASSISTANT CITY PHYSICIAN
Dr. Peter L. McKallagat was born in Lawrence February 13, 1883. He re- ceived his preparatory education in the public schools of this city, being grad- uated from the Lawrence High School in 1902. In the fall of that year he entered Columbia Medical School of New York City, and upon completing his course of studies there in 1906 he was given his degree. For the two years following he was house surgeon at St. Vincent's Hospital, New York City, and during the summer of 1909 he had charge of the Seaside Floating Hospital of St. John's Gu'ld, New York. On October 15, 1909, he took up general practice in Lawrence. Dr. McKallagat has established a large practice, having had remarkable suc- cess in his cases, particularly in the surgical line. He was appointed As- sistant City Physician in 1915. He handles all the surgical cases at the Municipal Hospital which has been well equipped for such service by the Department of Public Health and Charities. Facilities are provided to meet the requirements for major op- erations. as well as the minor surgical cases. Dr. McKallagat is married and has two children.
DR. WILLIAM J. SULLIVAN CITY PHYSICIAN
Dr. William J. Sullivan was born in Lancaster, Mass., June 17, 1860. He was educated in the public schools of Lancaster and the New York Uni- . versity and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, being graduated from the latter institution on March 15, 1886. He came to Lawrence in July of that year. For many years he has been prominently identified with the med- ical profession here, and he is one of the city's oldest practitioners. In 1893 he was appointed United States Examining Surgeon for Pensions by President Cleveland, and he still holds that position. He served as President of the Board of Trade in 1909 and 1910, and as Chairman of the Board of Health in 1910. For several years he was a member of the Democratic State Committee, and in 1906 he served on the executive committee of that organization. In 1912 he was appointed Assist. City Physician. He was named City Physician Jan. 5. 1915, and by virtue of that office he is also a member of the Board of Health. As City Physician. he has super- vision of the Municipal and Tuber- culosis Hospitals. He has been con- nected with the Massachusetts Med- ical Society for the past 29 years, and was President of the Essex North District of that society in 1907 and 1908. Dr. Sullivan is married and has one son.
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JOHN J. DONOVAN CHAIRMAN OF CENTRAL BRIDGE COMMISSION
John J. Donovan was born in Lawrence January 1, 1862. He at- tended the public schools of the city, and was graduated from the Law- rence High School in 1880. Upon leaving school he entered the office of the City Clerk. In 1883 he was appointed Assistant City Clerk and Clerk of Committees, which position he held until 1892. In the fall of 1891 he was elected Register of Deeds for the Northern District of Essex County. He held that office for three years. On November 20, 1894, he took up the study of law in the Boston University Law School, and in 1896 was given a degree magna cum laude. He was admitted to the bar in July, 1896, and began the practice of law in Lawrence. He has gained considerable reputation for his success in handling cases in which municipal law was involved. In 1897 and 1898 he was a member of the Licensing Board for the City of Lawrence. He has served for many years on the local Civil Serv- ice Board, and is thoroughly fam'l- iar with the Civil Service law. He was appointed a member of the Cen- tral Bridge Commission by Mayor Cahill in 1911, being elected chairman of that board upon its organization. Mr. Donovan is married and has one child.
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