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 8
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LAWRENCE-YESTERDAY AND TODAY
The original plan of arrangement of offices was as follows :- Be- ginning with the room in the southwesterly corner of the building and going east, the rooms on the south side of the corridor were occupied by the common council, the city clerk, the board of alder- men, the mayor, the assessors and the city treasurer in the room the latter now occupies, his present office including the one originally occupied by the assessors, the partition being removed some time in the 80's. Opposite on the north side of the corridor, begin- ning at the easterly end and going west, the order of offices proposed was the school committee, the city marshal, the board of fire engin- eers, and the police court. (We were unable to find a record of where the auditor was located at that time.)
When the police court vacated, the common council immediately took possession of that room, and the board of aldermen moved into the room the common council had. There was much rearrangement of offices at first, but as near as can be determined the original lay- out was as above described. The school committee and the city marshal moved to quarters provided in other buildings later, as did the board of fire engineers and any other officials who may have had places in the hall and whose offices are not now located there. In 1874 a city engineer was appointed and given the office now occupied by that official.
Frederick H. Garfield was elected the first janitor of the Town House and of such school houses, not exceeding three, as the school committee might designate. His compensation was one dollar per day, not including Sunday, but he was to exercise the same care over the Town House on Sundays as on other days. It was evident- ly proper for him to work on Sunday, but wrong to receive pay for it.
The clock and bell in the tower are interesting reminders of the early days. They are the only markers of time, connected with the building, that do not pass into oblivion. The clock at one time chimed the hour. For years after the fire alarm was installed the clock did not strike. In 1895, however, a sentiment for the old timepiece revived. The hammer was rearranged so that it would not interfere with the fire alarm mechanism, and on May 3, 1895, the clock again for a time struck the hour, after a silence of a quarter of a century. From this tower, along with the other bells of the city, "the curfew tolled the knell of the parting day"; when it ceased to do so, no one remembers, but the sweet tones of the bell still call the children to school. The bell was made by H. N. Hooper & Co. of Boston, and cost $999.96. It is one of the largest in Lawrence, and before the bell on the John R. Rollins school was placed in position it was the largest. It weighs 3446 pounds.
The free evening school, a few years after its inauguration in
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THE CITY HALL :- ITS HISTORY AND TRADITIONS
the winter of 1859-60, was provided with quarters in the basement of the City Hall, where the city grocery is now located. For a number of years this room was used as a ward room, and occasion- ally as a supper room for entertainments heid in the audience hall.
The auditorium on the second floor, which was originally designed for the use of the public in town meetings, was at first but a large unattractive hall except for its noble proportions. There was a gallery over the entrance at the easterly end, and at the westerly end, a rostrum about 14 feet deep, as devoid of attractions as the remainder of the hall. Eagles seem to have been much in vogue in the early days and a favorite object of the carver's skill. An eagle, carved in the repair shop of the Atlantic Mills by B. D. Stevens, for some time occupied a position on the wall above the rostrum. It was purchased by the city in 1858 for $45, and $14 was expended for the bracket on which it rested. When the City Hall was remodelled in 1872 this eagle was placed on the front of the Garden street engine house where it has since remained.
The audience hall was closed for repairs on June 25, 1872, and reopened for public inspection on the following October 9th. To break up the space, add to the beauty and increase the seating ca- pacity, galleries were placed on three sides of the remodelled hall, which were made architecturally beautiful with pilasters and heavy cornices in the Corinthian order of architecture, and the ceiling was handsomely frescoed. The original plan for remodelling the hall did not include a stage with scenery for theatrical performances, and there were those who questioned with puritanical prejudice the right of the city to spend money for such purpose. However, good sense prevailed, and all remains as then finished, except for the dust and stains consequent upon 45 years of constant use. The
original seating capacity of the hall was 900. It now accommo- dates 1400. The original windows were so short that their tops would be hidden behind the sloping floor of the galleries, so it became necessary to lengthen them about four feet. It required a great deal of skill to make this renovation, but the work was successfully performed by Capt. Chadbourne, one of the city's skillful masons. The windows in the second story of the tower show the original height of those all around the building. New and improved stair- ways leading to the hall at the Appleton street entrance were added in 1877, at the same time the porch was built, and the entire corridor was wainscotted.
With the exception of lengthening the windows in the second story, the construction of the porch with the enclosed stone steps on Appleton street, which replaced in 1877 the pyramidal stone steps similar to those now leading up to the tower entrance on the Common street side, the construction of the stone steps at the
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LAWRENCE-YESTERDAY AND TODAY
westerly or Pemberton street entrance, which in 1881 replaced the old iron steps that were built in 1855, the exterior appearance of the building is the same as when first constructed.
The hall was used as a theatre for a number of years, and some of the most prominent actors and actresses of the country have played upon its stage. It has been used for about every possible kind of gathering, social and educational, political and religious. It is impos- . sible to mention all the important events that have taken place within its walls or the uses to which the hall has been put. It has witnessed far more scenes of joy than sorrow, and the walls have echoed time and again the festal music of the dance and song. It has been the scene of the largest social events of the city since the time the hall was opened in December, 1849.
In recent years the demand for office room has greatly out- grown the accommodations of the building, and, with the exception of practically the administrative officials, all the city departments have quarters in other buildings. In 1910 plans were drawn for remodelling the City Hall, so that all department heads might be located under one roof. It was proposed that the auditorium be abolished and that the Common street wall be carried out flush with the sidewalk. Thus would three floors be provided, besides a larger area to the floor. The scheme has been considered practical and satisfactory, but its execution has been held up for the want of money. Before a great while, however, it is expected that this extensive improvement will be made, if an entirely new building is not erected.
FILTRATION SYSTEM AND WATER WORKS
For 25 years the inhabitants of Lawrence secured their water for domestic purposes largely from wells and cisterns. This was the principal source of supply until the present water works were established. From that time till the installation of the filtration system which was designed by Hiram F. Mills of the Essex Company, chairman of the committee on water supply and sewerage of the State Board of Health, the water from the river was used without any attempt at purification.
Prior to the building of the filter, typhoid fever made heavy inroads upon the inhabitants of Lawrence annually, but with its installation it developed that the disease germs could be removed, and the Merrimack River water made as harmless and healthful as the best sources of supply obtainable.
In recent years, however, the filtration facilities have been regarded as inadequate to meet present day requirements. The tremendous growth of Lawrence and the demand made upon the filtered supply has not only necessitated several enlargements upon the original plant, but at the present time the situation is such that a commission is engaged studying the possibilities of a future water supply, either by further extensions of the filtration system or by acquisition of an entirely new source of supply.
This commission, appointed in 1913, comprised Leonard E. Bennink, chairman ; Attorney Augustine X. Dooley, secretary ; Jo- seph McCarthy, Justin E. Varney and Charles E. Bradley. The last named resigned in 1916 and J. Frank James was appointed in his place. Morris Knowles of Pittsburg, a former member of the Lawrence water board, was retained as consulting engineer to assist the commission in its investigation.
The first steps looking toward the providing of a water system for Lawrence were taken in 1848 when the "Lawrence Aqueduct Company" was chartered. John Tenney of Methuen, Alfred Kitt- redge of Haverhill and Daniel Saunders of Lawrence, with associates, formed the corporation. Their project of bringing water from Haggett's pond, now the source of supply for the town of Andover, was deemed impracticable. The authorized capital of the company was $50,000. The projectors based calculations upon the estimated use of eighteen gallons per day by each consumer. Experience showed
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LAWRENCE-YESTERDAY AND TODAY
that a supply three or four times that quantity must be provided to cover use, waste and leakage.
In 1851 the Bay State mills and the Essex Company, sharing the cost, built a reservoir of 1,000,000 gallons capacity on Prospect Hill. Water, in this reservoir, raised from the canal by pumping through tested iron pipes, was kept on a level of about 152 feet above the crest of the Merrimack River dam. The property was owned and operated by associated corporations, forming the Lawrence Reservoir Associated. each company having its own system of distrib- uting pipes.
For 24 years, pipes and hydrants in corporation yards and principal business streets were supplied from this reservoir. The common pond was also filled from this source. In 1871 and 1872 municipal water works were agitated, and in consequence of a peti- tion signed by Henry Barton and 18 other citizens the city council caused an investigation of the project to be made by a special com- mission which recommended that the supply be taken from the Merrimack River.
An act passed by the legislature and signed by Governor William B. Washburn on March 8, 1872, provided for the appointment of three commissioners by the city council to execute, superintendent and direct work done by authority of the act or subsequent acts. Upon the approval of the act by the voters in May, 1872, a joint special committee on water supply was appointed in the following June. This committee comprised :- James Payne and James A. Treat, aldermen ; Lorenzo D. Sargent, Henry J. Couch and George W. Russell from the common council. Alderman Payne was elected chairman, and L. Fred Rice of Boston was retained as consulting engineer. An exhaustive report was submitted and on April 18, 1873. an ordinance was passed providing for the election of a board of water commissioners. On the 8th of | May, William Barbour (chairman ), Patrick Murphy (clerk ), and Morris Knowles, father of the engineer now assisting in solving the problem of a future water supply for Lawrence, were elected. Walter F. McConnell served as chief engineer and James P. Kirkwood of Brooklyn, N. Y., was consulting engineer.
The present pumping station and reservoir were constructed in 1874-75. On October 19, 1875, water was forced up into the reservoir for the first time. In 1893 the original filter was completed. This was the first municipal filtration system for the elimination of bacteria, established in the country. The water was turned on the bed in September of that year. It has an area of two and one- half acres. In 1907 the capacity of the filtration system was in- creased by the construction of a covered filter west of the original bed. The water area of this is three-quarters of an acre.
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FILTRATION SYSTEM AND WATER WORKS
In 1916 work was started on the reconstruction of the east unit of the open filter. The original bed was divided into three units with separating walls in 1902. This reconstruction consisted of the laying of a concrete bottom and walls with piers which will support the roof later when it may be decided to cover this section. The work is intended to increase the capacity of the beds by excluding the iron from the ground water which found its way into the upper drains.
The reservoir has a capacity of 40,000,000 gallons, and the pumping capacity of the old Leavitt engine at the pumping station, for 24 hours, is 5,000,000 gallons each side, one side being operated at a time. A turbine engine with a pumping capacity of about 2,000,000 gallons in 24 hours and a Barr pump with a capacity of about 1,500,000 gallons a day are used in connection with the high service water tower on Tower hill, which regulates the flow on the hills and in the mercantile or so-called fire hazard district.
The high service water tower was built in 1896. It is 102 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. At 100 feet there is an 8-inch overflow pipe that conveys the overflow back into the reservoir. In case of the necessity of repairs on the enclosed stand-pipe the water can be pumped directly into the mains by a Ross pressure regulating valve. The capacity of the stand-pipe is 520,000 gallons.
The original cost of the water works was $1,363,000. The cost today, with the several improvements, is estimated to be $2,421,- coo. During the past several years, the department has been more than self-sustaining, there having been a surplus of receipts over expenditures.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The first engine house, erected in the limits of Lawrence, was a small one-story structure, with large doors but minus windows in front, at the corner of Essex and Turnpike ( Broadway) streets, on the site of the Brechin block. This was constructed shortly after the begin- ning of operations on the dam. In it was stored the hand engine "Essex", purchased by the Essex Company and manned by its employes for nearly three years, when it was sold to the town, and the building used for other purposes. The engine was transferred to a wooden building on Morton street, which was subsequently used as a fire station and is still standing. The structure was used until recently by one of the departments of the Industrial school, it having been remodelled and enlarged. This particular engine house was replaced by what is now known as Engine 4's house at the corner of Lowell and Oxford streets.
In 1847 the town purchased two more hand engines, and two small wooden buildings were built for their storage. One of these was erected on Newbury street, but it was afterward removed to Garden street. In it Niagara 2 ( first called "Rough and Ready") was housed. Later the building was sold and removed to Union street to be converted into a store and tenement. The other structure was erected on Elm street, between Lawrence and White streets, in which Syphon 3 was housed. Later it was removed to the southerly side of Oak street. In 1850 a fourth hand engine company was formed in South Lawrence under the name of the Tiger Fire Association. For its quarters a building, similar to the others, was erected at the corner of Turnpike and Crosby streets.
The site of the present fire department headquarters, or close to it, on Lowell street, has been marked by an engine house since the very early days of the department. The original fire station in this location stood on part of the site of the Central fire house. It was occupied by the Hook and Ladder, City Hose and Lawrence Protective companies, the last named being disbanded in 1853. In 1854 the building was removed to Amesbury street, in the rear of the First Baptist church, where it remained until 1864. Then it was removed to a lot near the corner of Concord and Franklin streets, when it was enlarged and used for fire purposes until the present brick fire house was erected there.
ENGINE
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ENGINE 8
1
CENTRAL FIRE STATION
-ENGINE
4
ENGINE
A GROUP OF FIRE HOUSES
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LAWRENCE-YESTERDAY AND TODAY
Prior to 1860 none of the engine houses were provided with hose towers worthy to be termed such. They were occasionally heated by box stoves in cold weather, and were provided with small bell towers. The first hook and ladder truck purchased by the town was a crude affair of light construction, with a small number of ladders of medium length, a few hooks, axes and lanterns. The City Hose carriage was a two-wheel affair, capable of carrying 500 feet of hose and manned by a company of 10 members. Later a five-wheel carriage was substituted, and its name was changed to Eagle Hose company which organization ceased to exist in 1870.
The construction of the first brick fire house, at the corner of Haverhill and White streets, long since known as the Old Battery building, was authorized in June, 1856. The following September the old wooden house on Oak street was sold, and hand engine 3's company moved into the new quarters. This house was later also occupied by the Bonney Light Battery which was organized in 1865, at the close of the Civil War, and named for Mayor Bonney. Hence the name of Old Battery building. For many years the house has not been used by the fire department, and the Bonney Light Battery long ago went out of existence. The building is now used as a store-house by the Public Property department, besides being a polling place for Precinct 8. The old brick fire house at the corner of South Broadway and Crosby street, occupied by Engine No. 3 and Chemical No. 3, was built in 1869, and the one on Garden street, occupied by Engine No. 2, in 1871. The old brick house at the corner of Franklin and Concord streets, occupied by Ladder No. 4, was constructed in 1876.
The newer houses, all of brick, were constructed as follows : Engine 4's, Oxford street, in 1910; Central fire station, Lowell street, in 1907; Combination 6's, Howard street, in 1896; Combination 7's, Park street, in 1896; Combination 8's, Ames street, in 1900; Combina- tion g's; Bailey street, in 1908.
At the time of the Pemberton mill disaster, January 10, 1860, the necessity for a more adequate system of fire protection was brought home with telling force, and the city government purchased the Pacific No. I from the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company of Manchester, N. H., it being the fifteenth steam fire engine made by that concern. This steamer was placed in service in Lawrence on July 6, 1860, and was first located in the Old Battery building. It was transferred to Lowell street when the former brick house there was built. After II years of regular service the old Pacific was set aside as a reserve steamer, and nine years later it was sold for one quarter of its original cost.
Atlantic No. 2 steam fire engine, built for the purpose of exhibit- ing it at the World's fair in London, England, in 1861, was purchased by the City of Lawrence on March 6, 1862, the inducements offered
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THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
for its shipment across the Atlantic not being regarded as sufficient. This steamer was temporarily located in the house on Lowell street, being later removed to Garden street. In June, 1862, the steamer known as Tiger 3 was purchased from the Amoskeag Company, and located in the house on South Broadway. Both these engines were replaced by larger and more modern types in 1889.
Essex 4 steam fire engine was secured by the city on September 24, 1864, and placed in the old fire house on Morton street. In 1889 it was replaced by the steamer now in use at the new house of Engine 4 on Oxford street. Washington steam engine No. 5, now known as Engine 5, was purchased in 1870, and placed in service in April of the following year. This steamer responds to second alarms today. It is located at the Central fire station.
The Franklin hook and ladder truck at the Concord street house was secured on February 16, 1875. The double tank chemical at Engine 3's house was placed in service on March 30, 1880. It was located at the Lowell street headquarters until 1886 when the protective wagon was installed there and the chemical engine removed to the South Broadway house. The aerial ladder truck at the Central fire station was purchased in 1889. The water tower, also located at the Lowell street headquarters, was secured in 1905. The various other pieces of apparatus have been provided as the need appeared.
Today the department equipment comprises 50 trained horses, four steamers, four hose wagons, four combination hose and chemical wagons, one protective wagon, one double tank chemical, four hook and ladder trucks, a water tower, chief's and deputy chief's wagons, besides nine supply and exercise wagons. The personnel includes a chief, deputy chief, II captains, nine lieutenants, 69 permanent men, 60 call men and 100 substitutes. There are nine engine houses, in- cluding the seven-run central station, one of the largest of its kind in the country.
The Firemen's Relief Association, organized in 1878, is still in existence and in a flourishing condition.
An animate reminder of the hand-tub days, and a distinguished member of the Lawrence fire department, is Charles W. Foster, engine man at the Central fire station, who is the oldest fireman in the United States, if not the oldest in the world, in active service. He has been connected with the department for over 66 years, having joined it in 1851. He is 83 years old, but despite his age he reports regularly every day at the fire house. For 30 years he has run the old Wash- ington 5 steamer.
The town fire department was organized on June 12, 1847, and established by legislative enactment the following year. At first fire wardens were chosen. Two years later the system was changed, and a fire chief was elected. In June, 1891, the department was re-
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LAWRENCE-YESTERDAY AND TODAY
organized by an act of the Legislature, and a board of three engineers, a chief and two assistants, the former to be permanent and the other two "call" commanders, was provided for. These were named by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen. When the new city charter, or commission form of government, went into effect January I, 1912, it provided for the abolishment of the board of fire engineers. Early that year Alderman Cornelius F. Lynch, the first director of public safety, designated Chief Dennis E. Carey as chief, and Francis J. Morris, then a captain in command of Combination 8's company, as deputy fire chief. Both have continued to hold those positions.
Prior to 1869 the fire alarms were given by ringing small bells on the several engine houses, except in case of a fire of considerable magnitude when the City Hall and corporation bells were rung. In the early days frequently much confusion prevailed in locating the fires, as there were no signal boxes as there are today. The sources of water supply, too, were limited and the apparatus was crude. In July, 1869, the first fire alarm telegraph system was introduced. It comprised 14 boxes and three bell strikers, which were installed at an expense of $8,000. This system was gradually enlarged and improved upon until 1909 when the present modern Gamewell system, including what is called the fast and slow time method, was provided at a cost of $22,000. There are 139 signal boxes.
The next step toward modernizing the Lawrence fire department will be the installation of automobile equipment, which has been persist- ently advocated and which must eventually materialize.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
In the early days of Lawrence every one was too busy to be concerned about criminal doings, but, as the town began to grow, evils cropped out and the need of some law enforcing department was felt.
At the first town meeting 10 constables were appointed, and of these 10 men Gilman F. Sanborn, Nathaniel Ambrose and James D. Herrick were successively at the head of the town police.
Not until Lawrence was incorporated as a city was a regular police department organized. From the founding of the city till 1888, the police were subject to annual change as went the fates of politics, but in 1887 a law was passed making the police force permanent. The growth of the department has kept pace with the development of the city. At the close of the year 1917 the force consisted of a city marshal, three assistant city marshals, one lieutenant, two sergeants, six inspectors, one clerk, one keeper of the lockup, a matron, one in- spector of wires, 94 regular patrolmen and 29 reserves.
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