USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1890-1895 > Part 8
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23. George Henry Brady, to John F. and Ella A.
66
Patrick Foley, to Darby and Hannah.
March 2. Silas Everett Boyden, to E. Munroe and Sarah P.
5. Nicholas Hogan, to Daglan and Catharine.
15. William Vincent Rafferty, to John W. and Theresa F.
6. 31. Thomas Drummey, to Patrick and Mary A.
April 5. Joseph Oscar Blasnack, to Martin and Amelia.
17. Fred Richard Hunt, to Fred and Delina.
.6 23 John Edwin Erickson, to John A. and Matilda.
66 28. John Frederick Williams (a twin), to John H. and Sarah.
May
2. William Tobin, to William J. and Mary V.
13. Nicholas Vincent Enwright, to Nicholas and Sarah J.
58
May 17. John Edwin Goodwin, to A. Lincoln and Mary A.
66 26. Geo. Davenport, to Ambrose and Seraphine C.
60 30. Henry Lombard Baston, to Frederick S. and Estelle F.
June 7. Henry Winford Donoghue, to Daniel and Catharine.
20. John Curran, to Morgan and Bridget.
July 4. George McDonald, to John W. and Margaret.
20. James Francis Burke, to Michael and Ellen.
66 21. Edward Francis Gray, to David F. and Mary J.
1
Roland Cunningham Libby, to Stephen A. and Ella M.
Aug. 2. 2. Michael Owen MeDonough, to Patrick and Sarah.
66
3. Frank Godfrey Bishop, to Charles A. and Julia E.
66
20. John Francis Gallagher, to Patrick F. and Margaret A.
66
24. Edmund James Shattuck, to Edmund J. and Emma L.
66
25. Leon Frank Bateman, to Frank W. and E. Maria.
66 28. William Gillooly, to Bernard and Ellen.
Sept. 9. John Joseph Hayes, to Dennis J. and Nellie E. Frederick James Morgan, to George J. and Susic G.
17. IS. Ross Albert Ware, to Albert E. and Marion E.
IS. Lyman Waldo Bigelow, to Edgar L. and Abbic A.
66 (No name.) Hayes, to Frederick and Carrie B. Joseph Patrick Leahy, to Patrick and Bridget.
19. 20. 26. George Louis Kuld, to Martin J. and Annie G. Henry Joseph Swank, to Joseph C. and Annic.
Oct. 66
I. 5. Henry Willard Ellis, to Warren and Eliza C.
5.
66 Francis Bacon Putnam, to Edwin A. and Addic E.
66
7. Michael Nugent, to John and Mary.
66
S. Frank Elmer Anderson, to Frank P. and Mary E. Michael Bernard Shine (a twin), to William and Annie A.
66
IO. 16. IS.
Brecse Fulton Barbour F., to George W. and Minnic. Cornelius Sullivan Colbert, to John and Annie E.
66 IS. Michael Cahalan, to John and Julia.
66 20. Frank Edward Odenwalder, to George and Mary.
66
20. Richard O'Leary (a twin), to James and Ellen B.
66 21. Walter Edwin Bissell, to Samuel and Elba M.
21. James Lyden, to Martin and Bridget.
6.
59
Oct.
21. Frederick Chester Buttrick, to Charles E. and Annie M.
..
27. Thomas Cronin, to John J. and Catherine.
Nov. 13. George Ansell Guild Fifield, to Henry L. and Mary A.
19. Charles Edward Foley, to William J. and Margaret.
25. Ruel George Fulton, to Lemuel B. and Alice F. Aliee F.
27. William Welch, to John J. and Mary E.
28. Frederiek Freeman Readel, to Frederick and Annie M.
Dec.
13. (No name as yet ) . Hartwell to Frank W . and Nellie.
.'
31. Arthur Colburn Tilton, to Walter F. and Anna M.
DAUGHTERS.
Jan.
1. Jeanette May Donelly, to Simon P. and Catharine E.
. .
S. Alice Morrissey, to Patriek J. and Annie A.
Feb. I. Maggie Foley, to Colman and Delia.
4. Elizabeth Horgan, to Franeis P. and Hannah J.
.6
12. Fanny Mabel Thorn, to William H. and Mabel F.
March 4.
Mary Theresa Gilling, to James J. and Mabel F. Edith Crane Whittier, to Herbert A. and Cora J.
April 19.
22. Flora Lena Garris, to Karl A. and Lena.
26. Eva Dower, James and Ellen E.
6 . 28. Adeline Veronica Williams (twin), to John H. and Sarah.
May
.. 29. 7. Gertrude Agnes Mitehel, to James and Margaret A.
16. Catherine Frances Havey, to Thomas F. and Maria.
66 21. Bertha Vivian Congdon, to Charles O. and Ella.
26. Mary Conley, to Michael and Bridget.
Marion Lilian Edwards, to Charles and Hannah.
June 7. 13. Rose Ann Ryan, to Charles and Mary Ann.
14. Nina Maud Brooks, to Charles A. and Madora C.
15. Norah Theresa Scannell, to William and Sarah.
..
24. Edith Eveline Rolfe, to William A. and Lena J.
July
2. Hannah Rebecca Duncan, to Dennis H, and Mary R.
Aliee Eveline D. Almeda, to Manuel and Annie.
60
July II. Ida Celeste Chauvay, to Aime J. and Celeste.
15. Ernestine Ellis, to Frank L. and Emma S.
16
25. Catherine Isabel Curran, to Michael W. and Mary A. 27. Marion Steele Woolard, to John R. and Elizabeth.
66 Aug. 19. 22.
Lizzie Eleanor Campbell, to Edward C. and Sarah J. Sebina Lyden, io Peter and Mary.
Sept. 5. 9.
Agnes Gertrude Murray, to Daniel and Margaret. Marion Irene Brooks, to Marshall E. and Isabel.
66
14 . Ruby Gardner, to Lysander aud Elsie E.
15. Katie Agnes Galbraith, to John J. and Catherine.
16. Helen Gillooly, to John and Ellen A.
Oct. 3.
21. Mary Elizabeth Mahoney, to Peter and Margaret. Emma Herzoz, to Herman and Augusta.
. .
S. Mary Murphy, to Eugene and Ellen.
9. Julia Abigail Murphy, to James C. and Catherine 1 ..
IO. Eleanor Elizabeth Shine (a twin), to William and Annic A.
66
15. 20.
Ruth Baker, to James G. Baker and Mary A. Johnnie O'Leary (a twin), to James O. and Ellen B. Ruth Gladys Rhodes, to Herbert N. and Alice L.
Nov. 5.
IS. Lena Ellen Woolard, to Robert and Charlotte.
66
20. Minnie Kimmel, to Henry and Clara.
21.
Mamie Josephine Braunan, to Edward J. and Mury Ann.
66
23.
Annie Agnes Murphy, to Edward and IIelea.
66 26. Ellen Josephine Drummey, to Matthew J. and Mary. Eva Mary Gifford, to Frank L. and Clara E.
Dec. 6.
Julia Coughlin, to Jeremiah and Hannah.
Mary Ellen Bell, to John M. and Mary E.
IO. 15. Delia Nee, to Joseph and Mary.
66
IS. Hattie Mary Phalen, to Walter S. and Rose A.
66
19. Nettie Vivian May, to J. Edgar and Ida A. E.
31. Helen Morse Metcalf, to AAlbert W. and Mary.
.'
4. Julia Agnes Drummey, to Michael and Mary Ann.
12, Alice Elizabeth Schuster, to John and Elizabeth.
61
Marriages Recorded in the Town of Norwood for the Year 1887.
Jan. 7. By Rev. J. Johnson, Patrick Shine and Nellie J. Reardon, both of Norwood.
10. By Rev. James Little, Charles P. Pond, of Nor- wood, and Flora McCrillis, of Skowhegan, Maine.
12. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, Charles A. Wyman, of Boston, and Sarah M. Sanders, of Norwood.
15. By Rev. George W. Cook, George W. Barbour and Minnie Fulton, both of Norwood.
18. By Rev. John Hood, of Boston, Robert Woolard and Charlotte Roxburgh, both of Norwood
20. By Rev. M. J. Doody, of Dedham, Mathew Drum- mey, and Mary McCarty, both of Norwood.
By Rev. M. J. Doody, of Dedham, Michael W. Curran, and Mary Flaherty, both of Norwood.
24. By Rev. W. F. Potter, Munroe Ayer, of Boston, and Grace E. Smith, of Norwood.
Feb. 24. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, Fred. Marshall, of Boston, and Stella L. Holmes, of Norwood.
March 21. By Rev. B. W. Barrows, William F. Baker and Emma Lavina Kenney, both of Norwood.
April 21. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, William J. Wallace, Jr., and Carrie P. Story, both of Norwood.
27. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, Nathaniel Reed and Susan E. Kenney, both of Norwood.
6. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, George F. Stetson and Emily J. Capen, both of Norwood.
.. By Rev. B. W. Barrows, John Bath and Carrie, W. Whitney, both of Norwood.
28. By Rev. D. J. Herlihy, of Dedham, Edmund Els- ton, Jr., and Bridget M. Cuff, both of Norwood.
62
May
3. By Rev. George E. Lovejoy, of Franklin, Leon H. Prance, of Norwood, and Rosie E. Clark, of Franklin.
9. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, Ira M. Thurston and Sarah O. Billings, both of Norwood.
II. By Rev. O. P. Bessey, of Boston, Frederick A. Fales of Norwood, and Caroline E. Schaffner, of Boston.
IS. By Rev. G. I. Keirn, Heman C. Babcock and Nellie May Howard, both of Norwood.
By Rev. M. J. Doody, of Dedham, John HI. King and Julia M. Heggins, both of Norwood.
19. By Rev. R. J. Johnson, of Dedham, Jerry L. Harris and Sarah M. Dyer, both of Norwood.
June 15. By Rev. B. W. Barrows, George F. Savels, of Stoughton, and Ella May Van Buskirk, of Nor- wood.
16. By Rev. G. I. Keirn, Albert O. Flanders, of Brook- line, and Mary Josephine Talbot, of Norwood.
By Rev. B. W. Barrows, Herbert A. Corbett and Stella A. Gay, both of Norwood.
17, By Rev. B. W. Barrows, Peter Thompson and Jessie Stewart, both of Norword.
23. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, William J. Peterson and Julia C. Davenport, both of Norwood.
29. By Rev. B. W. Barrows, Edward Everett Ellis and Inez Arvilla Hayes, both of Norwood.
6 By Rev. D. J. Herlihy, Edward Murphy and Ellen Fitzgerald, both of Norwood.
66 By Rev. Theron Brown, Warren C. Cottrell and Edna J. Rogers, both of Norwood.
66 By Rev. Ellis Mendell, Charles E. Otis and Louisa Apel, both of Norwood.
" By Rev. Edwin Thompson, Arthur L. Bateman, of Norwood, and Elleone V. Aldrich, of Walpole.
1
63
July
9. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, Edward F. Spaulding and Etta Gates. both of Norwocd.
16. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, George Bough and Cather- · ine Livingston, both of Norwood.
30, By Rev. Ellis Mendell, C, Frederick Readel and Annic M. Kniege. both of Norwood,
Aug. 2. By Francis Tinker, William A. Foster and Mary A. Hawes, both of Norwood.
66 By Rev. G. I, Keirn, Charles A. Grow and Martha J. Keating, both of Dedham,
28. By Rev. A. J. Pattervan. Walter Getchell and Margaret Dempsy, both of Norwood.
Sept.
7. By Rev. R. J. Johnson, Colman Norton and Agnes Coine, both of Norwood.
S. By Rev. D. J, Herlihy, of Dedham, John J. McCarty and Nellie A. Tobin, both of Norwood.
II, By Rev. M. J. Doody, of Dedham, James Flaherty and Mary E. Foley, both of Norwood.
14. By Rev. G. I. Kcirn, Charles S. Packard and Clara B. Metcalf, both of Norwood,
15. By Rev. J. B. Seabury, of Dedham, Percy F. Morse, of Norwood, and Cora L, Whiting, of Dedham.
By Rev. Henry Ferguson, of Dorchester, George R. Wyman, of Norwood, and Alma M. Leslie, of Boston.
Oct.
21. By Rev. Ellis Meudell, Charles H. Allen and Amanda Bragg, both of Norwood.
5. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, Ferdinand Bastian, of Nor- wood, and Georgie A. Fenton, of Hyde Park.
26. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, William F. Merrill and Florence G. Gillings, both of Norwood,
Nov.
5. By Rev. M. J. Doody. William F. Richardson, of Walpole, and Mary Conley, of Norwood.
9.
Rev. B. W. Barrows. Ferdinando Soule, of Boston, and Lilian M. Brooks, of Norwood.
16. By Rev. George Hill, John W. Ewing and Julia Van Buskirk, both of Norwood.
C4
Nov. 23. Rev. R. J. Johnson, Michael W. Fagan and Cora C. Coughlin, both of Norwood.
24. By Rev. Ellis Mendell, Frank A. Fales and Jennie F. Train, both of Norwood,
30. By Rev. Ellis Mendell. Albert W. Guild and Jennic A. Sample, both of Norwood.
Dec, 22, By Rev. B. W. Barrows, A. Frank Morono and Roseville Boothby, both of Norwcod.
65
DEATHS
Recorded in the Town of Norwood for the Year 1887.
AGES.
DATE.
NAMES.
Years.
[Months. Days.
Jan.
S,
Hannah D. Morse.
77
5
12,
M. Eudora Shumway,
IS
2
20,
Alice Morrissey,
2
I2
23.
George F. Force,
53
S
17
28. Bartholomew Welch,
2
I
Feb.
IO,
Freddie McAuley.
.
6
IO
March 17,
Fanny B. Morse,
74
3
I 4
April IS,
Sally F. Boyden,
73
2
3
30,
George (. Boullester,
I
3
May 2 , William Tobin,
IO,
Lewis P. Baker,
49
2
26
1.4.
Edwin L. Bird.
72
I
2.4
15,1
Sarah E. Nichols,
S
12
2.4,
Mary Cavanaugh,
58
31,
Abbie Leach,
14
5
14
31,
Rosine W. Schuster,
5
4
2
June
8, Melinda A. Pratt,
57
S
6
July
I, Prudence C. Shufeldt,
69
5
15
Aug.
12, Lewis Guild.
69
7
0
31,
Aniv Leighton Bigelow, Edward Costello,
37
4
Sept. 19,
William Gillooly,
62
S
Oct. 5.
Michael Neville.
18
5,
Mary E. G. Paul.
39
3
26,
Herbert Everett, Kate Boyle,
28
3
Nov. 2,
Mary E. Kerrisey,
7
2
9,
IS, William Bateman,
72
26, Betsey HI. Gay,
72
S
Dec. 14,
George Lewis Kuld .
2
18
21,
Ellis D. Draper,
68
1
2
i
1
12
II, M. Emma Talbot,
37
4
2 , Margaret Folan,
2.4
34
21
IO,
Mrs. Willard M. Dean,
9
I
12
66
Report of Cemetery Commissioners.
The Commissioners of Highland Cemetery present herewith their annual financial statement :-
The cemetery has received as in previous years the efficient personal attention and care of W. A. Talbot, under the supervision of the Commissioners, and they believe the work has been well done, and its affairs economically and honestly administered.
The comparatively small expenditure has maintained a cemetery which is an honor to the town.
Some money has been invested in the development of certain lots as indicated in the statement, which will be returned to the Treasurer when the lots are sold.
The appropriation of four hundred dollars for the purpose of obtaining a portion of the cemetery, for the use of the Catholic population of the town, has been expended in constructing avenues and walks and in preparing lots for immediate needs. Several burials have already taken place, the late William Gillooly, a respected citizen of our town, being the first interment made.
The Commissioners wish to call attention again to the necessity of individuals making provision, as far as they are able, for the perpetual care of their lots. The town is authorized to receive and hold trust funds for this purpose. Every new avenue and walk and every added grave increases the extent of the grounds to be main- tained by the general appropriation. Now most of the lots are well cared for though the liberalty of friends living. One hundred
67
dollars will yield sufficient income to provide for continual care- Remember this in making your wills. Some towns charge a suffi- cient sum in the sale of the lots to provide for such care.
Several trees should be planted this year, and the usual care must be well maintained to include henceforth the newly opened portion of our cemetery.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS O. WINSLOW, ) ALBERT G. WEBB, Commissioners. W. ALLEN TALBOT,
68
Highland County Commissioners in account with the TOWN OF NORWOOD.
1887.
DR.
Feb. 1. To Mary E. Tucker, lot 105, 25 00
6. 60 four bound posts and setting, 6 00
W. A. Talbot. sale of loam, &c., 3 80
April 27. " Frederick Hayes, lot 252, 60 . . four bound posts and setting, 6 00
10 00
July 16. " Elbridge E. Shumway. lot 157, 66 . . 6 00
4 bound posts & setting
10 00
Aug. 6. " Sarah I. Baker, lot 250, 66 four bouud posts and setting, 6 00
15. " Joseph Scherer, lot 178, 10 00
four bound posts and setting, 6 00
Sept. 15. " Selectmens' order, town appropriation. 600 00
Dec. " Warren Ellis, lot 244, 10 00
66 four pound posts and setting. 6 00
". JJoseph Sulkuski, single grave, 5 00
1888.
Jan. 2. " E. A. Bigelow, lot 20. 25 00
four bound posts and setting, 6 00
1. " Patrick Collins, single grave, 5 00
19. " Bridget Donovan, lot 528,
30 00
four bound posts and setting,
6 00
3. " W. A. Talbot, sale of loam, 42 95
" Mahlon R. Perry, lot 180, 15 00
66 four bound posts and setting, 6 00
.. W. A. Talbot, lot 229, 25 00
four bound posts and setting, 6 00
$901 75
1887.
CR.
Sept. 15. By cash paid Chas. E. Poud, Treasurer, ]
600 00
20. . 6. 81 80
1888. Jan. 31. " . .
.. 167 95
..
152 00
$901 75
25 00
69
Orders drawn on the Town Treasurer in favor of -- 1887.
Sept. 2. John Nugent, -
-
$76 68
Joseph Nee, -
- 26 40
Geo. E. Metcalf - -
77 00
Robert Oldham - -
28 40
Daniel Murphy - -
28 40
Patrick Leonard - 30 40
Patrick Conley - 34 40 -
Milton H. Howard -
3 87
1888.
Jan. 28. S. B. Corliss for bound posts -
56 80
31. W. A. Talbot, 22 1-10 days at $2 - $44 20 cash paid for 37 6-10 days at $2 - -
75 20
bedding plants and
shrubs - 51 15
66 175 lbs fertilizer 3 97
6. bulbs and manure - - 6 11
setting posts in 25 lots 25 00
66 labor on six lots (150, 238, 240,151. 239, 241) - - 96 38 4
grass seed and sods -
3 75
self and help on ave. nues, &c. - - 170 00
6. George E. Metcalf, plowing- 2 94
66
four men, two horses
and carts, ¿ day - 5 70
66 three men, one horse and cart, one day 7 70
H. H. McQullen, two books 4 00
Frederick Endicott, surveying 18 30
514 40
Total
$876 75
-
/
70
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The prominent event of the year in connection with the library is its removal to its present room. This was deemed a necessity. The room now occupied is commodious and pleasant, and the change has seemed to be universally approved.
It is the aim of the Trustees to replenish the library with standard works of the various classes of literature. One hundred and fifty-eight volumes have been added during the year, consisting almost exclusively of history, travels and fiction.
The number of persons using the library is constantly increasing. . Nine hundred and ten different persons have taken out books during the year.
The Trustees were suddenly and unexpectedly apprised that the appropriation was more than exhausted by a large amount being drawu from it for insurance on the library, and so with regret they are compelled to report a very small deficit. It is earnestly hoped that a liberal appropriation for the library will be made for the coming year.
Respectfully submitted, B. W. BARROWS,
For the Trustees.
71
TOWN OF NORWOOD in account with the TRUSTEES of the Public Library. CR. DR.
March
For Town appropriation $300 00 From the money received from the owners of dogs - 304 80
.
604 80
CR.
By orders drawn by the Selectmen-
For salary of Librarian - $150 00
books purchased - 216 43
66 Magazines of A. J. Gay
29 28
66 Rent to Hartshoru 56 25
6.
Rent paid Orient Lodge
54 69
66 Furniture of the League 29 00
, Fuel
7 00
542 65
" Insurance on books of . the Library and furniture drawn from the appropriation by Selectmen 90 00
632 65 The Trustees in account with FRANCIS TINKER, Treasurer. For balance of fines, money and appropriation - - - $11 27
amount received from the Chick - ering Fund 8 64
$19 91
CR.
By cash paid for catalogue of Anthony Library - - 5 50
" Tina Thompson, extra on library 3 37
Aug. 8.
" Cora Everett, labor on library - -
: 15
Sept.
" Johnson, for moving library 6 00
Dec. 6. " Houghton, Mifflin & Co., history - 6 50
7. " L. N. Cummings, history -
4 25
$28 77
Due Treasurer
$8 86
SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE ON TOWN PROPERTY.
POLICY NO.
SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE IN TOWN PROPERTY.
AMOUNT.
EXPIRATION.
EVERETT SCHOOL HOUSE.
57143
Traders' and Mechanics' Insurance Co.
76147
Norforlk Mutual Fire . .
-
-
-
-
23089
Dedhamn Mutual Fire
..
-
-
-
36064
Home 66
-
-
- $2000 00 September 13, 1889 2000 00 September 1, 1890. 1500 00 March 1. 1892. 2850 00 Dee. 1, 1892. -
NORTHI SCHOOL HOUSE.
72
21495
Washington Fire and Marine Co. -
3000 00 July 14, 1890.
EAST SCHOOL HOUSE.
1456
Westchester Fire Insurance Co. - -
3700 00 June 19, 1890.
BALCH SCHOOL HOUSE.
77805
Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Co. - Home
1500 00
Aug. 1. 1891.
36065
3000 00 Dec. 5, 1892.
PUMPING STATION AND COAL SHED.
2845701
Royal Insurance Co. - -
10113
· Washington Fire and Marine Insurance Co. - . -
10193
Washington .6
-
-
5000 00 September 1, 1888, 5000 00 September 1. 1888. - 1000 00 June 9, 1889. -
-
-
-
-
10126 016605
WATER COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE.
Washington Fire and Marine Insurance Co. - Washington .. .. -
400 00 October 7. 1890. 500 00 June 9, 1888.
HOOK AND LADDER AND HOSE HOUSE.
69900 149118
Dorchester Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Quincy ..
1750 00 September 17, 1890. 1750 00 September 17, 1890.
ENGINE HOUSE, NO. 1.
77805 Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
. 1
500 00
August 1, 1891.
73
ENGINE HOUSE NO. 2.
81207
Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Co. 1
1
1
500 00 January 1, 1891.
TOWN LIBRARY.
3220189 10352
Royal Insurance Co. Washington Fire and Marine Insurance Co. -
1300 00 May 1, 1890. 1300 00 May 1, 1890.
BOOKS & FURNITURE IN SELECTMENS' ROOM.
017726
Washington Fire and Marine Insurance Co. - -
650 00 | September 17, 1890.
REPORT
1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
NORWOOD, MASS.
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For 1887-88.
The appropriation for the public schools at the March town meeting in ISS7, was $9,300. Of this sum your committee has expended $8,742.68, for such various purposes as may be learned from the report of the Selectmen.
There are four school buildings to be kept in repair, heated, swept and cleaned. There are thirteen teachers to pay, three janitors, four hundred and fifty scholars to furnish with books and school stationery, and three committee-men to pay. These objects have absorbed the $8,742.68 mentioned above, leaving an unexpended balance of $557.32.
The school property has been kept in good repair. The North and Balch buildings have been thoroughly painted outside ; snow guards have been placed upon the Everett building, the slating of the roof mended ; an additional heating apparatus placed in the East school house, and such incidental repairs done inside as the constant wear and tear of school usage re- quired. In the coming year the East building and pos- sibly the Everett, will need to be painted, a room fitted up suit- able for a primary school of forty scholars, and in the lower room of the Balch, the double desks should be separated so that each scholar shall have a seat and desk of his own. With this additional room, the schools can go on for a brief time in the future, as well as they have for some time past.
The need of a high school has not diminished in conse- quence of disagreement as to location ; but the Committee are content to leave that matter to the constantly growing pressure of necessity and the judgment of the parents, hoping that no false
77
notions of economy will be allowed to rob the young of that which is of far more value to them in the struggle of life than any amount of inherited wealth.
Changes of Teachers.
We have been fortunate in having but one change of teachers through the past year. Miss May Allen left from the Fourth Department in the Everett at the close of the spring term. Miss Ella Manly, of the Third Department, was assigned to the vacancy, and Miss Alice F. Wilbur was engaged for the Third. Miss Wilbur is a graduate of the State Normal School at Bridge- water, has had some eight or ten years of successful experience in teaching, and has proved herself a valuable acquisition to our corps of teachers. In method and manner she seems to meet successfully the demands of the situation.
In quality and quantity the work done in our schools, your Committee believe to be equal to that of neighboring towns of like situation to our own. As children come here from other towns to enter our schools, we seldom find them any further advanced for their years or better drilled than the members of our own classes. The reverse of this is more often the case. Our teachers are faithful and do their best for their pupils. And yet a stranger entering our schools as an expert, might very easily puzzle even the brightest scholars by the plain, practical questions he would put to them. While the same questions put by their teacher or visiting committeeman in an ordinary way would be satisfactorily answered. It requires a special drill, united with much self-possession, to enable a school to show itself to advantage before the Members of the State Board of Education. A truer test is what they are able to do at the black-board or on their test papers. Eighty or eighty-five per cent. do well and fairly secure the seventy-five per cent. or more of scholarship necessary for annual promotion. The remainder do ill, loving idleness, truancy and mischief more than study, and some of them may have the inability to accomplish good school work, and are therefore unable to
78
receive promotion. The parents notice their failure, and indeed the public generally see more of this than of the other class, and, not visiting the schools, they form and express an adverse judgment of their character. Such children do better in a private school where they can have more individual help from the teacher. They do not class well in a grade.
Truancy.
There has been some trouble from truancy during the past year. Some four or five persistent cases have been reported, and various expedients resorted to, to cure the evil. The truant officers have done their duty as best they could under the circumstances. . The Truant Law and the By-Laws of the town do not harmonize. The county needs a truant school where such boys could be sent, and where they would have to stay in school and get their lessons. It would be the making of them in numerous instances, and the County ought to furnishi such a school as soon as possible, as the statute directs. It is impossible for your committee to comply with the school law on this subject, and we are threatened every year with the penalty of witholding our portion of the school fund for not doing what we have no power to do. Truants are not criminals, but they are likely to become such if allowed to run in the streets. When they become criminals they can be sent to the State Reform School, but a good truant school would save them from becoming criminals. This town (with others) ought to unite in urging the authorities of the County to make law- ful provision for this class of our school children.
Music in the Schools.
We are happy to report good progress and quite marked results in this department. Mr. F. N. Cottle has persevered until all the children sing and love the exercise. He has in- troduced the Holt System, so that from the youngest to the oldest the voice is heard and the right note sounded. The teachers willingly co-operate with Mr. Cottle, and the result is that every child that goes through the several schools will
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leave with a practical, rudimentary knowledge of music.
Discipline.
We have but little trouble with the discipline in the schools. Corporal punishment is used but slightly, most of the teachers being able to govern by superior personal influence. In some obstinate cases, the rod is used as a last resort.
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