Norwood annual report 1900-1903, Part 25

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1178


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1900-1903 > Part 25


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July 27. To amounts received for account street


watering, viz .:-


Henry Tisdale, 2 50


Heirs of Geo. F. Force. 2 50


Norwood Press Co .. 12 00


Heirs of Maria Guild, 3 00


Carl Koch, 2 00


F. M. Douglass. 3 00


Chas. W. Rich.


2 00


Ellen Sullivan.


2 00


Maria Moreland,


2 00


Dennis Clifford,


2 00


E. L. Hubbard. 3 00


WV. A. Talbot, 8 00


Dr. L. H. Plimpton.


5 00


N. A. Johnson,


2 50


.J. T. Hawkins,


2 50


Heirs of Leonard Fisher,


3 00


Heirs of E. F. Winslow,


5 00


J. S. Cushing,


4 00


Charles O'Connor,


2 00


Mrs. Clara B. Everett,


3 00


A. J. Chauvey.


2 00


John E. Smith,


5 00


.T. E. Smith and Geo. F. Willett. 3 00


James M. Folan, 7 00


Heirs of L. W. Bigelow,


5 50


Joseph Schuster, 2 00


For amounts received for account concrete walks, viz. :-


Mrs. Martha Winslow, 84 85


Heirs of George Talbot, 17 40


Mrs. A. C. Readel, 44 50


Amount carried forward, $43,360 79


83


with the TOWN OF NORWOOD.


1900


CR.


84


CHAS. E. POND, TREASURER, in accoud


1900.


DR.


Amount brought forward, $43.360 79 3. To Commonwealth. for account State high-


Ang.


way.


106 19


11. Norwood, Canton and. Sharon St. Ry .. for amount due as por franchise granted by town. 2,500 00


18. Town of Westwood. for one-half ex- pense on Washington street at Ellis bridge. 213 95


H. A. Halstead for street car tickets. 9.25


C. A. Perkins for tuition at High school. 40 00


Sept. 6. D. F. Dyer. for lumber from Everett Schoolhouse. 5 00


T. Commonwealth. on account of State paupers,


223 80


17. City of Waltham, for aid rendered to family of Michael JJ. Murphy, 1899. 98 52


22.


Co-operative Bank. for rent of room. 5 00


Perley B. Thompson, for druggist's license. 1 00


29. District Court for Northern Norfolk. for fines received for quarter erding Sept. 30. 83 00


Det.


4.


Commonwealth, on account of State highway, 100 00)


17. Samuel B. Capen, sheriff, for fines re- ceived at jail. for quarter ending Sept. 30, 1900, 10 00


Estate of Caleb Ellis. for Cemetery Lot Trust fund. 150 00


Nov. 12. F. H. Clark, for druggist's license, 1 00


15. Austin E. Pratt. for auctioneer's license, 2 00


21. Amount returned to treasury, for account of temporary aid rendered, 50 00


Amount carried forward, $46.959 50


85


with the TOWN OF NORWOOD.


1900.


CR


Mar. 29. By Paid Commonwealth of Massachusetts. for amount due on corporation tax. $6 44 July 27. Mrs. Ann M. Smith. Cemetery Trust fund deposited in Dedham Institu- tion for Savings. 100 00


Chas. L. Smith, Cemetery Trust fund deposited in Dedham Institution for Savings, 100 00


Lewis Day. Cemetery Trust fund de- posited in Dedham Institution for Savings. 100 00


Oct. 19. Caleb Ellis, Cemetery Trust fund. de- posited in Dedham Institution for Savings. 150 00


Paid Roxbury Institution for Savings, for money borrowed April 9. 10.000 00


Interest on same, 189 58


Paid Estabrook & Co., for money bor- rowed June 6. 10,000 00


Interest on same. 150 00


27.


Paid Norfolk County tax for 1900. 3,339 29


Dec. 10. Paid State tax.


2,040 00


Paid State. on account grade crossings.


1.510 72


27. Paid Estabrook & Co .. for money bor- rowed JJuly 27. 10,000 00


Interest on same. 141 25


1901. Jan. 25.


Nathan A Johnson, Cemetery Trust fund deposited in Dedham Institution for Savings.


50 00


Paid 1.332 Selectmen's orders.


93.303 6


Paid 61 Assessors' orders for abate- ment, 1,150 99


Amount carried forward. $132.331 95


86


CHAS. E. POND, TREASURER, in account


1900.


DR.


Amount brought forward, $46,959 50


Nov. 21. To Reuben Colburn, for stone dust, 7 62.


Mrs. George Fisher. 14 73


F. S. Converse, 60 449 27


Town of Westwood,


22719


66 23. West Roxbury & Roslindale St. Rail- way, for tax, 443 33


Dec. 8. J. F. Boyden, Chief Engineer Fire Department, from sale of old copper. 7 90


10. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, For corporation tax, 2,204 46


For National Bank tax.


858 65


For State Aid, 172 00


For support of State paupers. 75 00


For Street Railway tax, 725 36


22.


Amount returned to treasury for tempo- rary aid rendered. 47 82


28.


John F. Callahan, for labor of horses and man,


1901.


Jan. 1.


('lerk of Northern District of Norfolk, for tines received for quarter ending Dec. 31, 1900, 269 00


New England Trust Co., for interest al- lowed on deposits to Dec. 25, 1900,


157 44


2. George H. Smith, for stone dust.


5 94


8. Spear & Smith,


1 25


10.


Norfolk County, for dog tax money,


471 44


19. H. F. Walker, for highway account,


11 38


23


Town of Concord, for aid rendered to Mrs. Fanny Florest, 5 00


25 William Fisher, admr. of Estate of N. A.


Johnson, for account of Cemetery Lot Trust fund, 50 00


Amount returned to treasury for tempo- rary aid rendered, 9 00


31.


Returned to Treasurer. aid rendered on order No. 607, 30 00


Received from Edgar F. Roby. collector of taxes for 1900. 85,179 21


$138,486 04


L


with the TOWN OF NORWOOD.


1901.


Amount brought forward. $132.331 95


.


Feb. 1 By Balance in Treasury. 6.154 09 $138.486 04


We hereby certify that we have examined the accounts of Charles E. Pond, Treasurer of the Town of Norwood, and find the same correctly stated and properly vouched.


JAMES A. HARTSHORN. EBEN F. GAY, FRANCIS E. EVERETT. Auditors.


CHAS. E. POND, TREASURER OF NORWOOD, in account 3


1900. DR. -.


Fel .. 1. To Balance in Treasury. $1.099 81


June 2. Cash received of Commissioners . from


sales of lots. graves. etc .. 177 00


Aug. 4. . Cash received of Commissioners. 177 00


1901.


Jan. .. 31. ..


Cash received of Commissioners. 439 71


..


554 83


$2.448 35


89


rith HIGHLAND CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS.


1901.


C'R. By Commissioners' orders paid. $1.230 66


Feb. 1. Balance in Treasury. 1,217 69


$2.148 35


We hereby certify that we have examined the accounts of the Town Treasurer with the Cemetery Commissioners and find the same correctly stated and properly vouched.


JAMES A. HARTSHORN. EBEN F. GAY, FRANCIS E. EVERETT. Auditors.


90


CHAS. E. POND, TREASURER OF NORWOOD, in account


1900.


DR.


Feb. 1. To Balance in Treasury, $491 32 Town appropriation of dog tax money as voted at annual town meeting. 428 11


June 9. Town appropriation as voted at annual town meeting, 2.300 00


Dec. 3. First Congregational Church. for in-


terest on library trust fund. 7 01


$3,226 44


91


with the TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.


1901. CR. By Trustees' orders paid, $3,226 44


$3,226 44


We hereby certify that we have examined the accounts of the Town Treasurer with the Trustees of the Public Library and find the same correctly stated and properly vouched.


FRANCIS E. EVERETT. EBEN F. GAY, JAMES A. HARTSHORN. Auditors.


92


CHAS. E. POND, TREASURER OF NORWOOD, in


1900.


DR.


Feb. 1.


To balance in Treasury as per audit. $22.812 51


Tine 1. Interest received on grade crossing note. 60 00


16. .. Guild school note. 130 00


July 10. ..


.. from Boston Safe Do- posit and Trust Co. on special deposit of $10,000. 150 00


Dec. 1. Interest received on grade crossing note. 60 00


15.


.. Guild school note.


130 00


Town appropriation from Water Com- missioners' treasury as voted at an- nual town meeting.


1.200 00


Interest received from Dedham Institu- tion for Savings. 24 80 Interest received from Warren Institu- tion for Savings. 11 53 Interest received from Franklin Sav- ings Bank. 6 07 Interest received from Five Cents Sav- ings Bank. 21 03


Interest received from Suffolk Savings Bank. 4 89


Interest received from Home Savings Bank. 4 63


$27,615 46


The investments of the Sinking Fund are as follows, viz : - Town of Norwood note, due Dec. 15, 1902. $3,000 00


.. .. 1903. 5,000 00


.. ..


.. .. Dec. 1, 1904. 1,000 00


Deposit in Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Co. 3.630 06


Dedham Institution for Savings. 639 24


..


Warren Institution for Savings. 338 79


.. Five Cents Savings Bank,


617 33


.. Franklin Savings Bank,


178 18


..


Roxbury Institution for Savings.


58 15


Suffolk Savings Bank.


28 58


.. Home Savings Bank. 25 19


$17,515 52


93


account with the TRUSTEES OF SINKING FUND.


1900. ('R.


July 10. By Paid New England Trust Co. for Water Bonds, Nos. 21 to 30. inclusive. due Aug. 1, 1900. $10.000 00


Dec. 26. Paid accrued interest on Town note of $4,000 dated April 9, 1900, pur- chased for Sinking Fund account. 99 94


1901.


Feb.


1.


By Balance.


17,515 52


$27.615 46


We hereby certify that we have examined the accounts of Chas. E. Pond, as Treasurer of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund of the Town of Norwood, and find the same to be properly kept and vouched, and the securities on hand duly and safely kept by him as shown by the foregoing account.


JAMES A. HARTSHORN.


EBEN F. GAY,


FRANCIS E. EVERETT.


Auditors.


AUDITORS' REPORT.


We, the subscribers, Auditors of the Town of Norwood, have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Town Treasurer, Col- lector of Taxes, Cemetery Commissioners, Water Commissioners, Trustees of Public Library, Trustees of Sinking Fund, and all original vouchers on which moneys have been paid from the Town Treasury for the year ending January 31, 1901. We find and report that all orders drawn by the Selectmen, Water Com- missioners, Cemetery Commissioners and Trustees of Public Library have been duly vouched, and that the foregoing is a true statement of the sums received and payments made Charles E. Pond, Town Treasurer, and Edgar F. Roby, Tax Collector, and the accounts kept by them have been correctly cast and payments duly vouched, and that there remains in the treasury, January 31, 1901, the following amounts : Town account, $6,154.09 ; Water account, $1,703.07 ; Cemetery account, $1,217.69; mak- ing a total of $9,074.85. Also that the indebtedness of the town is $90,384.48. The amount of the Sinking Fund is $17,515.52.


FRANCIS E. EVERETT, EBEN F. GAY, JAMES A. HARTSHORN,


Auditors.


REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS.


The Cemetery Commissioners herewith present their financial reports for the years 1898 and 1899, which were not printed in their proper places.


HIGHLAND CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS in account with.


the TOWN OF NORWOOD.


1898.


DR.


To cash for lots from :


Mar. 4. George E. Sanborn, lot No. 11. $60 00


21. John J. Welch, lot No. 574, 55 00


May 2. John E. Smith, 4 lots, Nos. 102. 103. 394 and 395. 130 00


John E. Smith, 4 bound posts and setting, 6 00


5.


Arthur H. Ray, lot No. 270, 20 00


23.


Elizabetlı McCall, lot No. 592,


$30 00


Less grave No. 511, given up; 5 00


25 00


July 13.


Daniel Dyer, lot No. 576, $30 00


Less grave No. 538, given up. 5 00


25 00


Oct. 27.


Peter S. Corbett, lot No. 37, 50 00


Nov. 2.


Mary E. Graney, lot No. 601, 35 00


19. John Joyce, lot No. 610, 35 00


Dec. 3.


James Quinlan, lot No. 590, 55 00


9. Daniel Feeney, lot No. 591, 35 00


Amount carried forward, $531 00


96


Amount brought forward, $531 00


To cash for graves from :


Henry Rogers. Nos. 25 and 27. 10 00


1897. 1898. Mar.29.


C. B. Bors. No. 21. 5 00


Apr. 2.


James Dower, No. 580. 5 00


2. Thomas Dower, No. 581. 5 00


9. Oscar Carlson. No. 8. 5 00


12. Henry Scherer. No. 579. 5, 00


16. Patrick Duegnan, No. 511. 5 00


July 14.


Patrick J. MeDonongh. No. 577. 5 00


21. F. O. Winslow. No. 32. 5 00


26. John Butler. Nos. 575 and 576. 10 00


Ang. 5. John H. Bashford. No. 30, 5 00


Oct. 13.


Thomas C. Openshaw. No. 33. 5 00


Nov.12.


Vitus Gleichauf. No. 31. 5 00


Dec. 9. Thomas Kerrisey, No. 572, 5 00


$611 00


('R.


Jan. 31. By Cash paid C. E. Pond. Treasurer.


$611 00


Orders drawn on Town Treasurer in favor of :


1898.


May 28.


Deacon Brothers. for bound posts,


$165 00


W. A. Talbot :


Labor on avenues, plots, walks and trees. 168 24


Bedding plants and shrubs. 96 51


Manure and fertilizer.


2 50


Tulip bulbs.


11 91


Labor on lots on Woodward Ave.,


117 80


Grass seed, 3 00


Labor on Protestant single graves. 29 00


.. " Catholic lower lot, 57 20


" l'atholic free lots. 24 20


.. .. 51 lots, Nos. 612-662.


29 20


Labor, setting 211 bound posts. 52 75


Labor. Thomas Kerrisey. 16 42


$773 72


47


1


HIGHLAND CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS in account with .


the TOWN OF NORWOOD.


1899.


DE.


Feb. 25. To cash for lots from :


Mary Cronan. lot No. 601. $25 00


April 15. Thomas Nevil. lot No. 572. 55 00


May 2. Herbert N. Howard. lot No. 606, $45 00


Less 3 graves given np. 15 00


30 00


28. Patrick O' Malley. lot No. 609. 30 00


June 8. Michael J. Mahoney, lot No. 608. 25 00


15. Simon P. Donnelly. lot No. 596. 50 00


July 10. Charles O. Congdon. lot No. 34.


50 00


13. George J. Morgan. lot. No. 598. 50 00


19. James M. Martin, lot, No. 35. 50 00


Ang. 3. Patrick Lydon, lot No. 583,


55 00


30 George A. Rafuse. lot No. 402.


50 00


Sept. 13. William R. Tibbetts. lot No. 589. $65 00


Less 1 grave given up. 5 00


60 00


1. Ann M. Smith, No. 403, $50 50


Less Lewis Day's title. 50 00


50


Dec. 17. Joseph D. Beaumont, lot No. 68, 65 00


30. John H. Meyer. lot 149 A, 20 00


1900.


Jan. 18. Coleman MeDonough, lot No. 594. 65 00


19. Heirs of Richard Oldham. lots No. 673 and 674. 65 00


Heirs of Richard Oldham. I bound posts and setting, 6 00


W. C. & Fred L. Fisher. lot No. 196, 40 00


.. ..


4 bound posts


and setting. 6 00


Amount carried forward. $797 50


98


Amount brought forward, $797 50


· 1899.


To cash for single graves from :


Feb. 22.


Charles B. Corgley. grave No. 34. 5 00


12. 1. J. Jefferson, 5 00


12. Margaret, Conley. 5 00


14. William J. Murray.


5 00


21. J. B. Bates, graves No. 47 and 18.


10 00


22. Albert Johnson.


5 00


May :. Daniel Eckhart.


5 00


Ang. .4. George B. Smith.


5 00


17 Mary Curtin.


5 00


30


E. E. Ruggles.


5 00


31. Fred JJ. Henry.


5 00


Sept. 12.


Anna E. Weldon.


5 00


Oct. 23.


John Fulton,


5 00


Nov. 10.


John W. Olson.


5 00


13 Andrew C. Manniman. grave No. 600.


5 00


Der. 4.


J. L. Douglas.


5 00


11.


Robert F. Smith.


5 00


12. Clara M. Goodwin.


5 00


14 James Salmon.


5 00


18. Patrick McNulty.


5 00


19. William Cashman. 5 00


1900.


Jan. 23.


William Cashman. 5 00


$912 50


1900.


CR.


Jan. 31. By cash paid Chas. E. Pond, Treasurer.


$912 50


99


1900. Orders drawn on Town Treasurer in favor of :


-Jan. 31. E. L. Bigelow. recording deeds. $16 25


W. A. Talbot :


Labor on avenues. walks, plots & lots. 139 75


.. lots on Woodward Avc .. 16 00


.. .. Norman Thayer's team. 3 00


. . " lot No. 197. 22 45


.. " horse and eart and 3 men. 3 96


.. ·· Soldiers' section lots. 35 40


.. " horse and man. 78


.. ·· horse and eart, 1 35


..


.. setting 104 bound posts OB


lots. 26 00


Manure and fertilizer. 2 50


Grass seed. 1 75


Bedding plants and shrubs.


103 97


Tulip bulbs. 12 55


Book of grave certificates of W. A. Metcalf. 5 00


. .


Jan. 31. William Fisher. acknowledgment of 12 decds. 3 00


$393 71


There is now labor and cash invested in digging over and grading lots for sale, not sold, $1,998.33.


There are now deposited for funds for perpetual care of nine lots, $950.00.


Cash in treasury. Feb. 1, 1900. $1.099.81.


Number of lots sold to Feb. 1, 1900. 301


·· single graves to Feb. 1, 1900, 151


" burials to Feb. 1. 1900. 957


Removed. 3


100


REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS, 1900.


The Cemetery Commissioners herewith present their annual report for the financial year, 1900. 1901.


The work of improving the cemetery as well as the general care and maintenance has been continued during the past year.


In addition to the care and maintenance of the lots. avenues. paths and borders in the improved sections of the cemetery. the work of opening and preparing new ground for use has been con- tinned to some extent.


The Commissioners are sorry to see so many proprietors neg- leet their lots. A little expense for their care would be much to their credit and a great improvement to the appearance of the cemetery. We see every year the more need of perpetual care of the lots.


STATISTICS.


Number of lots sold. 12


.. " single graves sold. 27


" interments in lots. 19


" single graves. 22


..


..


". free lots. 3


..


.. bodies in tomb, Feb. 1. 10


HIGHLAND CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS in account with


the TOWN OF NORWOOD.


1900.


DR.


Feb. 1. To Cash on hand. $1,099 81


Received, instalments on lots before


1900. 133 00


Received for burial lots sold. 467 00


· instalments on lots. 168 00


.. · single graves sold,


135 00


" interments,


187 00


grading and foundations


on lots. 89 04


Received for care of lots. 169 50


$2,448 35


101


1900.


By Orders drawn on Treasurer in favor of :


May 31. Patrick Collins. for labor. $66 32


Coleman McDonough, for labor, 68 21


July 31. Patrick Collins, 59 33


Coleman McDonough. .. 56 89


W. Allen Talbot. ..


164 05


For 2 lot books and plans. 75 00


William Fisher. for record book. 2 00


Sept. 1.


Patrick Collins. for labor. 19 44


Coleman McDonough. for labor.


16 00


Martin Lydon. for blasting rocks. 3 53


29. Patrick Collins, for labor. 35 43


Coleman MeDonough. for labor, 32 55


F. A. Fales & Co .. for cement.


12 25


Oct. 31. Martin Lydon. for blasting rocks. Albert Clay. for teaming. Patrick Collins. for labor,


2 50


32 00 +


Coleman Me Donough. for labor.


36 77


Nov. 30.


Herbert Tucker. for painting tool house. 12 71


31 Patrick Collins. for labor. 19 78


W. Allen Talbot. for labor. 185 45


1901.


Frank A. Fales & Co. for cement. 2 75


11: Allen Talbot. for salary as secretary; 100 00


For books of A. Holton. 1 63


For sharpening picks. 20


For postage stamps. 3 00


Frank W. Talbot. for bedding plants. For tulip bulbs. 11 21


100 00


William Fisher. For acknowledging deeds. 3 00


Cash in Treasury. 1,217 69


$2,448 35


W. ALLEN TALBOT. EDWARD B. PENDERGAST. WILLIAM FISHER, Cemetery Commissioners.


BT 66


Pendergast & Callahan. for gravel sereen. $ 00


Jan. 25.


31.


102


We hereby certify that we have examined the accounts of the Cemetery Commissioners and find the same correctly stated and properly vouched.


JAMES A. HARTSHORN. F. E. EVERETT.


Auditors.


BURIAL LOTS AND GRAVES PAID THE PAST YEAR. 1900.


Feb. 10. Richard Black, lot No. 202. 25 00


Apr. 28. Edward P. Moreland. lot No. 234, 15 00


I bound posts and


.. setting.


6 00


Alden Crockett.


lot No. 163. 36 00


May 22. +


Warren G. Bird.


..


202 .1. 20 00


622, 40 00


30. Alden Crockett. ..


.. 163 .1.


35 00


July 26. Madora Brooks. ..


36.


50 00


Aug. 1.


6. Willis Morse.


197.


75 00


1. Catherine Geary. ..


623.


10 00


19.


John M. Hennessey.


599. 65 00


Sept. 22.


Edmund E. Elston. Jr .. .. ..


643. 40 00


1901.


Jan. 10. 1900.


Jane Warde, .. .. 201 .1.


20 00


Mar. 13. Clara M. Goodwin.


grave No. 15


5 00


Apr. 1. 12. John F. Dower.


..


..


608.


5 00


13.


Catherine Le Clare.


..


.. 611.


5 00


30. William Curran. ..


.. 612.


5 00


May 11.


George Worster.


..


..


595.


5 00


June 2.


Edward Baker,


..


..


64.


5 00


14. Mark F. Worth,


..


63.


5 00


July 2. Anna A. Fitzgerald.


.. 609. 610.


10 00


..


..


607.


5 00


Mary Conroy.


Julia (. Bayer.


Amount carried forward. $517 00


10:


Amount brought forward. $517 00


Ang. 2. Swan Carlson.


..


.. 62. 5 00


1. Arthur L. Bateman. ..


.. 61.


5 00


S. Patrick Carboni.


..


. . 629. 630. 10 00


18. Peter Hauk. .. ..


60. 5 00


18. John James Fitzgerald. .. 555. 5 00


20. Edward L. Young.


. . 627. 5 00


Sept. 15. Edwin Vonstrom.


..


59. 5 00


18 James Hogan.


..


626. 5 00


28. William Skakle.


5 00


(. R. Miller.


..


. IT.


5 00


Nov. 12.


H. H. Keith.


..


..


56.


5 00


17.


John Lowney. 625.


..


.. 623. 624.


15 00


19. Mary Patterson.


..


..


622.


5 00


20. Henry Hartig.


..


621. 5 00


$602 00


JS.


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


To the Voters of Norwood :-


In your consideration of the report which the Board of Health submits to you at this time of its doings the past year, we would ask you to take especial notice of the table of infectious diseases reported, and that. von consider well. its significance.


By this table you are forced to see that typhoid fever has raged to an alarming extent.


By our records it appears that forty two out of the forty-four cases reported occurred between June nineteenth and September twenty -sixth. - the two others being reported on November third and December eighth respectively. and were traceable to outside sources of infection. that is, they were imported cases. Fortu- nately no deaths have occurred from this disease.


On investigation into the source of infection carly begun by the Board. coincident circumstances made the Board sus- picions that most of the cases had become infected probably through the use of infected water or milk. Water and milk being first among the known media of transmission of elements which favor the development of typhoid germs, naturally we looked for one or both of them as a common cause.


We found that in all of the cases which had then been reported milk taken from the same dealer had been or was being drank by the sick patients. This dealer obtained his supply from several different dairies and before retailing it was all mixed together. These various dairies were visited and it was found that the milk. after being put into the cans, was lowered into wells for the pur- pose of cooling, this being the practice of the farmers in the summer months : and it was during this period of immersion of


.


105


the cans. both in the epidemic of December. 1899, as well as in that of 1900, that the fever eases became alarmingly numerous.


Having visited the dairies and learned the situation of the wells with relation to barn cellars. outhouses. sink drains. etc., we took the case to the State Board of Health. furnishing them with facts as we found them. Dr. Morse. their agent. went over the ground with the Chairman and conchided that the water from one of the wells ought to be analyzed. which it was, and found to be "seriously polluted."


The owner of this well was not easily convinced. as perhaps no one of us would have been under the conditions. When one's business and source of income is at stake the matter is a vital one. This producer was ordered not to sell or give away his inilk to any one until he had obtained another water supply.


Not wishing to interfere without as good information as it was possible to obtain on such matters we had other specimens of water taken from the same farm analyzed. one from the same well. and a second from another well. Both showed "serious pollution." These wells by order of the Board have been filled up. thereby preventing their further use.


One other producer living within the limits of the town has been ordered to stop putting his milk cans into a well, the water of which showed upon analysis "serious pollution." and a third producer. living outside the limits of the town, has been ordered not to dispose of his milk to any one to be delivered or drank in this town.


It is important to note that in December, 1899. the epidemie of typhoid ceased when the milk from the first of these dairies was not allowed to be used, and that the epidemic of 1900 did not begin until this farmer violated the order of the Board of Health by again using the well which he had been ordered not to use.


The danger of infection from lowering milk cans into polhited water arises from the possible leakage of water into the cans, the absorption of the water by the stoppers, and from the faet that milk in being poured out of the can comes in contact with


106


the rim which has been covered by the water, and it is perfectly possible. high authorities say. for the milk to become infected in these ways.


The day is not far distant when milk producers will be obliged to produce their product under more wholesome conditions than now exist in most cases. Cows kept in filthy. wet and cold barn cellars, breathing a filthy atmosphere and getting little or no exercise and less sunlight. cannot produce milk of a quality equalling that which would be produced under exactly the reverse conditions, and such conditions greatly favor the development of tuberculosis in the cattle. Most houses in which milk is handled and the cans washed are very far from being clean, nor can they ever be so until their construction is entirely different. There should be little or no woodwork about them. but they should be of such construction that the walls, floors, sinks, etc. can be thoroughly Hushed every day. having nothing about them that can absorb the products of milk. The dealer in this or any other town who will provide himself with such a place in which to handle milk will not lack for business.


Chemical agents which tend to keep milk from sonring. but which also render the milk extremely indigestible. are sometimes used by those having milk for sale. Such practice is a violation of State law and punishable by a fine. Violators of this law will. be prosecuted.


When some of you and the fathers of others of us voted to install a system of public water supply in this town, you practi- cally said to those of your generation that the inevitable result. would be that a system of sewerage sooner or later must be pro- vided. Your wisdom in providing the town with a water supply no one today would question, and in our imagination we can easily see the primitive village which Norwood would still In- were she without such a necessity.


You were equally wise in predicting what must certainly follow very shortly if we wish to take one of, if not the most important means to seenre ourselves against sickness. a sewerage system Thinking of the material side. the next logical step in advancing


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our material and business prosperity must be the installation of a public system of sewerage and drainage.


In other years we have pointed ont some of the dangers of using wells for water supplies for domestic purposes. These dangers will not lessen but increase as time goes on, and we advise the discontinuance of the use of all wells in the thickly settled portions of the town.


In the course of our work. with its opportunities for making observations. we became convinced that the citizens of this town should move at once in the matter of providing the town with a publie sewer system. We believe that it was not only proper but inemmbent on us, because of the function of our office, to set in motion the movement which we trust shall at no distant day provide this town with such a system.




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