USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 55
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The tax for the support of the poor, to apply on town debt, and for contingent expenses for 1831 was $1,800, and for highways, $1,000. The treasurer was authorized at this time to borrow $2,000 to pay a demand made by Freetown. A dog license was provided for, the ani- mals to be restrained from June to September, inclusive, under penalty of $5.00. The records show that a sewer was begun this year at the four corners, which was the first one in the village.
In 1832 the highway tax was increased to $1,500 and the general tax to $2,500. The old Main street bridge was repaired at a cost of $169.49. The following streets were laid out or extended and accepted: Tasker (now Cherry), Annawan, Spring, Washington and Union. It was in this year that the cholera swept over the country, leaving death and mourning in its path in many localities; but, fortunately, the greater part of Bristol county escaped, to a large degree, the ravages of the malady. The records show that it was voted to procure a building for "a hospital, a carriage for the sick," and that a strict quarantine be es- tablished with Tiverton. A health committee was appointed who car- ried out these measures. Public nurses also were employed.
518
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
At a meeting held March 18, 1833, it was voted "that it is expedient to have the name of the Town of Troy altered to that of Fall River." Also, voted, " That the Selectmen be directed to petition the Legisla- ture now in Session for an act to alter the name of the Town of Troy to that of Fall River." It is well known that this change was effected by an acted dated February 12, 1834. In 1833 the gross receipts of the town were about $9,000, the cost of collection being $67. Of the gross sum, $1,500 went for the improvement of highways; $2,671.40 to schools; $1,289.34 for support of the poor; $120.15 for sentries and guards, in connection with the cholera epidemic; $75.31 for mainte- nance of quarantine regulations; $12 to the quarantine physician, who was Dr. Foster Hooper. The remainder for other purposes. An effort was made to take the initiatory steps toward building a market house and town hall, but the matter was indefinitely postponed. The records of 1833 further show that the frequently undertaken efforts to adopt a new system for caring for the poor began to assume definite shape and were successful soon afterwards, as described in a preceding foot note.
The total town receipts for 1834 were $7,035.14; the school expenses had reached $3,000; support of the poor cost $442.96. A proposition was made to vote on the question whether the town " would take meas- ures to name the streets in said town," on which subject a report was called for in March, 1835. It may be added here that in April, 1835, Harvey Chace, Philip R. Bennett and James Ford were appointed a committee "to name the streets in the village of Fall River-also the Alleys and Lanes." At the annual meeting in March, 1834, twenty firewards were chosen.
In 1835 the total expenditures of the town amounted to $10,125.82; of this sum the highway fund was $1,500; the town was then about $3,000 in debt. The assessors were performing their duties for about $15 a year each. At the same time Harvey Harnden, Samuel Chace, Nathaniel B. Borden, Benjamin D. Davol and Edmund Chace were appointed to "graduate by a Survey the Streets in the village of Fall River." A new code of by laws was adopted in 1835, the principal changes relating to restricting ball-playing and hoop rolling in the vil- lage " or on the post Road leading from the village to Freetown; " en- cumbering the streets with lumber, etc .; furious driving, vehicles standing in streets, disfiguring fences, projecting signs over streets, and other ordinary provisions for the government of small communi- ties. The street commission was increased from two to five members.
519
THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.
On April 13, 1835, it was voted that the town "authorize an application to the Justices of the Peace and to the Selectmen of said town to ap. point or establish a night or street watch in said Town." This was the inception of the police department. In the spring of 1835 North and South Main streets were laid out; the name of Exchange street was changed to Rock, and other street names applied by the committee be- fore named were Spring, Annawan, Broadway, Pocasset, Central, Mill, Massasoit, Elm, Cherry (formerly Tasker), Pine (formerly Slade), Franklin, Park, Bedford, Pleasant, Borden, High, Walnut, Chestnut, Birch, Oak, Purchase, Granite, Hartwell, Pearl, Union, Washington, Sumner, Canal, Pond, Water, Bay, West, Chappell, Inch, Green, Sec- ond, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Town avenue. Many of these names had been long in use.
The gross receipts for the year 1836 were nearly $23,000. For the support of the poor and improvements on the town farm in 1835-6 about $3,000 was expended. It seems somewhat surprising that in 1836 it was voted " that the street commissioners take legal advice re- ยท specting the manure collecting in the streets, and if practicable to adopt measures to prevent its being taken by persons unauthorized." Compensation to members of engine and hook and ladder companies was fixed at a sum amounting, with their poll tax, to $5.
In 1837 Franklin street from Main to Rock street was accepted and " the bounds of Main street " were fixed, somewhat straightening its course. (See vol. ii of records. pp. 201-16). At this time the public pound was situated on the burial lot and it was voted to remove it to the town farm. The expenses for the year were a little less than $16,- 000. The dog nuisance must have been most annoying, for it required eleven sections of the by-laws to provide for their restraint, and the treasurer was authorized to pay fifty cents for every dog killed while at large. A bounty of fifty cents was paid, also, as late as this for fox's ears.
The gross receipts for 1838 were $10,333.22. There was expended on highways $2,292.26. The town debt was about $16,000, less a con- siderable amount in bills receivable. The treasurer was receiving a salary of $75, and it was voted to pay the general school committee whatever the auditors thought proper, provided the committee "per- form their duty and report on same to the town."
The amount to be raised by tax for 1839 was $10,500 and for 1840 it was $14,000; in the latter year $2,000 was expended on highways. Pine
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
and Pearl streets were laid out in 1839 and in September the Selectmen were directed to "lay out, work and bound " Second, Third, Fourth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth streets, and Elm, Hartwell and Borden streets. In May the committee on night watch reported recommend- ing that a night watch "be established according to law; " action in this matter was postponed for a time. In 1840 Oak and Rock streets were extended and $500 was expended on Indian Town Road. Street improvements at the period under consideration were extensive, many new ones being opened and others extended.
The tax for 1841 amounted to $14,500, of which the highway fund was $2,500. A committee had been in existence for some time having in charge the laying out and appraisal of lots on land purchased of the heirs of Sheffield Weaver. A report in 1841 states that they "have brought their labors to a close." They reported one hundred and fifteen lots in regular form and forty-four of irregular form. A reso- lution was adopted by the Selectmen providing for a petition to the Legislature for authority to construct a road over Fall River Creek so as to connect Slade's wharf with the steamboat wharf. This was . accomplished in 1842.
The amount to be raised by tax in 1842 was $15,800; of this, $3,000 constituted the highway fund, and $1,000 was to apply on the town debt. Down to the year 1843 sustained effort had been put forth in Fall River to restrict the sale of liquor and reduce intemperance. Res- olutions to not "approbate the granting of licenses," and others of similar import are frequently found in the records. In January, 1843, a preamble and resolutions were adopted to the effect that moral suasion for the suppression of intemperance had failed, and that, therefore, an agent was needed to take charge of prosecutions of violators of the license laws. Joseph Ward was thereupon appointed to that position with the title of Prosecuting Agent. Out of this arrangement, which was probably no more effective than similar measures have been in later years, grew an attempt to have a public liquor agent appointed to sell under certain restrictions This effort failed and the responsibility for prosecutions of violators of the law soon reverted to the Selectmen. The total amount to be raised by tax in 1843 was $17,000; the highway fund was $3,000; for support of the poor, $1,500; for town debt and other expenses, $3,866.70. In May a further tax of $3,000 was voted for highways, one-half of which was to be devoted to sidewalks in the village. Later in the same month it was voted to borrow $4,000 to be
521
THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.
expended on the streets under direction of the surveyor. The streets named for special improvement were Pocasset, Park, Spring, Washing- ton, Union, Pearl, Borden, Pleasant, Bedford, Central, Annawan, Oak, Bank, Franklin, Pine, Cherry and Davol. This list includes nearly all of the prominent streets of that time, and the action noted led to very important and much-needed improvement. The fire department re- ceived an addition to its equipment in 1843-4 costing $700.
The great fire of 1843 has already been described, but a few interest- ing notes from the records in relation to the calamity are worthy of attention. Temporary quarters for meetings of the authorities were provided in Firemen's Hall, and the following persons were appointed a committee on alterations in the burned district : Simeon Borden, Jon- athan Slade, Nathan Durfee, Harvey Harnden and Benjamin D. Davol. A committee on town hall was also appointed consisting of Harvey Harnden, Eliab Williams, William H. A. Crary and Nathan Durfee, and another large committee to procure a site, as before described. Stringent regulations were adopted to prevent fires in the future. On the 17th of August the market lot was purchased for $17,500. On the 26th of August Simeon Borden, Benjamin D. Davol and Nathan Dur- fee were appointed a committee to put Market Square in order. On the 1st of September plans for a building to cost about $22,000 were completed. Main street and Pocasset street were widened and many other streets and sidewalk improvements made.
The principal town expenditures for 1844 were, for the poor, $5,333; highways, $2,500; siddwalks, $500; schools, $5,800; interest and inci- dentals, $8,000. It was voted in July that a street watch be appointed, which was done, the force consisting of six members. In September, Lazarus Borden, James B. Luther and Simeon Borden were appointed a committee to purchase a lot and build an engine house for engine No. 4.
Town expenditures for 1845: Schools, $6,000; highways, $2,500; sidewalks, $2,000; poor, $2, 000; street watch, $2,400; fire department, $600; to pay on town debt, $10,000. In June, Prospect, Locust, Green, Pearl, Canal, Mulberry, Central and Danforth streets were accepted. In July a new engine was purchased at a cost of $850; hose costing $400, and two reservoirs were constructed at a cost of $800. A bucket carriage also was added to the fire equipment, costing $100.
The records show expenditures for 1846 as follows: Schools, $7,000; highways, $2,800; flagging (sidewalks), $2,000; poor, $3,000; watch, 66
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
$2,400; town officers' salaries, $2,000; fire department, $3,000; on town debt, $6,000; interest, $6,000; incidentals, $2,000; new roads, $2,000. The county tax was $2,833.70. In April it was voted that the Select- men should report all arrests, and that watchmen should keep engine houses in repair and keep fires in them. In this year extensive changes were made in the by-laws. In November a committee of forty mem- bers was appointed to prosecute violations of the liquor laws, indicating that this irrepressible question still agitated the community.
In February, 1847, the sum of $700 was appropriated for additions to the equipment of the fire department. The town expenses for this year included the following: Schools, $7,500; highways, $2,900; side- walks, $2,500; new streets, $500; poor, $3,000; street watch, $2,400; officers' salaries, $2,000; on town debt and interest, $8,000; incident- als, $2,399.51. The county tax was $2,833.70. On February 4 it was voted " that the town will give the use of its Hall for the temporary accommodation of such courts as may hereafter be held in this town." In April a committee was appointed to number stores and dwellings and name streets; the assessors were named as this committee. The old strife over the line between Fall River and Freetown was not yet finished and in 1847 a survey of the line was made. In June measures were adopted preliminary to building a hospital on the town farm, to cost not more than $2,000; this purpose was not consummated until 1851. In October it was voted to establish street lamps near the center of the village; the matter was referred to the Selectmen, who were directed to report at an adjourned meeting the locations of the lamps and the prices of gas and oil. This was the first systematic effort to light the village streets, as noticed further on.
The town expenses for 1848 included the following: Schools, $8,600; highways, $2,000; poor, $4,000; watch, $2,000; to town officers, $2,000; on town debt and interest, $10,500; fire department, $1,000; incident- als, $4,800. The county tax was $2,833.70. In April a room was fitted up in the west end of the market for the street watch. In November the boundary between Dartmouth and Fall River and between West- port and Fall River was finally fixed.
Town expenses in 1849: Schools, $11,000; highways, $1,600; poor, $3,500; fire department, $2,000; town officers, $1,600; street watch, $1,500; sidewalks, $2,000; on debt and interest, $8,500. The county tax was $3,230. Just previous to the spring of 1849 a committee had been appointed from the Selectmen on the subject of a high school; it
523
THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.
was voted in April that $1,500 of the $11,000 appropriated be devoted to establishing a high school. The later history of this institution is given in another chapter. In April a committee was appointed to pro- cure plans for a poorhouse.
For 1850 the following were included in the town expenditures: Schools, $9,500; highways, $1,600; high school, $1,500; sidewalks, $1,500; poor, $4,500; watch, $1,600; officers, $1,500; principal and in- terest, $8,000; fire department, $2,000; incidentals, $2,000; county tax, $3,220; abatement, discount and loss on taxes, $2,800; total, $39,- 720. In April an effort was made to light the streets with from twenty to thirty lights; after much opposition the measure was adopted and lights were supplied as far as gas mains then extended, at a cost of about $375. In the same month $1,500 was appropriated for widening Main street to French's hill. It was in this year and the next that a new high school building was provided.
The expenses of 1851 included the following: Schools, $9,500; high school, $1,500; highways, $2,000; sidewalks, $1,500; poor, $4,500; watch, $1,500; officers, $1,500; on debt and interest, $5,500; fire de- partment, $3,600; incidentals, $2,000; county tax, $4,000; discount, etc., $2,800.
Expenses in 1852 : Schools, $9,500; high school, $1,500; poor, $4,000; fire department, $3,000; watch, $1,500; officers, $2,000; on debt and interest, $5,500; county tax, $4,653.92 ; highways, $2,000; sidewalks, $1,800; street lights, $500; sundries, $2,546.08; discount, etc., $2,500. A project was inaugurated this year to build or buy an armory for the Fall River artillery company, at a cost of not more than $2,500. The matter was placed in charge of Josiah C. Blaisdell, Horatio N. Gunn and Capt. John B. Sanford.
Expenses for 1853: Schools, $10,000; high school, $3,000; highways and sidewalks, $4,500; lights, $500; watch, $2,700; fire department, $4,500; officers, $2,000; poor, $4,000; county tax, $4,653.92; debt and interest, $5,000; sprinkling, $1,000; incidentals, $2,500; discount, etc., $3,000. It will be noted that this is the first year in which the item of sprinkling appears in the records. A committee of nine was appointed in April on the question of providing "a public promenade." At the next meeting the committee reported it expedient to purchase a lot for a park. Following are the names of this committee: P. W. Leland, Richard Borden, Foster Hooper, N. B. Borden, Ellis Gifford, David Anthony, Benjamin W. Miller, Job B. French, J. C. Blaisdell, Charles
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
J. Holmes, William Munday, Henry H. Fish and Israel Buffinton. The proposition was made to purchase what was known as the Stevens farm. This purpose was at once effected, the purchase including thirty-two acres, for which was paid $15,000.
The foregoing transcription from the village records, with preceding chapters, should give the reader a clear conception of the founding and growth of Fall River in the various phases of municipal and business life. At that date, far back in the past, the place had already acquired its distinctive characteristics that make its history exceptional and gave it far reaching celebrity.
We have now reached a point in the story of the general develop- ment of Fall River where the path of progress in governmental affairs turned from the previous inadequate village form to the broader, more comprehensive and effective conditions to be realized under a city charter. With a population of more than 12,000, a valuation of of $8,939,215 (1854), and a gross tax raised of $56,523.70; with fire de- partment, police, churches, schools, and the various institutions that contribute to make the large and thriving New England village, it is not surprising that the community aspired to a city government. At this turning point in the history it may be profitable to briefly study the causes which had been most influential in giving Fall River its im - portance at that time. At first glance it is natural for the.reader to number the excellent water power and the favorable situation of the village in relation to communication by water with other localities, among the most potent factors in the growth and material develop. ment of this community. While this assumption would be true to some extent, there was another and a vastly more powerful influence, the working of which during half a century made Fall River what it was in 1854. This was her men-those leaders many of whose names have already been mentioned in these pages. It probably can be truthfully stated, and without unjust diparagement of other communities in Bris- tol county or elsewhere, that in few other limited localities in the Com- monwealth could be found in the early years so large an element of men possessed of all the natural and acquired qualifications necessary to large success in life. This is a sweeping statement, but in the story of the founding of Fall River and its village development is found the proof of its truth. These men who were most influential in advancing that development need not be again specifically named. Their deeds stand forth clear in their life records.
525
THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.
1
CHAPTER XXIX.
FALL RIVER AS A CITY.
The subject of city incorporation in Fall River seems to have pro- voked less discussion and to have been under consideration during a shorter period than is usual in similar cases; the measure was generally favored by the best element in the village and its adoption was accepted as a foregone conclusion. A warrant for a town meeting was issued for January 5, 1854, the purport of one article in which was "to see what action if any the Town will take in relation to obtaining a City Charter." At the meeting it was voted
That a committee be raised to petition the Legislature in behalf of the citizens of Fall River for a City Charter, and also that the same committee draft the form of such a charter as they in their judgment may think the wants of the people may re- quire and report at an adjournment of this meeting.
The committee appointed in pursuance of the foregoing vote con. sisted of John Westfall, Foster Hooper, Nathaniel B. Borden, Israel Buffinton, Thomas Wilbur, Robert C. Brown, Eliab Williams, Samuel L. Thaxter and Louis Lapham. The committee reported a charter, which was voted upon, and some minor amendments made, when it was adopted under an act which was approved by the governor April 12, 1854.1 The vote on the measure stood, yeas, 529; nays, 247. The principal provisions of the first charter were for the election of a mayor ; a board of aldermen consisting of six members, one from each ward; a common council consisting of eighteen members, three from each ward,
1 The corporation of Fall River as it at present exists includes ten so-called villages, which by the rapid development of recent years have become simply sections of a homogeneous munici- pality. These are Steep Brook, taking its name from a stream at that point ; it is the northern part of the city and the site of several manufactories. Globe Village, taking its name from the Globe Cotton Mills and print works at that point ; it is the southern part of the eity in what was formerly Tiverton. Bowenville, taking its name from James Bowen, owner of the wharf at that point, where a brick yard was formerly situated. Flint Village, taking its name from the Flint Mills and John D. Flint, who was a large land-owner in that part of the city. Mechanicsville, taking its name from the Mechanies' Mills. Oak Grove, taking its name from the Oak Grove Cemetery. Copicut, the Indian name for the highest point of land in the city. Brookville, on Stafford road, near Rhode Island line Mt. Hope, at the lower fall of the stream from Cook Pond. New Boston, in the north part of the city.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
these two boards in their joint capacity to be designated as the city council; the division of the city territory into six wards; a warden, clerk, and three inspectors of election to be elected annually in each ward; the fiscal year to begin on the first Monday in April; city elec- tion to take place on the first Monday in March; fixing the mayor's salary at $500, and that of the aldermen at $50, while the members of the common council received no pay; the mayor and alder- men to appoint a constable and his assistants, or a city marshal and his assistants, and a board of assessors; establishing a fire depart- ment 1 consisting of a chief engineer, four assistant engineers and as
1 The fire department of the village of Troy, which was established at a town meeting held in July, 1832, pursuant to an act of Legislature of the 16th of June preceding, was abolished by the city charter. In each year prior to that date a board of firewards, consisting of from ten members in 1826, to eighteen in 1831, had been appointed. This board was continued by the act of 1832, and consisted of about twenty members down to 1844 inclusive. The fire of 1843 caused an awakening to the needs of the village in its fire extinguishing apparatus, and at the town meeting of April, 1846, the sum of $3,000 was appropriated for maintenance of the department for the ensuing year. At a town meeting held in May, 1846, a motion was made by Dr. Foster Hooper, "that for the purpose of sustaining the fire department of the town, and keeping up the organization of the same in an efficient manner, there be appropriated a sum not exceeding $500, to be drawn for by the Board of Firewards and expended in such manner as they shall direct, in giving a public dinner on the 4th day of July next, to all the members of the companies and de- partment of said town." This peculiar measure was not carried out. From 1845 to 1853 inclusive, the board of firewards consisted of only about ten members; Andrew Robeson was chief engi- neer the first three years ; Foster Hooper, 1847-50 inclusive ; Nathaniel B. Borden, 1851-52 ; James Buffinton, 1853. Additions made to the equipment of the department in 1843 and between that year and 1854, were the purchase of Cataract engine No. 3, with hose reel and 400 feet of hose, costing $1,136, in 1843; the purchase in the same year of engine Niagara No. 4, which was rebuilt in 1853 and the name changed in 1855 to Torrent No. 2; the purchase in 1846 of engine Ocean No. 5; the purchase in 1853 of a double deck engine, which took the name Niagara No. 4, and was the most powerful hand engine ever owned in the city ; it was placed in charge of the then Niagara Hand Engine Co., and was sold in 1874. In 1853, also, was purchased the hand engine called the Massasoit, of the Massasoit Manufacturing Company. When the annexation of part of Tiverton was made in 1862, another hand engine, called Cascade No. 1, was brought into Fall River ; this was the last hand engine brought into the place. Cataract Hose Co. No. 1, the first hand hose reel company in the village, was organized in 1843 ; in 1851 the town purchased the four wheeled hose reel called Neptune Hose No. 1. This brief summary shows substantially the fire extin- guishing equipment of Fall River prior to the city organization, at which time the following fire department property was owned by the town.
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