USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1891-1900 > Part 8
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. $2,902 47
9.
F. J. Donohue, bill C. A. Wales, bill
1 50
16 95
May L. Knowlton, acct. salary
57 90
3. May L. Knowlton, acct. salary 57 90
16.
J. White Belcher, insurance
147 36
25. May L. Knowlton, acct. salary
Cr.
on piano . $112 05
May 25.
Isabel M. Breed, acct. salary
55 26
56
Amount brought forward . . $2,902 47 Dec. 31. By paying May L. Knowlton, acct. salary 57 90
31. Isabel M. Breed, acct. salary .
55 26
31. George W. Pollock, bill 75
31. McClintock & Woodfall, bill 175 00
31. Thomas Hall, bill 8 95
31. Trustees and Secretary 20 00
Balance
360 18
$3,220 33
$3,580 51
C. G. HATHAWAY,
Secretary.
57
TURNER FREE LIBRARY.
TRUSTEES, 1891.
J. WHITE BELCHER, President.
REV. J. C. FOSTER, D.D., Vice-President.
JOHN J. CRAWFORD, Treasurer. CHARLES G. HATHAWAY, Secretary.
RUFUS A. THAYER. P. H. MCLAUGHLIN. JOHN H. FIELD. Selectmen of Randolph, ex-officiis.
REV. JOHN C. LABAREE, D.D., JOHN V. BEAL. NATHANIEL HOWARD. J. WINSOR PRATT.
JOHN B. THAYER. GILBERT'A. TOLMAN.
ASA P. FRENCH. REV. CLARENCE FOWLER.
Librarian. CHARLES C. FARNHAM.
Assistant.
MRS. FRANCES O. HOWARD.
TURNER LIBRA&
TURNER FREE LIBRARY.
59
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
In compliance with article 3 of the by-laws of the Turner Library, the sixteenth annual report is herewith submitted, showing the condition of the trust, the building, library, and funds, with extracts from the reports of different commit- tees and of the librarian, presented to the trustees, for the year ending December 31, 1891.
TRUST.
The trust consists of the library building, library, funds invested, and the income arising therefrom. The present condition of the funds will be found in the report of the finance committee, herewith submitted.
BUILDING.
The committee on building (consisting of Rev. J. C. Fos- ter, John J. Crawford, John B. Thayer, Nathaniel Howard, and Rufus A. Thayer) report that the total amount expended for the year ending December 31, 1891, has been $547.21 ; janitor, $125 ; fuel and gasoline, $387.50; repairs, $18.71; water, $16. The building is in good condition, and no ex- traordinary repairs will be required on the same the coming year. The parties who have been supplied with light and heat have paid their proportionate part of the same as as- sessed by the committee.
LIBRARY.
The annual examination of the library has been made by the library committee (consisting of Rev. J. C. Labaree, Rev. J. C. Foster, J. White Belcher, John J. Crawford, and
60
Asa P. French), and the books, charts, and furnishings of the library were found in their usual excellent condition. The following extracts from the annual report of the libra- rian, Dr. Charles C. Farham, to the trustees contain inter- esting information and statistics pertaining to the library : -
" The record of our doings for the past twelve months will not disclose anything especially eventful. Of course the usual routine or the ordinary duties at the desk have been done. It consists largely in receiving and delivering books (chiefly fiction), and soon becomes the bane of library duties. The blessing and pleasure comes in imparting information, aiding the inquiring, and directing investigation.
" We have enjoyed large opportunities in the better field of labor during the past year. The schools, the lyceums, and in fact all the literary organizations, have appealed to us frequently and critically. Such work is both desirable and refreshing.
" The plan of issuing special cards to such of the teachers in the public schools as had already made application for them, granting to each applicant one card entitling him or her to the use of ten volumes, for school purposes only, has not only worked well, but has proved a wise and safe ex- pedient.
"The three teachers to whom cards were granted have taken for school use, during the year, 335 volumes. They have been permitted to retain them without being subject to fine, as long as desired ; the favor has never been abused, and the books have been returned uninjured. In no case has their absence caused serious inconvenience to the regu- lar patrons of the library. The present number of books in the library is eleven thousand two hundred and eighty-five (11,285), an increase of two hundred and seventy-nine (279) over last year.
" The library has been open for the delivery of books two hundred and seventy-six days (276) days during the past
61
year, and the number of volumes borrowed for home use has been fifteen thousand seven hundred and nine (15,709).
" The daily average circulation has been fifty-seven (5 7) The largest number of books taken in any one day was two hundred and thirty-five (235), and the smallest three (3).
" The library has been in successful operation nearly sixteen years, and during this period the total circulation for home use only has been three hundred nineteen thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine (319,829).
" Since my last annual report, the attendance upon the reading room has been large, and those using the room have maintained decorum.
" Mrs. Frances O. Howard continues in her position at the library, and has proved herself a pleasant, faithful, and pains- taking assistant.
" The volumes added during the past twelve months have been sufficient in number, and of excellent quality. I think they have met satisfactorily the needs of the public, and have given additional character to the library."
FUNDS.
The committee on finance (consisting of John V. Beal, Charles G. Hathaway, J. Winsor Pratt, P. H. Mclaughlin, and John H. Field) report that they have examined the ac- counts of the treasurer, in compliance with article 10 of the by-laws, and find that the bills and orders for expenditures, which have been presented for payment, have been paid by the treasurer, upon the approval of the proper committee of the library, and proper vouchers therefor, by him retained and placed on file, and that his accounts are in all respects true and accurate ; that a cash balance of $663.04 is now in the treasury. They further find that all the rents, interest, and all the revenues, from whatsoever source, have been duly collected and properly secured. The remaining funds of the library, exclusive of the balance before mentioned,
62
consist of $5000 invested in a promissory note of the inhabi- tants of the town of Randolph, and the additional sum of $10,000, known as the "Turner Fund," invested as follows :
Three bonds of Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, $1000 each.
Two bonds of Union Pacific Railroad, collateral trust, $1000 each.
Three bonds of Kansas Pacific Railroad, $1000 each.
Two bonds of Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, $1000 each.
For the current year the income is estimated as follows :-
From rents
$600 00
Interest on town note .
200 00
From Turner Fund
570 00
Total .
$1,370 00
The receipts and expenditures for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1891, are set forth in detail in the report of the Treasurer.
I cannot close this report without alluding to the great loss our board has sustained during the past year by the sudden death of Mr. Royal W. Turner, one of the original founders of the library, and who held the position of treasurer from its organization. Always an interested and faithful worker in all matters pertaining to the library, his earnest desire was that the people of his native town might enjoy its privileges and be benefited thereby.
While we sadly miss his genial presence, he has left us a treasure of gracious and pleasant memories, and an example of honesty of purpose and fidelity to duty well worthy of ini- tation.
No more lasting and appropriate monument could have been erected as a memorial to him, and to those who have
ne before him, than the granite block which stands upon
63
the site of the old homestead bearing the simple inscrip- tion, "Turner Library."
Respectfully submitted,
J. WHITE BELCHER, President of the Board of Trustees.
Randolph, January 1, 1892.
REPORT OF TREASURER OF TURNER FREE LIBRARY.
Jan. 1, 1891. RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand
$183 58
Received rent from Randolph National Bank
200 00
rent from Randolph Savings Bank
100 00
rent from Charles H. Belcher
300 00
rent from Ladies' Library Association
15 00
interest on town note
200 00
from Turner Fund
570 00
from town appropriation
250 00
from Librarian, fines and catalogues ·
29 77
from town for repairs on building in 1890
605 55
$2,453 90
EXPENDITURES.
Paid for books, papers, magazines, and binding, $649 52
librarian, salary for one year
500 00
janitor, salary for one year
125 00
for fuel and gasoline
387 50
.
for express on books and packages
24 23
for sundry supplies, including water
85 90
for sundry repairs 18 71
Balance on hand December 31, 1891
663 04
$2,453 90
64
The Turner Fund remains invested the same as last year, and is distributed as follows : -
Three Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
bonds $3,000 00
Three Kansas Pacific Railroad bonds 3,000 00
Two Union Pacific Railroad bonds . · 2,000 00
Two Burlington & Missouri River Railroad bonds, .
2,000 00
The remaining funds of the Turner Free Library consist of a $5000 note of the town of Randolph bearing interest at the rate of four per cent per annum.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. CRAWFORD,
Treasurer. Randolph, Mass., Jan. 1, 1892.
65
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
HEADQUARTERS FIRE DEPARTMENT,
RANDOLPH, Dec. 31, 1891.
To the Board of Selectmen of Randolph :
The Board of Engineers of the Fire Department submit the following as their report : -
ORGANIZATION.
On May 1, 1891, the department organized as follows : - Board of Engineers.
C. A. Wales ( Chief), John Haney, D. J. Brennan, Cor- nelius Desmond (Assistants), W. A. Croak ( Clerk and As- sistant).
Companies.
Steamer No. 1, A. J. Gove, Driver; J. H. Wales, En- gineer; F. J. Donahue, Fireman.
Steamer No. 2, James Riley, Driver; E. L. Payne, En- gineer; W. M. Howard, Fireman.
Hose Co. No. 1, James Farrell, Foreman; 17 men.
Hose Co. No. 2, G. W. Shedd, Foreman; 10 men. Hook and Ladder No. 1, C. H. Rice, Foreman ; 18 men. Chemical No. 1, J. A. Sullivan, Foreman; 15 men.
Fires.
April 23, 1891, 7.30 A.M., alarm for a fire in the building on Main street owned by M. M. Alden, and occupied by G. E. Hollis as a cigar store and pool-room and E. G. Stetson as a barber shop; also by Hop Sing as a Chinese laundry.
66
Damage to building and contents, $85.00 ; insured; cause of fire, cigar in sawdust spittoon.
May 5, 11 P.M., on a still alarm, Chief Wales was called to the house corner of West and Cross streets owned by heirs of Thomas Kiley, where it was found that soot on fire in the chimney was setting the woodwork on fire around it. Damage, $10.00.
May 15, 3.15 P.M., alarm for fire in the dwelling on Or- chard street owned by S. H. Hoags, of Boston, and occu- pied by Simeon Wentworth ; L badly damaged. Damage to building and contents, $300; building insured, contents not insured.
July 4, 9 A.M., alarm for fire in building on Warren street owned by heirs of John Dooley, and occupied by the Social Club, also as a barber shop; damage to building and con- tents about $200 ; insured.
July 11, 11 P.M., Chief Wales was called on a still alarm to the dwelling on Cottage street owned by Mrs. Dargin, where a slight fire was caused by fire-crackers.
July 19, 12.40 P.M., alarm for fire in an unoccupied house on Ward street owned by W. E. Jewell, of Cambridge. Damage about $25 ; cause of fire, incendiary.
July 20, 1.15 P.M., on a still alarm, Chief Wales, with members Hose 1 and Ladder 1, extinguished a fire in base- ment of building on Main street owned by O. C. R.R. Co., and occupied by H. B. Libby as a carpenter shop. Damage, $8 ; incendiary.
July 21, 5.30 P.M., alarm for fire in an unoccupied house on North street owned by Frank Smith ; wholly destroyed. Damage small, as the building was comparatively worthless and not insured ; incendiary.
Sept. 3, 10.15 A.M., alarm for fire in an unoccupied build- ing on Cottage street owned by John Mahoney, of Boston, and formerly used as bowling saloon. Damage to building and contents, $300; cause unknown.
67
Sept. 9, 3.30 P.M., alarm for fire in dwelling on North street owned by heirs of Thomas Lynch, and occupied by Thomas Patten. Damage to building and contents, $125 ; insured ; cause of fire, accidental.
Oct. 8, 5 A.M., alarm for fire in buildings on Main street owned by E. A. Allen and P. H. Mclaughlin, and occupied by W. G. Brown, drug store, J. V. Beal, law office ( Allen building, ) and Mclaughlin, dry goods. Damage to build- ings and contents, $4000 ; insured ; cause of fire unknown.
Nov. 3, 1.20 P.M., alarm for fire in dwelling on Main street, owned and occupied by A. L. Chase and Mrs. Ephraim Mann. Damage to building and contents, $40 ; cause of fire, burn- ing soot in chimney.
Nov. 12, 5.50 P.M., alarm for fire in dwelling on South Main street, owned by heirs of Curtis, and occupied by C. E. Young. Damage to building and contents, $25 ; insured ; cause, defective chimney.
EXPENSES.
Paid 62 men, services May, 1890, to May, 1891, $12 each $744 00
62 men, 2972 hours at 25 and 50 cts. per hour 148 75
engineer of steamer . 40 00
fireman of steamer
30 00
A. J. Gove, hauling apparatus of house 1, to May, 1891 300 00
A. J. Gove, expressing 7 55
J. E. Blanche, hauling chemical 1, April, 1890, to July, 1891 35 00
18 00
78 75
James Riley, hauling hose 2, to May, 1891 F. J. Donahue, steward, &c., March, 1891, to Dec. 31, 1891 . · W. M. Howard, steward, &c., May, 1890, to May, 1891 82 20
68
Paid W. F. Sullivan, steward, &c., Feb. 4, 1891, to Nov. 4, 1891 $29 25
James Farrell, janitor, hose 1, to May, 1891 6 00
R. McLennan, supplies 3 00
E. L. Payne, care of steamer 2 . .
·
19 25
Seth A. Thayer, coal .
6 25
Colin Boyd, care of room for engineers
7 00
Mary Sullivan, rent of land 10 00
S. B. Woodman, repairs, house chemical 1 6 45
E. Hodge & Co., Boston, repairs, steamer 1 5 15
A. S. Jackson, repairs, suction hose . .
3 75
J. White Belcher, insurance on apparatus 52 50
$1,632 85
Amount of appropriation, $1,890 00
Expense, . 1,632 85
Balance,
$257 15
APPARATUS.
The apparatus of the department is in good condition, and consists of two steamers, one hose wagon, one four-wheel hose reel, one two-wheel hose reel, one chemical engine, one ladder truck, three portable chemical extinguishers, 2700 feet of hose, extra ladders in houses of steamer 2 and chemical 1.
We have yet in our care the two steamers, having had no applications for the purchase of either of them since last re- port. If the town still desires to sell one of them, we would suggest that an extra effort be made by advertising, or by the employment of an expert for that purpose, for the ex- pense account is being added to each year in the care of them, with no special benefit therefrom.
The apparatus is still drawn by horses, which is an advan- tage over the old system, as the men go direct to the fire without going after their particular machine, and are required to work where most needed.
69
HOUSES.
At present writing the houses are in pretty good condi- tion. In our last report we called attention to the need of repairs to the floor of the house of the central station, and asked for a little more money with the idea of making re- pairs named. We did not get the money, but we have been obliged to make the repairs, as the floor gave way, cansing the doors to get out of place. The bill for the same is still unpaid. The accommodations at this house are still limited, and we have but to refer you to the previous reports on this subject, or to ask the citizens of the town to visit the house and see the crowded condition of affairs, and especially after the apparatus has returned from a fire, to see the inconve- nience of cleaning and drying hose. We believe that after such a visit all will be convinced of the correctness of our de- scription of the case.
FIRE ALARM.
The matter of fire alarm is a subject that has been dis- cussed by the Board of Engineers in their past reports to your honorable board, and through you to the citizens of the town, that were it not the fact that we firmly believe that it would be for the interest of the town to adopt a system of alarm with a view to save expense in running the depart- ment, we would drop the subject until some of our citizens took more interest in the subject.
This, like all new projects brought forward, hangs many times upon the matter of first cost, those most interested looking no further into the subject. During the past ten months which this report covers there have been twelve fires reported. The whole department responded to a large ma- jority of them, whereas with the ladder company and one hose company, or the chemical company (which, by the way, ought to be located in the central station), there would have
70
been plenty of help for any fire during the past year, and it would be force enough as a rule at any time, except, of course, in the case of a very large fire ; and in such a case the alarm could be used to call more help at short notice. Then again, a system of alarm would be a means of locating a fire, so that an engineer or any member of the department could go direct to the fire. There are now poles on our main street already that can be used to string wires on.
FIRE LOSSES.
The fire losses of the past ten months have been very near $5000, the insurance upon the same that has been paid amounts to $4275. This we believe is a pretty good show- ing when we consider the number of calls upon the depart- ment. With the splendid water service now in existence, we believe the day of large conflagrations is past, and ought to be felt in the matter of insurance by all concerned.
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES FOR 1892.
We would recommend the same pay as last year for the department, namely, $12 per year per man, and 50 cents per hour for actual fire work, and 25 cents per hour for guarding or watch duty, steward work, &c. Engineer of steamer, $40; fireman of steamer, $30; general expenses $1200.
CHARLES A. WALES, Chief. DANIEL J. BRENNAN, JOHN HANEY, CORNELIUS DESMOND,
Assistants. W. A. CROAK, Clerk.
SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
WATER COMMISSIONERS
OF THE
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1891.
RANDOLPH PUMPING STATION.
73
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
The Water Commissioners of the town of Randolph here - with submit their sixth annual report, together with the re- ports of the treasurer and superintendent, reference to which will afford detailed information regarding the affairs of the several branches of the water department.
Since the establishment of the water works and the de- mand for a uniform daily supply, it has been apparent to the Commissioners that it was unwise as well as unsafe to rely wholly upon a single pumping engine, as in case of breakage or needed repairs the town would be without a supply of water for fire, domestic, and other purposes, which might oc- casion serious inconvenience ; in consequence thereof, in the early part of the present year a contract was made with the George F. Blake Manufacturing Company, of Boston, for a new compound duplex pumping engine, which contract has been completed, and so far as the engine has been tested, it has proved satisfactory. It has a capacity for pumping two and one half million gallons of water each day of twenty- four hours.
The cost, including foundation for the same, will not be far from $5600, which has not yet been paid, each town being liable to pay one half said amount when accepted by the joint board of water commissioners.
It is now three years since the people of Randolph and Holbrook have been supplied with water from Great Pond.
In many places during the past year, where water works have been established at great cost, the most economical use of water was required, and in some places prohibited for
74
many uses, the source of supply being affected in conse- quence of its being more than an average dry year, and the amount of rainfall less than usual.
The Commissioners believe no town or city in this com- monwealth has a better quality of water, a more reliable source of supply, or a better system of water works than the towns of Randolph and Holbrook.
The building, engines, and boilers at the Great Pond, the stand-pipes and hydrants, and everything connected with the whole plant, are in good condition.
It is expected that, after the final settlement of the suits now pending against the town, the income arising from the water rates will largely tend to decrease the amounts now raised by taxation.
The action brought by John T. Langford in the Middlesex County Superior Court, against the towns of Randolph and Holbrook, to recover the sum of $24,325.89, the same being a balance claimed to be due him for trenching and laying the main pipes in 1886 and 1887, was referred by said court to Judge Edmund H. Bennett, of Boston, as auditor. After a lengthy hearing, the decision of said auditor was in favor of said towns of Randolph and Holbrook. The court has not yet passed upon the findings of said auditor, and no further action up to the present time has been taken towards a set- tlement by said plaintiff.
The several petitions brought by the mill owners on Mon- atiquot River in Braintree, against the towns of Braintree, Randolph, and Holbrook, for damages alleged to have been sustained by reason of the taking by said towns of the waters of Great Pond under authority given in Chapter 217 of the Acts of the Legislature for the year 1885, are still pending on questions of law for the Supreme Court. Hon. William Gaston and Asa P. French, Esq., were retained as counsel for the towns of Randolph and Holbrook; Hon. Edward Avery and Albert E. Avery, Esq., were retained by the town
75
of Braintree ; Hon. Everett C. Bumpus and Reginald Foster, Esq., appeared as counsel for the several mill owners. At the civil session of the Superior Court held at Dedham on the first Monday in May, 1890, Judge James M. Barker presid- ing, these cases were referred to three auditors, in spite of the strenuous objection of the several towns, who claimed a right to a trial by jury in the first instance. The hearings were held in Boston during the summer of 1890, and occupied nearly two months. The awards of the auditors are given below. The Water Commissioners and counsel for the several towns considered these awards to be largely in excess of the damages sustained, as shown by the most competent and re- liable testimony which they could procure. A subsequent hearing was had before Judge Staples upon a motion to set aside the finding of the auditors and to grant a new trial.
At a special adjournment of the October session of the Su- perior Court, held at Dedham on the first Monday of Decem- ber, 1891, Chief Justice Mason presiding, the several cases were tried before a jury, and occupied nearly two weeks. Governor Gaston being ill, Hon. Robert M. Morse and Asa P. French, Esq., appeared for Randolph and Holbrook. The town of Braintree, for some reason, was not represented by counsel. Judge Bumpus opened the cases for the petition- ers, and, without offering other evidence, rested upon the re- ports of the auditors alone. The opening for the respond- ents was made by Asa P. French, Esq. Expert and other evidence was introduced tending to show that the damage to the mill owners was in fact very much less than the awards as found by the auditors. Although the verdicts of the jury were about $8000 less in the aggregate than the auditors' awards, the amount is thought by the towns of Randolph and Holbrook to be still largely in excess of the damages actually sustained.
The following table shows the amounts, including interest, found against the towns of Randolph, Holbrook, and Brain-
76
tree in favor of several mill owners on the Monatiquot River by the auditors and jury respectively : -
Auditors.
Jury.
Proprietors of mills .
$2,463 33
$2,241 00
S. Hollingsworth et al.
23,401 66
20,322 50
Hollingsworth & Whitney
1,231 66
1,847 50
O. Ames & Sons Corp'n .
4,310 83
3,202 33
Stevens & Willis
3,079 16
2,463 33
A. S. Morrison et al.
11,085 00
9,976 50
L. O. Morrison et al.
2,463 33
1,970 67
Jenkins Manufacturing Co.
13,548 33
12,316 67
Betsey B. Hobart
2,463 33
1,970 67
$64,046 63
$56,311 17
If the questions of law which the towns now propose to carry to the Supreme Court are determined in their favor, the cases will come back for a new trial before a jury freed from the disadvantage of the auditors' reports, in which event much more favorable verdicts are to be hoped for. If, on the other hand, the Supreme Court should decide in favor of the mill owners, the towns must then settle upon the basis of the verdicts as given above, which are now bearing interest at the rate of six per cent per annum.
For statistical and other important information in relation to the water department, see report of Superintendent, here- to annexed.
Under section 6, Chapter 217, of the Acts of the Legisla- ture for the year 1885, the town is required each year to raise by taxation a sum which, with the income derived from the water rates, will be sufficient to pay the current annual expenses of operating its water works and the interest as it accrues on the notes, bonds, or scrip issued under said act by said town, and to make such contributions to its sinking
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