USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1868-1871 > Part 40
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Gross conduct and lascivious behavior .
2
27
Habitual truants 3
Illegally keeping intoxicating liquor for sale 20 Illegally selling intoxicating liquor 4
Idle and disorderly . 1
Keeping disorderly house . 1
Keeping dogs unlicensed .
4
Keeping common liquor nuisance
16
Larceny, felonious . 1
Larceny from building
2
Larceny of personal property
1
Larceny
18
Murder
1
Manslaughter
1
Malicious mischief
2
Maliciously breaking shade trees
1
Obstructing constable in a civil action
1
Rescuing cows from field-driver
2
Receiving stolen property .
1
Threatening language
2
Vagrants .
5
Violating town by-laws
7
Wilful trespass
1
Total .
473
In compliance with the rules for the management of the police, I respectfully submit the following:
DISPOSITION MADE OF CASES BY THE COURT.
Bound over to superior criminal court
40
Committed to jail without bail . 1
Discharged 45
Fined 322
28
Fined and put under bonds to keep the peace, 6 Placed on file and discharged by paying costs, 14 Satisfaction acknowledged and paid costs . 12 Sentenced to give surety to keep the peace, 2
Sentenced to imprisonment at the House of Correction 24
Sentenced to the Lowell Institute for juvenile offenders 2
Sentenced to the Reform school at Westboro', 2
Sentenced to the school ship 3
Total .
473
NATIVITY OF CRIMINALS.
United States 20
British Provinces
.
3
England
4
France
2
Ireland
444
Total . 473
This is an increase of one hundred and forty-eight over last year, and as the force has been increased from eight to thirteen this year, more has been done to prevent large disturbances, and something has been accomplished towards preventing great crimes from being committed.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Buildings found open by night secured 43
Complaints investigated and not prosecuted, 96
Cases of truancy investigated 55
Dead bodies found (infants) ·
2
29
14
Disturbances suppressed without arrests
153
Defective streets and sidewalks reported 140
Defective street lights reported .
12
Defective water pipes, · 37
Defective cesspools, ·
6
Defective hydrants, .
13
Dangerous buildings,
2
Disabled animals killed
5
Fire alarms given
12
Fires extinguished without alarm
5
Insane persons committed to insane asylum at Worcester 6
Injured persons provided for
4
Intoxicated persons helped home 372
Lights furnished for dangerous places 98
Lost children returned to parents 12
Obstructions on streets and sidewalks re- ported 183
Stray teams picked up and provided for 5
Truants carried to school . 39
In looking over the duties performed and classified Miscellaneous, it will be seen that the police office is thought by a great many to be the proper place to adjust difficulties of all kinds, and the number of complaints investigated (many of which are family quarrels), may to some extent account for the neces- sity of an office of this kind. In the many cases of disturbances and theft occurring the past year, but few were caught in the act. And in several cases the perpetrators were unknown to the officers, but here the beneficial results of a well regulated department are made available for the public good, as a daily
30
evening report is made at the police office by the patrolmen who have been keeping silent guard over their several districts. Thus, when a crime has been committed, the department is generally in the posses- sion of some knowledge, or some little fact, however small, that eventually leads to the detection of the criminal.
LIQUOR LAW.
The number of prosecutions made under the liquor law, exceeds that of former years, and may be at- tributed to the increase of dram shops and disorderly places. Prosecutions have been entered against, with a view to suppress all places where thieves and idle persons congregate, where shops are found open on the Lord's day, and all places complained of as being disorderly. On proper investigation, no one will for a moment doubt, the necessity of making such pros- ecutions, and in some degree prevent the misery aris- ing from the excessive use of strong drink by persons who, unable to control themselves, violently abuse their family.
Police office, lock-up, and accommodation for lodg- ers should, in my opinion, be all in one building suitable to accommodate twenty or more persons. At pre- sent the lock-up contains only three cells, and at times during the past year, we have had more prisoners than could be accommodated, and were obliged to commit them to jail in Cambridge. In closing my report, I desire to express my sincere thanks to the board of selectmen for the uniform kindness extended
31
to me during the past year. I also have testimony that the major part of the force under my charge are honorable and faithful men, who believe the duty of a policeman to be an honorable and respectable one, and who do all in their power to make it so. Such men are entitled to the thanks of their superiors and the support and confidence of the public.
Respectfully submitted,
MELVILLE C. PARKHURST,
Captain of Police.
SOMERVILLE, December 31, 1871.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SOMERVILLE, Dec. 30, 1871.
WE have again to congratulate our citizens on the small loss of property by fire during the year so nearly closed.
The steam fire-engine house on Highland avenue has been completed during the year, and placed in charge of the engineers of the fire department.
It has accommodation for the steam fire-engine, horse hose carriage, five horses, and also for washing and drying at one time twenty-eight hundred feet of leading hose. The total cost of the building, including alarm bell, steam heating apparatus, grad- ing, etc., is twenty thousand five hundred and sev- enty-six dollars and thirty-one cents.
The purchase of the new horse hose carriage,
32
horse, hose, etc., was referred to the board of engi- neers; of the appropriation for said purchase, the sum of three thousand one hundred and nine dollars and eighty-eight cents has been expended. The engineers have ordered the balance of the hose called for under the appropriation, and it will arrive and be tested in a few days.
There was much delay in procuring a suitable location for the new Winter Hill hose house, occa- sioned by the unwillingness of owners of real estate in the Winter Hill district to sell for that purpose; a lot was finally secured on Marshall street, near Broadway, which, it is believed gives general satis- faction to the inhabitants of said district. The building has been commenced and is progressing slowly, great difficulty being experienced in getting the contractor to do the work as fast as the com- mittee desire.
A petition was received, late in the season, for the purchase of a hose carriage, and the erection of a suitable building for the same, near the "Willow Bridge house."
There being no appropriation for the purpose, and it being so near the expiration of the year, it was re- ferred to the incoming city government.
In consequence of the rapid growth of the west- erly part of the town, your committee recommend that the hose house, when built, be located near the Lincoln school-house.
A petition from Chas. A. Southworth, and others, for the location of a hose carriage, and the formation
33
of a company for the same, in the Franklin school dis- trict, was received the last week in December, and referred to the incoming city government.
We would again call attention to the lack of any suitable means for an alarm, in case of fire at the westerly part of the town.
The fire apparatus of the town is in good order, the department thoroughly organized, and when the hose now ordered arrives and is put into commission, it is believed by your committee that the town will have a department as effective for the suppression of fire, as any of its size in the vicinity of Boston.
ROBERT A. VINAL, JOHN G. HALL, CYRUS F. CROSBY, Committee on Fire Department.
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
SOMERVILLE, Jan. 5, 1871.
TO THE HON. BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
Gentlemen, - In compliance with the usual custom, I herewith submit the annual report respecting the number of fires and alarms, together with a state- ment in regard to the condition of the houses and apparatus belonging to the department, with a few recommendations for further improvements.
Since my last report the department has been called out thirty-seven times, nineteen times to fires in town,
3
34
and eighteen times to fires in Cambridge and Charles- town.
CONDITION OF ENGINE AND HOSE HOUSES.
The houses occupied by the department are in bet- ter condition than they were a year since. The new house for the steamer on Highland avenue has been completed, and was occupied by the company for the first time July 20th. It is regarded as the finest building of the kind in the State.
JOHN E. WOOL HOSE HOUSE.
This house has been painted throughout and other- wise improved and is in good condition.
WINTER HILL HOSE HOUSE.
At the April meeting of the town it was voted to procure land and erect a building for the use of the company. The building is in progress and will be completed the present winter.
GEO. H. FOSTER HOSE HOUSE.
This carriage occupies a part of the building on Washington street, formerly used as steamer house, but has poor accommodation, and I would recommend that the lock-up be removed from this building as soon as other quarters are furnished for that purpose, and that the room now occupied by that be taken in con- nection with that used by the hose company, making a great deal more comfortable room.
35
SPRING HILL HOSE.
This carriage occupies a building on Summer street owned by Mr. Pitman, and has poor accommo- dations. I would recommend the erection of a build- ing near the junction of Summer and Cedar streets, suitable for the accommodation of a horse hose carriage. I think such a carriage is very much needed in this locality, owing to the number of wooden buildings being erected there.
PRESCOTT HOOK AND LADDER.
This carriage occupies a portion of the building on Washington street formerly used by the steamer, and is much better accommodated than at the time of my last report. Since then the room has been thoroughly repaired and painted and is in good con- dition. I would say in this connection that neither of the companies in this building have any room in which to hold their meetings, and I would recom- mend that the hall in this building be divided into suitable rooms for the accommodation of these two companies.
WATER.
The supply has been somewhat increased the past year; yet there are a great many places where a bet- ter supply is much needed, and the department has at several fires the past year, labored under great dis- advantage for the want of a better supply.
That portion of our town situated on the south side of the Fitchburg railroad has the poorest supply,
-
36
and there being a number of large manufacturing establishments in this vicinity, we are liable to have a second Chicago disaster.
TELEGRAPH ALARM.
I would again call the attention of the citizens to this subject, as I consider it one of great importance, and many of our citizens can testify to its benefits. Our neighboring cities have adopted it and recom- mend it very highly. Under the present system it is impossible to communicate an alarm from one part of the town to the other when there is a high wind, the bells for that purpose being small. I hope this sub- ject will have careful consideration.
THE STRENGTH OF THE DEPARTMENT.
The department consists of a chief engineer and four assistants, one steam engine and horse hose car- riage run in connection with it, with a company of ten men who do duty only in case of fire, an engineer of steamer and two drivers, who are permanently employed. The steamer and hose carriage in charge of this company have had some trifling repairs the past year, and are in good condition. There are three horses at this station.
JOHN E. WOOL HOSE.
This is a four-wheeled carriage, drawn by hand, and has a company of fifteen men. I would recom- mend the purchase of a horse hose carriage for this
37
company, as I do not think that men should be required to do the work of a horse.
WINTER HILL, HOSE 2.
This is a two-wheeled carriage, drawn by a com- pany of fifteen men. I would recommend the pur- chase of a horse carriage for this company, as the new house built for them is arranged for that pur- pose, and I hope you will give it your consideration.
GEORGE H. FOSTER, HOSE 3.
This is a four-wheeled carriage drawn by a horse, and was placed in the department in May last, and I think it has proved beyond a doubt the advantage of horse power over hand in drawing the carriage to and from fires, and it only requires ten men to make it very efficient, one of whom, the driver, is perma- nently employed at this station.
SPRING HILL HOSE.
This carriage was purchased some two years since, but never has been placed in the department, and has no company attached.
I would recommend that a horse hose be located in the westerly part of the town.
There are a great many wooden buildings being erected there, and there should be some better protec- tion against fire, as there is no apparatus west of School street.
38
PRESCOTT HOOK AND LADDER.
This is drawn by a horse, and has a company of twelve men, and is an important branch of the de- partment. This carriage is in good condition.
HOSE.
There is at present about 6,000 feet of hose in the department, the most part of which is in good condi- tion. It is divided between the several companies.
HYDRANTS.
For a list of hydrants I refer you to the report of the water committee, as I am informed that the chairman is preparing a list for publication.
I would call the attention of the city government to the practice of some builders in the construction of the flues in their buildings whereby they are very dangerous.
I would also call their attention to the careless practice of placing ashes in wooden vessels.
The total loss by fire the past year as near as could be ascertained, has been twenty-one thousand dollars, on which there was an insurance of seventeen thou- sand, leaving a balance of four thousand dollars over insurance.
I would, at this time, state that the best of feeling has prevailed throughout the department the past year.
The members have performed their duties faith-
39
fully, and I think our department will compare favor- ably with those of our neighboring cities and towns.
I would take this opportunity to return my sincere thanks to your honorable board generally, and par- ticularly to the committee on fire department from your board, to my assistant engineers, and to the department generally; also to the captain and all of the police force, and to all others who have aided in any way, either by counsel or otherwise.
I would not forget to thank my friends Chief Engi- neer John S. Damrell, of the Boston department, and his assistants; also Chief Magoun, of Charlestown, Chief Raymond, of Cambridge, Chief Sampson, of Medford, and their various assistants, and my friends generally, for their kind support.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
DAVID A. SANBORN, JR., Chief Engineer Somerville Fire Department.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS.
No claim of importance has been presented against the town during the past season. The suit of Mrs. Brook, in which exceptions were pending in the supreme judicial court, has been finally decided against the town. The liability of Mr. Campbell to the town has not been tested.
The suit of Hugh Mullin, for injuries alleged to have been sustained in a trench of the water pipes, is
40
still pending, and is defended under the direction of water committee.
The suit of Miss Ada A. Byrnes, pending at time of the last annual report, has been adjusted and the suit dismissed. A suit has been commenced by Hugh Carney, claiming damages on account of the grading of Belmont street. This suit is now pend- ing in the superior court for the county of Middle- sex. This is the only case now pending of which the selectmen have a direct charge.
A claim was made against the town for damages alleged to have been sustained by William Humphrey, from an obstruction in Elm street, near Broadway. It was generally felt that the town in this matter were liable, and the claim was accordingly adjusted by the payment of $300.
This is one of the cases of obstruction to our streets where there was great difficulty in fixing the respon- sibility upon the right parties, and the town must consequently sustain the loss. On the whole, we may consider the past year a fortunate one in the number of accidents on our highways, and in the number of claims made from all causes.
CHAS. S. LINCOLN. PERSON DAVIS.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES ON GAS.
YOUR committee are pleased to find that the citi- zens more fully appreciate the matter of lighting our streets by gas, twenty-one new posts having been
41
added the past year, all of which have been paid for by private subscription, making the whole number now lighted by gas (213) two hundred and thirteen, and (21) twenty-one by fluid.
You committee further find the posts furnished by private parties are not of like weight and pattern as those furnished by the gas company, and would recommend a uniform weight and pattern for the future.
CYRUS F. CROSBY. FRANCIS HOUGHTON.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
IT is a pleasure to be able to report that the sani- tary condition of the town during the period since the last annual report, has been, with trifling excep- tions, excellent. Three or four cases of small-pox have occurred, and these were confined to the locality where their appearance was first made known.
No other cases of contagious diseases have come to the knowledge of the board, and bating the few cases of sickness ordinarily incident to this climate, the inhabitants may be regarded as fortunate in its exemption from. the ravages of disease. Serious attention has been called during the past season to other matters pertaining to the duties of the board as a health committee.
Miller's river and creek are rapidly becoming the receptacle of filth, and the sources of offensive odors ;
42
contributory to this are drains, stagnant water and the business of slaughtering and rendering, estab- lished along the line. In Somerville and Cambridge, the management of an affair of such magnitude is naturally attended with great difficulties, involving as they do grave responsibilities, large expenditures, and treatment of conflicting interests.
This is true, even when no question as to the legal authority to act exists. The case becomes still more embarrassing when the most obvious remedy cannot be applied from the want of such authority. The most effectual means to remove this great cause of complaint is, by the construction of trunk sewers, of such magnitude and in such location, as to carry off the accumulation of filth, at the same time by filling up the flats and low lands bordering upon the line of the creek. This will be rendered more feasible and economical by accepting the invitation of the city of Cambridge, to join with them in obtaining an act from the legislature which shall confer the power sufficient to overcome the existing evil. A petition has already been published by that city, asking for such an act. Your committee urgently recommend this course.
The keeping of swine has already become a flagrant source of filth and inconvenience to the inhabitants. It may not, perhaps, be known to our citizens in what numbers the animals are raised in our midst.
Many persons engage in the business as a source of profit. The business is aggravated by the impor- tation of swill from the neighboring cities. The
.
43
power to remove this evil is inadequate in town officers. Numerous notices have been served on the owners, and much pains have been taken to render the localities where swine are kept clean and less open to complaint. Nothing, however, in the judg- ment of your committee, will satisfy the reasonable demands of the community against this growing nuisance but prohibition. The density of our popu- lation, visible to the most casual observer, renders the call for reform in this direction the more imperative.
The pit-holes in the neighborhood of Franklin street have several times been visited with a view of reliev- ing the residents in that vicinity from the causes which are operating to create a nuisance in their midst. Some remedy must soon be applied to check the same the coming season.
JOHN G. HALL. JACOB T. GLINES. FRANCIS HOUGHTON. PERSON DAVIS. CYRUS F. CROSBY.
NEW STREET ORDERED.
The county commissioners have laid out a street, nearly parallel with the Lowell railroad, leading from West Medford to College avenue, making a junction near the railroad bridge at College Hill Station.
This street crosses Mystic river over the old canal bridge, which will have to be widened, one half of
44
which is in Somerville. It crosses a corner of Som- erville territory, and the commissioners have ordered it built. The selectmen of Medford will notify Som- erville when Medford is ready to begin the work.
MYSTIC RIVER BRIDGE.
The legislature, in the year 1869, authorized and empowered the county commissioners to lay out a highway and construct a pile bridge and draw across Mystic river, "if, in their judgment, the public con- venience and necessity require it." [See chapter 187 General Laws and Resolves.] They have decided to lay out this highway and construct the bridge and draw, but have not definitely fixed upon the route, or location. The cost of constructing the Somerville portion is variously estimated at forty to sixty thou- sand dollars, depending upon the length of the bridge and at what point its junction is made with Mystic avenue.
The expense of constructing this highway and bridge is to be assessed on the towns benefited in proportion to the benefit received. As Somerville will gain but little, great care ought to be taken that her assessments do not exceed the benefits received.
This avenue begins in Stoneham and comes through Malden, Edgeworth, Wellington farm and ten hill farm, to Mystic avenue.
SETTLEMENT WITH LATE COLLECTOR.
The estate of Benj. Randall, late collector, having been declared insolvent the account has been pre-
45
sented to the commissioner appointed to adjust claims, and allowed. It is probable that the estate will pay a large percentage. The sureties on the collector's bond were early notified of the state of affairs, and have made no question as to their lia- bility, although no suit has been brought against them. The dividend will soon be paid by the ad- ministrator, when the exact deficiency will be ascer- tained.
WATERING STREETS.
An appropriation of twenty-five hundred dollars was made at the April meeting to be used in defray- ing the expenses of watering streets, provided the citizens would, by subscription, pay one half the cost.
The experiment has been tried on Milk street from East Cambridge line to its junction with Elm street; also, in Union square, and on Washington street from the square to the bridge over the Fitchburg rail- road.
The whole expense has been sixteen hundred and seventy dollars, of which sum, one half has been charged to the appropriation as will appear by the treasurer's report. The other half has been collected of subscribers who live in the vicinity of the streets watered. So far as we know, the subscribers are well satisfied with the result, and the selectmen think the town's money not unprofitably expended.
46
BUSINESS REFERRED TO CITY GOVERNMENT.
Petitions to have the following streets laid out as town ways : -
Aldercy street repairs.
Bonner place.
Brickyard lane and extension.
Everett avenue.
Hamlet street.
Highland avenue and its widening.
Otis street.
Oxford street and extension.
Pearl street, its widening and extension.
Also repairs to be done on this street by the city of Charlestown on account of opening it to lay water main.
Petition of Joseph Clark and others to have side- walk lowered at corner of Central and Summer streets.
Petition of A. J. Taylor and others, for sewer through Franklin and Washington streets.
Petition of R. E. Demmon and others, for sewer in Elm street.
Winter Hill hose house, contract and specifications. Petitions for hose company on Spring hill.
For hose carriage at Willow bridge.
For hose carriage in Franklin school district. Health report on Miller's river.
Order of notice Fitchburg railroad to locate a branch road between Somerville and Watertown.
47
REMARKS.
During the year the general condition of our streets has been much improved; sewers have been con- structed, cesspools built, gas and water pipes laid in many of the streets. These improvements being carried on in all parts of the town have given it an appearance of life, enterprise, and activity, that never fails to attract the attention of observing and public-spirited men.
Fires, incendiary or otherwise, have been very rare during the year. The interest manifested in the fire department by the citizens, in cheerfully and promptly furnishing it with buildings and apparatus of the most approved style and quality, having all the modern improvements and conveniences, has done much to elevate the firemen, increase their interest in the department, stimulate their pride, and encour- age them in the prompt and faithful performance of their arduous duties.
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