USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1880 > Part 13
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2. City of Somerville, for bridges, etc., v. Boston & Lowell Railroad. This case has in part settled itself, by the erection dur- ing the present year of the new bridge over Medford Street. The suit will not, of course, be pressed for a hearing so long as the parties thereto are thus in the way of settlement.
254
3-8 include suits of Commissioner S. Stearns et al. before the County Commissioners of Middlesex County, for abatement of taxes for the year 1875. No order of notice in these cases has as yet been issued by the County Commissioners, until which time, of course, it is unnecessary for the city to take any steps in the matter. It is to be hoped that the long period of time intervening since the entry of these cases is indicative of a disposition upon the part of the petitioners not to pursue them.
9. City of Somerville in equity ?. North. This is a case in the Supreme Judicial Court for Middlesex County. The attorney for the defendant has deceased during the year, but the case will be forthwith disposed of.
10 and 11. Clark Bennett v. Somerville. Two petitions for re- vision, by a jury, of the Public Park and the Chauncey Avenue bet- terment assessments. These cases were not tried at the last June Term of the Superior Court on account of Mr. Bennett's illness. They were not reached for trial at the September Term, next fol- lowing, although set for trial, but are upon the present December Term docket, and will be tried when reached.
12. Clark Bennett, petitioner for certiorari to quash the Chaun- cey Avenue betterment assessments. It is not probable that Mr. Bennett will go to the expense of trying the two jury cases next above, if he intends to press this case in the Supreme Court to a hearing.
13. Cambridge Gas Light Co. v. City of Somerville. Suit for loss of gas and damage to gas pipe, during the construction of the West Somerville sewer. Trial of this case was begun in February last, when, by order of Court, it was referred to Theodore C. Hurd, Esq., as auditor, before whom it is now pending.
14. Roach v. City of Somerville. Action for personal injuries by falling on an alleged defective sidewalk on Somerville Avenue, Jan. 26, 1879. Case tried April 2 and 5, 1880, and verdict in favor of the city. The plaintiff excepted and has not yet abandoned her exceptions, which must be argued at the coming January Term of the Supreme Court at Boston, if argued at all.
15. Somerville v. Fitchburg Railroad, for grade crossing at Sacramento Street. The issue in this case was most ably and
255
thoroughly presented to the County Commissioners by ex-City Solicitor Robinson, in behalf of the city, in 1875, and without avail. It has not been tried again since that time, and with the well-known hostility of the Railroad Commissioners to grade crossings, cannot be urged a second time until the citizens of Cambridge and Somer- ville living in the vicinity of that street show a sufficient interest in the case to furnish the solicitors of those cities with the facts in the case which establish the necessity of such a crossing.
16. Rouse v. Somerville. Action for personal injuries near the Fitchburg Railroad bridge, on Washington Street, Aug. 9, 1879. This case has been upon the docket of each term of court during the past year, but has never been reached. It is now on the trial list, and will undoubtedly be tried during the present month.
17. Sargent v. Boynton. Suit by the collector of taxes to re- cover amount of defendant's personal taxes for the year 1878. This case is continued to await the action of North & Co. against Boynton in Suffolk Superior Court.
18 and 19. Parker, trustee of Klous estate, in equity, v. Somer- ville, and Parker, trustee of same estate, for jury, v. Somerville. These are two cases, the one in the Supreme Judicial Court for Middlesex County, and the other before the Middlesex County Commissioners, for land damages, and to prohibit the continuance of an alleged nuisance growing out of the construction of the Canal Street sewer. The cases were entered last summer, and I have entered my appearance therein in behalf of the city.
20. Sanborn . Somerville. Action for damages from raising the grade of Washington Street, at the Fitchburg Railroad. The case is in order for trial at the present term.
21. Squire v. Somerville. Action for compensation for the alleged use of the plaintiff's box sewer, by the city, in connection with various public sewers of the city. The defendant has filed a plea in abatement, and will not answer to the merits until that plea is disposed of.
During the past year, a petition was filed by the trustees of the late Dr. Ayer's estate for abatement of the taxes of the year 1879 upon 664 acres of land, situated between Willow Avenue and Cedar Street, and which taxes amounted to $2,233.80. The case was tried
256
before the County Commissioners April 28 and May 20 and 21; ult., and was decided in favor of the city, the Commissioners refusing to make any abatement.
Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL C. DARLING, City Solicitor.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.
Annual Report of the receipts of his office for the year ending Dec. 31, 1880 ; also the registration of marriages, births, and deaths for the period ending Dec. 31, 1880.
RECEIPTS ENDING DEC. 31, 1880.
226 marriage certificates issued in 1880,
$113 00
57 junk licenses issued in 1880,
114 00
201 swine
201 00
24 goats
66
24 00
12 grease 66 66
24 00
37 liquor
66
37 00
6 auctioneers' licenses issued in 1880,
12 00
Fees for licensing dogs in 1880,
98 20
Recording mortgages and assignments in 1880,
158 73
$781 93
All' of which has been paid to the city treasurer, and his receipt taken for the same.
MARRIAGES.
Number of intentions issued in 1880, 226
More than last year, 27
Marriages registered in 1880,
232
17
258
NATIONALITY OF THOSE REGISTERED.
Both parties American, 158
Both parties foreign, 35
American groom and foreign bride,
14
Foreign groom and American bride,
22
Unknown, 3
232 couples. -
First marriage of
423 persons.
Second 66
38
66
Third 66
3
:6
464
= 232 couples.
Oldest person married,
60
Youngest « 66
16
BIRTHS.
Number of births registered in 1880,
618
More than last year,
69
Males,
318
Females,
300
Born of American parents,
274
66 foreign parents,
225
66 American male and foreign female,
53
foreign male and American female,
57
Unknown,
9
Number of cases of twins,
5
DEATHS.
Number of deaths in Somerville in 1880, More than last year;
428
30
Ages.
Malcs.
Females.
Total.
Under 10 years,
105
76
181
Between 10 and 20,
12
7
19
259
Between 20 and 30,
19
21
40
66
30 “ 40,
12
24
36
40 “ 50,
12
25
37
66
50 " 60,
15
20
35
66 60 “
70,
7
17
24
66
70 " 80,
18
16
34
66
80 “ 90,
6
14
20
66
90 " 100,
2
2
428
Oldest person deceased, female, 92 years, 10 months, 22 days.
NATIONALITY.
Born in Somerville,
167
Other places in United States,
167
Of foreign birth,
91
Unknown,
3
428
The number of deaths returned by the undertakers was 428, and occurred as follows : -
January,
42
July, 49
February,
23
August,
40
March,
33
September,
34
April,
45
October,
38
May,
29
November,
26
June,
24
December,
45
428
For classification of diseases, see report of Board of Health.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, City Clerk.
CITY GOVERNMENT FOR 1881.
MAYOR. JOHN A. CUMMINGS. "Residence, 16 Wallace Street ; office, City Hall
ALDERMEN. MARTIN W. CARR, President.
WARD ONE.
MALCOM B. COLE
ELIJAH C. CLARK
.
Pearl Street.
Ellsworth Street.
WARD TWO.
ABIJAH B. GOOKIN
CALEB A. PAGE
Grand View Avenue.
Union Square.
WARD THREE.
J. LELAND NORCROSS
Marshall Street.
GERSHOM T. BURNHAM .
Sycamore Street.
WARD FOUR.
ASA DURGIN MARTIN W. CARR
Broadway.
Craigie Street.
COMMON COUNCIL. MARK F. BURNS, President. WARD ONE.
MARK F. BURNS
Perkins Street.
JAMES RAWSON
.
Arlington Street.
HIRAM A. PRATT . .
Pearl Street.
LEVI F. S. DAVIS .
Cross Street.
262
WARD TWO.
CLARENCE P. WESTON
Warren Avenue.
J. FRANK WELLINGTON
Pleasant Avenue.
MARTIN BINNEY
DENNIS F. FLYNN .
Dane Street. Dane Street.
WARD THREE.
THOMAS R. ROULSTONE
Bonair Street.
WILLIAM T. HILL .
.
ALBION A. PERRY .
.
Sycamore Street. Evergreen Avenue.
Broadway.
WARD FOUR.
JOSEPH A. CHABOT
Park Street.
WILLIAM E. WELD
Harvard Street.
WILLIAM E. SHEDD
Morrison Street.
ARTHUR HODGES
Mead Street.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1881.
ACCOUNTS. - Aldermen Cole, Durgin ; Councilmen Weld, Perry, Rawson.
BURIAL GROUNDS. - Aldermen Durgin, Gookin; Councilmen Flynn, Pratt, Lothrop.
CLAIMS. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; the President of the Common Council, ex officio; Alderman Burnham; Councilmen Chabot, Weston.
FINANCE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; the President of the Common Council, ex officio ; Aldermen Cole, Carr ; Councilmen Shedd, Weston, Hill, Rawson.
FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS. - Aldermen Burnham, Clark ; Coun- cilmen Weld, Davis, Lothrop.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. - Aldermen Norcross, Page ; Councilmen Chabot, Davis, Flynn.
HIGHWAYS. - Aldermen Durgin, Gookin; Councilmen Pratt, Roulstone, Wellington.
STEPHEN N. LOTHROP
.
263
ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Carr, Cole ; Councilmen Chabot, Pratt, Perry.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. - Aldermen Clark, Burnham ; Councilmen Shedd, Wellignton, Perry.
PRINTING. - Alderman Cole ; Councilmen Hodges, Binney.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF. - Aldermen Page, Norcross ; Councilmen Hill, Binney, Hodges.
WATER. - Aldermen Gookin, Norcross; the President of the Common Council, ex officio; Councilmen Hodges, Roulstone.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
SEWERS. - Aldermen Carr, Gookin, Norcross.
ELECTIONS. - Aldermen Page, Burnham.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Clark, Norcross.
LICENSES. - Aldermen Durgin. Page.
POLICE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Clark, Carr.
STATE AID. - Aldermen Gookin, Carr, Cole, Burnham.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS. - Councilmen Flynn, Rawson, Lothrop.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. - Councilmen Roul- stone, Weld, Weston.
CITY CLERK AND CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN. CHARLES E. GILMAN ; Office, City Hall.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES. AARON SARGENT ; Office, City Hall.
CITY MESSENGER.
JAIRUS MANN ; Office, City Hall.
2C4
CITY ENGINEER. GEORGE A. KIMBALL ; Office, City Hall. f
CITY SOLICITOR. SAMUEL C. DARLING.
CITY PHYSICIAN. JOHN F. COUCH, M. D., Bow Street.
CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL. DOUGLAS FRAZAR.
CITY AUDITOR. DOUGLAS FRAZAR ; Office, City Hall.
CHIEF OF POLICE. MELVILLE C. PARKHURST, Police Station, Bow Street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
JOHN P. PRICHARD, House, 10 Cutter Street ; Office, City Hall.
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. JAMES R. HOPKINS ; Office, Steamer House, Highland Avenue, corner Walnut Street.
ASSISTANT ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT,
NATHANIEL C. BARKER Ellsworth Street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
JOSHUA H. DAVIS Myrtle Street.
265
BOARD OF HEALTH.
GEORGE A. KIMBALL, Chairman
Office : City Hall.
JOHN F. COUCH, M. D.
GEORGE C. SKILTON.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk
66 66
W. H. BRINE, Inspector
66
66
MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
EDWARD FOOTE, Chairman
Broadway.
JOHN F. COLE
· Perkins Street.
EDWIN S. CONANT . . Pearl Street.
GEORGE F. STURTEVANT
Hawkins Street.
WESLEY C. CRANE
Summer Street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS. NATHANIEL DENNETT ; Office, Prospect Street, corner Somerville Avenue.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS. DAVID A. SANBORN, Prospect Street.
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUNDS.
NATHAN TUFTS. HENRY F. WOODS. JOHN A. HUGHES. AARON SARGENT, Treasurer.
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
REV. H. H. BARBER, President.
A. M. ROBINSON, Secretary.
W. G. TOUSEY.
W. H. BRINE.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN. J. HENRY FLITNER. THOMAS J. BUFFUM. WILLIAM VEAZIE.
EDWIN S. CONANT.
LIBRARIAN. MISS HARRIET A. ADAMS.
266
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN. MISS LIZZIE A. STEVENS.
PRINCIPAL ASSESSORS.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Chairman
Oak Street.
FRANK G. WILLIAMS
Albion Street.
STILLMAN H. LIBBY
Elm Street.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk; Office, City Hall.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
GEORGE SMITH, Ward One .
Myrtle Street
B. F. THOMPSON, Ward Two
Summit Avenue.
R. A. MELVIN, Ward Three .
. Bonair Street.
S. H. HOLLAND, Ward Four
Broadway.
OVERSEERS OF POOR. JOHN A. CUMMINGS, Mayor, Chairman ex officio. MARK F. BURNS, Prest. Common Council, 66
ANSEL LEWIS Webster Street ; Office, Police Station.
FRANK G. WILLIAMS Albion Street ;
66
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Sec'y, Oak Street ;
66
66
CONSTABLES.
JAIRUS MANN.
ROBERT R. PERRY.
WM. D. HAYDEN.
FRANK G. WILLIAMS.
H. B. RUNEY.
SAMUEL R. DOw.
NEWELL F. CASWELL.
C. C. CAVANAGH.
CHAS. C. FOLSOM. ANSEL LEWIS.
WM. H. BRINE. JOSEPH J. GILES.
JOHN S. ADOO.
FIELD DRIVERS.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM. I. S. CAMPBELL.
JOHN E. FULLER. M. H. KINSLEY.
A. L. STAPLES.
JUDSON W. OLIVER.
S. C. ROLLINS.
HOWARD LOWELL.
267
FENCE VIEWERS.
JOHN C. MAGOUN. DAVID A. SANBORN. WARREN POLLARD.
POUND KEEPER. CHARLES A. SMALL.
SURVEYORS OF WOOD, BARK, AND LUMBER. ANSEL LEWIS. SAMUEL T. LITTLEFIELD.
SURVEYOR OF STONE WORK. JAMES R. HOPKINS.
SURVEYOR OF STONE, BRICK, AND PLASTER WORK. A. M. SIBLEY.
SURVEYOR OF MECHANICS' WORK. CHARLES D. ELLIOT.
PUBLIC WEIGHER.
D. W. DANFORTH.
PATRICK O'BRIEN. JOHN C. COUSINS.
UNDERTAKERS.
HORACE B. RUNEY.
PATRICK RAFFERTY.
A. L. SANBORN. H. D. RUNEY.
PATRICK H. RAFFERTY. WM. P. FLAHERTY. -
268
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
M. C. PARKHURST, Chief.
R. R. Perry, Captain. S. R. Dow, Sergeant. C. C. Folsom, Sergeant.
N. F. Caswell.
George W. Bean.
C. C. Cavanagh.
S. H. Whitcomb.
S. C. Rollins.
"P. W. Skinner.
John E. Fuller.
S. A. Brown.
Howard Lowell. John Hafford.
J. H. McGarr.
Ivan Laighton.
F. W. Slade.
M. H. Kinsley.
A. L. Staples.
I. S. Campbell.
Albert Fisk.
Edward McGarr.
J. W. Oliver.
J. B. Young.
M. C. Parkhurst, Lock-up Keeper.
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