Report of the city of Somerville 1880, Part 13

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 282


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.


1


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