Report of the city of Somerville 1890, Part 17

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 494


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1890 > Part 17


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WARWICK ST


VT


HIGHLAND


PRESCOTT


PUTNAM


VINAL


MUNA


FORD


MAPLES


ST.


AV.S


STONE


MYSTIC


MILLER'S


SUMMER


CRESTON


QUINCY


CHURCH ST.


ALLEN ST.


LINDENST


BIREL


ST.


ST


HASHLANDS


PORTE


CRAIGIE


LOWEL -


ST.


SPRING


MV AND ST.


DANE


NO


B


M


P


DIMICK SU


C


BEACON


B


Sewers shown thus;


D


G


E


4000


MYSTIC


5000


THILE.


GR.


DERBY


INT


WNEATLAN


PARK.


L ST


AVE


LAVE


UTTER ST.


GLEN


FLOI


TUFTS


COLLEGE


AND


LOWELL


COL


CROSS


FLINT


SON


AV


JENNY LIND


TENNI


ST.


HOWE


APPLETON


LOWELL


TAULL


ROFORD


ADAMS


SYCAMORE


HURSTON


AOWY.


LIEGE AVE


CURTIS


WIFE


BROO


WARE ST.


KIDDER AVEL


ST.


LEASAN


LINWOOD


3%


AVE


SOMERVILLE


PROSPECT


FITCHBUBA


CLARR ST.


APLE


ST.


AV.


ST.


SOMERVILI


FOLK SI


C


A


M


37.


LINE


R


ST


I


MYSTIC


RIVER.


MIDOL


·189!º


SHOWING HEALTH DISTRICTS.


F


EMONT


O


R


D


BOSTON


FRANK


N


FISK AV


EVER


PARTRIDGE


RAYMOND


WILLOW


GREENVÍ


ALSTOWS


AVE


CENTRAL


VIENS ST OXFORD


BERKELEY


AVE


HIGHLAND


37


WINSLOW


ST.


PARK AV.


HORNE


VE


WRASTOW


SUMMER


ST JAMES


AVE.


AVE


LEXIN TON


LM


KIS NVINGY


VỚI MINZ


RIDGE


GARRISON


TARRAGUT


JAMES


SIMPSON


IRVING


WALLACE


CHANDLER


AVE


APPLETON ST


INGTON AV


CE DAR


HUDSON


BENTON AV


ARREN AVE


CHERRY


BELMONT


FAIRMOUNT


BROADWAY.


FRANCESCA AVE


ALBION


LROAD.


LOEMSEYS


MORRISON


W


AVE


ANENON


ELMWOOD


WHITE 37


CALVIN ST


CHAUNCEY


BROAL


SANGENT'A


BROADWAY


CONWELL


AVE


ERNON


ISCHORLE


ARLINGTON


١٠


TABLE OF DEATHS IN EACH DISTRICT DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF DEATHS IN THE MCLEAN ASYLUM.


Districts


I.


II.


III.


IV.



VI.


VII.


VIII.


- IX.


×


Entire City.


Area


337 A.


107 A.


93 A.


171 A.


361 A.


285 A.


194 A.


482 A.


174 A.


456 A.


2,660 A.


Population. ·


7,329


7,156


2,757


4,870


7,724


1,671


4,180


1,225


2,237


968


40,117


Dwellings .


1,098


1,024


485


781


1,213


442


699


308


466


276


6,792


Average in each dwelling . . .


6.7


6.9


5.7


6.2


6.3


3.8


5.9


4.0


4.8


3.5


5.9


YEAR.


Number of


Deaths.


Rate


per 1,000.


Number of


Deaths.


per 1,000.


Number of


per 1,000.


Number of


Deaths.


Rate


Deaths.


per 1,000.


Number of


Rate


per 1,000.


Number of


Deaths.


per 1,000.


Number of


Deaths.


Rate


Deaths.


Rate


per 1,000.


Number of


Deaths.


Rate


Number of


Deaths.


Rate


per 1,000.


1881


111


23


64


14


41


23


48


15


62


12


36


32


38


14


18


22


19


13


8


12


415


17


1882


119


24


57


12


42


22


58


17


72


14


32


27


43


15


11


13


17


11


13


19


464


17


1883


138


26


59


- 12


49


25


60


-7


76


14


40


33


51


17


17


19


28


00


9


13


527


00


1884


148


27


55


10


42


20


52


14


69


12


32


25


35


11


14


15


27


16


8


11


482


16


1885 .


152


28


56


11


40


19


72


20


78


14


31


24


53


17


13


14


25


15


11


15


531


18


1886


115


20


51


38


17


59


15


85


14


37


28


44


13


11


11


20


11


19


24


479


15


1887.


182


29


54


45


19


81


19


87


co


37


25


62


17


20


19


26


14


12


14


606


00


1888


148


23


68


44


00


62


14


117


00


33


22


50


16


14


28


14


co


15


579


16


1889


125


16


67


9


48


17


85


17


105


14


28


17


62


19


15


26


12


17


17


582


15


1890


140


19.


69


9


48


17


94


19


139


18


46


27


59


14


27


22


26


12


15


15


663


16


Average death rate for ten years


24


11


19


17


14


26


15


16


14


16


17


In 1890.


.


--


per 1,000.


Number of


Rate


Deaths.


Rate


per 1,000.


Number of


per 1,000.


Deaths.


Rate


Rate


500


Grão


304


ANNUAL REPORTS.


TABLE SHOWING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN SOMER VILLE IN 1890, WITH THE NUMBER AND RATE IN EACH DISTRICT.


CONSUMP- TION.


PNEUMONIA.


HEART DISEASE.


CHOLERA INFANTUM.


MENINGITIS.


DISTRICTS.


Number of


Deaths.


Number per


1,000 of pop.


Number of


Deaths.


Number per


1,000 of pop.


Number of


Deaths.


Number per


Number of


Deaths.


Number per


1,000 of pop.


Number of


Deaths.


Number per


1,600 of pop.


1


26


3.55


15


2.05


0


1.23


14


1.91


11


1.50


II.


10


1.40


3


0.42


14


1.96


2


0.28


2


0.28


III.


7


2.54


6


2.18


3


1.09


1


0.36


'2


0.73


IV.


13


2.67


10


2.06


4


0.82


7


1.44


6


1.23


V.


24


3.11


17


2.20


21


2.72


5


0.65


3


0,39


VI.


3


1.80


5


3.00


5


3.00


2


1,20


3


1.80


VII.


7


1.61


7


1.61


4


0.96


3


0.72


3


0.72


VIII.


4


3.27


2


1.63


3


2.45


IX.


1


0.45


5


2.23


0.90


1


0.45


1


0.45


X.


1


1.02


-


-


I


-


Total .


96


2,39


70


1.74


65


1.62


35


0.87


31


0.77


TABLE OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER IN EACH DISTRICT IN 189).


SCARLET FEVER.


DIPHTHERIA.


TYPHOID FEVER.


DISTRICTS.


Reported.


Deaths.


Cases per


Deaths per


Cases


Deaths.


Cases per


Deaths per


Cases


Deaths.


Cases per


Deaths per


I.


26


3.55


=


4


1.51


.55


6


1


0.82


.14


II.


3


0.42


-


17


3


2.37


.42


5


2


0,69


.28


III.


22


7.97


9


2


3.18


3


1


1.09


.37


IV.


16


3.2×


.21


32


8


6,57


1.64


5


1


1.03


V.


49


6.34


.26


18


2


2.34


.26


2


0.91


.26


VI.


11


-


6.53


7


1


4.19


.59


4


2


2.39


1.19


VII.


22


5,26


14


1


-


1


0.95


.24


VIII.


4


-


3.27


5


-


4.08


1


1.63


81


IX.


4


-


1.79


5


1


2.23


.45


1


0,45


X.


4


-


4.13


1


1


1.03


1.03


2


-


2.06


-


Total .


161


3


4.01


.07


116


22


2.89


.54


39


10


0.97


.24


1,000 of pop.


1,000 of pop.


Cases


1,000 of pop.


1,000 of pop.


Reported.


1,000 of pop.


1,000 of pop.


Reported.


7


-


-


4


3.37


.73


12


-


-


1,000 of pop.


RATES PER THOUSAND OF POPULATION OF CASES OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER REPORTED, AND OF DEATHS FROM THE SAME' IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.


1884.


1885.


1886.


1887.


1888.


1889.


1890.


Av'age for Seven Yrs.


DISTRICTS.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


I.


§ Cases Deaths


0.55


1.26 0.18


5.67 0.37


5.12 1.83 2.20 0.55


2.59 0.86 0.52 0.17


10.48 1.45 2.74 2.10 0.32 0.64


3.51 2.44 2.29 0.61 1.07 0.46


4.24 3.24 3.11 0.28 0.84 0.42


3.55 1.51 0.82| -0.55 0.14


5.86 3.16 1.84 0.56 0.97 0.37


§ Cases


2.40


1.11 1.66 0.37 0.19


2.63


1.50 1.50


1.77


2.12 0.89 0.35 -


1.82 0.66 1.16 - 0.17 -


4.07 0.94 0.78 0.47 0.31 0.31


2.32 2.17 1.01 - 0.43 0.29


0.42 2.37 0.69 - 0.42 0.28


2.20 1.55 1.10


II.


Deaths


-


10.90


4.76 1.91


8.70


- 1.45 0.48 0.48


5.03 0.46


0.46


3.84 0.85 0.85 1.71 0.43 0.43


0.81 2.43 2.43 0.40 0.40 1.21


1.19 1.11 4.11 0.37 - -


7.97 3.18 1.09 - 0.73 0.37


0.69 0.43 0.29


IV.


§ Cases Deaths


8.86


2.15 0.54 0.27 0.54


9.54


1.64 1.36


4.38 0.26


0.77 0.77 0.26|0.26


3.85 2.16 1.20 0.96|1.20 0.48


1.36 2.72 1.71 - 1.14 0.45


1.24 2.52 0.84 0.88 0.63 0.21


3.28 6.57 1.03 - 0.21 1.64


4.64 2.65 1.06 0.41 0.89 0.39


V.


§ Cases Deaths


2.58


3.43 1.20 0.52 0.34


6.98 0.17


2.97 0.17 0.17 0.17


3.46


4.78 0.33 1.65


4.00 1.54 0.93 0.62 0.31 0.31 -


2.04 2.89 1.59 0.15 0.15 0.45


4.04 4.58 0.95 -0.94 0.13


6.34 2.34 0.91 0.26 0.26 0.26


0.17 0.57 0.24


VI.


§ Cases Deaths


26.44 12.44


10.27 16.59 0.79


2.99


1.49


- 6.96 1.39 2.08 0.70 -


2.63 1.98 1.32 - 0.66 -


3.65 0.61 2.43


6.58 4.19 2.39 - 0.59 1.19


8.50 5.53 1.29 0.43 1.30 0.17


( Cases


10.06


3.14 0.63


7.34


3.51 1.60 1.28 0.64


4.22 0.60 0.30 0.30


8.45 0.85 1.41 0.56 0.28 0.28


0.27 0.53 1


-10.98


- 0.24


0.35 0.53 0.21


Deaths


0.31


1.60


7.51


7.51 6.44 - 1.07


1.01


17.05


- 3.79


7.17 1.77


4.52 -10.88


2.49 4.14 - 0.83


- 3.27 4.08 1.63 - 0.81


8.06 2.70 2.61


VIII


Deaths


1.06


- 1.06


-


-


-


-


-


0.67 0.12 0.55


IX.


§ Cases {Deaths


7.19


3.55 1.18


22.81


3.60 1.20


6.24


3.97 1.70 0.57 -


5.82 0.53 1.06 0.53 -


7.51 3.00 2.00 1.50 0.50 1.00 -


- 4.63 1.85


1.79 2.23 0.45 - 0.45 -


7.32 3.07 1.35 0.29 0.22 0.23


X.


[ Cases {Deaths


10.74


- 1.34


9.55 1.36


4.09 2.72 5.15 10.30


-


8.40 4.80


- 4.54 2.27 3.40 - 1.13 1.13


2.10 8.40 - 4.20


4.13 1.03 2.06 - 1.03 1


6.37 4.41 1.36 0.19|1.09 0.16


City


§ Cases Deaths


8.21 0.26


3.64 1.18 0.69 0.26


7.54 0.47


3.67 1.37 0.93 0.37


3.47 0.09


2.87 0.63 0.63 0.09


5.94 1.29 1.20 3.42 2.09 1.75 0.91 0.32 0.32


0.42 0.59 0.48


0.18 0.72 0.18 |0.07 0.54 0.24


4.01 2.89 0.97 5.36 2.82 1.24 0.34 0.63 0.28


-


-


-


3.16


0.75


-


-


-


-


-


-


-


-


-


-


1


-


-


-


§ Cases


17.95


0.48


-


0.97


0.41 0.19


-


-


III.


Deaths


0.95


-


0.55


1.09 0.82


0.46


-


-


-


5.43


5.59 1.07 1.07 3.45 4.68 0.41 5.26 3.37 0.95


6.51 2.98 0.95


VII.


§ Cases


11.35 5.76 1.26


2.25


-


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


-


-


-


-


-0.59


1


-


-


-


-


-


-


-


1


-


-


-


-


305


-


1.56


4.67


3.17 2.11


0.19


0.09 0.33 0.20


5.49 2.03 1.55


4.21 3.22 0.87


-


4.94 3.34 1.57


-


1.29


1.89


Typhoid Fever.


306


ANNUAL REPORTS.


NUISANCES ABATED IN EACH DISTRICT IN 1890.


DISTRICT. Population (estimated).


I.


II.


III.


IV.


V.


VI. VII.


VIII.


IX.


X.


Total.


Barn used as residence


Cellar damp


3


1


4


1


1


1


Cesspool overflowing


3


2


-


7


Connection of drainage pipes defective


6


2


6


1


1


1


1


20


Cow kept under house


Dog kept in cellar


Drainage defective


1


2


1


3


1


1


1


1


11


Drainage emptying on surface


7


4


1 1221 2 1


2


4


2


13111. 3 1 1


2


8


Drain-pipe defective


1


1


1


ʻ


1


1


-


2


1 1


1


15


Offal on land


2


1


2


1


1


1


1


8


Offensive odor in and about dwellings


4


3


1


4


1


1


Opening in drain-pipe in cellar


2


1


ʹ


1


1


5


Premises filthy


2


1


-


1


-


1


2


2


1


5


1


7


3


1


2


2


3


3


97


Privy-vault offensive !


20


14


2


29


14


16


3


6


3


107


Rubbish in cellar


1


2


1


2


42


1


1


1


-


1


1


-


-


-


1


Stable and stable premises filthy and offensive .


1


1


1


-


-


1


1


1


-


1


2


2


1


1


1


2


7


Waste-pipe not trapped


1


2


1


1


2


6


1 11


1


14


Water-closet defective


1


-


-


3


Water-closet insufficiently sup- plied with water


1 1


11


1


1


2


1


2


1


1


Total


75


70


26


81


73


59


37


25


20


11


477 1


1


1


1


-


2


Drainage emptying in cellar


Hennery offensive .


2


Hens kept in cellar


Manure exposed and offensive .


5


2


1


1


1


1


1


11111221111211 1 2 2 1 1 2 1


8


1


1


2


Premises untidy


3


5


1


1


Privy-vault defective


20


12


2


25


9


3


5


-


2


Stable affected with glanders


-


I


1


1


2


1


1


4


Waste-pipe defective


6


Water-closet offensive


1


8


1


4


1


-


-


-


-


15


Cesspool offensive


11:121


1


4


3


1


1


Drying hair on land


11 1


2


12


Premises undrained


1


3


14


22:


Privy-vault full


8


Slops thrown on surface


1


Stagnant water in house cellar .


1


Stagnant water on surface


1


Offal in cellar


1211 2 1


1211


-


2


1


1


1


2


ʻ


26


Drainage not ventilated .


8


1


1


4


2


17


12


-


1


9


307


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


APPROPRIATION FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND EXPENDITURES THEREFROM, 1890.


Appropriation


$6,000 00


Receipts for permits to keep swine and goats and col-


lect grease


221 00


Total credit .


$6,221 00


Expenditures : -


For inspector's salary . . $1,000 00


collecting ashes


. 2,823 78


collecting offal


1,650 20


burying dead animals


174 75


vaccine virus


15 01


books, stationery, printing, etc.


72 88


care of ash dumps


113 32


rent of post-office box .


5 00


moving and storage of goods of persons ejected from condemned premises


17 00


improving sanitary condition Columbia street


of


maps


37 50


·carriage hire


16 00


sulphur


6 88


expressing


50


repairing wheelbarrow


25


Total debit .


5,963 81


Balance unexpended


$257 19


J. FRANK WELLINGTON. CHAS. H. CRANE. ALVAH B. DEARBORN.


29 50


constable's fee


1 24


308


ANNUAL REPORTS.


INDEX


TO THE REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


PAGE.


Ashes


296


Cows


295


Dangerous diseases .


300


Death rate, 1890 (at end of mortality table)


300


Deaths


Diphtheria


298 301 302


Expenses


307


Goats


295


Grease


295


House offal


298


Map .


302₺


Membership


293


Night soil .


298


Nuisances .


293


Organization


293


Pedlers


296 295


Population (at end of mortality table)


300


Private streets


295


Scarlet fever


300


Swine


295


Typhoid fever


301


TABLES.


Mortality in Somerville, 1890 .


299


rates of, in districts, in last ten years


301


Nuisances abated, 1890


294


in districts, 1890 .


306


Principal causes of death, in districts, 1890


304


Scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever, 1890 .


301


deaths in last ten years


302


יו


66 66


in districts, 1890


304


06


66


in last seven years, 305


Districts


Permits


REPORT


OF THE


CITY PHYSICIAN.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 11, 1891.


Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.


GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk.


Concurred in.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, February 11, 1891.


CHAS. S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


REPORT


OF THE


CITY PHYSICIAN.


To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council :-


The following is my report as city physician for the year end- ing December 31, 1890 : -


Number of visits made, 853. Three hundred and seven persons have been treated at my office. Twenty-six visits have been made at the police station.


The past year has been one of remarkable freedom from con- tagious diseases among the poor, eight having been treated for diph- theria, four for scarlet fever, and two for typhoid fever.


There have been nine deaths.


Nine certificates have been given where persons died unattended by a physician.


Eighty-six children have been vaccinated.


Six women have been attended in childbirth.


Eighteen persons have been examined for the police force.


Six persons have been examined for insanity, four of whom were committed.


Respectfully submitted,


ALVAH B. DEARBORN,


City Physician.


REPORT


OF THE


TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 28, 1891.


Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.


GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.


Concurred in.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 28, 1891.


WILLIAM P. MITCHELL, Clerk pro tem.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


To the City of Somerville : -


Nothing unusual has occurred in the management and care of the Public Library during the year now closing. It is, however, gratifying to be able to assert that the increased demand and use of books is in pace with the growth of the population in the city. It must be apparent, from a moment's consideration of the subject, that the annual appropriations made by the City Government should receive no diminution. On the contrary, the condition of many of the books and the growing demand would seem to require even greater liberality.


The librarian now reports that upwards of 90,000 volumes were taken out during the past year ; that is to say, the different volumes are taken out to be read at least five times on an average. If the whole number were taken out equally, it would be seen that the "wear and tear" would be inconsiderable; but the principal wear is upon certain classes of books, and the condition of these can be imagined. An actual examination discloses the fact that a great many of these books are in a state unfit for use, and some of them absolutely value- less, and no credit to any library. These books must be replaced by new ones, and a large part of last year's appropriation has been used for this purpose. But the same want is still pressing.


It cannot be claimed that the sums heretofore granted for the supply of books has been any burden to our tax-payers, or that any complaints have been made from that source. Taking our popula- tion to be 40,000, it would seem that an expenditure of $4,000 would


316


ANNUAL REPORTS.


be only ten cents to a person. Or, if we take our assessors' valuation at $30,000,000, the same expenditure would impose a tax of about one- seventh part of a mill on a hundred dollars; or, if we desire to ascertain the cost of circulation, take the number of books taken out at 90,000, and the whole annual expenditure of the library at $4,000, and we shall find the cost of the use of each book by the reader is less than a half cent. This certainly shows that the library has been economically managed, and that there can be no just charge of extravagance.


The trustees do not, therefore, hesitate to request a larger appropriation for the ensuing year, while the wants of the library imperatively demand it.


The report of the librarian contains a statement in detail of the work done under her charge, and of the acquisitions to the library during the past year, and is respectfully submitted herewith.


CHARLES S. LINCOLN, President. C. E. RYMES,


GEORGE A. BRUCE,


WILLIAM E. WELD,


JAMES E. WHITAKER, JOHN B. VIALL, J. HENRY FLITNER,


Trustees.


ELIJAH C. CLARK,


CHARLES H. BROWN,


SOMERVILLE, Dec. 3, 1890.


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.


To the Trustees of the Somerville Public Library :-


GENTLEMEN, - In accordance with the rules and regulations of the library, I have the honor to submit herewith my report as libra- rian, on the condition and work of the library for the year ending December, 1890, being the eighteenth annual report since the organ- ization of the library.


ACCESSIONS.


The library now contains 18,151 volumes, and of this number 1,428 have been added during the year. Three hundred and twenty- two have been withdrawn because worn out. The histories of many of the towns and cities of our Commonwealth have been placed in the Reference library; the London Graphic, in thirty-six volumes, "Old and new Boston," and "Dictionary of Anonymous Literature," four volumes. Among the most valued of our recent additions none are more prized than the " Cyclopedia of Music and Musicians," now completed in three volumes.


Among the books intended for circulation are "Heroes of the Dark Continent," "Massachusetts in the War," "One of a Thousand," "Emin Pasha Expedition," " Marriages of the Bourbons," "Influence of Sea Power upon History," "The House of the Wolfings," "Civil War on the Border," " Five Years among the Congo Cannibals," "The Reign of Charles IV.," "Sacred Books of the East," in thirty-six vol- umes, "History of Rome," in eight volumes, "History of Abraham Lincoln," in ten volumes, " The Republic; or, History of the Adminis-


318


ANNUAL REPORTS.


trations," in eighteen volumes, "In Darkest Africa," "Historic Oddi- ties," "Pre-historic America," "Psychology," "Four Years in Rebel Capitals," "Gleanings from Japan," "Characteristics of Volcanoes," "Great Speeches by Great Lawyers," "Great Opinions by Great Judges," "Experimental Science," "The Argonauts of California," "In Darkest England and the Way Out."


An unusual amount of books of biography and fiction have been placed in the library, and many duplicate sets of books by authors most read have also been purchased.


CIRCULATION.


The circulation for 304 library days has been 87,376. Of this number, 912 were used for reference and 86,464 for home use. The largest number given out on any day was 727, on February 1st. The smallest number was 128, on July 11th. Five hundred and forty vol- umes have been bound and rebound. In fiction much the largest number of books is called for; essays, including education, science, theology, etc., come next, with history and travel nearly as large ; periodicals with drama next, biography next, with poetry last. An endeavor has been made, by supplying the High and grammar schools with extra cards, to make the library more useful to the teachers, allowing five cards to each teacher to use for school purposes. Many of the teachers had not before made any use of the library, and all seemed pleased with the suggestion. The teaching of his- tory or geography can be made so much more delightful where many books on the same subject are at hand, and so easily procured as at the library, and where a class are interested to present something new from their own reading.


Not only in the school work will it be useful, but also in direct- ing and guiding some of our young people who have already acquired a taste for reading, which is a very important beginning.


Quite small boys take out, and read, three and four books a week, know just what authors they like best, understand all about catalogues, supplements, bulletins, and even the card-catalogue. This they like, because they find there all the books of one author together ; this, too, with scarcely any showing or extra pains on our part. course, they show and assist each other. They never ask the ques- tions older people are sometimes inclined to, or expect to find a


319


REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.


book in the library, as they would in a book-store, the day it was is- sued ; but, taking out books regularly, are content to take the book that we find, after they may have selected innumerable numbers, instead of becoming discouraged and going without any if the one book asked for happens to be out.


Some people wonder that anybody else should fancy the very book they had set their heart on, and say, " Well, I never can find the book in that I want," and then are ready to go away thinking it is of no use to try any more.


It is only by ascertaining the special tastes of some that the right book can be found, or another substituted, sometimes better than their own choice.


The old favorites among books still hold their own among the crowd of newer ones. "Uncle Tom's Cabin " leads in circulation, as it always has, and " Robinson Crusoe " is as great a favorite as when he first related his wonderful adventures.


REGISTRATION.


The registration for 1890 shows that during the year 5,131 persons have taken out books. Fourteen thousand nine hundred and seventy-three books have been covered, and 1,500 postal cards sent for books overdue.


The work of the assistants has been carried on in a careful and thorough manner, and the results accomplished have been all that could be desired.


The last week in March two stations for the delivery of books were established, one at West Somerville and one at East Somerville, where books are carried and returned by express four times a week. People have gladly availed themselves of this privilege, and evidences of its popularity are constantly given.


Through these two stations 5,948 books have been delivered. Other stations will undoubtedly be established in different sections of the city when called for.


Many successful attempts have been made to collect and gather up fragments of the early history of Somerville, and could they all be brought together, they would of themselves make a history.


The scrap-book of the library is to contain everything of the kind which can be obtained, and we hope that all who have any such


320


ANNUAL REPORTS.


material on hand will contribute to the collection, which, when com- plete, will be for the benefit of all.


Some further accommodation for the placing of books will soon be needed, and the time is soon coming when the building itself will have to be enlarged, as it easily can be by extending the book room.


H. A. ADAMS, Librarian.


321


REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.


LIBRARY COMMITTEE.


G. A. BRUCE


Time expires 1892


J. H. FLITNER


1892


E. C. CLARK


1892


W. E. WELD


66 66 1893


J. B. VIALL


66


1893


J. E. WHITAKER


66


66


1893


C. S. LINCOLN


66


1894


C. E. RYMES


66


66 1894


C. H. BROWN


66 66 1894


President. - C. S. LINCOLN. Secretary. - W. E. WELD.


On Building and Grounds. - C. E. Rymes, G. A. Bruce, J. B. Viall.


On Administration. - J. E. Whitaker, E. C. Clark, W. E. Weld.


On Books and Catalogues .- G. A. Bruce, C. E. Rymes, C. H. Brown, J. E. Whitaker.


On Finance. - J. H. Flitner, J. B. Viall, E. C. Clark.


Librarian. - H. A. ADAMS.


322


ANNUAL REPORTS.


FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CITY TREASURER.


CR.


Appropriation


$3,000 00


Dog licenses


2,631 12


Fines .


327 91


Catalogues


42 30


J. O. Paul


1 50


$6,002 83


DR.


Salaries


$1,808 70


Books


2,610 54


Printing and stationery


245 10


Binding


230 48


Newspapers .


29 55


Gas


174 19


Fuel


169 15


Water


26 97


Repairs


4 50


Furniture


119 00


Expressing


125 45


Incidentals


50 29


Insurance


252 00


Branch office


25 00


$5,870 92


Balance to 1891


131 91


$6,002 83


REPORT


OF THE


COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 11, 1891.


Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.


GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.


Concurred in


IN COMMON COUNCIL, February 11, 1891. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


REPORT


OF THE


COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.


IN COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS, January 3, 1891.


To the City Council of Somerville : -


The following is respectfully submitted as the final report of this committee for the year ending December 31, 1890 : -


HIGHWAYS ACCOUNT.


CREDIT.


Appropriation $45,000 00 .


Transfer from Street Lights account 1,000 00 . .


Receipts and credits : -


For labor and materials furnished prior to January 1, 1890, the bills for which remained uncollected that day $582 26


rent of dwelling at City


Farm . $136 00


less repairs and water rates . . . 90 05


45 95


Amounts carried forward ·


$628 21 $46,000 00


·


326


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amounts brought forward


$628 21 $46,000 00


pasturage at Waltham gravel land $120 00


less taxes on said land 119 00


1 00


gravel sold from Wake-


field gravel land . $100 00


less taxes on said land 26 88


73 12


702 33


pay of laborer not called for .


2 00


Value of materials on hand January 1, 1890 .


1,237 31


Value of property (including steam road-roller pur- chased in 1889 ) on hand January 1, 1890 .


12,915 40


Net gain on tools, property, and materials


104 05


Total credit · $60,961 09


DEBIT.


Expenditures : -


For construction of Carlton street construction of Chandler street


396 85


construction of Dana street


318 55


construction of James street .


151 90


construction of Mills street


75 50


construction of Madison street construction of Montgomery and Wellington


108 75


avenues


1,045 04


construction of Sargent avenue


584 35


construction of St. James avenue


683 77


construction of Virginia street


373 85


street crossings


884 03


street signs


959 90


repairs and improvements of streets and paving of gutters in connec- tion with setting of edgestones : - Beacon and Harris street, at Wil- liam H. Berry's, paving .


$79 95


Amounts carried forward


$79 95


$5,689 04


$106 55


1


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.


327


Amounts brought forward $79 95 $5,689 04


Bonner avenue, westerly side,


Washington street to Colum-


bus avenue, paving · repairs ·


223 80


222 55


Bow street, Warren avenue to Walnut street, paving . ·


96 75


Columbus avenue, from estate of Charles A. Cushman, easterly, to end of avenue, paving 114 35


Elm street, southwest side, from near estate of William T. Hen-




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