USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1894 > Part 17
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7. To remove the snow and ice from the door-steps and walks eading to the gates and outbuildings.
8. To keep the ice upon the sidewalks about the school buildings covered with ashes or sand.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
9. To keep the grounds about the school buildings free from weeds and litter of all kinds ; also to sweep and keep clean all brick and concrete walks within the school limits.
10. Janitors of buildings heated by steam, or where there is any steam or hot water plant used for any purpose within the school- house or out-buildings, will be held responsible for the safety of the pipes from freezing. In extremely cold weather they must take unusual precautions, either by remaining during the night or until satisfied of the safety of the apparatus.
11. Janitors of buildings where furnaces are used shall remain by them while the draft-doors are open. It is not required that fires should be kept upon holidays, or during vacation, except enough to protect the apparatus, and also prevent damage being done by freezing.
12. Boilers shall be blown clean as often as once a month, and the tubes cleaned once each week. The safety-valve should be tried occasionally, and all other valves looked after and kept properly packed. Ashes shall be drawn from under the boilers and furnaces each day.
13. Janitors shall maintain a general supervision of the estates during vacation. When workmen are employed in the premises, or when fuel is received, they shall see that none of the property in the building is misused, and they will be held responsible for any property stolen, or damage done through their negligence.
14. Janitors are not required to act as messengers for Principals, or other instructors, but it is expected that they will be obliging in this respect, and that teachers will be considerate in requesting such service.
15. Substitutes for janitors must be approved by the Committee on Public Property.
16. Should the janitor neglect to perform his duty, the Principal, or other authorized instructor will notify the Superintendent of Public Buildings. If there is a continued neglect on the part of any janitor to perform his duties, the Superintendent of Public Buildings will report said janitor to the Committee on Public Property.
17. Janitors of all eight and twelve-room schools, in addition to the time required for the performance of regular duties, shall be in at tendance at their buildings one-half hour before the opening of the
295
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
regular session, and remain one-half hour after the regular afternoon session, or as late as half-past four in the afternoon.
18. Janitors of other buildings will give as much of their time, in addition to the time required for the performance of their regular duties, as the Committee on Public Property shall direct, and must report to the Principal at some time during the school session of each day.
19. They will open their buildings evenings for school purposes and have them properly warmed when requested by the Superintend- ent of Schools, and at such other times as the Committee on Public Property may direct. They will remain in their buildings during the evening session, and before leaving, see that the buildings are secure against fire, and securely lock the windows and doors through which access may be obtained to the buildings.
20. It is understood that janitors in the performance of their duties are under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Buildings, and the Principals of the respective schools.
THOMAS R. ROULSTONE,
Superintendent of Public Buildings.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
37. - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF CITIZENS OF SOMERVILLE AFTER WHOM SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN NAMED.
CHARLES FORSTER was born in Charlestown, June 13, 1798, and died there September 1, 1866. He was engaged in mercantile pur- suits until 1856, when he retired from active business.
He held many public offices in Charlestown, and was the Repre- sentative in the Legislature at the time the Convent was burned.
In 1845 he removed to Somerville and lived until 1863 at the corner of Sycamore street and Broadway. As a citizen of Somerville he was always interested in the public welfare. The city is largely indebted to him for the trees which now adorn the streets of Winter Hill. In 1854 the Forster School was named in his honor. One who knew him well said of him -" He occupied a place second to none in the hearts and affections of the people of Somerville, and left behind him a reputation which any man might envy - the reputation of a man who, by the purity of his life and character, his sweetness and kindliness of disposition, his unostentatious benevolence, the years of a long life devoted to charity towards the poor and suffering, had endeared himself to all who knew him, and grown deep into their hearts."
LUTHER V. BELL, M. D., LL. D., was born in Chester, N. H., December 20, 1806. He was graduated from Bowdoin College before he had finished his seventeenth year. He received his medical degree from the Hanover Medical School. He early distinguished himself in the practice of his profession, particularly in surgery and in the treat- ment of the insane.
In January, 1837, he entered upon his duties as Superintendent of the McLean Asylum for the Insane, and for 20 years conducted the institution with rare ability and success. He was everywhere acknowl- eged as an authority on all questions connected with his profession.
He was always interested in whatever affected the welfare of Som-
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
erville, and was chairman of the School Board from 1843 to 1847. In 1850 he was a member of the Executive Council, in 1852 a candi- date for Congress, and in 1856 for the office of Governor.
In 1856, in consequence of failing health, he retired from the McLean Asylum, and thenceforward resided in Charlestown.
In 1861, animated by an intense love of country, notwithstanding his feeble health, he offered his services to the State, and was commis- sioned as surgeon of the 11th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. He engaged immediately in active service, being soon promoted to the post of Brigade Surgeon, and finally to that of Division Surgeon. As a result of exposure and the rigors of the service, after a brief ill- ness, he died February 11, 1862.
" Thus, quietly and without ostentation, a life devoted to the cause of humanity and science was beautifully finished by a death in the service of his country."
By vote of the School Board on March 1, 1862, the primary school on Cherry street was named the L. V. Bell School in his memory.
In 1867 this school was closed, and in 1874 the school on Vinal avenue was named the Luther V. Bell School in his honor.
CHARLES SPRAGUE LINCOLN was born in Walpole, N. H., April 20, 1826. He was graduated from Harvard University in 1850. He taught school for a while after graduation, coming to Somerville for the purpose in 1852. He was admitted to the bar in 1860. He was Selectman and Solicitor for the town for many years. He served on the School Committee of Somerville from 1858 to 1867, and again from 1877 to 1883. He has twice represented the city in the Legis- lature and rendered valuable service on the Boards of Health and of Overseers of the Poor. The public library owes much of its success and development to his efforts as trustee. In his long career as a public official, during a residence of 40 years, he has contributed greatly to the prosperity of the city, and has won the respect and gratitude of his fellow-citizens by the honesty, the ability, and the fidelity displayed in the management of the trusts committed to his care.
In 1866 the Lincoln School, then located on Elm street, and now on Clarendon Hill, was named in his honor.
298
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CLARK BENNETT was born in Londonderry, Vt., Nov. 3, 1810. His ancestors were among the early settlers of Groton, Mass. His grandfather, David, early joined the Continental army, and served in the siege of Boston. Mr. Bennett was the eldest son of nine children.
When he was 21 years old he settled in Somerville, then Charles- town, where for 25 years he successfully carried on the brick business, then a leading industry of the town. Later he followed the insurance business.
Mr. Bennett's actions on all public matters requiring his attention were controlled by a conscientious desire to do right, as well as a full knowledge of the requirements, present and future, of our growing city. The abatement of the Miller's River nuisance, the inauguration of an excellent sewerage system, more especially for West Somerville, the widening and grading of Somerville avenue, and the construc- tion of the public Park, all bear witness to his unremitting efforts to place Somerville on a par with her sister cities.
The record of Mr. Bennett's official service includes 11 years on the School Committee, a part of the time its chairman, the town treasurership, and three years' service on the Board of Aldermen.
Mr. Bennett died Jan. 6, 1882.
The Bennett School was named in his honor by vote of the School Board, April 8, 1868.
ENOCH R. MORSE was born in Attleboro, July 25, 1822. He established himself in business in Boston in 1839, removing to Somerville in 1852.
He took an active part in town affairs and was elected a member of the School Board in 1864. He held the position nine years, until after the incorporation of the city, and by his literary attainments and business experience was influential in promoting the educational interests of the town. He represented the city in the Legislature in 1876.
So highly were his services appreciated by the town government that his name and memory were perpetuated in the Morse Grammar School, erected in 1869 on Summer street, while on the records of four other schools he appears as having been chosen to deliver the poem at the dedicatory exercises.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
JOHN S. EDGERLY was born November 30, 1804, at Meredith, N. H., and like many another, early left his home in the country to get a better living in the city of Boston. About 1836 he moved to Winter Hill, then a part of Charlestown. He was always interested in public affairs, and was one of five who were instrumental, by their earnest zeal, in having what is now Somerville set off from Charlestown as a separate town. He was for 14 years one of the Board of Select- men and most of that time its chairman.
He served on the School Board and as an Overseer of the Poor in those early days, and " no night was too dark or road too bad for him to fail to start with his lantern and shovel to break out any place that his horse could not go through, whenever there was need."
He died January 20, 1872. The Edgerly School, named in his honor, was established in 1871.
JOSHUA H. DAVIS was born at Truro, November 4, 1814. He was educated in the schools of his native town and at the Teachers' Semi- nary, Andover, graduating in 1838. From 1840 to 1854 he was Prin- cipal of the Truro Academy, resigning on account of failing health. He was afterward secretary of the United States Insurance Company for nine years. In 1854 he took up his residence in Somerville, and was for 25 years identified with the educational interests of our city. He was a member of the School Board for three years and was elected Superintendent of Schools in 1866, a position which he filled with great ability for 22 years. He resigned in 1888, honored and beloved by the entire city. He was a member of the Legislature in 1889 and 1890.
No man has had greater influence in shaping and elevating our public school system, or has rendered more efficient service in pro- moting the educational, the moral, and the religious interests of our people. The purity and nobleness of his character as a christian gentleman endear him to the thousands who have known him in pri- vate and in public, and make his life an inspiration and a model.
The Davis School, on Tufts street, was named for him in 1884.
JOHN ADDISON CUMMINGS was born in Nelson, N. H., January 16, 1838. His early education was obtained in the common schools of his native town and the Scientific and Literary Institute in New Lon-
300
ANNUAL REPORTS.
don, N. H., where he remained two years, teaching school during the winter. He then began the study of law and continued it until the war broke out, when he was among the first to enlist. He was com- missioned a lieutenant in the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers at the age of 23, and served three years in that regiment in the Army of the Potomac and in the West. He was then made major of the 1st N. H. Cavalry and served with Sheridan until the close of the war. After spending two years at the West he returned to Boston, and entered the printing business in 1867.
He took up his residence in Somerville and became the publisher of the Somerville Journal in 1871-72. In 1874 he was elected to the Legislature and served two years. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1877 and 1878.
In 1881 he was elected Mayor, which office he held for four con- secutive years. His record in this capacity reflects great credit upon him. He was faithful, courteous, and painstaking, at the same time fearless and justly conservative in municipal affairs. He died January 6,1887.
"The lesson of his life stands out to every young person, whatever his condition or circumstances, 'Will to be right and God will help you to gain your aim.'"
The Cummings School was built during his mayoralty, and named for him in 1884.
MARK F. BURNS was born at Milford, N. H., May 24, 1841. He comes of good old New England stock, and his parents were among the earliest of the anti-slavery agitators. He spent his early life on his father's farm, and obtained his education in the public schools of his native town, and at the Appleton Academy in Mt. Vernon, N. H. He taught school for four years, coming to Boston in 1866 and engag- ing in the milk business. He soon became a milk contractor, and the Treasurer of the Boston Dairy Company, which handles the product of 800 farms along the line of the Fitchburg Railroad and its branches.
In 1873 Mr. Burns removed to Somerville, and very soon became an influential factor in municipal affairs. He was a member of the Common Council in 1880 and 1881, the latter year its President, and a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1882 and 1883. He was Trustee of the Public Library in 1884. He was Mayor of the city for
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
four years, from 1885 through 1888. His administration was charac- terized by the same vigor, earnestness, and sterling integrity always displayed in the conduct of the important business interests com- mitted to his charge.
Mr. Burns has been Secretary of the Mayors' Club of Massachu- setts since its organization, with the exception of a single year. He is a Director in the Monument National Bank and a Trustee in the Five Cents Savings Bank of Charlestown, and has filled many other important stations of trust and responsibility.
Mr. Burns has always enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-citizens and has discharged the public duties devolving upon him in such a way as to secure their approbation and respect.
The Burns School on Cherry street was built in 1886, during his mayoralty, and named in recognition of his services.
NORMAN WILLIAMS BINGHAM was born in Derby, Vt., May 19, 1829, and educated in the public schools and in the academies at Derby and St. Johnsbury, Vt. He studied law at Irasburgh, and in 1855 was appointed Clerk of Orleans County Court, and thus became ex-officio Clerk of the Supreme Court and the Court of Chancery as well. During the war for the Union he held several important places of trust, both State and national, and his services were of great value to the country.
In 1866 he was made special agent for the United States Treasury Department, and three years later was placed in charge of the customs revenue district of New England, comprising 32 collection districts. He held this important position till 1885, and discharged its arduous and exacting duties with great ability and fearless independence. His experience and influence led to the modification and improvement of the customs laws and to a marked increase in the efficiency of that department of public service. He was offered other positions of great responsibility under the government, but for personal or family reasons declined them.
Mr. Bingham removed to Somerville in 1869, and has always been influential in furthering the interests of the city. He was elected to the School Board in 1880 and served without interruption for 15 years. His labors in connection with schools have been marked by a discrim- inating regard for their interests and by constant effort to secure their
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
advancement. No more emphatic recognition of the value of his services, and no stronger evidence of appreciation could be given than the act of the City Government in naming the school on Lowell street, erected in 1886 and enlarged in 1894, the Bingham School, in per- petuation of his name and memory.
OREN S. KNAPP was born in Boston, July 16, 1829. At the age of six he removed to Malden and was educated in its schools, begin- ning to teach at the age of 17. He entered Amherst College, but at the end of two years was obliged to relinquish his course on account of a trouble with his eyes. He taught two years in Medford, and was elected Principal of the Prospect Hill School, in Somerville, then the most important school in this vicinity, in 1853. He was a faithful and efficient teacher for 11 years, relinquishing his position for the practice of law in 1865. He was chosen a member of the School Board in the same year, and served at intervals for 15 years, one year of the time as Superintendent of Schools. He died suddenly, November 4, 1890.
Mr. Knapp was one of Somerville's foremost citizens, always interested and prominent in every movement to advance its interests, fearless and independent in the expression of opinion and in action, wise in counsel, kind and sympathetic and helpful as a friend, loyal and devoted as a citizen, respected and loved by all who knew him.
The O. S. Knapp School on Concord avenue was opened in 1890, and named in his honor.
JACOB T. GLINES was born in Moultonborough, N. H., July 20, 1817. He removed to Somerville in 1836. He was always identified with the prosperity of Somerville as town and city. He was a mem- ber of the last Board of Selectmen, and chairman of the first Board of Aldermen. He was for several years thereafter connected with the city government, and represented the city in the lower branch of the Legislature. He died August 3, 1882.
Mr. Glines was engaged in manufacturing and mercantile pursuits, and in business as in public life, was distinguished for his sterling integrity, excellent judgment, and strength of character. In recogni- tion of his services to the city the Jacob T. Glines School was named in 1891.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
CHARLES GREENWOOD POPE was born in Hardwick, November 18, 1840. He was educated in the public schools of Hyannis, Pierce Academy, Middleboro, and Tufts College, being graduated in 1861. He taught school at Hyannis till 1864, when he became Master of the Forster Grammar School. He resigned in 1870 to take the principal- ship of the Bunker Hill School, Charlestown, where he remained till 1874, leaving for the practice of law.
Mr. Pope was a member of the first city government, and Presi- dent of the City Council in 1873, being ex-officio member of the School Board. In 1876 and 1877 he represented the city in the Legislature. He was appointed special justice of Somerville police court in 1878. He was Mayor of the city in 1889, 1890, and 1891. During his last year of office the Charles G. Pope School on Washing- ton street was completed and named in his honor. It stands as a monument to his memory, and to his deep interest in the welfare of the public schools.
" He will always be gratefully remembered as one who served his city well, and with an eye single to the public interest. Dignified, honest, incorruptible, his character, either in private or public life, was never tainted by even the breath of suspicion."
REV. GEORGE W. DURELL was born at Kennebunkport, Me. He was graduated from Bowdoin College, and at once became the Princi- pal of Limerick Academy. After teaching four years he entered the Theological Seminary at Alexandria, Va., to prepare for the ministry. He was ordained at Brunswick, Me., by Bishop Burgess.
He was settled at Calais, Me., for 11 years, serving all the while upon the School Board of the city. Leaving Calais he was for several years rector of Grace Church at Bath.
In 1866 he removed to Somerville, and was for three years the rector of Emmanuel parish. Since 1869-for more than a quarter of a century -he has been the esteemed and honored rector of St. Thomas's parish.
For 13 years Mr. Durell served upon the School Board of Somer- ville, for the duties of which he was admirably fitted by nature, by education, and by experience. His quick and ready sympathy with children and with teachers, and his willing response to calls for advice and assistance made him always a welcome visitor to the
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
schoolroom. Owing to the demands of his profession he was obliged to decline a re-election, much to the regret of the constituency for whom he had so long rendered such valuable service.
In 1894 the school on the corner of Beacon and Kent streets was named the George W. Durell School, in recognition of his labors in behalf, not only of education, but of every cause having for its object the welfare and improvement of our city and its residents, young and old.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
(19)
-
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 30, 1895.
Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the Annual Reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 30, 1895.
Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the Annual Reports, in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
OF THE SOMERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY, YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1894.
TRUSTEES.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN.
CHARLES H. BROWN.
J. HENRY FLITNER.
ELIJAH C. CLARK.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES.
JOHN B. VIALL.
JAMES E. WHITAKER. CHARLES A. WEST.
J. FRANK WELLINGTON.
OFFICERS.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN
President.
JOHN S. HAYES
Secretary.
COMMITTEES.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS. - Rymes, Viall, Brown and Wellington.
ADMINISTRATION .- Whitaker, Wellington and Clark.
BOOKS AND CATALOGUES .- Lincoln, ex officio, Rymes, West, Viall, and Brown.
FINANCE .- Flitner, Clark, and Whitaker.
LIBRARIAN. JOHN S. HAYES.
ASSISTANTS.
ANNA L. STONE. MARY J. WARREN.
CATALOGUER. F. MABEL NORCROSS.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR 1894.
CREDIT. -
Balance from 1893
$ 23.36
Appropriation
6,500.00
Dog Licenses
2,710.90
Fines
320.82
Catalogues
12.40
$9,567.48
DEBIT.
Books and Periodicals
$3,287.83
Binding .
766.67
Covers $68.41, Cards $30.40
98.81
Printing, $67.35, Postal Cards, $30.00
97.35
Stationery
52.79
Salaries, Administrative department Cataloguing department
3,086.87
Branch office
100.00
Repairs
205.24
Express ยท
184.20
Electric Lighting
403.18
Gas
4.99
Gas Fixtures
29.90
Water
29.00
Fuel
176.21
Insurance
142.50
Fireproof Safe .
72.50
Disbursements
66.86
Picture Frames
24.42
Postage .
31.00
Speaking Tubes and Telephone
19.10
Placque and Frame
9.00
Rubber Stamps
3.13
Balance to 1895
9.55
$9,567.48
.
526.00
Book Case and Furniture .
140.38
1
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF SOMERVILLE :
Gentlemen, -As Trustees of the Public Library, we beg leave to give to your honorable Boards the following report : -
The work entrusted to us has needed and received sedulous care. We are more than ever impressed with its importance. As our city enlarges its prosperity, and its population multiplies, the public library has increased usefulness and breadth of influence. It has been our aim to improve all facilities for its wider and more practical use, so that our fellow-citizens of every age and in every walk of life might gain from it those advantages it was designed to furnish.
It is well known that ours is an unclassified library. As such it has subserved a useful purpose. But as the number of its volumes increases it becomes more apparent that many choice and valuable books do not become generally known to its patrons. This fact has become of such grave importance that during the past year we have very largely given our strength to a new and more accessible classifica- tion of the entire library. Such a classification, if it be complete and judicious, not only as to topics but also as to titles and authors, will enable those who wish to consult the library, to do so much more readily than at present. Connected with this classification it is pro- posed to inaugurate a careful system of cross references, by which the object of search will be more easily found. All this cannot be done without considerable labor and expense. But the value of the result will more than warrant the outlay. Much delay in the delivery of books will be avoided, and thus the convenience of the public better served. History, biography and fiction, being more frequently called for, will be placed near the delivery desk, and thus a more perfect dis- tribution of books can be made. This system has been employed in other libraries with a very considerable saving of labor and time.
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