USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1902 > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
11. Number of stop gates added during year, 35.
12. Number of stop gates now in use, 1,283.
14. Number of blow-offs, 123.
15. Range of pressure on mains, 60 pounds to 100 pounds.
SERVICES.
16. Kind of pipe: Lead; wrought iron-lead-lined; wrought iron- cement-lined.
17. Sizes, one-half to six inches.
18. Extended, 7,569 feet.
20. Total now in use, 68.21 miles.
21. Number of service taps added during year, 190.
22. Number now in use, 10,710.
24. "Average cost of service for the year, $18.82.
25. Number of meters added, 45.
26. Number now in use, 269.
27. Percentage of services metered, 2.51.
28. Percentage of receipts from metered water, 23.7.
29. Number of motors and elevators added, 1.
30. Number now in use, 9.
FINANCIAL STATISTICS.
RECEIPTS.
EXPENDITURES.
From Water Rates : -
A. Fixture rates ·
.
.
$163,231 98
B. Meter rates .
·
.
50,733 53
C. Total from consumers
$213,965 51
Renewal of street mains .
·
1,586 84
('C. Total maintenance ·
·
·
.
.
.
Water Works Construction : -
GG. Extension of mains ·
$11,710 15
HH. Extension of services .
3,667 71
II. Extension of meters ·
762 06
KK. Total construction ·
$16,139 92
LL. Unclassified expenses : - Metropolitan water assessment Refunds to consumers
.
.
·
.
.
225 70
MM. Balance : - (aa) Ordinary .
68,809 31
Total balance ·
$68,809 31
N. Total
.
.
Disposition of balance : applied to other municipal purposes.
O. Net cost of works to date $801,830 14
P. Bonded debt at date 146,000 00
R. Average rate of interest, 4 per cent.
ANNUAL REPORTS.
N. Total
$220,011 90
Water Works Maintenance : - AA. Operation ( management and repairs ) . ·
$16,704 48
BB. Special : -
18,357 76
Labor and materials sold .
.
M. From other sources : - Metropolitan Water Works $907 53 .
Water service assessments
3,575 80
DD. Interest on bonds ·
.
.
·
.
228 00
Labor and materials sold .
1,335 06
EE. Payment of bonds ·
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
62,397 89
$220,011 90
404
$36,649 08 6,790 00 29,000 00
Costs for non-payment .
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, -
December 31, 1902.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
I present herewith the annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1902 :-
Fires.
Number of bell alarms
161
Number of still alarms
111
Total alarms
272
Value of buildings at risk
$280,075 00
Damage to same
28,597 50
Insurance on same
138,970 00
Value of contents
64,950 00
Damage to same
25,472 50
Insurance on same
31,348 00
Total value
345,025 00
Total damage
54,020 00
Total insurance
170,318 00
During the past year the Fire Department has maintained its reputation for efficient work, there having been but three fires when it became necessary to sound a second alarm for additional apparatus.
The total number of alarms for the year was 272, of which 20 were false, while 252 required some portion of the department to extinguish the fires. In no instance was a building totally destroyed. Almost all of the fire losses during the year have been small, and this fact is due to the prompt action of the firemen.
Manual Force.
The manual force of the department comprises one hundred and sixteen members,-eighty callmen and thirty-six permanent members. The permanent force has been increased during the year as follows: A permanent captain of Hose 2, one perma- nent hoseman at Hose 5, and one permanent hoseman at Hose 6. By these additions there is always a permanent man at each sta- tion, a very great improvement over the old condition of affairs, when at some stations the permanent man was obliged to arrange with a callman to perform his duties during meal hours. The
406
ANNUAL REPORTS.
relief driver has also been assigned to Hose 7 as a permanent hoseman.
The following is a list of the department, by companies :-
Permanent. Call. 1
Total.
Chief engineer
1
Assistant engineer
1
1
Two engine companies, each
5
9
28
One engine company
5
8
13
One chemical company
3
3
One chemical engine and hose company
3
5
8
One chemical engine and hose company
3
4
7
One hose company
2
7
9
Two hose companies, each
2
8
20
Two nook and ladder companies, each
2
11
26
Total force
116
·
Equipment.
The apparatus of the department consists of three steam fire engines, with hose wagon tenders, one chemical engine, two com- bination chemical engines carrying large and small hose and lad- ders, in addition to the chemical tanks, three hose wagons, and two hook and ladder trucks, the entire apparatus being the same as last year.
With the exception of Steamer 1 and Steamer 4, the appa- ratus of the department is in first-class condition. Steamer 1 will have been in service twenty years next June, and has had but one new boiler. The running parts of the machinery are badly worn, which is a detriment to good service.
Steamer 4 has been in service nearly twelve years, and needs a new boiler, as the present one is liable to give out at any time. The usual life of a boiler in which water is constantly kept hot is seven years, so in this case the need of a new boiler is apparent.
I know the value of fire engines capable of throwing power- ful streams. As a rule, such engines are not needed, but every year there are fires where they are the means of saving property many times their value. Our engines should always be in con- dition to give the power necessary for such streams.
The buildings of the department are, generally speaking, in good condition, with the exception of the old station at Union square, which is occupied by Ladder 1 and Hose 3 companies. A new building is required, as the present one does not afford proper accommodations for the firemen who are obliged to oc- cupy it. The present building is unsuitable in many ways, its condition being so well understood that it is unnecessary to re- hearse it.
Thirty-six horses belonging to the department and one be- longing to the assistant engineeer are maintained at the expense of the Fire Department. One horse belonging to the Fire De-
407
CHIEF ENGINEER, FIRE DEPARTMENT.
partment and one belonging to the Electrical Department are maintained for the use and at the expense of the Electrical De- partment.
The total number is apportioned as follows :-
Engine 1
3 horses. 66
Engine 1 hose wagon
2
Engine 2
3
Engine 2 hose wagon
2
3
2
Hose 2
2
66
Hose 3
2
Hose 5
2
66
Hose 6 (Combination Hose and Chemical) 3
Hose 7 (Combination Hose and Chemical)
2
Chemical A .
2
Ladder 1
3
Ladder 2
3
66
Chief of Department
1
66
Assistant chief
1
66
Spare
1
66
Electrical Department
2
Total
. 39
Recommendations.
As in former years, I again urge that measures be taken to limit the construction of shingled roofs, which are a menace to public safety ; also, that no permit be granted for the erection of any building covering an area of over two thousand square feet, and more than one story high, unless the outer walls be of stone, brick, or iron, and the roof covered with some non-inflammable material.
I renew my recommendation of last year that a spare engine be purchased to be used in case of emergency, such as a serious conflagration, or when one of the engines may be out of service for repairs, or absent from the city.
For the benefit of some of our citizens who think that, while our department is an efficient one, the cost of maintaining it is large as compared with that of other cities, I would say that a comparison as shown in the United States statistics of the De- partment of Labor and the Massachusetts Public Documents, gives our department a very favorable showing among the cities of the Commonwealth.
The following is a table showing the per capita cost of fire departments in cities with a population of 30,000 or over. Also the value of the buildings in the cities herein named, the figures on the assessed value being taken from the office of the Secretary of State (Mass.), and the per capita figures from the United States Bulletin of Labor, both for the year 1900 :-
66
66
Engine 4
Engine 4 hose wagon
66
66
66
66
408
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Name of City.
Cost per capita.
Boston
$2 24
Value of Buildings. $369,557,200 00
Newton
1 55
24,001,750 00 25,773,035 00
Springfield
1 50
Holyoke
1 50
15,285,260 00
Worcester
1 38
43,234,950 00
Lynn
1 38
23,336,400 00
Cambridge
. 37
44,589,600 00
Lowell
1 25
28,838,130 00
New Bedford
1 19
20,576,200 00
Fall River
1 15
27,480,900 00
Somerville
1 02
27,291,900 00
Haverhill
99
10,926,180 00
Malden
99
13,798,500 00
Chelsea
99
13,479,900 00
Salem
97
11,910,600 00
Fitchburg
95
9,595,425 00
Lawrence
92
17,524,300 00
Brockton
92
12,584,030 00
I desire to thank His Honor, the Mayor, the Board of Alder- men, and all who have given assistance to the department in mak- ing its year's work successful, and I would also express to the members of the Fire Department my appreciation of their effi- cient service during the past year.
I am very glad at this time to commend the excellent work of the members of our call force, who are ever ready to make any sacrifice to conquer a fire. Their services have been of im- mense value to the city, and should receive proper recognition.
Causes of Bell Fire Alarms.
Boiling over tar kettle
2
Bonfire
2
Breaking of kerosene lamp .
11
Breaking of lantern
1
Burning of rubbish
6
Children playing with matches
11
Chimney fire
4
Defective chimney flue
1
Electric wires
4
Explosion
3
False alarm
20
Fire in Charlestown
1
Firecrackers
2
Fumigating
1
Grass fire
7
Hot ashes in box
2
Igniting of Christmas tree
1
Incendiary
11
Overheated furnace
2
Overheated oil stove
13
Smoke mistaken for fire
5
Spark from engine
8
Amount carried forward
126 .
5
Curtain in contact with gas light
3
Drying plastering
409
CHIEF ENGINEER, FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Amount brought forward
126
Spark on roof
4
Spark from tobacco pipe
6
Spark from chimney .
2
Spark from match
9
Spark from forge
1
Thawing water pipe
4
Unknown
8
Wood near stove
1
Total 161
There have been 111 still alarms, the total loss
caused being less than $400.00 111
Total alarms
272
Fire Department Account.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
$61,800 00
Transfer from Highways Construction
930 00
Receipts :-
Board of two horses used in Electrical Department
300 00
Old wheels
25 00
Boston Elevated Railway Co., damage to chemical wagon
177 10
Total credit
$63,232 10
DEBIT.
Expenditures :-
Salaries of permanent men and substitute drivers
$36,472 16
Salaries of callmen
14,482 93
Improvements and repairs of apparatus and vehicles
1,991 16
Hose, and repairing same
1,325 24
New horses
295 60
Hay and straw
3,123 07
Grain and feed
1,847 34
Washing and ironing
443 55
Harnesses, and repairing same
341 49
Horseshoeing
1,028 09
Ice
68 20
Fire extinguishers
126 49
Horse medicine and doctoring
231 55
Telephones
226 65
Supplies
476 97
Incidentals
550 70
Total debit
$63,031 19
Balance unexpended
$200-91
Service of Companies in Fire Department, Year 1902.
Engine 1.
Engine 2.
Engine 4.
Hose 2.
Hose 3.
Hose 5.
Hose and Chemical 6.
Hose and Chemical 7:
Chemical A.
Hook and Ladder 1.
Hook and Ladder 2.
Totals.
Bell alarms responded to
120
62
62
165
81
87
44
82
114
95
78
990
Still alarms responded to
3
15
9
18
8
28
6
12
11
8
6
124
Miles traveled
221
114
98
207
.140
189
81
152
216
88
112
1,618
Feet of hydrant hose used
9,650
7,750
5,650
10,350
9,550
11,000
2,600
3,300
.
.
·
.
59,850
Feet of Chemical hose used
8,300
21,700
.
·
·
·
.
·
.
·
·
. ·
·
. .
·
·
·
105
250
85
450
247
240
25
144
240
2,237
1,503
5,526
Chemical extinguishers used
12
6
32
25
48
·
·
·
18
9
162
Gallons of chemical water used
.
.
·
·
.
·
560
875
4,920
·
·
6,355
Times on duty at other stations
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
·
8
3
.
·
.
11
1
ANNUAL REPORTS.
410
·
·
·
·
.
·
.
·
.
·
12
·
32,150
·
2,150
Feet of ladders used
·
i
411
CHIEF ENGINEER, FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Roster of Department.
James R. Hopkins
Nathaniel C. Barker
. Assistant Engineer
265 Highland ave.
ENGINE COMPANY NO. 1.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Edward W. Ring,
May 6, 1847,
Captain,
Fireman,
Medford st.
Frank Langer,
July 4, 1854,
Lieutenant,
Wood Moulder,
Trull lane.
John W. Bartlett,
Feb. 22, 1862,
Engineman,
Fireman,
Pleasant ave.
William A. Burbank,
March 6, 1842,
Asst. Engineman,
Fireman,
Gilman st.
Harry W. Elwell,
Driver,
Fireman,
Hudson st.
Harry J. Locke,
April 21, 1868, April 25, 1871, Feb. 1, 1867,
Driver,
Fireman,
Medford st.
Fred S. Young,
April 5, 1860,
Hoseman,
Milkman,
Benjamin F. Johnson,
Nov. 20, 1864,
Hoseman,
R. R. Yard Man, Merchant, Pedler,
Chester ave.
Melvin F. Underwood,
Nov. 28, 1873,
Hoseman,
Electrician,
Medford st.
Frank R. Rametti,
Dec. 26, 1873,
Hoseman,
Lineman,
Medford st.
Everett W. Bray,
Feb. 17, 1872,
Hoseman,
Prov. Clerk,
Medford st.
ENGINE COMPANY NO. 2.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Benjamin H. Pond,
Oct. 25, 1867,
Captain,
Fireman,
Columbus ave.
John Frizzell,
Oct. 14, 1856,
Lieutenant,
Painter,
Everett ave.
Clarence V. Cook,
Oct. 1, 1858,
Engineman,
Fireman,
Arthur st.
Walter H. Young,
Dec. 25, 1869,
Asst. Engineman,
Fireman,
Fountain ave.
Lewis E. Seymour, Charles Spike.
Feb. 8, 1875,
Driver, Hoseman,
Painter,
Webster st.
Charles T. Garland,
Nov. 15, 1871,
Hoseman,
Coal Dealer,
Broadway. Otis st.
Edward W. Burgess,
Aug. 3, 1859,
Hoseman,
Vegetable Dealer,
Cornelius A. Doherty,
April 30, 1873,
Hoseman,
Milk Dealer,
Cross st.
Caleb W. Kimball,
July 16, 1874,
Hoseman,
Paperhanger,
Franklin st.
Frederick W. Kimball, David L. Stevens
Aug. 11, 1866,
Hoseman,
Woodworker,
Brook st.
March 17, 1873, Hoseman,
Blacksmith,
Kensington ave.
ENGINE COMPANY NO. 4.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
John Gillooly,
June 9, 1856,
Captain,
Fireman,
Winslow ave.
Danforth S. Steele,
Sept. 9, 1850,
Lieutenant,
Foreman,
Leslie pl.
Lindorf D. Bixby,
Jan. 31, 1841,
Engineman,
Fireman, Fireman, Fireman,
Highland ave.
Edgar F. Curtis,
July 30, 1869,
Asst. Engineman,
Driver, Driver,
Hoseman,
On water works, Painter,
College ave.
Eugene H. Jones,
Morrison Ave.
George C. Creighton,
Type Founder,
Cutter ave.
John B. Rufer,
Blacksmith,
Lowell st.
George F. Bixby,
Charles A. Frink,
Sept. 18, 1865, March 16, 1869, March 27, 1869, April 23, 1873,
Hoseman, Hoseman,
Laborer,
Undertaker,
Jaques st.
Charles H Stearns,
Highland ave.
Charles F. Hathaway,
Fireman,
Grove st. Elm ct.
Joseph A. Sander,
John F. Berton, James I. King,
Dec. 7, 1854, Feb. 11, 1876, April 28, 1868, Feb. 14, 1857, March 30, 1865, June 17, 1864,
Hoseman, Hoseman, Hoseman, Hoseman, Hoseman,
Painter, Lineman,
Cross st.
March 25, 1873, Driver,
Fireman,
Fireman,
Walnut st.
Robert Geaton,
Feb. 22, 1861,
Hoseman,
On water works,
Medford st.
Sewall M. Rich,
Nov. 6, 1866,
Hoseman,
Medford st.
Joseph W. Mess,
Sept. 25, 1863,
Hoseman,
Oxford st. Avon st.
Oscar J. Lingley,
. Chief Engineer
27 Summit ave.
Elm ct.
Highland ave. Gorham st.
412
ANNUAL REPORTS.
HOSE COMPANY NO. 2.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Francis W. Ring,
Aug. 7, 1854,
Captain,
Fireman,
Wheatland st.
Daniel R. Spike,
March 22, 1844,
Lieutenant,
Janitor,
Broadway.
Henry A. Angier,
April 30, 1838,
Driver,
Fireman,
Jaques st.
William F. Marble,
June 22, 1852,
Hoseman,
Fish Dealer,
Moreland st.
Harry V Spike,
Aug. 2, 1873,
Hoseman,
Clerk,
Sargent ave.
Charles A. Woodbury, Frederic E. Cushing,
Dec. 20, 1845,
Hoseman,
Painter,
Marshall st.
Benjamin Marble,
May 1, 1870,
Hoseman,
Clerk,
Temple st.
Sept. 13, 1861,
Hoseman,
Painter,
Marshall st.
Sept. 8, 1875,
Hoseman,
Victualler,
Marshall st.
HOSE COMPANY NO. 3.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Thomas H. Daley,
Apr. 3, 1845,
Captain,
Fireman,
Broadway.
Henry J. Turner,
Feb. 24, 1865,
¿ Driver,
Fireman,
Somerville ave.
Francis S. Brown,
Feb. 4, 1845,
Hoseman,
Watchman,
Columbus ave.
Thomas W. Joy,
Feb. 22, 1856,
Hoseman,
Cooper,
Somerville ave.
Alfred R. Higgins,
Feb. 25, 1849,
Hoseman,
Park Laborer,
Prospect st.
Edward A. Parker,
Oct. 29, 1851,
Hoseman,
Park Laborer,
Summer st.
Lyle Sterling, Michael H. Kennedy,
July 14, 1873,
Hoseman,
Laborer,
Somerville ave.
Walter J. Green,
Oct. 25, 1868,
Hoseman,
Florist,
Somerville ave .
HOSE COMPANY NO. 5.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Edwin F. Trefren,
March 28, 1858, Captain,
Lieutenant,
Painter,
Summer st.
Robert W. Jesson,
May 10, 1873,
Driver,
Fireman,
Pitman st.
Martin E. Driscoll,
Dec. 21, 1872,
Hoseman,
Painter,
Miller st.
Horace L. Dunklee,
Dec. 12, 1854,
Hoseman,
Fireman,
Somerville ave.
George R. Green,
Feb. 27, 1866,
Hoseman,
Florist,
Somerville ave.
Daniel W. McDermott,
March 14, 1846,
Hoseman,
Painter,
Somerville ave.
Albert F. McGrath,
July 14, 1877,
Hoseman,
Butcher,
Lowell st.
Otto T. Teakles,
March 22, 1871,
Hoseman,
Plasterer,
Atherton st.
Frederick G. Jones,
Nov. 26, 1866,
Hoseman,
Patrol Driver,
Somerville ave.
HOSE AND CHEMICAL COMPANY NO. 6.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Joseph A. Cribby,
Aug. 22, 1864,
Captain,
Fireman,
Broadway.
George W. Bridges,
March 22, 1876,
Lieutenant,
Fireman,
Westminster st.
John T. Coneeny,
Nov. 2, 1876,
Driver,
Fireman,
Ellsworth st.
Sept. 6, 1863,
Hoseman,
Teamster,
Highland ave.
Apr. 29, 1878,
Hoseman,
Clerk,
Elm st.
Nov. 29, 1848,
Hoseman,
Machinist,
Westminster st.
July 27, 1865,
Hoseman,
Painter,
Newbury st.
Sept. 23, 1868,
Hoseman,
Fish dealer,
Herbert st.
HOSE AND CHEMICAL COMPANY NO. 7.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Arthur M. Gilman,
Aug. 19, 1866,
Lieutenant,
Fireman,
College ave.
Arthur C. Sellon,
July 15, 1863,
Driver,
Fireman,
Hancock st.
June 22, 1871,
Hoseman,
Fireman,
Lexington ave.
June 14, 1870,
Hoseman,
Electrician,
Hudson st.
March 26, 1876,
Hoseman,
Painter,
Highland ave.
Hoseman,
Mason,
Hudson st.
Oct. 12, 1870, Apr. 6, 1869,
Hoseman,
Carpenter,
Hudson st.
Jan. 31, 1859,
Hoseman,
Foreman,
Sargent ave.
John H. Pattee, Jr , J. Walter Holmes,
Feb. 28, 1867,
Hoseman,
Horse Trainer,
Somerville ave.
Fireman,
Lowell st.
William J. Blaisdell,
May 16, 1846,
Walter M. Brown, Elmer C. Shiere, Charles H. Bridges, Homer A. White, George H. Keay,
George R. Dale, Harry G. White, Charles W. Hughes, Wm. E. Bucknam, Jr., Alfred M. Pride,
§ Lieutenant,
413
CHIEF ENGINEER, FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHEMICAL ENGINE COMPANY A.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Wilfred Young,
Aug. 7, 1874,
Lieutenant,
Fireman,
Highland ave.
Frank L. Draper, Charles H. Timson,
July 31, 1852
Operator,
Fireman,
Chester ave.
May 27, 1859,
Driver,
Fireman,
Broadway.
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY NO. 1.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Melvin B. Ricker,
Aug. 30, 1841,
Captain,
Fireman,
Prospect st.
Horace P. Ewell,
Feb. 28, 1857,
Lieutenant,
Carpenter,
Bow-st. pl.
Richard F. Clarkson,
May 18, 1859,
Driver,
Fireman,
Homer sq.
William A. McLane,
Jan. 7, 1860,
Ladderman,
Engineer,
Clark st.
Patrick J. Follon,
March 3, 1859,
Ladderman,
Ladderman,
Ladderman,
Ladderman,
Painter, Teamster,
Prospect pl.
Charles A. Caswell,
Jan. 18, 1870,
Ladderman,
Teamster,
Webster ave.
Herbert L. Webber,
Nov. 9 1869,
Ladderman,
Painter,
Columbus ave.
John H. Foy, Charles A. Southwick,
May 16, 1867,
Ladderman,
Painter,
Somerville ave.
March 12, 1857, Ladderman,
Janitor,
Berkeley st.
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY NO. 2.
NAME.
BORN.
RANK.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Horace W. Hutchins,
Aug. 26, 1866,
Captain,
Fireman,
Hudson st.
Charles E. Shaw,
Oct. 13, 1854,
Lieutenant,
Paperhanger,
Eastman pl.
Harry F. Bucknam,
Sept. 21, 1872,
Driver,
Fireman,
Highland ave.
John E. Hill,
Dec. 25, 1845,
Ladderman,
Salesman,
Cherry st.
Clarence H. Alley,
Carpenter,
Highland ave.
Clarence T. Conant,
William J. Kennedy,
Le Baron Emery,
March 16, 1869, Dec. 10, 1868, March 19, 1863, May 11, 1859, June 9, 1865,
Ladderman, Ladderman,
Plumber, Painter,
Alpine st. Alpine st.
John H. Givan,
Ladderman,
Grocer,
Francis st.
George F. Hughes,
Oct. 6, 1852,
Ladderman,
Painter,
Highland ave.
Abner Peterson,
Feb. 28, 1879,
Ladderman,
Salesman,
Porter st.
Charles F. Mills,
Aug. 26, 1876,
Ladderman,
Carpenter,
Highland ave.
Joseph E. Emery,
Aug. 2, 1870,
Ladderman,
Painter,
Alpine st.
Broadway. Oak st.
Frank H. Eaton,
July 16, 1859, Feb. 1, 1855,
Ladderman,
Laborer,
School st.
James D. Perkins,
Paperhanger,
Bow-st. pl.
James E. Thompson,
Laborer,
John H. Ford,
Nov. 25, 1858, Sept. 1, 1869,
Ladderman,
Ladderman,
Milkman,
Hudson st.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES R. HOPKINS, Chief Engineer.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE, January 5, 1903.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-I respectfully present herewith a report of the work accomplished by the Police Department for the year end- ing December 31, 1902, with recommendations and suggestions for your consideration.
Arrests.
Whole number of arrests made
1,757
Males
1,662
Females
95
Americans
860
Foreigners
897
.
Miscellaneous.
Alarms given for fire
11
Buildings found open and secured
522
Disturbances suppressed
24
Defective streets reported
516
Larcenies reported
232
Amount reported stolen
$5,168.00
Amount recovered .
$3,286.00
Obstructions in streets reported
286
Street lights reported not lighting
.
5,303
Police Signal, Patrol Wagon and Ambulance Service.
Number of on duty reports made
195,263
Number of runs with wagon .
1,141
Number of prisoners conveyed to station
1,266
Number of miles run with wagon
1,778
Number of telephone calls
11,150
Number of persons conveyed in the ambulance .
246
.
.
-
CHIEF OF POLICE.
Comparative Statement of the Number Held for Trial Each Year During the Past Five Years for the Offences Named.
OFFENCE.
1898.
1899.
1900.
1901.
1902.
Abandoning child
Abortion
. .
1
1
·
Assault and battery
113
126
115
122
138
Assault felonious .
3
7
6
5
6
Bastardy
5
10
9
10
3
Breaking and entering
41
29
29
24
25
Common railer and brawler .
. .
1
1
. .
·
Contempt of court
2
:
2
. .
3
Disturbing the peace
17
13
16
33
34
Drunkenness .
823
846
771
739
985
Eavesdropping
· ·
·
·
1
·
Evading railroad fare
2
3
. .
2
Embezzlement
7
8
·
..
Forgery
1
3
. .
·
Fraud
6
4
3
4
3
Keeping unlicensed dog
1
4
2
20
30
Keeping horse with glanders
·
. .
3
. .
. .
Larceny .
74
68
112
83
86
Lewdness
3
8
4
6
5
Malicious mischief
6
30
22
27
43
Murder
18
11
3
13
14
Neglect to support family
6
12
21
16
28
Peddling without license
28
17
27
15
11
Present where gaming implements were found
..
15
17
7
Receiving stolen property
3
1
3
3
8
Refusing to assist officer
·
.
. .
.
2
.
Stubbornness
10
5
12
11
12
Threats .
4
4
5
14
15
Trading in registered bottles
3
36
80
45
57
Violation of caucus laws
. .
.
·
·
3
2
. .
Violation liquor laws
.
8
13
7
23
21
Violation Lord's Day
10
33
27
44
55
Vagrancy
24
15
22
17
15
Willful trespass
17
14
65
19
21
Walking on railroad track
13
13
75
50
62
Total
1,299
1,349
1,503
1,376
1,693
. .
21
2
·
Violation of city ordinance
49
2
. .
·
·
Unlawful sale of tobacco
4
.
Unlawful use of registered bottles
. .
1
. .
1
. .
1
Neglected children
·
Keeping common gambling joint .
1
. .
. .
Kidnapping child .
·
..
2
. .
. .
Manslaughter
. .
7
14
2
. .
Selling adulterated food
2
2
2
3
Cruelty to animals
. .
1
1
. .
·
Arson
. .
Violation health laws
1
. .
415
Keeping milk below standard
416
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Recommendations.
I respectfully recommend that one more lieutenant and two more sergeants be appointed, the lieutenant to have charge of the station during the night time, and the sergeants to be assigned to street duty in charge of the patrolmen; also that three more patrolmen be appointed to fill the vacancies made by the promo- tions above mentioned.
To increase the efficiency of this department is my earnest desire, and I recommend that an order, ordinance or rule be adopted which would terminate the services of police patrolmen of Somerville at the age of sixty-five years, if then in the service. Such a regulation would make room for active and younger men for police work, and the efficiency of the department could be maintained without increasing the number.
I also recommend that section 6 of chapter 29 of the city ordinances, regulating the sale of newspapers in the streets, be amended, so that licenses shall not expire until April 30 each year, instead of January 1, and that the same may be renewed on or before April 30, for the following year. There are over three hundred such licenses issued which expire January 1, annu- ally, and cannot be renewed or granted at once on account of the necessary delay caused in reorganizing the city government.
In General.
The large increase in the number of arrests for drunkenness this year can be accounted for in part by the increase of the force and by a change of the routes of a number of patrolmen.
The prevention of crime is an officer's first duty ; crime will be committed, however, regardless of the laws or officers. That the police do prevent crime is made manifest by the regard shown for the faithful and efficient patrolman by the citizens in all sec- tions of the city. There can be no record kept of this important work, but the absence of repeated felonious assaults, robberies, or any number of burglaries in our city is good evidence that such crimes are, to a considerable extent, prevented by the police. The reputation of the department in cases of extraordinary diffi- culty has been maintained by the arrest March 30, 1902, in this city, of three habitual criminals for thievery in other sections of this Commonwealth, and in New York, New Jersey, Maine and Connecticut, and the recovery by officers of this department of a large amount of the property stolen ; also by the arraignment of George L. O. Perry for the murder of Agnes McPhee, October 3, 1902, and who was held upon the evidence presented by the local police, and by the arrest of John March, of Boston, who was convicted and sentenced to the state prison for four years for a felonious assault upon a young girl of this city.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.