Report of the city of Somerville 1902, Part 33

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 518


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.