USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America. > Part 72
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In the old time. little, even of rough mechanical work was done here. Abiel Stevens commenced. nearly twenty years before the founding of the city. the making of pianoforte cases (then a new en- terprise ) in a small building, without power, adjoining the Shawsheen
Honse, in South Lawrence (then Andover). Having ill-success, he lost his little fortune, but secured aid, purchased and improved the mill-site and privilege (now the site of Arlington Mills) on Spicket River. Here Mr. Stevens made wood-work and eases for musical in- struments, supplying Boston makers. In 1857-58. he improved the water-power by building dikes and dams, having secured flowage rights ahove.
The making of paper was commenced by Adolphns Durant, Esq., as early as 1826, in very small mills, on the lower Spicket bank ; also on a smaller scale, by one Richardson. Besides these small mills, and the distriet grist-mill, on the lower Spicket, there were none other than simplest trades before the year 1845.
CHAPTER VI.
THE MUNICIPAL RECORD.
POLITICAL HISTORY - TOWN AND CITY - GROWTH AND POPULATION - FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS - FIRES - POLICE COURT.
Progressive action was impossible, while the settlement remained a part of two staid townships, where publie business had ron in well- worn ruts for a century. Naturally the people clamored for a town organization. April 17, 1847, just two years and one day after form- ing the Essex Company, the Act incorporating the new town of Law- rence was signed by Gov. George N. Briggs.
In first town-meeting. April 26, 1847. held in Merrimack Hall, organization under the Act was effected. Within nine days after incor- poration, the machinery of town government was in operation. The boundaries of the new town were shown by the following : -
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives. in General Court assembled, and by authority of same, as follows :
SECTION 1. All the territory now within the towns of Methnen and Andover. in the county of Essex, comprised within the following limits-that is to say, by a line beginning at the month of Shawsheen River. at its easterly bank: thence running sontherly hy said easterly bank to a stake at the bend in said river. a few rods westerly of the bridge, where it is crossed by the Salem Turnpike : thence in a straight line westerly to a marked stone in the wall at the easterly corner of the intersection of roads. by Jacob Barnard's house : thence northerly in a straight line across Merrimack River, to a stake abont 2,150 feet northerly from where the line crosses Tower Hill Road : thence north-easterly to a monument on Londonderry Turnpike : thence easterly in a straight line to a monument at the intersection of Lawrence street with the old road : thence in a straight line easterly. through a monument about 400 feet south of the intersection of the roads near Wm. Swan's house, to the line of the town of Ando- ver. in Merrimack River : thence running by the said line westerly. to the easterly bank of Shawsheen River : - is hereby incorporated into a town by the name of Lawrence.
April 4. 1854, a small wedge-shaped section of land, with but few inhabitants, lying upon the north-easterly side of the town, was set off from Methuen, and annexed to Lawrence, thus making the only change in original boundary lines, as above stated.
The succeeding sections contained provisions for the organization of the town, adjustment of taxes and indebtedness with the parent town- ships, and maintenance of hridges over Shawsheen River.
The first town-officers had no light duty. The people wanted pro- tection, material improvements, and educational advantages. Four days after the first town-meeting, a second was held for general town business, making appropriations, appointing minor officers, &c. May 17th and 24th, steps were taken to secure fire-engines and apparatus ; a jury list of fifty-five names was accepted, and a great amount of necessary business done. Juue 19th following, a code of well-con- sidered hy-laws was reported and adopted.
The year 1847 was a year of town-meetings, and minutest details of expenditure were authorized hy vote of citizens. The first few acres of the cemetery were purchased, land and buildings for a poor- farm leased, and the machinery of government set in motion.
During the year 1848, after many a stormy session, was settled the question of building and locating a town-house. School accommoda- tions, including "a brick school-house on Haverhill Street to accom- modate four hundred scholars," were needs that could not be ignored. The character of the new town was virtually fixed by the liberal and progressive action of citizens and town officials during this and the succeeding year.
Unabated activity in town affairs continned during the year 1849. Important public works, set on foot the preceding year, were carried out. The three following years, 1850-51-52, and a part of 1853, were eventful ones, not only for town officials, but for business men, me- chanics, and every active member of the community.
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
217
In the six years of town organization, the population increased from 3,577 to nearly 13,000, the valuation of estates from one and three-fourths millions to seven millions of dollars; but frequent and turbulent town-meetings were tedious and annoying. A new era of prosperity seemed about to dawn with the starting of the Pacific Mills and smaller new corporations, promising great increase of population aud wealth. A city government seemed a necessity. A city charter was granted by the Legislature, and signed by Gov. John H. Clifford, March 21, 1853. The charter was accepted by the people, 659 voting yea, to 143 nays, on the 29th of the same month.
The city charter divides the city into six wards : Wards One, Two, Three, and Four are north of Merrimac River, and east of Broadway (the old Turnpike) ; Ward Five is north of the river, and west of the Turnpike ; Ward Six (more sparsely populated ) includes all south of Merrimac River-nearly half the area of the city. The city council includes one alderman and three councilmen from each ward. No compensation is paid to these officers. The first rules and orders adopted were those of the city council of Newburyport. The first ordinances passed were similar to those of that then recently incor- porated city, which it is understood were drawn by Hon. Caleb Cushing.
The first election of city officers was held April 18, 1853. The political parties drew strict lines in their nominations for municipal offices. For the office of mayor, Charles S. Storrow was the Whig nominee ; Enoch Bartlett, a young and popular attorney, was presented by the Democrats ; James K. Barker, a civil engineer, by the Free- Soil or Anti-Slavery voters. Mr. Storrow lacked thirty-five votes of an election. Ten days later, at a second trial, William R. Page was the Whig nominee, Mr. Bartlett of the Democrats, and sixty-four scattered widely in manifesting their preferences. Mr. Page lacked nine votes of an election. At the third trial, Charles S. Storrow was again a candidate, Dana Sargent, the Democratie nomince, and only twenty-one scattering votes were cast. Mr. Storrow was elected by thirty-five majority.
On the tenth day of May, 1853, was inaugurated the first city gov- ernment, and the first mayor delivered his address.
The first city government was a strong one. In the upper board with Mr. Storrow, the mayor, were George D. Cabot, for years agent of the Lawrence Gas Company, Albert Warren (mayor in 1855-56), E. B. Herrick, Alvah Bennett, Walker Flanders, and S. S. Valpey, all practical and safe men. In the common council board were Josiah Osgood (the president), Nathaniel G. White (now president of the Boston and Maine Railroad), Dana Sargent (since mayor of Nashua, N. H.), Capt. William R. Spaulding, E. F. Bean, Danicl Hardy, Isaac K. Gage, and others of prominence in city and business affairs since that day.
The second municipal election resulted in the choice of Enoch Bartlett, the Democratic nominee, as mayor, a Democratie board of aldermen, and a common council divided between the two parties. During this year grew up that political organization, the Know- Nothing order. Lawrence was one of the strongholds of the order for a time. A few matter-of-fact and conservative citizens adhered to old parties, but the mass were swept into the new party and rode the topmost wave of excitement. The municipal administrations of 1855-56 were elected by those who had passed the wicket. Since that time the two prominent political parties have each had frequent experience of victory and defeat.
The city is within the Seventh Congressional District, which sent as representative in the Forty-Fourth Congress (1875-76) Hon. John K. Tarbox, a native of Lawrence, who ran largely ahead of other candidates of the Democratic party, securing the election over Dr. James C. Ayer, of Lowell, although his party was in the minority. In the contest for the Forty-Sixth Congress, both the prominent par- ties nominated citizens of Lawrence ; Hon. William A. Russell, the well-known paper manufacturer, being the nominee of Republicans ; Hon. J. K. Tarbox, of the Democracy. There was a sharp but friendly contest, Mr. Russell being elected by a plurality of 5,460 votes. Hon. Daniel Appleton White, also a native of the town of Methuen, born in that section now the heart of Lawrence, was for one term in Congress, so long since that the fact is generally for- gotten.
To the Massachusetts Senate the district has sent Hon. Daniel Saunders, Jr., Thomas Wright (four terms), Ben. Osgood, Judge Nathan W. Harmon, Hon: John K. Tarbox, Horace C. Bacon, and Byron Truell, all citizens of Lawrence. The city has been directly represented in the State Legislature by Morris Knowles, George D. Lund, James K. Barker, Thomas Wright, Charles Stark
Newell, Josiah Osgood, Ebenezer B. Currier, Enoch Bartlett, David Wentworth, Enoch Pratt, Amasa Bryant, Thomas A. Parsons, John A. Goodwin, Timothy V. Coburn, Benjamin Harding, John Gale, the Rev. J. R. Johnson, Thomas W. Floyd, Walker Flanders, William Hardy, Nathan W. Harmon, Cyrus Williams, John C. Hoadley, Alfred J. French, George W. Benson, Harrison D. Clement, John J. Doland, Lemuel A. Bishop, Edgar J. Sherman, William H. P. Wright, Albert Blood, Henry M. McIntire, William A. Russell, Frederick Butler, George E. Davis, John K. Tarbox, Robert Bower, Patrick Sweeney, Henry J. Couch, William S. Knox, Patrick Murphy, Horace C. Bacon, Byron Trueil, Edwin Ayer, Melvin Beal, Levi Emery, John C. Sanborn, Michael Rinn, Abel Webster, Jesse Moulton, and John J. Nichols.
In early years immediate need of streets, sewerage, paving, light- ing, and public buildings crowded work, done in older townships in a century, into a busy decade. Unusual responsibility devolved upon these early officials, also upon those in power in the hard times of 1857, in 1860 (the year of the Pemberton calamity), in the years of the war (1861 to 1865 inclusive), and during the erection of important public works; all of whom have mention under appropriate heads. The following tabular statements show, better than pages of explanation, changes in local governments and increase of population and property :-
Town Officers for the Six Years Lawrence remained a Town.
1847.
SELECTMEN.
SCHOOL COMMITTEES.
TOWN CLERKS AND TREASURERS.
William Swan. Charles F. Abbott. Nathan Wells.
James D. Herrick. William D. Lamb. Dan. Weed.
E. W. Morse, Clerk. Daniel Saunders, Treasurer. Bailey Bartlett, Collector.
Jaines Stevens. Lorenzo D. Brown.
1848.
David J. Clark. Charles F. Abbott. William D. Joplin. Levi Sprague. John M. Smith.
The Rev. George Packard. The Rev. Lyman Whiting. The Rev. H. F. Harrington. Nathan W. Harmon. James D. Herrick.
E. W. Morse, Clerk. Nathaniel White, Treasurer. Parker Smith, Collector.
1849.
Charles F. Abbott. Levi Sprague. Isaac Fletcher.
The Rev. George Packard.
Henry K. Oliver.
The Rev. H. F. Harrington. James D. Herrick.
E. W. Morse, Clerk. Daniel Saunders, Treasurer N. G. White, Collector.
The Rev. Lyman Whiting.
1850.
Artemas Parker, Jr. William Gile. William R. Page.
The Rev. H. F. Harrington.
The Rev. Geo. H. Clark.
The Rev. J. G. Richardson. The Rev. Lymau Whiting. The Rev. George Packard.
Treasurer. N. G. White, Colleetor.
1851.
William R. Page. Levi Sprague. Joseph Norris.
Charles S. Storrow. Nathan W. Harmon. The Rev. George Packard. James D. Herrick. Dr. M. L. Atkinson.
George W. Benson, Clerk. George W. Sanborn, Treas- urer and Collector.
1852.
William R. Page. Levi Sprague. Joseph Norris.
The Rev. George Packard. A. D. Blanchard. The Rev. Sammel Kelley. Nathan W. Harmon. John A. Goodwin.
George W. Benson, Clerk. George W. Sanborn,
George W. Benson, Clerk. George W. Sanborn, Treas- urer and Collector. Ivan Stevens, Auditor, dur- ing town organization.
28
218
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Municipal Officers since Organization of the City in 1853. [Sec Fire, l'olice, and School Departments. ]
YEAR
MAYORS.
CITY CLERKS.
TREASURER AXD COLLECTOR.
1-53.
Charles S. Storrow.
1-54.
Enoch Bartlett.
George W. Benson. Benjamin Bordman. William Morse.
Bracket H. Clark. Nicholas Chapman. Nathaniel Wilson.
1:57.
John R. Rollins.
George R. Rowe.
..
..
1:58.
1:59.
Henry K. Oliver.
Daniel Saunders, Jr.
:
..
..
1=62.
William H. P. Wright.
1-63.
..
1-64.
Alfred J. French.
Robert H. Tewksbury.
1565.
Milton Bonney.
1566.
Pardon Armington.
1-67.
Nathaniel P. H. Melvin.
..
..
1-69.
Frank Davis.
1-70.
Nathaniel P. H. Melvin.
1-71.
S. B. W. Davis.
..
:
1=73.
John K. Tarbox.
..
..
Sylvester A. Furbush (died 1870) served thirteen years as an assessor of taxes ; Edward P. Poor, when his term expires, will have served fifteen years with industry and ability. Gen. Michael P. Merrill and D. C. O'Sullivan are also veteran assessors. As auditors. Artemas Harmon, Henry N. Butman, L. E. Rice, Elbridge B. Osgood, and John E. Cushing have had prolonged service, the last two for many years.
Changes in Population, Valuation, and Taxation of Town and City.
Popula-
Valuation.
School Children.
Polls.
on
$1,000.
$1,000.
1845,*
150
51
33
1S63,
19,750
$10,939,450
3,384
3.999
$11.20
1547,
3.577
$1.719,240
403
197 $3.50
1554
20.500
11.074,43 )
3,692
11.60
1848.
5.949
3,514,426
620
1,321
4 20
1865.
21.698
12.753,273
3.613
4,147
13 50
1549,
7,225
5,730,710
1.089
2,315
3 90
1.66.
23.750
13,748,285
4.026
5.250
13 50
1850,
8.232
5,902,741
1,308 2,249
4.90
1567.
26.000
14.6$4,000
4,462
5,714
1, 20
1551,
9,000
6,407.926
1,593
2,542
59)
1565, 26,500
15,570.000
4,350
5,960
13.50
1852, 1853,
12,147
6,937,160
3,06G
7.00
1870. 25.932
17,912,507
4,846
6,506
17.20
1554, 1855,
16,051
9.954,041
2,505
3,559
7.80
1572, 31,000
20,763,693
4.547
7.000
15 50
1856,
16,500
10,453,723
2,792
3,525
7 60
1873, 33,000
21,657,732
5.141
17,500
10,225,400
3,021
3.595
$ 20
1874. 33,800
22.918.779
5.355
7.728
16.20
1555,
15,300
10,249,009
2,610
2.962
8 40
1$75. 34.916
24.117,373
5,645
6,120
17.60
1559,
16,000
10,022,947
2.502
3,057
, 20
1576. 35,000
23,903,59>
5,634
6.026
19.00
1860,
17,630
10,554,023
3,171
3,60.9
S 40
36.000
23,902,537
5,085
8.139
16 60
1861.
18,400
10,769,61:
3.210
3.96
8 80
1878, 37,500
23,744,017
6,66S
8,542
15.00
1562,
15,500
10,777,92.
3,310
3,378
9.00
A part of Mcthuen and Andover.
In 1850, about sixty-five per cent. of the aggregate tax was laid upon the property of corporations, only thirty-five per cent. upon estates of individuals and firms. In 1870, corporations and private citizens paid equal amounts. In 1878, the proportion is reversed ; individuals paying fifty-six per cent., corporations forty-four per cent. of the total tax. In 1875, the number of females in the city exceeded the number of males by 3,296. In 1847, there were 2,289 males, and but 1,118 females. Of the entire population for 1875 (34,916), those of American birth numbered 19,370. Those born in Great Britain, Ireland, and England's Provinces, numbered 14, 421. The German element is rapidly increasing ; already numhering, in 1878, about 2,600 people. Nearly 13,000, or one-third of the entire population, are employed in mills and workshops.
In 1854, the population was 14.951. Of that number, over 9,000, or sixty per cent., resided in wards two and three ! Ward three, the smallest in area, then had a population of 5,174. The now populous ward five had then less than 900 residents ; the whole region south of Merrimac, less than 1.000 souls.
School, fire, and police department matters, have peculiar interest to the whole people. The schools are fully considered in a separate chapter.
The Fire Department was established, or foreshadowed, only four days after town organization. Having no special Act authorizing
appointment of engineers, fire wards (William M. Kimhall, Josiah Johnson, Nathaniel Wilson, Charles Smith, and Samuel I. Thomp- son) were appointed; also a committee (William M. Kimball, Nathaniel Wilson, and Caleb M. Marvel) to purchase engines and apparatus, and erect a honse for same. In 1848, an Act of the Legislature established "a Fire Department in the town of Lawrence," and authorized the appointment of fire engineers. Previous to any action by the town, " Essex " hand-engine was owned by Essex Com- pany, run by its employees, and housed in a small building on the site of Brechin Block.
November, 1847, " Rough and Ready," No. 2, and " Syphon," No. 3, engines were purchased hy the town. No. 2 was housed on New- bury Street, near Essex ; No. 3 on Oak Street (for a short time on Elm). Rough and Ready Engine Company, No. 2, was first organ- ized Aug. 26, 1847. A Hook and Ladder Company, and a Hose Company were formed the year following (1848), and the same year, an Association - "The Lawrence Fire Protection Company," -con- nosed of staid members, who did not care to run with the boys, saved and protected movable property exposed at fires. This company lived but three or four years. The exemplary members were accused of looking placidly on while the stock of a liquor seller was con- sumed. It was said that one extreme moralist smilingly watched the blue flames rise from bursting gin bottles, singing softly,
" Believing we rejoice to see the curse removed."
"Tiger " hand-engine, No. 4, was purchased in 1850, and stationed at South Lawrence. In the old hand-engine days, it was fun to be a fireman. The several " tubs " came from their houses with sixty men and boys at the ropes of each ; there was noise, life, and commotion, spirited rivalry, and earnest work. Competitive trials were no dull tests of rival steamers, but grand exercise of muscular force, vitality, and endurance. Over 250 active men were connected with the department.
William M. Kimball was first chief of fire engineers in 1847, and in several after years. James D. Herrick succeeded him in 1848. Samuel I. Thompson served for a time. In other years of town government, there was a board of six engineers, the clerk having extra compensation ; Moses Perkins and Dr. Seneca Sargent act- ing as clerks. Luther Ladd was an efficient fireman from the first, and has been chief of engineers for seventeen different years since 1854. Col. L. D. Sargent was chief in 1858-59. Benjamin Booth had a long experience of many years, and made a good record. George K. Wiggin, Albert R. Brewster, and Col. Melvin Beal have cach had two years' service as chief engineer, and many years as fire- men. Dennis Wholley and William E. Heald are the latest incum- bents.
6.345
13 50
14.951
5,842,915
2.167
3.366
7.00
1571, 29,000
15,552,000
4.856
6,625
16 80
10.500
6,374,355
1,660
2,514
5 30
1869, 25,000
16,647,000
4,665
..
1:72.
154.
1-75.
Robert H. Tewksbury.
Walter R. Rowe.
Elilm W. Colcord. Albert V. Bugbee.
1:76. 1577.
Edmund R. Hayden.
..
Caleb Saunders.
James E. Shepard.
1572.
James R. Simpson.
..
:
..
4.
1-60.
1-61.
James K. Barker.
..
1-56.
Albert Warren.
Tax
Popula- tion.
Valuation.
School Children
Polls.
on
tion.
..
..
1:6S.
..
..
Tax
1.869
7.557
16.00
In 1860, the first steam fire-engine, "Pacific," was purchased, and radical changes began. "Atlantic" and "Tiger" steamers were pur- chased in 1862, the "Essex" in 1864, and the "Washington" in 1871. There are now five powerful steamers, the oldest used as a relief steamer, in case of breakage or repairs, with a full complement of hose, and a hook and ladder comp.my, all housed in buildings con- venient and permanent, in most cases heated hy steam. The Garden Street brick engine-house was built in 1871-72, "Tiger" brick engine- house (South Lawrence) in 1868, Washington steanier house and headquarters of engineers aud fire alarm was rebuilt and refitted in 1875, the brick hook and ladder house, Franklin Street, was built in 1876. The automatic fire-alarm telegraph was introduced in 1869. Pines from the Prospect Ilill reservoir gave the only permanent head of water, to corporations and the business streets, until, in 1875, water from the public water-works was first used in hydrants. These hydrants are located at all important street intersections in populous districts.
No sweeping fires, consuming whole squares, have occurred. Burning of the Merrimack House, in 1849, was one of the first serious fires. The building (on Broadway, near Tremont Street) was totally consumed. Lawrence Hall (uow Music Hall) was burned in July, 1851, aud rehuilt by insurance companies. Boston and Maine Railroad repair shops have been consumed; the freight house was burned in 1854. Essex Yard and Lowell Street, near railroad, headquarters of lumber trade and manufacture, have been visited with destructive fires, notably at the yard in 1866 and 1871, and on Lowell Street in 1870, and the great planing-mill tire of ten years before. The year 1866 was a year of fires ; Arlington Mills, Rail- road repair shops, Essex Yard buildings, and Bacon's paper-mills were either wholly or partially consumed. The total loss for the year was $353,000. The great fire of August, 1859, originated in
1-55.
219
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the unfinished United States Hotel, on Essex Street, west of Jack- son, and, for a time, threatened to destroy the business portion of the city. The court house, Central Congregational Church, and several stores were consumed. The frail front wall of the hotel, heavily loaded with iron finish, fell outward, burying three citizens in the ruin. George Stanley, a young printer ; Frank Henry, an auction- cer ; and Lyman H. Larkin, a mill-hand, - were the persons killed by falling walls. Flying cinders caught in the lofty wooden spire of the Unitarian Church, alarming that thickly populated section. The spire was consumed, and rebuilt in firmer but more modest style.
The appalling fire in the ruins of Pemberton Mill, in 1860, is described elsewhere. The corporations have an elaborate system of water-pipes of their own, connected with and supplied by city water- works. The larger mills have such ample supply of hose and fire apparatus, that, in ordinary danger on their premises, the city fire department is not called upon.
For several years, the city has had rare exemption from severe fires. In most cases, losses are partial. Mention must be made of "Jim Syphon," the four-footed fireman, who ran with the old Syphon Engine Company, and kept guard at their house. He was one of the historic animals of the town. Jim considered a man who was not a fireman as beneath his notice. He would drop a juicy beefsteak to answer the fire-alarm. If shut in a room, he would dash through, crashing glass, and be first to report. He leaped from a sceond story window at the sound of the fire-bell. Woe to the rival fireman that worried the Syphon's adopted dog. He loved the boys, and they loved him. Jim died about the time steam robbed the fireman's life of its noisy pomp, and left little of the old- time parade for a proud old animal to delight in.
The Mutual Relief Association of the Lawrence Fire Department has lately been formed and incorporated. Members contribute to a fund for the relief of injured firemen, and pay a small gratuity to families of members dying while connected with the department.
Twice have calls for assistance from cities suffering by calamitous fires been answered by direct public aid, and voluntary gifts by citizens ; viz., at the time when Portland and Chicago were devas- tated by flames.
The Police Department .- During working hours in the early days, nearly every male member of the community was busy at hard labor, and quiet reigned. At night, in some localities, frequent fights and disturbances occurred. The Sunday that passed without an excited crowd, gathered by some disorderly proceeding, was exceptional. There were all the elements of tumult in a community, largely strangers, loosely governed. Generally no serious damage came from these noisy gatherings. Crimes were, in the main, petty offences.
During town organization the number of police varied from ten to twenty-two, the appointees doing such duty as could be done in addi- tion to other employments. Gilman F. Sanborn, James D. Herrick, and Nathaniel Ambrose were successively in command of town police. Sinec organization of the city government the forec has been in charge of a marshal and assistants, the following named serving as marshal : Harvey L. Fuller, Chandler Bailey, Leonard Stoddard, Joseph H. Keyes, John S. Perkins, George W. Potter, John W. Porter, Edmund R. Hayden, Noah Parkman, Chase Philbrick, James E. Shepard, Lyman Prescott, James M. Currier, James T. O'Sullivan, and Moulton Batchelder.
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