USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts > Part 29
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The Committee appointed were Julius S. Clark, John O. Norris, John B. Souther, George T. Brown and W. Irving Ellis. For some reason no action was ever taken by this Committee. Two years later, June 22, 1891, by request of the Cemetery Committee, the Town voted :
That whenever the heirs or legal representatives of those persons
330
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
who were permitted to take and occupy lots in the "Old Burying Ground," on Main Street, shall in writing so request, and proper arrangements have been made under the supervision or direction of the Cemetery Committee for the removal of the remains of all persons interred in any of said lots, the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized to execute and deliver, for a nominal sum, deeds of such lots in Wyoming Cemetery as may be selected or set apart under the direction and approval of the Cemetery Committee, for the re-interment of such remains.
In order that these instructions might be carried out, the Cemetery Committee was authorized to expend from the cem- etery fund an amount not exceding five hundred dollars ($500).
At the time when the removal of the bodies from the Village to the Wyoming Cemetery began, there had been four hundred and thirty-two persons buried therein. A large number of these bodies were removed voluntarily by relatives and others that were interested, in accordance with the above vote, lots being exchanged at a nominal fee of one dollar, and all ex- penses being borne by the Town.
The bodies remaining numbered seventy-nine ; and the committee, finding no near relative, or person interested in their removal applied to the Legislature, by the direction of the Town, for authority to act in the matter; and at a Town Meeting held March 19, 1896, it was voted to accept the pro- visions of Chapter 95, Acts of 1896, entitled " An Act providing for the removal of the remains of the dead from the Old Burial Ground in Melrose ;" the act also specified that the Town might make use of the land when thus vacated, for any public purposes. The removal of all the remaining bodies was at once accomplished. A complete record of all removals and assignments of lots was kept by Edwin C. Gould, who has acted as clerk of the Cemetery Committee since 1891. Roscoe A. Leavitt has been the Superintendent since May 1, 1899.
The result of this transferral has been to remove a burial ground from the midst of a thickly populated district, and to leave in the very centre of the town, a most valuable tract of land; and when the Town voted, in 1896, to erect four new school-houses, at a cost of $200,000, this site was at once utilized in accordance with the foregoing Legislative Act'; and there has been erected thereon, the very handsome edifice for the Melrose High School, the history of which has been given in the chapter on Educational History.
331
CEMETERIES.
WYOMING CEMETERY.
" This is the realm of Death, who impartially knocks at the palace and the cottage gate."
As the " Village Cemetery" was getting to be too small to accommodate all those of our fast growing population who were joining " the silent majority," a committee was appointed at a Town Meeting held April 2, 1855, consisting of Jonathan Cochran, German S. Phippen and Aaron Green, to seek out a site for a new cemetery. They reported in due time, and in 1856 a tract of land containing about twenty-one acres was bought of Joseph Lynde, at a cost of $5,961; $3,475.18 was expended in laying out lots, building stone walls and other necessary expenses, making a total cost, November 3, 1857, of $9,436.18. This land was charmingly situated for this purpose on the southerly side of Boston Rock, between the farms of Mr. Lynde on Main Street, and that of Charles Pratt on Lebanon Street, with the wooded region on the south and west, now known as Pine Banks Park. Its surface contained hill, dale and meadow, and it has proved to be an ideal spot for a cemetery. It was dedicated in July, 1857, with appro- priate exercises, including an address by Hon. Daniel W. Gooch. It now contains many gravestones, monuments and tombs. Some of the monuments are of fine workmanship and elaborate design.
At a Town Meeting held June 9, 1863, the following action was taken, recognizing, in part, our indebtedness to those who had gone forth to battle for the Union:
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to set apart a portion of the new cemetery for the use of those soldiers engaged in the present war, and the families of such soldiers as may choose to use the same.
Not until 1887 was action taken on the above vote. Then these Soldiers' Lots were set apart by the Selectmen in the manner shown by this communication :
To the Cemetery Committee of the Town of Melrose :
GENTLEMEN :- Whereas, at a meeting of the inhabitants of the town held on the ninth day of June, A. D., 1863, under Article 6 of the warrant, which was " To see if the Town will set off and appropriate as a free burial place a portion of the new cemetery for the use of those soldiers engaged in the present war, and the families of such as may choose to use the same," it was Voted: That the Selectmen be
332
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
authorized to set apart a portion of the new cemetery for the use of those soldiers engaged in the present war and the families of such soldiers as may choose to use the same. (Town Records, Book I, page 425.) And whereas, application has been made to this Board by a soldier who enlisted on the quota of this town and rendered service, for a suitable burial place for a member of his family, and upon examination we find that the vote of the Town, with one exception, has not been complied with ; we have therefore set apart in Wyoming Cemetery, a plot of land which embraces lots numbered from 648 to 664, on the plan of said cemetery, to be hereafter known as the " Soldiers' Lots," to be given such persons as may apply for the same in accordance with the vote passed by the town.
LEVI S. GOULD, JOHN B. SOUTHER, JOHN P. DEERING, Selectmen of Melrose.
And in furtherance of this purpose, June 22, 1891, it was again voted :
That the Town Treasurer be and is hereby authorized to execute, and deliver to those soldiers or their families who were permitted to occupy lots in Wyoming Cemetery under a vote of the town passed June 9, 1863, proper deeds conveying a title to the same for a nominal sum.
In 1887, March 7, a committee was appointed consisting of George Newhall, Daniel Russell and John Larrabee "to see if the Town will purchase or take land for cemetery purposes." This was done because it was seen that very soon more land must be added to Wyoming Cemetery. April 9, that committee reported and the following vote was passed by the Town :
To adopt the recommendations of the committee, and that the treasurer be and he is hereby authorized to accept from Charles Pratt a deed of his farm on the westerly side of Lebanon Street; that the treasurer be further authorized to issue in payment therefor a note of the town for the sum of ten thousand dollars, payable to the executors or administrators of said Pratt's estate, six months after his decease, bearing interest at five per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually ; that the treasurer shall also execute and deliver unto said Charles Pratt a lease of the buildings and not exceeding three acres of the land, surrounding the same, which lease shall be valid during his natural life; that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to countersign said note and lease.
This farm contained twenty-eight acres. This makes a
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CEMETERIES.
total of 4734 acres of land in the present Wyoming Ceme- tery, and the total value as given in the Schedule of City Property for 1901 is $33,133. At the death of Mr. Pratt, in 1888, the note was paid to the administrator of the estate. As no part of the land is yet needed for the extension of Cemetery purposes, it was voted, at a Town Meeting held March 14, 1898, to utilize a portion of this farm as follows :
That the Town authorize the Cemetery Committee to transfer the Pratt Farm House, so called, with such portion of land as may be agreed upon for the use of the Almshouse, to the Overseers of the Poor; and that they be empowered to establish said Pratt Farm House as an Almshouse.
This transfer has been made, and the mansion house, to- gether with a certain number of acres of land, has been set apart for the benefit of the poor of Melrose, and it is to be known as the Melrose Pratt Farm. It is now under the super- intendence of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert W. Chandler.
At a Town Meeting held November 12, 1887, it was voted:
That the Treasurer be authorized to receive from persons holding, occupying, or interested in lots in Wyoming and Main Street ceme- teries, sums of money which may be paid him from bequests or other- wise, the interest upon which shall be devoted to the payment for care of lots in said cemeteries, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 82, Section 17, Public Statutes.
As the Main Street Cemetery has been vacated, this only applies now to the Wyoming Cemetery. These are known as Cemetery Trust Funds ; and the following deposits have been made for this purpose up to the present time :
I885. Estate Sally Upliam, $200.00
1886. S. B. Cochrane, 200.00
1887. Estate of William H. Jones, . 100.00
1888. Estate of Lynthia L. Burgess, 100.00
1888. C. O. and Mrs. Thomas Robinson, 100.00
1889. Mrs. Caroline Curtis, 100.00
1889. C. E. Daniels, Treas., Winchester Home, 300.00
1889. Estate J. Vincent Smith, M. D., 200.00
1889. Estate of Peter Edgerly, 100.00
1890. Mrs, Saralı Whowell, 50.00
1890. William A. Fuller,
150.00
1891. Mrs. J. P. Beckett, 100.00
1891. Louise Earl,
100.00
1892. Daniel Russell,
200.00
1892. Estate of Jonathan Lynde,
100.00
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
1892. Mrs. Joanna Stackpole, .
$100.00
1892. Estate of Eliza L. Crocker,
100.00
1892. Hannah Scrannage, 50.00
1893. Estate of George N. Noyes,
100.00
1893. Estate of James H. Little,
150.00
1894. Estate of Lucy M. A. Payne, .
I50.00
1894. Estate of Charles D. Wild,
100.00
1894. Estate of Mary G. Upham,
100.00
1894. Elizabeth and George E. Fenn,
100.00
1894. Mrs. Susan P. Whitney,
50.00
1894. Mrs. Lizzie M. Linniken,
150.00
1895. Orrin Brown,
100 00
1895. Mrs. Mary N. Williams,
100.00
1895. William A. and Walter A. Stone,
100.00
1895. Norman F. Hesseltine,
200.00
1895. Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson,
100.00
896. Lucinda Porter,
100.00
1896. Mrs. Sarah E. Stilphen,
100.00
1897. Estate of W. H. Upham. Ruth H. Faxon,
62.50
1897.
50.00
1897.
Thomas D. Lockwood,
100.00
1897. Herman F. Ehlert,
100.00
1897. Paul M. Gidney, 100.00
100.00
1898. Elizabeth C. Lovejoy,
150.00
1898. Thomas Marshall,
50.00
1898.
Joseph D. Wilde,
150.00
1899. Judith B. Mattoon, .
100.00
1900. Charles W. Warner,
50.00
1900. Ernest A. Neilly,
50.00
1900. Estate William Bogle,
150.00
1900.
Estate Sarah J. Barrett,
150.00
1900. Estate Charles P. F. Frentz,
150.00
1900. Sarah M. Coats,
100.00
1900. Estate Isaac Emerson,
150.00
1900. Samuel H. Nowell,
150.00
1900. Evora Brown,
100.00
1900. Bertha Barentine,
100.00
1900 Hiram Cobb, .
150.00
1901. Osmore Jenkins,
100.00
1901. Ellen R. Shapleighi,
150.00
1901. Helen E. Backer,
150.00
1901. William A. Orcutt,
100.00
190I. Saralı H. Hunt,
100.00
190I. Julia M. Woods,
100.00
1901. Calvin N. Chapin,
165.00
1901. William F. R. Bowers,
100.00
1902. Heman J. Pettengill,
206.50
1902. Minot K. Kendall, .
150.00
1902. Orietta E. Simonds,
I50.00
1898. Royal P. Barry, Trustee,
335
CEMETERIES.
1902. Frank E. Orcutt,
$100.00
1902. Agnes S. Taylor,
150.00
1902. Caroline C. Skinner,
100.00
1902. A. C. Clausen,
170.00
1902. Estate Ann K. Shelton,
180.00
Total, $8,684.00
THE JEWISH CEMETERY.
At a Town Meeting held November 30, 1860, the following vote was passed:
That the Beth Eil Congregation of Israelites be allowed to purchase a lot of land on Linwood Avenue, of William J. Farnsworth, for burial purposes.
In accordance with this vote, this lot situated on the west side of Linwood avenue, a few rods north of Sylvan Street, was bought and dedicated as a Jewish Cemetery. March 30, 1875, it was incorporated as the "Corporation Beth Eil." The many head-stones and monuments contained in this burial ground, inscribed with Hebrew characters, indicate that it has been extensively used by that nation, most, if not all, being non-residents of Melrose.
CHAPTER XVII.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
T HE first Young Men's Christian Association in Melrose was organized June 24, 1858, with the following officers: Rev. William H. Munroe, President; William F. Poole, Vice President; Stephen A. Shelton, Corresponding Secretary; Elbridge H. Goss, Recording Secretary; George N. Noyes, Treasurer; Guy Lamkin, William II. Allen and Fernando C. Taylor, Directors. It met in the Waverley Build- Young ...... 8933333 Men's ....... ing, in a room up one flight, corner of Essex and Emerson Streets, the rent of which was kindly Christian .... Association given by Messrs. David L. and John G. Webster. Another donation was a handsome Bible, having upon its cover the following inscription: "Presented to the Melrose Y. M. C. Association by H. Furnas, Vice President of the Boston Y. M. C. Association, Nov., 1858." It would scem that the town was not large enough to sustain such an association; at all events, it was a short-lived one, continuing less than two years.
The present Association was organized December 10, 1890. It was established by earnest Christian men, who met in ac- cordance with a call issued in the Melrose Fournal as follows:
It is proposed to organize a Young Men's Christian Association next Wednesday evening, December 10, at 8 o'clock, at Westgate's Hall, Main Street. All citizens of the Town and every young man interested in having such an organization formed, are invited to be present promptly at that hour. Albert B. Franklin, Charles C. Barry, Royal B. Leighton, Charles S. Macfarland, Leonard S. Leighton, Franklin P. Shumway, William P. Pierce, Wingate P. Sargent, Frank H. Bosson, William Wooldridge.
This action grew out of a conversation previously held by the six first named gentlemen, during a dinner hour at Fellner's Restaurant, in Boston. The matter had been in the minds of quite a number of Christian workers for some months previous to this determination; and was now established for the moral
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YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
well-being and spiritual benefit of the young men of Melrose; and as such, it has been, and continues to be a most beneficent institution, exerting a powerful influence for the welfare of this community.
di Fice
-
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MELROSE Y. M. C. A. BUILDING.
For about two months religious services were held in West- gate Hall, and in March, 1891, rooms were leased in the Westgate building at No. 522 Main Street, now owned by A. J. Philbrick, the first service being held therein, March 28, 1891.
The first board of officers was as follows: Leonard S. Leighton, President; Albert B. Franklin, Vice President; Frank
338
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
H. Bosson, Clerk; John Larrabee, Treasurer: William P. Pierce, Charles C. Hodges, Trueworthy Norris, Franklin P. Shumway, Charles S. Macfarland and William F. Bacall, Directors.
The Association was incorporated in 1892, and the growing necessity for enlarged quarters, and the desirability of having a building of their own, suitable for all the Association needs, became the prominent and absorbing thought of its members and friends. Numerous meetings were held with this object in view, and plans discussed. Subscriptions being solicited, our citizens responded generously; and in due time sufficient money had been raised to warrant the Association to begin the building which persistent labor successfully completed.
The old Joseph H. Green place on Main Street was pur- chased, ground broken and the corner-stone laid August 25, 1894, with appropriate services. The building was finished and dedicated April 1, 1895.
It is a handsome three-story brick building, main part 70 by 50 feet. with annex 50 by 40 feet, possessing all of the up-to- date appliances, and every accommodation to be found in first-class Associations. The street floor is occupied by the Melrose National Bank and the Melrose Public Library and Reading Room, with a thoroughly appointed gymnasium in the rear. A fine bowling-alley is situated in the basement. The office, library, parlors and committee rooms are on the second floor, while in the third story is a large, well lighted and pleasant hall, with stage fittings, for meetings, lectures and entertainments. Its cost, land and building, was $50,000.
The architects were Messrs. Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
The Building Committee: Albert B. Franklin, chairman: Leonard S. Leighton, Royal P. Barry, Moses S. Page, William H. Flanders, George E. Gilchrist, William W. Mason and Trueworthy Norris.
As to the building: it has been said to be " the best planned and built of any Y. M. C. Association building in this country for a city of our size." In proportion to the population its membership, now five hundred and fifty, is the largest in New England if not in the United States. The appointments of its gymnasium exceed those of many of the larger cities; and the building and work is approved most heartily by our citizens in general, without regard to church affiliations; "and it could
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YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
not to-day be well spared as a constructive as well as a pre- ventive force in the young life of Melrose."
"The religious work of the Association is the keystone of the entire structure, and is unsectarian. Young men of all faiths or religious views are admitted to membership."
There is a physical department with a competent instructor; and, under the guidance of a General Secretary and board of officers, it has every facility for educational opportunities, social advantages and spiritual privileges, for the benefit of our young men. Gospel services are held every Sunday after- noon both for boys and young men.
Bible readings and training classes are held; also meetings for prayer and the study of the Sunday School lessons. In short every effort is made to throw around our young men every facility possible and every influence that shall elevate and benefit them morally, physically and spiritually.
During the summer seasons, for many years past, open air meetings have been held in the grove at Pine Banks Park, under the auspices of the Association. Its first General Secretary was Charles S. Macfarland, who was appointed February 15, 1892, and served until January, 1893, when he resigned and entered the ministry. He was succeeded by Robert W. Matthews, who served until October, 1897, when he resigned to enter another field. He was succeeded by Bertram E. Lovejoy, who began his duties in March, 1898. He continued until April 1, 1902, when he was succeeded by the present Secretary, Charles M. Brownell.
The first President of the Association was the late Leonard S. Leighton, who served from the date of organization, Decem- ber 10, 1890, until May 9, 1896, and who gave much time and labor to the work in its early days; and the effects of his arduous and continuous efforts in its behalf, will long be felt in the Association. He was succeeded by Albert B. Franklin, who for two years devoted his time and practical talents to its best interests. May 9, 1898, the present President, William A. Jepson, was elected.
Very soon after the Association was founded, the Woman's Auxiliary was organized, September 23, 1891, with a charter membership of forty-five, Mrs. M. W. Lester, as first President. She was succeeded by Mrs. Albert B. Franklin, August 22, 1892, who served until May, 1897, when she was succeeded by
340
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Mrs. William H. Flanders, who acted for three years, when Mrs. W. DeHaven Jones was elected and served until the present President, Mrs. Mary E. Lovejoy, was elected. This Auxiliary Association has been of very great benefit to the general work of the Association. Under its management several very successful fairs have been held ; thus adding much needed funds to the treasury. One, the "Calendar Fair," held in City Hall, November 14-16, 1893, resulted in a net sum of $2,160. Another, the "Colonial Fair," held in their own rooms, soon after the dedication, April 2-4, 1895, raised $2,200. These proceeds were used for furnishing the new building. The committee in charge of the furnishings were : Franklin P. Shumway, Moses S. Page, George A. Manning, Mrs. Moses S. Page, Mrs. Albert B. Franklin and Mrs. Royal B. Leighton. Another, the "Auxiliary Fair," November 8-10, 1898, raised $1,200 for general expenses. Each year the Auxiliary Associa- tion gives $25, known as the "Helen F. Franklin Fund," to supply the Reading Room with the best magazines and periodicals.
For a number of years there has been an organization among the members called the Young Men's Congress. It has its Speaker and other officers, and representatives for the different States. Its deliberations have given experience in parliamen- tary tactics, readiness in debate, and a wide-spread knowledge of questions of National, State, and local importance.
The present officers of the Association are as follows: President, William A. Jepson; Vice Presidents, Moses S. Page and Charles H. Lang, Jr .; Treasurer, Don E. Curtis; Clerk, Albert F. Henderson; General Secretary, Charles M. Brownell; Auditor, Charles A. Baker; Physical Director, William L. Kershaw; Medical Examiner, Roscoe D. Perley, M. D .; Direc- tors, George E. Briggs, Ernest L. Carr, Herbert M. Cox, William H. Flanders, Albert B. Franklin, Frank G. Kellogg, William A. Leonard, Bertram E. Lovejoy, Francis P. Luce, William W. Mason, John J. Rink and Franklin P. Shumway; Trustees, Albert B. Franklin, Moses S. Page and William H. Flanders.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MELROSE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.
0 N THE 28th of July, 1893, at the residence of Decius Beebe, on West Foster Street, the Melrose Hospital Association was organized, with forty-eight corporate members. This institution has already proven itself to be one of the most important yet inaugurated; one of very great benefit and usefulness to the community at large; one in which all the citizens of Melrose, high and low, rich and poor, have a general interest. Its object as stated in the By-Laws is as follows:
The purpose for which the Association is constituted is to establish and maintain a hospital for the treatment and care of needy, sick and disabled persons of both sexes, and also of persons who may be able to pay for such treatment in whole or in part; such receipts to be used in the partial support of the Hospital.
The following officers were then elected: Royal P. Barry, President; John W. Farwell, Vice President; Mrs. S. Maria Barry, Clerk; Decius Beebe, Treasurer; Mrs. Kate E. Beebe, Mrs. Alice B. Dow, Mrs. Hannah E. Benson, Mrs. Ruby F. Farwell, Miss Mary L. Charles, Mrs. Ida F. Isburgh, Mrs. A. C. Marie Currier, Mrs. May E. Lang, Mrs. Harriet E. Page, Royal P. Barry, George L. Morse, John W. Farwell, John O. Norris, B. Marvin Fernald, Moses S. Page, Victor C. Kirmes, Daniel Russell and Henry W. Sawyer, Trustees. Most of these same officers are now serving, having been re-elected October 22, 1901, for the ninth time. The exceptions are as follows: Francis W. Hunt in place of John O. Norris; Mrs. Charles C. Barry in place of Mrs. S. Maria Barry, Clerk; Samuel H. Hellen and George R. Jones in place of Henry W. Sawyer, deceased, and Victor C. Kirmes. Nine of these officers form the executive committee of which George L. Morse is chairman. The Association consists of eighty-five members.
In connection with the Association, the Hospital Guild was
342
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
formed during the first year. The present list of its officers is as follows: President, Mrs. Nellie B. Sawyer; Honorary Presi- dent, Mrs. John W. Farwell; Vice Presidents, Mrs. George R. Jones, Mrs. Decius Beebe and Mrs. Charles H. Isburgh; Cor- responding Secretary, Mrs. Frank H. Brown; Recording Secretary, Miss Grace Fernald; Treasurer, Mrs. Jonathan C. Howes; Auditors, Mrs. Mary C. Houghton, Mrs. Charles H. Adams and Mrs. George E. Miller; and a board of forty-two directors. It has now nearly eight hundred members.
Under the auspices of the Guild, fairs, lawn parties and other methods of raising money for this most worthy object are directed. Thus far two very successful fairs have been held in City Hall; one, designated as "The Rainbow Fair," netting the sum of $4,523.38; another, "The Lantern Fète," $6,323.22.
Each year the third Sunday in May is set apart in all the churches as Hospital Sunday and special contributions are taken for the benefit of the Hospital. These contributions have been as follows; in 1894, $205.40; 1895, $190.55; 1896, $272.73; 1897, $293.32; 1898, $350.35; 1899, $298.86; 1900, $616.73; 1901, $320.73; 1902, $291.20; a total of $2,900.67.
Several lawn parties have been held on the spacious grounds of Moses S. Page, each one realizing a considerable sum for the Hospital coffers; the one for June, 1901, realized $342.32. Through the instrumentality of Mrs. Georgianna N. Bordman, two performances of her unique and original operetta, " The Market Day," were given in City Hall, which netted a hand- some sum for the same object.
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