USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts > Part 30
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For some years past the Town, and now the City has appropriated the sum of $1,000 toward the current expenses of the Hospital. The total expenses for the year from October 1900 to October 1901, were $9,506.58 ; the income from all sources has been insufficient thus far for current expenses ; thus leaving a deficiency each year, which has to be met by subscriptions, fairs, or other outside methods.
Each year an annual report is issued in pamphlet form, con- taining the addresses of the Presidents, Hospital and Guild, and . reports of the Secretaries and Treasurers of both organizations. It has also names of members of both, lists of donations, and various other matters pertaining to the Hospital and its work.
In connection with the regular hospital work, classes for the
343
THE MELROSE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.
training of nurses are regularly held, in which studies are pursued, lectures by our city's physicians given, and a thorough knowledge of hospital duties acquired ; a class graduating cach year. Of these nurses thus trained, the late Mrs. S. Maria Barry, then the Secretary, said in her second annual report :
Many homes have been cheered and helped by their presence in times of sickness and death, and we have received many proofs of the good which they have accomplished, and also of the value of the institution which they represent.
With the passage of time, and the lapse of several more years, these beneficial results have been greatly augmented. The Hospital was first established at No. 39 Oakland Street.
THE MELROSE HOSPITAL.
The house was soon found to be inadequate to the demands. After a two years' occupancy, the homestead of the late William Bailey, on Myrtle Street, was purchased for the sum of $6,000, George Hart kindly taking a mortgage on the same for $5,000. It was immediately altered, arranged and fitted up with most excellent accommodations, and the Hospi- tal removed to these more spacious quarters.
During this same year, 1894, the Association purchased a lot of land on the corner of Lebanon and Porter Streets, con-
344
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
taining 70,000 feet, for the sum of $6,948.40, on which a mortgage was at first placed, but which has since been paid off, by means of generous subscriptions from many of our citizens; among them may be mentioned one of $2,000 from the late Mrs. Harriet A. Bigelow, who ever evinced the warmest interest in the success of the Hospital. In her will she left a bequest of $5,000 which was received in 1898. On this land it is hoped and expected that a Hospital Building may be erected in the near future, that shall be large enough to meet the wants and demands of Melrose for this purpose, for many years to come. The Hospital Building Fund now amounts to $9,696.83. To give some idea of the great amount of work done, year by year, the following statistics are given, taken from the annual report for 1900:
Two hundred and thirty-eight patients have been treated; one hundred and forty-eight surgical, fifty-four medical, eighteen obstetrical, and eighteen children born. Of this number one hundred and fifteen have paid full rates, twenty-two have paid partial rates, fifty-one city patients and fifty were free. The smallest number in the Hospital during twenty-four hours was five; the largest number eighteen. The nativity of the patients admitted during the year is as follows: United States, 183; Canada, 23; Ireland, 14; England, 6; Germany, 3 ; Italy, 1 ; Greece, 1 ; Scotland, 1; Russia, 2; Bavaria, t ; Holland, 1 ; Sweden, 1; and Turkey, 1 ; total, 238.
The figures for 1901 vary but little from those of 1900, the total number of patients treated being 235.
A free bed fund has been established and the sum now amounts, by accumulation year by year, to $1,412.82.
THE NURSES' HOME. This much needed and very necessary adjunct to a well-equipped Hospital, has been added to this admirable and well managed institution. The property at the corner of West Foster and Myrtle Streets adjoining the Hospi- tal grounds, has been leased, and furnished in a complete manner for a nurses' home. This was the home for many years of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew W. Haskell. It now belongs to the Hon. John Larrabee, who has put the house in the most thorough repair. It has received money and furniture from our citizens sufficient to give it every convenience, and to make of it a most delightful home for these workers for the sick and suffering.
Of the Hospital and the Y. M. C. A. work, President Barry spoke as follows in his eighth annual address :
345
THE MELROSE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.
A city is generally famous by the measure of its good works. We n Melrose cannot hope to be known as the richest suburb of Boston, nor can we be noted as Cambridge is noted, but there are certain institutions which tend to make it notable among the smaller cities of our Commonwealth. Among them is the Young Men's Christian Association and the Melrose Hospital. They deserve, and are en- titled to, the heartiest support of every good citizen, and as the years go by it will be found that in such measure as similar institutions flourish and grow, in just such measure will the city command respect as the home of good, sturdy, middle-class men, who can spare time from their business pursuits to take some interest in the well-being of their neighbors.
CHAPTER XIX.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
T HE inception and early history of the Melrose Public Library cannot be better told than by the following extract from the first annual report of the Trustees of that institution:
As the formation of a Public Library is an event of great importance, we desire to place upon record the few facts connected with its early history. Several years ago some of the leading men of the town issued a call for a meeting, to be held in the Selectmen's room, Lyceum Hall, for the purpose of establishing a Public Library. A subscription paper was circulated, and received some names, but no further action was ever taken. The next public announcement appears in the warrant for the last annual town meeting, and the credit for bringing forward the plan, which has been adopted, belongs to David Fairbanks, Esq. We are glad also to acknowledge that his action in this matter did not stop here, as he seconded the same by a liberal donation of books, the number of which appears in our annexed list. While the credit of this action belongs to the gentleman named, the action of the Franklin Fraternity taken almost simultaneously, deserves equal commendation. Upon two occasions the project of a Public Library has been pressed upon the attention of this Association ; the last occasion being only one month before this town meeting at which the vote was taken. At their next regular meeting, held only two weeks before the Town Meeting, the project was again brought for- ward, and amid much enthusiasm a committee was appointed, and money subscribed, to form the nucleus of a Library, and when of reasonable size present the same to the town. Between this meeting and the meeting in April, the warrant appeared with its announce- ment, and the action of the town was taken. As soon as this action was known, the plans of the "Fraternity" were altered in accordance with the situation, and nearly two hundred dollars were placed in the hands of the committee as their donation. The selection was limited to American authors, and one hundred and twenty-five volumes, com- prising the works of Irving, Hawthorne, Motley, Bancroft, Lossing, Parton, Mitchell, Taylor, etc., were presented to the town as the basis of a Public Library.
347
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The action of the Town referred to took place March 27, 1871, at a meeting held in Concert Hall, when the following vote was passed :
That the money now in the Treasury, refunded to the town by the County Treasurer, pursuant to Chapter 250 of the Acts of the Legisla- ture in 1869, and all that shall hereafter accrue to the town under said act, be appropriated for a "Public Library and Reading Room." That a committee of three be chosen at this meeting, who shall be called " The Trustees of the Melrose Public Library; " that they be invested with full power to provide and fit up a suitable place therefor, prepare rules and regulations, purchase books, solicit donations, and have the general management thereof, during the year, to the next annual meeting, then to make a full report of their doings.
Frederic Kidder, Elbridge H. Goss and Charles C. Barry were elected Trustees, and they organized as follows : Mr. Kidder, Chairman, Mr. Goss, Treasurer, and Mr. Barry, Secretary. The money then in the Treasury was known as the "dog tax," and the amount on hand at that time with which to buy books and found the Library was $624.85. With this amount, with donations, and with the gift of the Franklin Fraternity, the Trustees were enabled to report at the end of the year, a Library containing 1,504 volumes; of which 839 were purchased and 665 donated. A copy of the Holy Bible, printed in 1826, was volume number one in our Library ; when the present system of classifying the books was adopted in 1897, it became number 601.1.
A room in Waverley Block, Essex Street was at this time being used temporarily by the Selectmen, Daniel Russell, James C. Currier and John H. Clark. By the courtesy and considerateness of this Board, the room was divided by a parti- tion, and the rear half assigned for the Library's usc. Here, in these narrow quarters commenced the career of the Melrose Public Library. The Trustees, aided by a number of volun- teers, covered the books-a system since discarded-and prepared them for circulation. They also served as Librarians until the following March, during which time several of the young men from the High School assisted in the delivery of books. During the next year, March, 1872 to March, 1873, C. Edward Prior acted as Librarian, being assisted meantime by Frank M. Edwards, George A. Wilde, Frank D. Wilde and George T. Gately. In March, 1873, Miss Carrie M. Worthen was
348
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
chosen Librarian, who has filled that position ever since with ability and constant fidelity. For a number of years Miss Rosa M. Gibbons was the assistant Librarian; she is now con- nected with the Malden Public Library. The present assistant is Miss Mary Ella Dix.
During the first year seven hundred and eleven persons availed themselves of the Library privileges. From that day to this the Town and City has regularly appropriated the " dog tax" together with an additional appropriation, begin- ning with one of $650 in 1872, and gradually increasing it until it became $3,000 in 1900; but in 1902 it was reduced to $2,500. The Library remained in its first quarters until the Town Hall was built in 1874, when it occupied the northeast corner room, where it remained until April 1, 1895. It then removed to its present quarters in the Young Men's Christian Association Building, which were taken upon a five years' lease.
Although the original vote passed in 1871, was to establish a "public library and reading-room," this important adjunct was not opened until fourteen years later, December 16, 1885. This was then established in the middle room on the east side, just across the aisle from the Library room ; since which time it has become a very important and necessary addition.
In 1873, two additional members were added to the Trustees, Miss Addie A. Nichols and Miss Hannah Lynde. These five Trustees were regularly elected until the year 1884, when the Chairman, Mr Kidder, being in ill health, resigned, and Mr. Goss was elected Chairman. Thomas B. Peck was elected to fill the vacancy. Miss Nichols, resigning, Miss Phebe Norris, now Mrs. Benneson took her place, but resigned shortly after to make her residence in the west, and Mrs. Ruby F. Farwell was elected to fill the vacancy. In 1887, Mr. Peck and Miss Lynde resigned, and Charles A. Patch and Miss Mary L. Charles were elected to fill the vacancies. In 1891 the Board was increased to six members and George E. Munroe was added.
The system of election was changed in 1893, so that the office of two members should expire each year, and two be elected annually for three years. No change took place in the personnel of the board until the city was incorporated when Neil A. Divver and Mrs. Maria 1 .. Chapin were appointed by Mayor Gould, in place of George E. Munroe, and Miss Mary L
349
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Charles. When the Chairman, Mr. Goss, was elected an alder- man for 1901, it became necessary for him to resign after a service of thirty years, as the charter forbade an alderman to hold two offices, and Edward M. Munyan was appointed to fill the vacancy. In February, 1901, Mrs. Farwell resigned, and Miss Mary L. Charles was appointed to fill her place. The Board of Trustees as now constituted, 1902, is as follows : Charles A. Patch, Treasurer, and Miss Mary L. Charles, three years ; Neil A. Divver and Mrs. Maria A. Chapin, Secretary, two years, and Charles C. Barry, Chairman, and Edward M. Munyan, one year. Mr. Barry has served as Secretary during sixteen years in the history of the Library, Mrs. Farwell two years, Miss Charles five years, and Mr. Munroe served seven years until 1900, when Mrs. Maria L. Chapin was elected to that position, which she now holds. Mr. Goss served as Treas- urer from its establishment in 1871, until elected Chairman in 1884, when Mr. Patch was elected in his place, and he still holds that position.
The Library has received several valuable donations. Besides the 125 volumes given as a nucleus, by the Franklin Fraternity, and nearly one thousand Congressional volumes which cover the War and Reconstruction periods of our country's history, by Hon. Daniel W. Gooch, many other citizens have given one or more volumes at different times. Among other gifts are these: An engraving, "The Senate of the U. S. of the time of Henry Clay," by Mrs. Charlotte Cochran; a hand- some Howard clock, " Presented to the Melrose Public Library by the children of the Mother Goose Club, January 20, 1886," from the proceeds of an entertainment given by this Club, under the direction of Mrs. Georgianna N. Bordman; a bust of Hon. Samuel E. Sewall, by Mrs. Mary A. Livermore; an oil painting, by Pearson of the "Lynde Farm House," corner of Main Street and Goodyear Avenue, by George Emerson; two very large photographs of the "Roman Forum," and the " Colosseum," by Mr. and Mrs. Edward K. Bordman; an old fashioned chair, by Miss Sarah Chever, of the old "Ezra Vinton House," at the Highlands, and two valuable remem- brances; one, the portrait of the late Hon. Daniel W. Gooch, given by Mrs. Gooch and her son William W. Gooch; the other, a replica of Anne Whitney's bust of Mrs. Mary Ashton Livermore, given by her husband, the late Rev. Daniel P. Livermore.
350
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
The Library has also received several bequests: The first is known as the " Horatio Nelson Perkins Fund," which was given by the executors of Mr. Perkins' will, in accordance with a pencilled memorandum found among his papers, which read as follows:
$500- to the Melrose Public Library, etc., in trust, and the annual income of the same is to be expended for the purchase of books forever.
This was in 1883. In 1888 another gift of $100 known as the "William Emerson Barrett Fund," is devoted to books bearing upon building, furnishing and decorating homes. In 1895, William Bailey left in his will a bequest to the Library which has amounted to $2,500; this is known as the "William Bailey Fund," and only its income can be expended for books.
The number of volumes in the Library January 1, 1902, was 14,012, besides the thousand or more Congressional volumes not yet catalogued, and 2,056 pamphlets. The number of cards issued to persons using the Library, 7,257. Largest number of books taken out in one month, 6,618, total for the year 1901, 60,814. The number of persons using the reading room in 1901 was 29,038.
The following table gives, for the different years since the Library was established, the annual appropriation, the number of volumes purchased annually, the number donated and the annual circulation :
Volumes
Volumes
Year.
Appropriation. Dog Tax. Purchased. Donated. Circulation.
1871
*$937.16
839
665
+3,189
1872
$650.00
308.02
431
41
13,240
1873
550.00
238
17
14,004
1874
800.0)
324.87
270
94
17,650
1875
500.00
367.08
187
53
22,592
1876.
450.00
460.80
351
72
23,703
1877
400.00
448.75
390
24
27,152
1878
400.00
437.47
295
3
+25,458
1879
200.00
419.24
176
5
30,940
1880.
500.00
392.16
357
17
29,764
1881
500.00
401.58
297
10
28,983
1882
500.00
393.98
314
6
28,074
1883
800.00
451.98
342
33
28,258
1884.
500.00
509.83
396
25
29,447
1885
750.00
573.85
583
71
30,663
Three years.
+ Two months.
Ten months.
351
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Volumes
Volumes
Year.
Appropriation. Dog Tax. Purchased. Donated. Circulation.
1886
$750.00
$698.40
404
36
28,952
1887
750.00
774.90
375
27
31,336
1888
750.00
961.78
406
9
32,986
1889
750.00
1,090.96
369
10
33,052
1890
750.00
1,194.91
510
14
30,534
1891 .
1,000.00
1,079.65
408
47
31,425
1892.
1,000.00
1,037.22
539
16
34,093
1893
1,200.00
1,046.22
459
5
32,157
1894
1,000.00
1,076.49
411
12
41,208
1895
3,500.00
1,052.24
480
13
36,276
1896
2,500.00
1,066.09
493
19
44,062
1897
2,600.00
1,039.68
301
22
38,674
1898
2,600.00
1,031.23
467
20
55,838
1899
. 2,800.00
958.93
381
24
61,945
1900
2,800.00
1,016.51
487
27
60,001
1901
3,000.00
1,033.60
644
18
60,814
The new rooms in the Young Men's Christian Association were furnished and opened during the year 1895; this with the annual rent, $1,200 per annum, accounts for the large increase in appropriation. When the first five years expired, April I, 1901, the rent was reduced from $1,200 to $1,000 per annum. A new lease was taken with a clause inserted giving the Trustees the right to terminate it upon giving a six months' notice. This was done because of the fact that the Library was fast outgrowing its present accommodations, and because of the hope that by some action of the City, or of some one of our citizens, steps might be taken to provide a Library building.
Melrose had been waiting long for some one of its wealthy citizens, to whom appeal after appeal had been made, to give it a Library building ; or, to have the City itself take action in the matter ; but it waited in vain. When the Hon. Andrew Carnegie began to distribute his immense wealth by donating Library buildings to different cities and towns throughout the Union, and to found educational institutions at home and abroad, it occurred to a number of our citizens, realizing that the future might not be any more favorable than the past, in fulfilment of its wishes, that possibly Mr. Carnegie might be induced to consider our own City with favor; and he was written to upon the subject by quite a number. Among thesc writers was Mayor John Larrabee; and, after a considerable correspondence, he had the very great satisfaction of announc- ing in his second inaugural address, delivered January 6, 1902, a gift from Mr. Carnegie in the following letter :
352
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Mayor Larrabee, Melrose, Mass.
DEAR SIR: Responding to your letter : If the City of Melrose will pledge itself by Resolution of Councils to support Free Library at cost of not less than Twenty-five hundred dollars a year, and provide a suitable site, Mr. Carnegie will be glad to furnish Twenty-five thousand dollars for a Free Library Building.
Respectfully yours,
Dec. 31, 1901. JAS. BERTRAM, Private Secretary.
At a meeting of the Board of Aldermen held the same day, William A. Carrie, Oliver B. Munroe, Aaron Hill, Jr., Albert B. Franklin and Edward S. Page were appointed a committee "to suitably acknowledge the generous gift of Andrew Carnegie, Esq., and made such recommendations as may seem best;" and at a meeting of the Board, January 20, the following resolutions were submitted by that committee and passed unanimously:
Whereas, The City of Melrose, through His Honor the Mayor has been tendered the sum of $25,000 by Andrew Carnegie, Esq., of New York, for a free library building, upon condition that the city of Melrose, through its board of aldermen, agrees to appropriate the sum of $2,500 annually in support of the same and provide a suitable building site :
Resolved, That the Board of Aldermen of the city of Melrose hereby accepts the generous offer of Mr. Carnegie and agrees to the conditions named therein.
Resolved, That His Honor the Mayor be requested to convey to Mr. Carnegie the hearty thanks and appreciation of the citizens of Melrose for his large-hearted liberality in providing means to build a suitable building for free library purposes.
At a meeting of the Board of Aldermen, February II, it was voted to erect the new Library building on the old "High School Lot," so called, situated on the corner of West Emerson Street and Lake Avenue. This was the spot selected by the Committee who built the High School building in 1870, as being centrally located, and as accommodating the scholars from all parts of the town better than any other site then available. That was central then, and is so now; being within a very few rods of the residential centre of Melrose. It is situated on a handsome, quiet street, surrounded by beautiful residences, halfway between steam and electric railroads, away from the din and turmoil of traffic and travel. It contains 30,375 square feet
353
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
At this same meeting the Mayor was authorized to transmit to Mr. Carnegie a certified copy of the deed of this land now adopted as the site for the Melrose Public Library.
At the next mecting of the Board, February 17, the Mayor vetoed the above action, on the ground that it was a question which ought not to be settled until after a public hearing had been held; and his veto was sustained, six aldermen voting for and twelve against, not two-thirds as required to pass over a veto. In accordance with this action it was voted to hold a public hearing on the evening of March IS. This was accord- ingly held in the City Hall, John G. Robinson presiding. The subject of site was very thoroughly discussed by the following gentlemen: those in favor of the High School lot being, George R. Jones, Charles H. Adams, Royal P. Barry, Charles C. Barry, Elbridge H. Goss and Daniel J. Lucey; those against, Edwin S. Small and John J. Mccullough. The sentiment of the large audience present was largely in favor of the above site and it was so expressed by vote.
At the following meeting of the Board of Aldermen, March 27, the question was finally settled in favor of the Emerson Street lot by a vote of twenty to one.
Notwithstanding the fact that the city charter is very explicit, denying the right of the Board of Aldermen to act on any committee wherein the expenditure of money for the city is concerned, the question had arisen in the Board as to who should build the new Public Library ; should it be by a com- mittee appointed from the Board of Aldermen, or by the Mayor, with an advisory committee selected from the citizens outside the Board. Some thought one way, some another ; this arose from a misunderstanding as to just how the money was to be paid by Mr. Carnegie; whether as a whole to the City, or in part, to a committee, as the work progressed. Cor- respondence between the Mayor and Mr. Carnegie developed the fact that all money would be sent direct to the City.
Meanwhile the opinion of the City Solicitor had been requested on the subject by the Board. This was submitted at the meeting held April 28, and was very explicit ; showing conclusively that no committee of the Board of Aldermen could serve on said committee. The following vote was then passed unanimously :
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, April 28, 1902. Be it ordered, that a public library building be erected on the old
1
354
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
High School lot, so called, on Emerson Street, that the Mayor be authorized to contract for the same at a cost not to exceed Twenty- five thousand ($25,000) dollars, and that the City Treasurer be and hereby is authorized to pay all sums of money which may be presented or paid to the city, either directly or to its Mayor, Treasurer, or other public officer, by Andrew Carnegie, or any other person or persons, for the purpose of constructing said public library building, to be paid out on account of the contract to build it, by the City Treasurer from time to time as received and requested.
JOHN G. ROBINSON, President of the Board of Aldermen. April 28, 1902. In Board of Aldermen. Order ordained.
April 30, 1902. Approved.
W. DEHAVEN JONES, Clerk. JOHN LARRABEE, Mayor.
The Mayor at once took action in the matter by appointing an advisory committee of ten to act in conjunction with him- self in the erection of the new building. In his letter of notification under date of May 5, he says:
I am authorized, by vote of the Board of Aldermen, to enter into a contract for the erection of a public library building.
You are respectfully and cordially invited to serve on an advisory committee to assist me in the selection of a plan for the building, the awarding of the contract, etc.
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