USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts > Part 35
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398
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Its cost was about $500, which amount was raised largely by the active effort of William N. Mellen.
CLOCKS. The first town clock was placed on the tower of the old original Orthodox Congregational Church. It was purchased by subscription, of Messrs. Howard & Davis, and one of the most active of the subscribers was the late William Bogle. The original contract1 reads as follows:
This agreement made and concluded this Twenty-fifth day of May, A. D. eighteen hundred and forty-nine, by and between David L. Webster, Jeremiah Martin, William Bogle, Samuel E. Sewall and Benjamin F. Abbott, Trustees of the Melrose Town Clock, of the one part, and Jonathan Cochran and John McIntire, a Committee duly chosen by the Melrose Orthodox Congregational Society, to act for and in behalf of said Society, of the other part, Witnesseth:
That the said Trustees, in consideration of one dollar to them paid by the said Society, and of the promises of said Society hereinafter mentioned, promise and agree to and with said Society, that they will place the Melrose Town Clock upon the Steeple of the Church be- longing to said Society, and will continue the same upon the said Church, so long as said Society shall keep the promises and agree- ments, hereinafter mentioned, on their part to be performed and kept.
And the said Society hereby promises and agrees to and with the said Trustees, that they may place the said clock upon the steeple of the said Church, and that the said clock shall be and continue the property of said Trustees. Also that they will keep said clock in good running order. Also that they will keep said clock insured, in a sum not less than three hundred dollars, payable to said Trustees, in such office as they shall approve, also that said Trustees, their agent or attorney, shall have the right to enter said church, and remove said clock in case of a breach of any of the above promises or agreements on the part of said Society, provided the same shall not be repaired, within reasonable time, after notice of such breach shall have been given to any officer of said Society. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names on the day and year above written.
JONA COCHRAN. JOHN MCINTIRE. WILLIAM BOGLE. BENJ. F. ABBOTT.
This document bears evidence that the name-Melrose- had been adopted and come into common use, some time before the town was finally incorporated, May 3, 1850.
1 Given me several years ago by Mr. Bogle.
399
CITY HALL, CLOCKS AND SEALS.
This clock did duty until 1858, when the church was remod- elled and enlarged. The Town then bought a new one of the Turret and Marine Clock Co., at a cost of $300, which was placed upon the steeple under similar conditions as the first one had been, the parties being the Town and Society instead of the former Trustees. After a period of ten years' service, this clock was destroyed when the church edifice was burned, February 17, 1869.
The third clock was bought by the Town, April 11, 1870, when $550 was appropriated for a Howard clock to be placed on the steeple of the new Melrose Orthodox Congregational Church, providing that the Society will agree to take care of the same free of expense to the town. The proviso was agreed to at a legal meeting of that Society held in Lyceum Hall, April 14, 1870; and the clock was purchased by the Town, placed thereon, and has since been kept in good running order.
In 1874 the town was favored with another Howard clock, which was placed on the tower of the new Town Hall, by the generosity of the Hon. Daniel Russell. In this tower the Town placed a large and sweet-toned bell; and as this clock keeps most excellent time, we are constantly reminded by its striking that
"Time and the hour runs through the roughest day."
SEALS. At a Town Meeting held March 6, ISS2, it was voted: "That Mr. Thomas G. Fielding, Rev. Albert G. Bale, Alonzo G. Whitman, William Bogle and Elbridge H. Goss, be a committee to consider the matter of providing a design for a Town Seal." On November 15, the Committee reported in favor of a seal which was de- signed by Mr. Fielding, one of the committee, which was FONS ET ORIGO adopted by the Town. Mr. Fielding not only designed it, but he had one made ready for use, and presented it to the Towuof MELROSE. Mass Town; for which he received a RPORATED A D.18508 unanimous vote of thanks.
400
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Its symbolism is explained by Mr. Fielding as follows:
The roses of New England and the thistles of Scotland, in an elaborated circle, is significant of strength and union, as in the motto of the United States, -" E pluribus unum,"-one formed from many parts. The male and female figures, with bee hive between, typify an industrious people. The hat in hand, true politeness and civilization. Rose and book, purity of thought and cultivation of intellect. The motto, " Fons et origo," indicates that the Abbey of the Scottish Melrose is the source and origin of the Town's name. The clasped hands, within the date of incorporation, signify that the citizens of Melrose always give the grip of a true and friendly welcome. The all seeing eye is the industrious man's Overseer, and the rays of light emanating therefrom symbolize His approval when the labor is over and the work well done.
After using this seal for a dozen years, and dissatisfaction with its design having been expressed, a committee on a "New Town Seal " was appointed March 26, 1894, consisting of Levi S. Gould, Edward K. Bordman, George Newhall, Rev. Albert G. Bale, and Elbridge H. Goss. That committee reported a design, which was unique, and of a local and historical charac- ter; but for some reason, the Town did not adopt it. It embodied the date our territory was first explored, 1628, the fact that it was originally a part of Charlestown, 1629, that the name it was first known by, "Pond Feilde," which was given it as early as 1638, as duly recorded in the Charlestown Book of Possessions, that after Malden was incorporated in 1649, it was known as Malden North End, and that it was incorporated as Melrose, in 1850. It had a view of Ell Pond in its centre.
At a Town Meeting held April 11, 1898, the following vote was passed:
That the Moderator be author- ized to fill all vacancies on the Committee for a Town Seal, and that the same report at a meeting this year.
As Rev. Albert G. Bale of that Committee had removed from town, Charles H. Adams was appointed in his place and at a meeting held August 1, Mr. Adams, in behalf of the
PLORED 1628
TOW
CHARLESTOWN 1629
POND FEILDE 1633
MASS. ...
· MALDEN ·
INCOI
NORTH-END 1649
1850
401
CITY HALL, CLOCKS AND SEALS.
committee reported a design for a seal, which did not differ very materially from the one above described, except that the view of the pond was left out of its centre: and the following vote was passed:
JA
AND
UPW
EV
ROSE,
TED, 1850 da
That the report of the committee on town seal be accepted and adopted. and that the town clerk be authorized to procure the seal. That the same be hereafter used upon doc- uments and papers requiring the use of a seal.
When the Board of Water Commis- sioners was organized a seal was made and used by them on the first and second series of water bonds issued. This was from a design suggested by the late Hon. Samuel E. Sewall.
The change from town to city necessitated a change in the official seal; and this was authorized by the Board of Aldermen, January 24, 1900. The inscription of the new embodied the historic points of the old, with an additional ring, in which the words "City of Melrose, In- corporated 1900," were in- serted.
T
0
CI
(PLORED 1628
E
CHARLESTOWN 1629
POND FEILDE 1638
...
· MALDEN ·
NORTH END
1649.
850
INC
OR
AT
D
900.
ED
SE
TO
VC
CHAPTER XXV.
VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
T HE MELROSE SAVINGS BANK. This Bank was chartered in 1872, but owing to the great fire which took place in Boston, November 9, 10, of that year it was not organized for business until October 1, 1874. As has been the town's growth year by year, constantly increasing in population, so has it been with the increase of the deposits in this Bank, from the $17,246.05 which it had at the end of the first year until the present time, July 1, 1902, when the total amount of deposits is $1,020,469.94; and a guaranty fund and interest account of $64,164.59. The present number of depositors is 4,741.
Its first President was Wingate P. Sargent, who served until 1878, when, going to California for a few years, he resigned and was succeeded by the present President, Daniel Russell. Its first Treasurer was George A. Mansfield, who served until October 1, 1875, when he was succeeded by the present Treas- urer, Elbridge H. Goss.
For the first few years the Bank paid its depositors six per centum per annum; then for a short time five per cent .; then until July 1, 1899, four per cent .; from January 1, 1900, to January 1, 1901, three and one-half per cent .; and the last four dividends at the rate of three per cent.
For a number of years the banking room was in the Town Hall. It is now in the Newhall Block, No. 541 Main Street.
The present officers are: Daniel Russell, President; Moses S. Page, Vice President; John Larrabee, Clerk; Elbridge H. Goss, Treasurer; these four with George Hart, Seth E. Benson, Royal P. Barry, William E. Barrett, John W. Farwell, George R. Jones, Charles H. Adams, Decius Beebe and Charles C. Barry, form the Board of Trustees. Finance Committee, Moses S. Page, John W. Farwell and Charles H. Adams. Auditors, John Larrabee and Walter I. Nickerson.
403
VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
THE MELROSE NATIONAL BANK. This was chartered July I, 1892, with a capital of $100,000. The Bank opened for busi- ness July 11, 1892, with Decius Beebe as President and John Larrabee, Cashier. August 1, 1893, Mr. Larrabee resigned and Walter I. Nickerson, the present Cashier was elected to that office. Miss Annie R. Blanchard has been the Teller from the date of its organization. The Bank has paid sixteen semi-annual dividends, the first being July 1, 1895, and all but one of which have been at the rate of five per centum per annum; the exception being four per cent. It has enjoyed a very prosperous business for ten years and now has a surplus and undivided profits amounting to $50,710.
The present Board of Directors are: Decius Beebe, Presi- dent; Seth E. Benson, Vice President; John Larrabee, John P. Deering, Frank Q. Brown, Royal P. Barry, J. Augustus Barrett, Frank L. Washburn, Levi S. Gould, James McIntyre, Charles H. Lang, Jr., Walter H. Roberts, John W. Farwell, John W. Robson and Joseph Remick, Directors.
The Bank has fine quarters in the Y. M. C. A. Building on Main Street.
THE MELROSE CO-OPERATIVE BANK was chartered April 4, 1890, and commenced business April 20, same year. It has an authorized capital of $1,000,000. Its present officers are: Levi S. Gould, President; Jabez S. Dyer, Vice President; John P. Deering, Treasurer; Charles G. Schaedel, Secretary; Seth E. Benson, Aubrey W. Dunton, Horace E. Child, George M. Gray. Stephen A. Lovejoy, Frank R. Upham and Julian C. Woodman, Directors; Charles A. Messenger, Harry W. Knights and John C. Crolly, Auditors.
At the twelfth annual meeting held April II, 1902, a semi- annual dividend of 2 14 per cent. was declared.
Loans are made on first mortgages on real estate, the idea of co-operative banks being primarily to aid people in secur- ing and owning homes, and money is advanced in instalments to build, when desired. Loans are payable in monthly instal- ments, the monthly payment on a $1,000 loan being about $10. Each shareholder may have from one to twenty-five shares, the shares being $1 each per month, or nominally $200 each, SI being deposited upon each share, until with the earnings it amounts to $200, when it is paid in cash.
404
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
POST OFFICES. Before the Boston and Maine Railroad was opened, in 1845, the citizens of North Malden had to go to Malden Centre for all their mail privileges. Soon after this event a change took place, and a Post Master was appointed for the North Malden district in 1846. The first Post Master was George W. Barrett, who was also the first depot master. The Post Office was in the railroad station. The next Post- Master was Hiram Whitney, who established the office in his grocery store, which was then in the block formerly standing where Benson's Block now is, and which was afterwards burned. His successor was Francis Bugbee, and the office was then removed to his store, which stood where nowlis situated the Bugbee & Barrett Block, corner Main and West Foster Streets. Henry A. Norris was his successor and the office was then removed to the old Lyceum Hall building, upstairs.
The next incumbent was Caleb Howard, who established the office on Essex Street. At his death, Miss Mary E. Eastman, his assistant, was appointed to the office. This was in 1869. Miss Eastman died in 1871, and her mother, Mrs. Susan E. Eastman was appointed in her place. She built the building No. 39 Essex Street, prepared it for a post office, and here it remained for many years. In October, 1885, Mrs. Eastman was superceded by William L. Williams, who was appointed Post Master by President Cleveland. After the death of Mr. Williams in 1888, Charles W. Ellison was appointed his suc- cessor. During his administration the system of letter carriers was introduced for mail delivery. Mr. Ellison retained the office until May 1, 1897, when he was removed, and the present incumbent, Alfred Hocking, was appointed by President William McKinley. His commission is dated April 17, 1897, but he did not assume the duties of the office until May I. At the end of his term he was reappointed, in 1901, for four years.
The office remained on" Essex Street until the Burrell & Swett Block was built on Main Street, in 1893. There it re- mamed until the ist of September, 1901, when it was removed to the Barrett Block, next adjoining, which is much better adapted for the proper mail facilities of a growing city. The owner, J. Augustus Barrett, prepared this new office in a most complete and thorough manner. Its appointments for the Post Master and his assistants, and for the letter carriers are of first-class order, and every convenience for the accommodation
405
VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
of the public has been made; and the U. S. Government has entered into a ten years' lease of these new quarters.
In 1874, a Post Office was established at the Melrose High- lands, and John Singer, Jr., was appointed Post Master. It was established in his building on Franklin Street, where it remained until October 25, 1897, when it was made a Station, and W. F. Schooff was appointed clerk-in-charge. April I, 1898, the Melrose Highlands Station, with free delivery, was established, and Mrs. Lillian D. Edmunds was appointed clerk- in-charge. The office is now in Rogers' Block, Franklin Street.
In 1885, a Post Office was established at the Fells, with Charles H. Ormsby as Post Master, with headquarters in the Fells Railroad Station. September 15, 1902, a change was made and the office was established as Station No. 2, with G. Stanley Brown, clerk-in-charge. It is situated on the corner of Goodyear Avenue and Main Street.
April 1, 1901, Station No. I was established in the Crescent Pharmacy Drug Store, on the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Hurd Street, William S. Briry in charge. The free delivery system has now been established throughout our entire City.
STREET RAILROADS. For a quarter of a century the only street railroad cars running in Melrose, was the line built by the Stoneham Street Railroad Company from the Highlands Station, more often in those days called the Stoneham Station, to the Stoneham village, which went into operation about October 1, 1860.
In 1886, the Selectmen voted to allow the company, then known as the East Middlesex Street Railway Company, to extend their rails from the Station through Franklin, Green and Main Streets, to the Malden line; and the first horse car was run over the track October 3, 1887. At the same time permission was given to lay spur tracks from the corner of Main and Franklin Streets to the Wakefield line, and through Howard Street to the Saugus line. This was found to be a very great public convenience, well appreciated and patronized. A few years later, the privilege of erecting poles for the sup- port of the overhead trolley-system having been granted by the Selectmen, the road was electrically equipped from Melrose to Woburn on July 24, 1892; and from Melrose to Chelsea during the season of 1893-94. At this time a double
406
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
track was laid from Mt. Vernon Street to Malden line, thus connecting with the double line through Malden.
May 1, 1893 the East Middlesex Street Railway Company was leased to the Lynn and Boston Railway Company, which originally ran its cars between Lynn and Boston only; but which became a great system, branching out in various direc- tions. In 1896 this company built a loop-road known as the East Side line. It runs from the Wyoming Depot through Berwick, Grove ,Sixth, Laurel, Waverley Avenue, Upham, East, Porter, Main to City Hall, and Essex Streets to the Centre Station, Melrose.
In 1897, the Selectmen granted permission for this company to lay a double track through Main Street, from Porter Street to Malden line near Island Hill, thus making the double track continuous from Porter Street Melrose, to Chelsea. From this point, Porter Street, the single track extended through Green Street to Main Street, at Franklin Square, at the junction of Green, Franklin and Main Streets. Since then a track has been laid from this Square through Main Street to Porter Street, thus completing by this circuit a double track from Franklin Square to Chelsea.
A few years since the whole system came under the control of a Philadelphia syndicate. On the 22nd of July, 1901, the Lynn and Boston Railway Company had spread its branches in so many directions that the old name was given up; and it became the Boston and Northern Railway Company; a change in name only, officers and employees remaining the same.
There are now on the territory of Melrose, railroad tracks, steam and electric, as follows: 1.486 miles electric car lines, double track; 5.814 miles electric car lines, single track; 0.102 miles turnouts; 2,201 miles steam railroad, double track; 5 grade crossings.
During the year 1901, an agreement was made between the Boston Elevated Railway Company, and the Lynn and Boston Street Railway Company-now the Boston and Northern which has resulted in the long talked of, and much desired five-cent fare to Boston. The Elevated was allowed to lay an additional track in Malden, through Salem Street, from Ferry Street to Maplewood Square; thence a single track through Lebanon Street to the Melrose line; and the Boston and Northern is to be allowed to run its cars over the tracks of
407
VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
the Elevated from Causeway Street through the Subway to Scollay Square. This new arrangement went into effect August 17, 1901. For years past it has cost our citizens ten cents to go to Boston on the electrics changing cars at Malden; now they can go from Stoneham line to Scollay Square, Boston, for five cents, and without change of car.
Petitions have been circulated and freely signed, asking the Elevated to extend its tracks from Melrose line through Lebanon Street to the junction of Main and Porter Streets, which will probably be done in the near future.
THE TELEGRAPH. On May 11, 1858, the Atlantic Telegraph Company was granted the privilege of erecting their poles and construct lines through our Town. That Company was after- wards absorbed by the present Western Union.
THE TELEPHONE. In January, 1893, the New England Tele- phone and Telegraph Co. established an exchange headquarters at No. 514 Main Street, for Melrose patrons. For some time previous to that date Melrose subscribers had their service rendered through the Malden exchange.
STREET LIGHTS. Gas was introduced into Melrose in 1860, by the Malden and Melrose Gas Light Company;1 and in 1864 it was used for street lighting purposes, to a limited degree. This was continued for a number of years, the number of lights being increased gradually. A change was made in 1873, and the street lights were furnished by the New England Gas Company, which was succeeded the next year by the Globe Gas Light Company, of Boston, which continued until 1884, when a portion of the street lighting was done by the Wheeler Reflector Company, with kerosene lamps, and a part by the Malden and Melrose Gas Light Company. In 1885, it was all furnished by the last two companies. This continued until 1887, when a contract was made with the Malden Electric
1 The Malden and Melrose Gas Light Company was incorporated in 1854. Its capital stock was then $50,000, and price of gas was $5 per thousand feet. It is now $300,000, and the price is now $1.30 net. Among the early directors were Hon. Daniel W. Gooch and Samuel
O. Dearborn of Melrose. Our rep- resentative on the present board of directors is Seth E. Benson. The company has over one hundred miles of gas main, and supplies the cities of Malden, Melrose, Medford and Everett.
408
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Light Company, at first for 14 arc lights only;2 the next year these arc lights were increased in number, and 40 incandescent lights added; at the same time the Wheeler Reflector Com- pany furnished 151 kerosene lights. In 1892 the oil lamps were abandoned and the town was lighted wholly by electricity by the Malden Company, with thirty arc lights of 1,200 candle power, and 280 incandescent lights. This number of lights was gradually increased until 1902, when the number was fifty- two arc lamps of 2,000 candle power, and 523 incandescent lamps, of twenty-five candle power, at a cost for the year 1901. of $11,966.09. For 1902 a new contract was made with the same company for fifty-two arc lamps at $75 each per month, and 544 incandescent lamps at $15.50 each per montil.
ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT. At the Town Meeting held March 3, 1890, the matter of establishing an electric light plant was debated at length, and resulted in the appointment of the following committee to take the subject into consideration and report at some future meeting: Charles H. Lang, Jr., William A. Smith, George R. Jones, William E. Barrett and George T. Brown. Afterwards Mr. Smith resigned and Levi S. Gould and Walter H. Roberts were added.
In 1891, the Legislature passed an act conferring upon towns and cities authority to manufacture and distribute gas and electricity, and June 22, 1891, the Town voted to accept the same. February 15, 1892, the committee made an exhaustive report in a printed pamphlet which was circulated throughout the town; and at a meeting held March 21, 1892, it was neces- sary to pass another vote similar to that of June 22, 1891, but by use of the check list, which resulted as follows: Yeas 165, Nays 26. This being more than two-thirds of the votes cast, accepted the provisions of the act, and gave the necessary authority to vote an appropriation for the establishment of an
2 The initiatory action for light- ing the streets by electricity was taken at a Town Meeting held March 7, 1887, when a committee consisting of George L. Austin and Julius S. Clark was appointed to report on the matter, which they did April 4, when it was voted: "To adopt the recommendation of the committee in their report, viz:
That the sum of thirty-five hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for lighting the streets of the town, and that the [selectmen be author- ized to expend so much of said sum as will be necessary to main- tain not less than fourteen electric lights in such localities as may in their judgment best subserve the public interest."
409
VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
electric plant; but the motion submitted at the same meeting to authorize the issuance of bonds to the amount of $75,000 for the purpose of establishing this plant, did not receive the necessary two-thirds vote, viz: Yeas 152, Nays 82. Total, 234.
POUNDS-FIELD DRIVERS-FENCE VIEWERS. One of the old Colonial laws, enacted by the General Court in 1645, established the Town Pound: "For prevention and due recom- pense of damages in Corn fields and other inclosures done by Swine and Cattle." From that day to this the institution has been maintained in Massachusetts; and Chapter 36, consisting of 41 sections of the Public Statutes, makes it imperative upon each Town and City to maintain a Pound, and appoint annually a Pound-keeper, Field-drivers and Fence-viewers.
For a year or two in the early days of our incorporation, our Town existed without a Pound, but soon found it necessary to have one, as less care was taken of animals then than now. At a meeting held March 1, 1852, it was voted:
That the Barn Yard of George Emerson be adopted and used as a Pound for the year ensuing, he having consented to have it so used.
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