USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts > Part 36
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Mr. Emerson then lived on Main Street, on the border of Ell Pond. William Newhall was appointed the first Pound Keeper.
April 3, 1854, it was voted to build a Pound behind the En- gine House then standing on Main Street, on land adjoining the Village Cemetery, afterwards moved a few rods nearer the First Baptist Church; nearby stood the hearse house. The amount appropriated for this purpose was $40; but it was built by J. V. Corson for $27. The Committee, George Emerson, John Blake and James M. Thresher, then the Selectmen, received SI each for their services.
Here the Pound remained until the new Central Fire Station was built, when, in 1898, the Engine House and Pound were sold and moved away; and the Pound, although now practical- ly of but little use, was established at the Pratt Farm, and Arthur J. Bonett was appointed Pound Keeper. The other predecessors were Benjamin R. Upham, William Pierce, Thomas McCoubry, D. H. Walker, Henry G. Fields, Samuel L. Walton, W. Truman Howard, Joseph Edwards and Joseph Tyzzer. The present Pound Keeper is Herbert W. Chandler, whose wife, Christie L. Chandler, is matron of the Pratt Poor Farm.
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
STONE CRUSHERS. At Town Meetings held June 2 and September 15, 1890, the Selectmen were authorized to buy the lot of ledge land on Maple Street, near the corner of Vinton, a short distance west of where once stood the " Mountain House " for a stone-crushing plant, and $4,850 was appropri- ated for the same; and in due time the crusher was established and large quantities of rock crushed for street purposes.
This locality proved to be a very unsatisfactory one to the surrounding inhabitants, and after many and continued com- plaints it was voted to remove the same; and in March, 1896, a committee consisting of Moses S. Page, Nathan D. Blake and L. Frank Hinckley was appointed to investigate and re- port concerning a new plant, which they did April 7. This led to the appointment of a special committee of three, John P. Deering, Jonathan C. Howes and Charles W. Cook, to in- vestigate still further and report at a subsequent Town Meet- ing. This committee reported and the matter was referred to the annual Town Meeting in March, 1897. At this meeting, March 15, the Selectmen were empowered to purchase land for a new stone crushing plant at the corner of Linwood Avenue and Sylvan Street, near the Wyoming Cemetery, at a cost of $8,000; and it was voted that the old plant on Maple Street be discontinued.
This new locality proved to be an ideal one for the purpose; remote from the residential portion of the city, and with an abundance of rock for crushing purposes for many years to come. Thus was recognized, by the removal of the noisy crusher, the complaints of the living; caring less, apparently, for the slumbers of the neighboring dead!
DRINKING FOUNTAINS. Besides the two ornamental fountains spoken of under the head of Parks and Boulevards, the Town maintains four public Drinking Fountains, for the benefit of man and beast; one at Wyoming, at the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Hurd Street, one at the corner of Main and Upham Streets-a large stone one, duly inscribed, " Erected A. D. 1884"-one at the corner of Tremont and West Emerson Streets, and one on Franklin Street, near Tremont Street. The new one given by the W. C. T. U. is spoken of elsewhere.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CHARITABLE AND IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS.
T HE MELROSE CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION. This Associa- tion was formed in 1880. Its purpose, as stated in Article II of its constitution was as follows:
The object shall be to inquire into all cases of want or suffering that may be brought to its notice, and to furnish such relief as is required in the opinion of its proper officers. To aid in obtaining employment, and to improve the condition of all destitute persons, in such ways as may seem best in its judgment.
The Town was divided into nine districts, and a director and an associate visiting committee appointed for each. Its first board of officers were: President, Daniel W. Gooch; Vice President, George Emerson; Treasurer, William F. Conant; Secretary, H. A. Staples; Assistant Secretary, Bessie B. Dear- born, and a board of managers, consisting of eight additional members. The membership fee was one dollar per annum. This Association continued its good work for several years. It has been succeeded by
THE MELROSE BOARD OF ASSOCIATED CHARITIES, which was incorporated in 1894. This Society has continued to aid the destitute and suffering in the same manner as its predecessor; its object being, as stated in Article II of its By-Laws:
To relieve and prevent destitution, by rendering prompt, efficient and judicious aid to the deserving, necessitous poor of Melrose ; and to encourage thrift, by endeavoring to cultivate the self-respect and self-reliance of those to whom aid is rendered.
Its first officers were as follows: Curtis C. Goss, President; Daniel Russell and Franklin P. Shumway, Vice Presidents; Charles S. Allen, Secretary; L. Frank Hinckley, Treasurer. With the exception of Secretary, Miss Anna J. Perry having served a portion of the time instead of Mr. Allen, they re-
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
mained the same until the annual meeting of October, 1898, when the following changes were made: Sidney H. Buttrick, President; Mrs. Lafayette Burr, Secretary, and Oscar F. Frost, Treasurer. There is also a Board of eighteen Directors, and a Visiting Committee, consisting of seventeen members. During these twenty-two years these two Societies have been the means of doing an immense amount of good; of accomplishing a most important and benevolent work. Many a case of desti- tution has been relieved; many cases of suffering, unknown to the public, aided and helped over hard places; money aid given; barrels of clothing and supplies distributed. As the the City grows, there is, and will continue to be the same field for beneficent usefulness. Each Thanksgiving Day, a contribution is taken for the benefit of this Association, at the Union services.
MELROSE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. This Association was formed in 1881. Its first general officers were as follows: Hon. Daniel W. Gooch, President; Hon. Samuel E. Sewall, Hon. Daniel Russell, Col. Francis S. Hesseltine, Frank A. Messenger, Walter Littlefield, Nathaniel P. Jones, Vice Presidents; George A. Safford. Secretary, George E. Carr, Treasurer. Article II of its constitution states :
The object of this Association is to awaken and encourage in the community a sentiment and a spirit which will act for the common interest; to create or stimulate in the individual a regard for the eleva- tion and improvement of the community, thereby securing better hygienic conditions in our homes and surroundings ; an improvement of our streets, sidewalks and public grounds ; a protection of natural scenery; and the building up and beautifying the whole town ; and so enhancing the value of its property and rendering it a still more inviting place of residence.
All these objects were successfully accomplished during its active life of six or seven years. Thousand of trees were set out on streets in all parts of the town, well protected by wire netting, and are today of good size, and form delightful shade to all during the hot season, as well as being, in themselves, beautiful and ornamental. Streets and gutters were cleaned and improved, and many other things coming under its juris- diction were done.
As an indication of the activity and usefulness of this Asso- ciation, a few items from the Treasurer's report, for one or two
CHARITABLE AND IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS. 413
of the years of its existence, will testify. In 1886, the sum of $557.72 was contributed by the citizens in membership fees, etc., of which $476.80 were paid for trees and protectors, $30 for filling the large bronze vase at Town Hall with flowers- this vase costing $215.25, was given out of the receipts of former years-$22.50 for clearing up Melrose Common. William A. Rodman, Treasurer. In 1887, the same amount, $557.72, was raised, $297.40 paid for trees and protectors, $60 for trimming trees and $24 for filling the Town Hall vase. Edward K. Bord- man, Treasurer. The balances were used in clearing streets and other necessary expenses.
In this way, this Association performed a very important work, in beautifying and caring for the appearance of our town during its activity, the fruitage of which, the citizens are now enjoying. In all there were over 3,000 trees set out and protected, in the streets in various parts of the town. Much of this work was done while under the presidency of William N. Folsom, with Charles C. Barry as Vice-President and Franklin P. Shumway, Secretary.1
The acceptance of the Park Law passed by the Legislature, and the formation of a Board of Park Commissioners, in 1887, which soon after took charge of the parks and public improve- ments coming under their jurisdiction, superceded the functions of this Association. This organization still exists with Levi S. Gould, President, and Sidney H. Buttrick, Secretary. As there are now no Park Commissioners, it may yet be called upon to do more of its beneficent work.
In the early days when our town was small, perhaps before it was incorporated, a society was formed by a number of our citizens, and under the leadership of Hon. Samuel E. Sewall and Hon. Daniel W. Gooch, it collected funds and caused to be set out many of the large trees now existing on Wyoming Avenue, Cottage, Vinton, Foster and other streets.2
In 1897, the citizens of the Highlands district formed a
1 During the first five years of its history, William D. Serrat was Treasurer for the greater part of the time, and during that time about $1,600 was raised and expended, and over 1,600 trees were set out and protected. Other officers that have done most excellent work in this
Society are Allen C. Goss and Nathaniel P. Jones.
2 Letter from Hon. Levi S. Gould, who remembers attending some of the meetings where funds were solicited for that purpose.
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
similar society, with more comprehensive objects than the older society, but more especially intended to benefit and care for that section of the town. This is called the
MELROSE HIGHLANDS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. Its object as stated in the Constitution is as follows:
This Association is formed to promote the interests of Melrose Highlands, and, acting in harmony with other organizations, to culti- vate good citizenship and further the best interests of the Town of Melrose.
Its officers are: President, Stephen F. Keyes; Vice Presi- dent, Ernest Mendum; Treasurer, William A. Carrie; Secretary, Charles N. Fowler; Directors, Charles M. Cox, Stuart B. Remick, Fred L. Hatch, Joseph A. Hurd and L. Henry Kunhardt.
At its monthly meetings it discusses various subjects that are brought before it under the auspices of the following stand- ing committee: Parks and Shrubbery, Legal and Legislation, Schools and Schoolhouses, Rapid Transit and Railroads, Streets, Sidewalks and Crossings, Sewers and Water Supply, Gas and Electric Lighting. This Association existed a number of years, doing good work in its various departments, but at the present time is not active, although still organized.
THE BOARD OF TRADE, was organized February 13, 1900, with Oscar F. Frost as its first President. It now has a mem- bership of 150, composed largely of our local business men. Article II of the Constitution:
The object of the Board of Trade shall be to foster, encourage and develope the mercantile and manufacturing interests of Melrose, to collect, preserve and circulate useful information concerning the city, its trade, industries and advantages; to obtain fair and equitable rates of freight and improved passenger service to and from Melrose, and to prevent, if possible discrimination in favor of other places ; to strive with united effort to increase the wealth, industries, trade, influence and population of the city.
Besides the banquet given to the City Government and guests, May 2, 1900, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the incorporation of the Town, it holds an annual one in May. Its present officers are: President, Edwin S. Small; Vice Presi- dents, Herbert J. Perry and Victor A. Friend; Secretary, John J. Keating; Treasurer, L. Frank Hinckley, and it has an Executive Committee of fifteen.
CHAPTER XXVII.
ANNIVERSARIES.
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
0 N THE 12th of Febuary, 1900, the Board of Aldermen ap- pointed a committee consisting of His Honor, Mayor Levi S. Gould, and Aldermen Charles J. Barton, Chair- man, Edwin S. Small, John E. Marshall, Andrew J. Burnett, George E. Berry and Eugene H. Moore, to make arrangements for the proper celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Melrose, May 3, 1850. An ap- propriation of $500 was made for the purpose.
After various meetings an interesting programme of festiv- ities was arranged for the occasion; but owing to the prevalance of a very severe storm on that day none of the contemplated events took place, but were postponed, with added features, to July 4, 1900.
On the evening previous to the anniversary, May 2, a very enjoyable and successful banquet was given by the Board of Trade, in City Hall, to the members of the City Government and their invited guests. The Hall was handsomely decorated and plates for three hundred and eighty guests were laid by Caterer Jesse A. Dill. On the stage, embellished with ferns and potted plants was stationed Littlefield's orchestra, which discoursed most excellent music for the occasion.
Previous to the banquet an informal reception for the invited guests, was held in the aldermanic chamber.
The invited guests of the Board of Trade were as follows: Lieutenant Governor, Hon. John L. Bates; Secretary of the Commonwealth, Hon. William M. Olin; Captain N. Mayo Dyer; President of the Senate, George E. Smith; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. James J. Myers; Repre- sentative and Mrs. Charles H. Adams; Rev. and Mrs. Thomas J. Horner; Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Barry; Mr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Elbridge H. Goss, and the City Government, Mayor Levi S. Gould and the twenty-one Aldermen with their wives.
The invited guests of the City Government were: Hon. Francis Bigelow and Hon. Samuel O. Upham, County Com- missioners; John A. Fairbairn, Sheriff; Hon. Charles L. Dean, Mayor, Winslow B. Southworth, President of the Board of Aldermen, and William A. Hastings, President of the Common Council, of Malden; Hon. Lewis H. Lovering, Mayor, Charles S. Baxter, President of the Board of Aldermen, and Charles G. Browne, President of the Common Council, of Medford; Hon. Charles C. Nichols, Mayor, Charles Bruce, President of the Board of Aldermen, and Albert Downing, President of the Common Council, of Everett; W. S. Keene, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, of Stoneham; Wesley Paul, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of Saugus; and Richard Stout, Chair- man of the Board of Selectmen, of Wakefield.
A very neat menu was prepared, containing on its first page a view of City Hall, on its second the names of the special guests and other speakers, on the third the menu, and on the fourth the officers of the Board of Trade: Oscar F. Frost, President; Edwin S. Small and Herbert J. Perry, Vice Presi- dents; L. Frank Hinckley. Treasurer; Victor A. Friend, Secretary.
Divine blessing was invoked by Rev. Thomas J. Horner.
At half past eight o'clock the assembly was called to order, and President Frost welcomed the guests in a very appropriate manner, briefly stating the purpose and work of the Board of Trade, which had then been organized less than three months, and had a membership of sixty. He invited all citizens of Melrose to join, and help the Board of Trade to make Melrose one of the best cities in the Commonwealth. He then intro- duced Mr. Elbridge H. Goss, as the historian of Melrose, to serve as the Toastmaster of the occasion.
The toasts, responses, speeches and letters of this banquet . are given quite at length in the volume issued as a memorial of this Fiftieth Anniversary, entitled: Melrose: Town and City, published by Charles H. Adams, pp. 26-34.
THE IOOTH ANNIVERSARY. There is on deposit in the Melrose Savings Bank a special fund, which, with its accumu- lations, is to be used for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Melrose, May 3,
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ANNIVERSARIES.
1950. This was a balance of $7.50 remaining from the celebra- tion of July 4, 1876, the "Centennial Fourth," and now amounts to $20.35.
MALDEN'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY. The Town of Malden was incorporated May 2, 1649. On the 20th, 21st, 22d and 23d of May, 1899, the 250th anniversary of its incorporation was celebrated by the City of Malden; $17,500 being appropriated for its expenses. The City of Everett, formerly South Malden. and the Town of Melrose, formerly North Malden, were invited to join with Malden in the celebration.
At a Town Meeting held December 12, 1898, the following action was taken:
Resolved, That the citizens of Melrose, in town meeting assembled. accept the cordial invitation of the City of Malden, to join with them in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of its incorporation as a town, on the 22d and 23d days of May, 1899, and it is therefore
Voted, That a committee of nine, including the moderator of this meeting, be appointed by the moderator, to meet with the committee of the city of Malden to make such arrangements as may be necessary to co-operate with them in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of its incorporation as a town.
In accordance with this vote the following gentlemen were appointed to serve on this committee:
Levi S. Gould, Sidney H. Buttrick,
George R. Jones, Charles H. Adams,
Elbridge H. Goss, John Larrabee,
B. Marvin Fernald,
Stephen F. Keyes,
Willis C. Goss.
At a Town Meeting held May 8, 1899, $500 were appointed to enable the committee to make proper arrangements for participation in this celebration, an enabling act having been passed by the Legislature authorizing the Town to make such an appropriation for this especial purpose, said act being approved April 22. The members of the committee voted unanimously to defray their own expenses; the appropriation to be used only for music, engine companies, carriages for veteran soldiers and firemen, cavalcade, floats, etc., to take part in the grand parade at Malden on the 23d of May.
On that day the Melrose Division, No. 6 in the procession . formed at the Town Hall at 9 a. m. and marched to Malder . It was composed of the following features:
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Walter C. Stevens, Marshal. Harry Stevens, Chief of Staff. Aids:
-
James B. Dillingham, C. Andrews Fiske,
Frank M. Mclaughlin, Albert H. Fuller,
Frank R. Upham. Municipal Band of Boston, twenty pieces.
Banner Representing the Town Seal; reverse, "City of Melrose, 1900." Cavalcade of twenty-four uniformed men. Indian Chief, Frank J. Ryder, mounted.1 Board of Selectmen, in landau:
Sidney H. Buttrick, L. Frank Hinckley,
Jonathan C. Howes, Charles J. Barton.
250th Anniversary Committee in a drag drawn by four black horses. Melrose Fife and Drum Corps.
Old Endeavor Engine No. 3,2 manned and drawn by thirty- six men from Capt. James B. Dillingham's " Provisional Mili- tary Company," now in firemen's uniform, under command of Frank W. Lynde.3 This was followed by a carriage containing five veteran firemen who attended the 200th Anniversary Cel- ebration of Malden, in 1849; they were members of the 1 The dress worn was the full and by him given to the late Maj. snit of the Indian Chief "Red Wilbur D. Fiske.
Cloud," who presented it to Col. 2 Bought by Malden in 1846 for
Seymour, then with Gen. Custer, the North Malden precinct.
3 The names of these thirty-six men were as follows :
Frank W. Lynde, Foreman, J. Clifford Hills, Assistant Foreman,
Abbott, E. Guy, Armstrong, Charles E., Aylward, Patrick,
Avery, Lester,
Bishop, Lewis O.,
Black, Charles E.,
Black, John A.,
Blades, James W.,
Boothby, Asa A.,
Cass, Albert H., Cole, Edward C., Drown, Frank B.,
Drown, Walter E., Emerson, Carl S., Foster, Verdi C.,
French, Alfred H.,
Geyer, Julins,
Green, Harry,
Harrison, William H.,
Haven, Harry E.,
Heaton, Lewis B.,
Ifills, James W.,
Laraviere, Eugene, Leisk, John A.,
Mellen, William E .. Mitchell, F. C.,
Muse, James,
Ramsey, Alric, Robertson, Henry, A., Rodgers, Fred H.,
Upham, Charles E., Wood, Charles E., Vaughn, William.
Worth, Ross,
The Hills, Lynde, and Upham, were direct descendants of Thomas Lynde, Joseph Hills, John Wayte and Phineas Upham, prominent among the first settlers of Malden.
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ANNIVERSARIES.
company that drew the " Old Endeavor" in the procession at that time:
Samuel Ellison, age ninety years.
Freeman Upham, age eighty-seven years.
James G. Emerson, age eighty-two years.
Abel Willis, age eighty-one years.
William H. Wells, age sixty-six years.
Melrose Fire Department, A. Wilbur Lynde, Chief Engineer.
Steamer No. I, and Hose Carriage No. I, accompanied by twenty-six firemen.
Veterans of U. S. Grant Post 4, G. A. R., George P. Marsh, Commander, in barge " Mayflower."
Veterans of the Spanish-American War, in barge.
Cambridge Drum Corps.
Float furnished by the Melrose Highlands Improvement Association representing the "North Malden Minute-Men of 1775, going to the Lexington and Concord Fight." This float represented the seventeen North Malden men -- among whom were Lyndes, Barretts, Spragues, Howards, Vintons, Grovers, Uphams-who responded to Paul Revere's alarm. They were dressed in Continental costumes of great variety; some being in their shirt sleeves, others in long coats, and all armed with the old-fashioned flint-lock muskets with powder-horns. The old plow carried on the float was in use over a hundred years ago.
This was a very interesting feature of the occasion, and was pleasingly represented by the following gentlemen, under the command of Charles M .. Cox; Joseph A. Hurd, George W. Burke, Francis A. Smith, Charles N. Fowler, Fred W. Smith, Charles F. Reed, Frank N. Bemis, Roswell W. Sawyer, Roland R. Morton, Albert F. Tucker, Bert A. Hurd, George Palmer, Daniel H. Howie, Carl Robinson and Charles H. Tabbut.
Styles of locomotion: Yoke of oxen, with drag loaded with timber, emblematic of the logs cut on our territory, and drawn from North Malden in 1796-7, by Unite Cox-a Revolutionary soldier -- with which to build the U. S. Frigate Constitution, "Old Ironsides."
As in contrast, it was intended to have the automobile carriage belonging to Rufus W. Smith; but, owing to the inability to regulate the speed with that of the procession, that feature was necessarily withdrawn.
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
The cost of the part taken by Melrose in this parade was $497.60; thus leaving an unexpended balance in Town Treas- ury of $2.40.
One of the features of this celebration, was a " Historic Loan Exhibition," which took place May 22d, 23d and 24th, in the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. Building on Pleasant Street, under the direction of a committee of seventeen, of which Frank E. Woodward was Chairman. Besides the general committee, Honorary Members were appointed from Malden, Melrose and Everett; two from Malden, six from Melrose and six from Everett. The committee from Melrose, appointed by the Malden Committee, consisted of the following persons: Elbridge H. Goss, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, Levi S. Gould, Miss Mary E. Upham, John Larrabee and Mrs. Harriet E. Page.
The collection of portraits and antiquities pertaining to the three municipalities of Malden, Melrose and Everett was very extensive, interesting and unique; consisting of 1081 items, which were described, with the contributors' names, in a handsomely illustrated catalogue.
Some of the other features in connection with this Anniver- sary, were those that took place in the Jubilee Building erected for this occasion, on Pleasant Street. Exercises by the school children on Saturday, the 20th; religious exercises Sunday, the 2Ist; literary and musical exercises on the afternoon of Monday, the 22d, with address by Deloraine P. Corey, Chair- man, and President of the Day; oration by Hon. Arthur H. Wellman; ode by Dr. J. Langdon Sullivan and poem by Rev. Theron Brown; promenade concert and ball in the evening; and in the evening of Tuesday, the 23d, the grand banquet, at which nearly nine hundred persons were present, Melrose being represented by a goodly number. Addresses were made by Gov. Roger Wolcott, Speaker John L. Bates, Congressman Ernest W. Roberts, Mayor Charles L. Dean, Ex-Mayor Elisha S. Converse and others. Each guest received a souvenir plate, made for the occasion by Josiah Wedgewood & Sons, England, of which the following is a representation. It is a very hand- some memento of this celebration.
The centre of the plate is occupied by a view of the Converse Memorial Building, which contains the Malden Public Library.
Below this view is a copy of the record of the incorporation
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