USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1880 > Part 2
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Amount of Real Estate, May 1, 1879, - 749,311 00
Total, - $995,527 00
Poll tax of one dollar and fifty cents, amounting to nine hun- dred and forty-six dollars and fifty cents, which deducted from the total, leaves fourteen thousand two hundred and thirty-six dollars and four cents, to be raised on property, equaling four- teen dollars and thirty cents on each one thousand dollars of the total valuation.
28
Number of Horses,
-
247
66 Cows, -
314
Sheep, -
-
9
Dwelling Houses,
-
400
Acres of Land, taxable,
20,314
of Females paying tax on Poll,
1
66 66 Property.
60
Amount paid by females, - -
$1.082 33
School District tax, in Dist. No. 8,
$21 56
Valuation, -
35,949 00
Rate per hundred dollars,
06
East Douglas Fire Dist. tax,
$208 32
Rate,
- 31/2 per cent.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
W. D. JONES,
Assessors JAS. H. DUDLEY, of
B. W. ALDRICH, Douglas.
-
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
BIRTHS :
Number recorded 1879, - 72
66 males,
27
66 females,
45- 72
children of native parentage 23
66
66
foreign 42
66
native and foreign parentage, 7- 72
MARRIAGES :
Number "intentions" recorded, -
22
marriages 66
23
Parties resident in Douglas, 66 elsewhere, -
-
30
-
16-
46
First marriage,
-
34
Second 66
9
Third 6 -
3-
Average age of grooms, - 66 66 brides, -
-
33
Native born,
-
-
36 10-
46
DEATHS :
Number recorded males, -
16
66
32 48
Average age,
30
DOGS LICENSED:
Males,
105, at $2 00,
$210 00
-
40 00- $250 00
Females,
8, at 5 00,
-
-
22
Foreign 66
-
T. H. MEEK, Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
chool Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING APRIL 1, 1880.
PRESS OF CHARLES J. BATCHELLER, EAST DOUGLAS, MASS. 1880.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
J. E. CUMMINGS,
Term expires March, 1880.
EDWIN ESTEN,
LEVI WHITE, M. D.,
66
66
1880.
A. E. KEMP, M. D.,
66
66
1881.
W. D. JONES,
66
66
66
1881.
N. W. PRESTON,
66
66
1881.
A. M. HILL,
66
66
66
1882.
E. C. HADLEY,
66
66
66
1882.
A. F. BROWN,
66
66
1882.
66
1880.
,
At the annual meeting of the Committee for the school year 1879-80, the Committee organized by choice of
A. F. BROWN, Chairman. W. D. JONES, Secretary.
.A. F. BROWN, A M. HILL, Superintending Committee.
i :
STATISTICS.
The whole number of children in town May 1, 1879, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 416
Whole number attending school during the year of all ages, 425
Average daily attendance in all the schools, 308++
Whole number attending school under 5 yrs. of age, 14
Whole number attending school over 15 yrs. of age, 40
Whole number attending school between 8 and 14 years of age, 204
Aggregate of months all the schools have been kept during the year, (including High School,) 105
Average number of months the schools have been kept during the year, (including High School,) 8713
Number of male teachers in district schools, 3
Number of female “ "
15
Average wages paid male teachers in district schools per month, $33 33
Average wages paid female teachers per month. 30 33
Town appropriation for district schools, March, 1879, $3,000 00
Unexpended balance last year, 516 59
Dog Fund, -$100. appropriated for library, 101 48 State School Fund, 242 49
Town School Fund, interest, 56 48
Total, $3,917 04
EXPENSE OF DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
Paid teachers' wages, $2,918 00
66 fuel, care of rooms, crayon, etc., 252 64
" . three sets of Monroe's reading charts, 22 75
66 12 sets Swinton's language lessons, 8 42
.
36
Paid black board slating,
$5 00
" books,
9 07
black board erasers,
5 00
Total,
$3,220 88
Balance unexpended March 1, 1880,
$696 16
HIGH SCHOOL.
Appropriation for High School,
$1,000 00
Unexpended balance last year, 165 70
Total,
$1,165 70
Paid teacher's salary for the year,
$900 00
rent of school-room for the year,
100 00
fuel and care of room,
75 49
Total,
$1,075 49
Unexpended balance March 1, 1880,
$90 21
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole number of scholars,
42
34
32
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age,
21
19
18
No. of scholars not tardy,
26
34
32
Length of school in weeks,
12
111/2
DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
DISTRICT NO. 1.
Teacher's wages,
$288 00
Wood and care of school-room, etc.,
26 25
Total cost,
$314 25
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole number of scholars,
49 .
48
Average attendance,
34
40
37
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age, 0
0
0
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age, 1
3
6
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
11
43
40
: :
37
EDWARD F. SIBLEY, Spring Term. Teachers, <
KATE R. SIBLEY, Fall Term. 66 Winter Term.
Prudential Committee : ELMER H. BALCOME, CHANDLER TITUS, GEO. M. WALLIS.
DISTRICT NO. 2.
Teacher's Wages,
$224 00
Wood and care of room, etc.,
20 25
Total cost,
$244 25
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole number of scholars,
17
17
16
Average attendance,
15+
14++
13+
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age, 0
0
0
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age, 0
0
0
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
6
11
7
Teacher,- MARY F. JONES.
Prudential Committee, JAMES PETERS.
DISTRICT NO. 3.
Teacher's wages, Intermediate,
$288 00
66
Primary,
224 00
Wood, care of room, etc.,
49 33
Total Cost,
$561 33
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole no. scholars, Intermediate, 32
29
28
Average attendance,
28+
28+
25++
No. under 5 years,
66
0
0
0
No. over 15 years, 66
0
0
0
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
28
25
25
38
Whole no. of scholars, primary,
38
47
41
No. under 5 years,
0
0
No. over 15 years,
0
0
0
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
33
44
34
Teachers, ( EVVA F. JONES, Intermediate. NELLIE F. ABBOTT, Primary.
Prudential Committee, WM. A. EMERSON.
DISTRICT NO. 4.
Teacher's wages,
$244 00
Wood, care of room, etc.,
16 69
Total cost,
$260 69
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole number of scholars,
14
14
15
Average attendance,
10+
9+
9++
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age, 1
0
0
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age, 3
1
3
Length of school in weeks,
10
12
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
3
5
...
Teachers, ‹
CORA SHERMAN, Spring Term. CARRIE SHERMAN, Fall Term. EMILY A. KING, Winter Term.
Prudential Committee, JESSE. B. SHERMAN.
DISTRICT NO. 5.
Teacher's wages,
$196 00
Wood, care of room, etc.,
9 40
Total cost,
$205 40
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole number of scholars,
6
4
4
Average attendance,
312
3+
3+
39
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age, 0) 0 0
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age, 3
1
2
Length of school in weeks, 8
12
12
No. of scholars not tardy, 4
3
4
Teachers, NELLIE E. LACOUNT, Spring and Fall Terms. HATTIE A. ROBBINS, Winter Term.
Prudential Committee, POTTER. M. BATES.
DISTRICT NO. 6.
No School.
DISTRICT NO. 7.
Teacher's wages,
$222 00
Wood, care of room, etc.,
14 86
Total,
$238 86
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole number of scholars,
18
20
16
Average attendance,
12
15+
11
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age, 0
0
0
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age,
0
0
0
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No of scholars not tardy,
7
7
2
Teacher,- ABBIE E. POTTER.
Prudential Committee, C. W. POTTER.
DISTRICT NO. 8.
Teacher's wages, Wood, care of room, etc.,
$202 00
14 29
Total,
$216 29
40
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole number of scholars,
20
20
20
Average attendance,
17+
16+
16+
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age, 1
1
1
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age, 4
4
5
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
9
17
20
Teachers, (ALICE A. CHANDLER, Spring Term. G. B. SOUTHWICK, Fall and Winter Terms.
Prudential Committee, HARTFORD THOMPSON.
DISTRICT NO. 9.
Teacher's wages, Intermediate,
$288 00
66
Primary,
224 00
Wood, care of room, etc.,
52 22
Total cost,
$564 22
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole no. scholars, Intermediate, 36
35
34
Average attendance,
30+
28+
29+
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age,
0
0
0
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age,
1
1
2
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
18
25
25
Whole no. scholars, Primary,
68
61
54
Average attendance,
45+
50+
47+
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age,
0
2
1
No. of scholars over 15 yrs, of age,
0
0
0
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
39
32
26
Teachers, - L ESTHER S. CHILDS, Intermediate, Spring and Fall.
LOUISE D. HILLYER, 66 Winter Term.
LOREN L. HICKS,
66
Primary,- M. JOSIE LORING.
Prudential Committee, HARLAN P. HUNT.
41
DISTRICT NO. 10.
Teacher's wages, Intermediate,
$288 00
66
66 Primary,
224 00
Wood, care of room, etc.,
43 35
Total cost,
$555 35
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Whole no. scholars, Intermediate, 28
27
22
Average attendance,
24++
23+
16+
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age, 0
0
0
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age,
0
0
0
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
21
15
5
Whole no. of scholars, Primary,
39
41
37
Average attendance,
31++
30-+
24++
No. of scholars under 5 yrs. of age,
6
7
2
No. of scholars over 15 yrs. of age,
0
0
0
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
No. of scholars not tardy,
22
34
29
Teachers, FLORENCE E. BROWN, Intermediate. HATTIE A. BROWN, Primary.
Prudential Committee, ALVIN H. BROWN.
GENERAL REMARKS.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The success of the high school, for the past year, has proved the wisdom of the course pursued by the Committee in contin- uing the school under the same teacher, as for the two pre- vious years. The popularity of Mr. Bowles among our towns- people, as a teacher, and his diligence and efficiency in the school room have not been in the least diminished by his continuing with us another year. The work done in the school room has been thorough and effective, and the results accomplished have been very satisfactory. The average percentage of attendance has been 93 1/3 per cent., a little less than last year. The course of study, adopted last year, has been followed and has proved satisfactory. It may be found necessary hereafter to vary it. in some instances. We continue this year the Roll of Honor,-com- menced last year,-embracing only the names of pupils in the High School who have been neither absent nor tardy for the term, and whose general deportment and scholarship have been com- mendable for the year.
ROLL OF HONOR.
SPRING TERM :
NO. REGISTERED 42. AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE, 40.
Edwin S. Bowen. Hattie G. Abbott.
Arthur C. Hunt. Eunice B. Brown.
Walter E. Heath. Nellie E. Hunt. Effie E. Morse.
Willie M. Lee. Lizzie J. Johnson.
Chauncey C. Potter. Ida M. Johnson.
Mabel F. Mowry.
Iona E. Morrill.
Estella H. Preston.
Delia M. Richardson
43
Lincoln E. Taylor. Carrie A. Kemp.
James R. Wilson.
Charles E. Wallis.
Annie J. Thayer.
E. Josie Manahan. Inie E. Whipple. (26)
FALL TERM :
NO. REGISTERED 34. AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE 31.
Edwin S. Bowen. Nellie E. Hunt.
Effie E. Morse.
Walter E. Heath. Georgie E. Humes.
Estella H. Preston.
Chauncey C. Potter. Lizzie J. Johnson.
Delia M. Richardson
Frank Richardson. Ida M. Johnson.
Dora S. Russell.
Charles E. Wallis.
Carrie A. Kemp.
Mollie E. Simmons.
Hattie G. Abbott.
May F. Kimball.
Annie J. Thayer.
Eunice B. Brown.
Mabel F. Mowry.
Inie E. Whipple.
Emma J. Willis. (22)
WINTER TERM :
NO. REGISTERED 30. AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE 29.
Edwin S. Bowen. Hattie G. Abbott.
Mary A. Wixtead.
Peter Flynn. Eunice B. Brown.
Gertie A. Lamson.
Walter E. Heath. Nellie E. Hunt.
Mabel F. Mowry.
Chauncey C. Potter. Lizzie J. Johnson.
Iona E. Morrill.
Frank Richardson.
Ida M. Johnson.
Effie E. Morse.
James R. Wilson.
Carrie A. Kemp.
Estella H. Preston.
Charles E. Wallis.
May F. Kimball.
Mollie E. Simmons.
Inie E. Whipple. (22)
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY FOR THE YEAR.
Edwin S. Bowen. Eunice B. Brown.
Mabel F. Mowry.
Walter E. Heath. Nellie E. Hunt.
Effie E. Morse.
Chauncey C. Potter. Lizzie J. Johnson.
Estella H. Preston.
Charles E. Wallis. Ida M. Johnson.
Mollie E. Simmons.
Hattie G. Abbott. Carrie A. Kemp. May F. Kimball. (15)
Inie E. Whipple.
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY FOR TWO YEARS. Eunice B. Brown. Carrie A. Kemp. Mabel F. Mowry.
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY FOR THREE YEARS.
Eunice B. Brown.
Dora S. Russell. Kate L. Simmons. Mollie E. Simmons.
May F. Kimball.
44
TARDY MARKS.
SPRING TERM : 25 girls had only 1 tardy mark. 17 boys had only 9 tardy marks.
FALL TERM : 22 girls had no tardy marks. 12 boys had no tardy marks.
WINTER TERM :
21 girls had no tardy marks. 11 boys had no tardy marks.
GRADUATING CLASS. 1880.
MOTTO- "LIVE AND LEARN." COLOR - PINK.
ENGLISH COURSE :
EUNICE BELLE BROWN. EDITH EUDORA HALL.
MABEL FRANCES MOWRY. IONA ELIZABETH MORRILL.
EDWIN SMITH BOWEN.
GENERAL COURSE :
JAMES RIENZO WILSON. LIZZIE JANE JOHNSON.
DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
Allowing the School Committee, who have made one hundred and thirty one visits to the schools of the town, during the year, -and who have visited the schools, more or less for more than thirty years,-to be as good judges of the progress and stand- ing of our schools, as those who have not visited any of them during the year, we should say our schools never stood as well as they stand to-day. We have labored to attain a higher stan- dard of scholarship, a more thorough drill on the fundamental
45
principles of the various branches taught, and more individ- uality on the part of the scholars, that they should learn to think and reason for themselves, instead of being simply parrots, to repeat words and phrases committed to memory. We have required more and better work on the part of teachers, and the results accomplished have, in the main, been satisfactory. Failures there have been, on the part of some of the teachers, but they have been the exception rather than the rule. No teachers should be employed in our schools who have not a natural tact for teaching, coupled with a thorough preparation for the work and a love for the employment. This class of teachers are the ones who have been successful during the past year, and the only ones who are ever successful as school teachers. We believe none others competent to instruct our schools. There always has been, and probably always will be, croukers and sore-heads crying out in newspaper articles and else- where that the former times were better than the present ; and that everything they cannot control is continually going from bad to worse : that any and every deviation from the course pur- sued by their venerable grandfathers is an innovation not to be tolerated ; and, because their narrow vision cannot see the light before them, they vainly argue themselves into the belief "No possible light can exist."
We have purchased. for the use of our Primary Schools, three sets of Munroe's Primary Reading Charts, which have been a great help to the teachers, and of much benefit to the schools. We also placed on the desk of every teacher copies of Swinton's Language Lessons and lessons in Grammar, which have already produced beneficial results. The Committee have also,-with the assistance of two of the teachers, but without expense to the town or scholars,-introduced into two of our schools, (No. 10), text books of different authors, but of the same series, from which the scholars have been required, a portion of the time, to read at sight; without having seen the lessons before they came out to read. This course was adopted as an exper- iment. The teachers, entering enthusiastically into the work and fully carrying out the wishes of the committee in regard to it. have made it a perfect success. We recommend that this course be adopted for the other schools, and that another class
46
of reading matter, outside of the old, stereotyped text-books, that have so long been in our schools, be introduced for our children to read occasionally-some juvenile books and papers full of the live issues and facts of the day.
INDUSTRIAL DRAWING
has been successfully taught in some of our schools, where the teachers have been competent to give instruction therein, with the very best results.
Our School Houses and School Districts remain in statu quo. What we said in regard to them last year will apply equal- ly well now. The school house in Dist. No. 3, very much needs to be altered or enlarged. All the school houses, out of the village, need more or less repair ; a small outlay on some of them is all that is necessary. The schools have been kept un equal length of time, (32 weeks), in all the districts, at an ex- pense within the appropriation ; and about seventy-two dollars, ($72.00) less than last year. The
TRUANT LAWS,
adopted by the town, May 5, 1879, and approved by Hon. Adin Thayer, Judge of the Probate Court, and printed with this re- port, were made operative at the commencement of the Fall Term of our schools, by the appointment of C. Emmons and J. E. Cummings as Truant Officers. So far as the law has been in operation, it has been a decided success. There has been a less number of truants on the street, most of whom have been returned to the school, and, in several instances, their parents have been seen by the truant officers, with beneficial results.
There have been no complaints entered and no arrests made under our truant laws, and the duties performed by the officers, have been rendered free of charge. There is no suitable place provided within the County, where we can send our truant scholars if we should find it necessary to arrest them, and we recommend to the town to unite with other towns in the Coun- ty in requesting the County Commissioners to provide a suita- ble place for the confinement and instruction of truant children.
A. F. BROWN, Superintending Committee. A. M. HILL,
TRUANT LAWS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
WORCESTER, ss. -
Town of Douglas in the County of Worcester, A: D. 1879.
PROVISIONS AND BY-LAWS CONCERNING TRUANT CHILDREN AND ABSENTEES FROM SCHOOL.
Be it enacted by the legal voters of the town of Douglas, in Town Meeting legally assembled, and by authority granted by the Statutes of this Commonwealth, in manner following : to wit :-
The town of Douglas hereby avails itself of the several pro- visions of the statutes of this Commonwealth, now in force relating to habitual truants and absentees from school; and, in pursuance of authority conferred thereby, adopts the fol- lowing By-Laws :-
SECT. 1. It shall be the duty of the School Committee of Douglas, immediately after the adoption of the these By- Laws by the town, and their approval by one of the Justices of the Superior Court, or the Judge of Probate for the Coun- ty of Worcester, at a meeting held for that purpose, to ap- point and fix the compensation of at least two, and not more than three, suitable persons who shall be designated Truant Officers ; who shall hold their offices until the Annual Meet- ing of the School Committee in March, 1880. And at each and every Annual Meeting of the School Committee there- after, they shall appoint and fix the compensation of at least two, and not to exceed three suitable persons who shall be designated Truant Officers.
48
SECT. 2. The Truant Officers appointed under these By-Laws, shall, before making any complaint, or proceeding to act under such appointment, be sworn to the faithful discharge of their duties before some Justice of the Peace of this Com- monwealth : and they shall then under the direction of the School Committee, enquire into all cases arising under these By-Laws, and shall alone be authorized, in case of a violation thereof to make complaint, and carry into execution the judgment thereon.
SECT. 3. It shall be the duty of the Truant Officer, prior to making any complaint under these By-Laws, to notify the truant or absentee from school, and also his (or her) parents or guardian, of the offence committed, and of the penalty therefor ; and, if the Truant officer can obtain satisfactory pledges for the restraint and reformation of the child, he may forbear to prosecute so long as such pledges are faithfully kept.
SECT. 4. It shall be the duty of the Truant officers to keep a full record of all their official acts, and make an annual re- port thereof, in writing. to the School Committee, on or be- fore the twentieth day of February of each year, who shall publish the same with their report.
SECT. 5. The Truant School, established in the city of Wor- cester, is hereby assigned and provided as a suitable place for confinement, discipline and instruction for all cases arising under these By-laws, provided suitable accommodations may be obtained there for that purpose. And if said Institution cannot be obtained for that purpose, then, with the assent of the Board of State Charities, we assign the State Primary School at Monson, as the place of confinement, discipline and instruction of the persons convicted under the provisions of this act. And it shall be the duty of the Truant officers to make all necessary arrangements in regard to a place of con- finement and discipline for persons who may be convicted under these By laws.
SECT. 6. Any child, between the ages of seven (7) and fif- teen (15) years, whose parents or guardians reside in the town of Douglas, convicted under these By-laws of being an habitual truant, or of wandering about the streets or public places of said town, having no lawful occupation or business, not attending school and growing up in ignorance, shall, on conviction thereof, be committed to the Institution of In- struction, mentioned and established in Section five of these By- laws, for such time, not exceeding two years, or fine not ex- ceeding twenty dollars ($20.), as the Justice or Court having
49
jurisdiction, may determine. Any person so committed, may, upon proof of amendment, or for other sufficient cause shown, upon a hearing of the case, be discharged by such Justice or Court.
SECT. 7. All children confined in said Institution of Instruc- tion, under the provisions of these By-laws, shall be, during such confinement, suitably instructed in morals, good beha- vior, arithmetic, reading, writing, and orthography of the En- glish language, geography and the History of the United States, and the School Committee of said town, or said Tru- ant officers, shall make all needful arrangements and provis- ions therefor.
SECT. 8. It shall be the duty of the School Committee, the teachers of the public schools, and the citizens generally, to aid the Truant officers as far as possible in the discharge of their duty.
SECT. 9. Nothing in these By-Laws shall be so construed, as to alter or impair the obligation and duty of teachers, to en- force punctuality and regularity in attendance,and to preserve good order and discipline.
SECT. 10. All cases of truancy within the meaning of these By- laws, may be prosecuted before any Magistrate, or Court, of the County, having jurisdiction of criminal offences commit- ted within said town, but all prosecutions shall be commen- ced within six months from the time of the violation of these By-laws and not afterwards.
SECT. 11. These By-laws shall go into effect immediately after the same shall have been approved by a Justice of the Supe- rior Court, or Judge of Probate for said County.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Douglas qualified to vote in elections and in Town affairs, holden the fifth day of May, A. D. 1879, it was voted to accept and adopt the within mentioned provisions, arrangements and By-laws of the Town of Douglas concerning Truants and absentees from school.
T. H. MEEK, Town Clerk.
WORCESTER, MAY 15, 1879.
I hereby approve of the above By-laws of the Town of Doug- las.
ADIN THAYER, Judge of Probate Court.
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