USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1891 > Part 2
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18 17
500 00
July 23, '79.
Louisa Jarvis,
6 62
100 00
Oct. 19, '74.
Chandler Titus,
6 01
135 00
Oct. 7, '79.
Mrs. Michael Roberts,
12 04
375 00
Oct. 1, '83.
Dennis Quinn, paid by Major Benson,
1 80
200 00
Apr. 22, '82.
Mitchael Auger,
15 40
300 00
June 17, '69.
Chandler Titus,
7 35
340 00
Aug. 6, '83.
T. M. Remington,
6 80
200 00
June 26, '83.
Mary J. Murphy,
50 33
500 00
Apr. 19, '80.
Phoebe E. Johnson,
22 25
333 00
Mch 24, '85.
Allen Buxton,
5 60
100 00
Apr. 30, '85.
John Lebeau,
10 00
200 00
Nov 29, '86.
Abby Thayer,
4 55
300 00
Aug 19, '78.
Russell M. Peters,
7 95
250 00
Oct. 24, '78.
Lovell Southwick,
19 29
158 50
May 21, '68.
Mrs. Johanna Rawson,
9 30
200 00
May 1, '78.
Julius and Matilda Rivers,
20 00
400 00
June 4, '86.
Amos. G. Yates,
6 65
150 00
Sept. 5, '83.
Mrs. Wellington Balcome,
3 65
125 00
Oct. 16, '67.
Potter M. Bates,
3 35
150 00
Mar. 5, '81.
S. H. Starr,
5 92
100 00
Feb. 15, '66.
Alfred and Mary Reynolds,
81
325 00
Feb. 18, '86.
Chas. H. Hilton.
40
200 00
Feb. 18, '85.
Aaron Aldrich,
31 67
500 00
Mar 20, '88.
Margaret Brown,
17 00
300 00
Sept 15, '88.
Joseph Lebeau,
11 00
400 00
Sept 23, '88.
Frank Duval,
6 66
350 00
Nov 22, '88.
Edwin C. Esten,
4 16
350 00
Dec 16, '89.
Lewis Terrier,
5 00
400 00
Feb. 15, '89.
Sarah Paine,
12 50
200 00
Mar. 1, '90.
Smith Sherman,
18 00
300 00
May 10, '90.
Herbert L. Sherman.
21 02
350 00
July 30, '90.
Cook Allen,
12 25
350 00
Jan. 24, '90.
Salina Casey,
2 83
500 00
$787 20 $15,816 50
31
Notes due the town March 1, 1891, Accrued interest, Cash in hands of Agent.
$15,816 50
787 20
2,122 11
Value of the Devise, March 1, 1891,
$18,725 81
Net gain for the year,
681 61
All of which is respectfully submitted,
CHAS. W. POTTER, Agent.
REPORT OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT
ON THE Expenditures on Roads and Bridges FOR THE Year Ending Feb. 28, 1891.
The following prices have been paid for labor :
Superintendent,
20 cts. per hour.
Superintendent's horse,
5
Man,
15
Boy,
1 horse and cart,
1212
2 horses and cart,
20
Oxen,
17 12
4 horses on road machine,
60
Driver on road machine,
20
Amount of money expended each month :
April,
$665 40
May,
629 91
June,
89 72
July,
31 74
August, -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
158 56
November,
135 20
December,
-
-
-
4 40
Februrary,
-
-
25 80
-
-
356 88
September,
52 21
October,
-
-
-
$2,149 82
33
Asahel Fitts, labor on
highway 107h. . 16 05
Asahel Fitts, horses and cart 75h. 15 00
Asahel Fitts, horse and cart 4h. 50
Lewis, 15h. 2 25
Levi Darling, 45h. 6 75
R. Darling, 8h. 20
R. Darling, 2 horses and
cart 8h.
1 60
Thomas Murphy, 10h.
1 50
Timothy Wixtead, 279h.41 85
E. T. Thayer, 591/2, 8 92
E. T. Thayer, 2 horses and cart 691/2, 13 90
L. A. Thayer, 10h. 1 50
L. A. Thayer, 2 horses and cart 10h. 2 00
M. Hollis, 5h. 75
N. G. Dudley, 15613h. 23 45
N. G. Dudley, 1 horse and cart 321/2h. 4 06
Chas. S. Dudley, 104h. 15 59
Andrew Roberts, 1234h. 1 92
C. F. Rawson, 1112h.
72
Perry Bryant, 62h.
9 60
Brigham Morse, 1672h. 2 48 Elijah Bigelow, posts and rails, 50
Loren Stockwell, 64h. @ 60
Loren
Stockwell,
2
horses on cart 44h. 8 80
Loren
Stockwell,
2
horses on machine
20h.
5 00
Lewis Stockwell, 15h. 2 25
George Belavance, 20h. 3 00
James Peters, 172h. 25 80 James Peters, 2 horses and cart 152h. 30 40
James Peters, 2 horses on road machine 20h. 5 00
U. I. Peters, 179h.
26 85
Oliver Roberts, 40h. 6 00 James K. Peters, 140h. 21 00 Moses Taft, 20h. 3 00 Richard Jogerson, 7h. 1 05 O. J. Peters, 8h. 1 20
H. D. Wallis, 227h. 34 05
Peter Jarvis, 12h. 1 80
Geo. M. Wallis, 103h. 15 45 George Brown, 5212h. 7 88 Warren Mowry, 5h. 75
Wm. Amidon, 281/2h. 2 00 J. Thompson, 16212h. 24 37
Charles Hilton, 30h.
4 50
Wm. S. Jillson, 88h.
13 20
Wm. S. Jillson, 2 horses and cart 43h. 8 60
Wm. S. Jillson, 2 horses
on road machine 40h. 12 00 H. D. Wallis, 1 horse and cart 20h. 2 50
G. C. Dudley, 45h.
8 75
G. C. Dudley, 2 horses on road machine 40h. 12 00 Silas Dudley, 1 pair oxen 1h. 17
W. L. Church, 962/3h. 14 50 W. L. Church, 1 pair oxen 75h. 13 12
W. L. Church, 2 horses and cart 21/2h. 50
John L. Flagg, 85h.
13 75
Jason Wade, 75h.
11 25
W. J. Wellman, 35h.
5 25
Lewis Peck, 35h.
5 25
O. F. Chase, 93h.
13 95
O. F. Chase, 1 pair oxen
281/2h.
4 90
O. F. Chase, 2 horses
781/2h.
16 60
Henry Chase, 51h.
7 65
Edrastus Chase, 49 12h. 7 42} Alfonso Chase, 912h. 1 42} Collins Chase, 1 pair oxen 20h. 3 50
34
Smith Sherman, 37 12h.5 62} Smith Sherman, 1 pair
oxen 27h. 4 721
Sewell Chase, 7712h. 11 62}
Sewell Chase, 1 pair
oxen 281/2h. 4 91
Myron B. Chase, 69h. 10 35
Orson Chase, 2312h.
2 573
Edward Chase, 9h
1 35
Elisha Thompson, 25h. 3 75
J. A. Richardson, 196 1/2h. 29 47
J. A. Richardson, 1 pair oxen 81h. 13 62
J. A. Richardson,
2
horses and cart 157h. 31 40
A. J. Dudley, 38 1/2h.
5 78
A. J. Dudley, 1
pair
oxen 381/2,
6 74
A. J. Dudley, 2 horses
and cart 10h.
2 00
Edward Balcome, 246h. 36 90
W. Balcome, 54h. 8 10
Will Balcome, 58h.
8 70
Joseph Arnold, 148h. 22 20
Charles Griffin, 52h}.
7 87
George Roberts, 40h.
6 00
George Roberts, 1 pair
oxen 40h.
7 00
Daniel Rodgers, 25h. 3 75
J. M. Parker, 19h.
2 85
Henry Arnold, 76h. 11 40
Frank Norwood, 25h.
3 75
William
Buxton, 100
1/2h.
15 07
George Fairfield, 10h. 1 50
William Pillion, 57h.
8 55
James Dermody, 7h.
1 05
B. L. Morse, 18h. 2 70
B. L. Morse, 1 horse
and cart 181/2h. 2 30
D. A. E. Wallis, 44h.
6 60
D. A. E. Wallis,
1
horse and cart 5312h. 6 67
H. A. Walker, 841/2h. 12 67 H. A. Walker, 1 pair oxen 44h. 7 71
S. P. Rawson, 74h.
11 10
S. P. Rawson, 2 horses
and cart 74h
14 80
Pliny Richardson, 44h. 6 60
Wellington Southwick,
831/2h.
12 52
C. F. Russell, 5912h.
8 92
J. W. Smith, 52h.
7 80
J. W. Smith,
1
pair
oxen 59h.
10 32
Aaron Aldrich, 21%h. 3 22
W. H. Wellman, 254
1/3h.
38 46
W. H. Wellman,
1
horse and cart 203
1/2h,
25 50
A. F. Jones, 771/2h.
11 63
A. F. Jones, 1 horse
and cart 77 1/2.
9 71
Lafayette Taft, 15h.
2 25
Lafayette Taft, I horse
and cart 15h.
1 88
E. G. Paine, 135h.
20 25
E. G. Paine, 1 horse
and cart 27h.
3 40
Robert Hannant, 110h. 16 50
George Peck, 11/2h.
20
Charlie, 90h.
13 50
James Curran, 15 14.
2 28
Charles Maynard, 38
1/2h.
5 80
H. W. Smith, 1071/3h. 16 11
L. M. Hannant, 70h.
10 50
L. M. Hannant, 1 horse and cart 8h. 1 00
A. Putnam, 10h. 1 50
W. S. Reynolds 30h.
4 50
Frank Roberts, 5h.
75
William Dooley, 8912h. 13 42
J. Wixtead, 107 1/2h.
16 12
Will Rixford, 65h.
13 00
35
Will Rixford, 4 horses
on road machine 65h. 39 00 Elijah B. Paine, 25h. 3 75
Fielder Converse, 51h. 7 65 F. Converse, 1 horse and cart, 46h. 5 72
J. B. Sweet, 312h.
46 70
J. B. Sweet, 2 horses
and cart 223 12h.
44 70
J. B. Sweet, 1 horse and cart 1871/2h. 23 42
C. Ladou, 7912h.
11 92
George
Seymore, 31
1/2h.
4 72
Frank Allen. 31h. 4 65
H. A. Atwood, 195h.
29 25
Joseph Taylor, 3712h. 5 62
W. O. Sweet, 5h. 37
John P, Otis, 1 horse and cart 108h. 13 46
John P. Otis, 141h. 21 14
A. Laflo, 30h.
2 40
John Signett, 38h. 5 70
Bluejay, 10h.
75
Frank Morarty, 16712h.25 12 Lewis Signett, 8012h. 10 05
George Morarty, 38h. 5 70
L. A. Buffum, 709h. 141 80 L. A. Buffum, horse and buggy 122h. 6 10
L. A. Buffum, 1 horse and cart 66h. 8 23
Willard Whipple, 155h. 23 24
Willard
Whipple,
1
horse and cart 102}h. 12 80
H. C. Belding, 21}h. 3 22
Willard
Whipple,
2
horses 2h.
40
Daniel Buffum, 1 pair oxen 35h. 6 12
Fred Gillett, 35h. 5 25
Cornelius Shea, 22h.
3 30
Nelson Jefferson, 7h.
1 05
M. B. Hathaway, 22h. 3 30
Theodore Hall, 10h.
1 50
Theo. Hall, 2 horses
and cart 10h.
2 00
Chas. Burlingame, 8h.
1 20
Elmer Gould, 4h.
40
Will Wight, 9h.
1 35
Willington Young, 7h. 35
Willington Young,
1
horse and cart 7h. 87
V. T. Esten, blasting rocks in highway, No. of rocks, 259, No. of feet, 221} @ 50c. 110 53
Drilling posts, 50
H. D. Wallis, spikes, 27
H. D. Wallis, 175ft.
plank,
2 80
Frank Amidon, repair- ing tools, 45c. gravel, $1.45, 1 90
Silas Dudley, gravel,
90
Wm. S. Jillson, dyna-
mite fuse and caps,
1 20
W. E. Jones, dynamite,
50
W. L. Church, 3 sleep- ers, $3.00, 500 ft. plank $7.50, 10 50
James Peters, repairing tools 60c. 8 poles, $2 00, 2 60
758 ft. plank, $13.64,
5
bridge stringers,
$12.50,
26 14
J. A. Richardson, 881ft.
plank, $14.09, 30 lbs.
spikes, $1.05, 5 lbs.
wire nails, 20c.
15 34
C. W. Brown, repairing tools, 30
Brigham Morse, Gravel, 3 45 W. H. Wellman, repair- ing tools, 50
gravel,
3 50
Daniel Phillips, gravel, 1 55
36
A. J Thayer, gravel, 1 40
A. F. Brown, gravel, 7 35
W. R. Wallis, 4725 ft. hard pine plank, @ 32c. per M. 151 20
W. R Wallis, 210ft. spruce, 2×6 @ 20c. per M., for Lovett bridge, 4 20
N. G. Dudley, powder, caps and fuse, 2 24
G. A. Gleason, repair- ing road machine, $1.50, irons for cul- vert, 55c., making
guide boards, $1.00, 3 05 V. M. Aldrich, spikes and nails, 6 00
Geo. L. Dodge, paint- ing guide boards, 1 50
A. F. Jones, posts and rails, $3.50, labor, $2.50, 6 00
C. W. Potter, 1 gravel pit of 14 acre, 25 00
L. A. Buffum, gravel,
4 00
Suel Logee, repairs on
road machine,
6 50
· A. F. Jones, gravel, 5 00
$2,149 82
Appropriation, 2,500 00
Balance,
$350 18
Respectfully submitted,
The above report of expen ditures includes about $300. expended on bridges, also, cost of gravel pit, repairs on road machine, railing, and all other expenses connected with repairs on highways and bridges during my term of office.
Road tools on hand Feb. 28, 1891.
2 road machines and 3
bush scrapers,
$320 00
2 side scrapers, 1 00
1 swivel plough, 00
1 long chain, 2 25
1 stone sledge, 2 50
1 hoe, 25
2 steel bars, 3 00
2 iron rakes, 75
5 stone pickers, 1 50
5 snow shovels, 3 00
19 spades, 3 00
13 picks, 6 00
1 post spade, 50
1 pick handle and 1 rake handle, 25
$350 00
L. A. BUFFUM, Supernitendent.
Supplimentary Report.
Making snow roads, 1890.
H. D. Wallis, 5h.
75
Silas Dudley, 23h. 37
William S. Jillson, 5h. 75
Lewis Titus, 3h. 45
William S. Jillson, 2
F. R. Caswell, 3h. 45
horses, 5h. 1 13 N. S. Caswell, 3h. 45
37
Silas Dudley, oxen 23h, 50
Geo. M. Wallis, 2h. 30
F. A. Wellman, 5h. 75
F. A. Wellman, 2 horses 5h. 1
12
James Peters, 5h.
75
James Peters, 2 horses ɔ̃h. 1 12
U. J. Peters, 5h. 75
Henry Chase, 10h. 1 50
O. J. Peters, 5h. 75
W. H. Parker, 5h. 75
S. P. Rawson, 5h.
75
W. H. Parker, 4 horses 5h. 2 12
S. P. Rawson, 2 horses 5h. 1 12
Gus. C. Dudley, 5h.
75
E. T. Rawson, 12h. 80
E. T. Rawson, oxen 12h. 2 40
$31 20
John M. Rawson's Bill.
1890.
Mar. 1. 9 hours labor, $1 80
E. T. Rawson, 9 hours, 1 36
oxen 9 hours,
80
Drain pipe for walk,
60
Spikes,
30
13. E. T. Rawson, 8 hours, 66 oxen 8 hours, -
1 60
1 day's labor,
2 00
112 ft. railing at Lower Village, Supplies and repairs on Machine,
-
1 56
18. 2 days to Boston on Depot St.
4 00
l fare to Boston and return,
2 10
22 34 day's labor,
1 50
28. E. T. Rawson, 71/2 hours,
1 12
8
1 20
8 hours labor,
60
29 5
and horse, -
1
25
31. 5
66
25
Collecting tools,
1 25
Housing 2 road machines,
8 00
N. S. Caswell, 2 horses 3h. 67
T. J. Murphy, 3h. 45
V. T. Esten, 10h. 1 50
A. W. Smith, 10h. 1 50
E. E. Chase, 10h. 1 50
Collins Chase, 4 oxen 10h. 4 00
$39 32
The expenditures set forth as above, were made pre- vious to my appointment of Superintendent.
L. A. BUFFUM, Superintendent.
-
3 84
1 20
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Report of Treasurer.
1890.
DR.
Mar.
1. Cash in Treasury,
$309 43
31. Rec'd 6 mo. int. on Wilson mortgage,
3 00
June 4. 66
Librarian, catalogues and fines,
98
Sept. 3.
66 66
2 79
22. Dog Fund,
273 11
Feb. 28.
Librarian, 66
3 45
$594 47
CR.
1890.
May 5.
Paid rebinding books and freight, $19 50
June 4. Mrs. A. L. Buffington, librarian, 12 50
Cleaning library room, 50
Numbering and cataloguing books,
50
Aug. 18.
Books,
9 00
Sept. 3.
Mrs. A. L. Buffington, librarian,
12 50
Dec. 5.
66 12 50
Housing wood, 25
1 71
Dec. 2. 66
39
1891. Feb. 28. Mrs. A. L. Buffington, librarian, 12 50
Books and freight, 219 79
Addendas, 4 50
Expresses on Public Documents,
1 25
Cash with Town Treasurer,
289 18
$594 47
C. J. BATCHELLER, Treasurer.
Report of Librarian.
Whole number of books in Library,
1652
issued during the year
5,970
Average number issued per week,
124+
Amount of fines due from Mar. 26, 1890, to Mar. 1, 1891,
$6 58
Balance of fines Mar. 1, 1890,
15 27 .
$21 85
Amount collected for fines,
$7 68
Rec'd from sale of catalogues,
1 25
Paid over to Treasurer,
$8 93
Amount collected for fines,
7 68
Balance due Mar. 1, 1891,
$14 17
MRS. A. L. BUFFINGTON, Librarian.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
Births.
Whole number,
53
males,
34
females,
19
53
foreign parentage,
-
28
mixed parentage,
9
American parentage,
16-
53
Marriages.
Whole number,
9
Foreign birth,
4
American birth,
14-
18
Resident in Douglas,
10
Resident elsewhere,
.
8-
18
First marriage,
17
Second marriage,
-
1-
18
Deaths.
Whole number,
. 49
males,
23
females,
26
49
foreign birth,
8
American birth, -
-
41- 49
-
-
41
Number under 1 year,
5
between 1 and 5,
3
5
10,
1
10
20,
1
20
30.
4
30
40,
-
2
40
50,
2
50
60,
-
7
60
70,
8
70
80,
7
80
90,
49
Dogs Registered.
Whole number,
159
Males.
150 @ $2.00
$300 00
Females,
9 @ 5.00
45 00
$345 00
-
9-
FRANCISCO BOWEN. Town Clerk.
.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS.
FOR YEAR ENDING
MARCH 1, 1891.
PRESS OF CHARLES J. BATCHELLER, EAST DOUGLAS, MASS. 1891.
School Committee.
W. W. BROWN,
E. B. KNAPP,
CHAS. S. CASWELL, 1891
LEVI WHITE, M. D., 1892
GEO. P. B. CLARKE,
1892
VERNON T. ESTEN, 1892
REV. JAMES WELLS,
1893
A. J. THAYER,
1893
FRANCISCO BOWEN, 1893
The above Committee met March 20, 1890, and organized as follows :
President,-A. J. THAYER, Clerk,-GEO. P. B. CLARKE,
W. W. BROWN,
Superintending Committee, - LEVI WHITE, M. D. GEO. P. B. CLARKE.
Purchasing Agent,-CHAS. S. CASWELL. Truant Officer,-GEO. P. B. CLARKE.
Teachers for 1890-91.
CHAS. T. EATON,
ANNIE G. SCOLLARD
H. J. CHASE,
EDITH F. EATON,
EMMA J. PAINE,
MARGARET E. COLLINS,
PATIENCE BRECK,
ETTA H. JOHNSON
EMMA FISK,
K. LENA WIXTEAD,
MINNIE F. DARLING,
CLARA H. WALKER,
ADA E. BROWN,
EMILY W. CHAMBERLIN,
Term expires March 1, 1891 1891
EDITH M. ABBOTT.
Statistics.
Whole number of children in town May 1, 1890, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 392
Whole number attending school during the year, of all ages, 380
Average daily attendance in all the schools,
260
Whole number attending school under 5 yrs. of age,
5
over 15 yrs. 28
between the ages of 8 and 14 years, 259
Aggregate of months all the schools have been kept during the year, 1171/2
Average number of months the schools have been kept during the year,
9312
Number of female teachers,
12
male teachers, 2
Average wages paid female teachers per month, $31 662/3
male teachers per month, 81 662/3
Expenses.
Appropriation for public schools by the town, March 1, 1890. $4,400 00
Balance unexpended last year, 245 88
State School Fund, 221 94
Town School Fund, (interest),
56 48
Repairs and purchase of books,
500 00
New books on hand,
248 00
Rec'd for school books,
29 04
Superintendent,
300 00-$6,001 34
Expense of Public Schools.
Teachers' wages for the year,
$4,195 00
Rent of High School Room,
100 00
Permanent repairs,
85 89
Truant officer,
10 00
Care of rooms,
162 20
Purchasing agent,
25 00
School books and supplies,
552 41
Fuel, supplies, etc.,
234 02
Transporting pupils,
38 50
Balance unexpended March 1, 1891,
203 32
Paid Superintendent,
425 00
Taking School Census,
5 00-$6,001 34
5
HIGH SCHOOL.
( H. J. CHASE, Spring, Teachers CHAS. T. EATON, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL. 13
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
13
13
Wages per week,
$21.25
$20
$20
Whole number of scholars,
20
29
29
Average attendance,
18
28
27
GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Teacher, -PATIENCE BRECK.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$10
$10
$10
Whole number of scholars,
20
32
31
Average attendance,
17
31
28
SCHOOL NO. 1. Teacher,-ANNIE G. SCOLLARD.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
32
29
26
Average attendance,
30
27
23
SCHOOL No. 2. Teacher,-ADA E. BROWN.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
11
11
10
Average attendance,
9
10
8
SCHOOL No. 3. Teacher,-EMMA J, PAINE.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
41
38
35
Average attendance,
39
35
28
6
SCHOOL No. 4
Teacher,-EDITH F. EATON.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
12
13
14
Average attendance,
13
12
11
SCHOOL No. 5.
Teacher,-MINNIE DARLING.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
9
9
10
Average attendance,
8
8
9
SCHOOL No. 7.
Teacher,-ETTA H. JOHNSON.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
13
13
15
Average attendance,
12
12
13
SCHOOL No. 8.
Teacher,-K. LENA WIXTEAD.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
9
9
9
Average attendance,
8
7
6
7
SCHOOL No. 9.
PRIMARY.
Teacher,-EDITH M. ABBOTT.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
50
33
29
Average attendance,
45
30
25
INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher,-EMMA F. FISK.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$8}
$82
$81
Whole number of scholars,
32
34
32
Average attendance,
29
32
30
SCHOOL No. 10.
Teachers, CLARA H. WALKER, Spring. EMILY W. CHAMBERLIN, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
27
23
23
Average attendance,
25
20
16
INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher,-MARGARET E. COLLINS.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$8}
$83
$8}
Whole number of scholars,
20
25
25
Average attendance,
19
24
23
8
To
THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL
COMMITTEE.
GENTLEMEN :- In accordance with your requirements, I submit the annual report of the condition of the schools.
As this is the first year of district supervision, undoubtedly the town will be more interested than usual in school affairs, and wish to know what special advantages have been gained, or by what better methods of instruction the efficiency of the schools has been increased. From the improvements already observed in the schools, I am convinced that when the town rec- ognizes the advantages derived from such supervision, it will never think of returning to the old system. Let me here state a few of the many advantages :- It enables small towns to have as skilled supervision as the larger towns and cities. The best methods of teaching are introduced. Teachers are directed in their work and feel they are assisted by a person of experience. It is a stimulus for better and more thorough work on the part of both teacher and scholars. The pupils take more interest in their studies and are taught to think for themselves. A course of study is arranged and the schools better classified. The schools are visited regularly and systematically, and the work done by teachers and pupils thoroughly observed. It tends to make good schools, and good schools increase the wealth and population of the town. I quote the following from Mr. Edson's report of this year :- "I can speak in terms of the highest com- mendation of the workings of our experiment with a district superintendent of our public schools. The work in them, in my judgment. was never so intelligently, so systematically, so effect- ively and so satisfactorily done, as now. The thing is already a success, and fully justifies itself in the minds of those who really know anything about the past and present condition of the schools."
"It is not to be expected that everybody will be satisfied, any more than that everybody will be convinced that one school is better than another, or that a good school is a good thing for a community ; but those who understand clearly the work attempt- ed and accomplished, believe most thoroughly in supervision."
During the year, with the exception of the high school, the schools have been in session thirty-six weeks. The work done and the progress made have been very satisfactory ; yet there is room for greater improvement. It is not expected that the schools can reach the desired standard in a term or even in a year, but it will take years to attain that excellence towards which thep are reaching. Good schools are the growth of years.
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There have been but few changes in teachers, which is an essen- tial factor in the improved condition of the schools, for a con- stant changing of teachers weakens and retards their growth.
Course of Study.
A course of study has been arranged and adopted, which, if closely and carefully followed, cannot fail of placing the schools on an equal standing with those in larger towns. Previous to its adoption, the teacher had no guide, but arranged her work according to her own plan, and as every teacher had a different plan and method, there was a sort of go-as-you-please style of work accomplished. But a course of study defining the amount to be done in each grade, produces not only uniformity in the schools, but also the most satisfactory results.
Attendance.
The attendance during the year in some of the schools has been very good, in others it might have been better. Probably there are some cases of truancy, but I think, there are very few who are habitual truants. The truant officer, I have no doubt, has been efficient in his duties, and all cases reported to him by the teachers, have been looked after. If parents took a deeper and more active interest in the schools and in the welfare and progress of their children, the attendance in the schools would be better. The law now requires all children between the ages of eight and fourteen, to attend school at least thirty weeks dur- ing the year, and I would urge that truant officers be appoint- ed in each school district, who would immediately look after those scholars whose names were handed to them by the teachers.
School Houses.
I presume it is unnecessary to call your attention to the need of better accommodations for the schools in the way of new buildings. Certainly the town cannot feel proud of its school buildings as they are at present. It has been said, "that no better index of the character of the people of any community can be found than the way in which they provide for their schools." Nearly all the buildings need more or less repairing, such as plastering, painting, whitewashing, cleaning, etc. In No. 10, Intermediate, a new floor should be laid. Nos. 3 and 8, Primary, desks changed. The high school room needs some attention. It should be more comfortably heated in the winter.
10
One stove is not sufficient for so large a room. It is impossi- ble for scholars to turn their attention to their studies while they are shivering with the cold-but it is not impossible, but more likely probable, that the most injurious results will follow from sitting iu a school room that is not properly heated.
SCHOOLS. High.
At the end of the spring term, Mr. Chase resigned, and Mr. Eaton was elected to the vacancy, which he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the committee, parents and pu- pils. A four years' course of study has been marked out for the school, which, if diligently and successfully pursued, will enable its'graduates to enter the higher institutions of learning without conditions.
Grammar.
This school is in an excellent condition ; Miss Breck is a teach . er of ability and experience, and much practical knowledge of the art of teaching. The course of study is carefully and thor- oughly followed. The pupils are working cheerfullv and indus- triously and manifest a good spirit and a good degree of interest in their work.
Intermediate.
This grade embraces what in some towns are the two highest years of the Primary and the lowest year of the Grammar grades. It is the work of the teachers in this grade to strength. en and cultivate the higher powers of the child's mind, to make their powers of observation more keen and active, their memo- ry stronger, so they are able to generalize and reason to some extent. The teachers of this grade have done their work faith- fully and well.
Primary.
This is the most important grade of all, for primary training lays the foundation for practical and useful knowledge, and it is important that this training be thorough. The duties of the primary teacher are not inferior duties by any means. It has been said, "to teach early is to engrave on marble, to teach late is to write on sand." Roger Ascham says : "If ever the nature of man be given at any time more than other to receive good- ness, it is in the innocence of young years, before the experi- ences of evil have taken root in him." The primary teacher
11
exercises a great influence in shaping and forming the characters of the pupils under her charge, and it is necessary for her to constantly improve in her mode of doing it, for the pupils derive greater or less benefits according to the skill, faithfulness and ability with which she does her work. I am convinced the teachers of this grade realize this, and are working with a spirit of enthusiasm and devotion to accomplish the desired result, and raise their schools to a higher grade of excellence.
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