USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1893 > Part 2
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Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES W. POTTER, Agent.
-
¢
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT
ON THE Expenditures on Roads and Bridges for Labor and Supplies,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEB. 28, 1893.
I have been assisted by the following named gentlemen, viz : George E. Fairfield, W. W. Brown, Wm. S. Jillson, James Peters, Asahel Fitts, W. H Wellman, S. P. Rawson, and O. F. Chase. as Assistant Superintendents. The several gentlemen have re- ceived for their labor, teams and material as follows :
W. W. Brown, 98h. $14 70
W. W. Brown. horse and cart, 17h. 2 12
Henry Brown, 59h. 8 85
Chas. White, 81h. 1 25
Lewis Purdy, 70h.
10 50
Peter Jarvis, 371h. 5 60
Wm. Nichols, 5h.
75
George Mills, 57h.
8 55
Frank Mills, 20h. 3 00
Win. Buxton, 86h. 12 90
T. H. Barton, 3h. 45
J. T. Arnold, 20h. 00
Wheaton Brown, 52h. 7 80
J. K. Peters, 28h. 4 20
J. K. Peters, oxen 77h.
15 40
J. K. Peters, 1951 ft. 3 in.
ches. plank (@ .017c. $33 16
Oscar J. Peters, 13h. 1 95
James Peters, 113h. 16 95
James Peters, 2 horses 74h. 16 64
James Peters, 4 horses on scraper 47h. 28 19
Urbon J. Peters, 129h. 19 35
F. Carrow, 61h. 9 15
Chas. Rivers, 9h. 1 35
Fred Casey, 95h. 14 25
Lewis Stockwell, 50h. 7 50
G. C. Dudley, 153h. 22 95
G. C. Dudley, 2 horses scrap- ing 176h. 52 80
G. C. Dudley, 2 horses cart-
30
ing 23h. 5 17
J. A. Richardson, 65}h. 9 82
J. A. Richardson, oxen 70h. 14 00
Wm. Peak, 411h. 6 97
W. L. Church, 20h. 3 00
W. L. Church, 2 horses cart- ing 20h. 4 50
W. L. Church, 19 loads 3 00
of gravel, 95
Geo. M. Wallis, 20h. 3 00
Wellington Balcome, 8h. 1 20
(. C. Rawson, 57h. 8 55
(). C. Rawson, 2
horses
scraping 47h. 14 10
Gustavus H. Dudley, 55h. 8 25
G. H. Dudley, 2 horses
scraping 55h. 16 50
W. S. Jillson, 297h.
44 55
W. S. Jillson, 2 horses cart-
ing 226h.
50 83
W. S. Jillson, 2 horses
scraping 12h. 3 60
W. S. Jillson, 1 horse cart-
ing 10h.
1 25
Putnam Dudley, 57h. 8 55
G. Parker, 1673h.
25 12
James Grigway, 10h. 1 50
James Grigway, horse cart-
ing 10h.
1 25
Fred Parks, 40h. 6 00
Lewis Titus, 12h. 1 80
Geo. Brown, 7h. 1 05
Geo. Brown, horse carting
2h.
25
Geo. Brown, 2 horses cart- ing 5h. 1 12
Edward Balcome, 1201h. 18 07
Chas. Hilton, 25h. 3 75
J. B. Thompson, 122}h.
18 37
G. E. Fairfield, 230h.
34 50
G. E. Fairfield, oxen 1321h. 26 50
Harley Brown, 73h.
10 95
E. C. Parker, 64h. 9 60
E. C. Parker, horse carting
10h.
1 25
E. C. Parker, 2 horses cart-
ing 471h. 10 68
E. C. "Parker, 4 horses
scraping 17h.
10 20
E. C. Keith, 17h. 2 55
L. Bent, town farnı, 173h. 25 95
I. Bent, 2 horses carting 5h. 1 12
L. Bent, 2 horses scraping
177h.
53 10
Harry Lunn 27h. 4 05
Edwin Parker, 18h. 2 70
G. Bent, 6911. 10 35
Guy Balcome, 60h. 9 00
J. M. Rawson, 1140h.
228 00
J. M. Rawson, horse 308h. 15 40 J. M. Rawson, 482 ft. plank @@.017c. 8 19
Fielder Converse, 88h. 13 20
Fielder
Converse,
horse
carting 88h.
) 98
W. H. Herendeen, 653h.
9 83
A. F. Jones, 4 horses scrap- ing 653h. 39 30
Eddie Wixtead, 10h. 1 50
Theo. C. Hall, 75h. 11 25
Theo. C. Hall, 2 horses cart- ing 85lı. 19 12
Theo. C. Hall, horse carting 30h. 3 75
Theo. C. Hall, 3606 ft. of rails @ }c. 18 03
Theo. C. Hall, 220 posts @ 4c. 8 80
G. Hathaway, 65h.
9 75
Felix Lamay, 40h. 6 00
Otis Pheteplace, 623 h. 9 38
N. Robberts, 29h. 4 35
Andrew Roberts, 29h. 4 35
Perry Byrant, 10h. 1 50
E. T. Rawson, 349h. 52 35
E. T. Rawson, oxen 207h. 41 40
J. R. Darling, 20h. 3 00
J. R. Darling, horse carting .20h. 2 50
Gilbert Richie 39h. 5 85
Timothy Wixtead, 241h. 36 15
Caleb Hill, 125h. 18 75
Peter Rettie, 28h. 4 20
John Otis, 6h. 90
John Otis, horse carting 6h. 75
J. W. Wilson, 169h.
25 35
Lewis Taienier, 45h.
6 75
Lewis Taienier, horse cart- ing 40h. 5 00
Frank Allen, 27h. 4 05
Phineas White, 10h. 1 50
J. W. Smith, 45h. 5 75
J. W. Smith, oxen 45h. 9 00
G. Conrad, 38h.
5 70
Chas. Scaedine, 342h.
51 30
Octave Satrault, 20h.
3 00
31
. P. Delaire, 15h.
2 25
Philip Bruly, 20h. 3 00
Philip Bruly, horse carting
20h.
2 50
Wm. N. Jones, 184h.
27 60
Wm. N. Jones, horse cart- ing 184h. 22 98
James Wixtead, 102h.
15 30
E. G. Paine, 44h. 6 60
E. B. Paine, 24h. 3 60
H. W. Smith, 132h.
19 80
Henry Howard, 10h.
1 50
W. H. Wellman, 1114h. 16 70
W. H. Wellman. horse cart- ing 1601h. 20 02
W. H. Wellman, 1431 ft. 23
in. plank @ .018c.
25 76
Asahel Fitts, 2173h. 32 63
Asahel Fitts. horse carting
80h.
10 00
Asabel Fitts. horse carting 30h. 6 75
John Royston, 1114h. 8 35
Kenedy Brunak, 10h. 1 50
O. F. Chase, 87h. 13 05
(). F. Chase, damage
to
tools,
1 00
O. F. Chase, 2 horses cart ing 50h. 11 25
Myron Chase, 32h. 4 80
Orson Chase, 32h. 4 80
J. C. F. Bates, 20h. 3 00
Henry Chase, 1423h.
21 37
Edrastus Chase, 111h,
16 65
Edrastus Chase, oxen 30h. 6 00
Sewell E. Chase, 11h. 1 65
Sewell E. Chase, oxen 2h. 40
Alphonso Chase, 43h. 6 45
J. R. Walling, 11 loads of
gravel.
55
S. P. Rawson, 349h.
52 35
S. P. Rawson, 2 horses cart- ing 160. 36 00
S. P. Rawson, 158 ft. rails
@ Įc.
79
S. P. Rawson, 15 posts @@ 4c. 60
Harry Nichols, 30h. 4 50
Willton Southwick, 80h. 12 00
P'liny Richardson 135h. 20 25
G. Robberts, 109h. 16 35
Fred Lunn, 30h. 4 50
Clark Sherman, 56h.
8 40
Fenelon Sherinan, 56h,
8 40
Aaron Aldrich, 13h. 1 95
Luke Southwick, 9411.
14 10
Henry A. Walker, 23h. 38
Henry A. Walker, oxen
42]h.
8 50
C. Titus, 5h. 75
C. Titus, horse carting 5h. 62
Paid for drilling and blast- ing 194-1, ft. of rocks in the road (@ 45c. 87 31
Paid Am. Axe & Tool Co. for repair'g road machine, 3 15 New steeling 9 picks. 2 50
Paid Am. Road Machine Co. for machine cutters and points, 39 10
W. H. Bowen. repairing
tools,
2 42
Express & freight on cutters 2 69
Spikes for Lovett bridge, 3 00
Hoop iron, bolts for railing, 1 88 Iron posts and grate irons, ľ 17 W. R. Wallis, nails for rail- ing, 2 65
Repairs on old scraper,
2 50
W. E. Jones, April, oil. rake
and wrenches,
4 00
Sept. oil, spikes for Wallis bridge. 2 88
Nov., earthern pipe for
drain,
2 56
Nails & cement for drainl.
45
8 in. spikes and nails for
railing,
5 65
Total.
52.197 96
Received rebate on
cutters.
10 20
Plow,
5 00
Old plank,
3 00
Ditch dirt.
4 59-
22 79
82.175 17
Town appropriated for the repairs of Town ways and Bridges, $2,500 00
32
Report on Snow Roads. For the Year Ending Feb. 28, 1893.
J. M. Rawson. 85h. $17 50 E. C. Parker, 2 horses 441h. 9 93
E. T. Rawson, 55h. 8 25
Walter Buxton, 10h. 75
E. T. Rawson, oxen 50h. 10 00 Alfred Irons, 7h. 1 05
G. Richie, 41h. 6 15 Wakefield 33h. 52
O. F. Chase, 363h. 5 48
Chas. White. 531}. 82
(. F. Chase, 2 horses 31h. 6 97
R. Kennedy, 8h. 1 20
Henry Chase, 41h. 6 15
J. Adams, 8h. 1 20
Alphonso Chase, 39h. 5 85
J. Scott, 8h. 1 20
Edrastus Chase, 44h.
6 60
T. Norton, 8h. 1 20
Sewell E. Chase, 383h. 5 77
J. Sullivan, 8h. 1 20
Myron Chase, 323h. 4 88
A. McIntyre. 10h. 1 50
Orson Chase. 39h. 5 85
J. Dougherty, 8h. 1 20
W. S. Jillson, 26h. 3 90
P. O. Neil. 8h.
1 20
W. S. Jillson, 2 horses 24h. 5 39
John Brown. 10h. 1 50
Walter Parker, 20h. 3 00
J. Crowley, 8h. 1 20
Walter Parker, 2 horses 20h. 4 50
J. McCoskey, 8h. 1 20
W. H. Wellman. 241h. 3 65
G. Collar, 8h. 1 20
W. H. Wellman. 2 horses 93h. 1 50
E. G. Paine, 14h. 2 10
J. Haurahan, 2h. 30
J. Nicholas, 12h.
1 80
J. Varley, 2h. 30
W. L. Church, 23h.
3 45
Ed. Brown, 2h. .
30
W. L. Church, 2 horses 15h. 3 37
J. Burns, 2h.
30
F. E. Wellman, 20h. 3 00
W. C. Sullivan, 2h.
30
F. E. Wellman. 2 horses 13h.
2 46
Michæl Kone, 18h.
2 70
G. Parker, 17h. 2 55
D. Sweeny, 18h.
22 70
J. Annis, 8h. 1 20
D. Shay, 5h. 75
2 25
Harry Church, 17h.
2 55
A, Ritchie, 13h.
1 95
Ed. Buxton, 21h.
1 57
D. McGillm, 13h. 1 95
M. Kelly, 13h. 1 95
75
Harley Brown, 16h.
2 40
M. Collins. 5h. 75
E. C. Sweet, 20h.
3 00
Will Darling, 10h. 1 50
David Keith, 3h.
45
Gilbert Yates, 4h. 60
Earnest Keith. 20h.
3 00
J. C. F. Bates. 8h. 1 20
H. T. Barton, 16h.
2 40
P. M. Bates. 7h.
1 05
Elisha Thompson, 27h. 4 12
P. M. Bates, oxen 7h. 1 40
J. Savery, 243h. 3 68
Ira Arnold. 20h.
3 00
William Butterworth. 143h. 2 17
Chas. Russell, 35h.
5 25
F. J. Mills, 19h. 2 85
Luke Southwick, 253h.
3 82
Collins Chase, oxen 7h.
1 40
B. M. Burlingame, 16h.
2 40
A. E. Chapman, 33}h.
5 03
G. Kelly, 10h.
1 00
W. W. Brown,$39h.
5 85
G. Robberts, 23h. 3 37
W. W. Brown, horse 10h.
1 24
J. P. Otis, 2h. 30
R. W. Brown, 10h.
1 50
L. A. Buffum, 17h. 2 55
E. C, Parker, 44}h,
6 67
L, A. Buffum, oxen 13h, 2 60
H. Nicholas, 12h. 1 80
F. Gale, 2h. 30
W. C. Sullivan, 2 horses 2h.
45
J. Montey, 17h. 2 55
J. Whelon, 15h.
Con. Murphy, 18h.
2 70
Con. Murphy, oxen 2h.
40
D. ()'Connell, 5h.
D. Shaw, 8h. 1 20
C. Willson, 6h. 90
1
33
Willie M. Buffum. 10h. 1 50
L. A. Stockwell, 26h. 3 90
Leon Thayer, 4 horses 5h. 2 25
Henry Howard, 10h. 1 50
J. Royston, 15jh. 2 33
C'has. Lambert, 83h. 1 28
Napolion Robberts, 18h. 2 70
3 90
Robert Brown, 10h. 1 50
Frank Carrow. 24h.
3 60
Albert Hewett. 10h. 1 50
G. Carrow, 24h.
G. Carrow, horse 5h.
Perry Bryant, 33h.
4 95
Asahel Fitts, 53h.
83
Chas. Dudley. 28h.
4 20
W. N. Jones, 241h. 3 65
N. L. Davis, 15h.
2 25
Wheaton Brown, 36h. 5 40
1 .. Goff. 21h.
3 15
Henry Brown, 47h. 7 12
U'rbon Peters, 23h.
: 45
S. P. Rawson, 58h. 8 70
S. P. Rawson, 2 horses 28h. : 09
Pliny Richardson, 43h. 6 45
Henry White, 1h. 15
Fred Casey, 24h. 60
Wm. Nichols, 24h. 3 60
Total, 8515 86
The laborers received the same price for their teams and labor ou snow roads as on dirt roads.
Machines, Supplies, and Road Tools on hand March 1, 1893.
1 Am. road machine. 8225 00
1 road scraper, 60 00
3 bush scrapers, 20 00
2 side scrapers, 1 00
1 set Amer. cutters,
8 00
1 set Pennock blades.
6 00
5 Pennock points.
10 00
1 draft chain, 2 25
1 stone sledge. 2 50
1 hoe.
25
2 steel bars. 3 00
3 iron rakes. 1 00
5 stone pickers. 1 00
5 snow shovels, : 00
13 picks. 6 50
1 post spade,
50
18 spades. no value.
$350 00
G. Currivoir, 2h.
30
(. Lawrence. 8h.
1 20
G. Ballcom, 7}h.
1 13
Albert Mills, 153h. 2 32
J. Mills, 151h. 2 32
J. B. Thompson, 23h.
3 45
H. A. Walker, 31h.
4 64
H. A. Walker, 4 oxen 26h. 10 60
Rosco Rich. 33h.
4 95
O. J. Peters, 10h. 1 50
O. J. Peters, 2 horses 17h. 3 63
H. A. Peters, 28h.
3 83
H. D). Wallis, 37h. 5 55
F. F. Young, 3h. 45
James Wixtead, 33h. 4 95
Timothy Wixtead, 17h.
2 55
John Flarety 28h. 4 20
Otis Pheteplace. 9h. 1 35
R. P. Johnson, 8h.
1 20
G. E. Fairfield, 374h.
5 62
WVm. Peak, 261h. 3 97
Chas. Griffin. 331h. 52
4 87
G. C. Dudley, 321h.
G. C. Dudley. 4 horses 33h. 14 86 4 42
Chas. Johnson. 341h.
Moses H. Ballcom. 31h. 4 65
1. Bent. 20h. 3 00
Chas. Hilton, 19h. 2 85
J. M. Parker. 19h. 2 85
Fred Parks. 13h. 1 95
Gustavus H. Dudley, 35h. 5 25
Gustavus HI. Dudley. 4
horses 223h. 9 10
John Riley, 33h. 4 95
A. P'. Dudley. 10h. 1 50
G. M. Wallis, 29h. 4 35
Leon Thayer, 14h. 2 10
L. A. Stockwell, 2 horses 15h 3 37
Andrew Robberts. 26h. 3 90
Oliver Robberts, 28h. 4 20
G. Blunt, 153h. 2 33
Ramsy Braddue, 26h.
1. F. Brown, 2 horses 10h. 2 26 Earnest Lambert, 5h. 38
Chas. Nichols, 13h.
1 30
Henry Geer. 2h.
30
34
The prices paid for teams and labor are as follows :
A man, per hour,
15 cts.
A boy, per hour, 71/2
Superintendent, per hour,
20
Superintendent's horse, per hour,
05
1 horse and cart, per hour,
121/2
2 horses and cart, per hour, 221/2
2 horses on scraper, per hour, 30
4 horses on scraper, per hour, 60
Oxen, cart, and plow, per hour,
20
Respectfully submitted,
J. M. RAWSON, Superintendent of Roads.
In concluding my report, I take this opportunity to state in brief : I have new covered two large wooden bridges, one with three in. and one with two and one-half in. chestnut plank. I have put in three new culverts where they were much needed and there has been cleaned out fifty-seven small culverts or bridges through and across the roads that were filled with road wash. There has been two hundred and twenty-three rocks blasted and taken out of the roads, and a large amount of gravel and dirt has been carted to resurface the roads. About four hundred and fifty loads of the gravel has been contributed by Messrs. A. J. Dudley, J. A. Richardson, and Chandler Titus, without any compensation therefor, thus aiding me greatly in repairing the roads where good material was not to be found, and I take this opportunity to tender them my thanks for the good- will and courtesy shown, (particularly for the benefit done to the roads).
I have railed the following dangerous places on the town ways and bridges :
Posts.
Rails.
Feet.
Marvel Thayer bridge,
15
6
158
Young's Hollow,
18
8
240
Young's Hill,
4
3
61
Young's Corner,
9
4
121
Whipple's Hill,
19
10
328
Howell's 2 bridges,
12
4
121
Davis bend,
stone.
4
120
Gilboa Flat,
42
24
721
Gilboa Trench,
6
3
91
1
1
:
35
Posts.
Rails. 3
Feet. 89
McMahons Bend,
4
4
120
Thayer's Hollow,
stone.
8
241
Thayer's Mill,
8
4
107
Jusome's Corner,
9
4
100
Sweet's Flat.
23
11
328
Potter's Hill,
29
14
404
Morse's Flat,
12
4
120
Jerman's Flat.
10
10
304
226
128
3,774
Respectfully,
J. M. RAWSON, Superintendent of Roads.
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT ON SNOW ROADS.
Amounts paid to the Following Named Persons for Labor on Making Snow Roads in March, 1892.
I. A. Buffum. 14h. 2 80
J. P. Otis. 6h.
90
Orson Chase, 10h. 1 50
E. G. Paine, 512h.
82
Smith Sherman, 21/2h. 371/2
Lap. Taft, 2h. 30
Wheaton Brown, 8h. 1 20
W. S. Jillson, 81211. 1 28
Henry Brown, 8h. 1 20
W. S. Jillson, 2 horses 812h. 1 70
W. W. Brown, team, 1 00
Harold Church, 6h. 90
F. J. Mills, 13h. 1 95
Frank Wellman. 312h.
52
E. C. Parker, 5h. 75
G. M. Church, 12h. 1 80
E. C. Parker, 4 horses 5h. 2 00
G. M. Wallis, 8h. 1 20
G. Bent, 5h.
75
Louis Deportee, 714h. 1 08
J. B. Thompson, 5h. 75
John Annis, 744h.
1 08
J. C. F. Bates, 3h. 45
P. 1. Dudley. 61%h.
97
Earnest Bates, 5h.
75
Benj. M. Burlingame, 10h.
1 50
Daniel Rogers, 5h. 75
Phineas White, 8h.
1 20
Perry Bryant, 5h. 75
75
H. 1. Walker, 14h.
2
10
Will Southwick, 14h. 2 10
W. F. Young, 3h. 45
J. K. Peters, 6h. 90
Alex. Fletcher, 6h. 90
Alex. Ritchie, 31/2h. 53
F. A. Parks, 4h. 60
O. F. Chase, 10h. 1 50
Henry Chase, 812h. 1 2712
Edrastus Chase, 9h. 1 35
Alphonso Chase, 4h. 60
Sewell E. Chase, 11h. 1 65
$50 83
N. G. Dudley, 5h.
J. B. Sweet, housing road
machine, 7 00
L. A. Buffum, 13 hours
on highways, 2 60
$60 43
The above amount was expend- ed previous to my appointment, April 10, 1892.
Respectfully submitted, J. M. RAWSON, Supt. of Roads.
.
McMahon's Hill,
6
Myron Chase, 12h. 1 80
Peter Jarvis, 14h. 2 10
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Report of the Treasurer.
1892.
DR.
Mar. 1. To cash in hands of town treasurer. $298 97
June 1. Rec'd for fines and catalogues sold, 2 58
Aug. 6. Orison Hewett, note and interest, 105 00
Sept. 16. for fines and catalogues sold, 3 87
Nov. 29. Thanksgiving night entertain- ment for benefit of library, 85 00
Dec. 20. 60 Dog Fund,
272 17
66 for fines and catalogues sold, 1 31
1893.
Feb. 28.
for fines and catalogues sold, 98
$769 88
CR.
1892.
June 1. By paid Mrs. A. L. Buffington, Libra- rian, getting in wood, 25
$12 50
subscription books, 5 90
1
37
June 30. By paid three months' rent, 25 00
July 6. rebinding sixty-four volumes. 16 00
express on public documents, 95
freight on books rebound,
20
6. record book for librarian,
6 00
Sept. 1.
66
three months' rent,
25 00
66 Mrs. A. L. Buffington, librarian,
12 50
66 numbering and cataloguing,
25
Oct. 17.
insurance for three years,
26 50
Dec. 8.
wood,
1 50
20.
Mrs. A. L. Buffington, librarian,
12 50
three months rent,
25 00
1893.
Jan. 20.
Estes and Lauriat, books,
198 72
66
freight on books,
10
28.
Estes & Lauriat, books, 56 16
60
freight on books, 65
6. Robert Bonner's Sons books,
19 30
66 express on books,
75
.6
Munn & Co., books,
9 75
subscription book,
3 25
one book,
75
66 1,000 by-laws for books,
3 00
.6
express on Public Doc.
80
Feb. 28.
Mrs. A. L. Buffington, librarian,
12 50
6. for numbering and cataloguing. 2 00
25 00
broom, oil and brush,
75
numbered labels for books,
60
$506 13
Cash with Town Treasurer.
263 78
$769 88
C. J. BATCHELLER, Treasurer.
Report of Librarian.
Whole number of books in library,
2,342
Number issued during the year, 7,658
Average number issued per week, 159++
three months' rent,
38
Amount of fines for the year,
$8 44
Bal. of fines Mar. 1, 1892,
14 03
$22 47
Amount collected for fines,
7 31
Rec'd from sale of catalogues,
1 40
Paid to Treasurer,
$8 71
Amount collected for fines,
7 31
Balance due March 1, 1893,
$15 16
MRS. A. L. BUFFINGTON, Librarian.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
Births.
Whole number,
44
males,
18
females, -
26-
44
foreign parentage,
-
17
mixed parentage, -
7
American parentage, -
20-
44
Marriages.
Whole number,
21
Foreign birth,
7
American birth,
14
21
Resident in Douglas,
26
Resident elsewhere,
-
-
16-
42
First marriage,
37
Second marriage,
4
Third marriage,
1-
42
Deaths,
Whole number,
74
males,
43
females,
31
74
foreign birth,
10
American birth,
64
74
Number under 1 year,
13
between 1 and 5,
11
10
20,
4
20
30,
2
30
40,
9
40
50,
- -
4
50
60,
-
-
9
70
80,
6
80
90,
74
Dogs Registered.
Whole number,
154
Males,
144 @@ $2.00 -
$288.00
Females,
10 @ 5.00
-
50.00- $338.00
GEO. L. SOUTHWICK, Town Clerk,
-
-
10,
6
-
8
60
70,
-
-
١
٩
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS,
FOR YEAR ENDING
MARCH 1, 1893.
PRESS OF CHARLES J. BATCHELLER, EAST DOUGLAS, MASS. 1893.
School Committee.
A. F. BROWN,
A. J. THAYER,
FRANCISCO BOWEN, 1893.
STILLMAN RUSSELL, 1894.
V. T. ESTEN, 1894.
H. O. LAMSON, 1894.
1895.
E. STERLING,
W. W. BROWN, 1895.
C. J. BATCHELLER, 1895.
The above Committee met March, 1892, and organized as follows :
President,-A. J. THAYER. Clerk,-W. W. BROWN.
A. J. THAYER,
Superintending Committee, S. RUSSELL, V. T. ESTEN.
Purchasing Agent,-S. RUSSELL.
Truant Officer,-E. G. BABSON.
Teachers for 1892-3.
CHAS. T. EATON,
F. J. LIBBY,
ADA M. TAFT,
EMMA J. PAINE,
ADA E. BROWN,
ETTA H. JOHNSON,
LILLIAN G. LINCOLN,
K. LENA WIXTEAD,
M. F. ROUELL,
EDITH M. ABBOTT,
NELLIE G. STONE,
EUNICE E. HADLEY, SUSIE A. AREY,
ELLA P. STILES,
Term expires March 1, 1893. 1893.
EUNA L. BUFFINGTON.
Statistics.
Whole number of children in town May 1, 1892, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 381
Whole number attending school during the year, of all ages, 414
Average daily attendance in all the schools,
278
Whole number attending school under 5 yrs. of age,
5
27
over 15 yrs. between the ages of 8 and 14 years, 272
Aggregate of months all the schools have been kept during the year,
10321
Average number of months the schools have been kept during the year,
7 14
Number of female teachers,
13
male teachers, 2
Average wages paid female teachers per month, $33 50
male teachers per month, 80 00
Appropriations,
Appropriations for public schools by the town, March 1, 1892, $4,400 00
Repairs of school houses,
100 00
School books and supplies,
500 00
Superintendent,
300 00
State school fund,
268 31
Town school fund, (interest),
56 48
Received for school books,
3 25
New books on hand,
209 92
Balance unexpended last year,
606 02
Received from State for Union District,
391 50-$6,835 48
Expense of Public Schools,
Teacher's wages for the year,
$3,711 50
Rent of High School Room,
100 00
Permanent repairs,
127 90
Truant officer,
10 00
Care of rooms,
137 50
Purchasing agent,
25 00
School books and supplies,
475 70
Fuel,
251 86
Transporting pupils,
52 50
Paid Superintendent,
500 00
Taking school census,
00
Fumigating and cleaning school rooms,
37 73
Paid Ira Wallis for rent of organ, 14 50
Rent of Central Hall for memorial and graduation exercises, 20 00
Paid C. J. Batcheller for printing, 18 25
Balance unexpended March 1, 1893,
988 04-$6,835 48
5
HIGH SCHOOL.
Teachers, ( CHAS. T. EATON, Spring. F. J. LIBBY, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
14
81
14
Wages per week,
$20
$20
$20
Whole number of scholars,
29
34
28
Average attendance,
21
22
23
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Teacher LILLIAN G. LINCOLN.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11.
10
Wages per week,
$10
$10
$10
Whole number of scholars,
38
31
28
Average attendance,
27
27
27
SCHOOL NO. 1.
Teachers, [ F. P. ROUELL, Spring and Fall, NELLIE G. STONE, Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
10
12
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
24
23
23
Average attendance,
19
19
19
SCHOOL NO. 2.
Teacher, NELLIE G. STONE, Spring and Fall, closed Winter Term.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
13
6
Average attendance,
7
4
6
SCHOOL NO. 3.
Teacher, EMMA J. PAINE.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
10
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
49
45
27
Average attendance,
37
27
24
SCHOOL NO. 4.
Teacher, ADA E. BROWN.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
11
12
9
Average attendance,
8
8
5
SCHOOL NO. 5.
Teachers,
ELLA P. STILES, Spring, ADA M. TAFT, Fall, Closed Winter Term.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
10
13
Wages per week,
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
7
8
Average attendance,
6
6
SCHOOL NO. 7.
Teacher, ETTA H. JOHNSON.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
10
12
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
21
15
16
Average attendance,
14
12
10
i
7
SCHOOL NO. 8.
Teacher, K. LENA WIXTEAD, Spring and Fall.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
7
Wages per week,
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
13
11
Average attendance,
8
7
SCHOOL NO. 9.
PRIMARY. Teacher, EDITH M. ABBOTT.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
10
Wages per week, Whole number of scholars,
$8
$8
$8
63
67
45
Average attendance,
47
41
34
INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher, EUNICE HADLEY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
10
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
36
43
43
Average attendance,
29
31
36
SCHOOL NO. 10.
Teachers, S EUNA L. BUFFINGTON, Spring and Fall, ELLA P. STILES, Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
10
11
11
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
45
45
34
Average attendance,
32
25
18
8
INTERMEDIATE.
Teachers, ( SUSIE A. AREY, Spring and Fall, EUNA I. BUFFINGTON, Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks.
12
11
10
Wages per week,
$81
$81
$9
Whole number of scholars.
17
24
22
Average attendance,
15
18
19
SCHOOL NO. 11, (Engine Hall.)
Teacher, K. LENA WIXTEAD.
SPRING. FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks.
13
Wages per week,
$8
Whole number of scholars,
40
Average attendance,
29
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1893.
To THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL
COMMITTEE.
GENTLEMEN : - I respectfully present my third annual report of the schools of Douglas.
During the year some of you have visited the schools at dif- ferent times and have become somewhat acquainted with the methods employed and the results obtained. Quite a number of the parents and friends, also, have visited the schools and spoken encouragingly to the teachers. It is earnestly hoped that moie visitors' names will be placed in the registers the coming year, than in any previous year, for in the reports issued every month the number of visitors is recorded, and each school is desirous of having as large a number as possible. A detailed report of each individual school is not necessary. It is suffi- cient to say that we know there has been some improvement over last year. Near the close of the fall term an important change was made, which will add greatly to the efficiency of the schools, especially to those in East Douglas. The over crowd- ed condition of the primary schools, made such a change nec- essary. It was the removal of all the pupils of the first grade, or year. from Nos. 3 and 9 Primary, and placing them under a
10
separate teacher. A room was fitted up in the engine house- which, by the way, is the pleasantest school-room we have in town-and thirty-five pupils transferred to that room, which number has since increased to forty, as many certainly as should be under the instruction of one teacher. The teachers in Nos. 3 and 9 now have the second, third and fourth grades, and it is recommended that all the pupils of the second grade be placed in No. 3, and those of the third and fourth in No. 9. Such a change could not fail of greatly improving the schools and enabling the teachers to do better work. The better grading we get for the schools the better and more efficient they will become.
Changes of Teachers.
Few changes have occurred during the year among the teachers, and this accounts largely for the good work which has been done by them. If it could be realized how much more and how much better work can be done, and how far more valuable a teacher's service is, who has been employed several terms and becomes thoroughly acquainted with the pupils and the details of her work, I think there would be more hesitancy in making changes. The many visits made to the schools have given me sufficient opportunity of observing the teachers' work and the efforts made to improve themselves and advance their schools. For the cheerfulness and promptness they have shown in receiving and carrying out my suggestions, and the friendly feeling existing between them and their pupils, they have my warmest sympathy and thanks.
Course of Study and Methods.
The course of study printed two years ago has been followed as far as practicable and with very good results. It is recom- mended that the course be printed on stout card-board and a copy tacked up in each school-room.
To those accustomed to the old-time methods, the following may be interesting :
Reading.
From the commencement, learning to read should be made
11
as little mechanical and as intelligible as possible. The alphabet method is obsolete, or at least should be. £ The child is now taught to read by recognizing the words as signs or ideas without giving any attention to the elements which compose these words. They learn to recognize the words by their forms in just the same way as they learn to recognize other objects. The teacher begins by talking to the children about some fa- miliar object which she holds in her hand, as a bell, ball, top, etc The object of the teacher is to get the children to talk freely, so she asks many questions, such as shape, size, color, uses, place, etc. If she has a picture of the object she shows them that. Then she writes the word on the blackboard and says, this means the same as the picture, and we call it the word bell, ball, top, etc. If there is a chart in the room, she turns to that, and finding a page with the word in several places, she calls upon one of the children to point out the word, which is quickly done, then another pupil is called to find a similar word, and so on. By this method, children learn to read better and in much less time than under the old system.
Writing.
Formerly writing was not taught in the primary grades, now the pencil is placed in the children's hands as soon as they enter school. As a new word is learned, it is written upon the board, either alone or in a short sentence, to be copied by the children upon their slates. Some attention is given to the height and slant of the letters, and, as a result, many of the children in the third and fourth grades write a better hand than the average citizen.
Arithmetic.
Instead of a continuous drill year after year upon the dry and meaningless arithmetical tables, the children get their ideas of numbers by means of visible objects, such as splints, blocks, shoe pegs, horse chestnuts, etc. Placing these objects in the hands of the children, they learn rapidly the various combina- tions of numbers. The four fundamental principles, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, are taught at the same time, and also the fractional parts of a number. It is just as easy for the child, when he knows that two and two are four, to
12
learn that four less two is two, that two times two are four, that four divided by two is two, and that one-half of four is two. From such instruction the child soon becomes familiar with the fractional parts. which under the old method was not reached until the fifth or sixth grade.
Geography.
In the studying of geography, the first three years should include talks on form, place, position, common animals, plants and minerals. The object of these lessons is to impart such knowledge as will make the study of geography more intelligi- ble and profitable. The method presented at one of the sum- mer schools is as follows : "1 .- Find what is known. 2- Teach the pupil the new thought objectively. 3 .- Have pu- pils contribute the facts learned, at the same time using the object, picture or drawing, etc. 4 .- Teach pupils to select and arrange the facts. 5 .- Have pupils recite according to the outline, orally, by writing or by drawing. 6 .- Have supple- mentary reading adapted in kind and amount to the age and ability of the pupil." The production and relief maps made by the pupils of the Grammar school, during the past year, are worth your careful examination, as they will give you a good idea of how a part of geography should be studied.
Nature Study.
Its object is to educate the observing powers of the child. As they are among the first to be developed in the child, so they should be the first to be educated. The child is eager to be- come acquainted with the objects which surround him and reaches out to grasp them for a closer inspection. As he de- sires to learn something of nature, those desires should be gratified and strengthened, and the teacher should endeavor to give such instruction as will satisfy those desires. Color, size. weight, measure, form, the properties and uses of the objects that surround us are subjects of interest to the child. Such studies are not only attractive and useful to the pupils, but they tend to make school life much more pleasant, and relieve the schools of that tediousness and monotony which has char- acterized them in the past. A leading educator says : "The child's mind craves a knowledge of nature, and the teacher
!
13
should endeavor to meet, as far as possible all the healthy wants of the youthful mind. If she finds she is not meeting them, it becomes her to study more carefully those wants- study nature and the character of her pupils, and then see if she cannot do more to meet the requirements of those commit- ted to her charge. Good books are necessary in every school. Pleasant stories should be read. Selections from the best prose and poetry committed to memory. Conversation and free in- tercourse between teacher and pupil, will improve the pupil's use of words and forms of exprension, and a refining and ele- vating influence will enter into and form the character of the future man and woman.
The preceding methods, which have been very briefly out- lined, are not new by any means. In the best schools of our country and by the best teachers, they have been taught for the last twenty-five years. With what results ? Simply, that young men and young women between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-five are to-day occupying important positions, and fil- ing them satisfactorily, which thirty years ago, men were not considered competent to fill until they were thirty or thirty-five years of age, and women under no circumstances whatever.
Length of Schools and Attendance.
On account of the breaking out of diphtheria in East Doug- las, the schools have not been in session as many weeks as last year. Nos. 1 and 4 have had thirty-four weeks, while those in East Douglas have had thirty-three. From the very small attendance in Nos. 2 and 5-the daily attendance being one and two pupils-it was thought best by the committee to close those schools at the Christmas holidays, until the opening of the spring term. Sickness and the severe cold and stormy weather have lowered the attendance for the winter term.
Memorial Day Exercises.
On Feb. 28, 1890, the following act was passed by the legis- lature of the state : "Hereafter in all the public schools of the Commonwealth, the last regular session prior to Memorial Day, or a portion thereof, shall be devoted to exercises of å patriotic nature." As the schools were making preparations for such exercises, it was thought better to unite the schools,
14
and therefore, on the afternoon of May 27, a programme, in which all the schools were represented, was pleasantly and creditably rendered to a large audience in Central hall.
High School.
Very good work has been done in the High school the past year, when we consider the amount to be done by one teacher. Since the adoption of the four years' course, more classes are formed and less time given to each class. The principal has worked hard, even to a self-sacrificing degree, for the improve- ment of the school, and is entitled to the hearty co-operation of the parents and friends, who appreciate a thorough and faithful teacher. Chemical and philosophical apparatus should be purchased for the school, for there is none, even for per- forming the simplest experiments. Without experiments, the study of Chemistry and Physics is of little value.
At the close of the summer term the graduation exercises occurred-four young ladies receiving their diplomas. The essays were well written and delivered, and distinctly heard in all parts of the hall by the large and appreciative audience.
School Accommodations.
It seems as if the town could not put off much longer the building of a new school house, without going to further ex- pense of fitting up another room. The room in the engine house contains forty pupils, the same number as the desks that were put in. The two primaries, from which these pupils were taken, have increased in number. No. 9 has forty-four pupils and seats for forty-seven. No. 3 has more pupils than ought to be confined in that room, which is hardly suitable for a school-room. In No. 9 Sub-Grammar, every seat is occupied but one, and last fall two or three pupils were sent to No. 10. Since the closing of the French school, if all the children were in the schools, I think the accommodations below the Grammar grade would not be sufficient, and that another room in some part of the village would have to be fitted up.
A. J. CURTIS, Superintendent.
:
15
The report of the Superintendent, Mr. A. J. Curtis, herewith submitted, covers the educational interest the past year, and the apparent necessities for the future. We trust the report will be carefully examined and such action taken as will best serve the advancement of our schools.
A. J. THAYER, Chairman School Committee.
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