USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1904 > Part 2
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COURSE OF STUDY.
A course of study in Language and Grammar has just been issued. Heretofore we have had to depend on written copies. With the frequent changes in our teaching force such
25
SCHOOL REPORT.
a printed course is necessary. £ There is also need of one in geography and physiology.
DRAWING.
A special report of drawing will be presented this year, as usual, by the supervisor of that branch of instruction. I wish to state in a general way that in, my opinion more atten- tion should be given to mechanical drawing and designing in the High school than has been the custom in past years. Miss Rose has asked for more time for this school, even recom- mending in her last report that "if more time can not be given to drawing in the school, it be given up entirely." An at- tempt has been made this year to give more time to this school and some work has been done in the mechanical line. I am told that few of our High school graduates go to any higher educational institution. If this is true it seems especially proper that they should be able to do such work in drafting as will give them enough practical knowledge and sufficient skill to enable them to take a prominent part in the industry for which the town is especially noted.
THE PORT SCHOOL.
Some changes could be made at the Port school which would be for the interest of all concerned. We have done something this year but we can do more. I would recom- mend that the lower room be occupied by the school. The floor is better and the conveniences greater. The cost of changing the furniture would be all the expense of such a move.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The principal of the High school will make his special report as usual. It would be impossible for me to enter into details in regard to the work of the school for the period pre- vious to September. I wish to state that I fully agree with Mr. Cutts in the statement he made in last year's report when
26
SCHOOL REPORT.
he says that "Every child who has ability to do High school work, should at least do four years of such work." I would make the first, second and third years more distinctively a business or commercial course. Of course if that was the ex- tent of the student's ambition he could leave at the end of that time and be given, if thought best, a certificate of proficiency.
MUSIC.
It is a pleasure to note that the work in music has been resumed and that Mrs. Robinson is again supervising it. Her report will be given as usual.
IN GENERAL.
The morale of the schools since September has been very good. There have been few if any cases of truancy, few dis- missals, and not a large number of absences. In some schools tardiness exists to such an extent as to constitute an evil, but in general it is not of sufficient magnitude as to require spec- ial consideration. The discipline has been good. The teach- ers have been earnest and faithful. The limit of reasonable economy in school administration has been reached. There are few vacant seats in rooms that are occupied, the only ex- ception being at the Port. Even the Bear Hill school has an enrollment of 30, ten more than for last year. The graded schools have an average of 41 pupils to a teacher.
In concluding this brief report I wish to thank you for your apparent confidence in me, your unvarying courtesy and cordial co-operation. I shall make it my effort for the re- mainder of the school year to see that your confidence is not misplaced.
GEORGE E. CHICKERING.
27
SCHOOL REPORT.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The work of the High school for the year passed has been in a large degree satisfactory. The attendance is practi- cally the same as it was last year. The class that was gradu- ated in June numbered twelve, while that which entered in September numbered nineteen. The average daily attendance since September has been good, for the first three months it was exceptionally good. During the last month of the fall term, for several reasons, the average attendance was con- siderably lower. However, the average percentage of at- tendance for the four months from September to Christmas was 96.66. Thirteen were neither absent nor tardy during that time, eight others were not absent, and thirteen more were absent but once. This regularity of attendance has done much to secure uniform, and uniformly good, work.
The average scholarship of the school may be called good, the work of some individuals is certainly excellent. Two things, one largely consequent upon the other, tend to prevent the attainment of the highest degree of scholarship possible in our school. These things are too much social dis- traction, to which I have referred in previous reports, and the consequent failure to do the necessary amount of home-study.
The amount of work required by law, and the entrance requirements of the colleges and normal schools, are such that our scholars cannot do satisfactorily the work of the High school without giving more or less time each day to home- work. The amount of time that should be given to this work must necessarily vary considerably with different scholars,
28
SCHOOL REPORT.
but no student in our school can do the work we are trying to do without some home-study every day. Under the present arrangement of one session, abundant opportunity is given for this work, and it should be done regularly. Almost without exception, those who do the least amount of home-study are those who need to do most. Without some home restraint and pressure in this direction, many scholars will fail to do this necessary work, and consequently they, individually, and the school, in general, suffer thereby. Our school is not essentially different in this particular from other schools ; it is, I believe, our privilege, with the hearty co-operation of the parents, to make it distinctively superior.
The school is fairly well supplied with working equip- ment, however, additional maps, apparatus and reference books would be greatly appreciated.
The decorations to our rooms have received material ad- ditions by gifts of pictures, which I wish to acknowledge, from each of the following : Dr. F. E. Sweetsir, Miss Grace G. Newhall, Girls' Club, Class of 1903.
We have abundant reason to be gratified with the work of the school in the past; we have even greater reasons to be hopeful for the future. Excellent spirit prevails, there is a high average of ability in the school, and a commendable am- bition is displayed in the work. I believe the school was never in better condition than now, and the prospects for the future are certainly gratifying.
In conclusion I wish to say that the teachers greatly ap- preciate the courteous and willing spirit of the pupils, and the helpful sympathy and co-operation of parents and school officials.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES W. CUTTS.
!
29
SCHOOL REPORT.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
To the Superintendent of Schools, Merrimac :
I herewith submit to you my report of the progress in Music for the year now ending.
Although conditions differed somewhat from those in previous years, at the beginning of the September term, yet good progress has been made.
Special attention has been given to individual work, in ear-training and sight-reading. This plan has already yielded good results, and quite an interest is manifested among the pupils. The teachers realize the benefit derived from such a course, and are doing very satisfactory work in that direction.
In nearly every class we find pupils deficient in musical perception. I would have them listen while the class sing ; this method affords them a better opportunity for mental con- ception than if they were singing. This often brings satis- factory results. I believe that every pupil should be attentive during the music period, for the tendency of vocal music is to cultivate the feelings, and its influence is refining.
We encourage soft singing in the lower grades that the children's voices may be more true and sweet. All recognize the fact that a well-rounded, rich-toned musical voice is to be desired, and all training should be in that line.
We have done something in written work, throughout all the grades, such as writing scales in all the keys, short phrases, sometimes a melody.
30
SCHOOL REPORT.
The High school is doing good work, the pupils are at- tentive and responsive. We all appreciate the generous re- sponse of the committee to a request, asking for a music read- er adapted to this grade, which we are using, (The Beacon Series, Coll. No. 2). The music is of a high order and we enjoy it very much. Unfortunately this school gets no drill, excepting when the Supervisor visits the school but once a week.
I express my thanks to the teachers for their efficient help in bringing the work up to the present standard; I also thank the School Board for their official support; to you, Mr. Superintendent, for your helpfulness and courtesy at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
M. EVA ROBINSON,
Supervisor of Music.
January 12, 1904.
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICER.
Mr. Geo. E. Chickering, Superintendent of Schools :
Your Truant Officer reports sixteen visits during the year ending January 31, 1904.
Most respectfully yours,
1
S. SCOFIELD. Merrimac, Mass., January 15th, 1904.
31
SCHOOL REPORT.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The work done in the primary and grammar grades since my last report has been most satisfactory. The pupils are capable of doing more advanced work than those in the same grade in other towns of the size.
In accordance with my suggestion, the work in the High school has been somewhat changed. The school is divided into two classes as before. Drawing is required of the enter- ing class. A class in mechanical drawing was formed at the beginning of the school year, to which any pupil might belong if it did not conflict with other work.
By omitting my visits to the Birch Meadow and Bear Hill schools I have been able to spend an hour and twenty minutes each week at the High school. This is double the time that I have given to the work in previous years. The time is di- vided equally between the two classes.
Outlines and suggestions have been sent to the schools where visits have been discontinued so that the work has not been altogether neglected. The change has, so far as tried, proved to be for the best. The High school pupils make much better progress when the lessons are more frequent, and the work counts for more there than in the ungraded schools.
Last year I asked for a small appropriation with which to purchase material for making groups. I wish to repeat my request.
I take this occasion to thank the teachers and all those who have helped me in my work for their hearty co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
January 16.
MAUDE H. ROSE.
LOCUST GROVE CEMETERY.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES.
To the Citizens of Merrimac :
1903.
DR.
To balance on hand as per last report, $186 55
Mar.
Cash from sale of lot,
20 00
Apr.
66
lot 25 00
66 66 66 lot,
25 00
May
66 66 66 trees,
12 00
66 66 66
mowing lots,
50
July 66
lot,
25 00
Oct.
66
66 wood,
26 50
Dec.
66 66
lot,
25 00
66 66 6: hay,
29 42
66
66
66 chopping blocks,
75
Jan.
66
66
66 lot,
25 00
$400 72
1903.
CR.
Apr.
$ 50 Cash paid Lovell & Co., salt, 6 " T. C. Thurlow, 9 50
6
Deposit in Merrimac Savings Bank, Cash paid Wm. Emerson & Son, crushed
150 C
stone, 17 60
Z. Lovell & Co.,
1 74
66
" E. Ransom, labor,
I If
66
66 Geo. W. Sargent, sawing logs,
75
66
66 Wm. Emerson & Son, dressing and logging, 2 00
66
Messrs. Gorden and Kittredge,
3 30
" Wm. Morrow, labor on trees, etc., 17 50
66
CEMETERY TRUSTEES' REPORT. 33
Cash paid I. Pendergast, team, $ 75
" Geo. A. Grant, labor, I 90
66 T. Grant, labor on trees, 18 50
66
66 A. N. McDonnell, labor on trees, 13 20
66
66 Owen Burke, labor on trees, 2 00
66
66 E. Ransom, labor on trees, 40
66
66 I. Pendergast, team,
3 00
66
66 Story & Co., powder, etc.,
78
66 " Mr. Crofut, labor, I 00
66 W. W. Lydston, tools, I IO
66 Arthur Trefethen, labor, I 95
66
T. Grant, labor on roads,
8 00
" Wmn. Morrow, labor on roads,
9 60
66
" A. N. McDonnell, labor on roads, 6 00
Aug.
" J. T. Crosby, haying, . II 20
IO 30
66
" Geo. A. Grant, haying,
4 50
Oct.
66
" T. Grant, repairing gutters, etc., 3 00
Nov. 66
" E. L. Hopkins, labor,
43
For 3 inch locust stakes, 75
66
" Horse and cart, 8 hours,
I OO
1904. Jan. 66
Trustees, express, postage, sta- tionery, secretary's work on records, deeds, and miscellaneous expenses, 7 00
Deposit in Merrimac Savings Bank, 50 00 1
Deposit in First National Bank, 35 33
$400 72
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE G. LARKIN, C. E. ROWELL, Trustees. CHAS. A. LANCASTER,
May
" I. Pendergast, team,
3 00
" T. Grant, haying,
34
CEMETERY TRUSTEES' REPORT.
Trustees' Report of Funds for Perpetual Care of Lots by the Town.
Under Massachusetts Laws, Revised Statutes, 1902, Chap. 78, Sec. 24.
OF CEMETERIES AND BURIALS.
A town in which Cemetery Commissioners or Trustees are chosen may receive gifts or bequests for maintaining cemeteries or cemetery lots, which shall be paid into the town treasury of said town and with the accounts thereof, shall be kept separate from the other money and accounts of said town ; the town treasurer shall invest all such funds in accordance with the stipulations, if any accompany them ; otherwise he shall invest them as ordered by the Selectmen and Commissioners or Trustees, and pay the income therefrom upon their order, or with their approval.
Eliza M. Sawyer fund for the care of the T. C. Sawyer lot in Church Street Ceme- tery, $114.00, deposited in Merrimac Savings Bank, Sept. 18, 1902.
Income to October 21, 1903, $4 00
Geo. A. Grant, for care of lot for 1903, paid by Town Treasurer by order of the Selectmen and Cemetery Trustees, : 50
Available balance, $2 50
Emily S. Goodwin fund for care of Patten Sar- gent lot in Lower Main Street Cemetery, $250.00, deposited in Merrimac Savings Bank, Jan. 6th, 1903, by executor of her will. Income to October 21, 1903, $6 59 Available balance, $6 59
The care of this lot has not been paid for.
35
CEMETERY TRUSTEES' REPORT.
John L. and Sophia A. Merrill fund for the care of family lot in Church Street Cemetery, $200.00, deposited in Merrimac Savings Bank, Aug. 26, 1903, by order of heirs, by the ex- ecutor of estate.
A record of the above and other cases will be kept by the Trustees.
GEO. G. LARKIN, Supt., C. E. ROWELL, Trustees. CHAS. A. LANCASTER, )
CHURCH AND LOWER MAIN STREET
CEMETERIES.
TRUSTEES REPORT.
To the Selectmen and Citizens of Merrimac :
1903.
DR.
July To cash received for wood, 7 00
To cash received for hay, 30 00
To cash received for lot, Church street, 8 00 $45 00
CR.
By cash paid Clifton B. Heath, town treasurer,
$45 00
CR. MEMORANDUM. April T. Grant, labor on trees and wall, $7 10
J. J. Woodman, labor on trees and wall,
7 60
36
CEMETERY TRUSTEES' REPORT.
July J. T. Crosby, haying, $ 4 35
T. Grant, haying, II 40
Geo. A. Grant, haying, 6 70
A. N. McDonald, haying, 4 40
Aug. T. Grant, haying, 7 40
Wm. Emerson, haying, 50
Jan. '04 Secretary, weighing hay two years,
90
Cash, Order Record Book, 1 00
Cash, repairing plan of Church street lots, 75
Stamps, stationery, clerical work, etc., 6 00
$59 10
DR.
To Selectmen's order on Town Treasurer, $59 10
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE G. LARKIN, C. E. ROWELL, Trustees.
CHAS. A. LANCASTER,
1
ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS
OF MERRIMAC FIRE DEPARTMENT.
MERRIMAC, MASS., Feb. Ist, 1904.
To the Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Merrimac :
The Board of Engineers submit the following report for the year ending on this date.
There have been five alarms.
March 19th, 1903, the alarm was rung in from Box 12 for fire on Grove street in the storehouse of the H. M. Howe carriage shop. Cause unknown. Loss ($500) five hundred dollars. Insurance ($400) four hundred dollars. Isaac Pen- dergast's loss on contents stored in the building was ($900) nine hundred dollars; insurance ($300) three hundred dol- lars. Loss of H. O. Delano, twenty dollars ($20) ; no in- surance. Loss on building of John E. Currier, ($150) ; no insurance. Loss on building of Robert Farra, ($25.00) ; no insurance.
July 4th, 1903, false alarm.
September 3d, 1903, an alarm was sent in from Box 13 at 6.05 o'clock a. m., for fire in the carriage factory of the Walker Carriage Co., corner of Main and Liberty streets. On arriving at the fire the engineers immediately sent in a second alarm calling the Merrimacport company, and owing to the danger to surrounding property, and feeling we might not be able to subdue the fire with the limited means which we have
38
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
to do with, we immediately called for help from Haverhill and Amesbury. Chief Gordon of Haverhill responded in quick time with a steamer and hose wagon and several men and rendered valuable assistance. Chief Manning of Ames- bury responded with a hose wagon and several men, but ow- ing to a misunderstanding in regard to the state road being impassable, did not bring the steamer, but his men took hold and did good work. When we sent to Chief Gordon and Chief Manning for their bills they notified us that we were welcome to what they had done. Therefore we returned to them a vote of thanks in behalf of the citizens of the town of Merrimac. Damage to the building was ($6,700) ; insurance ($5,000) ; damage to contents ($18,900), insurance($21,500) ; The fire started in the blacksmith shop around a forge. Ow- ing to the good, hard and faithful manner in which the fire- men worked and the willingness with which the citizens took hold and helped we were able to subdue the fire with compar- atively small loss considering the dangerous location of the fire.
November 12th, 1903, an alarm was rung in from Box 13 at 2.45 o'clock a. m., for fire on the Birch Meadow road in the building owned and occupied by Moses W. Thompson in which the house and barn were destroyed with the contents of the barn. Damage to buildings ($7,000) ; insurance ($2,650). Value of contents ($5,500) ; insurance ($2,400). Cause un- known.
November 10th, 1903, an alarm was rung in for burglars.
The fire apparatus consists of one steam fire engine, hose wagon, hook and ladder truck, hand engine and hose reel, and seven chemicals which are all in good condition and excellent working order.
We have purchased two Underwriter fire extinguishers of regular fire department size, No. 7, and placed them on the
39
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
truck, and placed one of the Star extinguishers at Merrimac- port as they only had one.
We have had the hook and ladder truck, of which the two long sills were broken, repaired and braces put on the ladder rollers and we now consider the truck in good condition and stronger than ever.
We have had 250 feet of unserviceable hose repaired which now gives us 3,450 feet of hose. We have also pur- chased 12 new spanner belts for hosemen.
We have put in a new stove in the basement uuder the steamer as the old one was all falling to pieces, caused by water and dampness which collects in the basement every spring, and owing to the long and severe cold season which we have had we think it lucky that we did, as we would have been unable to keep the steamer from freezing up with one stove.
We regret to say that the extensive repairs on the steam- er amounting to $38.90, spoken of in last year's report had to be paid out of this year's appropriation.
On account of repairs which we were forced to make or buildings we have been obliged to overdraw. We have had a new gravel roof put on, repaired the hose tower and put in new sills under the front and one side of the building, and re- paired the concrete which had to be torn up. The sills were completely rotted away and it is a miricle how they stood the strain as long as they did.
The buildings are badly in need of repair and should be repaired just as soon as possible as it is poor economy to let the buildings go to pieces for the want of repair and as the surplus which we may have left, if any, from our regular ap- propriation is so small it would take a number of years to put them in any kind of condition. Therefore we hope that the citizens of the town will grant us the request for a small ap-
40
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
propriation for repairing the buildings, which we ask for in the town warrant. Knowing that perhaps two-thirds of the citizens of the town do not know the condition of the build- ings, we extend to one and all a cordial invitation to visit the engine house, look it over, and we think you will be con- vinced and agree with us that something ought to be done and done without further delay.
Respectfully submitted,
ANGUS McINNIS, Chief, J. W. BRADY, Ist Asst. and Clerk, Engineers. LORENZO BLAISDELL, 2d Asst.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
BIRTHS.
7
Number of births returned,
26
Males,
I I
Females,
I5
Fathers native born,
IS
Mothers native born,
15
Fathers and mothers both native born, I5
Fathers and mothers both foreign born, S
MARRIAGES.
Number of Marriages recorded,
17
First marriage of groom, 16
First marriage of bride,
16
Grooms native born, 17
Brides native born, I5
Average age of groom 33 years, 21 days.
Average age of bride 25 years, 7 months, 21 days.
42
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
DEATHS.
Number of Deaths returned,
30
Males,
9
Females,
2I
Under 5 years,
3
Males native born,
6
Females, native born,
17
Of native parentage,
19
Of foreign parentage,
IO
Of mixed parentage,
I
DOGS.
Number of dogs licensed,
71
Males, 68
Females, 3
BAILEY SARGENT,
Town Clerk.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
During the past year the work of the Tree Warden has been carried on in the same lines as the previous years. The necessary work of trimming shade trees has been attended to and in addition to the regular necessary expenditures in this department your Tree Warden wishes to acknowledge the re- ceipt of a donation of $15 from a public spirited lady resident for permanent improvements in this line. A number of trees have been set out during the year and with a small appropria- tion each year for this work much could be accomplished which would not only replace any trees which may die out from time to time but in future years would add much to the beauty of the town.
The total expense of this department for the year has been $62.50.
Respectfully,
GILBERT G. DAVIS,
Tree Warden.
POLICE REPORT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen-I herewith submit the annual report of the Police department for the year ending Jan. 31st, 1904 :
Number of arrests, 7
CHARGED AS FOLLOWS :
Assault, I
Drunkenness, 2
Drunk and disorderly, I
Intimidating, I
Liquor with intent to sell, I
Insane person, I
-
7
Number of lodgers, 57
Respectfully submitted, A. S. NIXON, Chief of Police.
SARGENT HALL.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen-The report of Sargent Hall is as follows :-
From January 31, 1903, to January 31, 1904, Sargent Hall has been opened 29 times. Received for rent of hall, $95 25
Paid Town Treasurer,
$95 25
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS PARKIN, Janitor.
Merrimac, Mass., Jan. 31, 1904.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE
MERRIMAC PUBLIC LIBRARY.
To the Board of Selectmen :
In, presenting the 28th annual report of the Merrimac - Public Library the Trustees do so with the hope that the libra- ry is managed to the satisfaction of all, and that it is a source of benefit as well as pleasure to its patrons.
The books are in good condition and none have been lost during the year ; the cost per book in circulation is small com- pared to other Libraries in the State; more interest seems to have been taken in the Library during the past year than for several years, and your Trustees hope to still further increase the interest, and can do so only by furnishing popular, useful and instructive books.
The Library has been opened during the year 98 times, which is four times more than usual, the Trustees having de- cided it wise to open the rooms one day each week during August, which has not been done for some years.
A total of 9,096 volumes have been put in circulation, an increase of about 450 over last year, the average delivery was 93, and the largest for any one day 170.
The following is the monthly delivery :-
1903.
1903.
February,
S75 August, 449
March,
S22 September,
650
April,
871 October, 836
May,
757
November,
747
June,
672 December,
790
July,
577 January, 1904,
1,050
46
LIBRARY REPORT.
There have been added to the Library during the year 154 volumes ; by the Trustees, 113 ; presented by Gilbert H. Montague, I ; by First Church ot Christ, Scientist, of Haver- hill, 1; by N. E. Historical Society, 21; by Commonwealth and U. S. Government, IS; also a file of the Merrimac Budget for 1903.
Thanks to Congressman A. P. Gardner the Congression- al Record is still on file at the Reading Room.
If we are to keep up the growing interest in the Library we would respectfully ask for the usual appropriation.
CHAS. W. SAWYER,
JAMES F. PEASE, HERBERT O. DELANO, GEORGE E. RICKER, W. B. SARGENT, THOS. H. HOYT,
Trustees.
HERBERT O. DELANO, Secretary.
MEMORANDUM.
Feb. 3. Cash on hand, $ 45
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