Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1879, Part 2

Author: Milford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 94


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1879 > Part 2


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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30


Insane.


Henry Cain .


$197 33


Caroline Coughlen


189 00


Maynard Rawson


200 91


Ann Lahey.


185 58


Dennis Pyne


222 79


Abbott L. Perry .


131 62


John O'Harra .


194 02


Elizabeth Eames


128 03


$1449,28


Persons receiving aid away from Farm in Milford.


Mrs Thomas Rabbit.


186 91


Mrs Harry Sidley . 26 49


Mrs Thomas Finton


49 21


Patrick McDermott 51 45


11 00


Frank Finn


68 69


Mrs Dennis O'Connor


43 07


James Cross


34 85


Mrs Michael Smith,


53 05


Andrew Gilroy


20 50


Albert A Sweet.


3 75


Mrs Charles Hoyt


35 85


Mrs B O'Connor.


25 27


Patick Clynes


187 30


Thomas Hogan .


20 95


Mrs Catherine Riley


32 25


Michael Coleman .


40 19


Edward McKanna


78 75


Martin O'Connell.


33 18


Daniel Shea.


89 97


David Quinlan


34 10


Thomas Holland


20 88


John Knight


31


Michael Hagency ..


73 94


Mrs Michael Casey


22 18


Mrs Michael Lyons .


82 53


Mrs Cornelius Sullivan


115 66


Patrick J Burns.


48 10


Miss Mary O'Connor


42 14


John Clancy .


58 78


Patrick Curry


77 21


Patrick Clunan


38 70


Howard Holland


18 26


.John Ryan


7 10


Patrick Condra.


22 20


Martin Maley.


32 99


William Breen


8 65


J Pyne


11 23


John Welch


34 75


Peter McCabe 7 00


Mrs Dennis Pyne


23 80


Mrs Bridget Moore


15 96


Mrs Warren Ellis.


7 50


Batholomew Conway


18 50


T J Harper


9 32


Mrs Bridget Caine


3 25


Mrs M A Ahern


28 00


Dennis Griffin


56 50


Edward Howley


25 76


Mary Cox. .


52 00


Thomas Craven.


31 70


Bernard Kelley.


55 81


H W Thayer.


2 00


Mrs Chas Forbush 43 82


Stephen Burke.


135 11


Mrs Julia Carey


19 86


Patrick McGrath


6 00


Patrick Flynn, 2d. ..


15 98


John Burke.


15 90


32


John Rowe, children 96 50


Mrs Emma Sturtevant


13 25


O J Allen 25 00


Joseph Deig . 25 50


Elijah F. Hildreth


16 75


Mrs Patrick Conniff.


74 49


Patrick McQuade


43 22


Mrs Mary O'Donnell


34 89


Miss Nora Crahen .


197 00


Ranney Daneulx


55 52


William Coffee


97 07


Mrs John Hogan


55 27


Mrs Michael Connors


41 95


Martin Ward


16 08


Michael Kelly


4 00


Mrs Rhoda Allen


218 94


Edward Holohan


5 63


James Hogan .


1 00


Mrs Patrick Powers


55 16


Albert Armstrong


6 63


John Lynch.


37 44


Patrick Butler


7 23


John Wilson


9 25


Frank Surgerson


8 00


Amasa Haynes


3 26


Mrs John Mahony.


6 75


Michael Fitzgerald.


3 85


Michael · Lavin.


3 25


Patrick Sullivan .


10 00


Mrs Hugh Glennon


76 68


Martin Donohue


5 75


Anthony Hannon.


9 00


Peter Dunn


27 20


Moses Hoyet.


142 48


Mrs Mary White


1 25


John Cook


28 90


33


Mrs Winnifred Casey . 2 60


Wm Murphy . 5 57 Owen O'Harra 5 11


Martin Keenan


2 00


John Fahey


5 00


$3,904.18


Belonging in Milford, Living in Other Towns.


Henry O. Anthony, Upton


$11 00


John W. Southland 6. 5 00


Patrick Roach, Uxbridge 5 79


Levi L. Smith, Mendon


4 00


Diadana Howard, Bellingham


6 00


Patrick Flynn, Worcester


46 60


Catherine Hynes, . (


7 00


Patrick Boyle,


12 75


John J Ford,


4 00


Thomas Moran, 66


28 90


Josephine M Greene, Worcester


2 00


Lydia Dunn, Northbridge .


21 60


Wm J Stewart, Marlboro


49 40


Celia Osborn, New Bedford. 29 70


Laurence O'Hara, Salem


71 35


Anna Gayten, Medway


5 00


Nellie McDonough, Boston


83 90


Mrs Kenny 66


16 75


Eliza Curry,


5 37


Milton H Morse, 66


3 45


Mary Delany 66


10 50


Margaret Quinn, Lowell.


63 30


Wm. Leland, Plymouth.


91 75


Julius L Johnson, Wrentham


88 43


Daniel Dugan, Waltham.


71 00


Mrs Geo Holland, Somerville.


22 53


C


34


Rob't D S Holbrook, Fall River 8 00


Moses Boover, Haverhill


5 00


Benj'n D "


19 45


Eli D 66


23 20


Abraham Quintell "


8 20


Mrs Mary Nealy Blackstone


199 75


George Horner, Hopkinton


6 00


Mrs Dan'l Slattery


13 50


Mrs Mary Shechee, Worcester


18 00


Augustus Daniels, Hopkinton 48 00


James A'Hern,


25 94


Annie Buckley, 66


15 25


Julia Welch, Taunton.


28 65


Fleming Adams, Wrentham.


70 50


Mrs Patrick Sullivan, Fall River


154 64


John Haggerty, Medway.


97 68


Mrs Michael Holland, Cambridge


16 62


$1530.45


Paupers belonging in other Towns, living in Milford.


Lewis G Fales, Medway . $19 00


Moses S Force 5 00


John P Hughes, Holliston 69 00


Jane Reeves


6 00


Emerson Morse, 66


12 00


Caroline Hayford, Hanson. 43 10


M J Bowker, Hopkinton . 82 12


Benjamin Fairbanks, Hopkinton


25 70


Michael Murphy,


55 50


John E Morse,


2 00


George W Brown, Uxbridge 45 79


*Joshua O Langley


104 15


James McAvoy, Taunton .


31 18


Mrs Wm Marr, Shrewsbury 235 73


James O Gould, Gloucester 28 21


35


Richard Carey, Boston 28 21


Patrick Jones, 20 50


Isaac Cox, Stoughton . 29 65


Patrick McGahey, Blackstone 25 50


Mrs Hiram Adams 21 00


Harrison Brigham, Westboro 43 75


Adolphus Porter, Worcester 6 50


Mrs James Mealey, Boston 6 50


Alonzo Fisk, Upton . 10 00


*Settlement denied.


$964,74


State Paupers.


Susan Sweeney,


1


Joshua Downey,


Mrs Daniel Gilmore,


Mrs James O'Brien,


Michael Finn,


Michael Murphy,


John Petted,


Mrs John Shockrowe,


Crohen Connell,


Wm Myett,


John A Cummings,


Leonidas Tourtellotte,


Patrick Milan,


Wm Stewart,


James Small,


Sarah McGrath,


Edward Sirerack,


Dennis Haynes,


Wm Fahey,


A J Fisher,


Children of Wm B Dodd,


Mrs Michael Shea,


Mrs Michael Harty,


Mrs Terrence Russell,


Mrs Mary O'Connell,


George Sheehan,


Lucian Sheppard,


Edward Dennanan,


Hannah Cooney,


Susan Sweeney,


Frank Boston,


Amount


$1096,76


Two hundred and sixty-four tramps. 25,00


Due from other Towns and Cities.


Medway


$19 00


Holliston .


56 66


Uxbridge


110 05


Northbridge


6 00


Boston


40 83


Upton


17 12


36


Gloucester 37 36


Worcester 6 00


Hopkinton 38 80


Due from S. S. and L. P. Jones


156 34


Charged to State


390 71


$853 51


Receipts


Cash of John Riley . $1 88


Overseers Poor Upton .


34 15


66 Medway. 10 00


66


66 Shrewsbury.


235 73


City Taunton


31 18


Town Hanson


43 10


Ira Ide


90


Anthony Hannon


9 00


Gloucester


37 36


Boston


13 38


Stoughton


29 65


Uxbridge


39 89


Holliston .


65 75


D. Nelson, for oxen 155 61


D. Wedge, pension. 13 00


Ed. Quinlan, pension and State aid. 62 00


S. Mathewson.


8 45


Westboro.


43 75


Blackstone


46 50


Hopkinton.


157 58


H. C. Scott. 186 15


John S. Mead . 423 35


S. Harrington 144 54


State. 121 85


S. S. and L. P. Jones 372 41


Town Treasurer. 11539 23


$13,826 39


37


Incidentals.


Cash paid for Cutting Wood :


M. Naulty


$39 00


Patrick Kearnes 11 05


Patrick Flynn. 16 88


Samuel Mather


9 38


Cutting poles and timber


12 59


Carting Wood


54 00


Fales and Davis


50 00


G. W. Stacy, books, etc.


19 45


P. O. Stamps 6 00


A. Putnam, et. al. labor on Jones land.


47 00


$265 35


RECAPITULATION.


Insane


$1449 28


State


1096 77


Other towns


964 74


Paupers belonging to Milford living in other towns. .. 1535 45


60


66 in town.


3899 18


Farm


4559 39


Incidentals, cutting and carting wood 142 90


66 Fales & Davis 50 00


Books, stationery, etc 25 45


Labor on Jones land and repairs 47 00


264 tramps


25 00


$13,795 15 We had on hand, Feb. 1, 1879 wood and boots val- ued at. 265 00


38


REPAIRS.


The three hundred dollars appropriated for repairs was ex- pended on the barn, sheds and hog house. The barn and shed were new shingled and the hog house raised up and new silled and part- ly new boarded with a new plank floor; we also finished two new rooms in the attic of almshouse.


There was on hand Feb. 1, 1879, personal property to the amount of $4038,48. Although the valuation is about $230,42 less than last year, we have more of everything than we had last year, but have apprised it lower.


We have one horse and thirteen cows. The cows (13) are valued less than the eleven of last year by $85.00. One yoke of oxen, thirteen hogs, and more hay than was ever in the barn at this time of year before. Bed and bedding are in the best of repair. The Superintendent is paid to March 1, 1879 (salary $600). The Town Doctor also paid to March 1, 1879, salary $100.


Whole number admitted the past year, 63 ; present number, 40 ; average number, about 36 ; average weekly cost, $1.70.


The sick State poor are paid to January 1st, 1879, and bills sent to Board of State Charities.


We have a bill against Uxbridge of $110,05, which they re- fuse to pay.


On the first of April, 1878, we put men who were aided at work on the Town Farm, and expended $130,29. Had we aided them at home, the town would have been better off. The tools were either spoiled or carried away. All the work could have been done with the oxen for what the tools cost.


The suit against S. S. and L. P. Jones, was settled by mutual consent ; the overseers being secured by lease of real estate until all bills are paid. We have received this year in standing wood and rent to the amount of $372,41.


There was due the town Feb. 1st, 1878, $372,75. Board this year, $156 00. Leaving a balance due Feb. 1, 1879, $156,34.


39


There was charged to the State Feb. 1, 1878. $763 68


From 1878 to Feb. 1, 1879 390 71


$1154 39


Received the past year


121 85


Balance now due from the State $1032 52


Owing to the interference of some Milford men, the above bills remain in the hands of the Visiting Agent of the Board of State Charities, unaudited. Had there been no interference, most of the above sum would have been in the hands of the Town Treasurer at this time.


Although the past year has been a hard one, we have been enabled to reduce the expenses from last year.


Amount drawn from treasury ending Feb. 1878, $13,364.86 66 66 1879, 11,539.23


A reduction of


$1725,63


ELIAS WHITNEY, JOHN MADDEN, of the Poor of Milford.


Overseers


DAVID NELSON,


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS


OF THE


MILFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT


FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 8, 1879.


Cash on hand Feb. 16, 1878. $ 37 41


Received of Ethan C. Claflin for pay of members. . 3600 00


66 " incidentals 1100 00


" purchase of hose. 1000 00


Stephen Sibley for old hose.


97 05


Worcester South-East Agricultural So- ciety 5 50


Ethan C. Claflin for repairs 225 00


L. B. Felton for rent of land. 1 00


Total amount of receipts $6065 96


Total amount of expenditures. $5995 99


Cash on hand Feb. 8, 1879 69 97


$6065 96


EXPENDITURES.


Cash paid Barney & Son $ 6 50


Hopedale Furnace Company 3 50


J. M. Rose.


2 50


Milford Gas Company


258 93


H. L. Patrick . 5 60


Field & Crosby 72 78


Stevens & Morrin 6 15


A. Stevens 19 15


41


J. E. Batten 5 00


C. L. Witherell. 150 00


W. H. Scammell 16 67


W. C. Gilman 1 25


John Goldsmith 12 00


A. Tyler. 64 10


Board of Engineers 250 00


North Star Engine Co. 720 00


Wide Awake Hose Co. 307 50


A. Claflin Engine Co. 235 00


Washington Engine Co : 732 50


Milford Steam Fire Engine Co. 185 00


300 00


N. B. Fairbanks 202 90


A. S. Allen


26 80


Henry Willard.


296 36


Extinguisher Co


187 50


C. O. Woodbury .


183 34


C. E. Moorhouse.


44 75


J. W. Harris


3 00


M. W. Edwards 46 50


C. F. Walker 1 16


B. & A. Express Co


1 50


G. W. Stacy


1 45


A. Withington 98


6 00


J. M. Woods


219 05


. C. H. Hoyt.


19 26


Chambers, Calder & Co


4 65


Bartlett & Ellis.


50 01


Hopedale Stable Co 3 00


Ross, Turner & Co


450 00


American Hose Co 545 00


Allen Supply Co 55 35


M. L. Tarbell 2 60


Excelsior H. & L. Co


J. T. Ryan. 6 25


C. T. Crosby


42


H. C. Skinner 14 55


A. S. Tuttle. 4 52


W. J. Shields 18 90


E. E. Cook. 41 50


W. J. Blanchard 39 50


J. T. McGuire 1 50


J. D. Hunt .. 6 00


Eddy & Studley 90 00


P. & W. R. R.


26


P. &. W. Express


5 65


Hopedale Machine Co.


3 16


T. E. Morse. 6 28


E. A. & L. A. Cook. 6 50


Merrill Hoyt. 5 30


D. B. Jeuks 45


Geo. W. DeRochmont 28 50


H. W. Britton 11 88


Cash on hand . 69 97


$6065 96


There have been thirty alarms of fire from Feb. 16, 1878, to this date, from the following causes :


Out of town. 2


Burning brush


1


In woods 6


In chimney


2


In buildings


18


Rekindling


1


30


The present number of members in the Department, is one hundred and sixty-seven, divided as follows :


Engineers


7


Washington Engine Co. No. 1. 44


North Star " 4 47


43


Wide Awake Hose Co. No. 1.


19


Milford Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1 9 A. Claflin “ No. 2. 12


Excelsior H. & L. Co. No. 1. 20


Extinguisher Co. No. 1. 9


167


SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY.


Five Engine Houses and furniture for the same.


Two Hand Engines and Hose Carriages.


Two Steam Fire Engines and Hose Carriages.


One four-wheeled Hose Carriage and fixtures for the same.


One Babcock Fire Extinguisher.


One Hook & Ladder Carriage, with hooks and ladders for same.


Seventeen Reservoirs, located as follows : One near the Town House, on South Bow street; One near the junction of Main and Spruce streets ; One at Lincoln Square ; One on the Parish Com- mon ; One on the corner of Main and Fruit streets ; One on West street near Samuel Walker's boot factory ; One on Congress street ; One on Exchange street ; One on Central Street ; One on Jefferson street ; One at the junction of Pearl and School street; One on Walnut street near the School House; One on North Road near Joseph Hancock's ; One at North Milford ; One at Jonesville ; One on the corner of West and Lee streets, and one on Grove, near Forest street.


CONDITION OF PROPERTY.


The engine houses are all in good repair. but there are several reservoirs that need repairing.


ENGINES AND CARRIAGES.


Washington Engine No. 1, Button & Son, builders, is located in No. 1 Engine House.


North Star Engine No. 4, Jeffers builder, is located in No. 4 Engine House.


44


Milford Steam Fire Engine No. 1, Cole Bros. builders, is loca- ted in the Steamer House.


Aaron Claflin Steam Fire Engine No. 2, Amoskeag build, is located in the Steamer House.


Wide Awake Hose Carriage No 1, is located in No. 1 Engine House.


Excelsior Hook & Ladder Carriage No. 1, is located in No. 2 Engine House.


Extinguisher No. 1, is located in the Engine House at Hope- dale.


All the above apparatus is in good repair.


There are five thousand nine hundred and fifty feet of hose in the department. Five hundred feet of which is not reliable.


RECOMMENDATIONS.


That the pay of the members be the same as last year. The purchase of five hundred feet of new hose and the appropriation of the following sums for the department :


For the pay of members $3600 00


For incidental expenses 1200 00


For purchase of new hose. 500 00


For repair of reservoirs and houses 200 00


J. M. WOODS,


MOSES DAY,


ASAPH WITHINGTON,


J. B. BANCROFT,


M. W. EDWARDS,


L. S. WAKEFIELD, HENRY C. SKINNER.


Board of Engineers.


45


TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1878-79.


Clerk, LEWIS FALES.


Treasurer, ETHAN C. CLAFLIN.


Selectmen and Highway Surveyors, JOHN S. MEAD, JOSEPH B. BANCROFT, ISAAC N. DAVIS. Assessors, ANDREW J. SUMNER, JAMES H. BARKER, PATRICK McGARRY.


Overseers of the Poor, ELIAS WHITNEY, for three years. JOHN MADDEN, for two years. DAVID NELSON, for one year.


Constables,


Oliver D. Holmes, Andrew Bagley, Benjamin H. Montague, George F. Jacobs, Thomas Donahue, James Powers, Thomas Coyne, C. E. Clark, John F. Burke, James W. Donovan, M. W. Edwards, Darius Healy, S. A. Andrew, Philip O'Donnell, Martin Broderick.


Fence Viewers, A. J. SUMNER AND ELIAS WHITNEY.


Field Drivers. DAVID FISK, ELISHA J. FROST AND AUGUSTUS C. JONES.


Surveyor of Lumber, FRANK ROACH.


46


School Committee,


CHARLES J. THOMPSON, Į Term expires March, 1879. GEORGE E. STACY.


CHARLES A. DEWEY, Term expires, March, 1880. J. T. CANAVAN,


GEORGE W. JOHNSON, Į Term expires March, 1881.


ZIBEON C. FIELD,


Trustees of Town Library,


Silas W. Hale, A. A. Burrill, H. B. Thayer, Charles Lynch, D. J. Cronan, David G. Minton, C. W. Wilcox, H. G. Bailey, P. A. Gleason, John J. Cochrane, C. W. Shippee, J. Allen Rice and E. D. Bancroft.


Trustees of Vernon Grove Cemetery,


LEONARD FAIRBANKS, Term expires March, 1879. ISAAC N. CROSBY,


W. IRVING BRADBURY, Term expires March, 1880. H. C. SKINNER.


JOHN M. WOOD, Term expires March, 1881.


J. ALLEN FAY,


Engineers of Fire Department.


Moses Day, J. M. Woods, Asaph Withington, Andrew Bagley, . J. B. Bancroft, M. W. Edwards, H. C. Skinner.


47


VITAL STATISTICS.


There were 72 marriages recorded in town in 1878, of which 10 were of foreign birth, and 62 of American birth.


There were 230 births recorded, of which 122 had fathers of foreign birth, and 110 had mothers of foreign birth; 107 had fa- thers of American birth, and 119 had mothers of American birth.


The whole number of deaths recorded were 174, of which 8 were of American parentage, and 94 of foreign parentage ; 62 being 5 - years and less, 18 over 5 and less than 20 years, 35 being over twenty and less than fifty years, 42 being over fifty and less than eighty years, 15 being over 80 years old, the oldest person being 100 years and 9 months.


CAUSE OF DEATH.


Consumption, 32,


Diphtheria, 14,


Old Age, 18, Cholera Infantum, 9,


Heart Disease, 8,


Paralysis, 7,


Whooping Cough, 8,


Infantile, 7,


Convulsions, 7,


Pneumonia, 6,


Disease of Brain, 5,


Decline, 5,


Disease of Liver, 4,


Croup, 3,


Bronchitis, 3, Lung Fever, 3,


Typhoid Fever, 3,


Still Birthis, 2,


Billious Fever, 2,


Disease of Bowels, 2,


Annema, 2,


Erysipėlas, 2,


Insanity, 2.


Tumor, 2,


Apoplexy, 3,


Also, one in each of the following named causes : measles, cancer, cold, congestion of lungs, acute laryngitis, abscess, sun stroke, accidental, hemorrhage of lungs, dysentery, suicide, disease of stomach, hemorrhage of stomach, hernia and asphyxia.


There have been 285 dogs licensed since the 30th day of April, 1878.


There have been 5 liquor licenses recorded for the present year.


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE VERNON GROVE CEMETERY,


For the year ending February 15, 1879.


We have given deeds of eight lots, for which we have received seventy-four dollars.


There have been forty-one interments in the cemetery during the year.


The Treasurer sumbits the following report :


DR.


To cash due the Treasurer, 1878. $83 58


Paid on old account. 65 00


Paid labor, dressing etc., 1878. 31 43


CR.


$180 01


By cash received for deeds $74 00


Fitting lots. 40 00


Interest.W. B. Dyer's estate 9 00


Interest Eunice Albee. 6 00


Interest Theion Holbrook. 6 00


$135 00


By balance due the Treasurer. 45 01


$180 01


All of which is respectfully submitted.


LEONARD FAIRBANKS, Treasurer.


L. FAIRBANKS, Term expires March 1, 1879.


I. N. CROSBY,


W. I. BRADBURY, Term expires March 1, 1880.


H. C. SKINNER,


J. M. WOODS, Term expires March 1, 1881. J. A. FAY,


MILFORD, Feb. 15, 1879. W. I. BRADBURY, Secretary.


REPORT OF THE


TRUSTEES OF TOWN LIBRARY.


To THE CITIZENS OF MILFORD :- The Trustees of the Pub- lic Library respectfully submit the following report :


The Library is now twenty years old. In reviewing the work of the year past, a comparison of the Library's condition now with what it was ten years ago, may not be inappropriate. Then it contained 3337 volumes ; now 5447. Then it had a cir- culation of 21,531 ; now it has, 36,306. Then it had no Reading- Room ; now it possesses one warmed and lighted, where, any sec- ular evening, can be found four different monthlies, five weeklies and six dailies. This Reading-Room is well patronized, as is also the Library. Each helps the other in making known its advanta- ges ; and it is doubtless in great part owing to the establishment of the Reading-Room that the Library's circulation has so much in- creased, and so greatly surpasses that of larger towns. One can judge somewhat of the number of the patrons of the Reading-Room from the number using it between April 8 and May. 4, the average for the twenty-three evenings open being 38.3; and between De- cember 2 and 28, when the average was 45.7 an evening. Certainly these numbers prove that the Reading-Room is appreciated, as does the large circulation reported by the Librarian show that the Library is used by the reading public.


An annual circulation of over 36,300 volumes, means a great deal for a town of less than 10,000 inhabitants. It is powerfully affecting the youth, who form far the largest part of the readers.


D


50


Not only new words, their arrangement and their meanings are thus acquired almost without knowing it, but ideas, facility of thought and expression, intellectual tastes and mental biases are acquired, which greatly affect the individual's future. Scan, then, we must, this wide-flowing influence. . The selection of the books must be made with such scrutiny that every parent can feel that none but pure and beneficial influences flow from the institution the town maintains. We should go further : None but good or standard works should be provided at the town's expense. Because the


lighter works of fiction are read with avidity, is no more an argu- ment for the town's paying for them than because pastry and sweet- meats are relished the town should furnish a free table. This class of literature may safely be left to private purses. A town must re- ceive, directly or indirectly, some substantial benefit, else an outlay is unwarranted. Let us only know that the Library contains noth- ing to weaken the mind, nothing to vitiate the taste, of the youth of our town, whose minds are so active to appropriate-that it is filled with books of History, Science, Poetry, Politics, Biography and Art; that it is replete with information on a thousand subjects-a storehouse of the wit, wisdom and experience of the past, and the town will stanchly sustain it as an educative power second only to our schools, and working in harmony with them.


Your Standing Committee, after paying the running expenses, devoted the most of the remaining money to replacing the best of the books lost and worn out whose names were on the catalogue.


The so-called slip system of issuing books has worked admir- ably, and it is believed will be of much use in preserving the books from getting lost or unaccounted for.


Considering the greatly increased and increasing circulation, the Trustees recommend an appropriation of one thousand dollars.


S. W. HALE, Chairman.


51


TO THE TRUSTEES OF MILFORD TOWN LIBRARY :- I present herewith my fifth and the twentieth annual report of the town li- brary.


The library opened Feb. 20th, 1878, and the year ended Feb. 8th, 1879, and was open 298 days. The whole number of books taken out was 36,306, against 35,562 the year previous.


Largest daily circulation January 4, 1879. 492 vols.


Smallest


Oct. 23, 1878 26


Average


" for the year, nearly . 122 66


Cards have been issued to 1858 persons.


Number of postal card notices sent delinquents, 202.


" books recovered by personal application at resi- dence, 9.


Number of books not returned, 1. No. 223, D, taken out June 1, by Wilbur Hayward, who is at present in Cherokee, Iowa. One book has been lost and the value of the same paid for.


Number of volumes covered during the year 2256


66 66 bound 66 171


Cash received for fines, $62,82. Cash rec'd for catalogues, $9,50.


There is due the library, for fines, $16,76, from 150 persons, from whom circulation is withheld. Number of books added du- ring the year, 165. By purchase, 132, by donation 28, by binding magazines, 5. There have also been purchased 174 volumes, to supply deficiencies in catalogue caused by several years wear and loss. The library contains, as per catalogue, 5447 volumes.


The books donated were from the following :


Hon. Wm. Claflin, 14; State of Mass., 6 ; Surgeon-Gen. Barnes, through Wmn. Claflin, 3; Nicholson File Co., Providence, R. I., 1 ; Lieut. Wheeler, War Department, 1; Smithsonian Institute, 1 ; Quincy Public Library, through Rev. E. A. Perry, 1; friend, 1. The Patent Office Gazette has been received from the Patent Office.


All of which is respectfully submitted.


NATH'L F. BLAKE, Librarian.


Milford, Feb. 10, 1879.


52


TREASURER'S REPORT OF MILFORD TOWN LIBRARY.


DR.


To cash received of A. A. Burrell, treasurer last year .. . $212 08


E. C. Claflin, town appropriation 1000 00


66


dog tax 252 20


Librarian for fines. 62 82


66 catalogues


9 50


66 . old papers 5 18


Boston Pilot Company, cash returned


65


Books lost


67


$1543.10


CR.


Librarian's salary .


$300 00


Care of Reading-Room


78 00


Rent .


200 00


Cleaning rooms


3 95


Gas . . .


135 10


Slip Boxes


7 75


Insurance


61 50


Coal.


20 63


Printing


10 55


Binding books


38 33


Papers and Magazines


71 97


Books


391 77


Gas pipe and labor


6 00


Express and freight.


4 65


Argand burners.


7 10


Stationery and incidentals


12 41


Balance of cash on hand 193 39


$1543,10


J. ALLEN RICE, Treasurer.


REPORT


OF THE


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


AND


SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


OF THE


TOWN OF MILFORD,


FOR THE


SCHOOL YEAR 1878-79.


MILFORD, MASS. COOK AND SONS, STEAM JOB PRINTERS, Journal Office, 1879.


BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


CHARLES J. THOMPSON, GEORGE E. STACY,


Term expires 1879.


J. T. CANAVAN,


CHAS. A. DEWEY, S


Term expires


1880.


GEORGE W. JOHNSON, ZIBEON C. FIELD,


Term expires


1881.


JOHN W. SIMONDS,


Superintendent of Schools.


54


REPORT.


The School Committee submit the following report :


Appropriations were made at the last March meeting for the support of schools as follows :


For salaries of teachers $16500 00


Salary of Superintendent.


1500 00


Expenses of Evening school


500 00


Care of houses 1000 00


Fuel 1000 00


Repairs


750 00


Incidentals


750 00


Received from dog tax


248 51


66


". school fund


345 62


$22,594 13


The expenses during the year have been :


Salaries of teachers $15952 10


Salary of Superintendent


1500 00


Care of houses


955 66


Fuel


717 53


Repairs


1158 17


Evening school, about


300 00


Incidentals


1785 91


Exchange of books


1034 58


$23,403 95


3


4


The School Committee take this opportunity to refer briefly to a few matters, which should be considered in reference to the ex- penditures of the town. Within the last year, the sum of $2000 has been appropriated for two objects, not formerly provided for, one being the salary of a School Superintendent, the other the support of an Evening School.


The new system of employing a single individual to do the work, previously done by the Committee, has now been on trial for nearly two years, a period long enough for us to judge fairly of its practical working and real value. And the committee are decided- ly of the opinion that the system works well, and that it would be exceedingly unwise and impolitic to return to the old method. The test of experience has only served to strengthen the opinion, held by this committee as well as by its predecessors, for quite a number of years, that it is good policy for the town of Milford to employ a School Superintendent. In a town as large as this, with over forty teachers in our schools, the members of the committee cannot dis- charge such duties in a manner satisfactory to themselves or to the public. They generally have not the requisite qualifications, they are largely absorbed in their private business, and have not the spare time requisite for the proper discharge of their duty in refer- ence to the schools. And so your committee feel satisfied of the great importance of having a Superintendent, a man fitted by na- ture, by education, by experience, for the responsible and difficult position of overseeing and directing the management of our schools. The salary is a moderate one, even at this period of economy and retrenchment, and it should not be forgotten that a considerable part of the sum devoted to that purpose, would otherwise go to the committee as compensation for their services.




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