USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1910 > Part 7
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WILLIAM C. HARDING, Treasurer
INCOME
1910
Jan. 1. Cash on hand in State Street Trust Co., Boston
$55.30
Jan. 21. Cash from Town Treasurer
200.00
Feb. 28. Cash from Town Treasurer
60.00
April 6. Cash from Town Treasurer
30.30
May 2. Cash from Town Treasurer
60.00
July 2. Cash from Treasurer
150.50
July 25. Cash from Town Treasurer
200.00
Sept. 8. Cash from Town Treasurer
60.00
Oct. 7. Cash from Town Treasurer
15.00
Nov. 1. Cash from Town Treasurer
60.00
Dec. 29. Cash from Town Treasurer .
100.00
Dec. 31. Cash from Town Treasurer .
50.50
$1,041.60
EXPENDITURES
W. B. Clarke Co., Boston, books
$551.27
Chivers Book Binding Co., New York, books
211.30
The Palmer Co., Boston, magazines
83.55
George L. Shuman & Co., Boston books .
27.67
The H. W. Wilson Co., Minneapolis, Minn,, books
24.80
The H. R. Huntling Co., Springfield, Mass., books James Clarke & Co., New York, books
17.56
Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, books
5.42
H. L. Baldwin & Co., books
3.75
De Wolfe & Fiske Co., Boston, books
2.25
George W. Prescott Publishing Co., papers
2.00
Mrs. E. W. Tenney, Nahant, books
2.00
C. M. Lothrop, So. Braintree, papers
1.50
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1910
94.28
14.25.
$1,041.60
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We have examined the account of the Nathaniel H. Hunt Legacy Income Account as made by William C. Harding, Treasurer for the Trustees of the Thayer Public Library, and find the same to be correct.
WILLIAM A. MCKEAN, GEORGE W. STEVENS, CHARLES O. MILLER,
Auditors for 1910.
Braintree, Mass., Jan. 19th, 1911. .
STATISTICS
Number of books in the Library 15,599
Number of books added during year 1910 743
Number of books circulated 30,331
Number of books circulated in East Braintree 6.645
Largest daily circulation November 5 239
Average daily circulation 103
Per cent of fiction circulation 77
Number of days the Library was opened 295
Total number of borrowers since March 1908 2,220
Number of new borrowers in 1910 350
Number of new borrowers in East Braintree 65
Books destroyed by the order of Board of Health 1
Comparative circulation by years :-
1909
31,675
1910 30,331
CAROLINE M. WILKINSON, Librarian.
138
The following papers and magazines are subscribed for by the Trustees. The back numbers may be taken out for home use for a period of seven (7) days :-
Atlantic Monthly
London Punch
America
McClure's
Century
Missionary Review
Collier's Weekly
Musician
Country Life in America
Nation
Craftsman
New England Magazine
Current Events
Nineteenth Century
Current Literature
North American Review
Delineator
Observer
Dial
Outing
Education
Outlook
Forum
Pacific Monthly
Good Housekeeping
Popular Science Monthly
Harper's Monthly
Publisher's Weekly
Harper's Weekly
Reader's guide to periodicals
Hibbert Journal
Review of Reviews
House Beautiful
Scientific American
Illustrated London News Independent
Scribner's Magazine
International Studio
St. Nicholas
Journal of American History
Westminster Review
World's Work
Youth's Companion.
Ladies' Home Journal Life
Scientific American Supplement.
139
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Braintree, Jan. 1, 1911.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen : I submit herewith my report of the work of the Police Department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1910.
Whole number of arrests 128; male 117, female 11, resi- dents 60, non resident 68.
CAUSES OF ARRESTS
· Assault 1, assault and battery 9, assault with intent to murder 1, breaking and entering 3, disorderly conduct on pub- lic conveyances 2, drunkenness 36, epileptic 1, escaping 2, failing to file certificate required by chapter 539, Acts of 1907 3, feeble minded 1, fornication 2, found dead 2, fraudulently procuring entertainment at an inn 3, gaming unlawfully 2, in- sane 3, larceny 7, lewd and lascivious behavior 1, Lord's day act (violation of) 12, malicious mischief 1, neglected children 3, neglect of family 1, pauper 1, polygamy 2. railing and brawling 1, setting a fire without a permit from Fire warden 3, seting a fire in woods 1, stubborn child 1. threatening 1. throwing missiles at a railroad train 2, track walking. 10, tramps 6, unlawfully appropriating a certain team 1, un- licensed dogs keeping of 2, arrests for out of town police 3.
DISPOSITION OF CASES AT DISTRICT COURT
Assault
Dismissed, paid cost
1
Assault and Battery
Paid fine of $25 each
2
Fined $25. Committed to House of Correction for non payment of fines
2
Paid fine of $10
1
To furnish bond of $200 to keep the peace. Committed .
1
Placed on file
1
Placed on file. Paid cost. 1
1
Discharged
Assault with intent to Commit Murder
Held for Superior Court 1
140
Breaking and Entering
Held for Superior Court . 1
Committed to care of State Board of Charity 1
Placed on file
1
Drunkenness
Released
12
Placed on probation, paid cost
18
Placed on file
3
Paid fine of $10
1
Fined $10. Fine remitted.
1
Fined $10. Suspended
1
Fined $15. Committed for non-payment of fine
1
Fined $5. Committed for non-payment of fine.
1
Fined $3 and paid cost
1
Sentenced to House of Correction for two months, sent- ence suspended
1
Sentenced to State Farm 1
Disorderly Conduct on Public Conveyance
Paid fine of $25
1
Fined $25 payment suspended
1
Escaping
Returned to State Hospital, Worcester Mass.,. 1
Returned to Industrial School, Lancaster, Mass., 1
Epileptic
Committed to Hospital for Epileptics, Monson Mass .. . 1
Fraudulently Procuring Entertainment at an Inn Paid fine of $10.00
1
Fined $10.00, defaulted
1
Not guilty
1
Failing to File Certificate Required by Chapter 539
Acts of 1907
3
Dismissed
2
Feeble Minded
Committed to Hospital for feeble minded,
Waverly,
Mass.
1
Gaming Unlawfully
Paid fines of $15.00 each 2
Larceny
Sentenced to House of Correction term of 6
months
Appealed · 1
Placed on file, paid cost Fornication
141
Sentenced to House of Correction term of 3 months. Sentence suspended 1
To make restitution and pay cost. Continued 1 Paid fine of $15.00 1
Dismissed 3
.
Insane
Committed to Hospital, Taunton, Mass
1
Committed to Hospital, Westboro, Mass. 2
Lewd and Lascivious Behavior
Dismissed
1
Lords Day Act, Violation of
Paid fine of $25.00 1
Paid fine of $15.00 each
4
Paid fine of $5.00 each
7
Malicious Mischief
To make restitution and pay cost 1
Neglected Children
Continued
2
Placed on probation
1
Neglect of Family 1
To make weekly payments of $4.00 Pauper
Committed to State Institution, Tewksbury, Mass ....
1
Polygamy
Committed to House of Correction, term of one year 1 . HIeld for Superior Court 1
Railing and Brawling
Sentenced to be committed to State farm. Appealed .. 1
Setting a Fire Without a Permit from Fire Warden
Dismissed, paid cost 3
Setting a Fire in Woods ·
Dismissed for want of prosecution . 1
Stubborn Child
1
Paid fines of $2.00 each
6
Dismissed 4
Throwing Missiles at a Railroad Train
Placed on probation 2
Placed on probation Track Walking
142
Threatening
Discharged
1
Unlawfully Appropriating a Team
Paid fine of $10.00
Unlicensed Dogs : Keeping of 1
Dismissed
2
Arrested for out of town officers
3
Disposition of Cases : Superior Court
Assault with a dangerous weapon
Sentenced to House of Correction for term of 2 years. . 1
Breaking and Entering
Placed on file
Larceny
Appealed from lower Court, jury "September term" disagreed. Dec. term defendant was called and de- faulted
1
Exposing and Keeping for Sale Intoxicating Liquor Appealed from lower court, found guilty and paid fine of $50.00
1
Polygamy
Placed on probation
1
Railing and Brawling
Appealed from lower court. Defendant was defaulted 1
The most important arrest during the year is that of John C. Leahy. From information gathered we were of the opinion he had taken part in breaking and entering the homes of Frederick R. Smith and others, and the larceny of property of the value of several hundreds of dollars. Though being on night duty, I spent most of my spare time during the day be- tween June 29th and July 9th and succeeded in capturing him, after a chase of more than a mile. Having eluded me by going through a dense woods and secreting himself in the attic of a certain house. .
Upon information he was in the attic, I went up there. Being disappointed in not seeing him at once, I looked up and discovered a loft. Thinking he was there, I.climbed upon a bed and lighted a match and saw him pointing a revolver Zat me. I lost no time in jumping from the bed to the floor be- low. I then drew my revolver and in turning toward him, saw him leaning over the edge of the loft with arm extended, firing point blank at me three times; hitting me in the breast
1
· 143
also in the left side. I then stepped in front of him and fired two shots one of which entered his arm near his elbow. He then fell to the floor below, dropping his revolver at the same time. After placing his revolver in my pocket, I carried him from the attic to the yard and summoned aid.
I charged him with assault with intent to commit murder, also with being accessory before the fact in breaking and en- tering. He was subsequently arraigned in the District Court. Waiving his right of a hearing he was held in the sum of $11,000 for his appearance before the Superior Court. Being unable to furnish the required amount he was remanded to jail.
Then it became known he had been indicted by the Grand Jury of Suffolk County in May last for larceny of jewelry of the value of $400.
He was then taken to Boston on a writ of Habeas Corpus and pleaded guilty and was sentenced to be committed to the Massachusetts Reformatory for an indeterminate period.
At the sitting of the Superior Court of Norfolk County "September term" he pleaded guilty to assault with a danger- ous weapon and was sentenced to be committed to the House of Correction for two years at hard labor. Sentence to begin upon the completion of his term at the reformatory.
The breaking and entering charge "to which he also pleaded guilty," was placed on file.
There were two brutal assaults committed during the year. Eleven houses and stores were broken into by thieves. The police succeeded in convicting three thereby clearing up seven of the breaks.
There has been very little, if any liquor sold illegally. I would recommend the installation of telephones in the homes of the regularly employed police, the cost of which would be less than one hundred dollars per year.
In conclusion, I wish to thank your Honorable Board, the members of the. force, also the police of the surrounding cities and towns for their assistance.
AMOS J. LORING,
Chief of Police.
144
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Braintree, Jan. 30, 1911.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Dear Sirs and Gentlemen :
This is the first general inspection of Animals I have made for the Town of Braintree and I believe the first report that has ever been made. And, being the first is not as complete as another would be.
In making this inspection I have tried to visit every place where cows were kept, but being new to me I may have missed some places. I found 416 cows giving milk, 53 cows dry, 21 young, 6. bulls, 2 sheep and 286 hogs.
I did not look up goats at all neither did I horses. But, if another report is made every place where there are four or more horses kept, they should be mentioned also goats. -
In making this report I find nearly all those keeping cows and making milk for sale are striving to keep their places clean and are doing this business within the requirements of the law.
There are in this town some fine herds of cattle and the places where they are kept are remarkable for cleanliness. Their milk rooms are in almost perfect order, some of them be- ing cared for by the woman of the household, who best can do this work.
I thank you for the appointment and would be glad to have the appointment again. Should you choose to favor me with it.
JOSEPHUS SAMPSON, Inspector of Animals,
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1910
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN
CƠIR PÍS
TOWI
EE
MA
1640.
S.
SSA
HUS
GEORGE W. PRESCOTT PUBLISHING CO. BRAINTREE, MASS.
1911
147
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Board presents an accounting of its affairs in the following :
FINANCIAL STATEMENT, 1910.
Appropriations
Expended
Refund
Balance
Overdrafts
Teachers' and Supt. Salaries
Appropriation
$29,750.00
School Fund
350.00
Dog tax
836.03 $30,936.03
$30,817.83
$79.50
$197.70
Janitors' salaries
3,240.00
3,227.50
12.50
Text books and supplies
3,000.00
3,305.73
265.28
$40.45
Text books and supplies Abraham Lincoln
500.00
501.16
1.16
Incidentals
800.00
792.77
8.00
15.23
Repairs and incidentals
1,750.00
1,723.17
4.34
31,17
Fuel
2,500.00
2,426.91
73.09
Conveyance of pupils
1,700.00
2,055.00
367.58
12.58
Special care of rooms and rent
400.00
370.00
30.00
Typewriters for High School
200.00
195.00
5.00
Special repairs, Noah Torrey, Pond, and Jonas Perkins Schools
500.00
500.00
100.00
Special repairs Penniman
100.00
Totals
$45,626.03 $45,915.07
$724.70 $460.27
$41.61
Total unexpended balance
$418.66
The most important event of the year was the completion of the Abraham Lincoln School, which opened its doors to the children of the section it has been erected to serve on Septem- ber 12th, and was dedicated with appropriate exercises on the evening of October 25th. Rev. Daniel Roy Freeman of Brain- tree was the speaker of the evening; he delivered a most inter- esting and eloquent address, taking for his subject the life and : character of the great President and Statesman from whom the school derives its name, The addition of this building to the
148
school department has been of distinct advantage to the chil- dren of the east part of the town, relieving the congestion at the Jonas Perkins school, and thereby securing a much higher degree of efficiency in school work.
The schools of the elementary grades, with the exception of those in Precinct Two, may be considered satisfactory. In this precinct the same deplorable condition exists to which the attention of the Town was directed in the last report; nor can these conditions be removed or remedied while the present situation is allowed to remain.
At the High school the prediction that was ventured last year has been fulfilled, and classes have become so numerically large that present accommodations are wholly inadequate. to the requirements of the scholars. The work of the school is thereby seriously retarded, and pupils are unable to make that progress which under more favorable circumstances would be possible.
The present enrolment in this school is now 227. About 35 will graduate, and an entering class in the fall of approx- imately 115 pupils is confidently expected. Some of the rooms in this building are all that might be desired, but others are necessarily pressed into service entirely unfitted for the pur- pose of either study or recitation.
The citizens of Braintree may well consider with pride the fact that practically every member of last year's graduating classes of the grammar schools entered the High in the fall, and it is this appreciation of parents of the advantages that this school offers ,as well as the absolute necessity at the pres- ent time of an education beyond that which can be imparted in the grammar grades, that impels the hope on the part of this board that the Town will speedily remove the disadvantages under which teachers and scholars are laboring, and furnish accommodations commensurate with the needs of the school.
The board, therefore, again strongly recommends the erection of a ten-room school building in Precinct Two, and the removal to it of the four grades now in the Monatiquot school. The additional room thereby afforded will be sufficient for the needs of the High school for some time to come, and the
149
children of the primary and grammar grades of the second precinct will possess the privileges and advantages of suitable school accommodations which are enjoyed by the children of the other precincts. At the last Town meeting two committees were appointed to consider the subject, neither of which up to the time of the writing of this report has made known its findings.
The question has now become involved with another made co-ordinate with it,-namely, the acceptance of a generous offer by a citizen of Braintree of a substantial sum of money towards a public play-ground. While this board desires to place itself on record as heartily endorsing the play-ground project, it is nevertheless unalterably opposed to any compli- cation which may delay definite action prolonging the present undesirable state of affairs and postponing the acquisition of the much needed addition to the school system.
Last August the resignation of Mr. Edwin A. Shaw, prin- cipal of the High school was received and accepted with much regret. The Town may well be congratulated, however, upon securing at such short notice a gentleman so eminently well qualified to fill the position made vacant by the withdrawal of Mr. Shaw, one who brings to his work an especially fine train- ing, a rich experience, and an unusual aptitude, Dr. L. Paul Chapin.
Five teachers in the High school also accepted positions elsewhere, all of whom have been most satisfactorily replaced. Notwithstanding the extraordinary changes in organization, under the efficient direction of Dr. Chapin, with the hearty co- operation of his assistants, there has not been the slightest falling off in the character of the work, but, on the contrary, the results in this school have shown steady and constant im- provement.
The board earnestly recommends the adoption at the High school of some form of industrial training. It makes no request for an appropriation at this time, leaving the matter to the consideration of the Town, but is strongly of the opinion that this important branch of supplementary school work, one which is included in 80 per cent of the High schools in this
150
country in towns of 8,000 and over, should no longer be ignored, and neglected here. The great benefit derived would be wholly disproportionate to the slight additional expense en- tailed.
:
This board feels that the salaries of the teachers in the grade schools are wholly inadequate, the great increase in the cost of living having been accompanied by no increase in the salaries of the teachers, which have remained stationary for many years. It therefore recommends that the maximum salary be raised from $500 to $550 and that $680 be appropri- ated for the purpose. Your committee makes this request in a separate item, that it may be individually considered, and thereby be not involved with the regular pay-roll as it at pres- ent exists. The committee recommends the following :
APPROPRIATIONS 1911.
Salaries of teachers and superintendent (Dog
tax and school fund not included) $31,500.00
Janitors' salaries 3,838.00
Text books and supplies 4,000.00
Incidentials 1,000.00
Schoolhouse repairs and incidentals
1,500.00
Hire and care of outside rooms
280.00
Fuel
2,400.00
Repairs at Jonas Perkins and other schools
1,000.00
Conveyance of pupils
1,700.00
To install bells at the Abraham Lincoln school and repair bells at other schools 100.00
Sanitary drinking fountains 180.00
For Noah Torrey Hall
500.00
Total $47,998.00
Respectfully submitted,
C. F. HILL CRATHERN, CARRIE F. LORING, A. M. BROOKS,
ALBION C. DRINKWATER,
THOMAS A. WATSON,
HERBERT F. KNEELAND, Chairman.
151
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF BRAINTREE :
In accordance with your rules, the report for the finan- cial year 1910, is herewith submitted. This report is the twen- ty-sixth in the reports of the superintendents.
All necessary repairs have been made that were provided for by special appropriations. The Pond school, the South school, the trimmings of the Noah Torrey school have been painted, repairs of windows and stairs made at the Jonas Perkins. A floor has been laid in the hall of the Noah Torrey school, making it possible with little extra outlay to have in that building a fine school assembly room and hall that is much needed and would be much appreciated.
The completion of the Abraham Lincoln school has added a modern, well equipped building to the school buildings of the Town of Braintree, and one well worthy the pride of the citi- zens. The building contains six rooms lighted and ventilated after the most approved methods, has large roomy corridors, a teachers' room, and principal's room, and a large assembly hall. All of the recitation rooms are upon the first floor, and are so arranged that the building can be emptied of children almost immediately upon the alarm of fire. While occupied by the first four grades the building is so designed that as the school population increases, other rooms can be added without taking away from its architectural beauty. The Abraham Lincoln school was open to occupancy Sept. 12, 1910. The school has an enrolment of 133 pupils, and employs five teach- ers. The opening of this building has relieved the over-crowd- ed conditions at the Jonas Perkins school, doing away with the arrangements for part time pupils. Now, each pupil in the east part of the Town has the privilege of a full school session.
At the beginning of the school year the seating capacity of the Noah Torrey school was much over-taxed. There were
152
seventy-five pupils in the fifth grade, necessitating the division of that grade, and the employment of another teacher. To re- live this overcrowded condition, a room was fitted up at the Pond-school, and the second grade transferred from the Noah Torrey to the Pond school. To meet the growing demands of the school population in the south part of the Town the re- maining room at the Pond school should be made ready for occupancy next fall.
In view of past reports it is trite to observe that the High school is outgrowing its accommodations. It is worth while to note, however, that the number of pupils in the present junior class is the same as the number in the sophomore class of five years ago. This shows the greater tendency upon the part of the boys and girls of High school age to remain in the school. A new grammar school building would settle this matter of overcrowding, and bring into one building the parts of one school now not well housed in three schools.
The attention of parents is respectfully directed to the law requiring children between the ages of 14 and 16, who de- sire to go to work, to obtain health certificates from one of the school physicians or their family physicians, and . to present these certificates to the superintendent of schools, or the mem- bers of the committee at the time of application for a working certificate.
The following gifts have been made to the schools the past school year. Twenty-five dollars towards a fund for a' piano at the Abraham Lincoln school contributed by Mr. Thomas A. Watson; to the Noah Torrey school, a set of En- cyclopedia Britannica, presented by Mr. Julius Heurlin ; to the High school, a clock given by the graduating class of 1910; equipment for the lunch room at the High school furnished by the Philergians.
Among the resignations of teachers last June were two from principals of buildings, Mr. Williams of the Noah Tor- rey school and Mr. Shaw of the High school. For their work here, the community, committee and superintendent, and all connected with them have respect and appreciation, and wish them all success in the new fields of work. A wise choice of
. 153
successors was made, however, in Mr. William G. Currier as principal of the Noah Torrey school, and Dr. L. Paul Chapin as principal of the High school. Indeed we are most fortunate in our teachers, and it is pleasing to note that there is no abate- ment in the enthusiasm for the work, and the cooperative spirit that has characterized the work of the past years.
Teachers' meetings for the grades, and general teachers' meetings have been held at regular periods. In the grade meetings we have discussed the problems peculiar to the grade, made a comparison of work, and endeavored to set a certain standard of work for each month, that as nearly as possible, all grades in Town may be doing the same work at the same time, and with uniformity of purpose. In the general meet- ings the broader questions of education have been discussed.
The health of our school children has been diligently looked after by the members of the Board of Health appoint- ed to that duty. We have been free from epidemics, and con- tagions, as all cases of a dangerous nature have been promptly isolated until the danger period was past. In all 1,386 chil- dren have been examined for defects of eyes and ears; 36 were defective in eye-sight, 38 had impaired hearing; 86 notices were sent to parents.
At the beginning of the spring term an organized attempt was made to interest the pupils in the project of home gar- dens. Cash prizes were offered by the Philergians for the best gardens, and the services of Mr. Craig of North Easton, a gentleman of much experience in the organization of both home and school gardens, were secured to present the project to the children of our schools. His visit and explanation of the project aroused much enthusiasm. This, and the good work of the committee appointed by the Philergians resulted in an enrolment of 500 children who agreed to attempt some form of home garden for the coming season. The result of the work was most gratifying in the interest shown by the pupils, and the really good products of their gardens. This work could not have prospered as it did without the generous con- tributions from the Philergians, and the efficient services of the committee which had the matter in charge. It is hoped that the
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