USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1881 > Part 5
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
Lord & Wentworth,
7 50
Loring. Abbott,
5 40
Magoon, Amy B.,
31 13
Marple, Warren W., 39 13
McIntyre, Farrington, 6 50
McKie, John A., 41 25
McNeil, William H.,
7 50
Merriam, E. R.,
8 10
Carried forward, $6,009 71
103
Unpaid Taxes of 1880, continued.
Brought forward, $6,009 71 Merrill, Jonathan G., 38 00 Mitchell, Mrs. Hen'tta, 40 50 Moody, Augusta A., 40 50
Nelson, Andrew G., 38 38
Noyes, Increase E., 40 50
Partridge, Frank P., 22 50
Partridge, Martha A., 3 00
Payson, Samuel, 3 00
Perry, Ellen D., 33 38
Perry, Parker D., 4 50
Pinkham, Horace A., 102 13
Pollard, Moses, 18 38
Pushce, James H., 10 73
Rice, Martha T., 4 50
Roberts, John H., 42 50
Rollins, Henrietta L., 54 00
Russell, Mrs. Jennie, 3 00
Russell, Joseph C., 56 25
Shaw & Morrison, 10 50
Smith & Smith, 24 00
Sparrow, Josiah, 86 75
Stoddard, Lucius C., 3 00
Turner, R. W., 6 00
Tuttle, Samuel J., 12 15
Walker, Alvin A., 43 25
Wells, James, 3 00
Wentworth, O. B. C., 5 75
Whittemore, John
Q. A., 13 88
Carried forward, $6,773 74
Brought forward, $6,773 74
Wilson, Mrs. John, 9 00
BELLEVUE PARK.
Anderson, Wm. E., 3 38
Ayers & Lynch,
1 50
Bailey, B. F.,
1 50
Ballantyne, John, 1 88
Clapp, A. H., 1 50
Clark, Geo., Jr., 10 50
Coburn, J. B. V., 1 50
Coolidge, A. R., 3 00
Cutter, Sarah E., 1 50
Drew, Mrs. G. M., 1 50
Fuller, James E.,
1 50
Garbett, Wm. A., 1 50
Haynes, Mrs. Chas. F., 1 50
Howe, Fred. A., 1 50
McDonald, Mary,
3 00
McPhail, A., 1 50
Nason, A. F., 12 00
Nourse, Caroline, 1 50
Page, Caleb, 1 50
Paine, Geo. T., 5 25
Perry, J. B., 1 50
Robinsoif, A. M., 1 50
Taylor, Geo. W., 6 00
Walker, N. B., 1 50
Willis, Phebe C., 1 50
BRACKETT ESTATE.
Ball, A. H.,
1 50
Carried forward, $6,854 75
104
Unpaid Taxes of 1880, continued.
Brought forward, $6,854 75
Leeds, Daniel D., 1 50
Leeds, Edwin F., 1 50
McKay, Susan T., 16 13
Merriam, Ellery, 3 00
Whitcomb, Nathaniel,
2 25
SQUANTUM.
Abbott, John H.,
75
Albee, John, 75
Barry, Geo. M., 75
Beaumont, F. B.,
trustee, 13 05
Blodgett, Cyrus,
estate, 3 00
Boyce Brothers, 1 50
Bumstead, Rebecca D., 9 00
Campbell, Rebecca A., 9 00
Clark, Mrs. Caroline
H., 11 25
Clark, Geo. F.,
8 25
Clark, Isaac W.,
12 00
Cox, Geo. B.,
2 25
Cutting, Alexander, 3 00
Davis, Mary, €
6 38
Dolan, F. F.,
2 25
Eaton, John, 75
Haven, A. S.,
9 00
Hurlbert, Caroline, 6 38
Palmer, Mrs. W. W., 3 75
Carried forward, $6,982 19
Brought forward, $6,982 19
Pease, Charles G., 75
Ratigee, Thomas, 75
Shepherd, John, 7 50
ARLINGTON.
Russell, Geo. E., est., 33 75
BOSTON.
Alley, Wm. H., 75
Arnold, H. B., 75
Atwell, H. F., 23 63
Baker, E. J., guardian, 42 00
Baker, W. B., est., 88 50
Barham, R. H., 81 38
Barlow, Wm., 26 25
Bartlett & Elliot, 75
Bispham, John P., 25 50
Bronsdon, J. Warren, 37 50 Buckley, Joseph, 38 63
Chapman, Cecilia, 75
Collins & Haley, 75
Creaber, F. C., 75
Crowley, Maria E., 4 13
Cushing, Thomas, 18 00
Dacey, J. B., 12 00
Day & Collins, 34 50
Dolan, James, 15 00
Eames, Arthur A., 5 63
Eaton, Ebenezer,
est., 6 00
Carried forward, $7,488 09
105
Unpaid Taxes of 1880, continued.
Brought forward, $7,488 09 Elliot, or by whom
owned, 4 50
Ellis, Albert, 13 50
Field, Henry, 3 75
Fisher, Mrs. Lizzie,
4 50
Folsom, Mary A.,
5 63
Foster, Warren,
2 25
Griffin, Dennis,
19 13
Haley, Patrick, heirs of,
75
Harding, Stephen,
75
Houghton & Sawyer,
3 00
Keefe, John,
18 75
Manning, Andrew, . 38
Marshall, -,
1 50
McKay, D. H., or by
whom owned,
4 13
Moss, Mrs. Francis, 1 50
Palmer, J. A.,
4 87
Peirce, Lewis F.,
4 50
Pickering, D. N., 4 13
Prescott, B. F., 63 00
Simmons, Elias,
19 88
Smith, Increase F.,
2 25
South Boston Iron Co., 15 00
Spear, Charles, 75
Stephens, H. W., 3 00
Taylor, Geo. W., 2 63
Taylor, William, 13 50
Tennebaum, -
1 50
Carried forward, $7,707 12
Brought forward, $7,707 12
Tobey, E. S., 1 50
Traip, Mrs. L. H. L .. 1 13 W'st Bost'n S'v'gs Bk., 34 88 Whittemore, C. W., 18 00
BRAINTREE.
Cain, Wm., 3 00
CAMBRIDGE.
Armstrong, Charles,
12 00
FITZWILLIAM, N.H.
Hayden, Henry,
15 38
FREETOWN.
Nichols, C. C.,
10 59
HARTFORD, CONN.
Dddy, Willard,
3 00
Rice, S. L.,
75
MILTON.
Littlefield, Henry W., 2 25
Newcomb, John B.,
69 00
Payson, Geo. A.,
12 00
Reed, Warren, est.,
5 63
Roberts, Wm. H.,
2 25
Wayland, Winifred,
7 50
White, Penelope,
6 75
Ray, Edwin,
3 75
NEW YORK.
Crane, Munroe,
43 50
Carried forward, $7,959 98
106
Unpaid Taxes of 1880, concluded.
Brought forward, $7,959 98 Goodhue, Mrs.
J. L., 3 75
Marsh, Frank, 5 63
RANDOLPH.
Alden, Horatio B., 8 25
Briggs, Levi, 4 50
Mann, Seth, 3 00
Wales, Charles A .. 1 13
Wales, Jonathan, 3 00
Carried forward, $7,989 24
Brought forward, $7,989 24
SHARON.
Derry, Chas. T., 26 63
STOUGHTON.
Clapp, Timothy, 1 50
Phinney, Jonathan, 1 50
Swan, Mary, 1 50
Dolan, John W., 75
WEYMOUTH.
Tufts, Cotton, heirs of, 8 25
-
$8,029 37
WOODWARD FUND.
-
CASH ACCOUNT.
DR.
To cash on hand February 1, 1880. $1,261 93
interest on Portland Water Co. bonds, 480 00
Old Colony Railroad bonds, 120 00
ee Ogdensburgh & Lake Cham- plain Railroad bonds, 120 00 Philadelphia, Wilmington & Bal- timore Railroad bonds, 100 00
ce Boston & Lowell Railroad bonds, 250 00
ce
Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg & New Bedford Railroad bonds, 125 00
City of Boston bonds, 200 00
er Cambridge " 180 00
ee Lynn 180 00
ce
ce Cleveland e : 140 00
ee Town of Pawtucket " 250 00
dividend National Mt. Wollaston Bank, 112 00 interest on loans secured by mortgage, 2,884 24 " . to Town of Quincy, 371 60
rent from sundry persons, 299 00
Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, for sods, 10 00
Town of Quincy, two notes, 9,700 00
City of Cleveland bonds, 2,000 00 - $18,783 77
108
Woodward Fund, continued.
CR.
By loan to town of Quincy, 2,700 00
Town tax on real estate, 386 29
$4000 Phil. , Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad bonds, 4,200 00
Accrued interest on same, 95 56
$5000 Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bonds, 5,200 00
Accrued interest on same, 36 11
$5,000 Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg & New Bedford Railroad bonds, 5,125 00
Accrued interest on same,
98 61
Whitney & Nash, well-bucket,
1 25
J. T. & W. V. Hayward, painting house, 75 23 R. F. Claflin, half expense building fence, 35 61
Expense collecting city of Cleveland bond, 1 00
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co., rent of safe, 20 00
Treasurer's services,
100 00
Balance on hand, 709 11
$18,783 77
STATEMENT OF THE FUND, FEBRUARY 1, 1881.
Personal property received from estate
of Dr. Woodward for appraisement, $30,089 83
Received from sale of land, 18,743 02
pews, 120 00
Income account, 41,953 76
Amount carried forward, $90,906 61
109
Woodward Fund, concluded.
Amount brought forward, $90,906 61
Less profit and loss account, 1,105 00
$89,801 61
Invested as follows :
8 bonds Portland Water Co. $1000 each, at appraisement, $8,000 00
6 bonds Vt. & Canada Railroad, $500 each,
3,030 00
5 bonds W. Central
$1000
each, 4,000 00
6 bonds Hartford & Erie
$1000
each,
2,520 00
Loans secured by mortgage, 29,475 00
14 shares Nat. Mt. Wollaston Bank, 2,100 00
4 bonds City of Boston, $1000 each, 4,430 00
3 ee Cambridge, ee 3,330 00
3 Lynn, " 3,285 00
10 ce Town of Pawtucket, R. I., $500 each, 5,325 00
2 Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad, $1000 each, 2,000 00
2
ce Old Colony Railroad, $1000 2,047 50
5
ce Boston & Lowell, $1000 each, 5,025 00
4
ce
Phila., Wilm.
& Baltimore,
$1000 each, 4,200 00
5 Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, ce $1000 each, 5,200 00
5 Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg & . New Bedford, $1000 each, 5,125 00
Cash deposited in bank,
709 11
$89,801 61
HORACE B. SPEAR, Treasurer.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SINKING FUND.
Below is a statement by our Treasurer of the condition of the fund entrusted to this commission.
A. B. PACKARD, CHARLES F. ADAMS, JR., R. F. CLAFLIN, Commissioners of the Sinking Fund.
TREASURER'S STATEMENT. CASH ACCOUNT.
DR.
To loan secured by a mortgage, $3,000 00
interest on loan, 192 00
appropriation by town (1880), 3,000 00
$6,192 00
-
CR.
By loan secured by a mortgage, $6,000 00
charge for record of deed, . 1 25
examining title, etc., 61 50
deposit in Quincy Savings Bank,
129 00°
cash on hand, 25
$6,192 00
HORACE B. SPEAR,
Treasurer.
MOUNT WOLLASTON CEMETERY.
-
The Board of Managers of the Mount Wollaston Ceme- tery submit their seventh annual report.
The sum of $130 has been received for thirteen lots sold the past year.
The sum of $924.05 has been charged for labor on lots, which includes the amount charged for grading the lots sold, and of this sum $718.55 has been collected, leaving $205.50 due.
The sum of $75 has been added to the "Repair Fund, which now amounts to $775, the income of which will pay for "perpetual care " for the nine lots designated by the depositors of the money.
In view of the improvements contemplated by the man- agers, by grading and terracing the bluff, on the westerly side of the cemetery, and other general improvements, and adornments of the grounds, as well as for the general care of the avenues, paths, trees, &c., the managers respectfully request the usual appropriation of $1000.
FINANCIAL.
Balance of cash account, Feb. 1, 1880,
$481 67
Appropriation for 1880,
1000 00
Collected for lots sold,
130 00
ce " labor on lots, 718 55
ce non-residents' assessments, 32 00
er for hay sold, 42 25
"e income of " Repair Fund," 42 00
Amount carried forward,
$2,446 47
112
Amount brought forward, $2,446 47
Collected for use of Receiving Tomb, 18 00
Collected for unpaid bills of 1878, 2 00
ce
" 1879, 109 75
_$2,576 22
Expended as appears by the Selectmen's account,
1,922 51
Balance of cash to new account,
$653 71
Due from owners of lots for labor, -
1873 to 1878 inclusive,
$260 50
1879, 1880,
70 75
205 50
$536 75
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM A. HODGES, Chairman. GEORGE L. GILL, Secretary.
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.
To THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN : -
Gentlemen, - In accordance with the usual custom, I herewith submit a brief report of the condition of the Fire Department :
The Department is at present under the control of a chief and five* assistant engineers ; viz., -
John W. Hall, Chief.
Patrick F. Lacy. Thomas H. McDonnell.
Joseph W. Hayden. James T. Penniman.
John A. Duggan, Clerk.
The apparatus of the Department has been increased dur- ing the present year by the purchase of a chemical engine, hose jumper and 1750 feet of hose. The chemical engine is a first-class machine, constructed by C. T. Holloway, of Baltimore, and I think another equal to it in all respects cannot be procured for nearly double its cost. The hose was procured of Messrs. Boyd & Sons, and is of the best quality manufactured by them. All of the other rolling stock and apparatus of the Department is in good condi- tion.
The buildings of the Department are all in good condition inside ; contracts have been made for painting the outside of the frame buildings, which will probably be completed as soon as the weather will permit.
One reservoir has been constructed during the year, on Baxter place. Another is called for by the residents near * Lucius W. Lovell served upon the Board until October, when he resigned.
114
the junction of Washington and Sumner streets, and I think it but an act of justice that it should be granted them.
The Department is now well supplied with hose, there being 1750 feet of new cotton and 2600 feet of other good cotton ; the balance of hose in the Department is condemned for fire purposes, but will answer for filling reservoirs, &c.
The number of men now on the rolls of the Department is as follows : -
Tiger Engine Co. No. 2
50
Granite
ec " 3 50
Vulture ec 4 50
Hook & Ladder " " 1 25
W. M. French Hose Co.
. 20
L. W. Lovell (Chemical) Co.
20
J. Q. Adams
ce
10
Blake Steam Pump
1
Total
226
The Selectmen's report shows, and the Auditors will un- doubtedly say, that the gentlemen composing the Board of Engineers have exceeded their appropriation to the amount of $36.27 ; but had the amount of $125 charged to the en- gineers, been charged, as in former years, to the account of " Pay of Town Officers," which they certainly are, the De- partment would show a saving in their expenditures less the appropriation of $88.73.
In my last report, I recommended that the water-pipes be extended to Franklin street and also to Washington street. I'am still of that belief, the more so, as I am firmly impressed with the thought that if there had been a hydrant on Wash- ington street, near Canal street, in December last, much of the property destroyed on the 8th of that month might have
115
been saved. I also deem it my duty to state, that in my opinion, the time has arrived for a radical change in our system of fighting fires ; and I would respectfully urge the tax-payers of the town to carefully and candidly consider whether or not a steam fire engine, to be located in the South district, with a first-class chemical engine at the West dis- trict and Quincy Point, will be of more service and be main- tained at much less expense than the present system.
In compliance with the provisions of Section IV. of the town by-laws, I have the honor to report that the Board of Engineers recommend an appropriation of $4700 for the ensuing year.
By a vote of the Board of Engineers, I am requested to insert the following recommendations in this report ; viz., -
1. That a telegraphic fire-alarm system be established.
2. That the number of the company attached to the J. Q. Adams Chemical Engine company be increased to twenty- five.
3. That a reservoir be constructed at the junction of Con- test avenue and Billings street.
4. That a self-filling reservoir be built on Washington street opposite Mill street.
5. That the line of pipe be extended to a point near the Tiger engine house.
The Department, or a portion of it, has been called out twenty-nine times during the year; twenty-three times by alarms caused by fires in town, five times by fires in neigh- boring towns, and once by a false alarm. The fires in town occurred in the following order; viz., -
1880.
April 12. Alarm caused by burning of woods in West Dis- trict.
116
1880.
April 16. Dwelling-house at Wollaston, owned by W. W. Pratt, entirely destroyed by lightning ; loss $2500 ; insured.
" 25. Shop of Michael Goodhue, Phipps street ; acci- dental loss $250 ; insured.
" 27. Dwelling-house of Thomas Gerry, Old Colony street ; defective flue ; loss $975 ; insured.
May 2. Barn of Paul Wild, Washington street, incendiary ; loss $1000 ; insured.
June 1. Adams Academy boarding-house, Hancock street, slightly burned by explosion of lamp.
18. Small barn on the Marsh estate, corner of Marsh and School streets; carelessness ; loss $50; insured.
" 22. Lot of old sleepers near Wollaston foundry ; acci- dental.
27. Alarm caused by burning of grass on Town Farm. July 5. Dwelling-house of Thomas Lamb, Cemetery street, slightly burned ; accidental.
ce 10. Dwelling-house of Henry Chubbuck, off Elm place, nearly destroyed; accidental; loss $1300; in- sured.
ce 10. Car-house of O.C. R.R. at Atlantic, destroyed ; accidental.
ce
17. Alarm caused by burning of a bed in house of Mrs. Arey, South street.
" 30. Dwelling-house of Mrs. Larkin, Billings street, entirely destroyed; incendiary ; loss $1800; insured.
Aug. 2. Alarm caused by a slight fire at Mt. Pleasant.
15. Lot of old sleepers near Wollaston foundry ; acci- dental.
" 29. House of D. W. Arnold slightly burned by lightning.
117
1880.
Aug. 30. Dwelling-house of Dr. Greene, at Squantum, de- stroyed ; loss $600 ; insured.
Nov. 21. Dwelling-house of heirs of George Williams, Squantum street, slightly burned ; accidental.
ce 30. Dwelling-house of Patrick Flaherty, Furnace street, slightly burned ; accidental ; loss $75. Dec. 8. Shop of John Page, Jr., and store of Albert Keat- ing, Washington street, entirely destroyed ; accidental ; loss $6500 ; partially insured.
16. Boat-house of John Federhen, Quincy Point; in- cendiary ; loss $100.
" 26. Alarm caused by a burning chimney at Quincy Point.
In addition to the foregoing, two fires occurred of which no alarm was given. The first, March 1, when the old land- mark known as the birthplace of John Adams, accidentally took fire, but was speedily extinguished. The other, May 12, the residence of W. D. Merrill, at Wollaston, caught fire "caused by a child playing with matches ; by a timely discov- ery it was also speedily extinguished.
As the personal property in the several buildings of the Department remains substantially the same as by the last re- port, with the exception of what is in charge of the J. Q. Adams Chemical Company, I deem it a useless expense to republish the same. That company has at present one chem- ical engine, one hose jumper, 350 feet cotton hose, 2 fire ladders, 1 fire hook, 2 water-casks, 4 settees, 1 desk, 1 stove, 3 lamps, one oil-can, 1 coal-hod, 24 mugs, 1 water-pot.
My thanks are due your Honorable Board for the courtesy shown on all occasions ; also to my associates on the Board of Engineers, for their support and assistance; and to the
118
officers and members of the several companies composing the department, for the prompt and able manner in which they have responded when called upon.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN W. HALL, Chief Engineer Quincy Fire Department.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PURCHASE OF LAND FOR NEW ALMSHOUSE.
The Committee to whom was referred the purchase of a site for a new almshouse, submit the following report : -
Its organization was effected by the choice of E. B. Tay- lor, Esq., as Chairman, and Charles H. Porter, Secretary. The various places suggested as suitable sites for the alms- house were carefully examined by the Committee.
In May last the chairman passed away, and his valuable services were lost to the Committee. J. W. Robertson, Esq., was elected to fill the vacancy.
Many meetings were held, and until late in the season no selection was made. After much earnest care and attention, the chairman was authorized to purchase the land on Adams street, owned by Mr. JJ. B. Newcomb, about eighteen acres in all, for the sum of six thousand dollars. The pur- chase was made, the papers duly executed, the deed was recorded and is now in the possession of the Town Treasurer.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
C. H. PORTER, for the Committee.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ENLARGEMENT OF TOWN HALL.
To the Inhabitants of Quincy :
The Committee chosen at the annual March meeting in 1880 to consider the expediency of enlarging the town house and purchasing adjoining land of H. H. Faxon, have carefully considered the matter.
If, in consideration of the rapid increase of the population, the town think it proper to provide more commodious accom- modations to enable the people to meet at their annual meet- ings, and such other meetings as the public good requires, there seems to be no practicable way of enlarging the present building without more land ; and your Committee would in that case recommend the purchase of the necessary quantity of land from Mr. Faxon. They would also suggest that the building be lengthened twenty-four feet in the rear, and that a projection be built in the centre of the north side, large enough for an entrance and stage. The present entrance on Hancock street could then be closed. The estimated cost of the proposed alteration of the building is $10,000, and that of the land is $2717.34.
Respectfully submitted. WILLIAM A. HODGES. JOHN Q. ADAMS. EDWIN W. MARSH.
THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees of the Library ask leave to offer their tenth annual report.
In accordance with a vote passed at the last annual town meeting, the Board of Selectmen applied to the Legis- lature, then in session, for an act incorporating the Trus- tees of the Public Library, so that the land on which the family of the late Thomas Crane proposed to erect the me- morial library hall might be deeded directly to them. The application was favorably considered by the Legislature, and, under a suspension of the rules, leave to bring in the de- sired act was granted ; and it became a law on the 17th of April, 1880. A copy of this act is submitted with the pre- sent report. It was duly accepted by the Trustees at a meeting held on the 4th of May, 1880, when the old Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Quincy, which organized on May 11, 1871, and accordingly had then been in ex- istence nine years, lacking one week, was dissolved ; and the new Board of Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library organized. Technically speaking, therefore, the present is the first report of the new Board. As, however, the change was merely a nominal one, made for certain practical pur- poses. we have not thought it either necessary or advisable to confuse matters further than need he by changing the enumeration of the Library reports.
Votes were also passed at the last March meeting looking to the purchase by the town of the homestead of the late Dr. Woodward, the Crane family having intimated a preference for that as the site of their proposed memorial building.
122
This purchase was consummated in May, and the property deeded directly to the new Board of Trustees. The price paid was $10.000, being the sum for which the owner had previously signified his willingness to sell, and which accord- ingly had been appropriated by the town.
By a further vote, passed at the same time as those already referred to. the Board of Selectmen and the Trustees were ap- pointed a special committee to meet the representatives of the Crane family, and to do whatever might be necessary to forward their project. By direction of this committee the buildings, and whatever else there was of a movable charac- ter on the Woodward lot, were sold at public auction on June 1st, bringing the sum of $1359.
The property was purchased subject to a lease which had yet a year to run. Neither the Crane family nor the com- mittee were willing to defer construction until this lease should expire, and it accordingly became necessary to buy it. This was finally done at a cost of $500, which was met out of the $1359 obtained by the sale of buildings. &c., as be- fore stated. The balance, $823.90, after deducting $35.10 for expenses of sale, is now in the hands of the Town Treas- urer, and is accounted for in the report of the Selectmen.
The joint committee met Mr. Albert Crane. representing his father's family. together with Mr. H. H. Richardson, whom he had engaged as the architect of the proposed building, on the 12th of April. It affords the committee pleasure to report that no difficulties, whether of detail or otherwise, have arisen, and that the new building, the foun- dations of which have already been laid. is under contract to be finished by the 1st of October next. In regard to the plans, arrangement of the interior and details of construction, in so far as they affected the use of the building for library purposes, both Mr. Crane and Mr. Richardson freely con-
123
sulted with the committee and invited suggestions. Indecd, throughout this matter, the course of the Crane family has been marked by a spirit of liberality and courtesy which we do not think should be taken as a matter of course or pass unnoticed. The original purpose, as expressed in Mr. Albert Crane's letter to the Selectmen, of February 19th, 1880, which the town directed should be placed in full on its rec- ords, seemed munificent enough at the time. It was to erect a building to cost not less than $20,000. In the build- ing contract, as it was first executed, this amount was large- ly exceeded ; and additions to the plan since authorized by the Crane family will increase the cost to nearly twice what was first proposed.
Of the architectural design and appearance of the edifice, when finished, it is not necessary for us now to say anything. At the proper time they will speak for themselves. As is well known, the architect having the work in charge stands at the head of his profession in this country, and in the pres- ent case he has certainly spared no pains. There is every reason, therefore, to believe that the result will prove no less well adapted to the practical needs of the town, than it will be gratifying to the family to which we are indebted for it.
Before passing from this subject to the usual matter of the annual library report, the Trustees cannot refrain from congratulating the town that what has for some time been to the people of Quincy a great and increasing need has been thus opportunely supplied. In our report of two years ago we referred to this subject in these words : -
" The great need of the institution now is an obvious one. It should have a commodious and better adapted library room in a more central part of the town, - that is. it should be nearer the station, the post-office, the banks and the business centre, where it can be most conveniently reached by the greatest number of
124
persons. The trustees have no intention of asking the town to consider the question of again removing the library, much less of undertaking the cost of erecting a snitable building for it. For this no sufficient exigency exists : neither are the times propitions. In other and neighboring towns, however. - as. for instance. in Hingham. in Braintree. in Randolph, and in North Easton. - the needs of the public libraries in this repect have been met by the gifts or bequests of wealthy inhabitants desiring to do something to evince their interest in their native places. Quiney possesses a library inferior in size or excellence to those of few other towns. This collection, which, if lost, could only be replaced at an ex- pense of many thousand dollars, is now kept in a wooden building and is peculiarly liable to destruction by fire. Under these circumstances the trustees are . not without hope that the great want of a suitable and commodious library building will ultimately be met in Quiney as it has been met elsewhere. Private munitieence may supply a public need. Certainly no better field for its exercise could be desired."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.