USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1894-1896 > Part 7
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 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
FOREST FIREWARDS' BILLS.
Appropriation . · $300 00 Expense of 59 fires. $225 00
Repairs on Johnson pumps, water cans, buckets, and other appliances used by this system. · 87 75
$312 75
Balance due Firewards, overdrawn .$12 75
The above report is respectfully submitted, by
R. KENDRICK,
S. T. PARKER,
B. W. OLIVER,
Forest Firewards.
102
JOHNSON PUMPS.
In compliance with the vote of the town at its annual meeting, the Forest Firewards herewith furnish a list of the present locations of the town's Johnson pumps, now numbering one hundred and six, as follows :
No. 1, John A. Meloney, Prospect street, West District.
2, John F. Whiting, Pleasant street, Centre District.
3, William H. Atwell, Prospect street, West District.
66 4, Richard Britton, Main street, Centre District.
66 5, WV. V. Taylor, Main street, Centre District.
6, C. C. Eldridge, Myrtle avenue, South District.
7, Noah M. Eaton, Park street, Centre District.
8, Caleb Putney, Water street, Woodville District.
" 9, Z. P. Alden, Court off Greenwood avenue, South District.
" 10, W. D. Parker, Wiley street, Woodville District.
" II, T. C. Welch, Wiley place, Woodville District.
" 12, A. A. Currier, West Albion street, West District.
" 13, E. H. Walton, Pleasant street, Centre District.
" 14, H. P. Hill, Summer street, Centre District.
" 15, August Zweeper, Water st., near Saugus line, Woodville Dist.
" 16, Alden Crocker, Green street, South District.
" 17, G. W. Braxton, cor. West Chestnut and Cedar sts., West Dist.
" 18, John Minikin, Church street, Centre District.
" 19, William Mellett, Nahant street, Centre District.
" 20, In doubt. Not found.
" 21, Michael Low, Bennett street, Centre District.
" 22, W. A. Cutter, grocer, Mechanic street, Centre District.
" 23, A. A. Mansfield, Main street, coal yard, Centre District.
" 24, J. S. Round, Main street, Centre District.
" 25, Geo. K. Gilman, Charles street, Centre District. .
" 26, Chas. Gorham, Lowell street, North District.
" 27, H. M. Dolbeare, Sweetser street, North District.
" 28, Wm. K. Perkins, Central street, North District. " 29, Samuel Parker, Main street, North District.
" 30, Geo. IV. Eaton, grocer, 294 Main street, Centre District.
" 31, J. R. Reid, Salem and Lowell streets, East District.
" 32, F. Nickerson, Lowell street, East District.
"' 33, Geo. K. Walton, Salem street, East District.
103
No. 34, M. P. Parker, Lowell and Vernon streets, East District.
35, Harris Pratt, Vernon street, East District.
66 36, Isaac E. Green, Main street, Centre District.
37, I. F. Sheldon, Main street, South District.
38, J. G. Brooks, Forest street, South District.
66 39, W. H. Taylor, Grove street, South District.
66 40, Rodney Edmunds, Court off Water street, Woodville District.
41, Mrs. Ellen Dennehey, Water Street, Woodville District.
66 42, John McGlory, Jr., R. R. street, West District.
66 43, W. W. Bessey's stable, Albion street, Centre District.
44, A. S. Philbrook, R. R. street, West District.
45, Thomas Kernan, Gould street, West District.
46, Benjamin Oliver, Nahant street, Woodville District.
47, Geo. E. Donald, almshouse, Farm street, Woodville District.
66
66 48, Geo. R. Tyzzer, Court off Water street, Woodville District. 49, E. S. Hopkins, Hopkins street, West District.
50, Wm. H. Gould, Travers street, Centre District ..
51, Is missing ; strict search has been made for it, but it has not been found.
66 66
52, A. G. Baxter, Forest street, South Disirict.
". 53, Geo. F. Roby, Greenwood and Spring streets, South District. 54, S. M. Gates, Green street, South District.
66
55, A. L. Oliver, Nahant street, Woodville District.
56, Alex. Murray, Farm street, Woodville District.
66 57, WV. M. Ward, Nahant street, Woodville District.
66 5.8, Geo. M. Leavens, Salem street, East District.
66 59, Jonathan Buxton, Lowell street, East District.
60, Albert Phinney, New Salem street, East District. '61, L. Dana Draper, Jr., Salem street, East District.
" 62, Jonathan N. McMaster, Vernon street, East District. 66 63, J. S. Newhall, Lowell street, North District.
64, Timothy McAuliffe, R. R. street, West District.
66 65, Geo. H. Teague, Converse street, West District. 66, D. D. Douglas, Broadway street, West District.
66 67, John F. Stimpson, Prospect street, West District.
68, William Darling, Main street, South District.
69, Chas. S. Merrill, 72 Morrison avenue, West District.
70, Chas. W. Sunman, Pitman avenue, South District.
71, E. E. Lee, Oak street and Greenwood ave., South District.
104
No. 72, J. R. Pow, Pine street and Greenwood ave., South District. 66 73, Chas. Cloudman, Prospect st., near Stoneham line, West Dist. 74, A. F. Cutter, cor. Oak and Nahant streets, Woodville Dist.
66 75, E. W. Oliver, upper plains, South District.
66 76, W. S. Morse, Greenwood street, South District.
66 77, F. L. Smith, Byron street and Prospect avenue, West District.
" 78, C. R. Counihan, Water street, Woodville District.
79, A. C. Albee, Converse, cor. Gould street, West District.
80, Louis Roberts, Water street, Woodville District.
81, Patrick Fay, Salem street, East District.
82, H. I. Eaton, 60 Elm street, West District.
83, Morrison Stevens, So. Spring street, Drake farm, South Dist.
" 84, H. W. Savage, Oak, near Green street, South District, kept in hose house, Oak and Franklin streets.
" 85, J. R. Marble, Greenwood avenue, South District.
" 86, C. A. Toomey, 814 Main street, (G) South District.
" 87, Thomas Savage, Centre street, Centre District.
" 88, J. C. Oxley, apothecary, Connell & Curley's block, Main street, Centre District.
" 89, M. P. Foster, printer, Main and Lincoln streets, Centre Dist.
" 90, F. A. Bergh, 214 Main street, South District.
66 91, A. S. Taylor, Spring street, South District.
6 92, C. B. Nickerson, market store, Main street, Centre District.
66 93, E. N. Smith, fruit, etc., 454 Main street, Centre District.
94, S. H. Gowing, market, 404 Main street, Centre District.
66 95, G. W. Jennings, Albion house, 8 and 10 Albion st., Cent. Dist. 96, John F. Alexander, flag station, Albion street, West District.
66 97, Geo. N. Whiting, flag station, Elm st. crossing, West District.
66 98, B. F. Shedd, 25 Cordis street, North District.
" 99, T. M. Ward, Oak street, Woodville District.
" 100, E. E. Lee, grocery, Main street, South District.
" 101, Geo. L. Tyler, near head West Chestnut and Prospect streets, West District.
" 102, Philip Orme, Myrtle avenue, South District.
" 103, S. H. Lowe, Park street, upper plains, South District.
" 104, R. H. Ryland, 71 Prospect street, West District.
"' 105, E. G. Daland, 390 Main street, Centre District.
" 106, S. T. Parker, 203 Lowell street, East District.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
OF THE
BEEBE TOWN LIBRARY
AND
PUBLIC READING ROOM,
WITH
LIST OF PERIODICALS
IN THE READING ROOM.
1894.
106
ORGANIZATION OF TRUSTEES.
Chairman, . Samuel K. Hamilton.
Treasurer, ·
. Thomas J. Skinner.
Secretary,
. William E. Rogers.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
LIBRARY.
Thomas Winship, Junius Beebe,
George E. Dunbar.
FINANCE.
Solon O. Richardson, Junius Beebe, George E. Dunbar.
BOOKS.
Wm. E. Rogers, Chas. J. Ryder, Reuben H. Mitchell, Otis V. Waterman, Samuel K. Hamilton. READING ROOM.
Otis V. Waterman, Thos. Winship, William E. Rogers, Solon O. Richardson, S. K. Hamilton.
CATALOGUE.
Reuben H. Mitchell, Chas. J. Ryder, William E. Rogers.
Librarian,
Harriet A. Shepard.
Janitor of Reading Room, . Rufus F. Draper.
Purchasing Agent for Library, William E. Rogers.
107
TRUSTEES' REPORT.
In accordance with custom, we herewith present to the voters of the town, the annual report of the Trustees of the Beebe Town Library and Wakefield Reading Room, together with the itemized report of the Treasurer and Librarian, to which you are referred for interesting detail.
During the year last past there has been greater use of the library and reading room by citizens, young and old, than ever before ; a fact very gratifying to the trustees, showing that we are a reading community and that the taste is a growing one.
Our librarian and her assistants have performed their duties with faithful care and in an acceptable manner, and the same applies to the janitor of the reading room, and upon all occasions they have co-operated to extend the benefits of their respective charges to all classes of patrons. Librarians have large opportunities to help form and direct in the young a healthy taste in the selection of reading matter, and it is an important factor in the library question. Efforts to form tastes of course begin in homes, and is naturally the duty of parents, yet, when unattended to there, the librarian seems the next friend. Children, when left to themselves, will read anything, and at a time in life when they need direction, and to guide them correctly requires the companion virtues of wisdom and patience.
During the year the board has lost a valued member by the removal from town of Rev. Chas. J. Ryder. During his short stay upon the board, he proved himself valuable as a trustee, and endearing as a friend, and the board regrets his absence.
The term of office of Messrs. Beebe, Dunbar and Hamilton will expire with the present municipal year, and the town will be called upon to elect four trustees, three of them being for three years each and one for one year, to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Ryder, which is vacant by reason of his removal from town.
The reading room has never in its history been any better patronized than the past year. Many evenings all chairs have been
108
filled and many standing and waiting for an opportunity to get access to the tables. During the year, twelve of the publications have had covers (manufactured by the National Binder company) placed upon them, and it is desirable that the balance should be protected in the same way. Very many of the libraries and reading rooms through- out the state are being equipped with them, and for this purpose the trustees would ask an additional appropriation of twenty-five dollars, making a total appropriation of two hundred dollars in all for the read- ing room for the ensuing year. The appropriation for the library has usually been three hundred dollars and the proceeds of the dog tax and trust fund, amounting in all to about thirteen hundred dollars. ($1,229.73.) The trustees at this time make no suggestions as to the amount of the appropriation required for the support of the libra- ry for the year ensuing, except about seven hundred dollars-for current expenses, for the following reasons.
There are today 11,538 volumes in the library. All available space for shelves has been occupied and every space filled with books, and we have reached the limit of our room-consequently of our growth, an existing fact which must be considered by the town at the coming annual meeting, if any increase in the size of the library by additions of current literature, is deemed advisable by the voters. It is a fundamental law of nature-that when growth ceases, decay commences, compelling life, that manifestation of original power, which holds all structures together to seek another throne. Shall this be the fate of our library? The trustees cannot but feel that a community, with the taste, culture, and diffused intelligence of Wake- field, will never permit the usefulness of the library to suffer for lack of opportunity to grow larger year by year, for free public reading rooms and free public libraries are essential parts of free public edu- cation and emphasize the fact that school life does not terminate edu- cational opportunities.
This republic is founded on intelligence and patriotism, and these same forces must be kept in existence to perpetuate it (for it is plain that under the very freest of constitutions, those who are ignorant are slaves still, and incapable of perpetuating freedom) and as pillars for its support, standing for universal education, light for every mind and knowledge for every child, free public libraries and reading rooms take high rank, furnishing education-yes-and amusement too, at a minimum of cost, and in nothing is the intelligence and spirit of a
109
free people more thoroughly reflected than in the provision it makes for its educational institutions-and as the trustees are at the parting of the ways, it seems necessary for them to call the attention of the town to decide, and if it is decided to go on, to suggest the impor- tance of location, size, equipment, availability, environment and appropriation of money, as essential matters when called upon to act upon the article relating to the matter in the next town warrant, in order to intelligently decide where and what form these larger quar- ters shall take.
We are well aware that this is likely to be a year of departure from beaten paths and old lines of action-water, light and sewerage are questions of physical necessity waiting solution, and pausing at our very doors in the passing procession of events, and must be met, although fortunately, not all at once, but in questions of mental eleva- tion by education of the nobler part, we cannot forget the example of our pilgrim ancestry who, after landing in a howling wilderness, and organizing for mutual defense, immediately and unselfishly taxed themselves in order that " learning might not be buried in the graves of the fathers," and so on through the dark and dismal poverty of two hundred and fifty years of colonial life and up to this present hour, and can we, as children and descendants of that God ordained and noble race, do any less in this age and with our greater means, than to strain every nerve to make all of our educational institutions second to none and of indefinite extension.
We know, also, that the times call for much judicious forethought, also in many directions ; but in the garden of life it is the flowers that need protection, not the weeds-they take care of themselves-and liberty is the fairest flower that grows, a transplant from the fair field of heaven to the rougher soil of earth. Education is its best protec- tion and its cheapest defence, not only from foes without but from internal dissensions within, for educated masses are more easily gov- erned than those dwelling in the sphere of ignorance and passion. "Twas the educated volunteers of the north, soldiers and thinkers, heroes of sword and pen, who knowing only duty threw the gauntlet down to fate in '61, and in a baptism of blood gave to freedom her second birthday, and saved the union that the impious hand of igno- rance sought to rend apart. Like our laws, it touches human life at every point, protects and elevates it. It promotes industry and thrift ; awakens and intensifies mental hunger and desire, (for man
110
lives not by bread alone) ; is a factor in the creation of wealth ; de- velops clear grit and backbone, and ability clearly to see, acquire, maintain and perpetuate individual and vested rights, political, social and economic. In a word, education is a necessity, and every well organized life will find time, opportunity and means to acquire it, and free public libraries and free public reading rooms are standing invi- tations held out by the town that supports them, for the profitable investment of time by all classes of citizens but especially by the young,-those standard bearers of the future-when school life ends and we enter the larger school of life.
Where shall the larger quarters be? and how obtained ? are ques- tions for the voters to answer. We venture to suggest, that looking along the line of the future, it would seem desirable for the town to secure and own some central lot of land and build thereon a building of one story or more (as seems fit) of brick, (for wood is too frail for a memorial dedicated to learning and thereby commemorating the virtues of a people), a building with a deep floor space with the library at the front end, reading room in the rear, and a room for conference, consultation of books of reference, and meeting of trus- tees also, and all arranged so that the library and reading room shall be under the eye and care of the librarian,-an important matter, which is not now the case.
There is no more room to be had in the town house, and if obtain- able, none adapted for the purpose.
The great student city of America is Boston, where leaders of an earnest life of intelligent attainment, find plenty of worthy fellowship. In our own county of Middlesex, the neighboring cities of Malden and Woburn are imitators, following closely in the footsteps of the capital city, and are fast increasing in population, wealth and influ- ence, and their beautiful library building and facilities have doubtless. had much influence as potent factors and aiding forces in shaping. their growth and destiny, for it is an undeniable fact in our human nature that wealth and settlement will naturally gravitate to those cities and towns whose atmosphere is charged with the exhilirating aroma of culture, refinement, and the pure amenities of literary,. social and Christian life.
The thought of a new home for the library must commend itself to every candid, reflecting voter : every parent must feel the necessity for library growth for the benefit of the young minds-a sacred trust
111
from Divinity : every artisan must realize the necessity for the library to keep abreast the times and thus secure to him the benefits of. healthy educational information when the day's toil is over, the time of relaxation is come, and he finds his truest rest in change of occu- pation. Every reformer, in any direction, must rouse to action by voice, and vote for additional room to grow for an institution that has in the past illuminated many a home in our midst that otherwise would be in that worst of all darkness, mental darkness. This is a question that presents itself to the trustees now, for we have abso- lutely no more room for books and our growth stops, and we appeal to the town for relief. Unemployed labor and the low price for money, are factors pointing to early action, with perhaps an additional inducement,-that of giving employment to our own people. The commercial world has an axiom "the time to buy-is-when every- body wants to sell ;- the time to sell-is-when everybody wants to buy." The prevailing conditions hedging about this question give prominence to the thought that the present is a propitious time. Would that we had the pen of inspiration or the tongue of eloquence that we could compel thought to blossom into speech and tell all that word "time" implies-for it means as much to municipalities as to men. It tells us in a word to protect our own future-for man builds today that upon which he stands tomorrow. It is God's gift of opportunity - for faith to build her foundation - for intellect to light the pathway of the centuries-for imagination to command the future - for love to gild and hallow all that it touches - for hope to span eternity - for memory to store up the past. 'Tis the parent of all possibility-the nurse of our strength-the fostering angel of our growth-and either as community or as individual-it is the accurate balance in which we are weighed - that God may know whether or not we have come to the day of reward-or whether we be wanting. That single word "time" is an implied command for man to live to the level of his highest height-to find his highest inspiration in the welfare of his brother, his own preferment in the common weal.
As trustees of an important educational trust, we urge the town to take action at the next town meeting and not permit our library and reading room to suffer in influence and power, simply for roow to keep abreast with the world's current growth in thought.
The glory of the republic is in the character of her sons : in the rectitude of the many, not the elevation of the few, and whatever
112
can impress the immortal principles, honor, purpose, nobility, upon the hearts of the people, is teaching most fit to compass that educa- tion her laws and constitution demand. Free libraries and free reading rooms do just that thing.
The hand of time is forever pushing away the old to make room for the new, and this principle of change will leave us and our times among forgotten things. The world will have new things to interest it and new conditions will prevail. The tidal wave of civilization that rolls in from all the past, has beached us at our present level, bequeathing us its legacy of benefits; and its cares as well. Let us increase the former and lighten the latter, so that those to whom we transmit, and who come after us may the better bear them, for it is a duty each one owes to himself and to others to do all he can with the means at his command to benefit his fellows in his own genera- tion, and for that posterity that will succeed him.
In behalf of the trustees,
OTIS V. WATERMAN, Trustee.
113
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Number of volumes in the Library February 1, 1893, 11,192 Added by purchase during the year, . 317
66
to replace worn out volumes,
50
donations, .
16
66
Magazines bound from the Reading Room, 31
Volumes worn out during the year, .
68
Total number of volumes in the Library Feb. 1, 1894, 11,538
Volumes added in the various classes as follows :
Fiction,
209
Social Economy, . 7
History,
·
30
Literature, .
7
Biography, .
27 Religious, ·
4
Magazines,
31 Public Documents,
II
Science,
.
18
Miscellaneous,
II
Travels, . .
9
Donations from
Donations from
United States, .
5
W. I. Bowditch, Esq., I
State of Massachusetts, 3
W. E. Barrett, Esq., I
C. D. Wright, Esq., ·
3
Rev. C. K. Bradlee,
I
A Friend, .
2
16
Persons having signed Application Cards during 1893, Total number of cards issued,
394
3,470
Number of books delivered during the year (an in- crease of 1,214 books over 1892),
21,803
Delivered during January, 1894,
2,744
Largest number delivered in one day, .
301
Number of volumes replaced,
50
Number of volumes rebound,
I48
HARRIET A. SHEPARD, Librarian.
WAKEFIELD, February 1, 1894.
4
364
·
.
11,606
114 List of Publications in the Reading Room.
MONTHLIES.
Atlantic.
Century.
Forum.
Arena.
Carpentry and Building.
Eclectic. Blackwood's.
Harper's Monthly.
Harper's Young People.
Hall's Journal of Health.
Magazine of American History. New England Magazine.
Scribner's.
St. Nicholas. Littel's Living Age.
Lippincott's.
FORTNIGHTLY.
The Literary World.
WEEKLIES.
Forest and Stream.
Wakefield Record.
Harper's Weekly.
Wakefield Citizen and Banner ..
Harper's Bazaar. Irish World.
Texas Siftings. National Tribune.
Frank Leslie's Illustrated.
N. Y. Tribune. American Field.
Youth's Companion. .
Shooting and Fishing.
Metal Worker.
DAILY NEWSPAPERS.
Boston Journal. Sunday Herald.
Boston Herald. Sunday Globe.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
S. K. HAMILTON, Chairman ..
All the Year Round.
Good Housekeeping.
Ladies' Home Journal.
Cosmopolitan. Godey's Magazine. North American Review. Poultry World.
American Architect.
Judge. Puck. Life.
Scientific American. . :
115
TREASURER'S REPORT.
To the Citizens of Wakefield :
I herewith present my report of matters connected with the Treasurer's department for the fiscal year closing Feb. 1, 1894.
TRUST FUNDS.
EZRA EATON BURIAL LOT FUND, $100.
This fund was a gift to the town March 2, 1857, the income of which is used at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen to keep in repair the burial lot of the late Ezra Eaton.
The sum of $7.84 has been expended in the care of the lot dur- ing the past year.
THE FLINT MEMORIAL FUND, $1,000.
This fund, from Mrs. Harriet N. Flint, is for the benefit of the Beebe Town Library, the interest thereon to be expended in the purchase of books.
The sum of $60 as interest one year to Feb. 1, 1894, has been credited to the Library account.
JONATHAN NICHOLS TEMPERANCE FUND, $1,000.
This fund was a gift to the town on certain conditions as described in the vote accepting the same. The conditions are such that any young man of our town, who files his name with the Town Clerk before he is sixteen years of age and declares his intention not to drink intoxicating liquors and not to smoke or chew tobacco until he shall become twenty-one years of age and shall have kept his pledge until that time, shall receive from the income of the fund the sum of ten dollars, together with a certificate of commendation from the Selectmen.
The records of the Town Clerk show that 341 young men have thus pledged themselves. The Treasurer has paid the fee to three:
116
young men during the past year who have arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and certified that they have kept their pledge, making a total of twenty-eight since the fund became operative.
STATEMENT OF INTEREST.
Balance available at last report,
$188 91
Interest on fund and balance to Feb. 1, 1894, ·
47 55
Total, .
$236 46
Paid J. H. Fitzgerald,
$10 00
Fred Perry, .
10 00
Azel Ames, 3d,
10 00
$30 00
Balance available,
$206 46
DR. F. P. HURD LIBRARY FUND, $2,500.
This fund is for the benefit of the Beebe Town Library and is invested in coupon notes of the town of Wakefield, bearing interest at the rate of four per centum per annum. The sum of $100 as interest has been paid to the Treasurer of the Library.
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.