USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1903-1905 > Part 29
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matters will so shape themselves in the future that this much-desired end may be accomplished.
Mrs. Harriet A. Shepard has served faithfully another year as librarian, as has also her assistant, Miss Ruth Gowen. It will no doubt be necessary the coming year to have additional help both in the Library and Reading Room.
The fullest possible co-operation with the work of the schools is the special study of library experts of today, and the Trustees have sought to follow on this line, so far as circumstances would permit. A large part of the popula- tion of any community consists of children, who are conse- quently large users of the Library and as such entitled to great consideration. With more modern facilities, much bet- ter work could be done in this direction. A separate chil- dren's room is now considered almost indispensable. On the other hand, the public library must be the school for the great mass of people above the age of fifteen, whose further train- ing and education must depend on their own efforts. In short, the library is for the entertainment, improvement and education of the people and a successful administration must keep these varied ends in view.
Not so many new books as usual have been purchased during the year, the appropriation having been needed in other directions, but 286 volumes have been added at a cost of $400, an average cost per volume of $1.40. For rebind- ing, repairing and replacing worn out books $125 have been expended and much more could be profitably used for this purpose. The Trustees, as in past years, have continued to add current fiction, believing it should have a place in a library of this character, but have made no effort to supply the immediate great demand for well advertised books, leav- ing this for the commercial circulating libraries. Bulletins for free distribution have been issued as books have been added. Books are sometimes suggested for purchase which it does not seem wise to add, sometimes on account of the
1
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cost, sometimes because of the very limited circle to which they would appeal, and sometimes because the subject is covered by volumes already on the shelves ; but the Trus- tees are always glad to receive suggestions in regard to books or other matters relating to the Library. Among the more notable additions the past year are the following : " Nature's Invitation" by Bradford Torrey ; " Ameri- can Natural History ", Wm. T. Hornaday ; " Getting Acquainted with the Trees", J. H. McFarland ; "Journey to Nature ", J. P. Mowbray ; " Working with the Hands ", Booker T. Washington ; "Old Time Schools and School- masters ", Clifton Johnson ; " Memoirs of Henry Villard"; " Life of John A. Andrew"; " Autobiography of Herbert Spencer"; "Educational Reform", Chas. W. Eliot; " The Neighbor", Nathaniel S. Shaler ; "New England in Let- ters ", R. R. Wilson ; " The Oligarchy of Venice ", Geo. B. McClellan ; " Thomas Nast, his Period and his Pictures." There was also added in October a special list of thirty-four books for younger readers.
As usual, the Library has been remembered by its friends during the year. Papers have been received from Mr. E. M. Grover, now in Missoula, Montana, whose efforts in behalf of the Reading Room when resident here will be recalled. Miss A. I. Appleton has given a volume of the periodical " Public Libraries "; Dr. Azel Ames has given several pamphlets, reprints of articles contributed by him to various Societies and Associations ; Dr. W. R. Jones has given several volumes of the " Scientific American " and Mr. H. M. Dolbeare has again favored the Library with bound volumes of " The Daily Item " for the year. To these and all other friends, the Trustees express their appreciation, and also to the gentlemen of the local press for kindnesses and courtesies oft repeated.
The circulation of the Library gains steadily from year to year, but compared with the population of our town yet
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seems small. A beginning has been made in increasing the usefulness of the Library by the establishment of a delivery twice a week at Greenwood. Books are sent down, with an attendant, Monday and Thursday afternoons, to the Greenwood schoolhouse and there delivered to applicants. This plan has been in operation only a short time, but already about sixty application cards have been signed and from sixty to seventy books are delivered weekly. This will make its mark on the figures of circulation another year. The thanks of the Trustees are extended to the Superintend- ent of Schools and the School Committee for their co-opera- tion and also to Miss Wilkins, principal of the Greenwood School, for courteous attentions. Details as to circulation and additions will be found in the report of the Librarian.
Work on the card catalogue has been continued under the able direction of Miss A. I. Appleton, who has been con- nected with the matter from its inception. Progress is necessarily slow as the work is done without interruption to the general work of the Library and all the cards are written by the Librarian. Probably some three thousand cards yet remain to be written. It became necessary to buy an additional cabinet to accommodate the increasing num- ber of cards, and this with expenditures for cataloguing exhausted the special appropriation, and the work done since has been paid for out of the regular library funds. There has also been added to the card catalogue, by purchase, a set of cards for the ".Warner Library of the World's best Literature", about one thousand cards, which it is expected will add greatly to the usefulness of these thirty volumes.
A catalogue of books in print in the United States Jan- uary 1, 1902, each book entered under author, title and subject, in one alphabet, together with a supplement and cumulative book index, bringing the information down to November 15, 1904, has been purchased, for assistance in cataloguing and in the selection of books.
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Since the establishment of the Greenwood delivery, the desirability of a supplementary printed catalogue, to con- tain all books added since 1898, the date of the last cata- logue, has become apparent. The card catalogue is com- plete to date at all times, but there is a necessity for a catalogue for home use. This would entail an expense of about $250. It is hoped to at least make a beginning on this the coming year.
Membership in the Library Art Club has been continued and ten sets of views have been on exhibition during the year, namely :- South Kensington Museum, Perugia, Venice, Holland, California, Canterbury, National Gallery Assisi, Hawaiian Islands and Yachts. Notice of these exhibits is sent to the schools and to the local papers and much interest is manifested in the pictures.
The Reading Room continues to be well patronized by the public. It is open on week days whenever the Town Hall is open and on Sunday afternoons from 3 to 5 o'clock, while the hours of the attendant have been from 3 to 5 on week day afternoons only. It has been found necessary to place an attendant in the Room Sunday afternoons. A separate room for children would no doubt result in a larger use of the Reading Room by adults, but this does not seem possible at present. The room is well supplied with the local and city daily and weekly newspapers and the best serial publications, some of which are afterwards bound for the Library and others distributed to the Old Ladies' Home, the Engine Houses and the Danvers Insane Asylum. The reference books on the shelves are much in use and many inquirers are guided by the attendant to the information wanted.
The Greenwood delivery, the preparation of a catalogue, additional assistance in the Library and Reading Room and other improvements in contemplation, all mean additional expense. The Trustees have reason, however, to think
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that their efforts to extend the usefulness of the Library have in the past met the approval of the citizens and voters generally, and they believe the time has come when a larger appropriation should be made for this branch of the educa- tional system of the town. The town is fortunate in having funds amounting to $6,500, which have been given for the benefit of the Library, which yield an income of $260 and reduce by so much the amount to be appropriated yearly. It has been the custom of the town to vote the amount of the dog tax for the use of the Library and to appropriate an additional sum, which has varied from $200 to $500, the amount last year being $200. For the year to come, the Trustees recommend the appropriation of the amount of the dog tax and the sum of $400 for the use of the Library, $100 for the card catalogue and $250 for the Reading Room.
CHARLES F. MANSFIELD, Chairman, for the Trustees.
213 LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Number of volumes in the Library February 1, 1904,
14,973
Added by purchase during the year, 286
to replace worn out volumes, . 74
66 " donation, . 59
Magazines bound from the Reading Room, 37
Total,
15,429
Volumes worn out during the year, .
45
Total number of volumes in the Library,
February 1, 1905, . 15,384
Number of volumes rebound, including magazines, 245
Donations from
State of Massachusetts, 23
United States, 29 .
Chickering Sons, . ·
1
State of Connecticut, 1 ·
Mr. Harris M. Dolbeare, 1
State Library, Concord, N. H., 1
Mrs. E. C. Poland, ·
1
Mr. E. J. Dryer, . 1
Missouri World's Fair Com-
mission,
1
Total, 59 ·
Pamphlets, Azel Ames, M.D.
Library Journal, Vol. 29, Miss A. I. Appleton.
Persons having signed application cards Feb. 1, 1904, to Feb. 1, 1905, 325
Total circulation during the year, 32,166
Books circulated at the Library, .
31,290
Books circulated at Greenwood since Oct. 20, 1904, 876
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Days open for circulation, . 307
Average daily circulation, . 105
Number of volumes used at library for reference, 2,463
cards used for waiting list, 345
Largest number of cards on waiting list at one
time,
28
LIBRARY HOURS.
Daily,
2-5, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday,
.
2-9 p.m.
READING ROOM HOURS.
Daily, 8-12 a.m., 1.30-5.30, 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, .
2-6 p.m. .
Greenwood delivery, Mondays and
Thursdays, . 3.15-4 p.m.
HARRIET A. SHEPARD,
Wakefield, Mass., February 1, 1905. Librarian.
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Fish Committee-30th Annual Report.
SAMUEL PARKER, Chairman ; WILL HARRINGTON WILEY, Steward ; JACOB C. HARTSHORNE, Secretary.
SAID OF OLD.
" They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them with their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore, they rejoice and are glad."
These words were spoken more than 2700 years ago, and formed a " part of the burden which the prophet Habakkuk did see." They present a good picture of the modern fish- hog-the pseudo sportsman of all ages. They refer, how- ever, not to fishers, but to the Chaldeans who inflicted fearful vengeance upon the victorious but afterward lawless armies of God, and by His permission.
THE ARM OF THE LAW.
Two men fishing near Philadelphia unlawfully caught 366 fish ; it cost them just $366 to settle. A young sportsman, of Newburyport, shot one partridge out of season, and it cost him $20 to settle. Would that every violator of fish and game laws could be made to suffer the law's just recom- pense of reward. The spread of protective and conserva- tive game legislation, throughout the United States and Canada, has been both rapid and wise. Thousands of dollars are annually expended by these governments, by game clubs, and by private citizens, in the rearing and dis- tribution of food and game fish.
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OUR OWN BAILIWICK.
Wakefield, with its two beautiful lakes, is but an infini- tesimal part of our great and beloved country, but it is an important part, nevertheless, and should receive the same careful and thoughtful oversight of its fish and game privi- leges as the broad lakes, dancing streams and woods of Maine or New Hampshire receive. Suppose, for the moment, that Crystal Lake should be pumped dry, or that Lake Quannapowitt should be drained, (events not impos- sible,) would not there be weeping and wailing and gritting of teeth such as was not heard since the days of old Chief Quannapowitt ?
The little that any committee can do to preserve and improve the attractions of the great lakes of our beloved commonwealth should be done gladly, and should be sup . ported by liberal appropriations, safeguarded by wise restrictions on the part of the several municipalities and state legislatures.
" Let the waters be gathered into one place and let the dry land appear."
Our lines have fallen in pleasant places when we go a-fishing on Crystal Lake. Just when its gravelly hills were piled up, or when the finger of God graved upon the stone tables of Hart's Hill the letter and law of His wise decrees, we know not, neither is it important now to con- jecture. But we do know that it is a part of a grand architecture " not made with hands;" and that there is enough in this bit of landscape and waterscape to suggest, at least, one of the higher services appointed to the hills : " to stimulate the restless thirst of the human heart for the beauty of God's working." The wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein as he passes by or lingers near this spot. "It has been asserted that the beauties of
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Nature are as much an incentive to the angler as the fishing itself."
No FISHING.
The vote of the town not to allow fishing in Crystal Lake was, in our opinion, unwise, unconstitutional, and unlawful. The laws of the State of Massachusetts recognize that ponds or lakes of an area exceeding twenty acres are so- called " great ponds of the state," and are available to the citizens thereof for fishing and other purposes, but espe- cially for fishing. Our belief that citizens have the consti- tutional right to fish in great ponds of the state, and cannot be legally prevented from so doing, is based to a consid- erable extent on an opinion of the late Attorney-General Hosea M. Knowlton, given to the Fish and Game Com- mission under date of December 6, 1900, in a case precisely similar to that we have to deal with in Wakefield. This opinion relates to Cape Pond, Gloucester, the waters of which were taken by the town of Rockport for a water supply under an act of the Legislature. This opinion states, among other things, that " it is well settled that the statute authorizing the town to take Cape Pond does not take away any public rights in said pond, excepting so far as they are necessarily lost in the exercise of the right con- ferred upon the town to use the waters of the pond as a source of water supply. The right of fishing remains unimpaired, as well as all other public rights, subject to the limitations I have stated."
If this opinion is of any value, and it is based upon a decision of a high court of the State, then the action recently taken by the town is illegal, and should be imme- diately revoked. It is unwise and mischievous to keep on the records any regulations which are ineffective and mis- leading ; and certainly the town has no authority to take action which is unconstitutional, and which, in effect, is an attempt to ride rough-shod over the rights of the State.
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PREVIOUS LACK OF PROHIBITION.
If so astute and able a lawyer as was a former president of the Wakefield Water Company did not assume to prohibit fishing in Crystal Lake at the time he had printed and posted a notice prohibiting all nuisances on and around said lake, why should it be assumed now that a reasonable amount of quiet fishing is contrary to law and right ; and why should it be assumed that a valueless vote of the town in this particular should result in the punishment of individ- uals who are guilty of no other offence than the attempt to pull out a few fish from the waters of the lake? Any one who cares to go to nearby Winchester and make inquiries can there learn that the venerable, respected and long-time Commissioner of Fisheries and Game, Hon. E. A. Brackett, has, at the request of the town, for years, issued fishing permits, and the system adopted has resulted in fishing being carried on without complaint, or without contam- ination of the waters.
A REAL NUISANCE.
We do not know what the arguments in favor of this prohibitive vote were, if indeed, there were any ; but did it occur to one of the speakers that more than a score of both horses and men are employed on the frozen surface of Crystal Lake every winter? Here is richness and flavor indeed, not to mention the pigpens and cowpens on the Stoneham side. A real nuisance, is it not ?
O TEMPORA ! O MORES !
As far as the east is from the west so far is the so-called nuisance of fishing and boating removed from the real nuisance of the icemen, the pig men and the cow men.
"O, consistency ! thou art a jewel," and more than Crystal clear art thou.
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Too MANY FISH.
Crystal Lake has but one contributory stream, fed by perennial springs, insignificant in size, yet an important supply, nevertheless. It has no open outlet. There is no chance for fish to escape to any other waters, neither are many of them caught. Consequently, large schools of all grades must flourish and grow more numerous as the years go by, until, at last, it will be imperatively necessary to remove some of them by means of nets and drags such as suggested in our opening sentence. How much better is a bamboo or Bristol rod for catching fish than a drag-net ; and how simple and reasonable a thing it would be to allow the fish to be taken with the angle, without stirring up so much sediment and filth.
" THE SIMPLE LIFE."
There are multitudes of men who, having nothing else to do, will not even go a-fishing when, by simply and fre- quently looking at nature they might reap to themselves knowledge and riches which neither time nor eternity can take away nor destroy. If, as has been said, " Charity begins at home," let us all be charitable to ourselves and go a-fishing as frequently and as heartily as possible. "Nature never did betray the heart that truly loved her." The late B. B. Burbank, Wm. U. MacQuinn, James A. Day, Joseph Morton and James H. Carter,-if we may be pardoned a personal allusion-were men of this stamp, and it was always a great pleasure to be with them in camp or on the water. They are in the "Happy Hunting Ground," now, but we miss them sadly.
THE GENTLE ART.
"The passion does exist-nay, is spreading; man is learning more and more that this life is not all for work."
Many who are inclined to go a-fishing are prevented by
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the mistaken idea that they cannot get away. Now, we believe that fishing " is the wisest, virtuousest, discreetest and best sport ever sported," and that he or she who takes a month off in the open, can do more and better work in eleven months than in twelve. " Let us make the best of the time yet allotted to us and regain and retain what of youth is possible-let us go a-fishing." If, as some of our critics maintain, we seem to occupy more time and space in making our report than is needed, and thereby cause unne- cessary expense to the town, let it be borne in mind, and remembered, that after all we have said and done, the half has not been told.
THE ROLL OF HONOR.
"Whatsoever hath not fins or scales in the water, that shall be an abomination unto you."
The first in rank of all edible fish is the kingly salmon, and next the lordly trout. Then comes the bounding bass, ann the mammoth muscalonge, with his natural congener the perfect pickerel. White perch and yellow perch supply a long felt want, while the horned pout and the slippery eel fill up the creel with food fit for a king. These are the kinds that we, for the most part, are familiar with, and which abound in our own or not far distant waters. If we go afield, we shall find the white fish, the pike perch, the cat- fish, and many other kinds which we might mention. " They all wait upon God," and then proceed to devour each other ad lib, in seeming contravention of all human conceptions of trust. But then, a fish lays a thousand eggs ; a hen but one.
RAINBOW TROUT.
In response to the request of the Board of Selectmen, the Fish Commissioners planted 1,000 trout in the waters of Lake Quannapowitt last fall. This trout is
" A variety or sub-species of the California Salmo gairdneri,
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specifically called Salmo iridens. It is closely related to the brook trout of Europe, but not to that of the United States, and has been widely distributed. In the breeding season its colors are resplendent, giving rise to the popular name."-Century Dictionary.
"And now, having caught three"brace of trout, I will tell you a short tale as we walk towards our breakfast."-I. Walton, Complete Angler, p. 99.
THE BASS.
"As teachers of patience in fishing, black bass stand at the head of the list, and in their intercourse with fishermen, espe- cially in its early stages, they are the most aggravating and profanity-provoking animal that swims in fresh water."
Grover Cleveland.
We do not know anything about the last qualification of the bass, but we can speak of the patient skill required to land a three-pounder. The chairman of this committee, with the aid of his secretary (who had made a journey from Philadelphia for the purpose) caught and landed a three- pound bass on Lake Quannapowitt, early in September. It was skilfully cooked by the chef of the "Parker House," Miss Carolyn Cogswell, and a better fish was never tasted. Many people don't eat bass, however well cooked.
THE RECORD.
Life is a fish-rod Therefore you should know, Where to anchor, how to cast and throw. Get thee, then, a safe boat- Learn to row.
(with apologies to Dr. Henry Van Dyke.)
If we travel the wide world round, we shall find that the people of all lands eat fish about once a week, and that once is sure to be on Friday. But why on Friday and not on
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Tuesday? We mean fresh fish, of course. Salt fish is useful every day :
"It takes hold of the resisting stomach, and induces a new thirst."
That is why it is kept within reach on all " free lunch " counters.
CAN ANY MAN DENY THIS ?
" The string of fish a man buys, and carries home, are generally a string of lies."
The following strings were actually taken from Lake Quannapowitt-making all due allowance for human frailty :
Mr. Robt. Randall, more than 500 pickerel.
Mr. Sawyer, of Melrose, a 5-lb. pickerel.
Mr. Stephens, of Reading, 61 fish.
Mr. Marshall, of Reading, 35 and 45 fish at several dif- ferent times.
Messrs. Wheeler and Taylor caught more than 600 perch, 70 pickerel, and about 100 pout. Their best single day's catch was 97 perch, 6 pickerel, 3 pout, 9 eels, and 1 turtle. It was in June, and not much of a day for fishing neither. Some other day's catches were 76, 72, 67 and 61 fish of all kinds.
" There in the stream a patient fisher stood,
And cast his line across the rippling flood,
His silver spoil lay near him on the green,-
' Such fish,' the courtiers cried, ' were never seen.
Three salmon longer than a cloth-yard shaft,
This man must be the master of his craft.' "
-"The Legend of the Vain King," by Henry Van Dyke.
Of course, there were many other good strings caught not reported. Pickerel and red perch were abundant, ranging high as to weight and quality. Black bass were not plentiful, but several fine specimens were taken weigh-
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ing from 3 to 4 pounds each. German carp are seen in these waters, though rarely taken with a hook because our anglers do not set about it properly. Carp sell for 15 cents per pound, and pickerel for 20 cents, in Boston markets.
" All flesh is grass," and most people think all fish is fish. But the difference in the value of food like fish is as wide ·as the sea, and is measured only by the necessity and senti- ment of the eater. We have seen the time when speckled trout and silvery salmon became a nauseating nuisance, having once tasted them almost daily for five consecutive months. How we longed for the broiled tail-end of a cod, or a piece of bluefish or a halibut steak, or a prosaic mud- born flounder, disguised as fillet of sole. Native born Wakefield fish are good enough; and that they are held in high esteem is evidenced by the large number taken each season for food.
WILD GAME.
The most conspicuous feature of the hunting season of 1904 around Wakefield was the scarcity of quail. For a number of years quail had steadily increased and their whistle was not unfamiliar even in the more thickly settled parts of the town. The extremely heavy snows of the win- ter, however, shut them off from their usual supplies of food and almost all died from starvation and cold. A few remain, however, and it is hoped that the survivors, together with quail to be liberated next spring by the Sportsman's Protective Association of Eastern Massachusetts, will in time replenish the stock.
A few woodcock are found here in flight time, but the main reliance of the bird hunter is the partridge. The excessive amount of hunting, and the lessening of natural partridge grounds, are slowly reducing their already small numbers, but the greater craftiness and cunning of the remaining birds requires the highest possible skill with the gun and so makes their pursuit the more fascinating to the
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