USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1903-1905 > Part 3
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136
17
153
Edward S. Bradford, R.
817
176
993
Napoleon B. Johnson, P.
11
3
14
Frederick A, Nagler, S. L.
19
2
21
Thomas C. Thatcher, D.
448
21
469
Blanks
.
295
48
343
45
AUDITOR.
Precincts. Totals.
I II
John H. Hagan, S. L.
37
4
41
Joseph Orr, S.
119
14
133
Alfred E. Steele, P.
14
3
17
Francois X. Tetrault, D.
426
17
443
Henry E. Turner, R. .
820
175
995
Blanks
.
311
53
364
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
John J. Anderson, S. L.
33
8
41
William J. Carroll, S. .
127
15
142
Henry M. Dean, P.
19
7
26
John J. Flaherty, D.
444
14
458
Herbert Parker, R.
825
175
1000
Blanks
279
47
326
COUNCILLOR, 5TH DISTRICT.
William C. Cuseck, D.
423
17
440
James F. Dailey, S. L.
35
6
41
E. Francis de Lara, S.
114
11
125
George R. Jewett, R. .
801
167
968
Jonathan S. Lewis, P.
28
11
39
Blanks
325
55
380
SENATOR, MIDDLESEX-ESSEX DISTRICT.
Francis H. Appleton, R.
776
170
946
Lewis G. Hatch, S.
186
19
205
John Larson, S. L.
18
2
20
Joshua T. Nowell, D. .
528
36
564
Harry Woodward, P. .
14
3
17
Blanks
204
37
241
46
REPRESENTATIVE, 29TH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT.
Precincts. Totals.
George Willis Cooke, S.
I 83
3
86
Charles A. Dean, D.
772
115
887
George M. Poland, R.
844
145
989
Daniel Sweeney .
1
1
Blanks
26
4
30
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, MIDDLESEX DISTRICT.
George R. Duren, D. ...
440
20
460
Samuel O. Upham, R.
805
176
981
Charles W. Ussher, S.
137
17
154
Blanks
344
54
398
1
REGISTER OF PROBATE AND INSOLVENCY, MIDDLESEX
Co.
Emanuel Bernier, S.
139
17
156
Samuel H. Folsom R. .
780
176
956
Frank J. Simonds, D.
448
16
464
Blanks
359
58
417
REGISTER OF DEEDS, MIDDLESEX SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
Edwin O. Childs, R.
851
184
1035
Charles F. Drury, S.
263
24
287
Blanks
612
59
671
COUNTY TREASURER, MIDDLESEX.
Joseph O. Authier, D.
429
16
445
Charles G. F. Claus, S.
139
19
158
Joseph O. Hayden
802
179
981
Blanks
356
53
409
CAUCUS ACT.
Yes
362
60
422
No
.
·
·
518
67
585
Blanks
.
.
846
140
986
·
·
II
47
TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 9, 1903.
Meeting called to order by Town Clerk C. F. Hartshorne.
Acting under Article 1, Thomas G. O'Connell was elected moderator.
Article 2. To revise and accept the list of jurors prepared and posted by the Selectmen.
Voted. To accept list as presented by Selectmen.
Art. 3. To see if the town will make an additional appro- priation for miscellaneous expenses, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $1,200.
Art. 4. To see if the town will appropriate an additional sum of money for the Police Department.
Voted. $600.
Art. 5. To see if the town will raise and appropriate an additional sum of money for Town Hall expenses, to be applied to the cost of installing new plumbing.
Voted. $300.
Art. 6. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $2,600 for gas and electric extensions, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $2,600.
Art. 7. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $112.72 to pay for a tapper placed in the Mel- rose Engine House, or what they will do about it. Voted. $112.72.
Art. 8. To see if the town will raise and appropriate an additional sum of money for the support of the poor, or what they will do about it.
Art. 9. To see if the town will raise and appropriate
48
.
money for the purpose of painting the buildings at the town farm, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $5,200 for Articles 8 and 9.
Art. 10. To see if the town will make an additional appro- priation for the Fire Department.
Voted. $2,600.
Art. 11. To hear and act on the report of the Greenwood Hose committee.
Voted. To accept report.
Art. 12. To hear the report of the committee appointed to investigate the management of the Municipal Light Plant, and to act upon the same.
Voted, To accept report.
Art. 13. To see if the town will raise and appropriate suf- ficient money to grade and concrete the grounds around the new Greenwood Hose House, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $71.75, and to authorize the building committee to use the balance on hand, $53.50, amounting to $125.25 in all, for the above named purposes.
Art. 14. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars for the suppression of the Gypsy Moth.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 15. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to build a sewer through Richardson street, from Main street to Melvin street, or what they will do about it.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 16. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to locate a hydrant at the cor-
49
ner of Richardson avenue and Foster street, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $50.
Art. 17. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars to continue the work of repairing Oak street, beginning at a point opposite Thomas Ward's residence.
Voted. $1000.
Art. 18. To see if the town will vote to change the name of that part of Railroad street situated between Church street and the Reading town line, to be called hereafter North avenue, and cause a sign to be placed at the corner of Church street lettered (North avenue to Reading).
Voted. To make change as noted in article.
Art. 19. To see if the town will authorize and instruct the Board of Selectmen to take such action, through the Town Counsel or otherwise, as may be necessary to cause the Boston and Northern Street Railway Com- pany to execute the agreement entered into by the said company with the town, relative to the granting of free transfers on the cars of the said company.
Voted. To lay on table until next meeting.
Art. 20. To see if the town will adopt the provisions of Chapter 346 of the acts of the year 1902, relative to the election of moderator at town meetings.
Voted. To lay on table.
Art. 21. To see if the town will grant the free use of the town hall for one night to the Woman's Relief Corps.
Voted. To grant the Woman's Relief Corps the use of the hall for one night.
Art. 22. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Board
50
of Fire Engineers to locate a permanent man at the Greenwood Hose House and appropriate money there- for, or what they will do about it.
Voted. To refer to committee of three to investigate and present some plan for carrying out the subject article of the warrant.
Chair appointed W. E. Cowdrey, F. A. Edson, Ed- ward Barker.
Voted. To adjourn until next Monday night at 7.30 o'clock.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, NOV. 16, 1903.
Article 23. To see if the town will pay Jeremiah White- head the sum of twenty-five dollars for land damage on Nahant street, as awarded by the County Commission- er's.
Voted. $25.
Art. 24. To see if the town will authorize and instruct the Selectmen to cease employing horses, carts, and other appliances, in which the Superintendent of Streets has any interest, directly or indirectly.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Voted. To take up Article 3.
Voted. To reconsider the vote appropriating $1,200.
Voted. To raise and appropriate $3,200 for miscellaneous expenses, $2,000 to be applied to the payment of rental of hydrants, due Dec. 1, 1903.
Voted. To take up Article 22.
W. E. Cowdrey, chairman of the committee, said they had consulted with the Selectmen, Fire Engineers and members of the hose company. They had in-
51
spected the hose house and found it in fine condition. They had also consulted representative tax payers. With the permanent men at the centre the committee did not feel justified in recommending the adoption of the article and recommended that the Finance Commit- tee be sustained in their recommending indefinite post- ponement.
Report accepted.
Voted. Fire Engineers be instructed to locate a permanent man at the Greenwood hose house and appropriate $325 for the same. Yes, 103; No, 77.
Art. 25. To see if the town will vote to release any ease- ments taken for sewers, which are not necessary for the sewer system.
Voted. That Sewer Commissioners be authorized to re- lease any easements which are not necessary for the sewer system.
Art. 26. To see if the town will raise and appropriate one hundred dollars for removing and destroying a willow tree on land of George G. Floyd, on Central street, or what they will do about it.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 27. To hear and act on the report of the committee appointed to make building changes, install a system of plumbing, and put the High School building in a thorough sanitary condition.
The committee presented their report.
Voted. To accept the report and a vote of thanks was ex- tended to the committee.
. Art. 28. To see if the town will place a fire alarm box at the junction of Main and Lowell streets, as recom- mended by the Fire Engineers, and appropriate money for the same, or what they will do about it.
52
Voted. $115.
Art. 29. To see if the town will authorize the Town Treas- urer to borrow for the town from time to time sums of money sufficient to pay the awards made to owners of land for damages for the widening of Main street, un- der the decree of the County Commissioners, dated April 10, 1902, and issue the notes of the town there- for.
Voted. The subject matter of above article.
Voted. To take Article 20 from the table.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone all action under this article.
Voted. To take Article 19 from the table.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 30. To see if the town will accept the provisions of the eighth clause of the will of Jane K. Vinton, which reads as follows : " I give and bequeath to the Town of Wakefield, Mass., the sum of Fifty Dollars, the in- come of which is to be used for the care of the burial lot of my deceased father, William Stimpson, in the Old Burial Ground."
Voted. That the town of Wakefield do accept in trust the legacy of $50, as bequeathed to the town by the late Jane K. Vinton, for the purpose as set forth in her will, and that the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized to receive and receipt for the same, and to invest the principal in such manner as shall meet with the ap- proval of the Board of Selectmen, and that the income from such investment shall be applied by the Board of Selectmen for the purpose mentioned in said will.
Art. 31. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Cemetery Commissioners to sell to the trustees of the
53
Wakefield Home for Aged Women, a burial lot in Forest Glade cemetery, at a nominal price, or what they will do about it.
Voted. That the Cemetery Commissioners be authorized to sell and convey to the Wakefield Home for Aged Women, for the sum of $1, a burial lot in Forest Glade cemetery, suitable in size and location, to be limited to the uses of said home.
Art. 32. To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire a sum of money sufficient to meet the appropriations made at this meeting, on a term not exceeding one year, and to issue the notes of the town therefor.
Voted. That the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be authorized to hire the sum of $16,174.47, for a term not exceeding one year, to meet the appro- priations made at this meeting and to issue the notes of the town therefor.
Voted. To dissolve this meeting.
54
Fish Committee == 28th Annual Report.
SAMUEL PARKER, Chairman. WILL H. WILEY. JACOB C. HARTSHORNE, Secretary.
T-BRAWN
Piscatoria :- "These Wiley Fishes, to deceive, Drop sweetest morsels, so sublime, We, departing, ne'er shall leave Foot-prints on the sands of time""'
In the beginning God said : "Let the water bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and the fowl that fly above the earth, in the open firmament of heaven," and God saw that it was good.
1
55
And God blessed them, saying : " Be fruitful and multi- ply and fill the waters in the seas ; and let fowls multiply in the earth." "And the evening and the morning were the fifth day."
"The crust of the earth is a mighty burial ground, and all that tread the globe are but a handful to the tribes that slum- ber in its bosom."
The remains of human activity lie buried between the surface and sixty feet of earth below-
"But we must bear in mind that these civilizations were preceded by dynasties of other beings which existed upon the earth for long ages before human life appeared. The kinds of animals and plants which occupied the earth were many times changed, the lower giving way to the higher forms which were better adapted to the advancing conditions of the earth. There were dynasties of fishes, of reptiles and of mammals before any patriarch ruled his family or any chief exercised a controlling power. The first lands that were elevated above the surface of the primeval sea were very small, and the only life the world had then known was exclusively marine. As plains were extended, as mountains were elevated, and as new lands appeared, other species of beings were formed which took their respective places in the waters and on the lands. Those were long ages and the advance was a slow one. The events were not of yearly occurrence but were the changes of periods of time which were so long that our human reckoning by years is inadequate to tell the story of the geologic ages."
ORIGIN OF ANGLING.
It is a far cry from Adam to Jonah and Zebedee's children, and from Izaak Walton to Daniel Webster and Grover Cleveland ; but it is interesting to note that fish hooks have been used for more than 2700 years, some with barbs and
56
some without. Doubtless all fish, but especially all officials of the S. P. C. A., would consider the one as barbarous as the other. (If any of our angling friends fail to see the point, just drop us a line. )
THE FIRST ANGLER.
In all human probability, Adam was the first angler. After he was locked out and so lost his sinecure, he had to earn his living by the sweat of his brow. His biographer tells us that his wide domains were bounded by four beau- tiful rivers, all teeming with trout and salmon-at any rate, with toothsome fish. Near the banks grew Cain, and one other able-bodied son, and it is more than revelation re- veals or reason can allow, that Adam did not cut a cane, draw a line from some fibrous plant or tree, a pin from his wife's boudoir, and, with a grass-hopper for bait, did not go a-fishing on the first rainy day.
THE GREAT NAZARENE
loved the common people, and associated with fishermen of Galilee. He sometimes borrowed their boats, was inter- ested in their tackle and trade, and once, at least, went out with them in the day time, contrary to their usual custom, and showed them where they could secure the largest catch. He built a fire once on the shore, cooked some fish and ate with them, like the true Brother that he is. He seemed to place more value on fellowship than on tithes and sacrifices, in His view of life.
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
Review the centuries, and one may find the record of marvellous monsters, now extinct, and stories of catches far beyond belief, or that present day privileges can afford.
57
QUALITY AND QUANTITY.
That the size and quantity of latter-day fishes, including lobsters, have greatly been reduced since 50 years ago, even, is a well known and accepted fact. This is due, in large measure, to excessive pounding, netting, weiring, poaching, spearing and dynamiting, and to other and natu- ral enemies. Nothing but timely and wise legislation, watchful and tireless activity on the part of commissioners and committees, together with the hearty cooperation of all true sportsmen, can save our inland, and even our marine fisheries, perhaps, from further deterioration and possible extinction.
THE TROLLING SPOON.
We sometimes say of a man : "He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth," and often, since the days of pre-historic man, a fish has been caught with a silver spoon in its mouth. Once, at least, a fish has been taken with a silver coin in his cheek, the record of which may be found in Holy Writ. Jewelry, and other articles of value have been found in the stomachs of sharks, and of some other large fishes, not to mention Jonah and the whale.
The spoon hook is a tempting lure to pickerel and bass, and now and then to yellow and white perch. It has been used with success in the waters of Lake Quannapowitt. We are happy to record a catch of 31 pickerel, in a few hours, by deputy Parker and Maj. Wm. S. Greenough. Also a total catch, during the season, of 67, by Miss Carolyn Cogs- well, matron of the Parker House, Lakeside, corner of Cordis street. Two young fish-hogs took away 138 pouts and 42 eels in one evening's catch. They violated no law in so doing, but such as they are no law unto others, having not been a law unto themselves. " Who that holds the plunder, heeds the pain."
Many ladies availed themselves of the fishing privilege
58
and thereby proved that they could paddle their own canoe, if need be, and cast a fly or bait as skilfully and successfully as their brothers. There is no more healthful exercise than rowing, and no more beautiful spot than Wakefield in which to enjoy it. With Wiley's livery at the foot of the lake, nearest the village, and Rosson's at the upper end, a mile away, there are always ample facilities available for all comers.
QUANNAPOWITT FYSHE.
Some men named Fish take out their i and spell it with a y, but however wise, it does not look well to the eye, and certainly would not be swallowed by any true Fish.
We do not have in our waters the fish with four legs (Mexican axotel), nor the fish which wriggles out on to land and climbs a bush, nor the fish so full of fat that its flesh can be lighted with a match and used as a candle, nor the kind that suckles its young, but we do have the tooth- some yellow perch in abundance, noted for its tough thick skin and red and white fins. We have the German carp, widely known for its greedy appetite for vegetables, its great size and weight and remarkable fertility. The eel is found everywhere, is good to eat and is notorious for its lubricity. Pouts, with two fixed horns, one on each side of the head, just back of the ears, and which sometimes make an ugly wound, abound. Their meat is fine grained, of a dark shade of pink, and is often sold to the uninitiated as trout.
THE BASS.
In the southern tier of states the bass is almost universally called a trout.
Last season a man hooked a fish, being after pickerel. He was using a small cod-line. Afer playing the fish awhile it broke away. Two days later a large bass was washed . ashore, evidently having bled to death from an ugly wound
59
in the gullet. It weighed 74 lbs., and was the largest bass ever caught in these waters. The cut at the head of this report illustrates fully this almost incredible story. Many persons have asked; "How old is Ann?" but what your committee would like to know is, How old was this big fish ?
POMOXIS SPAROIDES, Calico Bass, Strawberry Bass.
We have called him Moses because he was a valiant leader, and because he was drawn out of the water near the bul- rushes.
He may have been one of the original settlers planted twenty-five years ago. At any rate he probably was not less than ten years old. He fell a prey to greed, and so met his Water-loo at last. The bass bites sharply, and fights bravely to the point of exhaustion. This fable teaches that only by using line upon line and bait upon bait, fishing here a little and there a little, can equally large fish be brought to net; and that what is now covered (by water) will eventually be made manifest and brought to the light of a warm autumn day.
60
There are just as good fish in the lake as ever were caught, including the well-remembered 6₺ lb. pickerel taken in the fall of 1893.
THE SONG OF THE REEL. An angler's freedom from restraint, A hunter's plain and simple fare ; Goodfellowship our patron saint, And when in camp begone dull care. (With apologies to the author.) GROWTH OF FISHES.
Reliable data are always welcome. Mr. J. R. Reed, president of the Mass. Fish and Game Protective Associa- tion raised a half-pound trout from a fingerling in six months. Brook trout-fry, planted in wild waters in the streams of Montana, have attained a weight of two pounds in one and one half years, and three pounds in three years. One of ten pounds-thirty inches in extreme length-was taken lately in a tributary of the Yellowstone, near Living- stone, Mont. It was one of many fingerlings planted in con- necting waters in the year 1890. Growth much depends upon temperature, food-supply and character of soil and water.
EDIBLE FISH.
An effort was made last season to secure pike-perch for Lake Quannapowitt, but the State fish commission was un- able to satisfy all requests by reason of unavoidable delays. It is expected that a consignment for planting will be re- ceived next season. Lake Suntaug, South Lynnfield, is now stocked with them.
FISH-WAYS.
Two of the several fishways along the Saugus river have been rebuilt, as promised. More legislation is needed to secure from the city of Lynn the right of way for fish from the ocean to the lake. There is not much doubt but that they all will be re-established. in the near future.
PIKE-PERCH.
The pike-perch is shaped like the pickerel, but has the colors and marking's of a yellow perch - hence the name, pike-perch. It is a good pan fish, gamey, and attains a weight of 60 lbs. in the Great Lakes of America.
62
PICKEREL ICE FISHING.
Fishing through the Ice, on Lake. Quannapowitt, is al- lowable, but with one line and hook only, for each person. (See vote of town, Nov. 14, 1895, accepting the Act of - 1888, chap. 331.) As many holes may be cut as desired, and there is no law as to number and total weight to be taken. "Enough is as good as a feast"; but unfortunately, some fishermen are not satisfied unless they get everything that swims their way. Many fine pickerel were taken weighing from one half pounds to four and one half pounds each. Several fine strings were caught at Crystal lake ; also a few small bass. An effort is being made to save all pickerel less than ten inches in length, and to limit the total weight to ten pounds per day for each angler.
THE WORK.
Your committee have not planted any trout-fry the past season, nor have they been able to secure any food fish for either lake, under a recent act providing for restocking great ponds. Both lakes, and Saugus river, have been carefully policed by deputies Parker and Poland. One member of the committee was not on the ground, but spent the whole summer by the sounding sea, among the blue-fish, weak-fish and crabs. The majority, however, were on deck and per- formed their perilous and arduous duties to the entire satis- faction of the minority, thus enabling him to write this report. Had he been here it would have been longer.
Your committee have often consulted the State Fish Com- mission, and have done many other things which seemed to them to be helpful and of interest to the public at large. On all sides we have heard reports of excellent catches, from which we conclude that the waters of Quannapowitt and Crystal lakes are still alive with fish, and that all the condi- tions favorable to the preservation of our valuable and
63
widely prized privileges are being carefully observed and faithfully guarded.
THE NEW YORK CITY AQUARIUM.
Whoever would view some wonders in ornamentation of fish should visit the aquarium on the Battery at the lower end of New York city.
This is, in many respects, the largest and best-arranged collection in the world, and is open free to the public every week-day from 10 a. m. till 4 p. m., but on Sunday in the afternoon only. Its most notable collection is from Bermuda, and other southern waters. It is a rare treat to go behind the scenes and view the fish from above the tanks, with the sunlight full upon their colors.
THE FISH'S MOUTH.
In all living creatures the mouth is one source of expres- sion.
The expressions which have fallen from the the mouths of some critics of these reports reminds one of the mouth of a fish-the least beautiful of all. It is safe to say that they have never wet a line, much more a whistle, and doubt- less would flee from the solitude of the woods and from their own thoughts. They have no just or adequate conception of the indignation of an ardent angler who is discredited as to facts or limitedas to the length and enthusiasm of his story. This confession is made more in sorrow than in anger; and confession is good for the soul. "If you distill dry bones, all you will have for your pains is water."
THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION.
The following extract from the report of 1903 of the Massachusetts Commission on Fisheries and Game will indi-
64
cate the important position held by this state in the ancient industry of fishing, especially as it is a matter of historical record that when King James was first approached by the agents of the pilgrims who sought a charter for their antici- pated new home in America, he enquired " What profit might arise ?" The single word "fishing," was the reply given, for at that time the gathering of the sea's treasures was the highest commercial anticipation of those who sought " a faith's pure shrine," in the land beyond the sea. "So God have my soul 'tis an honest trade, 'twas the Apostle's own calling," exclaimed the King, who promptly granted the wish of the applicants, and from that day to this the fishery has been of large consequence in the commerce of this Commonwealth.
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