USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual report of the officials of Oakham, Massachusetts 1911 > Part 2
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).
In addition to the above named sixteen, two girls are doing partly advance and partly review work with Miss Both- well, making a total of eighteen pupils from this town who have gone beyond the ninth grade this year.
The state pays the tuition to be sure, but that really is
37
but a small part of the expense of sending pupils to out-of- town schools. Either a journey each day by train or team, or else the student must be boarded in the town where he attends school ; not alone a considerable expense, but it takes the child away from home at the very time when he should come under the home influence.
Again, only the children of the "well-to-do" can attend school away from home, the poor are prohibited. Is it not a fact that in addition to the eighteen already mentioned, at least ten more would have been in school had there been better facilities? Oakham could have a high school of at least thirty pupils, were it possible to arrange for one.
I am ambitious to see every child in such a school-loving town as Oakham have the privilege of at least two years after the ninth grade. I do not make any recommendation this year. I do not expect any action to be taken this year, but I would like all parents and citizens to consider this question very carefully. Certain towns make arrangements with the state to form one-teacher schools for two years, allowing their pupils who wish to enter college to go to other schools as tuition pupils. Is it impossible for Oakham, with its long record of successful students, to do that which other towns no more ambitious are doing? I invite discussion of this question in Grange and Farmers' Club by any whom I may interest.
NINTH GRADE GRADUATION.
The second annual graduation of the ninth grade from the public schools occurred June 10, 1910, with the following program :
PROGRAM.
March. Vesper Hymn, Prayer,
Schools
Rev. W. E. Streeter
38
Welcome, Lila Catherine Parkman
Essay, "The Origin of the Flag," Betsey Evelyn Cody
Essay, "The Hammering Campaign," Lawrence Earle Lawless
Dialogue, "The King and the Miller," Leone Boyd and Evelyn May Clifford
Essay, "Oakham's Contribution to the Revolutionary War,"
Donald Avery Rutherford
Essay, "Some of the Birds," Marion Louise Winslow Song, "The Rose Gatherers," Schools
Address,
Superintendent Charles L. Randall
Spring Song, Center Grammar
Farewell, Beatrice Monroe
Presentation of Diplomas,
Deacon Jesse Allen
Class Song.
Benediction, Rev. W. E. Streeter
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I recommend the changing of the position of the desks and seats in the grammar room, in order that the light may come from the back and left of the room.
I also recommend placing adjustable desks and seats in the primary room.
I would again respectfully bring to your attention the advisability of increasing the school year at least two weeks.
I know of nothing which can be done for your schools which will add to their efficiency so much as to give a longer school year.
In closing I will call your attention to the report of the supervisor of music which follows this report.
With appreciation of the loyalty of the teachers and the support of the school board, I respectfully submit this report.
CHARLES L. RANDALL, Superintendent.
1
39
Report of the Supervisor of Music.
Mr. C. L. Randall, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR :- The course in music has been conducted along the same lines as formerly. We have kept the same aim in view and are constantly striving to make our best, better.
The lessons of the week are always carefully planned previous to their presentation, and a record kept of the work of each pupil.
The teachers have been earnest in their support. and the pupils, with few exceptions, are interested in their school music, and as a rule I am pleased with the enthusiasm which prevails and the progress shown.
The importance of the first year's work in music cannot be overestimated. Only by careful individual instruction in the lower grades can we secure satisfactory results in the grammar school. Experience has proved that a first grade pupil can be taught to sing in good time before they leave the primary grade.
The schools furnished the music for the annual Children's Day entertainment, and they won many words of praise from those competent to judge.
You will find the pupils well up to grade and in some instances doing the work of a higher grade.
I cordially invite the parents and friends to visit during the music periods and see for themselves what we are doing.
I desire to express my appreciation of the faithful work of the teachers. The superintendent I sincerely thank for his advice and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH B. DWELLEY, Supervisor of Music.
1
TABLE OF STATISTICS.
School
Teacher
Preparation
Total Enrollment
Present Enrollment
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Per Cent. of Attendance
Number of Visitors
Number of Visits
Number of Pupils 7 to 14
No. of weeks service this year
Grammar
Florenee E. Bothwell
North Brookfield High*
33
26
27.8
26.8
96.5
40
86
22
32
Primary
Ethel, M. Braman
Northfield Seminary*
23
23
22.2
21.5
96.9
38
87
19
32
Coldbrook
Ruth E. Butterfield
Worcester Normal
14
14
13.3
12.9
97.5
30
59
32
South
Effie T. Swindell
Barre High
19
18
16.3
14.8
91.3
47
93
14
West
Mildred Burt
Oakham
10
Annie M. Dodd
Framingham Normal*
17
14
15.3
13.7
89 3
18
43
8
22
NOTES-Statisties based on register since September, 1910. Present enrollment means February 17, 1911. *Indicates "graduate."
6
41
OAKHAM ROLL OF HONOR.
THREE YEARS. George Dean, Orvis Banks, Blanche Yeo. TWO YEARS.
Gladys Stone.
ONE YEAR.
Hazel Grimes, Walter Howe, Eric Harvey, Nellie Hale, George Grimes. Arthur Thomas.
TWO TERMS.
Doris Bruce, Albert Eggleston, Esther Briggs, Albert Briggs, Edward Flanagan, Alfred Valerio, Chester Dimick, Lewis Dimick, Charlotte Keep, William Morse, Gerald MacDonald, Frank Stone, Allie Swindell, Lavander Clifford, Hazel Durant, Orton Butler, Ralph Cody, Albert Howe, Alfred Morse, Helma Carlson, Dorothy Newton, Alexina Labonte.
ONE TERM. Dorothy S. O'Donnell.
"Alone unto our Father's will One thought hath reconciled; That he whose love exceedeth ours Hath taken home his child."
Henry Blake, Harold Bullard, Ruby Bullard, Franklin Cheever, Gladys Cheever, Susie Winslow, Walter Heneck, Ruth Morse, Walter Tucker, Helen Parkman, Arthur Sergeant, Alice Dimick, Evelyn Clifford, Ella Ferrin, Mabel Labonte, Warren Newton, Leon DuTemple, Carl Christiansen, John O'Donnell, Raymond Thresher, Ida Yeo, Beatrice Howe, Lillian Stoebel, Jennie Stoebel, Evelyn Cody, Ivah Cody, Oscar Halvorsen, Beatrice Monroe, Herman Dean, Leroy Monroe, Lila Parkman, Marion Rutherford, Minnie Ruther- ford.
42 School Physician's Report.
Mr. C. L. Randall, Superintendent of Schools, Holden, Mass. :
MY DEAR SIR :-- In accordance with Chapter 502 of the Acts of 1906, the scholars in the schools of Oakham have been examined by me, and when symptoms of any disease presented themselves, a notice was sent parent or guardian with the request that they secure competent medical advice at once.
In my examination of the scholars for year 1910, I endeavored to make the tests as practical as possible, special attention was given to the teeth, and lastly, the subject of vaccination. In my talk to the children. ten good reasons were mentioned why parent or guardian should care for, and endeavor to preserve, the children's teeth.
Relative to the subject of vaccination, a paper was read to the scholars on the importance of vaccination. A copy of this paper was forwarded to the State Board of Health, and below is a reply received from them on the matter of vaccina- tion, etc. I attach herewith a copy of the paper read to the scholars for your inspection.
Hoping that this year will find the scholars' teeth in better condition, and the majority of them vaccinated, I beg to remain,
Yours very truly, J. E. PICKERING, M. D., School Physician. .
PAPER READ ON VACCINATION.
THE Legislature, in other things as in this, being judges of what the welfare of the people demands, it is along this line that I would like to say a few words regarding the vacci-
43
nation of the children of the schools of Oakham, believing as I do that it is the duty of the parents and others not to allow an unprotected population to grow up, which later may ripen into an extensive epidemic through the unavoidable introduc- tion of the smallpox seed. The State Board of Health are also of the opinion that it is necessary for the public safety that every town and city shall enforce and require the vacci- nation of school children, and I agree with them in this particular, namely, that a child who has not been vaccinated should not be admitted to a public school.
Formerly, when humanized lymph was used, people had very good reasons for believing that syphilis, tuberculosis, and like affections were transmitted by vaccination, but nowadays, when bovine lymph is available, the danger in this respect is exceedingly rare, if any transmission takes place at all.
It has been proven beyond all doubt that in communities where vaccination is thoroughly and systematically carried out they have the fewest smallpox victims, while on the other hand communities in which vaccination are persistently neglected are those in which epidemics are most prevalent ; for instance I will relate in Montreal where, owing to a wide- spread prejudice against vaccination, there grew up between the years of 1876 and '84 a considerable unprotected popula- tion, and in that city, like in Oakham at the present time, the materials were ripe for an extensive epidemic. The soil in Oakham, like in that city, was prepared with the greatest care, since there are in attendance in our schools forty-two children who have never been vaccinated and it only needs. as it did in Montreal, the introduction of the seed which, sad to relate, came to Montreal with the Pullman car conductor from Chicago on the 28th of Feb., 1885. The disease spread like fire in dry grass and within three months there died in that city of smallpox 5164 persons.
44
In Germany some years ago, where an immense number of the population were stricken with smallpox every year, since the stringent laws of compulsory vaccination went into effect in 1874, the country has enjoyed practical immunity, not a single death having occurred from smallpox to the date of the last report in 1902.
J. Everett Pickering, M. D., Coldbrook Springs, Mass. :
DEAR SIR :- I am in receipt of your letter of December 3, in relation to the course pursued by you in relation to the vaccination of public school children, and I beg to inform you that your recommendations are in complete sympathy with the views held by the State Board of Health. I am, further- more, writing to the chairman of the Oakham board of health and also to the school committee in the same town expressing my sympathy with your course. I trust that the letters will be of service to you in your crusade against possible infection with smallpox.
Yours very truly, MARK W. RICHARDSON, Secretary.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS
BIRTHS.
April 17, son (Stanley N.) to Charles F. and Ida N. Caldwell. July 3, daughter (Mildred Evelyn) to George J. and Maud F. Ferreo.
July 22, daughter (Oima Louise) to Arnold and Annie B. Wheaton.
August 4, son (Raymond Melvin) to Melvin and Ethelyn D. Chase.
November 23, son (John L. ) to George A. and Maud Briggs.
MARRIAGES.
January 1, Evander H. Green to Mary C. Haley.
March 22, Michael E. Mullen to Catherine E. Shaughnessy.
June 8, Edwin D. Harvey to Florinda E. Lincoln.
July 31, John S Thresher to Mamie Rice.
October 2, Bert S. Reed to Alice M. Bullard.
November 1, David LaBonte to Bessie Weld.
DEATHS.
DATE. NAME.
YRS.
MOS. DAYS
January 10, Mary B. Bemis.
84
1 7
January 12, Hazel O'Donnell,
1
0 0
April 21, Stanley N. Caldwell,
0
0
4
April 29, Amanda Crawford,
75
1 29
June 4, Sarah A. Morse,
86
11
24
46
DATE. NAME.
YRS.
MOS. DAYS
June 8, James W. Needham,
73
2
1
August 13, Hiram C. Baker,
42
8 26
August 21, C. Josephine Allen,
65
9 11
September 1, Dorothy S. O'Donnell,
7
4
14
November 24, Martha A. Haskell,
75
8
27
November 30, Georgia E. Wilson,
1
4
6
December 23, Monroe C. Needham,
65
10
5
BURIED IN TOWN.
March 5, Mrs. L. A. Hair,
82
11
7
March 23, Levi P. Warner,
70
0
0
August 16, Winthrop Nichols,
38
11
19
September 26, Jane E. Stoddard,
75
5
1
October 18, Alma B. Knight,
32
0
0
December 31, Anna E. Crawford,
66
2
24
Population. 552.
Number of Voters : Male, 142 ; female, 10.
Number of dogs licensed, 68; male, 62; female, 6. Number of hunter's licenses issued, 46.
JESSE ALLEN, Town Clerk.
TOWN WARRANT.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. WORCESTER. SS.
To either of the constables of the town of Oakham, in the County of Worcester, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Oakham, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the town hall, known as "Memorial Hall," on Monday, the third day of April next. at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
Article 1st. To choose a Moderator, to preside at all town meetings, except for election of State officers, during the coming year.
Artiele 2d. To hear the annual report of the several town officers and act thereon.
Article 3d. To choose one Selectman, one Assessor, one Overseer of the Poor, one School Committee, one Library Trus- tee, one Cemetery Committee for three years, Collector of Taxes, Treasurer, Auditor, Tree Warden. Highway Surveyor, three Fence Viewers and six Constables, for one year. Also to vote "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" all on one ballot. The polls to be opened at ten o'clock in the forenoon and may be closed at two o'clock in the afternoon.
Article 4th. To choose all weeessary town officers and committees for the ensuing year not required to be elected by ballot.
Article 5th. To see what compensation the town will allow their Treasurer and Collector.
Article 6th. To see what compensation the town will allow for men and teams in repairing highways and opening roads for the ensuing year.
Article 7th. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for bonding their officials.
Article 8th. To raise such sums of money as may be nec- essary to defray town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropriations for the same.
Article 9th. To see if the town will authorize the treas- urer, with approval of the selectmen, to borrow such sums of money in anticipation of taxes as may be necessary for the ensuing year, notes to be given in accordance with Chapter 616 of the Acts of 1910.
Article 10th. To see what sum of money the town will raise and appropriate for the relief of poor and needy soldiers, as required under Chapter 79, Section 18, Revised Laws.
Article 11th. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the proper observance of Memorial Day. Article 12th. To see if the town will appoint some person or persons as agents to prosecute and defend all suits that may be brought for or against the town for the ensuing year.
Article 13th. To determine the manner of collecting taxes the ensuing year.
Article 14th. To determine the manner of supporting paupers the year ensuing.
Article 15th. To see if the town will provide for lighting the street lamps the ensuing year, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 16th. To see if the town will employ some person or persons to care for the Town Hall, Town Clock and Library Building for the ensuing year, or pass any vote relative thereto. Article 17th. To see what action the town will take about building a vault for the better protection of the public records and appropriate money for the same.
Article 18th. To see if the town will vote to add three more members to the board of Library trustees.
Article 19th. To see if the town will vote to deed Omer D. Tottingham land enough from the southwest corner of the library lot for a driveway.
Article 20th. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the suppression of the gypsy and brown tail moth.
Article 21st. To see if the town will vote to change the date of holding the annual town meeting from the first Monday in April to the last Monday in March.
Article 22d. To see if the town will vote to accept of trust funds to be used for the care of burial lots in town.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up three attested copies thereof, one at each of the Post Offices, and one at the Congregational meeting house, in said town, seven days, at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this eleventh day of March, in the year one thousand nine hundred and eleven.
GARDNER M. DEAN, ) Selectmen JOHN P. DAY, of
WILLIAM C. BLISS, ) Oakham.
A true copy. Attest. WILLIAM C. AYRES, Constable.
HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
JAN 97 Bound -To-Pleas@ N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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.