Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1856-1861, Part 46

Author: Worcester (Mass.)
Publication date: 1856
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 940

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1856-1861 > Part 46

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There is due from the College of the Holy Cross the sum of thirty-six dollars and fifty cents, on account of the construction of the division fence between the lands of that institution and the cemetery, which, when received, will be duly credited.

A precise detailed account of the receipts and expendi- tures by the Commissioners, during the year, accompanies, and is offered as part of this report. Not a cent of charge, directly or indirectly, has ever been made for the personal services of either of them.

During the year, fifty-six lots have been sold, for the ag- gregate sum of eight hundred and sixteen dollars, and deeds thereof duly executed by the City Treasurer, and the money paid into the City Treasury. If from this sum is deducted the cost of the care and improvement of the grounds for the same period, amounting, as before stated, to six hundred and seventy-six dollars and twenty-five cents, it will appear, that the receipts from the sale of lots have exceeded the outlay by the Commissioners, (exclusive of the purchase of land) by one hundred and thirty-nine dol- lars and seventy-five cents. A list of conveyances, with the names of the persons to whom made, and the prices of the lots respectively, are on the records of the City Treasurer, to whose vigilant attention and efficient co-ope-

127

ration, the Commissioners, as heretofore, have been largely indebted, in the discharge of their trust.

In addition to the requirement for the ordinary care of the grounds the current year, the Commissioners are of opinion, that the appropriations should provide for their further gradual improvement, and especially for their pro- . tection, in the renewal of the defective and decaying fences on the north and south boundary lines. The cem- etery is now quite insecure from the inroads of cattle from neighboring fields, and ornamental cultivation and costly monuments are constantly and imminently exposed to de- struction. Along the entire lines, both north and south, immediate repairs are necessary, and very shortly the fence on the street must be wholly renewed. It will be good economy to begin this most indispensable work at once, and prosecute it by portions, as may be most needed, from year to year, until the whole shall be accomplished. In the judgment of the Commissioners, with the balance of ninety- five dollars and fifty cents remaining from the accounts now rendered, the sum of four hundred dollars will be re- quired to meet the demands of the present year, and they respectfully present to the City Government that estimate, with a request for a corresponding appropriation.

By order and in behalf of the Commissioners,

LEVI LINCOLN, Chairman.

City of Worcester, January 22, 1861.

128

Account of Receipts and Expenditures for Hope Cemetery :

Cash in hands of Commissioners Jan. 1, 1860, - $46 20 Balance in City Treasury, - 344 26

Appropriation made by the City Council, 1860, - 400 00

Cash received for wood and grass, - 112 85- $903 31

Expenditures.

Paid out by Albert Curtis, Commissioner, for labor, lumber, ashes, trees, iron work and sundries,

627 62

Gill Valentine, for surveying, -

37 50

Henry J. Howland, for printing, - -

11 13

Charles S. Bancroft, for land, -

131 56

Balance in City Treasury Jan. 1, 1861, - - 36 45

Cash in hands of Commissioners, Jan. 1, 1861,

59 05- $903 31

ALBERT TOLMAN,

Secretary and Treasurer of Commissioners.

REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.

To the Honorable City Council of the City of Worcester :

The undersigned Commissioner of Highways herewith presents his annual report, covering the expenditures of the Highway Department for the year ending on the first instant, together with a schedule (see page 75 of this document) of the property belonging to the city in said department, and the value of the same :

The amount appropriated by the City Council for the high-

- $14,000 00 way department for the year 1860 was -

Cash received and paid into the Treasury :

For 2 horses and 4 oxen and cart sold, - 441 82 - -

Received of abutters upon streets, - -

95 22

for street scrapings and earth sold, -

394 30

" stone and wood sold and for labor, -

81 25

" manure sold,

211 50

197 20

Sundry work performed, charged to other appropriations, - Labor of men and teams upon the new Common, - - Street scraping carried to the new Common, - Moving and finishing up horse barn, - -

215 00

100 00

250 00

Increase of the value of teams and other property on hand, 302 25

Bills receivable, due the department, -

163 21

Subscriptions towards the Patch road, - - -

162 50

Amount standing to the credit of the department of - 16,614 35

130

The amount expended during the year has been as follows :

Pay roll of men for labor, -

$7,909 58 - Salary of Commissioner, - - 800 00 -

Paid for 9 oxen and 1 horse bought, -

880 00

" " Hay and grain, - -

1,438 96

" " Grass on the new Common, 150 00

" Repairs of roads in suburban districts, 509 49

" " curb and paving stones, new tools and repairs, blacksmithing, setting curb and paving, as will more fully appear in the Treasurer's detailed report, 4,801 71

Amount expended, -

16,489 74

The expenses of the department less than the appropriation one hundred and twenty-four dollars and sixty-one cents, - -

124 61

The real estate belonging to the Highway Department has been increased in value by the addition of the horse barn to the amount of over $500.

Schedule, showing the amount expended for labor and materials for other than ordinary repairs, as follows :

For setting 318 feet curb, and laying 513 yds. paving, with two cross walks on Elm street, 555 00

464 feet curb and 233 yards paving, with 1 cross walk on Hanover street,

310 34

66 298 ft. curb and 165 yds. paving on Lincoln st.,

187 00

308 “ 144 " Chestnut st.,

249 48

walks on Harvard street,

521 37

66 445 ft. curb and 305 yds. paving, and 2 cross walks on High street, - -

398 08

6€ 106 ft. curb on Corbett street, - -

71 86

506 ft. curb furnished abutters on Salem street, -

135 00

setting 30 ft. curb on Main street, - -

30 00

54 " " " Grafton street, -

54 00

66 paving 372 yds. of gutter on Chatham street,

278 00

making a cross walk upon each of the following named streets, viz .: Union, Cypress, Franklin, Exchange, Grafton, Water, Temple and Bloom- ingdale -- 489 yards, -

323 00

" grading Salem street, -

307 00

66 Plantation street, - - -

300 00

Pleasant street and repairs, - -

329 50

477 “ 423 " and two cross

131

For completing the "Patch road," including arch bridge, -

1,208 00

" new horse barn, - - - - 250 00

" cleaning streets and cess pools, -

- 546 50

Extraordinary expenses, - - - $6,054 13

The remainder, amounting to $10,435 61, has been ex- pended upon the streets, highways and bridges throughout the city, by the men and teams of the city, except the sum of $509 49 above named, paid to sundry individuals, and for new tools and repairs.

The orders of the City Council have been fully exe- cuted, with the exception of an order passed Dec. 31, 1860, for building about 70 rods of road, (with a bridge over Kettle Brook,) extending from near "James' Mill" to Auburn line; the order contemplates its being finished previous to the first of September next.

Value of stock and materials on hand Jan. 1, 1860, - 2,252 75 Value of stock and materials on hand Jan. 1, 1861, - 2,555 00 Excess Jan. 1, 1861, over Jan. 1, 1860, - 302 25

All of which is respectfully submitted.

HENRY PRENTICE,

Commissioner of Highways.

REPORT

OF THE

CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

ENGINEER'S OFFICE, January 24, 1861.

To His Honor the Mayor, and the Honorable City Council :

GENTLEMEN-Agreeably to the requirement of the hon- orable city government, I herewith respectfully submit the following report of the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department of the city of Worcester, for the year ending December 31st, 1860, showing the expenses and present condition of the Fire Department, and the items of ex- pense and disbursement incident to the same, and com- posing the entire cost of the department for the year; an exhibit of the alarms and of the causes and effect of all fires which have occurred ; an appreciable estimate of the value of property destroyed, together with a statement of the insurance upon the same, as far as could be ascer- tained, to wit :

ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.

1 Chief Engineer,

6 Assistant Engineers,

1 Steam Engine Co., 13 men.

4. Engine Companies, 160 men.

3 Hose Companies, 30 men.

2 Hook and Ladder Companies, 25 men each-50 men. Total force of the Department-260 men.

133

EXPENSES OF THE DEPARTMENT.

Pay of members,

$6,684 73

For stewards and horse hire, -

1,139 00

" alarm bells, - -

169 00

Pay of Engine Co. No. 6, 3 months after 1st May, 1860, Steward and horse hire for same, - -

33 25

For bell on engine house No. 1, - -

50 00

Pay of engineer and firemen of steamer, - - -

233 33

For new hose for the department, (1500 feet,)

1,473 00

" all other expenses, -

1,677 33

Total, -

$11,500 49

Several items included in the above table of expenses may properly be ranked under the head of extraordinary expenditures, viz .:

Expense of new hose, - - -

$1,473 00

3 months' pay for Co. No. 6, (disbanded,)

- -

240 85

Pay of Steward, &c., for the same, - 33 25 -

5 tons Scotch Cannel coal, for steamer, at $14.80 per ton,

74 00

Pay of engineer and firemen of steamer, - -

233 33

Bell on engine house No. 1, -

- 50 00

Repairs 'on cistern on Common, - -

- 52 37

Of the quota of coal purchased for the steamer, four tons or more still remain on hand.

The department has been called out sixty-five times during the year, as will appear by the accompanying table, being nearly double the number in 1858, and more than double that of 1859. Twenty-five of these calls were oc- casioned by false alarms, as compared with nine from the same cause in 1858, and eight from the same cause in 1859. The amount of property in the aggregate destroy- ed during the year, insured and otherwise, is about 50 per cent. of that of 1858, and about 25 per cent. of that of 1859. It will thus be seen that notwithstanding the great increase in the number of alarms and turn-outs during the year, there is good cause for public congratulation on the great decrease in the actual destruction of property occa-

- -

240 85

134

sioned by the same. The increase in the number of false alarms during the year may be attributed, perhaps, some- what to the spirit of wanton mischief and malice which has been to some extent abroad in the city, and somewhat perhaps to the pressure of the times, the excess of unem- ployed labor and comparative destitution, animated by the hope of partial plunder, &c. But from whatever causes they may have arisen, the actual damage to the city is by no means unimportant in many respects. Aside from the actual cost to the department, the injurious effect upon the peace, business and sanitary interests and comfort of the community is not inconsiderable, while the lawless- ness which generally prompts to them evinces a most de- praved state of morals, and is directly calculated to foster and increase the same. The offer of reward for the de- tection of the offenders, the increased vigilance of the police, and the rule of instruction adopted by the engi- neers to the persons in charge of the alarm bells not to cause the same to be rung except in case of satisfactory evidence or assurance of fire, have had a good effect in repressing false alarms, and it is to be hoped will continue to diminish the same hereafter.

The property of all kinds-houses, apparatus, &c., &c .- connected with the department, is in excellent condition. An important change has been occasioned in the efficiency of the department during the year. Steam, the potent and beneficent power which is almost daily producing such mighty and beneficial results upon the water and the land, and which has proved so advantageous an accession to the fire departments of the larger cities of our land, has been added to our own, and here as elsewhere in this method of application, its success has been highly advan- tageous and satisfactory. Upon the organization of our

135

board we found the steamer already purchased and in the hands of the government. We were requested to receive the same into the department, and at the same time a written communication was made to us by the gov- ernment requesting us to dispense with the services of Co. No. 6. The result has demonstrated the sound policy of the movement. The steamer has in every instance been prompt in its attendance at fires, and the dispatch evinced in its action and the great efficiency of the same, completely disarms all factious opposition and cavil, and makes its experiment and ability a complete triumph and success. I unhesitatingly declare that the purchase of a second steamer, of the capacity and build of the present one, would be a most valuable addition to the department, and a great addition to the protection and security of the city. At the request of the committee on the fire department of the late city government, I made a contract with C. H. Blake, of this city, for the construction of a hose carriage for the steamer. An appropriation of $200 was voted for the same. I have procured a carriage capable of holding from ten to twelve hundred feet of hose, for the sum of $153, which is a most valuable auxiliary as well as orna- ment to the department, and a handsome credit to the builder. The steamer is now fully equipped, and will, I doubt not, commend itself more cordially to the respect, confidence, and gratitude of the public.

When our board commenced its year, we found the cis- tern upon the old common in a leaky and useless condi- tion, owing to the alluvial nature and condition of its sides and bottom and the great distension of its foundation. We caused a solid foundation of some six inches thick- ness, of cement, to be placed in its bottom, and the result has been a perfect cure of the trouble, and a constant sup-

136

ply of water ready for action. The advantage of this in- stitution, in so exposed and valuable a section as the city square, is very great, and cannot be too highly appre- ciated.

I concur with my predecessors in regard to the great necessity for more water for the cases of fires. Many parts of the city are much exposed, and the present sup- ply is altogether inadequate. But I do not think it would be permanently profitable for the city to undertake to in- crease the capacity of streams and other sources connected with the centre district, for they do not and cannot afford reliable means. What is wanted, I respectfully suggest, is the introduction of full and efficient water resources, · from sources of undoubted and permanent capacity. But if such are not to be furnished at present, I recommend the establishment of several additional cisterns at suitable points in the city. A cistern on Walnut street, at the high school house, is much needed, and, in case of fire in that vicinity, or on Chestnut or Main street, would be of great practical advantage. More water resources are also required on Exchange street, in the neighborhood of Mer- rifield's buildings. The peculiar susceptibility, as it would seem, to fires there, renders the extension of the aque- duct through to Summer street a matter greatly to be de- sired. The extension of the aqueduct, also, along Union street, from Lincoln square to Mechanic street, is a great desideratum, and would no doubt prove of much advan- tage and security to the thickly congregated business in- terests along that active line of our city's industry.

In case of the introduction of a permanent supply of water from without the city, no distributing pipe along the central portion should be of less dimensions than fifteen inches. A comparatively small increase in the size of the

137

principal distributing pipe adds immensely to the capacity and force of the respective hydrants, as shown in the work- ing of the present aqueduct system.

I commenced with the Fire Department of Worcester in 1845, as a member of old " Dispatch " company, No. 3. Then its numbers, apparatus, and capacity were very small, comparatively. With the exception of two years, during my absence from the city, I have remained a constant member of the department from that time, and an active member of some one of the companies, with the excep- tion of two years as assistant engineer, and of the last year as chief. I leave the department fully developed according to the present necessities of the city, a good de- gree of harmony and a thorough system of discipline pre- vailing in its ranks ; and for activity, skill, and efficiency, second to none of its size and equipment in the State.

A thousand feet of leading hose seem requisite for its present better equipment, and with the recommendation of the purchase of the same, and an expression of my cor- dial thanks for the past kindness of the government and of the citizens towards me, I have the honor to submit respectfully, on behalf of myself and my associates, the foregoing Report, and to express my warmest wishes for the health and prosperity of the department, as well as for the present and future growth and advancement of our beloved city.

L. R. HUDSON,

Chief Engineer of Worcester Fire Department.

The Department has been called out sixty-five times, as follows, viz :

1860.

Location, etc.

Owner or occupant.

Loss.

Insurance. |

Causes, &c.

Jan'ry 7

Barn on Main st.,

E. Mower, City,

$1,500 00 Trifling,

Insured,

Incendiary. Spontaneous combustion.

Thomas Street School House,

False alarm,

T. S. Stone,

$600 00

Insured, 1

Incendiary.

False alarm,

Feb'ry 2

House on Southbridge st.,

March

False alarm,

Lee Sprague, Adin Thayer,

$50 00 $100 00

Defect in chimney. Unknown.

House on Lovell st., -

False alarm,

$50 00

Unknown.

April

False alarm,

Mr. Converse,

Trifling,

Smoking ham.

‹‹

House on Belmont st.,

Chimney on Grove st., Car House,

Western Railroad,

Trifling,

Unknown.

Incendiary.

May 66

False alarm,

Salisbury Woods,

Cross st.,

Alarm out of town,

False alarm, -

June

False alarm,

Coal Shed, Manchester st., -

Barn, North Pond,

Wm. Dickinson, Horace Thayer,

$500 00 $900 00

None, None,

Unknown. Playing with matches.

138

House on Prospect st.,

Barn on Winter st., -

False alarm,

Butman Block,

Heirs of R. Brinley,

Trifling,

Incendiary.

Straw under Central Exchange, False alarm,

Trifling, $40 00

Unknown. Unknown.

Block on Main st.,

False alarm,

Trifling,

False alarm,

Insured,

July

5 Shop on Waldo st., -

False alarm, Barn, Linden st., False alarm, -

Dwight Foster, Alex. H. Bullock, B. B. Otis & Co., 1

- $300 00 $100 00

ʻ Insured, None, 1

Unknown. Incendiary.

Aug. Oct.

22 17 14

Currier Shop, Central st .. Barn, r. Sargent Bl'k, Southbr'gest. False alarm, -

Shed, South Worcester,

Dry House, School st.,

Burning of chimney, -

Merrifield's Shop, -

Shop on Mechanic st.,

NOV.

1 2

Load of hay, Front st.,

Rear of Union Block,

Burnside Heirs,

Unknown, -

$300 00

None, None, Insured,

Boiling composition. Ashes. Unknown.

Incendiary.

Barn, Highland st.,

Dr. J. Green,

'Trifling,

None,

Incendiary.

Dec.

Hay on Southbridge st.,

Unknown, Dr. J. Green, -

Trifling, Trifling,

None, None,

Unknown. Unknown.

Currier Shop, Central st.,

Chimney on Temple st.,

Unknown,

Trifling,

Defect in chimney. Incendiary.

21 .

House, Ward st.,

Planing Mill, Union st.,

False alarm, -

Walter Henry, -

Trifling,

Accidental.

25 -

House, Cross st.,

$800 00

Insured,

Unknown.

Incendiary.

Willard & Co., -

Merrifield, - Unknown, -

Trifling, $100 00 $50 00 $250 00 -

None, None, Insured,

Boiling varnish. Unknown. Incendiary. Unknown.

Workshop, Bloomingdale Road,

27 House, Cypress st., -

Isaac Davis,

$800 00

Geo. T. Rice & Son,

$300 00

Barn, Northville,

R. Newton,

$500 00

Currier Shop, Central st., Out of town,

House, rear Bangs' Block,

Noyes,

$300 00

No e, Insured,

Defect in chimney. Incendiary.

Harrison Bliss,

$500 00 Trifling,

Peter Visnat, -

Barn, Millbury st., 1

Incendiary. Over-heating.

Trifling, Trifling,

Unknown, -

Shed on Hibernia st.,

139

REPORT

OF THE

AQUEDUCT COMMISSIONER.

CITY OF WORCESTER, January 1, 1861.

To the Hon. City Council of the City of Worcester :

The undersigned, Aqueduct Commissioner, in obedi- ence to an ordinance of the city, herewith presents his annual report, showing, with the accompanying schedules, the expenditures from Jan. 1, 1860, to Jan. 1, 1861, and the property belonging to the city .*

The condition of the Aqueduct is very good ; the depth of water at the gate which can be drawn is fifty-one inches. The Aqueduct has been extended the past year one thousand and ten feet (1,010) on Southbridge street and six hundred and twenty-five feet (625) on Front street. Twenty-two new hydrant boxes have been put in, and several stop-cock boxes. There are a few hydrant and some stop-cock boxes that will need replacing the present year. A new fence is very much needed around the. Res- ervoir and some repairs to the Receiving basin at the Pond. There is need of an extension of the Aqueduct on Pleasant street, from Ashland to West street, and from Pleasant street southerly in Oxford street to Austin, as

* See page 73 of this Document.

141

there is no place from which water could be obtained in that locality for the extinguishment of fires.

The expenditures for the year have been as follows :

For repairs and materials on hand,

$682 34

For extension of pipe on Southbridge street,

- 1,425 00

Front

- 975 00

For surveys, &c. for water, and expenses,

- 399 50

Total expenditures,

$3,481 84

The receipts are as follows :

Bills delivered City Treasurer, $1,532 75

Appropriation of City Council, -

1,500 00

-$3,032 75

Expenditures more than appropriation, &c., -

$449 09

By a vote of the City Council a contract was made in May with W. T. Merrifield, for power to operate a pump at a rent of $400 for one year, and with John Gates, for the water in a spring in his lumber yard for $50 for one year. The expense of operating the pump and the care of the same has added very much to the expense of the Aqueduct for the past year, in comparison to the income received. The water furnished from the spring is not what is wanted by the consumers, and if used for a few years will ruin the pipes of the city. And if water is to be forced into the pipes, it should be water free from for- eign matter.

The Aqueduct Department very much needs a building for the storage and safe keeping of the tools and materials on hand which are needed for repairs, instead of keeping them in three or four places, as I am obliged to do at the present time.

Respectfully submitted.

W. D. CHEEVER,

Aqueduct Commissioner.

REPORT

OF THE

CITY MARSHAL.

CITY OF WORCESTER, MARSHAL'S OFFICE, December 31, 1860.

To the Hon. City Council of the City of Worcester :

I have the honor of submitting a report of the doings of the Police Department of the city for the year ending this day. ·Nine hundred and eighty-two persons have been committed to the watch-house during the year, three hundred and seventy-four of whom did not belong to this city. Five hundred and eleven of the above-named per- sons have been prosecuted in the Police Court, and the remaining four hundred and twenty-one have been dis- charged by me without complaint.

The whole number of complaints made in the Police Court for the year have been eight hundred and nineteen ; for the following offences, viz : For drunkenness (previous to June 1), 103; common drunkards, 34; disturbing the peace, 131; selling intoxicating liquors, 15 ; common sel- lers of intoxicating liquors, 15; conveying and keeping intoxicating liquors with intent to sell contrary to law, 31 ; assault and battery, 167 ; for seizure of liquors kept con- trary to law, -; for common nuisance, 34; assaults on

143

officers, 21; larceny, 65; idle and dissolute persons, 7; attempt to procure abortion, 1; obtaining goods under false pretences, 1; fornication, 9 ; vagrancy, 38 ; highway robbery, 1 ; removing swill and offal in violation of a city ordinance, 10 ; felonious assault with the knife, 1; taking and driving away horses, 6; felonious assault on an officer with a dangerous weapon, 1; forgery, 1 ; disturbing pub- lic worship, 1; throwing stones, 1; burglary, 4; assault with intent to kill, 1; passing counterfeit money, 1 ; adul- tery, 4; common night walkers, 2; assault upon an offi- cer and depriving him of property attached, 1; keeping a noisy and disorderly house, 4; receiving stolen goods, 2; playing cards on the Sabbath, 1 ; perjury, 1 ; polygamy, 1; labor on the Sabbath, 1; breaking glass windows, 5; con- tempt of court, 4; search warrants, 5; threatening vio- lence, 6 ; fast driving, 1; selling coal without being legally weighed, 1 ; selling wood without being legally measured, 1; setting fires, 1; profane swearing, 1; common railer and brawler, 1; keeping dogs without license, 5 ; embez- zlement, 2; indecent exposure of person, 2; malicious mischief, 4; house breaking, 9; trespass, 4; fraud, 4 ; refusing to assist an officer, 2; false alarm of fire, 1; stealing a boat, 2; stealing fruit, 8; setting fire to a dwel- ling house, 1; cruelty to a horse, 1 ; allowing cattle to graze in a public street in violation of a city ordinance, 1 ; sending false notice of a death to be published in a news- paper; 1.

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Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1856-1861, Part 46

Author: Worcester (Mass.) Publication date: 1856 Publisher: The City Number of Pages: 940

Author: Worcester (Mass.)
Publication date: 1856
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 940