USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1856-1861 > Part 58
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Amount standing to the credit of Highways, -
11,228 00
The payments have been as follows :
Pay roll of men for labor, -
- 6,028 71
Salary of Commissioner, - - - - 800 00
Paid for breaking out roads and for repairs in Suburban districts, - - - 986 40
155
Paid for One pair of oxen, -
- 150 00
" Hay and grain, - - - - 825 63
" " Curb and paving stones, and setting and laying the same, - - 538 73 " " Bridge plank, blacksmithing, new tools and repairs, and for new bridge at Jamesville and repairing old bridges, and for sundry small bills, amounting to 2,154 54
Amount expended, -
-
-
- --
11,484 01
Exceeding the appropriation in the sum of, - 256 01
There may be a small amount of outstanding bills against the department, but not enough to materially change the above.
Schedule of expenses for labor and materials for other than ordinary repairs of Highways &c., viz. :
For making about 70 rods of new road from Jamesville to Auburn line, and bridge over Kettle Brook, - 609 72
" Making 436 feet of blind drain in Salisbury street, - 172 25
" Setting 348 feet curb and 214 yards of paving on Me- chanic street, - -
221 49
" Setting 70 feet curb and 105 yards paving on Temple street, - - - -
71 30
" 261 yards paving on Shelby street, -
-
- 147 98
" Cleaning streets and cesspools, - - - 425 00
Amounting to - -
-
- 1,647 74
Value of stock and materials on hand January 1, 1861, - 2,555 00
Value of stock and materials on hand January 1, 1862,
2,793 17
Excess January 1, 1862, over January 1, 1861, -
- 238 17
Respectfully submitted.
HENRY PRENTICE,
Commissioner of Highways.
REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
-
To the City Council of the City of Worcester :
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to submit for your con- sideration my first annual report of the character and con- dition of the Fire Department, which has been under my direction since the first Monday in May last. In assuming my present position, at a time of intense excitement in re- gard to our National troubles, and many men whose names were upon our rolls exchanged the " fire hooks" and " hose pipes" for the musket and the sword, and were soon be- yond the sound of our alarm bells, hazarding their lives in another arm of the public service, it has, therefore, been more difficult than in former years, to keep our ranks full ; but through the united efforts and co-operation of my as- sociates the force of the department has at no time been materially weakened, and entire unity of feelings and har- mony of action prevails throughout the organization, and the good name of our department is in no way impaired. The strictest economy has been practiced during the last eight months, and but little improvement in, or additions made to, the apparatus, except two hose carriages, which have been built to supply the place of others entirely worn out and unfit for use. I fear however, the same economy long continued would endanger the ability of the depart- ment to render, at all times, such service as the public re-
157
quire. New hose is now very much needed, and I would recommend an appropriation at an early day of a sum suf- ficient to purchase 1000 feet.
I am gratified to inform your honorable body that with the assistance and co-operation of a few prominent citizens, the raising of false alarms, and incendiary fires, has been nearly or quite suppressed ; there has been but one alarm of fire since the first Monday in May without cause.
I desire to call your attention to the propriety of having the act incorporating the Worcester Fire Department, so changed that the firemen's year shall commence at the same time of the municipal year,-that all departments may as nearly as possible commence and close at the same time. I will renew the request that has several times been made by my predecessors, that there should be sev- eral reservoirs built in different parts of the city now not reached by the water pipes, also a few natural springs in other localities might with a small outlay be of great bene- fit ; should a fire break out in such a section the whole de- partment may be compelled to look on, utterly unable to extinguish it. I have been informed that there is at the present time but little water, either in the reservoir or Bell Pond, and it is important that this matter should receive your early consideration.
William Dickinson, Esq., who has a reservoir in rear of his estate on Main street, has generously offered its use should a fire occur in that vicinity.
The number of alarms of fire from the first of January 1861, to the first Monday in May, were 22, and the amount of property destroyed I have ascertained from my prede- cessor to be $45,650 00. The number of alarms from the first Monday in May to the first of January, 1862, were 14, and the amount of property destroyed, $5,000 00; making the total number of alarms for the year, 36, and the
21
158
amount of property destroyed by fire a little rising $50,000, most of which was covered by insurance. The department at present is composed of 257 men, divided and organized into the following companies, viz :
Washington Engine Co. No. 1, 40 men, Henry Barnard,
Rapid
66 2, 40
Charles A. Hardy,
Niagara
66 66 3, 40
S. A. Goodspeed, 66
Yankee
66
5, 40 66 F. W. Townshend,
City Hose,
1,10 66 Ezra Combs,
66
Ocean 66 66 66 2, 10 66 Wm. Kickam,
Eagle 66 66 3, 10
66 George F. Gill, 66
Hook and Ladder, 66
1, 20
66 O. W. Tucker.
Hook and Ladder, 66 66 2, 25
W. A. Swallow, 60
Steamer Gov. Lincoln, Co. No. 1, 15
Royal Combs,
66
Engineers, 7
Total, 257
The following persons constitute the Board of En- gineers, and are organized as here indicated.
Alzirus Brown, Chief, A. B. Lovell, Assistant Chief, A. M. Barrows,
Assistant Engineer,
Smith Quimby, 66 66
S. E. Combs,
66
66
E. A. Harkness,
R. M. Gould,
60 66 and Clerk.
We have on hand two engines unmanned, (old 5 an d6.) Number 5 is worthless for fire purposes, and will be dis- posed of as soon as an opportunity is offered. No. 6 might do good service yet, if properly used and taken care of. I have thought it might be good policy to station it either at Quinsigamond or Northville, if the citizens of either place would man it. It would not be necessary to bring them under the full rules and regulations of the de- partment in the city proper, which would not increase the expenses, and in case of a fire would render important service in the protection of property.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
ALZIRUS BROWN, Chief Engineer. Worcester, January 13th, 1862.
Foreman.
REPORT
OF THE
AQUEDUCT COMMISSIONER.
CITY OF WORCESTER, January 1st, 1862.
To His Honor the Mayor, and the City Council of the City of Worcester :
I herewith respectfully submit my report of the Aque- duct Department, for the year ending December 31st, 1861, showing the expenses, income, condition, property on hand, the names of the water takers, and the amount each individual is assessed for the use of water, and the purposes for which it is used.
The expenses for the year have been, -
$1,745 76 The amount of bills delivered City Treasurer, - - 1,707 50
Expenses above Income is, - - - 38 26
The supply of water in "Bell Pond" at the first of January was very small. The rain-fall for the year being very much below the average, the entire dependence has been on the springs. The works are all in good condition, as nearly all the hydrant boxes have been replaced within four years.
During the past year, four water metres were pur- chased, and I think that by the purchase of a few more,
/
160
much water might be saved, as in many places it is allowed to run to waste, and no attention is paid to fixtures so long as the water will run. But if metres were used and all the water to be paid for, a much larger income could be derived from the water furnished from "Bell Pond." The need of a store-house, is what any prudent individual would have, particularly to protect his property from de- cay. The value of property on hand for repairs, is about $700, and is stored in a number of places, and the ex- pense of a building would soon be paid for by what could be saved.
Respectfully submitted.
W. D. CHEEVER, Aqueduct Commissioner.
REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The Board of Overseers of the Poor for the Municipal year 1861, respectfully submit to the City Council their
REPORT.
The undersigned were elected by their constituents to take charge of the poor and destitute people of this city, and to have the general management of all matters con- nected with the Pauper Department during the municipal year just passed. In assuming the pleasant and unpleas- ant duties of this office, it was our earnest desire to per- form them in the most judicious and impartial manner.
We have endeavored to receive all applicants for charity, in the most kind and friendly manner, as we are all well aware that with the deserving poor, the application for public or private charity is a most unwelcome task.
No one has been allowed to suffer for want of fuel, or from hunger, when such cases of destitution have in any way come to the knowledge of this board. If there have been cases where cold and hunger have crept into the family circle, and no assistance furnished for their relief, it has been so from circumstances beyond our control. No doubt, in a community so large as this, cases do occur
162
where, from want of proper food, clothing, &c., much suf- fering exists, and is endured for a long time, rather than make known to the proper authorities their destitute cir- cumstances ; such cases are most usually found among our American citizens-among a class of people who have enjoyed in more prosperous days all the comforts of a happy home,-among those who have contributed accord- ing to their means in support of our schools, churches, and the same charitable institutions, the benefits of which are now freely extended to them in their hour of trial, if they choose to come forward and present their just claims.
On the other hand, we have too many people who, with flippant tongues, and base hearts, are ever on the watch for the most trivial excuse for presenting their claims to the dispensers of public and private charity ; their claims are urged in the most skillful manner, even while their homes are quite well supplied with hidden comforts, and their names are enrolled as depositers of money in our in- stitutions for savings. These are the people who, thwarted in their designs, heap curses upon our heads, and give more trouble than all others.
It is not to be supposed that this department has been the recipient of less severe criticisms, generously bestowed by a certain class of people who infest every city like this, than other departments of our city government,-but at the same time it becomes us to be charitable,-we believe that everything that exists, was created for some especial use,-therefore if this department has contributed its share of material for the support of this class in our community we are content, as it comes strictly within our province as dispensers of public charity, to supply the destitute.
The pauper department of this city is necessarily di- vided into two parts, each quite different from the other in its management, yet very intimately connected in order
163
to carry out more completely the purposes of the organi- zation ; one part comprising the Alms House and Farm, is under the management of a Superintendent. The other part is in charge of the clerk of the board of Overseers. He receives a large proportion of all the applications for public charity, and transacts the general business of the department; the whole management of the department being under the supervision of the whole board, by whom these officers are annually elected, and to whom they are required to render their monthly reports.
In making up a statement of the transactions of this de- partment for the past year, we have endeavored to give it in detail as far as practicable, so that each branch may have its due share of credit or censure as facts may justify.
At no time for many years has the prospect been so dark and gloomy among the poor people of our city, as was made apparent in the early part of the year in consequence of the National troubles, then and now existing ; many of our most extensive branches of industry were depressed to an alarming degree, while others of less magnitude were closed ; the result was that many of our hard working ar- tizans and laborers were thrown out of employment, and deprived of the means of support; the most frugal among them who had by strict economy accumulated small sums of money were now obliged to make use of it for the sup- port of their families, with no other alternative, when that was gone, than to call upon their fellow men for assistance.
In view of these facts, the undersigned memorialized the City Council upon the subject of providing labor for these people in their destitution. The paper was promptly acted upon by that honorable body, and the suggestions therein contained received their unanimous approval. The most extensive public work in which our city has ever been en- gaged, was commenced by the government, in the early
164
part of the fall. The building of a causeway across Quin- sigamond Lake, is furnishing to a great extent, the means of support to a large number of families, who otherwise would become a public charge.
No able bodied men are now assisted by this department unless they are willing to earn their bread, or at least a part of it; those indolent persons who are ever ready to impose upon a generous public and receive its charities are by this arrangement foiled in their evil practices, and keep at a respectful distance.
The unusually mild fall and early winter, has been of great advantage to people of quite moderate means, and a great blessing to the more destitute.
Calls upon this department have not been so frequent as they would have been, had the cold winter weather, with its usual accompaniments of rain and snow storms, closed in upon us at an earlier day.
In the early part of the year, it was ascertained by care- ful inquiry that many persons who called for assistance and received orders from this board for groceries, &c., were in the habit of calling for and receiving a large part of the amount in such articles as are carried into your and our families as luxuries, instead of the substantial ones with which to sustain life.
As a remedy for this evil, a new form for an order was adopted by the board, in which the delivery of articles of luxury was strictly prohibited, unless especially ordered by the clerk who has discretionary power in cases of sickness, &c. The result of this plan has been quite satisfactory to us, and with the carnest co-operation of the traders who receive the orders, the cure of a great and growing evil can be effected. It has been the policy of the Overseers to diffuse the trade of the department, among as many of our merchants as possible, as we believe that those who
165
pay their money in support of public institutions are justly entitled to a share of their patronage.
The position occupied by the Clerk of the Board of Overseers is one of much responsibility. The duties of the office are difficult, and oftentimes of a most delicate and trying character. To be successful in the examination of settlements, he must understand pauper law, and its appli- cation. To protect us from fraud, he should ascertain the true character of every applicant for assistance. To per- form the duties in a proper manner, requires a large part of the clerk's time. The position should be occupied by a person well qualified to transact the business of the depart- ment, and his compensation should be such in amount as to command his whole time in the faithful performance of the duties of the office.
At the organization of the board, Mr. James McFarland was elected its clerk. He entered upon the difficult duties of the office under adverse circumstances, inasmuch as the position and its requirements were entirely new to him. He has performed the duties of the office faithfully and with ability, and we cheerfully bear witness to the success which has attended his efforts.
The City Farm, but a few years since considered almost worthless for cultivation, has, under the management of the superintendent, Mr. Drury, been improving in the most gratifying manner from year to year. It will require but a few years of good cultivation to place our poor farm in a very respectable position among the good farms in our county. The result of the last few years experience proves that the natural resources of a great part of the tillage land are good, and with a proper application of fer- tilizers, as has been practiced for the past few years, com- bined with good judgment, and more constant personal attention to its cultivation by the superintendent, more sat-
22
166
1
isfactory results can be obtained, and consequently the means of self-support be largely increased. The rapid development of the resources of the farm under its pres- ent management, required an addition to be built upon the old barn. An addition of 25 by 40 feet has been built the past year, together with additional shed room, 18 by 25 feet, in which to store the hay and grain crop, and the proper storage of wagons, carts, tools, &c.
The hospital building had become dilapidated and un- safe. This building has been put in good repair.
The permanent improvements made during the past year are valued at seven hundred dollars, - made with comparatively a small outlay of money ; most of the lum- ber was obtained from the City wood land, and the labor performed by the superintendent and inmates of the Alms house.
The hay crop was very heavy and of excellent quality, and secured in the very best manner. The amount of hay produced was about sixty-nine tons. The crops of grain, roots, &c., for the year, in bushels, are as follows : - Corn, 300 ; wheat, 50 ; buckwheat, 40; oats, 150; pota- toes, 400 ; roots of all kinds, 280.
Believing that every prudent farmer should have on hand one year's supply of corn in case of failure of crop, and the farm not being thus supplied, we purchased dur- ing the past summer about 300 bushels of good sound corn, at the low price of 53 cents per bushel.
Much credit is due the superintendent for the general neatness and good order which characterizes the establish- ment.
The household affairs are under the immediate care of the matron, Mrs. Drury, to whom much praise is due for the general good order and neatness which pervades the whole interior of the house. Kind and cheerful in man-
167
ner, ever ready to administer to the wants of the sick peo- ple of the house, she has gained an enviable reputation.
The bill of fare has been made more acceptable to the inmates of the house without any additional expen se.
Visitors are received and shown about the establishment in the most cordial manner, and we doubt not are well satisfied that our poor people are in all respects well pro- vided for.
Four persons have been sentenced by court to the Alms house.
The average number of inmates of the Alms house during the year is 33.
417 travelers have been furnished with food and lodg- ing at Alms house.
There have been two births and four deaths at Alms house during the year.
56 persons have been sent to the State Alms house at Monson.
10 persons, most of them with families, have received weekly allowances during the year in sums of from 75 cents to $3.00.
956 persons in destitute circumstances have received assistance.
259 of this number had legal claims upon this city.
66 persons belonged to other cities and towns.
107 persons belonged to other States in the Union.
15 were from Scotland, 7 from France, 15 from Ger- many, 50 from Canada, 30 from England, and 407 from Ireland.
Cash expenditures on account of City Alms-House and Farm :
Paid for Provisions and groceries, -
" Clothing, dry goods and shoes, -
66 Flour and grain, -
" Coal, -
-
-
- 680 50
-
- 525 48
-
-
- 508 78
-
- 117 62
168
Paid for Medicines, -
-
-
-
-
119 21
Sundries, -
Hay seed for farm, -
-
-
-
61 06
Hardware, shoeing and repairs,
-
170 77
Lumber, rods, nails, &c., for building barn,
169 29
Manure and plaster,
195 75
66 Tax to Shrewsbury, 1861,
-
-
53 07
66 Bills paid by L. B. Drury,
-
-
-
27 94
60 Services of man on farm, -
-
-
150 00
Half salary of City Physician,
-
-
100 00
For medical attendance extra,
-
-
7 67
66 Preaching at Alms House,
-
-
42 00
Services of Superintendent,
-
-
-
500 00
Gratuity to the Matron, -
-
25 00
3,575 90
Cash receipts on account of City Alms-House and Farm :
Received from County for board of prisoners, 125 75
.. From other towns for board of paupers, 75 39
For board of sundry persons, - 105 53
Of city for wood furnished the poor, 265 00
66 From sale of products of farm, - - 346 92
Accounts due from sundry persons, - 57 83-
976 42
Net amount of money paid out for support of the City poor in Alms House for the year is 2,599 48
At a cost of one dollar and fifty one and one-half cents per week, for one pauper.
General expenditures not connected with Farm or Alms-House, 1861.
Paid salary of the Clerk, - - -
500 00
Half salary of City Physician, -
100 00
Weekly allowances to sundry persons,
-
-
695 66
60 For transportation of paupers,
233 04
66 Support of Lunatics at Hospital,
.
704 19
Support of paupers in other towns,
-
106 06
Wood and coal for the destitute, Medicines,
99 80
Dry goods, clothing and shoes,
-
64 96
Coffins and services of Sexton, -
-
-
106 00
Boarding and nursing the sick, -
-
171 81
Groceries and provisions, -
1,191 19
Medical attendance extra,
35 84
Support of paupers at House of Correction, -
19 01
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,075 *27
-
-
-
-
-
121 76
-
-
5,102 83
169
Receipts from various sources :
Received cash from other towns for support of
paupers, - 670 88
66 66 For orders given to families of soldiers,
11 37
66
60 Of Mrs. Moran, for orders furnished, 13 39
66 Of Commissioner of Highways, for orders to Jaborers,
136 87
66
Of Commissioner of Aqueduct, for orders to laborers, -
72 29
66 From other sources, -
-
94 50
66
Due from other towns, - -
273 76
66
Due for burial of State paupers, -
67 50-1,340 56
Total net amount of expenditures for the year,
3,762 27
Paid for paupers having no legal settlement, -
- 1,649 32
Net cost of supporting our own poor out of Alms-House, - 2,112 95
RECAPITULATION.
Net cost in money paid out for the support of the city poor in City Alms-House, - - 2,599 48
Net cost in money for support of the city poor out of Alms- House,
2,112 95
Net cost in money for the support of poor people having no settlement, -
1,649 32
Total amount for the support of the poor and destitute, for
6,361 75 the year, exclusive of interest on City Farm, - -
Appropriation for 1861, - - -
9,000 00
Expenses for 1861, - - - 6,361 75
Amount expended less than appropriation, - - $2,638 25
Valuation of Personal Property at City Farm in Dec. 1861, 6,989 73 Valuation of Personal Property at City Farm in Dec. 1860, 5,945 81
Difference in favor of 1861, 1,043 92
All of which is respectfully submitted by the Overseers of the Poor for the year 1861.
ISAAC DAVIS, MAYOR, GEO. G. BURBANK, THOMAS PIERCE, JAMES MCFARLAND, V. A. LADD,
Overseers of the Poor for the year 1861.
T. C. KIRBY,
GEORGE GEER,
LYMAN BROWN, 1
REPORT
OF THE
CITY MARSHAL.
CITY OF WORCESTER, MARSHAL'S OFFICE, Dec. 31, 1861.
To the Hon. Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Worcester :
In conformity with the requirements of the Ordinance on Police, I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report of the doings of the Police and the condition of the Department for the year 1861.
The commitments to the watch house for the quarter ending this day are 183; of which number 98 have been prosecuted in the Police Court. The remaining 78 have been discharged from custody by my orders.
From January 1st, 1861, to the present date, the whole number of persons arrested and committed to the " Lock- up" has been 876, of which number 453 have been pros- ecuted before the court on complaint.
The remaining 416, arrested for the lighter and more venial class of offences, have not been subjected to prose- cution, under the belief that the temporary confinement to which they were subjected would prove as effectual for future restraint as the imposition of fines, which in many instances are discharged only by confinement in the House of Correction.
171
Of this number, 391 were non-residents of this city. I have held myself in readiness at all times, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance creating the office of City Marshal, to attend to the calls of every person, and to receive all complaints for any violation of the Statutes of the Commonwealth and the Ordinances of the City, and prosecute the same, providing the evidence was or could be produced sufficient to warrant a conviction.
With this determination, I have made and caused to be made during the year 695 complaints in the Police Court, for the following offences, viz : - Disturbing religious meeting, 1 ; attempt at shop breaking, 1 ; selling charcoal in a basket not properly sealed, 1 ; selling impure milk, 1 ; larceny of boat, 1; refusing to pay rail road fare, 1; as- sault with intent to kill, 1; attempt to steal, 1; renting tenement for the purpose of liquor selling, 1; permitting sink water to run into public street, 1; injuring shade trees, 1; threatening the life of a person, 1; aiding pris- oner to escape, 1; malicious mischief, 1; perjury, 1; ob- taining goods under false pretences, 1; injuring school house, 1; driving away horse without leave, 1; stealing horse, 1; refusing to assist officer, 1 ; embezzlement of goods, 1; liquor nuisance, 1; fast driving, 2; neglecting to support family, 2; keeping shop open on Sunday, 2; malicious trespass, 2; playing cards Sunday, 2; throwing stones in streets, 2 ; collecting and carrying away house offal, 2; depositing snow and ice in the public streets, 2; passing counterfeit money, 3; stubborn and disobedient children, 3 ; falsely causing alarm of fire, 3; stealing fruit, 4; assault with a deadly weapon, 4; keeping disorderly house, 4; search warrants, 4; larceny from the person, 6 ; keeping dogs without license, 7; assault upon officer, 7; breaking glass, 11 ; selling intoxicating liquors, 16 ; break- ing and entering stores and shops in the night time, 28;
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