Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866, Part 23

Author: Worcester (Mass.)
Publication date: 1862
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 1076

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866 > Part 23

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).

154

which, with the least change of surface, may be improved to his taste. If by arbitrary alterations, heedless of the rights of others, and a cultivated public sentiment, he shall seek to inter- fere with plans of public improvement and disturb the beauty and order of systematic arrangement, let him not complain, that he is arrested in his work, and made to feel the restraints which duty to others requires. Certainly, of every wilful trans- gressor of the rule now enjoined, the Commissioners will not hesitate to exact the forfeiture of the grant.

The balance on the books of the City Treasurer, remaining to the credit of the Commissioners, from the accounts of the year 1862, was $234.27. In addition to this balance, the City Government, at the commencement of the last year, upon the requisition of the Commissioners, appropriated the sum of $400, making an aggregate of $634.27, applicable to the service of the year. No part of this appropriation of $400 has been drawn from the Treasury. From causes before assigned, the expendi- tures have been restricted, exclusively, to keeping the grounds in order, the alterations in the tomb before mentioned, and the laying out of new lots, amounting, in the whole, to $50.38. De- ducting this sum from the former balance of $234.27 leaves still remaining from that account, a balance to the credit of the Commission, of $183.89. In compliance with the duty enjoined upon the Commissioners, a minute detailed account of the expenditures of the year is herewith submitted, as part of this report.

Upon the settlement of the accounts of 1862, it was found, that since the organization of the Board of Commissioners, and under their management, the net amount of money received and paid into the City Treasury, from the sale of lots, with some inconsiderable proceeds from the sales of wood and grass, had been fully equal to the first cost to the City of the purchase of the land, and of all expenses in its care and improvement, after it came under the charge of the Commission. With the sanction of the City Government the account was thus closed, and a new account opened by the City Treasurer, between the City and the Cemetery, in which credit is given to the latter,

155

for the balance of the preceeding year of $234.27. During the year just now closed, eighty-two lots have been sold for the aggregate sum of $1,359.50, and this money has been paid into the Treasury. Adding to this the sum of $182.89 from the previous balance of $234.27, over the expenditures of the last year, as before stated, and $3.00 for the sale of grass credited in account, there now remains an amount of $1,546.39 in the City Treasury, to the credit of the Cemetery, in this new ac- count, subject to the future occasions of the Commissioners, in the administration of their trust.

In the coming year, the Commissioners must meet the cost of completing the construction of the fences on the east and south boundaries, and from the greatly increased application for lots, they deem it necessary to prepare a further extent of ground for location and use. It is obviously manifest that the rapid growth of the City, and the probable interdict, at no dis- tant day, of further interments in the Pine street burial ground will largely increase occasions for burial in Hope Cemetery. The clearing away of forest trees, the eradication of stumps, the grading, sufficiently, of precipitous acclivities to render the occupancy of the land possible, and the subduing of wild plants and weeds, the indigenous growth of the soil, are works of time as well as labor, alike indispensible to the assigned use of the grounds. The Commissioners deem it expedient to engage in these operations, to a considerable extent, the present year, that there may be seasonable preparation of lots to satisfy any de- mand for purchase. They estimate the expense of the im- provements which they contemplate, with the usual and inci- dental outlays in the care of the Cemetery, at $600, and they respectfully ask for the appropriation of that sum from the amount now standing to the credit of the Cemetery fund, as before stated.

The long line of boundary upon the western front of the . Cemetery, on Webster street, will soon require costly attention. Through this line are the only passage-ways of access to the grounds. From its conspicuous position, in the course and by the side of a public highway, it is exposed to general observa-

156

tion, and from the uses of the enclosure it must ever attract special notice. The fence upon this line, constructed altogether of wood, more than twelve years since, is fast falling to decay .. It may be upheld with care, yet a short time further. But whenever to be renewed, the proprieties of the place, the sacred uses to which it is devoted, and the frequency of resort to it, imperatively demand, that the structure should be of durable materials, and the architecture appropriate, imposing, and taste- ful. The Commissioners do not propose any action in the mat- ter, the present year. This is not a time to tax the City for such improvement, but they look, with hopeful expectation, to a speedy accumulation of proceeds from the sale of lots to justify the undertaking. In the mean time, plans may be ob- tained, the character of the construction determined upon, and preparations made to enter upon the work, as soon as means can be provided for its accomplishment.

The Cemetery can never cease to be an object of deepest in- terest to the inhabitants of the City, and its proper care a charge of responsibility to those who may be entrusted with its management. It is a sacred spot, consecrated to the repose of the dead, and hallowed by the holiest associations of the living. Here are gathered the perishing remains of humanity. Here rest the ashes of mortality. Mute anguish and devout submis- sion stand at the grave. Bruised affections, and tender remem- brances cluster around the tomb. No thoughtless footsteps should press the pathways, nor profane utterances pollute the air. Every part should be peaceful and quiet, and the place, in all its belongings and all its surroundings, be marked with har- mony, and beauty, and order.

For and in behalf of the Commissioners,

LEVI LINCOLN, Chairman.

City of Worcester, January 11, 1864.

157

Receipts and Expenditures for Hope Cemetery in 1863. Balance in City Treasury, - -

$234 27 - Cash for hay sold, - -

3 00

Cash taken by City Treasurer for lots sold in 1863, 1,359 50

Total receipts, -

- $1,596 77

Expenditures.

Cash paid out by Albert Curtis, Commissioner,

for labor, lumber and sundries, - $20 53

Cash paid Gill Valentine, surveying, 5 75

H. C. Fish, for 241 lbs. iron, and setting same in Tomb, 24 10

Expenditure,

$50 38

Unexpended balance in City Treasury, 1,546 39-1,596 77

ALBERT TOLMAN,

Secretary of the Commissioners of Hope Cemetery. Worcester, January 2d, 1864.

REPORT OF THE

COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.

CITY OF WORCESTER, JAN'Y 11, 1864.

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

. The Commissioner of Highways, in conformity to the require- ments of the Ordinance of the City, herewith presents his an- , nual report of the receipts and expenditures of the Highway Department for the year ending on thirty-first of December last, together with a schedule of the property belonging to said De- : partment, with the appraised value of the same.

The receipts have been as follows, viz :-

By balance on hand at the commence- ment of the year, $1,346 55

By amount appropriated for highways and bridges, 11,000 00

By cash paid Treasurer for oxen sold, 205 00

By cash paid to Treas. for sundry articles sold, 353 50 By cash received by Treas. of Wor. Horse R. R. towards paving Pleasant st., 1,076 70 By cash received by Treas. for entering Crown street sewer, 235 00

By work done on the Aqueduct account and charged to that department, 381 47 By cash received by Treas. of sundry per- sons for scrapings, manure, &c., 376 73

159

By manure to the City farm and charged to farm account, - 80 00 By 626 loads of street scrapings drawn to and charged to " Elm Park," 313 00

Amounting to - -

$15,367 95

The expenditures of the Department have been as follows :

For pay roll of men for labor, -

$7,550 30

Salary of Commissioner, -

800 00

Cash paid for oxen, 465 00 -

66 Cash paid for hay and grain, - 1,127 02

66 expense of paving Pleasant street,

land in widening, and for grading Green st. near Crompton's shop, 554 56

2,182 08

66 building sewer in Crown and Pleasant sts. 574 09 grass on "Elm Park," 200 00 -

66 paid out for repairs of roads in subur- ban districts, 1 417 00

" paid for blacksmithing, bridge plank, repairs of tools and sundry small articles, amounting to - 1,209 01

Amounting to - - -

$15,079 06

Leaving an unexpended balance of $288 89

Extraordinary expenses incurred by the Department during the year, as follows :-

189 feet curb and 105 yds. paving on Harvard street, $180 41 36 yds. of gutter paving on Main street, 32 00

Resetting 309 ft. curb and 175 yds. gutter paving, raising bank wall and filling side walk, Main st., near J. R. Pierce's, - 161 26

97 feet new curb and resetting 120 feet of old on Pleasant street, 53 73

Widening Green street near Crompton's shop, for land and resetting 261 feet curb stone, relaying 117 yds. paving, and laying 180 yds. brick side walk, and grading street, 554 56

Building sewer in Crown street, 259 74 Extending sewer in Pleasant street 345 ft., and cess pool, 314 35 Building stone culvert in Glen street, - 170 45

160

Grading and laying 4175 yds. of paving in Pleasant st., 2,182 08 Extra work on Lincoln street, caused by lay- ing Horse R. R. track, 157 80 Extra work on Main street, caused by lay- ing Horse R. R. track, 417 70-575 50

Cleaning streets and cess pools, - 460 00

$4,944 08

Amount of stock and materials on hand Jan'y 1st, 1864, see schedule, page 147, valued at $2,853 31

All of which is respectfully submitted.

HENRY PRENTICE,

Commissioner of Highways.

REPORT

OF THE

CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.

To the City Council of the City of Worcester :

GENTLEMEN,-In submitting my third annual report to your honorable body concerning the condition and interest of the Fire Department during the year which has just closed, I am gratified in being able to say that the organization was never in a better state of discipline, and at no former period could the city rely upon their efficiency with more confidence ; and while the present harmonious feeling exists among the several com- panies, and between them and the Board of Engineers, the city government can safely depend upon a force that will be equal to any emergency in the line of their duty.

A very important, and in my judgment, wise alteration in the ordinance governing the department, made it necessary to dis- . band the several companies, that they might organize under the present ordinance, was accomplished in less than six days time, without the slightest discord or excitement, and all the com- panies commence the new year with complete organizations and full ranks. I have no doubt the change will add to the already well established reputation of the Worcester Fire Department.

It is my desire that the character of this organization may be elevated to the standard, that it shall be as respectable and hon- orable to be enrolled among its members as to hold other posi-

162

tions obtained by merit and good conduct in any department of the municipal government.

The city has been exceedingly fortunate in the amount of property destroyed by fire during the past year. There have been 28 alarms of fire, and about $22,500 worth of property consumed by fire ; which is ten alarms less than last year, and the amount of property burned is reduced more than one-half. The method of giving alarms of fire the past season has, I think, prevented the usual number of " false alarms."

Messrs. I. Washburn & Moen, Oakes, Ames & Son, Wm. T. Merrifield, and Nathan Washburn, should be remembered for their liberality in blowing their " steam whistles " without any charge to the city, in case of an alarm of fire. I think it more difficult to start a false alarm under this system than by ringing of bells.

The responsibility imposed on the Board of Engineers a year ago of purchasing a new Steam Fire Engine for the city, after considerable investigation in regard to the merits of the differ- ent manufactures of such apparatus, resulted with entire una- nimity in the purchase of the Col. Davis, at a cost of $3,500, of Silsby & Co., Senaca Falls, N. Y., which was placed in the de- partment last July, fully equipped and manned, and in every particular has equalled the recommendation of the manufacturer and answered the full expectation of the Board. In accordance with a recommendation in my last annual report, Eagle Hose Co. No. 3, has been furnished with a new and substantial car- riage in place of their old one. The apparatus throughout the department is in very good condition, except Niagara Engine No. 3, which should be repaired, improved and painted early

next spring. The leading hose purchased last year was nearly . all required to furnish the new Steamer, Col. Davis. I would therefore recommend the purchase of 1000 feet at an early day ; it is very much needed. A new house, in which to keep the Steamer Col. Davis, should receive your earliest attention ; it will be hardly possible to keep it in its present quarters, nor does there seem to be any good reason why we should be asked to do so. The Board have discussed the propriety of having a

163

house built in the north part of the city, of suitable capacity and construction to accommodate the Col. Davis and Washing- ton Engine No. 1, whose house is in a very dilapidated condi- tion, and will require considerable of an 'outlay, and that very soon, to render it safe or even possible to keep their Engine there ; the lower timbers of the building are so much decayed that I have caused timbers to be shored up underneath the En- gine to keep it from falling into the cellar. It has been sug- gested the city might dispose of their interest in that building to the Worcester Gas Light Co. I respectfully suggest that this subject may receive your earliest consideration, trusting that some plan may be devised whereby we may avoid the necessity of keeping two Engines manned by two distinct companies in one room.

The department now consists of 272 men, divided into four Hand Engines, two Hook and Ladder, three Hose, and two Steam Engine companies, and seven Engineers, organized as follows, viz :-

Alzirus Brown,

A. B. Lovell,

Chief Engineer. Assistant Chief Engineer. Assistant Engineer and Clerk. 66

R. M. Gould,

A. M. Barrows,

S. E. Combs,

Fred. W. Townsend,

66 66

COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS.

Wash'ton Engine Co. No. 1, 40 men, De Witt Fisher, Foreman. Rapid 66 2, 40 J. E. Minott, 66

Niagara 66

66 3, 40 Samuel Knowlton, 66

Yankee

5, 40

John M. Wood,

Hook & Ladder 66 1,20

Joseph Rideout, 66

Hook & Ladder 66 2, 25 66 Austin Culver, 66

1 City Hose 66 1, 10

Silas J. Brimhall,

Ocean Hose 66

2, 10 66 James Keegan,

Eagle Hose

3, 10

Thomas Painter,

Steamer Gov. Lincoln, " 1, 15 66 Timothy Keleher,

Steamer Col. Davis, 2, 15 66 Royal Combs,

Engineers,

Total number of men, 272

Wm. A. Swallow,

164

Before closing this report, I wish to thank the City Council for the generous support I have received from them in the dis- charge of the various duties which have devolved upon me, and especially am I under obligation to City Marshal Pratt, for his prompt and efficient aid rendered at fires; and if any credit should be accorded me for the manner in which the affairs of the department have been administered, I beg you to remem- ber, that for it, I am largely indebted to those gentlemen asso- ciated with me as members of the Board.

I am with much respect, Your obedient servant, ALZIRUS BROWN, Chief Engineer.

REPORT

OF THE

AQUEDUCT COMMISSIONER.

CITY OF WORCESTER, January 11, 1864.

To the City Council of the City of Woreester :

GENTLEMEN,-The Aqueduct Commissioner makes the follow- ing annual report.

The amount of water in Bell Pond, available for use Feb. 9, 1863, was 3 feet 72 inches. From which time the pond con- tinued rising until April 17, when the pond was filled to its utmost capacity, there then being 8 feet and 3 inches of water available for use. The pond kept full until about the 1st of May, when it commenced falling and continued until July 9th, when the depth of water was 6 feet and 5 inches. It then rose until August 1st, when the depth was 7 feet 4 inches. From Aug. 1st to Oct. 3d, the water fell 17 inches, leaving 5 feet 11 inches in the pond. From Oct. 3d to Jan'y 1, 1864, the water. has been gradually rising, until there was 8 feet and 7 inches available for use. This amount being 4 inches over the old high water mark of the pond.

Feb. 9, the City Council passed an order authorizing the con- veyance of the water falling upon the south-easterly side of Mill- stone hill, which passed off through a small meadow on the land of Mr. Henry Putnam, into Bell Pond. The work was commenced Feb. 14 and partially completed March 16. The water from the meadow being let into Bell Pond on the after-

166

. noon of the latter date. The amount of water from all sources more than filling the storing capacity of the pond, early in the spring, by the direction of the joint standing committee on water, and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the dam at the gates was raised in August and September 3 feet and 6 inches, and Belmont street and the dam adjoining thereto to the same level. There needs a protection built over the gates the coming season, when the work will all be complete. The pipe on Pleasant street has been extended from Ashland street to West street, a distance of 480 feet, with an 8-inch protected wrought iron pipe. The work was done in October last.

There have been only two leaks, of not very serious character, in the pipes during the year.

The expenses of the department, for the past year, have been as follows :

Water rights for improvement at Putnam

meadow, - -

$556 12

Materials and labor on same, 1,690 18 -

Total cost of improvement, -

$2,246 30

Raising road and dams at Bell Pond,

935 10

Extension of pipe on Pleasant street, - 4 Meters, - -

780 70

217 25

Rent of Gates spring 1862, and pumping Jan'y, 1863, 109 08

Ordinary repairs on Aqueduct and setting Meters, 256 14

Salary of Commissioner, -

125 00

Total expenditures, -

$4,669 57

Total income of the department for 1863, $2,576 72 66 66 " 1862, 1,544 06

Increase for the year 1863, $1,032 66

The cost of pumping in 1862 was $625. This amount added to the increased revenue of 1863 over 1862 gives $1,657.66 as the actual increase over the ordinary expenses for the year 1864. Most of which amount is due to the value of the water pro-

167

cured from the Putnam Meadow and turned into Bell Pond early in the spring of 1863. Number of water takers, 146. New takers added the past season, 14.

All of which is most respectfully submitted.

PHINEHAS BALL, Aqueduct Commissioner.

REPORT

OF THE ·

CITY MARSHAL.

CITY OF WORCESTER,

MARSHAL'S OFFICE, January 1st, 1864. To the Honorable City Council of the City of Worcester :

In conformity with the rule of the City Ordinance, I have the honor to submit herewith my report, relative to the doings and condition of the Police Department for the year 1863.

The number of arrests and committals to the watch-house during the quarter ending Dec. 31st, was 391, of this number 286 persons were prosecuted in the Police Court; 2 persons sent to the State Lunatic Hospital ; 7 deserters from camp, re- turned to proper authorities ; 4 criminals arrested for and de- livered to officers from abroad; and 92 discharged without complaint.

The whole number of arrests made by the Police force dur- ing the year 1863, was 1526; of these parties so arrested 1024 were complained of in the Police Court; 59 removed to other jurisdictions, and 443 discharged from custody without com- plaint. The majority of these discharged cases consisted of persons arrested for the first offence for drunkeness, whom I deemed it advisable to give a further trial. The remainder were parties arrested for petty misconduct, or held on suspicion of crime where the evidence was not sufficient to convict.

169

The whole number of complaints made by me in the Police Court during the year is 1024, and for the following offences, viz : Assault and battery, 187; larceny, 66; disturbing the peace, 51 .; vagrancy, 35 ; common drunkards, 13; search war- rants, 15; assault with dangerous weapons, 16; assault with intent to ravish, 6 ; fornication, 9; threatening personal injury, 15; burglary, 4 ; liquor nuisance, 8 ; obtaining goods by false pretences, 12; assault on officer, 7 ; wilful trespass, 6; mali- cious mischief, 7 ; drunkenness, 507 ; lewdness, 2; larceny from person, 2 ; carrying metalic knuckles, 1; fast driving, 2; con- tempt of court, 3; rescuing beast from field driver, 2; remov- ing mortgaged property, 2; gaming, 3; being present Lord's day at gaming, 5; breaking window glass, 3; receiving embez- zled property, 1; evading payment of railroad fare, 2; uttering counterfeit bank bill, 1; forgery, 2; defiling dwelling house, 1; keeping unlicensed dog, 2; abduction, 1; trespass and larceny, 3; adultery, 3; truant, 4; disobedient child, 1; neglect to support family, 1; forcible entry, 1; indecent exposure of per- son, 1; disorderly house, 1; attempt to break and enter with intent to murder, 1; selling mortgaged property, 1; offering unmeasured wood for sale, 1. Of these defendants, 630 claimed a residence in Worcester, and 394 were non residents. During the year 686 poor persons have been furnished with food and lodgings.

The financial account of the department for the year is as follows :

Appropriation for 1863,

$7,000 00

Fees on warrants served by Assistant Marshals Rug- gles and Dana, - -

2,032 '24

Fees of Watchmen as witnesses,

182 40

Received for services of Police at theatre, &c.,

134 00

$9,348 64

EXPENSES.

Salary of Marshal,

$1,100 00

Salary of Assistant Marshals,

- -

1,232 86

Pay rolls of Watchmen, - - -

5,054 87

Extra Police on 4th of July and public occasions,

143 49

170

Pay roll of day Police,

33 00

Services of J. Kane at glass blowers,

13 00

Extra Police at theatre, -

2 00

Washing and miscellaneous, -

94 56

Food for prisoners and lodgers, -

44 64

4 chairs for Police office, - -

4 50

Cleaning and filling ticks, mending blankets, &c.,

11 28

Repairs in Watch house, -

6 21

Witt & Pratt's bill for teams and hacking,

19 75

H. W. Miller's bill for stove, - -

20 21

Unexpended balance, - -

1,568 27

$9,348 64

Of the earnings of the department amounting to The Treasurer has rece'd from theatre, exhi- bitions, &c.,

$134 00

I have paid over to the Treasurer, 1,918 64

And the balance which will be due after the Jan'y term of the Superior Court is, 296 00

Total, -

- $2,348 64

The Police force of the city, as at present constituted, con- sists of one Marshal, two deputy Marshals, one captain of the Watch, and nine night Watchmen. This force, though con- sidered by competent persons a small one for a city like Wor- cester, has proved itself adequate for the preservation of the peace and good order of the community. During the exciting season of the draft, when the hand of violence was raised in other localities to oppose the execution of a severe, but neces- sary law, our city was never more quiet, or her inhabitants more amenable to the strict rules of good citizenship. It is true, that, as the telegraph flashed the intelligence of the deadly and heathenish work of the New York mob, and the unmis- takeable symptoms of serious disturbances in other cities, rumors of riots in our own streets were rife. Such rumors were but the natural results of intense excitement and timidity, and had no real foundation. I pen this as a tribute of respect to the city of Worcester, and that innate love of good order which so generally obtains among' her citizens ; and I am proud of an opportunity to place on the record, my high opinion of the citi-

$2,348 64

171

zens, both native and foreign born, who so freely and earnestly proffered their support at a critical juncture, to uphold those laws which are our common protection. It is proper for me here to repeat what I have before stated in a quarterly report, that I deemed it wise and prudent to employ during the time of the draft, an additional number of men as day and night Police, and this will account for any increased expenditure in those branches.

I trust that it will not be considered inappropriate in me to offer a few suggestions in regard to the payment of Police offi- cers for their services. I do not consider the present compensa- tion as sufficient. All must admit that the cost of living has been greatly enhanced, and on this ground alone the men might base their claims for a higher rate of pay. But it is often urged as a forcible argument, though certainly an unsound one, that there are many persons who will gladly seize the op- portunity to take the offices at the present rates of pay. The fact may be true, but the question to decide here is, which class will do the work the city has in hand the best; the men who will perform the duties of a Police officer at a fair and suitable compensation, or those who will accept the office for wages, which will barely procure for themselves and families the neces- saries of life. The answer is clear. Your first class mechanic wants and can easily get good remuneration for his labor. It is only the bungler who will work for a lower figure. A discreet, honest and skilful Police officer is an invaluable public servant; and it is only by judicious, yet liberal payments for services rendered, that the department can be filled with men of the right stamp.

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.

Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866, Part 23

Author: Worcester (Mass.) Publication date: 1862 Publisher: The City Number of Pages: 1076

Author: Worcester (Mass.)
Publication date: 1862
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 1076