USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1871 > Part 20
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240
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 26.
experiment at New Worcester whereby it was seriously sought to determine how and in what proportions, chemical and all manner of vegetable uncleanness could best be assimilated with the numan system. This at least would be gained - should such a work be undertaken and prove successful - of which its advo- cates allege that there need be no distrust -the possession, thenceforth unquestioned and indisputable, together with the unwonted enjoyment of Pure Water in abundance. It is under- stood that the engineers of the metropolis propose to raise the dam at the outlet so as to increase the volume of the Lake by at least Ten Feet in perpendicular measure. The elevation of the Causeway would thus appear to be contemplated in more than one quarter. If it is to be undertaken, it may well be that the benefit should be made to enure to Worcester, within, whose territory the whole body of the Lake, at that point, is compre- hended. The division into an Upper and Lower Lake, real then as it is now apparent, might be turned to advantage, in an æsthetic view, by so planning the necessary additions to the Causeway, the bald and inflexible outline of which is now so offensive, as to obtain harmonious and symmetrical proportion while securing the strength that would be absolutely essential.
Emphatic but not undue stress has been laid in this Report, on the imperative necessity of insisting upon the gratuitous conces- sion of the Right of Way, to the City and its inhabitants, so long as the proposed AVENUE shall be maintained. Such conces- sion should be a fundamental condition precedent to the taking of the first step by the City looking towards the realization of the project. Equally indispensable is the requirement of a Quit- claim conveyance to the Municipality of all the land lying between the AVENUE as it may be located and the water; or the execution of an agreement between all the parties in interest covenanting that no building, of any description whatsoever, shall be erected or suffered between the Lake and the AVENUE save appropriate and essential boat-houses. The AVENUE will be constructed, if at all, for the purpose of developing the latent charms of the Lake Valley and not for their disfigurement. Should those pleasant hillsides and sunny slopes become peopled, as they assuredly would, the new settlers should be made to feel secure in their possession of a beauty without flaw. No pre-
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PUBLIC GROUNDS.
caution can be wasted which shall tend to preserve the integrity of the scene from the devastating greed of Mammon.
There is little reason to doubt that the Inter-Collegiate Regatta will hereafter resume its position as a permanent feature among the fascinations of Lake Quinsigamond. With us, that exhilara- ting and manly sport is at home, as it can never be with the votaries of the stable and race-course. It is no slight tribute to its attractions that Lake Quinsigamond should be preferred, out of all the charming sheets of water in New England, for the trial and decision of this exciting issue. It may be attended with annoyance and personal discomfort to those who have the care of preliminary preparation : but the immediate and contin- gent benefits, whereof it is fruitful, are to the public-spirited and reflecting more than an equivalent. We, too, with our sister cities, can boast the rapid stallion and lusty bull ; but, over and above them, it is our fortune to become the modern Elis, in which the flower of our youth annually contest the palm of pre-eminence in athletic sports, beneath the approving smiles of youth and beauty. Hither is drawn the transient visitor, to be converted, if we are wise, into the permanent sojourner and resident. The prosperity of every city is proportioned to its advance in population ; and that advance can best be secured by the broadest development and fullest exhibition of our natural advantages. To cite again the former Report of the Commis- sion, -
"Once committed to the execution of this project, the only one practicable for the immediate as well as ultimate convenience and adornment of the City, and it might not be found necessary to decline the munificent proffer of lands by their generous owners. And then, with the whole scheme fully accom- plished ; with the Water-Park, the consummate masterpiece of nature, and the broad and shaded AVENUE, the perfected work of man ; each the complement of the other ; our fair City, not unmindful of its other manifold beauties, but exultant in these because the result of its later and maturer development, may safely anticipate the reward which is surely theirs who, enjoying advantages magnify them, and appreciating opportunities improve them.
* * #
The construction of the Avenue and the acquisition of the Water-Park, may not be accomplished. But the entire plan is so feasible ; its realization would so enure to the public utility and general comfort, if gradually and therefore economically perfected ; that the acknowledged good taste of the community must appreciate its countless prospective advantages and beauties, even though it deny itself their enjoyment.
242
CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 26.
In concluding this Report, the Commissioners desire to express, in the most explicit manner, their profound sense of gratitude for the cordial and sympathetic co-operation which they received from the Municipal authorities, with scarcely an excep- tion, during the past official year. The courtesy and kind encour- agement of their fellow citizens, manifested in equal unstinted measure, require a similar, public acknowledgment. For what- soever criticism, grammatical or other, accorded to their efforts, the Commissioners believe that they close the year with no out- standing obligations, it having been their aim to discharge such indebtedness on the spot, as it accrued.
All which is Respectfully submitted for and in behalf of the Commission, by
EDWARD WINSLOW LINCOLN, Chairman. Worcester, Massachusetts, January 26th, A. D., 1872.
THE EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSIONERS OF HOPE CEMETERY,
FOR THE YEAR 1871.
To His Honor the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of Worcester :
The Commissioners " make and render a report of their acts and doings, of the condition of the Cemetery, and of the receipts and expenditures for the same. "
Immediately after your election of a member of the board for the year 1871, it was organized by the election of Albert Tolman, Chairman, Stephen Salisbury, Jr., Secretary, Albert Curtis, Superintendent and David S. Messinger, Assistant Superin- tendent.
As early in the Spring as was practicable, the avenues and drive-ways were repaired and made passable, the rubbish that had accumulated in them cleared away and that which had been left on the grounds near lots that parties had cleared and graded in the previous Autumn was removed. The trees that had been set on the Avenues, and others of native growth which have been left standing on the grounds that have been cleared and graded, were properly trimmed. Through the year the Superintendent has given his personal attention to the work and had such clearing and cleaning done as. becomes necessary from the growth of grass, weeds and the falling of leaves. This kind of work must be done each year, and will always require the expenditure of a portion of the annual receipts.
244
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 26.
New ground has been opened on the right, after entering the gateway, and near the entrance. Beginning at the West end at the intersection of, and between Chestnut and Pine Avenues and extending South West to Willow Avenue, the ground has been cleared by cutting down trees, taking out the stumps, &c., and has been leveled and graded, and is ready to be laid out into lots as soon as the weather will allow the surveyor to do it. This clearing extends over about one acre and a half, and is large enough for One Hundred and seventy-five lots. There are two rows of lots fronting on Chestnut Avenue, most of which have been sold and the clearing of last year extends over all the remaining ground lying between the three avenues named. It is as desirable as any portion of the Cemetery, and the lots, with those unsold, in other parts of the grounds, will meet the demand for two or three years, excepting for small lots. Small lots, to meet the wants of persons living in our city but not sure they shall remain here, or with small families, were laid out a few years ago on River Avenue, it is a retired and beautiful spot and many of the lots have been taken, and more will probably be needed. We shall have more laid out early in the Spring.
The City authorities, after laying the water pipes up Webster street, extended them into the Cemetery. A four inch pipe was laid from Webster street through Cyprus Square to Chestnut Avenue, through Chestnut to Aspen, in Aspen to Crescent and to the line of Sycamore Avenue. The natural supply of water within the grounds is so limited and the soil is so dry, that this desirable improvement will be appreciated by the owners of lots and the Commissioners when planting trees, shrubs and flowers.
The sum of four hundred and fifty-four Dollars and 58 cents, ($454.58) was expended on the work we have described.
In 1871, there was received for wood sold $92 62. Interest, $31 57 and for 66 lots sold $1238 50.
Total receipts for the year, $1362 69
Add Fund in City Treasury,
1354 72 - $2717 41 454 58
Expenditures 1871,
Now on Hand,
$2262 83
The account in detail is appended to this report.
-
245
HOPE CEMETERY.
We deem it proper to present some statistics gathered for the re- port of 1867, and continue them for future use and information.
The Cemetery was opened in the year 1852, and 16 lots were sold, -in 1853, 61 lots were sold. - The accounts with the Cemetery while it was managed by the City Council do not show what was received for sales in the two years mentioned.
In the year 1854, 89 lots sold for $1,261 50 In thirteen years following, to the year 1868, 816 lots sold for 10,344 50
Making 905 lots, for
$11,606 00
There was also sold in the year 1866, to be conveyed to persons who were interested in the removal of remains from the Pine Meadow burial ground 93 lots for
972 00
In the year 1868, 49 lots for 1186 50
1869, 59 lots for 1440 00
1870, 53 lots for
1025 00
1871, 66 lots for
1238 50
Whole number sold 1225.
Received for 1148 sold since the year 1853,
$17,468 00
From the establishment of the commission until the year 1862 all the receipts from sale of lots, wood, and grass, were paid into the City Treasury, and small sums were appropriated for the clearing and improvement of the grounds. It was then found on the settlement of the accounts that the receipts had been fully equal to the first cost to the city of the purchase of the land, and all expenses for its care and improvement after it came under the charge of the Commissioners. With the sanction of the city the account was closed and a new account opened by the City Treasurer between the City and the Commissioners, giving them credit for the balance of $234.27. From that time to the present, no appropriations have been made by the city, all expenditures have been met by the current receipts. The time, labor, superin- tendence of work, and personal expenses of all the Commission- ers for eighteen years, have been given gratuitously.
In consideration of the fact that the entire cost of Hope Cem- etery previous to the year 1871, has been returned to the city, the Commissioners deem it fit and proper that the city have incurred the small expense of laying the water pipe, referred to, and they hope an abundant supply of water will be furnished hereafter,
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 26.
We would also report to you the condition of the receiving Tomb. It was built when the Cemetery was first opened under the direction of a Committee of the City Council and has been from the first a source of very reasonable complaints from the undertakers, and is entirely unfit for the purpose for which it was designed. It should be rebuilt and enlarged. The cost of doing it well and permanently will be estimated and we respectfully suggest the propriety of your appropriating the sum, to be used for the work. If you make the appropriation, the fund now on hand, and the income of the year will be sufficient for much needed improvements on the avenues, banks and plots which are reserved for convenient and ornamental purposes. It will enable the Commissioners to fulfill in part, the duty imposed upon them in the Act creating the board, of " causing said Cemetery to be planted and embellished with trees, shrubs, flowers and other rural ornaments, as they shall think proper."
We intend, this year as soon as it is practicable, after clearing and repairing the avenues, to clear, grade, and improve the remainder of the ground fronting on Webster street, east of the entrance gate, and enrich by the application of fertilizers all the land fronting the street. Although the grounds are attractive for their situation and present a pleasing variety of surface and scenery, the soil is not fertile and they can only be brought into the state of high culture and garden-like appearance of most modern Cemeteries by the judicious application of means and labor and free expenditure of money.
The present owners of lots have the assurance that all money paid by them has or will be expended in improving the Cemetery, as will also all future receipts. If the city can make some appro- priations in addition, proprietors will be encouraged to greater attention to the portions of ground under their care, and their efforts united with those of the Commissioners will make Hope Cemetery with its retired and quiet hills and vales, the proper rest- ing place for the remains of our departing friends ; a place too, where the stricken mourner, in the presence of the graves of those who have gone before, of flowers, gentle breezes and sing- ing birds, may see life and find hope full of immortality.
247
HOPE CEMETERY.
David S. Messinger Esq., who retires from the Board after ten years of most faithful service, and George W. Wheeler Esq., who from the first has rendered all required assistance, receive our, and deserve your cordial thanks.
ALBERT TOLMAN, ALBERT CURTIS, D. S. MESSINGER. HENRY CHAPIN, STEPHEN SALISBURY JR. Commissioners.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
Report of Receipts and expenditures for Hope Cemetery in the year 1871.
RECEIPTS.
1871. Jan. Cash balance from 1870, 66 from sixty-six lots sold,
$1354 72
1238 50
from Interest on Deposit,
31 57
Feb.
from sale of Wood,
6 53
March
66
66
1 75
May 66 66 66
66 60
4 99
Sept. 66 66 66 66
23 76
Oct. 66 66
66
55 59 - 2717 41
EXPENDITURES.
1871. Jan. Charles Hamilton, Printing,
5 50
May Cash paid for Tools,
10 12
Labor on Grounds,
52 20
June Cash paid for Tools,
2 93
Labor on Grounds,
33 69
July Cash paid for Tools,
1 75
Labor on Grounds,
29 75
Aug.
Cash paid for 4 Spruce Trees,
2 00
Sept. Labor on Grounds,
111 58
Oct.
יי 66
65 69
1872. Jan. Balance unexpended at Interest,
48 24
91 13
Nov.
2262 83 - $2717 41
STEPHEN SALISBURY, JR., Secretary of Commissioners of Hope Cemetery.
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1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Gentlemen of the City Council:
The Overseers of the Poor respectfully submit their Report for the present year, which on account of your action in closing the Financial year on the 30th of November instead of the 31st, of December, as has been customary heretofore, reduces the time covered by the report to eleven months, and as the last month is one in which the number of applications for relief are the most numerous, may account for the whole number aided being some- what less than last year, the reduction however being mostly amongst that class who have received temporary aid.
No unusual epidemic sickness nor particular scarcity of labor, has occurred in our city during the year. Yet the numbers call- ing for aid, are not diminished, and you will observe that those having a military settlement increase more rapidly than all others, as it is double this year, what it was last, and double last year what it was the year before, thus plainly showing, that the effect of war is not fully, either shown or felt, when the battle is fought, but that its miseries endure for generations. The whole number of persons having a legal settlement in Worcester, who have received full support during the year, has been ninety-nine, and the average number forty-two. This is about the same as last year. The average at the City Alms House, has been a little less, while those at the Insane Hospitals, have been nearly three times as many as last year, and larger than for several years past ; the whole number has been fifteen, of which eleven were males and
250
CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 26.
four females. The facility with which persons can be admitted to the Insane Hospital, has a tendency to swell the number of Insane Paupers for whom we are called upon to provide. Some who have been sentenced to a correctional institution for drunk- enness, and similar offences, are transferred to the Hospitals, and the first intimation given to the Overseers of the Poor of the fact, is a bill for their board at the end of the quarter ; while other persons of ample means to provide for themselves, are placed there by sympathizing friends, and their accounts also are charged to this department and are resisted at the risk of litiga- gation. One of such cases, has been referred to the City Solici- tor, in order to test the validity of such claims.
Forty-five poor persons have been removed from the state to their place of settlement, at our request, in accordance with the general statute to that effect, by the parties through whose means they were brought here. This class is but little more than half of what it numbered last year, which was the largest we have ever had.
Fifty-seven State Paupers have been sent to the State Alms House at Monson, and although the number has been much less than last year, the complaints made by the superintendent of that institution to the officers who have accompanied them there have been full as loud, and also equally without cause ; some who were sick and unable to walk, have been left at the railway station in Palmer, by the Alms House team, and only reached the institution through the attention of the station agent there, who hired transportation to the Alms House for them, and sent us the bill for the same, the attention of the general agent at the State House, has been called to these cases, but no response has yet been received from him on the subject.
Two hundred and ninety-one families composed of eight hundred and sixty-three State Paupers, of which five hundred and twenty-one were males, and three hundred and forty-two females, have received temporary aid or partial support during the year. Of these, sixty-five were too sick to be removed to a State Alms House, and in accordance with the law passed in 1865, compelling cities and towns to provide for such cases, have received such aid as has been deemed necessary, and the cost of supplies so provided, has in most cases been reimbursed, but the medical attendance being
251
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
computed on the basis of the cost of similar cases in Rainsford Island Hospital, falls far short of what is thought to be a reason- able compensation, as the circumstances where the parties are scattered all over the city are entirely different from what they would be concentrated in a single establishment.
This law is deficient inasmuch as it makes only partial provision for the member of the family, actually too sick to be moved, and leaves the remainder, also State Paupers, entirely without means, and compels the cities and towns where they happen for the time being to reside, either to provide for them without compensation or divide the family, retaining the sick father or mother and pau- perizing the children entirely, by sending them to a State Alms House. This method of proceeding is of course resisted by the parents, and the result is they are provided for as a matter of charity, and the cost comes out of the city instead of the State Treasury, where it should properly fall. The attention of the Board of State Charities has been called to this fact in order to induce them if possible to make more liberal allowances in future for such cases.
Four hundred and sixty heads of families have applied for and received temporary aid or partial support during the year. Two hundred and seventy-two were males, and one hundred and eighty-eight females ; of these, two hundred and eighty-two were relieved the first time, one hundred and seventy-six of them males and one hundred and six females. One hundred and one had a settlement in this city, sixty-two males and thirty-nine females. Forty of them had a military settlement, twenty males and twenty females. This class of settlements as has been before mentioned ; has doubled every year. One hundred and twenty- eight had a settlement otherwise, seventy four males and fifty four females, three hundred and twenty-six resided in this city one hundred and sixty-one males and one hundred and sixty-five females. Fifteen were insane ; eleven males and four females, and as has been before stated, is largely in excess of former years. Three were idiotic, all females. Sixty-eight were confirmed inebriates- fifty one were males and seventeen females, and the whole number included in the above statistics are one thousand four hundred and sixty five.
There have also been fed and lodged at the Station House, two
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 26.
thousand four hundred and seven vagrants, or travellers. A descriptive list and account of every one of which, is required by the Board of State Charities annually, which with the keeping account of, and classifying as above reported, being required by the Laws of the Commonwealth, make no small amount of labor to be performed, in addition to the other duties of this department. In providing for all of these, there have been drawn at the Clerk's Office, for food, fuel, clothing, medicine and other articles eleven hundred and twenty orders on various persons ; and there has been disbursed to the several applicants, in various amounts as follows :
In Cash Allowances, For Fuel,
$ 189 00
732 75
Groceries,
1404 25
· Furniture and Clothing,
90 26
Medicine Attendance and Nursing,
594 40
Transportation of Paupers,
204 71
Burial Expenses,
262 00
Insane Hospital Bills,
1560 57
Reform and Nautical School Bills,
593 18
Books Stationary and Stamps,
117 38
Aid to Paupers in other Towns, Miscellaneous Expenses,
80 10
6013 92
Salary of Clerk Eleven months,
916 66
Salary of City Physician Eleven Months,
641 66
Total Expense of City Department,
$7,572 24
A City Hospital where cases of accident and extreme sickness, can now be cared for, has been opened during the year. And many unfortunate persons for whom no provision has heretofore been made, except what could be done for them at the Police Station, can now be comfortably attended to there, thus relieving the City Physician from what has previously constituted no inconsiderable portion of his most urgent calls. His compensa- tion, which is paid from the appropriation for the support of the Poor, has this year been raised by the committee on Finance of the City Council, from four hundred, the sum formerly paid, to seven hundred dollars, and upwards. of two hundred and fifty dollars, additional has been paid for medical attendance in the city, during the year ; a sum far in excess of what has heretofore been expended in that direction.
At the City Alms House and Hospital which has recently been
185 32
253
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
inspected by the full board, accompanied by several members of the past and present City Governments, everything indicates the same thrift and careful management we have been accustomed to see there under the charge of our Superintendent and Matron for several years past, and their continued efforts to do their whole duty have been duly appreciated, and our confidence in them annually expressed, during the many years they have filled their responsible position.
The Buildings are all in good condition, the old Brick house has been newly shingled during the year. A new brick smoke house has also been built in the rear of the main building and about thirty rods of double stone wall, on the line of the Farm, on the old Boylston Road. The crops raised on the Farm the past year compared favorably with those on other Farms in the vicinity. Not so much hay has been cut as usual on account of the unfavorable weather in the early part of the season, but the addition of about 25 acres recently made to the Farm will proba- bly another year make amends for deficiencies heretofore exist- ing.
The number of Inmates at the institution at the present time is thirty-three, which with the twenty-one Boys in the Truant School, and their Teacher, and the other members of the Super- intendent's Family make in all fifty-nine, and although larger than usual now, the average as has before been stated, is not greater than last year.
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