USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1877 > Part 28
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Russell Edward S. Ranney Ernest E. Roche James J. Rice Frank B.
Sweeney Nellie M.
Sheehan Patrick
Santon Lucy Shaw Harry A. Sinclair Isabelle A.
O'Connell George O'Malley John Owens Peter O'Connor Mary A. Otis Annie Olsen Juno O'Connor Thomas Olsen Edwin O'Connor John F.
O'Connor Margaret A. Rafferty Thomas E.
Pevey Nellie F. Park Theresa M. Parker Fred W.
Plaisted Edward B. Prichard Arthur C. Peck Emma L. Parker Nettie M. Powers James
Russell Martha A. Ryan Felix Rourke Joseph
Rice Charles F.
Robinson Jessie L. Rood Stanley H. Rourke Thomas Riedl Mary A.
Reed Frank C. Reynolds Joseph Rourke Frank Rabb Lucy M. Rice Charles H. Rattigan Thomas J.
Riley Annie A. Rourke Michael Rafferty Maggie
Newton Arthur F.
Pardoe Annie P. Peacock Walter J.
Reed Florence H.
O'Flynn Thomas F.
Poole Gertrude I.
Simons Lottie E.
O'Neill Kate
Shea Walter J.
O'Regan Daniel Orr George O'Flynn Mary O'Leary John B. O'Mara Francis P. O'Brien Kate
Quackenboss Henry Quinn Walter Quinn Mary A. Quinn John
Stark Norman P.
Savary Carrie
Sandner Lillie A.
Sullivan Daniel J. Sheehan James F. Smythe Frank A. Shumway Everett Sweeney Charles Stearns Clarence F. Swasey Park B. Scollans Ellen T. Sullivan John
Shaw E. Louisa
Smith Thomas P. Smith Reuben J.
Reynolds Mary E. Reed Nellie F. Riley Timothy Ratigan Frank A. Riorden Mary A. Reeves William Robinson Cora E.
396
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
Sullivan M. Agnes. Start Cora A.
Tullis Edwin E.
Ward John H.
Toupin J. Archil
Wessel Otto C.
Simpson Henry Y.
Townsend Rosa J.
Whitton John C.
Smith Herbert
Taft Jennie S.
Wesson Herbert S.
Sullivan Willie F.
Tainter Eva J.
Wheeler Charles D.
Shambo Mary E.
Taylor Edwin A.
Warren Emma L.
Stimpson Clara E.
Torrey Martha
Shea John F.
Thayer Florence E.
Whittaker John T. Woolfenden Alice A.
Speirs Henry H.
Tauscher Anna
Whiting Grace C.
Scully Annie M.
Trombly Rosa E.
Whipple Ellen M.
Smith Sarah E.
Trafton Walter C.
Wetherbee Caro. F.
Shaughnessy Vinton
Townsend Benjamin S. Winchester Clara A.
Shea Peter O.
Taft Annie G.
-Wall Patrick
Scales William
Taft Isabella L.
Wall Andrew
Scully Patrick
Thomas John E.
Walbridge Clara E.
Stebbins George W.
Upham Lucia F.
Ware Annie
Sprague Elliott E.
Underwood Joseph
Whelan David
Stevenson Edward
Valentine Florence
White Grace H.
Sheehy James
Vincent Paul N.
Waite William J.
Smith Emma A.
Vaughn Anthony
Waite Eliza S.
Stewart William H.
Whitcomb L. Stella.
Wharton John E.
Sumner Howard E.
Weixler Augusta M.
Wood Corrinne
Sheridan Edward
Witter Lillie A.
Wilson Lena M.
Thayer Grace I.
Welch Edward A.
Walker Thomas
Towne Addison W.
Williams Edgar A. Wilder Clara E.
Wilson Lubelle E.
White James
Wagner Lena Wood Bertram A.
Touson Charles Toomey Matthew Taft Mary E.
Warren Herbert H.
Whittemore Jennie E. Wright Walter W.
Thayer Henry P.
Wright Vinal S.
Wheelock Oliver H.
Tuttle Everett W.
Wharton Josephine E. Young Della A.
Taft Minnie H.
Walker Joseph
Zaeder Julius C.
Wiggins Frank
Tyrrell Lelia I.
Townsend Franklin I. Wood Amelia E. White Nellie E.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY O F WORCESTER,
JANUARY 1878.
CHARLES B. PRATT, President.
ALBERT P. MARBLE, Supt. and Sec'y.
464 MAIN STREET.
Members whose term expires January, 1881.
Members whose term expires January, 1880. January, 1879.
CALEB B. METCALF.
ANNE B. ROGERS. SARAH B. EARLE.
TIMOTHY H. MURPHY.JAMES P. KELLEY.
THOS. J. O'SULLIVAN. THOMAS J. CONATY. SAM'L W. DOUGHERTY.RICHARD O'FLYNN.
FRANCIS P. GOULDING. FRANKLIN B. WHITE. ALZIRUS BROWN.
EDWIN T. MARBLE. THOMAS E. ST. JOHN.
RUFUS WOODWARD. E. B. STODDARD.
Members whose term expires
THOMAS J. HASTINGS. CHAS. R. JOHNSON.
WM. T. HARLOW.
EUGENE M.MORIARTY.
FRANCIS PLUNKETT.
JOHN TIMON.
JOSEPH M. BASSETT.
CHARLES B. KNIGHT.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
ON SCHOOL HOUSES .- Messrs. Brown, Moriarty, Bassett, Murphy and O'Sullivan. ON BOOKS AND APPARATUS .- Mr. Stoddard, Mrs. Earle, Messrs. St. John, John- son and O'Flynn.
ON TEACHERS .- Superintendent, ex officio, and Messrs. Metcalf, Conaty, Harlow, Goulding and Woodward.
ON FINANCE .- The Mayor, Messrs. Marble, Knight, White, Plunkett and Has- tings.
ON APPOINTMENTS .- Superintendent, ex officio, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Earle, and Messrs. Timon, Kelley and Dougherty.
398
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
The Committees on Visitation shall exercise a general supervision over" the schools to! which they are severally assigned, and shall visit them according to the provisions of the statutes, not less than once in four weeks, and generally during the week preceding the monthly meeting of the Board, at which they shall report their condition .- [Rules, Chap. 3, Sec. 6.
Though each school is assigned to a special committee, yet every member of the Board shall consider it his duty to watch over all the public schools of the city, to attend their examinations, and visit them at other times as his convenience will permit .- [Sec. 7.
VISITING COMMITTEES.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Committee.
Stoddard, Conaty, Metcalf, Goulding, Harlow, St. John,
O'Sullivan, Mrs. Rogers.
Teachers.
Joseph W. Fairbanks, Prin. Edward H. Rice,
Alfred S. Roe,
Charles A. Buffum,
A. Carey Field,
Anne C. Stewart,
Florence V. Beane,
Mary A. Parkhurst,
Kate M. Sanderson,
Mary E. Colvin,
Josephine L. Sanborn, William D. Mackintosh.
William A. Mason, Jr., Drawing.
The ROMAN NUMERALS designate the ROOMS to which members of committees are specially assigned, and the GRADES, according to the Course of Study.
BELMONT STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade. IX.
Harlow,
Arthur G. Lewis, Prin.,
Emma C. McClellan, Asst.,
Mary H. Warren,
VIII.
Sarah L. Phillips,
VII.
Hastings,
Tirzah S. Nichols,
VI.
Abbie J. Reed,
V.
Esther G. Chenery,
IV.
O'Sullivan,
Mary T. Gale,
III.
66
Carrie P. Townsend,
II.
Jennie A. Whitney.
I.
DIX STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Mrs. Rogers,
Wm. H. Bartlett, Prin.,
IX.
Clara Manley, Asst.,
Eldora M. Aldrich,
VIII.
Josephine M. Wilson,
VII.
Brown,
Minnie Meade,
VI.
Abbie N. Hoxie,
V.
Susie W. Forbes,
IV.
Johnson,
Esther B. Smith,
III.
Alice W. Giddings.
II.
66
Alice E. Johnson,
I.
399
SCHOOLS .- SECRETARY'S REPORT.
WALNUT STREET.
Teachers.
Grade.
Etta A. Rounds, Prin.,
VIII.
Nellie C. Thomas,
VII.
Kate A. Meade,
VI.
Woodward,
Caroline H. Metcalf,
VI.
Ella M. McFarland,
v.
Eunie M. Gates,
IV.
WOODLAND STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade. IX.
Plunkett,
Edward I. Comins, Prin.,
66
Annie C. Wyman, Asst.
VIII.
Mary M. Lawton,
VII.
Stoddard,
Janet Martin,
VI.
66
Carrie R. Clements,
V.
66
Mary E. Fitzgerald,
v.
66
Martha T. Wyman,
IV.
Dougherty,
Maggie I. Melanefy,
III.
Sarah J. Melanefy,
II.
Amanda H. Davie,
I.
Frances M. Athy,
I.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
O'Flynn,
Charles T. Haynes, Prin.,
VII.
Mary A. Harrington,
VI.
Josie M. Ware,
V.
O'Sullivan, 66
Mary E. Kavanagh.
IV.
Mrs. Earle,
Ellen T. Shannon,
IV.
Ida A. Tew,
III.
Kelley,
F. Belle Perry,
II.
Mary E. Murphy,
II.
Hattie C. Howland,
I.
Margaret J. McCann,
I.
WASHINGTON STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Woodward,
Charles T. Haynes, Prin., Amanda M. Phillips, Asst. M. Ella Spalding,
VIII.
LEDGE STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Moriarty, 66
Charles C. Woodman, Prin., Margaret M. Geary, Asst. Olive G. Davis,
IX.
VIII.
LAMARTINE STREET.
J. Chauncey Lyford,
Louise A. Dawson,
V-IV.
IX.
Committee. Kelley,
Ann S. Dunton,
400
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
LEDGE STREET .- Continued.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Maria P. Cole,
VII.
Moriarty, Murphy,
Eliza E. Cowles,
VI.
M. Addie Powers,
V.
66
Alice G. McMahon,
IV.
Plunkett,
Mary E. D. King,
III.
Mary V. Callaghan,
II. .
Ida A. E. Kenney,
I.
Fanny A. Williams,
I.
THOMAS STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade. VIII.
Hastings,
Harriet G. Waite, Prin.,
Anna J. Hitchcock, Asst.
VII.
Celia E. Whiteman,
VI.
Bassett,
Abbie C. Souther,
V.
66
S. Lizzie Wedge,
IV.
66
Abbie F. Hemenway,
III.
Hattie W. Bliss,
III.
Moriarty,
Mary E. D. Cavanough,
II.
Harriette Crook,
II.
66
Belle H. Tucker,
I.
SYCAMORE STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Timon,
Abbie E. Clough, Prin.,
VIII.
Minnie F. Whittier,
VII.
M. Louise Rice,
VI.
66
Susie A. Partridge,
V.
White,
Hattie S. Hagen,
IV.
66
Sarah W. Clements,
III.
Emma F. Marsh,
II.
Eliza J. Day,
I. -
EAST WORCESTER.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Mrs. Earle,
Ella W. Foskett, Prin.,
VI.
60
Annie Brown,
V.
66
Nellie A. Sprout,
V.
Tamerson S. Darling,
IV.
Moriarty,
Julia A. Bunker,
IV.
Kate C. Cosgrove,
III.
Aloysia Radcliffe,
III.
Murphy.
Mary E. Russell,
II.
Ada E. Simonds,
I.
66
Mary J. O'Connor,
I.
Emma L. Cowles,
V.
Emily J. Herrick,
SCHOOLS .- SECRETARY'S REPORT.
401
PROVIDENCE STREET.
Teachers.
Grade.
L. Elizabeth King, Prin.
VI.
Sarah J. Newton, V.
Evelyn E. Towne,
IV.
66
Emma J. Houghton,
IV.
Goulding,
Anna M. Overend,
III.
S. Cornelia Maynard,
II.
Bridget T. Carlon,
II-I.
Ella J. Lyford,
I.
Special Committee. Johnson,
Teachers.
Grade.
Mary J. Mack, Prin.,
VI.
Mary J. Packard,
V.
Mary McGown,
IV.
O'Flynn,
Mattie A. Collins,
III.
Flora J. Osgood,
II.
Libbie H. Day,
I.
SOUTH WORCESTER.
Special Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Conaty,
Carrie A. George, Prin.,
VIII-VII.
Amelia M. Walker,
VI.
Ellen M. Boyden,
V.
St. John,
Bessie A. Chase,
V.
66
A. Teresa Timon,
IV.
Timon,
Lydia W. Ball,
III.
Mary C. Paige,
II.
Sarah A. Boyd,
I.
Special Committee. Brown,
Teachers.
Grade.
Ella L. Dwyer, Prin.,
V.
Mary L. Norcross,
IV.
Mary E. A. Hoyt,
III
Knight,
Lucy Lewisson,
II.
Ella K. Morgan,
I.
Mary F. Barker,
I.
Ella E. Goddard,
I.
SALEM STREET.
Special Committee. Dougherty,
Teachers. Ann E. McCambridge, Prin., Mary O. Whitmore,
V:
Conaty,
Emma I. Claflin,
IV. III.
Effie J. Phelps,
II .- I.
36
PLEASANT STREET.
Esther E. Travis,
IV
Grade.
Special Committee. White,
ASH STREET.
402
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
EDGEWORTH STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Metcalf,
Ella E. Roper, Prin.,
VI .- V.
Sarah M. Brigham,
IV.
Mrs. Earle,
Jennie E. Maloney,
III.
Marianna Newton,
II.
Annie D. Johnson,
I.
NEW WORCESTER.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
St. John,
Charlotte H. Munger, Prin.,
VIII.
S. Lizzie Carter,
VII .- VI.
Ella J. Moore,
V .- IV.
Marble,
Belle H. Crowell,
III .- II.
Jennie L. Dearborn,
I.
SUMMER STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Bassett,
Abbie A. Wells, Prin.,
V.
Hattie U. Thwing,
IV.
66
· Carrie F. Merriam,
III.
Mrs. Rogers,
Mary A. Gauren,
II.
Lilla F. Upton,
I.
QUINSIGAMOND.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade. VII-VI-V.
Knight,
Sarah F. Carpenter, Prin., Mary S Eaton, Helena M. Kalaher,
IV-III.
II-I.
MASON STREET.
Committee.
Grade.
Murphy,
Teachers. Mary E. Pease, Prin., Emma C. Maynard,
III.
II-I.
ADRIATIC.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Marble,
Amy E. Hopson, Prin., Sarah J. Morgan,
II.
Emma A. Porter,
I.
Alice P. Proctor,
I.
UNION HILL.
Committee. O'Sullivan, 66
Teachers. Mary A. Tyler, Prin., Etha M. Stowell,
III.
Grade. IV-III.
II-I.
403
SCHOOLS .- SECRETARY'S REPORT.
SUBURBAN.
Brown,
Northville,
Eudora A. Dearborn.
Knight,
Tatnuck,
Helen H. Welsh.
St. John,
Valley Falls,
Eliza J. Seaver.
Marble,
Leesville,
Clara A. Grout.
Kelley,
Blithewood,
Anna M. Bemis.
Dougherty,
Bloomingdale,
Mary E. Fay.
Metcalf,
Adams Sq.
Minnie M. Parmenter.
Bassett,
Burncoat Plain,
Mary E. C. Carroll.
Johnson,
North Pond,
Mary D. Shute,
Johnson,
Chamberlain,
Nellie J. Spurr.
DRAWING. Wm. A. Mason, Jr., Teacher.
Mrs. Rogers,
Marble,
Kelley.
MUSIC.
Seth Richards, Teacher.
Metcalf,
Committee. Mrs. Earle,
Woodward.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Committee.
Teacher.
Washington St.,
Kelley,
Frank D. Leary.
Cambridge St.,
Brown,
Henry M. Penniman.
Walnut St.,
Mrs. Rogers,
Edw. J. O'Neil.
New Worcester,
Marble,
Jonathan Flagg.
Dix St.,
Plunkett,
Daniel W. Haskins.
Belmont St.,
Hastings,
Knight,
Emma J. Smythe.
Dougherty,
Timon,
Harlow,
St. John,
Johnson.
Committee.
SIGNALS
TO CLOSE THE SCHOOLS ON VERY STORMY DAYS.
The signal consists of rapid strokes (not tolling nor ringing) on the following bells :- High School, First Uni- tarian (Mr. Hall's), St. Anne's, St. John's, Trinity (Meth- odist), Main Street Baptist, St. Matthew's Chapel (South Worcester), School House, New Worcester, and Dewey Street Chapel.
The Signal means :-
At 8 o'clock A. M. No school before noon. 1 At 12 o'clock M. (In case the schools are in session); close for the rest of the day.
At 1 o'clock P. M. (When the schools are in session before noon); no school afternoon.
At 1 o'clock P. M. (When the schools are not in session before noon); to call schools for afternoon.
N. B. The signal will not be struck except in extreme cases. It is expected that one or more teachers will be at each house at the usual time for opening, to take care of children who do not hear the bells.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1878. Vacation periods indicated by Full Face Figures.
1878.
Sunday.
Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday
Thursday.
Friday.
Saturday.
1878.
Sunday.
Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday
Thursday.
Friday.
Saturday.
1
2
3
4|
5
1
2
3
4
5 6
9
7
00
6
10
11
12
JULY.
14
15
16
17
18 19 20
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
27
28
29
30
31
28 29 30 31
1
2
1|
2
3
FEB.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
11
12
13
14 15 16 17
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
24
25
26
27
28
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
-1
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
17
18
19
20
1
22
23
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
31
29
30
1
2
3
4
01
6
1
2
3
4
5
9
-7
00
6
0
11
12
OCT.
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
21
22
23
24
25
26
29
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
28 29 30
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
1
2
5
6
7
00
9
10
11
3
4
or
6
7
8
9
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
26
27
28
29
30
31
24
25
26
27
*28
29 30
1
1
2
3
4
5
00
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
22
23
24 25 26 27 28
30
29 30 31
The 1st Term begins December 3d, 1877, and ends Feb. 16th, 1878, comprising 10 weeks.
60
2d
February 25th, 1878,
. April 27th, 66
66
10
66
3d
May 6th.
66
66 .June 29th,
66
7
66
4th
66 Sept. 2d,
66 Dec. 24th,
ão
66
Half Term Reports due Oct. 12th, 1878.
4
5
6
7
8 9 10
3
4
or
6
7
8
9
AUGUST.
MARCH.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
SEPT.
APRIL.
7
00
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
MAY.
NOV.
JUNE.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
DEC.
8
9
0
11| 12|13
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
JAN.
* Assuming that Thanksgiving Day will be on Thursday, November 28th.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE COMMISSION OF
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
To the Honorable CITY COUNCIL :
The " Report of their acts and doings, of the condition of the Public Grounds and Shade Trees thereon and on said Streets and Highways, and an account of Receipts and Expenditures for the same," during the past year, is herewith submitted by the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, in accordance with the requirements of the Twenty-First Section of the Charter of the City :--
City of Worcester
In account with
COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Dr.
-
To Appropriation for current year,
$3,000 00
Sale of grass on Elm Park.
40 00
Sale of old lumber,
3 00
Per Contra, Cr.
January :
Steven Rowe, labor in December, 1876,
$39 37
David Rowe,
66
29 75
Kinnicutt & Co., rope and shovels,
7 87
M. McGrath, teams,
12 00
Februarg :
Kinnicutt & Co., snow shovel,
70
Steven Rowe, labor (January),
43 75
$3,043 00
.
407
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
March :
Charles Hamilton, (Annual Report), $34 27
Steven Rowe, labor, (February),
40 25
Kinnicutt & Co., wheelbarrow, .
2 25
April :
David Rowe, labor (January),
26 25
Highway Department, scrapings in Oct., 1876, 7 00
Benjamin C. Jaques, materials, labor and trucking, 74 80
Steven Rowe, labor, 45 48
M. McGrath, labor, .
48 00
May :
Steven Rowe, labor, 39 37
David Rowe, labor, 18 37
M. McGrath, labor and teams, .
88 75
B. C. Jaques, cedar posts,
40 00
J. & J. A. Rice, grass seed and oats,
27 10
Kinnicutt & Co., tools,
1 69
James Draper, trees (317) and planting same on Jefferson and Shrews- bury streets, 357 00
O. B. Hadwen, trees (116) and planting same, 136 00
H. M. Hubbard, manure and hauling, 22 50
F. H. Mills, 4} days labor, marking for trees, 9 00
June :
M. McGrath, labor and teams,
111 37
David Rowe, labor, 40 25
Steven Rowe, labor, 43 75
Kinnicutt & Co., tools,
5 47
O. B. Hadwen, trees (142) and planting same,
122 94
V. K. Nash, marking distances for trees, . 3 88
C. O. Richardson, patching sidewalks, 7 25
B. C. Jaques, tree-guards, labor, &c., 13 60
J. & J. A. Rice, grass seed, &c., .
2 61
July :
Charles H. Perry, pruning trees,
11 90
J. S. Clarke & Son, cement, &c.,
1 75
James Draper, labor on guards, &c. 7 50
Kinnicutt, & Co., tools, .
2 56
J. & J. A. Rice, tools,
1 70
J. B. O'Leary, labor, &c.,
1 20
David Rowe, labor,
42 87
Steven Rowe, labor,
44 62
M. McGrath, labor,
76 50
August :
Kinnicutt & Co., tools,
2 75
David Rowe, labor, 42 87
Steven Rowe, labor,
42 87
M. McGrath, labor,
72 75
James Draper, shrubs and trees,
.
.
50 00
408
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
September :
Wm. H. Sawyer, spruce plank,
$5 16
Kinnicutt & Co., tools,
4 75
David Rowe, labor, 44 19
Steven Rowe, labor,
43 75
M. McGrath, labor,
84 89
Water Department 393} feet of pipe, laying same, couplings and valves,
157 28
October :
David Rowe, labor, . 40 25
Steven Rowe, labor, 45 50
Michael Kennedy, labor, 16 50
25 50
George T. Sutton, repairing pumps,
15 50
Kinnicutt & Co., tools,
4 85
C. H. Perry, pruning trees,
11 00
H. M. Hubbard, manure, hauling and spreading, 23 50
Michael McGrath, teams and labor,
42 75
November :
C. F. Henry, manure and hauling,
41 42
E. S. Knowles, manure and hauling, 39 00
Downey Brothers, manure and hauling, 20 05
C. H. Perry, pruning trees,
23 40
Sumner, Pratt & Co., marlin and listing,
93
Benj. C. Jaques, labor on trees,
6 60
David Rowe, labor,
40 24
Steven Rowe, labor,
42 00
Michael Kennedy, labor,
36 00
Michael McGrath, labor,
36 00
James Draper, 138 shrubs (assorted ), .
33 00
O. B. Hadwen, trees and planting,
74 96
December :
Steven Rowe, labor to Nov. 21st, inclusive,
30 62
David Rowe, .. 29 74
Michael Kennedy, labor to Nov. 17th, inclusive, 21 00
Michael McGrath, 21 00
Kinnicutt & Co., gravel rake,
1 00
J. & J. A. Rice, pick axe handles,
1 75
handle to shovel,
50
Brooks & Wheeler, manure and hauling,
68 12
Aggregate Expenditures,
$3,037 28
Carried to Sinking Fund, 5 72
$3,043 00
M. McGrath, labor,
409
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The Railway-tracks are at last removed from the Common, where they shall be known no more forever. The task proposed to itself by this COMMISSION, many a weary year since, of freeing that Public Ground from encumbrance, whether by long sufferance or encroachment, has been achieved in greater meas- ure than was believed possible by the community at large. The number of sceptics was by no means as limited as the minority at our late civic election, who were bigoted in their faith that the tracks of the railway corporations were as fixed as the earth upon which they had been located. The COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, however, without arrogating to them- selves that "faith which can remove mountains," never dis- trusted the might of the People when fully aroused and animated with a set purpose to resume their own. Cajoled and coerced they might have been at one time, but who should divert or arrest the popular movement, when impelled by a sense of annoyance and wrong that could not plead necessity for longer toleration. Official indifference or inertia were the hard- est to overcome. It actually seemed as if the indolence of the municipal authorities was affected sympathetically; and that nothing would be allowed to shake the chronic reluctance at the City Hall to disturb those sleepers.
Yet the fatal facility which assents or endures, in Town Meeting, as the simplest mode of despatching an Article in the Warrant that is not fully understood, can be hardened into a relentless determination when instructed in its rights by those who have no sinister aims. The agents of recovery and reclamation may volunteer from the first families, or furnish substitutes from those later and equally worthy; but all the same is that work of reclamation completed when it crowns unselfish labor, and restores to the toil-worn and weary one more chance for the enjoyment of earth and air, which is all the sweeter that it challenges no complaint for trespass.
As a contribution to local history, and for a warning to the community against a concession, in future, of privileges that are invaluable, however impossible of calculation, a full record is here made of the successive steps in this dull official progress :---
37
.
410
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, Worcester, Massachusetts, April 19th, A. D. 1877. 3
FRANCIS T. BLACKMER, EsQ., City Solicitor.
My Dear Sir :- Will you furnish me at your earliest convenience, with your opinion upon the following subject, to wit:
The legal tenure or occupancy of the Common, by Railroad Corporations, under Legislative grant, having expired by limitation; and the subsequent continued suffer- ance of such occupancy by the City Council having long since determined; Is there any reason, sufficient in law or equity, that should prevent the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, clothed as it is by the Charter with the "sole care, superintendence and management of the Public Grounds belonging to said City of Worcester," from pro- ceeding to " lay out such part of said Public Grounds " heretofore occupied by railway tracks, causing "all necessary paths and avenues to be constructed " therein.
· I have the honor to remain, Very Respectfully,
EDWARD WINSLOW LINCOLN,
Chairman.
OFFICE OF CITY SOLICITOR, Worcester, Mass., April 21, 1877. 3
EDWARD W. LINCOLN, Chairman of Commission of Public Grounds.
Dear Sir :- In reply to your communication of April 19th, I would say that it is my opinion that upon the completion of the Union Depot (which has taken place) the provisions of Chapter 343 of the Acts of 1871, discontinued the R. R. location across the Common : that, as the matter now stands, in the absence of any action by the City Government, the Commission have a right to proceed at once to construct " all necessary patlıs and avenues " across said location.
Yours Respectfully,
F. T. BLACKMER, City Solicitor.
Upon the receipt of that opinion, a letter, whereof the subjoined is a copy, was addressed and mailed simultaneously to the Norwich & Worcester, and the Worcester & Nashua R. R. Corporations :-
COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS,
1 Worcester, Massachusetts, April 30th, A. I). 1877. 5
Gentlemen:
I am advised by the City Solicitor that your "location" over and across the Common, in this City, is discontinued by virtue of the completion of the Union Station, under the provisions of Chapter 343 of the Acts of A. I). 1871.
Offers of material for filling in the excavation upon that "location " are necessarily declined, to the pecuniary detriment of the city, because of the continued mainte- nance of your railway.
411
1
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
I have to request that you will cause your track (materials, etc.), to be removed as soon as possible, that the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS may be enabled to construct "necessary paths and avenues " across and along said "location."
I have the honor to subscribe myself, Very Respectfully.
EDWARD W. LINCOLN,
Chairman.
To one of those letters a reply was received, as follows :-
WORCESTER & NASHUA RAILROAD CO. 1 President's Office, Worcester, Mass., May 4th, 1877. S
EDWARD W. LINCOLN, EsQ., Commission of Public Grounds.
Dear Sir :- Your favor of 30th inst. is received, requesting this company to remove its tracks from the Common. We are willing and desirous of doing so, and should have removed the tracks before now, were it not for the probability that the Foster Street Extension, when made, will make it necessary for us to pass over the Common with our freight trains, while the Bridge over Mechanic Street is being placed in position. If the Mayor and Aldermen will request us to remove our tracks from the Common, knowing the reason why we have not done so, we will remove them at once.
You will confer a favor by showing this letter to the Mayor and Aldermen, that they may understand our views in regard to the matter.
Yours most truly,
F. H. KINNICUTT,
President.
This note from Mr. Kinnicutt was received on the 5th of May, and shown, as therein requested. Upon the 8th of May a communication from the City Clerk conveyed to the COMMIS- SION additional, if not astonishing, evidence that the interests of the Corporations were in no imminent peril.
In Board of Aldermen, May 7, 1877.
ORDERED :-- That the Railroad Corporations be, and they hereby are, authorized to allow the tracks to remain across the Common, to be used while the new bridge shall be building over the Foster Street extension, but to be used only during such building.
Approved May 9th, 1877.
CHARLES B. PRATT, Mayor.
(A copy), Attest, E. H. TOWNE, City Clerk.
Who shall say, hereafter, in view of this facile response to the declared wishes of the Corporations, and conscious whence that Order emanated, that one (Alder) man cannot serve two masters ?
412
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
In that respectful deference to the City Council, or either of its branches, even when it seemed to encroach upon the author- ity conferred upon this COMMISSION by the Charter; or to assume to extend privileges that had been finally and forever determined by the General Court; which has ever governed their actions, the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS could not but halt in their efforts to reclaim full and entire possession of the Common. What did it matter, even though, according to the Evening Gazette of May 9th,
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