USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1881 > Part 17
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II
500
Arabell E. Burgess
I
500
QUINSIGAMOND.
Warner,
Mary S. Eaton, Principal
VII-VI
( Percy Burbank )
66
Helena M. Kalaher
V-IV
550
Edna Currier ..
III
500
Ella E. Hall
II
500
Mary A. Winter
I
500
IV
525
Sarah M. Brigham
Hattie G. Gates.
II
500
66 Mrs. Earle,
Reidy,
540
Cristy, Phillips,
265
SCHOOLS. - SECRETARY'S REPORT.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Salary.
MASON STREET.
Woodward,
Mary E. Pease, Principal
II
$550
Effie L. Bennett.
I
500
66
Emma F. Marsh .
I
( Hattie B. Andrews).
405
ADRIATIC.
Marshall,
Emma A. Porter, Principal
VII-VI
700
Sarah E. Rogers .
VI-V
575
Lizzie E. Chapin
V-IV
500
66 McCoy,
Abby B. Shute .
III
500
66
Mary E. Buxton
II
500
66
Cora A. Baldwin
I
500
66
Mary M. Bowen
I
500
UNION HILL.
Mary A. Kean, Principal
IV-III
550
Etha M. Stowell .
II-I
500
SUBURBAN.
Committee.
Place.
Teachers.
Salary.
Barker,
Northville,
Elida M. Capen,
$500
Phillips,
Tatnuck,
Wilton H. Desper,
575
Mrs. Taft,
Trowbridgeville,
Anna H. Newton,
500
Cosgrove,
Blithewood,
Loella V. Shattuck,
500
Cristy,
Bloomingdale,
Jennie L. Higgins,
500
Miss Barnard,
Adams Square,
Richard H. Mooney,
500
Barker,
Burncoat Plain,
J. E. Greenwood,
500
McCoy,
North Pond,
Elma L. Studley,
500
Mrs. Earle,
Chamberlain,
Fanny R. Spurr,
450
Conlin,
Lake View,
Mabel Crane,
500
Marshall,
Valley Falls, 66
Eliza J. Seaver, VI-IV
500
Georgianna M. Newton, III-I
405
Reidy,
Mary A. Rourke
IV
500
266
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
DRAWING. Walter S. Perry, Teacher, $1,500.
COMMITTEE. Mrs. Earle, Messrs. Murphy, Francis, Parker and Barker.
'EVENING DRAWING SCHOOLS.
ADVANCED FREEHAND .- J. Madison Stone, Jeanie L. Southwick.
BEGINNERS FREEHAND .- J. Madison Stone, Jeanie L. Southwick. ADVANCED MECHANICAL .- Albert A. Barker.
BEGINNERS MECHANICAL. - Edwin S. Mathews, Edwin H. Marble. ADVANCED ARCHITECTURAL .- Albert A. Barker.
MUSIC.
Seth Richards, Teacher, $1,500.
COMMITTEE. Messrs. Cosgrove, Woodward, McCoy, Miss Barnard and Mrs. Taft.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
COMMITTEE.
Messrs. Conaty, Francis, Casey, Mrs. Taft and Cristy.
BELMONT STREET .- William T. Souther, Principal.
DIX STREET .- Daniel Courtney, Principal. WALNUT STREET. - Isabelle E. Stiles, Principal.
WASHINGTON STREET .- Owen H. Conlin, Principal. .
EAST WORCESTER .- John J. Riordan, Principal. SOUTH WORCESTER .- Andrew A. Conlon, Principal.
NEW WORCESTER .- Fred W. Blackmer, Principal.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
Henry E. Fayerweather, $900. William Hickey, $900.
267
SCHOOLS .- SECRETARY'S REPORT.
SCHOOL CALENDER FOR 1882. Vacation periods indicated by Full Face Figures.
1882.
Sunday.
Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday
Thursday.
Friday.
Saturday.
1882.
Sunday.
Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday
Thursday.
Friday.
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9
1011
12
131415
22
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28
16 1718
19202122
29
30
31
232425
26
272829
30 31
1
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34 5
5
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192021
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202122 23242526
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29 30 31
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2324252627
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30
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232425
28
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30
...
..
·
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24252627
282930
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The 1st Term begins Nov. 28th, 1881, and ends Feby. 18th, 1882, comprising 10 weeks.
The 2d
66
Feb. 27th, 1882,
May 1st,
66
66
July 1st,
9
The 4th
66 Sept. 4th,
Dec. 2d,
66
13
.
·
1
.
.
. . .
.
1
2
31
4
8
9
10
11
12
13
NOV.
1
2
3
1
2
JUNE.
1
2
3
4
MARCH.
26
27
28
29
30
31
.
1
2
. 3
4
AUGUST.
.
SEPT.
APRIL.
OCT.
28
29
. .
MAY.
DEC.
18
19
20
21
22
8
66
The 3d
66
April 22nd,
66
Assuming that Thanksgiving Day will be Thursday, November 23d.
1 onSaturday.
JAN.
JULY.
FEB.
.
66
AUTHORIZED LIST OF TEXT BOOKS,
FOR THE WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS. PER ORDER SCHOOL BOARD, 1881.
This list includes books for all courses : English, Classical and College. The English, Greek, Latin, German and French Dictionaries will cost more or less, at the option of parents.
With the approval of the High School Committee and the Principal, a teacher may conduct a class in any study without the text-book; giving the instruction orally, by lecture or conversation. With the same approval, a teacher of French or German may select from appropriate texts for reading, such as seem best fitted for any class.
GRADE I.
Franklin First Reader .
$0.25
GRADE II.
Franklin Second Reader . .
$0.35
Worcester's New Primary Spel-
ler
.25
First Music Reader
.30
Slate and Pencil.
GRADE III.
Franklin Third Reader .
. . $0.50
*Worcester's New Primary Spel-
ler
.25
*First Music Reader
.30
Smith's Drawing Book, No. 1,
Sept., No. 2, Jan. .
.10
*Slate and Pencil.
Lead Pencil (Dixon's H, or its like).
GRADE IV.
Franklin Fourth Reader $0.65 *Worcester's New Primary Spel- ler . .25
Colburn's First Lessons in Arith-
metic
.35
Second Music Reader, 35, or
Guyot's Introductory Geography .
.75
Intermediate
.60
Smith's Drawing Book, No. 3,
Sept., No. 4, Jan. . .
.10
Writing Primer, Parts 1 and 2
(" Duplex ")
.10
*Slate and Pencil.
Pen and Holder.
Lead Pencil (Dixon's H, or its
like).
GRADE V.
Franklin Intermediate Reader . $0.65
Worcester's New Pronouncing
Speller .
.30
Swinton's Language Primer .
.35
Eaton's Elements of Arithmetic .
*Colburn's First Lessons in Arith-
metic
.35
.40
Guyot's New Intermediate Geog-
raphy (with or without state
edition)
1.25
*Second Music Reader, 35, or
Intermediate .
.60
Testament.
Smith's Free Hand Drawing
Book, No. 4, Sept. No. 5,
Jan. . .
.10
Writing Book, No.1 (" Duplex") . . 12 *Slate and Pencil.
*Pen and Holder.
Lead Pencil (Dixon's HI, or its
like).
* Same as in lower grades.
269
SCHOOLS .- APPENDIX.
GRADE VI.
*Guyot's New Intermediate Geog- raphy (with or without state edition) 1.25
Third, Music Reader. (If the pupil has not the Interme- diate) .35
Dictionary. *Testament.
Smith's Free Hand Drawing Book, No. 5, Sept., No. 6, Jan. . . .20
Writing Book, No. 2 ("Duplex") *Slate and Pencil.
.12
*Pen and Holder. Lead Pencil (Dixon's H, or its like).
GRADE VII.
*Franklin Fifth Reader . . $1.10 Worcester's New Pronouncing Speller .30
*Swinton's New Language Les-
sons . :
.45
Eaton's Common School Arith- metic .80
*Colburn's First Lessons in Arithmetic . .35
Guyot's New Intermediate Geog-
raphy
. 1.25
Third Music Reader. (If the pupil has not the Interme- diate) .35 *Dictionary. *Testament.
Smith's Free Hand Drawing Book, No. 7, Sept., No. 8, Jan. .20
Prang's School Compass . .25
Writing Book, No. 2 (" Duplex ") *Slate and Pencil.
.12
*Pen and Holder. Lead Pencil (Dixon's H, or its like).
GRADE VIII.
Franklin Sixth Reader . $1.20 *Worcester's New Pronouncing Speller .30
*Swinton's New Language Les-
sons .
.45
*Eaton's Common School Arith- metic .80
Franklin Fifth Reader $1.10 *Colburn's *Worcester's New Pronouncing Arithmetic . .35 Speller . . .30 First Lessons in Guyot's Grammar School Geog- Swinton's New Language Les- sons . .45 raphy *Eaton's Elements of Arithmetic . .40 . 1.65 Fourth Music Reader, abridged . . 90 *Dictionary. *Colburn's First Lessons in Arith- metic .35 *Testament. Smith's Free Hand Drawing Book, No. 8, Sept., No. 9, Jan. .20
Prang's School Compass . .25
.12
Writing Book No. 3 (" Duplex ") *Slate and Pencil.
*Pen and Holder.
Lead Pencil (Dixon's H, or its like).
GRADE IX.
*Franklin Sixth Reader . . $1.20 Worcester's New Pronouncing Speller . .30 Swinton's New School Composi- tion . .45
*Eaton's Common School Arith- metic .80
*Colburn's First
Lessons
in
Arithmetic .
.35
*Guyot's Grammar School Geog-
raphy .
.
1.65 . Barnes' Brief History, U. S. . . 1.25 *Fourth Music Reader, abridged . . 90 *Dictionary.
*Testament.
Smith's Free Hand Drawing Book, No. 10, Sept., No. 11, Jan. . .20
*Prang's School Compass .
.25
Writing Book No. 3 (" Duplex ") .12
*Slate and Pencil.
*Pen and Holder. Lead Pencil (Dixon's H, or its like).
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
Franklin Reader.
Worcester's New Speller.
Colburn's First Lessons in Arithmetic. Eaton's Arithmetic.
Guyot's Geography.
Dictionary. Testament. Music Reader.
Smith's Drawing Book.
Writing Book number of the grade. Slate and Pencil.
Pen and Holder. Lead Pencil (Dixon's H, or its like).
19
270
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
HIGH SCHOOL.
FIRST YEAR.
Hudson's Classical English
Reader . $1.30
Adams' Spelling Book for Advanced Classes.
A. S. Hill's Treatise on Punctua- tion.
Harkness' Latin Grammar, 1874 . 1.25 Harkness' Latin Reader, 1877 . . 1.10 Otto's German Grammar, 1874 . 1.60 Bradbury's Elementary Algebra, 1868 . 1.10
Meservey's Book Keeping, 1877 . 1.00 Meservey's Book Keeping Blanks .90 Guyot's Physical Geography . . 1.90 Swinton's Outlines of History,
1874 . 1.65
Thalheimer's English History . . 1.15 High School Music Reader, 1875 1.10
SECOND YEAR. - ADDITIONAL.
Cæsar's Commentaries.
White's Greek Lessons, 1876 . . $1.35 Goodwin's Greek Grammar, 1878 1.70 Whitney's German Reader, 1869 1.60 Keetel's Child's First Book in
French, 1875 . .85
Loomis' Geometry, 1876 . 1.20 Higginson's United States His- tory 1.35
Norton's Elements of Physics
.95
THIRD YEAR. - ADDITIONAL.
Hudson's Text Book of Prose . $1.70 Hart's Rhetoric, 1870 .. 1.25 Cicero's Orations. Virgil's Works.
Allen & Greenough's Ovid, with Vocabulary, 1875 . 1.60
Ovid, 1st four books . 1.30 Harkness' Latin Prose Composi- tion, 1868 . 1.25 Kendrick's Xenophon's Anabasis, 1873 1.70
Keetel's Elementary
French
Grammar, 1874 .
1.05
Pylodet's Literature Francaise.
Keetel's French Reader, 1880 . . 1.45 Leighton's History of Rome . . 1.75 Eliot & Storer's Chemistry, 1877 1.25
FOURTH YEAR. - ADDITIONAL. . Shaw's New English Literature, 1875 $1.45
Homer's Iliad (Owen's), 1851 . . 1.70 Goodwin's Selections from Xen- ophon and Herodotus . . 1.70
Jones's Greek Prose Composi- tion, 1872 . 1.00
Keetel's Analytical French Gram- mar, 1873 . 1.70
Lockyer's Astronomy, 1870 1.40
Dana's Geology, 1875 1.35 Gray's How Plants Grow, 1858 . . 90 Chapin's Political Economy . .75
Martin's Civil Government, 1875 1.05
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER
OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFICE, WORCESTER, January 1st, 1882.
To the Honorable the Mayor and City Council :
GENTLEMEN : - The Board of Engineers have the honor to submit their Ninth Annual Report of the condition of the Fire Department December 31st, 1881, under their charge; and it becomes my duty as Chief of the Department to present such suggestions for your consideration as will in my opinion and in the opinion of the Board, promote more fully the growing interests of the city. The report gives the condition of the Department at the close of the year, which facts have been obtained from personal observation and from the reports from the several companies. I shall endeavor in this report to present to your honorable body in detail, all items of interest connected with the workings of the Department, including a list of the officers and members, with the salaries paid them for their services, the number and location of the Fire Alarm Stations, an inventory of the property belonging to the city in charge of the Department, and such other information as may be of interest to your honorable body and the citizens of Worcester, which we trust will enable you to fully understand the condition, so that you may judge of its necessities, that the officers and men may have every facility afforded them in the performance
272
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
of their duty in protecting the property of our citizens from the flames.
MANUAL FORCE AND DISCIPLINE.
The manual force of the Department consists of a Chief Engineer and four (4) Assistants, forty-four (44) members of Steamer Companies, including drivers; thirty (30) members of Hook and Ladder Companies, including drivers; fifty-two (52) hosemen of Hose Companies and four (4) members of Extin- guisher Company, including driver ; making a total of one hun- dred and thirty (130). In addition to the regular force of the Department, there is a volunteer Hose Company located at Coes Square and another at Quinsigamond, which respond to all alarms in their sections, thus reducing the fire risks in those localities very materially, and their services are fully appreciated by the citizens in the sections of the city named.
The duties of the Department have been more arduous the past year than they have been since I have had the honor to com- mand the forces, but they have promptly answered all calls and by their vigilance prevented serious fires ; this affords good rea- son why the City Government should still feel the same interest in providing means to keep the Fire Department in the best working condition. In the management of fires it is highly important that no time should be lost at the outset, as a moment saved in the beginning, is worth hours after the fire has gained great headway; it is often remarked that large fires are a thing of the past, the reason why is that, Worcester has a Depart- ment that is not surpassed in the promptness in which they respond to alarms of fire. The force of the Department cheer- fully respond whether by night or by day, in sunshine or storm, they are " always ready " to do their duty, often at the risk of life and injury to health.
The Chief of the Department is pleased to report the Depart- ment in good condition and that their deportment and discipline is to a high degree satisfactory. The beneficial effects anticipated from the adoption of the new rules are not apparent, as the old rules and regulations worked well and sufficient for all practical
273
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
purposes. Experience has proved that it is not necessary to keep the men down to improve them in efficiency and good discipline. I have endeavored to develop a pride and emula- tion in the prompt discharge of every duty, and in the cultiva- tion of every capacity to keep cool in a time of great excitement and danger.
The policy has been pursued to approve only of men for membership who are qualified by physical, mental and intellect- ual ability to command respect. It is now an established policy of the Board to reward faithful and meritorious men by promo- ting them whenever vacancies occur, and all new appointments are made from the substitute list; these men are in the habit of taking the places of the regular firemen when sick, disabled or absent on leave, and when they do enter the service in the capacity of employés, the Department derives the benefit of their experience ; a training school for firemen would hardly be more beneficial than the system above alluded to : all changes in the methods of conducting a Fire Department in this or any other city should be carefully studied before they are made. The people retire to their beds at night with a sense of security and confidence that the city has a well-trained force which will respond at a moment's warning, to save their property and per- haps their lives from the ravages of the devouring element. While our city has increased rapidly in population, still the force of the Department is less than it was in 1875, and we suggest the propriety of increasing the manual force of the Department to keep pace with the growth of the city. The fact that the force of the Department is so largely composed of " call men " has induced the Board of Engineers to carefully consider the matter of additional permanent men, and the conclusion arrived at was always favorable to the plan. The officers and members of the permanent and call force receive well-deserved praise for the faithful manner in which they have performed their duties, which have been cheerfully rendered in the protection of prop- erty, and for their unanimous desire to maintain the credit of the Worcester Fire Department, and to retain the confidence and esteem of the community.
274
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
The City Government has manifested by its action, its desire to keep the Department up to its present high standard by responding favorably to the recommendations of the Board of Engineers. The Department has proved itself capable of managing all fires that have taken place during the year. The difficulties in managing and fighting fires are really understood and appreciated by but very few people ; no two fires can be managed alike ; there are hundreds of circumstances to be taken into consideration, and emergencies constantly arising, but a well- disciplined Fire Department like that of this city, there are well defined rules and regulations which govern the work of the firemen, as it is only by systematic and united efforts that successful work can be done. It has been suggested that thinner glass be used for skylights, as one of the first duties at a fire is to get ventilation, and with hammered glass an inch thick this is a tedious and difficult operation ; smoke is nearly always the greatest obstacle encountered at fires, but words cannot faithfully portray the dangers the firemen undergo ; nearly suffocated with smoke, almost roasted with heat, often drenched with water and cased in ice they work for hours with an endurance which makes them heroes.
Until recently the danger of voluntary fires arising from chemical electricity has been slight or entirely absent, because the volume of electricity required to transmit messages by motion or sound was and is entirely indifferent as a fire produc- ing element, danger from this source can only arise when com- bined and powerful currents are concentrated for the production of heat and light, and it is of the greatest importance that the conductors of such currents of electricity be thoroughly insulated, especially in connection with the electric light now coming into use in our city, carelessness in this particular will some day demonstrate that powerful electrical action generated by chemi- cal forces is as dangerous as the thunderbolts of Heaven. The only logical and practical suggestions looking to protection against this fire-producing element are found in the careful insulation of all objects to be protected so far as human ingenuity can suggest, such practical and thorough insulation,
275
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
and disasters arising notwithstanding such precaution, must be met and combated with such skill and apparatus as the present places within our command. In view of the facts regarding the electric light, the Board of Engineers would urge upon the City Government of Worcester to make an ordinance where the „electric light is about to be introduced, the absolute necessity of passing ordinances governing the manner in which all wires shall be strung for the purpose of producing the electric light. First, that the wires shall be distinctive from all others. Second, that they shall be thoroughly insulated. Third, that there shall be upon the exterior of all buildings where the wires are introduced an absolute cut out (not a mere shut), so that in case the firemen are called upon by case of fire to enter there, the danger of instant death, the inevitable result of coming in contact with improperly insulated or broken wires under very many situations, may be in a very great measure avoided.
It may not be out of place here to call your attention to the permanent employés of this Department. They are required by ordinance to give their entire time to the service of the Depart- ment, which means twenty-four hours in a day, and three hundred and sixty-five days in a year, and no provision for a relaxation of duty except at their own expense ; and it certainly seems reasonable that men engaged in this kind of service should, in each week, have some hours off or some interval for relaxation of duties so confining as that of Fire Department service, in order that exhausted nature may be restored, and the renewal of mental and bodily vigor; but the tax on their earnings, which is in no case large for their services, is beyond their ability to bear without injury to themselves and families ; therefore the question which I respectfully submit for your consideration is, Shall the city treasury be at the expense to give us one extra man to relieve the permanent employés of their burden, as is the case in other cities ?
FIRE ALARMS AND INSURANCE.
There have been, during the year, sixty-one (61) bell alarms of fire, eighty-one (81) still alarms, and twenty (20) telephone alarms, making a total of one hundred and sixty-two (162)
276
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
alarms. The loss on real and personal property during the year was $62,451.59, and the insurance on same $675,995.00. Insurance over losses on real and personal property, $593,343.41.
I would call most particular attention to our exceeding good fortune as regards loss by fires. Worcester has been very fortu- nate in this respect, but never more so than the past year, taking all things into consideratiom ; that is, the many combustible and dangerous localities, and the increase from year to year, by building and alterations, of our many wooden and inflammable structures, as no city in our vicinity has the material for large fires that this wooden city of Worcester has, and it is certain that. we shall not always be as well found as we have been the past few years.
The causes and prevention of fires are questions which have been discussed by citizens, by representatives of leading fire departments in conventions of engineers, and by insurance com- panies. By a careful estimate, 40 per cent. of the fires in Boston are incendiary, and 30 per cent. of the remainder are caused by over-insurance, leaving only 30 per cent. accidental fires. Whether the same ratio will apply to Worcester, I am unable to say ; but there cannot be a doubt but that a portion of our fires result from the temptation to make a quick sale, by realizing from the insurance companies perhaps more than the property would bring at auction or private sale. I cannot too strongly urge insurance companies to remove this temptation out of the way of those who cannot resist ; it is time. The act is a cowardly one, and the offender should be punished to the full extent of the law; but if there were no inducements, the number of crimes committed, and of this class of fires, would be reduced. The Fire Department is ready and willing to answer all calls, from whatever cause; but we make these suggestions for the best interests of the community. ?
HOSE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
There is nothing so indispensable as an ample supply of good serviceable hose, as firemen cannot successfully combat fires with hose that is continually bursting, and it will be necessary to pur-
. 277
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
chase at least 1,500 feet the coming year ; no new hose was purchased the last year, and in a city like Worcester we should replenish our hose in part every year. It is of paramount importance that we have a sufficient quantity of the best quality of hose, without regard to cost, as nothing is so discouraging to the firemen as to find, after placing a line of hose where water is most needed, to find it kept back by leaky or bursted hose, thus giving the fire an opportunity to gain headway, and possibly culminating in an extensive destruction of property. If this result should follow, the Department would be blamed when they really were not at fault. With the apparatus in its present good condition, and with a sufficient supply of reliable hose, the fire- men will be able to give protection to the property of our citizens. The position of the hosemen and pipemen is often one of danger from falling walls, and the time spent in splicing broken hose keeps them longer than is necessary in positions where they are in danger of losing their lives or suffering serious injury. I would recommend that at least 1,500 feet of good reliable hose be purchased the coming year.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus of the Department consists of four (4) steam fire engines, one (1) Babcock engine, twelve (12) hose carriages and one in reserve, also eight (8) small portable extinguishers, besides three (3) carried by the Protective Department. The apparatus of the Department is in good condition, and when repairs are needed they should be promptly made, and should be done by members of the Department as far as practicable, which would be a great saving to the city. Too much care cannot be exercised in drawing apparatus to fires, and experience has shown that the best drivers are the most careful ones. I would not be understood as discouraging a healthy rivalry in first reaching the fire, but anything approaching recklessness should not be encour- aged or allowed in any instance. The Fire Department has the right of way in the streets, and no one would intentionally impede their progress; but this is no reason why recklessness is
278
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 36.
necessary to insure promptness, and the men who have charge of the apparatus should exercise cool, deliberate judgment, and show by their good sense and prudence that they are worthy to be intrusted with the care of the property of the city.
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