USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1883 > Part 19
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
Since my last Report I have made, under the direction of the Clerk of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, five hundred and forty-two visits, to the sick poor, and have given advice at the office to one hundred and sixty-eight. Twelve patients, upon examination, were considered insane and committed to the State Lunatic Hospital, and two were sent to their friends.
If some of the benevolent people of the City could go with me in my daily round, and see the vast amount of pain, sickness, misery, want and destitution, which the charity of the City provides for and relieves, they would, I am sure, look upon the Department of relief to the Poor as one of the noblest, most useful and beneficent for which we have to provide. It should be encouraged and supported, not grudgingly, but with full and liberal hands. I have kept office hours regularly each week-in term time-for the vaccination of school children, and three hundred and fifty-two have been the recipients of this most
300
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
enlightened charity. I have vaccinated all who apply, but I am satisfied that many come who have no right to take this liberty, for they are well able to pay for a service which, the intent of the statute only orders for the poor. It may be, that the advantage of having every child in the City vaccinated more than compen- sates for the small amount that these persons, without right, take from the City.
The inmates of the Almshouse, at the City Farm, I am pleased to report, have enjoyed a degree of comfort and health during the year, very creditable to the excellent management, and good accommodations, of that institution. The sick have been well nursed and cared for-the feeble and old have had every attention' that kind hearts and willing hands could bestow-and the feeble and imbecile, have been furnished with a comfortable, clean and, to them, a luxurious home.
Twelve have died, all from diseases chronic, protracted, and in the end, necessarily fatal. The following is the list :-
John Healy, aged 40, Consumption. Margaret Collins, 42, Consumption. Thomas Jakeman, 20, Epilepsy and Exposure.
Bridget Murphy, 59, Senile Dementia.
William Jones, 76, Consumption.
Daniel Leahy, 65, Paralysis.
Lucy Packard, 69, Consumption. Henry F. Dodge, 71, Dysentery.
Casimir Henreich, 39, Heart Disease. William H. Peyton, 64, Bright's Disease.
Margaret Dee, 36, Consumption. Edwin Salmon, 24, Epilepsy.
Twenty-one chronic, harmless, insane persons, have been removed from the Lunatic Hospital to the new wards in the Almshouse provided for them. They are as comfortable and happy there as their mental condition will admit of, and all the ime are under the watchful eye of experienced and kind attendants.
Twenty of the sick poor of the City have died under my care during the year, viz. :-
Mary Mayo, aged 78, Paralysis.
DavidBuckley, 65, Rheumatism.
301
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Henry Holdsworth, 56, Heart Disease.
Caroline A. Willard, 47, Pneumonia.
Patrick Powers, 31, Consumption. Patrick Hart, 49, Consumption.
Thomas Foley, 70, Senile Dementia. Asahael Fairbanks, 85, Consumption. Ellen M. Feehan, 39, Paralysis. Susan Carpenter, 56, Consumption.
John Welch, 62, Internal Strangulation.
Joannah V. Maloney, 41, Abdominal Tumor.
John Joyce, 28, Consumption.
Mary Bullard, 85, Old age. Richard Welch, 59, Consumption.
Mary Hickey, 43, Pneumonia.
Edith D. Locke, 6 months, Cholera Infantum.
Patrick Conolly, 10, Tubercular Meningitis.
Maggie Conolly, 1 year, Cholera Infantum.
Jeremiah Foley, 26, Consumption.
Many others, who were attended by me through their sickness, but who were not under my care at the time of their death, are not reported in this list.
The City Hospital has at all times been a great assistance to me, and has materially lightened the responsibilities of my work. Night or day, I have never knocked at its door in vain. Injuries, accidents, cases of sickness without homes or friends, have all been most promptly and cheerfully received, whenever I have made application for them. It is a beautiful little Hospital, and an enlightened christian charity.
The use of the City Ambulance has been placed at my disposal, at all times, by the courtesy of the City Marshal.
My thanks are due to Mayor Hildreth for his advice and assistance, to Mr. Gale, and to the Police, for their kindness in promptly responding to all my calls.
All which is respectfully submitted.
RUFUS WOODWARD, M. D., City Physician.
REPORT OF THE CITY MARSHAL.
To His Honor the Mayor,
And the City Council of the City of Worcester :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith have the honor of presenting for your consideration, another Annual Report of the doings and condition of the Police Department, from December 1, 1882, to November 30, 1883, inclusive.
The whole number of arrests have been 3,253.
Males,
2,981
Minors, 415
Females,
272
Residents,
2,379
Americans,
1,522
Non-residents, 874
Foreigners,
1,731
Adults,
2,838
Total,
3,253
Total number committed to House of Correction and other institutions, 1,288.
Whole number of complaints made against arrested parties, 3,315, as follows, viz .:-
Assault and battery,
151 | Common drunkard, 104
Assault on officer,
24
Capias, 16
Assault with weapon,
11 Cruelty to animals,
8
Adultery,
6
Common nuisance, 6
Attempt to commit abortion,
2
Carrying concealed weapon,
2
Attempt to commit rape,
1 Cruelty to children,
1
Assuming to be an officer,
1 Drunkenness, 1,888
Abandoning infant child,
1 Drunkenness, 2d offense, 173
Drunkenness, 3d offense, 65
40 Disturbing the peace, 133
10
Bastardy,
9 Defrauding boarding-house,
8
Burning building,
2 Defacing building, 5
Bestiality,
1 Defrauding hotel, 1
Attempt to burn building,
2 Common railer and brawler, 2
Breaking and entering with intent to steal,
Breaking glass,
11 Driving away team,
304
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
Evading railroad fare,
9
Perjury,
5
Embezzlement,
3 Peddling without license, 3
Escaped prisoner,
1 Run away from home, 14
Fornication,
13
Run away from State Pri- mary School,
2
False pretence,
1
Run away from U. S. Train- ing Ship,
2
Highway robbery,
3
Run away from Reform School,
1
Insane,
18
Run away from Almshouse,
1
Indecent language in street,
14
Receiving stolen goods,
1
Indecent exposure of person,
7 Stubborn and disobedient,
21
Indecent assault,
1 Selling mortgaged property,
3
Interfering with officer,
1
Selling leased property,
1
Keeping unlicensed dog,
13 Truants,
21
Keeping noisy and disorderly house,
1
Threatening,
12
Larceny,
139
Violating liquor law,
119
Lewdness,
9
Violating City Ordinances,
50
Malicious mischief,
8
Vagrancy,
43
Manslaughter,
2 Violating Sunday law,
13
Neglect of family,
16
Violating screen law,
7
Night walkers,
9 Violating Registration law,
1
Obstructing officers.
5 Walking on railroad tracks,
Obstructing railroad track,
2
The expenses of the Department for the year have been as follows, viz. :
$57,915 75
Salary of Marshal and Assistants,
4,400 00
Salary of Captain,
1,200 00
Salary of Sergeants,
1,533 24
Paid for Cloth,
620 94
66 " Horse keeping, repairs, &c.,
593 12
66 W. L. Plaisted & Son, crackers,
165 00
W. H. Jourdan, coal (Station 2),
93 91
Evans & Co., buttons,
73 75
W. Ansel Washburn, sundries,
71 77
Rent of telephone and telephone fixtures,
62 94
Clark, Sawyer & Co. (Furnishing Station 2),
50 38
66
B. Walker & Co., ice (1882),
15 11
66
66
66 " " 1883, Station 1, $11.85 ; Station 2, $9.48, 21 33
66 Drs. Wood, Woodward and Goodwin, medical attendance (police summons), 38 00
" M. W. Cunningham and Learned, Newton & Co., oil (Station 2),
35 64
Fast driving,
3
Gaming Sunday,
9
Horse thief,
1
Printing and advertising,
47 65
Pay-roll of Patrolmen,
Trespass,
18
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
305
Paid Div. No. 42, sundries,
35 48
Dea. Griffin, City Auditor, stationery,
30 52
66 Duncan, Goodell & Co., handcuffs and lanterns, 26 56
66 J. B. Bardwell, wood (Station 2),
23 80
6: S. O. Aborn, helmets,
24 00
66 Mary Butler, washing Station 1,
19 25
66 Margaret Mack, washing Station 2,
6 03
66 66 Kendall & Longley, insurance on teams,
14 64
66
T. M. Woodward, sign (Station 2), 12 00
11 85
66 N. Taylor, sundries,
11 50
66 W. O. Wilder, tin cups,
10 00
66
Chas. F. Rugg, soap,
9 75
H. C. Fish, bedstead (Station 2),
6 50
60 M. T. Carter, photographs,
6 00
66 T. D. Gard, badges,
5 00
66 Mason Brush Works and Hyland, brushes and cushions, 4 45
Cynthia Hadley, sewing for Station 2,
3 99
J. W. Jordan, repairs at Station 2,
3 75
Johnson & Bye, repairs of handcuffs,
3 00
66 P. O'Day, traveling expenses,
2 95
66 Denholm & McKay, brass plate,
2 50
6 F. O. Fisher, water-filters,
2 00
Wm. Ross, setting glass, -
2 25
Total,
$67,234 30
There has been expended in building and furnishings for Police Station No. 2, about $12,000. Of this sum, none of the bills have passed through my hands, although paid from our appropriation; so I have no record of them. This difference will appear between this Report and that of the Auditor.
EARNINGS AND RECEIPTS.
Appropriation for 1883,
$70,000 00
Received, Court fees for 1882, 66 66 1883,
8,993 57
1,048 20
For cloth,
792 49
66 City team, 1883,
448 06
66
Extra service of Police,
198 50
66
Damage to cells,
10 00
66
66 Helmet,
3 00
Total,
$81,493 82
J. H. Clarke & Co., dry goods (Station 2),
18 00
66 R. M. Colby, traveling expenses,
306
CITY DOCUMENT .- No, 38.
The earnings of this Department for the present year, have been as follows :-
Court fees,
$8,796 06
Cloth sold,
792 49
Use of City team,
448 06
Extra service of Police,
198 50
Damage to cells,
10 00
Helmet sold,
3 00
Total,
$10,248 11
Making the net cost of the Department, including the new station, about $79,234.30.
Of the Earnings and Receipts for the present year, the sum of $2,500.25 has been paid into the City Treasury, leaving $7,747.86 to be applied as revenue for the next year.
As a final result, of the finances, I have turned over to the Sinking Fund, as unexpended balance, the sum of $2,321.87.
In addition to the amount of $10,248.11, earned by this Department, there has been received about Two Hundred dollars by the City Clerk, for attendance of Officers at the Theatre. This sum has not been credited to us, but has been turned into the Treasury, and credited to the City Clerk, as fees of his office. It makes no difference so far as the City Treasury is concerned, but every department is entitled to the credit of its own earnings.
In connection with this subject, I will say that the court offi- cers, during the present year, have had restrictions placed upon them, so far as court fees are concerned, that have never been imposed upon any other administration, and I think no other police department in this Commonwealth, has had the same rules to comply with.
I herewith present a copy of an order issued by the Central District Court February 8, 1883.
" ORDER OF COURT.
"No charge for a team within the mile circle on original process in criminal cases will be allowed, unless the officers in the presence of the defendant shall make it appear to the Clerk that such charge was rendered necessary by the inability or refusal of defendant to walk, or
307
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
for some similar reason ; and all arrests will presume to have been made within the mile circle, unless the officer shows to the contrary.
" Charges for team outside the mile circle, will be allowed for reason- able amounts, when they appear to be reasonably necessary.
" For the use of the city team, under the foregoing limitations, fifteen cents per mile one way will be allowed.
" Charges for aid must be presented to the Clerk, in the presence of the defendant, must be shown to have been necessary and reasonable in amount, and will not be allowed for aid rendered by persons who are practically complainants, without special order of the court.
"In case a warrant is served by a person other than the officer making the arrest, no fees for aid, travel or attendance, or as a witness, will be allowed such person making the arrest, or to any one for summoning him as a witness.
" Officers having a warrant with a subpæna therein, will be allowed travel for a subpæna only, except extra travel necessary to arrest de- fendant.
" When two or more complaints are made against the same person, only one warrant will be issued, except for good cause shown."
Another subsequent order also provides, " that when two wit- nesses are summoned to appear on a case, but one of them shall be allowed to draw a witness fee ;" thus cutting down the reve- nue for these fees, just one-half.
I have charged on warrants, this year, the fee allowed by the Statutes, for keeping prisoners, thereby making for the depart- ment a very creditable showing.
No one can deny, but what arrests can be made quicker, safer, and with much more decency, and with more respect to officer and prisoner, especially for drunkenness, or riot, when crowds always collect around the officer, or when any considerable dis- tance has to be traversed by the use of teams.
Although the law allows us in such cases to command the assist- ance of any one, or even hire teams from the stables, and pay the prices there charged, we have, so far as possible, obeyed the order of the court.
The whole number of warrants served by the officers (princi- pally by Assistant Marshals Taylor and Atkinson), has been three thousand one hundred and forty-one (3,141).
Number of lodgers provided with food and lodgings at the Central Station, during the year, is 3,808
At Station 2, 383
Total, 4,191
308
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES.
Accidents reported,
10
Burglaries reported,
3
Buildings found open,
530
Careless driving,
1
Disturbances suppressed,
86
Defective sidewalks reported,
31
Defective streets reported,
29
Dead bodies cared for,
4
Fire alarms given,
12
Fire extinguished without alarm,
15
Intoxicated persons sent home,
59
Injured persons cared for,
28
Lost children restored to friends,
73
Lights not burning at 9 o'clock p. m.,
1,118
Lights hung in dangerous places,
22
Nuisances reported,
11
Runaway horses reported,
58
Teams put up and cared for,
41
Value of stolen property recovered,
$3,500 00
Value of goods found exposed carelessly,
$154 00
Water running to waste,
12
A very large portion of this class of business is never reported by the officers performing the same, and consequently is not placed upon our records.
When changes occur in such rapid succession as in the man- agement of this department, perfect discipline has not, nor can- not be attained, and much that would stand to our credit, is necessarily omitted.
EXTRA DUTY.
The idea is sometimes advanced, that it would be better to have the men all confined to one relief, to go on duty at 6 or 7 o'clock p. m. and remain all night.
This theory is good, where but a limited number of men are required, and those requirements confined to night watching only ; the same as was practiced here twenty years ago, and which is now in operation in small cities and towns, where no other police duty is required or expected.
No city of the size of Worcester, but what must have a reserve force. The officer of to-day when he answers roll-call at the ex-
309
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
piration of his hours of duty, does not go home, and there remain until his next regular turn, but is called upon for a variety of duties ; among which are expected of them, and which is getting to be something of a nuisance, is an escort for everything, from armed bodies of militia to Sunday school pic-nics. No society or parade but what must be furnished with an escort. Whether this custom has been found necessary, either by giving character to the occasion, or for protection merely (especially when the aforesaid societies leave the city, and not unfrequently the State), is a question I believe not yet settled. Of this class of details, no record is made. Yet it calls for a very large number of men during the year.
The number of days of legitimate police duty (ex- tra) performed by the officers at Station 1, during the year, has been
1,224
Station 2, 324
Total,
1,548
In addition to this, the number of officers that have reported to Assistant Marshal Taylor to assist at fires has been 260.
We feel that an amount of good is done in this manner, not easily computed, and we trust that those succeeding us, will at- tend to this duty, as faithfully as we have. Having for several years been a member of this same fire department, I can appreciate well directed efforts of police upon these occasions.
Captain Taylor has won for himself much credit for the prompt and very efficient manner with which he has conducted police matters at every fire during the year. His untiring energy and gentlemanly conduct has induced more than an average atten- dance of officers, without making special details, as has hereto- fore been found necessary.
The results of this, we leave for the good order, and entire exemption from loss of property by thieves or pilferers, to show for themselves.
POLICE STATION NO. 2.
Situated on Lamartine street, nearly one mile from City Hall, was occupied by Sergeants John W. Hadley and Charles W.
310
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
Barker, with a detail of sixteen men from the Central Station, February 26, and was formally opened and dedicated on the eve- ning of the 28th, by His Honor the Mayor, and both branches of the City Council, together with invited guests to the number of 80. A general inspection of the building and appurtenances was had during the evening, giving everyone a chance to thorough- ly examine the lock-up or prison, sleeping rooms, recreation rooms and offices, after which the entire party accepted an invitation to the drill room in the third story, where a bountiful collation had been prepared, and all partook of the hospitalities of his Honor Mayor Hildreth, who welcomed the party in a spirited speech, which was followed by others, each of which congratulated the city upon this step taken, and trusting that it would prove the " opening wedge," which would secure to other parts of the city similar quarters, and to the rest of the department a station and facilities suitable for their business.
That this station has been a great benefit to the department, no one can deny, and its usefulness to the city will increase with its age. The building was not what should have been ; being built for an entirely different purpose, and not particularly well adapted for that, but this department being so long in need of something of this nature, was satisfied to put up with most any- thing in order to be accommodated at all, and have the experi- ment of more Station Houses inaugurated.
The Central Station has outgrown and outlived its usefulness, and I would recommend the turning of the Armory Building on Waldo street into a Police Station.
This building would give ample room for our business, besides furnishing good Court rooms, and all facilities which are now de- nied us. I would also recommend a sub-station at the North End, in the vicinity of Prescott street, and one at or near the corner of Grafton street and Bloomingdale road.
A place for the temporary confinement of prisoners was made at Lake Quinsigamond during the past season, which of itself, was of great benefit to that locality. It more than saved the cost of construction, as but one officer was required there, where two have been employed before. The property of this somewhat
311
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
famous resort has recently passed into the hands of H. H. Bige- low, Esq., who, I understand, intends to have a station there, that will not only be permanent, but be of corresponding value to this department.
In connection with and in addition to this subject, the need of an increase of the force again presents itself. This subject has so often been brought to the attention of preceding Councils, that the matter will probably be considered threadbare, and treated accordingly ; but that does not lessen the want, or satisfy those who are calling for police protection, day as well as night. We have in this city, as well as every other, a large class of law- less boys (yes, and men and women too), who are capable of making their neighborhoods a perfect pandemonium, not to say worse, and their talents in this direction are not allowed to lie dormant unless they are constantly under police surveillance.
As will be seen by this report, between fifteen and sixteen hundred days extra duty has been performed during the year, and a large portion of this time has been in patroling the outlying districts, where this crowd congregates, for the purpose of trespass, pilfering and doing all sorts of lawless acts, and more particularly on the Sabbath.
No time, during the Summer and Autumn, can a man within three, and I don't know but I might say five miles of the City Hall, have an orchard, garden, or even a flower-bed, and feel that he is not going to be robbed by this army of scamps, that make this the aim and object of their lives. If the man of the house is constantly at home, he is usually successful in defending his premises, but woe to the place when left in charge of the female portion of the household.
Elm Park is another location which should have the benefit of police. Too much time and money has been spent there to longer allow a lawless tribe to mutilate and destroy what has been done with so much care and taste. It is now a luxury, de- nied to none, to sit or walk among the fountains and flowers, and yet depredations are constantly being committed, that the city should take some pains to prevent. This park should have three - regular officers : one for day and two for night duty.
20
312
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
Other portions of the city which it may not be necessary here to designate, are peopled by a class that spend their energies in dissipation, if not crime, and as a matter of course, the constant presence of officers is required there.
The working, or patrol force of this city, should be one hun- dred men, and I believe were the question put to a popular vote, it would be in favor of this increase.
The present force consists of
One Marshal, Two Assistant Marshals,
One Captain, Two Sergeants,
Two Detectives (detailed as such),
Four Door, or office men (two for each station), Fifty-eight Patrolmen.
Any one can see the risk that is taken, in allowing this small number to cover so much territory. That we have been lucky the past year is beyond question, but that is no sign that we shall remain so. A glance at the daily papers of the present day is all that is needed to convince any one that trusting too much to luck is not a paying business.
I should recommend that some measure be adopted, either through a commission or other act of the Legislature, whereby the police department could be removed from political influence, and placed, at least, upon an equal footing with other departments of the city, and I will again repeat what I so urgently requested in 1879, that a committee on the part of the Board of Aldermen, be established. I know that it would result in corresponding benefit to the department and city.
HACKS AND JOB WAGONS.
This class of licenses should receive from the City Govern. ment that attention that their number now demands.
The Ordinance provides,
"That the Mayor and Aldermen may from time to time, at their dis- cretion, grant licenses upon such terms and to such persons as they may deem expedient, to set up, employ, or use hackney carriages for the
313
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
conveyance of persons for hire, from place to place within the City of Worcester, and may designate the public stand or stands for the same within said city, and no person shall set up, employ, or use such carriage for the purpose aforesaid without a license therefor as aforesaid.
" SECTION 5. No owner, driver, or other person, having charge of any hackney carriage shall stand or wait for employment with such carriage at any street, square, lane, court, or public place within said city, other than the stand assigned to such carriage by the Mayor and Aldermen, or by some person by them duly authorized."
Section 8, of the same chapter, treats all wagons, sleighs, or other vehicles for the conveyance of goods, merchandise, rubbish, &c., for hire within said city, in the same general manner, and pro- vides that stands shall be furnished them.
The business of Main and Front streets has assumed such pro- portions that it is not safe, and certainly it is not convenient for merchants to have their places of business barricaded from 12 to 16 hours out of the 24, by a line of hacks, job wagons, omni- buses, herdics and other vehicles not named, “ waiting for some- thing to turn up," neither is it pleasant or desirable for these two streets to be so thickly covered with these conveyances, dragging their slow lengths up and down, merely to keep mov- ing, and thereby save a prosecution for obstructing the street.
A few years since, at the request of some of our citizens, this subject was considered by the Mayor and Aldermen, and Salem Square was designated as a stand for job wagons.
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.