USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1885 > Part 25
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9. John Powers v. City of Worcester.
Action for injury by a fall on the sidewalk on Spruce street.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
10. John Barry v. City of Worcester.
Action to recover for gravel taken from plaintiff's gravel pit by the Highway Department. Trial at the present sitting of the court, and verdict for the defendant. The plaintiff has filed ex- ceptions.
11. Jesse Smith et al. v. City of Worcester.
Petition for damages by taking Tatnuck Brook.
12. Eveline P. Lyon et al. v. City of Worcester. Same as last.
13. Mary A. Olson v. City of Worcester.
Action for injury by a fall on the sidewalk on Washington street.
14. Mason H. Morse v. City of Worcester.
Petition for damages caused by widening Ward street.
15. Ann Hopkins et al. v. City of Worcester. Same.
16. Harvey M. Bancroft v. City of Worcester. Same.
17. Ellen O' Brien v. City of Worcester.
Same.
18. Ellen O' Callahan v. City of Worcester. Same.
19. Catharine Hanlon et al. v. City of Worcester. Same.
20. James E. Ware v. City of Worcester.
Petition for damages for taking Tatnuck Brook.
21. Sarah R. Andrews v. City of Worcester.
Petition for land damages caused by laying out Crystal street from Main street to B. & A. R. R.
22. Sylvia D. Gates v. City of Worcester. Same.
385
REPORT OF CITY SOLICITOR.
23. Edward D. Thayer v. City of Worcester.
Petition for damages caused by taking Tatnuck Brook.
24. Sylvester Smith v. City of Worcester. Same.
25. Sarah J. Baker v. City of Worcester.
Action for injury by a fall on Providence street.
26. John Doyle v. City of Worcester.
Petition for land damages caused by extending John street from North Ashland to West street.
27. Patrick Doyle v. City of Worcester.
Action for an injury by a fall on the sidewalk on Washington square.
28. Charles J. Pickford v. City of Worcester.
Petition for damages caused by taking Tatnuck Brook.
29. Jeremiah Hennessy v. City of Worcester.
Action for entering on plaintiff's land and removing water pipe ; upon the change in the location of Gage street.
30. Patrick D. Sullivan v. City of Worcester.
Petition for land damages caused by extending John street from North Ashland to West street.
31. Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Co. v. City of Worcester.
Petition for damages for taking Tatnuck Brook.
32. Chas. H. McGourty v. City of Worcester. Action for an injury by a fall on Belmont street.
33. Josephine Burrows v. City of Worcester. Action for injury by a fall on Washington street.
34. O. B. Hadwen v. City of Worcester. Petition for damages for taking Tatnuck Brook.
A suit is still pending in the United States Circuit Court for this district, by Jeremiah Driscoll et al. v. City of Worcester ; a
386
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
bill in equity for infringing an alleged patent for laying cement pavement in sections. The evidence is not all taken.
There is on the files of the County Commissioners a petition by the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Co. v. City of Worces- ter, for an assessment of damages caused by taking and appro- priating Mill Brook for drainage, and by the constructing of drains and sewers which discharge into said Mill Brook sewer, and thence into the river above the petitioners' premises. This petition was filed May 12, 1873, and no order of notice has ever been taken out, and the City has never appeared. The petition was evidently filed with a view to save any rights the company might have to recover in this form damages for the pollution of its mill-pond by the sewerage. It is probable that the whole stream having since the petition was filed been diverted away from said mill-pond, by the location of the sewer through Mill- bury street, this claim has been suffered to lie unnoticed as being no longer important. No claim has ever been filed for damages occasioned to that company by diverting the waters of Mill Brook.
FRANK P. GOULDING,
City Solicitor.
REPORT OF THE CITY MARSHAL.
CITY MARSHAL'S OFFICE, WORCESTER, MASS., Nov. 30, 1885.
To His Honor the Mayor,
And City Council of the City of Worcester.
GENTLEMEN :-
In obedience to the requirements of the City Ordinance and the practice of former years, I have the honor of presenting for your consideration the doings and general condition of the Police Department for the financial year ending November 30, 1885, together with such remarks and suggestions as to me seem proper for maintaining and improving the same.
The whole number of arrests for the year has been 3,008.
Number of Males,
2,766 | Number of Adults, 2,611
66 " Females, 242
66 Minors, 397
" Americans, 1,441
" Residents, 2,127
66 " Foreigners, 1,567 66
" Non-residents, 881
Total number committed to the House of Correction and other institutions, 1,350.
Whole number of complaints made against arrested parties, 3,008, as follows, viz .: -
Assault and battery, 125 Contempt of court, 3
Common nuisance,
1
Assault on female child,
1
Drunkenness.
1,842
Assault with weapon,
3 Drunkenness, 2d offense,
183
Adultery,
10 Drunkenness, 3d offense, 73
Attempt to burn building,
1 Delivered on bail bond,
3
Bastardy,
9 Disturbing the peace,
89
Breaking and entering,
45
Driving away team,
19
Breaking glass,
12
Defrauding boarding-house,
6
Burglary,
1
Disturbing public meeting,
3
Common drunkard,
44
Disturbing public school,
1
Cruelty to animals,
2 Disorderly house,
2
Embezzlement,
6
Concealing mortgaged property, 2 Capias,
8 Escaped Prisoner,
1
1
Assault on officers,
10
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
Evading railroad fare,
1 Reckless driving,
False pretence,
3 Robbery,
Fornication,
39 Railer and brawler,
Forgery,
2 Refusing to pay hack fare,
2
Gaming on Sunday,
20 Run away from home,
9
Giving false fire-alarm,
1 Stubborn and disobedient,
13
Indecent exposure of person,
3 Suspicion, Shoplifter, 1
3
Illegal use of team,
1 Selling liquor to minors,
3
Idle and disorderly,
1 Selling leased property,
2
Indecent assault,
2
Selling oleomargerine without label,
3
Larceny,
134
Truants,
24
Lewdness,
4
Threatening,
5
Malicious mischief,
2 Uttering obscene literature,
1
Neglect to support family,
13
Violation of the liquor law,
48
Nightwalker,
7
Violation of the City Ordi- nances, 62
Polygamy, Receiving stolen goods,
1
Vagrancy, 30
Walking on the railroad track, 19 1
The expenses of the Department for the year have been seventy-seven thousand five hundred and forty three dollars and twenty cents ($77,543.20).
To wit :-
Pay-roll of Patrolmen,
$66,424 75
Salary of Marshals and assistants,
4,400 00
" Captain,
1,200 00
" Sergeants,
2,000 00
66
" Probation officer,
400 00
Paid for Cloth, buttons and badges,
757 50
66 Board and care of two horses,
600 00
Carriage hire,
5 55
66
Repairing harnesses,
2 35
One new sleigh and repairing carriages,
174 25
Traveling expenses,
2 60
Blacksmithing,
36 76
66 Washing linen,
40 85
Brooms, lamps, matches, etc.,
91 20
Blank-books, stationery and stamps,
53 16
66 New furniture and repairing old,
311 09
66 Rent of two telephones,
21 00
Crackers for prisoners and lodgers,
145 38
Photographing prisoners,
13 50
Expressing and telegraphing,
17 49
Printing,
82 34
Ice,
26 79
I 3
4
Interfering with officer,
Insane,
27
Peddling without license,
8
389
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
Paid for Disinfectant powder,
34 00
New handcuffs and repairing old,
17 75
66 Repairs at Station 2,
111 18
Coal and wood at Station 2,
224 66
6. Removing asbes
7 00
66 New furniture 66
5 14
66
Insurance on horses and carriages,
25 00
Witnesses' fees,
3 60
66
Repairs,
9 55
Advertising,
11 00
66
Wire guard,
91 56
New Hose,
7 50
Transportation for officers to Blackstone,
31 20
Special police July 4,
157 50
. Total,
$77,543 20
The earnings of this Department for the present year have been as follows :-
Court fees,
$6,845 17
Use of city team, Cloth sold, .
673 92
Extra service of police,
362 75
Keeping prisoners,
1,019 10
Transportation of officers to Blackstone and return,
31 20
Service for officers at Blackstone,
65 00
Use of lock-up,
393 50
Total,
$9,912 54
Making the net cost of the Department for the present year $67,630.66.
As a final result of the finances, I have turned over to the Sinking Fund an unexpended balance of $369.34.
The miscellaneous duties performed by the police during the year are of no small importance, and will show that the officers have been faithful to the trust reposed in them. A large portion of this class of business is never reported by the officers performing the same, and consequently is not placed upon our records. The following is but a portion of the duties they have attended to under this head, and this includes only those cases where arrests have not followed :-
Accidents reported, Burglars reported, Buildings found open,
12
4
637
521 90
390
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
Careless driving,
3
Disturbances suppressed,
54
Defective sidewalks reported,
35
Defective streets reported,
39
Fire-alarms given,
15
Fires extinguished without alarm,
14
Intoxicated persons sent home,
84
Injured persons cared for,
97
Lost children restored to their parents,
75
Lights not burning at 9 P. M.,
1,130
Lights hung in dangerous places,
10
Nuisances reported,
6
Number of officers as witnesses at the Central District Court, 2,797
Number of street notices served by the assistant marshals,
619
Runaway horses reported,
34
Runaway horses stopped,
14
Teams put up and cared for,
83
Value of stolen property recovered,
$4,665.00
Value of goods exposed carelessly,
$745.00
Water running to waste,
10
The number of days of legitimate police duty (extra) performed by the officers at Station 1 during the year has been 1,240; and at Station 2, 350. Total, 1,590.
In addition to this the number of officers who have reported to Assistant Marshal Churchill to assist at fires has been 235.
TRAMPS.
The tramp, or lodger, seems to be on the increase. It makes but little difference to them whether business is good or bad, for they are like the wild goose, they go north in the summer and sleep in the open air, but on the approach of cold weather make their appearance at the police station for lodging. We have taken care of 7,215 this year, against 5,925 last year, and an increase of 3,024 from what we cared for in 1883. Why this nuisance should keep increasing every year I am unable to state.
Cared for at the Central Station,
4,393
Cared for at Station 2,
2,822
Males,
7,187
Females,
28
Americans,
3,609
Foreigners,
3,606
Adults,
6,006
Minors,
1,209
391
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
LIQUOR PROSECUTIONS.
One of the most important questions that comes before the Police Department is how to manage and control the sale of intoxicating liquors. Many of the licensed liquor dealers live in rooms adjoining their bar-rooms, and in that way avoid the Sun- day law. Sunday in particular seems to be the business-day for some of the liquor venders, and it is a very difficult matter to procure evidence for their conviction, as their doors are kept constantly fastened and a spotter placed on the outside of the building, and when an officer makes his appearance on the street the parties inside are notified. And when they are spoken to in regard to the number of men seen going in and coming out of their door on Sundays, their plea is that they are friends and relatives of the family making friendly or social calls, or that they came from some other tenement or from parties who live in the same building.
I would recommend that no place be granted a license whose bar-room and dwelling-house are under the same roof, or to any person who has not proper respect for the observance of the Lord's day. This would weed out those unscrupulous parties who close up their bar-rooms and carry on their business in the rear rooms, and, through the agency of spotters, make their homes and fam- ilies a disgrace to the neighborhoods in which they live. And it seems to me that the revenue derived from liquor licenses should be applied to the department having the charge of the business, and I would recommend that in Worcester, as in other large cities, officers be appointed to have full charge of the busi- ness and be held responsible for the faithful performance of the requirements of the license. They can do it effectually where the patrolmen cannot. While these unscrupulous parties defy the law, they are shocked if detectives are mentioned as a means of trapping them. If those who are licensed to sell liquors live within the bounds of the law, they have nothing to fear any more than other law-abiding citizens. The majority of the people who sell liquor without a license in this city are women, who are gen- erally more depraved than men, and when they are caught, their
392
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
plea is that they have a large family of children to support, and that they are not able to work. And I have seen them bring their children into court in order to touch the tender emotions of sympathetic judges. The difficulty of procuring evidence suffi- cient to convict, together with the uncertainty of juries, is such as few persons unacquainted with the business are aware of. Prosecutions have been made of all persons known to be engaged in the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors, where sufficient evi- dence could be had to sustain an indictment. I am frequently in receipt of anonymous letters calling attention to alleged viola- tions of the liquor law, but, unfortunately, from the nature of such communications, I am unable to avail myself of the testi- mony my informants desire me to possess, which in many cases would prove valuable, and, connected with facts within my knowledge, would aid me materially in the prosecution of such cases. I desire to do my duty in this as in other violations of the criminal law, and invite any information concerning this class of complaints that may come to the attention of citizens, but would request as a favor that they will grant me a personal inter- view, in order that I may obtain all the necessary facts that are required in a court of law. The enforcement of the liquor law has received the attention of the officers as far as they were able, in conjunction with their other numerous duties, to enforce it. The violations of this law are no doubt frequent, but, like many other crimes against morality, are of such a secret nature that it is difficult to obtain evidence sufficiently strong and clear to convict. It would be useless for me to attempt to detail the obstacles that are met with in the effort to secure evidence in these cases. I can only say that prosecutions have been made against all violators of this law where there has been any chance of conviction.
DETECTIVE BUSINESS.
The detective business has been carefully attended to by Detectives O'Day and Colby, and I can safely say that these officers have faithfully performed their duties for the past year.
393
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
There is one feature in connection with the detective service which I feel it my duty to call to your notice. The detectives have shown by their good work the advantages arising from having their branch of the service under good control and its duties fol- lowed up. And in recognition of their valuable services their salary has been raised in commensuration to their worth. I am of the opinion that the city will be the gainer by establishing the salary of the detectives in accordance with the responsibility of the position. To have effective service from our detectives, men should be selected who have experience, energy and integrity, and these are qualifications difficult to obtain for a small salary. In my judgment, it is not a wise economy to pay small salaries to men engaged in detective business.
The amount of stolen property recovered (principally by Detectives O'Day and Colby), has amounted to $4,665.00 ; more than half of this amount was stolen in other places and recovered here. This does not by any means represent the total amount of stolen property restored through the agency of the detectives, as considerable is located in pawnshops and other places, and the owners notified, who recover their property without our receiving receipts for the same.
POLICE PATROL WAGON.
The experience of another year convinces me that I cannot too strongly recommend to your honorable body the necessity of introducing the police patrol wagon system as, an auxilliary to our patrol force. The large territory covered by some of the patrolmen is from one to two and a half miles from the station- house ; in case a drunken or disorderly person is arrested, the officer will be obliged to haul and in many cases fight his prisoner the entire distance, causing excitement and gathering of a large crowd on the way, and often arriving at the station-house in an exhausted condition (and probably a broken head). His beat being uncovered from one to two hours, gives thieves and others so inclined an opportunity to commit crime during his absence. In case the system was established, the officer could call for
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
assistance, the wagon would arrive in a few minutes, the prisoner would be quietly transferred to the station-house, thus avoiding excitement and the necessity of the officer leaving his beat. The officer would not be required to perform the degrading duty of propelling a drunken man or woman through the streets to a police-station, with a crowd of hoodlums from a hundred to a thousand following him along. I am confident that if adopted the increased efficiency, promptness and better protection for the city will more than compensate the citizens for the out- lay. Every officer on street duty could be required to report himself by telephone through certain signal boxes to his station every hour, or oftener if necessary, during his tour of duty, and receive orders, if there are any, thus keeping him to a strict dis- charge of his duty, and constantly under the supervision of his superior officers at the station. In Chicago and other large cities which adopted the system some years ago and have had a thor- ough test of its merits, it is estimated that each wagon is of as much assistance to the force as an increase of fifteen patrolmen. The rapid growth of the suburbs of our city calls for measures to meet the demands for police protection, and I see no way to meet it as feasible as the patrol and telephone system.
IN MEMORIAM.
During the past year the Department has lost by death an old and esteemed comrade, James A. Herbert, who died March 2d. Mr. Herbert had been connected with the force for a num- ber of years, and was a general favorite in the Department, as also the public with whom he came in contact. His death was a great loss to the Department and to the city, for the city must ever suffer when she loses the services of a faithful and trusted servant. As a last tribute of respect to a brother officer, the whole Department attended his funeral.
NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
On the 30th of November, 1885, the Police Department moved its general offices from the basement of the City Hall to
395
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
the Armory building on Waldo street. The Central District Court was moved at the same time, and the Court and Police Department are accommodated with ample rooms which are con- venient, clean, and healthful. The structure is of brick, three stories in height with basement. It has sufficient sleeping ac- commodations for fifteen or twenty officers, should it be required to provide for that number. There are two cell-rooms contain- ing nineteen cells besides two lodging-rooms for males and fe- males. The offices for the two departments are each commodi- ous and fairly lighted, and every room in the building is heated by steam and thoroughly ventilated. The Police Department, being so long in need of something of this nature, was satisfied to put up with most anything in order to be accommodated at all, for the basement under the City Hall, for a central station, had outgrown and outlived its usefulness.
The officers have generally, with few exceptions, conducted themselves in a gentlemanly manner and performed their duties intelligently, energetically, patiently, and discreetly. The actual number of arrests and convictions can be ascertained, but the number of crimes prevented by the presence of the officers can- not be ever estimated. It affords me great pleasure to be able to report that there have been less arrests during the past year than in 1884. For the efficiency of the Police Department, I will refer you to the good order, peace and quietness that has pre- vailed in our city during the past year. While I believe that a faith- ful police officer's employment should be reasonably permanent, yet when it becomes evident that an officer has lost all interest in the business, a departure from this rule is justifiable. A police force is not organized solely for the purpose of punishing crime or to see how much money they can put into the city treasury as fees for their services in attending courts, but by their presence, counsel, and advice prevent the committing of crime.
During the past year the patrolmen found and reported 637 stores carelessly left open. I would urge that more care be exer- cised by the citizens in securing every point of ingress and egress to their stores and dwellings, so that the Police Department will
26
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
not be compelled to bear any more responsibility than what rightfully belongs to them.
I desire to express my thanks to the officers for their courtesy and promptness in the performance of their duties, however arduous or disagreeable they may have been. Our thanks are due to Simon E. Combs, Chief of the Fire Department, and to his assistants ; to Capt. Hiram R. Williamson, of the Fire Patrol, and members of the fire department for favors received and courtesies rendered. To the Justice of Central District Court and the genial clerk of the same, I am indebted for their sup- port and friendly advice. I also extend my thanks to his Honor Mayor Reed for valuable counsel and for his untiring efforts to promote the welfare and efficiency of the Police Department.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
AMOS ATKINSON,
City Marshal.
REPORT OF PROBATION OFFICER.
WORCESTER, MASS., Nov. 30, 1885.
To His Honor the Mayor,
And City Council of the City of Worcester.
GENTLEMEN :
I have the honor to submit to you a brief summary of my work as Probation Officer of the City of Worcester for the year ending November 30, 1885 :-
Number of persons taken on probation during the year, 112
66 66 from the Central District
Court, 90
Number of persons taken on probation from the Worcester County jail,
20
Number of persons taken on probation from the Fitchburg jail, 2
Nature of the offences in cases disposed of :-
Drunkenness, first offence, 66 second offence,
10
66 third offence,
7
Common drunkards,
7
Assault on officer,
1
Assault and battery,
2
Larceny,
7 1
Violation of the liquor law, 66 city ordinance,
10
Fraud,
1
Sex, nativity, etc., in cases dispose of :-
Males,
106
Females,
6
Americans,
49
Foreigners,
63
66
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
Many persons who unfortunately get into our courts for the first offence, and especially the young in crime, I hold with the view that it is better to save if possible than to punish. If we can discover any indications of a desire to reform, and there is a chance that they will lead a better life if given the opportunity, I so report to the court, and if the offence will permit, the court will suspend sentence for one month and put them under the officer's care. If they do well, they are treated with more len- iency than they would have been had sentence been given on the day of trial. They are often discharged by paying the costs of the court and in some instances without paying the costs. It is true some have been put on probation that are incor- rigible on account of their being lazy or vicious, and will not turn from their bad habits, but I soon decide in their cases and surrender them to the court for sentence. This last class I am glad to state is a small per cent. compared with those im- proved or entirely reformed, and, while I know it is impossible to expect to have all that are put on probation turned into the paths of reformation, yet the average in this direction the past year is very gratifying and I feel that I have much to be thank- ful for. I have tried to do my whole duty in each and every case that has come under my charge, and my first step has always been, when criminals (no matter how low in crime) are put on probation and under my care, to show them that I feel an interest in their behalf, and I have given them all the encour- agement I can, and if they try to do right they shall suffer no wrong through any act of mine. A kindly admonition in such cases will be likely to cause the unfortunate to realize that some one has an interest in them, and they have in many instances under this treatment gone to work, discarded their pre- vious idleness, and the reform in their cases has been good.
While in my position as Probation Officer in this city for the past two years, I have had ample opportunity for observation ; and with regard to intemperance I find it the main evil with which to contend. To this end I require every person in my care to take the pledge, and in many instances it is gratifying to observe the results of this work, for we know temperance is an
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