USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1891-1900 > Part 9
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I IO
Geo. R. Estabrook, grate,
I 60
1,643 62
Town Houses.
Chas. W. Hastings, supplies, $ 8 38
W. C. Campbell, janitor town hall, 6
42 00
schools, 56 00
Seth Ingell,
town hall,
47 53
schools,
35 06
A. K. Fuller, supplies,
5 81
$194 78
Appropriation,
REPAIRS TOWN BUILDINGS .- Almshouse.
Springfield Lumber Co.,
$94 80
Seth Ingel, labor, 49 88
C. J. Blackstone, nails,
5 00
Geo. E. Arnold, painting stock,
104 20
Mrs. M. L. Raith, lumber,
4 48
$258 36
67 72
44
Town Halls.
Joseplı V. Wolcott, repairs to Aga- wam, $22 31
James Martin, repairing steps, 47 91
C. E. Hitchcock & Co., lumber, 8 92
H. C. Earl, painting and stock,
9 47
D. L. White, grading,
II. 00
W. C. Campbell, repairs,
I 50
John M. Guy, repairing,
3 65
C. J. Blackstone, door spring,
4 35
J. C. Jones & Co., glass,
I 52
T. M. Walker & Co., glass, etc.,
3 88
E. L. Covill, setting up railing,
1 00
Seth Ingell, repairs, 6 55
$122 08
Total repairs, 380 44 Appropriation, 300 00
Public Library.
Springfield Printing and Binding Co., binding, $3 00
W. F. Adams Co., books, III 08
F. K. Williams & Co., printing,
41 00
J. W. Hastings, book,
3 50
F. H. Lincoln, books,
5 00
W. C. Campbell, janitor,
10 00
173 58
Appropriation dog fund, $200 27
Ain't unexpended March 20, 1893,
5 42
Income of Mary A. Phelon fund,
10 00
215 69
Ain't unexpended March 15, 1894,
42 II
State Aid.
Wmn. W. Hitchcock,
$48 00
Eunice Billings, 48 00
96 00
Appropriation,
100 00
45
Memorial Day.
Cash paid Geo. D. Fisk, $35 00
35 00
Appropriation,
35 00
Safe.
E. C. Morris Co., safe, $345 00
345 00
Appropriation,
200 00
Contingent.
James F. Barry, services as select- man,
$135 30
James F. Barry, services as assessor, 28 50
Edwin Leonard, 2d, services as se- lectman, 112 06
Edwin Leonard, 2d, services as as- sessor, 27 00
Willis C. Campbell, services as se- lectman,
I34 46
Willis C. Campbell, services as as- sessor, 35 00
Alson W. Allen, services as select- man, 10 00
James M. Bean, services as police officer, 300 00
Dr. Judson W. Hastings, services as town clerk and treasurer, 175 00
Dr. Judson W. Hastings, postage and express, 13 15
Joseph V. Wolcott, services as reg- istrar of voters, 20 00
R. Mather Taylor, services as reg- istrar of voters, 20 00
Geo. H. Huntington, services as registrar of voters, 20 00
Dr. J. W. Hastings, services as reg- istrar of voters, 23 00
Seth N. Bennett, services as au- ditor, 5 00
46
Frank L. Johnson, services as au- ditor, $5 00
Henry A. Huntington, services as ballot clerk, 5 00
Elmer E. McIntire, services as ballot clerk, 5 00
Monroe Haywood, services as ballot clerk, 2 50
James J. Carroll, services as ballot clerk, 2 50
James W. Moore, services as mod- erator, 5 00
James W. Moore, services as sealer of weights and measures, 5 00
Edwin Leonard, services as in- spector of cattle, 37 50
William H. Porter, services as in- spector of cattle, 3 33
Chas. L. Long, legal services, 63 06
A. W. Allen, suppers for town offi- cers, 2 00
Springfield Printing and Binding Co., printing, 7 75
F. K. Williams & Co., printing, 106 50
D. A. Toomey, returns of deaths, 1892, 1893, 4 75
H. Knox, photographs,
6 00
Jas. D. Gill, assessors' and collect- ors' books, IO 50
Jas. F. Barry, recording highway petition, 3 00
Jas. M. Bean, expenses for making arrests, 5 00
Jas. W. Moore, surveying school lot,
3 00
Chas. W. Hastings, insurance Mit- tineague school house, 30 00
E. E. McCann, officers' fees, IO 43
E. McIntire, officers' fees, 2 14
Jacob Diegel, officers' fees, 5 08
47
W. C. Campbell, officers' fees, $ 4 00
W. G. Morse, repairs on carriage, 12 00
Dennis O'Brien, putting out forest fires, 68
John Buckley, putting out forest fires, 60
C. L. Goodhue, water rent, 50 00
The Graphic Publishing Co., print- ing, 7 00
C. W. Hastings, envelopes, paper, ink, etc., 12 84
Jas. F. Barry, dinners for witnesses Hanks case, 5 25
E. C. Robinson, carrying legislative committee, 9 00
Jas. F. Barry, expenses, hearings of legislative committee, 15 21
E. R. Hanks, execution horse case, 181 64
Dr. U. H. Flagg, return of births, 2 75
Dr. A. J. Riopelle, "
I 75
Dr. J. W. Hastings, “ 4 25
"
Dr. J.W. Hastings, recording, index- ing and returning to Secretary of State births, marriages and deaths, 39 50
Win. H. Porter, forest fire warden, 4 30
Edwin Leonard, services school committee, 35 00
H. L. Tower, services school com- mittee, 42 50
E. L. Thompson, services school committee,
92 50
A. K. Fuller, justices' fees, 3 00
W. C. Campbell, copying valuation book, 10 00
W. C. Campbell, traveling expenses legislative hearing, 3 50
A. K. Fuller, dinners for election officers, 5 23
48
J. B. Brouse, truant officer, $2 00 J. H. Churchill, services South End bridge hearing, 5 00
$1,937 94
Appropriation, Interest.
Springfield Institution for Savings, $1,624 18 Appropriation,
Liabilities.
3 6-10 per cent. note to Springfield Institution for Savings, due May 1, 1895, $10,120 00
4 per cent. note to Springfield In- stitution for Savings, due on demand, 25,333 33
4 per cent. note to Springfield In- stitution for Savings, due on demand, 4,053 32
6 per cent. note to Desire A. Pyne, due on demand, 2,129 50
$41,636 15
Assets.
Due from P. T. Donovan, collector for 1889, $32 96
Due from Leon Dubour, collector for 1890, 58 17
Due from F. J. Pomeroy, collector for 1891, 15 72
Due from Ethan D. Allen, collector for 1892, 6 60
Due from Edwin Moore, collector for 1892, 109 86
Due from Amos Gosselin, collector for 1892, 26 32
Due from Lewis A. Barden, collector for 1893, 1,351 19
Due from Edw. M. Wright, collector for 1893, 476 52
49
Due from Amos Gosselin, collector for 1893, $751 54
Due from West Springfield, bridge account, 38 78
Due from Russell, care of paupers, 49 40
Due from State, for State aid,
24 00
Value of town farm, stock and sup- plies, 2,100 00
Value of road inachine and tools, 375 00
Cash in treasury, 20 52
$5,436 58
Excess of liabilities over assets, 36,199 57
JAMES F. BARRY, E. LEONARD, 2d,
Selectinen of
WILLIS C. CAMPBELL, ) Agawaın.
Estimated Appropriations.
Recommended for the ensuing year.
Schools,
$5,500 00
Highways and bridges,
2,000 00
County commissioners' order for working River Road,
2,000 00
Support of poor,
2,000 00
Contingencies,
1,600 00
State aid,
100 00
Interest,
1,900 00
Collectors of taxes,
300 00
Discount,
750 00
Town debt,
1,500 00
Town Hall accounts,
150 00
Repairs town buildings,
200 00
Memorial Day,
35 00
Street lights,
150 00
$18,185 00
Report of the Library Trustees. Whole number of books in library, March 21, 1893, 980
Added by gift of the State, 8
50
Added by gift of W. H. Granger and others, 13
Added by purchase, 106
Whole number in library, March 15, 1894, 1,107
Number of book borrowers :
Agawam,
159
Feeding Hills,
I54
Mittineague,
52
365
Circulation :
Agawam,
1,708
Feeding Hills,
1,230
Mittineague,
390
3,328
In June, 1893, Mrs. Mary A. Phelon of Feeding Hills gave to the trustees five hundred dollars ($500), the in- come of which to be used yearly in purchasing books for the special benefit of the Feeding Hills branch of the library.
The library is open at Agawam and Feeding Hills on Fridays from 3 to 5 p. m. ; at Mittineague every Mon- day evening.
WM. H. PORTER, - JUDSON W. HASTINGS, Trustees. HENRY L. TOWER,
Report of Superintendent of Streets.
To the Board of Selectmen and the Taxpayers of Aga- wam .
In making out my report I will not attempt to give you many figures ; will simply refer you to the general report.
April 25, we started two scrapers with eight horses and six inen at an expense of $22 per day, covering about seventy miles in fifteen days, at a cost of $4.71 per mile.
The next in order was the bridge at Whitman's cor- ner, costing nearly $200. Out of this amount some tools were bought which the town now own.
From there we went to Mittineague and extended the inain sewer 116 feet, at a cost of $70, finishing June 30. Nothing more was done until July 31. At that date we comninenced going over the roads, cutting brush, build. ing bridges, drawing gravel and fixing them in a gen- eral way.
One of the first things this spring should be to erect nearly a mile of railing, a new bridge at the woolen mill and there are several others that need attention.
It was our aim to keep within the appropriation and should have done so had not some other bills come in that we knew nothing about, and the failure of the town in providing enough to pay for the planking of the South End bridge.
E. A. KELLOGG,
Superintendent of Streets.
AGAWAM, MASS. School Report,
1893-94.
School Report, 1893-94.
In presenting the report for the year, attention is called to the fact that the school year has covered thirty-two weeks instead of thirty-three as heretofore. This is due to lack of funds. Your Committee not deeming it wise in the present financial condition of the town, to largely overrun the appropriation.
It may not be amiss to state here, that while Agawain has an enrollment of upwards of one hundred pupils in excess of the neighboring towns of Granville and South- wick, the amount appropriated here for schools is $1,200 less than the combined appropriation of these towns.
Our general expenses have been increased by the ne- cessity of supplying new geographies throughout the town at an expense of about $150.
It has also been necessary to employ an assistant for the Feeding Hills Grammar School.
We often hear expressions of dissatisfaction from parents because of the frequent closing of the schools for a day, and would venture to suggest that legal holidays are ap- pointed by the state and not by committee or superintend- ent and at the same time would urge in this connection the importance of greater care to insure greater regularity of attendance when schools are in session.
While it is undoubtedly true that some cases of ab- sence and tardiness are unavoidable it remains an unde- niable fact that many parents do not hesitate to keep
4
their children from school for several days to assist in the pressure of work, or for more trivial reasons.
Until there is a decided change in this direction the best results cannot be hoped for. We have been fortunate in having during the year, no serious epidemic prevailing to decrease our average attendance, which has been above that of last year.
The exact wording of the law in regard to compulsory attendance of pupils is often called in question; parents and all interested are respectfully recommended to read carefully sect. Ist chap. 42 of Pub. Stat.
"Every child must be in school for at least thirty weeks in the year (if the schools are kept so long) from the time he is eight until he reaches the age of fourteen years."
At the beginning of the year, your committee voted to appoint one of their number as a Purchasing Agent to ob- tain supplies for the schools of the town at wholesale rates.
This has proved a satisfactory arrangement, by which upwards of $50.00 has been saved in the purchase of text books, etc.
The furnishing of all supplies of whatever kind, is done by the committee through this agent and never by the superintendent.
The necessity of providing better school room accom- modations at Mittineague and Feeding Hills forces itself upon our attention and must be met in the near future. Further details in regard to this will be found in the su- perintendents report.
Something should be done at once to improve the con- dition of the grounds around the Agawam West St. school house in order to give the children a suitable play yard and avoid the necessity now seeming to exist, of trespass- ing on adjacent lots.
5
In closing we take great pleasure in giving our hearty commendation to the work and methods of our superin- tendent.
We believe that in Mr. Wheeler, we have secured a faithful and conscientious man for the place.
His work during his first year was necessarily largely preliminary and we could not expect to see inarked results for good, but during this year, under his judicious man- agement, the schools have very generally improved.
The unity of action and effort among the teachers which has been secured, shows itself to the advantage of the schools and has enabled the teacher to benefit the pu- pils in a way that could not have been possible without his supervision.
No committee can do the work of a good superintend- ent.
Much credit is due the teachers, who have, as a rule co- operated with all efforts to improve the schools under their charge, and have faithfully performed the duties in- cumbent upon them,
The report of the superintendent should be carefully studied by the parents and all interested in having our schools in the best possible condition.
Legal holidays when schools have been closed during the year. Fast Day, Labor Day, Arbor Day, Memorial Day Thanksgiving, Christmas and Washington's Birth Day.
School Committee
E. L. THOMPSON, EDWIN LEONARD, H. L. TOWER.
6
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee, Agawam, Mass.,
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor of submitting here- with my second report as superintendent of your schools.
In my report last year, I specified somewhat in detail the lines along which I was attempting to work, namely. in visiting schools, holding teachers' meetings and out_ lining work for the teachers. During the past year I have been following the same lines of work and in some respects the results have been more satisfactory. Especially is this true in regard to
TEACHER'S MEETINGS.
A great deal of interest has been shown by the com- mittee and teachers in these meetings and I feel that the success of the same has, in a large measure, depended upon this interest. As a rule the teachers have always been ready to assist in these meetings by class exercises and carefully prepared papers. These exercises and papers without exception, reflected great credit upon the teachers presenting them.
During the Spring and Fall terms the meetings were held evenings, but during the Winter term, on account of the cold weather and bad traveling, it was thought best to have them in the afternoon. As a result, three half days of school time has been given to this work. I am informed that because I have used this small amount of time for teachers' meetings, much criticism has been made by inany well meaning people. I do not wonder at this for two reasons; first, the school year is so short that it
7
would seem as though the children ought to be kept in school every day if possible ; second, and perhaps the prin- ciple cause for criticism lies in the fact that the people are practically ignorant as to the importance and value o these meetings. If they would make it a practice to drop into these meetings to find out what we did and judge for themselves as to their value, I am sure such people would waive all objections to the little time we have used for them. The meetings are all public and we cordially invite everybody to attend.
I feel that a word in this connection, is due to the coin. mittee for their special efforts to secure a full attendance of the teachers and to make the meetings interesting and profitable. Gentlemen, I have appreciated your interest and presence in these meetings, and I am sure the teachers are not unmindful of the fact that you have provided thein with free transportation, free to themselves and the town.
TEACHERS.
Since writing my last report the following teachers have left our service :
Edith R. Annis, Riverside; Grace Bennett, South ; Eleanor P. Tucker, West St., Agawam; L. May Hunt- ley, West St., Feeding Hills; Florence R. Vernol, Primary, Feeding Hills; Nina M. Marslı, Grammar, Feeding Hills; Ellen M. Nash, West St., Agawam ; Mary E. Clark, Grammar, Agawam.
We have called into service during the year the fol- lowing :
Jennie S. Thomson, South; Alicia T. Powell, Riverside; Ellen M. Nash, West St., Agawam; Marie West, West St., Agawam; Ada Hays, West St., Feeding Hills ; Lottie B. Strong, Primary, Feeding Hills; Alice E.
8
Powers, Grammar, Feeding Hills; William R. Purple, Grammar, Agawam.
Besides the changes and appointments above noted, leave of absence was granted Miss Alice Durant, Mit- tineague, No. 3, for the winter term, and Mrs. Harper substituted in her absence. Also Miss Demond was en- gaged to assist part of the time each day in the gram- mar school at Feeding Hills.
Notwithstanding the fact that among those who resigned during the year were some of our best teachers, I am pleased to testify to the general efficiency of our present teaching force. The committee, I think, tried to fill all vacancies with first-class teachers, and the re- sult is that, at the same salary, it would be difficult to find a better corps of teachers than we now have. Of course, considering our short school year, and the small salary paid to most of our teachers, it is not to be ex- pected that we can long retain some of our best teachers. This fact has been especially evident during the past year, as in this time several of our leading teachers have been called to take charge of homes or of schools at an increased salary. If the school year could be made longer teachers would be more willing to remain in our schools.
It seems to me, however, that the first and most im- portant duty of those having the schools in charge is to secure the very best teachers possible. The school life of the children is very brief at the most, and for that reason it is of the greatest importance to have thoroughly equipped schools. Again, it is of the highest economy to have good teachers-teachers who have made special preparation for their work. It is not to be expected that every Normal graduate will make a first-class
9
teacher, but it is reasonable to suppose that any teacher can do better work by first securing an education suf- ficiently broad for a good foundation, and then securing special training in methods.
" The teacher is more than a time-server or simple wage-earner. She has it in her power to benefit or in- jure the minds and souls of our children. Is it asking too much of a candidate for such a position that she shall have devoted some time and special effort to prepare herself for such a duty, and that she shall devote her best energy to the performance of the work she has undertaken ? "
" Knowledge of the branches to be taught and the ability to train children in the acquirement of knowl- edge are indeed requisites of the good teacher, but a knowledge of child nature and an ability to develop it along lines which lead to perfect manhood and woman- hood are of far greater importance."
SCHOOL WORK.
Formerly the three "Rs" were all that was consid- ered necessary to be taught in our common schools. Accordingly, they were taught from the beginning to the end of the school course, and as nothing else of im- portance was attempted, quite a degree of proficiency was acquired in these branches. Especially was this true in arithmetic, and many are condemning the schools of to-day because less time is given to this study than formerly. Teachers and school officers are not to blame for this, as laws have been made at various times adding to the list of studies required, until now ten different subjects are required to be taught in our public schools. In consequence of this, our children are receiving a broader and more liberal education. Experience has
10
shown the wisdom of this change in courses of study, and I am sure that if anyone will take the trouble to visit our schools, examine the classes, find out just what is being taught, and note the proficiency of the average pupil, he will no longer cling to the schools of the past. It must be remembered that formerly boys and girls at- tended school in many cases until they were twenty years of age, while to-day there are but a very few pupils in our common schools over fourteen years of age. And yet I venture to say that pupils leave school to-day with more real knowledge and a better acquaintance with their surroundings than pupils did twenty-five or fifty years ago.
While I am very well satisfied with the general work of the schools during the past year,-satisfied that the schools are in a better condition than they were a year ago, yet I think there is room for improvement along certain lines in some of the schools.
I am pleased to report a decided improvement in read- ing and in the language work. Better methods of teach- ing reading have been followed, and more abundant and better reading matter supplied. The teachers have put zeal and intelligence into their work, and good results are to be seen in all our schools. The children read as though they understood what they were reading, and consequently read with good expression. Of course, we do not mean that there is no room for improvement. But we do commend the improvement already made and shall expect it to continue. I would like to see more sight reading and more new reading matter in our schools.
Good work in arithmetic has been done in most of the schools. The teachers are all familiar with what are
II
considered to be the best methods of teaching this sub- ject, and are pushing the work along these lines with energy and enthusiasm. I feel, however, that we need to have more drill upon the principles after they have been developed, and more application of the same to abstract work. I believe also that we should do a great deal inore work in mental arithmetic-work that will cause the pupils to think.
The work in geography is not wholly satisfactory, but has been much better this year than last. The new text-books in geography, placed in our schools last fall, are proving satisfactory, and the improvement, due largely to the use of these books, demonstrate the wis- dom af the committee in making the change. I plan to modify the course of study in geography a little next term.
There are a few good penmen in most of the schools, but as a rule more time than attention is given to the subject of writing. During the writing period we, per- haps, insist upon good positions, and require a certain amount of carefulness on the part of the pupil, but dur- ing all the other numerous written exercises of the school, we generally allow the pupil to assume any position he pleases, and instead of demanding that he be careful in his work, we are apt to require so much haste that it is impossible for the child to do neat and correct work, if he does try. I think it would be in the inter- est of good penmanship to have special attention given to all written work. But you say, "We haven't time." Then do half as much and do it well.
It seems to me, since drawing is required by law to be taught in all public schools in this state, and since a knowledge of this subject is one of the conditions of en-
12
trance at the State Normal schools, it ought to receive more attention in our schools. The teachers are doing a little work in drawing, but we cannot expect very sat- isfactory results until suitable inodels, books and ma- terials are furnished.
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Until the last part of the year, the schools were quite well supplied with books and other necessary material for school work. Then, for a little time, the need of a few supplies interfered somewhat with the work planned. I am pleased to say that the committee, individually and collectively, would like to be liberal in regard to school supplies, and if we had been obliged to do without some needful things it is because of the lack of funds and not because of any parsimonious tendency on the part of the committee.
While advocating strict economy in all expenditures for the school, I nevertheless feel that it would be a false idea of economy to withhold anything from the schools in the way of books and supplies really needed. "Just as the mechanic needs superior tools and frequent replen- ishing, so does the teacher demand good supplies and frequent renewal of them. The character of school work depends upon the character of supplies."
At present we are in need of more reading books in the lower grades. We appreciate the different kinds of First Readers furnished last term, and express the hope that other kinds of Second Readers may be added next year. In the higher grades we should have more sup- plementary reading matter-Geographical and Historical.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
In general, the school houses are in a good state of repair and are well cared for. Regular janitors have
13
been employed for the three larger buildings, and, at present, I think are giving good satisfaction. The con- dition of school rooms has much to do with the condi- tion of schools, and the importance of this fact should be thoroughly understood by the janitors, who should be held strictly responsible for the condition and cleanliness of the rooms under their care.
A few small repairs will be needed upon some of the buildings soon. At Feeding Hills some of the desks in the primary room are broken and ought to be replaced with new ones. In the grammar school many of the desks are loose, and have been the source of no little annoyance. The blackboards in this building also need repairing or better, and in the end more economical, ought to be replaced with slate boards, as has been done at Agawam Center.
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