Town of Arlington annual report 1892-1894, Part 33

Author: Arlington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1892-1894
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 774


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1892-1894 > Part 33


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Received of cemetery trustees for work done, 123 75


Amounts carried forward,


$287 15 $7,271 48


126


WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.


Amounts brought forward, $287 15 $ 7,271 48


Amount transferred to account "Ser-


vice Pipes," 669 50


Amount transferred to account " Main Pipe," as per following ac- count, 854 85


Amount transferred to account " High Service," 2,661 37


4,472 87


$2,798 61


Whittemore Street.


180 ft. 4-inch iron pipe, lead and labor, $82 80


Grove Court.


294 feet 4-inch iron


pipe,


$72 00


Labor, · 213 95


2 hydrants, 45 00


Gate, lead, etc.,


23 50


--


354 45


Fremont and Cross Streets.


745 feet 2-inch pipe,


$68 89


Labor, 67 35


136 24


Lake Street.


1550 feet 8-inch iron


pipe, $728 50


4 5-inch hydrants,


116 60


1 8-inch gate,


17 20


Lead,


35 75


Amounts carried forward,


$898 05 $573 49 $2,798 61


127


WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.


Amounts brought forward, $898 05 $573 49 $2,798 61


Labor,


281 36


~~ 1,179 41


1,752 90


High Service.


Paid Francis G. Sampson, land for stand pipe, 2,537 90


Davis & Farnum, Mfg. Co., on account stand pipe, 4,965 67


Donaldson Iron Co. on account contract for pipe, 28,705 59


E. Eugene Eglee, on account contract for laying pipe, 11,881 44


Chapman Valve Co., on account contract for hydrants, 3,408 47


Bingham & Taylor for service boxes, 386 70


Ludlow Valve Co., for valves, 1,350 58


The Ashton Valve Co., relief valves, 467 50


Ross Valve Co., for regulator,


275 00


Builders Iron Foundry, special


castings,


2,243 52


Wm. T. Foster & Co., pig lead 470 03


Geo. W. White, on account foundation of stand pipe, 600 00


H. S. Adams, surveying, 454 38


Boston & Maine Railroad, freight, 151 88


E. J. Sweeney, expressing, 46 85


P. J. Lennan, teaming pipe, 235 00


Pittsburg Testing Laboratory, testing pipes, 529 60


Amounts carried forward,


$58,710 11 $4,551 51


128


WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.


Amounts brought forward, $58,710 11 $4,551 51


Paid Frank L. Fuller, on account


services as engineer and assis- tants, 1,346 34


Walworth Mfg. Co., sundry castings, 125 90


Methuen Transcript Co., print- ing specifications, 25 00


W. W. Collins, copying, 9 00


M. Hill, typewriting, 13 50


G. F. Johnson, copying, 31 35


G. W. Lane, expenses paid, 12 52


City of Cambridge, stone,


10 72


Thos. Roden, advertising and


telegram, 1 88


Geo. H. Sampson, forcite, 11 25


H, B. S. Prescott, plans of pumping station, 75 75


Prescott & Sidebottom, plans of shop, 35 00


Arthur L. Bacon, on account


contract for pumping station, 3,400 00 Geo. Cavanagh, driving piles, 150 00


F. E. Foster & Co., lumber, 6 43


Perrin Seamans & Co., tools,


47 26


Peirce & Winn Co., cement,


44 21


A. W. Cotton, mason work, 169 15


Thos. Higgins, sharpening tools, 8 75


S. Stickney, sundries, 1 51


H. E. Lewis, rent of land, 30 00


Goldsmith & Peppard, repairing tools, 14 98


Barbour, Stockwell & Co., rings


and covers, 74 00


Amounts carried forward, $64,354 61 $4,551 51


WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT. 129


Amounts brought forward,


$64,354 61 $4,551 51


Amount transferred from "Running Expenses," viz., for labor on stand pipe foundation, $158 00


for labor connecting


wells and digging foun-


dation for pumping station, 1,032 50


ror labor laying pipe in Mt. Vernon, Dennett


and Walnut Streets, 1,060 68


lead,


78 78


sharpening tools, 20 00


forcite and fuse, 5 00


for labor grading, trench-


ing and making con- nections at East Lex- ington, 131 25


for labor unloading cars and building shed at Heights, 25 12


for keeping account and distributing pipes ac- cording to plan, 150 04


--- 2,661 37


$67,015 98


Deduct credits as follows viz., Amount transferred to account " Main Pipe," as per pre- ceding account, $898 05


Amounts carried forward,


$898 05 $67,015 98 $4,551 51


9


130


WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.


Amounts brought forward, $898 05 $67,015 98 $4,551 51


Amount transferred to account " Stock Materials," 571 41


- 1,469 46


- 65,546 52


Service Pipes.


Amount of cost of 65 services


laid in 1894, at an average of $10.30 each, 669 50


Stock Materials.


Amount of materials added to this account in 1894,


330 07


Interest on Water Scrip.


Paid one year's interest on $74,000,


at 5 per cent., $3,700 00


one year's interest on $183,000 at 4 per cent., 7,320 00


three months' interest on $92,000, at 4 per cent., 920 00


11,940 00


Amount of temporary loan to town,


7,000 00


Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1894, 10,975 74


$101,013 34


131


WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.


Trial Balance, Water Works Books, Dec. 31, 1894.


DR.


CR.


Town of Arlington,


$306,535 23 70,000 00


Construction,


$310,599 74


66


High Service,


65,546 52


Interest,


316,302 70


Town appropriation for interest,


Water Rates, 1873,


8,035 83


66


1874,


7,913 66


66


66 1875,


7,600 52


66


66 1876,


8,463 59


60 60 1877,


8,947 58


66


66


1879,


9,415 60


66 1880,


9,590 22


66


1881,


9,568 78


66


66


1882,


10,291 76


66


1884,


9,832 09


66


66


1885,


10,187 30


66


1886,


11,172 42


66


1888,


12,417 96


66


66


1889,


12,870 89


66


1890,


13,475 50


66


1891,


15,493 11


66


1892,


16,432 27


66


66 1893,


17,592 66


66


66 1894,


19,360 74


Main pipe,


4,521 38


Service pipes,


5,178 91


Stock materials,


1,891 68


Sundry receipts,


8,905 58


Running expenses,


33,011 03


Cash,


10,975 74


$748,027 70 $748,027 70


B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer.


ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1894.


66 66


High Service,


112,860 00


1878,


8,857 89


1883,


10,361 49


66 1887,


11,845 03


REPORT


OF


WATER REGISTRAR.


Uses for which water is supplied ;


Families


supplied,


984


Stores and shops


: 26


Private stables 66


84


Livery stables


2


Steam railroad depots


3


Hand hose 66


319


Hotels


2


Churches and societies


9


Town-house


1


School-houses 66


5


Hose- houses 66


2


Private fountains 66


2


Irrigation


42


Cemeteries


66


2


Savings Bank building 66


1


Stone crusher 66


1 130


Telephone office


66


1


Water motors 66


4


Public Library


1


Photograph studio


1


Printing office 66


1


Hydrants 66


133


RULES OF WATER WORKS.


Extracts from Rules of Water Works.


SECT. 15. The following rates shall be charged annually for the use of water, namely :


DWELLING HOUSES.


Occupied by one family, for the first faucet, $6 00


For each additional faucet, to be used by the same family, 2 00


Where a house is occupied by more than one family, one faucet only being used for all, for each family, 4 00


Where a house is occupied by more than one family, the highest rates will be charged for each family, having the water carried into their part of the house :


For the first bath-tub, 5 00


For each additional bath-tub, 3 00


For the first water-closet, 5 00


For each additional water-closet,


3 00


For hopper water-closets, 8 00


Where bath-tubs or water-closets are used by more than one family, for each family,


4 00


Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, and both emptying into one basin, but one charge will be made for both, Provided, that in no case shall the charge for the use of water by a private family, exclusive of hose and stable, be more than 25 00


BOARDING HOUSES.


For the first faucet,


10 00


Each additional faucet, 2 00


Water-closet or bath-tub, when used by board- ers, 10 00


Each additional bath-tub or water-closet, 3 00


134


RULES OF WATER WORKS


STORES, OCCUPIED AS OFFICE, SHOP OR SIMILAR PURPOSE.


First faucet,


$6 to $20 00


For each additional faucet, 2 50


For water-closet or urinal, 6 00


MARKETS, SALOONS, RESTAURANTS, WORKSHOPS.


For markets, saloons, restaurants, workshops, or for purposes not included in any other classification, and not requiring more than an ordinary supply of water, $6 to $25 00


HOTELS.


For each bed for boarders and lodgers,


3 00


For each bath-tub in a hotel, 10 00


For each water-closet in a hotel,


10 00


PUBLIC BATHS.


For one tub in public bath-house, 10 00


For each additional bath-tub, 5 00


For one water-closet in public bath-house,


10 00


For each additional water-closet, ·


3 00


STABLES.


Private Stables. For the first horse, 5 00


66


For each additional horse, 3 00


66


For one cow,


2 00


66 For each additional cow, 1 00


Livery, Club and Boarding Stables. For each horse, 3 00


Car and Omnibus Stables. For each horse,


2 00


Truck and Cart Stables. For each horse,


2 00


Provided, that in no case shall any stable be charged less than 5 00


The rates for stables include water for washing carriages without hose ; when hose is used, $3.00 additional.


135


RULES OF WATER WORKS.


HOSE.


For hose of not over three-eighths inch orifice, used for washing windows, sprinkling streets, and watering gardens, (and the use of the same shall be limited to two hours per day), not less than


$3 00


STEAM BOILERS.


For each boiler in use not over twelve hours a day, for each horse-power, 6 00


BUILDING PURPOSES.


1


For each cask of lime or cement, 6 cents.


ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS.


Ordinarily used three hours a day for a period of not more than four months a year : For a jet of 1-16 of an inch, $3 00 " 1-8 60 5 00


" 1-4 66 66


8 00


To be cut off at discretion of the Superintendent.


SECT. 16. When water is required for purposes which are not specified in the foregoing tariff, the rates shall be fixed by the Board of Water Commissioners, and the rates fixed in the foregoing tariff may be varied by the Water Commissioners, whenever in particular cases in their judg- ment the interests of the town shall require.


B. DELMONT LOCKE,


Water Registrar.


AUDITORS' REPORT.


The undersigned hereby certify that they have audited the books and accounts of B. DELMONT LOCKE as Treasurer and Collector of the Town of Arlington, also as Treasurer of the Arlington Water Works, for the year 1894, and find the same correct, with vouchers for all payments, and the balances of cash as stated by him.


CLARENCE T. PARSONS, .Auditors. LEANDER D. BRADLEY, S


ARLINGTON, February, 1895.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


CHIEF OF POLICE.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Arlington : GENTLEMEN - I herewith respectfully submit my first Annual Report as Chief of Police for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1894.


Arrests.


Whole number of arrests for the year,


129


Males,


121


Females,


8


Adults,


118


Minors,


11


The offences for which arrests have been made are as follows :


Assault,


9


Assault : Mutual,


4


Assault on officer,


1


Adultery,


1


Arson,


1


Attempt to rescue prisoner,


1


Breaking and entering,


3


Capias,


2


Drunkenness,


42


Disturbing the peace,


14


Disorderly conduct,


1


Disturbance on cars,


2


False alarm of fire,


1


Giving liquor to a prisoner,


1


1


138


REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.


Insane,


2


Intent to defraud,


2


Illegal sale of liquor,


Larceny,


Lewd and lascivious,


Liquor nuisance,


3 5 1


Riding bicycle on sidewalk,


1


Runaway,


1


Stubborn children,


1


Suspicious persons,


1


Vagrants,


11


Walking on railroad tracks,


2


Wilful trespass,


1


Total,


129


Lodgers.


Whole number of lodgers,


1014


Males,


1012


Females,


2


Adults,


984


Minórs,


30


White,


1011


Colored,


3


Foreign born,


633


American born,


381


Lodgers at almshouse,


936


Lodgers at station house


78


Amount of property reported stolen


$644


Amount of property reported recovered


758


P. S. This report showing that more property was recovered than was reported lost, is where a large amount of property was recovered that was stolen in other towns.


6 8 1


Malicious mischief,


Receiving stolen goods,


139


REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.


Miscellaneous Business.


Accidents reported,


18


Buildings found open and secured,


41


Cases investigated,


46


Contagious diseases reported,


25


Dangerous chimneys,


1


Dead bodies found,


3


Defective streets and sidewalks,


54


water pipes,


8


66 street lights, 1


476


66 wires,


21


Dead animals found,


2


Disturbances suppressed,


4


Dogs killed,


10


Fire alarm boxes found open,


3


Fire extinguished without alarms,


4


Lanterns hung in dangerous places,


51


Lost children restored,


6


Sick and injured persons assisted,


6


Stray horses and cattle put up,


24


Street obstructions removed,


3


The force consists of a chief, one sergeant and four patrolmen. The chief and one patrolman are on duty in the daytime ; during the night one sergeant and three patrol- men are on duty.


During the past year there has been a telephone put into the station, also two telephone boxes on the street, one at each end of the town, and connected with the one in the station for police business only. The night officers have certain times to call up the sergeant at the station to report to him anything that may have occurred on their routes dur- ing their hours of duty. It has given entire satisfaction, and some very efficient work has been done by its use.


During my term of office there have been nine (9) per- sons arrested and put before the court for the illegal sale of


140


REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.


intoxicating liquors. Eight (8) were convicted and one dis- charged. Two, in addition to their fines, were given three months each in the House of Correction.


Difficulties attend the enforcement of the liquor law ; to obtain evidence is very difficult, as the illegal sale of liquors is now made in what we term kitchen bar-rooms.


Citizens who would assist an officer in any other matter decline to make any disclosures in regard to the sale of liquors. It is therefore obligatory on the officers to depend on their own observation for evidence to convict a person of a violation of the liquor law. Officers are often satisfied in their own minds that illegal sales of liquors have been made, but the same evidence that satisfies them and other people would not satisfy a court or jury.


During the past year we have also seized, confiscated and turned over to the chief of the Massachusetts District Police, a quantity of liquors.


I would recommend that one more officer be appointed to the force. By so doing I can so arrange that the sergeant may visit each officer on his route during the night, there- fore ascertain if the officers are doing their duty. I contend that the sergeant, passing from one route to another, through the town, in this manner, would be equal to an increase of two men.


In submitting my report, I desire to tender my thanks to your Honorable Board, also to Town Clerk B. Delmont Locke, Town Solicitor Wm. H. Tuttle, for their counsel and friendly advice. To them I feel under great obliga- tions, and also to the members of the force for the prompt and efficient manner in which they have discharged the duties of their office.


In closing I have simply to say that I have endeavored to discharge the duties of the office faithfully and impartially. I have the honor to be, gentlemen,


Your obedient servant,


ALONZO S. HARRIMAN, Chief of Police.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE ARLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :


GENTLEMEN - I herewith submit my Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1894, and make necessary suggestions and recommendations.


The department has answered 28 calls, some of which were needless, and are as follows :


Jan. 18th. Alarm 8.10 P. M. Box 25. Head house be- longing to W. H. Allen. Loss $500. No insurance.


March 18th. Alarm 11.10 P. M. Box 54. Brush fire at Arlington Heights. No loss.


March 28th. Alarm 3.25 P. M. Box 41. Grass fire at Arlington Heights. No loss. April 2nd. Alarm 2.15 P. M. Box 15. Lumber, shut- ters, etc., on farm of John Lyons. Loss $75. No insur- ance.


April 7th. Alarm 6.20 P. M. Box 52. Brush fire at Crescent Hill. No loss.


April 7th. Alarm 7.30 P. M. Box 38. Residence Geo. G. Allen, Pleasant-street place. Loss $3200. Insurance $5500.


April 17th. Alarm 6.35 P. M. Box 54. Barn and dwelling of Samuel McDowell, Arlington Heights. Loss $575. Insurance $1350.


April 21st. Alarm 8.10 P. M. Box 13. House 52 Cottage avenue, occupied by George Mitchell. Loss $25. No insurance.


142


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.


May 11th. Alarm 9.10 P. M. Box 15. Flag shanty at Lake-street Crossing. No loss.


May 14th. Alarm 8.15 A. M. Box 54. James Wilson's house, East Lexington.


May 22nd. Alarm 8.45 A. M. Box 54. Oil stove ex- plosion at 509 Arlington avenue, Arlington Heights. Loss $20. Insurance $2000.


May 30th. Alarm 8.25 P. M. Box 17. Ice houses, dwelling house and barn owned by Addison Gage Ice Co. Ice houses, total loss. House and barn partial, loss $38,000. Insurance $18,000. 13,000 tons ice, total loss. No insur- ance.


May 31st. Alarm 2.10 P. M. Box 25. House belong- ing to Mrs. I. G. Bacon, Avon place. Loss $336. Insur- ance $4000.


June 18th. Alarm 10.25 P. M. Box 23. Hay stack be- longing to D. L. Tappan. Loss $50. No insurance.


June 22nd. Alarm 11.45 P. M. Box 13. House of John Lyon, Cottage avenue. Loss $40. No insurance.


July 5th. Alarm 7.10 A. M. Box 16. Pile manure on John Lyon's farm. No damage.


July 7th. Alarm 7 P. M. Box 17. False alarm.


July 16th. Alarm 8.30 A. M. Box 45. Barn 19 Mt. Vernon street. Owned by Dr. J. P. Dennett. Loss $70. Insurance $400.


July 20th. Alarm 11.50 A. M. Box 52. Fire in swamp at Crescent Hill. No damage.


July 20th. Alarm 2.10 P. M. Box 52. Alarm for same fire.


July 21st. Alarm 12.15 P. M. Box 54. Pig pen in swamp at Crescent Hill. Owned by Cyrus H. Cutter. No loss.


July 27th. Alarm 12.30 P. M. Box 26. Grass fire on estate of Mrs. C. C. Russell, Medford street. No damage.


Aug. 29th. Alarm 4.30 P. M. Box 22. Janitor clean- ing school-house, accidentally sent in alarm.


143


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.


Sept. 4th. Alarm 5.45 P. M. Box 54. Hen-house owned by H. C. Lewis, Crescent Hill. No loss.


Oct. 14th. Alarm 12.20 A. M. Box 36. Building owned by B. & M. R. R., Arlington avenue. Loss and insurance not known.


Nov. 9th. Alarm 9 A. M. Box 16. Emmett Boat Club House. No damage or insurance.


Dec. 6th. Alarm 3.30 A. M. Box 46. Flag shanty, Brattle Station. Loss $75.


Dec. 15th. Alarm 1.3 0 P. M. Box 36. House owned by Harrison Swan. Loss $25. Insurance $4500.


The Legislatur e passed an act by which a State Fire Marshal was appointed to investigate cause of fires.


Since that time all fires have been reported to the Fire Marshal or his aids for investigation. This I think will have a tendency to check fires of incendiary origin.


MEMBERSHIP.


The membership is in a fairly good condition with the exception of our being unable to find men who are at home during the day.


There is a much better percentage of men at a fire which occurs in the evening than in the daytime.


BUILDINGS.


The buildings are in the same condition as they were in last report.


Heating apparatus should be placed in Hose II. House however.


APPARATUS.


The apparatus has had no expense since last year, and is in the same condition.


HYDRANTS.


There have been $15 new hydrants on High Water Ser- vice, and quite a number of new hydrants on old service dur- ing the year.


144


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.


One fourway hydrant in front of Finance Block and one in place of flush hydrant in front of Town House which was sadly needed.


I only suggest however that the fourway hydrant in front of the Finance Block be placed on High Water Ser- vice on opposite side of street.


FIRE ALARM.


The Fire Alarm has given us satisfactory results for the year. In my last report I called your attention to the fact that the lease of steam for Fire Alarm Whistle expired in October. Not being able to make a satisfactory contract with Mr. Fowle at the expiration of the lease a striker was put on the bell of Wm. Penn Hose House, which has given fair satisfaction to the Fire Department.


We did not expect the same results as we did from the Steam whistle, as there is nothing better for a Fire Alarm Signal.


At the town meeting in November, the town voted to have an air whistle put on the Town House, and a committee was appointed to look after the same, consisting of the Selectmen and the Engineers.


Up to this time however we have not been able to make a contract which is satisfactory to the committee.


No new boxes have been called for, but I would suggest having a new box at the further end of Lake street near the ice-houses.


FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION.


The Association is in a prosperous condition having over $1200 in funds.


Any member of the Association who is sick one week or more receives a weekly benefit from the Association.


It has been our sad duty to carry to his last home, one who has been an active member in the Department.


I refer to Assistant Engineer and Secretary of the Arling- ton Firemen's Relief Association, John M. O'Keefe.


145


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.


Mr. O'Keefe served on the Board of Engineers, acting as Clerk for two years, and always performed his duty faithfully. 1


RECOMMENDATIONS.


I would recommend having a new light hose wagon to be placed in the Chemical House, and the Chemical be changed to the Wm. Penn House, and the Hook and Ladder placed in the Highland House. A pole for a pair of horses should be put in the Chemical.


This will call for additional expense, but I think it is for the best interest of the town to do this.


I also recommend an appropriation of $5000 for the gen- eral running expense for the coming year. The rules and regulations governing the Fire Department should be re- vised at an early date, and a building law should be incor- porated in the by-laws of the town.


HOSE.


The town now has 5000 feet of good hose, which is the most the town has ever owned. We have purchased 1500 feet of hose this year, guaranteed to stand 400 pounds pres- sure to the square inch.


The Fire Department now has four horses. Two are at Wm. Penn Hose House, and two are at the Chemical House.


We made a contract with your Board in May to water the streets from Mill street to Tufts street, including the side streets. By giving the town the use of one of the horses at the Chemical House, the town agreed to keep one horse in the Highland House.


By this arrangement one horse is at the Chemical House and one at the Highland at all times. The horses used for Wm. Penn and Hook and Ladder truck are not to be over one-half a mile away at any time.


This arrangement left the town in a better state of pro- tection in case of fire, than ever before.


10


146


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.


Your Board, on the death of Assistant Engineer, John M. O'Keefe, appointed George W. W. Sears to fill the vacancy. Mr. Sears has always taken an active interest in fire matters and at the organization of the Board, Mr. Sears was chosen clerk. He has always kept the records in a very business- like manner, to which I invite your inspection.


We have tried to have one Engineer in the town at all times, and by arrangements have been able to do so with but few exceptions.


We have tried to give the town the best possible service we could with our means.


In closing I wish to express personal thanks to your Hon- orable Board for their courteous manner to me.


I also wish to thank Mr. Hill and Mr. Sears for their able assistance.


Respectfully submitted. CHARLES GOTT, Chief of Fire Department.


REPORT


OF THE


TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY.


To the Town of Arlington :


In a public library as long established as ours, the work of any ordinary year varies but little from that of the pre- ceding year, and there are, consequently, few matters of importance to report.


Although the affairs of the library for the past year have been conducted in substantially the same manner as hereto- fore, the Trustees and Librarian have endeavored in minor details to better serve the interest of the public.


The scholars of the public schools continue to use the books, especially the books of reference, quite freely, and arrangements have been made whereby the attendant in the Reading Room, lays out on one of the tables the books bear- ing upon any particular subject which a class may wish to investigate, and those books are reserved for its use.


The lights in the Reading Room have been changed and some additions made. It has been found a matter of some difficulty to get the requisite amount of light, in just the right location, at a reasonable cost, and the Trustees are aware that it is not yet fully satisfactory, and hope soon to further improve the lighting of the room.


It being a well known fact that many relics and curiosities are scattered through the town, which are interesting and valuable now, from their age and connection with the past


148


REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF ROBBINS LIBRARY.


history of the town, and will be still more valuable in the years to come, the Trustees have recently appointed a sub- committee, consisting of Mr. Hodgdon and Mr. Blake, for the purpose of receiving and caring for such articles of in- terest, especially those relating to local affairs, as the citi- zens may be disposed to place in its care.


The Trustees have already received, from Mrs. Maria Hodgdon, a window which was taken from a house built in 1740, by the Rev. Samuel Cooke, the first minister of the town. On the panes are written the names of the mem- bers of the family, and others, who were their guests at dif- ferent times, the oldest date being 1772. Mr. S. P. Pren- tiss has given two valuable pieces of Continental money, and we hope, in this way, quite a collection may be made and placed in one of the upper rooms of the Library, where it will be secure from destruction by fire and accessible to the public. Mr. Winfield Robbins continues his generous gifts to the Library, and the Trustees have received, since their last report, the two bronze statues of Dante and Virgil which are in the Reading Room ; Picturesque Australasia, which has been bound in three volumes; and several single volumes ; also two boxes of fine engravings which, at his request, remain unpacked until [his return from Europe. The sum of one hundred dollars has been received from Mr. Henry Dexter, of New York, son of Jonathan M. Dexter, our first Librarian, to be expended for books, and it has been decided to use it for the purchase of books and sets of books more expensive than those "ordinarily bought, and mark them with appropriate labels. We are indebted to Mr. Parker for the publication,"monthly, in the Arlington Advocate, of lists of new books.




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