USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1884 > Part 9
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The dry gravelly soil of this section gives special facili- ties for drainage into the soil and in the valleys on either side of the table are presented opportunities for disposing of drain- age by a system of sewage farming.
Whole number cared for at almshouse, all or part of the
year 50
Present number 28 .
Average number for the year
31
Died during the year .
.
4
8
Whole amount appropriated for almshouse ex-
penses and repairs . . 4,500 00
Whole amont expended . 4,120 33
Amount received from sale of produce, wood, board, etc. . 1,600 13 Net cost of almshouse expenses and repairs . . 2,520 20
The gratifying fact is on record that his honor the Mayor has been present and presided at each monthly meeting of the Board during the year.
It often occurs that the Police of the City can render important aid in the work of the Board. This aid is always ready, courteous and valuable.
For the Overseers of the Poor.
NATHAN MOSMAN, Clerk.
REPORT
- OF -
The Agent of the Board of Health.
ميسور عب
--
REPORT OF THE AGENT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
CITY HALL, WEST NEWTON, Feb. 10, 1885. TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH:
Gentlemen : - It is said that the four principal elements of health are pure air, pure water, clean surface and good drainage. In the first two of these Newton 'cannot be sur- passed ; and for the last two the struggle is going on with both encouraging and discouraging results. With the same comparative amount of labor and expense the surface can be kept in as satisfactory condition as the cleanest of cities. In the absence of sewers the city is under the necessity of making the most of such substitutes as are available.
The cleansing of vaults and cesspools under the present system is not wholly satisfactory; but appears in the way of improvement. It is believed that the present system and apparatus, with duplicates as needed, can be so managed as to meet the reasonable demands for comfort and safety, until such time as some more perfect system can be adopted for the disposal of sewerage. This will require more time and attention on the part of the Board than is possible under present arrangements.
12
Among the difficulties in the way of complete work in 1 suppressing nuisances, having needed repairs made and a clean city, there is, first, the wide separation of the different villages, which necessarily consumes much time in reaching all points; second, the fact that so many premises are left in entire neglect by occupants, and especially by proprietors of tenement properties, until complaint is made to the Board of Health; and, third, that not one visit only, but three or four and more are required to secure attention and to know that the work is performed. This last experience is the same in all cities. These difficulties could be overcome by the necessary time and expense to secure thorough and continuous inspection by which the condition of all premises in the city, especially of the poorer grades and tenement properties would be known, and the requirements of the Board enforced.
With all that is and can be done for the prevention of diseases dangerous to the public health, we can get only partial control of the situation; for these diseases reported to the Board are not always found in connection with filthy premises, neither are filthy premises always associated with these diseases. Fatal cases occur in the most perfectly appointed homes, and others recover in the midst of the most apparently dangerous surroundings.
The presence of cholera in Europe has caused the larger cities of America to take steps for the removal of all possible conditions that might invite or harbor this disease.
Newton with its generally gravelly soil and roomy estates has favorable conditions for safety, but is not insured against this or other diseases. There is special need that all proprietors and tenants of estates be watchful and know for themselves that all possible causes or harbors of disease are removed and their premises in a safe and wholesome
13
condition, this being supplemented by the work of the Board of Health with such a supply of apparatus available as can accomplish all work desired. .
The keeping of swine in close neighborhoods continues to be a source of complaint and discomfort, and also adds to the difficulty of enforcing the rules of the Board relating to the collection of house-offal. This is controlled in many cities by prohibiting the keeping of swine except within designated limits.
But few complaints of cow stables have been made. When these stables have been kept it has generally been in such a manner as not to disturb neighbors.
Heneries in some cases, when near dwellings, have caused complaints during warm weather by their unpleasant odor and in some instances this has been a serious incon- venience.
All discomforts arising from causes similar to the above may be comprehended under the decision of the Courts making that a nuisance " which is offensive to the senses and renders habitation uncomfortable."
The collection of house offal has been continued by the contractor in a satisfactory manner. All complaints reported receive immediate attention and correction.
Scarlet fever has prevailed in a mild epidemic form during the larger part of the year. Cases have been gener- ally light with comparatively few terminating fatally.
So far as known, Physicians have answered the require- ments of the law in reporting diseases dangerous to the public health. These reports when received are immediately transmitted to the Secretary of the School Board and to the Trustees of Newton Free Library.
14
.
Reported Cases of Diseases Dangerous to Public Health.
DISEASES REPORTED.
Jan.
Feb.
.March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total.
Fatal cases as shown by the books of the City Clerk.
Diphtheria .
3
1
2
4
5
7
3
0
2
2
2
2
33
3
Scarlet Fever
1
4
2
13
8
11
4
2
6
26
28
23
128
11
Typhoid Fever
0
1
1 |
0
2
1
2
0
3
8
9
0
27
9
Summary of nuisances and sources of disease for the abatement of which action has been taken: -
Stagnant water
5
Foul cellars
13
Defective drains .
77
New drains built .
6
Cesspools near wells
5
Cesspools overflowing to street gutters or brooks ·
8
Vaults and cesspools ordered cleansed
92
Vaults and cesspools built . 9 .
Vaults and cesspools repaired
14
Vaults removed .
5
Sewage on surface of land .
.
6
Filthy yards
12
Manure removed .
6
Pig pens
9
Soap factory
1
·
.
.
·
.
Less important cases not noted.
Of the stagnant ponds, swamps, ditches, etc., in various parts of the city some are being filled and made safe and wholesome by the city collection and disposal of ashes ;
.
·
.
15
others are untouched, unwholesome and dangerous for the reason that they contain not only stagnant water but also receive contributions of dead animals and general refuse material.
The condition of the catch-basins in the street drains is a cause of frequent annoyance and complaint. In many cases they evidently receive contributions other than those which come down from heaven. Odors arising from them are often uncomfortable, at least, and present to the senses pungent evidence of some mysterious relationship with the cesspool and sewer family. Rule 1, Sec. 2, of the rules of the Board prohibits any owner or occupant of a building from permitting any sewage to enter any drain of the city.
The Board has enough work waiting execution, but with proper force it can be done and the situation is entirely encouraging and hopeful.
Respectfully submitted, NATHAN MOSMAN, Agent of the Board.
CITY OF NEWTON. -
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CITY MARSHAL
For the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1884.
EWT
ON
LIBERTY AND UNION
FOUNDED 1630
e
8.A CITY 1873
AT
NEWTON : PRESS OF THE NEWTON JOURNAL. 1885.
CITY MARSHAL'S REPORT.
In accordance with the ordinance relating to the Police Department, the City Marshal has the honor to submit the following report of the doings of the department for the year 1884 :
The force at this date consists of :-
Daniel M. Hammond, City Marshal, Appointed in 1883. Charles F. Richardson, Sergeant, Appointed in 1877. George E. F. Baker, Patrolman, Appointed in 1878. Noah F. Bosworth, Patrolman, Appointed in 1878. William G. Bosworth, Patrolman, Appointed in 1882. Charles E. Davis, Patrolman, Appointed in 1878. Charles O. Davis, Patrolman, Appointed in 1875. William C. Emerson, Patrolman, Appointed in 1878. Frank B. Fletcher, Patrolman, Appointed in 1880. Robert S. Harrison, Patrolman, Appointed in 1878. James D. Henthorn, Patrolman, Appointed in 1875. Edson C. Holmes, Patrolman, Appointed in 1880. Charles P. Huestis, Patrolman, Appointed in 1875. Rufus H. Moulton, Patrolman, Appointed in 1882. John Purcill, Patrolman, Appointed in 1881. John Ryan, Patrolman, Appointed in 1878. Being the same as at date of the last report.
4
Special Officers Conroy and Fuller have been constantly on duty since May last and have rendered very efficient service.
The saddle horse was sold in April and N. F. Bosworth, who was mounted, was placed on a route.
The Patrolmen are stationed as follows :
At Newton, Henthorn, Emerson and Baker.
At Newtonville, Charles E. Davis.
At Nonantum, C. O. Davis and Special Officer Conroy.
At West Newton, Holmes, Ryan and N. F. Bosworth.
At Auburndale, William G. Bosworth.
At Newton Lower Falls, Harrison.
At Newton Centre, Huestis and Fletcher.
At Chestnut Hill, Special Officer Fuller.
At Newton Highlands, Moulton.
At Newton Upper Falls, Purcill.
SPECIAL POLICE OFFICERS
The following citizens hold warrants as Special Police Officers :-
Henry L. Bixby, Chief of Fire Department.
William Bemis, Assistant Chief of Fire Department.
John J. Boyce, at Church on Chapel Street, Nonantum. John W. Conroy, Jr., West Newton.
Ambrose M. Fuller, Chestnut Hill. Thomas Coughlin, Engineer at Pumping House. Michael Finnety, Lasell Seminary.
J. Charles Kennedy, Boston and Albany Railroad. Martin C. Laffie, Newton.
William H. Mague, Swill Contractor.
Andrew Peters, Agent Society F. T. P. O. C. T. A.
5
Thomas Shaughnessy, Boston Water Works, U. Falls. Francis B. Shorte, Wardwell & Clark's Mill, U. Falls. Frank B. Sisson, At Church, Newtonville.
Gustav W. Ulmer, Newton Centre.
The following table shows the amount of police work done each month during the year :-
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
. November.
December.
TOTAL.
Arrests .
18
30
27
37
58
61
32
31
54
32
52
30
462
Arrests on warrants
9
9
9
6
33
22
8
14
32
17
19
14
192
without
9
21
18
31
25
39
17
22
15
33
16
270
Held for trial .
17
20
22
25
12
54
23
26
50
26
46
25
386
Released
1
10
5
52
6
7
9
5
4
6
6
5
76
Females
-
2
3
3
1
1
1
2
1
3
17
Foreigners
13
13
15
21
30
36
20
12
24
9
37
11
241
Non-residents .
2
7
9
11
11
29
9
7
9
7
11
9
121
Minors
5
12
3
13
19
4
4
6
11
17
8
5
107
NATIVITY OF PRISONERS.
United States
217
Ireland
189
England
22
Canada
19
Italy
5
Scotland
4
Germany
3
Sweden
.
2
Arabia
1
-
-
·
·
462
6
Offences committed :-
Assault and battery
· 33
Assault, felonious
1
Assault with intent to kill
1
Assault with intent to commit rape
1
Assault, indecent
1
Assault on Police officers
3
Bail bond
1
Bastardy
2
Breaking and entering .
6
Breaking jail
1
Cruelty to animals
4
Defacing a building
1
Default warrants
1
Disorderly
10
Disturbing the peace
58
Drunkenness
171 ·
Embezzlement
2
Evading car fare
5
Fast driving
3
Gaming
6
Insane
15
Larceny, simple
26
Larceny, felonious
3
Lewdness
2
Neglected children
1
Profanity
1
Runaways
3
Selling mortgaged property ·
1
Stubborn children
2
Suspicion of larceny
1
Suspicious persons
16
Threatening bodily harm
.
5
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
·
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
7
Tramps
1
Vagrancy
2
Violation of city ordinances
35
Violation of dog law
17
Violation of Lord's Day
8
Violation of liquor law
10
Violation of railroad law
2
462
Number of arrests in 1883
408
Showing an increase of
54
LODGERS.
At Station No. 1 .
. 394
At Station No. 3 .
913
At Station No. 4 .
195
1502
Females
13
· Foreigners
· 915
NATIVITY OF LODGERS.
United States
587
Ireland
.
.
617
England
160
Canada
44
Scotland
40
Germany
19
Sweden
10
France
5
Holland
4
Norway .
.
4
.
.
·
·
·
·
·
·
.
.
.
8
Egypt
2
·
Arabia
2
Denmark
2
Switzerland
2
Turkey
2
Wales
1
West Indies .
1
1502
The number of lodgers in 1883 was 911 which shows an increase for the year 1884 of 591.
No lodgers are put up at Station No. 2 which is at Nonantum.
OCCUPATION OF LODGERS, MALES.
Artist
1
Bakers .
9
Barbers
2
Boiler-makers
4
Book-binders
7
Book-keepers
2
Butchers
2
Button-makers
2
Black-smiths
29
Brakemen
4
Brass-finishers
2
Brush-makers
2
Cabinet-makers
3
Carpenters
19
Carvers
2
Cigar-makers
8
Cooks .
3
Coopers
3
Clerks .
.
5
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
·
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
·
·
.
.
·
9
Clock-makers
1
Curriers
14
Dyers .
·
5
Engineers
5
·
Farmers
14
File-makers
2
Firemen
4
Furniture-Polishers
5
Gardeners
2
Gas and steam fitters
3
Glass-workers
1
Harness-makers
5
Hatters
3
Hostlers
30
Laborers
759
Lathers
2
Machinists
37
Marble-workers
4
Masons
34
Mill-hands
110
Millwrights
1
Moulders
34
Painters
55
Paper-makers
3
Paper-hangers
2
Paper-rulers
2
Peddlers
13
Plasterers
1
Plumbers
1
Potters
1
Printers
12
Roofers
6
Sailors . . .
.
18
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
1
10
Shoe-makers .
126
Silver-platers
1
Soap-makers
1
Stewards
3
Stone-cutters
10
Tailors
. 15
Teamsters
11
Telegrapher
1
Tanner
1
Tin-smiths
5
Trunk-maker
1
Upholsterers.
2
Waiters
1
Watch-makers
4
Wheelwrights
1
Wood-turner
2
Wool-sorters
6
1,489
Females
13
1,502
Reports made by Patrolmen to City Marshal :-
Accidents
· 61
Buildings erecting
· 108
Buildings found open and secured
19
Cases investigated
· 94
Defective gas lamps
. 156
Defective oil lamps
. 210
Disturbances suppressed
· 60
Fire alarms
. 36
Fires extinguished without alarms
.
8
Gas-pipes
. 3
Intoxicated persons helped home .
· 110
.
.
·
.
.
.
·
.
.
·
.
·
.
.
.
.
11
Lost children found and restored to parents 7
Nuisances
14
Sick and injured persons assisted
20
Stray teams found and put up
10
Sidewalks .
27
Streets
. 23
Water-pipes
· 15
MISCELLANEOUS.
Amount reported stolen in the City $1616.10
Amount recovered stolen in and out the City 1592.75
Amount of fines imposed by Court
·
1456.00
Amount of imprisonment 9 years, 7 months.
Extra duties performed by officers 278
Amount of court fees earned by officers, paid by Clerk of Court to City Treasurer $820.50
Number of of liquor search warrants served 13
Liquor seizures ·
6
Cases reported to Medical Examiner
12
Number of duties lost by officers on account of sickness 95
It will be noticed that a very small number of the lodgers, and also of the prisoners are females, of the seventeen among the arrests five were insane, three arrested for lar- cency, three for drunkenness, two for assault and battery, two for disturbing the peace, one for violation of the liquor law and one for being a stubborn child.
Of the number of intoxicated persons helped home two were females.
STATION HOUSES.
Station No. 1 at Newton is in rather close quarters to Steamer No. 1 of the Fire Department, and if it could be
.
12
removed would be a great convenience to the firemen and police. There is no drainage to the cells, buckets being used, which makes very bad air.
Station No. 2 at Nonantum is in the same condition as Station No. 1, as regards drainage, otherwise it is in good repair.
Su tion No. 3 at West Newton has been painted and put in good condition.
Station No. 4 at Newton Centre has been painted and the ventilation improved.
The Police Telephone which went into use Dec. 22, 1884, is in good running order; it connects the four police stations, the Sergeant's house and the house of the City Marshal, and is a very useful addition to the department.
Most of the transferring of prisoners is done by the team used by the City Marshal, and the expense in that direction is kept down as much as possible.
If the custom of giving the officers a vacation is to be continued, I would suggest that they be allowed to begin as early in the year as possible.
PROBATION OFFICER.
Acting as Probation Officer, the City Marshal has taken five persons on probation and recommended the discharge of three from the House of Correction, all of whom have done well. Of the number four were minors.
MORGUE.
In the list of miscellaneous business of this report you will observe that twelve cases were reported to the Medical Examiner. Four of the bodies found were taken to Police Stations and deposited in the cell rooms.
٠
13
The Medical Examiner made autopsies on three, the examination being made in the police court room. We are obliged, in some cases, to keep the bodies several days, and, as we have prisoners or lodgers nearly every night in the year, it will be seen that the dead and the living are locked in the same room. At a small expense a morgue could be built to connect with Station No. 3 at West Newton.
The views of Medical Examiner Mead, on the subject, are given in the following letter : -
" WATERTOWN, Dec. 18, 1884.
CITY MARSHAL HAMMOND,
Dear Sir: I desire to call your attention to the fact that there is not within the City of Newton, a proper place to care for the bodies of such persons as are unfortunate in being killed by violence. Every new medical examiner case that comes to my notice in your city emphasizes the fact that the City of Newton, that cares for the living so well, has not, as yet, made a proper, yes, decent provision for the care of those killed by violence. It is not becoming nor fit that such dead bodies should lie in your corridors at the police station when the chances are that either criminals or tramps or both are lodged in the same corridor. I have been called upon to make several autopsies during the last nine months, and I have made them, as you know, in the court room at City Hall. It is difficult to keep people from entering through some of the many doors that lead into it; it is difficult for any person to do himself justice, or best serve the State, in performing an autopsy without any of the conveniences; it is impossible to prevent boys from looking in the windows, without detailing a policeman to watch them ; it is difficult not to leave on the settees and floor in the court room some signs of the, to most people, disagreeable operation that has
14
been performed, perhaps an hour before the sitting of the Court, and last, but not least, such care as you, in your capacity, and I, in mine, are obliged to give the dead, is not such as we hope to receive.
We should in our official capacity, so far as is convenient with a proper discharge of the offices, protect the body of the dead from all indecent exposure, and not allow the mantle of modesty and decency that becomes it so well in life to be torn away at death. It does not seem to me that your city, in providing no place where the dead can be privately and decently cared for, realizes how important this matter is. The wisest and most honored of Newton's citizens might meet his death by violence, and have his body subject to the neglect if not indignities to which I have called attention.
I warmly urge you to lay this matter before the proper authorities, so that Newton may be in this matter, as in all necessary matters, in the van of the other cities.
I remain
Very respectively yours, (Signed)
JULIAN A. MEAD, Medical Examiner."
15
CASES REPORTED TO MEDICAL EXAMINER.
February 21st, John Muldoon and Dennis Haley, each nine years of age, drowned while bathing in a pond at Thompsonville.
April 18th, the body of a still born child found in a cess- pool at West Newton.
April 23rd, Ferdinand A. Mathey, age 47, drowned in Charles river at Upper Falls.
July 2nd, Alfred Giles, age 13, drowned while bathing in Crystal Lake.
August 3rd, William Woodside, age 20, drowned while bathing in Hammond's Pond. .
September 15th, Margaret Fitzcharles, age 40, servant, found dead in bed at Auburndale.
October 10th, Sarah Taylor, age 74, killed near the depot at Auburndale by an express train on the Boston and Albany Railroad.
November 13, John Dunn, age 35, found dead in a field, Pearl street, Newton. Heart disease.
December 7th, Rose Quinn, age 28, committed suicide by drowning in Cheesecake brook, West Newton.
December 10, James F. Brogie, age 45, thrown from his team and killed, on Centre street, Newton.
December 25th, Dr. William Teulon, age 81, fell at the junction of Channing avenue and Boston and Albany Rail- road. Apoplexy.
The members of the police force have in contemplation the forming of an association for their mutual benefit, and during the coming year may ask permission to do so; if they do, they hope to receive encouragement from the City Gov- ernment and from the public.
16
It is very pleasing to say that there has been no occasion during the year, to enforce rule No. 22 of the rules and regu- lations, as the machinery of the department has run without friction, which speaks well for the intelligence and good sense of its members.
The thanks of the members of the force are due to His Honor the Mayor, and to the Police Committee of 1884, for the pleasant and graceful manner in which they directed the affairs of the department during the year.
In conclusion, the members of the Police Department wish to extend their gratitude to the City Government for the substantial manner in which confidence in them was shown, by the increase of salary.
Respectfully Submitted,
DANIEL M. HAMMOND. City Marshal.
CITY OF NEWTON, MASS.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
WATER BOARD
For the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1884.
LIBERTY AND UNION
FOUNDEL
1630,INC
688. A CITY 1873
NO
U
NA
NEWTON : PRESS OF THE NEWTON JOURNAL. 1885.
NEWTON WATER WORKS.
ORGANIZATION FOR 1885.
WATER BOARD:
EDWARD W. CATE, President.
FRANCIS A. DEWSON. DR. CHARLES FRED CREHORE. ALDERMAN NOAH W. FARLEY.
COUNCILMAN ALBERT F. UPTON.
ALBERT S. GLOVER, Water Registrar and Clerk of Board. H. NELSON HYDE, JR., Superintendent. ALBERT F. NOYES, (City Engineer) Engineer of Board.
REPORT OF THE WATER BOARD.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newton :
The Water Board respectfully submits the following report of the transactions of the Water Department for the year ending December 31, 1884.
At the beginning of the year 1884, the constitution and organization of the Water Board was as follows : Edward W. Cate, President, Col. Francis J. Parker, Francis A. Dewson. Alderman Noah W. Farley and Councilman Albert F. Upton.
In May Col. Parker sent in his resignation to the City Council. His enthusiastic interest and past experience upon the Water Commission made him a most valuable member of the Board and every effort was made to induce him to remain but much to the regret of his associates he decided that pressure of other business would not permit him to perform the duties of the position with that diligence and conscientiousness which the City had a right to expect and that therefore he must abide by his decision. Dr. Chas. Frederic Crehore was appointed by His Honor the Mayor to fill the vacancy thus caused. Dr. Crehore first met with the Board June 23, 1884.
6
The chief officers of the Board have been the same as during 1883, viz: Albert S. Glover, Water Registrar and Clerk of the Board; Albert F. Noyes, Engineer and H. Nelson Hyde, Jr., Superintendent.
In its last report the Board expressed the belief that the troubles with the foundations of the Engine at the Pumping Station had finally ceased.
The Board is happy to say that this belief has been veri- fied as not the least difficulty has been experienced during last year.
During past years it has been the custom to use anthra- cite coal as fuel at the Pumping Station. In the early part of 1884 the Board decided to try the experiment of using bituminous coal, which necessitated some alteration in the boiler furnaces at a cost of $141.78. From present indica- tions this amount will be annually saved by the substitution.
During the spring of the past year notwithstanding the fact that the Filter Basin was thoroughly cleaned out during the summer of 1883, numerous complaints were made to the Board of the offensive taste and smell of the water. £ Both the Engineer and Superintendent made a thorough investi- gation of the matter and came practically to the same conclu- sion. The Engineer in his report says as follows :
" Early in the year numerous complaints of the bad taste and smell of the water were made and at the request of the Water Registrar who notified me immediately upon receiving any complaint, I made a personal examination of each case but could associate its cause with no general law except that it occurred soon after each pumping and lasted but a few hours, or a day at most.
While it would appear in water standing in an earthen pitcher over night, it would disappear in six or eight hours more and the water be clear and free from taste or smell.
7
In houses where the water drawn from pipes early in the morning would be almost unfit for use, it would be right before night.
In one or two cases a thick scum of what appeared to be decayed vegetable substance was found on the surface of the water in the house tanks.
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