USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1889 > Part 15
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Amount of fines imposed by court 6,605 34
Imprisonment imposed by court . 17 years, 3 months
Extra duties done by officers
91
Number of search warrants for liquor served
48
Number of liquor seizures
36
Number of search warrants for stolen property served . 9
Gallons of liquor seized
151
The following cases were reported to the medical examiner : -
Feb. 25. Patrick Fitzgerald
Accident.
March 27. Nicholas Mead
Suicide. Pistol.
April 20. Frank Marshall
Drowned
in
Charles
May 14.
John Burns
June 13. Thomas Earl
June 16. Timothy Crowley
June 16. Sarah N. Holt
July 6. Katie Riley
July 21. John Peters
Nov. 24. Warren Pope
Nov. 27. Patrick Coleman
River. Killed by cars.
Buried in sand bank at
Newtonville.
Drowned in Charles
River.
Drowned
in
Charles
River.
Suicide. Paris Green.
Cause, unknown.
Accident.
Natural causes.
10
Police Organization.
Charles F. Richardson, City Marshal.
Charles E. Davis, Captain, day duty at headquarters.
Charles,P. Huestis, Sergeant, night duty at headquarters. James D. Henthorn, Patrolman, day duty at Newton. Charles O. Davis, Patrolman, day duty at Nonantum. Noah F. Bosworth, Patrolman, day duty at Newtonville. John Ryan, Patrolman, day duty at West Newton. Frank B. Fletcher, Patrolman, day duty at Newton Centre. John Purcill, Patrolman, day duty at Upper Falls. William C. Emerson, Patrolman, night duty at Newton. Charles T. Bartlett, Patrolman, night duty at Chestnut Hill. Richard B. Conroy, Patrolman, night duty at Newton, John W. Conroy, Patrolman, night duty at Nonantum. Bernard F. Burke, Patrolman, night duty at Nonantum. Thomas C. Clay, Patrolman, night duty at Newtonville. William P. Soule, Patrolman, night duty at Newtonville. Edson C. Holmes, Patrolman, night duty at West Newton. A. F. A. G. Libby, Patrolman, night duty at West Newton. William G. Bosworth, Patrolman, night duty at Auburndale. John W. Quilty, Patrolman, night duty at Auburndale. Robert S. Harrison, Patrolman, night duty at Lower Falls. Ambrose H. Fuller, Patrolman, night duty at Newton Centre. R. H. Moulton, Patrolman, night duty at Newton Highlands. William A. Leonard, Patrolman, night duty at Upper Falls. George E. F. Baker, night officer at Newton, died March 4, after a long period of great suffering.
Additions to the force were: - Richard B. Conroy, appointed March 18: William A. Leonard, appointed March 18; Bernard F. Burke, appointed December 16.
11
Street Lamp Lighting.
At this date there are seventy-four (74) electric arc lights, seven hundred and fifty-four (754) gas lights, three hundred and seventy-three (373) oil lights, one hundred and seventy- six (176 ) incandescent lights, used for street lighting, a total of thirteen hundred and seventy-seven ( 1377 ) lights.
The regular lighting of the street lamps for the year 1890, if lighted by the moon schedule, will be as follows, both dates included : -
First lighting, January 6, to January 26.
Second lighting, February 5, to February 24.
Third lighting, March 6, to March 25.
Fourth lighting, April 4, to April 23.
Fifth lighting, May 4, to May 23.
Sixth lighting, June 2, to June 21. Seventh lighting, July 3, to July 22 Eighth lighting, August 3, to August 22.
Ninth lighting, September 2, to September 21.
Tenth lighting, September 30, to October 19.
Eleventh lighting, October 29, to November 7.
Twelfth lighting, November 27, to December 16.
Appropriation for police department for 1889 $33,195 00
The amount expended 26,663 44 .
Balance
$6,531 56
The amount expended $26,663 44
Fees paid by clerk of court to City Treasurer 1,557 00
Total expense for the department $25,106 44
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Station Houses.
At police Station No. 3. (Police headquarters) I make the same recommendations as last year, that one of the cells be padded for the confinement of insane persons.
The several police stations are all in good condition, as is also the city property used by the department.
Police Signal System.
The Police Signal System, for which money was appro- priated in 1888, is partly completed and will probably be finished the following year. The contract for furnishing the system. was awarded to the Gamewell Co. of New York.
Liquor Law.
In regard to this law, I have made an honest effort to sup- press the illegal sale of intoxicating liquor in this city, and I submit it to the citizens of Newton to say whether I have been successful in the attempt, having secured thirty-six convictions during the year.
A table showing the gradual growth of the police depart- ment, and the increase of its business during the past ten years.
YEAR.
Officers on Force.
Number of Arrests.
Amount Expended for Police Department.
Court Fees Earned.
Balance Un- expended.
1880
16
346
$16,777 94
$650 00
$222 06
1881
16
402
16,930 96
808 00
69 04
1882
16
410
17,558 39
957 62
*58 38
1883
16
408
17,199 57
780 32
500 43
1884
16
462
17,752 52
820 50
72 48
1885
18
485
19,498 17
702 62
1 83
1886
20
528
21,591 46
674 16
2 54
1887
22
574
23,344 85
1119 81
5 15
1888
23
630
24,594 94
1321 00
105 06
1889
24
709
26,663 44
1557 00
6531 56
* Overdrawn.
.
13
In conclusion I desire to tender my thanks to His Honor the Mayor, and Committee on Police for the interest mani- fested in this department. While desiring that the management of this department should be conducted with economy, they evinced a disposition that nothing should be left undone to in- crease its usefulness, believing that a police department properly conducted and well equipped, is of the greatest bene- fit to a community.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. RICHARDSON, City Marshal.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE AND POLICE TELEGRAPH OF THE
CITY OF NEWTON
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1889.
IBERTY AND
UNI
FOUNDEL
1873.
163
NANTUM
RATE
NEWTON, MASS., NEWTON GRAPHIC PRESS, 1890.
JOINT STANDING COMMITEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Meetings, last of each month at City Hall.
Alderman GEORGE PETTEE, Chairman.
Residence, between Oak and Chestnut streets, Newton Upper Falls.
Alderman N. H. CHADWICK.
Residence, 183 Walnut street, Newtonville.
Councilman FREDERICK J. RANLETT.
Residence, Central street,
Auburndale.
Councilman GEO. F. RICHARDSON. Residence, 63 Bowen street, Newton Centre.
Councilman LOUIS A. HALL.
Residence, 60 Elmwood street, Newton.
REPORT.
FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS. OFFICE CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT. WEST NEWTON, MASS., December 31, 1889.
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL :
I have the honor herewith to present the report of the operations of this Department for the quarter ending Decem- ber 31, 1889, and for the year ending upon the same date.
Fires and Losses.
Eighty-six ( 86 ) calls have been received during the year resulting in a total loss upon buildings and contents of $38,055.62 upon which insurance amounting to $33,335.90 was paid, leaving a loss of $4,719.72 in excess of insurance ' paid.
Notable Fires.
The largest fire and loss of the year was occasioned by the destruction of the St. Bernards Catholic church, Washing- ton and Prospect streets, June 23. The first call was received at 6.32, followed at 6.36 p. m. by the second and general combined, calling into service the entire Department, two engines, seven reels, one truck, and chemical engine. The general plan of construction of these buildings provides for their quick destruction in all cases where the fire obtains headway, and this building proved no exception to the rule, the roof and interior to the first floor being destroyed, but the walls were left intact and in condition for use in the re-build- ing. This fire was made the occasion for severe criticism
6
(as is usual in such cases) directed against the Chief of Department, mainly for the reason that Reserve Engine No. 2 was not placed in service. £ As nothing has since been advanced to show that such a proceeding would in anyway have checked the fire, or added to the salvage of the owners or insurance companies, while the fact that the force present and in service were fully competent to confine the limits of the fire, and protect surrounding property, is satisfactory evidence that the department performed its full duty in the premises.
November 26th, this department was called upon to render aid at the fire then beyond control at Kingston and Bedford streets, Boston, and Engines 1 and 2, with details from Companies 4, 5, 6, 7 and 1 Truck, numbering 38 men in charge of the Chief of Department, were assigned to duty at Bedford street and Harrison avenue extension, where five hours' service was rendered upon property, the owners of which were residents of this city. At this fire No. 2 Reserve Engine rendered its first service since being retired June 25, 1886, and its unvarying record of 150 lbs. water pressure for five hours through 700 feet of hose to the roof of a five story block, speaks volumes for its condition, alike creditable to the Amoskeag Engine, and the engineer in charge.
During the absence of the above detail from the city, Assistant Chief Randlett made the following assignments, No. 4 Hose to No. 1 Engine Station, No. 5 Hose to No. 2 Station, extra horses and drivers for Chemical A, together with Engine 3, Hose 6, 7 and No. 1 Truck, 29 Engine in the Brighton district, and No. 1 Engine at Watertown, the interests of the city so far as apparatus went were well protected, but the temptation to the balance of the "call force" to witness the conflagration, led them with few exceptions to leave the city ; fortunately but one fire occurred, and that of a trifling nature.
7
Uniformed Force.
Chief of Department 1
Assistant Chief in charge of Fire and Police Telegraph 1
Engineers Steam Fire Engines 2
Engineer of Chemical and Reserve Engine
1
Drivers of Steam Fire Engines
2
Driver of Chemical Engine .
.
1
Driver of Truck
1
Drivers of Hose Reels
5
Telegraph Line Man
1
Total
15
Ununiformed Force.
Foremen of companies
8
Assistant foremen of companies
8
Hose and truckmen
39
Total in active service
70
.
Apparatus
In service consists of :-
Steam Fire Engines . 2
Chemical Engine (No. 4 Champion)
1
Truck
1
Hose Reels
7
Coal Tenders
2
In reserve :-
Steam Fire Engine (complete)
1
Exercise wagons
3
Sleighs
6
In charge Chief of Department :
Concord buggy
1
Sleigh
1
In charge Assistant Chief :- Concord buggy
1
Sleigh
1
.
.
.
8
Hose.
The present equipment of hose amounts to 8,450 feet, 1500 feet of which is in poor condition and the hose purchased in 1880 will soon have to be replaced with new. The best average for Fabric hose for service in this department is limited to eight years.
Horses.
Seventeen horses are owned and used by this department. New horses were purchased by the committee during the year for Hose 3 and 5 to replace those unfit for service.
Their general condition, etc., together with changes considered necessary, which are submitted in the report of the Department Veterinarian herewith annexed, are respect- fully presented with my endorsement.
Stations.
Very general repairs to floors at Stations 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be necessary, especially the latter, where new floor timbers are required, also thorough repairs to roofs and gutters. Slight improvements have been made to the drainage at No. 2 Station.
The present sheds used for storage and the steam roller at the Truck Station should be removed to some more suitable location. the lack of windows and free access of sunlight keep the rooms damp and unhealthy at all times. New front doors at this station are a necessity.
The negligent and hap-hazard manner in which the manure is removed from the several stables is decidedly unpleasant and calls for immediate abatement.
Hydrants.
A total of 606 street hydrants are available for the use of this department. Hydrants in the business centres should be
9
located not to exceed 200 feet apart, and those in the public squares, where the size of main will permit, should have 4-way attachments.
Additional hydrants are needed as follows :--
Centre street, opposite National Bank.
Centre street, opposite Public Library.
Centre street, between Newtonville avenue and Bellevue street.
Lake avenue, 400 feet east Walnut street.
Washington, between Harvard and Crafts streets.
Newtonville avenue, 400 feet west Harvard street.
Fountain, between Otis and Highland streets.
Highland, between Temple and Chestnut streets.
Grove and Auburn streets.
Auburndale avenue, 700 feet east Lexington street.
Centre street, between Ward street and Clinton place.
Lake avenue and Beacon street.
Station, between Warren street and Glen avenue.
Needham and Winchester streets.
Forest and Alpine streets. Webster street and Webster place.
Watertown and Eden streets.
Prince, 500 feet north Day street.
Maple street and Berkeley place.
Shaw, between Lander and Winthrop streets.
Walcott park.
Chestnut and Margin streets.
Recommendations.
The amount of property both personal and real, requir- ing the protection of this department, has passed the stage of dependence upon a "call force" of firemen, a body of men with divided interests, those of the employer and the employed upon the one hand, and that of the city upon the other. This
10
is not true economy, and should have no part nor parcel in a city with the population and values of Newton.
The call force of today is simply the dividing line between the old time volunteers and the full paid employee who devotes his entire time to the interests of the city. They have rendered faithful service in the past, but the require- ments of the present day have outgrown this form of duty. At every alarm the present service is crippled from lack of men at the very moment when most needed.
I would, therefore, recommend that Companies 1, 2 and 3 be made full permanent, to consist of six men including engineer and driver, No. 1 Truck to consist of seven men including driver, No. 4 Hose to consist of four men including driver, a total of twenty-nine men and a consequent reduction of twenty-three men from the call force, and thus provide a working force of firemen, whose services can be depended upon at all times, with no possibility of delay, or lack of men to handle the apparatus. I would ask your careful consider- tion of the above recommendation.
Fire Alarm Signal Stations should be placed in each of the school buildings not already provided, also the Public Library, and old Williams school building, as additional safeguards in case of fire.
I know of no reason in justice or equity, why the salaries of the drivers of this department should not be placed upon an equality with those paid employees in other departments.
Stringent building regulations must be adopted at an early day with reference to the erection of wooden buildings in the business centres. No thought or care appears to exist in the minds of owners, other than to utilize every foot of land. Brick, fire, or parti-walls, receive no consideration, but everything is planned for their quick destruction and that of all surrounding property in case of fire,
11
The Chemical Engine which replaced No. 2 Engine June 25, 1886, has saved property from fire and water damage many times in excess of that credited the larger engine, and for this special service must still continue to be the more valuable apparatus of the two, but as an important auxiliary in case of accident, or large fire, I consider it necessary to recommend the enlargement of No. 2 Station sufficient to provide for the placing of this apparatus in service.
Early provision should be made for the providing of suitable apparatus at the Highlands.
Acknowledgements.
My sincere acknowledgements are tendered His Honor the Mayor, to Alderman Geo. Pettee chairman, and members of the Committee on Fire Department, for their cheerful co-operation and earnest efforts to promote the efficiency of the department ; to Assistant Chief Walter B. Randlett I am especially indebted for his uniform courtesy and fidelity ; to the employees and members for the success attending their efforts ; to the City Marshal and members of his force, their services are invaluable, and the several heads of departments and their subordinates for courtesies extended.
Appropriation and Expenditures.
The appropriation for this department was $28,338.50 aud the expenditures have been as follows :
Salaries of the uniform and call force
$19,292 81
Hay, grain, etc. ,
2,652 00
Fire and Police Telegraph and Telephone mainte-
nance, including 6 fire alarm stations and erect- ing same 1,786 56
Coal and wood .
1,102 23
Gas and water rates
518 15
Repairs apparatus
565 38
12
Shoeing horses .
412 66
Exchange horses
425 00
Laundry
162 46
Incidentals
1,861 60
$28,778 85
Over drawn
$440 35
Fire and Police Telegraph.
The service in this department has been perfect. The overhead lines have been maintained in exceptional good condition throughout the year, one hundred and thirty-five miles of overhead wire placed upon nine hundred and twenty- seven poles for the use of Fire, Police and Water Depart- ments, requires the constant supervision of this department. Forty-seven first alarms, two second, and one second and general combined, including eight hundred and twenty-five signal blows have been correctly sent out.
Upon petition of residents, the City Council authorized the purchase of six additional street signal stations which were located as follows :
Homer and Cedar streets.
Centre street and Norwood avenue.
Jewett and Boyd streets.
Woodland and Vista avenues,
Boylston and Chestnut streets.
Shaw and Winthrop streets.
In addition to these special signal stations have been connected into circuit at
Silver Lake M'f'g. Co., Nevada street.
Newton Mills, Elliott and Chestnut streets.
Making a total of seventy-six public and private signal stations.
13
It is important that additional signal stations should be located as follows :-
Crafts and Washington streets.
Centre between Franklin and Bellevue streets.
Pearl and Green streets.
Centre and Ward streets.
Beacon street and Crescent avenne.
Centre between Walnut and Boylston streets.
Lincoln and Bowdoin streets.
Woodward and Chestnut streets.
Grove and Central streets.
Highland and Valentine streets.
River and Lexington streets.
Cherry and Henshaw streets.
Washington and Cross streets.
Murray and Otis streets.
Station street (Thompsonville),
That the reliability of the present system may be main- tained, I would again recommend the necessity for the purchase of a larger repeater, and a sub-division of the present circuits.
For the protection of instruments and buildings from electric light currents, automatic protectors must be provided for the several telephone lines entering city buildings, and fusible cut outs for the tap bell circuits.
Immediate provision must be made to render the telephone service between the several stations available through the night, the present interference from the belt line lamp circuits is such, as to greatly impair and at times entirely prevent its use.
Police Telegraph.
The contract for the Police Signal System having been awarded to the Gamewell Fire and Police Telegraph Co., call-
14
ing for four circuits, and twenty street or call stations, the same is now being erected under the supervision of this department, and so far as practicable, four pin arms have been substituted, and the fire and police wires carried upon the same arm. With this arrangement satisfactory service will be guaranteed both departments.
The following is a summary of labor performed in the Telegraph department by and under the supervision of the As- sistant Chief : -
New poles set 130
New poles moved 5
Old poles removed
70
Old poles re-set . 6
Wire strung No. 9 iron 4 1-2 miles
Wire strung No. 12 iron 2 "
Wire strung No. 12 copper 3-8
Wire strung insulated No. 12 iron 3-4
Wire strung Clark ins. 1200 feet.
Wire strung parafine 1500 feet.
Wire strung No. 1 to No. 2 station No. 12 iron 3 miles.
Old wire removed
2 1-2 miles. 8 .
Signal stations moved
New signal stations placed in circuit 8
New instruments placed in cir- cuit relays . .3
New instruments placed in cir- cuit magnetoes 2
New instruments placed in cir- cuit ex-bells 2
New instruments placed in cir-
15
cuit gong 15 inches 1 New instruments placed in cir- cuit tap bell 1 Remodelled striking machine at Newtonville 1
All street signal stations painted and varnished and new key signs provided where needed.
WALTER B. RANDLETT Assistant Chief (in charge.)
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT.
Since the control of the electric light plant has passed from the private company to the Newton and Watertown Gas Company, marked improvement is shown in the general care and maintenance of these lines. There are still sections of overhead wire known as "underwriters." which should be replaced with improved wire at an early day.
The erection and extension of belt line lamp circuits is contrary to ordinance, and will entail additional expense upon the city to protect its telephone service, which at the present time is seriously impaired between stations during the hours when these lamps are in circuit.
The suspending of arc lamps over the streets upon wire guys is a dangerous as well as an unnecessary proceeding. These lamps should be placed upon the tops of poles or upon suitable arms and nothing different be allowed.
The present manner of entering business blocks, etc. with lamp circuits is decidedly objectionable and will also seriously interfere with the movements of the Fire Department in case of fire.
Wherever the Electric Light and Power wires pass in parallel lines upon the same side of the street with the Fire and Police Telegraph, a space of three feet between their lines is required for the safe passage of our linemen without danger of contact.
A constant and rigid supervision must be maintained over these lines, that the dangers from accidents and fires may be reduced to the minimum.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT VETERINARIAN.
NEWTON, January 1, 1890.
HENRY L. BIXBY, Chief of Department.
Sir : - I have again at this time the duty of tendering my report to you in regard to the health and general welfare of the horses of the department during the past year, and at the same time to make some suggestions in regard to the horses which seem to me to be wise.
The general health of the animals has been good and we have had no epidemic, or more properly epizootic, to contend with during the year, nor have we had any deaths among them.
The diseases and troubles which have been manifested are only those which usually manifest themselves among such horses as ours, from which we demand hard exciting service and in return give superior care.
We have in this department some as good horses as any city can boast of and there are others which it would be advisable to change around and still others to replace with younger and more suitable horses.
I would suggest that the off-horse on Steamer No. 1 be transferred to Hose 6 as soon as a permanent man is appointed as driver for that company and that a new horse be purchased for the engine. I recommend this change for the reason that the off-horse is not enough horse for his mate, and that being over exerted to keep up when called to a fire it makes his work extra hard to say nothing about the effect upon the other horse
18
and the strain upon the driver to hold one back and force the other, in addition he is at times troubled with his hind legs getting out of order.
The horse on Hose 5 in the early part of the year became so lame that recovery was a matter of months and uncer- tainty at that, so that he was sold and a new one purchased by the committee.
It seems to me that there should be an extra horse belong- ing to the department so that in case of sickness or accident we can immediately have an available animal, and not only that but in case some little thing is the matter with the regular animal, and which does not warrant his being laid off still we could do so without inconvenience to any one and without extra expense.
I wish to acknowledge at this time my appreciation of your hearty cooperation in the carrying out of such treatment and changes as I have suggested from time to time ; and also that of the Assistant Chief, nor am I unmindful of the cheer- ful and ready acquiesence of the various members of the department in the carrying out of my treatment.
I have made during the year the usual number of visits and have found about the usual variety of troubles as in previous years.
I have the honor to be
Yours very respectfully. MADISON BUNKER, Department Veterinarian.
STATEMENT OF DETAILS OF FIRES AND ALARMS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1889.
Jan. 7-Still. 2.15 P. M. Centre street. Two-story brick, 60 x 130, owned by C. B. Lancaster. Occupied by C. O. Tucker and others. Loss, $15. Insured. Cause, drop ping of lighted match in sawdust and oil. Apparatus present Hose 1. Capt. Lyons.
Jan. 19. - Station 73. 2.10 P. M. Station street. One- story frame, 8 x 10. Flag station, owned and occupied by B. & A. R. R. Loss, $75. Insured. Cause, overheated stove. Apparatus present : Engines 3 and A ; Hose 4, 7 and Truck 1. Chief and Assistant Chief.
Jan. 19. - Still. 4 P. M. Brook Street. Grass land. Cause, locomotive sparks, Extinguished by Drivers Deary and Dexter. Engine 1.
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