Town of Westford annual report 1896-1901, Part 14

Author: Westford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Westford (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 836


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1896-1901 > Part 14


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Deduct income of farm $1,464 59


expense of tramps 119 00


cash in Supt. hands 124 37


1,707 96


Sundries


Cost of supporting poor inside almshouse $621 00


.


54


INMATES AT TOWN FARM, FEB. 1, 1898.


John P. Green, Age 79


Catherine O'Toole, 66 97


Margaret O'Brine, 64


Caroline A. Perham, 74


Thomas Carney,


“ 87


Edward E. Holt,


84


Whole number supported


7


Average .


Number of tramps . 476


EXPENSE OF POOR OUTSIDE ALMSHOUSE.


Paid Hospital bills for Woodward, Keyes, Raymond, Wayne, Lord, Quinn, Whitcomb and Reed


$1,255 49


Hospital bill for S. A. Carrick .. .. Dr. Harlow for attendance on Jane Patch. ..


21 00


W. J. Sleeper, M. D., for attendance on J. Dugdale.


$ 9 75


Asa Dearborn.


39 90


Margaret Whitcomb 1 50


51 15


W. H. Bennett, M. D., for attendance on Julian Wilkinson


34 00


Mrs. J. Leland


30 00


Sarah Ingalls.


10 00


Bromfield Leland


25 50


Mrs. J. Leland.


45 50


E'ffie Blodgett.


29 00


9 00


Minnie Harris . Wilkinson boy 15 00 198 00


Hospital bill for Wilkinson boy


18 14


R. E. Redding for wood for Mrs. J. Le- land. ...


4 75


for Julian Wilkinson


1 38


6 13


City of Chelsea for A. French.


2 50


H. D. Wright for taking W. Graham to Tewksbury.


1 00


W. F. Balch for going to Lowell with Wilkinson boy. 1 50


5 00-300


Mrs. Isaac Hall for care of Jane Patch Isaac Hall for services at burial of Jane Patch


3 00


Grace Hall for care of J. Patch.


6 00


Amounts carried forward. .. $14 00 $1,655 20


6


100 29


Rua 10,00 frm Estado y Partita


55


Amounts brought forward. $14 00 $1,655 20


William Patch for care of Jane Patch .. 5 00 W. F. Balch for attending funeral of J. Patch 2 00 21 00


A. P. Richardson on account Mrs. J. Leland. . 2 00


City of Lowell on account Margaret


Casey .


30 00


for Annie Cavanaugh


15 00


for James Carrigan


1 75


for Addie Cameron.


28


F. H. Butler & Co. for medicine for Mrs. J. Leland . 2 00


Wright & Fletcher for groceries for Joseph Wilkinson. 52 00


Wright & Bemis for groceries for Mrs. J. Leland.


52 00


A. R. Choate, salary .


10 00


A. G. Polley, salary


10 00


W. F. Balch, salary. .


10 00


W. F. Balch for making out report to state


5 00


for making out town report. 5 00


extra time as Overseer. 10 00


$1,881 23


324 10


Cost of supporting poor outside almshouse. . $1,547 13


Received from State Treasurer on account Levi Kimball ........


$ 5 25


City of Lowell on account Richard Dugdale ...... 87 60


Thomas Quinn on account


Mary Quinn . . . . ..


175 50


Town of Pepperell on account Minnie Harris 9 00


$277 35


Due from Town of Tyngsboro on account Sarah Ingalis. . $10 00


City of Lowell on account .J. Dug- dale and family . 36 75


46 75


$324 10


56


STATEMENT.


Cash received from Town Treasurer. $2,621 38


other sources 19 85


$2 641 23


Paid for outside poor $1,881 23


Payments at farm 2,296 12


$4,177 35


Receipts at farm. $1,356 59


Cash in Superintendent's hands .. 307 25


1,663 84


2,513 51


Cash in hands of Overseers, Feb. 1, 1898 ... $ 3 35


Cash in hands of Supt., Feb. 1, 1898 .. 124 37


$127 72


W. F. BALCH, A. G. POLLEY, A. R. CHOATE, Overseers of the Poor.


SCHEDULE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT ALMSHOUSE, FEB. 19, 1898.


14 cows


$600 00


2 horses 100 00


1 bull 25 00


30 tons English hay


450 00


¿ ton meadow hay


4 00


10 tons ensilage. Grain in barn.


40 00


1 mowing machine


35 00


1 Democrat wagon


35 00


1 hay wagon ..


35 00


1 farm wagon.


20 00


1 new farm wagon


50 00


1 double sleigh . 25 00


1 milk wagon 10 00


1 wheel harrow .


15 00


Amount carried forward


$1,494 00


50 00


$127 72


57


Amount brought forward $1,494 00


1 spring tooth harrow $15 00


1 horse rake


10 00


1 two-horse dump cart. 60 00


1 ensilage cutter


30 00


1 two-horse sled.


35 00


1 hay tedder.


25 00


1 hay fork and gear


30 00


4 harnesses . Whiffletrees, neck yokes and eveners .


15 00


5 shotes


25 00


36 fowls


18 00


1 sleigh


5 00


Balance in barn and outbuildings. . .


287 45


$2,119 45


PERSONAL PROPERTY AT HOUSE.


1¿ barrels pork


$ 21 00


20 bushels potatoes.


20 00


Vinegar stock, including barrel


60 00


1 barrel sugar


11 00


20 lbs. butter


4 00


2 barrels flour


12 00


20 lbs. ham


2 00


Vegetables


2 00


Balance Personal Property at House . .


846 50


978 50


$3,097 95


GEORGE H. HARTFORD, ALBERT P. RICHARDSON, SAMUEL L. TAYLOR, Appraisers of Property at Town Farm.


70 00


AUDITOR'S REPORT.


GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN : - In compliance with the duties of Auditor, the undersigned, having duly presented to you the usual " advance statements," and having at this time made a careful examination of the accounts of Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Selectmen. Overseers of the Poor, Master of the Almshouse, and Treasurer, for the financial year ending February 28, 1898, would submit herewith a complete report.


TAXES.


The amount of taxes assessed on the polls and on the real and personal estate, within the Town of Westford for the year 1897 and as presented to you July 14, was as follows :


Number of polls, 682, at $2.00 each


$ 1,364 00


Tax on personal property.


2,961 45


Tax on real estate. 14,042 37


Total.


$18,367 82


Taxes added since July 14 (on real estate)


44 55


Total tax levy for 1897


$18,412 37


NOTE .- Total tax levy for 1896 was $21,827.45.


UNCOLLECTED TAXES.


Year.


Collector.


Amount due and as reported Mar. 1, '97.


Interest collected since Mar.1,'97.


Total.


Amount collected including interest and abatements since March 1, 1897.


Amount due Mar 1,'98.


1892


Isaac E. Day.


33 95


$ 33 95


1893


Walter C. Wright ..


10 04


$ 39


$ 10 43


S 8 90


1 53


1894


Walter C. Wright. ..


177 13


13 56


190 69


168 72


21 97


1895


Walter C. Wright ..


721 42


46 68


768 10


494 12


273 98


1896


Walter C. Wright ....


2,896 96


SS 10


2,985 06


2,147 70


837 36


Total amount of uncollected taxes 1892-6.


$1,168 79


59


In addition to the foregoing account Auditor debits Collector Walter C. Wright with the total tax levy for 1897, which was. $18,412 37 For interest collected since January 1, 1898 (taxes of 1897) . 50


Total .


$18,412 87


And credits for amounts as follows : Actual amount collected Oct. 1. $13,662 46


Five per cent. discount allowed tax pay- ers on taxes paid on or before Oct. 1 719 07 Actual amount collected Dec. 1. . . . Three per cent. discount allowed tax payers on taxes paid on or before Dec. 1 .. 27 09


876 05


Amount collected between Dec. 2 and Feb. 24. 614 91


Interest.


50


Rebate of taxes and taxes ordered as errors . 4 68


$15,904 76


Residue of uncollected taxes for 1897 ..


$2,508 11


RECAPITULATION.


Uncollected taxes, 1892.


$ 33 95


1893.


1 53


1894


21 97


1895


273 98


1896.


837 36


1897


2,508 11


Total amount of uncollected taxes, March 1, 1898.


$3,676 90


TOWN CLERK.


Number of dogs licensed during the year ending Nov. 30, 1897 :


155 at $2.00 each


$310 00


6 at $5.00 each .


30 00


Total amount of license fees. . Clerk's fees, 161 at 20 cents each. .


$340 00


32 20


Balance paid to County Treasurer, as per his vouchers .


$307 80


.. .


60


Two hundred ninety-five and forty-nine hundredths dollars ($295.49) of the dog license money has been refunded and passed to the Library Account.


SELECTMEN.


Proper vouchers were found for each and every one of the 376 drafts (orders) drawn by the Selectmen on the Town Treasurer.


MASTER OF ALMSHOUSE.


Cash balance March 1, 1897. $ 307 25


Receipts from all sources for the year ending February 28, 1898 2,113 24


Total .


$2,420 49


Expenditures for the year ending February 28, 1898


2,296 12


Balance on hand March 1, 1898.


$124 37


OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.


Cash on hand March 1, 1897.


$ 85


Receipts for the year ending Feb. 28, 1898 : From Town Treasurer


$2,621 38


From other sources «


19 00


2,640 38


Total


$2,641 23


Expenditures for the year ending February 28, 1898.


2,637 88


Balance on hand March 1, 1898


$3 35


The expenditures of Overseers of the Poor and the Master of the Almshouse, were all properly vouched, excepting sundry trivial amounts.


61


TREASURER.


Receipts during the year ending February 28, 1898.


$39,486 82


Expenditures during the year ending Febru- ary 28, 1898.


$39,965 22


Excess of expenditures over receipts .


$478 40


Balance in the treasury March 1, 1897. . . . Received into the treasury during the year ending February 28, 1898


$ 2,941 92


39,486 82


Making a total of


$42,428 74


Amount paid from the treasury during the


year ending February 28, 1898. . . .


39,965 22


Balance in the treasury March 1, 1898. .


$2,463 52


Every item paid from the treasury as represented by the amount $39,965.22 was properly vouched.


The details of this amount may be found in the several reports given in this pamphlet.


LIBRARY-NAIIUM H. WRIGHT, TREASURER.


Cash balance March 1, 1897 .


$ 74 19


Receipts during the year ending February 28, 1898


570 14


Making a total of


$644 33


Payments for the year ending Feb. 28, 1898


603 27


Balance March 1, 1898


$41 06


FINANCIAL.


The financial condition of the town March 1, 1898, was as follows :


LIABILITIES.


State Treasurer, balance on account of new library building (original amount was $5,000) .


$4,500 00°


Note First National Bank. Lowell, (balance of original note for $15,000)


8,000 00


Total $12,500 00


62


ASSETS.


Due from State Aid, on account soldiers" families. .. $ 940 00


Due from Military Aid, on account of in- digent soldiers 125 00


On account of burial of soldiers. 105 00


County of Middlesex, on account of public roads .


1,500 00


Taxes of 1892 remaining uncollected


33 95


Taxes of 1893 remaining uncollected.


1 53


Taxes of 1894 remaining uncollected .


21 97


Taxes of 1895 remaining uncollected.


273 98


Taxes of 1896 remaining uncollected


837 36


Taxes of 1897 remaining uncollected.


2,508 11


Balance of cash in the treasury .


2,463 52


Balance of cash in the hands of the Over- seers of the Poor. 3 35


Balance of cash in the hands of the Master of the Almshouse ..


124 37


Balance of cash, library fund 41 06


$8,979 20


Balance against the town


$3,521 80


Deficit March 1, 1897 was $3,221.29.


Respectfully submitted,


ARTHUR B. PLIMPTON.


Graniteville, March 9, 1898.


REPORT ON CEMETERIES.


The Commissioners of Public Cemeteries respectfully submit the following report for the year ending March 1st, 1898 :


During the past year the work of improving the condition of the West Cemetery has been undertaken, and considerable progress has been made. The old stone wall along the Forge Village road had long been in a very bad state of repair. It seemed to have been carelessly built at first. The foundation stones were either placed on the surface of the ground, or in a trench so shallow as to afford no protection against the displacement caused by the heaving and settling of frozen ground. The wall was topped out with stones too small for the purpose, and therefore easily rolled down.


After careful inspection, it was decided to remove this unsightly wall altogether, and to build a fence of turned chestnut posts and cylindrical iron rails. The expense of this work, while not excessive, prevented the undertaking of any further permanent improvement in the Burial Grounds during the year.


The interest manifested in the improvement of burial lots has steadily increased. The number of individuals who have employed the Superintendent to take care of their lots during the past year is 130,-a gain of 25 per cent. as compared with the previous year ; the sums of money received amount to $291.04,-a gain of 59 per cent.


In this computation, the seven funds for perpetual care are, of course, included. .


It is believed that the number of people who have personally expended time and labor on the care of lots in which relatives are buried, has been larger this year than formerly ; but there is, of course, no record of the voluntary labor performed by individuals.


The appearance of Fairview Cemetery, in which nearly all of the work ou lots has been done, has steadily improved. The part in which the oldest graves are is now covered with smooth turf, and most of the remaining area affords amp'e evidence of the thoughtful care of the living for the graves of the dead.


The funds for perpetual care of burial lots are now seven in number and amount to six hundred dollars,


The following list, made up from the Superintendent's records, shows the number of interments in each of the three burial grounds during the four years ending January 1st, 1898 :


64


BURIALS IN FAIRVIEW CEMETERY.


In 1894. 22


1895. 27


1896 25


1897 29


Total 103


BURIALS IN NORTH CEMETERY.


In 1894 1


1895


2


1896


4


1897 5


Total 12


BURIALS IN WEST CEMETERY.


In 1894


1


1895


0


1896


2


1897


3


Total


6


Aside from the work done on lots in Fairview Cemetery, the avenues have been kept free from grass and weeds, and otherwise in good repair. The hollow in the rear of the hearse house has been partly filled.


All who desire the Superintendent to take care of their burial lots should notify him on or before May 1st. In order that the accounts may be kept conveniently, it is very desirable that payment should be made when the orders for work are given.


We recommend that the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars be raised and appropriated for the care and improvement of the cemeteries during the ensuing year.


GEORGE W. HEYWOOD, Chairman, WILLIAM E. FROST, Secretary, GEORGE T. DAY, Commissioners of Public Burial Grounds.


FINANCIAL STATEMENT.


RECEIPTS.


Balance in Treasury . $119 09


Appropriation, April, 1897 . 250 00


Sums received for care of lots, etc. :


John W. Abbot, work on tombs and lot. 45 60


Amount carried forward $414 69


65


Amount brought forward $414 69


G. E. H. Abbott, Fairview. 1 00


Fred Amission, lot 334, E. D. . 5 00


Sally B. Burrill fund, income, Fairview 4 04


Mrs. John Bailey, lots 51-52, W. D. 2 00


Mrs. John Baker, lot 330, E. D .. 1 00


Mrs. W. F. Balch, lot 109, W. D.


1 00


Edmund Barton, lots 40-41, W. D


2 00


True A. Bean, lot 378, E. D.


1 00


Ai Bicknell, Fairview.


1 00


Ai Bicknell, Whitney lot in Fairview


3 00


E. G. Boynton, lot 333, E D. ..


1 00


Augustus Bunce, lots 11-12, W. D.


2 00


William Burnett, lot 37, E. D.


1 00


Mrs. S. A. Butterfield, lot 344, E. D., and one in Fairview.


2 00


Mrs. John T. Butterworth, lot 236, E. D


1 00


Mrs. Frank Calvert, lot 26, W. D 1 00


John Carmichael, lot 68, W. D.


1 00


J. B. Carmichael, lot 345, E. D.


1 00


Mrs. Clara P. Carkin, lot 338, E. D. 1 00


5 00


Eugene F. Carpenter. lot 366, E. D 5 00


W. R. Carver, lots 106-107, W. D ..


2 00


Mrs. John Caunter, lots 21-22, E. D.


2 00


Mrs. M. A. Cheney, Burnett lot in Fairview


1 00


Miss Nellie Comey, lot 145, E. D.


1 00


Edward Craven, lot 63, W. D. ..


1 00


Mrs. Sarah P. Cummings, lot 93, W. D.


1 00


Miss Alice L. Davis, lot 10. W. D


1 00


Miss C. E. Davis, lot 258. E. D


5 00


Thomas Drew, lot 43 E. D.


1 00


Mrs. A. E. Dupee, lot 144, E. D


1 00


Mrs. Rachel Dupee, Fairview


1 00


S. N. Eaton, lot 342, E. D. . 1 00


Alonzo B. Falls, lot 62, W. D.


1 00


Mrs. G. H. Fifield, lot 168, E. D.


1 00


Mrs. B. Foote, lots 22-23, Fairview


2 00


Mrs. Emily A. Fletcher. Fairview.


1 00


F. L. Fletcher, lot 83, W. D.


1 00


Mrs. Julia A. Fletcher, lot 69, W. 1).


2 00


Mrs. L. J. Fletcher, lot 92, W. D


2 00


John M. Fletcher, lot 76, W. D.


1 00


J. W. Fletcher, lot 154, E. D.


1 00


L. S. Gilson, lot 329, E. D.


1 00


L. S. Gilson, lot 60, W. D. 1 00


Amount carried forward.


$488 73


Thomas Carrick, lot 373, E. D.


66


Amount brought forward $488 73


L. S. Gilson, lot 75, W. D. (S. B. Coburn) 1 00


William Gower, lot 42, E. D. 1 00


Joseph B. Griffin fund. 6 12


Mrs. Susan E. Green, Fairview. .


1 00


Mrs. John Greig, lot 14, W. D ... 1 00


Miss Kate S. Hamlin, lot 56, E. D. . 1 00


Mrs. Lizzie G. Hamlin, lot 57, E. D .8 00


Miss Harriet G. Hamlin, lot 111, W. D 1 00


Samuel Horne fund. 4 12


Mrs. Alice A. Harris, lot 78, W. D .


1 00


D. C. Harris, lot 15, W. D.


1 00


W. O. Hawkes, lot 112, W. D. .


00


Miss C. E. Hewitt, lot 116, W. D.


1 00


H. V. Hildreth, lots 42-43, W. D.


2 00


Mrs. Ellen A. Hildreth, lot 87, W. D. .


1 00


Mrs. Ellen Hildreth, Hildreth lot in Fairview 00


Miss Helen C. Hildreth, lot 115, W. D.


1 00


Frank Hindle, lot 336, E. D .


1 00


E. H. Holt, lot 39, W. D.


1 00


Mrs. George F. Horne, lot 16, E. D.


1 00


Mıs. S. G. Humiston, lot 142, E. D.


1 00


Frank Hutchinson, lot 82, W. I)


5 00


Mrs J. B. Johnson, lot 60, E. D. 5 00


1 00


Miss R. E. Luce, Fairview


1 00


Edwin D. Metcalf, Fairview .


2 00


George F. Millis, lot 57, W. D.


2 00


George C. Moore, lot 343, E. D.


2 00


E. D. Metcalf fund .


1 00


J. D). Morse, lot 58, E. D. .


1 00


Mrs. F. J. Noyes, lot 55, W. I).


3 00


Abram Orange, lot 48, E. D .. ..


6 00


J. M Osgood, lot 6, E. D.


1 00


Parker and Buxton, lot 365, E. D.


7 00


Mrs. H. S. Parker, Fairview


. .


1 00


Mrs. M. A. Parker, Fairview.


1 00


Wm. Petherick, lot 339, E. D ..


1 00


Edward Prescott. lot 25, W. D


1 00


Alfred T. Prinn, lot 67, W. D.


1 00


Mary A. Putnam fund, income, North Cemetery


2 04


Mrs T. C. Read, lot 3, E. D


1 00


J. Henry Read, Fairview 1 00


1 00


Mrs. J. W. Revere, Fairview . 1 00


Mrs. Anna Richardson, lot 74, W. D 1 00


Mrs. S. S. Read, West Cemetery


Amount carried forward


$575 01


Mrs. J. H. Laws, lot 114, W. D.


67


Amount brought forward $575 01


M. T. Richardson, Fairview 1 00


Miss Sarah Richardson, two lots in Fairview 2 00


Sarah S. Reed fund . 1 00


Mrs. Josie K. Ripley, lot 1, E. I)


1 00


Miss M. Shaw, lot 355, E. D


1 00


Jacob Smith, lot 95, W. D.


1 00


Mrs. John Smith, lot 375, E. D


5 00


J. F. Spaulding, lot 346, E. D


1 00


Richard Stancombe, lot 340, E. I).


1 00


Thomas E. Symmes, two lots in Fairview


2 00


Fred O. Stiles, lot 41, E. D


1 00


S. L. Taylor, lot 101, W. D.


1 00


S. L. Taylor, Law lot.


1 00


Mrs. Sarah H. Trumbull, Fairview 00


James A. Walkden, lot 15, E D.


1 00


D Waller, lot 356, E. D. .


5 00


Wm. Welch, lot 18, E. D.


1 00


Miss Amanda Wheeler, lot 105, W. D ..


.


1 00


A F. Whidden, Caldwell lot in Fairview


10 00


C. E. Whidden, for Whiting lot in Fairview


2 00


William Whigham, lot 54, E. D). .. 1 00


1 00


E. J. Whitney, lots 28-29, E. D .. . 2 00


1 00


L. E. Wilkins, lot 88, W. I). 1 00


1 00


William T. Willis, lot 19, E. D


1 00


John Wilson, lot 146, E. D. 1 00


Mrs. Mary Ann Wood, lot 53, E. D). 6 00


1 00


A. A. Wright, lot 34, W. I).


1 00


Frank Wright, lot 59, E. D.


5 00


G. J. Wright, lots 28-29, W. D).


2 00


G. P. Wright, lot 25, E. D.


1 00


Clara M. Wiley fund. 6 12


1 00


N. H. Wright, lots 46-47, W. D. 2 00


1 00


Willey M. Wright, lot 24, E. I)


W. W. Wyman, lot 376, E. D. 5 00


Mrs. Agnes N. York, lot 234, E. D 5 00


Total


$660 13


Mrs. Hiram Whitney, lot 100, W. D


William M. Whitney, lot 21, W. D.


Samuel Willis, lot 20, W. D.


.


Myron J. Wood, lot 155, E D).


Hammett D. Wright, for Varnum B. Wright lot.


68


EXPENSES.


W. C. Edwards, shade house, Fairview . $115 00


W. W. Johnson, labor, West Cemetery 42 75


Wright & Fletcher, shovels, grass seed, etc 3 25


B. & M. R. R., freight. 1 43


N. B. Blood, use of land for stone, West Cemetery 8 00 .. .


Boutwell Bros., iron rails for fence,


٠،


33 00


W. W. Johnson, labor,


2 50


B. F. Nutting, labor, North Cemetery


10 00


J. T. Colburn, labor, West Cemetery


7 00


Amasa Pratt & Co., posts,


36 50


B. & M. R. R., freight on manure, Fairview


11 04


A. P. Richardson and others, labor,


345 72


J. H. O'Brien, 6} cords manure,


22 75


George T. Day, labor and expense . on fence, West


Cemetery .. 30 00


Four stone posts, West Cemetery 16 00


Total


$684 94


Balance overdrawn


$21 81


TRUST FUNDS HELD FOR CARE OF BURIAL LOTS.


Sally B. Burrill fund. $100 00


Mary A. Putnam fund 100 00


Samuel Horne fund. 50 00


Clara M. Wiley fund.


100 00


Joseph B. Griffin fund.


100 00


Edwin D. Metcalf fund 50 00


Sarah S. Reed fund.


100 00


Total


$6.00 00


·


.


4


LIBRARY REPORT.


The Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library respectfully submit the following report for the year ending March 1, 1898 :-


The circulation of books during the past year, as shown by the Librarian's record, has been 14,440,-or 399 in excess of the very large circulation of the previous year. This fact clearly in- dicates that the interest of our people in the Library is unabated, and that the number of persons who have made use of it has increased during the year.


It is of course understood that a correct estimate of the benefit derived from the use of books requires that their quality as well as their quantity should be considered. The careful and thorough perusal of five good books in a year is doubtless more beneficial than the hasty reading of fifty inferior ones. The reader whose list of books borrowed covers several pages of the Librarian's record, and who has difficulty in recalling the titles, subjects and authors of works read the previous month, may well doubt whether he is receiving from the Library any benefit at all. This habit, which weakens the memory and impairs healthy growth of mental power, is especially prevalent among young readers. It should be corrected by parental guidance and control.


The Library has received many valuable gifts during the past year. Among the more notable ones are the volumes of American Diplomatic Correspondence, edited by Jared Sparks, presented by the Trustees of Westford Academy; thirty-nine volumes, chiefly of fiction, presented by Hon. George L. Rives of New York; Keith Johnston's large and expensive Royal Atlas of Modern Geography, edition of 1897, presented by Mr. Allan Cameron; and forty-three annual reports of towns and thirty-two pamphlets; presented by Capt. Sherman H. Fletcher.


The reading room has been adorned by two large and finely framed pictures, a steel engraving of the "Signing of the Compact in the Cabin of the Mayflower" and a landscape etching by the English artist, B. W. Leader. These pictures were purchased with money left for this purpose by the late Mrs. Sarah S. Reed.


A list of the gifts to the Library during the year is appended to this report.


In behalf of the town the Trustees return grateful acknowl- edgment to the donors.


Several important additions have been made to the works in


70


the reference room, and a copy of the very rare History of Chelmsford, by Wilkes Allen, has been secured.


Articles of interest, given or loaned, have been placed in the relic room.


Among the more valuable works purchased are the biographies of Tennyson and Jowett; the writings of George Washington, fourteen volumes; Merivale's Romans under the Empire, eight volumes; S. R. Gardiner's History of the Great Civil War, four volumes, and History of England from the Accession of James I to the Outbreak of the Civil War, ten volumes; Nansen's Farthest North; Fiske's Old Virginia and her Neighbors, and History of the American Revolution; Mahan's Life of Nelson; Cor- respondence of John Jay, four volumes; Cyclopedia of Political Science, Political Economy and United States History, three volumes; Bayard Taylor's Picturesque Europe, three volumes quarto, illustrated; and Appleton's Teachers' Practical Library, twelve volumes.


The vacancy caused in the Board of Trustees by the removal from town of Miss Margaret A. O'Neill was filled by the election of Mrs. Kate A. Kebler. Another vacancy was made in the board in November by the lamented death of John William Abbot.


The number of books transported from the Library during the year to Graniteville and Forge Village was 4,166; to Parkerville, 688.


We recommend that the sum of two hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for the purchase of books and periodicals during the ensuing year.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM E. FROST, Chairman, KATE A. KEBLER, Secretary,


Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library.


71


FINANCIAL STATEMENT.


RECEIPTS.


Balance unexpended. $ 74.19


Shoe and Leather Bank, dividends. 9.00


Merrimack River Savings Bank, interest. 4.60


City Institution for Savings, interest. 40.00


Lowell Mfg. Co., dividend. 15.00


Dog licenses. 295.49


Appropriation


200.00


Mrs. L. L. Tappan, gift.


1.00


Mrs. Mary Tappan Wright, gift 1.00


Miss Cheney, gift. 1.00


Received for damaged books. 3.05


$644.33


EXPENDITURES.


F. J. Barnard & Co., rebinding books. $ 16.87


Willard Small, books. 485.10


D. Appleton & Co., Maynard, Merrill & Co., and others, books. 48.45


Wright & Fletcher, magazines for reading room 52.85


$603.27


Balance $41.06


REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.


Number of books purchased. 331


Number of books presented. . 164


Public documents received from the state. 26


Public documents received from the United States 19


Whole number of books added during the year 540


Whole number of books in Library 9,685


Number of books lost.


I


Number of books bought to replace worn-out copies 20


Number of books loaned. 14,440


Number of pamphlets added 90


Cash on hand from last year $ 1.23


Fines 10.40


$11.63


Paid for supplies.


9.44


Balance


$2.19


72


DONORS OF BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, ETC.


Mrs. Sarah S. Reed, steel engraving, Signing the Compact.


Mrs. Sarah S. Reed, landscape etching by B. W. Leader.


Alden Fletcher Osgood, nine books.


J. W. Abbot, two books.


Capt. S. H. Fletcher, forty-three reports of towns, thirty-two pamphlets and two books.


Rev. A. A. Bickford, one book. .


Hon. Geo. L. Rives, thirty-nine books.


E. A. Hildreth, Harvard, one book.


R. C. Winthrop, Jr., one book.


C. W. Hildreth, one book.


McCormick Harvesting Machine Co., one book.


Trustees of Westford Academy, nine pamphlets and one hun- dred books.


Ayer Public Library, one book.


Allan Cameron, one book.


Augusta Larned, one book.


M. G. Luce, two books.


Ai Bicknell, two books.


Trustees of Reuben Hoar Library, one pamphlet.


Miss Josephine Rand, one pamphlet.


J. M. Fletcher, Esq., eight pamphlets.


Henry F. King, one pamphlet.




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