USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Laconia > Annual report of the receipts and expenditures of the city of Laconia, New Hampshire : for the year ending 1894 > Part 5
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Disturbances quelled (including Lakeport) 34 66 at Lakeport 6
Teams stabled and fed at expense of owners 15
No. of persons held for out of town officers 4
Runaway children returned to parents . . 3
Property and money reported lost and stolen · $515.18 recovered 369.68
In addition to the above there has been a large amount of work performed by the police that is impossible to show in a report. There has been an earnest endeavor on the part of the officers to suppress Sunday liquor selling, yet, notwith- standing the vigilance of the force there are now and then some who will sell on the Lord's day. A kitchen dive, so called, is sometimes hard to detect, but when these places have come to my knowledge they have been prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and in some instances have been com- pelled to quit the business, and I consider the effort to sup- press them successful in the main.
DISCIPLINE.
I have endeavored to place the force on as good footing as possible for one of its number, and I am pleased to say the
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CITY OF LACONIA.
officers have done all in their power to assist me, and have been faithful and obedient to every order given them for which I extend my thanks. The absence of personal jealousies has also improved the efficiency and discipline of the force.
POLICE STATION.
That the department is badly in need of a new station is evident. The many bad conditions of the building used for this purpose is, I trust, within the knowledge of the members of your honorable body; therefore, I refrain from making special mention of them at this time. The station at Lake- port meets the requirements of the department in that part of the city ; it has four good strong cells and is otherwise in good condition ; but at the south end the station is unfit for the purpose for which it is used, and I believe the city gov- ernment should give this subject immediate consideration.
CONCLUSION.
The peace and good order of the city has been maintained. The freedom of the city from great crimes and outbreaks among the lawless is also gratifying, and the good people of Laconia are to be congratulated on being spared from any of the brutal atrocities that have occurred in other localities. I desire to thank the board of mayor and city council for the cooperation and assistance rendered this department. I would acknowledge my obligations to His Honor Mayor Busiel, City Clerk Moore, Judge F. M. Beckford, Associate Justice G. H. Everett and Clerk M. B. Plummer, who have been very kind and considerate toward me during my term of office. I also wish to thank the special reserve officers, who have rendered valuable assistance to the department.
City Solicitor S. S. Jewett we have found most courteous and ever ready to assist us with valuable counsel, for which we extend our heartfelt thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY K. W. SCOTT,
City Marshal.
111
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
To the Committee on Accounts and Claims :
LACONIA, Feb. 15, 1894.
GENTLEMEN .- I have to-day paid to S. B. Cole, city treas- urer, two dollars and forty-nine cents, on account of money received for police services, etc., as follows :
1893.
Nov. 29. F. J. Brown, summoning witnesses $0.74 Dec. 8. Dr. Mace, police services at opera house 1.50
22. Judge Beckford, use of telephone 25
Total .
-- $ 2.49
In compliance with a vote taken by the city council, Jan. 29, that the head of each department submit an estimate of the amount of money to be appropriated for their depart- ment for the year ensuing, I respectfully present the following : Five patrolmen, $735 . $3,650.00
City marshal 900.00
Special.police and incidental expenses 450.00
Total
$5,000.00
This estimate is based on the expense for the year just closed. I think, however, it can be curtailed somewhat. This will depend of course upon circumstances.
Resp't yours, H. K. W. SCOTT,
City Marshal.
112
CITY OF LACONIA.
CASH REPORT OF THE JUSTICE AND CLERK OF THE POLICE COURT OF THE CITY OF LACONIA, N. H.
FROM MAY 3, '93 TO FEB. 16, '94, TO S. B. COLE, CITY TREAS.
To the City Council of the City of Laconia.
Criminal Cases before police court, as follows :
Drunks .
149
Beer and Liquor cases
73
Assault .
18
Larceny
9
Offensive language .
7
Keeping store open on Sundays
7
Noise and Brawl .
6
Vagrancy
6
Common drunkard .
5
Tramp .
2
False pretence .
3
Idle persons
21
Escaped prisoners
2
Riding bicycle on sidewalk
2
Embezzlement . 1
Prostitution
1
Non-support
1
Cruelty to animals
1
Total amount of cases 296
Cash received as follows :
Balance due town of Laconia before May
3,1893 $ 43.81
Received for fines
1,187.50
" court fees 392.19
1
Passing counterfeit money
113
CLERK OF POLICE COURT.
Received for officers' fees 497.79
" civil cases
48.30
Whole amount received $2,169.09
Cash paid out as follows :
Paid City Treasurer S. B. Cole . . . . $1,422.70
F. J. Brown, one-half fines and com- plaints . 323.79
Lester Philbrook, officers fees
·186.60
Chas. H. Locke,
7.94
James Smith, one-half fine .
25.00
John C. Young, 25.00
Lucy K. Roby 66 5.00
Mrs. J. Rouche, 66
5.00
Caroline Fecto,
5.00
Witness fees
8.80
Assistance 5.50
G. H. Clark, service and arrest 3.24
Albert Wilcox, carting
1.00
Jewett & Plummer, making complaint
1.00
Whole amount paid out .
$2,025.57
Balance due and paid S. B. Cole, City
Treasurer, Feb. 15, 1894 $143.52
$2,169.09
Respectfully submitted, F. M. BECKFORD, Justice. MARTIN B. PLUMMER, Clerk.
8
114
CITY OF LACONIA.
REPORT OF CITY SOLICITOR.
To the City Council of Laconia :
I have the honor to submit my report, it being the first an- nual report of the law department of the city. Upon assuming my duties as city solicitor, soon after the organization of the city government, I found a large number of litigated cases in which the city was interested. The following is a list of the cases :
Winnipiseogee Lake Cotton & Woolen Manufacturing Com- pany vs. the town of Gilford, No. 466 on the Equity docket of the Supreme Court for Belknap County, was a petition for abatement of taxes entered at the September term of said court, 1888 ; No. 497 on said docket was a similar petition by the same corporation for abatement of taxes entered at the March term of said court, 1889 ; No. 540 on said docket was a similar petition by the same corporation, entered at the March term of said court, 1890; No. 583 on said docket, was a similar petition by the same corporation entered at the March term of said court, 1891 ; No. 635 on said docket, was a similar petition by the same corporation entered in said court at the March term, 1892; No. 659 on said docket was a similar petition by the same corporation, entered in said court at the September term, 1892. All of the above mentioned cases had been transferred to the law term upon questions of law. Laconia & Lake Village Horse Railroad vs. the towns of Laconia and Gilford, et. al., No. 694 on said docket, entered in said court at the March term 1893, was a bill in equity for an injunction to restrain the defendants from the alleged ob- structing of the tracks of said railroad ; George D. Merrill et al. vs. the town of Gilford. No. 308 on the sessions docket of said court was a petition for a new highway ; Dana H. Elliott vs. the town of Laconia, No. 310 on said sessions docket was a petition filed in said court March 8, 1893, for an award of
115
CITY SOLICITOR'S REPORT.
damages by reason of the change of grade of a certain street known as Oak Place, made in the summer of 1892 ; Ploomy L. Elliott vs. the town of Laconia, No. 311 on said sessions docket, was a petition filed in said court, March 8, 1893, for an award of damages claimed by reason of a change of grade in said street known as Oak Place, made in the summer of 1892 ; John A. Jameson vs. the town of Laconia, No. 1159 on the civil docket of said court, entered at the March term 1893, was an action to recover damages against the town for injuries received by reason of an alleged defective highway.
The following suits have been commenced against the city since its organization : James L. Dixon vs. the City of Laco- nia and Forrest G. Berry, being a bill in equity for an injunc- tion to restrain the city and its street commissioner from an alleged destruction of certain shade trees of the plaintiff's ; Charles A. Jewett vs. the City of Laconia, being a petition for an assessment of damages claimed on account of an alleged change of the grade of a street in the summer of 1892 ; Winnipiseogee Lake Cotton & Woolen Manufacturing Com- pany vs. the City of Laconia, being a petition for abatement of certain taxes assessed against it for the current year ; Lydia J. Bartlett vs. the City of Laconia, being an appeal from the laying out of a new street known as Cross street. There is also the case of Peter J. Cook vs. Joseph L. Robin- son, in which the city may be interested, being an action brought by the plaintiff against the defendant, who was em- ployed in 1892 in the building of a new street south of Cottage street, to recover damages for alleged trespass in the con- struction of said street. From the above enumeration it will be seen that the city had in hand at the date of its organiza- tion a large number of litigated cases. Comparatively few new cases demanding adjustment by the courts have arisen during the present year. By the act of incorporation of the city, the before enumerated cases of the Winnipeseogee Lake Cotton & Woolen Manufacturing Company vs. the town of Gilford, with the exception of its last petition for abatement, were assumed by Ward 6, of the city, and it thus became a part of the business of the city law department, and the case
116
CITY OF LACONIA.
of Merrill vs. the town of Gilford, being a petition for a new highway, and within the territory of said Ward 6, also became a case for the city to attend to ; the cases against the town of Laconia, as a matter of course fell to the city's attention. In the first three enumerated cases of the Lake Co., which it will be observed commenced some years ago, the decision of the court was in favor of the plaintiff for an abatement of a por- tion of the taxes assessed against it in the years mentioned in the petitions, and a decree made thereon accordingly. In these cases executions were issued for the plaintiffs, which executions have been satisfied by the payment of the amounts called for, which will appear in the city report in another place. All of the other cases of the Lake Co., which were reserved and continued, are now pending in court, including the petition for the abatement of certain taxes for the current year. The final disposition of these cases may be expected at no distant day. The case of Laconia & Lake Village Horse Railroad vs. Laconia & Gilford et al. still stands on the docket, but no case has been agreed to by the parties or furnished by the court. In the case of George D. Merrill vs. the town of Gilford, hearing has been had before the county commissioners to whom it was referred, and their decision has been made and filed for the laying out of the highway petitioned for, and the same has been laid out by them and the damages assessed. The damages have not yet been paid, but it is expected that the highway laid out will be con- structed. and the damages paid in the early spring. In the two before mentioned cases of Dana H. Elliott and Ploomy L. Elliott vs. the town of Laconia, a settlement has been made. as you are aware, by a vote of the city council, the amount paid in settlement of both cases being four hundred and twenty-five dollars, as will appear elsewhere in the city report. The case of John A. Jameson vs. the town of Laco- nia, before referred to, is still pending in court, as well as the cases of James L. Dixon vs. the City et al., Charles A. Jewett vs. the City and Lydia J. Bartlett vs. the city. The case of Peter J. Cook vs. Joseph L. Robinson, in which the city may be interested as before alluded to is still in court.
1.
CITY SOLICITOR'S REPORT.
117
Notwithstanding the large number of litigated cases, in which the city has been and is interested in, this has really been a small portion of the work which has fell to the lot of the city solicitor. As would naturally be supposed in the formation of a city uniting practically two towns, an immense deal of work has had to be done by all the members of the city government : numberless questions have arisen which have been referred to this office, many of them of the most perplexing nature and character, and many of them involving a vast amount of time in the endeavor to give the correct judgment and answer to them. Several important contracts involving large amounts of money have been entered into by the city with other parties and corporations, which contracts have been drawn by me. Numberless questions have also arisen in the construction of such ordinances for the city as have been passed, which have fallen to the law department of the city to give opinions upon ; numerous meetings, in fact, nearly every meeting of the city council has been attended, as well as road hearings and other mettings demanding atten- tion. Very many claims have been investigated and legal conundrums answered. To the duties of the office I have given my most careful and conscientious endeavors. To the various city officers, to the members of the council and to His Honor, the Mayor, I desire to express my hearty appreciation for uniform kindness and apparent confidence.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN S. JEWETT,
City Solicitor.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
REPORT OF OVERSEER OF THE POOR. WARDS 2, 3, 4 and 5.
To the City Council of the City of Laconia:
LACONIA, Feb. 21, 1894.
J. P. Atkinson, Overseer of Poor, in account with City of
Laconia :
Cash received of treasurer
$
336.08
Accounted for as follows :
Paid B. M. Sanborn, aid to Mrs. Warren
Smith
$165.88
State Industrial School, board of Ed-
ward O'Connell for year ending Dec. 31
78.00
Lawrence Whalen to Feb. 10 29.55
Geo. H. Stark 6.23
Police Dep't., crackers
3.30
Salary to Feb. 10
53.12
$336.08
J. P. ATKINSON,
Overseer of Poor.
WARD I.
Paid Jacob J. Severance, aid to Mary A.
Severence $100.00
Cash from city
$100.00
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR TUCKER, Overscer of Poor.
119
POOR DEPARTMENT.
WARD 6.
LAKEPORT, N. H., Feb. 9th, 1894.
Estimate of expenses for support of poor for year ending Feb. 15, 1895.
Amount allowed J. J. Severance $130.00 75.00
Salary
Sundries
5.00
$210.00
An estimate of expenses for the support of the poor is a very uncertain problem. Our poor are usually county charges ; still it is possible to have a large increase that might be charged direct to the city. On the other hand, the one fixed charge may, and is liable at most any time to be dropped by the death of the patient.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR TUCKER,
Overseer of the Poor.
120
CITY OF LACONIA.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
To the City Council of the City of Laconia :
LACONIA, N. H., Feb. 16, 1894.
GENTLEMEN :- In accordance with your request we have the honor to submit the following report of sanitary work for the year ending Feb. 15, 1894 :
Orders issued for abatement of nuisances 51
Sewer connections
66 66 ordered
15
Vaults ordered cleaned
120
Permits for cleaning vaults
10
Foul sink drains
32
Sinks without traps
7
Damp cellars
5
Filthy cellars
4
Water in cellars
Filthy alley-ways
14
Bad wells
1
Coal ashes in street .
3
Night soil, improperly covered
3
Animals buried
26
Dumping rubbish
5
meat and fish on bay shore
3
Keeping hogs and pigs
3
Offensive manure heaps
Stagnant water on lots near dwellings
2
Removal of offal
11
Swill thrown in street and back yards
11
Over crowded tenement houses .
3
Privies offensive to neighbors .
3
Complaints entered and carefully investigated 128
270
121
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
All alley-ways and spaces between buildings leading off Main and Mill streets have been thoroughly cleaned and freshly covered with sand twice during the year.
A great deal of complaint has been made in regard to the cleaning of vaults in the populous parts of the city. Although the law requires the work to be done between 10 P. M. and 4 A. M., it has not always been observed. The carts used for this work are not suitable and frequently it has been necessa- ry to expend time and money to clean the leakage from streets through which they have passed.
The board respectfully recommends that reliable men be licensed to clean vaults ; that they be required to use suitable carts, such as are usually used in cities for such purposes, and that a price be established for the work. At the commence- ment of the year rules and regulations were arranged by the board and approved by the mayor and council. These have been posted in conspicuous places, and quite a number have been mailed to citizens, where thought to do the most good.
Notices in relation to the dumping of rubbish were also posted near the city limits, but were soon torn down.
All complaints have been carefully investigated and the board has tried to act justly and in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the State Board of Health. People in general have kindly cooperated with the health officer in his efforts to correct unsanitary conditions, although in a few instances there have been exceptions.
CONTAGIOUS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
No. of cases of scarlet fever in Wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 51
Ward 6 23
Whole number
74
Deaths
12
No. cases of diphtheria in Wards 2, 3, 4 and 5
5
Ward 6
2
1 1
Whole number
8
Deaths
4
No. cases typhoid fever in Wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 6
122
CITY OF LACONIA.
No. cases typhoid fever in Ward 1 1 Whole number 7
Deaths
1
Reports of membranous croup and measies were not re- quired by state law until October, 1893, since which time one case of membranous croup and sixteen cases of measles have been reported. The board began its work with four cases of scarlet fever. Every effort was made to check the epidemic. Placards were placed upon houses containing cases, and strict isolation was insisted on until desquamation was com- pleted. Disinfectants were furnished and pamphlets con- taining rules for the prevention and restriction of the disease, were freely distributed in families and schools. Thorough disinfection by sulphur fumigation was personally superin- tended by one of the board of health. Physicians aided in their prompt reports, with one exception, which was prosecuted and physician left town.
Truant Officer Wilkinson rendered valuable assistance in our efforts among families not appreciating the necessity for precautions required by the State Board of Health. Teachers were kindly interested, and infected families often, but not always, cooperated.
Weekly reports were sent to the State Board of Health at Concord, and Dr. Watson, the secretary of that board, was twice personally consulted. In spite of all efforts, the disease became epidemic, causing unusual expense to the city. This was due in part to a lack of intelligent aid from the lower classes. They fail to perceive the necessity for observing the law and frequently used every means to evade the law and outwit the board of health. In over crowded tenements it is very difficult to obtain anything like sanitary conditions, and perfect isolation becomes almost an impossibility. An effort has been made towards the observance of the law regarding vaccination. The city physician has vaccinated over forty pupils unable to pay for the same, and certificates of vaccin- ation have been required of pupils in all the schools.
It is difficult to estimate amount required for the work of
123
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
the board of health, as the past year has been exceptional on account of the scarlet fever epidemic. Probably eight hun- dred dollars would ordinarily cover expenses, including salaries of board.
Respectfully submitted,
J. C. FRENCH, W. H. TRUE, F. E. ELKINS, Board of Health.
W. H. TRUE, Secretary.
.
124
CITY OF LACONIA.
REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.
To the City Council of the City of Laconia :
Our first year under a municipal form of government has been one comparatively free from epidemics of contagious diseases.
During the first months a few cases of scarlatina, mostly in a mild form and endemic character, appeared. These through the vigilance of the board of health were properly quarantined and after a few weeks the disease died out.
There have been very few cases of diphtheria and typhoid fever.
The only case of importance which came under the care of the city physician was that of Mr. Ward who, on July 23d received a gun shot wound in the left leg which resulted in a compound fracture of the femur, three inches above the knee joint. The case was cared for at the county house, and considering the gravity of the injury the result was fairly sat- isfactory.
About one hundred and twenty school children were vac- cinated during the year.
With our excellent water supply, system of sewerage and efficient board of health, the city of Laconia should be one of the most healthful cities in New England.
The brevity of this report corresponds with the amount of business done and salary received.
Respectfully,
G. H. SALTMARSH, M. D.,
City Physician.
125
REPORT OF CITY LIQUOR AGENT.
REPORT OF CITY LIQUOR AGENT.
To the City Council :
I herewith transmit my report of the transactions of this office from Mar. 1, 1893, to Feb. 15, 1894, inclusive.
On hand Mar. 1, 1893 :
Liquors
$ 483.79
Fixtures
3.82
Old casks
11.00
Cash
57.89
Total .
$ 556.50
Liquors purchased
423.62
Expense on same
4.10
$984.22
Cash account :
Cash Mar. 1, 1893 .
$ 57.89
1,755 sales of liquor
568.24
Sales of old casks
4.50
$630.63
Paid for liquors
$ 281.25
" expense
3.10
" agent's salary
95.84
" city treasurer
243.03
Cash on hand .
7.41
$630.63
Liquors now on hand
$ 478.52
Old casks “
11.50
Fixtures
3.82
Cash
7.41
$501.25
Less due agent for liquors
142.37
$358.88
126
CITY OF LACONIA.
The agency has been self sustaining, the profits paying all expenses, including the agent's salary.
Respectfully submitted, S. R. JONES, Agent.
BELKNAP, SS. Feb. 19, 1894.
Subscribed and sworn to before me.
AUGUSTUS J. OWEN, Justice of the Peace.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER.
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City of Laconia :
LACONIA, N. H., Feb. 1894.
GENTLEMEN .- Agreeable to the ordinance governing this department, I have the honor herewith to submit the annual report of the present organization :
FIRES.
A total of twelve calls were answered during the year as follows :
Bell alarms 4
Telegraph alarms 8
LOSSES AND INSURANCE.
Loss on buildings $ 8,105.00
Loss on contents 17,550.00
$25,655.00
Insurance paid ..
$18,814.99
Total loss over insurance paid 6,840.01
March 9, 1893. Alarm box 25. Foundry and blacksmith shop, owned by Laconia Car Co. Cause of fire, over heated cupola.
Loss on buildings . $ 6,000.00
contents 12,000.00
Insurance on buildings 2,928.12
66 contents 8,981.87
Mar. 9. Alarm box 68. Shaving storage house, owned by G. Cook & Son. Cause of fire, sparks from Car Shop fire. Loss on building $ 25.00
Insurance on building 25.00
128
CITY OF LACONIA.
June 16. Alarm Box 67. Barn owned by Geo. Sleeper, Court street. Cause of fire, careless use of matches by boys. Loss 100.00 No insurance.
June 19. Alarm in Ward 6. Mill used for hosiery manu- factory. Owned by Peter Morin, occupied by Leon Burke. Cause of fire, probably over-heated boiler.
Loss on building $ 425.00
Insurance on building (insurance worthless) 000.00
Loss on contents
1,500.00
Ins. 1,500.00
July 12. Alarm in Ward 6. Barn owned by Mrs. Cook. Cause of fire, spark from locomotive. No loss. No insurance.
Aug. 23. Alarm in Ward 1. House owned by B. S. George, occupied by O. C. Moore. Cause of fire, over-heated chimney.
Loss on house $ 25.00
Ins. 25.00
Loss on contents 0.00
Sept. 4. Alarm in Ward 6. Barn owned by Casper
Bunker. No loss. Cause of fire, spark from locomotive.
Oct. 2. Alarm Box 43. Barn owned by Dennis O'Shea, Main street, occupied by Mrs. M. Whalen and others. Cause of fire, probably spontaneous combustion.
Loss on barn $ 930.00
Loss on contents
425.00
Ins. on barn 930.00
contents 325.00
Oct. 5. Alarm Box 25. Building owned by J. F. Merrill and estate of Otis Beaman, occupied by Dr. Provencal and others. Cause of fire, careless use of matches. No loss.
Dec. 26. Alarm Box 25. Building owned by W. C. Marshall, occupied by J. J. Lane, Laconia Democrat, Lawrence and others. Cause of fire, probably careless smoking among greasy and combustable waste paper.
129
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Loss on building
$ 500.00
contents 4,625.00
Ins. on building
500.00
Ins. on contents
3,500.00
Jan. 6, 1894. Alarm Box 47. Boiler house, owned by Cal-
vin J. Sanborn. Cause of fire, probably incendiary by thieves stealing beef.
Loss on building
$ 100.00
Ins.
100.00
Jan. 23. Alarm Box 54. 4 Rung in for burning chim- ney; house owned by Royal Page. Alarm not necessary.
MANUAL FORCE.
Total manual force is classified as follows :
Chief engineer
1
Asst.
5
Laconia Steamer Co. No. 1 15
Weirs Hose Co. No. 1 .
12
G. A. Sanders Hose Co., No. 2 .
Reliance No. 3
15
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