USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Milford > Annual reports of the Town officers of Milford, New Hampshire, 1920-1921 > Part 3
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We find by actual test that we have three days sup- ply of water in the stand pipe.
We have laid 150 feet of 6 inch main on Johnson Street and 200 feet of 2 inch main on Dean Street, also extended a service main on North Street 100 feet. We have replaced 27 leaking goose-necks and re-set 40 gate-boxes.
We have established a system of blowing mains to relieve the bad water in dead ends. This affords but a temporary relief.
We are in hopes before the end of another year to have in operation a filtering plant on which we are now experimenting.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT F. CAMPBELL, Superintendent.
REPORT OF REGISTRAR AND TREASURER OF MILFORD WATER WORKS. RECEIPTS
Cash on hand January 31, 1919 $ 151 66
Faucet rates, April & Oct.
2579 3I
Meter Rates 6,434 67
New services
371 80
Miscellaneous
186 07
Hydrant service
3,610 00
Drinking fountains 95 00
58
Riverside Cemetery Town Stable
3 00
10 00
From Town of Milford
690 00
$14,131 51
EXPENDITURES
Construction
$ 254 61
Service
183 08
Repairs at station
77 55
General repairs
1,506 70
Fuel and supplies
3,508 13
Salaries
2,885 00
Miscellaneous
559 76
Town of Milford
690 00
Sinking fund
1,200 00
Interest on Water Bonds
3,000 00
Cash on hand Jan. 31, 1920
266 68
$14,131 51 GEORGE A. WORCESTER, Registrar and Treasurer.
CONSTRUCTION
Joseph Dube, labor
$IIO 05
Edward J. Taylor, labor
6 00
M. Burke
132 17
Pennechuck Water Works, material
6 39
$254 61
SERVICE
Joseph Dube, labor
121 75
M. Burke, labor
58 33
Edward J. Taylor, labor
3 00
$183 08
REPAIRS AT STATION
Frank P. Fisk
20 99
W. L. Winslow
27 56
J. Dube
29 00
GENERAL REPAIRS
Joseph Dube, labor $806 20
59
M. Burke, labor
II4 50
John O'Neil, labor
70 00
Charles Gault, labor
24 00
J. E. Taylor, labor
6 00
H. Henderson
6 00
M. B. Main material
480 00
$1,506 70
FUEL AND SUPPLIES
Mrs. C. B. Came, coal $2,194 30
Bergami Hardware & Electric Co.
24 38
James P. Melzer
84 40
Braman Dow & Co.
78 16
Hersey Mfg. Co.
II6 43
Rensselaer Valve Co.
51 90
W. F. French
37 68
T. B. Ambrose
8 18
National Meter Co.
81 62
Dumas and Co.
21 00
H. H. Barber P. & H. C.
93 58
W. E. Pierce
5 00
G. F. Jewett & Co.
I 80
Kendall & Wilkins
5 40
George E. Trudell
164 4I
D. Whiting & Sons
38 00
Eagle Iron Foundry
208 5I
Harold Bond & Co.
45 00
Charles E. Perkins
37 99
Crandall Packing Co.
45 38
Clede H. Jackman
4 3I
Camon Meter Co.
9 00
Union Meter Co.
63 29
W. C. Richardson and Son Co.
33 60
John A. Bruce
3 75
E. F. Albee
90
H. Mueller Mfg. Co.
50 16
$3,508 13
60
MISCELLANEOUS
Telephone and Telegraph Co.
$ 65 55
W. F. French
151 63
E. H. Proctor
2 24
George R. Sears, 'labor
41 30
E. M. Parker, expressing
23 72
Kendall & Wilkins
I 12
J. A. Bruce
I 70
Bergami Hardware & Electric Co.
4 94
Derby Waist Co.
6 00
E. J. Epps
75
F. E. Cooley
90
E. N. Walters
4 58
J. H. Fay
18 00
G. F. Jewett & Co.
4 30
F. J. Sevigne
7 67
Joseph Dube
6 00
John O'Neil
I 75
W. L. Winslow
6 75
Springer Trafton
76 00
Express, etc.
20 62
Nashua St. Garage Co.
2 00
Stamps
I 00
Wm. H. Pritchard
I 50
A. L. Keyes
104 90
G. W. Moore
84
H. W. Meek Pub. Co.
4 00
$559 76
Town of Milford
690 00
Sinking Fund
1,200 00
Interest on Water Bonds
3,000 00
$5,449 76
SALARIES
R. F. Campbell, Supt. $1,500 00
H. Henderson, engineer
1,060 00
61
H. A. Wilkins, Commissioner 100 00
F. E. Kendall, commissioner 25 00 Geo. A. Worcester, registrar and treas. 200 00
- $2,885 00
STATISTICS
Number of services Feb. 1919 644
Number added during the year 8
Total number of services 652
Number of services metered
382
Number of services not in use
23
Number of Hydrants 86
Average number gallons pumped per day 1919 159,790 Average number gallons pumped per day 1918 138,4581/2 Largest number pumped in one day May 29 -395,330 Least number pumped in one day Nov. 16 92,833
Largest number lbs coal used in one day, May 26 .... 2,905 Least number lbs. coal used in one day May 25 600 Number tons coal used for pumping only 1919 204
Number tons coal used for pumping only 1918
140
Number tons including banking 1919
23I
Number tons including banking 1918
212
Number tons ash, 1919 311/2
Number tons ash, 1918 293/4
Number gallons pumped per lb. coal, 1919 I42 Number gallons pumped per lb. coal, 1918. I33
Average lbs. coal used per day for pumping only, 1919 I,II8
Average lbs. coal used per day for pumping only,
1918
1,04I1/2
Number gallons pumped ped 1b coal, 1918
I33
52
PUMPING RECORD
Pumping time Coal Banking Ashes
Gallons
Hours
mins. 1bs.
1bs.
1bs.
pumped
January
240
35329
4650
5185
5337608
February
239
15
37197
4200
5472
5280492
March
254
30
39216
4650
5492
5850284
April
201
45
31503
4500
4320
4649993
May
167
15
37883
3750
6582
5689163
June
234
30
35223
4500
5523
5239742
July
245
30
38894
4650
5899
5693031
August
231
45
35295
4650
5545
5366240
September
183
15
28102
4500
4717
3843368
October
185
15
28945
4650
4362
3910881
November
168
15
27666
4500
4554
3698539
December
184
30
32915
4650
5505
3764312
2535 45 408168 53850 63156 58323653
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Report of Soldiers' Welcome Committee
At the annual town meeting of March 1919 Fred T. Wadleigh submitted the following resolution :
"Resolved : that a committee consisting of the Mod- erator and seven additional members, to, be appointed by the Moderator, are hereby authorized to arrange a prop- er celebration of the return of our Soldiers and Sailors, and that the sum of $500 be raised and appropriated to be used, or such part thereof as may be desired, to cover the cost of such celebration."
This resolution was adopted and Mr. Emerson ap- pointed the following committee : C. S. Emerson, F. T. Wadleigh, P. R. Woodman, H. E. Lennon, Charles Ton- ella, Mrs. J. J. Howison, Mrs. A. W. Turner, and Mrs. H. E. Twombly.
The committee organized with F. T. Wadleigh as chairman and Mrs. J. J. Howison, secretary.
It was decided that a letter should be sent to each Milford boy in the service, at home, overseas, or where- ever duty called him, extending the greetings and appre- ciation of the Town of Milford for the loyal service which he was rendering to his country.
As the days and weeks passed, the boys were return- ing home; those who were in the camps at home re- turning first. In all cases where possible the committee endeavored to meet each boy and extend to him a most cordial welcome home. By July the boys from overseas were fast returning and it was decided that by August there would be the greatest number of boys at home. It was found that for several reasons Saturday, August 23, seemed the best day for the celebration.
64
Fight sub-committees of eleven members each were appointed, with one of the general committee as chair- man. Following are the committees :
Program: F. T. Wadleigh, B. F. Prescott, F. W. Saw- yer, E. S. Heald, G. A. Worcester, W. J. Abbott, J. C. Lewis, A. J. Rossi, Mrs. C. A. McLane, Mrs. W. F. French, Mrs. H. N. Thomas.
Invitation: C .S. Emerson, H. A. Wilkins, A. B. Rotch, C. B. Heald, J. A. Mallalieu, K. K. Stimson, John Bianchi, A. L. Keyes, Mrs. Anna J. Warren, Mrs. John T. Murphy, Miss Rita Romani.
Decorations: Mrs. A. W. Turner, Mrs. F. W. Ord- way, Mrs. Richard Epps, Percy E. Armstrong, A. A. Murray, J. F. Hanlon, E. M. Stickney, F. E. Powers, B. F. Foster, John Reidle, George Calderara.
Grounds: H. E. Lennon, J. J. Monteith, Frank P. Fisk, F. J. Kendall, W. S. Keith, John Burnett, C. E. Ken- dall, J. F. Smith, Joseph Bourke, John Conti, Charles Robinson.
Receptions : Mrs. H. E. Twombly, Mrs. H. S. Hutch- inson, Miss Jennie Nichols, Mrs. J. P. Melzer, Mrs. James Bernasconi, Rev. C. A. Reese, Rev. G. E. Wolfe, Rev. Mason W. Sharp, S. A. Lovejoy, D. D. Tuttle, J. A. Brahaney.
Entertainment: Charles Tonella, M. A. Goldman, H. A. Smith, John F. Pirovano, A. W. Howison, L. C. Hall, Frank Comolli, T. H. Mullen, Mrs. Joseph P. Manning, Miss Ruth McIntire, Miss Mary Murphy.
Banquet: Mrs. J. J. Howison, Mrs. J. E. Webster, Mrs. F. E. Cooley, Mrs. W. E. Poore, Mrs. G. W. Fal- coner, Mrs. E. P. Cassidy, Mrs. Harry Carpenter, Mrs. C. F. Haseltine, C. A. Baker, A. H. Caldwell, E. B. Hall, W. L. Winslow.
Ball: P. R. Woodman, F. W. Barnes, E. L. Kittredge, Thomas Hurley, Frank Rossi, Charles L. Luce, John Stein, Sidney Riddle, Mrs. G. F. Peavey, Mrs. Carl Thrasher, Miss Eleanor Langdell.
65
Each committee planned their work and then re- ported to the general committee for approval.
As the plans progressed it was very evident that the amount of money which was raised and appropriated by the Town was not sufficient for a celebration such as the committee wished to carry out and such as they felt the citizens would feel proud of. It was voted to ask the Town to appropriate from the money raised and appro- priated for band concerts during the season 1919, a sum sufficient to pay for the evening concert. This request was granted by the selectmen. The banquet committee decided to solicit from the citizens such amount of food and money as would be required for the banquet. The response was most generous. The committee wishes to take this opportunity to extend sincere thanks and ap- preciation to all who so generously contributed, as our work was made much easier.
The several committees were very busy making all arrangements for the comfort and pleasure of the boys, also for their families and friends.
The Red Cross House was taken over by the recep- tion committee as a headquarters for all. Everything was done for their comfort. It was beautifully decor- ated with flags and lanterns. Flowers were artistically arranged in all the rooms. Some of the committee were in attendance all the time. The work of the decorating was made much easier by the splendid co-operation of the people in decorating their buildings. They did a fine job on the halls, the band stand, speakers' stand, and the Oval. This was decorated with strings of Japanese lanterns and large vases of flowers on the walks. When it was lighted in the evening it was like fairyland.
The two windows in Stickney's store commanded much admiration. They were planned by Mrs. A. W. Turner. In the west window the Stars and Stripes, to- gether with the banners of the allies, formed the back- ground. The motif was "Flanders' Fields." From a car-
66
pet of sods hundreds of poppies raised their heads. In the front were the pictures of the seven Milford boys who had made the supreme sacrifice. In the east win- dow were displayed, against a large flag as a back- ground, the pictures, so far as possible to obtain them, of the Milford boys who had entered the service.
All arrangements were completed. No more perfect day could have been chosen than that which greeted the people of Milford on Saturday, August 23. From start to finish everything passed off as scheduled, except that the airplane did not arrive on time.
The day's program opened promptly at nine o'clock, with the blowing of whistles and ringing of bells. At ten o'clock a large crowd had gathered at the Park to witness a ball game between Townsend and Milford. It certain- ly was a thriller from start to finish, and was a victory for Townsend with a score of 2 to I.
Promptly at one o'clock the Salem Cadet band gave a very fine concert on the Oval. It was announced in the morning that the airplane scheduled to arrive at II :30 would not arrive until oneo'clock.
A procession was formed in front of the Red Cross house with the boys in uniform, escorted by the G. A. R. and other veterans, Boy Scouts and citizens, led by the Band, marching to the Park. The exercise's were open- ed by two little girls dressed in white displaying two large "Welcome Home" banners from the speakers' stand. Mr. F. T. Wadleigh, chairman of the day, in a few well chosen words extended a welcome, then intro- duced Rev. C. A. Reese, who offered prayer. In the midst of Mr. Wadleigh's following remarks the airplane arrived. A recess was called until the machine had safely landed, across the river.
On behalf of the town Mr. C. S. Emerson extended greetings to the boys. After a few brief remarks the roll call followed. First came the names of the seven from whom there is no response. The bugle sounded
67
"Taps," the audience standing. Then came the names of the boys in service, after which three cheers were given and they were showered with colored streamers and hundreds of toy balloons were released and floated off in the breeze. Congressman Wason extended the congratulations of the state and nation to the boys who so bravely served both. Col. J. F. J. Herbert of Worces- ter and New York was the speaker of the day, giving a brief and eloquent address. Hon. A. E. Pillsbury gave a very fine talk, adding his congratulations to the town on having the' boys back, to the boys on living to get back, and to the audience in having such fine speakers. There was community singing, led by Mr. E. S. Heald during the exercises.
The airplane gave a fine exhibition, but was unable to stay long, as the engine was not working right. From five to six o'clock a fine band concert was given on the Oval, which was greatly enjoyed by all. Soon after six o'clock the boys were served a fine banquet.
The banquet hall was very artistically decorated with streamers and baskets of flowers. The flowers were red, white and blue for the tables. Two hundred covers were laid. At each place was a very handsome souvenir menu. An orchestra furnished music and Mr. Robert Campbell gave several vocal selections, the boys joining on the chorus. Rev. C. A. Reese offered prayer. Thirty young ladies dressed in white served the banquet, which consisted of home-cooked food from some of Milford's best cooks.
68
None but the brave deserve the "fare."
MENU
"Bokoo Seconds" A night raid on MELONS
Get your mess kits ready for CHICKEN PIE
"Tipperary Dugouts"
"Raw Recruits"
POTATOES GREEN CUCUMBERS
"Tommies" TOMATOES
After a kill-me-toe hike CORN ON THE COB
"Corned Willie" COLD HAM
"Can William" COLD TONGUE
"Over the top" FRUIT SALAD
"A gas barrage" HOT ROLLS
"Camouflaged Coolness' HARLEQUIN ICE CREAM
"Toute de suite"
APPLE PIE
"Now to the Dutch" CRACKERS AND CHEESE
The "Vin Sisters"
GINGER ALE GINGER TONIC
"Here's to the good old U. S. A." COFFEE
"Keep the home fires burning" CIGARS
CIGARETTES
"FINIS"
"Where do we go from here, boys?"
69
Following is a list of Milford boys in the service. Those names marked with a star were present at the banquet :
GUESTS OF HONOR
Barry, Michael H., Colonel Mckenzie, William H. Lieutenant Cutts, Elwin F., Lieut. Commander*Wilson, George S., Lieutenant *Talbot, Bertell L., Major *Reese, Gordon B., Lieutenant
Herlihy, Edward F., Captain Emerson, Dean A., 2nd Lieutenant Emerson, Sumner B., 2nd. Lieut. *Parker, Ralph M., 2nd. Lieut.
*McLane, Clinton A. Captain *Gault, Harold C., Captain Hutchinson, R. Wilson, Sen. Lieut.Pritchard, Ernest W., 2nd. Lieut. Murphy, Timothy J., Lieut. Erwin, John Paul, Ensign *Lovejoy, Frank H., Lieutenant Hutchinson, Karl F., Ensign
Abbiatti, Frank
*Adams, Lester C. Aimini, Louis C.
Bugbee, Victor H. 1st. Cl. Sergt.
Burke, Edward J.
*Burtt, Elgin F.
*Caccivio, Giorgio
*Caccivio, Giovanni E.
*Caccivio, Santino
*Cahill, John H.
*Cain, Willim J. Wagoner
*Anderson, Robert
*Barnes, Paul H.
*Calderara, John
*Calderara, Romeo
*Calvitti, Peter
*Carlton, Albert E. *Carlton, Roger, 1st. Cl. Elec. radio
*Chartier, George
Champaign, Joseph W.
Chickering, George P. Coburn, Roscoe N.
*Boutelle, Earl G.
*Bourke, Adolph H.
*Bourke, Herman
*Comolli, Edward R.
*Comolli, Martin M.
*Conley, Francis L.
*Cooley, Earle E. Corriveau, Ludger
*Brahaney, James A. Jr.
Brooks, Howard C. Broome, George B. Brown, Herbert F., Mech.
Brown, Dalton M. Brunnelle, William J.
Allen, Leroy, Corp.
* Ames, Harold C. *Ames, Ernest G. Amodio, Guiseppe
*Ansaldo, Joseph
*Ansaldo, Louis
*Barnes, Roscoe F. Sergt. Per. *Barnes, Sherman L. C., Corp. *Bergami, Fred, Sergt. Berry, Clifton H., Corp. Bernasconi, Fidele P.
*Bianchi, Egidio D.
*Bianchi, Mario Bianchi, Victor
*Coffin, Charles C. *Coletti, Peter
*Boutwell, John P.
*Boutwell, Samuel F., Sergt.
*Bowler, Charles Jr. Bragg, Leslie A.
*D'Antuoni, Antonio
*Dean, Charles
*DeMontigny, Wm. J., Corp.
*Doucet, Arthur
70
Doucet, Theophile Drew, Frank W., Corp.
Dube, Henry J., Sergt. Dube, Joseph Dube, Napoleon J.
Dube, Frank, Corp. *Dube, Joseph Wilfred *Duff, James M. Dunklee, Ralph W., Sergt. *Dutton, Andrew E .. Sergt, 1st. Cl.Keast, John Charles, Sergt. *Dutton, Mark A., Sergt Major *Duval, Lawrence R.
Elms, Harold Erwin, Joseph C.
Fairfield, Louis
Fairfield, Amos
*Fazio, Antonio *Field, Percy H., Corp. Fielding, Luther G. Fiske, Clarence A., Horseshoer *Fitzpatrick, John J. Flanders, Percy M. *Fogliani, Joseph Fontana, Primo C. *Fraser, Daniel J. *Fraser, Joseph Victor *Fraser, Leo J. Furnari, Antonio Gagnon, Elzear
*Gagnon, Ernest, Sergt. *Gainey, Daniel M. *Gainey, Ralph J., Corp. Garland, Mansell Garrity, Fred W. *Garrity, Arthur J. *Gatto, Joseph Gerry, Byron E. Gilson, Ralph L. *Goldsmith, Calvin B. *Granata, Rosario *Grimes, Earle S., Sergt. Major *Hall, Earle P., Sergt. Hammond, Maurice *Heald, Hermann L. Holland Thomas P.
Holohan, Daniel F. Jr. *Hutchinson, Bernard A. *Hutchinson, Fred A. Jr. Ingerson, James, William Ingerson, Thomas Earle *Jacques, Leon Jarest, J. Octave Jarest Leo Joseph *Jewett, Edwin O.
Keeley, William P. *Kimball, Fred S. Sergt.
*Langdell, Loring *Lella, Raffaele *Lombard, Augustus F. Corp. Lovejoy, Leon L. Sergt. McGuire, William E. Sergt. 1st Cl.
*McGuire, James E. *McGuire, John F. *McIntosh, Henry W.
*Mckenzie, Charles Wallace McLeod, Albert McLeod, Clarence R.
*McNulty, Henry J. Sergt.
*McNulty, William J. Sergt. Merrill, Lester Nathan
*Merrill, Leonard C. Merrill , Maurice Calvin *Messer, Harvey W. Mitchell, Elmer Mitchell, Wilfred Murphy, Jeremiah J., Corp. *Newbold, Charles H. Sergt. O'Brien, John J. O'Connor, Daniel L. O'Hanlon, James R. *O'Neil, Frances E.
*Paradie, Arthur C. Corp.
*Parker, Harold P.
*Phippard, David A. Sergt. *Place, John
*Pond, Harold E.
*Prescott, Carl O. *Quigley, Frank H.
*Radford, Thomas
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*Randall, Earl L. Reese, Annie C. *Reid, John
*Ricciardi, Joseph
Richardson, Robert H.
*Rizzi, Anthony J.
*Talbot, Harold L. *Taylor, Charles A.
*Robertson, John C. Mast. Sig. El .* Taylor, Ralph Robiani, Carlo
*Tucker, Leon C.
*Rocco, Quirino
*Rocco, Philip, Sergt.
*Romani, Hope F.
*Romani, Henry A.
Ross, Ernest E. Rossi, Charles A.
*Rossi, Ernest F.
*Rossiter, Francis A.
*Rossiter, Martin P.
Sargent, Claude O. Elec. Gunner
*Savage, William A. Mech. Sartorelli, Cherubino Sawyer, Donald F.
*Searles, Arthur L.
*Shaylor, John J. Corp.
*Sherman, Albert E.
*Smith, Everett H. Sergt.
Stilo, Cosimo Stimson, Kirk K. *Stitham, Harry L. Sullivan, Francis P. Corp.
*Tyng, Dudley
*Wallace, Charles, Corp.
*Walter, Clarence R. Wagoner Wark, Gordon H.
Wark, James Warren, Paul K. Corp.
*Webster, Carl J. Sergt. 1st Cl.
*Wetherbee, Charles A.
*Wetherbee, Glenn N. Sergt.
Wheaton, Freeman T. Reg. Sergt.
*Wheeler, Oren A. Sergt. 1st. Cl.
*Williams, Earle A. Corp. Wilson, Gordon R.
*Woodman, Rodney C. Sergt. 1st Cl. Wright, Earle C.
*Wright, Gardner R. Sergt.
Vigneault, William J.
IN MEMORIAM
Corp. Louis S. Hartshorn, killed at Marne, July 18, 1918. Rosario Ricciardi, killed at Marne, July 18, 1918. Arnold H. Wheaton, killed at Canal du Nord, Sept. 27, 1918. Carlo J. Calderara, wounded and died in France, Nov. 3, 1918. Andrew Ansaldo, died in hospital, France, October 29, 1918. John William Johnson, died at Camp Devens, Sept. 21, 1918 .. James W. O'Neil, died at Hanover, October 15, 1918.
72
There was an outdoor concert from seven to eight o'clock, after which outdoor dancing was enjoyed by everybody. A space had been cleared and roped off in front of the Town Hall. Ward's orchestra furnished music for dancing in the hall, which was for service men and their ladies only. There were about two hun- dred couples on the floor, and they enjoyed the dancing. until the midnight hour.
We believe that the boys all agree that it was a fine day and all enjoyed it from start to finish.
MRS. J. J. HOWISON,
For the Committee.
73
MILFORD FREE LIBRARY
TRUSTEES
Emory D. Heald, Chairman *Ellen Gunnison, Secretary
Ella M. Powers, Secretary
B. F. Prescott, Treasurer
Term expires 1922
Term expires 1920 Term expires 1921
LIBRARIAN Annabell C. Secombe
ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS
Grace M. Parker
Miriam French
READING COMMITTEE
Ella M. Powers
Helen Webster
Harriet Hutchinson +Clementine Lilly
*Died May 1919. +Died August 1919.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MILFORD FREE LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1920.
To the Citizens of the Town of Milford :
The trustees of the Milford Free Library herewith respectfully submit their 5Ist annual report together with the report of the treasurer and the librarian.
At the annual meeting of the trustees in March, 1919, Mr. Emory D. Heald was elected Chairman, Mrs. Ellen Gunnison, Secretary and Benjamin F. Prescott, Treas- urer.
It is with sadness that we must chronicle the death of Mrs. Gunnison which occured in May and the death
74
of Mrs. C. E. Lilly in August, 1919. Mrs. Gunnison, as Secretary of the library trustees, and Mrs. Lillly as a member of our Reading Committee, were valued mem- bers of the library force.
On May 29, Miss Ella M. Powers was appointed by the Selectmen to fill the place caused by the death of the Secretary of the trustees. At a meeting held on Sep- tember 22, Mrs. Arthur Webster was appointed by the trustees to fill the vacant position on the Reading Com- mitte.
During this past year few changes have occured in the regular routine work of the library. The hours have been slightly changed ; the library now being open daily from 9.30 to 12 M., 2 to 6 P. M., and 7 to 8.30 P. M., with the exception of Saturday evenings when the evening hours are extended to 9 o'clock.
Since the year 1868 when our Milford Free Library was established, we have enjoyed a steady growth. In 1868 we had a library of a few hundred volumes. In 1892 we had about 4,300 volumes. Today we have near- ly thirteen thousand volumes, well selected and in ex- cellent condition, free and accessible to all our people. It is gratifying to note the yearly increase in the number of books taken from the library for home reading and for school work. We are also, glad to record a steady in- crease in the patrons of the public reading room.
Not only has a greater number of books been taken out for reading, but they have been taken from the de- partments of travel, history sciences and useful arts which shows an improved taste in the public. While a great number of books are taken from the library, we must not lose sight of the fact that an even greater num- ber of books are consulted 'at the library by teachers, pupils and others. In this respect our library serves even higher purposes.
At our last town meeting an appropriation of one hundred dollars was made for a suitable case to contain
75
the photographs of our soldiers who served in the late war. It was decided to have a photograph cabinet made of the finest quartered oak. This cabinet is seventy , inches high, forty inches wide and about ten inches deep. The outside paneled doors of oak, when opened, show five glass panels inside. Each panel holds forty-eight photographs; making two hundred and forty photo- graphs which can be placed in the cabinet. By this ar- rangement, each photograph is protected by the glass panels, and the outside paneled doors give additional protection. This handsome and fitting tribute as a me- morial to those who rendered the highest service to their country, was designed and manufactured at French and Heald's. Many thanks are due the Committee: Mr. Charles Heald, Mr. Kit Stimson and John Pirovano for the service they rendered in collecting the photographs and making this cabinet a memorial of which the town will ever hold in deepest appreciation and reverence.
During the year the trustees have thought it wise to place an insurance upon the books and fixtures of the library. This has never before been done here although it is customary for libraries to, take this precaution. Many who have neglected to, do so have met with a great loss and have deeply regretted carrying no insurance. Accordingly a policy for $5000 has been taken for one year. While this sum in no degree represents the value of our books and fixtures, it would, in the event of a fire or water damage, serve as a beginning for a new library. It seems but a proper and business-like security against a total loss.
Through the generosity of Dr. J. C. Lewis, the library has been presented with a beautiful Student's Adjustable Table. This occupies a prominent place in our reading room and is greatly appreciated by the trustees as well as by those who enjoy its use. It is made of the finest quartered oak and can be adjusted to suit the convenience of readers as a table, or it can easily be converted into a
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desk for the convenience of writers. In connection with this gift, we extend thanks to all who have presented the library with books, magazines and papers.
The income from the Ezra Gay fund, the Smith and the Thompson funds have been expended according to the terms of the bequests. Two other funds are not yet usable ; these are the Dorcas Peabody and Mary Ann Peabody funds. By referring to the report of the Treas- urer which is subjoined, the citizens will find, that the annual appropriation has been expended with care and wisdom and with strict economy.
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