NEW CITY HALL-MAIN STREET FRONT. Tide IVorcester of Eighteen Hundred and Ninety- Eight, t^ -^ t^ ti -^ ^ 3fift^ l^ears a Cit^. A Graphic Presentation of its Institutions, Industries and Leaders. Edited by Franklin P. Rice. WORCESTER. MASSACHUSETTS: F. S. BLANCHARD & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. 1899. Ca)V^V Copyright. 1899. By F. S. Blanchard & Company TWO COPIES REC -IVED. (( FEB 13 1899 ) INTRODUCTION. p^ITH the year 1898 Worcester passed the Fiftieth Anniversary of IaJ Its Incorporation as a City. The period of fifty years just closed has been one of continual accretion, rich experience and worthy achievement. Few municipalities have within any single half century been inore favored in everything which could contribute to material prosperity, local expansion, and real advancement in the line of human progress." In the growth of the city, the most sanguine expectations have been exceeded and the most extravagant predictions all but fulfilled. The point now reached in the onward march is one for special commemoration, marking not only the end of a notable period, but also the beginning of a new era with the opening of the twentieth century. Worcester has been singularly fortunate in its past, and the record of that past is secure, preserved in the numerous publications which have from time to time appeared. The purpose in the volume here presented has been to deal more especially with the Worcester of to-day, its condition and aspects, its various institutions, its prosperous industries and solid business interests, and particularly the men who have, during the fifty years, helped to make it what it is, and those who are making it what it will be in the future. To preserve and to transmit to posterity a faithful representation and correct picture of our city as it appeared in 1898, has been the aim of the publishers. F. S. Blanxhard & Company. EDITOR'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT. |HAT the expectation of a ready response to the announced purpose to prepare a volume commemorative of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the City, and descriptive of the Worcester of to-day, was fully justified, the matter and proportions of this book are ample proof. The cordial interest and enthusiasm with which the project was received by our most prominent and intelligent citizens at once assured its success, and the labor involved in the organization and carrying out of the plan of the work has been lightened in no inconsiderable degree by their encouragement, friendly cooperation and material assistance. To those gentlemen who have prepared chapters on special subjects, and whose contributions have added so much value to the book, this statement particularly applies. I desire to express mv appreciation of the courteous treat- ment that I have in nearly every instance received in my quest for information, and of the facilities so freely afforded in every quarter. To the publishers, F. S. Blanchard & Company, my acknowledg- ments are due for their liberality in acceding to my wishes in regard to the elaboration and expansion of certain departments of the book, and for the profuseness and elegance of the illustrations, which have so largely increased the expense of the undertaking. The mechanical execution of the pages is highly creditable to their taste and skill. This volume is in no respect to be considered as a history, but rather as a collection of essays and sketches to illustrate with approxi- mate completeness the various institutions and industries, general and particular features, condition and aspect of the Worcester of Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-eight, with introductorv sections containing a summary of the administrations of the dift'erent mayors, and the statistics of industries during the half century. To these are added the biographies of past and active citizens who have been, and are, prominently identified with the life of the city. Incidentally more or less historj- is interwoven. As for my part in the work very little is to be said. I have pro- ceeded with the purpose and desire to make the book as complete and 8 The Worcester of 1898. reliable as possible, and I have spared no reasonable effort in this direction. It is hoped that the volume will prove of permanent value and serve as a compendium of ready information. Some shortcomings are apparent. Failure on the part of a few to avail themselves of the opportunity given has prevented an adequate and equal presentation of the enterprises in which they are concerned, and I have substituted in a condensed form such facts as I could gather from general sources. Two or three omissions are to be regretted; notabh' an architectural and particular description of the new City Hall, which was expected, but which, after repeated efforts, I failed to obtain. Franklin P. Rice. December, 189S. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTORY. Fifty Years A City, 17-75 Administrations of the Mayors, from Levi Lincoln to A. B. R. Sprague. The Old Town and City Hall, 77-79 The New City Hall, S0-118 Laying of the Corner-Stone —Address of Mayor Sprague — Address of M. W. Grand Master Edwin B. Holmes— Contents of Bos. Dedication of the Building — Address of Chairman Sawyer — Address of Burton W. Potter, Esq. — Description of the Building. Semi-Centennial Celebration, ' 19-138 Address of Frank P. Goulding, Esq. —Address of Col. W. S. B. Hopkins. City Government of 1898, 139-162 Portraits and Sketches of the Mayor, Members of the Board of Aldermen and of the Common Council, and City Officials. Worcester — 1848-1898. Poem by Frank Roe Batchelder, 163 THE WORCESTER OF 1S98. Educational Institutions, by Clarence F. Carroll, A. M., 167-197 Public Schools —Worcester Academy— College of the Holy Cross — High- land Military Academy — Worcester Polytechnic Institute — State Normal School — Clark University — Private Schools. Public Libraries, by Samuel Swett Green, A. M., 199-219 Free Public Library — American Antiquarian Society —Other So- cieties—Educational Institutions — Other Libraries. Literary, Scientific and Historical Societies, by Nathaniel Paine, A. M., 221-235 American Antiquarian Society — Worcester Fire Society — Worcester District Medical Society — Worcester Agricultural Society— Worcester County Horticultural Society — Worcester Mechanics Association — Worcester Natural History Society — Worcester County Musical Association— Worcester Art Society— Art Students' Club — The Worcester Society of Antiquity — St. Wulstan Society — Public School Art League — Art Museum. 10 The Worcester of 1898. Public Charities, by the Hon. Henry L. Parker, 237-245 Hospitals — Free Dispensaries— Homes — Organizations. Worcester's Benefactors and Trust Funds, by the Hon. Henry A. Marsh, 247-257 City Hospital— Soldiers' Monument —Bigelow Monument — Dewey Charity Fund — Bancroft Endowment Fund— Bullock Medal Fund — Free Public Library — Reading-Room Fund — Gifts by Isaiah Thomas — Public Parks — Curtis Chapel — Relief Funds. Worcester in the General Court, by the Hon. Alfred vS. Roe, 259-265 Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, by Charles A. Pea- body, M. D., 267-274 Free Masons — Grand Army and other Organizations — Odd Fellows — Life Insurance Societies. ^Iii.itary Matters, 275-283 The Rebellion — Military Companies of To-day — Spanish War of 1S9S — Three Martyrs. Protestant Churches, by Rev. A. Z. Conrad, Ph. D., D. D., 285-291 General Statement — Names and Statistics of Churches — Denomina- tional Strength. Catholicity in Worcester. Historical Sketch, Post Office Growth, by J. Evarts Greene, P. M., Socl\l Clubs, The Press, City Charter and Municipal Government, by the Hon. Rufus B. Dodge, Mayor of Worcester, MuNiciP.\L Departments, Public Health: Water Works, Drainage, Board of Health — Parks System — Police Department — Streets — Fire Department. Property and Taxation in 1898, 359-360 Facts of Interest, 360-361 Financial Institutions, by Charles A. Chase, A. M., 363-388 Banks — Savings Banks — Cooperative Banks — Fire and Life Insurance. Public Service, 389-405 Steam Railroads — Grade Crossings — Street Railways — Telephone Exchange — Gas Light Company — Electric Light Company. Worcester Board of Trade, 406-410 Com.merci.al Interests, 411-434 Development of Manufacturing, by the Hon. Charles G. Wash- burn, 439-447 293- ■307 309- ■327 329- ■330 331- •335 338- •343 345- -358 The Worcester of 1898. n Industries of Worcester, 449-529 Statistics from 1837 to 1895 — Wire — Looms — Cotton and Woolen Machinery — Envelope Industry — Carpets and Textiles — Machinery and Tools — Agricultural Implements and Machinery — Paper- Making Machinery — Firearms — Corsets and Underwear — Boots and Shoes — Miscellaneous — Worcester Contractors — -Conclusion. Reminiscences, b\- Hannibal Hamlin Houghton, 531-536 Biographical Department, 537-800 General Index, 801 PORTRAITS. Page. Abercrombie, Dan'l W., 17S Aborn, James S., 53S Alden, George I., 540 Aldrich, P. Emory, 36 Allen, Charles A., 541 Allen, Ethan, 542 Allen, George L., 523 Allen, Lamson, 546 Allen, William, 523 Allen, William P., 523 Athy, Andrew, 54S Auger, Louis L., 552 Back, John R., 145 Bacon, Peter C. , 22 Baker, Peter, 527 Baldwin, John S. , 554 Ball, Phinehas, 42 Barnard, Lewis, 412 Barrett, Thomas J., 141 Barton, William S., 154 Batchelder, Frank Roe, 557 Batchelder, George E., 157 Bates, Theodore C, 558 Bemis, Merrick, 560 Benchlej', Charles H., 161 Benchley, Edmund N., 2S1 Bent, Charles M., 37S Bigelow, Horace H., 564 Blake, George F., Jr., 566 Blake, James B., 44 Bowker, John B., 156 Boyden, Elbridge, 56S Brady, John G., 157 Brannon, Henry. 142 Brierly, Benjamin , 526 Brigham, John S. , 4S4 Brown, Alzirus, 571 Brown, Edwin, 570 Brown, Freeman, 160 Brownell, Geo. L., 406, i 573 Buckley, Thomas H., 525 Bullock, Alexander IL, 32 Burns, William H., 574 Buttrick, Albert C, 577 Carpenter, Charles H., 419 Carroll, Clarence F., Chamberlain, R. H., Chamberlin, Henry H. Chapin, Henry, Chase, Charles A., Clark, Jonas G., Clark, William L., Clarke, Josiah H., Coates, George H., Coe, S. Hamilton, Coes, Loring, Cofifey, James C, Colvin, Caleb, Comins, Irving E., Connelly, John H., Conrad, Rev. A. Z., Crane, Ellery B. , 26: Crompton, George, Curtis, Albert, Davis, Edward L., Davis, Isaac, Denholm, William A., Devens, Charles, Dewey, Francis H., 37, Dexter, William H.. Dodge, Rufus B., Jr. , Dodge, Thomas H., Downey, Daniel, Draper, Edwin, Draper, James, Drennan, James M., Duncan, Harlan P., Dwinnell, Benjamin D Eames, D. H., Earle, Edward, Earle, Stephen C, Earle, Timothy K., Eddy, Harrison P., Ely, Lyman A., Fanning, David H., Farwell, James E.. Fayerweather, J. A. Flodin, Ferdinand, Fobes, Hiram. Forehand, Sullivan, 3S6, 578 20 362 5S2 584 416 509 406 588 160 3S6 406 145 2S4 406 466 448 54 28 596 2S0 406 598 140 602 604 606 6o3 161 406 386 424 48 610 470 159 406 612 617 386 614 616 61S Foster, Calvin, Gage, Dr. Thomas H., Gaskill, Francis A., Gilbert, Lewis N., Gile, William A., Goodnow, Edward A., Gould, Rev. George H., Goulding, Frank P., Grant, Charles E., Graton, Henry C, Greeley, H. C, Green, John, Green, Samuel S., Greene, J. Evarts, Griffin, Mgr. Thomas, Grout, John W. , Grout, Jonathan, Hadwen, Obadiah B. , Hall, Frank B., Hall, G. Stanley, Hammond, Andrew H., Harrington, Francis A., Harris, Henry F., Hart, William, Hartshorn, Calvin L. , Hawes, Russell L., Healy, Richard, Heath, Frank M., Hey wood, Samuel R., Higgins, Francis E.. Hildreth, Chas. H., 2d, Hildreth, Samuel E.. Hoar, George F., Hobbs, Horace, Hogg, William F., Hogg, William J., Homer, Charles A., Hopkins, William .S. B., Houghton, Hannibal H. Howard, Albert H., Howe, John W., Hunt, George C, Hunt, James, Huot, Napoleon P. , Hurlburt Geo. B. , 370 638 620 3S6 622 36S 628 122 632 634 386 254 202 30S 292 281 636 640 145 406 642 68 644 406 648 650 379 146 433 142 62 312 655 489 489 423 130 530 472 660 146 146 142 156 14 The Worcester of if Hutchins, C. Henr>-, 406, 659 liutchins, Fred L. , 162 Inman, Albert H., 147 Jacques, Urgel, 663 Jaques, George, 246 JefiEerson, Martin V. B. , 662 Jillson, Clark, 52 Johnson, Fred D., 147 Johnson. Hannibal A., 41S Kelley, Frank H., 5S Kendall, Louis J., 147 Kendall, Sanford C. , 14S Kent, Charles F., 474 Kent, Rev. G. W., 667 King, Henry W. , 66S King, Homer R., 671 Kingsley, Chester W., 670 Knight, Henry A,, 162 Knight, Thomas E., 419 Knowles, Frank B., 465 Knowles, Lucius J., 464 Knowlton, John S. C, 24 Lamb, Matthew B., 674 Lancaster, Frank E., 676 Lancaster, John E., 67S Lincoln, D. Waldo, 40 Lincoln, Edw. Winslow, 352 Lincoln, Levi, 18 Logan, James, 406, 4S0 Lundberg, John F., Lundborg, Andrew P., Maclnnes, John C, Mackintire, Geo. W., Mann, Albert G., Marble. Edward T., Marble, John O., Marble, J. Russel, Marsh, Henry- A. , McAleer, George, McClure, Fred'k A., McCullagh, Rev. A., McMahon, Bernard H., Meagher, John H., Mellen, James H., Mcndcnhall, T. C, Merriam, Henry H,, Merritt, Wesley, Mix, Rev. Eldridge, Moen, Philip L., Moir, Alexander J., Monahan, Thomas, Morgan, Charles 11.. Munroe, Alexander C, Munroe, John P., Norcross, James A., 14S ''79 422 406 6S1 68 2 544 379 158 2S8 14S 149 143 40C f)S6 149 f>SS 45 S 423 162 690 r.92 f,95 690 Norcross, O. W., 406, Nourse, William J. H., O'Connell, David P., O'Connell, Philip J., O'Leary, John R., Otis, Harrison G. , Otis, John C, Otis, John P. K., Paine, Nathaniel, Parker, Amos M.. Parker, Edmund L., Parker, Henry L., Parmelee, Arthur W., Peabody, Dr. Chas. A., Peck, Charles H., Penney, Rev. Frank D., Perky, Henry D., Perry, Frank D. , Perry, Joseph S., Phelps, Willis F., Pickett, Josiah, Pinkei'ton, Alfred S., Potter, Burton W., Powell, Albert M., Pratt, Charles B., Pratt, Henry S., Pratt, Sumner, Prentice, Harrison S. , Prior, Wright S., Putnam, Otis E., Raymond, Edward T.. Reed, Charles G.. 64, Rice, William W., Richardson, Charles A., Richardson, Charles O., Richardson, George W., Rivard, John, Roe, Alfred S., Rogers, Thomas M., Rugg, Arthur P. , Rugg, Charles F., Russell, Edward J., Russell, John ^1., Ryan, James F., Salisbury, Stephen, 2d, Salisbury, .Stephen, 3d, Sawyer, Ezra, Sawyer, Stephen, Sawyer, William H., 98, Saxe, James A., Schervee, Herman, Shattuck, Moody E. , Shaw, Joseph A., Shea, John F., Smith, Elliott T., 143 149 150 155 704 506 220 155 708 236 406 520 712 71S 141 150 56 722 724 344 15S 414 727 406 34 730 732 26 150 25S 734 154 737 '43 73S 151 364 366 741 3S6 406 743 744 745 1S7 151 748 Smith, Jesse, Smith, William A. , Spaulding, Albert A., .Sprague, Augustus B. R Squier, Charles E., Staples, Hamilton B. , Starr, William E. , -Stevens, Charles F. , Stoddard, Elijah B., Stone, Arthur M. , Sumner, George, Swift, D. Wheeler, Swift, Henry D. , Taber, Jesse P. , Tatman, Charles T. , Tatman, R. James, Taylor, Ransom C. , Thayer, Edward C. , Thayer, Eli, Thayer, John R. , Thompson, Albert M. , Timon, James F. , Towne, Enoch H. , Turner, Charles S. , Upham, Roger F. , 386, 406, 776 Vaudreuil, Joseph G., 777 Vaughan, Charles A., 77S Verry, George F. , Walker, Joseph H., Wall, Caleb A., Wall, George F., 152 Ward, George H. , 282 Warden, William A. , 427 Ware, Justin A. , 406 Warren, John K., 782 Washburn, Charles F., 459 Washburn, Charles G. , 440 Webb, George D. , 7S4 Webster, Charles S. , 783 Wellington, Fred W. , 7S6 Wesby, Joseph S. , 792 Wheelock, Jerome, 78S Whitaker, John, 794 Whitcomb, Alonzo, 498 White, Frederick W. , 152 Whitin, A. F., 3S6 Whittall, M. J., 406-494 Wilder, Harvej' B. , 794 Williamson, Frank E. , 153 Winslow, Samuel, 66 Wood, Cyrus (j., 796 Wood, Edwin H., 79S Wood, Oliver B., 798 Woodward, William, 378 752 422 . 72 406 755 756 75S 60 406 413 4S2 481 761 763 762 766 250 770 772 144 151 153 774 50 314 332 ILLUSTRATIONS. Allen Boiler "Works, 524 All Saints' Church, 29S American Antiquarian Society, building, 224 American Card Clothing Company, fac- tory, 46S Armory, 27S Art Museum, 232 "Aurora" Block, 432 Bank Building (Worcester), 373 Barnard Block, 415 Bird's-eye View, 210 Board of Trade Directors, 406 Boat-house, Institute Park, 355 Boston Store. 420 Brewer Building, 426 Burns, William H., Company, building, 516 Celebration extension Providence St., 40S Central Church, 2S7 Central Exchange, 375 Cereal Machine Company, factory, 51S City Bank, 377 City Hall, old, 76 City Hall, new, Frontispiece. City Hall, new, east front. So City Hospital, 23S Clark University, 194 Classical High School, 170 Coates Clipper Factory, 509 Coes Wrench Factory, 503 College of the Holy Cross, 1S2 Court House, 214 Crompton & Knowles Loom Works, 462 Curtis Chapel, 257 Curtis & Marble Factory, 476 Davis Tower, Lake Park, 13S Electric Light Company, switch-board, 403 Electric Light Company, building, 404 English High School, 172 "Evans" Block, 434 Fire Department Headquarters, 336 Forehand Arms Factory, 510 Franklin Building, 320 Free Public Library, 19S Frohsinn Club House, 338 Frontenac Club House, 334 Page. Front Street, 166 Gas Light Company, building, 402 Globe Corset Company, factory, 514 Graton & Knight, factory, 521 Hadwen, O. B., entrance to grounds, 641 Hammond Reed Company, factory, 52S Hancock Club House, 331 Harrington & Richardson Arms Com- pany, factor}', 512 Harwood & Quincy, factory, 47S Herbert Hall, 561 Hey wood Boot & Shoe Co., factory, 517 Home for Aged Men, 244 Home for Aged Women, 244 Home Farm, 255 Howard Brothers' Card Factory, 471 Isolation Hospital, 256 Jail, 274 Kent, Charles F., card factory, 475 Lake in Elm Park, 350 Lake in Institute Park, 354 Lakeside Boat Club-House, 342 Lincoln Park, 32S Logan, Swift & Brigham Envelope Co., factory, 479 Lovers' Lane, 272 Lunatic Hospital, 21S Main Street, looking north, 1S6 Matthews ^lanufacturing Company, factory, 50S Mechanics Hall. 226 Memorial Hospital, 240 Morgan Construction Company, factory, 504 Morgan Spring Company, factory. 505 Natural History Society, building, 22S Norton Emery Wheel Company, fac- tory, 501 Nurses' Home, 252 Odd Fellows' Home, 26S Odd Fellows' Procession. 270 Old Mill, Institute Park, 36' Old South Church (on Common). 76 Old South Church (new). 2S6 People's Savings Bank, building. 376 Piedmont Church, 295 i6 THE WORCESTER OF li Pilgrim Church. Plymouth Church, Polytechnic Institute, Post Office, Power House, Consolidated Street Railway, Reed, F. E., Company, works, Salisbury Mansion, Seal of the City, Sewage Purification Plant, Shelter, Institute Park, Smith, E. T., Company, building, Soldiers' Monument, South Unitarian Church, St. John's Roman Catholic Church, St. Matthew's Church, St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, St. Vincent's Hospital. State Mutual Building, State Normal School, Stoneville Worsted Mills, Svea Gille Club Hou.se, Tatassit Club House, 2g6 294 xSS 310 396 496 331 165 346 353 430 276 300 302 299 304 305 242 3S2 193 488 335 333 Telephone Building, 4°° Union Church, 290 Union Passenger Station, 39° Union Water Meter Company, building, 507 Wachusett Club House, 34S Washburn & Moen Mfg. Company, works, 456 Washington Club House, 34° Whitcomb Envelope Factory, 4S5 Whittall Carpet Mills, 492 Whittall Spinning Mill, 493 Whittle, James H., factory, 527 Willow Park, 436 Worcester Academy, 176 Worcester Carpet Mills, 486 Worcester Club House, 33° Worcester Corset Company, factory, 513 Worcester Mut. Fire Ins. Co., building, 3S4 Worcester Mut. Fire Ins. Co. , directors, 386 Worcester Society of Antiquity, build- ing, 230 Y. M. C. A. Building, 306 Y. W. C. A. Building, 307 LIST OF RESIDENCES. Allen, Ethan, Mansion, Bailey, W. A., Barber, Benjamin A., Bemis, Dr. Merrick, see Herbert Hall. Blake, George F., Jr., Blake, George F., Jr. (summer res- idence), Brownell, George L., Burns, William H., Burtis, George H., Bryant, George C, Clark, Jonas G., Goes, Loring, Dexter, William H., Fanning, David H., Farwell, James E., Fobes, Mrs. Hiram, Goodnow, E. A., Gould, George H., Hammond, Andrew H., Harris, Henry F., Herbert Hall, Hogg, William J., Hogg, William J. (Hillside), Hutchins, C. Henry, 543 Kinney, A. B. F., 3S8 318 Knowies, Mrs. F. B., 431 319 Lancaster, John E., 677 Lapham, Frederick A., 317 565 Marble, Dr. J. O., see Allen Mansion. Munroe, Alexander C, 693 567 Norcross, James A., 697-699 573 Pierce, E. S., 394 576 Piper, Mrs. Nancy H. S. , 322 443 Pond, Wniard F., 408 357 Potter, Burton W. , 324 316 Pratt, Henry S., 723 587 Rogers, Thomas M., 736 599 Russell, John M., 739 611 Sawin, Mrs. Elizabeth T. , 410 6i7 Stevens, Charles F., 760 323 Shattuck, Mrs. Helen A., 746 625 Smith, Elliott T., 747 629 Smith, Mrs. Jane, 751 447 Taber, Jesse P., 780 646 Warden, William A., 42S 561 Interior, 42S 490 Whitcomb, G. Henry, 392 491 Whittall, Matthew J., 495 659 FIFTY YEARS A CITY. |HE o-rowth of Woi'cester during the second quarter of this century was phenomenal. From a total of 3,650 souls in 1825 the popula- tion increased to 17,049 in 1850. Business, valuation, and returns from taxation kept pace accordingly. In 1825 the valuation was $2,437,550; in 1850 it was $11,082,501. During this period trade enormou.sly increased, and manufactures greatly multiplied in number and value of products, giving some indications of the still more marvelous growth which was to follow. In many other evidences was the general pros- perity ■ manifest and unmistakable. The reasons for this wonderful change in so short a time are plain. The opening of the Blackstone canal in 1828 gave the first impetus to this upwaixl movement, and the building of the several railroads from 1835 to 1850* continued the influx of population and business until Worcester outgrew the limits and the manners of a rural community. Under these conditions the general meetings of the voters were found to be unwieldy, and other difficulties presented themselves which could be obviated only by change of forms and methods in conducting the affairs of the corpo- rate interest. vSo new powers were asked and granted, and Worcester became a city. On the 8th of November, 1847, in general meeting, it was voted to choose a committee of ten to present to the Legislature a petition for a city charter, and also to draft an act in such form as they should deem most for the interest of the town. The members of this committee were Levi Lincoln, vStephen Salisbury, Ira M. Barton, Isaac Davis, Benjamin F. Thomas, Edward Earle, James Estabrook, Alfred D. Foster, Thomas Kinnicutt and Ebenezer L. Barnard. The efforts of these citizens were successful in the General Court, and on the 29th day of Februaiy, 1848, the act granting the powers and privileges desired was signed by the governor, George N. Briggs. On the i8th of ilarch following, the charter was accepted by the inhabitants by a vote of 1,026 to 487 opposed. *The Boston railroad was opened 101835, the Western in 1S39, the Norwich in 1S40, the Providence in 1847, the Nashua in 184S, and the Fitchburg in 1850. LEVI LINCOLN. The Worcester of 1S98- 19 The election of the first mayor and City Council was held April 8th, and to the srrrprise of many was closelv contested. Levi Lincoln, by reason of his long, varied and distinguished public services the first citizen of Worcester, had at the sacrifice of personal inclination and self-interest, but with characteristic public spirit, yielded to what seemed to be practicallv the general desire of his fellow townsmen that he should organize the City Government as its chief magistrate ; but no sooner was his consent obtained than opposition manifested itself, and the Reverend Rodney A. Miller, a worthy divine, whilom pastor of the Old South Church, was put forward as the candidate of the radical temperance and other dissenting elements, and received 653 votes, which, with 45 scattering, brought Lincoln's majority down to 138, with a vote of 836. vSeventy votes in a total of 1,534 would have changed the result. ADMINISTRATION OF LEVI LINCOLN.-^ April 17, 1S4S, to April i, 1S49. The new Citv Government was inaugurated on the 17th of April. The members of the Board of Aldermen were Parley Croddard, Benjamin F. Thomas, John W. Lincoln, James S. Woodworth, William B. Fox, James Estabrook, Isaac Davis and Stephen Salisbury. In the Common Council of twenty-four were such representative citizens as Doctor Benjamin F. Hey wood, Freeman Upham, Darius Rice, Horace Chenery, Alexander H. Bullock, Albert Curtis, William T. Merrifield, Calvin Foster and Thomas Chamberlain. Charles A. Hamilton was city clerk and clerk of the Board of Aldermen, and William A. Smith was clerk of the Common Council. The work of this first Citv Government was largely one of organiza- tion, and the task was undertaken with faithfulness and industry. Eightv-four regular meetings of the Aldermen were held during the municipal year, and in this board all the elaborate and detailed reports were prepared, and most of the ordinances drafted. The labors of the City Coiincil were incessant, and the objects of attention many and diversified : changes in the City Hall building to adapt it to its new uses were carried out ; the new road to Grafton was completed, and more than one hundred miles of highways was supervised and kept in repair, and several new streets were established ; a portion of Main *Levi Lincoln was a son of Levi Lincoln, senior, who was a member of Congress, attor- ney-general in Jefferson's Cabinet, lieutenant-governor and governor of Massachusetts. The son was graduated at Harvard in 1S02, was a member of both branches of the General Court, judge of the Supreme Court, governor nine ^-ears, member of Congress six years. He was born in Worcester October 25, 17S2, and died here May 29, 1S6S. HENRY CHAPIN. The Worcester of 1898. 21 street was paved ; lots for school-houses were purchased in Uuinsig- amond Village and on Summit street. The financial interests of the city required special consideration. The treasury at the time of the change of government was empty, and there was a debt of $99,677. By the charter the city was required to assume all the liabilities of the town, the Centre School District- and the Aqueduct Corporation, f which amounted to the above sum. After providing for all extraordinary and running expenses, $9,000 was applied toward the redtiction of the debt. Twenty-three school-houses came into possession of the city in 1848, five of which were of brick. There was one Classical and English high school, and three were grammar schools. Thirty-nine teachers were employed, and the sum of $14,500 was appropriated for the use of this department. The Fire Department + was composed of seven engineers and 240 members. Five engines and one hook-and-ladder carriage were in use. The Police Department was organized by the appointment of George Jones as city marshal, Frederick Warren, assistant marshal, and five constables. The first paid policeman was appointed in September. The Almshouse establishment consisted of a farm of 240 acres, an almshouse, brick hospital and other buildings, which had cost $15,000. The amount of taxes assessed was $52,222; total expenditures during the municipal year, $65,389. If ability, social position and real character are considered, this first City Government in personnel stands unmatched in the long line of succession to the present time. And a foundation was made worthy of the hands that laid it, and which has endured to this day. ADMINISTRATION OF HENRY CHAPIN. Two terms — from April i, 1S49, to April 7, 1S51. The city election of 1 849 resulted in the choice of Henry Chapin, S the Free-Soil candidate, who received 1,158 votes to 656 for Isaac Davis, the Democratic nominee. J(^hn W. Lincoln was the opposing candidate in 1850. Under Mr. Chapin's administration the Ash street school-house was built, and the erection of the new Thomas street school-house begun; the paving of Main and Front streets continued ; a sewer constructed * Incorporated in 1824, with authority to assess taxes for the support of schools, t Incorporated in 1S45, for the purpose of constructing and maintaining an aqueduct to conduct water from Bell pond for the use of the town. X Incorporated in 1S35. S See sketch in Biographical Department. PETER C. BACON. The Worcester of 1898. 23 ill :^Iain street ; Chestinit street was extended to Pleasant street ; the stone bridge on the :\Iillbury road was built, and the aqueduct was extended into Pleasant street ; two new iire engines were purchased ; the office of city solicitor was established. The total expenditures for each year were, in 1849-50, $96,021 ; in 1850-51, $87,300. The appro- priations were, for the first year: Schools, $16,000; highways and pav- ing, $14,768; Fire Department, $3,779. For the second year: .Schools, $18,000; highways, $17,750; Fire Department, $3,600. ^Ir. Chapin's radical tendencies in respect to the temperance and slavery questions excited a strong opposition among a certain class, which was manifested during the second year of his administration in darmg attempts at outrage. Bombs were exploded in the building in which the mayors office was located, and under the windows of the city marshal, fortunately without injury or loss of life so far as human beings were concerned, but in the first instance the building was partially wrecked. The principal and accessory in this dastardly attempt were arrested; the former tied, forfeiting his bond, which proved to be straw bail, and in the absence of the principal the accessory could not be held, so the prosecution was abandoned. It was during ^^layor Chapin's term that Father Mathew. the dis- tinguished apostle of temperance, visited Worcester. He arrived m the'city on Saturdav, October 20, 1 849, preached at the Catholic Church Sundav, and was 'received at the City Hall on ^londay. where he obtained many signatures to the pledge from his fellow countrymen who had become residents of the place. The Worcester Gas Light Company was formed June 22, 1849. Gas lights were used in the streets later in the year. ADMINISTRATION OF PETER C. BACON. Two terms— from April 7, i*5i. to January 3, 1S53. Peter C. Bacon," the Free-Soil candidate in March, 1851. was elected by a vote of 1,134 over 466 for Isaac Davis, the Democrat; 160 for Warren Lazell, Citizens', and 420 for Charles Thurber. John W. Lincoln was the Whig candidate in December, 1851. During Mayor Bacon's term the Thomas street school-house was completed at a cost of $13,500, and new school-houses on Pine street and Blithewood avenue were built, costing respectively $1,600 and $1,800; the aqueduct was extended into Chestnut and Elm streets; an * Peter Child Bacon was born in Dudley, Massachusetts, November 11, 1S04; was graduated at Brown University in 1S27, and practiced law at Oxford and Dudley before coming to Worcester. His reputation as a counselor was justly founded on his knowledge and sound judgment. He died February 7, 1SS6. JOHN S. C. KNOWLTON. The Worcester of 1898. 25 engine-house on Carlton street was erected, and the floating bridge over Lake Quinsigamond, over 500 feet long, was planked anew at a cost of $1,100. Hope cemetery at New Woixester, comprising fifty acres, was purchased for $1,855. The city debt was increased $3,088 in 1851, and $6,928 in 1852, bv necessary and justifiable expenditures. Under the charter of the city in 1848, the municipal year began the first Mondav in April. In 1850 an act of the Legislature provided that after the vear 1851 it should begin the first Monday in January. Consequently Mavor Bacon served only twenty-one months in com- pleting his two terms. It was his good fortune to welcome the distinguished Hungarian patriot, Louis Kossuth, who visited the city April 26, 1852, receiving here as he did throughout the country a grand ovation. Kossuth rode in procession to the Common, where he was introduced to the people by the mayor, and made a very eloquent address. He also spoke at a large meeting in the City Hall in the eveninof. ADMINISTRATION OF JOHN S. C. KNOWLTON. Two terms — from Januarys, 1S53, to January i. 1S55. At the citv election in December, 1852, the candidates for mayor were Calvin Willard. Whig; Edward H. Hemenway, Free-Soil; William Dickinson, Temperance, and John vS. C. Knowlton,* Democrat. In 1853 the candidates were Alexander H. Bullock, Whig; Albert Tolman, Free-Soil; William Dickinson, Temperance; and Knowlton. The latter prevailed in the first instance by a plurality, and in the second by a majority over all. Mayor Knowlton's administration was distinguished by its large expenditures and extensive improvements in the Highway Department, and bv other extraordinary expenses incurred, however wisely, in the face of considerable opposition. The paving of Main and Front streets was continued ; Mower's hill, so called, on Main street, was cut down and the vallevs filled up ; a portion of Southbridge street which had suddenly disappeared below the surface of the swamp solidly recon- structed ; Temple street laid out and made public ; two expensive bridges and the viaduct in Southbridge street built, and the culvert to take the water from Lincoln square constructed. The new Almshouse was built at a cost of $25,000. The Sycamore school-house was begun, for which $16,000 was appropriated. A survey of the Old Common *John Stocker Coffin Knowlton was born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, in December, lygS, and was graduated at Dartmouth College. He established the Ji'oircsh-r Palla- dium in 1S34, of which he was editor until his death, June 11. 1S71. He was a State senator in 1852-3. and sheriff of the county 1S57 to 1S71. GEORGE W. RICHARDSON. The Worcester of 1898. 27 biirial-ground, and a plan on which the graves were indicated were made, and the stones buried below the surface. In 1854 the land for the New Common (now Elm park) was purchased for $11,257, and so strongly was this action disapproved by some that the grantors were within a year or two unofficially asked to release the city from the contract, which, fortunately, they refused to do. The year 1854 was a turbulent period, and witnessed the repeal of the J*Iissouri Compromise and its attendant excitement, which was followed by the Kansas emigration movement, having its origin in Worcester. The Know-Nothing furor swept over the State, (ine result being a serious riot on the i8th of :\Iay, caused by the presence of the "Ano-el Gabriel," an eccentric character who assumed the mission of a specially inspired apostle of the new political party. On this occasion the mayor was obliged to call out the military, but no serious results followed. Another riot on the 30th of October was occasioned by the efforts of Asa O. Butman, a deputy United vStates marshal, to reclaim a fugitive slave. The :Merrifield fire, the most disastrous nf Worcester's conflagrations, causing a loss of half a million, occurred June 14th. This experience of calamities and disturbing circumstances was probably sufficient for a peace-loving man like ^^layor Knowlton, and he was undoubtedly glad at the end of his term to resign his office into the hands of his successor. FIRST ADMINISTRATION OF GEORGE W. RICHARDSON. Fnjni Jauuary i. 1S55, to January 7, 1S56. George W. Richardson," who was supported by the Know-Nothings, received 1,599 ^'otes to 288 cast for James Estabrook, Democrat. In 1855 the assessed valuation of the real and personal estates of the inhabitants of Worcester was $18,059,000, the population was 22,285, and the value of the manufactures was $4,000,000. Worcester was then the third city in the State. So large a collection of people and wealth in an inland city, having no navigable stream of water, was seldom found. The great diversity of the employments of its citizens prevented any entire subversion of its business then as in later years, in a time of great depression, and the manufactured products found a ready market at remunerating prices. * George Washington Richardson was born in Boston in 1S08, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1829, in the class with Oliver Wendell Holmes. He came to Worcester in 1834. He was sheriff of the county 1854-56, and was for a term of years president of the City Bank. He died at St. John, New Brunswiclc, in June. 1SS6. iV^v ISAAC DAVIS. The Worcester of 1898. 29 In 1855 there were thirty-five schools in the city, and the amount appropriated for their support was $22,500. Fifty-six female and seven male teachers were employed. The whole number of pupils who attended was 3,330. Since the organization of the city in 1848, nine school-houses had been erected — one on Ash street, one on Pine street, one in Quinsigamond, one on Sycamore street, one at Adams square, one in Pond district, one in Blithewood avenue, one at South Worces- ter, and one on Thomas street — at a cost of $58,000; and fifteen other school-houses belonged to the city valued at $57,000. The expenditures of the year were as follows: Highways, $27,000; Fire Department, $7,467; Poor Department, $5,79i ; contingent ex- penses, $8,335 ; total expenditures, $239,664. The debt was $118,000, an increase of $20,000 over that of 1854. Two day police, fifteen constables and twenty-one night watchmen were emploved, under the orders of the city marshal and his assistants. Hope cemetery, containing fifty-three acres, had been purchased in 1851 at an expense of $1,850. Since the purchase, there had been expended about $5,000 in fencing and improving the grounds, and constructing a receiving-tomb. The amount received for lots up to Januarv i, 1856, was $1,725.50. By an act of the Legislature, passed in 1854, the charge and oversight of this cemetery were placed in the hands of five commissioners, to be chosen by the City Council. FIRST ADMINISTRATION OF ISAAC DAVIS. From January 7, 1S56, to January 5. i''57- At the election in December, 1855, Isaac Davis,* Democrat, was elected mayor by a plurality of 971: P. Emory Aldrich, Republican, receiving 782, and William T. Meri-ifield, Know-Nothing, 745. Two new school-houses — one at Burncoat Plain, the other on Provi- dence street — were built, costing respectively $2,000 and $3,200. The appropriation for school expenses was $27,200. The office of super- intendent of schools was created, and Reverend George Bushnell appointed to that position. The expenditures in the Highway Depart- ment amounted to $17,000. Twelve new streets were laid out, and 144 miles of highways kept in good repair. Drains and sewers were constructed in Elm, Pleasant, Pine, Summer and Laurel streets at an expense of $2,764. The New Common was fenced, and a street on the west side laid out. A two-story engine-house was built on Pleasant street at a cost of $2,000. The city debt was reduced $15,000. *See sketch in Biographical Department. 30 The Worcester of 1898. (jn the questitin of taking Henshaw pond for a water supply, the vote stood 940 nay to 939^ yea. the vote of Ward 1. whieh would have decided it in the affirmative, not being counted. The estimated expense of this project was $340,000. SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF GEORGE W. RICHARDSON. From Jainiar\- 5, i>57. to January 4. iS5n. At the December election in 1856 Dwight Foster, Republican, was defeated by George W. Richardson by a vote of 1,492 to i,437- ^^i'- Foster, who afterwards achieved the distinction which his qualities merited, in the office of attorney-general and a seat on the Supreme bench of the State, aspired at the age of twenty-eight to the office of mavor of his native citv, and it was charged at the time that his presumption was checked by the hostile votes of those who, objecting to his youth, would otherwise have remained loyal to their party. The total appropriations for city expenses this year were $154,000, and for the several departments as follows: Schools, $30,000; high- ways, $20,000; poor, $8,500; Fire Department, $10,000; police, $6,000; lights, $3,000; salaries of city officers, $4,200. By an act of the Legislature more permanency was given to the School Committee by increasing the tenure of their office three-fold. The service of a superintendent of schools proved unsatisfactory in the respect of decreasing the expense of the duty performed, which had previously been discharged by individual members of the School Com- mittee, who had received one dollar for each visit paid, and adverse criticism following in consequence, the incumbent resigned in j\lay, 1858, and the office was for some time vacant. The Fire Department at this time was composed of 382 members. There were six engine and two hook-and-ladder companies and three hose companies. There were twenty-five fire police and a board of seven engineers. The city debt was reduced $4,000, leaving it an even $100,000. This being a panic year, with great financial depression throughout the countr}-, Worcester suffered in common with other places, the value of property depreciating within twelve months 15 or 20 per cent. On the iith of March Mechanics Hall, now as then one of the most beautiful and commodious public halls in the United States, was dedicated to public t;se. The cost of this structure was $140,000. During the years 1856 and 1857 the bodies in the burial-ground on Raccoon Plain were removed to Hope cemetery, and the land devoted to other purposes. The WORCESTER OF 1898. 3' SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF ISAAC DAVIS. From January 4, 1S5S, to January 3, 1S59. At the December election of 1857 Isaac Davis prevailed over Putnam W. Taft, the Republican candidate for mayor, by a vote of 1,418 to 1.331- In 1858 the valuation of the city, which had been based upon a speculative and fictitious appreciation, was reduced by a wholesome revision from $18,472,200 to $16,385,650. The tax rate was reduced from $8 to $7 on $1,000. The amount of tax assessed in 1857 was $158,996: in 1858, $133,776. The expen.ses of the schools amoitnted to $30,000; of the highways, $12,000. Ten new streets were laid out, 723 feet of curbstone set. 1,556 yards of cobble paving laid, and 481 feet of sewerage constructed. West street was extended at an expense of $342. The success of the Atlantic cable was celebrated on August 6th and September ist by the firing of a salute, ringing of bells, military parade, and illumination, at a public expense of $226.30. On the loth of November, Frederick Warren, the city marshal, was shot bv the accidental discharge of a revolver in the hands of H. W. Hendricks, a deputy-sheriff of Charleston, S. C. Ish: Warren died on the 13th, and a public fttneral was held on the 15th. On the first day of January, 1859, the engine-house on Pleasant street was demolished by an explosion. The building and contents were totally destroved, and the school-house and adjacent buildings badlv shattered. The cause was a leak in the gas-pipe. ADMINISTRATION OF ALEXANDER H. BULLOCK. From January 3. 1859, to January 2, 1S60. Alexander H. Bullock," the Citizens' candidate for mayor, was elected over William W. Rice, Republican, at the election in December, 1858, by a vote of 1,655 to 1,599. The amount expended for schools in 1859 was $35,000. A school- house was erected in Tatnuck, costing $4,200, and one at Northville for $2,550: $26,043 was paid for salaries of teachers. The mayor by a gift of $i,ooo,t which was the amount of his salary, established the * Alexander Hamilton Bullock was born in Royal.ston, JIassachusetts, March 2, 1S16. and was graduated at Amherst College in 1S36. He served in both branches of the Legislature, and was governor of Massachusetts 1S66-69. He died .suddenly January 17, iSS" Governor Bullock was a polished orator of the Everett school. t Increased by accumulated interest and the gift of S500 by Colonel A, G. Bullock m 1S96 to S2.000. ALEXANDER H. BULLOCK. The Worcester of 1898. 33 Bullock medal fund, the benefits of which were for meritorious pupils of the high school. Of late years the income of this fund has by consent of the donor been applied to increasing the high school library. A lot of land annexed to the City Farm was purchased for $1,000, and one adjoining the city barn for $2,000. The expenses of the Fire Department were $8,500. A new house was built for $3,800. The sum of $15,000 was expended upon the roads and bridges. The debt this year was $99,429. Towards the close of the year Doctor John Green and the Lyceum and Library Association offered to give, upon certain conditions, to the city, libraries containing respectively 7,000 and 4,500 volumes, to form the nucleus of a public library. The offer was accepted by the City Government, and an ordinance establishing the Free Public Library was passed December 23. A lot of land on Elm street was purchased on which to erect a library building, for $5,042. ADMINISTRATION OF WILLIAM W. RICE. From January 2, 1S60, to January 7, 1S61. In December, 1859, William W. Rice,-- Republican, received 1,679 votes to 855 for D. Waldo Lincoln, Democrat. The population of the city in i860 was 24,960. The debt was $99,429; amount of taxes assessed, $140,745; valuation, $16,406,900. Expenditures for support of schools, $33,000; 75 teachers— 7 male and 68 female — were employed; 3,400 children were in school constantly; there were twenty-three school-houses with fifty-seven schools; value of school-house property, $140,000. Cost of maintaining highways, $14,000; the Patch road was completed at an expense of $1,208. Twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for the construction of the Free Public Library-, $4,000 of which was to be paid within the year, and "Free Public Library scrip" was issued for the remainder, to be paid in yearly installments. The corner-stone of the building was laid July 4th. The total cost of the building when completed was $22,500. Appropriation for the aqueduct ser\'ice was $1,500, and the expense $3,300. The income was $1,600. The Council instructed the mayor to petition the Legislature for authority to introduce water from Lynde brook. In June a bond for the purchase of his farm was taken from Edwin Waite of Leicester, $10,000 to be paid for 130 acres. The first steam fire-engine, the " Governor Lincoln," was purchased for $3,000, and the services of Engine Company No. 6 dispen.sed with in consequence. This action caused much feeling among the members ■* See sketch in Biographical Department. «A€^. .»*Sfi»^iJimitiiS(B-,'( WILLIAM W. RICE. The Worcester of 1898. 35 of the old hand fire-engines, and they exerted themselves unduly in vain endeavors to throw a stream higher with their own apparatus and muscular power than that given by the steamer, but were obliged to succumb in the face of actual demonstration. At the end of Mayor Rice's term the sum of $7,000 was in the treasury, and $5,000 had been applied to the reduction of the debt. During the latter part of the 3-ear the public mind and business were greatly disturbed by the political troubles and impending dissolution of the Union. THIRD ADMINISTRATION OF ISAAC DAVIS. From January 7, 1S61, to January 6, 1S62. George M. Rice, Republican, was defeated at the citv election by Isaac Davis, Democi-at, by a vote of 1,648 to 1,472. At the beginning of the municipal year, business was prostrated. Real and personal estate had but a nominal value. ]\Iany business firms were obliged to bow under the pressure, and thousands were thrown out of employment. States were seceding from the Union, and the future of the city and the country was dark and gloomy. In April civil war burst upon the nation with all its hon'ors. The city of Worcester responded promptly and noblv to the call of the gm-ern- ment. At the end of the year one thousand men of the city were in the army and navy enlisted for the war. To arm, equip and uniform, to provide for families according to the State law, to care for the returned sick and wounded, imposed numerous duties and great respon- sibilities on the City Government, and were attended with heavy disbursements, amounting by the first of December to $12,259.77.* The valuation of real and personal estate was $16,230,600; total tax, $139,212. The city debt was $129,755. This included the Public Library debt of $14,435, and the war debt of $14,500. The brick school-house on Salem street was erected this year at an expense of $10,000, and was dedicated September 21st. A new road was made from James' mill to Auburn line, which involved the construction of a bridge over Kettle brook, the whole costing $620. The work of building the causeway over Lake Ouinsigamond was begun in the fall, and about one-third was completed at the end of the year. The length of this road was nearly 500 feet, and its width at the top thirty-six feet. ]\Iayor Davis, in consideration of the hard times, employed a large number of laborers, some of whom otherwise \^-ould ■ Valedictorj- address of Mayor Davi; p. EMORY ALDRICH. The Worcester of 1898. 37 have required assistance from the city, paying each sixty cents per day. More or less unfavorable criticism followed this course, but its wisdom and justice can hardly be questioned. The beautiful monument of Italian marble, erected on the Common to mark the last resting-place of the distinguished Revolutionary patriot. Colonel Timothy Bigelow, was publicly dedicated April 19, 1861, almost at the same hour that Massachusetts soldiers were shedding their blood in the streets of Baltimore while on their way to Washing- ton to defend the capital. The monument was the gift to the city of Timothy Bigelow Lawrence, a great-grandson of the patriot. ADMINISTRATION OF P. EMORY ALDRICH. From January 6, 1S62, to January 5, 1S63. At the December election in 1861, P. Emory Aldrich,* Republican, was elected mayor, receiving 1,71 1 votes to 1,600 cast for Isaac Davis, Citizens'. The war of the Rebellion was at this time the engrossing theme of every conversation and the first thought of evei'v individual ; sons, brothers and townsmen stood side by side fighting the battles of the country, surrendering every comfort, shedding their blood, willing to sacrifice even their lives, that all might continue to enjov in peace and safety those precious privileges of free domestic institutions and constitutional government. f The whole number of volunteers furnished bv the citv, exclusive of three months' men, to January i, 1863, was 1,620, between 600 and 700 of whom enlisted during 1862. The total expenditures of the year on account of the war were $94,000. The number of families receiving State aid in the city was 525. The total amount assessed upon the polls and estates of the citv in 1862 was $202,688, being an increase of $63,400 over the assessment of 1861. Of this the State tax was $35,838, and the county tax $21,600. The rate was $12 per $1,000. The debt of the city in 1862 was $130,219. The appropriations for city expenses amounted to $145,250. C)ne extraordinary expense was the causeway over Lake Qiiinsigamond, the total cost of which was $25,997, requiring an appropriation of $20,000, the balance having been paid the previous vear. Of this sum $5,000 was ultimatelv refunded bv the countv. This road was com- * Peleg Emory Aldrich •wa.s born in New Salem, Massachusetts, in 1813, and died March 14, 1895. He was for many years in law partnership with Honorable Peter C. Bacon, and from 1873 until his death was a justice of the Superior Court of the State. t Paraphrase of inaugural address of Honorable Danief Waldo Lincoln in 1S63. ^iS The Worcester of 1898. pleted lune 27, and the first person to cross in a wheel-vehicle was Doctor John Green, the founder of the Public Library. The total expenses of the schools in 1862 were $35,75o. The average annual cost per scholar for the years 1856-9 had been $11.36. The annual cost in 1861-2, including salary of superintendent (Reverend J. D. E. Jones having been elected in 1859, the ordinance creating the office remaining in force), was a fraction less than $10. The number of schools in 1862 was 62: number of teachers, 83 — 6 males and ■]1 females; number of pupils, 5,771: number of school-houses, 24. An appropriation of $7,000 was made to the Public Library, $4,000 of which was towards the payment of the debt. The appropriation for roads and bridges was $17,500. Specifiic repairs upon the Paxton road cost $1,182; a double-arch stone bridge over the Blackstone at Quinsigamond Village was built at an expense of $5,670; a sewer of 801 feet was constructed in West street costing Extensive alterations and repairs were made on the City Hall at a cost of $1,100. The total expenditures for the support of the poor amounted to $9,997. Number of persons who received assistance was 1,308, of whom 1,243 were outside and 65 in the Almshouse. The average number supported at the Almshouse was, in 1853, 30; in i860, 31; in 1861, 33; in 1862, },■] . The Fire Department consisted of seven engines and 250 men, engine, hose and hook-and-ladder companies inclusive. There were thirty-eight alarms of fire in 1862, and property to the amount of between $50,000 and $60,000 was destroyed. The appropriation for this department was $ 1 1 ,000. The police force consisted of a marshal, two deputy marshals and ten watchmen. During a portion of the year two or more were employed as day police. Seven hundred and fifty-five arrests were made and 921 poor persons lodged and fed; total expenses, $7,956. An act was passed by the Legislature in 1862 authorizing the elec- tion the following January of three commissioners, to have the sole care of the ptiblic grounds. This was accepted by a majority of 57 in a vote of 451, and the board was designated the "Commissioners of Shade Trees and Public Grounds." In 1862 Honorable Isaac Davis tendered to the cit}- a deed of about fourteen acres of land bordering upon Lake Quinsigamond for the pur- poses of a public park. The gift was declined by the City Council. This land came into the possession of the city many years after, being inchided in the tract presented by Mr. H. H. Bigelow and Honorable E. L. Davis. The Worcester of 1898. 39 ADMINISTRATION OF DANIEL WALDO LINCOLN. Two terms — from January 5, 1S63. to January 2, 1S65. At the city election in December, 1862, Daniel Waldo Lincoln '■' was chosen mayor by a vote of 1,247 to 948 for David S. ]\Iessinger, the Republican candidate. The amount paid for bounties to soldiers in 1863 was §5,910; aid to families, $41,137; the war debt was increased $15,402. Appropriations for the year, $140,370; total tax, $214,283; valuation, $16,698,750; city debt, $96,380; war debt, $1 18,436. Amount expended for schools was $37,836; a school-house at East Worcester cost $15,000, and one on Mason street, $5,619. The truant school was established. The Free Public Library received $2,500, the Police Department, $7,797; number of arrests, 1,526; the Fire Department, $14,827, includ- ing $3,500 for new steam fire-engine; the fire loss was $25,000. Cost of support of poor, $11,948. Fourteen thousand dollars was expended on roads and bridges. The aqtiedtict in Pleasant street was extended from Ashland street to West street 480 feet, at a cost of $780. Stone sewers in Crown and Ashland streets, and a brick sewer in Pleasant street were constrttcted. Lincoln square was raised and regraded, and IVIain street, from vSouthbridge street to Webster square, was widened and reworked; Pleasant street, to Oxford street, regraded and paved. This work was done in prep- aration for or in connection with the construction of the horse railway line. The bodies in a portion of the Pine street burial ground (which was opened in 1828) were disinterred and removed this year, and the land used for the purposes of the East Worcester school-house. The Worcester Horse Railroad Company was chartered in 1861 with the following corporators : Albert Curtis, Frederick AV. Paine, Loring Goes, William H. Heywood, Joseph Sargent, John C. Mason and James H. Wall. The capital stock was $100,000. James B. Blake, afterwards mayor, was elected president. Tracks were laid through Lincoln street from Harrington aventte; IMain street from Lincoln square to New Worcester; Front and Grafton streets to the railroad station; Pleasant street as far as West street. The Lincoln, Main and Front street lines were opened SeptemlDer i, 1863, and the Pleasant street branch the 3rd of the following November. The railroad did not prosper under Mr. Blake"s management, and in course of time the company failed, and the property was sold under the hammer. The Pleasant street * Daniel Waldo Lincoln was a son of Governor Levi Lincoln, born in Worcester January 16, 1813. He was president of the Boston & Albany Railroad for several years previous to and at the time of his death, which was the result of a railroad accident while attending a college regatta at New London, Connecticut, July i, iSSo. I /-. DANIEL WALDO LINCOLN. The Worcester of 1898. 41 tracks were taken up. In 1 869 Augustus vSeeley of New York bought the property and franchise for $30,000, and for twelve years the cars were run over the limited lines with a seven-cent fare, and five cents more to get to the railroad station. The five-cent fare became general in 1 88 1, and this year the line was extended to Adams square, the residents in that direction contributing quite a sum towards indemni- fying the company. The history of the street railway after 1885 will be followed in succeeding pages. The centennial celebration of the erection of the Old South Meeting- House, in which town meetings were held till 1825, was observed vSeptember 22, 1863. The historical discourse was delivered by the Reverend Leonard Bacon, D. D. The vote for Mayor Lincoln at the December election of 1 863 was nearly unanimous. The appropriations for war purposes in 1864 amounted to $27,500. The war debt was $160,000; 1,300 men were raised, and $55,885 paid in bounties. Appropriations for city purposes, $173,500, being $33,129 over those of 1863; city debt, $290,000. The school expenditures were $49,294. The city now owned twenty-eight school-houses, seating 4,676 pupils, and valued at $180,000. To the Public Library $2,500 was granted for its support, and $4,000 towards extinguishing the debt. Thirteen thousand dollars was expended on the highways; $9,000 for support of the poor; improvements at the Almshouse cost $1,300. With 1864 the year of the Fire Department was changed to begin in January instead of May. The pav of the members, 272 in number, was raised; $6,000 was expended in building a new steamer-hotise, and all the expenditures in this department amounted to $25,000. During Mayor Lincoln's administration deeds of several tracts of valuable wood- and other land belonging to the citv were discovei-ed and the property taken possession of. The sources of public water supply of the city at this time were as follows; The Allen, or Spring water, supplying thirty-seven different pai-ties on Main street by an aqueduct two miles long from a sovirce near Adams square; Paine spring, from Laurel hill, supplying 125 parties on School, Union, Main, Thomas and Summer streets through one mile of pipe: the Rice aqueduct, supplying sixty-one families near Grafton and Franklin streets ; Bell pond, or Worcester aqueduct, which contributed the more general supjDly, on which the citv relied for water in case of fire. This aqueduct had been transferred to the city by the company, which was incorporated in 1845 to construct it. For ten years previous to 1864 the pressing need of additional water .supply had been impressed by successive mayors. The necessity of PHINEHAS BALL. The Worcester of 1898. 43 some action finally became imperative, and consequently, on the iSth of Januar\% 1864, the question, "Shall water be introduced into the citv of Worcester by authority of the city, in substantial accordance with the report of Phinehas Ball and the Joint Standing Committee on Water?" was submitted to the people for a yea and nay vote, receiving an affirmative majority of 582 in a vote of 1,146. The Citv Council adopted an order in February authorizing the mavor to piirchase the right to the waters of East or Lynde brook in Leicester, and to proceed in the work of introducing said water into the city, at a cost not to exceed $110,000. Early in March work was begun in the construction of a dam and the laying of pipe. From Mvrtle street to Gates lane a sixteen-inch pipe was laid, 13,162 feet, and from this point west 1,946 feet an eighteen-inch pipe, making 16,162 feet, a little more than three miles. The line was completed November 1 1 , and the first water let in November 1 4. The capacity of the Lvnde brook reservoir was 228,000,000 gallons, covering an area of fortv-eight acres. The completion of the aqueduct from Leicester was celebrated November 22. On the 6th of February, 1865, an order was adopted by which the Bell pond and the Lynde brook aqueducts were united to fonii one department, to be called the Worcester Water Works. The distrib- uting reservoir was completed in 1867. In 1864 Dale Hospital for invalid soldiers was established here, and continued a few months. The old Medical College mow one of the buildings of the Worcester Academy) on Union hill and fourteen barracks erected adjacent were occupied. ADMINISTRATION OF PHINEHAS BALL. From January 2, 1S65, to Januarj- i, i366. In December, 1864, Phinehas Ball'-' was elected mavor, receiving 1,664 votes to 1,598 for D. Waldo Lincoln. Mr. Ball was the popular choice, in consequence of his connection with the introduction of water as the engineer of the undertaking. The year 1865 was distinguished by witnessing the end of the war of the Rebellion, and the successfiil re-establishment of the government in all parts of the Union; the assassination of President Lincoln, and the return of the war veterans to their homes and peaceful pursuits. Worcester sent during the four years 3,927 men to the war, at a total direct money cost of $586,054. 'See sketch in Biographical Department. JAMES B. BLAKE. The Worcester of 1898. 4S On the I St day of June the Honorable Alexander H. Bulloek delivered a eulogy on the martyred president by invitation of the City Govern- ment. '''The exercises were held in Mechanics Hall. On July 4 a grand ovation was given the returned veterans, with an all-day's celebration of national independence. The debt of the citv January i, 1866, was $433-777. as follows: City debt, $89,140; library debt, $2,637; water debt, $175,000; temporary loan, $15,000; war debt, $151,000. The valuation was $18,937,000; the 'assessed tax, $221,702; the tax rate, $17 per $1,000; number of polls, 7,851. There were 76 schools with 6,719 pupils, employing 93 teachers, of whom 7 were males; the expenditures amounted to $54,3 56. There were 114 miles of streets and 47 bridges in the city. The fire loss of 1865 was $42,200. The engine-house on School street was built at a cost of $8,140. Eighty-eight thousand dollars was expended in the Water Department. Doctor John Green, the founder of the Public Library, died October 1 7, aged 81. In his will he left $30,000 to the city, mainly to endow his department of the librarv. One provision is that one-quarter of the income shall be added to the principal every year. Honorable George F. Hoar raised about $10,000 as a reading-room fund, and this privilege was added to those of the library, the principal newspapers, reviews, magazines, etc., being supplied for public use. ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES B. BLAKE. Five terms — from January i, iS66, to December iS, 1S70. The vote for mayor in December, 1865, was for James B. Blake,"'^ Republican, 1,971;' for D. Waldo Lincoln, Democrat, 1,420. Isaac Davis was the Democratic candidate in 1867, and J. Henry Hill m 1869 and 1870. There were scattering votes only in opposition to Mr. Blake in 1866 and 1868. In 1866 the Citv Hall was altered and refitted at a cost of $27,232. Land on Dix, w'ashington and Southgate streets was purchased for school-house lots at a cost of $5,276. Machinery and building for pre- paring material for macadamizing streets cost $3,498- The highway expenses this vear were $25,846; Hermon street bridge and regrading cost $10,337. ' Number of pupils in public schools was 6,884; the average cost of tuition was $12.89. The school-house on Providence ^* Tames Barnard Blake was born in Boston June 19, 1S27. He came to Worcester in 1852 and was appointed agent of the Gas Light Company and superintendent of their works, which position he held until the time of his death, the result of a gas explosion, December iS, 1870. 46 The Worcester of uSgS. street, bet^un in 1865, was completed at a cost of $10,743. The debt of the city was $470,000; total expenses, $260,283; tax assessed, $377,381 ; valuation, $22,599,850, of which $14,198,550 was real. The rate was $16 per $1,000; number of polls, 7,892. The police force was increased, and regularly organized, with a marshal, two assistants and twenty-five men. By a revision of the city charter the term of members of the City Council was extended to two years. The bell of the Central Church was broken July 4, while being rung to celebrate the national independence, and was replaced by the citv at a cost of $500. In 1867 the population was about 36,000. The city debt was $5.49 for each person. The cost of the highways this year was $44,355. The distributing reservoir of the water works was completed and $12,415 paid on account. Salem square was graded at a cost of $4,173. On the first of June the cit}- sold to David vS. Messinger for $21,537 the Main street school-house. The proceeds jxiid in part for the Dix street house, which was begun this vear. The Citv ( )rdinances were revised this year. The second fire steamer, the "Colonel Davis," was purchased. In 1868 the Dix street school-house was completed at a cost of $32,564, and in May the Lamartine street school-house was finished at an expense of $25,812. Land for school lots on Woodland and Edge- worth streets was purchased. The expenditures in the Highway Department this vear ann)unted to $64,166. Green and Lincoln streets were macadamized. A street from May street to junction of Beaver and Lovell streets was laid out, forming the first portion of the projected "Boulevard" around the city. This section is now Park avenue. The "betterment act," giving authority to assess half the cost of improvements in streets on the estates of abutters, was put in force, and has since occasioned more or less clamor and dissatisfaction. The building of the Water and vSewer Departments was erected on Thomas street at a cost of $12,470. The Fire Department as now organized was composed of a chief engineer and six assistants and 128 men. The apparatus consisted of three steamers with hose carriages, one hand-engine at New Worces- ter, five hose carriages and two hook-and-ladder trucks. The fire loss was $20,656; expenses of the department, $19,000. The third fire- steamer, the "A. B. Lovell," was purchased this vear. The co.st of maintaining the poor this vear was $13,907. In November the Worcester County iM-ee Institute of Industrial Science, founded by John Boynton of Templeton, was dedicated, and The Worcester of 1898. 47 began its sessions. In 1887 tlie name was changed to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and in 1889 an essential change took place, by which free tiiition to an unlimited number of residents of the county was no longer given, and afforded only to five students admitted at each examination. The first Swedes came to Worcester in 1868, and found employment at the Wire Works. In 1 868 a free public market was established on the north side of the City Hall on Front street. It did not prove a success, and was discontinued after a year's trial. In 1869 the total tax assessed was $469,953- The tax rate was $14.40 per $1,000; number of polls, 11,869. Authority was given by the Legislature, and accepted by vote September 20th, instructing the city treasurer to subscribe for stock of the Boston, Barre & Gardner Railroad to an amount equal to one per cent, on total valuation, which amounted to $262,200. An asses,s- ment of $32,440 was paid. This road was opened in 1871, and proved a losing speculation. The school-house on Edgeworth street was completed, and $1 3.5^4 paid on account. A lot for a school-house on Ledge street was purchased. A contract with Norcross & Brother was made for the erection of a high school building on Walnut street, from plans by Gambrill & Richardson of New York, for $106,000. The cost of the highways this year was $93,014. In April, 1869, George Jacques offered to present to the city his homestead estate, comprising about seven acres, for a public park. The conditions were such as would involve the city in a considerable increase of its debt, and the offer was declined. In 1870 the population of Worcester was 41,105. The tax rate was $17.40 per $1,000. There were in the city at this time four savings banks with $9,085,119 deposits; eight banks of discount with $2,400,000 capital; and three insurance companies with $604,800 capital. One hundred and fifty miles of streets was maintained at a total expense of $152,454. Block paving was laid in Main, Southbridge and Mechanic streets, $37,738 being expended in this new method. The steamer -house in Lagrange street was erected at a cost of $10,000. The fire loss was $60,000. The expenses of the Police Department amounted to $25,027; number of men, thirty. The vote at the December election in favor of removing the rail- road tracks from the Common and ]Madison and Mechanic streets, was 2,330 to 480 opposed. EDWARD EARLE. The Worcester of 1898. 49 June 23, 1870, occurred the great dualin explosion on the Boston & Albany railroad tracks, near the Junction. One man was killed, about thirty persons injured, and many buildings were shattered. On Friday, December 16, 1870, Mayor Blake (who had been re-elected for the year 1871 ) went to the Gas Works to inspect some repairs. A stopcock had by accident been left open in the purifying house, and on the mayor's approach with the foreman, who carried a lighted lantern, an explosion followed, which demolished the building, and severely burned and bruised the mayor and his attendant. As a result of his injuries death ensued Sunday morning, the iSth. A public funeral was held in ^Mechanics Hall on the 22d. j\Iayor Blake's administration is principally distinguished by the inception and practical foundation of the present sewerage system, the construction of which was begun in 1867 under powers given by a special act of the Legislatrire, and accepted bv popular vote April 16 of that year, conferring the right to appropriate certain water courses recommended in the report of a special committee made to the Citv Council in October, 1866. These main channels comprised Mill bnxik, 9,420 feet; Lincoln brook, 13,566 feet; Austin street brook, 2,818 feet; Hermitage brook, 5,090 feet; Piedmont brook, 4,677 feet, and Pine Meadow brook, 4,356 feet. The walling of Mill brook as the main sewer was commenced in Green street in May, 1867, and completed to Lincoln square in 1870 — 2,238 feet open, and 3,669 arched. The first sewers were laid in the streets in August, 1867. The expense of the main sewer was included in the general tax, and the estates of abutters were assessed to pay for the street sewers, causing much grumbling. At first the estates were assessed according to the number of square feet, but now the assessment is for lineal feet of sewer. Another matter of interest was the erection of a soldiers' monument, the first action toward which was taken by the City Council in 1866, in the appointment of a cominittee which co-opei^ated with a citizens' cnmmittee of twentv-live chosen at a public meeting in 1867. Mavor Blake was chairman of this committee. A canvass for subscriptions resulted in a fund of $11,242, and steps were taken to choose a site and design. The mayor favored an arch to be placed on the Common or over ^lain street at a cost of $90,000. This proposition was rejected by a popular vote in December, 1868. Nothing further was done until after the death of ^Ir. Blake. It was during Mr. Blake's administration that "Nobility Hill" on Jklain street, from opposite the end of Southbridge street, running north to nearly opposite the southwest corner of the Common, was removed, and the grade of Chatham street lowered so as to bring it into Main street. GEORGE F. VERRY. The Worcester of 1898. 51 ADMINISTRATION OF EDWARD EARLE. From February 6, 1S71, to January i, 1S72. On the death of Mayor Blake, Honorable Henry Chapin was appointed mayor ad interim tintil authority to hold a special election was obtained from the Legislature, and on the 30th of Janiiary, Edward Earle'^' was chosen by a vote of 2,078 to 1,742 for Frank H. Kelley. In 1871 the expenses of the schools amounted to $1 19,71 5. The police force was increased to thirty-eight men, and the expenses of this department were $32,000. The sinking fund was established July 24: all balances, all receipts from real estate belonging to the city if sold, and $30,000 yearly to be applied to the reduction of the debt. The City Hospital was established ]Ma}- 25. The Abijah Bigelow house on Front street was hired, and the first patient was received October 26. The expenses this year were $3,860. The fiire alarm telegraph was constructed in 1 871, and first used on the 28th of June. All the streets in the city were renumbered this year. The new Classical and English high school building on Walnut street was dedicated December 30, 187 1. It cost $170,000. ADMINISTRATION OF GEORGE F. VERRY. From Januarv i, 1S72. to January 6, 1S73. At the election in December, 1871, George F. Verry,t Citizens', was elected over George Crompton, Republican, b}- a vote of 3,589 to 1,423. In 1872 the expenditures were as follows: Highways, $124,812; water construction, $76,419; sewers, $152,916; schools, $144,352; police, $45,407; poor, $18,151 ; City Hospital, $8,090; salaries, $21,779; library, $10,723; Fire Department, $39,742 ; street construction, $72,203 ; inter- est, $136,259. The city debt now amounted to $2,456,788. The total valuation was $42,242,550; number of polls, 13,055; tax assessed, $761,130. There were 10,226 pupils in the public schools; number of teachers, 174. The fire loss was $26,235. The Public Library was first opened on vSunday, December 8, of this year. In March, 1872, George Jaques presented to the city four acres of land on Prince street as a site for the Citv Hospital, and at his death. *See sketch in Biographical Department. t George Franklin Verry was born in Mendon, Massachusetts. Juh- 14, 1S26. He was educated at Phillips-Andover Academy, and studied law, in which profession he became prominent. He was a member of the State Senate in 1S74-5. He died October 5, 1SS3. CLARK JILLSON. The Worcester of 1898. 53 the 24th of the following August, bequeathed to the city nearly the remainder of his estate, valued at about $200,000, as a fund for the maintenance of said hospital. FIRST ADMINISTRATION OF CLARK JILLSON. From January 6, 1S73, tn January 5. 1S74. At the city election in December, 1872, Clark Jillson,-' Republican, prevailed over George F. Verry, Citizens', by a vote of 3,352 to 2,875. The year 1873 witnessed a recurrence of hard times and general depression of business. In further complication of the distress, the small-pox appeared early in the winter, and there were 125 cases in the next four months, eight of which were fatal. The city debt was $2,605,613. Total expenditures, $1,095,958, in part divided as follows: Fire Department, $75,961; library, $14,107; high- ways, $152,726; interest, $115,250; street lighting, $21,454; poor, $43,898; police, $58,595 ; salaries, $24,209; schools, $153,003 ; school- houses, $23,873; sewer construction, $76,576; water construction, $45,596; high service, $65,930; maintenance, $23,327. The high-service water was completed at a cost of $232,000; total cost of water works to this time, $1,076,531. The police force was now composed of fifty men. The act conferring the veto power upon the mavor was accepted by popular vote, and this right was exercised for the first time by Mayor Jillson in December, in withholding his approval of the vote laying out a portion of Park avenue over Elm park, but the City Council re-affirmed its action by a more than two-thirds vote. The ll'on-rs/cr Daily Press, a Democratic paper, was established April 1, 1873, and was published five years. Its promoters lost heavily. The Worcester & Shrewsbur}- railroad was opened to Lake Uuinsig- amond, July 31, 1873. ADMINISTRATION OF EDWARD L. DAVIS. From January 5, 1S74, to January 4, 1S75. Edward L. Davis,* the Citizens' candidate, was elected over Mayor Jillson by a majoritv of sixty-five at the December election of 1873. The total valuation in 1S74 was $49,185,554. The tax rate was $16.80 per $1,000; number of polls, 13,341. Expenditures were: For schools, $148,455; highways, $155,146; interest, $147,204; police, * See sketch in Biographical Department. 1^ EDWARD L. DAVIS. The Worcester of 1898. 55 $54,096; street lights, $27,957 ; Fire Department, $62,925; sewer con- struction, S53>634; water construction, $106,562. The City Hospital was removed from the corner of Front and Church streets to the Jaques homestead on Wellington street, on the 1st of January. The Soldiers' Monument was completed after a design by Randolph Rogers, and was dedicated July 15. It cost $50,000, of which $35,000 was appropriated by the City Council. The State Normal School opened its sessions September 15. It was located in Worcester in 1871 on condition that the citv should pay the Board of Education $15,000, the State making an additional appro- priation of $60,000. The Worcester Board of Trade formally opened its headquarters March 3, 1874. It was incorporated May 14, 1875. The Board was inactive from 1880 ti) 1891, when it was resuscitated. ^Ir. Davis had to contend with serious difficulties consequent to the financial panic of 1873, the business depression manifesting itself in public as well as in private enterprises. In his conduct of municipal alfairs he exercised a rigid but judicious economy, and he was able to institute and carry forward public works, notably the extension of Park avenue, without exceeding the amount supplied by the revenues of the vear. These needed improvements furnished work and support to worthv and industrious citizens who otherwise wotild have expe- rienced distress during the hard times, and the desired end was accom- plished without increasing the indebtedness of the city. SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF CLARK JILLSON. Two terms — from January 4, 1S75, to January- i, 1S77. In December, 1874, Mr. Jillson prevailed over Mr. Davis and reassumed the office of mayor in January, 1875. At the next election George F. Verry was the opposing candidate. In 1875 the population of Worcester reached 49,317. The debt was $2,589,700. The expenditures for schools amounted to $153,210; for highways, $63,776. The Armory on Waldo street was erected at a cost of $49,392. It proved a bad bargain for the city, and had to be abandoned by the militia later as unsafe in consequence of poor construction. The Union railway station at Washington square was completed and opened for use August 15, 1875. On Mav 28, Taylor's building, opposite the Common, was burned, the most destructive conflagration since the Merrifield fire of 1854. This r CHARLES B. PRATT. The Worcester of 1898. 57 fire led to the formation of the Insurance Fire Patrol, an efficient adjunct to the Fire Department, which was incorporated in 1875. At first it was wholly supported bv insurance companies, but an annual gi-ant was later made by the city, and is continued. The fire apparatus at the time oi the Taylor fire consisted of four steamers, eight hose carriages, two hook-and-ladder trucks and a Babcock fire extin- guisher. On January 23 of this 3-ear was formed The Worcester Society of Antiquity, and to this institution the city is largely indebted for the perpetuation of its early records, all of which, relating to the period of the proprietary and town governments, have been published by this society. The dam at the Lvnde brook reservoir was carried awav bv a freshet on the 30th of March, 1876, and was reconstructed dirring that year. The aggregate damages paid by the city, including the cost of the new dam, amounted to $227,000. The expenditures this year were in part as follows: Schools, §149,- 593; highways, $78,805; library, $14,147: poor, $14,838; police, $51,236; Fire Department, $40,741 ; interest, $121,136. The viaduct over Alechanic and Front streets, to connect the northern railroads with the Union station, was completed in 1876. 1876 was the year of the nation's centennial, and Worcester entered into the spirit of the occasion with ardor. A grand celebration was held July 4, and the Centennial oration was given by Honorable Ben- jamin F. Thomas, a native of the place, and a grandson of the patriot printer, Isaiah Thomas. ADMINISTRATION OF CHARLES B. PRATT. Three terms — from January i, 1S77. to January 5, iSSo. In December, 1876, Charles B. Pratt,- Democrat, received 3,653 votes for mayor to 3.373 cast for Joseph H. Walker, Republican. The city debt in 1877 was $2,492,300. The expenditures in part were as follows: Fire Department, $39,760; highways, $50,594 : police, $45,289; salaries, $21,442. A Board of Commissioners of the Jaques Fund was constituted this year. The Board of Health was established. Mounted police were in service during the year. The floating island in Bell pond was removed at an expense of $2,758. *See sketch in Biographical Department. «rx FRANK H. KELLEY. The Worcester of 1898. 59 The railrnad tracks on the Common were removed November 21, 1877. In 187S the debt was $2,509,200. The expenditures for schools amounted to $142,809: for highways, $50,982. The Winslow street school-house was built. Hope eemeterv was enlarged ten or twelve acres, and the remains in the Mechanic street Ijurial-ground mostly removed thither; 1,116 bodies were taken from the old ground. The construction of the Island sewer was undertaken, and $104,410 expended. In 1879 there were 142 miles of public streets and 55 miles of private streets; 19 stone arch bridges, 16 wooden bridges, and 2 iron bridges; 690 gas lamps and 756 gasolene lamps; expense of lighting streets, $27,298; "]"] miles of main and distributing water-pipes, which had cost with reservoirs, etc., $1,250,000; water revenue in 1879, $73,296; 37.69 miles sewer. The Island sewer was completed at a cost of $203,066. School expenses, $142,070. The hose-house on Grafton street was built at an expense of $4,178. Part of Main street was repaved with small square paving. During the three years of j\Iavor Pratt's administration there was a net increase of the city debt $13,021, but $650,000 of liabilities was paid, including the claims on account of damages by the Lynde brook disaster, which were mostly settled out of court. vSchool-houses on Winslow and Grafton streets and at Lake View were erected at a total cost of $31,684. The extension of Foster street, in consec^uence of the building of the Union railroad station at Washington square, proved a bone of con- tention, and was accomplished only after much delay. The cost of working the street was $140,000; but incidental expenses of relocating the railroads, building the stations, the viaduct, and making necessary changes, swelled the sum total to $1,518,508. It is worth while to consider in this connection whether it would not have been wise to have built the passenger stati(_)n on the site of the old one on Foster street, as already the question of removal of the present one to some other place is being discussed. The value of the time which would have been saved in the last twenty years is the difference between that of five and forty-five minutes in going and coming to and from the station for every traveler. ADMINISTRATION OF FRANK H. KELLEY. Two terms — from January 5, iSSo, to January 3, iSS:. At the citv election in December, 1879, Frank H. Kelley,* Citizens', received 2,971 votes for mayor to 2,716 for Elijah B. Stoddard, ■ See sketch in Biographical Department. ELIJAH B. STODDARD. The Worcester of 1898. 61 Republican; 1,087 f<'i" Horace H. Bigelow, and 99 for A. J. Marble. The population of the city in 1S80 was 58,291. Expenditures in different departments were as follows: Schools, $143,839; highways, $52,534; police, $54,894; Fire Department, $46,446. The debt was $2,542,300. Fifteen private streets were made public. The Citv Ordinances were revised. The City Hospital on Prince street was begun. In 1881 the debt was $2,580,200. Highway expenses, $73,914; schools, $153,000; Fire Department, $44,951, and $1,200 for Fire Patrol. A controversy in consequence of defiling of Blackstone river with sewage engaged public attention. The City Hospital was completed and occupied December 8. ADMINISTRATION OF ELIJAH B. STODDARD. From Jiinuary 3, 1SS2, to Jiimiarv i, 1SS3. In December, iSSi, Elijah B. StoddaiTl- received 2,971 votes for mayor, as the Citizens' candidate; 1,571 were cast for Calvin L. Harts- horn, although he declined a nomination. The debt at the beginning of 1882 was $2,582,300, an increase of $70,400 in a year. Expenditures were: For schools, $173,729; high- ways, $132,572. There were in the public schools 11,887 P'-^pil''^, at an expense of $19.18 each; 222 teachers were emjjloyed. The Thomas street school- house was enlarged at an expense of $10,324. The construction of the Pine Meadow sewer was successfully and economically executed. This relieved the East Worcester district. Summer street was relocated at an expense of $53,107 for construction, and $20,338 damages. ADMINISTRATION OF SAMUEL E. HILDRETH. From January i, 1S83, to January 7, 18S4. In December, 1882, Samuel E; Hildreth,t Republican, was elected over Mayor Stoddard by a majority of forty-four in a total vote of 8,282. * Elijah Brigham Stoddard was born in Upton, Massachusetts, June 5, 1S26, and gradu- ated at Brown University in 1847. He has served in both branches of the Legislature,, and is a member of the State Board of Education. f See sketch in Biographical Department. SAMUEL E. HILDRETH. The Worcester of 1898. 63 The city debt in 1883 was §2,652,700. Expenditures in several of the departments were as follows: .Schools, $183,365; highways, $109,753; Fire Department, $50,812; police, seventy in number, $78,988; poor, $46,445; street lights, $42,821. The Millbury street school-house was built at a cost of $31,503, and the Winslow street school enlarged at a cost of $16,413. On the 6th of February the order passed to take Tatnuck brook f(_)r additional water supply. The necessary work was completed Novem- ber 27, the cost being $223,574. Total cost of water works to date, $1,603,988. The Pine Meadow sewer was completed at a cost of $15,000. The city purchased the first steam-roller for use in the Highway Department. Electric lights were first used in the streets. Police Station No. 2 was established in the "Island" district, with head- qtiarters in the Lamartine street engine-house. ADMINISTRATION OF CHARLES G. REED. Two terms — from January 7, 1SS4, to January 4. 1SS6. Charles G. Reed," the Citizens' candidate, prevailed in 1883 and 1884 over Samuel E. Hildreth, the Republican nominee. In 1884 the debt was $3,112,700. There were eleven trust ftmds belonging to the city, amounting to $219,076. The income of these funds was applied to specific purposes. Expenditures in several depart- ments were: vSchools, $219,341 ; highways, $1 17,441 ; Fire Department, $52,105; police, $74,036: library, $16,082. Honorable Edward L. Davis and Mr. Horace H. Bigelow presented to the city the land now forming Lake park, and Mr. Davis gave in addition $5,000 to be applied to improving the park. November 4, the act empowering the city to acquire and lav out a S3'stem of parks was accepted by popular vote — yes, 5,094; no, 181. The Bi-Centennial celebration of the naming of Worcester was one of the most successful of our commemorative occasions. It was observed with an oration by Senator Hoar, and addresses bv !Mavor Reed, Gov- ernor Robinson and (yeneral Devens, in ^lechanics Hall, October 14, and a grand military and civic parade October i 5. In 1885 the population of Worcester was 68,380. The valuation was $82,714,391; taxes assessed, $1,014,554. The tax rate was $18, and the debt was $3,389,700. Net debt decreased $33,230. The school expenses amounted to $213,076. Niimber of school children, 12,961. The Commission of Shade Trees and Public Grounds was re-organized with five members, and name chaneed to Parks Commission. ■ See sketch in Biographical Department. CHARLES G. REED. The Worcester of i8g8. 65 The police headquarters and the Central District Court were removed from the City Hall building to the discarded Armory in Waldo street. ]\Iayor Reed's financial policy was "to pay as you go," and to reduce the city debt. He vetoed the reported appropriation bill of 1884, and his veto was sustained. He presented and advocated the plan of our present police and signal system, but withdrew it to keep down the taxes until the amount of the city's liability for damages in the taking of Tatnuck brook might be determined. At his re-election in Decem- ber, 1884, he received the largest vote cast for a mayor to that time. He vetoed the building of the Fire Department building as being against the policy of putting costs of biiildings into the next vear's taxes. ADMINISTRATION OF SAMUEL WINSLOW.-^ Four terms — from January 4, 1SS6, to January 6, 1S90. Charles B. Pratt, 1885; John R. Thayer, 1886, and Andrew Athy, 1887, were the Democratic candidates during this period. In 1888 L. G. White was the Citizens' nominee for mayor. The expenses in some of the departments in 1886 were as follows: Schools, $226,680; highways, $103,058; Fire Departinent, $70,207; street lights, $53,420; there were 112 electric lights, 650 gas lights, 1,449 gasolene lamps; police, $78,547; the force numbered 80. The act requiring the city to establish a system of sewage purifica- tion within five vears, to free the Blackstone river from pollution, passed the Legislature. The Worccslcr Daily Tclcgraui appeared Mav 19, 1886. The SiDi'day Telegram was first issued in 1884. In 1887 the schools cost $241,505 ; highways, $106,016; City Hospital, $15,378; interest, $105,783. The title and interest of the First Parish in that part of the Common occupied by their meeting-house were taken in exercise of the authority vested in the city by the Legislature of 1885, and the venerable Old .South Church w^as removed, $115,395 being paid in compromise, after an award to the parish of $148,409 by a commission. The proposition to take the parish rights in 1872 was voted down, 2,480 to 2,297. In 1888 $75,000 was boiTowed to begin the sewage purification works at (Juinsigamond. The parks loan of $200,000 was authorized, for the purpose of acquiring certain tracts for public use. The valuation was $64,498,386; fire loss, $29,876. The schools cost $266,554; the highways, $134,091 ; the Fire Department, $61,126; police, $95,703. * See sketch in Biographical Department. SAMUEL WINSLOW. The Worcester of 1898. 67 There were 142 miles of public and fifty miles of private streets; 1 10.10 miles of main water-pipe. In 1889 the gross debt was $3,595,700. The valuation was $69,350,- 000. During the years 1886-89 1,481 new buildings were erected in the city. Clark University was opened, and the Salisbury Laboratories at the Polytechnic Institute built. Land for a new high school house was purchased for $49,500. School-houses on Freeland and Salisbury streets, Sunnyside, Greendale, Adams square, Jamesville, and Bloom- ingdale were erected at a total cost of $133,475; fire-engine houses on Cambridge and Woodland streets were built. The Citv Hospital was enlarged and further endowed, and a hospital for contagious diseases erected. A lot for a new public library building was purchased. North, i\Iessinger hill, East Worcester, Crompton, L^niversity, Newton hill and Institute parks were opened. The last was a gift from Hon- orable Stephen Salisburv. who has improved and beautified it at his own expense. In 1885 a new street railway company, known as the Citizens', sud- denly appeared and gained a franchise that considerably more than doubled the miles of track. Honorable Charles B. Pratt was president of the new corporation. During the summer of 1886 tracks were laid in Pleasant, Southbridge, Salisbury, Grove, Trumbull, Green, Millbury and other streets. In the meantime the two companies consolidated, and began to afford facilities more in character with the size of the city. Another company, the North End, operated a line from Foster street throuofh Summer and Lincoln streets to Greendale. ADMINISTRATION OF FRANCIS A. HARRINGTON. Three terms — from January 6. 1S90. to January 2, iScj3. Francis A. Harrington,- Republican, was elected mayor in December, 1889, the opposing candidate being A. George Bullock, Citizens'-Demo- crat. Benjamin W. Childs and Joseph S. Perry were the unsuccessful candidates in 1890 and 1891. The population of Worcester in i8go was 84,655. The valuation was $73,272,360. Expenses of the following departments were: Schools, $278,956; highways, $144,227; Fire Department, $75,132; police, $104,- 599; street lights, $71,397 ; City Hospital, $32,921 ; the city debt was $3,930,700. This was a no-license year. The trunk sewer in Sutton lane and Cambridge street, for the relief of the New Worcester district, was completed. The works at Ouinsig- * Francis Alfred Harrington was born in Worcester November 17. 1S46. He served in the Board of Aldermen previous to his election as mayor. FRANCIS A. HARRINGTON. The Worcester of 189S. 69 amond, for the disposal of the sewage by chemical precipitation, were put in operation. In 1 89 1 the valuation was $77,764,919. The trust funds for various purposes amounted to $302,026. The cost of maintaining the schools with 15,484 pupils and 340 teachers, was $301,460. Fire-engine houses at Lake View and Quinsigamond were erected. The office of stiperintehdent of street lights was created. The new Public Library building was occttpied April i, 1891. It cost $108,000, exclusive of the land. Six hundred and two new buildings were erected in the city. Eight hundred and eighteen million gallons of water were ttsed exclusive of street sprinkling. In 1892 the net debt was $2,600,903; valuation, $80,811,000. The Holden reservoir dam was raised at a cost of $99,261. The English high school building was completed at an expense of $145,000. New school-houses on Millbury and Canterbury streets were nearly com- pleted. There were 15,385 pupils in the public schools. The Public Library expenses were $18,500. Eighty-five miles of sewers were in operation. Six hundred and seven new buildings were erected. In December, 1891, the city again voted against the sale of intoxicants, the majoritv having been in favor of it in December, 1890. The Leicester & Spencer electric railroad was opened in 1891, and the ]\Iillbury line in 1892. The tax rate was lower during ^Nlayor Harrington's administration than for manv vears previous. About $800,000 worth of property was acquired bv the citv during the years 1 890-92, in addition in the ordinarv increase in the building of graded school-houses, etc. This included the English high school, the ncM' Public Library building, and the Colton estate, which was purchased as an addition to the City Hospital. ADMINISTRATION OF HENRY A, MARSH. Three terms — from January 2. 1S93, to January 6, 1896. Henrv A. ;Marsh* was elected mayor in December, 1892, the Demo- cratic candidate being James E. Estabrook. In 1893 the vote for Mr. jMarsh was practicallv unanimous. Webster Thayer was the unsuc- cessful Democratic nominee in 1894. In 1893 the valuation was $83,748,600; the tax rate, $15.20, and the amount of taxes assessed $1,148,450. The expenditures in various departments were as follows: Schools, $369,109; highways, $170,120; Fire Department, $128,963; police, $111,177; street lights, $79^057; 'See sketch in Biographical Department. HENRY A. MARSH. The Worcester of 1898. 71 City Hospital, $29,589; the net funded debt of the citv November 30, 1893, amounted to §2,505,974, showing a decrease of $94,929 during the year. The sinking funds on the 30th of November amounted t(.) §1,548,998, a net increase of $141,1 15 during the year. The seventeen trust funds amounted to $321,035. The new charter of the city, the outcome of a strong recommendation by Mayor Marsh in his inaugural, was granted by the Legislature in June, 1893, and was accepted bv the voters at the city election following. Its distinctive feature is in the separation of the executive and the legislative functions of the government. There was included in it a system of minority representation in the Board of Aldermen, and the establishment of a board of liquor license commissioners. The ques- tion of minority representation, which was strongly opposed, was again submitted to the voters at the State election in 1894, and again accepted. Bv an act of the Legislature April 7, 1893, the operation of the grade- crossing laws in Worcester was suspended for five years. Decrees were issued for the extension and perfecting (if an admirable svstem of electric street railways, canying conditions that required the laying of pavements where these lines existed. Many thousands of yards of block paving were thus laid that otherwise the city would have been obliged to furnish. In 1894 the valuation was $85,933,100. The tax rate was $15.20. The net fimded debt November 30 was $2,535,719. The sinking funds amounted to $1,807,664. Expenditures in various departments were: Schools, $402,982; highways, $214,899; Fire Department, $129,970; street lights, $80,241; salaries, $26,550. Total expenditures for all purposes, $2,990,348. During this year conditions of a very unusual nature presented them- selves for solution. Among these was the failure of the city water supply b}' reason of the drouth. In the short period oi two weeks, and imder extreme difficulties, a conduit 3,300 feet in length was constructed, through which 187,000,000 gallons of water from Kettle brook was drawn, to the city's relief. The act giving the city the right to take Kettle brook as a permanent source passed the Legislature May 14, 1895. To afford relief to the industrious poor during a period of extreme financial depression, public work was undertaken in the much-needed construction and relocation of several streets and avenues. In 1895 the valuation was $87,500,000; the tax rate was $15.40; taxes assessed, $1,254,790; net debt, $2,530,368. Expenditures in sev- eral departments were: Schools, $429,631; liljrary, $29,312; health, $9,519; Fire Department, $134,806; highways, $284,023. Total expen- ditures for all purposes, $3,065,588. AUGUSTUS B. R. SPRAGUE. The Worcester of 1898. 73 During Mavor ^^larsh's thrte terms the revision of the City ( )rdinances was accomplislred. The city was authorized to borrow $500,000 in excess of its indebtedness limit for the purpose of building an additional reservoir on Tatnuck brook, and other necessary expenditures in con- nection with the extension of the water works. Steel bridges in Webster, Southbridge and Mill streets were built. Brick pavements were introduced. Ten additional basins for sewage purification were completed. The arching of Mill brook was brought to a close. Nine school-houses were built, which, with additions to others, repre- resented sixt\"-tliree rooms. The Rice, Barton & Fales propertv on Mechanic, Union and Foster streets was purchased as a site for new headquarters of the Fire Department. The railroad tracks in Foster street (which ought never to have been allowed there) are in a fair wa\- to be abolished bv this movement. The price (.)f gas was reduced to $1.25 net per 1,000 feet on petition of the mayor to the State Board of Gas and Electric Light Commis- sioners. The erection of a hospital for contagious diseases was begun in 1895, and a new ward for male surgical patients at the City Hospital was practically completed during the same year. Mayor Marsh in his inaugural addresses in 1894 and 1895 strongly urged the City Council to take steps toward the erection of a new City Hall suitable to the needs of the growing city. During the year J 895 the question of the site and plans was settled, and on November 13 the order for the construction of the building and the appointment of a commission to erect the same was signed by the ma\-or. ADMINISTRATION OF A. B. R. SPRAGUE. Two ternis — from January i>. 1996, to January 3, iSi)a. At the election in December, 1895, Augustus B. R. .Sprague," the Citizens' candidate, prevailed over Rufus B. Dodge, Jr., the Republican nominee. The population of Worcester in 1896 exceeded 100.000. At the close of the fiscal vear of 1895, the net funded debt amounted to $2,530,368, and this was increased dtiring 1896 to $2,841,422. The city sinking funds were increased during the same period $305,643, amounting to $2,383,735 on the 30th dav of November, 1896. The 'wahTation of 1896 reached $91,538,000, an increase of $3,777,000 in twelve months. The property of religious, benevolent, educational and scientific institutions, exempt from taxation, was estimated at $5,000,000; tax rate per $1,000, $15.60. Four hundred and fifty-two *See sketch in Biographical Department. 74 The Worcester of 1898. new buildings were erected during' the year. The expenditures in several departments were: vSehools, $472,925; street maintenance and construction, $352,162; Fire Department, $220,750; poor, $53,658; police, $121,965; parks, $17,166; health, $10,198; hospital, $68,185; library, $33,052; salaries, $34,675; interest, $105,570. Total expendi- tures for all purposes, $3,557,784. The plans having been decided upon, the City Hall Commission, on the 23rd of April, ch>sed the contract for its building with Xorcross Brothers. The corner-stone was laid on the 12th of September with appropriate ceremonies, by the ]\lost Worshipful (irand Lodge of ^Massachusetts, Edwin B. Holmes grand master, assisted by Mayor Sprague, who made the address, and a general celebration and military and civic parade on the 12th of September. Before the close of the year the structure was well advanced. The gift by the Honorable Stephen Salisbury of a large tract of vakiable land and $100,000 for the site and building of an art museum for the benefit of all the people of the city of Worcester, was a notable event of the year. The corner-stone was laid June 24, 1S97. with addresses by Mayor Sprague and Governor Wolcott. At the December election Alayor Sprague, with the Citizens' nomina- tion, again prevailed, the Republican nominee being Samuel E. Winslow. The valuation in 1897 was $98,115,000; the tax rate was $14.80 per $1,000, and the amount of taxes collected $1,518,907. At the close of the financial vear the debt was $3,498,803. The increase is accounted for bv the expenditures for the new City Hall, and the expense attend- ing the taking of the waters of Kettle brook, both of which were decreed bv a previous administration. Expenditures in various departments were: Schools, $504,970; streets, $428,993; Fire Department, $1 58,739; poor, $70,867; police, $137,646; library, $32,925; parks, $44,947; interest, $128,485. Total expendi- tures for all purposes, $4,096,495. During Mayor Sprague's term, streets of unusual importance to the business interests of the city were added to the list of public highways, notably dimmercial street, from Front to School; the relocation of ^^'est Bo}-lston street, and the extension of Fremont street. To pro- vide for especial construction and general improvement of the streets, $225,000 was provided by loan. Twenty-one additional acres of land adjoining the purification works were procured to facilitate contemplated constructions in sewage dis- posal; $100,000 was appropriated for the erection of a sludge disposal plant. Thirteen miles of sewers were constructed. The fi)rtifving of the water works rapidly progressed. In 1896 a new storage basin was completed and other work executed along the The Worcester of 1898. 75 stream of Kettle brook. A new distributing reservoir and a forty-inch low-service main were completed, together with mtich other needed construction. Xever in the history of the city were so many school-houses built in two years, the total cost of which was $265,000, the stntctures furnishing accommodations for 2,800 pupils. The facilities of the City Hospital were greatly increased by the completion of the new surgical ward and the Winslow Surgery, the latter a gift from Samuel E. Winslow, Esq., in memory of his father, Ex-jMayor Samuel Winslow. The Nurses' Home connected with the hospital, which ci;>st about $50,000, was the gift of Mr. Edward C. Thaver. A hospital for contagious diseases was completed at a cost i''f $33,000. A public bath-house was erected at Lake Quinsigamond. A large addition was made to the Home Farm at a cost of $25,000. The Police Department was reorganized and the force increased. The new headquarters for the Fire Department was established and the construction of the building well advanced. Mayor Sprague's administration was particularly distinguished as the one under which the new City Hall was erected, and from the beginning of the work till it was practically completed he was, cx-officio, an active member of the commission under whose direction it was built. He was chairman pro tempore during the absence of Chairman Sawver in the summer of 1 8g6. STATISTICAL SUMMARY, 1848-1897. Year. Population. Valuation. Debt. Tax Rate per $1,000. Total Expenditures 1848 15,000* $8,721,000 $99,677 $5-34 $71,346 1850 17.049 I 1,082,501 96,996 6.90 I 12,707 1855 22,284 18,059,000 98.435 7.00 220,754 i860 24,960 16,406,900 94.533 8.00 233.612 1865 3°. 058 18,937,000 364.459 1 7.00 673,180 1870 41,105 34,018,450 1.185,718 17.40 1,887,694 1875 49.317 49,299,781 2,589,700! 16.60 2. 115. 541 1880 58,291 41,006,862 2,265,914! 17.40 1,632,558 1885 68,380 52,719,391 2.394,9i4t 18.00 2,091,663 1890 84.655 73.531.060 2,468.469! 15.60 2,368,228 1895 98.767 88,080,816 2.530.368! 15-40 3,065,588 1897 106,000* 98,520,591 3,498,803! 14.80 4,096,495 * Estimate. \ Net Debt. THE OLD TOWN AND CITY HALL JoR more than one hundred years the meetings of the inhabitants iif Worcester for the transaction of municipal business were held in the buildings which were used for public worship during that period. Previous to the year 1787 the town and the parish were one so far as temporal interests were concerned, and after that date con- siderable time elapsed before a separation in fact in the matter of property rights took place. The first meeting-house erected on the Common in 17 19 gave way to a more commodious one in 1763, and this later building came down to us, through various alterations, improvements and renewals until, in 1887, its demolition was decreed, and the long-familiar "Old" .South Church vanished. In the early time its walls resounded with Revolutionary oratory, and from its west porch was read for the first time in public within the limits of the Commonwealth, the Declaration of Independence. From its pulpit many famous preachers held forth from time to time. Here the immortal Webster spoke while the halo of his anti-nullification triumph was still luminous about him. The resident ministry, while not par- ticularly distinguished, exerted a quiet but powerful influence. Many other associations, more or less interesting or important, are connected with this old building, which was for so many vears a landmark in the town. The larger area of the new Citv Hall almost entirely covers the site of the old meeting-house. In 1824 the present and prospective exigencies and i^equirements of the town, and a growing disinclination on the part of members of the First Parish to allow further use of Jihe church for town meetings, brought what had for some time been a thought into definite action. At the annual March meeting a committee was appointed to take into consideration the subject of a town hall, and on the 3d of May a report was made recommending the erection of a building for town purposes, with two full stories and a basement, the first story to be used as a town hall, the second story to be divided into two small halls, one of which was to be devoted to the purposes of the Agricultural Society, (in condition that said societv should reconvey a piece of land at the-- 78 The Worcester of 1898. southwest corner of the burial-ground on the Common which had been deeded to it by the town in 1823. It was stated in the report that the basement of the building could be rented for not less than fifty dollars per annum; and the whole cost of the edifice, if built of stone and brick, was estimated at $7,000. This report was accepted, and it was voted "to build a town house," and a committee was appointed to locate it, and to decide of what materials it should be built. It appears that three sites were considered — one, offered as a gift by Dr. William Paine, on Alain street, near Thomas; another, the lot already deeded to the Agricultural .Society; and the one where the hall was built, at the northwest corner of the Common. On this site was a small building used as a store, the land being held by lease from the town. The building and all the rights appertaining thereto under the lease were purchased for $780; and it was voted to erect on the spot a town house 64 feet long by 54 feet wide, with basement of stone and two full stories of brick, the expense of which was not to exceed $7,000. Frederick William Paine, John W. Lincoln, William Eaton, Otis Corbett and Enoch Flagg were chosen the Building Com- mittee, and they were authorized to borrow the necessarv money. The corner-stone was laid Aiigust 2, 1824, with Masonic ceremonies, under the direction of Lewns Bigelow, the contractor, who was master of Morning vStar Lodge, A. F. & A. ]\I., and Peter Kendall, who executed the stone and brick work. An address was delivered by Samuel M. Burnside. The completed building was dedicated on the 2d of May, 1825, with an historical address by Honorable John Davis. The total cost was $9,017.90. The arrangement included a large town hall on the first floor, with rcjoms for town clerk, selectmen, etc.; and the upper story was divided into two smaller halls, one for the Agricultural Society, the other for a Masonic Lodge room. The base- ment was in part rented for a provision store, and for other purposes. In 1 84 1 a radical change was made in the structure, fiftv feet being added to its length on the east end, and the whole upper story was made into one hall, which would accommodate nearlv 400 people; the first story of the old part was divided into four rooms, one to be used as an armory. The first story of the new part formed a hall 51 by 48 feet, while the new basement part gave accommodations for an engine company. These and other changes were made at an expense of about $1 1,000. The large hall in the second story was known as the " Upper Town Hall," and the lower halls as the "East" and "AVest" halls. Another change was made in 1848, when the East hall became the Police Court room, and the West hall was divided into rooms for the City Council, and offices for clerk, treasurer, etc. Over $1,200 was expended at this time. vSeveral minor changes were made during the The Worcester of i8g8. 79 next fifteen years, the two doors each side of the main entrance at the west end being replaced by windows in 1857, giving the appearance seen- during the last forty years of its existence. In 1866 the large Town Hall was divided, and the Council chambers used since that time constructed at the west end, while the east half was devoted to the uses of the Police (later the Municipal and Central District) Court. The whole of the first storv was given over to the offices of the various citv departments. The cost of these extensive im- provements was $27,232.20. The only external change after this was the adding of the clock tower in 1888. The expense of the several altera- tions, added to the first cost of the building, amounted to nearly $60,000. The large "Upper" Town Hall was, until the completion of Mechan- ics Hall in 1857, the largest audience room in Worcester, and it was much in demand for concerts, lectures, and other public assemblies. Various political parties at different times held conventions and meet- ings within its walls. The Free-Soil party was born here in 1848, and from this building went out the famous resolution by Reverend George Allen, which became the watchword of the exciting campaign of that year. It was in the City Hall on the 1 1 th of March, 1854, that Eli Thayer announced his "Plan of Freedom," which, applied in his Kansas emigration movement, thwarted the purpose of the Southern leaders after they had accomplished the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. Among the distingitished names associated with this hall may be men- tioned Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas H. Benton, Louis Kossuth, Father ^lathew. John B. Cough, Jenny Lind and W. M. Thackeray, and there are many others of equal or lesser note. Not its least honorable use was that for the transaction of the municipal business during the closing years of the town organization, where gathered the substantial citizens of that time, including several of more than local distinction, impelled by earnest desire for the common welfare. With the coming of the City Government and its more direct and convenient methods, the general town meeting was abolished: and after the opening of more elegant and commodious places for public gatherings, the old hall gradually fell into disuse, until in 1866 it was finally closed. The room and its many interesting associations exist now onlv as memories in the minds of our older citizens. The last public gathering held in the building was on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 4, 1898, when the surviving voters of 1848 assem- bled to say farewell to the old City Hall. Ex-Mayor Stoddard presided, and addresses were made by Mayor Dodge, Honorable A. S. Roe, E.x-]Mayor Sprague, Samuel Hathaway, Dexter Rice. Alzirus Brown, Frederick G. Stiles and others. The demolition of the building took place during the interval between the above date and July 1st. THE NEW CITY HALL jfJIjljX the 23d day of April, 1894, the governor of the Commonwealth ILSJi approved an act passed by the General Coiirt which authorized the city of Worcester to boirow the sum of $300,000 in excess of its debt limit fixed by statute, for the purpose of biiilding a new city hall. This was the first definite move made towards the realization of a project which had for several years agitated the minds of oiir citizens and public officials, and which the pressing needs of an increasing population now imperatively forced to an immediate consideration. In consequence, however, of a controversy which arose and was continued for some time by the advocates of different sites for the structure, little progress was made in the undertaking during the next twelve months. The question at issue was in due course submitted to judicial and legislative investigation, and the decision to locate the building on the Common was finally sustained in the spring of 1896. At a regular meeting of the City Council held June 3, 1895, it was Ordered : That the mayor be, and he is hereby authorized and requested to advertise for and obtain competitive plans and specifications for a new city hall building, to be located on the Old Common, so called, in the city of Worcester, equally distant from Front and Park streets, the front line of said building to be not nearer than fifty feet distant from the easterly line of Main street. Said plans and specifications to be for a building the cost of which shall not exceed the sum of $300,000. The said plans and specifications to be completed and delivered to the mayor on or before September 10, 1S95. And it is further Ordered : That the sum of $5,000 be paid as compen- sation to competitors furnishing plans The award to be made by a committee consisting of the mayor, the superintendent of public buildings, together with an expert and disinter- ested architect, to be selected and appointed by the mayor. In accordance with the last provision of the above order, ^Mayor Marsh, on the 13th of June, appointed the well-known and distin- guished architect, Richard Morris Hunt, as the professional adviser, to whose decision the plans for a city hall were to be referred, but the 82 The Worcester of 1898. death of this o;entleman on the 31st of July folhnving necessitated another appointment, and his son, Richard HowLind Hunt, was selected. The competing architects were: Peabody & Stearns of Boston; Carrere 8z Hastings of New York ; Hartwell & Richardson of Boston, and A. P. Cutting, Barker & Nourse, George H. Clemence, Clellan ^Valdo Fisher, E. Boyden & .Son, and Fuller & Delano, all of Worces- ter. After a careful examination of the nine sets of plans, the award was announced September 21 as follows: To Peabody & Stearns the design for the construction of the building; and the prize money was distributed among four of the unsuccessful competitors, Hartwell & Richardson receiving $2,000, Carrere & Hastings $1,500, A. P. Cutting $1,000, and Clellan Waldo Fisher $500. At a meeting of the City Council held June 13, 1895, a loan of $50,000 was authorized to provide for the preliminary work in the erection of the new City Hall, and on the nth of November of the same year it was Ordered : That a commission of three citizens be elected by baUot in joint convention by the City Council, who shall proceed to erect with all reasonable dispatch a new city hall building, in compliance with the plans and alterations submitted by Messrs. Peabody & Stearns, and already accepted in accordance with the order of the City Council passed June 3, 1895. The person who may hold the office of mayor during the existence of this commission and the erection of the building shall be, ex-officio, a member of said commission. And on the 25 th of November it was Ordered : That a joint convention of the two branches be held forth- with for the ]nirpose of electing City Hall Commissioners. Pursuant to the last mentioned order, the two boards met in joint convention and elected William H. Sawyer, Harrison S. Prentice and xA.ndrew Athy members of the commission to erect a new city hall. On the 2 1 St of April, 1896, a communication from the City Hall Commission, to the effect that the design in accordance with the accepted plans could not be carried out properly in the construction of the new City Hall for the sum already appropriated, was acted upon bv the City Council, and an additional amount of $275,000, making a total of $575,000, was voted without opposition. April 23 the con- tract for the construction of the building was awarded to Norcross Brothers for the sum of $470,761, their bid being the lowest among seven competitors. During the summer the foundations were com- The Worcester of 1898. 83 pleted, and the laying of the corner-stone was appointed for the lotli of September, and arrangements were made for a military and civic parade, and Masonic and other ceremonies proper to the occasion. The weather on Thursday, the 10th of September, proving too inclement for outdoor exercises, the ceremonies were postponed to vSaturday the 1 2th, when they were successfully carried out in accord- ance with the programme, which is given in the following pages. The City Hall building proper was completed at the end of the vear 1897, but various circumstances and minor details combined to delay occupancy until April, 1898. The dedication took place on the 28th of that month, at which time Chairman Sawyer, in behalf of the City Hall Commission, made a full report of the doings of that board, and formally delivered the keys of the building to thve mayor in the presence of a large and representative gathering of Worcester citizens. LAYING OF THE COBNEB-STONE. The grand military and civic parade which preceded the ceremonies at the corner-stone was successfully carried out in all its details under the able direction of General Josiah Pickett, chief marshal, assisted by Major E. T. Raymond, chief of staff. Nearly all the military. Masonic and other civic bodies in the city participated and the line moved promptly at the time designated. The procession probably equaled if not exceeded in numbers any one which had previously appeared in Worcester. The exercises at the corner-stone began, according to the programme, with the playing of Kellar's American Hymn by the consolidated bands under the leadership of E. D. Ingraham of Battery B Band, stationed at the south end of the main floor of the building. Mayor Sprague then stepped forward and said : (icntloncn of tlic City Council : In absence of the chairman of the City Hall Commissioners who are charged with the erection of the build- ing, I have the honor tn announce that the corner-stone of the City Hall is ready to be laid. Alderman Alonzo A. White, president of the Board of Aldermen, then rose and said : -]/;•. Mayor, in accordance with an order adopted by the City Council, you are respectfully requested to assume the entire direction of the exercises and cerem'onies incident to the laying of the corner-stone of the new City Hall. Rev. Calvin Stebbins, pastor of the Church of the Unity, offered the following prayer, amid the silence of the vast multitude : — 84 The Worcester of 1898. O God of our life! whose infinite majesty looketh on us from the heavens and the earth, and whose grace, love and truth shine on us from the face of Jesus of Nazareth, we invoke Thy presence in this hour of our public rejoic- ing, and ask Thy blessing upon these services. Our forms and ceremonies, our martial music and our booming cannon would to-day, we know, be empty, indeed, as sounding brass and tinkling cymbal if not charged with a sense of civic duty and public honor. Our w'ork and our works, though they be wonders of architecture, would be as dust and ashes if not pervaded by a hope which reaches up to Thee and raises us above things material and temporal to principles which are spirit- ual and eternal. The corner-stone we lay to-day, we lay on firm foundations. May it be as the symbol of the invisible foundation in eternal verities on which we should lay the corner-stone of private and civic character. Beautiful as the material is, we thank Thee that we can use it and rise above it into the region of the spirit. OGod! as the granite takes the shape of beauty and utility under the hand of the artist and the artisan, so may that temple not made with hands within us, rise in amplitude and magnificence and become the abode of Thy- self. Thy Spirit! almighty God! we feel as it pulses through this vast uni- verse; Thy guidance we trace in the long history of our race as it has marched across the centuries: Thy leading hand we see in the triumphal story of the rise and progress of our republic, and surely our goodly city has not been without Thee. For her prosperity in material things, for her growth in population, and for the opportunities she offers to all of every race, condition and religion to lay deep and strong the foundations on which to build a manly and wom- anly character, we thank Thee. May Thy blessing, O God! be upon our broad and beautiful land with its precious trust from Thee, of freedom for all; upon our good old Common- wealth, so strong to protect, so generous to help, so motherly in her care of the poor and unfortunate, and upon this the city of our nativity or adop- tion; may she ever be a city which hath foundations whose Builder and Maker is (iod. Bless, we beseech of Thee, all those who hold high trusts from the people in the nation, the Commonwealth, the city. Bless, we pray Thee, the church of the living God, under whatever ban- ner its disciples may be marching. Again, almighty God, we ask Thy blessing on the services and purpose of this hour; may the corner-stone we lay and the building we rear never be polluted by the leprous presence of that foulest crime against the citizen — political corruption. May these walls never be blistered by the money power in politics, or by the hot pas- sions of men who put the interests of party, or clique, or individual before the interest of the whole city. Here, rather in time to come, may the com- monweal be ably discussed and triumphantly vindicated. And to Thee, who art above all and through all and in all. God blessed forever, we would give praise and glory now and always. Aiucn. The Worcester of 1898. 85 At the conclusion Mayor vSprague delivered the following address : (jtiifii tiiiii of tliL City Council. Ladies, and Fcl/oic Citi-jciis: We are met to lay the corner-stone of Worcester's City Hall, which upon its completion will be the great central building of the people, devoted to the transaction of the public business, the home of its City Council, and the headquarters of its executive and departmental work ; in short, the official habitation of those servants whom the people shall choose from time to time to do their will. It is fitting that such an occasion should be observed with something of public ceremony, because it marks one of the eras in that local history w'hich touches more nearly than all others the families and individ- ual men and women who constitute the municipality. We lay the corner-stone of this structure in historic ground. In the arti- cles of agreement at the settlement of the tract or township of Worcester, subscribed in 1669, it was provided that there should be "a place reserved in common near the centre of the town, about twenty acres, for a training ground, and to set a school-house upon." The ground appropriated for the above-named purposes in 1684 comprised the present Common, which, how- ever, has been from time to time considerably reduced from its original dimensions. At times there have stood upon the Common two school- houses, the town pound, the hearse-house, the gun-house, the First Parish meeting-house, with its accompanying horse-sheds and burial-ground, and, in time, the Town Hall. Here, in 17 19, the first meeting-hnuse was erected. The town w-as incor- porated in May, 1722, and the first town meeting was held in the meeting- house in September of the same year. This house was replaced in 1763 by the one removed in 1887, known as the "Old South meeting-house." All of us, except the children, can well remember this quaint and chaste speci- men of New England church building, with its slim, tall spire rising toward the sky, and its gilded weathercock from its high perch challenging the ad- miration of the Worcester boy. Inasmuch as in the early days the parish and the town were one, and the parish-house was in use as the town-house as well, it will be observed that all the purposes which I have enumerated for which the Common has been used, except a small portion of the Town Hall and ground rented for a time for a printing office and a market, were pureh- public purposes, pertaining to the whole municipality. It was the town's hearse, the town's guns, the town's school, the town's house of worship which were established hereon. In now establishing hereon a second time the City Hall, all other pur- poses being abandoned, we but rededicate the people's Common to the use of all the people. The meeting-house removed in 1887 occupied land which is entirely covered by the site on which we are to erect this building. The old building and its site are both of great historical interest, and we may well recall some of those events which make them so. In the days of colo- nial agitation, preceding the Revolution, as well as during that eventful struggle, and the early days of the infant republic, the meetings of the 86 The Worcester of 1898. town were held in the meetint'-hduse. Here were formed the resolutions and enunciated the declarations ni the patriots n{ those stirring times. Sturdy patriots they were, impatient and intolerant of all opinion which had not the clear, unmistakable ring; and so it was here, on August 14, 1774, they, in public meeting, forced the Tory town clerk to obliterate the obnox- ious protest he had entered on the town records by dipping his fingers in the ink and smearing the page. On the 19th of April, 1775, a messenger from the east dashed into town, shouting the cry, "To arms," the cry of Concord and Lexington, and his horse fell exhausted near this spot. Here Capt. Timothy Bigelow, after- wards the distinguished colonel of the 15th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental army, paraded his company of minute-men, and after a fervent prayer by the Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, marched for Cambridge, followed by the company commanded by Capt. Benjamin Flagg, so that iio men left this spot that day for the seat of war. Ten days after the Declaration of American Independence was passed by the Continental Congress, the messenger, carrying a copy of it to the gov- ernment at Boston, passed through Worcester, and the precious document was first publicly read in Massachusetts from the west porch of the meeting- house, by Isaiah Thomas. Here, too, on October 23, 1789, was the artillery salute of eleven guns, given by Major Treadwell's Worcester artillery, which heralded the passage through Worcester of the president. General George Washington. In 1740 Whitefield, drawing to himself people from far and near, preached to thousands assembled upon these grounds; and here, in later days, great outdoor meetings have been stirred by the eloquence of John Quincy Adams, of Louis Kossuth, and other distinguished men. From the ear- liest days of the municipality, this Common has been a military parade and training field, and never was it distinguished so highly by scenes of patriot- ism as when, from 1861 to 1865, it witnessed the departure of Worcester regiments for the war of the Rebellion. Here the authorities of State and city, determined fathers and brothers, tearful mothers, wives and sisters, and crowds of fellow citizens, to whose cause they were devoting their lives, and who showered upon them cheers and blessings, witnessed the departure of the volunteers. And here it was, too, that having passed through the storm of war, the returned survivors of the struggle found a welcome home. Hallowed, indeed, is this ground, with its patriotic history; and, as the city of Worcester lays the corner-stone of this building, let it be considered that it erects it not only for the growing future, but as a worthy monument of the past. Let it be beautiful and strong, worthy to stand on the same ground site on which the marble and the granite already stand, to com- memorate the soldiers of 1775, who fought to give birth to an independent republic, and the soldiers of 1S61, who fought to redeem it and reestablish it for all time. Previously to 1825 town meetings were held in the Old South meeting- house; but on May 17, 1824, the town voted to l>uild upon the northwest The Worcester of 189S. 87 corner of the Common a town hall. 64 feet long by 54 feet wide. The corner-stone was laid August 2, 1824, with Masonic ceremonies, by ]\Iorning Star Lodge, and it was finished and dedicated !May 2, 1825, and has since been the municipal building. Built at a time when the population of Worcester was less than four thou- sand, it has been several times remodeled and enlarged, but has for many years been inadequate to the needs of the city, which has so abundantly prospered and strengthened as to reach a population of over one hundred thousand souls. The old hall, now to be supplanted, has associations of patriotism and eloquence which the people of Worcester will not forget. It has resounded to the eloquent and wise utterances of Daniel Webster, of Henry Clay, of Abraham Lincoln, of Charles vSumner, of Benton and Burlingame, Wilson and Allen, and many others; and here stood Father !Mathew, with his pledge of total abstinence. It was the scene, too, all through the stirring days of the anti-slavery agitation, of conferences and spirited public meetings, and may fairly be called a cradle of liberty of the African race. Here, then, within a radius of a hundred feet, in church and hall, for one hundred and seventy-two years, has the business of this municipality been con- ducted, and for one hundred and twenty-eight years the town meetings were held — those schools of liberty and self-government where the humblest citizen as well as the most learned and influential, exercised the right to raise his voice in advocacy of any measure he deemed for the public good. Before the separation of town and parish, the management of both and the support of both were the care of the town meeting, and the church being democratic as well as the town, they were the purest democracies the world ever saw. They were the creation of those men and women who left the old world and sought this inhospitable coast, determined to establish their right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences. They were men and women of prayer and faith and courage, and in the growth and development of the institutions they founded, they so con- structed the civil system of their communities that from it was born a great, free republic — our republic I Here the oppressed of every land and every clime are welcome, if, in good faith, they bow obedient to our laws, and are loyal to the country and its flag. There is no weakness under its folds to indicate that the rule of law may be transformed into the lawlessness of license. Our flag summons us to the constant and earnest resolution that, whoever raises the red flag of anarchy, whether wickedly or misguidedly, he shall be ground to powder between the upper and the nether millstones of true liberty and law. No great standing army eats out the substance of the people, but we have an army of observation engaged in the peaceful pursuits of life, artisans of the rank and file, who, when the country calls, respond with a personal in- terest such as belongs to no other people under the blue dome of the skv. 88 The Worcester of 1898. In the old wmid, kingdoms and empires have fallen when political virtue was supplanted by fraud and corruption and a disregard of the immutable laws of God. By their rise and fall, we may learn that to perpetuate this republic, which is founded upon the fundamental principles of equity and law, the right of every man, however humble his calling, must be recognized and secured. If eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, it is also the price of an honest administration of municipal as well as of national government. Our fair city of a hundred thousand people, whose future none can predict, has outgrown the building in which its public business has been transacted for nearly half a century, and the walls of a new one are rising, which promise to be worthy of our beloved home. Constructed by our townsmen, of granite quarried within our county, it is, indeed, a home production. As we lay the corner-stone, let us devoutly jiray that public extrava- gance, official corruption, or whatsoever worketh an abomination or maketh a lie, or even questionable measures, shall ne\er find a shelter within these walls. Inspired by all that is true and honest and of good report, may the servants of the people who gather here to conduct the business of this municipality go in and out with the approval of their own consciences and of their fellow- citizens, because faithful and intelligent service has been rendered the city, and because the public interest has not been sacrificed to private ends. ( )n the conclusion of his address. Mayor Sprag'ue tfirned to (rrand Master Holmes, and said : Most Wcrshipful Eihvin />'. Holmes, Grand Master: We are assembled in the presence of the honorable City Council, the City Hall Commissioners, heads of departments, commissioners' boards and trus- tees, ex-mayors, past m.embers of the City Government, honored citizens, military and civic bodies of our city, and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, to lay the corner-stone of a building to be erected for the use of our municipal government. It gives me great pleasure, in behalf of the authorities and the people of Worcester, to bid you and the distinguished gentlemen who compose your suite a cordial welcome to the Heart of the Commonwealth. I invite you to now proceed with the laying of the corner-stone with the ceremonies and according to the usages of your ancient order. The most worthy grand master responded as follows: From time immemorial it has been the custom of the Ancient and Hon- orable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, when requested so to do, to lay, with ancient forms, the corner-stones of buildings erected for the worship of (lod, for charitable or educational objects, and for the purposes of the administration of justice and free government. This corner-stone The Worcester of 1898. 89 we may therefore lay in accordance with our law; and thus testifying our appreciation of the duties and privileges of liberty regulated by law and our respect for duly constituted authority, we shall proceed in accordance with ancient usage. As the first duty of Masons in any undertaking is to in- voke the blessing of the Great Architect upon their work, we will unite with our grand chaplain in reading a lesson from the Holy Scriptures, and in an address to the throne of grace. The ceremony then proceeded in accordance with the ^lasonic ritual, the members of the Grand Lodge reciting the responses, standing with uncovered heads. The grand chaplain then offered prayer, in which he asked for divine blessing on Worcester, her people, her schools, her colleges, her insti- tutions of industry and culttire, and on all associated with her govern- ment. The praver was followed by the traditional Masonic response, "So mote it be," from the members of the Grand Lodge. The Worcester Masonic Quartette (Messrs. B. A. Barber, W. F. Little, T. B. Hamilton and D. E. Spencer 1 then sang the following hymn to the air of Coronation : Great Architect of earth and heaven, By time nor space confined. Enlarge our love to comprehend Our brethren, all mankind. Where'er we are, whate'er we do, Thy pre.sence let us own: Thine eye, all seeing, marks our deeds, To Thee all thoughts are known. While nature's works and science's laws We labor to reveal. Oh, be our duty done to Thee With fervency and zeal. With Faith our guide, and humble Hope, Warm Charity and Love, May all at last be raised to share Thy perfect light above. Following this, the gTand master called on the acting grand treas- urer, Charles M. Averv of ^lalden. to read the list of papers, docti- ments and articles contained in the box deposited in the corner-stone as follows : Worcester City Documents, 1849-1856 inclusive, and 1890-1896 inclusive: History of Worcester (Lincoln & Hersey) ; Reminiscences of Worcester (Wall): Dictionary of Worcester (Rice); Massachusetts Year Book (Roe); Manual of the General Court for 1896; Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Naming of Worcester: Eastern Worcester — Its First Settlers (Wall): go The Worcester of 1898. North Worcester— Its First Settlers (Wall); Boston Tea Party (Wall); Address before the Worcester Agricultural Society October 12, 1820 (Hon. Lewis Bigelow); Transactions of Worcester Agricultural Society, 1895; Report of Worcester Protective Department ; History of the First Univer- salist Church (Seagrave) ; Souvenir of Worcester; Annual Catalogue of Worcester Academy, 1896; Annual Catalogue of State Normal School, Worcester, 1896; Report of Parks Commission, 1895; Epitaphs from Grave- stones in Cemetery on Worcester Common (Barton); Clark University Summer School, 1895; Report of Worcester County Mechanics Association, 1896; List of Premiums at the Bay State Fair, 1896; Worcester Masonic Charity and Educational Association Manual ; Population, Valuation, Taxes and Appropriations of the City of Worcester from 1850-1889; History of St. John's Catholic Church golden jubilee; Worcester Directory, 1896; chief marshal's order for Corner-stone parade; History of Odd Fellows' Home; Presentation of Dodge Park to the City of Worcester; Treasurer's Report of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 1896; silver and copper coins of 1896 mintage, presented by the Ouinsigamond National Bank, Worcester; sterling silver heart, presented by the French Canadian societies of Wor- cester; and abstracts from the official records as follows: Offer of Stephen Salisbury relative to a new city hall, and the vote of thanks of the City Council for the same; Orders relative to the election of a city hall commis- sion; appropriation of funds for building a city hall; copy of contracts for building City Hall; Worcester Evening Gazette ; Worcester Daily Spy ; copy" of industrial edition of the Spy; Worcester Daily Telegram: Worcester Evening Post ; Arbctarens J 'an: Worcester Veckoblad ; Skandinavia : The Messenger ; L' Opinion Piiblique : Greater Worcester: Le Rci'cille : Nctv York Herald, April 16, 1865. with account of Lincoln's death; Oilman's Reg- ister; the Bible; Harrington's Illustrated Worcester ; Catalogue of the Poly- technic Institute; Catalogue of the Holy Cross College; Edward Winslow Lincoln's "Doings of the Worcester County Horticultural Society," and a copy of the address delivered at the dedication of the Town Hall (now the City Hall) on the 2d of May, 1825, by Hon. John Da Javis Then came the solemn ceremony of laying the stone, which all this time had been suspended from a derrick above its allotted position. The grand master taking the trowel, the deputy grand master the the square, senior grand warden the level, and the junior grand warden the plumb, they assumed their proper positions around the stone — the grand master at the east, the deputy on his right, the senior grand warden at the west, and the junior grand warden at the south. The grand master then spread the cement, and invited his honor the mayor to assist him. The grand master directed the grand marshal to order the craftsmen to h)\ver the stone. This was done by three motions — first by lowering a few inches and stopping when the public grand honor is given, the trumpet sounding once; second, again lowering a few inches and giving two grand honors, the trumpet sounding twice; The Worcester of 1898. 91 third, letting- the stone down to its place and giving all the grand honors, the trumpet sounding thrice. The grand honors were given by the Masonic officials placing their right hands on their left breasts, and bowing profoundly. As the stone rested on its solid bed, an enthusiastic cheer burst from the vast multitude of spectators. The craftsmen who lowered the stone were Sttpt. S. F. French, Robert Cheyne, John Shepley and Benjamin Robinson. Mr. French communicated his orders by electric bell to Engineer Peter Maloney down in the basement. N. P. Pilet of Battery B Band was the trumpeter at the stone. Then came the application of the jewels to the corner-stone. Then the grand master, striking the stone thi"ee times with the gavel, said : Well made — well pmved — truly laid — true and trusty; and may this undertaking be conducted and completed by the craftsmen according to the grand plan in peace, harmony and brotherly love. The libation of coi-n, wine and oil followed, and the grand chaplain then pronounced the following invocation: May corn, wine and oil and all the necessaries of life abound among men throughout the world ; may the blessing of almighty God be upon this undertaking, and may the structure here to be erected rise in beauty and strength, and be preserved to the latest ages a monument of the liberality, the patriotism and the loyalty of the people for whose service it is to be erected. Grand Marshal Dunton then escorted the architects of the building, Messrs. Robert S. Peabody and John G. Stearns of Boston, to the platform. Grand Marshal to the Grand Master — I present to you the architects of this building. They are ready witli the craftsmen for the work, and ask the tools for their task. The grand master presented the square, level, plumb and plans to the architects, and said: To you, Messrs. Architects, are confided the implements of operative masonry with the fullest confidence that by your skill and taste an edifice will here arise which shall render new service and honor to this busy city. ^lay it be blessed with wisdom in the plan, strength in the execution, beauty in the adornment; and may the Son of Righteousness enlighten those who build, the government and the people for whose use this structure shall be erected. Grand ^^laster Edwin B. Holmes then delivered the following address: -92 The Worcester of 1898. Mr. Mayor, Ih-ithrcn and l-'clloi^' Citizens: We have g-athered in the "Heart of the Commiinwealth " for an impor- tant and interesting service. The city of Worcester, through the chairman of its Building Committee, invites the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts to lay with customary forms and ancient ritual the corner-stone of a new edifice to be here erected. The invitation was cheerfully and gratefully accepted, and the duty has been properly discharged. This building, to be called the "City Hall," will be the seat of the execu- tive and legislative branches of the City Government. Within its walls will preside the authority to govern and the wisdom to advise in producing the best results of a free government. This will be the public hearthstone of Worcester. Here all citizens have common rights; here, without distinc- tion of race, color or religion, they have equal protection ; here, as the supreme seat of the aggregate civil authority under the law, all classes may find their friend, their guardian and their protector. This is the high altar of civil power, the holy place, whence proceeds the paternal authority by which this city is to be governed, blessed and prospered. In the construction of this edifice the best wishes of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts will continually abide with the city and its government, with the builders and the workmen, through who.se united efforts the grand plans and specifications of this building will be executed. May there be manifest wisdom in its plan, strength in its construction, and beauty in its comple- tion, symbolizing the wisdom, strength and beauty of those successive governments of civil -administration which shall assemble within its walls. In participating in the services of this day, the Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts would express its interest in all that concerns the commonweal. Its public efforts are aimed at the public good; its sincere desire is the peace and prosperity of all communities in our Cllege, Librarian S. S. Green, Principal D. W. Abercrombie of "Wor- cester Academy, Judge Francis A. Gaskill, State Senator Alfred S. Roe, Ex-Alderman D. W. Darling, D. A. Harrington, Enoch Earle, W. A. Lytle, Honorable John R. Thayer, State Senator Ellery B. Crane, Clerk of Courts T. S. Johnson. Superintendent of Schools Clarence F. Carroll, and many others. During the half hour preceding the opening of the exercises, during which time the larger part of the guests were seated, Battery B Band, stationed under the staircase in the basement, furnished a concert pro- gramme. A large force of patrolmen, under the personal supervision of Chief of Police J. M. Drennan, Capt. D. A. ISIatthews and Lieut. Johnson, assisted the ushers in their work. Shortly before 2. 1 5 the music ceased, and for a moment there was a lull. A moment later the band strtrck up " Hail to the Chief," and a btizz of expectation ran through the great throng. Presently Charles il. Thayer appeared escorting flavor Dodge, with Chairman Sawyer and Commissioner Prentice of the Citv Hall Commission,'^ President Burton W. Potter of the Board of Aldermen, the orator of the day, and Rev. Archibald McCullagh, D. D., chaplain of the occasion. After them came the mayor's guests. A burst of applause greeted the party as they took their seats on the speaker's platform, which was on the landing of the main staircase. The guests took the seats on the staircase at the right. Also occupying seats on the speaker's platform were: Ex-]\Iayors Edward L. Davis, Charles B. Pratt, E. B. Stoddard, Charles G. Reed, F. A. Harrington, Henn- A. I\Iarsh. Atigustus B. R. Sprague. and L'nited vStates Senator George F. Hoar. The music had hardly ceased when Chairman Sawyer called the assemblage to order and made the following remarks: Mr. J/tiror, Gcntlcnun of t lie City Govcnunciit , Ftilozc CitLzcns. Ladies and Gciitloncii : The occasion which calls us together is an exceptional and interesting one in the history of our city. Although the growth of Worcester has been steady and rapid for many years, there has been no change in the size and character of its public buildings to correspond with this growth. But recently a new departure has taken place in this particular. Our steadily increasing volume of business demanded a new post office, which has just been completed. On our chief business thoroughfares stately and hand- some structures have been reared for business, banking and insurance purposes. * Andrew Athy, the third member of the City Hall Commission, was unable to be present, owing to serious illness which resulted in his death a few weeks later. 96 The Worcester of 1898. We meet to-day to hand over to the city a new hall to be dedicated to its uses. The building has been planned and built not only to meet present needs, but to provide for its probable growth and demands of a century to come. If, however, this city should expand in less time beyond our expectations and require a still larger building, we hope that those who may then gather to dedicate it may feel as much interest and pride in it as we feel in this hall to-day. But it belongs to the orator of the day to speak in fitting terms of the significance of this occasion, which marks a new era in the history of our city. Rev. Dr. McCuUat^'h then invoked the divine blessing in the follow- ing words : Holy and almighty God, although we cannot see Thee with the bodily eye, nor hear Thee with the physical ear, nor touch Thee with the hand of sense. Thou art not far from any one of us. In Thee we live and move, and have our being. We adore Thee for what Thou art in Thy- self, ineffable in majesty, immaculate in holiness, infinite in mercy, and unchangeable in love. We praise Thee that Thou hast made us in Thine own image, with minds capable of appreciating Thy wisdom, power and glory, as revealed in the splendors and wonders of material creation and in Thy Holy Word, and also with hearts that can reciprocate Thy love. We thank Thee for the existence of Christian civilization in the world, and for its progress through the ages in overthrowing tyranny, banishing slavery, and developing among the peoples of the earth a growing consciousness of the universal brotherhood of man. We bless Thee for the land we fondly call our own, for the vastness of her acreage, for the treasures of her hills, for the productiveness of her plains, for her civil and religious institutions which contemplate the largest liberty, the highest well-being, and the truest happiness of man. We thank Thee for the occasion which calls us together at this time. We pray for Thy blessing to rest upon this city, recognized among the favored cities of the land for its manufacturing skill, industrial enterprise, educational advantages and religious privileges. By Thy grace we dedicate this symmetrical, stately and massive hall to the purposes for which it has been built. We dedicate it to the highest inter- ests of our municipal government and the public weal. Bless those who have rendered valuable, efficient and faithful service in planning and super- vising -its erection with a singleness of eye to the public good. Grant that the business which may be transacted within its walls through coming generations as long as it shall stand, may be done in that spirit of right- eousness which is well pleasing to Thee and which exalts a people. Bless the chief magistrate of this city, all who occupy positions of official authority and responsibility, and all the people within its boundaries. May all realize that the truest wealth, most enduring prosperity, and highest honor of a city lie in character moulded by the truths revealed through conscience and the glorious Gospel of our blessed Lord. O Thou supreme Ruler of the destiny of nations, our God and our fathers' God, we commend to Thy special favor our beloved country in this The Worcester of 1898. 97 hour of her conflict with a foreign nation. Thou knuwest that our obiect as a people m this war is not for terrestrial acquisition, military glory or national aggrandizement, but to rescue men, women and children from amine, disease and death due to misrule, and to adyance the cause of humane rulership and Christian ciyilization. Giye wisdom to our president Counsel all his adyisers. Grant, we beseech Thee, swift and signal yictory to our nayal forces, that the desolations, disorders and sufferings incident to prolonged warfare may be ayerted. Shield our braye men, who may guard our coast or meet the enemy on foreign soil, from wounds and death at the hands of the enemy, and from diseases incident to unfayorable climatic conditions and exposure. All these things we humbly ask in the name of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit we give praise. A?in'n. ^ Chairman Sawyer then delivered the following address: For many years there existed a feeling among our citizens that the needs growth and best interests of our city demanded a new city hall buildino' A\ hile this feeling has been in the air for almost a decade, as there were differences of opinion as to a suitable site, it did not crystallize and take definite form until a little less than three years ago. On June 3 180, an order was passed by which the mayor was authorized to advertise for and obtain competitive plans and specifications for a new city hall buildino- the cost of which should not exceed $300,000, and that the sum of $5,000 should be paid as a compensation to competitors furnishing said plans. On Novem her 13, 1895, a commission was created, consisting of three commissioners who were clothed with the power to proceed with the erection of said build' mg m substantial compliance with the plans which had been submitted by Messrs. Peabody & Stearns of Boston. Your commissioners, after care fully considermg the work assigned them, became satisfied that it would be unwise-to limit their expenditure to $300,000. A granite structure of such grace and proportions as would make it an architectural ornament to our city one constructed and equipped according to the most approved scientific niethods, and that would meet the needs of the future, would require more than double that amount. Your commissioners revised the architectural plans originally submitted and asked for an appropriation of $650 000 They are pleased to say that their judgment was approved, and the full amount asked for was granted without a dissenting voice Then an oppor tunity was offered to builders to compete for its erection. All bids were to be sent to the chairman by April 20, 1896. When they were opened by the commissioners, they found that the bid of Norcross Brothers was ^58,968 lower than the next lowest bid, and $143,000 lower than the hio-hest bid. The contract for the building was awarded to Norcross Brothers April 23, 1896. The contract called for the completion of the building January i, 189S. All the other contracts were made to be completed at the same time. But owing to contingencies and unavoidable delays a little longer time than was anticipated has been required f.,r its completion WILLIAM H. SAWYER. The Worcester of 1898. 99 Your commissioners realized the importance of the work committed to them, and appreciated the confidence reposed in them, consequently they have given almost daily personal attention to this work. They have devoted the best part of their time for a period of two years to its super- vision. They have used their best judgment to secure the best quality of material and finest workmanship, at the lowest price, both in the structure itself and in the heating, ventilation, ornamentation and furnishing. Their contracts have been made directly with manufacturers, thus obtaining everything at first cost. Your commissioners have consulted the heads of the various departments as to what arrangements would best subserve the convenience and efficiency of their respective departments, and as far as practicable have utilized their knowledge and experience. If the commissioners have failed to give satis- faction on every point to all parties, their failure has not been intentional, but due to the necessities of the case. All those who have had any expe- rience in erecting large buildings know that it is impossible to have in a great building of this kind every minute arrangement to suit everyone. Some little things must be sacrificed for the largest convenience and the greatest advantage of the whole. It is not necessary for your commissioners to speak in terms of com- mendation and praise of the builders, whose name is a synonym for skillful workmanship, fidelity in the fulfillment of contract obligations, and business honor. They have won for themselves an enviable fame throughout the land. But in addition to the accustomed skill and fidelity with which they do their work, they took a personal pride in the erection of this building, which is to serve and adorn their own city. Your commissioners desire to express their thanks to their efficient superintendent, Mr. S. F. French, for his uniform courtesy and unfailing kindness. He has the rare faculty of directing his workmen so that his plans are executed with system and dispatch, and apparently without giving any orders. It is peculiarly gratifying to be able to say that no one was killed or seriously injured in the work upon this building. Your commissioners have worked together without friction or differences of opinion, and in perfect harmony. Much has been said in recent times of municipal misrule and wasteful extravagance in the erection of public buildings, for which, too often, there have been good grounds. The experience of many cities has been that when their buildings have been completed, the cost has far exceeded the original estimates and expectations, and they have been loaded with heavy deficits. Your commissioners felicitate themselves in presenting an excep- tion. They take honest and, they think, legitimate pride in finishing this massive and majestic structure, complete in all its appointments, rich in its ornamentation and elegant in its furnishing, with every necessit}^ supplied, from the clock in its tower to the broom and dust-brush, for $23,031.23 less than the amount appropriated. (Applause.) Mr. Mayor, this commission, which to-day ends its work and passes into historv, was created under the administration of the Honorable Henrv A. 100 The Worcester of 1898. Marsh. But its work has been done largely during the administration of your immediate predecessor, General Augustus B. R. Sprague, who, with characteristic courtesy, was ever ready to lay his experience, counsel and time at the service of the commissioners. We now, Mr. Mayor, place in your hands the keys of this hall where the official business of the city is to be transacted, with which act our responsibility ends. Your commissioners, who have watched every stage of the work from the breaking of the first sod to the completion of the structure, in surrendering their trust, as citizens, express the hope that all the public business — legis- lative, executive and clerical — transacted here, may be transacted in that spirit which will always reflect honor upon this city, of whose growth, energy, enterprise and fair fame all are justly proud. ^layor Dodge responded as follows : Mr. Chainnan and Gcntlcincn of the City Hall Cotiiiiiission : In accepting this token of delivery, signifying the transfer from your commission to the city of Worcester of the building erected under your direction, in pursuance to authority delegated by the municipality, it is my privilege to thank you, in behalf of the people, for services rendered in such an able, conscientious and generous manner, and to voice the feelings of this community by expressing universal satisfaction in the results of your work. In committing this charge to you, and in approving your acts as your duty ends, the people have given a treasure equal to any that citizens as such can give and receive — confidence in worth and honor. A task unsought, but a labor cheerfully assumed at the public call, the end sees that high esteem which prompted the confidence, more abundant even now than then. The thanks and praise of your fellows are the only reward received for the faithful labor so freely given. Yet, after all, this itself is a rich recompense when viewed from man- hood's level— as high above the worth of gold as is the noble charity that makes a self-denying giver above the miser's avarice. The people now, with one accord, without reserve, and with no halting commendation, approve your course with such a genuine spirit as leaves you yet their debtors. The historv of Worcester, as town and city, is replete with incidents showing a community wise, conservative but progressive in business and public affairs, loyal to the traditions of its founders, patriotic toAvard national government, and beneficent in voluntary public benefits. Like other New England towns, it was founded amid hardship and privation. To us can come no more inspiring thoughts than those aroused by con- templation of the works wrought by the pioneers. Surrounded by menaces threatening their families as well as their com- munity, they met all situations as firm as the hills upon whose summits, or in whose valleys, were built homes of virtue and devout religion. The Worcester of 1898. loi Winthrop wrote that "the best part is always the least, and of that best part the wiser part is always the lesser." Hooker answered "in matters which concern the common good, a general council, chosen by all, to transact business which concerns all. I conceive most suitable to rule and most safe for relief of the whole." Thus early did Hooker block out the keystone destined to hold the arch of American free self-government in the temple of her civil libertv. There never was a time, from the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth soil to the Declaration of Independence, when fibre was not being united into the structure of a republic by a race guided of destiny, in giving to the world what the world most needed. The great hereafter was first in our fathers' lives, but in its shadow, where their souls constantly dwelt, they did not forget the great present, lapsing into history, to ultimately teach coming generations its momentous im- port. Their church, their school, and their town meeting were the three great lights of their lives. By the first thev saw immortality: the second lit the way to future greatness of their race upon this continent: while the third searched out a government of absolute equality. The town house was the forum wliere the people's rights were championed by voice and vote. From that palladium, reflected by the rays of the dawning light of equal rights, arose a splendor beyond the prestige of castle or palace, more potent than the power of kings and princes, rendering every citizen a sovereign and no man a serf. Plain, direct and effective were the civil functions of colonial govern- ment. No circuitous path led from the people to the power, save where mon- archy reached its hand across the sea; and when that was shaken from the land, there stood the transcendent form of civil liberty, more perfect in all her lines than ever yet was seen. Our towns have grown to cities, yet have we preserved the substance iif the lessons learned from these masters of their creed. Even to this day we recognize that every modification of the original town govern- ment tending toward centralization, is not for improvement in system, but to meet changed conditions of the times. Fitting it is that the place where the people, through their chosen repre- sentatives, transact the public business, should be among the best within our city. Sacred to us is the place where history was made by a sturdy people, who, like the rugged oak, withstood the storms with strength bred of adversity. Here, where our history began, will it continue through the years to come, to what end no mind can foresee. Our fondest hope can give no more' glory to the future than crowns the past. But, full of confidence in the human race, let us dedicate this spot I02 The Worcester of 1898. where our fathers met to weave a portion of the faultless fabric of self-gov- ernment, designed by the noblest aims of man, to its preservation, with a fidelity of heart no less patriotic and no less self-denying than marked their noble lives. We receive from you a structure representing to us what the town house of 1825 did 'to the citizens of that time. As in days before that time the .place of worship was the place of civil rule, let something of the sanctity surrounding public deliberations then invest us still, maintaining free the spotless name of Worcester's corporate life. You have buiUled well what well does represent our city's strength and progress. Useful first, then beautiful and grand, may this substantial building endure long after the memories of this day have passed. But so long as it recalls with interest the history of its existence, so long will largest honor be coupled with your names. Outlasting the granite of these walls, may our city live in honor and suc- cess, reflecting still the virtues of a race noble, strong and free. ADDRESS OF BURTON W. POTTER, ESQ. We have met to-day not to recount the hardships and the heroic achieve- ments of the early settlers of Worcester, though we are not uninindful of our indebtedness to them. We have assembled to dedicate a new city hall, to be used for municipal purposes in our thriving and growing city. Surely it will not be out of place in these dedicatory exercises to review briefly the history and progress of our municipal government. Inasmuch as we are soon to celebrate the semi-centennial anniversary of the city's birth, when eloquent and accomplished orators will recount the story of humanity's growth in this vicinity during the past half century, I will not attempt to deal with the general life of ciur penple, but will confine niv remarks to things appertaining to municipal affairs. The time at my command is too limited to permit me to give in detail the history of our City Government. I can only call attentiim tn such things as stand out as landmarks in our local afifairs. During the first twenty years (_)f Worcester's existence as a city, its population did not increase very rapidly, and its local government did not differ e.ssentially from the local government of large towns. It had a mayor and a city council, but everything was clone under the direction of committees. There was no separation between the legislative and the executive departments of the government, and no public improvement was planned on a large scale. The gold fields of California and the unoccupied agricultural regions of the West attracted a large and steady emigration from the East, and Worcester, like other eastern cities, was not over- crowded with population. But after a while there began to lie a massing population in the large towns, and the nineteenth century is closing upon a race that desires for the most part to live in cities; and the enlargement of The Worcester of 1898. 103 municipal life is one of the most marked characteristics of this age. Not alone in the new world and Australasia are cities springing up as if by magic and doubling their population in a decade, but in the old world the growth of new cities and the modernization of old ones are the phenomena of this century. Sydney and Melbourne, Boston and Chicago are easily matched by Liverpool and Copenhagen, Hamburg and Budapest. London, Paris and Berlin still maintain their primacy among all the great cities, while old cities like Athens, Rome and Amsterdam have doubled their population within a generation. This increase of urban citizenship has increased the people's interest in local self-government, and the functions of municipal government have been multiplied and enlarged in a marvelous manner. Worcester, like other cities, has caught the spirit of the age, and for the past thirty years her population has grown at the rate of 2,000 a year, and more and more attention is being given each year to the management of its municipal affairs. Worcester now has a population of over a hundred thousand souls, and is probably growing to-day as fast as at any period of its history. Situated in the midst of a rich agricultural region, at the centre of Massa- chusetts and New England, with unsurpassed railroad and educational facil- ities, there is no reason why it should not continue to grow until it rivals such great inland cities as Manchester and Birmingham in England. And its future growth will depend more upon the character of its municipal government than upon state or national legislation, or on the size of our regular army, or the number of our battleships. Of course an industrious and intelligent people may make great progress in business and commercial life in spite of poor civic government; but if they can be aided and directed by wise and capable officials, who plan all public improvements in the way best adapted to promote the development and expansion of the munici- pality, and who see that the improvements are made with honesty, economy and dispatch, then their progress is likely to advance with increased rapid- ity. A wise, self-contained and self-governed people will always enact laws and adopt customs adapted to their needs and typical of their state of morality and civilization. They always have a government as good as they deserve, and therefore the historian can trace their progress in the annals which record the growth and improvement of their local govern- ment. Then by the application of this test let us see how Worcester stands before the world. Perhaps nothing better illustrates the progressive march of Worcester than the growth of the public schools and the character of the teaching therein. Since Richard Rogers and John Adams taught in the public schools of Worcester to the present hour, there never has been any lack of education here. The first classical high school was built on the site of the present Classical high school, and cost $25,000. It was dedicated in 1845, and was large enough to accommodate 175 pupils. At that time the city owned thirteen school-houses and employed thirty-five teachers. The num- ber of pupils then enrolled in all the schools was 1,130, and the annual 104 The Worcester of 1898. appropriation for school purposes amounted to $7,700, and the average expenditure for each pupil was $6.81. Now there are sixty-four school-houses occupied, with three more in pro- cess of erection, and 556 teachers in the employ of the city. Last year there were 20,004 pupils enrolled in the day schools of the city, and the average cost for each pupil was $27.51. The whole expenditure for school purposes last year, exclusive of new buildings, amounted to $505,542.36, and the assessors' valuation of the school property belonging to the city was $2,028,177.43. Beside the great number of day pupils, the city pro- vides free evening schools for 1,328 pupils, where the old and the young alike who are unable to attend the day .schools, are privileged to seek the rudiments of education after their physical toils of the day are over. This great army of pupils with their teachers constitutes an influential and important portion of our population, and proves that our public school system is still dear to the hearts of the people. These schools are unsecta- rian, and open tt) all. They are conducted upon the theory that children of different races and of various religions will be more ready to make conces- sions, and will be more tolerant towards each other when they are grown up, if they are subjected when young to each other's company, to the same rules and to the same instruction. It has always been admitted that the chief purpose of the public schools is to draw out and develop the latent faculties and talents of children and fit them fiir good and useful citizens of the State. To this end our forefathers paid more attention than we do to the religious instruction of school children, and to their training in manners and deportment ; but nature study, manual training, cooking and scientific instruction had no place in their schools. The principal branches of learn- ing in their schools were reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar and geog- raphy, with Greek and Latin to those pupils who were preparing for college. Now the modern languages are crowding out Greek and Latin, and much attention is given to the cultivati<>n of the physical sciences, to and instruc- tion in knowledge worth having in every-day life. Scientific instruction develops the faculty of observation, which is apt when not cultivated to lie dormant in many people throughout life. It cultivates habits of accuracy, method and arrangement, and it disciplines the mind to level-headedness by teaching induction as well as deduction. It also adds .greatly to the interest and happiness of life. The more we know the more we can see to enjoy in our surroundings, and the delight of living is more full and com- plete. Our education is not complete until we turn all the voices of nature into a song of rejoicing, and are able to see in the gutter by the wayside the image of the sky as well as the sewage of the street. Perhaps this manner of teaching impairs the imaginative faculties, but on the whole the new way is better than the old. 1 grieve not that ripe knowledge takes away The charm that Nature to my childhood wove, For, with that insight, cometh day by day, A greater bli.ss than wonder was before. The Worcester of 1898. 105 And again in this age of the world the continual prosperity of a country depends chiefly upon its ability to maintain its pre-eminence in the indus- trial arts and useful manufactures, and consequently familiarity with all the processes of the mechanic arts becomes a necessary part of pul)lic education. In our attempt to teach school children something they are likely to want to know in every-day life, and which will be helpful to them in getting on in the world, we should be careful not ti,i cripple and starve classical, moral and literary culture, for it will never do to bring our public school education down to the level of mere money-making and to the knowledge of something we call capital. Public education is one of the most important functions of municipal government, and while we nourish and encourage its growth and development, we must take care that it does not devour the substance of the people by unnecessary cost and extravagant expenditures in its behalf. And we must see to it that the children are taught to be good neighbors and useful citizens. Habits of cleanliness and truthfulness, principles of virtue and morality should be inculcated, and great pains should be taken to nourish their patriotic feelings and to inspire them with love of country, and admiration for everything great and noble. If this is done, we can look forward without fear to the multiplication of our schools and teachers, and with the consoling belief that each additional one will increase the prestige and glory of the greater Worcester. Closely allied to the public schools and as an adjunct thereto, is the Public Library. Books play an importaat part in modern life. In the language of Carlyle, "A collection of books is a real university." The schools give us a text-book education and teach us how to acquire knowledge, and this service is of great use to us, but it is not to be compared in value and importance to the education which we give ourselves by close observation and by the reading of good literature. In books we find the precious thoughts and the life-blood of the master spirits of every age. They are an unfailing source of joy, inspiration and of consolation in every phase of life. Dreams, books, are each a world; and books we know- Are a substantial world, both pure and good; Round these with tendrils strong as flesh and blood Our pastime and our happiness will grow. Worcester has been fortunate in citizens of wise heads and large hearts, who have on opportime occasions endowed the city with timely and large- hearted benefactions, that set in motion or help to advance municipal func- tions in different departments. When Dr. John Green, of blessed memory, gave to Worcester the basis of its Public Library, he laid the foundation of an institution that has already had, and will continue to have, a deep and far-reaching influence on the life and civilization of this city. And although he expected that his gift would extend the bounds of knowledge and increase the happiness of mankind, yet he did not fully realize the magnificent results of his action, and he builded better than he knew. Little did he dream that within forty years from the time he gave the city 7,000 volumes for the nucleus of a free public library, there would be i6o The Worcester of 1898. in that library over 1 16,000 brxiks, and 500 magazines and papers ; that in the circulating department mston. He has served as a member-at- large in the Democratic State Committee. He was elected an alderman in December, 1897, as a Democrat. The Worcester of i8g8. 143 Henry Brannon was born in England Marrli 7, 1S50; was brought while an infant b)* his parents to Princeton, Massachusetts, and was educated in the common schools of that town. He came to Worcester in 1866, and has been for many years a manufacturer of house and office furniture. He was elected to the City Council in December, 1894, and served in 1895, 1896 and 1898 as an alderman. He is a Republican in poli tics. Charles H. Hildreth, 2d, was born in West Bovlston, Massachusetts. October 2, 1857, and was educated in the com- mon schools. He came to Worcester thirty years ago. He is the owner of a large livery and boarding stable on Sever street. Mr. Hildreth served in the Common Council in 1895 and 1896, and in the Board of Aldermen in 1897 and 1S98. He has always been a Re- |)ubliean. Napoleon P. Huot was born at Saint Cesaire, Canada, January 9, 1844, and DAVID F. O'CONNELL. was educated at the academy there. He became a resident of Worcester in 1875. His occupation is that of a merchant. He was elected an alderman in Decem- ber, 1896, under the new charter, and re-elected in 1897 to serve the present '■i-ar. In politics he is a Republican. James H. Mellen is a native of Worces- ter, born November 7, 1845. He was educated in the public schools of this city. As a politician he has been very prominent during the past twenty-five years, fourteen of which he has been a representative of Worcester in the Legis- EDWARD J. RUSSELL. 144 THE WORCESTER OF li ALBERT M. THOMPSON. lature of Massachusetts. Of late years he has been interested in real estate and stocks. He was elected an alderman under the new charter in December, 1896, and was re-elected in December, 1897. David F. O'Connell was born in County Cork, Ireland, February 8, 1858, and be- came a resident of Worcester in 1863. He was educated in the public schools, at the Boston University Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1S79. He was elected to the Common Council in 18S9, and served seven years; was in the Legislature in 1882 and 1883, and in December, 1895, was elected an alder- man, and has twice been re-elected. He is a Democrat. Edward J. Russell was born October 23, 1833, in Hadley, Massachusetts, and was educated in the common schools and at Deerfield Academy. He first came to Worcester in 1854, but did not become a permanent resident until 1868. He is the probation officer at the Central District Court. He was elected to the Common Council to serve in 1895, and to the Board of Aldermen in December, 1897. He has always been a Republican. Albert M. Thompson was born in Hubbardston, Massachusetts, March 2, 1844, and received his education in the common schools of that town, and also attended Howes' Commercial College in Worcester. He was a clerk in the post office in Barre five years before he came to Worcester in 1867 to engage in the flour and grain business. He was a clerk for H. Holden, and finally bought his interest, and later, as a member of the firm of Rice & Thompson, engaged in the wholesale flour trade. Mr. Thompson is now a member of the firm of Garland, Lincoln- & Co., who do the largest flour and grain business in the city, maintaining two stores on Main street and Lin- coln square, and a large elevator at rear of the Union station. Mr. Thompson is a Republican, and was elected an alderman under the new charter in December, 1896, and re-elected in December, 1897. COMMON COUNCIL. Frank B. Hall. The ancient saying, "Old men for counsel, young men for war," is hardly in keeping with existing conditions. In this enlightened and progressive age, mental grasp and maturity of judgment come early, and in nearly all walks young men of calibre come rapidly to the fore in the cities of this great republic. Worcester is no exception, and the close of its first half century as a city finds a most important position in the local government, that of president of the Common Council, being ably filled by The Worcester of 1898. 145 a young man who is but thirty years of age. Frank B. Hall is a life-long resident of the city. He was born in Worcester Oc- tober 23, 1867, and was graduated from the Worcester high school in 1887. The study of law had already been begun by him in the office of Webster Thayer, Esq., in this city, and in the fall of 1888 he entered Boston University Law School, and from the latter he was graduated in the class of 'go. He was admitted to the bar June 19, 1890, immediatel)^ en- gaged in practice in his native city, and FRANK B. HALL. in the eight years since elapsing he has acquired desirable standing in his profes- sion. In December, 1S94, Mr. Hall was elected to the Common Council, an honor never before conferred by the Republican party on a man so young, and each succeeding term since he has been re-elected. In 1897 and again this year he was elected by that body to be its president, and he has the distinction JOHN R. BACK. of being by far the youngest president who has ever occupied the chair. For four years, 1885 to 1889, while a pupil in the high school and while studying law, he was page of the Common Council, so that this year is the ninth that he has been connected with the Board. His successive elections attest his hold on the citizens of his ward, and his re-elec- tion to the presidency of the Council gives the stamp of approval to his con- duct of affairs during his first year's incumbency of the office. Mr. Hall was appointed secretary of JOH.'J H, C0I4NELLY. 146 The Worcester of 1898. the local Civil Service Board in 1893 by Honorable Charles Theodore Russell. He became a member of the F. and A. M. on attaining his majority, and a 32° Mason when he was twenty-four years of age. In Twly- 1896, Mr. Hall married Miss Jessie A. jNIorse, daughter of Lyman Morse of Worcester, John R. Back was born in Worcester April 24, 185 1. He was educated in the public schools of the city. He is engaged in business as a manufacturer of machin- ists' tools, being associated with the F. E. Reed Company. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 6 in December, 1895, as a Republican. Mem- ber of committees on Education, Legisla- tive Matters, Public Buildings, Central Wiirkshop, and (yrade Crossings. John H. Connelly was born in Spring- field, Ohio, on the nth of April, 1855, and came to Worcester in 1861. He was educated in the common schools and spent one year at the high school. He is a journeyman plumber by trade, and JAMES HUNT. a Labor Democrat in politics. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 3 in 1895. Member of committees on Public Buildings, Mayor's Inaugural, and Central Workshop. Frank Melville Heath was born at Nashua, X. II., September 8. 1852. He received his education in the public schools of Nashua and ^Manchester, and at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College in Manchester. He came to Worcester in 1880 and engaged in the contracting painting business. He is The Worcester of 1S98. 147 at present a manufacturer and dealer in paints and similar materials, and does a large business. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 6 in De- cember, 1896, as a Republican. ]Mem- bcr of Committee on Lighting Streets. George C. Hunt was born in Milford, Massachusetts, April 7, 1859, and re- ceived his schooling in that town. He removed to Worcester in !May, 1882, and engaged as a clerk in a boot and shoe store. In 18S9 he started business for himself in the retail boot and shoe trade in the store at 201 ]\Iain street. which he still occupies. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 2 in December, 1896, as a Republican. Member of committees on Jlilitary Af- fairs, ( )rdinances, and Police. James Hunt was born in England Jan- uary 27, 1833, and was educated there. He learned the trade of a shoemaker, and came to America in 1850, and lived several years in New Braintree, Massa- chusetts, and Stafford, Connecticut. He came to Worcester in February, 1873, FSED D. JOHNSON. and worked in boot shops until 1886, with the exception of one year — 1883 — when he was a member of the police force. Of late years he has been in- terested in the development of real estate and the building of houses at the south end and on Union hill. He was appointed constable by Mayor Har- rington, and is now a deputy sheriff. He is a Republican, and was elected to the Common Council from Ward 6 in December, 1896. In October, 1898, he was nominated as the Republican candi- date to represent Ward 6 in the Legisla- LOUIS J, KENDALL. THE WORCESTER OF 1 898. tiire the ensuing session. Member of committees on Education and Public Buildings. Albert H. Inman was born in Worces- ter June 30, 1 868, and attended the public schools of the city. He engaged in the iron and steel business at the location in Washington square occupied since 1S49 by three generations of the family, his grandfather, Francis H., and his father, William H. ; being succeeded in course of years by the Inman Broth- ers, who carry on the business at the SXNFCRD C. KENDALL. present time. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward i in 1895 to iill an unexpired term, and has been twice re-elected. He is a Republican. Member of committees on Military Af- fairs, Streets, Bills in Second Reading, Lake Bridge, and Grade Crossings. Fred D. Johnson was born April <>. 1863, in Newark, Vermont, and received a common school education. He be- came a resident of Worcester in 1886. JOHN F. LUNDBERG. His present occupation is that of a com- mercial traveler. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 7 in De- cember, 1895, as a Republican. Member of committees on Fire Department, Cen- tral Workshop, and trustee of City Hos- pital. Louis Jones Kendall was born in Barrc, Massachusetts, February 17, 1858, and became a resident of Worcester October 30, 1865. He was educated in the public schools and at Howes' Business College. His business is that of a farmer. He was elected to the Common Council from The Worcester of 1898. 149 Ward 8 in December, 1896, as a Repub- lican. Member of committees on Chari- ties, Claims, and Enrollment. Sanford Clayton Kendall was born in Boylston, Massachusetts, October 6, 1S56. He received a common school education. With his parents he removed to Worces- ter in November, 1871, and he is now- engaged in business with his father, Horace Kendall, as an auctioneer and appraiser. He was elected to the Com- mon Council from Ward 2 in 1895 as a Republican. He is a member of the joint Standing Committees on Charities JOHN H. MEAGHEF. and Street Lighting, }klilitary Affairs, and the Joint Special Committee on the Central Workshop. John F. Lundberg was born in vSweden August 24, 18:^7. He received a com- mon school education. He came to Worcester in 1883, and is a publisher of the Swedish newspaper called Arbc- iarcns ]'an. He was first elected to the Common Council in December, 1892, and served two vears, and was again elected WESLEY MERRITT. in December, 1897. He is a Republican. He is a member of the Joint Standing Crimmittee on Education, and on the Mayor's Inaugural, and of the Standing Committee of the Common Council on Elections and Returns. Bernard H. McMahon, cciuncilman fmm Ward 5, is a member of the committees on Lighting Streets, Sewers, and Enroll- ment. He is a Democrat. John H. Meagher was born in Worces- ter October 8, 1872. He was educated in the public schools, graduated from the high school in 1891, and from the PHILIP J. O'CONNE. 150 The Worcester of i{ Boston University Law School in 1895. He was admitted to the bar December 23, 1895. At the December election of 1S95 he was elected a member of the Common Council from Ward 3, and has served by successive re-elections to the present time. He is a Democrat. He is a member of the Joint Standing Com- mittees on Legislative Matters and the Police Department. Wesley Merritt, councilman from Ward 7, is a member of the committees on Police and Printing. He is a Republi- JOHM R. O'LEARY. Philip J. O'Connell was Ijorn in Worces- ter December 18, 1870. He graduated at the Worcester high school in 1889, and at the Boston University Law School in 1895, and was admitted to the bar the same year He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 4 in December, 1895, as a Democrat. He is a member of the Finance Committee and of the Joint Committees on Legisla- tive Matters and the Police, and of the Standino; Committee of the Common ALBERT M. POWELL. Council on Elections and Returns; also of Special Committees on City Hall Dedi- cation, Semi-Centennial Celebration, and the Lake Bridge. John R. O'Leary was born in Worces- ter December 13, 1870, and received a common school education. He is a foundryman by occupation. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 4 in December, 1896, as a Dem- ocrat, He is a trustee of the City Hospital and a member of the Special Committee on Grade Crossings. The Worcester of 1898. 151 Albert Man Powell was born in West- ville, N. Y. , August 28, 1856. He was educated in the common and high schools and at the Worcester Polytechnic Insti- tute. He has been a resident of Worces- ter since 1875, and is a manufacturer of machine tools. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 7 in 1895 as a Republican. He is a member of the committees on Finance, Fire Department, Sewers, and the Lake Bridge. John Rivard was born at St. Simon, County Bagot, Canada, March 6, 1862. He became a resident of Worcester in JAMES F. RYAN. March, 1S82. His business is that of a grocer. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 5 in December, 1896, as a Republican. He is a member of the ciimmittees on Water and Ordi- nances. James F. Ryan was born and reared ill Ward 5. He was educated in the Worcester public schools, spent one year at Montreal College, and was graduated from Holy Cross College. He took up JOHN F. SHEA. the study of law at the Boston Univer- sity School of Law, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1897. He was admitted to the AVorcester county bar in June, 1897, since which time he has been practising law. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 5 in Decem- ber, 1897, as a Democrat. He is a mem- ber of the committees on Streets, Bills in Second Reading, Central Workshop, and on the Lake Bridge. John F. Shea was born July 4, 1S71, in Blackstone, and his family soon after removed to Worcester. He attended the JAVES F. TIMON. 152 The Worcester of li GEORGE F. WALL. public schools of this city. His present business is that of a shipping clerk. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 3 in December, 1897, as a Demo- crat. He is a member of the committees on Charities, Printing, and Elections and Returns. James F. Timon has been a life-long resident of Ward 5 ; was educated in the Worcester public schools, graduat- ing with the class of '88 from the Worcester high school. Continuing his studies, he received an A. B. from Holy Cross College in 1891. Having chosen law for a profession, he entered and graduated from the Boston University Law School in 1893, and was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 5 in December, 1897, as a Democrat. He is a member of the committees on Claims, Mayor's Inaugural, and Enrollment. George F. Wall was born in Leicester September 13, 1832, and came to Worcester with his father, the late James H. Wall, about the year 1838. He attended the common schools of the town, and learned the tailor's trade of Asa Walker, which he followed in this city, in Norwich, Con- necticut, and in Southbridge, Massachusetts, residing in the last-named place twenty-one years. He was at different times in business for himself. He finally returned to Worcester in 1879, and of late years has devoted himself to the care of his father and his own real estate interests in the city. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward 8 in December, 1896, as a Repub- lican. He is a member of the committees on Water, Streets, Dedication of City Hall, Semi-Centennial Celebration, and the Lake Bridge. Frederick W. White was born in Mill- bury in August, 1859, but has lived in Worcester since early childhood. He was educated in the public schools of the city. In 1876 he entered the People's Savings Bank as a clerk, and occupies the position of teller in that institution at the present time. He has served as organist and director of music in vari- ous churches for the past twenty years. FREDERICK W. WHITE. The Worcester of i{ 153 During that time he was at the First Universalist Church thirteen years, at the Old South Church two years, and at the First Baptist Church three years. He has developed a portion of the Merrifield estate on the south side of Highland street, and opened forty lots, increasing the valuation of that section $250,000. Mr. "While was elected to the Common Council from Ward i as a Republican in December, 1896, and is now serving his second term. Member of committees on Printing, Sewers, Bills in vSecond Reading, and Central Work- shop. FRAT- E ■■ ' I 'iM-- Frank E. Williamson was born in Worcester December 4, 1S54, and was educated in the public schools. For a number of years he was cashier for the Boston & Maine Railroad, and is now employed in the Worcester County Institution for Savings. He was elected to the Common Council from Ward i in December, 1894, and is in his fourth year of service. He is a Republican in politics. Member of committees on Finance, Fire Department, Ordinances, Central Workshop, Dedication of City Hall, Semi-Centennial Celebration, and the Lake Bridge. CITY OFFICIALS. Enoch H. Towne, city clerk, was born in Easton, Massachusetts, April 14, 1835, and was educated in the common schools of his native town. He came to Worces- ter in December, 1859, and for a number of years was engaged in the grocery busi- ness. He was a member of the Com- mon Council from 187 i to 1874 inclusive, and president of that body in 1874. He was a member of the Legislature in 1875, and the same year was elected an assessor, in which capacity he served until January, 1877, when he was chosen city clerk, and has served continuouslv to the present time. By virtue of his office he is a member and clerk of the Board of Registrars of Voters. 154 The Worcester of 1898. -X jjlv^ ^^^H^ ^^■v i-^^^^^^^^Rf WILLIAM S. BARTON William Sumner Barton, city treasurer, was born in Oxford, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 30, 1824, and removed with his parents to Worcester when he was ten years of age. He attended the common schools, Worcester Academy, and was graduated from Brown University in 1844. Subsequently he studied law with his father. Judge Ira M. Barton, with Honorable Peter C. Bacon, and at the Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1846. After seven years' practice in Worcester, he accepted a position in the Bank of Commerce in Boston, in which he remained from June, 1854, to January, 1872, when he was elected treasurer and collector of taxes for tRe city of Worcester. He has been treasurer of the sinking funds since 1876, and also since 1872 treasurer ex-oiKcio of all the trust funds of the city. Arthur P. Rugg, city solicitor, was born August 20, 1862, in Sterling, Mas- sachusetts. • He was educated in the public schools, was graduated from the Lancaster high school in 1879, from Amherst College in 1883, and from Boston L^niversity Law School in 1886. He has been a counselor-at- law in Worcester since 1886, and has rapidly advanced in his profession. He served as a memter of the School Committee and as a library trustee in Sterling from 1887 to 1889; was assistant district attorney /re tempore in May, 1893, and from May to August, 1S94, and held the office by appointment from April, 1895, to August, 1897. He was a member of the Common Council of the city of Worcester in 1894 and 1895, and president of that body the last named year. He was elected city solicitor in July, 1897, to succeed Colonel W. S. B. Hopkins, who had resigned. Harrison G. Otis, chairman of the Board of Assessors, was born in Worcester Sep- tember 18, 1835. He was educated in the public schools and at Worcester Academy. He was for many years in the boot and shoe business, first as a cutter, then as a traveling salesman for the firm of Fitch & Otis, and later for Smyth Brothers and for Charles H. Fitch & Co. From 1859 to 1863 he was assist- ant doorkeeper at the State House in arthur p. rugg. The Worcester of 1898. 155 ARRISON G. OTI Boston, during the time that Hon. Alex- ander H. Bullock was speaker of the House of Representatives, and when Mr. Bullock became governor he appointed Mr. Otis his messenger, but other business compelled him to decline the place. His relations with Governor Bullock were close and confidential, and during these years he studied law in his office. Mr. Otis was elected an assessor in 1887, and at once chosen chairman of the Board, in which station he has served continuously to the present time. He has made a thorough study of taxation, and is prominent and influential in assess- ors' gatherings throughout the State ; was one of the founders of the Associa- tion of Massachusetts Assessors; for four years its president, and for the entire ten years of its existence chairman of its Legislative Committee. He was for many years a member of the Salem Street Congregational Church and treasurer of the society, and is now a trustee of Union Society. He is a member of The Worcester Society of Antiquity, and of other associations. Amos Milton Parker, assessor, was born in Princeton, Massachusetts, September 12, 1839. He is a descendant of Captain John Parker of Lex- ingtiin fame. He received his education in the public schools of Princeton and at the Millbury Academy. He first engaged as clerk in a store in Oakdale, and came to Worcester in 1856, and entered the employ of A. Y. Thompson, a dry-goods merchant, with whom he remained until the war broke out. He was in service with the City Guards in 1861, and was compelled b)' serious illness to return to Worcester within a few months, and was never able to again enter the service, although he attempted to enlist twice. In 1864 he was in the employ of Bar- nard, Sumner & Co., the leading dry- goods firm in this city, and later in the furniture business in the firm of Parker, Denny & Co. For ten years from 1868 he was general agent of the Massa- chusetts Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany, and afterwards an auctioneer and appraiser for several years, and later was with the furniture house of Putnam & Sprague Company. amos m. parker. IS6 The Worcester of 1898. GEORGE B. During the period 1874 to 1888 liis services were in great demand by fire insurance companies throughout New England as an appraiser of damage caused by fire. This gave him large experience in values, thereby peculiarly fitting him for the office he now holds as one of the Board of Assessors, to which place he was elected in 188S, and is now serving his fourth term. Mr. Parker has twice been commander of Post 10, G. A. R. He is a Free ]\Iason and Knight , 12th Regiment, Veteran Reserves, August 26, 1864; mustered out as first sergeant. He came to Worcester in 1869. For many years he was in charge of one of the departments in the Bay State shoe factory. He represented Ward 7 in the Common Council from 1879 to 1883 inclusive, and in the Legislature in 1883 and 1884. While serving his second term he resigned in February, 1884, having been elected water regis- trar to succeed J. Stewart Brown. While in the Common Council Mr. Batchelder was a member of the Com- mittees on Water, Street Lighting, and Claims, and was conversant with the affairs of the water office when first elected to the place he now holds. GEORGE E. BATCHELDER. 158 The Worcester of i{ Frederick Albert McClure, son of Charles E. and Lucinda (Smith) McClure, was horn in Nashua, New Hampshire, Au- tiust I, 1 85 2. He was educated in the public schools of his native city. In i86g he came to Worcester and entered the office of the city engineer, where he acquired much practical knowledge of civil engineering, and other branches during his three years' service. During the next five years he engaged as assist- ant engineer in the construction of rail- roads, and from 1877 to 1S91 was again employed in the city engineer's office. In 1 89 1 he was elected superintendent of cDcnccMn. « t--, , MIC scwcrs, aud served in that capacity until he was chosen to his present position as city engineer in November, 1892, to succeed Charles A. Allen. Mr. McClure has more than a local reputation as an engineer. He is a member of the Worcester Society of Civil Engineers and other organizations, lie was married May 29, 1883, to Ida Evelyn Whittier of Fitchburg. and they have one daughter, Evelyn. Wright Seth Prior, street coinmissioner, was born in Underbill, \'ermont, March 30, 1867. He was educated in the district schools. Underbill Academy, and at Norwich University, a military school of high grade at Northfield, Vermont. In the latter institution he pursued the regular course in civil engineering, and in the military department attained the captaincy, gradu- ating in 1S89. After a short term of service in the city engineer's office in Brockton, Massachusetts, he went south to engage in railroad work in Georgia and Alabama, where he was employed as typographer in the prelimi- nary survey for the Georgia, Tennessee & Illinois Railroad. Several months of 1892 he was in the city engineer's office in Worcester, and later entered into business on his own account in Atlanta, Georgia, in railroad and city work, which the serious illness of his father influ- enced him to relinquish, and he returned north and spent some time at his birth- place in Vermont. In 1893 he was again employed by the city engineer in Worcester, and during the succeeding five years was in charge of the field work. He was elected street commissioner Jan- The Worcester of 1898. 159 ftRRISON P. EDDV ^ " uary 4, 1898. Mr. Prior married, October ^^^^■1^^,,^,^^, 1896, Mary E., daughter of R. James ^^^^^^^^F ^s^<^^ Tatman of Worcester. They have one ^^^^^^^K child, Helen, born July 4, 1897. ^^^^^^K ^^^A Charles H. Peck, superintendent of PM^HB^BI ^^^B public buildings, was born in Smith- " ™ field, Rhode Island, March 11, 1S29. He attended the schools of his native town and also the Millbury Academy. He came to Worcester in 1847 and learned the carpenter's trade of John F. Gleason, and subsequently spent a year and a half in the office of Elbridge Boyden, the lead- ing architect of this section for many years. He was in the building business with Stephen D. Tourtelott for sev- eral years. ^Ir. Peck enlisted in the 51st Massachusetts Volunteers in the War of the Rebellion and served until that regiment was discharged, when he resumed the business of contractor and builder, and continued in it until February, 1875, when he was chosen the first superintendent of public buildings, and has annually been re-elected to the present time. Freeman Brown, clerk of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, was born in Hubbardston, Massachusetts, January 31,1845. He is the son of the late Lyman and Salome (Rich) Brown, and is descended on his father's side from Eleazer Brown, the first settler of Hubbardston in 1737, and his son Ebenezer, who was a Revolutionary soldier. Freeman came to Worcester with his parents to reside April i, 1849, and was educated in the common and high schools of this city. In 1862 he entered the office of the IVorccstc?- Spy as a clerk, and in 1874 became a reporter for that newspaper, the entire period of his service covering more than twenty- four years, until in 1886 he engaged as a reporter for the Worcester Telegram, and continued for four y.ears in that situation. He was elected a member of the School Board to serve in 1886, 1887 and 1888, and in January, 1891, was chosen to his present position as clerk of the Overseers of the Poor. James C. Coffey, clerk of the Board of Health, was born in Worcester Novem- ber ri, 1S54. He was educated in the public schools and at Howes' Business College. He first worked for F. M. & i6o The Worcester of 1898. FREEMAN BRO/VI- N. H. Clark, butchers, a short time; next for the Bay State Shoe Company a year, and then was employed by Hill & Devoe, (.■n\-el(>pe makers, for about fourteen years, until he was appointed to his present position in January, 1884. Mr. Cofifey was elected to the Common Coun- cil in l)ecenil)er, iSSo, and served in iSSi and 1S82 and by re-election in 1883, and resigned in January, 1884, to assume the duties of clerk of the Board of Health. While in the Common Council he served on the Committees on Public Buildings and the Fire Department, and was also a trustee of the City Hospital. James M. Drennan, Worcester's chief of police, has had large experience as an army officer and in police service. After the War of the Rebellion he was, in 1865, appointed by Mayor Ball a deputy marshal, and served during Mayor Ball's term and the first year of Mayor Blake's. The second year of Mayor Blake's administration, he was appointed chief, and filled that office until January, 1872, serving under Mayor Chapin after the death of Mr. Blake in December, 1870, and also under Mayor Earle in 1871. In 1872 he was appointed an officer of the State force, and continued in that station until the reorganization of the State police in 1879. In January, t88o, he again became city marshal of Worcester by appointment of Mayor Kelley, remaining with him during the two years of his administration, and was also chosen to perform the same duty by Mayor Stoddard in 1882. From 1883 to 1897 he was a deputy sheriff, and served during that time under Sheriffs Sprague, Nye and Chamberlain. In 1897 he once more, by designation of Mayor Sprague, assumed the duties of chief of police, and was reappointed by Mayor Dodge the present year, making a continuous service of thirty-three years as an officer of the law, during twelve of which he has been connected with the Worcester police. Under his efficient administration many important changes have been made in the department, the most notable of which was the one of 1897, by which the old organization with a city marshal and two deputy marshals, etc., was superseded by that with a chief of police, deputy chief, two lieutenants, james c, coffey. The Worcester of iJ i6i JAMES M. ORENNAN. five sergeants, two inspectors, one secre- tary, two drivers, one matron, one jani- tor and 117 patrnlmen, which represents the department as it is now constituted. This change in substance was recom- mended by Colonel Drennan during his former term of office in 1882, and under the new form the work of the depart- ment and the improved discipline give increased satisfaction. Worcester to-day is as ')rderly a city as anyone of its size in the world. Charles H. Benchley, mayor's clerk, is the s(jn of the late Henry W. Benchle)', president of the Massachusetts Senate in 1S55, and lieutenant-governor in 1S56 and 1857. He was born in Worcester August 6, 1848, and received his education in the public schools of this city and Millbury, and at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, Kent's Hill, Maine. He served in the War of the Rebellion as corporal of Company F, ist Battalion Heavy Artillery, Massachusetts Volunteers, and was in the United States Navy from 1869 to 1873. He was a member of the Worcester police force from 1876 to 1883, bookkeeper for Prentice Brothers from 18S2 to 1889, and bookkeeper in Rochester, New York, from 1S90 to 1892. In 1S93 he was appointed to his present position as mayor's clerk. He is a member of George H. Ward Post 10, Grand Army of the Republic, and was its commander in 1887. His son, the lamented Lieutenant Edmund N. Benchley, was killed in the battle of San Juan Hill, Santiago, Cuba, July ist, 1898. Henry A. Knight, superintendent of street lighting and supervisor of wires, was born in Worcester August 21, 1853, son of Alden B. and Mary J. (White) Knight. The famil)-, through successive generations, have resided in Worcester for more than 100 years. Henry was educated in the public schools of the city, and for' several years was in the milk business. Later he became a dealer in coal, and was a member of the firm of Mann & Knight. When the office of superintendent of street lighting was created in 1S91, Mr. Knight was chosen to fill it, and in 1895 was also elected supervisor of wires, both of which offices he now holds. charles h. benchley 1 62 The Worcester of li ^Ir. Knight married, in iSSi, Effie J., daughter of Thomas B. and Emily Phelps of Hopkinton, and later of West Boylston. They have one son. Rock- wood, born in 1885. Fred Lincoln Hutchins, deputy collect- or, was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, vSeptember 10, 1851, and was educated in the public schools of that town. He was twenty-two years in railroad service, first as telegraph operator, then rising through several gradations to the general charge of the "Worcester freight business of the Boston & Maine Railroad, with charge HENRY A. KNIGHT. of freight-train men. In 1893 he was ap- pointed deputy collector of ta.xes in the office of the city treasurer. Mr. Hutchins is much interested in matters of current thought, is prominent and active in the First Unitarian Church, and is general secretary of the North American Vola- plik Association. In 1896 he became president of The Worcester Society of Antiquity, and by his energetic methods has effected a radical change in the char- acter of that institution. FRED L. HUTCHINS. Thomas Monahan was born in Ireland, came to New Brunswick in 1846, and three years later to Worcester. He attended school in this city, and then worked at shoemaking until 1855, when he engaged in the meat business, at first in the employ of others, and finally in 1 86 1 on his own account, and continued in it until he sold out to his sons in 1895. He served two years in the Common Council, and was assessor one year. In 1894 he was appointed inspector of cattle and provisions. WORCESTER: 1848-1898. Bv Frank Roe Batchklder. I\'E; decades have her children kept Her civic honor free from stain. While with the world she's laughed and wept, And shared her country's loss and gain. Foremost in all that makes for good, With bounty ranging far and wide. From the straight path of rectitude Her feet have never turned aside. Fecund in wise and generous law. Her lesser sisters look to her For high example, void of flaw, In genius to administer. The hiss of Scandal's venomed tongue Dies ere it reaches her confines; No hint of broken trust has flung Disgrace upon her large designs. She toils and ventures, strives and builds. And seeks to sweeten life for all The craftsmen of her thousand guilds Who answer to her every call. Crowned by the smoke of many mills. She welcomes workers to her gate ; And in her children's hearts instills Love for the toil that makes her great. Proud of her myriad machines, Her flashing looms, her glowing fires. Not less to other good she leans. Not less to gentler art aspires. i64 The Worcester of 1898. Pat r( 111 nf every useful thin^^. She sits at Learning's feet, nor finds Her glory less that she should bring Her tribute to the might of minds. So has she made and kept her place, And taught her name to distant lands, Her skill the marvel of the race — Far sought the labor of her hands. (ireat where her least result is known, From her grim, busy factories Her products go to every zone In ships that sail the seven seas. Yet does she make, when all is said, No product more desired of men, No brighter chaplet for her head. Than her grand type their proficiency, and to decorate them with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, an honor which they had fairly won, that the college applied in that year to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the privileges of incr)rporation. The petition for a charter was presented in March, 1849, and was acted upon early in April. The petitioners were disappointed. Four of the members of the Legislative committee were averse to it, and three were in fa\'or of granting it. AVhen the subject came before the House of Representa- tives for full and final consideration, the decision of the majority of the committee was sustained. " If the students were disappointed in the hope of receiving their diplomas from their alma mater, they were not deprived of the benefits of graduation. Georgetown College conferred the degrees on this and all succeeding classes tmtil 1865. The officers of the college discovered, while irrging the petition, that the institution had made many friends among all classes of citizens during the few years of its existence. They submitted to the refusal of a small majority with a good grace, and trusted to the fairness of their demand, for a different issue, when it should be made again. His Excellency (jovernor Alexander H. Bullock, at the commencement in 1868, alluding to this rmsuccessful attempt to obtain a charter, said he had been deeply impressed by the manner in which the friends of the college hid all signs of disappoint- ment. They exhibited a patience which, under such circumstances, he should hardly have dared to expect from many Christian denominations. "On the afternoon of July 14, 1852, eight days before the annual exhibition, a fire broke out in the third story — in the room, it was supposed, of one of the teachers who had been burning waste examina- tion-papers. In a short time the whole of the central building was destroyed. The loss seemed at first irreparable. The fruits of nine i84 The Worcester of 1898. years of careful management were destroyed in a few hours. The builders were at work a few months after the fire; by the 3d of October, 1853, the college, enlarged and remodeled, was again opened. " More than a year had passed since the fire. The students mean- while had either been diverted from a classical course or had entered other colleges. When Holy Cross was prepared, late in the term, to receive her scholars, very few, as was to be expected, returned. It was found inexpedient to organize any classes higher than second humani- ties, the fifth from graduation. " The most distinguished among the gentlemen who manifested an interest in the college at this period was His Excellency Governor Andrew. He visited and examined the institution during the school term of 1862, and presided at the annual commencement held July 7, 1863. On the latter occasion he spoke in the highest terms of the college; the sincerity of his praise was unmistakable. "The interesting event of incorporation was not long delayed. The petition was presented to the Legislature in the session of 1865. The bill was read a third time in the House of Representatives on March 21, and passed without opposition. The Senate confirmed the action of the lower body March 23, and the governor signed the act on March 24. The 27th of April, 1865, was set apart for the public celebration of the event. "The college was particularly indebted to His Excellency Governor Alexander H. Bullock for many acts of courtesy. As a resident of Worcester, he has always taken a neighborly interest in the college. While speaker of the House, he offered to present the petition for a charter, and presided at three successive exhibitions while governor of the State. "In material progress, considering the limited fund at the disposal of the treasurer, the college makes a creditable showing for the thirty- three or, we may more truly say, the twenty-three years of her existence. But progress in the higher aims has not been less true and constant. The library, now containing 1 1 ,000 volumes, and the scientific apparatus, to which valuable additions have been made, show that these departments have not been neglected. The presidents have uniformly and conscientiously labored to secure for the students the highest culture the course affords. They have mildly yet firmly insisted upon strict discipline and close attention to study. They have spared no pains to teach the students the principles of their holy faith, and the moral lessons which it inculcates. When their alma mater calls to mind the 1,534 students whom she has sent forth, of whom 133 were graduated, she has just reason to think her efforts have not been in vain. She can point to a fair proportion who The Worcester of 1898. 185 have proved her careful training by eminent success in higher institu- tions of learning — of law, medicine, and divinity — as well as in the active pursuits of life." The last twenty- two years have added their story of fame and useful- ness to the honorable record of Holy Cross. This period has seen the college more than double its material and scholastic capacity for the education of students, and, as the result and reward of wise administra- tion, has witnessed the outgoing of more than double the number of all its former gradttates. That these attest the efficiency of her cunHculum and training, many episcopal, political and judicial honors since attained most honorably proclaim. During this period Holy Cross, though but a college in name and in scope, has challenged the competition of the best universities of the land in the field of athletic sports, always with honor to her name ; and in the not distant future it is nearer truth than prophecy to infer that she will hold her own against their best in the trials of intercollegiate oratory and scholarship. Indeed, there is on record the testimony of more than one governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that her annual commencements afford unmistakable proofs that in learn- ing, in training, and ability to display their attainments, the graduates of Holy Cross are second to none in whom the old Bay State loves to take a laudable pride. The loyaltv and affection for alma mater displayed by the alumni of this college are a credit to their heart and head. Their institution is worthy of all the honor that belongs to institutions of its class; and when they so honor it and so proclaim it, they only give voice and meaning to that which is in the hearts of all good citizens, irrespective of race or creed. HIGHLAND MILITARY ACADEMY. The Highland ^lilitary Academy is another of the institutions of Worcester that deserves special mention at this time. This school was founded in 1856 by Mr. C. B. Metcalf, who was for more than thirty years its principal or superintendent. In the absence of what may be called the military spirit, as the term is generally understood, it is natural that there should be a deirjand for schools where military training is emphasized. Such schools are very numerous in the middle states, but for many years the Highland Mili- tary Academy has been almost without a rival in New England. From the beginning, this school has consistently maintained its individuality, has been generously attended by pupils from many The Worcester of 1898. 187 different states, and has been a source of pride to the city of Worcester. Its instructors are nien who are well known in our community, and their character and standing as citizens have insured to the school a high reputation. The buildings are located in one of the most attractive suburbs, and com- mand a beautiful view of the sur- rounding country. The equipment of the academy is complete with armory, gymnasium, laboratory, mu- seum, infirmary, cadet quarters, and cadet paidor. The officers of the JOSEPH A. SHAW. "^ academic staff live m the same build- ings with the cadets, and the social life of the institution is shared by the whole household. The school is conducted under the management of Joseph A. Shaw* as head master, and George L. Clark as treasurer and business manager. This school aims to fit pupils for colleges, universities and technical schools, though it gives a generous English training and a reasonably complete education to those who do not intend to enter higher institu- tions. Military drill was introduced in 1858, and is still kept up principally as a means of maintaining health, a graceful carriage, and of preserv- ing discipline. The morals and manners of the students are considered of paramount importance. The following is an extract from the last circular issued by the school: "Our academv seeks, and will allow, no one in its mem- bership who does not. according to the best standards, aspire to be a gentleman ; nor will anv unworthv cadet, for mercenary, or for other causes, be allowed to stav in school. Every year the roll-call is narrowed because some names are kept off it, or stricken from it, that will do it no credit. Nor will this school be made a receptacle for indifferent youth, 'boys not verv bad, but easily influenced.' "Our graduates are found in Harvard, Yale, and in the best scientific schools in the countrv. Our instructors are men not only of acknowl- edged scholarship, but those who must have attained eminence in their profession before employment here. " ' Beautiful for situation,' is the constant remark from those who have known the school from its beginning, and repeated by every new- *See sketch in Biographical Department. The Worcester of 1898. 189 comer. The cadets in attendance are proverbially healthy. The school grounds are set on a hill, and the premises during the present season have been supplied with modern sanitary appliances. It is always designed to make and continue this school to be what it so often has been designated in the best sense — a home school." WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE. The city of Worcester is preeminent for its mechanical skill. For half a century or more the products of its industries have been well known both at hcmie and abroad. It would be expected that there would be found in such a centre some school for training in the mechanical arts. For many years Worcester Polytechnic Institute has been the worthy representative of industrial Worcester. The institute was founded by John Boynton of Templeton in 1865. The Board of Trustees has always been made up largely of men who have been intimately identified with the development of the city. The names of these men are household words in our city, and are honored through- out the State and nation. This great school, which was founded and which has been nourished by these noble men, may be said to represent both the energy and intellect of our newest and best civilization. It is distinctly a product of Worcester, and was a pioneer among schools of its class. Moreover a powerful reflex influence comes to the city through its graduates, who annually by the score take places of responsibility in oar great work-shops, for which they have been so admirably trained. But the school is much more than a local institution. Her graduates are found in every state and territory and in almost every growing city in the country, for these men are trained to bear a part in the progress which we are witnessing, and well have they taken their part. In the great mechanical, electrical and civil engineering enterprises and the manual and scientific courses of instruction throughout the country, graduates of the Worcester Polytechnic school are found directing the work of others. All this is high praise. But the quiet yet positive influence of these men ought to be well understood by the citizens of Worcester. The lines of work undertaken are comparatively new, and are closely connected with the unparalleled growth and development of our country. It is therefore no accident that Worcester has produced such a scht)ol, nor should we be surprised that the men trained at such a centre should contribute to the material advancement of the nation. Of the 753 graduates of the school, 145 were residents of Worcester at the time of graduation, and 342 were residents of ^Massachusetts. igo The Worcester of 189S. Of the 216 students now in attendance, 76 are residents of Worcester. Courses in our high schools are formed to prepare students for the Polytechnic school, and very many young men now attending our high schools are looking forward to this goal which is in plain sight. Thus the Polytechnic Institute is intimately correlated with <>ur lives in many ways, and while it can in no sense be called a local institution, the city receives from it all and greater advantages than would be pos- sible if this were true. The following statements are copied from an address containing a quarter century review by President Homer T. Fuller, delivered June 21, 1894: "So far as I know, the earliest systematic industrial ti-aining in con- nection with any school was given at Moscow, Russia, beginning in 1763. This went on without much change for seventy years. Sweden began industrial work in schools about 1795, and the Polytechnic at Vienna dates from 1815. Most of the other German technical high schools were organized from 1820 to 1870. But France for more than forty years, or from 1825 to 1865. led the world in the practical appli- cations of science in school instruction to the improvement of arts, trades and manufactures. From France came the first engineers employed on our American canals and railroads. In 1847 the period of establishing scientific departments of colleges began. Sheffield led the way in that year. "Of all the instructors of the institute, it may truly be said that they have devoted themselves mind and soul to their work, and have made it their pride and delight." It is a source of regret that for lack of room this address of President Fuller cannot be printed in full. It outlines the generous gifts made by many different citizens. It is a story of sacrifice and denial, patient, faithful labor. Several professors have served a term of twentv-five years as instructors. Four whose labors have ceased, including the first president, are mentioned by the w^riter in terms of feeling gratitude. The following, taken from the last annual catalogue, will express the most recent view of the work and function of the institution : "The institute was founded by John Boynton, Esq., of Templeton, in 1865. The new institution was chartered by the Legislature of Massachusetts on May 10, 1865, and it was opened for the reception of students on May 12, 1868. This was the beginning of its career, l)ut without the cooperation of other friends of the school and its work, it must have fallen far short of realizing the wishes and expecta- tions of its first benefactor. By generously supplementing the original gift, however, they have increased the value of its property and various endowment funds until it is now many times what it was in the beti'in- The Worcester of 1898. 191 nintf. This growth in material wealth has been accompanied by a great improvement and enlargement of its facilities for instruction, and by the extension of its advantages to a much larger constituency. One of the very first schools of its class in the countiy, it has not been left behind in the tremendous progress that has taken place during the past quarter of a century in all matters pertaining to higher pro- fessional and technical education. In some respects it has been a recognized leader, its methods have been extensively copied, and its graduates have found ready employment in more recent foundations of a similar character. Within a few years its courses of study have been enlarged and extended, its facilities for instruction more than doubled, and it is confidently believed that its courses are not inferior to those of any other engineering school, considered either as a means of intellectual discipline or for the production of the technical expert. "The plan of organization of the institute, while similar in many respects to that of other schools of technology in this country and in Europe, differs from that of many of them in some important partic- ulars. The scope of its work is more comprehensive than in a few schools restricted to a single branch of engineering, and more limited than in others which attempt to include nearly every department of applied science. "The underlying principle which controls the work of this institute, and which has shaped its course from the beginning, is that courses of study and laboratory exercises may be arranged which will furnish all the intellectual discipline and training which were of real worth in the so-called 'liberal education,' and at the same time equip the young man with a good knowledge of the sciences especially relating to his chosen profession, together with a considerable amount of actual prac- tice in that profession. "The importance attached to laboratory methods, in connection with the various courses of the institute, is measured by the several large and perfectly arranged and equipped buildings, which are devoted, for the most part, to this work. These include the vSalisbury Laboratories of ph3^sics, chemistry and electrical engineering; the extensive Wash- burn vShops; the new engineering laboratory, in which ample provision is made for both civil and mechanical engineering; the power laboratorv ; and a most important experiniental hydraulic plant, on a scale hitherto unapproached by any institution of learning in this coimtry. "The Worcester Polvtechnic Institute was the first institution in the countr}' to establish workshops as an adjunct to the training of the mechanical engineer." 192 The Worcester of 1898. THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. The Worcester Normal School was opened on September 15, 1874. The institution has become well known in New England, and its principal has for man)- years, through his writings on some phases of child-study, reached an audience scattered over the entire country. While this school is one of a group of nine State institutions, it performs an invaluable office in promoting the interests of the Worces- ter schools, and it is peculiarly endeared to the Worcester people. Of its 724 graduates, 322 are at the present time teaching in the schools of Worcester. The Worcester Normal School requires that every pupil who seeks for admission shall be a graduate of soine high school, or shall have had a training that may fairly be regarded as an equivalent. As a result of this high standard, something like a professional spirit has taken the place of the indifference which had formerly prevailed in the selection of teachers. Not only have the persons who make up the profession thus become a select company, but the work they have undertaken has assumed the form of a fine art. The science of teaching has become the most popular and the most generally studied at post-graduate universities, both in this country and in Europe. The questions concerned have to do with the social, physical and intellectual side of the child. The study of the individual has come to the front. This is true not only in the school, but in the community. This idea has affected all theories of human development. The Worcester Normal School has from the first deliberately ignored "cut-and-dried" methods, and has advocated the theory that the teacher should as far as possible deal with each child as an individual. As a result, the graduates of the school, and, it may be added, the teachers of the Worcester schools, bear the mark of the original mind that has so faithfully pursued a difficult ideal. Every person who has ever visited the school has been impressed with the fresh and free atmosphere that pervades the institution, and has gone away with some new inspiration. In certain lines of science, in the art of reading, in self-command, and in the modest consciousness of strength, the graduates of this school are not surpassed by the grad- uates of any normal school in the country. An apprentice system has been worked out by the principal on entirely original lines, that have made its teachers infinitely superior in the practice of their art, to those coming from many of the other normal schools of the State, where the teaching art has, until recently, been almost wl'H)lly ignored. The Worcester of li 193 The following is quoted from the printed circular of the school : •• The school-house is a large, three-story, massive structure, built of stone taken from the hill upon which it stands. Its position gives an extensive view of Worcester and its surroundings. From the front steps one looks westward down through clumps of trees over the city- lying spread within an inner circle of rolling country. The site, more- over, has all the advantages that light and air can give it. "A new building of moderate size, but of substantial construction and architectural dignity and beauty, has been erected and fully equipped for use as a gymnasium. The students are instructed by jTate normal school. classes, as in any other subject, under strict oversight, and with con- stant reference to the work of teaching. "The design of the Normal School is strictly professional; that is, to prepare in the best possible manner the pupils for the work of organizing, governing and teaching the public schools of the Common- wealth. It is made a special aim to seize every opportunity to give the pupils the benefit of whatever tends to fit them for the work of teaching. The spirit of this endeavor pervades the whole school. The knowledge demanded is in great part knowledge of the material to be operated on and of the conditions and limitations tmder which the work must be carried on. "The government of the school is not a government of rules, not even of laws. The school is not without law, but the pupils are led The Worcester of 1898. 195 by suggestion, encouragement and admonition to become a law unto themselves. " Platform exercise has the somewhat comprehensive aim of helping pupils to command their faculties and use their mother wit amid the interruptions and distractions of the school-room. In reply to the question, 'What school exercise was most profitable to vou?' graduates are almost certain to name this, or, ■ The stud}- of children.' " The pirpils of the Normal School serve in the schools of the city for a half-year, imder the oversight and direction of the Normal School teachers and the teachers in charge of rooms. It is pleasant to record that this joint management that has in so many other cities caused discord, has here given satisfaction to the School Committee of the city and, it is believed, to the State authorities. It should be added that the study of children is further made po.ssi- ble by the presence of a kindergarten and lirst grade school located in the Normal School building. The study of life and growing things is made easy by the fact that the building is located on one of the beautiful elevations that grace our city on every side. Altogether, this institution is the one that, perhaps, contributes most directly and most powerfully to the interests of the public and private weal of our citv. CLARK UNIVERSITY. \Vorcester enjoys the distinction of being the seat of the onlv uni- versity in America which confines its work strictly to post-graduate courses. While Clark University is almost the }-oungest institution of its class, it has at once assumed a position of leadership. Its grad- uates immediately become professors in the leading universities east and west. The work done by its students and faculty is almost wholly in the line of original research. As a result the university publishes a list of magazines, which are extensively read and reviewed at home and abroad. Some of these are reprinted in other languages, and the names and sayings of the professors of Clark University are very frequently found in the pages of foreign scientific and educational magazines. No publications or investigations have excited so much interest in educational circles during the present century as those that have originated with Clark University and its distinguished president. Child-study and Clark University have become firmly related in the minds of the reading public. Clark University Summer School has achieved a distinction all its own. This school calls together the most distinguished educators from all over the land, and the enthusiasm generated is quite tmlike anything hitherto seen at such gatherings. 196 The Worcester of 1898. We share the blessings that come from the wise counsels of the learned president, G. Stanley Hall, and the faculty. Our educational institutions are all directly benefited by the incisive clearness and practical wisdom of the theories here set forth. The interests of our schools are especially promoted by the corrective force of this new education in its best form. May this institution be cherished by our citv and strengthened by all necessary material support. Clark University is to us a crown of glory and a daily source of blessing in every department of our activity. It is an attractive force that brings to and holds fast the very best things. The following extract from the inaugural address of President G. .Stanley Hall will more clearly define the purposes of this institu- tion : When called upon to consider the invitation with which the trustees of this university honored me two and a half years ago, I was in an institution which, in the less than fifteen years of its existence, had done a work in stimulating other institutions, and in advancing the highest standards, which was, as I think all cheerfully admit, beyond comparison in the recent history of higher education in this country. After studying Worcester and the New England situation, I saw the opportunity here to be so great for a further and at least no less epoch-making step that I felt that an assured career, and even an important department, new in this country and full of fascinations, and in the most critical stage of its development, ought not to weigh against it If the State is to insure social order within and be strong without, democracy must find a new principle of life in universities, and education must become the great problem of statesmanship The new movement is already upon us in this country, and many signif- icant facts show that the resultant interest and opportunity here have never been so great. All such facts and tendencies, and many more, opened a clear and broad field for us at Worcester, and unmistakably defined our work as follows: 1. It must be of the highest and most advanced grade, with special prominence given to original research. This our country chiefly lacks and needs for both its material and educational welfare. This is in the current of all the best tendencies in the best lands, and is the ideal to-day of, I believe, about every scientific man who is able and in earnest, throughout the world. For this our location offers the rarest opportunities and induce- ments yet possible in this country. 2. We must not attempt at once to cover the entire field of human knowledge, but must elect a group of related departments of fundamental importance, and concentrate all our care to make these the best possible. Each science has become so vast and manifold that it is impossible to culti- vate the frontier of all at a single university The Worcester of 1898. 197 3. For our group we chose at first five fundamental and related sciences. Work in science can be quickest organized. Great libraries and museums, and everything else that only age can bring, can be dis- pensed with at first, and a complete outfit of the best apparatus and of all needed books can be gathered in a short time. Again, this is a practical country, and its industries are sure to depend more and more on the progress of science 4. We must seek the most talented and best trained 3'oung men. We must not exploit them for the glory of the institution, work them in a machine, nor retard their advancement, but we must give them every needed opportunity and incentive As from hundreds of applicants we have admitted but a very few of the best because many would frustrate our plans, so from the many subjects found in most large universities, we selected five to receive all our care. We are not a "graduate department" in which most so-called graduate students attend, and most professors conduct undergraduate work; we are not an institution like the Smithsonian, which does no teaching; we are not an academy of sciences: but we have features of all these, and many more. The work is the most laborious and the most expensive We are thus a school for professors, where leisure, method and incentive train select men to higher and more productive efficiency than before For those students whom we receive we should do everything possible for instructors to do. They should be personally aided, guided to the best literature, and advanced by every method that pedagogic skill and sympathy can devise. They should feel all the enthusiasm, understand all the inter- ests and all the methods of the instructor. He should confidentially share with them all his hopes and plans for research The most important part of our work is research, and we wish soon to be ready to be chiefly judged by the value of our contributions to the sum of human knowledge In this new country we need new men, new measures, and occasionally new universities; and we, like England, have in later years experienced their amazing good Never were educational opinions so plastic and formative, or all minds so receptive, or so bent on better things in higher education as now. . . . PRIVATE SCHOOLS. Worcester maintains a number of private schools of high grade. Prominent among these are the Dalzell School for Boys and School for Girls, Miss Kimball's Home School, Miss Fitch's School, Miss Lewis- son's School. In this connection the three commercial colleges of Hinman. Becker and Childs should be mentioned. \.v ii PUBLIC LIBRARIES. Bv Samuel Swett Green, A. M.* |()RCESTER has reason to feel proud of her public libraries. They are large, and generously and wisely administered. There are two which contain more than 100,000 volumes each, one having 1 17,000 and the other 105,000. Several of the smaller libraries are very valuable. In the libraries described or mentioned in the following pages, there are more than 371,000 volumes; 270,000 of these can be used freely by everv resident, and the larger portion of the remaining volumes are readily accessible. FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Free Public Library was established by the City Government December 23, 1859. That is to say, Worcester had been a city nearly twelve years before it had a library whose privileges could be enjoyed by residents without cost. The Free Public Library consisted in the beginning of the library of Doctor John Green, given to the city to be the nucleus of a reference library, and of the collection of books o\yned by the Worcester Lyceum and Library Associati()n and given to the city at the same time that Doctor Green gave his books. Most of the books in the latter collection became the nucleus of the circulating department of the Free Public Library. The library of Doctor Green was one which he had been forming for many years with the purpose of giving it to the city. That of the Worcester Lyceum, and Library Association consisted of the books which had belonged to the Young Men's Library Association, the Young Men's Rhetorical Society and the old Worcester Lyceum. The library given by Doctor Green numbered about 7,000 volumes, which had cost him not less than $10,000; the library of the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association contained 4,500 volumes. The Free Public Library- was opened to the public April 30, 1 860, in the rooms in the Worcester Bank block, which had been occupied by the two libraries composing it. * See sketch in Biographical Department. 200 The Worcester of 1898. In the fourth section of the original ordinance, by which Doctor Green was niade an honorary director of the library for life, that gentleman is justly called its principal founder. He started the movement for the foundation of the library, gave to the city the large collection of books mentioned above, by his deed of gift secured liberal expenditures on the part of the city, and made other conditions which, without hampering the administration of the gift, have been of great benefit. In 1865 reading-rooms were established in connection with the library. A fund for their endowment was raised by subscription, mainly through the efforts of Honorable George Frisbie Hoar. The subscription amounted to $10,000 or $11,000, and was headed by the late Mr. .Stephen vSalisbury with a gift of $4,000. Mr. Hoar, Doctor Green and forty other persons gave each $100; twenty-five persons, $50 each; thirty-eight, $25 apiece, and other givers smaller sums. The Worcester Lyceum and Library Association added to its gift of books $300 as a subscription towards this reading- room fund. The fund amounted at the close of the last library year, November 30, 1897, to $10,856.44. The income of the fund and an annual appropriation by the City Government pay for the periodicals and papers taken in the reading- room. Doctor Green died in the autumn of 1865. Between the date of his deed of gift and his death he gave to the library 4,968 volumes in addi- tion to the 7,000 volumes contributed at the start. By his last will, Doctor Green left $30,000 to the city primarily for the endowment of his department of the library. By provisions of the will, one-quarter of the income is for the present to be added to the principal every year, and the remaining three-quarters, after deducting any losses that may have been met in the principal, are to be spent for books to be added to the Green Library, and in repairing and rebinding books in that department of the Free Public Library. The investment and management of the Green Library fund, by the terms of the will, are in the hands of the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. That committee has to be chosen by ballot. The certificates of prop- erty are in the custody of the city treasurer. That officer also collects interest and dividends. Provisions for the safe investment of the fund are made in the will. Five httndred and fifty dollars and eighty-five cents, the proceeds of a trust instituted by the will of Doctor Green, has been received by the city and added to the Green Library fund. Thirty shares of the stock of the Central National Bank, Worcester, have, under the provisions of another trust made in the same will, been passed over to the city to form the beginning of a librarian fund. The Worcester of 1898. 201 Under the provisions of a third trust in Doctor Green's will, there will come to the city, after the death of an aged beneficiary, eighteen shares of bank stock and $210 deposited in the Worcester County Insti- tution for Savings (if the investments remain unchanged), to be added to the Green Library fund. That fund amounted, November 30,1897, to $48,001.01. The libra- rian fund amounted, at the same date, to $4,344.35. The bank stock in both of these funds is held at par, although its market value is much higher. The main dependence of the Free Public Library for support is upon an annual appropriation made by the City Council, chiefly from money raised by taxation. The sum appropriated the first year of the existence of the library was $4,000. The library had to spend, besides that amount, $88.26 received for fines and collected in other ways. Besides these sources of revenue, the library now has the income of the Green Library and reading-room funds, and dog license money. The last-named item of income was first received in 1870, when it amounted to $1,931.05. It has been received every year since, and amounted last year to $5,576.17. The current year (1897-8) it amounts to $5,919.11. The cit}' appropriation for the last year was $26,600. This year it is $27,500. Last year the income from the Green Library fund, applicable to the purchase of books, was $1,1 13.22, and that from the reading-room fund, $461.20. There was also received from fines, the sale of catalogues and other sources, $891.47. That is to say, the total income of the Free Public Librar\- for the year 1896-7 was $34,642.06. Of that amount, $13,016.83 was spent for books and periodicals (exclusive of binding). The growth in the size and use of the library has been steady and large. As stated above, the library had at its fotmdation 11,500 volumes in its two departments, the Green or reference library and the circulating library. A third department, known as the intermediate department, has since been established. At the date of the last annual report (December i, 1897), the number of books in the library was 114,325, divided as follows among the three departments: Green Library, 24,737; intermediate department, 36,274; circulating depart- ment, 53,314. The library to-dav (May 22, 1898) probably contains 1 17,000 volumes. The use of the library during the last year was 315,557 volumes. This number does not include, of course, the immense use of maga- zines, reviews and papers in the three reading-rooms. The home use of the library for the last year was 210,045 volumes. During the eight months covered by the first report of the Free Public Library, 31,454 volumes were given out for home use. SAMUEL S. GREEN. The Worcester of 1898. 203 The number of volumes added to the library the last year was 5,836. Cards can be had for taking books home from the circulating depart- ment by residents of Worcester who have reached the age of fifteen years, and by younger persons in the discretion of the librarian. Books can be taken home from the intermediate department under certain restrictions. In accordance with a provision in the deed of gift, reiterated in the will of Doctor Green, books belonging to the Green Librarv must be used within the library building. Every facility is offered for their use under this condition. It appears from the last printed report of the Free Public Library that 493 papers and other periodicals were taken by the library in the year 1896-7. The Free Piiblic Library was the first of the larger free public libraries in New England to open its doors to visitors on.vSunday. On that day the reading-rooms and the library for purposes of reference are open, as stated below, from 2 to 9 o'clock p. M. This experiment began in 1872. Last year the reading-rooms were used by 8,910 persons on Sundaj^ On Thanksgiving day, 1889, the reading-rooms and library for purposes of reference were opened to the public, holidays during the same hours as on secular days generally. It will thus be seen that the library is now open every day in the year. The first building of its own occupied by the library was put up in accordance with an agreement with Doctor Green, and opened to the public September 4, 1861. It cost about $30,000, inclusive of the lot of land on which it stands. The size and use of the library increased so much that a new build- ing had to be erected. A lot adjoining that of the older building was bought, and a new building, which is used in connection with the older, was put upon it. The new building was opened April i, 1891. Its cost, inclusive of land and furniture, was about $143,000. This building has among other rooms a lecture hall, art galleries, study rooms, and a closet for the development of photographs. The librarians of the Free Public Library have been Zephaniah Baker, February 17, i860 — January 14, 1871 ; Samuel Swett Green, January 15, 1871. Miss Lucy A. Young and Miss Jessie E. Tyler are the heads, under the librarian of the reference and circulating depart- ments, respectively, and have held these positions for many years. The former presidents of the Board of Directors have been Honorable Alexander H. Bullock, Honorable William W. Rice, Honorable Stephen Salisbury, Honorable George F. Hoar, Honorable Thomas L. Nelson, Honorable Peter C. Bacon, J. Evarts Greene, Esquire, Reverend Doctor 204 The Worcester of 1898. William R. Huntington, Honorable Francis H. Dewey, Honorable Francis A. Gaskill, Mr. E. Harlow Russell, A. George Bullock, Esquire, Honorable Edwin T. Marble. Burton W. Potter, Esquire, Mr. Waldo Lincoln, Mr. Edward I. Comins and Reverend Doctor Almon Gun- nison. Doctor Gunnison was chosen president for the year beginning January i, 1895, and has remained president since that date. The present Board of Directors is as follows: Francis A. Harrington, Almon Gunnison, Edmund L. Parker, John O. Marble, G. Stanley Hall, Webster Thayer, Thomas C. Mendenhall, Edward J. Russell, Lyman A. Ely, Francis P. McKeon, Charles M. Thayer, John E. Lynch. The Free Public Library has eight delivery stations. They were opened May 14, 1898, and are situated at New Worcester, South Worcester, Quinsigamond, Grafton square. Lake View, Belmont street, Greendale and Tatnuck. The Free Public Library has become one of the large libraries of the country, and is regarded as an excellent example of a library conducted as a great educational institution for the people. During the last twenty-seven years it has built up an immense popular use of its books for purposes of reference, and has done this mainly by letting it be known that it regarded itself as a bureau of information, and by establishing sympathetic and pleasant relations with inquirers and students. This library was a pioneer in bringing about close relations between libraries and schools, and its work in this direction has inspired emula- tion everywhere throughout the United States. A wagon belonging to the School Department visits regularly every one of the fifty school- houses belonging to the city, to carry books from the library, and bring back such volumes as are ready to be returned. During the school year covered by the last report of the Free Public Library, 1,782 volumes belonging to the library were on the average in use by teachers and in school-rooms and homes under the super- vision of teachers, by scholars every day that the schools were open. There is a large use here of industrial books taken from the library. This library was also a pioneer in making great use of photographs and other kinds of pictures in supplementing instruction given by books. LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. The American Antiquarian Society was incorporated October 24, 18 1 2. The history of the society is narrated in another portion of this work. Here the library only is under consideration. That as well as the society was founded by Isaiah Thomas, who, in February, 18 13, The Worcester of 1898. 205 gave to the society a private library, which he had brought together while engaged in the favoring occupations of author, editor and pub- lisher. This library had, not long before, been described as " a valu- able collection of books obtained with great labor and expense, the value of which may be fairly estimated at about $5,000." Books, manuscripts and newspapers of the kind which made up Doctor Thomas's library have increased immensely in market value since the date of his gift. In October, 18 19, it was stated that there were nearly 6,000 volumes in the librarv of the Antiquarian Societv. It is interesting to remem- ber that ^Ir. Thomas was unwilling to have his library placed in a large city, because, in such a place, it would be endangered by the presence of large fires, and, in the existing excitement of war, to call to mind the fact that he feared that his books, if deposited in a city on the seaboard, would be subjected in time of war to more peril there from the ravages of enemies than in an interior town. At his death in 1831, Mr. Thomas bequeathed books and other materials of history to the Antiquarian Society. Mr. Edmund M. Barton, the present librarian, in accordance with a calculation recently made by him, believes that there are now about 105,000 volumes in the library of the society. - The library is very valuable. It contains a large and exceedingly interesting collection of early volumes of some of the oldest news- papers of the land, and also possesses many rare works which were printed in this country in the days of its infancy, and a number of valuable manuscripts. The feature which distinguishes the library best from other institu- tions is the unique collection of memorials of the Mather family. The library has about 4,000 volumes of newspapers. Among these are sixteen of the Boston Nczvs Letter, first issued in 1704, the first established newspaper on this continent. The oldest existing newspaper in Massachusetts is the Jlassac/insctts Spy, at present the weekly issue of the Worcester Daily Spy. The first number was issued in Boston July 17, 1770; the first number printed in Worcester bears the date of Mav 3, 1775. The file of this paper belonging to the Antiquarian Society is nearly complete. There is in the librarv of tlie societv a large portion of the books printed in the colonies and provinces which now form the older por- tions of the United States before the year 1700. For example, it contains a copy of the Bay Psalm Book, which was issued from the press in Cambridge in 1640, and is the first volume printed in British America. It possesses a copy of the first edition of Eliot's Indian Bible, the printing of which was finished at Cambridge in 1663, and 2o6 The Worcester of 1898. also lias a handsome and beautifully bound cojiy of the second edition of that Bible, the printing of which ended in 1685, as well as several rare tracts in the Indian language prevalent in this vicinity. In the large collection of Bibles in the library is a fine copy of the folio Bible printed by Isaiah Thomas, at Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1791. This was the first folio Bible in the English language ever published in America. Mr. Thomas had a great printing and publishing establish- ment in this town, and such was the excellence of the work which came from his presses that he won for himself the name of the American Baskerville. Among the manuscripts in the library are forty or fifty orderly-books and volumes containing records similar to those in books of that kind. The entries in these books bear various dates between the years 1758 and 18 1 2. The matter in them relating to the period of the Revolution is of especial interest. The library also possesses a large collection of muster-rolls, army-orders and other military papers, with dates extend- ing from 1745 to 1787. vSome of the more elegant manuscripts in the library are an illumi- nated missal on vellum, written perhaps as early as 1304; a Persian tale or romance, which has gilt borders and is illustrated by highly-colored pictures, and a folio copy of the Koran, which is adorned by illuminated borders. Two large gifts of books have been made to the library in compara- tively recent years — one in 1879 by the heirs of the late George Brinley of Hartford, the other under the provisions of the will of the late Joseph J. Cooke of Providence. At an early period in its history, it was the recipient of a vahiable bequest of books and manuscripts from Reverend Doctor William Bentley of Salem (1759-1819). Mr. William Bentley Fowle, a nephew of Doctor Bentley, bequeathed to the Anticjuarian Society (ither portions of the library and literary remains of his uncle. Among the persons who have given money, the income of which is used for the purchase of books, are Isaac Davis, Benjamin F. Thomas, Samuel F. Haven, Francis H. Dewey and Edward L. Davis. The library is, however, mainly dependent for growth upon gifts, sales of duplicates, and exchanges. vStill its yearly additions are very large, numbering many thousands of books, pamphlets and volumes of news- papers. The library was much used by the late George Bancroft in preparing the earlier volumes of his " Historj' of the United States," and was occasionally consulted by him afterwards. Mr. McMaster has availed himself largely, as the late Mr. Justin Winsor availed himself to a cer- tain extent, of its privileges, the former in getting ready volumes of his The Worcester of 1898. 207 history for publication, and the latter in hunting up illustrations for his " Narrative and Critical History of America." It is constantly used bv members of the Antiquarian .Society and other persons in making historical investigations, and for other purposes. As stated before, the library contains a very valuable collection of memorials of the life and work of the Mather family. It possesses, for example, a large number of important manuscripts in the handwriting of members of that family of distinguished early New England divines. Thus from the pen of Richard Mather, who came to America in 1635, it has the original draft of the celebrated Cambridge Platform, the text of the platform which was finallv adopted and printed in 1648, and other writtings which relate to the earlv ecclesiastical historj- of the Massachusetts Colony. Of manuscripts written by Increase Mather, who will be remembered as having been president of Harvard College, it owns his autobiography, written for his children; his journal, kept in sixteen interleaved almanacs, of dates varving from 1660 to 1721, and many sermons, essays and letters. The library has a large number of manuscripts which were written by Cotton Mather, the son of Increase, and grandson of Richard Mather. Among them are "The Observa- tions and Reflections of the Reverend Doctor Cotton Mather Respect- ing Witchcraft," 1692; "A Brand Plucked Out of the Burning," which is an account of Mercy Short, and is supposed to have never been printed, although another "Brand Pluckt Out," etc., has been printed; ■•Triparadisus," a work on a theological subject; "The Angel of Bethesda," an essav on the common maladies of mankind; this is a thick quarto volume which treats of diseases and their remedies, and c(_)ntains, under the names of diseases, religious sentiments and specifi- cations of simple and easv remedies ; valuable diaries, covering different years between 1692 and 171 7; many letters written by Cotton Mather and received by him; ecclesiastical manuscripts; notes of sermons and volumes containing quotations. There are in the library manuscripts of other members of the Mather family besides those, some of whose writings have just been spoken of. The library possesses a ver\' fine collection of the printed works of the Mathers. It has several hundred volumes and pamphlets published by them. Many tracts, and among them some of the rarest, written by seven different members of the family, were secured at the sales of Mr. Brinley's collection of books. Another interesting memorial of the Mather family in the library of the Antiquarian Society is the greater portion of the working library of the celebrated members of that family. Their library (writes Mr. C. C. Baldwin) was distributed at their decease, with other portions of their property, among their heirs. The bulk of it, however, was secured by Isaiah Thomas and Mrs. Hannah Mather Crocker, and presented to 2o8 The Worcester of 1898. the Antiquarian Society by them in 1814. The society thus came into possession of about 900 volumes which had belonged to Increase and Cotton Mather; and some other books, containing their autographs and those of other members of the family, have in later years been given to it or bought by it. For example, a number of books containing, in their own handwriting, the names of Richard, Increase, Samuel and Cotton Mather, were purchased by the society at the sale of the Brinley library. Hanging on the walls of the library of the Antiquarian Society are the following portraits: Richard Mather (1596-1669), painted from life; Samuel Mather (1626-1671); Increase Mather (1639-1723), painted from life; Cotton Mather (1663-1728), painted by Pelham; Samuel Mather (1706-1785), painted from life. These portraits were given to the society by Mrs. Hannah Mather Crocker of Boston. There is an interesting collection of historical relics in the rooms of the library. Many of these were presented by Isaiah Thomas and other early members of the society, or procured by its agents in the first years of its existence. Mr. Stephen vSalisbury has deposited there many relics and photo- graphs illustrative of the antiquities and present life of Yucatan. Through his liberality, several years ago there was placed in one of the rooms of the library a beautiful cast of the portal of a ruined building at Labna, made from moulds prepared by Mr. Edward H. Thompson, our townsman, the United vStates consul at Merida. The accommodations for persons wishing to make investigations in the library are excellent, and all persons wishing to iise it are heartily welcomed and helped to do so. The rooms are adorned by numerous works of art. Among these are portraits of many men who have been prominent residents of New England in former days and more recent times. The society has several interesting memorials of the Winthrop family, members of which have always had a conspicuous place in the annals of New England. Lieutenant-Governor Thomas Lindall Winthrop was the second president of the Antiquarian Society, and held the position for ten years. The librarians of the Antiquarian Society have been Samuel Jennison (1814-25), William Lincoln (1825-27), Christopher Columbus Baldwin (1827-30 and 1831-35), Samuel M. Burnside (i 830-31), Maturin Lewis Fisher (1835-38), Samuel Foster Haven (1838-March 31, 1881; librarian emeritus April i, 1881, until his death, September 5, 1881), and Edmund M. Barton (1883). When Mr. Thomas gave his private library to the Antiquarian Societv in the spring of 1813, he was requested to retain it in his The Worcester of 1898. 209. possession until a suitable place could be prepared for its reception. Early in the year 18 19 Mr. Thomas offered to put up a building at his own expense for the accommodation of the society and its library, and in August of that year a committee was appointed, at his request, to- superintend its erection. The work was attended to at once, and the central portion of the old Antiquarian hall on Summer street was dedi- cated to the uses of the society August 24, 1820. The two wings were added to the main structure in 1832. The building, however, a portion of which, at least, still stands, although now (May 24, 1898) used for private purposes, proved too small to house the growing library, and was also found to be damp. A new hall was therefore built on the site now occuped, after a time. This was completed in 1853. But the rapidly increasing collection of books demanded still ampler accommo- dations, and an addition to the present building was determined upon. That was finished in 1877. In putting up the existing building and adding to it, the society was assisted by very generous contributions of money from the late Stephen Salisbury, who was its president for thirty years. The present librarian, as before stated, is Edmund Mills Barton. He had been assistant librarian for seventeen years before he was appointed librarian. Reuben Colton was assistant librarian from April, 1878, to February i, 1889. At the latter date he resigned the position for the purpose of going into business. Miss Mary Robinson became connected with the library as cataloguer in the autumn of 1 88 1. February i, 1889, she was promoted to the position of assistant to the librarian. A catalogue of the books in the library (pp. 571 ) was printed in 1837 by Henry J. Rowland. A card catalogue is now in use. The society has also in its possession a manuscript catalogue of the books pre- sented to it by Isaiah Thomas. The library is kept open from 9 o'clock A. M. to 5 p. M. evei-y secular day, excepting vSaturday, when it is closed at I p. M. LIBRARIES OF OTHER SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. Worcester District Medical Society. The Worcester District Medical Society was founded in 1804, but does not seem to have collected many books for a considerable num- ber of years. Doctor Thomas H. Gage, in an address to the society delivered in 1862, states that "the first movement of which any fruit now remains which may indeed be considered the beginning of the library, was the appointment of Doctors Oliver Fiske and John Green, The Worcester of 1898. 211 in 18 1 3, to obtain subscriptions and solicit books from profession and from laitv to found a medical library." The junior member of the com- mittee, -who had been in practice four years 'when appointed to sei-\-e in that position, afterwards became the founder of the Free Public Library. Doctor Gage remarks that the committee met with success in its eftorts. That could not have been great, howevei". Doctor Leonard Wheeler states that the librarian seems to have been "merely a personified hope of books until 1822." The first recorded enumeration of books does not appear until 1836, when the number of books in the library was stated to be 1 28. In 1843 Doctor Joseph Sargent reported that the library contained over 200 volumes, and that he found it in a room over Mr. Harris's bookstore, where it was little used. A veiy important event in the history of the library was now impending. In 1845 a bequest of $6,000 was made to the society by Daniel "Waldo, the income of which was to be used in bu\-ing books for the librarv. In 1851 Doctor Charles W. Wilder of Leominster left S500, by will, to the society. The income of that bequest, and of another of §1,000 made bv the late Harrison Bliss of Worcester in 1882, for librarv purposes, as well as that of a small investment known as the available reserve fund, is spent for the benefit of the library. The amount which the Librarv Cinnmittee has at its disposal annually is about §500. As the societv has no rent to pay for its rooms, and the other expenses of the library are very small, S400 can be spent in buying books. The librarv occupies rooms in the building of the Free Public Library. Books mav be taken from it for home use by members of the Worcester District ^ledical vSocietv, and by other members of the Massachusetts Medical Society resident in Worcester county. Its books may be used for purposes of reference within the building of the Free Public Librarv by all persons who are entitled to use the reference books of that institution, subject to the discretion, however, of the librarian of the Free Public Library. Recently the Aledical Society has voted to permit users of the Free Public Librarv to take home books from its collection in such cases as the librarian of the Free Public Library considers it wise to accord this permission. The ]\Iedical Librarv is provided with a caixl catalogue, which is kept written up to date. Within the past year an index has been prepared embracing the titles of the medical periodical literature in Worcester, which is readily available, namely, such as is contained in the libraries of the Medical Society, the Free Public Library, Clark L^niversity and the Worcester Lunatic Hospital, and such as belongs 212 The Worcester of 1898. to indivicUial physicians, but is not to be found in the libraries mentioned. There are 7,415 books and 668 pamphlets in the Medical Library to-day. This library is an excellent working collection of books pub- lished in the English language, and has undoubtedly done much to raise the standard of medical practice in Worcester and its vicinity. The present librarian is Doctor A. C. Getchell. The library is pros- perous, and well managed. Worcester County Mechanics Association. This library was opened early in 1843. About four years later, April 13, 1847, it was reported to contain 670 volumes. At the present time it consists of 13,000 volumes. The library has been selected with the purposes of supplying popular needs and a variety of tastes; it is general and scientific rather than technical in character. A reading-room was established in 1864, which is supplied with many reviews, magazines, scientific and other papers. The library and reading-room can be used by members of the Mechanics Asso- ciation and their families only. Both are extensively used. They are maintained by an annual appropriation by the trustees of the associa- tion. The librarian is Mrs. Samuel F. Babbitt. Worcester County Law Library Association. This association organized January 21, 1842. The existing collection is one of the best working law libraries in the country. The books in it are nearly all recent purchases, and they have been carefully selected with reference to the actual needs of occupants of the bench and mem- bers of the bar. The librarv contains complete sets of all the reports of the United States courts and the courts of the different states and territories in the country and in England and Ireland, and a full collection of books which treat of English and American law in all its branches. It is also rich in English and American periodical law literature. Additions are continually made to the library. The library was very much indebted for a period of thirty or forty years to the late Judge Thomas L. Nelson. It is well known that for the larger portion of that time, he was almost alone instrumental in securing the means for building up the library and in selecting books to- be added to it. The library derives its income from fees paid by clerks of courts into- the county treasury, and from especial grants made for its benefit by the; County Commissioners. The Worcester of 1898. 213 A handsome sum of money is available yearly for the purchase of books. The library now contains 20,000 volumes. It is open from g o'clock A. M. to 5 o'clock p. M. every secular day of the week, excepting Saturday, when it is closed in the afternoon. The librarj' is used mainly by occupants of the bench and members of the bar, but is open to every inhabitant of the county, subject only to such regula- tions as may be prescribed by the association which manages it, with the approval of the Supreme Judicial Court. The present librarian is Theodore S. Johnson, Esquire, who holds the position as clerk of the courts. The active librarian is Doctor George E. Wire. Several portraits of eminent past and present members of the Worces- ter county bar adorn the library room, and hang in other rooms in the building. The library is in the Court House. Worcester County Horticultural Society. The Horticultural vSociety began to collect a library in the year 1844, four years after its formation, and two years after it became a chartered organization. The library is in the building of the society, 1 8 Front street, which was dedicated in the autumn of 1852, and is called Horticultural Hall. Before it was moved to that place, in 1861 or 1862, it had for many years been kept in the office of Mr. Clarendon Harris. The library began in a humble way under the fostering care of Doctor John Green, the first president of the society; Frederick W. Paine, Isaac Davis, Samuel F. Haven, William Lincoln, Anthony Chase, Samuel H. Colton, Clarendon Harris, and others, and has grown gradually to its present size of about 3,000 bound volumes. It also contains many pamphlets. The works in the library treat of horticulture in all its branches. It also contains many volumes relating to agriculture. While the library owns a large number of books of historical interest, its strength lies in works on horticulture which have been published during the last fifty years. It has a good collection of sets of English, French and American periodicals that belong to the department of horticulture. The library has been carefully selected with reference to the wants of its users. Books may be taken to their homes by members of the society. Although, strictly speaking, none but members can use the books of the Horticultural Society, it should be added that the library is admin- istered in the spirit of general helpfulness, and that information can readily be obtained from it by all persons who need it. The large room which it occupies is used as a reading-room, which is supplied with the current numbers of leading horticultural magazines and papers of Eng- land and America. The library is inferior to that of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Boston, but is still one of the best collections of The Worcester of 1898. 215 its kind in the country. An annual appropriation is made by the Horticultural vSociety for the maintenance and growth of the library and for providing periodicals for the reading-room. The late Judge Francis H. Dewey left to the society a fund of $1,000, the income of which is to be used for buying books for the library. The librarians of the society have been Anthony Chase, 1844 to 185 1 ; Clar- endon Harris, 1851 to 1862; Edward W. Lincoln, 1862-1871; George E. Francis, 1871; Edward W. Lincoln, 1872 to 1874; William T. Harlow, 1874; John C. Newton, 1875 to 1879; Charles E. Brooks, 1879 to 1890; Adin A. Hixon, present incumbent. Worcester County Musical Association. The association was formed in 1858, but did not begin to collect a library until five years later, hiring before 1863 such musical works as it had occasion to use, from publishers and others. It now has a very valuable musical library. It has 1 5,000 volumes of oratorios, cantatas, and other large choral works which have been brought out by the asso- ciation at its concerts and festivals. It has scores and orchestra parts for a considerable number of such compositions. Besides the larger works, it owns an extensive collection of chorus selections from various authors in sheets. This library stands high among the musical collections of this section of the country. Mr. George W. Elkins has been the librarian for many years. Worcester Choral Union. The Worcester Choral Union was incorporated ]\Iarch 31, 1871. The act of incorporation was accepted in the following year, and officers were chosen September 9, 1872. The present librarian is Mr. G. Arthur Smith. The library consists of 3,1 54 volumes and pieces of music. No additions have been made to it for a number of years, and at the present time it is packed in boxes and stored in the house of the president of the society, ilr. Charles E. Wilder. The Worcester vSocietv of Antiquitv. The Society of Antiquity was formed in 1S75. It began to collect a library two years later. That became at once available for the use of members of the society, but was not opened to the public at stated hours, according to the plan observed to-day, until 1883. The library po.ssesses 15,000 volumes and a very large collection of pamphlets. A considerable portion of it consists of town histories,. ^i6 The Worcester of 1898. genealogies, and works treating of other subjects of especial interest to persons making investigations of the kind which members of such an organization as The Society of Antiquity wish to engage in. The library grows almost wholly by gifts. The largest and most valuable of those which it has received is the library of the late Reverend ■George Allen. That was bought with money raised by subscription, by Honorable George F. Hoar, and presented to the society. The largest sums of money were subscribed by the late Mr. David Whit- comb, and by Mr. George Sumner. Mr. Allen's library numbered 2,300 volumes and a like number of pamphlets. Besides containing books of other kinds, it "has been pronounced by competent authority to be one of the best representative collections of the New England theology of the olden time ever brought together" in this vicinity. This gift was received in the spring of 1884. Early in the following year Mrs. Char- lotte Downes of Washington, D. C, presented to the society the library of her late husband, Mr. John Downes. Both Mr. and Mrs. Downes had at an earlier period, been residents of Worcester. The •' Downes ■Collection," as it is called, comprises 479 volumes, 58 pamphlets, T^esides a noteworthy accumulation of 63 1 almanacs, broadsides, papers, manuscripts, etc., which had been brought together by its former owner during the passage of a long life. It contains copies of twelve different editions of the "New England Primer," among them a copy of the original work issued in 1779, and a number of publications of Isaiah Thomas for children and other persons. The books in the Downes Collection are largely astronomical and mathematical. The vSociety of Antiquity needs a fund, the income of which may l)e ■expended in the care and management of the library, and in buying books for it. The books now in the library are largely used. The library and museum are in a brick building put up for its use a few years ago on Salisbury street, and are open to the public from i to 5 o'clock p. ^r. every day of the week excepting vSunday. The society has been much aided by gifts of money and land from Honorable Stephen Salisbury. Mr. Thomas A. Dickinson has been librarian for many years. Educational Institutions. The College of the Holy Cross has for the use of its faculty a library of about 15,000 volumes. These are mainly literary, philosophical and theological in character. Students have access to the books in this library which are not in their own library, through a professor. The library of the students numbers about 3,000 volumes. The books added to this library are mainly selected by the librarian. The Worcester of 1898. 217 Clark University has a collection of about 17,000 volumes and 2,000 pamphlets. It takes 1 50 serials. The books and periodicals are chiefly scientific and technical, and are highly specialized in character. Mr. Louis N. Wilson is librarian. The library of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute contains about 4,000 volumes. The books are technical in character. The librarian is Elizabeth K. Francis. The library of the State Normal .School has 10,450 volumes. Of these, 4,450 are for the usual uses of a general librarv, and 6,000 are text-books. The Worcester Classical High vSchool has 2,100 volumes, and the English High School about 1,000. These books are exclusive of the text-books, which belong to the city of Worcester. The library of the Worcester Academy contains 2,500 carefully selected volumes; that of the Highland Military Academy about i.ooo volumes. Other public and private schools have small libraries. In the rooms of the superintendent of public schools there is an interesting collection of text-books, and works which treat of schools and education. It numbers about 2,000 volumes. Hospitals, Etc. In the Worcester Lunatic Hospital, a vState institution, there is a patients' library of 3,211 volumes. The hospital also has a medical library of 1,250 volumes. The Worcester Insane Asylum, also a State institution, has a patients' library of about 500 volumes, and a small collection of medical books. The City Hospital has a medical library of about 300 volumes, and a few books for nurses. The Worcester County Homoeopathic ]\Iedical Society has a library of about 1,000 volumes. OTHER LIBRARIES. The Worcester Natural History Society has a library of 553 volumes. A reading-room is open to members of the society. There are a few libraries in Worcester, intended for grown-up persons, which are con- nected with Protestant religious societies in the place. The most important of these, perhaps, is the Bangs Library of the old Second Parish, which contains about 1,500 volumes. This library was founded by Edward D. Bangs, who will be remembered as having been for several years secretary of state in this Commonwealth. Mr. Bangs was a mem- ber of the Second Parish, and at his death left to the society the "sum of $400 as a perpetual fund for a parish library, the income of which The Worcester of 1898. 219 is to be applied to the purchase of useful books, particularly such as may be adapted to the religious and moral improvement of the young." The late Stephen Salisbury, also a member of the society, left to the Second Parish the sum of $1,500, the income of which is used in buying books for the Bangs Librar}-. The library of the Jail and House of Correction contains 650 volumes. It is made up of stories, histories, biographies, religioiis works, and a selection of books made with especial reference to the wants of Roman Catholic prisoners. It is unnecessary to state that there are vSunday school libraries be- longing to different churches in Worcester. At the Directory office there is a collection of 400 directories of different towns and cities. These, residents of Worcester are invited to use. Mr. Andrew P. Lundborg, the Swedish bookseller, states that there are 1,500 Swedish books in churches and clubs in Worcester besides those in that language in the Free Public Library. Among the libraries belonging to Catholic institutions, there are, besides the library of Holy Cross College, which has already been mentioned, several connected with different churches, as, for example, the Sodality library in the Catholic Institute and the Sunday school library in the school-house on Vernon street, which belongs to St. John's Parish ; the library of St. Anne's Church ; that of the Young Women's Society of the Church of the Sacred Heart, and the Sunday school library and the library of the Alutual Advancement Society of St. Peter's Church. Among other Catholic libraries is the Sodality library in the Convent of Mercy on High street. In these and other libraries con- nected with Catholic institutions there are at least 6,000 or 7,000 viihmies. NATHANIEL PAINE. LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. By Nathaniel Paine, A. M.* nHE history of Worcester in the past gives abundant evidence that its citizens have taken advantage of organization and coopera- tion in carrying out any enterprise they had at heart, for societies and associations were very early organized, not only for educational pur- poses, but to influence the political and social life of the town. It is proposed in this chapter to give brief notices of the more prominent literary, scientific and historical societies now in existence in the city. Before speaking of them, it may not be out of place to call attention to a few organizations founded in the early days of the town and not now in existence, but which in their day had more or less influence on the lives of our citizens. One of the earliest of these of which there is any record was the "American Political Society," organized in 1773, which became a promi- nent factor in guiding the early Revolutionary action of the town and county, especially in bringing aboiat the action of the majority of the people against the loyalists, who were largely men of standing in the community, and holders of offices under the crown. It was undoubtedly the action of this society towards the loyalists that caused many of them to leave the town and country after giving up the offices they held. The society also took an active part in municipal affairs, and in directing who should be supported for town and county oflices. It is very probable that this attempt to control the town meetings and to dictate in the election of officers, caused dissensions among its mem- bers, and brought about its dissolution after an existence of about two years. Among the societies that have ceased to exist are two that are worthy of mention, because of the part they had in the early educa- tional life of the town. *See sketch in Biographical Department. 222 The Worcester of 1898. The Worcester County Athenaeum, estabHshed in 1830, as a stock company, with the object of forming a public library in Worcester, was probably one of the first organized attempts made for that purpose in central Massachusetts. It had acquired a small library of its own, and had also become possessed of a small collection of books which had been gathered by the " Worcester County Lj-ceum of Natural History." a society formed at some earlier day, whose existence was so brief that but little is known of it. After a few years the Athenaeum organization, which had been sup- ported by the subscriptions of a few individuals, was given up and its library transferred to the American Antiquarian vSociety. Another society which had but a brief existence was the Worcester County Historical Society, incorporated in 1831 for the purpose of " preserving materials for a complete and minute history of Worcester county." From Lincoln's "History of Worcester" it appears that in the celebration of the centennial of the establishment of the county, October, 1S31, this society took an active part, its pi^esident. Honor- able John Davis, delivering an address. As there is very little more recorded of it, it would seem that its aims did not meet with much encouragement, although it is quite probable that it may have been an aid to William Lincoln in the preparation of his valuable history of the town of Worcester a few years later. The oldest secular organization now in active existence in Worcester is the Worcester Fire Society, established in 1793, "for the more effectual assistance of each other and of their townsmen in times of danger from fire." It has long since been superseded in that work by modern organizations and appliances, but it still observes the rules and regulations of a hundred years ago in regard to the care of the buckets, bags and bed-keys of the members, and quarterly meetings are held with regularit}'. While it is now regarded as a social organization, it has some claim for mention here, as it is the custom to have an oration and a poem presented at each annual meeting, and it has contributed not a little to the history of the town and city by the printing of reminiscences or biographical notices of deceased members, many of whom were promi- nent in the affairs of the town, county and state. The American Antiquarian Society, whose members are from all parts of the world, has its headquarters in Worcester, and may rightly be classed among our local institutions. It is the oldest society of an educational nature in the city, having been founded in 1 8 1 2 and incor- porated the same year. The original petition to the Legislature for an act of incorporation set forth that the petitioners were "influenced by a desire to contribute to the advancement of the arts and sciences, and The Worcester of 1898. 223 to aid by their indiv-idual and united efforts in collecting and preserving such materials as may be useful in marking their progress not only in the United States, but in other parts of the globe." Isaiah Thomas, the founder of the Mnsscrd/iisc/ts S/<_v, had accumulated a large collection of books, pamphlets and newspapers, and it was his offer to contribute these to a society that would take proper care of them that made the starting of such an'enterprise possible. In 18 19 the society had become an institution of such size and importance that the need of a birilding for preserving its collections, then of very considerable value, became apparent to its members. In this emergency Mr. Thomas, its generous founder, at his own expense, erected on the east side of Summer street, near Lincoln square, a commodious building of brick, and presented it to the society. This building answered the purposes of the society till 1853, at which time the increase in the library and cabinet had become so great that it became necessary to erect the present building at the corner of iSIain and Highlands streets. Through the libei'ality of Honorable vStephen Salisbury, then the president, a substantial addition was made to the building in 1878. The library and cabinet of the society have been constantly increas- ing, the former now numbering upwards of 100,000 volumes, which will be spoken of more in detail in another chapter. The library and the valuable collection of manuscripts belonging to the society have been freely consulted by some of our most noted historians, among whom mav be mentioned George Bancroft, Francis Parkman, Moses Coit Tyler, John B. McMaster, as well as many other students and writers. There is also a large and valuable collection of newspapers, manu- scripts and broadsides, the collection of newspapers being one of the largest and most important in the country, and is almost daily con- sulted, students from all parts of the country availing themselves of the privilege. The society has a goodly number of early American imprints, which have now become of great rarity and value. A list of these published before 1 700 has recently been printed. The publications of the Antiquarian Society have been numerous, consisting of the semi-annual reports of the proceedings from 1849 to the present time, containing a large amount of interesting archteo- logical and historical information. Seven volumes of the '' Arclueologia Aiucricana" have also been published. These contain reprints of rare books and manuscripts, and specially prepared papers of antiquarian and historical topics. The last three volumes of this series contain a reprint of Thomas' "History of Printing in America," to which is added a list of American pre- 224 The Worcester of li ■Revolutionary publications, prepared by the late Samuel F. Haven, LL. D., for many years the learned librarian of the society; and the "Note Book kept by Thomas Lechford, Esq., lawyer in Boston, Massa- chusetts-Bay, from June 27, 1638, to July 29, 1641." Of interest to the general public may be mentioned the portraits of eminent men on the walls of the library, and its cabinets of antiquarian and historical articles. The rooms of the society are open to the public without charge, under proper regulations, and students and others wishing to make use of its library are given every facility to do so, consistent with the care and preservation of its treasures. AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAM SOCIETY. The present officers of the society are: vStephen Salisbury, President; George F. Hoar of Worcester and Edward Everett Hale of Boston, Vice-Presidents; Franklin B. Dexter of New Haven, Secretary of For- eign Correspondence; Charles Francis Adams of Lincoln, Secretary of Domestic Correspondence; Charles A. Chase of Worcester, Recording Secretary, and Nathaniel Paine of Worcester, Treasurer; and ten Coun- cilors, viz., Samuel A. Green of Boston, Egbert C. Smyth of Andover, Samuel S. Green, Edward L. Davis, J. Evarts Greene and G. Stanley Hall of Worcester, William B. Welden of Providence, John D. Wash- burn, Thomas C. Mendenhall of Worcester, and James P. Baxter of Portland, Maine. The Worcester of 1898. 225 The Worcester District ]\[edical Society, founded in 1 804 as an auxiliary society of the Massachusetts Medical Societ}', has a well- selected library of about 5,000 volumes, which is kept in the Free Public Library building, and can be consulted by citizens of Worces- ter under proper restrictions. Original papers with discussions are presented by members from time to time. The officers are: Presi- dent, P. P. Comey; Vice-President, Wesley Davis; Secretary, W. R. (iilman; Treasurer, G. O. Ward; Librarian, A. C. Getchell. The Worcester County Homoeopathic Medical Societj^ organized in 1866, who.se members are homoeopathic physicians from different parts of the county, holds its meetings quarterly. There is another society known as the Worcester Medical Associa- tion, of which Walter T. Clark is president. They hold eight meetings a year. The Worcester Agricultural Societ}', incorporated in 1818, has from its formation been 'one of the most active of the many societies in the town and city. Its annual fairs, or cattle shows, as they were formerly called, have drawn large numbers of visitors from all parts of the State. For many years these fairs were held on the Common, near the Town and City Hall, but since 1853 they have been held on the grounds of the society on Agricultural street, and have become much wider in their scope, with special attention to the exhibition and trotting of horses, and this feature has probably increased the attendance very largel}-. For the past few years the annual fair has been held in connection with that of the New England Agricultural vSociety or the Bay vState Agricultural Society, with varying success. The location of the present grounds having rendered them very valu- able for residences, the societ}' has lately voted to sell the property should a favorable opportunity arise, and it is quite probable that this will be brought about within a short time. The officers of the Agricultural Society the present year are Warren C. Jewett, President; Edwin P. Curtis and Frederick H. Chamberlain, Vice-Presidents, and Leander F. Herrick, Secretary and Treasiirer. The Worcester County Horticultural vSociety, founded in 1840 and incorporated in 1842, has been for many years one of the most energetic organizations of our growing city, and has done much to encourage not only the raising of fruits and vegetables, but especially has manifested its interest in the care of the parks and shade trees of the city. Weekly exhibitions of flowers, fruits and vegetables are held during the greater part of the year, and in the winter months lectures appropriate to the aims and objects of the society have been given bj' competent persons. It has a valuable library of several hundred volumes, selected with a view to the needs of members, who have free access to it. rt. The Worcester of 1898. 227 The commodious and well-arranged hall of the society is located on Front street, and affords ample accommodations for its exhibitions, and is also a source of income. It is adorned with a fane collection of many- portraits of past and present officers. O. B. Hadwen is President; Stephen Salisbury, George E. Francis and Calvin L. Hartshorn, Vice-Presidents; A. A. Hixon, vSecretary, and Nathaniel Paine, Treasurer. The Worcester Mechanics Association was organized in 1842 with William A. Wheeler, President; Ichabod Washburn, Vice-President; Albert Tolman, vSecretary, and Elbridge G. Partridge, Treasurer. Its aim and objects as stated at that time were the "moral, intel- lectual and social improvement of its members, the perfection of the mechanic arts, and the pecuniary assistance of the needy." For more than fifty years this organization has been one of the most active and important in our city, and has done much to benefit and encourage the mechanics, who have done so much to build up and maintain its financial prosperity. The Mechanics Hall, completed and dedicated by the association in March, 1857, is still the largest and finest in the city, and is in constant demand for lectures, concerts, and other entertainments where large numbers are expected to be present ; its seating capacity is about 2,000. The association has a library of upwards of 13,000 volumes, a detailed notice of which will appear in another part of this volume. A reading- room, supplied with many of the most important newspapers and periodicals, is provided for the use of members, who very generally avail themselves of its privileges. One of the first steps taken after the organization of the association was to arrange for an annual course of lectures, the first lecture being given by Elihu Burritt ("The Learned Blacksmith"), and these have be- come so popular that for several years it has been necessary to have two courses of lectures or entertainments in order to accommodate all who wi.shed to attend. A school for instruction in mechanical, architectiiral and freehand drawing is also maintained for the benefit of members and their sons. The membership of the association, which now exceeds 1,200, is composed of the most enterprising mechanics of the city. The present Board of Management consists of James Logan, Presi- dent; Albert A. Barker, Vice-President, and William A. Smith, Clerk and Treasurer; The Worcester Natural History Society, originally called the Young Men's Library Association, was incorporated by a special act of the Legislature in 1853, and in 1854 a department devoted to the study of 228 The Worcester of 1898. natural history was organized with Reverend E. E. Hale (then pastor of the Church of the Unity) as chairman. They had accumulated a library of some considerable size and value, when in 1859 it was transferred to the city as the beginning of the Free Public Library. Previous to this, in 1856, the Worcester Lyceum, established in 1829, was merged in the Library Association, and the name changed to the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association. The collection and study of specimens in natural history soon became the principal object of the society, and in 1884 the name was again #lltllliliiJliiiil!iil!iliHililiil!lllt!|ll!!!!llllllir!il!i,;il|||il!n NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. changed by an act of the Legislature to the Worcester Natural Historv Society, by which title it is now known. The society has a large and valuable cabinet of specimens, many of them collected with special reference to the natural history of Worcester county, which has been used by the pupils in the schools of the city and others under the direction of competent instructors. Classes in various departments of natural history have been main- tained for the benefit of members, and many have availed themselves of the facilities offered in that direction. Monthly meetings are also held, with papers and discussions upon scientific subjects, to which all interested are invited. The society has lately published a valuable monograph on "The Physical Geography of Worcester," by Joseph H. Perry, with photographic illustrations by J. Chauncey Lyford. The museum of the society is at the corner of State and Harvard streets, and is open to the public without charge, from 9 a. m. to 5 r. m., The Worcester of 1898. 229 in charge of a custodian, who is ready to assist students and amatevirs in their investigations. The location of the society's building is not all that could be desired, owing to its being so far from other educational institutions of the city, and those most interested in its welfare hope that at no distant day some arrangement may be made by which the present building may be disposed of, and another obtained in a more convenient situation. The Worcester County Musical Association may not be considered as either "literarv, scientific or historical," yet it would seem an omission to make no mention of it in an account of Worcester societies, for it certainly has played an important part in the musical education of our city. Organized in 1863 for "the improvement of choirs in the performance of church music; the formation of an elevated musical taste, through the study of music in its higher departments, and a social, genial, harmonious reunion of all lovers of music," it has become one of the widest known of Worcester institutions, and has done much in the past, and bids fair to do still more in the future, to raise the standard of vocal and instrumental music not only in our own city, but in the country at large. The annual festivals or concerts are very largely attended, lovers of music from distant points as well as our own citizens availing them- selves of the opportunity offered to listen to singing from the most eminent vocalists, and music fi'om the best of orchestras. For the last few years there has been marked improvement in the character of the festivals; they have been more classical' in their tone and of greater value to real lovers of music. Charles M. Bent is the President; Daniel Downey, Vice-President; Luther M. Lovell, Secretary, and George R. Bliss, Treasurer. The Worcester Art Society was organized in 1877, and incorporated in 1887, to promote art culture, and has from its organization taken an active part in the art education of the city. Lectures are given during the winter by specialists in different branches of the fine arts, to which members of the Art Students' Club and the teachers of the public schools are invited, and they have very generally availed themselves of the privilege. From time to time loan exhibitions of paintings, engravings and bric- a-brac have been given under the management of the society, which have been very popular, affording the public an opportunity to see fine works of art owned in Worcester and elsewhere, and thereby creating and encouraging a taste for the beautiful, and tending to elevate the general tone of the community. The members of the Art vSociety have been much interested in the success of the new Art Museum, and made the first contribution to its 2 30 The Worcester of 1898. ■L .■. jRCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY. collections (a fine cast of the Venus cle Melos), and they have also taken a prominent part in the collection and arrangement of the first loan exhibition held in the new building. Since the incorporation of the Art Society, the Presidents have been Nathaniel Paine, Samuel S. Green, Charles S. Hale, Lincoln N. Kinnicutt, and Austin S. Garver, who is now the President; with Charles A. Chase and Fred. vS. Pratt, Vice- Presidents; Charles T. Davis, Clerk, and Z. W. Coombs, Treasurer. The average membership of the society is about 350. The Art Students' Club was incorporated in 1887, for "the encourage- ment, promotion and practice of art," its active membership being confined to artists and art students of Worcester, no one being eligible who is not a practical student in some branch of art. This club is one of the active organizations of the city, and is doing a good work by means of classes with competent instructors and models, the advantages of which the members avail themselves of, as is indicated by the marked improvement shown from year to year in the public exhibitions of their work. The Worcester of 1898. 231 These yearly exhibitions given by the club have come to be looked forward to with great interest by the public, and have proved of sub- stantial benefit to the members. The active membership of the club is limited to thirty, but there are about sixty honorary or fine membe:\s. Albert F. Simmons is President; George E. Gladwin, A'ice-President; Edwin Topanelian, Treasurer, and George W. Child, Secretary. The Worcester Society of Antiquit}' was organized in 1875, and incor- porated in February, 1877, its object being "to foster in its members a love and admiration for antiquarian research and archaeological science, and to rescue from oblivion such historical matter as would otherwise be lost." Although the objects of the society, as stated above, are quite e.Ktensive in their scope, it is undoubtedly true that up to the present time its work has been in the line of historical rather than antiquarian investigations, so that its name does not indicate to the public gener- ally its most successful achievements. The publication of the early records of Worcester, 1667 to 1848, and a list of births, deaths and marriages from the earliest recorded to 1848, have been of the greatest value to the historical student, and have preserved in permanent form much that was very likely to be lost or destroyed. These with the printing the Records of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, 1731 to 1737, are deserving of commen- dation, as they have been prepared with great care from the original manuscripts, and are of special value as books of reference. The annual proceedings of the societ3' have also been printed, making in all fifteen volumes published, which testify most emphatically to the activity and usefulness of the organization. There will be found in the building of the society on Salisbury street, which was erected in 1891, a large and valuable library, and an extensive collection of articles illustrating New England history, with special reference to that of Worcester county. The library and cabinet are open free to the public every week-day afternoon, and a large number avail themselves of the opportunity to visit them. During the present year a special effort has been made to interest the ladies in the work of the society, resulting in an addition of over 200 in a single month. The Society of Antiquity is distinctly a local institution, and deserves and should have the active cooperation of our citizens, which can be most practically manifested by their becoming members and taking a part in the good work it has in hand. A notice of the valuable library belonging to the society will be found in another chapter. The Worcester of 1898. 233 The officers of the society for the present year are : F. L. Hutchins, President; EUery B. Crane and William H. Sawyer, Vice-Presidents; Walter Davidson, Secretary; Henry F. iStedman, Treasurer, and Thomas A. Dickinson, Librarian. The St. Wulstan vSociety, though originally formed for social inter- course among its members, has, by reason of its being made the custodian of the "Helen C. Knovvles fund for the advancement of art education in Worcester," become identified with the educational life of the city. The society was incorporated in 1891, for the "purpose of promoting literature, art, historical and social science in Worcester, and holding and administering the Helen C. Knowles legacy for pro- moting art education in Worcester, and such other funds as may be acquired for the same and kindred objects." This fund now amounts to about $35,000, and from the income thereof the society has given in the last three years to the Worcester Art Society and the Art Students' Club the sum of $1,100 each, thereby contributing largely to the objects those societies have at heart. The present year (1898) the income has been given to the Worcester Art Museum, to be used in the formation of classes for study of art, and for exhibitions of paint- ings and other works of art. The membership of the St. Wulstan Society is limited by the by-laws to sixteen. Honorable George F. Hoar is the President; Honorable vStephen Salisbury, Vice-President; J. Evarts Greene, Clerk, and Honorable Henry A. Marsh, Treasurer. The Public School Art League was organized in 1895, the object being to "cultivate in the people, through the influence of the public school pupils, a desire for a finer life by creating among them a love for the beautiful, promoting and strengthening this love among the pupils by a more extended and artistic decorations in the school-rooms, etc." The membership of the league is limited, and it is expected that each one will use his influence in securing more artistic surroundings in the school-rooms, and also secure contributions of inoney for the purchase of appropriate objects for decoration. Enough has alread}' been accomplished by this organization in the decoration of school- rooms in different parts of the city to prove its need and the good judgment of its projectors. That its work has been appreciated by those interested in the welfare of our schools, is shown by their ready response to the call for aid to enable the league to carry out their plans for adding to the attractions of the school-rooms, for, beside contributions of money, several ladies and gentlemen have given appropriate engravings, photographs and casts, which have been suitably placed. The first president of the league was Reverend Austin S. Garver, who originally called the attention of the School Board to the project. 234 The Worcester of 189S. The officers at present are: Frank J. Darrah, President: Miss Frances- Lincoln, Vice-President; Miss Jeanie Lea Southwick, Secretary, and Samuel S. Green, Treasurer. The Worcester Art Museum, although the youngest institution of an educational nature in the city, is without doubt destined to be one of the most important, and one that will exert a refining influence upon all classes. The first meeting to take into consideration the founding of an art museum was held at the house of Honorable Stephen .Sali.sbury on the evening of February 25, 1896, thirty or forty ladies and gentlemen supposed to be interested in art, being present by invitation. At this meeting Mr. Salisbury presented a plan which he had formulated for the establishment and maintenance of such an institution, and in order to carry it out offered to present a valuable tract of over an acre of land situated on Salisbury street, and $100,000 in money, $50,000 of this sum to be used for the erection of a building and the balance to be invested for the maintenance of the Museum. This liberal offer, which had been most modestly made, was received with hearty applause by all present at the meeting, and they expressed their desire to do all that was in their power to carry out the wishes of the donor. Mr. Salisbury stated that it was his wish that a corporation, to con- sist of fifty ladies and gentlemen, should be formed to hold in trust the money and land he had given, for the " benefit of all the people of the city of Worcester," and at a subsequent meeting, held March 24, 1896, steps were taken to secure a charter. At this meeting bj'-laws were adopted and officers elected. The first Board of Directors consisted of Daniel Merriman, President; Francis H. Dewey, Vice-President; T. Hovey Gage, Jr., Secretary; Lincoln N. Kinnicutt, Treasurer, and Charles H. Davis, Lyman A. Ely, George E. Francis, John G. Heywood, Thomas C. Mendenhall, Mrs. Helen B. Merriman, Miss ^lary Perley and Nathaniel Paine, Directors. Very soon after the organization the directors took steps for the erection of a fire-proof building, and plans prepared by Messrs. Earle & Fisher of Worcester were adopted, and a contract was made with Norcross Bros, of Worcester for carr3-ing out the plans at a cost of $90,000. Early in 1897 Mr. Salisbury made an additional gift of land in the rear of the proposed building, and he has also assumed the expense of grading and beautifying the grounds about the Museum. It was soon found that to meet the expense of the proposed building more money would be required, and an appeal was made to the public for a subscription of $50,000 additional, to be called the "Associate Founders' vSubscription." Of this amount over $40,000 has already been subscribed, and it is confidently expected that the balance will be The Worcester of 1898. 235; obtained within a short time The subscriptions to the fund have been very general, all classes of our citizens taking part in it, the amounts given ranging from five cents to $3,000. The corner-stone of the Museum building was laid June 24, 1897, with appropriate ceremonies. His Excellency Governor Roger Wolcott and His Honor Mayor A. B. R. vSprague being present and taking part in the exercises. It was completed and formally opened on the evening of May 10, 1898, with a loan exhibition of oil and water-color paintings, which had been procured and arranged by members of the Worcester Art Society. Long before the completion of the building, several gifts of casts from antique statues had been made to the corporation, and many of these were on exhibition the opening night. The first gift of this kind was from the Worcester Art Society, a fine cast of the Venus of Melos, and soon after the Worcester Woman's Club presented a cast of the famous statue of Nike (Victory) of vSamothrake, since which between twenty and thirty more casts have been presented by various societies, clubs and other organizations of the city. The Museum is open every afternoon but Monday; Saturdays and Sundays being free, and a charge of twenty-five cents the other days. Any person subscribing five dollars towards the maintenance of the Museum is furnished with a ticket giving admission to the exhibitions for one year. The Worcester Mycological Society was organized in 1895 for the study of fungi, with special reference to the edible and non-poisonous- mushrooms of Worcester county. Meetings are held during the summer and fall, at which specimens are exhibited and classified, great interest being manifested- by the members. Specimens are also exhibited at the weekly meetings of the Horticultural ^Society. George E. Francis is the president. The Ridgway Ornithological Club was organized in 1889, for the study of the habits and structure of birds. It also assists the ornitho- logical bureau of the U. S. Department of Agriculture in gathering material for its work. Oscar F. Dodge is its president, and H. B. Long, secretary. In concluding this brief notice of the literary, scientific and historical societies of Worcester, it should be said that there are other organiza- tions that might properly be mentioned under this head, for connected with our schools and institutions of learning there are societies and clubs for literary or scientific study, but the limited space allowed for the subject does not permit of mention of them. °*% HENRY L. PARKER. PUBLIC CHARITIES. Bv THE Honorable Henry L. Parker.* |P2^V cities of like population present a longer list of noble charities than the city of Worcester. They are designed to I'each and alleviate almost ever}^ known form of human distress. For those suffering from bodily injury or stricken with acute disease, and without financial means, free surgical or medical treatment is pro- vided. Families suddenly rendered homeless are sheltei^ed and fed until they can provide food and shelter for themselves. Orphan children are furnished a comfortable home until they reach siich maturity as to become self-supporting. Trained nurses whose ministrations are gratuitous cheer and comfort the last days of the indigent victim of cancer, or other incurable disease. Even the tramp finds a rest for his weary feet with food and a night's lodging, on compliance with a few simple rules of the institution pro- vided for the purpose. The charities of the city may be classed under the general heads of Hospitals, Homes and Organizations. HOSPITALS. The Citv Hospital, situated on Jaques avenue, was incorporated in 1 87 1, and is under the management of nine trustees chosen by the City Council in concurrence. This hospital has received from the estate of George Jacques, and from the gifts and bequests of many other citizens, a sum amounting in all to about $380,000. It contains a lying-in department (a feature unknown to nearly every other hospital), called the Knowles Maternity Ward. It has also a Training School for Nurses. During the year ending November 30,. 1897, out of 1,582 patients admitted, 1,442 received free treatment. *See sketch in Biographical Department. The Worcester of 1898. 239 The Isolation Hospital. Belmont street, near Adams street. This hospital was opened by the city in November, 1896, and is under the control of the city Board of Health, and is designed for the treatment ■of cases of diphtheria and scarlet fever onl}'. Nurses ai^e furnished by the City Hospital, and patients, if unable to ■pay, are admitted for free treatment. Memorial Home for Nurses. Jaques avenue. This munificent gift ■of a home for the City Hospital nurses was presented to the city in 1897 by the late Edward C. Thayer of Keene, New Hampshire. A costly building has been already erected opposite the main entrance of the City Hospital. Memorial Hosittal. Belmont street. The Memorial Hospital for women and children was endowed by Ichabod Washburn and incor- porated in 1 87 1. A dispensary, called the Washburn Free Dispensary, was established in 1874, and the hospital itself was opened in 1888. It is free for the admission of women and children who are unable to pa}', although payment is expected from those treated who have means. The cases taken are mostly incurables, although the hospital is not strictly limited to such. The Worcester Hahnemann Hospital. 46 Providence street (ho- moeopathic i. This institution was opened in 1896. By the provisions ■of its by-laws, it is intended to be as nearly as possible a charitable institution. It has received, within the past year, the bequest of a ■considerable sum for the maintenance of free beds. St. Vincent's Hospital. Vernon street, corner Winthrop. Incor- porated 1878. This is a Catholic institution, and intended primarily for members of that church, from which it receives support, but free treatment is given in many cases without regard to sect or nationality. During the past year this instittition, having outgrown its old quar- ters, has commenced the erection of a new, commodious and well- appointed brick building upon a site near by, and unsurpassed for purity of air and magnificence of view. The corner-stone was laid on October 9, 1898, with impressive ceremonies, and in the presence of about 8,000 people. Its entire frontage when completed will be 230 feet. FREE DISPENSARIES. The City Hospital, Jaques avenue. Worcester Homceopathic Hospital, 44 ^Vaverley street. Memorial Hospital, Belmont street. The Worcester of 1898. 241 HOMES. The Home Farm. The City Almshouse thus designated is located on Lincoln street, at the corner of Boylston. This institution bears ample evidence, if any were needed, of the genesis of a social con- science, and its inmates may well rejoice that they were born in these humanitarian days, for throughout all its appointments, from its eupho- nistic name to every detail, there seems a design to diminish (so far as consistent with the interest of the public') the humiliation and burden of poverty. The farm consists of about 450 acres of land, with commodious, well- equipped buildings and sanitary arrangements, and is operated partly by the inmates and partly by paid employees. The inmates number about 200, of whom nearly one-half are insane or idiotic. There is a separate department for the insane, and a complete separation of the sexes. The report of the (State) inspector of institutions for 1897 contains this endorsement: "This almshouse is a large and well-managed insti- tution. The house is under most efficient management, and is scrupu- lously clean, and orderly. Regular medical inspection is provided." Home for Aged Men, i 199 Main street. Incorporated 1876. Ben- eficiaries who are admitted must be at least fifty-five years of age, natives of the United States, and residents of Worcester for ten years previous to admission. Payment of the sum of $150, and the proper ■observance of all rules and regulations, entitle a beneficiary to the privileges of the institution during life. Home for Aged Women. 1183 Main street. Incorporated 1869. A large endowment for this institution was left by the provisions of the will of the late Ichabod Washburn, and this endowment has been increased by contributions amounting to several thousand dollars from ■other citizens of Worcester. Widows, and females who have never been married are the only beneficiaries, and especially those "who have not been the recipients of public charity, but have respectably sustained a struggle with disease or misfortune." None are excluded on account •of sect or nationality, although preference is given to those of American birth. An admission fee of $100 may be required from applicants, but is not imperative. Temporary Home and Day Nursery. 204 Southbridge street. Incorporated in 1892. vShelter is provided for a few days or weeks, as the case may be, for women and children temporarily deprived of a home. Compensation is expected in work if possible. At the Day Nursery, in the same building, working-women may leave their young children as they go to their work in the morning, and call The Worcester of 1898. 243: for them at night. For a trifling charge the children are furnished with a dinner, and otherwise cared for. The Welcome Mission. 62 Madison street. Organized 1894. This institution is under the auspices of the Worcester Local Union of the Society of Christian Endeavor, and is under the superintendence of William E. Oakley. It is a temporary refuge for the tramp, who is expected to render some equivalent for the food and lodging furnished him. This is done by the conversion of cord wood into fuel for kind- ling, and by work in the potato field, several acres of which the Mission has under culture. Worcester Children's Friend Society. Main, corner of Benefit street. Organized in 1848. This institution is more properly known as the Orphans' Home. Children of three years of age and upwards without parents, or with only one parent, but unable to properly support them, are admitted, cared for and educated until homes can be found for them. Similar homes are provided for orphan children in the following Catholic institutions: The St. Francis's Orphanage, 10 Bleeker street. Sisters of Charitj' (Gray Nuns), Granite street. Sisters of Mercy, 46 High street. Sisters of Notre Dame, 34 Vernon street. Sisters of Providence, 73 Vernon street. Sisters of St. Anne, 3 i Park street. The vSisters in charge of these respective homes also do much charitable work in visitation of the sick. The Young Women's Christl\n Association. Nos. 6, 8 and lo Chatham street. Incorporated in 1885. Though organized primarily on religious lines, it is the centre of much charitable work. It provides a home at low rates for working-girls, designed more especially for those having no comfortable home, and especially for young girls coming as strangers to the city for employment. It provides also educational and industrial classes, and contains a library, reading-room, gymnasium, directory for nurses, and an employment bureau. Two new features of the Y. W. C. A. are the travelers' aid work at the Union Station and the vacation home at Princeton. OBGANIZATIONS. The Worcester Employment Society. Rooms, 518 Main street. Organized in 1875 and incorporated 1885. This is one of the oldest charitable societies in the city, and the object of its organization, as set forth in its charter, is " the purpose of assisting needy and deserving 244 The Worcester of 1898. HOME FOR AGED MEN. women by giving them employment and otherwise." The employment furnished is sewing, and the compensation moderate, but many women have found this their only means of support. The Good Samaritan Society of Worcester. 200 Southbridge street. Organized 1892. The object of the society is to loan to the sick and needy such articles as may be required by them. Memorial Hospital Aid vSocietv. This society consists of an association of ladies, the principal feature of whose work is district HOME FOR AGED WOMEN. The Worcester of 1898. 245. nursing, or the care of the sick poor in their own homes. Tlie cases treated are mostly incurable, and many are patients who have been discharged from the hospital, but the work is not limited as to sex or the character of the disease. Two trained nurses are regularly employed who are graduated from the Memorial Hospital, and in case of emergency, temporary nurses are also supplied. These nurses visit their patients at stated intervals, and their minis- trations in applying new dressings to those aiflicted with cancer and ills of a like nature, bathing, disinfecting, and other ministrations, are invaluable to the siifferers. The City Missionary Society was chartered in 1883, and although organized primarily for religious and missionary purposes, it has inci- dentally carried on much charitable work, notably the establishment of free sewing-schools and the "Fresh Air Fund." The Board of Associated Charities was organized in 1890. Like other organizations of a like name and character in all large cities, its work is intended to reduce almsgiving to a system — to furnish to all benevolent societies of the city, and all tlie churches of whatever denomination, a central bureau of information, through the agency of which fraud may be detected, and relief extended to the needy, with proper discrimination, and with the assurance that it is productive of good results. There are many other societies and institutions of a less public char- acter, some of which are the offspring of a parent organization, and some the charitable features of which are confined for the most part to individual members. A full description of their work could not well be given within the limited space allowed this article. Among these are the Odd Fellows' Home; Geo. H. Ward Post 10, Grand Army of the Republic; Woman's Board of the' Baldwinsville Hospital Cottages, Worcester Branch; Worcester Boys' Club; Worcester Police Relief Association. GEORGE JAQUES. WORCESTER'S BENEFACTORS AND TRUST FUNDS. By the Hoxorable Hexrv A. Marsh.* jJHERE are few cities, if any, in the country that surpass the city of Worcester in the number and amount of gifts of money or its equivalent which have been made by its citizens to the several institu- tions and to the city itself during the last fifty years. It is estimated that the sum total of such gifts will exceed in value $5,000,000. A complete list of such benefactions would be too long for publication here, but appropriate mention of many of the larger gifts to institutions and the like will be made in other chapters of this volume. The gifts distinctly made to the city as a municipality are noteworthy, and are here recorded : CITY HOSPITAL. By deed, March 12, 1872, George Jacjues gave to the city of Worces- ter, as a site for a public city hospital, "a certain parcel of land situated in said city of Worcester, bounded on the north by Prince street (now Jaques avenue) . . . . ; on the east by Queen street on the south by land now or formerly of Samuel H. Colton . . . . ; and on the west by King street . . . . ; said parcel of land con- taining by estimate one hundred and fifty thousand, six hundred and forty-three (150,643) square feet," and valued at $35,000. George Jaques died August 24, 1872. In his will dated May 29, 1872, after giving legacies to the amount of about $20,000, he disposed of the balance of his estate in the following language : "All the rest, residue and remainder of mv estate, real, personal or mixed, not herein other- wise disposed of, of which I may die seized and possessed, or to which I may be entitled at the time of my decease, .... I give, devise and bequeath unto the city of Worcester. In trust, however, to be by the city applied to the sole and particular use and benefit of the institu- 'See sketch in Biographical Department. 248 The Worcester of 1898. tion recently established and known as the Worcester City Hospital." The value of this generous gift is estimated to exceed $200,000. In recognition of this noble and beneficent act of Mr. Jaques, a marble tablet was placed in the hallway of the administration building bearing the following appropriate inscription : IN MKMORV OF GEORGE JAQUES, BORN FEBRUARY iS, lSl6, DIED AUGUST 24, IS72, WHO GAVE THE SITE OF THIS BUILDING TO THE CITY OF \VORCESTER FOU A PUISLIC IIOSI'ITAL, AND LEFT MOST OF HIS LARGE ESTATE FOR ITS SUI'1'ORT, A GRATEFUL CITY PLACES THIS TABLET. THOUGH IT SI'EAKS TO MANY GENERATIONS, THE BLESSINGS OF HIS GIFT AND THE GRATITUDE OF OUR CITIZENS WILL OUTLAST THE STONE. Albert Curtis in 1874 gave a consulting library of medical books, and in January, 1875, continbuted $1,000 as a fund, the interest thereof to be expended for replenishing this library. Isaac Davis in 1873 gave $1,000 to the hospital, which was to accu- mulate until it became $2,000, after which time "the income was to be applied to the support of poor and destitute persons who are admitted to the hospital, and are imable to pay their expenses while there." John Boyer vShaw gave, by will dated March 22, 1872, a bequest to the City Hospital of one-fifth part of his property, subject to a life interest. This fund when realized amounted to $2,000. In 188.1 a bequest of $5,000 was made by Joseph A. Tenney for the general purposes of the hospital. The will of the late Honorable Stephen Salisbury, probated in 1884, contained the following provision: "I give and bequeath to the City Hospital of Worcester $3,000 on condition that the Trustees of that hospital shall provide three free beds in that hospital, in perpetuity, for the treatment of suitable patients unable to make payment therefor, and that my son Stephen shall have the right to offer candidates for the occupation of those free beds." A few days after the above was received, the Trustees were calleil too-ether at a special meeting to receive the announcement of a gift of $6,000 from Mrs. Sarah Gill to the city of Worcester, to be used under the direction of the Trustees in building a new pavilion or ward for male patients, in memf)ry of her husband, the late George W. Gill. In The Worcester of 1898. 249 order to provide for a building of suitable proportions in connection with the Gill Ward, the gift of Mrs. Gill was supplemented in 1885 by one of $12,000 from Stephen Salisbury, Esq., one of the Trustees. In the will of the late Mrs. Helen C. Knowles, probated in 1884, was a gift of $25,000 for the maintenance of a ward in the City Hospital, " to be devoted to the treatment of poor women and children who are afflicted with incurable diseases; or for lying-in purpo.ses, in which latter case the principal may be used for building." The Trustees elected to make use of the bequest of Mrs. Knowles for lying-in purposes, and caused to be erected the spacious and finely equipped Knowles Maternity Ward. Through Mrs. Knowles' wise beneficence, the cit}' has been able to make excellent provision for the care and comfort of those for whom this charity was established. In 1886 a gift of $500 was received from Doctor Joseph .Sargent for the purpose of increasing the medical library of the hospital. In 1889 Mrs. Sarah L. Hammond presented to the hospital a valuable library of about 250 volumes in a handsome black walnut case. This important acquisition was gratefully acknowledged, and the books were placed in the nurses' parlor. In 1892 the sum of $1,000 was received from the estate of the late Edwin Conant in accordance with a bequest in his will; also $5,000 from Mrs. Mary E. D. Stoddard, the income to be used for the benefit of patients, especially in providing "delicacies, flowers, drives, clothing, or other comforts which would not otherwise be generally furnished." In 1892 the unexpended balance of the Fourth of July fund of $868 was given to the hospital. Under the provisions of the will of the late Elbridge G. Patridge, the hospital received in 1894 from his executor the sum of $1,000. In 1896 the sum of $2,631 was received from the estate of the late David M. Mclntire, in accordance with a clause in his will. On the 1 2th of March, 1895, Colonel .Samuel E. Winslow sent to the president of the Board of Trustees of the hospital a communication, in which he used these w^ords; "It is m\- desire to give to the Trustees of the Worcester City Hospital a sum of money not to exceed $10,000, to be used under the direction of your board for the construction and equipment of an operating department to be known as the Samuel Winslow Surgery," and he added that "the purpose of this offer is to establish a memorial to one who loved dearly the citj' of Worcester and never wearied in laboring for the welfare of its citizens." Sub.sequently to the sending of this communication, it becoming evident to him that the cost of what he had proposed would, under the accepted plans, very considerably exceed the sum he had named, he supplemented his first offer with another equally generous. He pro- EDWARD C. THAYER. The Worcester of 1898. 251 posed, if agreeable to the Trustees, to assume himself all the care and responsibility of construction, equipment and cost, and to deliver the building to the board, completed and furnished, ready for occupancy, a proposal which was gratefully accepted. March 12, 1897, Mr. Edward C. Thayer of Keene, New Hampshire, offered to erect and present to the city a home for the Cit}' Hospital nurses, as a memorial of his sisters, Sarah Thayer Chapin and Louisa Thayer Chapin, who were successively the wives of the late Judge Chapin, mayor of Worcester in 1849, '5°. ^"d '70, at a cost to himself of not less than $35,000. The cost of the building finished and fur- nished exceeded $50,000. The City Council and Hospital Trustees gave hearty expression to Mr. Thayer of their appreciative sense of his timely and generous gift. Miss Margaret C. Chapin, a niece of Mr. Thayer, also made generous contributions towards furnishing the new home. Upon either side of the vestibule of this memorial building are appropriate and appreciative tablets of bronze. The tablet on the left side reads as follows: This Memorial Bu-ii,i>in<;, designed especially to be a home eor the nurses of the city hospital, and to afford accommodatio.n for the city hospital trainini; school for nurses, was erected and fl'rnished and given to the city of worcester, A. D. 1S97, BV MR. EDWARD C. THAYER OF KEENE, N. H., AND IS BV HIM AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF HIS SISTERS — MRS. SARAH THAYER CHAPIN AND MRS. LOUISA THAYER CHAPIN, TO THE END THAT THE CHRISTIAN GRACES OF CHARITY AND BENEVOLENCE, SO CONSPICUOUSLY' MANIFESTED IN THEIR BEAUTIFUL LIVES, MAY BE FITLY HONORED AND PERPETUALLY COMMEMORATED IN THE CITY WHICH WAS SO LONG THEIR HOME. 252 The Worcester of if MEMORIAL HOME FOR NURSES. The tablet on the right reads: THIS TABLET IS PLACED HERE TO EXPRESS THE GRATITUDE OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CITY HOSPITAL TO JIR. EDWARD C. THAYER FOR THE GIFT OF THIS NURSES' HOME. IN DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT THE BUILDING LEAVES NOTHING TO BE DESIRED. WITHIN AND WITHOUT IT REFLECTS THE GOOD TASTE AND WISE PHILANTHROPY OF THE GIVER, AND HONORS ALIKE THE CITY AND THE HOSPITAL. The City Hospital has received in gifts from individuals in twenty- seven 3-ears nearly $400,000. Soldiers' Monument. In 1867 a popular subscription to build a soldiers' monument on the Common resulted in securing the sum of $15,000, which, together with a grant of $35,000 from the City Council in 1 87 1, was sufficient to secure its erection. BiGELOW Monument. The Italian marble monument on the Com- mon which marks the last resting-place of the distinguished Revolu- tionary patriot, Colonel Timothy Bigelow, wks the gift in 1861 of his great grandson, Timothy Bigelow Lawrence. The Worcester of 1898. 253 Dkwev Charity Fund. In 1S89 the Francis H. Dewey Charity Fund of $2,000 was given to the city, and the income tliereof to be spent for the poor and needy citizens on Thanksgiving day. Bancroft Endowment Fund. The Bancroft Endowment Fund, or the Aaron and Lucretia Bancroft Scholarship, was established in 1886 by the gift of $10,000 from the late Honorable George Bancroft, in memory of his parents, "the income of the fund to be expended in aiding in the liberal education of some of our scholars, who from time to time shall be selected from the citizens of Worcester by a Board of Trustees." Bullock Medal Fund. In 1859 Honorable Alexander H. Bullock established the Bullock INIedal Fund by the gift of $1,000, the income of which was to be expended in silver medals to be awarded to merito- rious scholars of the high school. Of late years, by consent of the members of the family of Mr. Bullock, the income has been applied to the increase of the high school library, and the principal of the fund has been augmented by the gift of $500 from A. G. Bullock, Escj. Free Public Library. Towards the close of the year 1859, the late Doctor John Green and the Lyceum and Library Association offered to give, upon certain conditions, to the city, libraries containing respect- ively 7,000 and 4,500 volumes, to form the nucleus of a public library. The offer was accepted by the City Council, and an ordinance estab- lishing the Free Public Library was passed December 23 of the same year. Doctor Green, subsequently to his first gift, gave at different times about 5,000 more volumes. Doctor Green died in 1865, and left by will $30,000, to be designated as the Green Library Fund. One provision of the bequest was that one- quarter of the income from the fund should be added to the principal every year, and the remainder spent in the purchase of books for the reference department. This fund with its accretions now amounts to $49,834.71, and another bequest of Doctor Green, known as the Libra- rian's Fund, now amounts to $4,149. No income from this fund will be available until the accumulation of interest has made the principal $20,000. Reading-Room Fund. In 1865, mainly through the efforts of Honor- able George F. Hoar, the sum of $10,856.74 was raised by popular subscription for a reading-room fund, the income of which is used to provide reviews, magazines and newspapers for the Free Public Library. Gifts by Isaiah Thomas. November 3, 1806, it was I'otcd, That the town do approve and allow of a town way or street laid out by the Selectmen through the land of Isaiah Thomas, Esq.. and Captain Daniel Heywood, by the name of Thomas street ; and DOCTOR JOHN GREEN. The Worcester of ii 255 I'o/tc/, That the thanks of the town be given to Isaiah Thomas, Esq., for his generosity in giving the land for said street and building the bridge, and making the street in complete repair to be traveled on, without any expense to the town. November 14, 1831, the town voted to accept the bequest of Isaiah Thomas of the lot of land at the corner of Thomas and vSummer streets, with the condition that the town erect thereon "a large and handsome brick school-house or academ}'." Public Parks. " In 1 884, by virtue of arrangements perfected between themselves, by Honorable Edward L. Davis and Horace H. Bigelow, the city became owner in fee and free gift of 1 10 acres of forest and open HOME FARM. land lying along the westerly shore of Lake Quinsigamond, coupled with the further present, from Mr. Davis, of $5,000 to be expended in suitable surveys, plans, and work of development as needed. No gift could have been more timely for its influence upon the community, or welcome in itself. "To its resultant influence may be largely attributed the wonderful settlement along the shores of the lake, which, within a decade, has seen the occupation of almost every available building-site upon either shore, and the construction of a considerable village but a little way inland from Lake park. Subsequently, Mr. Davis caused to be built, by the famous Norcross Brothers, a stone tower, upon the loftiest point of observation in the park, so cyclopean in mass and method that its endurance may well challenge the worst ravages of time. The cost of that tower could not have been less than $8,000. 256 The Worcester of li ISOLATION HOSPITAL. " vStephen Salisbury, Esq., in 1887, convej'ed to the city, for use and enjoyment as a public park, some seventeen acres of most eligible land conveniently located along the southerly shore of {Salisbury pond, in perpetuit}', under certain restrictions that were duly accepted by the City Council. One condition was that it should be named and known as Institute park. Upon it Mr. Salisbury has expended, from his indi- vidual means, well nigh $50,000 in the erection of boat and summer houses, sanitary conveniences, thoroughly constructed drives, and exten- sive plantation. His interest in that park is unfailing, and his generosity continually manifests itself in constant effort to increase its attractions." — Edzvard Winsloiv Lincoln in iSgj. October i, 1890, Thomas H. Dodge, Esq., presented to the city a public ground in the northerly part of Worcester, comprising thirteen acres, situated between West Boylston and Burncoat streets, in the vicinity of the Odd Fellows' Home. This is known as Dodge park. The recent gift to the city by Charles D. Boynton of 130 acres of land in Paxton and Holden for a public park, sanitarium, or hospital, is a notable accession in this list of benefactions. The gift was accepted by vote of the City Council in October, 1898. Curtis Ch.\pei.. On the 31st day of January, 1890, Mr. Albert Curtis submitted to the Commissioners of Hope Cemetery plans for a stone The Worcester of li 257 chapel, to be erected on the grounds, and offered to build the same at his expense. The board accepted the donation by a vote of thanks. It was appropriately dedicated on the 31st day of January, 1891. Its cost was $12,000. Relief Funds. The citizens of Worcester have contributed to many public relief funds in the past, the first, perhaps, being in aid of the Greeks seventy or more years ago. Within the last eighteen years monev has been contributed to several such funds, as follows : Irish relief fund, iSSo, Forest fires in Michigan, 18S1, . Charleston earthquake sufiierers, Yellow fever sufferers, 1888, Conemaugh valley flood, 1889, . Armenian relief. 1886. $3,964 3,126 2.759 2,177 15,696 2,115 S29,S;,7 CURTIS CHAPEL, HOPE CEMETERY. ALFRED S. ROE. WORCESTER IN THE GENERAL COURT. By the Honorable Alfred S. Roe.* 1^ JN aged gentleman, Mr. Peregrine B. Gilbert of 45 Chatham street, is the only survivor of the delegation elected to the General Court by the town of Worcester in 1847. He also had served the preceding year. Alexander H. Bullock served with him in the same years, with D. Waldo Lincoln in 1847, and Samuel Davis in 1848. Mr. Gilbert's vole helped secure the city charter, and during the intervening fifty years he has seen nearly 200 different Worcester men hold places in the popular branch of the Legislature. The city sent, for each of the first three years of her existence, a delegation of three men. In 1 8 5 1 the number was raised to five, and this continued till 1868, when one more was added, and six was the citys quota for the following nine years. In 1877 the new apportionment gave Worcester eight representatives, and that is the number to-da}', though the apportionment of 1 896 really entitled her to nine. Had the city then been divided into nine instead of eight wards, we should have gained a new member. Worcester has not always claimed all that she deserved. Just 169 men have repre- sented the Heart of the Commonwealth in her fifty years of city life, where the number might have been 320.-f- It is evident that many members have served more than one year; indeed, the average is nearly two years for every one. The longest term held by one man was that of James H. Mellen, fourteen ; the next that of Eugene M. Moriarty, eleven years. The oldest surviving member, in years, is John P. Marble of 33 Harvard street, born in Charlton October i, 1806. He represented Charlton in 1840, and Worcester in 1865. In the .Senate there have been thirty-four different members from Worcester city, and of these just one-half had had previous experience in the House. While the majority of the senators held their positions but one year, very many served two. Three senators were elected for three years each, and one served four years. In 185 1 the senator from * See sketch in Biographical Department. f To bring these data to date, the Legislature of 1S9S is included, thus making the record that of fifty-one years. 26o The Worcester of 1898. the district including Worcester was Colonel Alexander DeWitt of Oxford, later a representative in Congress, but he could hardly be classed with our Worcester delegation. As the city grew, she became a district by herself. In 1886 Wards 2 and 3 with towns to the north- ward, including the city of Fitchburg, became the Foiirth Worcester District, hence the city has at times had two members in the Senate. The redistricting of 1896 threw Wards i, 2 and 3 into the 2d Worcester District, having nine towns with these wards, and again Worcester had two senators. During our half century, Worcester furnished one speaker for the House, Alexander H. Bullock, 1862, '63, '64, '65, and two presidents of the Senate, H. W. Benchley, 1855, and Alfred S. Pinkerton, 1892 and '93, while J. B. D. Cogswell, who was a representative from this city in 1857, was president, 1877, '78. '79> ^^ that time a senator from the Cape Dis- trict. From the lists of representatives and senators, we can select one governor, Alexander H. Bullock, 1866, '67 and '68; four representatives in Congress, Eli Thayer, George F. Hoar, William W. Rice and Joseph H. Walker; one United States senator, George F. Hoar, 1877 — ; one judge of the .Supreme Court, Pliny Merrick; two judges of the Superior Court, Francis H. Dewey and P. Emory Aldrich; and no less than thirteen men who have been mayors of the city, viz., Peter C. Bacon, John S. C. Knowlton, Isaac Davis, Alexander H. Bullock, William W. Rice, P. Emory Aldrich, Edward Earle, George F. Verry, Edward L. Davis, Charles B. Pratt, E. B. Stoddard, S. E. Hildreth and Samuel Winslow. While the emoluments of the offices are not great, there has never been a dearth of candidates, all classes deeming the positions honorable ones. The record of contests is entertaining, for therein we may find that employer and employee were frequently pitted against each other, and the employer did not always win. In politics, till the forma- tion of the Republican party, this was a Whig city. Since then the large majority of legislators have been Republicans, though the massing of Democrats in Wards 3, 4 and 5 has nearly always, in later years, given to them representatives of their own politics. The first name of Irish origin in the list is that of Patrick O'Keefe, 1861. Only one Swede has been sent by the city to the capitol, A. Edwin Enberg, in 1897. In originating and securing salutary legislation, Worcester has done her part. As a rule, her representatives in both branches have worked in union unless separated by the demands of party politics, the latter condition, however, being infrequent. Usually the delegations have been able to speak for themselves, and the influence of the Heart of the Commonwealth has uniformly been one to be reckoned with, both for and against the manv measures that annuallv are submitted to the The Worcester of 1898. 261 Legislature. While the great majority of members of the House ser\^e one }'ear only, the long terms accorded to those from Worcester have perceptibly added to their influence. While Worcester legislators have carefull}- followed the wants and needs of their own city, they have not been wanting in zeal for matters applying to the public generally. Indeed, were the laws pertaining to education, temperance, labor and ta:!vation which are owed to Worcester efforts to be stricken from the statutes, the blue book would be honey- combed. Very likely many would not regret the absence of many enactments referred to, but none the less they stand to-day as results of the effort of Worcester men in the Legislature of the Commonwealth. House, 1848-1898. 1848 — Ale.K. H. Bullock, P. B. Gilbert, Samuel Davis. 1849 — Peter C. Bacon, Albert Tolman, Charles White. 1850 — John M. Earle, Albert Tolman, Charles White. 1851 — John M. Earle, Charles Washburn, Benj. Flagg_ John F. Gleason, Edward Earle. 1852 — George F. Hoar, Isaac Davis, John ^I. Earle, Putman W. Taft, John F. Gleason. 1853 — Eli Thayer, Charles White, Edward Lamb, Henry W. Benchley, George W. Gill. 1854 — Henry W. Benchley, H. H. Chamberlin, George W. Gill, Edward Lamb, Eli Thayer. 1855 — Harrison Bliss, Daniel E. Chapin, Waterman A. Fisher, Austin L. Rogers, Putman W. Taft. 1856 — Harrison Bliss, Elijah B. Stoddard, Putman W. Taft, George W. Russell, John H. Brooks. J857— J. B. D. Cogswell, Wm. T. Merrifield, De.xter F. Parker, George F. Thompson, Stephen P. Twiss. 1858 — Albert L. Benchley, Ale.xander Thayer, Dexter F. Parker, James S. Woodworth, O. H. Tillotson. 1859 — George Chandler, Albert Tolman, Henry C. Rice, Charles B. Pratt, Marcus Barrett. 1S60 — Henry C. Rice, Benj. F. Otis. Samuel A. Knox, Joseph Pratt, Timothy S. Stone. ,861— Alex. H. Bullock, Dexter F. Parker, Jos. D. Daniels, Benj. F. Otis, Patrick O'Keefe. 1862 — Alex. H. Bullock, Delano A. Goddard, Jos. D. Daniels, Samuel Souther, John L. Murphy. 1863 — Alex. H. Bullock, Warren Williams. Samuel Souther, Jerome A. Ladd, E. G. Warren. 1864 — Alex. H. Bullock, Warren Williams, F. W. Wellington, George A. Brown, Edwin Draper. 1865 — Alex. H. Bullock, George A. Brown, John P. Marble. Charles H. Ballard, Edwin Draper. v-iSW'fcfck ELLERY B^ CRANE. The Worcester of 1898. 263 1866 — P. Emory Aldrich, Thos. E. St. John, Fitzroy Willard, M. J. McCafferty, Geo. R. Peckham. 1867 — P. Emory Aldrich, Jonathan C. French, A. G. Goes, Geo. R. Peck- ham, John C. Bigelow. 1868 — Delano A. Goddard, Warren Williams, Aaron G. Walker, Edward S. Stebbins, James S. Woodworth, Prescott A. Thompson. 1869 — Warren Williams, Thomas L. Nelson, A. G. Goes, John Dean, Geo. M. Woodward, Welcome W. Sprague. 1870 — John W. Wetherell, Daniel W. Bemis, Thomas Earle, Edwin T. Marble, Dorrance S. Goddard, Thomas Gates. 1871 — Lewis Barnard, Charles L. Putnam, John S. Baldwin, Jos. R. Torrey, Thomas Gates, William Mulligan (Pa.xton). 1872 — Lewis Barnard, John Gates, John S. Baldwin, Joseph R. Torrey, George P. Kendrick, Burton W. Potter. 1873 — ^T. W. Wellington, John Gates, Samuel Winslow, Samuel E. Hil- dreth, Joseph H. Titus, Geo. P. Kendrick. 1874 — T. W. Wellington, Samuel Winslow, Emory Banister, Jas. E. Estabrook, Andrew Athy, Thomas Gates. 1875 — William W. Rice, Samuel R. Heywood, Enoch H. Towne, Andrew Athy, James E. Estabrook, Osgood Bradley, Jr. 1876 — John W. Wetherell, Samuel R. Heywood, Osgood Bradley, Jr., John D. Washburn, M. |. McCafiferty, Jeremiah Murphy. 1877 — Thos. J. Hastings, Samuel R. Heywood, John D. Washburn, John D. Lovell, Frank P. Goulding, M. J. .McCafferty. James H. Mellen, Cornelius O'Sullivan. 1878 — Thos. J. Hastings, Wm. A. S. Smythe, Frank D. Leary, Philip Moore, James H. Mellen, Frank P. Goulding, John D. Lovell, John D. Washburn. 1879 — Thos. J. Hastings, Wm. A. S. Smythe, Frank D. Leary, M. J. McCafferty, James H. Mellen. Jns. H. Walker, Calvin L. Hartshorn, John D. Washburn. 1880 — Thos. J. Hastings, M. V. B. Jeft'erson, E. M. ^iloriarty, Francis Plunkett, John R. Thayer, Jos. H. Walker, Calvin L. Hartshorn. J. Marcus Rice. 1881 — Aaron S. Walker, M. \'. B. Jefferson, E. ^I. Moriarty, Francis Plunkett, James H. Mellen, Asaph R. Marshall. Edwin Ames, Wm. L. Clark. 1882 — Aaron G. Walker. Samuel A. Porter, E. :\I. Moriarty, David F. O'Connell, John R. Thayer, Asaph R. ^larshall. Edwin Ames, Wm. L. Clark. 1883 — Aaron G. Walker, Forrest E. Barker, E. M. Moriarty, David F. O'Connell, James H. Mellen, Geo. H. Ball, Geo. E. Batchelder, Burton W. Potter. 1884 — Aaron G. Walker. Forrest E. Barker, James Connor, John J. O'Gor- man, J. F. H. Mooney, Geo. H. Ball, Geo. E. Batchelder (resigned), Emerson Warner, Burton W. Potter. 264 The Worcester of 1898. 1885 — Aug. N. Currier, Henrj' M. Smith, John F. O'Connor, James J. Tierney, Jos. S. Perry, Loring Coes. Emerson Warner, Joseph Mason. 1886 — Aug. N. Currier, Henry M. Smith, John F. O'Connor, James H. Mellen, Thos. W. Butler, Loring Coes, Henry L. Parker, Joseph Mason. 1887 — Thos. G. Kent, Alfred S. Pinkerton, John F. O'Connor, Peter A. Conlin, Thos. W. Butler, Jos. H. Walker, Henry L. Parker, Wm. A. Gile. r888 — Jos. P. Cheney, Jr., Alfred S. Pinkerton, Peter T. Carroll, James H. Mellen, James M. Cmnin, John W. Plaisted, David Manning, Jr., Wm. A. Gile." i88g — Joseph P. Cheney, Jr., Alfred S. Pinkerton, Peter T. Carroll, James H. Mellen, James M. Cronin, John W. Plaisted, Wm. B. Sprout, Edward B. Glasgow. 1890 — Henry C. Wheaton, Wm. H. Rice, E. M. Moriarty, Peter A. Conlin, Patrick J. Quinn, Franklin B. White, W. B. Sprout, Edward B. Glasgow. 1891 — Henry C. Wheaton, Wm. H. Rice, E. M. Moriarty, James H. Mellen, Patrick J. Ouinn, Franklin B. White, Henry G. Taft, Geo. S. Clough. 1892 — Alfred S. Roe, Jas. P. Crosby, E. M. Moriarty, James H. Mellen, Jas. F. Melaven, Henry J. Jennings, Henry G. Taft, Geo. S. Clough. 1893 — Alfred S. Roe, Jas. P. Crosby, E. M. Moriarty, James H. Mellen, James F. Melaven, Henry J. Jennings (died during session), Henry Y. Simpson, Edward I. Comins, Eben F. Thompson. 1894 — Alfred S. Roe, Wm. P. Searles, E. M, Moriarty, James H. Mellen, Jas. F. Melaven, Henry Y. Simpson, Joseph B. Knox, Eben F. Thompson. 1895— Alfred S. Roe, W. P. vSearles, E. M. Moriarty, James. H. Mellen, Jas. F. Melaven, Ellery B. Crane, Joseph B. Knox, George H. Mellen. 1896 — George M. Rice, Wm. P. Searles, E. M. Moriarty, James H. Mellen, Jas. F. Melaven, Ellery B. Crane, Willie C. Young, George H. Mellen. 1897 — George M. Rice, Moses D. Gilman, E. M. Moriarty, Michael L. Russell, A. Edwin Enberg, Geo. W. Coombs, Willie C. Young, Charles G. Washburn. 1898 — George M. Rice, Moses D. Gilman, Michael L. Russell, James F. Carberry, George W. Coombs, Charles R. Johnson, Charles G. Washburn. Senate, 1848-1S98. 1848 — Alfred D. Foster. 1849 — Alex. H. Bullock. 1850 — Pliny Merrick. 1851— Alex. DeWitt (Oxford). 1852 — John S. C. Knowlton. 1853 — John S. C. Knowlton and Charles Thurber. 1S54 — Isaac Davis. 1855 — Henry W. Benchley. The Worcester of 1898. 265 f,^6 — Francis H. Dewey. 857 — Geo. F. Hoar. 858 — John M. Earle. , 859 and i860 — Dexter F. Parker. 861 — Ichabod Washburn. 862 and 1863 — Hartley Williams. 864 and 1865 — Elijah B. Stoddard. 866, 1867 and 1868 — Lucius W. Pond. 869 — Francis H. Dewey. 870 — George M. Rice. 871 and 1872 — Adin Thayer. 873 — George F. Thompson. 874 and 1875 — George F. Verry. 876 — Edward L. Davis. 877 and 1878 — George S. Barton. S79 and 1880 — Henry C. Rice. 881 and 1882 — Thos. J. Hastings. 883 — Charles B. Pratt. 884 — John D. Washburn. 885 and 1886 — M. V. B. Jefiferson. 887 and 1888 — Edwin T. Marble. 889 — Henry L. Parker. 890 — Henry L. Parker, Alfred S. Pinkerton. 891 and 1892 — John R. Thayer, Alfred S. Pinkerton. 893 — Stephen Salisbury, Alfred S. Pinkerton. 894 and 189s — Stephen Salisbury. 896 — Alfred S. Roe. 897 and 1898 — Ellery B. Crane and Alfred S. Roe. DOCTOR CHARLES A. PEABODY. SECRET SOCIETIES AND FRATERNAL ORDERS. By Charles A. Peabody, M. D.* I^_l STUDY of the growth of secret societies during this century, or ^ since Worcester became a city even, could not fail to be of interest to the student of social movements as an indication of public opinion and one of the signs of the times. " We all believe in pledges and oaths now," says the distinguished president of a distinguished university; a statement in striking contrast to the popular sentiment of sixty or seventy years ago, when the false and furious diatribes of scheming politicians and time-servers against what the}' termed oath-bound socie- ties, alarmed the common conscience, and overwhelmed common sense in a mightv surge, whose retreating echoes, though faint, have hardly yet completely died away. An historical sketch of these societies in Worcester during the last half century, even though brief and general in its character, must of necessity include some notice of their origin and early history as well as of their purposes and character. Ot these organizations, the first in point of age and influence is the "Society of Free Masons," ^vhiL■h was introduced in Worcester in 1793, and was the sole occupant of the field for more than fifty years. In I.S44 the first lodge of Odd Fellows was organized, followed soon by some temperance organizations and the German Einigkeit, D. O. H. It was not, however, until several years later, or about the time of the Civil War and the vears immediatelv following, that the movement in this direction received the impetus that has carried it along with increasing strength and activitv, till now the lodges are legion, and the names on their roll are numbered by the tens of thousands. But Worcester is not peculiar in this growth. It extends over wide areas of our country; wherever, in fact, we find communities in the pushing ranks of progress and prosperity, there we find that these societies abound. It is one of the indications of the restless activity * See sketch in Biographical Department. The Worcester of 1898. 269. of the age, and tlie awakening desire for social and intellectual improve- ment. Many of these societies doubtless are ephemeral, but others doubtless will remain. Of some we may be sure that having come down to us through many generations, surviving with unimpaired but chastened vigor, trials from within and assaults from without, they will endure for generations yet to come, a soiirce of helpfulness to men, and blessing to- the world. For purposes of classification the secret societies in Worcester may be grouped under two general heads: I. The Purely Fraternal. II. The Beneficl\ry and Insurance Orders. Typical of the first group is the Society of Free Masons. This group' also includes the military fraternities, the Patrons of Husbandr\', and the various secret temperance organizations. Under the second group typical examples are the I. O. O. F. and the Royal Arcanum. Here also belong the trades unions, though many of the so-called labor unions can hardly be classed as secret societies. I. Free Masonry. Free Masonry was introduced into this country about theyear 1 730, and soon attracted to its standard many men who were destined to become prominent in fighting the battles and directing the course of our infant republic. Under the influence of these great names Masonry became popular, and when Isaiah Thomas founded Morning Star Lodge in 1793, he soon found more than a hundred of the leading' men of Worcester and vicinity read}- to join with him in the " mystic tie." On the 2d of August, 1824, the corner-stone of the Town Hall was laid by this lodge deep in the foundations of the building, where it lay buried in obscurity for more than seventy years, but upon the complete demolition of the building in 1898, it was discovered and brought to light. Its contents, a beautifully engraved silver disk and some coins, are now in the custody of the maj'or. The corner-stone of the new City Hall was laid by the Grand Lodge of I^Iasons of Massachusetts in September, 1896. In 1893 Morning Star Lodge celebrated its centennial anniversary and published a history of its hundred years. During that time more than 1 ,000 names were added to its rolls, many of which are household words in the social, professional, civic and business life of the town and citj' of Worcester. In 1859 Montacute Lodge was instituted. Athelstan followed in 1867, and Quinsigamond in 1871. These are all large and flourish- ing bodies, having an aggregate membership of more than 1,200. In 1824 Worcester Chapter of Royal Arch Ma.sons was instituted, the ceremony being held in the Old South Church, and included an address. The Worcester of 1898. 271 "bv the Reverend i\Ir. Fuller. Eureka Chapter was chartered in 1870. Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templars, was instituted in 1 824, and is now one of the largest and most flourishing commanderies in the United States, while Hiram Council, R. & S. Masters, chartered in i8.?6, is said to be the largest body of its denomination in the world. The Lodge of Perfection, Goddard Cotmcil and Lawrence Chapter, Rose Croix, were all chartered between the years i860 and 1870, and belong to what is called the vScottish Rite, which, starting with the lodge, works out the Masonic ideas along a different line of development and ritual from that followed b}- the Royal Arch and Templar Orders. In addition to these bodies we must not forget to mention the Order of the Eastern Star, an adjunct but independent organization, composed of Masons and their wives and daughters. The Grand Chapter of this order for Massachusetts, organized in 1876, is located in this city, and here is located also one of its subordinates, Stella Chapter, No. 3. The Masonic Charity and Educational Association was incorporated in 1 896 for the purpose of erecting a Masonic temple, and administer- ing its revenues for charity and educational purposes. The Masonic Board of Relief has for its object the assistance of such needy Masons in Worcester as are not affiliated with either of the Worcester lodges, while the ]\lasonic Relief Association is supported by its members for insuring the lives of such Masons as may join it. Lender an entirely different organization and authority are the three bodies of so-called colored Masons, viz.. King David's Lodge, St. John's Chapter, and Mt. Zion's Commandery. These have all been organized during the last forty years, and are composed of men of African descent. 2. The Grand Army, and Other Organizations. George H. Ward Post No. 10, G. A. R., whose membership is limited to veterans of the Civil War, was instituted in 1867. This is a very large and important post, and, with its auxiliary, the Woman's Relief Corps, has disbursed a large amount of money for the relief of its destitute mem- bers, a great deal of which has been raised by public entertainments given by the post, and in variovts other ways. There is connected with Post 10 an associate membership made up of prominent men who were not in the .service during the Civil War. The associates are not mem- bers of the post except by such nominal connection as is involved in paying annual dues for the benefit of the relief fund. The LTnion Veteran Legion, an offshoot of the G. A. R., has essen- tially the same purposes as the parent organization, but limits its membership to those veterans who were in actual battle or under the enemv's fire. 272 Thh Worcester of 1898. The Patrons of Husbandry and the various temperance societies bear names which sufficiently indicate their purposes and aims. They are designed also to promote good fellowship, and the mutual acquaintance and improvement of their members. The Patrons of Husbandry, which has drawn largely upon Worcester talent for its development and influence, has here two lodges or granges organized about twenty-five years ago. Both sexes are admitted to membership. H. Beneficiakv AM) Insurance Organizations. These are secret societies, each of which is subordinated to a State or grand lodge. LOVERS' LANE, LOVELL STREET. which in turn is allegiant to a national or supreme grand lodge. Many of them have an elaborate ritual of many degrees, and a large and enthusiastic membership. They all conduct either a sick benefit or a life insurance business, and in this way disburse large amounts of money, credited in some reports to the account of charity; some of them do, however, make donations from their funds to some cases of special need where a claim for benefits exists. This class of societies has been especially prolific during the last few decades, when assessment insurance in various forms has also flourished. It is impossible for us to mention all of these societies in Worcester even by name, and there- fore only typical examples will be noticed. The Worcester of 1898. 273; 1. Those Paying Sick Benefits. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is taken as the type of this class, because it is the oldest and largest of them all. This order originated in England about the middle of the last century. After many vicissitudes and changes, it wa.s^ reorganized in 1813, and soon became immensely popular. It was intro- duced into this country in 18 19, its first organization and Grand Lodge being in Baltimore. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Grand Lodge extends over the United States and Canada. The membership of the order within the United States alone is said to exceed 800,000. Each member of a lodge is assessed under the by-laws a certain sum annually, which is payable in quarterly installments, in consideration of which payments the lodge agrees to pay him in case of his sickness a certain specified sum weekly for not to exceed a stipulated length of time. If a member becomes in arrears for his quarterly payment, his claim for benefits at once ceases, but is revived upon his again becoming "square on the books." The amount of the benefit is much less than the usual income of a man able to follow his usual avocation, still it is necessary that claims should be investigated, hence it is made the business of certain members to officially visit the sick, and report their condition ta the lodge. Funeral benefits of small amounts are also given, but no life insurance is done by these lodges directly. Quinsigamond Lodge, the oldest in Worcester, was chartered in 1844. Worcester Lodge soon followed. Ridgel}', Anchoria, and Central Lodges came later, all within the last twenty-five years. Besides the lodges there are two semi-military organizations, which parade with uniform and side-arms, the Encamp- ment and the Patriarchs Militant. These are chartered by the Grand Lodge, as are also the Rebekah lodges, which admit the wives and daughters of Odd Fellows to membership. There are in Worcester two- encampments, one canton, Patriarchs Militant, and three Rebekah lodges. The Odd Fellows' ^Mutual Relief Association for life insurance, and the Ridgely Protective Association for accident and disability insur- ances, are organizations not officially under the control of the lodges, bi:t admitting only Odd Fellows to membership. The Odd Fellows' Home, which is owned and con trolled by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, is located in Worcester, its location here having been determined by the generous gift of a site for that purpose by Thomas H. Dodge, Esq. It is under the management of a board of trustees, of whom Nathan Taylor, Esq., has been from the beginning the Worcester member. The building is handsome and commodious, and the site is beautiful and commanding. 2. Life Insiiranee Societies. These are all of recent origin, the earliest of them being hardly more than twenty-five years old. The Royal Arcanum boasts the largest membership, and possesses those features- 2 74 THE Worcester of 1898. in common with tlie others which make it a typical representative of its class. It conducts a life insurance business as its raison d'etre, and calls to the aid of that business the glamour which attaches to a secret society, and the enthusiasm for "the cause" which reduces expenses to the minimum by supplying, as a labor of love, that service which makes the largest item in the expense account of the "regular" insurance compa- nies. Its business is conducted on the assessment plan, and while no sick benefits are allowed, a council may yet provide against a member's ■certificate lapsing during his sickness. The various organizations of this class in Worcester have in the aggregate a very large membership. The Improved Order of Red Men, introduced into Worcester in 1880, ■combines the two schemes of sick benefit and life insurance. Every member has a claim for sick benefits the same as in the Odd Fellows, but the life insurance plan is a separate function, and is optional; it is carried on by means of special assessments as in the Royal Arcanum. This order is interesting because of its origin, and the peculiarities of its ritual, which is based upon the customs of the North American Indians, especially the Iroquois. The tribes usually bear an Indian name. The order was founded during the War of 1812 by the soldiers at Fort Mifflin, near Baltimore, for the purpose of promoting patriotism, harmony and good fellowship in the arm5^ This order has also a branch for the ladies, under the title of the Dautrhters of Pocahontas. WORCESitR COUUTi JAIL, SUMMER STREET. MILITARY MATTERS. |rj|jl|XE of Worcester's chief glories in the history of the last half JLBil century is the service of her sons in the war of the Union. In that great contest to preserve the life of the nation, the brilliancy of the record of their patriotism, bravery, and self-sacrifice is undimmed bv comparison with that of any other community in the land. The memory of the Worcester soldiers of 1861 to 1865 will ever be kept green by a grateful people, and fitting memorials of stone and bronze commemorate their valor. The beautiful Soldiers' iNIonument on the ■Common was erected in 1874 at a cost of over $50,000. Post 10, Grand Army of the Reptiblic, named for General Ward, was ■organized April 13, 1865. Between two and three thousand members have joined this post since its formation, and many thousand dollars have been dispensed in relief funds. The Woman's Relief Corps and the Sons of Veterans were formed in 1883, and the Daughters of Veterans in 1890, all auxiliary to the Grand Army. The history of Worcester in the war for the Union has been so often and so fully recited that a detailed account would be superfluous in this volume. The following references to printed authorities on this subject may, however, properly appear here : Reverend Abijah P. Marvin's "Worcester in the War of the Rebellion" is an interesting and valuable book, which gives a very full account of Worcester's part in sustaining the Union. Histories of the Fifteenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-fifth, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-sixth Regiments have been published. "The Story of Company A, Twenty-fifth Regi- ment," by Samuel H. Putnam, has been widely noticed and much commended as a true picture of the daily life of a soldier; and the narrative of Amos E. Stearns, an Andersonville prisoner, has more than local interest. In the list of Worcester's martvrs in the Rebellion, the names of John William Grout, who fell at Ball's Blufl:": General George H. Ward, who fell at Gettysburg, and for whom the local Grand Army post was named; Thomas J. Spurr; S. F. Hayden, Jr.; Dexter F. Parker; Reverend Samuel Souther; the Wellingtons; the Bacons; Thomas O'Neil, and Henry Mc- SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. The Worcester of 1898. 277 Conville, are prominent. Of those who gained distinction in the conflict, Charles Devens, Josiah Pickett, William S. Lincoln and A. B. R. vSprague are well known. Worcester sent 3,927 men, counting each enlistment as one, to the war for the Union, at a total direct money cost of $586,054. Of this amount, $245,653 was paid for bounties and expense of recruiting; $93,650, commutation and substitutes; $246,751, state aid for families. Of Worcester military companies of to-day, the Light Infantry is the oldest, having been organized in 1804. The City Guards, organized in 1840, is now attached to the militia. A history of this company has recently been prepared by Lieutenant Samuel Hathaway. The Emmet Guards were formed in i860. The Chamberlain Light Battery, Battery B, M. V. M., is of more recent organization, and the Wellington Rifles is a militia company formed in 1894. The new Armory building, at the junction of Salisbury and Grove streets, was completed in 1890 at a cost of nearly $125,000. The Worcester Continentals, the only independent company at present, paraded for the first time July 4, 1876. The uniform is nearly a fac- simile of that worn by Revolutionary soldiers, and the company always attracts much attention, and has gained a wide reputation. In the Spanish War of 1898, Worcester responded readily, four of her five militia companies entering the service. Battery B was as prompt for duty as the other organizations, but the government was unable to make use of light artillery in large force in that peculiar conflict, and after a brief absence on coast duty in the eastern part of the State, the Battery returned to Worcester. The limited field of operations, and the short duration of the war, prevented the acceptance of any other organized bodies from Worcester, although some attempts were made towards their formation. Recruiting for the regular army has been actively carried on during the present year. The Worcester Light Infantrj^, the City Guards and the Wellington Rifles were mustered into the United States service as Companies C, A and H, Second Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry. These companies left Worcester for Camp Dewey, South Framingham, ]\lay 3, and after a physical examination, such as were pronounced fit for duty were mustered in. On the 12th of May the regiment was transported to Lakeland, Florida, and later to Ybor City in that state. June 13th the Worcester men, as part of the Fifth Army Corps, sailed for Cirba, and landing on the 23d, marched to Siboney, and later to El Caney. From the first day of the engagements near Santiago, the Worcester com- panies were in active service, and at times under fire, until on the 14th of July the city surrendered. During the next month the men experi- enced great suffering from exposure, disease, lack of proper food and The Worcester of 1898. 279 treatment, and large numbers succumbed to these and other adverse circumstances, aggravated by a tropical and unhealthy climate. The home-coming, from August 1 2 to 27, was accomplished under condi- tions extremely iinfavorable to men in weak physical state, and several died on the way. Worcester gave a royal welcome to her returning soldiers on the 27th of August, and again, on the 31st of October, the four companies received another ovation from their fellow citizens. Of the three companies, comprising 231 men, but 113 wei^e able to- appear on August 27th. The Emmet Guards departed on the 4th of May, and their muster-in as Company G, Ninth Massachusetts Regiment, took place at South Framingham on the i ith. On the 31st, the regiment left for Virginia, and .sailed for Cuba June 26th, landing on the island July ist. During the next four days the Emmets took part in the fighting, and until the surrender of Santiago remained in the trenches. The experience of this company was of the same nature as that of the other Worcester volun- teers, but the return was deferred for a few days after the departure of the Second Regiment. The details of the homeward voyage, the stay at Montauk Point, and the privations and sufferings of the men, are not to be entered into here; nor can the circumstances or conditions to which they were subjected be properly criticised in this brief account. The war is over, the country is again at peace; but the sacrifice has been costly, and the consec^uences will long be felt. Three M.\rtvrs. The circumstances attending the death of Lieutenant Edmund N. Benchley, who was killed at San Juan, are similar in a certain degree to those connected with the fall in battle of two others, Lincoln and Grout, martyrs of different wars. All three were Worcester-born. Each was in the thick of the fight when the fatal bullet struck, and the untimely fate which overtook them has called forth the most sincere expression of private regret and public eulogy. The personal bravery and soldierly qualities of all three are unquestioned. Captain George Lincoln, killed in the battle of Buena Vista, was a son of ex-Governor Levi Lincoln, and was thirty-one years of age at the time of his death. He was struck by a shot in the back of the head " when facing a regiment, riding in front, and encouraging them on at a critical moment when they were faltering under a severe fire. His situation was a most exposed one, a situation which it would have been mere foolhardiness to take except under the circumstances of this battle, where our troops were chiefly volunteers, and all depended on the officers. Lincoln was acting as adjutant-general, and had no command CHARLES DEVENS. The Worcester of 1898. JOHN WILLIAM GROUT. of the regiment, but seeing them falter, lie rode in front and cheered them on by example as well as b}' word."* No portrait of Lincoln is in existence. Lieutenant John William Grout, who fell at Balls Bluff October 21, 1861, was born in Worcester in 1843, 'ir'd had barely attained the age at which a legal claim could be made upon his services when he fell a voluntary sacrifice on the altar of his countr\-. He was the only son of Jonathan Cjrout, Esq., and early manifested signs of a military spirit, by which he was animated. He was educated at the Highland Military School, and after enlistment his serv- ices were in demand in drilling volunteers. He received a commission as second lieutenant in Company D of the famous Fifteenth Massa- chusetts Regiment, and gained the confidence and friendship of his company and the whole regiment. In the battle in which he fell, his valor was conspicuous, and in the last hour his coolness, discretion and generosity did not forsake him. He crossed the stream in a boat with the wounded, and returned for more, and, dispatching the second boatful, remained upon the shore until hope of further successful resistance van- ished. He then plunged into the stream, but before he could reach the opposite shore the fatal ball of the barbarous assassin left him only time and strength to exclaim : "Tell Company D that I should have escaped, but I am shot." t Lieutenant Edmund Nathaniel Benchley was born in Worcester March 3, 1876. He was educated in the public schools, and was appointed a cadet at West Point by Congressman Walker, graduating with the class of 1898. He was at once commissioned as second lieutenant, Sixth Infantrv, United * General William B, Franklin, t Extracted from a memorial by Rev- erend E. Cutler. EDMUND NATHANIEL BENCHLEY. GEORGE H. WARD. The Worcester of 1898. 283 States Army, -preferring the infantry to -the artillery or cavalry service, as it promised better opportunities in the Cuban War for active dut}-. He proceeded to Florida in May, and with the regulars landed in Cuba the latter part of June, where the active engagement of that short campaign soon followed. On the first day of July the battle of Fort San Juan took place. In crossing the San Juan river, under a severe artiller}- fire, several companies were separated from the advance portion of the troops, and the colonel desired them to be brought up at once. "He called Lieutenant Benchley, and directed him to recross the river and carry orders to the battalion and company commanders to bring their commands forward at once. He started at once on this important and dangerous duty, and gave the orders to some of the officers indi- cated. He had just given it to one commander when he received a bullet through the heart, killing him instantly. " His military career was brief, brave and glorious. He was cool and brave under one of the severest fires ever known, and he performed his duty nobly and gallantly. Had he lived he would have been brevetted for gallantry in action."* •Letter of Captain L. \V. V. Kennon, Company E, Sixth Infantry, U. -S. A., to the father of Lieutenant Benchlev. REVEREND A. Z. CONRAD. PROTESTANT CHURCHES. By Reverend A. Z. Conrad, Ph. D., D. D.* |HE relation of religion to political, social and industrial prosperity and progress is vital. Eminence and ethics are wedded. What- ever elevates the morale of a community is a distinctively productive force. The debt of the State to the church is incalculably great. Civic righteousness depends on piiblic sentiment. Public sentiment is a product, The church is the chief procuring and producing cause of exalted civic ideals. The true civic ideal is a clean citizen in a clean city. New England histor}- is in evidence that a vigorous tj-pe of Christianity insures a heroic type of citizens and progressive common- wealths. The earl}' history of Worcester is indissolubly linked with the activities of the church. Did the limits of this sketch permit, it would be intensely interesting to introduce historic witnesses in the nature of epoch-making incidents and events in demonstration of the proposition that Worcester churches have been the chief factor in her educational, industrial and political progress. The influence of the churches in Worcester is prodigious. They are the prime movers in every social reform. They inculcate the doctrines and principles of civic righteousness. They are the great conservators of moral health. They are the first to protest against lawlessness. They encourage and enjoin every public and private virtue, and con- demn every vicious tendency. They develop a sentiment which is mandator}"- against organized iniquity, and prevent the encroachments which avariciousness and imperiousness would otherwise practise with impunity. The churches of Worcester constitute the backbone of every philan- thropic effort. Directly or indirectly, they furnish the money for every redemptive institution and agency in Worcester. Restoration, reclamation, and edification are the watchwords of Worcester churches. Worcester people are a church-going people. As compared with other cities of its size, our city is reverential and re- spectful in its attitude toward religion. As a result, its moral tone is high. *See sketch in Biographical Department. 286 THE Worcester of li Denominational lines mark preferences rather than prejudices and prohibitions. Sectarian bigotry is rare. Unity in reform movements is practiced. Divisions are lost in the consideration of important public questions. The denominational church life is marked by commendable zeal. There is emulation without envy. There is more of cooperation than competition. An important and prominent feature of the church life of the city is the Sunday school work. The past decade has witnessed an immense OLD SOUTH CHURCH. advance on all previous periods in Bible study in Worcester. Sunday schools are conducted on a higher plane. New methods are adopted and zeal has immensely increased. While Worcester churches are inclined to be conservative, yet no- where else have the progressive features of modern church life had freer application. Organizations find splendid expression. The spirit of institutionalism is rationally applied. The world-wide movements among young people have in Worcester vigorous representative bodies. The Worcester of 1898. 287 The Old South Church is much the oldest church organization in Worcester, antedating all others by seventy years. The early history of Worcester is very largely the history of this church. Its present elegant edifice was completed in i88g at a cost of $r 60,000. Its mem- bership, the largest in the city, is 945. CENTRAL CHURCH. Worcester churches of to-day appreciate their heritage ; are true to the principles and traditions of the fathers, and under the inspiration of divine promise, and obedient to heavenly visions, they engage aggres- sively to fulfill their sacred mission in our beloved city. The Protestant churches of Worcester of every denomination number sixty-nine. Of these sixt3--four are evangelical. They are divided as follows : ^^^^^^K«iH ^^H ^^^^H ^^^^^^B : TjH,. ^^^^■j^v^ H m REVEREND ARCHIBALD McCULLAGH. The Worcester of i{ 289 Organized Membership. Pastor. Churcli. s. s. C. E. Armenian, 1S97 M, V. Papaziantz. Baptist. First, 1812 500 507 110 Spencer B. Meeser. Pleasant Street, 1 84 1 341 268 78 Woodman Woodbury. Main Street, 1853 315 198 51 Leo Boone Thomas. Dewey Street, 1872 226 -3- 73 0. E. Mallory. First Swedish, 18S0 Lincoln vSquare, 1881 502 442 Frank D. Penney. John Street, 1885 76 46 *6o Hiram Conway. South, 1886 206 199 35 T. Richard Peede. Adams Square, 1S89 106 164 52 J. S, Holmes. Quinsigamond (Branch of First), 1891 45 5° 19 vS. B. Meeser. Oak Hill (Branch of Pleasant Street), 1893 36 53 27 Arthur St. James. Harlem Street, 1S96 165 325 3° Carl W. Sundmark. Oreendale, 1897 41 165 Guy F. Wheeler. French Mission, 1890 ss 49 Arthur St. James. First Free, 1881 118 118 t56 Albert C. Thompson. Cliristadclpliians. Cliristadelphian Society, 71 35 Isaac N. Jones. Worcester Ecclesia of Christadelphians, i860 19 12 Fred C. Walton, Sec. Congregational. First Parish, I 7 IS 945 985 254 Arcturus Z. Conrad. Central, 1820 443 532 62 Daniel Merriman. l^nion, 1836 761 5 79 98 John E. Tuttle. Summer Street, 1865 1 20 129 27 Orange C. Bailey. Plymouth, 1869 776 575 85 Archibald McCullagh. Piedmont, 1872 705 610 141 Willard Scott. F'irst Swedish Evang., 1880 350 400 75 August L. Anderson. Pilgrim, 1885 639 784 230 Alexander H. Lewis. Church of the Covenant, 1885 John E. Hurlbut. Park, 1887 235 289 46 Inman L. Willcox. Belmont, 1889 138 291 119 Dr. Mix in charge. Hope, 1889 188 297 92 E. W. Phillips. Lake View, 1890 65 130 75 John H. Matthews. Bethany, 1891 91 125 45 Albert G. Todd. Norwegian and Danish, 1892 17 Armenian, 1S92 35 25 15 Hachadoor G. Benneyan Immanuel, 1893 ii8 175 48 George S. Dodge. Second Swedish, 1894 170 227 46 John Udd. Greendale People's, 1895 66 88 65 Gavin H. Wright. Adams Square, 1898 91 170 25 John E. Dodge. ^ Young People's Union. t Voung People's .Societ}-. The Worcester of 1898. Pastor. Austin S. Garver. George W. Kent. 64 Roland A. Nichols. 85 Erik J. Nystrom. 290 Org.\nized. Membershii'. Unitarian. churci. s. s. c. e Second Parish, 1785 450 125 Church of the Unity, 1846 150 iio South Unitarian, Disciples of Christ Church of Christ, Friends. Society of Friends, Lutheran. Swedish Evangelical Norwegian, Finnish Evangelical, First German Evang., i888 50 Swedish Evangelical Immanuel, 1896 147 Methodist. Trinity, 1834 672 760 t3°8 George W. King * Young People's Society. f Epworth League. 1890 I 20 100 i860 375 230 1837 60 45 1 88 1 35° 185 1886 1894 155 14 Mikki Havukainen. H. Steger. *3o Frans A. Engstrand. UNION CHURCH. The Worcester of 1898. 291 Or. ,\NI7.F.l MkMBI'KSHII', Pastor. Methodist — Co n t i n u e d . Church. s. s. C. E. Laurel Street, 1845 175 224 *8o H. H. Paine. Webster Square, i860 219 250 *5o L. William Adams. Grace, 1867 384 300 *i77 William J. Thompson Coral Street, 1872 140 150 *9o George E. Sanderson. First Swedish, 1879 380 400 *7o Henry E. Whyman. Second Swedish, 1885 376 235 *IOO Nels Eagle. Park Avenue, 1891 163 272 *S7 Alonzo .Sanderson. Lake View, 189I 44 44 *3° Alonzo Sanderson. African M. E. Zion, 1846 125 169 *IOO Louis H. Taylor. Bethel African, 1867 R. J. H. Taylor. Presbyterian. First. 1886 163 95 36 First United, 1895 80 70 60 Robert Hughes. f. pise opal. All Saints', 1843 609 401 Alexander H. Vinton. St. Matthew's, 1871 340 40S Henry Hague. St. John's, 1884 200 J 25 Eliot White. St. Mark's, 1888 176 1 10 Willis H. Hazard. St. Sigfrid's, Swedish, 1893 200 J. Hugo Klaren. Second Advent. Second Advent Christian, 184I 238 145 William A. Burch. ( niversa/ist. First, I84I 33° 600 ti35 Almon Gunnison. All Souls', 1884 93 300 t85 Moses H. Harris. It will be seen that the denominational strength is a Armenian, Baptist, Baptist. Free, Christadelphians, . Congregational, L'nitarian, Disciples of Christ, Friends, Lutheran, ]\Iethodist Episcopal, Methodist, African, Presbyterian, Protestant Episcopal, Total membership of Sunday scht Y. P. S. C. E. membership, . Epworth League membership. s follows : 2617 118 90 6042 60 702 -554 ^43 '5^5 ■5-599 2214 1062 * Epworth League. f Young People's Society. ]: Young People's Christian Union. RIGHT REVEREND THOMAS GRIFFIN. CATHOLICITY IN WORCESTER. |EVENTY-TW0 years ago the first Catholics came to Worcester. They were chiefly Irish immigrants, and were brought here by the contractors of the Blackstone canal. This work was in progress two years, and many of the laborers settled in town. As time went on and the number of Catholics increased, they felt the need of their religion to enable them to combat the difficulties that surrounded them in their new home, and accordingly petitioned Bishop Fenwick to send them a priest. In response to this appeal, the bishop, in 1834, appointed the Rev- erend James Fitton to visit the Catholics of Worcester once a month. The joy that filled the hearts of those early settlers at this welcome news can well be imagined. Father Fitton, at the time of his appoint- ment, was journeying through the scattered settlements of New England, where, in God's own time, "little churches with devout congregations rose to show where his feet had rested." The holy sacrifice of the mass was first offered in this city in the old stone building on Front street which now stands west of the viaduct. When Father Fitton visited his little flock in Worcester, the people gathered about him and heard mass as devoutly, wherever it was said, as if they were in a consecrated temple. It often happened that in pleasant weather, masses were said on the large rocks near the entrance to the "deep cut" on the Boston & Albany railroad. ( )n such occasions a rude altar would be erected on the side of the rock, with spruce boughs, brought by willing hands from the woods, hung overhead. There in nature's own cathedral worshiped the pioneers of Cath- olicity in Worcester. During one of these outdoor masses a storm came up. At the first sign of its approach, three of the congregation hastened to procure umbrellas. These they held over Father Fitton, and moved as he moved in the progress of the mass. The kneeling congregation was thoroughly drenched, yet not one of the devout assembly moved. The foundation of Christ's Church, the first Catholic church in Worcester, was laid July 6, 1834, and to the great joy of the people, 294 The Worcester of 1898. Father Fitton was made pastor. It was a small wooden building, and after some years was removed to another part of the church grounds, received additions, and became the "Catholic Institute." In this year also (1834) the Catholics purchased their first burying-ground. PLYMOUTH CHURCH. Every summer during Father Fitton's time, some of the Penobscot Indians, among whom he had labored in Maine, came to Worcester, and pitched their tents at the foot of the street where the rolling-mill now stands. They assisted at the mass with great devotion, and after service was over, thev liked to gather in a circle around the church The Worcester of 1898. 295 (lonr. and there, kneeling, await the cinning of the priest. Father Fitton, who knew their customs, would, as he passed, lay his hands upon each bowed head in silent benediction. They were then satisfied, and returned to their camp. PIEDMONT CHURCH. In 1837 two schools were established by the pastor: one for children in the basement of the church, the other for the instruction of boys in the higher branches of education. The latter was situated on Paka- choag hill and called Mt. St. James Seminary. To this humble begin- ning and to the zeal and generosity of Father Fitton we are indebted for our cherished Holv Cross College, which to-dav rests "like a beau- 296 The Worcester of 1898. tiful coronet on the queenly brow of Pakachoag hill above our busy cit\'.'" The corner-stone of this splendid institution was laid June 21, 1843, and at the call of Bishop Fenwick, the Fathers of the Society of Jesus took charge, with Reverend Thomas F. Mulledy as president. The college is now in a flourishing condition, having 250 students, all the modern equipments for gymnasium, etc., and a library of over PILGRIM CHURCH. 13,000 volumes. Soon after the celebration of its (xolden Jubilee, Holy Cross College, under the rectorship of Father William I. McGurk, began to assume its present magnificent proportions. The immense labor attending the enlargement of the college was too great a strain for his delicate health. He died like a brave soldier, holding to his post in the last extremity. At his death, the vice-president. Reverend The Worcester of 1898. 297 John F. Lehy, was appointed to fill out the remainder of Father McGurk's term. So well and so ably has Father Lehy performed the duties of his office, and so acceptable is his administration to both laity and clergy, that the father general of the Society of Jesus has at this writing reappointed him rector for three years. In the same year, much to the regret of his parishioners, Father Fitton was removed from Worcester. He was succeeded by Father Williamson, who labored with his new people but eighteen months, when death claimed him. Meanwhile the little congregation of Christ's Church had been steadily increasing. Father Gibson, who succeeded to the pastorate after the death of Father Williamson, was in favor of building a new church large enough to accommodate the parishioners, and it was finally decided that "a new, large and respectable church be erected on the site of Christ's Church." On the 27th day of May, 1845, the fotindation stone of the new church was laid. The plate of the old church was taken from its place and put in the corner-stone with the new one for .St. John's. As the years went on, missions were established in the towns around Worces- ter, which were attended by priests from St. John's, but it was not until 1854 that the little Church of the Evangelist, under the energetic lead of Father Gibson, planted a sapling in the town of Worcester itself. Then the "old vSt. Anne's" rose, in the bastern part of the city, with Reverend John J. Power as first pastor. Father Boyce, who came to Worcester in 1847, and who is so well remembered by the early Catholics of this city, passed to his reward on January 2, 1864. All mourned the noble-hearted priest, "for his sway was the sway of love; his rule the golden rule." He was an eloquent lecturer, a fine musician, and, as " Paul Peppergrass," had made for himself an enviable name in the world of letters. On October 24, 1864, the Convent of Our Lady of Mercy was founded in Worcester from St. Catherine's Convent of Mercy in New York. The Sisters were brought here by Very Reverend J. J. Power, D. D., V. G., who was at that time pastor of St. Anne's Church. In October, 1872, the convent was removed to High street, St. Paul's Parish, and designated St. Gabriel's. An orphanage for boys and girls was opened in January, 1875. About eighty children are accommodated at the present time, supported in part bv a weekly pension and the charitable aid which is received from time to time. A House of Mercy was opened February 16, 1897, at 34 High street, where situations are obtained for those out of employment, and young women of character are lodged. In addition to the caring for these institutions, the Sisters also visit the sick and poor in their homes. The orphanage is the ■cherished charge of Very Reverend J. J. Power, L^. U., V. G., whose The Worcester of 1898. ALL SAINTS' CHURCH. priestly qualities, noted by an observino- public in his long years of residence in Worcester, have won for him the love and esteem of all, Protestants as well as Catholics. In July, 1867, the present pastor of St. John's, Right Reverend Monsignor Griffin, came to Worcester to assist Father O'Reilly, later Bishop O'Reilly, who had succeeded Father Boyce. In Ji:ly, 1 869, the corner-stone of St. Paul's Church on Chatham street was laid. The next ten years saw the rise of several Catholic churches in Worcester. In 1870 the Alethodist Church on Park street was bought bv the French The Worcester of 1898. 299. Catholics. Reverend J. Primeau was appointed pastor, and the first mass was said in June. The parish is now in a flourishing condition, under the pastoral care of Reverend J. Brouillet. In the same year, on the removal of Father O'Reilly to Springfield, Father Griffin was- put in charge of St. John's. Tuesday, August 27, 1872, the community of Notre Dame, consisting of eight members, came to Worcester at the request of Father Griffin to take charge of his school for girls. The Bigelow estate on Vernon street had been purchased some time before and fitted up as a resi- dence for the Sisters, and the year following their arrival a fine brick school-house was erected on the convent grounds. From such .small beginnings great things have sprung, great triumphs have been achieved. To-day there are thirty-two Sisters caring for 1,000 children,. ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH. -300 The Worcester of 1898. .affording them all that is best in religious education, and providing in unstinted degree for the requirements of secular learning. An accumulated library of 5,000 volumes of choice and varied literature is at the service of the scholars, who are constantly stimulated to the full ■exertion of their talents. In the same year Reverend Denis Scannell was made pastor of vSt. Anne's Church on Shrewsbury street. A few years later it was found that the church was inadequate to the wants of the growing congrega- SOUTH UNITARIAN CHURCH. The Worcester of 1898. 3or tion. The pastor procured a new lot on a much more elevated and elig^ible site. In 1885, to his great joy and that of his congregation, he offered the holv sacrifice of the mass on one of the highest summits- of our hill-crowned city. From its eminence on the brow of Normal hill the new St. Anne's presents a striking appearance, bearing aloft I he symbol of man's redemption into the sunlight of heaven, and reflecting its cheering ray into the heart of the Christian beholder. The Parish of the Immaculate Conception was organized in Novem- ber, 1873, and the church, begun in the same 3'ear, owing to the con- stant care and unceasing toil of the pastor, Reverend Robert Walsh, was completed four years later. (Jn July 2, 1879, the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin, the first excavations were made for the building of the Sacred Heart Church, and on September 2 1 , the corner-stone of the church was laid by Bishop O'Reilly. The Church of the Sacred Heart continued under the protecting care of St. John's until the 24th of January, 1880, when Reverend Thomas- ). Cunaty, then curate of vSt. John's, was appointed pastor of the new !>arish. During his pastorate Father Conaty showed in a high degree Ills organizing power. Georgetown University honored him with the doctorate, and at his entrance upon the duties of rector of the Catholic university, in January, 1897, the holy father raised him to the rank of domestic prelate, conferring the title of right reverend. Doctor Conaty was succeeded in his pastorate by his brother. Reverend Bernard Conaty. In September, 1881, the Sisters of St. Anne came to Worcester from their mother house in Lachine, Canada, and opened a school for the French Catholic children in Notre Dame Parish. So marked has been their success that to-day the Sisters have three houses of their order in the city and as many schools. In 1 884 was celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Christ's Church. This event was marked bv large and extensive additions to vSt. John's- Church. Father O'Neill, the pastor of St. Peter's, commenced the work of organizing the parish in January, 1884, by assembling the people for divine worship in a house on Canterbury street. So ready and eager" wcre they for the ercclion of the new church that in vSeptember, 1884,. the corner-stone was laid by Bishop O'Reilly. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Reverend R. S. J. Burke. The growth of the parish and its prospective needs have warranted the pastor to purchase, this year, a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph as a preliminary to the establishment of parochial schools. In Januarj% 1887, St. Joseph's ^Mission was established on Wall street,, under the pastorate of Reverend Jules (rraton. 302 The Worcester of li The pastor of St. John's in January, 1887, purchased a house and two and a half acres of land at the head of Grafton street as a site for •church, rectory, schools, and convent for a new parish. In February of that year, Reverend R. S. J. Burke was called from Westborough ±0 organize and take charge of the new parish. ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. The first gathering of the Hock was in the Wall street school-house. It required no ordinary courage to face the difficulties which presented themselves, but Father Burke moved on fearlessly, yet trustingly, in the Master, and had the proud satisfaction of seeing .St. .Stephen's Church built and completed in the September following. He was .succeeded by the present pastor. Reverend D. F. McGillicuddy. The Worcester of 1898. 303 On Jul_v 30, 1889, the holy father appointed Reverend Thomas Griffin a domestic prelate. In conjunction with this honor, the Seminary of St. Mary's, Baltimore, conferred the degree of doctor of divinity, and a papal brief bestowed on him the title of monsignor. The Sisters of Charity, "Gray Nuns," came to Worcester Januarv 31, 1S91. to take charge of an orphanage containing ninety children. The building at first occupied was a two-tenement house on the corner of Southgate and Crrand streets. After a period of two years, the .Sisters and their little charges were transferred to their present location on Granite street. There are fourteen Sisters in the institution and 200 children, mostly orphans. There are two Sisters daily collecting for the little ones, and donations of provisions or clothing are always thankfully received. On the 28th of May, 1892, the mournful tolling of the bell of St. John's and the bells of the other Catholic churches of Worcester, *innoi:nced to the Catholics in the city that their bishop was no more. The rushing tide of memory brought back in vivid light the beautiful traits of character displayed by Bishop O'Reilly in all his years of con- nection with Worcester, and especially with St. John's, as curate, pastor, bishop. Always kind and gentle, at home with young and old, ready with word of pleasantry, of sympathy, of solace, of cheer, of comfort, he was in very deed the " vSoggarth Aroon." The love and affection of the people for their deceased prelate were shown in a marked degree by the large concourse that assembled at St. John's, on the 30th of Mav, to assist at the solemn requiem mass. On November 21, 1892, St. John's new hall was opened to the public for the first time, (^n the evening of that day the Catholics of Worces- ter assembled to welcome their new bishop, Right Reverend Thomas D. Heaven. The new hall exceeded their fondest expectations, and the few well-chosen words which the newly elected prelate used in its praise added much to the eni'ovment of his audience. In September, 1893, the Sisters of Providence came to Worcester, and took up their residence at the Bartlett estate on Vernon street, which had been purchased some years before by Monsignor Griflin. These good Sisters are a diocesan order, having their mother house in Hol- yoke. Their labors in behalf of the sick and afflicted are appreciated by the people of Worcester, and their efforts nobly seconded on every occasion. In September, 1894, a school for boys was formally opened in St. John's parish, with the Xaverian Brothers of Baltimore in charge. These brothers, bound by the vows of religion, devote their lives to the teaching of boys. For this life work, in addition to their regular 304 The Worcester of 1898. novitiate training at the Brothers' Seminary in Baltimore, they receive a special preparation in their Normal College at Danvers, Massachusetts. As teachers they have firmly established themselves, both in this country and in England. At present the Brothers' school in .St. John's parish has an attendance of 400 boys. ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. In I.S95 the corner-stone of the Polish Church, of which Reverend J. Jaksztys is pastor, was laid, and the church was erected under the title of St. Casimir's. The parish of the Holy Name was organized in 1896, and through the indefatigable labors of the pastor, Reverend J. S. Perreault, the church was dedicated on Palm Sunday. In this year also the Golden Jubilee of St. John's Church was celebrated wnth imposing ceremonies. The people not only of St. John's, but of all the Catholic churches in The Worcester of 1898. 305 AVorcester, came, eager and willing to crown the hallowed edifice with her diadem of gold. The great event was marked by a thorough renovation of the church. August 27, 1897, marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the coming -of the Sisters of Notre Dame to Worcester. In this vear also the old Fox's mill at A'ernon square was purchased by the Catholics (.)f Notre Dame Parish, who erected a brick school-house for the accommo- dation of the French children in the vicinity. This present year ( 1898) Reverend V. Migliore has banded together the Italians of our city for the purpose of building a church, which is now in course of erection on Suffolk street. 3o6 The Worcester of 1898. This brief sketch of Catholicity in Worcester would not be complete without mention of the numerous societies and organizations connected with the different parishes throughout the city. Many are widely known, while others do an amount of good in a quiet way. They YOUNG MEN'S CHRIbTIAN ASSOCIATION. are of all kinds — spiritual, literan,- and athletic, — each tending to elevate those who come within the scope of its influence. The cause of Catholic education has received much attention in Worcester, and as a result the summit of more than one green hill that guards our city is crowned with Catholic schools that, year after year, send out pupils well equipped to fight the battle of life. The aim of the Catholic teachers, Jesuits, brothers and sisters, is not to send out The Worcester of li 307 from their schools prodigies, or even unusual scholars, but thoroughlv educated young men and women filled with zeal and enthusiasm for the highest and best in the spiritual, the intellectual and the social life; intelligent, refined young men and women, who are first and foremost loyal practical Catholics and good citizens, yet human still with faults and foibles. This is the sole end and object of their teaching, and if they achieve this aim, their most sanguine expectations will be realized. The storv of Catholicitv in the " Heart of the Commonwealth" is one YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. f the obstacles overcome and victories gained. To-day the Catholics of Worcester comprise more than one-third of the population, and rejoice to see temples of their faith rising in all sections of this fair city. Fifty years have seen Worcester grow from a small town to a city of magnificent proportions. Generous hearts and willing hands were needful to bring about this transformation, and in this eventful year, the leaf that the Catholics will entwine in Worcester's wreath of laurel will be one of assurance that the same hearts and hands are still and ever shall be at her command to help carry on the great work of prog- ress which '98 commemorates. JEREMIAH EVARTS GREENE. POST OFFICE GROWTH. • By Jeremiah Evakts Greene, P. M.* 0P()ST office was first established in Worcester November 15, 1775, with Isaiah Thomas, the founder and editor of the Mus- stic/itisc//s Spy, as postmaster. Only two mails appear to have been received and three dispatched weekly. One was received from the west Tuesday evening and one dispatched to Fitchbtirg on Wednesday, and one was received from Boston and one dispatched westward on Friday. It seems probable that the carrier who t(iok the mail to Fitchburg brought back mail from that place, but I have seen no mention of it. The roads of that time were tracks through the woods and fields, impassable for any but the strongest wheeled vehicles. Traveling was slow and difficult, and was mostly done on horseback, and for soine years the mails were carried in that fashion. Not until 1783 was a stage or wagon line established between Boston and Hartford, making the trip in four days, passing through W'orcester toward noon of the second dav. Three years later passengers and the mail were carried from Boston to New York in four days in the summer; in winter the trip required seven days. With the improvement of roads and vehicles the rate of travel was steadily increased, tmtil in 1 831, it is said, the journey from Worces- ter to Boston could be made by stage in six hours. In 1836 twenty lines of stages made in all 122 arrivals and departures weeklv at Worcester. Up to this time the business of the post office steadily increased, though with little change in character or methods, except that the number of mails received and dispatched was much greater. The receipts of the office for its earlier vears are not readilv obtainable. For the year 1825 they were $713, scarcely more than the average dailv receipts now. For the year 1836 they were $2,827. The receipts of one day during the past year have been more than half that sum. The Boston & Worcester Railroad was opened for business in 1835, and mails as well as passengers were carried on its trains. At iirst * See sketch in Biographical Department. THE POST OFFICE. The Worcester of 1898. 311 tliree trains departed from eaeh terminus daily in summer, and two daily in the winter season. The time of each run was between two and three hours. This frequency and speed of course greatly increased the business of the post ofifice, and it was further increased when the Nor- wich & Worcester and the western roads were opened a few years later. Hut yet no marked change in the character or methods of postal business was made. The postmaster's business was only to receive, assort and deliver at the post office the letters which arrived, and to dispatch to their destination those which were deposited at the post office for mail- ing. And so it continued until Worcester became a city, in 1848. Two novelties, however, came into use about this time. One was the postage stamp, which was first supplied to postmasters by the Post Office De- partment in 1847; the other was the envelope, which then began to be used, though stamped envelopes were not introduced until some years later. The revenues of the office in i S48 I have failed to ascertain exactly, but they were not far from $1 5,000, or approximately one dollar for each inhabitant. In 1825, when the population was about 3,500, the receipts of the post office were $713, or twenty cents annually for each inhabi- tant. Now, with a population of more than 100,000, the post office receipts are somewhat more than two dollars annually for each inhabi- tant, so that the business of the post office increases much faster than the growth of the population in numbers, being stimulated by the improved postal facilities, and by the increasing activity in general business. In these fifty years since Worcester became a city, five notable additions to the general postal system have been made, all tending either to extend its usefulness and convenience to the public by making the transmissicm of mails swifter or safer, or by affording a new kind of service. In 1863 the letter-carrier or free-delivery service was estab- lished. For some years before, the penny-post system, so called, had been in use, in which a few carriers were employed who derived their income from the pavment of one cent for the delivery of each letter to those persons who had given notice at tlic post office of their wish to receive their mail in that way. The free-carrier delivery superseded the penny post, and the system has grown rapidly in importance and public favor. It was at first defended against those who objected to the great increase it caused in the expense of the postal service by asserting that it in large part, if not wholly, paid its way. This assertion was founded upon the fact that the law establishing the free-delivery service required that drop letters, or letters addressed to persons within the delivery of the post office where they were mailed, must be prepaid with a two-cent stamp at free-deliverv offices, whereas in other offices a one-cent stamp GEORGE FRISBIE HOAR. The Worcester of 1898. '313 592 28,165 7,469 2, 1 14 5-360 874 308 99 27 65 43 small percentage s attested by the DRAINAGE. The construction of the present .system of sewerage was begun in 1S67 under powers given by special act of the Legislature passed in ilarch and accepted by vote of the citizens April 16 of the same year. Under this act the city acquired the right to appropriate certain water courses recommended in a report of a special committee appointed to consider the matter, made to the City Council in October, 1866. These main channels compi'ised the following: Mill brook, from Grove street to Green street, which it was calculated would drain 1,552 acres in the city, and its water-shed north of Grove street was computed at 5,024 acres; Lincoln brook, the natural outlet of the sewage in the western part of the city; Austin street brook; Hermitage brook, rising in the northern part of the city with a water-shed of 400 acres; Piedmont brook and Pine Meadow brook. The walling of Mill brook as the main sewer was commenced at Green street May, 1867, and was substantially completed to Lincoln .square in 1870 — 2,238 feet open and 3,369 feet arched.. The first sewers were laid in the streets in August, 1867. The system of sewers has been extended from year to year. January i, * The above figures are brought down to the end of the year 1897. Construction has been carried forward during the present 3'ear in the usual proportion. 348 The Worcester of 1898. WACHUSETT CLUB HOUSE. 1898, there were 105.72 miles of sanitary sewers and 6.29 of surface sewers, which have cost $3,689,052.16, not including the outlay in 1898.* vSonie twenty years ago the pollution of the stream below Quinsiga- mond Village by the sewage of the city began to cause complaint in Millbury and other places on the Blackstone river, and after several years' agitation of the subject, the Legislature in June, 1886, passed an act requiring the city of Worcester to purify its sewage within four years (by June, 1890), by some method not specified, before discharging it beyond city limits. In 1888 the Joint Standing Committee of the City Council recommended the construction of an "outfall sewer," from the end of the present sewer at Quinsigamond Village to the land selected for the final treatment of the sewage before passing into the stream below. The purification works have attracted much attention, and undoubtedly much of the evil has been removed, but whether in a degree equal to the large amount of money expended — $607,660.97 to November 30, 1897 — remains to be seen. According to the monthly analysis of the water after it passes the purification works, made b}- the State Board of Health, the pollution is greater now than in 1896, but this conclusion is in a measure questioned by the local authority. It seems, however, safe to assume that sewage purification in Worcester is still an unsolved problem, which, with the grade-crossing menace, * Repeated efforts to obtain desired information sewers were ineffectual. it the office of the superintendent of The Worcester of 1898. 349 will seriously disturb the minds and pockets of the tax-payers of the city during the early years of its second half-century. The annexation of Millbury and a covered sewer to Narragansett Ba}' are among the possibilities of the future, if chemical or mechanical precipitation fails in its attempted work. BOARD OF HEALTH. The Board of Health was established in 1877. It is composed of three members, of whom the city physician is, cx-officio, one. The board also em- ploys general inspectors and an inspector of plumbing. The regulation of all matters that affect the public health, or are connected with the sanitary condition of the city, are properly within the care of the board — drainage, disposal of ofifal, contagious diseases, etc.; and the inspection of milk and other articles of food. The board also issues burial permits. All the modern facilities and discoveries for the determination and control of contagious and other diseases, the testing of water, milk and other foods, are in use by the board. An isolation hospital was erected in 1896, and is equipped with a steam sterilizer and all the latest appointments for the comfort of patients. The general health of the city compares very favorably with that of other places of its size in New England, as evidenced by the figures given in the following tables : Mortuary Table for Thirtv-four Year.s. So 5 - X. =^0 • J3 f^§ ■ 1) si's Population. 3 ^g| Population. Q ^S| t 'o •^ „- « t 'o -= o-« a d l^8w A d i§" > ^; ^2 > Z 1864 29,041 891 30.68 1881 61,000 estimated 1153 18.90 1865 30.058 787 26.18 1882 65,000 1230 18 92 1866 32,067 700 21.83 1883 67,000 1291 19 27 1867 34,477 677 19.63 1884 70,000 1303 18 61 1868 36.687 766 20.88 1885 68,383 census '323 19 34 1869 38,896 825 21.21 i886 70,000 estimated 1188 16 97 1870 41,105 938 22.82 1887 78,937 1335 16 91 1871 42,737 1146 26.82 1888 82,000 estimated 1471 17 94 1872 44,369 1394 31-41 1889 85,000 1500 17 64 J873 46,001 1055 22.93 1890 84,655 census 1436 16 96 1874 47,633 993 20.85 [891 89,000 estimated 1586 17 82 1875 49,265 1043 21. 17 1892 93,000 1762 18 94 1876 50,000 estimated 1063 21.24 1893 98,000 1895 19 17, 1877 50,000 1097 21.94 1894 100,410 1728 17 2 1878 52,000 948 18.23 1895 102,000 water census 1827 17 91 1879 53,000 910 17. 16 1896 103,086 " " 1796 17 42 1880 58,295 I2l8 20.89 1897 106,202 " " 1791 16 86 350 The Worcester of 1898. LAKE IN ELM PARK. Contagious and Infectious Diseases. Diphtheria. Scarlet F EVER. Typhoid Fever. m m oj JS ui .a (U YEAR. ^ « f2| s u (U Q Il a! Q "1 S Pi s S a. u p. d ^ ^; Q ^ Z Q % ^ P 6. mos of 1884 398 64 16.08 60 4 6.66 1885 360 49 13.61 73 I 1.36 e mo.s. f 1896. 1886 170 21 12-35 123 2 1.62 49 5 10. 20 1887 '44 3.S 243° 124 1 1 8.87 166 13 7-83 1888 212 49 23.11 136 1 1 8.09 94 2 24.46 1889 185 33 1783 81 127 25 19.69 1890 115 20 17-39 100 6 6.00 94 15 '5-95 1891 174 35 20. II 296 13 4-39 84 18 21.42 1892 203 58 28.57 449 16 3-58 92 19 20.65 1893 123 35 20.84 179 10 5-58 143 31 21.67 1894 199 74 37-18 161 7 4-34 160 31 20.62 1895 254 70 27-55 132 5 3-78 139 25 17-98 1896 352 70 19.85 224 6 2.67 127 14 1 1.02 1897 312 55 17.62 254 8 3-14 100 15 15.00 The Worcester of 1898. S.MAI,L-P()X. In iSSS there were seven cases of small-pox and one death. In i''^94 there were sixteen cases and mi deaths. Me.VSLEs. Report not required until July, iSSS. 351- C3 n m % Is *j rt V rt -^ :) >* \^ ^ d Oh d 2; d 0. tt raoh. 1888 318 13 4.08 ■893 1 1 12 16 1-43 1889 1083 20 1-85 1894 485 1 I .02 1890 '58 I •63 189s 29 I ■34 1891 681 7 1.02 1896 456 7 •IS 1892 51 I 1.96 1897 522 17 •03 Vital Statistics. Popidation (water census) January i, 1898, ..... 106,202 Deaths (exclusive of stillborn) in 1897, ...... 1,791 Deaths (exclusive of stillborn and premature births), . . 1,749 Death rate per thousand, stillborn excluded, . . . 16.80 Death rate per thousand, stillborn and premature births excluded, 16.47 Males, .... 904 Females, . . . . 887 Stillborn, .... 127 Premature births, . . 41 Insane, .... 68 Births, . . . . .1,018 THE PARKS SYSTEM. For many years the only public ground in Worcester was the old Common, or, as more fancifully designated, Central park. This tract was early set apart by the pioneers in the settlement of the place as a "training field," but in after years it was seriously encroached upon, and a large portion was used for various purposes other than those implied in the original declaration. The town burial-ground occupied a part of this tract, and school-houses, hearse and gttn houses were located here. Roads and paths crossed it in diliferent directions, the discontin- uing of which aroused considerable opposition; and the fencing of the Common was resisted with persistency for several years. The railroad tracks were for a third of a century a menace to safety. It is only within the last twenty years that the ground has taken on an appearance in character with its proper use as a public park. The inclosure now contains about seven acres. 35^ The Worcester of li On the 15th of March, 1S54, the city purchased the land now com- prised in and known as Elm park, about twenty-seven acres in extent, paying therefor $11,257.50. Public sentiment in regard to this action was far from being unanimous, and strong efforts were made during the next year to influence the City Council to rescind its vote and throw the land back upon the grantors. This tract remained unimproved for twenty years, and was used during that time as a place for circuses and other exhibitions, but had few of the features of a public pleasure- ground. The genius of the late Edward Winslow Lincoln, for many EDWARD WINSLOW LINCOLN. years chairman of the Parks Commission, brought about a wonderful transformation, and the park was, under his management, the most attractive pleasure-ground in Worcester, and probabh^ unique in its special features. Governor Levi Lincoln at his death in 1868 left a legacy of $1,000 for the improvement of this park. In 1884 Honorable Edward L. Davis and Mr. Horace H. Bigelow made a free gift to the city of about 1 10 acres of land bordering on Lake Quinsigamond, a tract admirably adapted from its location and ■divensified surface for a public ground. The community thus became po.ssessed of Lake park. Mr. Davis gave $5,000 to improve this park, The Worcester of li 353 and later erected at his own expense a stone tower of picturesque con- struction. Fourteen acres of land included in this tract had in 1862 been offered to the city as a gift by the Honorable Isaac Davis, and was declined. The acquisition of this public ground was followed by a great awaken- ing on the subject of parks. The "Park Act" was accepted by an almost unanimous vote. During the next six or eight years, the city came into possession of nine additional parks, aggregating over 200 acres, as by the following enumeration appears: Crystal or University park, 1887, 8 acres; East park, 1887, n acres; Institute park, 1887, 18 'acres;' Cromp- SHELTER IN INSTITUTE PARK. ton park, 1888, 13 acres; Newton hill, 1888, 60 acres; North park, 1889, 40 acres ; Dodge park, 1 890, r 3 acres ; Fairmount, small ; Chandler hill, 1892, 37 acres. The aggregate of all the parks in Worcester is nearly 350 acres. Three of the above— Institute, Dodge and Fairmount parks- were gifts to the city by Honorable Stephen Salisbury, Thomas H. Dodge, Esq., and the late David S. Messinger, respectively. The fee of East park is in the Commonwealth. The others were purchased, and a "park loan" was authorized and funded. The total cost has been over $250,000, exclusive of gifts. Institute park has been improved by Mr. Salisbury largely at his own expense, and is much resorted to by those who drive, walk, or ride the 354 The Worcester of 1898. LAKE IN INSTITUTE PARK. wheel. North park and Dodge park are in the northern section of tlie city; East park and the adjoining Chandler hill are situated between vShrewsbury and Belmont streets. Crompton park lies between Mill- bury street and Quinsigamond avenue. University park is opposite Clark University on Main street. Each of these parks has its own special attractions and points of interest, and altogether they form one of the chief glories of our beautiful city. In September, 1898, Charles D. Boynton presented a deed to the city of about 130 acres of land located in Paxton and Holden "for the pur- poses of a public park, or for a hospital, or sanitarium, or both, or either, as the City Government shall from time to time determine." The deed reserves a life interest in the land to Mr. Boynton. By vote of the City Council October 3, and approved by the mayor October 7, the gift was gratefully accepted. This tract contains the celebrated "Silver Spring," and the land adjoins the city line, and is within easy access. In 1863 the Commission of Shade Trees and Public Grounds of three members was constituted, and entered upon its duties. In 1885 this body was reorganized with five members, and its name changed to that of Parks Commission. It is no disparagement to the valuable services of those who have been his colleagues to say that from the appointment of Edward Win.slow Lincoln in 1870 to his death in 1896, he was the back- bone of the commission, and that to his intelligent direction, liberal The Worcester of if 355 views and practical sense Worcester owes much of what she to-day- possesses in the form of public parks. The following are the Park Commissioners for 1898 : Obadiah B. Had- wen, Chairman ; James Draper, Secretary ; William Hart, Edward L. Davis, Edwin P. Curtis. POLICE DEPARTMENT. The Worcester police force has always maintained a high reputation for efficiency. The first paid policeman in Worcester was Alvan W. Lewis, who was appointed in September, 1848, night watchmen and constables, discharging most of the duties at that time. The gradual growth of the department is shown by the increase in number every five years: 1855, 5; i860, 12; 1865, 16; 1870, 30; 1875, 50; 1880,60; 1885, 80; 1890, 100. The department as it stands in 1898 is composed of I chief of police, i deputy chief of police, 2 captains, 2 lieutenants, I secretary, 5 sergeants, 1 1 7 patrolmen, 4 doormen, i matron, 2 inspect- ors, 2 drivers, i janitor; total, 135. On the 28th of May, 1888, the Worcester police force was made permanent, so that officers (excepting the chief and his assistant) can now be removed only for cause. The Police Relief Association is a voluntary organization of members of the force, for the purpose of BOAT HOUSE IN INSTITUTE PARK. 356 The Worcester of 1898. aiding a sick member temporarily, and paying a death benefit to his widow and orphans of $700. There are two police stations: No. i, headquai'ters on Waldo street, and No. 2, on Lamartine street. There is a bicycle squad of five men, and several officers are mounted in emergency. There are an electric signal system, ambulances and patrol wagons connected with the department. The appropriation by the City Council for the expenses of the police in 1897 was $125,000, and the revenue, $7,597; total expenses, $137,646. There were 4,749 arrests in 1897, and 11,124 tramps were accommodated during the year. Of $16,001 value of property lost or stolen reported, $12,959 was recovered. STREETS. At the beginning of the year 1898, there were in Worcester 181 miles of public streets and 63 miles of private streets, 1 1 miles of paved streets, 79 miles of brick sidewalks, 10 miles of concrete sidewalks, k mile of granolithic walks. These streets were lighted by 567 arc and 40 incandescent electric lights, 40 Welsbach gas lights, and 1,798 gaso- lene lamps. Block paving prevails to a great extent; asphaltina and brick paving are gradually coming into use, several streets having already been laid in these materials. ]\Iany brick crosswalks have replaced the old flagstones. Many miles of streets are macadam- ized. Under the old law previous to 1896, the abutters were obliged to keep the sidewalks in repair. The new law compels the city to make all necessary repairs, and complaints of defective sidewalks are more numerous than formerly in consequence. The trend is towards reliev- ing the owner from the present requirements of the law to keep his sidewalk clean of ice and snow in winter, and within a short time this duty will probably be performed by the Highway Department, as has been the case with street watering, which is now done by the city, the cost being assessed with the tax upon estates. No damages can now be recovered in consequence of accident due to ice and snow alone, if reasonable compliance with the law has been made by the owner. Formerly large claims were made by those who were injured, and in many cases awarded; but this grew into an abuse to such an extent that an act was passed by the Legislature to correct it. Now gross negligence or an obvious defect in the paving must be proved before the plaintiff can recover. The appropriation for street maintenance and construction in 1898 was $133,000, with $92,500 additional for street lighting. The Worcester of 1898. ;57 RESIDENCE OF GEORGE C. BRYANT, 78 WOODLAND STREET. FIRE DEPARTMENT. In 1848, when Worcester became a city, the numerical force of the Fire Department was 247, divided among five engine companies, one hook-and-ladder company, and a board of seven engineers. Only hand- engines were in use at that time. The Fire Department had been incorporated and regularly organized in 1835, and the number of men and engines was from time to time inci'eased as the growth of the place advanced. In 1854, when the Merrifield fire, Worcester's most disastrous conflagration, occurred, the city was as well equipped for fighting fii-e as any other community of its size in this part of the country ; but at that time none of the modern methods or apparatus had come into use, and the devouring element overcame such resistance as could then be brought against it, and swept away everything in its path. To-day a similar fire could be quickly controlled unless adverse circumstances of an extraordinary nature should prevail. The advent of the -steam fire-engine, like most innovations, was resisted with bitterness, but its efficiency was so effectively demon- strated that within a few years it entirely superseded the old hand apparatus, the hook-and-ladder excepted. Another valuable adjunct 358 The Worcester of i! RESIDEIICE vVESTMINSTER STREET. and aid to the quick extinguishment of fires was the alarm telegraph, the first portion of which was constructed in 1871. Within the past year or two the wires of a considerable part of this system have been placed under ground. Worcester has now one of the most efficient fire departments in the country, and its reputation is generally acknowledged. The manual force consists of the chief engineer, deputy chief, assistant chief and eighty-eight permanent and ninety-nine call men. The apparatus in- cludes seven engines, fourteen hose-wagons, four chemical-engines and four ladder-trucks. Sixty-two horses are employed. There are sixteen department houses, besides the new headquarters. The department headquarters at Union and Foster streets, just com- pleted and soon to be occupied, cost over $100,000 exclusive of the land. It is one of the most beautiful and commodious fire buildings in the country. An important auxiliary to the Fire Department is the Insurance Fire Patrol, which is maintained by the insurance companies, with the aid of an annual grant from the city. It renders quick service, and by the spreading of rubber covers, and other assistance, saves many thou- sands of dollars' -worth of property yearly. The appropriation for the maintenance of the Fire Department in 1898 was $139,000. Edwin L. Vaughn is chief engineer. The Worcester of 1898. 359 PROPERTY AND TAXATION IN 1898. V.^LU.-VTION. Polls. Real. Personal. Total. Ward I, 3461 $12,249,050 $4,479,400 $16,728,450 Ward 2, 4220 8,546,650 1,136,950 9,683,600 Ward 3, 4014 6,062,050 2,391,800 8,453,850 Ward 4, 415- 4,860,650 834,150 5,694,800 Ward 5, 4740 4,808,600 947,800 5,756,400 Ward 6, 3928 11,259.950 3,647.450 14,907,400 Ward 7, 3375 1 1, 280,500 2,016, 100 13,296,600 Ward 8, 3120 16,037,700 4,032,900 20,070,600 Non-residents, 6,153,250 146,250 6,299,500 Totals, 31,010 Resident bank shares, Totals Tax on 31,010 polls at $2, Ta.\ on $102,054,315 at $16.20, Total amount raised. Total state, county and city tax. $81,258,400 $19,632,800 $100,191,200 1,163,115 1,163,115 520,795,915 !eio2,o54,3i5 $62,020.00 1,653,279.90 ^1,715,299-90 1,695-377-27 Overla) ings, . $19,922.63 Property Neat Owners. Houses. Horses. Cows. Cattle. Sheep. Swine. Fowls. Ward I, 1897 1320 7S0 439 45 6 1 12 2320 Ward 2, 2187 1498 757 380 80 — 74 1095 Ward 3, 1640 1187 818 59 — — — 600 Ward 4, 1523 1212 450 105 21 — 45 964 Ward 5, r747 1313 498 154 20 — 27 745 Ward 6, 2419 1561 845 104 8 — 22 358 Ward 7, 2251 1349 649 100 14 — 22 330 Ward 8, 2416 I4S7 S90 333 42 14 34 865 Xon-r esidents 899 744 42 5729 57 1731 8 238 20 35j — 16,979 1 1,67 I 7277 State tax, incl uding Armory tax $5,845- 36, . $62 350.00 County tax, 119 747-00 City tax, 1,513 280.21 State tax. $0.31 County tax. 0.87 City t ax. Total, 15.02 $16.20 The tax rate for 1898 is $16.20 per thousand. The figure is $1.40 above last year's rate, and the highest for ten years. The advance is due to the increase of the appropriation to cover the interest on the general debt, amounting to about $37,000, sewer loan amounting to 36o The Worcester of 1898. about $3,000, contributions to the sinking fund amounting to about $41,500, and the increase of the county tax from $60,000 to $119,000. Three and one-half millions has been gained in property valuations : three in real, and one-half in personal. The rate is the result of the financial management of some city councils of recent years, and it will be higher if the borrowing continues. The assessors have increased the valuation, but the big loans are bearing heavy interest, and the tax- payers will have to bear the burden. Over five million dollars of property owned by religious, educational, charitable and other institutions in the city is exempt from taxation in 1898, the revenue from which, if assessed, would amount to $80,000. Of religious societies the amount exempted is $2,843,100, and the largest estates are: Union, Congregational, $240,000; St. Paul's, Roman Catholic, $232,200; All Saints', Protestant Episcopal, $150,400; Old South, Congregational, $146,600; Central, Congregational, $120,200; Plymouth, Congregational, $118,900; Piedmont, Congregational, $116,- 200; St. Anne's, Roman Catholic, $103,300; Young Women's Christian Association, $105,800; Young Men's Christian Association, $88,500. Of educational institutions and libraries the total is $1,617,500, the principal being Worcester Academy, $421,100; Clark University, $414,- 600; Polytechnic Institute, $303,500; Holy Cross College, $299,400. Charitable and benevolent institutions, total, $205,600. Miscellaneous, $427,200. Grand total, $5,093,400. FACTS OF INTEREST. By the first census of the United States, taken in 1 790, it appears that Worcester with 2,095 inhabitants ranked as the sixteenth in popu- lation among the cities and towns in the country. Those ranking before it were: i. New York; 2, Philadelphia; 3, Boston; 4, Charleston; 5, Baltimore; 6, .Salem; 7, Providence; 8, Taunton; 9, Richmond; 10, Albany; 1 1, New Bedford ; 12, Haverhill; 13, Lynn; 14, Portland; 15, Cambridge. In 1800 Worcester's rank was twenty-fourth. The others ranked as follows: I, New York; 2, Philadelphia; 3, Baltimore; 4, Boston; 5, Charleston; 6, Salem; 7, Providence; 8, Norfolk; 9, .Richmond; 10, Albany; 11, Hartford; 12, Savannah; 13, Troy; 14, New Bedford; 15, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; 16, New Haven; 17, Taunton; 18, Portland; 19, Waterbury; 20, Washington, District of Columbia; 21, Lynn; 22, Haverhill; 23, Cambridge. In 1810 Worcester's place had declined to the twenty-seventh; in 1820, to the thirty-sixth; in 1830, to the thirt3--ninth ; in 1840, to the forty-first; in 1850, to the thirty-third; in i860, to the thirty-fourth; in The Worcester of 1898. 361 1870, to the thirtieth; in 1880, to the twenty-eighth; and in 1890, to the thirt3'-second. Worcester in 1898 is the second city in population and importance in the State, the third in New England, and the third inland city in the United States. It produces a greater variety of manufactured products than any other city in the United States, Worcester is the third agricultural town in the State, Dartmouth ranking first with only 3,107 population, the annual value of its agricultural products being $697,407. Boston comes second, with a total of $615,562. Worcester's total is $582,439. The Worcester dairy is the richest in the State, its annual value being $214,997. Next come hay, straw and fodder, $149,298; then vegetables, $62,- ■034; greenhouse products, $39,773; poultry, $29,892. Worcester has the largest wire factory in the world ; the largest loom works and envelope factories in the United States. Every kind of a machine used in a woolen or •cotton mill is manufactured here. There are 1,292 manufacturing establishments, with $1 5,092,707 ■capital invested ; employing the last census year 20,185 people, who received $9,533,490 wages, producing $38,311,085 worth of finished products. According to the water census •of 1898, which includes only those using water, there are in the city 1,211 offices, 99 saloons, 1 1 8 barber-shops, 20 foundries, 2,227 stables, 14,338 baths, 29,- 227 water-closets, 2,201 boilers for heating, 7 mills, 76 laun- dries, 72 churches, 23 hotels, 69 boarding-houses, 590 shops, 21 greenhouses, 70 schools, 356 ele- vators, 1 1 photograph-galleries, 106 markets, 1,222 stores. It is estimated that 1,500 people do not take water. OLD MILL, INSTITUTE PARK. CHARLES A. CHASE. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. By Charles A. Chase, A. ^I.* |T is of course essential to the growth and development of a city that its people should be well supplied with banking institutions, to supply a safe custody for deposits of money, to furnish credit to- men of business, and to advance the cash upon bills receivable which merchants and manufacturers wish to turn into money in advance of maturity. In this respect Worcester has been well equipped. The capital employed and the facilities afforded have been well up to the needs of the community — perhaps never behind and never in excess. The city would gain nothing by any increase in the existing number; and there are certain economies in the matter of administration which are saved to the people by a limitation of the number of banks to the actual need. An idea which prevails among ignorant people that banks benefit the wealthy class at the expense of any portion of the com- munity, is refuted by the moderate dividends which are paid to the stockholders, and the risks which they incur, by a study of the practical operations of the banking system, and by common sense. The first bank of circulation to be established here was organized just at the opening of the century. Banks had been formed in Boston soon after the Revolution, and were required by their charters to loan a portion of their assets upon real-estate mortgages. The records at the Registry of Deeds show a number of such mortgages on property in this county given to Boston banks, the State bank, the Union bank, etc., all of Boston, before we had a bank here. The central position of Worcester, in the very heart of the State, the centre and shire town of a county abounding in fertile farms and teem- ing with manufactures, led the solid men of the place to consider and execute a plan to establish a bank here which should bear the name of the town and should be a benefit to this section of the State. In the year 1803 a number of gentlemen met and appointed a committee con- sisting of Benjamin Heywood, Francis Blake, Isaiah Thomas, William Paine and Daniel Waldo, Jr., who were to solicit subscriptions for the *See sketch in Biographical Department. STEPHEN SALISBURY, SECOND. The Worcester of 1898. 365: stock, which, it was planned, was to consist of 1,000 §100 shares. A list for subscriptions was placed in Barker's Tavern in Januar}-, 1804, and 183 subscribers was the result. This number was graded down to 150 by the committee, who applied for a charter, with a capital of {1150,000. The charter was granted March 7, 1804, and the concern organized under the title of the Worcester Bank. Beside the com- mittee the following appeared in the list of corporators: Daniel Waldo, Sr., Stephen Salisbury, Nathaniel Paine, Nathan Patch, William Hen- shaw and Elijah Burbank. The original charter ran for eight years from October, 1804, and provided that the whole amount of capital should be paid in before March, 1805; that the bank might hold real estate for banking purposes to the amount of $20,000, and that neither the circulation nor the loans should exceed twice the amount of capital stock actually paid in. No bills could be issued for less than $5, and the Commonwealth reserved the right to become an owner in the stock to an amount not exceeding §50,000 of additional stock to be created. It was also provided that one-eighth of the funds of the banks should always be appropriated to loans to "agricultural interests," and the bank was bound to loan the State, when required by the Legislature, any sum not exceeding $15,000, to be reimbursed in five annual installments, and at a rate of interest not exceeding five per cent. The original directors were Daniel Waldo, Benjamin Heywood, Samuel Flagg, Isaiah Thomas, Daniel Waldo, Jr., Theophilus Wheeler and Samuel Chandler. Levi Thaxter, appointed cashier, and Robert B. Brigham, accountant, entered themselves in a Boston bank to be instructed in the duties of their offices at their own expense. Daniel Waldo was elected president. The first building was on the site of the Central Exchange. This was destroyed by fire in 1842, and the bank afterward continued in the new building in the same place until 185 1, when the present structure was erected. The concern was made a national bank under the new law, on May 4, 1864, with the title of Worcester National Bank. It was the first of the State banks here to adopt the national system. The capital of the bank had been increased to $250,000 in 1851, and is now $500,000. The presidents of the Worcester Bank have been Daniel Waldo, for a short time in 1804; Daniel Waldo, Jr., from 1804 to 1845; Stephen Salisbury, 1845 to 1884; and Stephen Salisbury, Jr., from 1884 to the present time. James P. Hamilton has been cashier since July, 1868. All the national banks in the city except one (First) are continuations in effect of vState banks which were in existence at the outbreak of the war in 1861. They retained the same officers, the same quarters and the same traditions: and their history may be very properly regarded as continuous. STEPHEN SALISBURY, THIRD. The Worcester of 1898. 367 The Central Bank was chartered March 12, 1829, the corporators William Eaton, Leonard W. Stowell, Isaac Davis, Thornton A. Merrick, David Stowell, Pliny Merrick, William Jennison, Daniel Heywood, (Gardner Paine, Samuel Allen, Levi A. Dowley, Benjamin Butman, Asahel Bellows, Daniel Goddard, Isaac Goodwin, Artemas Ward and Anthony Chase. Its presidents have been Benjamin Butman, Thomas Kinnicutt, John C. Mason, Joseph Mason and Henry A. Marsh. Mr. Marsh entered the service of the bank in 1853, and was cashier from 1862 to January, 1892, when he was elevated to the presidency. The bank was reorganized under the national system May 18, 1864, and in 1865 increased its capital from $250,000 to $300,000. Until 1853 its office was in the brick building owned by Doctor Green, nearly opposite Central street, but a little to the north ; then for sixteen years in the second story at the corner of Front street, and since in its present quarters opposite the City Hall. Otis Corbett was the first cashier, from May 16 to November 30, 1829, being succeeded by George A. Trumbull, who retired with the president in 1836. William Dickinson .ser%^ed from 1836 to 1850; George F. Hartshorn, 1850 to 1856, and 1859 to 1862: George C. Bigelow, 1856 to 1859; Henry A. Marsh, 1862 to 1892; and Wilham Woodward, from January, 1892, to the present. The Quinsigamond Bank, with a capital of $100,000, was incorporated March 25, 1833, the corporators being Nathaniel Paine, Samuel M. Burnside, John Coe, Otis Corbett, Ichabod Washburn, Stephen Salis- bury, Frederic William Paine, Thomas Kinnicutt, George T. Rice and Levi A. Dowley. Samuel D. Spurr, Frederic William Paine, Isaac Davis, Alfred D. Foster, Levi A. Dowley, Emory Washburn and Samuel Damon constituted the first Board of Directors. The bank was opened in Doctor Green's block, now owned by the Merchants & Farmers Insurance Company, but soon moved to the south end of the Flagg building at the north corner of Sudbury street, and afterward, Septem- ber, 1854, to the south corner of Layard place. On January i, 1893, it moved to the first floor of the Five Cents Savings Bank building. Its capital has been $250,000 since 1854. Alfred D. Foster, its first presi- dent, was succeeded by Isaac Davis, 1836 to 1842; William Jennison, '<''43-'53; William Dickinson, one year; Isaac Davis, 18 54-'78 ; Edward L. Davis, i878-'84; and Elijah B. Stoddard. Charles A. Hamilton was the first cashier, serving for twenty years. His successors have been Joseph S. Farnum, Alden A. Howe, John L. Chamberlin and Henry P. Murray. A charter was given to the Citizens' Bank on April 9, 1836, the corporators being Calvin Willard, Stephen Salisbury and Harvey Blash- field. The capital was fixed at $500,000, but this amount proved larger than was needed and was reduced gradually to $150,000. The first EDWARD A. GOODNOW. The Worcester of 189S. 369 Board of Directors included Benjamin Butman, Harvey Blashfield, Pliny Merrick, William Lincoln, Ebenezer Aldrich, Edward Lamb,' Nymphas Pratt, Frederic W. Paine and Calvin Willard. The bank began business in the south end of a block built by Mr. Butman on the north corner of Main and Maple streets, remaining there until March, 1 88 1, when it removed to the second story of Harrington corner,' remaining there for sixteen years, and then returning to almost its original site in the new and beautiful building of the State Mutual Life Assurance Company. The presidents since Mr. Butman have been Nymphas Pratt, chosen in October, 1838; Pliny Merrick, October, 1839; Francis T. Merrick, October, 1842; Francis H. Kinnicutt, November] i860; Benjamin W. Childs, September, 1885; Samuel Winslow, Jan- uary, 1889; and Henry S. Pratt, November 26, 1894. Mr. George A. Trumbull came with Mr. Butman from the Central Bank, and was cashier until his death in 1858. He was succeeded by his Lon-in-Iaw. John C. Ripley, who served for eleven years. Lewis W. Hammond was cashier from 1869 to 1892, and was succeeded by George A. Smith. The Mechanics National Bank, like the city of Worcester, has just celebrated its golden anniversary, having been incorporated June 15, 1848, four months after the city received its charter. Its incorporators were Frederic William Paine, Henry Goulding and William T.. Merri- field, and the capital was $200,000, increased to $300,000 in 1 851, and to $350,000, the present amount, in 1853. The first Board of Directors included Henry Goulding, William T. Merrifield, Francis H. Dewey, William M. Bickford, Charles Washburn, Harrison Bliss, Ebenezer H.' Bowen and Alexander DeWitt. Mr. DeWitt was president from 1848 to 1855, from October, 1857, to 1858, and from October, 1859, to Octo- ber, i86o; Francis H. Dewey, October, 1855, to October, 1857; Henry Goulding, 1858 to 1859; Harrison Bliss, i860 to July, 1882: Charles W. Smith, to March, 1883; David S. Messinger, to' April, 1888, when he resigned and was succeeded by Francis H. Dewey, eldest son of the second president. The cashiers have been Parley Hammond, to July, 1854; succeeded by Scotto Berry, to February, 1866, when George E.' Merrill, the present incumbent, was elected. The bank began business in a new brick block built by General George Hobbs on the south corner of Main and George streets, but in October, 185 1, moved to its present quarters, previously occupied by the Worcester Bank, in the Central Exchange. The bank entered the national svstem March 14 1865. On March 28, 1854, a charter was given to the City Bank, with a capital of $200,000, the incorporators being William B. Fox, Henry Chapin and Frederic William Paine. It began business in the second story of Harrington corner, a favorite site for banking. About the ^^HpHPBHK.ii CALVIN FOSTER. The Worcester of 1898. 371 beginning of the year 1855, however, it removed to the rooms which had been especially fitted for its use in the new building erected by Mr. Foster on the southwest corner of Main and Pearl streets, where it has since remained. George W. Richardson was the first presideflt, and was succeeded by Calvin Foster* in 1878. Parley Hammond was the first cashier, and his successor, Nathaniel Paine, has held that office since 1857. It was organized as a national bank in 1864. The First National Bank, organized June 5, 1863, with a capital of $100,000, was, as its name implies, the first one of the kind in Worces- ter. It was also the second in the State, and the seventy-ninth in the whole country. The first Board of Directors consisted of Parley Ham- mond, Ichabod Washburn, Nathan Washburn, Timothy W. Wellington, George Draper (of Milford), Edward A. Goodnow, Hartley Williams, Charles B. Pratt and Alexander Thayer. Mr. Hammond was the first president, and Mr. Goodnow was president from Janiiary, 1867, to 1894, when he was succeeded by Albert H. Waite. Lewis W. Hammond was the first cashier, and was succeeded by Arthur A. Goodell July 18, 1864; George F. Wood, vSeptember i, 1869; Arthur M. Stone, April 6, 1874; Albert H. Waite, March, 1879, and Gilbert K. Rand, January, 1894. The bank was on the second floor at Harrington corner, but in 1869 moved into a new building just south of Pearl street, and in December, 1894, to its present quarters opposite the Common. The original charter expired in June, 1882, but as Congress had not per- fected the necessary legislation which, a month later, gave existing banks the privilege of so amending their original articles of association as to extend their "period of succession" by an additional term of twenty years, another "First" National Bank of Worcester was there- fore organized June 4, 1882, which succeeded the former without any interruption or friction. The Worcester County Institution for Savings was an outgrowth of the success of the Worcester Bank, and was founded in 1828, receiving its charter on February 8. It was the first institution of its kind in this part of the vState, and received the support of solid business men from all quarters. The members of the corporation represented almost every town in the county. Daniel Waldo, president of the Worcester Bank, was first president of this institution until his death in 1845. Stephen vSalisbury, his successor in both offices, served until 1871, when he resigned from the savings bank, and was succeeded b}- Alexander H. Bullock. Mr. Bullock continued until his sudden death in January, 1882, when Stephen Salisbury, son of the former president, was elected to the office. This institution has had but three treasurers during the * Deceased November 12, 1S9S. See sketch in Biographical Department. .^ SAMUEL R. HEYWOOD. The Worcester of li 373 seventy years of its existence: Samuel Jennison, to 1853; Cliarles A. Hamilton, to November, 1879; and Charles A. Chase. The secretaries have been: Isaac Goodwin, 1828; William Lincoln, 1833; Thomas Kin- nicutt, 1843; John C. B. Davis, 1848; Joseph Mason, 1850; Joseph TrmnbuU, 1853; J. Henry Hill, 1854; Charles F. Aldrich, 1890. The bank was at first opened on Wednesday afternoons only, between 2 and 5 o'clock. The first deposit was made by Honorable Abijah Bigelow in the name of his daughter, Miss Hannah Bigelow. The amount was $15, and it was put in June 4, 1828. The present number of depositors BANK BUILDING, FOSTER STREET. is 30,840, and the deposits amount to $14,685,681. The guaranty fund is $732,000. The Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank was incorporated April i, 1854, at the time when the new idea of receiving deposits of less than one dollar was coming in vogue, and has now a large number of such accounts upon its books. Its first president was Charles L. Putnam, who was succeeded by George W. Richardson in 1877, Clarendon Harris in 1878, and Elijah B. Stoddard in 1884. Clarendon Harris, who was at the same time secretary of the State Mutual Life Assurance Company, was treasurer of this bank for the first eighteen years, being succeeded by George W. Wheeler (who had been city treasurer for many years previous), and by J. Stewart Brown in 18S4.' > FRANCIS H. DEWEY. The Worcester of li 375 In 1892 this bank erected an imposing brick building of six stories on the north corner of Main and Walnut streets, removing to its second story at the close of that year. Its deposits October 30, 1897, amounted to $6,497,363, with 24,391 depositors, and a guaranty fund of $230,000. The Worcester Mechanics Savings Bank was the second savings bank in Worcester in order of incorporation. It was chartered May 15, 1851. CENTRAL EXCHANGE BUILDING, MAIN STREET. The presidents have been: Isaac Davis, until 1S55; Alexander DeWitt, to 1859; John S. C. Knowlton, to 1862; Harrison Bliss, until his death in 1888; and J. Edwin Smith. Parley Hammond was treasurer for three years, and that office has been since filled for nearly forty-four years by Henry Woodward. Except for the first three years, its rooms have been in the Central Exchange, at first in rear of the Mechanics National Bank; but since the removal of the post office from the build- ing, it has occupied the rooms on the north side of the hall. The recent 376 The Worcester of if remodeling of the building has given it the long-needed spacious and attractive quarters. Its last return to the State showed deposits of $5,843,090, with a guaranty fund of $208,000, and 9,328 depos- itors. On May 13, 1864, was incorporated the People's vSavings Bank, which began business in the second storv at the south corner of Main and Pleasant streets. Its business rapidly increased, and in 1 869 it moved into its own marble-front build- ing on Main street, opposite the Common. Its first presi- dent was John C. Mason, who resigned January 27, 1877, and was succeeded by William Cross, who resigned in 1879. Lucius J. Knowles filled the office until his death, Feb- ruary 25, 1884, and was suc- ceeded by Samuel R. Hey wood. Charles M. Bent has been treasurer from the organiza- tion of the bank. It had 16,699 open accounts on Octo- ber 30, 1897, representing deposits of $7,756,195, with a guaranty fund of $294,000. In the period of thirty-one years following the incorpora. tion of the People's Savings Bank in 1864, Worcester had doubled in population, valua- tion, business, and extent of .settled territor}'. In 1895 the four existing savings banks had so large an accumulation of deposits that the time seemed ripe for another bank, and the Bay State Savings Bank was chartered in that year, beginning business on July i in the Taylor building opposite the Common. Richard Healy is president, and George McAleer, treasurer. On October. 30, 1897, it had 531 depositors, with $141,868 to their credit. The new institution was well received by the bank men of the city, and was not considered as a rival or competitor. The most cordial relations are maintained on both sides. PEOPLE'S SAVINGS BAH<; BUILDING. The Worcester of i! 377 The vast issue of bonds by the national government during the great Rebellion, accompanied and followed by the issues by states, municipal- ities and railroads, created a demand for depositories where the people could safely store their securities and other personal property of value. The Worcester Safe Deposit & Trust Company received its first charter from the State as the Worcester vSafe Deposit Company in March, 1868, and its sec- end in May, 1869. It PJ^t i receives deposits subject to check at sight, paying interest of two per cent. per annum on daily bal- ances of $100 or over, but does not issue bills. It is also authorized to act as trustee in probate •matters and the like. It assumes the direct cus- tody of valuables, and lets .small safes in its strong- vaults, to which the renter alone has access. Its capital is $200,000, with a surplus of $100,- 000, and deposits (October 30, 1897) $2,132,022. Its trust accounts, a sepa- rate department, then amounted to $882,347. George M. Rice was the first president, succeeded by George S. Barton in 1890. On Mr. Barton's death in 1891, Secretarv Edward F. Bisco was promoted to the position. city bank building. Samuel T. Bigelow, the first secretary, was succeeded by Mr. Bisco in 1872, and Samuel G. Clary, who had long been teller, was made secretar\^ in 1 89 1. The State Safe Deposit Company was organized in 1887, solely for the purpose indicated by its name. It began business in an annex of the State Mutual building (recently sold to the Worcester Gas Light •Company), with vaults constructed for its own use, and has recently 378 The Worcester of 189S. 'ILLIAM WOODWARD. removed to the new building of the Life Assurance Company, where it has an equipment unsurpassed by that of any company in the State. A. George Bullock has been presi- dent from the start, Henry M. Wit- ter, secretary, and Halleck Bartlett, manager. The business of the two local safe deposit companies received a new impetus as a result of the existing war with Spain. The residents of the seaboard cities secured boxes in the vaults, some depositing their securities and others holding the keys, that they might bring their valuables to a place of safety in case of a threatened visit to the sea- coast bv a hostile fleet. COOPERATIVE BANKS, similar to the building associations which have been of so much benefit in Philadelphia and elsewhere, are among the institutions of Worcester which serve as media between the borrower and the lender. In their case, the borrower is to some extent a borrower from himself. The Worcester Cooperative Bank, vStephen C. Earle, president, was incorporated October ig, 1877, and has $415,315 loaned on mortgages. The Home Cooperative Bank, Enoch H. Towne, president, has $358,500 on mortgages, and was incorporated June 10, 1882. The Equity Cooperative Bank was incorporated on February 9, 1887. Charles L. Gates is president, and the amount loaned on mortgages (figures from last annual report) $287,500. The three cooperative banks have quarters in common in the Walker building, south corner of Main and charles m. bent.. The Worcester of 1898. 379' Alechanic streets. Thomas J. Hastings holds the offices of secretary and treas- urer of all ; and Edward B. Glasgow is. their solicitor. FIRE AND LIFE INSURANCE. The benefit of insurance against fire impressed itself upon the people of this section early in this century, leading to the incorporation of the Worcester Mu- tual Fii'e Insurance Compan}' seventy- five years ago, or February 11, 1823. Levi Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln were the two corporators from Worces- RiCHARD HEALv. t^r, aud there were sixteen from other towns in the county. The charter re- quired that no policy should be issued tmtil subscriptions for at least $200,000 worth should be received; that the field of operations should be limited to this county, and that property should not be insured for more than three-fourths of its value. The first policy, signed by Rejoice Newton, president, and William D. Wheeler, secretary, was issued May 14, 1824. It insured Luther and Daniel Goddard $1,500 on their dwelling-house, wood-house and barn, and $1,100 on their brick store. The buildings were on the east side of Main street, midway be tween Thomas and School streets. The house and store are still standing. The policy was to run for seven years, the rate being one and three-fourths per cent, for the house and barn, and one and three-eighths for the store. Following the rule of limiting fire risks to the safest kinds of prop- erty, this company has always paid large dividends to the policy-holders, the rate having for a considerable time been eighty per cent, of the premium monc)-. It now issues policies for five years or less, and returns seventy per cent, of the dividend on the long-term policies. Isaac Goodwin was secretary of the company from December, 1828, to 1832; Anthony Chase, to 1853; and Charles M. Miles, to 1879. Frederic W. Paine was president from 183 1 george mcaleer. 38o The Worcester of 1898. to 1853; Anthony Chase, 1853 to 1879; and Ebenezer Torrey, 1879 to 18S8. Charles M. Miles was vice-president and manager from 1879 nntil his death in 1887. John A. Fayerweather is now the president; Roger F. Uphara, secretary and treasurer ; and Frank P. Kendall, assist- ant secretary. For several years past the company has taken risks ■outside of this countv, but still confines itself within the limits of the Commonwealth. This company had at risk December 31, 1897, $42,108,846, with assets of $741,448 and a permanent fund of $420,000. The Merchants & Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized in 1846, to meet the wants of merchants whose goods could not be insured in the older company, and also, it would appear, to attract the patronage of the farmers. Isaac Davis was president until 1884, when he was succeeded by John D. Washburn. The secretaries have been: Charles L. Putnam, John D. Washburn and Elijah B. Stod- dard. It owns the building in which the Central and Citizens Banks and the vState Mutual Life Assurance Company were located at different periods of their history. Assets December 3 1 , 1897, $233,659; amount at risk, $21,750,265; permanent fund, $121,574. The First National Fire Insurance Company, organized in 1869, is retiring from business. The People's Fire Insurance Company, the Bay vState Fire Insurance Company and the Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company were dragged down by the great Boston fire of 1871, and compelled to abandon the business. The Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insurance Company was chartered in 1834 for the special purpose of insuring manufacturing property. Its rooms were over the Citizens Bank. It was reorganized after a temporary suspension, and in 1861 was merged with the Mechan- ics Mutual, retaining its own name. Philip W. Moen is president, and Waldo E. Buck, secretary. Assets, $334,222; amount at ri.sk, $35,243,155- The State Mutual Life Assurance Company was organized in 1845 with a perpetual charter. Its first president, John Davis; its third president, Alexander H. Bullock, and Emory Washburn, for a long time vice-president, were during their lives chief magistrates of the Common- wealth. John Milton Earle, a director and vice-president until his death, is gratefully remembered for his successful efforts as a member of the Legislature in securing a charter for the company, in the face of a determined opposition from other companies existing at the time. For the first twenty years, the company carried a guaranty capital of $20,000, but since that time it has been purely mutual. The company has been prudently managed from the start. To meet its own wants, as well as to make a safe investment of a portion of its large assets, the company has recently erected a magnificent marble building, nine The Worcester of 1898. 381 stories in height, at the corner of Main and Maple streets, a landmark and an ornament to the cit}^ Isaac Davis succeeded his uncle. Governor Davis, as president in 1853, serving for twenty-nine years. Governor Bullock, his successor, served but a few weeks, dying suddenly on January 17, 1882. He was succeeded by Philip L. Moen, who served but one year, resigning- on account of the great pressure of his private business, and being succeeded by the present incumbent, Augustus George Bullock. Clar- endon Harris was secretary, and William Dickinson was treasurer from 1S45 to 1883. The former office has since been filled by Henry M. Witter, and President Bullock acts as treasurer. The amount of insur- ance in force on January i, i8g8, on policies issued by this company was $71,274,718. Its assets were $13,495,690, and the surplus above- liabilities $1,298,797. State Mutual Life Assurance Company. — The building erected and occu- pied by the State Mutual Life Assurance Company at the corner of Main and Maple streets is a noble structure of beauty in proportion and elegance in detail. It is one of the largest and most complete oihce buildings in the country, and is architecturally a credit to the city. It was constructed, after plans by Peabody & Stearns of Boston, by the Norcross Brothers in their usual substantial and thorough manner. The material is white marble built in solid blocks into a steel frame, after the Chicago plan. The structure rises to the height of nine stories above the basement. The ground floor is devoted to four capacious stores and the main entrance. The safe deposit vaults of the State Safe Deposit Company are also located on this floor. The second floor is occupied by the elegant headquarters and offices of the assurance company. Rising above are six floors (each with an area of 138 feet by 123 feet), comprising in the whole 201 offices, which are furnished with all the modern appointments. The ninth floor is occu- pied by club rooms and a restaurant. Four passenger elevators, built by the Sprague Company of New York City, afl^ord ample accommodation to- the tenants and visitors to the building, while freight elevators are located in the rear. The electric and heating plants are located in a separate building back of the main structure, and the former is one of the largest isolated plants in Massachusetts. It comprises three direct connected units of 150 horse power each. The engines are of the Armington & Sims pattern. The storage battery of 2,400 ampere hours' capacity runs the elevators and lights after 6.30 p. m. The capacity is 4,800 candle-power incandescent lights. The switchboard is one of the finest in the State. It is made of tourteen white Italian marble slabs, and is equipped with all the latest designs for circuit-breaking and switches, also meters for registering the. .amount of current used by each line in the building. It was built by the: Cf •"'*«&■ ? '^4 i '3 » ri I !-r ^W m^ STATE MUTUAL BUILDING. The Worcester of 1898. 383 General Electric Company of Schenectady, New York, and cost $2,000. The boiler plant consists of four 100 horse-power horizontal tubular boilers, made by the Stewart Boiler Works of Worcester. The engine-room meas- ures about thirty by fifty feet floor space, with white tiles and enameled brick sides. State Mutual Life Assurance Company was chartered March i6, 1844. A guaranteed capital of $100,000 was required, of which one-half was to be paid in cash, the stockholders to stand pledged for the other half at the call of the company, the interest on the paid-up stock not to exceed seven per cent. Provision was made in the charter for the redemption of the stock, one-third of the surplus being required to be held as a reserve fund to be applied to the redemption of the guarantee stock. The company was organized and issued the first policy on the first day of June, 1845. The first executive officers were: Honorable John Davis, President; Hon- orable Isaac Davis, First Vice-President; Honorable Stephen Salisbury, Second Vice-President; William Dickinson, Treasurer; Clarendon Harris, Secretary; John Green, M. D., Consulting Physician; B. F. Hey wood, M. D., and Joseph Sargent, M. D., Assistant Consulting Physicians. In June, 1865, twenty years after organization, the guarantee capital was retired in accordance with the provisions of the charter, and from that time the company has been purely mutual. At the time the capital stock was retired, the company had outstanding and in force 2,236 policies, insuring ■$3i29S,075, with an annual premium income of $76,413, and an interest income of $53,623 — a total of $130,036. The company was practically under the management of the same Board of Directors from 1845 to 1882. Up to the latter date there had been only two presidents. Governor John Davis, the first president, died in 1853, after a service of eight years. His successor. Honorable Isaac Davis, succeeded the governor, and held the office twenty-eight years. The immediate successor of Honorable Isaac Davis was Governor A. H. Bullock. On the decease of Governor Bullock, in the same month in which he was elected president, the Honorable P. L. Moen was chosen to fill out the unexpired term. At the ensuing annual meeting President A. G. Bullock was called to succeed his honored father. From January, 1883, the time the present incumbent entered upon the duties of his office, the company has made a rapid and so'lid growth. At that date the company had in force 5,165 polices, insuring $12,016,345. The annual income amounted to $501,068, of which $382,871 constituted the income from premiums, and $118,197 the interest on invested funds. The assets then amounted to $3,099,248; the liabilities to $2,452,804; the surplus to $646,444. The above statistics, compared with the corresponding ones of January, 1898, will show the progress made by the company during a period of fifteen years. January, 1898, the number of policies in force was 23,301; the insurance in force, $65,977,132. The total income of the preceding year was $3,193,832.64, of which the income from premiums was $2,629,- 662.40; from interest on the invested funds, $564, 170.24; the assets were $13,455,690.32; the liabilities, $12,156,897 ; the surplus, $1,298,793.32. Its WORCESTER MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE CO. BUILDING. The Worcester of 1898. 385 present officers are: A. G. Bullock, President and Treasurer; Thomas H Gage, Vice-President; Henry M. Witter, Secretary; and Thomas H Gasje M. D., and Albert Wood, M. D., Medical Directors; William E Starr' Actuary; B. H. Wright, Superintendent of Agencies. The Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company Previous to the year 1835 the town of Worcester possessed no adequate force, facilities or appliances for use in extinguishing fires. The only assurance and hope of assistance or protection at times of such calamity was in the efficiency of the two fire societies-the Worcester, formed in 1793, and the Mutual formed m 1822, m their management of the clumsy hand-engine owned iri the town, and their control of the "bucket-brigade," which comprised the members of the two organizations and such individuals as volunteered or were impressed for duty. Large conflagrations in country towns owing to the nature and isolation of buildings, were not frequent, but in almost every instance, large or small, the loss was, for obvious reasons total and the strength of the sentiment for prevention or protection excited by the event was in proportion to its importance. It is said "that the immediate moving influence to the formation of the Worcester Fire Society in 1793 was m a then recent fire, by which the valuable cloth manufactory of Cornelius and Peter Stowell, at or near the present corner of Park and Washington streets, was wholly consumed, with no power in the by- standers but to witness the conflagration in helpless inefficiency " Ao-ain in 1815, there can be no doubt that the solicitude of the inhabitants" was quickened by the great fire of February 18 of that vear, which destroyed the house, store and merchandise of Samuel Brazer, and the bake-house and dwellings of the Flagg brothers on the site of the present Flagg build- ing on Mam street, occasioning a loss of over $ro,ooo, a large sum at that time. The fact that the sympathy of the sufferers' townsmen impelled them to subscribe $2,700, while $1,800 was contributed in other places probably caused the inhabitants of this region to think seriously of some more certain form of indemnity in case their property should be destroyed and as this fire was followed by others in the surrounding neighborhood of only less importance to this example, the sentiment crystallized, and the result was the organization of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, now the most venerable as well as one of the most honorable in point of service of the mutual companies of this State. Its charter, granted February u, 1823, ante-dates that of any other incorporated mutual fire insurance company in Massachusetts. Its first president was Levi Lincoln who withm a year or two, resigned to become governor of the Common- wealth, and m succeeding years to fill other high offices, including that of hrst mayor of the city of Worcester in 1848. The first Board of Directors comprised such eminent citizens of the county as Rejoice Newton, Daniel Waldo, Aaron Tufts, Samuel M. Burnside, Abijah Bigelow, Bezaleel Taft Jr., Isaac Goodwin, Seth Lee and Nathaniel P. Denny. The organization has been maintained to the present time by worthy successors of these men giving a sense of security to those who are or have been fortunate enough to possess certificates of its protection. ' 25 ^aiiiSBSSB^^^-- ^^^Wl^^.^ _,^j^|^^^ *, j \«iMv ^. S, n i tt-t tk. «* ttj 1 1 ^^^^^K ...^. -^v^^.^ ^^^y ^ . ^- 1 The Worcester of 1898. 387 As originally formed the benefits of the company were intended to be confined to the property-owners of the county, but this restriction was later relaxed to include those within the State. The first policy issued was on the 14th of May, 1824, to Luther and Daniel Goddard, to cover property on Main street, and during the first year the business amounted to $153,815, in amount insured, the premiums received to $2,169.86, and the expenses of the company were $610.79. The first loss paid was in 1828, and amounted to $i,Soo.* It was then the custom that each person holding a policy should sign on the records themselves that they had received the original policy, and the early archives of the company are rich in possession of the autographs of prominent property-owners of the period of from fifty to seventy-five years ago who have played an important part in the city and country's history and development. As evidence of the estimation in which the prospective services of this company in conserving the property interests of the county were held at the time of its organization, the fact can be stated that an office was given for its use and occupancy in the old Court House (which has been demolished the present year) in order to serve the convenience of residents of the county whose business brought them to the courts or the registry of deeds. The company remained in the old building until 1851, when its quarters were removed to the new stone Court House. Here it transacted business until its necessities imperatively demanded more room, and in 1867 it took possession of the west suite of rooms on the second floor of the bank block on Foster street. In October, 1873, the company purchased the property ^t 373-377 Main street, and has since occupied offices in the second story of that building, f That the company has been an important factor in times past in incul- cating a sound and practical policy in regard to the care of buildings and safeguarding against fire by those in authority, and has kept watch and ward of the public interest, is shown by an extract from the town records of Worcester in 1845. This also exhibits the condition of a large number of dwellings and other buildings in the place at that time, with the comments expressed by the town fathers: "The Board of Selectmen have had an opportunity of seeing the report made to the officers of the [Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance] Company, and the account is truly alarming. It is a cause of much surprise to those who have been informed of the facts that fires in this village have not been a daily occurrence from the culpable carelessness of the occupants of buildings; — ashes, a prolific source of fire, were found in every story of a house, barreled up in garrets, in closets and in cellars — stove-pipes passing through wood without any protection — fire-boards in places where stoves enter the chimneys — chimneys badly constructed, some of them only two or four inches in thickness of walls, and the brick so badly laid that holes could be found through which sticks * To avoid repetition, much in detail of the financial histor>-, and the names of succeed- ing officers of the organization, given in Charles A. Chase's chapter on the Financial Institutions of Worcester on pages 363-3S1 of this volume, are omitted here. t See accompanying illustration. 388 The Worcester of 1898. could be passed into the centre of the chimney without obstruction from brick or mortar, and in some of these instances fire-boards had been secured closely upon the sides of the chimneys. It is most manifest that to the superintending care of a kind providence alone have we been indebted for preservation from the ravages of most destructive fires." The company's whole history, from its foundation to the present time, nearly seventy-five years, has been an exceptionally prosperous one, and it has returned to its policy-holders dividends as high as ninety-six per cent., which returns are probably larger than ever made by any other mutual company in this country doing a general dwelling-house business. The company has for a long period of years paid seventy per cent, dividends on expiring five years' policies and fifty per cent, on expiring three years' policies and twenty-five per cent, on expiring one year's policies, and has returned the policy-holder dividends amounting to over $700,000 the past ten years alone. The company has paid all losses promptly, and is to-day a tower of strength and stability in the insurance circles of New England. By insuring only the safest class of property against loss by fire or light- ning, they are enabled to quote the lowest possible rate on first-class property compatible with strong security, and certainly no safer and more judicious investment can be made, as assuredly no more liberal inducements are offered, by any other sound or reliable company to owners of property. The introduction and promiscuous use of kerosene and gasolene oil, together with the careless handling of matches by smokers, as well as the immense influx of immigration to this country by people who are not blessed with careful habits, have increased the fire loss ratio immensely, and the divi- dends which the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company has paid the policy-holders show in a more eloquent manner than anything we might say the careful and conservative manner that has characterized the con- duct of all its affairs in overcoming these conditions. The present Board of Directors of the company is composed of the following gentlemen : John A. Fayerweather, Westborough ; Honorable Lewis N. Gilbert, Ware; Stephen Sawyer, Worcester; Major B. D. Dwinnell, Fitchburg; Honorable H. C. Greeley, Clinton; Lyman A. Ely, Worcester; Honorable A. F. Whitin, Whitinsville; Caleb Colvin, Worcester; Roger F. Upham, Worcester; who are represented in the accompanying illustration. The Board of Officers is composed of John A. Fayerweather, President ; Roger F. Upham, Secretary and Treasurer; and Frank P. Kendall, Assistant Secretarv. PUBLIC SERVICE. STEAM RAILROADS. JjllIE first railroad communication with Worcester was in the open- lUJ ing of the Boston & Worcester railroad in 1835. At that time such undertakings were new, and before their utility was practically demonstrated were regarded with disfavor. Much opposition was manifested during the period in which this railroad was being con- structed, and once a meeting of the stockholders was called, for the purpose of putting a stop to the operations in progress and abandoning the enterprise. But the faith and persistency of a few strong minds prevailed, and all obstacles were overcome, and the road to Av'orcester was opened to travel July 6 of the above-named year. Immediately steps were taken to extend the line westward, as the main purpose of the Boston capitalists, who had originated the project, had been to open a highway to the west to connect with the Erie canal, and divert some portion of the traffic through that great waterway eastward, and also that from the western part of New England from its threatened tendency to flow to New York. But Worcester people felt at that time that there was a local advantage in keeping the place a terminus of the railway, and so at first opposed the extension, but without effect, and the year 1839 witnessed the opening of the western railroad to Spring- field. Two years later the road to Albany was completed. The tw^o corporations, though in reality sections of one system, were nominally separate concerns, and were operated as such until 1867, when a con- solidation was effected under the name of the Boston & Albany Rail- road Company, which is now one of the largest and most successful corporations in the country. It is the most important route through New England to the West, the New York Central being virtually'' a continuation of this line, affording direct communication with Chicago and the Pacific. It controls a total length of 388.68 miles of line. This railroad is equipped with 242 locomotives; 247 passenger cars; 60 baggage, mail and express; freight (box. 3,434; stock, 29; coal, 1,528; flat, 802), 5,798; caboose, 80; other, 449; making a total of 6,693 The Worcester of 1898. 391 cars of all descriptions. The total assets of the company as given in the last report of the Railroad Commissioners are $36,518,008.60. The next railroad out of Worcester to be constructed was the Nor- wich, running south fifty-eight miles. This route became very popular, as being the most direct to New York city, connecting with the Sound boats at New London. The Norwich & Worcester railroad was leased in 1869 by the New York & New England Company for a period of ninety-nine years. It is now a part of the New York, New Haven & Hartford system, which had previously obtained control of the Provi- dence & Worcester road. The Providence & Worcester railroad was opened in 1847, entirely superseding the old Blackstone canal, which had been constructed twenty years previously, and which had promised so much in the beginning. Over fifty miles of track are now used on this section. In 1888 the road was leased by the New York, Providence & Boston Company, and was operated by that corporation until it was absorbed by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, of which it now forms the Worcester division. The demand for a line of communication with the north early became imperative, and in 1848 the Worcester & Nashua railroad was put in operation. In 1885 the road, with its extension to Rochester, N. H., was leased by the Boston 8z Maine, and is now operated as a part of that great system. The Boston & j\Iaine railroad covers the north- eastern part of Massachusetts, nearly the whole of New Hampshire and parts of Maine and Vermont, and also has through or connecting trains to Montreal and the provinces. Its service is of great import- ance to Worcester, being the great northern and eastern outlet for passengers and freight. The Fitchburg & Worcester railroad was built from Fitchburg to Sterling Junction, where it connected with the Worcester & Nashua road. It was opened to travel in 1850. It is now the northern division of the New York, New Haven & Hartf(.)rd railroad, which has absorbed and operates the Old Colony system. Owing to its position as a bond of union between the northern and southern parts of the county, this railroad is especially valuable, and annually attracts to this city many thousands of tons of freight that would otherwise go to Boston or Springfield. The Fitchburg & Worcester branch of the Old Colony railroad has aided materially in establishing a sharp competition for Western business. The Boston, Barre & Gardner Railroad was incorporated in 1847 as the Barre & Worcester Railroad. It was opened to traffic in 1871, and was designed to open another route to the West. While it had a fair 392 The Worcester of 1898. OF G. HENRY WHITCOMB, 51 HARVARD STREET. local business, and was a gTcat accommodation to shippers along the line, it was never a paying undertaking. It was dependent upon the Fiteliburg Railroad for its through traffic, and in 1886 it was sold to that corporation. The change of management marked the beginning of a new era for the road, and to-day it undoubtedly contributes a handsome sum to the Fitchburg road's net profits. It will be seen by the above summary that all the roads entering Worcester are operated by four large railroad corporations — the Boston & Albany, the Boston & ]\Iaine, the New York, New Haven & Hartford, and the Fitchburg. The switching-yards of all the roads are ample, the city having all that could be desired in what are called terminal facilities. The freight-houses are capacious and convenient, and, in the main, the approaches are equally advantageous. It will be seen that every point of the compass is reached by the railroad lines leading from the city. By means of these roads and of the electrics, the people of surrounding towns become patrons of the various industries of Worcester. The Worcester Union Passenger Station is one of the finest owned by the Boston & Albany Railroad Company. The movement for its construction was inaugurated in 1873, when the company decided by The Worcester of 1898. 393 unanimous vote that their old quarters on Foster street were inade- quate to accommodate their largely increasing business. The station was begun in 1874, and completed the following year. By a legislative act all the railroads coming into or passing through Worcester were required to enter it. The other roads pay rent to the Boston & Albany, the latter fui"nishing all the employees about the station. The build- ing is 250 feet wide, 450 feet long, the whole structure covering an area of about four acres of land. The general architecture is Gothic in style, with a clock tower on the west corner. The internal arrange- ments are a model of convenience, combined with a reasonable economy and space. There are in the station a first-class dining-room and news-room, and also a parcel-room, with which is connected a baggage-transfer, and which is the headquarters for all carriages at the station. Tickets for all the railroads entering Worcester are on sale at the Union .Station ticket-office, covering all points in the United States and Canada via all routes. Number of passenger trains leaving Worcester daily: Boston & Albany raih^oad going east, . . ig Boston & Albany railroad going west, . . i8 New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad (Provi- dence & Worcester), . . . . . II New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad (Nor- wich & Worcester), ...... 7 Boston & Maine railroad, . . . . . 10 Fitchburg railroad, ...... 5 Total 70 There are also the same number of passenger trains arriving in Worcester daily, making the total number of trains arriving and departing each day 140. Of the eighteen trains going west via the Boston & Albany railroad, four are through trains to New York city, and five make through connections for Chicago and the West. In addition to the four trains to New York citv via the Boston & Albany railroad, making western and southern connections, there are two boat lines in winter and three in summer for New York city, with which through trains from Worcester via the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroads connect. Thev are the Norwich line and Ston- ington line, running all the year round, and the Providence line, run- ning during the summer only. Three trains daily via the Fitchburg railroad connect at Gardner with through trains for the West. There are also three trains dailv making 394 The Worcester of 1898. through connection for Montreal via the Fitchburg railroad, and two of these make through connections at Montreal for the West. There are two trains daily leaving Worcester via the Boston & Maine railroad, making connections for Maine points as far as Bangor, and one of these connects through for points in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The Boston & Maine has three trains also making through connections for Montreal, two of them making connections for the West. The Worcester Railroad Men's Association was founded November 19, 1896, by the employees of the five steam railroads entering the city RESIDENCE OF EDWIN S. PIERCE, 172 HIGHLAND STREET. at that time. It is an organization for the advancement of the moral, intellectual and social interests of all railroad men. The religion, politics or race of members are never questioned; all are welcome to enjoy the privilege equally. Through the generosity of all the rail- roads, neat and attractive rooms were fitted up and furnished at the Union Station. Here are found baths, games, reading-room and library, also a large social-hall for entertainments and other gatherings.^ The same generosity that fitted up and furnished the rooms provides a librarian, who is always glad to meet all comers and show them about. That the generosity of the railroads is appreciated by their employees is attested by the fact that nearly four-fifths of all employees in and about Worcester are registered as members. The Worcester of 1898. 395 The number of men, residents of Worcester, employed by all the steam railroads is about 1,100. This number includes conductors, engineers and firemen, car-inspectors and repair-men, clerks, freight- house men and trainmen. This number of active workei^s implies the support of from four to five thousand of the population of the city. The total amount of taxes paid to the citv bv the railroads, which covers real estate and other property in Worcester owned by them, is §33,778.62. GRADE CROSSINGS. One of the gravest difficulties confronting the citizens of Worcester in the year 1898 is the grade-crossing problem. Whether the settle- ment of this matter is to involve the separating of the grade of all the streets and railways from Millbrook street on the north to Hammond street on the south, or the removal of the railroads within these limits and the building of a new union passenger station at South Worcester, the future will reveal. The matter is now in the hands of the Grade- Crossing Commission, appointed in conformity to an order of the City Council passed January 10, 1898. The members are: The president of the Board of Aldermen, Aldermen Hildreth and Mellen; the president of the Common Council, Councilmen Back, Inman and O'Leary, repre- senting the City Government; ^Matthew J. W^hittall, Charles G. Reed, William Hart, James Logan and Irving E. Comins, representing the citizens. STREET RAILWAYS. Worcester Consolidated Street Railway. The adoption of electricity as power by the street railway systems of Worcester has done much not only for the convenience of the public, but in the general development of the city and increasing the city's valuation. The oldest and largest of the electric railway systems in which Worcester is interested, is that of the Worcester Consolidated Street Railway Company. This company resulted from the consolidation of two horse railway systems — those of the Citizens Street Railway Com- pany and Worcester Street Railway Company, in 1887. The present corporate name was then assumed, as were the rights and franchises of the two old companies. The latter were comparatively insignificant as regards either mileage, traffic or speed. Less than seven miles of track was in operation when consolidation was effected, and less than one and three-quarters million passengers were carried the previous year. In contrast with this about forty-five miles are now operated, and, in round figures, upward of ten The Worcester of 1898. 397 million passengers will have been carried the present fiscal year. The marked difference can be credited largely to one cause — the adoption of electricity for power. . Previous to and including 1892, the old-fashioned slow-going horse-car had been depended upon, but that year the companv was granted the right to change its system to electric propulsion. In 1893 the work of reconstruction was begun, a power-station was established, and before the close of that year all of the cars were run by electric power. The power-station is located on the line of the Boston & Albany Railroad, a short distance from Webster square. It is in a substantial brick building, in one side of which are nine horizontal tubular boilers, and in the other are the engines and electric machinery. This year the engine capacity of the plant has been nearly doubled, as in the spring a 1,500 horse-power engine, the largest vertical engine in New England directly connected with a generator, was installed. Including this the company now has five Lake Erie cross compound condensing engines in operation, and a total engine capacity of 3,500 horse-power. The plant throughout is thoroughly modern, and in quality of apparatus and general equipment no plant is better fitted. It has been in contin- uous operation for nearly five years, and in this time not a car has been delayed through fault of or mishap at the power-station, a record rarely equaled. Diverging in ten different routes, the company's lines now extend to every part of the city. Many of them are double-tracked, all are in excellent condition, and prompt and satisfactorj^ service is the result. It is not the object of this article to enumerate the advantages accruing to Worcester and its people from this system. But aside from its convenience and the stimulus to business afforded by rapid transit and in quick and satisfactory service, in bringing the centre of the cit}' into closer communication with the suburbs, a development and consequent appreciation of property along and near the lines must be felt, comfortable homes away from the crowded districts are made possible, and in the warmer seasons it affords to people of moderate means an opportunity for indulging in out-door air and recreation at little cost. In 1893 a large brick structure was erected on Jklarket street for car storage and office purposes. All of the offices are on the second floor of this building. The late Charles B. Pratt had been president of the company for many years, and following his death, in May of this year, Francis H. Dewey was elected to the presidency. The other officers of the company are, and for sometime past have been : A. George Bullock, Vice-President; A. H. Stone, Treasurer; and John N. Akarman, Super- ' intendent. 398 The Worcester of 1898. The line to Grafton was constructed by the Consolidated Company in the fall of 1898. This road, which extends to the centre of Grafton through North Grafton, is about eight miles in length. The Worcester & Suburban Street Rah. way. The Worcester & Suburban .Street Railway Company was organized in 1890. This company operates the line to Leicester and Spencer, connecting with the Brookfields and Warren ; also the line to Millbury, which was incorporated under the name of the Worcester & Blackstone Valley Street Railway Company, and later was leased by the Worcester & Stiburban. The Leicester road was opened in 1891, and the Millbury road in 1892. The latter forms connections with towns in the south- east part of the county to Northbridge, and is intended ultimately to connect with Providence. The power-stations are located at Leicester and Millbury. President, Edwin L. Watson of Worcester; Clerk and Treasurer, Thomas T. Robinson of Dedhain; vSuperintendent, John B. Gorham. Worcester & ]\lARLiioRouGH Street Railway. A charter was granted to the Worcester & Marlborough Street Rail- way in April, 1897, and on August 14th the first car on this line came into Worcester. Since that day regular trips have been made. The main line is from Worcester to Marlborough, passing through Shrewsbury and Northborough, and from the latter town a branch of the road extends to Westborough. This gives a total of about eighteen miles. The power-station is at Northborough. Five boilers from the Stewart Works, Worcester, furnish steam, and the engine capacity of the plant is 1,200 horse-power. The General Electric is the system used. This road connects at Marlborough with the electric line to Framing- ham, thus making a continuous electric route between the Hub and the Heart of the Commonwealth. The capital of the Worcester & Marlborough Street Railway is $200,000. The principal offices are at Northborough, and the company's officers are, and from the start have been: J. Russel Marble, President; Otis E. Putnam, Vice-President; S. Reed Anthony, Treasurer; Arthur D. McClellan, Clerk; E. P. Shaw, Jr., General Manager; and B. L. Dixon, Superintendent. Worcester & Clinton Street Railway. This road was incorporated under the general law in April, 1898, with a capital stock of $150,000, and construction was at once begun. The Worcester of 1898. 399 and the road was completed and put in operation in December, 1898. The length of the route is nearly thirteen miles, touching a corner of Shrewsbury and passing through Boylston Centre to Clinton. The power-station is at West Berlin, one and a half miles from the line of the road, this place being chosen on account of its location on steam roads, where coal and other supplies can be cheaply and conveniently delivered. The station is equipped with two 350 horse-power Corliss engines. Half-hour trips in the winter, and fifteen-minute trips in the summer are planned in the schedule. The latest and most approved rolling stock is in use. The officers of the company are : Alexander S. Patten of Leominster, President; Jerome Marble of Worcester, Vice- President; Walter R. Dame of Clinton, Treasurer; John W. Ogden, .Superintendent. This line is part of a continuous electric system between Worcester and Fitchburg. Worcester & Webster .Street Railw.w. The Worcester & Webster Street Railwa}' Company was chartered in September, 1898, with a capital stock of $150,000. Dr. Julius Garst is President; Frederick Thayer, Vice-President; and W. A. Bailey, Treasurer. This line is sixteen miles in length, and runs through Auburn, West Auburn, North Oxford and Oxford Plain to Webster and Lake Chaubunagungamaug. The road-bed is partially graded. The power-station will be in North Oxford. THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE. No book attempting to describe the industries of Worcester would be complete without giving suitable space to the telephone system, which in all large cities has become almost indispensable to business activities, and very convenient in social life. The first important test of the telephone was conducted twenty-one years ago between Salem and Boston, using a telegraph line for the connection. At that time about 500 people were gathered at the Essex Institute in Salem to hear Professor Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor, describe his new instrument. During the course of the lecture conversation was heard from Boston, and the experience was so novel that many people present discredited the fact that the person to whom they were listening was stationed sixteen miles away. The first regular telephone exchange was opened in New Haven, Connect- icut, on January 20, 1878. So rapid was the development from that time on that within five years there were in operation in the United 400 The Worcester of i! THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE. States 725 exchanges with 97,728 subscribers. On January ist of the present year there were 1,025 exchanges, with aboiit 384,230 subscribers and 16,682 employees. It is estimated that over 3,000,000 exchange connections are made daily in the United States. In the principal central office of Boston alone there are 100,000 telephonic communica- tions per day. The Worcester exchange, which is operated by the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, was organized in 1879. The earliest printed list of subscribers in Worcester known to be in existence is that of May 13, 1879, which is still preserved in the manager's office in this city. The list contains ninety-one names, many of them still subscribers to the present exchange. The Worcester exchange now contains 1,792 subscribers, making it second in size in the New Eng- land Telephone & Telegraph Company's territory. For nine years the telephone exchange office occupied quarters in Harrington's block, near the corner of Main and Front streets. In 1886 these quarters had The Worcester of 1898. 401 become too small, and an office at No. 44 Front street was fitted up with the (then) latest multiple switchboard, which was thought to be of sufficient capacity to take care of the business for some years to come. In 1895 the company erected on the corner of [Mechanic and Norwich streets a fine building specially adapted for its purposes as a telephone central office. The building is strictly fireproof, and contains all the necessities and conveniences of modern architecture. In this building, in June, 1896, was installed a so-called "automatic signal multiple switchboard," the first of its type in the world. This board was fitted for fifteen local and eight trunk line operatives, and so arranged as to make it possible, by adding new sections, to accommodate more than 3,000 subscribers. In connection with this switchboard was installed a power-plant for furnishing current, not unlike in appearance and character a small electric-lighting system. This switchboard system, which enables the subscriber to call the office by simply removing the telephone receiver from its hook, and which automatically signals the office when the communication is finished, is considered the ideal telephone system, and is now being introduced in other large cities of the .United States. Worcester has also been supplied with under- ground cables and wires covering more than 1,700 miles of insulated copper wires, placed in 165,000 feet of underground cable ducts. The recent introduction of long distance transmitters and metallic circuits overcomes many of the early troubles arising from noisy lines, making it possible now not only to communicate with any one of 40,000 subscribers within the territory of the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, but also with parties in Chicago, Milwaukee and other cities distant more than 1,200 miles. At no time in the history of the business has there been so rapid growth in number of sub- scribers' stations and in use of the long-line facilities as at the time of this writing. It is impossible to predict the future of this business. It is possible even now, as has been demonstrated in the Board of Trade rooms in Worcester, to receive music from a point 100 miles or more distant with such strength that it can be plainlv heard in any part of a large hall without the use of hand-receivers. It is possible, also, to communicate by speech, telephonically, by the use of a ray of light instead of a conducting wire. It is also possible by the use of the telephone to communicate between rapidly moving trains and a fixed station, also between two vessels connected together only by the sea. and from a station on shore to vessels a mile or more distant at sea by means of the water only as a conductor. In war or in peace, on land or at sea, in business and social life, everj'where the telephone is certainly destined to be one of the most active and useful factors of the twentieth centurv life. 402 The Worcester of 1898. WORCESTER GAS LIGHT COMPANY. The Worcester Gas Light dimpany was chartered in 1849. It was the first corporation formed in the city of Worcester for the purpose of furnishing artificial illumination. The original works were on Lincoln street, near Lincoln square, but were moved in 1869 to their present location on Quinsigamond avenue. The company owns about nine acres of land on this avenue, and most excellent w'orks, generally considered to be fully equal to any works of their size in the country, and of sufficient capacity to supply a large increased demand over their present output. All of the apparatus is of the most approved modern construction, for the manufacture of both coal and water gas. At the present time the company is furnishing a commercial gas composed of about equal parts of coal and water gas, which gives excellent results. The business of the company has increased very rapidly during the past ten years. The street mains system has been extensively enlarged, and each year further extensions are made to meet the public demands. It is the intention of the management to ]ia\-e the service of this company as perfect as it is possible to make it. In February the com- pany moved into its new quarters at 240 Main street in the fine granite building recent- ly purchased by them of the State Mutual Life Assurance Company. The offices arc very commodious, and every facility is afforded for doing business with the public in a satisfactory manner. On the first floor are the general offices ; on the second floor are the directors' room and the private offices; on the OFFICE BUILDING WORCESTER GAS LIGHT COMPANY. tllir s HANNIBAL A. JOHNSON. was placed under fire of our own guns at the siege of Charleston, South Caro- lina, to prevent if possible the bombard- ment of the city. He was then taken with others October ist to Columbia, and on the 20th of November with three other officers effected his escape. After forty-nine days of intense suffering and hardship, he reached Knoxville on the 7th of January, 1865. Thirty days after capture his regiment, after brilliant service in the principal and most bloody liattles of the war from first Bull Run to Cold Harbor, was mustered out, but as soon as his health was restored from long confinement in Confederate prisons. Lieutenant Johnson again entered the service as first lieutenant and adjutant of the First Maine Battalion, and on the 5th of April, 1865, again went to the front. The war soon ended, but Lieutenant Johnson's command was retained in the South for a year, and in April, 1866, he was finally mustered out after a continuous service of nearly five years. In 1876 Lieutenant Johnson had his sword, captured at the Wilderness battle, returned to him by his former captors. Lieutenant Johnson returned to the dry-goods business in 1S66, and for ten years he was emplo.yed in Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1876 he removed to Boston, where he was superintendent with Spalding, Hay & Wales until they gave up business. He then became buyer of foreign dress goods for Jordan, Marsh & Company, and in 1882 came to AVorcester and formed a connection with J. H. Clarke & Company. Lieutenant Johnson is a Free Mason; a member of Post 10, ti. A. R. ; Military Order of the Loyal Legion of Massachusetts; Society of the Army of the Potomac; Third Army Corps Union; and the Worcester Club. He married Emma Watts Lombard, daughter of Captain John and Martha (Given) Lombard, in 1868, she also being a direct descendant fmrn Rev- olutionary ancestry. They have one son, Walter L. Johnson, Charles Hudson Carpenter, the second member of the firm, who has been connected with the store for thirty-three years, was born in Douglas, ]\Ias- sachusetts, son of Siba and Melinda Carpenter, October 4, 1839. He came to Worcester when a boy, and received his education in the public schools ot the city. He entered into employment with Henry O. Clark, in the fancy dry-goods business then in the Dickinson building, but who removed soon after to the Clark, nnw the Walker building. Later Martin Slowe suc- ceeded to Mr, II. (). Clark's business, and upon his death Mr. H. L, Stowe purchased the stock of his uncle Martin's estate, Mr. Carpenter then engaging with the J. H. Clarke & Company, and remaining in that situation imtil he entered into the firm in 1882. The Worcester of tSgS. 419 CARPENTER. Mr. Carpenter early identified himself with the Methodist Church on Park street, and was one of the first official board of Grace M. E. Church, which was organized and for a time worshiped in Washburn Hall, with Reverend J. O. Peck, D. D., first pastor. Mr. Carpenter is now the only present official who has served continuously as steward or trustee to the present date, and has been honored with nearly every office in the church. He was one of the original members of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a life member of the Worcester County ilechanics Association; Monta- cute Lodge, A. F. and A. M. ; Worcester Lodge of Perfection: and a member of Worcester Board of Trade. October 10, i860, Mr. Carpenter married Abbie L. Warden, daughter of the late John Warden, a well-known merchant tailor and real-estate owner of Worcester. Of two daughters, Minniola Louise died at the age of nine- teen, and Lillian Gertrude survives. Thomas Edward Knight, the juninr member of the firm, was born at Knightville, Cape Elizabeth, Elaine, September 22, 1851. His father, Thomas E. Knight, was a noted and extensive shipbuilder and a well- known Democratic politician in his time. He founded the village which bears his name, and died in 1867. His mother, Dorcas R. (Bradford), was in line of descent from Governor Bradford of Plymouth Colonv. ^Ir. Knight received his education in Portland, and was for several vears clerk in Eastman Brothers & Bancroft's dry-goods store in that city. In 1S74 he entered into the employ of Barnard, Sumner & Putnam Company in Worces- ter, and remained in that situation- twenty-three years, until he formed the connection as a member of the firm of J. H. Clarke & Companv in Januarv, 1S97. Mr. Knight is an Odd Fellow and a Free Mason, being connected with Mon- tacute Lodge, Eureka Chapter, Hiram Council, and Worcester County Com- mandery. Knights Templars. He married in February, 1S77, Delia :McKenzie. a native of Portland. They have two children: Roy E. and Ethel \'era -'^"'ght. THOMAS E. KNIGHT. 420 The Worcester of 1S98. Boston Store. — The tirni of Denholm & McKay Coniijany opened a single dry and fancy goods store Nuvember 26, 1S70, in the building since called the Walker building, at the corner of Main and Mechanic streets. William A. Denholm, the senior partner, had gained experience in this trade in Glasgow and New York city. W. C. McKay was born in Kingston, Ontario, and had been a salesman for Churchill, Watson & Company, Bos- ton, before coming to Worcester. vSoon after opening the store the sales- room was found too small, and the basement was fitted up; in 1873 another enlargement was necessary — an archway was made to connect the adjacent i Mt BUb i UN b I Ut Store. This addition relieved for a few years the pressure of the increasing business. But in 1882 the quarters were found entirely inadequate. Efforts to purchase the building and the lot in the rear in order to increase facilities failed on account of the refusal of an abutter to yield his right of way. Since then J. H. Walker has succeeded, and the remodeled Walker build- ing is the result. At that juncture Jonas G. Clark offered to build the block on ^lain street now occupied by the firm, and in the summer of 1S82 the block was built, and on September 21, 1882, the firm opened up in its new quarters. Since then the store has been greatly enlarged, the entire building having The Worcester of 1898. 421 been leased and the firm occupying the greater part of it, a small office section being rented. The number of clerks has increased from eighteen in 1870 to between 400 and 500 at the present time. New departments have been added each year until there are now forty-three live and well-equipped separate departments under one roof. Many improvements have been made within the last few years — noticeably: The entire front remodeled, making the finest window front in all New England; a new electric light plant, which furnishes light and power; a new conservatory; new sprinkler system; Luxfer prisms installed in front and rear windows; and many others. The present officers of the corporation are: A. Swan Brown, President; Irving Swan Brown, Vice-President; A. E. Flint, Secretary; R. J. McKay, Treasurer; J. E. Macdonald, Assistant Manager. The tremendous growth of the business has also in part been due to the Syndicate Trading Company, an organization of dry-goods houses that buys goods together and in great quantities and at very low rates, and so sell the more cheaply than can firms not in such a combination. The syndicate has twenty men in its New York office and twenty-four merchandise buyers in luirope, who are in constant intercourse with the commercial and manufac- turing centres of Europe, and so secure goods at a tremendous advantage. The Syndicate Trading Company was established in 1879, and Denholm & McKay were charter members. The company is commonly known as the "Scotch Syndicate." The Boston Store, as it has always been termed, is unquestionably one of the finest and best equipped establishments in all New England, and one in which Worcester justly takes pride. The John C. Maclnnes Company. — This establishment was founded in the year 1873, and at first occupied half of the ground floor of the Gross & Strauss building at 462 Main street. From year to year as the business expanded, other floors were taken until the entire four stories were brought into use, and within the past eighteen months the quarters have been further enlarged by the acquisition of the Gorham block on the north and the Buttrick and Whipple building on the south, all of the four stories of ' ach being needed to meet the increasing demands of the trade. As a dry-goods department store it is excelled by no other in the country in the quality and varietv of its dress goods, silks and other fine fabrics. Ladies' suits and millinery are important branches, and imported goods are largely dealt in. Reliability and enterprise have from the beginning marked the progress of the concern. In 1892 the business, which had to that time been carried on in the name of its founder, was incorporated as the John C. Maclnnes Company, with a paid-up capital of $100,000, the officers of the corporation being John C. Maclnnes, President and Treas- urer; Albert A. Spaulding, Vice-President ; Charles A. Homer, Clerk; and the above with Alexander J. Moir as Directors. John Comrie Maclnnes, the founder, was born July ,^. 1S49, at Auchter- nnithill farm on the Drummond Castle estate in Scotland. The Maclnnes family occupied this farm at the time of the rebellion of 1745 in favor of 422 The Worcester of 1898. JOHN C. MACINNES. the prett-nck-r, Charles Edward, and in consequence of the sj-nipathy of the earl of Perth with his cause, the Drum- mond Castle estate was confiscated by the crown. The Maclnnes family, how- ever, continued through several genera- tions to lease the farm until the death (if Mr. Maclnnes' father in 1X61. Jiihn C. Maclnnes served a four years" apprenticeship in the dry-goods business in Glasgow, and in 1868 came to the United vStates to engage with the well- known Scotch dry-goods firm of Callen- der, McAuslan & Troup at Providence, Rhode Island, remaining in that situation until his removal to Worcester to estab- lish business here. Mr. Maclnnes is a director in the Citi- zens National Bank and the Worcester & Marlborough Railroad Company, and is a member of the Commonwealth Club and the Worcester Board of Trade. He resides on Harvard street in the commodious house erected by the late A. D. Warren, and also owns a fine farm on Pakachoag hill in Auburn, where he has given some attention to the breeding of fine cattle, and is president of what is known as the Dutch Belted Cattle Association, an organization which comprehends numbers of distinguished breeders of this variety in different sections of the country. Albert A. Spaulding, vice-president of the corporation, was burn in Ash- ford, Connecticut, October 14, 1853. Mr. Spaulding came to Worcester September ig, 1S70, and served three years in the dry-goods business with Charles B. Eaton, where the State Mu- tual building now stands; and also seven years with Denholm & McKay at their old stand, corner of Main and Mechanic streets, there gaining a thorough knowl- edge of the dry-goods business. He has been connected with Mr. Maclnnes since 1881, and has been very active in building up the business. He was a large share-holder when the corporation was formed in 1892, and was elected its vice-president. Charles A. Homer, one of the directors and clerk of the corporation, was born in Rutland, Massachusetts, and was well known in the dry-goods trade in Worces- ter previous to his engagement with Mr. Maclnnes in i8,So. Hosiery, under- albert a. spaulding. The Worcester of iJ 423 CHARLES A. HO^ER. wear and gloves are his special depart- ments, also the wholesale department is under his supervision, and his efforts have contributed to the general success of the establishment. Alexander J. Moir became a director of the company in 1892, after being in the store for seven years. Mr. Moir was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1870, and came to Worcester in 18S5. His particular attention is given to the fancy goods department. D. H. Eames, the founder of the com- pany which bears his name, is a native (if Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and first came to Worcester to engage in business in 1846. On the first day of April, 1851, he, in company with William D. Tha}-er, took possession of the then new store on Harrington corner, and began the long business career which is to-day without a parallel in the commercial life of Worcester. No one of 'Mr. Eames' contemporaries during the half century is occupying the same location he did in 185 1; very few if any of his associates at that time are in active life now. Mr. Eames was for many years the sole pro- prietor of the store until the corporation was formed in February, 1897, and of which he became president. In the early years the custom and the ready-made clothing lines were combined, as was usual in stich establishments; but in course of time, lack of room compelled the abandonment of the first, and the ready-made cloth- ing trade was made the exclusive interest in the business. It was necessary at different times to enlarge the store, then the basement, and finally to take rooms over an adjoining store, so that at present the quarters are probably five times as large as those which were first occupied. The basement room is nearly 100 feet long, with light at front and side, giving a salesroom equal to any in the city. The street floor is also used as a salesroom, and here is located the business office. The children's depart- ment on the upper floor, reached by elevator, is considered one of the best in New England, and is arranged espe- cially for the convenience of those who bring their children to this store. ^Ir. Eames was among the earliest of the merchants in this country to adopt -lexamder j. moir. D. H. EAMES. The Worcester of 1898. 425 the one-price system, and alsu the custom of returning to his patrons their money in cases of dissatisfaction. Both of these rules have operated beneficially in establishing confidence in the reliability of the concern, and they demonstrate the wisdom of its founder. His reputation for trust- worthiness is universally acknowledged, and it has built up and retained a large patronage. From the first the business has constantly increased, and the concern is now ranked among the largest clothing-houses in New England. A large portion of the goods sold here is manufactured by the company at its factory in Boston, and products of the very best material and workmanship at lowest prices are thus assured. Mr. Eames has witnessed a great evolu- tion in the clothing-trade. Formerly the purchaser of a suit of clothes, if he desired complete satisfaction in material and make, had to rely on the custom tailor, and pay a price in accordance with the process involved. To-day the manufacture of clothing has been reduced to a system. The best artists in the country are employed, many of them receiving from ten to fifteen thousand dollars annual salary. This makes it possible for a man to replenish his wardrobe with ready-to-wear garments of better material, better make, and for less money than under the old methods. Brewer & Company, formerly Bush & Company, wholesale and retail druggists, with retail department at 56 Front street, and wholesale depart- ment (in same building) at 2 and 4 Commercial street, is the oldest drug establishment in Worcester county. It was established in 1S4S by the late William Bush, who at first made a specialty of the botanical part of the business. Later he took his brother into partnership under the firm name of Bush & Company. In 18S8 E. A. Brewer purchased a half interest, and in 1891 became sole owner, but the business was carried on under the old name. December 8, 1897, the concern moved into the new building, erected by them in the same location as the old store, and the firm name was changed to Brewer & Company, formerly Bush & Company. During the past few years the business has greatly increased; particular attention is given to prescriptions, and in the retail department on the street floor medicines exclusively are sold without the accompaniment of confectionery, soda and fancy goods so common in drug-stores. The wholesale and manu- facturing departments and laboratory are models of convenience. The former is located in the basement, which is 176 feet long, with a freight- track the entire length, the whole well lighted. Here are stored the patent medicines and mineral waters. The manufacturing department, on the fourth floor, is mostly devoted to the making of tablets and elixirs for physicians' use. All the floors of the rear of the building are used by the concern, with the offices in the second story, two floors for drugs and laboratory, and printing-office on the upper floor, all connected by elevators and telephones. In all its appointments it is one of the best equipped establishments of its kind in the country. Fifteen years ago only three or four were employed in the store; now the services of thirty- three are reiiuired. The Worcester of 1898. 427- Edwin Avery Brewer, the proprietor of this the largest drug-store in central Massachusetts, was born in Wilbraham October 28, 1853. He was- the son of Mr. Edwin Bliss Brewer, who belonged to one of the oldest fami- lies in that town. Mr. Brewer came to Worcester in the spring of 1876, and entered as an apprentice the drug-store of David Scott, corner Main and Mechanic streets. In 1884 he became a clerk in the store of Bush & Company, and grew up with the business. Although :\Ir. Brewer's family is not now residing in Wilbraham, it still retains the old home farm of 150 acres, which is among the best farms in western Massachusetts. It has been in the family for five generations. Warden & Phelps. — The growth of Worcester has nn doubt been in a con- siderable degree accelerated at different times by the enterprising and progressive spirit of certain citizens, which has been manifested in the development of unim- proved tracts of land, and the opening for settlement (jf districts outl3'ing yet adjacent to the city's thickly populated region. All increase in a town's surface extent and inhabited portion is by accre- tion, and this process accompanies the advancement of all civilized communities. There have been, during the fifty years of Worcester's city life, a number of undertakings in this line of more or less magnitude, not the least notable of which was the laying out in 1892 of Columbus park, liy which a tract of sixty-eight acres north of Webster square was opened to purchasers of homes, eleven new streets laid out, and a residential suburb established offering all the attrac- tions of a quiet and refined neighborhood, assured by certain restrictions in building and preventive conditions against contaminating influences. The projectors of this enterprise were William A. Warden and Willis F. Phelps, both natives of Worcester. This suburb contains about seventy new homes at the present time. William A. Warden, son of John and Narcissa (Davis) Warden, was born ilarch 2, 1852. He was educated in the public schools of this city. At the age of twenty he entered into business for himself as a dealer in fancy goods in the city of Lynn, and later in the crockery business, first at 338 and afterwards at 546 Main street in this city. This business he sold out in 1885 to engage in the renting and care of several large estates, and in connection with this charge he carried on a general brokerage business in buying and selling real estate. In i88g he formed a copartnership with Mr. Phelps, and they began to develop suburban property, first on Shrews- bury street, near Bloomingdale; later on Eastern avenue, north of Belmont WILLIAM A. WARDEN. 428 The Worcester of 1898. RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM A. WARDEN, 7 CIRCUIT AVENUE, COLUMBUS PARK. INTERIOR VIEW WILLIAM A. WARDEN'S RESIDEMCE. The Worcester of iSy8. 429 WILLIS F. PHELPS. Street; Elm hill; fifty-four acres on Au- burn line: and finally Columbus park. Mr. Warden is a justice uf the peace and a notary public. He is connected with several Masonic orders, including the Knights Templars, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias ; was for several years secretary of the ^lasonic Relief Association. He is a member of Trinity M. E. Church, and has been for many years one of its official board. He mar- ried in April, 1876, Ella M. Durfee of Fall River. They have three children living: Florence D., Charles Franklin and J. Emerson. Willis F. Phelps, son of the late Frank- lin F. and Sabra W. (Claflin) Phelps, was born August iS, 1850. He received his education in the public schools of this city. Later was with the Pacific Mail Company as purser on its line of steamers plying between San Francisco, Yokohama, Shanghai and Hong Kong. On his return to his native city he was for a number of years in the foundry business. He passed several years in the West, engaged in mining in Colorado and other mining states. In 1889 he entered into partnership with Mr. Warden for the purpose of developing real estate, and continues in that connection at the present time. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. In 1874 he married Ella E. Hunt iif Brattleboro, and they have f)ne daughter, Ethel. The E. T. Smith Company. — The extensive wholesale grocery establish- ment cc inducted under the above name has grown out of small beginnings, until to-day it ranks second to no other concern in New England. In 1858 ^Ir. E. T. Smith, now the president of the company, began in a small way as a retail grocer in a little store ten feet square at the corner of Shrews- bury and Mulberry streets. Gradually increasing his business, and entering into partnership with his brother Jesse, the firm dealt in lime and cement in addition to groceries, until, in 1868, the senior brother entered into the- jobbing line, and in 1870 relinquished the retail part to Jesse Smith, and taking as a partner the late Charles A. Bigelow, engaged fn>m that time solely in the wholesale trade. On the death of Mr. Bigelow in 1885, a new partnership was formed with Charles F. Bigelow, a son of the former partner; Charles H. Robinsnn; Charles A. King; and Frank A. Smith, son of the founder. Mr. Robinson withdrew in 1895, ^"^1 the following year the E. T. Smith Company was. incorporated, with E. T. Smith as president and C. F. Bigelow, treasurer, and a capital of $100,000. Mr. Frank A. Smith is the buyer for the concern. In 1893 the firm relinquished the store at Shrewsbury and Mulberry streets and occupied the present building erected by them at the corner of Summer and Bridge streets, the impelling motive being direct C(immunicati