HISTORICAL ADDRESS

DELIVERED BY

Ex--MAYOR WM. H. FURBER,

HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING,
SOMERVILLE,

July é,l876-

PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

BOSTON:

J. E. FARWELL, PRINTER,
No. 34 Mmncnuxvcrs Row.

1876.

 

CITY OF SOMERVILLE.

IN Boann or MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, July 10, 1876.

ORDERED :---- V

That the Committee on Printing be, and they are hereby authorized to
cause five hundred copies of Hon. William H. Fur1»er’s address, deliv-
ered the fourth instant, before the City Government and the citizens, to

be published for distribution. V
J. B. DAVID.

 

IN BOARD 013* ALDERMEN, July 10, 1876.

Received its first and second reading and final passage. Sent down for
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk pro tem.

concurrence.

 

IN COMMON COUNCIL, July 13, 1876.

Received its first and second reading and final passage in concurrence. '

SOLOMON DAVIS, Clerk.

ADDRESS

.Mr. _Mctg/or, Gentlemen of the City Council, Lctdtes and Gentlemen,
Cz'tt'zens of Someroille :

On the 25th of May last, the following proclamation was issued
by the President of the United States, viz:

Wliereas. a joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representa-

S tives of the United States was duly approved on the 13th day of March

last which resolution is as follows: “Be it resolved by the Senate and
House of Representatives ‘of the United States of America, in Congress
assembled, that it be, and is hereby recommended by the Senate and
House of Representatives, to the people of the several States, that they
assemble in their several Counties or Towns, on the approaching Centen-
nial Anniversary of our National Independence, and that they cause to
have delivered on such day an historical sketch of said County or Town
from its formation, and that a copy of said sketch may be filed in print or
manuscript in the Clerk’s Oliice of said County, and an additional copy,

1 in print or manuscript, be filed in the0flice of the Librarian of Congress,

to the intent that a complete record may thus be obtained of the progress
ofour institutions during the first centennial of their existence.” And
whereas it is deemed proper that such recommendation be brought to the
notice and knowledge of the people of the United States, now, therefore,
I, Ulysses S. Grant. President of the United States, do hereby declare
and make known the same, in the hope that the object of such resolution
mayrneet the approval of the people of the United States, and that
proper steps may be taken to carry the same into effect. Given under my
hand at the City of Washington, the 25:11 of May, in the year of our
Lord 1876‘, and of the Independence of the United States, the one
hundredth. By the President, ‘ '
U. S. GRANT.

HAMILTON Fxszez, Secretary of State.

Our State Government acting in accordance with Congress,

passed an order to transmit to the clerks of the several cities and U

towns in the Commonwealth, a copy of the joint resolution
referred, to. H i i

In full sympathy with the request of Congress and the Chief
Executive of the Nation (as expressed in the proclamation and
resolve), and the action of the State U Government, the -, City

4

,Council of Somerville appointed a Joint Select Committee, with

full powers to act in consonance therewith. which committee have
honored me with an invitation to undertake the task. I should
have been proud to have taken even a less conspicuous part in the
observance of this Centennial Anniversary of American Indepen-
dence, but the short time allotted me to perform so important a
work (only nine secular days intervening since the date of invita-
tion), it was with extreme reluctance that I accepted the proifered
honor, knowing well that the interval was much too brief, in
which to prepare a complete historic sketch of a town or city,
even less active and progressive than our own. With this brief
statement, I trust that any errors of omission or commission will
receive your charitable consideration.

“It is regwired that this shall be an historic sketch, and as statis-
tics must, of necessity, enter largely into its composition, it must
necessarily be somewhat prosy in character.

Somerville embraces a territory of about four square miles, and
comprises an area of about twenty»-seven hundred acres. _It was
formerly a part of Charlestown, besides which, Charlestown origi-
nally included WMalden, Woburn, Stoneham and Burlington, a
large part of Medford, and a small part of Cambridge, Arlington
and Reading, In 1637 the town of Charlestown paid thirty-six
shillings to Squaw Sachem and Web Cowet, for land now a part
of Somerville; and in 1639, on the fifteenth of the second month,
Charlestown also purchased of the same Indians, a large tract of
land, which embraced a part of what is now Somerville and
Arlington, for twenty-one coats, nineteen fathoms of Wampum
and three bushels of corn, the Indians reserving to their use their
old fishing places and hunting grounds during the life of the
Squaw. y A I

Within the limits of Somerville are located Temple’s Farm
(now known as Ten Hms), Quarry Hill, Ploughed I-nu, Winter,

I Prospect and Cobble Hills, all of which are memorable spots and

are certainly worthy of centennial note.

5

On the sixth of September, 1630, a grant of 600 acres of Tem-
p1e’s Farm was made to Governor John Winthrop; on the shore
of this farm, the first vessel built within the limits of Massachu-
setts Colony was constructed, a barque of thirty tons, named the

“Blessing of the Bay,” which was launched on the 4th of July, .

1631, and, although this is the two hundred and forty-fifth anni-
versary of the event, a portion of the ways used for the purpose
is still visible.

Situated on what was known as “Quarry Hill” is the old Pow-
der House in which during Revolutionary times, was stored the
powder of the province. This fact having been communicated
to the British General Gage, he determined to secureit and on the
1st of September, 1774., despatched two hundred and sixty troops
under command of Lieutenant Colonel Madison for that purpose.
They embarked at Long Wharf, Boston, in thirteen boats, landed
at Temple’s Farm, crossed over Winter Hill, seized the powder
(two hundred and fifty barrels), placed it on board the boats, and
conveyed it to Castle William. This fact becoming known created
great excitement and indignation among the people, and it was
with difficulty that they were persuaded to abandon an attempt to
recapture it. 1

In 1775, on each of the other hills mentioned, hastily con-
structed forts or redonbts were located for the protection of Amer-
ican troops, some of which proved exceedingly annoying to the
British. 1

It was on Prospect Hill on the 18th of July, 1775, that General
Putnam raised his celebrated flag, hearing on one side the motto:
“An appeal to Heaven,” and on the reverse. the three vines
(which are the armorial bearings of Connecticut), and the motto
of that State‘, and on this hill also, was hoisted on New Year’s

day, 1 177 6, i and saluted with thirteen guns, the Union Flag bearing

thirteen stripes. .
In November, 11 77 7 , after the defeat of, Burgoyne, his troops as

prisoners of war, occupied barracks on Prospect and Winter Hills.

6

On Cobble Hill, now occupied by the McLean Asylum, a fortifi-
cation was planned by General Putnam and Colonel Knox, and
the work commenced on the 22d of November, 1775. This was
so well devised and constructed, that when finished it was named
“Putnam’s impregnable fortress.” ,

Having taken a cursory glance. at the colonial history of the
section of country occupied by Somerville, let us ascertain the

motive that induced the people of the locality to sever their con» «

nection with Charlestown, and form an independent organization.

Being somewhat isolated from the central and densely populated
portion of the town, with its people largely devoted to agricultural
pursuits, their wants and Wishes were treated with a careless indif-
ference, or almost wholly neglected by the town government;
this created unrest and dissatisfaction among the people located
above that section termed the “Neck,” and known as the westerly
part of the town. It was the same old story, “taxation Without
representation,” or in other words, being compelled to bear a 1ib-
eral share of the current expenses of the town, without receiving
in return a just and equitable proportion of the benefits derived
from the money expended. V

This state of things continued, until “forbearance ceased to be
a virtue ;” it was talked over by the roadside, in the counting
house and in the family circle, and was soon to culminate in a
more independent and better plan of operations.

On the twenty-second day of November, 1841, a meeting of

the inhabitants of the westerly part of the town was held at the -

‘ Prospect Hill School House, for the purpose of ascertaining their

minds in regard to a division of the town. Captain Joseph Mil-

ller was chosen chairman, and Edwin Munroe, Jr., secretary.

At this meeting the grievances of the people were freely dis-
cussed,_ and after due deliberation a committee of seven was

i chosen to notify the inhabitants of the subject under consideration,

obtain their views respecting the same, and request themito attend ‘_

the next meeting to be held on the Monday evening following, to

7

which time they adjourned. In accordance with the adjournment,
they met at the same place with augmented numbers and greater
enthusiasm ; and after properly introducing the subject which they
had assembled to discuss, a committee of six was appointed to
ascertain the amount of tax borne by the westerly part of the
town, and also the amount of .money expended in that section.
After which they adjourned to the following Friday evening.
Promptly at the place designated, the people assembled to listen
to the report of their committee, on which so much necessarily
depended, A

The committee reported that the aggregate tax for the year was
(as near as they could ascertain) $34,093.’? 6, and the amount as»
sessed upon the Westerly part of the town $5,687.78, thus re-
quiring. that section to hear about one—sixth of the entire tax,
Without‘ receiving. anything like commensurate benefits, and the
committee expressed the opinion, that the affairs of the locality
could be as Well if not better managed at an annual cost of $5500.
‘ The report was accepted and adopted. It was then voted to
have one thousand copies printed for the use of the inhabitants,
and a committee of ten was chosen to distribute the reports.
o They were also. authorized to procure the names of all inhabi-»
tants whose views were favorable to an independent organization,
and to use all fair and honorable means to secure a division of
the town, with power to employ counsel if‘ needed. The meeting

T was then adjourned subject to the call of said committee. \

The committee feeling that they had an important work en-
trusted to them, with commendable alacrity met at once, and

. voted to district the territory in question into five different parts,

a locality felt they were suffering.

assigning a part to every twomembers of the committee, that the
work mightlbe more quickly and thoroughly performed. They
also voted to procure . counsel, that the legal “rights of the citizens
might be fully protected, and that no effort might be spared to se-
cnreimmnnity from the imposition under which the people of that

8

A second meeting of the committee was held the Monday fol-
lowing, at which it was voted that Walford should be the name of

the newrtown, subject to an alteration by a majority of the com- -

mittee, that being the name of the first white man resident of
Charlestown. They then adjourned for one week, when they
again met and after an earnest discussion, it was voted to abandon
the name of Walford and adopt that of T Somerville.

' A. petition signed by Guy C. Hawkins and other citizens, and
one signed by the non-resident real’ estate owners, praying
that the westerly part of the town of Charlestown (which was
properly. defined) might be set ofif from said Charlestown, and in-
corporated as the town of Somerville, were duly presented and ad-
vocated before the General Court, and no one, not a member of the
Legislature, pressed the request of the petitioners with more zeal
and energy than Hon. George 0. Brastow who had at that time but
just taken up his abode in the disaffected section. The result was
the passage of the Act of Incorporation, approved by the Governor,
March 3, 1842, which, however, by changing the eastern boun-
dary line from the canal bridge, so called, to the present line, gave
her less territory and less population than contemplated by the pe-
titions presented, but sufficient to entitle her to one representative
in the General Court. On the 5th of March, 1842, Ephraim But-
trick, Esq, of East Cambridge, issued the first warrant for a meet-
inglof the inhabitants to be held on the fourteenth day of March,
1842, at the Prospect Hill School House,‘ to Charles E. Gilman,
the presejpntefiicient city clerk, who has held the positions oftown
and city clerks successively since the first organization of the

town government. A preliminary meeting of the voters was held
on the tenth dayof March, 1842, and nominated the following

town oficers: for Selectmen, Nathan Tufts, John S. Edgerly,

Caleb W. Leland, Levi Russell and Luther Mitchell; for Treasu-

rer andl Collector, Edmund Tufts ; for Town Clerk, Charles E, Gil-
man; all of whom were elected at the meeting held onthe 14th of
March, 1842, together with the other requisite town otficers.

9

Nathan Tufts was chosen chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
and Levi Russell subsequently declining to serve as a member of
the board, Francis Bowman was elected in his stead.

Thus organized, with a total valuation of $988,513, and a
population of 1013, which included a school population of less
than 300, with one grammar and five primary schools, no church
edifice erected within her borders, with less than 200 dwellings, no
stores, and only one manufactory, relying upon a single old-style
tub engine, with a voluntary company for protection against fire,
the new town of Somerville severed her connection with the
mother town, and with bright hopes and lofty aspirations entered

' upon her new and untried destiny.

To ascertain how well she has performed her part during the
thirty-four years of her existence let us look at her record (though
the examination must necessarily be a hasty one), and notice
some of the principal events in which she has taken part that we
may, with some degree of accuracy, mark the progress she has
made and accord her the credit to which she is entitled.

The first meeting after the organization of the town was held
April 4, 1842, when it was voted to make the following compare’-
tively modest approprialtions for the current year, namely: for sup-
port of schools, $1800; support of highways, $2000; county
tax, $450; support of poor, $200; contingencies, $300; total
amount appropriated, $4750; four-fifths of the amount, it will be
seen, to be devoted to the education of the youth and the im‘-
provement of ‘the roads.

A‘ Fully believing in the moral and religious culture of the sons

and daughters within her borders as indispensable to the success
and prosperity of the people, every effort has been made from

year to year to encourage and secure such an acquisition, and the ‘

religious and educational advantages of the town and city have

steadily improved, until prosperous societies of the several relig- 9

ions denominations, with comfortable church edifices, are located
in our midst, and our public schools rank among the very best in
the Commonwealth.

10

.The first_assembly for public worship inet on the third Sunday
of March, A. D., 1844, in an upper room of a building on the
corner of Washington and Prospect Streets, and consisted of the
representatives of about thirty families, but the first church edi-
fice erected in the town was the Unitarian church, built of wood,
on what is now called Highland Avenue, which was” dedicated
September 3, 1845, and the first sermon after its dedication was
preached September 7, 1845, by the Rev. John T. Sargent, of
Boston. This structure as well as its successor were consumed by
fire, and the present-brick church was erected on the site and ap-
propriately dedicated on the thirty-first day of January, 1869.

Byan act of the_Legislat_ure, April 4, 1850, a Fire Department .

was established in Somerville, and soon after a new Fire Engine
and Hose Carriage were purchased which were a much needed
security in this direction. A ‘ I

The first eight years of the town’s history showed an increase

1 in. valuation of $1,114,800, making the total valuation in 1850,

$2,102,631, a gain of more than one hundred per cent.; and the
population during the same interval increased about two hundred
and fifty percent., the aggregate number of inhabitants in 1850,
being_3540, which included a school population of 781. At that
time there were eight school buildings, containing ten schools, an
increase of four, three of which were grammar schools. A

In 1851, the first ‘Directory was published by Edmund Tufts, an
unpretendiug little book, pocket-size, of thirty-two pages only,
and contained the names of heads of families in Somerville, 590
in number. p

On the 7th of April, 1851, the erection of the first High School
building was authorized, the corner stone of which was laid Sep-
tember 9th following, and the dedication took place on the 28th
of April, 1852. On the following Monday, the school was opened

 sixty-six pupils. p

During the year 1853, four additional ecclesiastical societies

were established in the town, one each of the following denomi-

11

nations, namely: Orthodox, Methodist, Baptist and. Universalist,
showing conclusively that church and school aceomrnedaticns
were, from natural causes, “easily made to keep pace with em,-h.
other. 1

In 1853, the Somerville Light Infantry was incorporated and
organized. a

February 23, 1853, by an act of the General Court, the Charles-
town Gas Company was allowed to extend its pipes into the town,
an.d similar authority was granted to the Cambridge Gas Com.
pany, under date of April 11, 1853. This luxury many residents
at once availed themselves of. April 13, 1854, the Somerville
Gas Light Company was incorporated, but as the wants of the

1 people have been well provided for in this direction up to the

present day by the two companies previously named, the last
named company has never commenced operations.

On the 29th of April, 1854, the Middlesex Horse Railroad  

Company was incorporated, and the road soon after completed
from Boston to the eastern boundary of the town, and put in ac-
tive operation. A charter was also granted May 15, 1855, to the
Medford and Charlestown Horse Railroad Company, and one on
the- 29th of May, 1857, to the Somerville Horse Railroad Com-
pany, and in the month of July following, the roads of both were
finished and in complete operation, the line of the former extend-
ing from the termini of the Middlesex Horse Railroad along the
northerly side of the town to Medford, and that of the latter
running. from West Somerville, through the southern section, to
Charlestewn boundary line, and both connecting with the Middle-
sex Horse Railroad, thus furnishing a direct line of communica-
tion from the several sections of the town to the great metropolis

of the State. This mode of travel being so far superior to the

omnibus metl1od,on which the people for years had to a large ex-

‘tent been “dependent, quickly superseded it. In addition to these

advantages, judicious improvements had been annually made in

the streets and highways, which then covered an extent of more

12

1 than thirty miles. Reservoirs were constructed. as additional

safeguards in case of fire; postal facilities extended and the
sanitary condition of the town carefully watched. it

In 1860 the entire population of tile town was 8025, a gain in
ten years of’ more than 125 per cent., while the advance in valua-
tion during the same decade was about 187 per cent., the total
yaluation in 1860 being ‘$6,033,053. The school popula-
tion at that time numbered about 1500, and the number of schools
had increased in ten years from ten to twenty-two, including one
High and four Grammar Schools. The number of teachers then
employed was thirty.

Thus steadily and surely did the town continue to "grow and
prosper, and thus the year 1859 closed its record and the ac-
count of its successor opened. Ericouraged by the past, the
people of Somerville looked forward to the ‘future with brilliant
anticipations, and with little thought that the great war cloud,
which hung suspended over the entire country, was so soon to
burst, and from which would descend upon them their share of
the dread results and responsibilities that must necessarily follow
a fratricidal war; but when the summons came they did not waver,
or shrink from the duty devolving upon them. 1 It .

In obedience to the call of President Lincoln for the first three

"months troops, Governor Andrew ordered into service the Fifth
Regiment, to which was attached the Somerville Light lxlfantry,

and promptly did they respond. leaving their quiet and peaceful
homes on the 19th of April, 1861, with full ranks, under command

‘of Captain George 0. Brastow, to join their regiment, which was
“sent directly to VVashington to aid in the defence of the threatened
‘Capitol. 1 1 A

The time of the regiment was spent in guarding the Treasury

building and constructing Fort Ellsworth on Shuters Hill, and it
‘ also participated in the first battle of Bull Run, returning a home
shortly, after its term of service had expired.

Early in 1862 the regiment was again hastily ordered to be in

13

readiness for marching orders to the front, and the company, under
command of Captain Robinson with a full complement of officers
and men, was the second to report for duty; and although the
regiment was prepared to leave in a few hours, the exigency had
passed. and the several companies returned to their homes, ready
to meet the next call in defence of the country, yvhicli was so soon
to follow, for on ,the 28th of June following came the startling call
for 300,000 more, and the Fifth Regiment tendered its services.
On the nineteenth day of September in the same year, the regiment
entered the service for nine months, and the Somerville Light In-
fantry under command of Captain B. F. Parker, with full numbers,
joined the regiment, which without unnecessary delay left for
N ewbern, N. C., its field of operationsmvhere it did faithful ser-
vice, engaging in several battles and patiently enduring the toil
and suffering incident to the active life of a soldier.

In addition to the service rendered by the Somerville Light
Infantry already mentioned, a full company for three years’ service
was raised in the town and organized, with Fredericlc R. Kinsley
as Captain. This company was attached to the Thirty-ninth Regi-
ment and served faithfully and fearlessly in the army of the Poto-
mac. Captain Kinsley was promoted to Major and Colonel, and
after glorious work in the final contest returned home in command
of the regiment; but his brother, Captain Willard C. Kinsley
(who had fairly won promotion from a Lientenancy) , with twenty-
fonr other brave men, one—fonrt11 of the company, sacrificed their
lives, either upon the field, in the hospital, or amid the horrors of
a military prison, and the monument erected by the citizens in the
cemetery of the town, bears humble testimony to the fidelity and
valor of these and other Somerville patriots whose lives were
given in defence of the nation. I

Again, in July, 1864, did the Somerville Light Infantry join
the indomitable Fifth Regiment, this time for an hundred days un-
dercommand of Captain Coffin, which proceeded to the front,
and by its service added freshlustre to its brilliant history. Be-

sidesthese full and complete companies furnished by the town, .

W

. never be neglected.

14

hundreds of men from Somerville were to be found actively par-
ticipating, either in the army or navy, in the great struggle which
was shaking the country from centre to circumference, and calling
forth the stoutest energies of a powerful people. The whole
number of men furnished for the War by Somerville in the difi"er-
ent arms of service was 1185, forty of whom were commissioned
ofiicers. 250 men were wounded and 98 were killed or died from

causes incident to the war. Not only did the town contribute r

men freely, but provided money for the national struggle with a
lavish hand; furnishirlg for war purposes, $201,382.80, $65,822.-
50 of which was the free-will offering of the citizens ; the balance,
$135,560.30, being raised from time to time by the proper authori-
ty of the town. And great credit is due those who had charge of
its afl"air_s at the time, for the very able and efficient manner in
which they met the new responsibilities of the hour. And I must
not omit to mention (though last in this connection not by any
means the lectst) the noble and devoted women of Somerville, who
toiled and suffered during thoseweary years, caring for the sick
and wounded, sending not only inessages of love, sympathy and
encouragement to those at the front, but, regardless of their per-
sonal comfort, earnestly endeavoring to learn their several needs
and anxiously striving to anticipate and supply them.

I have thus hastily sketched the action of the people of Somer-
ville during the years of civil war, and although the contest was
ended years ago, there still rests upon us all a sacred obligation
and duty towards those maimed and needy soldiers and those de-
pendent upon them, now living within our borders, which should

. Notwithstanding the heavy burdens imposed by the war, the
people were not wholly disheartened, but continued to make all

reasonable improvements. April 4, 1863, the Scmerville Horse g

1-Railroad Company secured the passage of an act authorizing

them to extend their line from Union Square to East Cambridge
boundary, and the road was completed and put in operation the
year following. i

15,

In 1863, ninety-two street lamps were furnished by the abutters
in different sections of the place, and were located and lighted at

the expense of the town, thus providing an additional luxury”

which was fully appreciated.

On the 26th of March, 1866, a new apportionment of Represen-
tatives Was authorized by the Legislature, and Somerville and
Malden Were made the fourth Representative District, which Dis»
trict was entitled to three Representatives. ,

On the 3d of May, 1866, an act was passed giving Charlestown
the right to supply water to Somerville and Malden.

On the 26th of May, 1866, the first steam fire engine was added
to the Fire Department. _ 0

The population and property had at this time increased to such
an extent in some sections of the town, that additional protection
at night seemed to be demanded, and early in the year 1867 a
night watch was first established.

The question of Pure Water supply also began to agitate the

‘ minds of the people, and at the town meeting held November 7,

1867, a committeewas appointed to confer with the Charlestovvn 1

authorities relative to contracting with them for a supply of Mys-
tic water, and report at the next town meeting.

At a meeting held on the thirteenth day of April, 1868, the
committee reported, stating the terms upon which a supply could
be obtained, and proposed the election of a coxnmittee to be called
the “ Somerville Mystic Water Committee,” with power to obtain
the necessary legislative enactments to conclude a contract with the
Water Commissioners, and to make any arrangements relative to
the introduction, distribution and supply of the "Water, as should
be consistent with the best interests of the town. 1 n

.1 The report was accepted and adopted, and it was voted that the

committee for that year consist of Aaron Sargent, C. E. Rymes,

T DR. A. Vinal, R. E. Demmon and Cutler Downer, and that the
7 sum of $30,000 be appropriated for the purpose. T

1 r The committee went towork in earnest and secured the passage 0

of the Actof May 14, 1868,, which gave to the town the authority

16

- needed to proceed with the work, and authorized its raising, by
taxation or borrowing for tl1e purpose, $100,000. At a town
'0 meeting held September 18, 1868, it was voted to accept the act,
and the committee previously a.ppointed were empowered to carry
the same into effect. That they were active and energetic, and
fully entitled to the thanks of the community, is shown by the

fact that an agreement was made with the city of Charlestown on i

the 21st of the same month, the work of laying the pipe com-
menced on the 6th of October following, and before the close of that
year some two and a half miles of distribution pipe had been laid,
thereby securing to the inhabitants early in 1869, the introduction
of pure water, the value of which, to any town or city, cannot easily
be overestimated. Thus, step by step, has Somerville kept pace
with the wants and requirements of the people, and in this I think
it must be admitted lies one of the secrets of success of every town
or municipality. 4

During ten years ending with 1869, eight school houses were
erected, sewers were constructed, miles of water pipe laid, and
the general improvement of the town continued. And during this
period a gain in valuation of over oneihundred per cent. was
produced, the total valuation in 1870 being s12,59o,9oo, the pop»
ulation then numbering 14,693, a gain during the ten years of
about 83 per cent. andincluding aschool population of‘ 2739, this
during an interval when the nation was engaged in the greatest
civil war ever known. Still the motto of Somerville was
“onward.” '

To increase its water supply, authority was obtained from the

Legislature under date of March 11, 1870, for a further issue of it

water bonds to the extent of $100,000. On the 15th of March,
1870, in anticipation of the wants of the community, an act in»-
corporating a savings bank was secured; but this proved some-
what premature, as up to this time the corporation, though
organized, has never commenced operations.

In 18 70, the police force was increased and regularly organized,

17

with a chief, captain, two lieutenants and a clerk; and early in
1871 a clay patrol was first established. }

On the 3d of December, 1870, the first issue of the Someroille
Journal appeared, and was the first newspaper published in the
town. It has improved. in size and appearance and still continues
to meet the wants of the community.

In 1871, the graduates and members of the High School formed
an association for social, scientific and literary purposes, and se-
cured an act of incorporation under date of February 20, 1871,
and have done much to add to the social and intellectual culture
of the place.

 In 1871, the steam fire engine house on Highland Avenue was
completed, and the hose house on Marshall Street was commenced.
1 The population of the town at this time had become so large,

and their wants so numerous and varied, that the machinery of a ,

town government seemed unwieldy and ill adapted to secure to
the people equal rights and even~handed justice, and steps were
taken to secure a delegated form of government, that more perfect
equity might be secured to the citizens in the administration of
their affairs. A petition was therefore presented to the Legislature
early in 1871, asking for a city charter, which resulted in the
passage of the act to establish the city of Somerville, approved
Aprilllzl, 1871, subject, however, to its adoption by a majority
of its voters, voting upon the subject within sixty days from the
date of the act.‘ A town meeting was accordingly held on the
27th of April, 1871, and the vote was about two to one in favor
of the change. 7 T

The act prescribed that the election of city officers should take
place on the first Monday of December, and the municipal year to
begin the first Monday of January following. 1 1

This was the most important step that the people had taken’

since the town was organized, and was calculated to have an im-
portant bearing upon the future progress of the place. But few
there were who failed to see the great advantages to be derived

18

from the change, and the new regime was looked forward to by
most of the people with satisfaction and pleasure.

Fully alive to the Wants of the community, at the meeting of
the town held April 27, 1871, a committee of sixteen was ap-
pointed to consider and report a plan for operating a public
library, and on the 7th of November following reported in favor
of establishing a public library under the management of nine
trustees, and also presented a form of by-laws and regulations for
its government, all of which met the approval of the people and
were adopted. ,

On Monday, the fourth day of December 1871, the election of
city ofiilcers tools: place, and as the views of the people respecting
their first selection, were comparatively harmonious, with little or
no struggle among aspirants for positions, with which was coupled
an unusual amount of labor, the event was attended with but little

excitement and resulted in the election of Hon. George 0.-

Brastow for mayor, together with the other officers required by the
charter, and on Monday, the first day of January, 1872, the new
city government was formally inaugurated. A choice was made
of Charles E. Gilman, Esq., for city clerk, and the present worthy
treasurer, Aaron Sargent, Esq., for city treasurer. Thus in the
selection of these two officers was manifested a special care for
the new city’s interest at the very outset. The fact that the old
method of managing the affairs of the people, which had been ad-
hered to for nearly thirty years, was to be abandoned, the day
was made the occasion for some unusual demonstrations, and ac»
cordingly a salute was fired at the close of the inauguration cere-
monies, and in the evening a grand ball was given in honor of the

event.
pUnder these favorable auspices did those who had been en-

trusted with the management of the city’s interests commence

their labors, and the task before them was certainly no mere
pastime. , Besides the natural wants of a rapidly increasing com-
munity Which occupied much of the time of the several com-

A mittees to whom they were referred, the City Council were required ,

19

to frame rules and orders for their own guidance--enact laws and
ordinances for the protection of the property and the rights of the
citizens, lay out new roads and improve old ones, provide ad-‘r
ditional school accommodations, and improve the sanitary C011-dl*
tion of the several sections of the city. 1

To accomplish all that devolved upon them necessitated meet—-
ings once a week, and the midnight hour frequently found them
diligently at work for the public weal.

In February, 1872, this beautiful High School building which
we now occupy, was completed and dedicated on the 27th of the
same month, and from which is annually seen to graduate some
two score of the cultured youth of the city, well fitted to adorn
any position in life which they may be called upon to fill.

The first High School building; having been superseded by the
new structure, it was converted into the first City Hall.

To enable the city to further exteiicl its water pipes, it became
necessary to make another issue of bonds, and legislative sanction
was obtained by an act dated March 19. 1872, authorizing the
issuing of additional water bonds to the amount of $200,000,
making the total amount authorized $400,000. With the means
thus secured the demand of the citizens for a supply of pure water
was largely satisfied. ,

The constant growth of the city and the large increaseiin its
population, brought with them their accompanying trials, and it
was deemed advisable to have a‘ police court established in the city,
which was authorized by an act of the Legislature, April 23, 1872,
and the Hon. Isaac A, Story was appointed standing justice, with
Lebbeus Stetson, clerk, and without delay a room in the City Hall
building was fitted up for this new department. ‘ 0

To improve the sanitary condition of the city, and to provide a
better system of drainage, the legislative act of May 3, 18'Z2,was;
secured, which authorized the filling of all low lands within the-
city to a grade not less than thirteen feet above mean’ low water,
About this time the waters of Miller’s river, which flowed along-

the southern boundary of the city, had become so polluted by the *

20

deposits of the slaughtering establishments along; its banks, that
the locality had gained an unenviable notoriety, and had become
dangerous to the public health. With a view to remedy this great
and rapidly increasing evil, the legislative act of May 6, 1872,
was passed, constituting the Harbor Commissioners and the State
Board of Health a board of commissioners to devise some plan
for the abatement of the nuisance, and patiently and thoroughly
did they labor to perform the duty assigned them.

Besides these measures that had been-secured for the benefit of
the people of Somerville, by the l.ll'1l'£}lIlllJl3l.llg labors of its first city
government, miles of brick sidewalks were laid, school; houses im-
proved, a more comprehensive plan of sewerage adopted, and great
improvements made in the highways, roads and brirlges.

The government of 1873 had at its head the same efliceient ero-
ecutive, and but little change was made in the o.liiice1's comprising
the City Council. '

On the ‘20th of May, 1873, authority was obtained oft‘ the Legis-
lature to drain into Alewife Brook, but it was sul:)seqxl1ex1tl_y deemed
inexpedient to act under its provisions, and other plans were
adopted. T

The Commission appointed a year previous to devise a plan for
the abatement of the Millei-’s river nuisance, so called, repoited,
recommending the filling up. of certain parts of the river, and one
of the most important steps taken by the governinent of 1873 was
to secure the passage of the act of the Legisl.ature, May 23., 1873,
authorizing the cities of Cambridge and So.rner'ville to iill up Mil-
ler’s river, and construct atrunk sewer l'll.ll,‘(7)f111g‘l’l l\fli.1lr. and Bridge
Streets to deep water at Cragie bridge.

The inagnitiide of the work, the benefits to be derived from its
successful completion, and the difficulty attemling its consumma-
tion could hardly b.e estimated at the time of its inception.

A contract for the construction of that part of the sewer devclv-
ing upon Scmerville to build was made without delay, and the work

comnienced early in the fall of that year, and continued as longas p

the season would permit.

U

21

On the first day of May, 1873, the public library with ‘.2386 vol-
umes upon its shelves, was thrown open to the people, thus adding
another to the many attractions of the city.

Although much extra labor was required the year previous, to
set the wheels of a new government in motion, each successive
year brought with it new cares and responsibilities, and the repreu
sentatives of V the people found little or no respite from the labors
assumed, but worked faithfully and diligently to the end. In 1873
a new brick school house was erected on Vinal Avenue, and a brick
hose house on I-Iighland Avenue. The police department was im-
proved and the fire department made more effective by the addition
of a new horse hose carriage and equipments; UNUSUAL 1M1:~novu-
MENTS were also made in some of the main avenues, and the re-
sult of the year’s labor seemed to be satisfactory to the community.

The year 1874 brought with it quite a change in the governing
power. The executive officer during the two preceding years,
having declined a re-election, the mayoralty was placed in new
hands, and sixteen new members were also elected to the City
Council.

The first important measures brought before them were the com-

pletion of the sewer in lV.[iller’s river district, and the filling up of
the river as contemplatedby the act of 18 73, both of which were
by the earnest efforts of the administration substantially complet-
ed at the close of the year.

The business of the police department had increased to such an

extent that orders were passed to erect a new building for its ac- A

commodation, which was commenced in the fall of 1874.

An act to provide for a public park in the city of Somerville
was approved by the Legislature March 25, 1874, and was at
once brought to the attention of the City ‘Council. The territory
defined by the act consisted of some sixteen acres on the northerly
side of the city, some threefeet below the legal grade. Great
pressure was brought to bear upon the government by both the
friends and opponents of the measure, and it was earnestly eon-
tested with a result in favor of its friends, and the sum of $200,000

22
Was appropriated, to lay out and construct the same under the pro-
visions of the act.

The Work of purchasing the land and filling the same to a
proper grade, was placed in the hands of appropriate committees,
and their arduous labors were at once commenced.

1 To further perfect the Working of the fire department, an act of
the.Legis1ature was procured, under date of April 24, 1874, and
the department was subsequently reorganized in accordance
therewith.

A fire alarm telegraph was established soon after, and was first
put in operation June 17th, the same year.

The action of the administration relative to the public park,

was the cause of disaffection among the opponents of the measure

y and at the election of city officers in December, 1874, it was

made a political issue ; but as the people had become more famil-

‘ iar with the merits of the measure it had grown in popular favor,

and the action of the government was fully endorsed at the polls.
The officers of the government for 1875 were the same as for
the year preceding, with the exception of three Aldermen and
nine members of the Common Council.
The principal Work devolving upon the administration of 1875,

was the completion of the new police station, the construction of

the public park, and the widening and grading of Broadway, the
main avenue on the northerly side of the city. -Each of these
measures had much to do with the future prosperity of the city,
and, therefore, received a large share of the attention of the City
Council. 1

The police station was completed before the close of the year,
and is a credit to the city. It is a brick structure with granite
trimmings, located on Bow Street, and was fitted up for the special

1 accommodat-ions of the police court, police department, the Sorner-

ville Light rInfa,ntry and Overseers of the Poor, and also contains
a hall of liberal dimensionsfor ward and city purposes. , f

The Work on the public park and Broadway* was carried on
through the year, but was not completed at its close. Besidesthe

23

improvements above named, continued progress was made in exa
tending the water supply and drainage of the city, in building
brick sidevvalks, completing new streets, and in improving the
various school buildings.

For the government of 1876, the people made choice of Hon.
Austin Belknap for mayor, two aldermen and five councilmen of
the previous administration, and seventeen new members. Thus
composed, the government was duly inaugurated on the 3d of
January last.

The Work of completing the public park. seemed to be first in
order, and the committee having the matter in charge were author-
ized to employa skilful gardener, and the choice fell upon Her-—
mann Grundel, Esq., the celebrated landscape gardener and florist,
and under his and their supervision the territory heretofore alluded
to, comprising spine sixteen acres, situated much below the drain-
age level of the locality and rapidly becoming prejuclicial to the
public health, was made to “rejoice and blossom as the rose.” On
the 17th of June last it was formally dedicated to public use, and
can hardly fail to be fully appreciated by a progressive cox'nrnunity.

Somerville has just entered upon. the tl1irty-Iilr‘th year of her ex-
istence, and what is her record to-day ? She has a population aeg-
cording to the census of‘ last year of 21,594, including a school
population of 3708. A valuation made up at the same time of
$31,317,000, with twenty churches and societies, eighteen school
buildings accommodating seventy-six schools, a public library of
over 5000 volumes, upwards of 4000 dwellings, and nearly 300
stores and manufactories, with a police and fire department unex-
ceptionable in men and material, and a military record that all
should be proud of. u

The city being located within easy reach of the capital of the
State, almost encircled by popular lines of railroads, with natural
elevations made historic, from which may be seen a landscape of
unrivalled beauty, with gas and pure water in abundance, has in-
duced mauy to leave the crowded cities adjacent and secure a res-
idence vvithiu its limits ; and rapid strides have been rnadelin lay-

24

ing out new streets, and in the erection of dwellings of varied
style of architecture, some of which are almost palatial in their
surroundings  appointments. To satisfy the natural demands
of this rapid growth, different branches of industry and trade have
sprung up, and now the manufacturer, the mechanic and the trades-

‘ man here find encouragement to pursue the vocation they have sev-
erally adopted, and the hum of machinery, the din and clatter of i

the implements of the builder and the laborer, the stir and noise of
the merchant and trafliclier, are frequently heard in our midst, while
those who heretofore tilled the soil for a livelihood within her
borders, now find little space in which to operate or wield the im-
plements of husbandry. Q

Somerville, it is seen, has much within her borders of historic
interest, much to keep vivid in the memory of her citizens, those

‘heroes the record of whose valorous deeds shines with a brighter

lustre each anniversary of the nation’s birth. Almost every acre
of her territory is hallowed ground, made‘ so by the events of over
an hundred years ago. Stretching across what is now our city,
from north to south, earthworlrs were formed to protect those
brave men who stoutly resisted British aggression, and struggled
manfully for that liberty and freedom which we now enjoy, and
although more than a century has passed away since their forma-
tion, lines of these humble monuments are still visible on our hill
tops, constantly reminding us of the sacrifices of those faithful and
fearless men of 1775, which resulted “in giving a free and inde-
pendent nation to the world.”

“ In closing permit me to suggest, that,.if the result of this
centennial anniversary, which is being observed throughout the
length and breadth of our land, should be to‘ strengthen the bond
which unites our people in one common brotherhood, and incites
in us all a desire and determination to emulate the noble virtues

of the honest yeomanry of an hundred years ago, the time, labor and ..

money spent in the celebration, will not have been spent in vainf.

‘ W Lietans hope and pray their that such will be the grand and

y , glrious sequel.