Lawrence City (part 3 of 6)

An animate reminder of the hand-tub days, and a distinguished member of the Lawrence fire department, is Charles \\'. Foster, engine man at the Central fire station, who is the oldest fireman in the L^nited States, if not the oldest in the world, in active service. He has been connected with the department for over 66 years, having joined it in 1851. He is 83 years old, but despite his age he reports regularly every day at the fire house. For 30 years he has run the old Washington 5 steamer.

The town fire department was organized on June 12, 1847, '^''''J established by legislative enactment the following year. At first fire wardens were chosen. Two years later the system was changed, and a fire chief was elected. In June. 1891, the department was re- organized by an act of the Legislature, and a board of three engineers, a chief and two assistants, the former to be permanent and the other two "call" commanders, was provided for. These were named by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen. When the new city charter, or commission form of government, went into efifect January I, 191 2, it provided for the abolishment of the board of fire engineers. Early that year Alderman Cornelius F. Lynch, the first director of public safety, designated Chief Dennis E. Carey as chief, and Francis y. Morris, then a captain in command of Combination 8's company, as deputy fire chief. Both have continued to hold those positions.

Prior to 1869 the fire alarms were given by ringing small bells on the several engine houses, except in case of a fire of considerable magnitude when the City Hall and corporation bells were rung. In the early davs frequently much confusion prevailed in locating the fires, as there were no signal boxes as there are today. The sources of water su])ply, too, were limited and the apparatus was crude. In July, 1869, the first fire alarm telegraph system was introduced. It comprised 14 boxes and three bell strikers, which were installed at an expense of $8,000. This system was gradually enlarged and improved upon until 1909 when the present modern Game well system, including what is called the fast and slow time method, was provided at a cost of $22,000. There are 139 signal boxes.

The next step toward modernizing the Lawrence fire department will be the installation of automobile equipment, which has been persistently advocated and which must eventually materialize.

The Police Department

In the early days of Lawrence every one was too busy to be concerned about criminal doings, but, as the town began to grow, evils cropped out and the need of some law enforcing department was felt.

At the first town meeting lo constables were appointed, and of these lo men Gilman F. Sanborn, Nathaniel Ambrose and James D. Herrick were successively at the head of the town police.

Not until Lawrence was incorporated as a city w'as a regular police department organized. From the founding of the city till 1888, the police were subject to annual change as went the fates of politics, but in 1887 a law was passed making the police force permanent. The growth of the department has kept pace with the development of the city. At the close of the year 191 7 the force consisted of a city marshal, three assistant city marshals, one lieutenant, two sergeants, six inspectors, one clerk, one keeper of the lockup, a matron, one inspector of wires, 94 regular patrolmen and 29 reserves.

The first lockup was located near the corner of Turnpike (Broadway) and Common streets. In 1850 the selectmen discarded this lockup and established police headquarters in the basement of the Town (City) Hall. Cells were built in the arches supporting the vaults of the town clerk. At that time the chief of police had his office on the first floor of the hall where what is now the assessors' office. Some time later a public protest arose over the alleged unsanitary arrangement of the cells in the Town Hall, and they were abandoned after a new lockup was built on Common street, near the corner of Jackson street. It was constructed of wood after the plan of a cottage house, and contained eight cells. For a time a small wooden lockup was also maintained on Elm street between Lawrence and White streets.

These facilities served until 1867 when a brick station was erected on the site of the present headquarters at the corner of Common and Lawrence streets. This building was built despite sturdy opposition, and for many years it was more than ample. In recent years, however, it had far outgrown its usefulness, and in 1914 the building was razed, and the present modern structure was constructed, being finished for occupancy the following year. It contains the most modern equipment and appliances for police work. It has a well ventilated, well lighted cell room, with 42 cells. Besides, there are well arranged accommodations for both the administrative officers and the patrolmen. In the basement is a tinely equipped emergency aid room.

The present District Court which occupies the second floor of the pohce station building, was established by an act of the Legislature in 1914. It has jurisdiction in civil cases from Lawrence, Methuen and the Andovers, and concurrent jurisdiction with the trial justices in criminal matters from the same district. It is the outgrowth of the Lawrence police court, instituted by legislative enactment in 1848. FVior to this, justice had been administered by Trial Justice Joseph Couch. The first judge of police court appointed was William Stevens who resigned in 1876 after serving 28 years, total blindness making his retirement necessary. He was succeeded in 1878 by Nathan \\\ Harmon, in the meantime Associate Justice William H. P. Wright having served. Ill heahh caused Judge Harmon to resign nine years later, and the late Hon. Andrew C. Stone was his successor. Judge Jeremiah J. ]\Iahoney, the present presiding justice, was next in line, his appointment to succeed Judge Stone being made in 1905 by Governor Douglas.

The efficiency of the police department was greatly increased by the installation of the police signal system in 1894. This svstem has been perfected in many respects since its adoption and the police system generally has been modernized in accordance with the very latest ideas. The horse drawn patrol and ambulance was replaced in 191 7 by automobile equipment.

There is the dark side of police annals that concerns crime, its commission and consequences, into which we do not intend to delve, as we do not think it is necessary for the comjjletion of the aims of this book. It is not our intention to drag forth familv skeletons or to hold up to the present generation scandals that should be best left forgotten. But, at the same time, we do not wish to leave the impression that Lawrence has been free from sensational happenings of this nature.

A complete sketch of the activities of the Lawrence Police Department, from the days of- the old-fashioned lockups to the present with its well equiiped system, would show that the city, although on the whole a peaceful, law-abiding community, has had its share of crime. In detection of crime and the protection of life and property, however, the police department of Lawrence has a record which will compare favorably with that of any other city in the country. Competent police chiefs and alert, capab'e insoectors and patrolmen have built up a service full of commendable achievement. There have been cases where criminals have escaped apprehension, but very few as compared to the number of successful prosecutions.

Development Of Public School System

Probably no better illustration of the rapidity of the growth of Lawrence can be found than in the development of the public school system of the city. From the very beginning there has been a constant growth of the school plant, the demand for accommodations becoming larger and steadier as the population mounted ; the building up of the educational facilities has kept pace with the growth of the community, though the increase in the number of pupils in the last several years has been so extraordinary that it has been a most difficult problem to provide suitable accommodations.

The importance of the school system in municipal affairs may be noted in the amount appropriated each year for its maintenance, the appropriation being nearly a third of the entire sum apportioned for all city departments. Fortunately, the needs of the school department have usually had precedence over those of other departments, in the consideration of municipal governments.

Number of school buildings: Primary, 23: grammar, 8: high, i. Total, 32. Besides these there are several portable school buildings and rented accommodations to take care of the overflow in the elementary grades.

In the list of class rooms are included the accommodations for the afternoon sessions at the High school, these sessions being necessary to provide for the great overflow in the day High school. It might be stated here that the city has appropriated $50,000 for the purchase of adjoining property west of the High school building, with the viev/ of constructing a large addition to the present plant. It is expected that the near future will see the work of construction under way.

The story of the development of the present system of public schools is interesting. In 1845, when the Essex Company commenced operations here, there were three one-story district school houses, two in the Methuen portion of the territory now included in the city area, and one south of the river, in the Andover section. They were crude affairs, uncomfortable and unattractive. One was located on Tower Hill, the second at the intersection of what are now Prospect and East Haverhill streets, and the third on the south side, near the intersection of the Lowell road and the Turnpike (South Broadway). There were summer and winter terms of a few weeks' duration. In 1846 the Essex Company erected a school house between Haverhill and Tremont streets, where a school was opened under the direction of the Methuen school committee, on November 7th, by Nathaniel Ambrose as teacher. He commenced with 25 scholars, but before the expiration of the first year the roll included 150 scholars.

When Lawrence was incorporated as a town the following were named a school committee : James D. Herrick. Dan Weed and William D. Lamb, M. D. To these men was intrusted the founding of the present school system. x-Xt their second meeting they voted that one male and five female teachers be employed, Mr. Ambrose as male teacher in the Essex Company's house. Miss Robinson for the Durant district. Miss Ford for the Tower Hill district. Miss Brown and Miss Abbott for the Free Will Baptist Vestry and Miss Odell on the south side of the river. During this year, a story and a half school house was built on Jackson street, where the Unitarian church now stands, and a similar one upon the Lowell road on the south side of the river.

Concerning the work of this original committee, the school committee of 1848 had this record: "They erected the school house on the south side with a view to the future ; and it will answer its purpose for an indefinite period. On this side (the North) of the river we v/ere put in possession of the Prospect street, the Jackson street and the Haverhill street school houses, as property of the town ; and of the Hampshire street house, as the property of the Essex Company, rented by the town." All of these buildings contained a single room, with the exception of the Jackson street and Southside schools which were of two rooms each.

Early in the year 1848 the school committee, after consultation with Hon. Horace Mann and other distinguished educators, adopted a continuous system of public instruction wherein the primary school is introductory to the middle, the middle to the grammar, the grammar to the high, and the high to the college or the actual pursuits of life. And that plan is in vogue today, although much improved in the method of application.

A Group Of Public Schools

was moved into the original Oliver school building upon its completion near the close of the same year. Another grammar school was established about the same time in the new Southside building. The Lawrence High school was organized January 31, 1849. On that day a class of seventeen members was admitted, without strict regard for qualification. Provisions were made for them in the front room of the lower floor of the old Oliver High school house, where the High school was located until the original High school buildmg was erected.

When Lawrence was created a city in 1853, the following were elected school committeemen : Hon. Charles S. Storrow, mayor and chairman ; Henry K. Oliver, James D. Herrick, William Stevens, Ivan Stevens, Enoch Pratt and L. W. Wright, - the mayor and one representative from each ward. The new city was in possession of ten school buildings, including the Oliver, containing also the Oliver high school ; the Newbury street, the Oak street, the Amesbury street, the Cross street and the Prospect street schools. All of these buildings were located on the sites occupied by buildings of the same names today, and all during the past 64 years have been greatly remodelled, except the Oak street and the old Oliver grammar school buildings which were razed to make room for the new central Oliver grammar school. The other early-day school houses long ago proved inadequate and were abandoned. The original High school building, which after the opening of the new and more commodious structure on Lawrence street was used only as the headquarters of the school authorities and as an annex of the evening schools, was totally destroyed by fire December 6, 191 o. The building had been constructed in 1867, and it was beautiful in architectural design.

In the year 1892 a notable revolution was inaugurated in the architecture and construction of the school buildings of Lawrence. In that year the City Council authorized the erection of the John R. Rollins grammar school on Howard street. Prospect Hill. This handsome brick building, completed in 1893, contains ten class rooms, a large hall, rooms for teachers and master, a library, and every modern convenience. Its lighting, heating and ventilation equipment is one of the best obtainable. Its approximate cost was $70,000. Other buildings followed, in general construction similar to the Rollins, the number of class rooms ranging from ten to sixteen. In 1895 the John K. Tarbox grammar school on Alder street was erected at an approximate cost of $60,000. A few years ago a large addition was made to this building, at an expense of $60,000. The Emily G. Wetherbee grammar school on Newton street was built in 1897 at an approximate cost of $95,000; the new High school in 1901, at a cost of about $250,000; the Alexander B. Bruce grammar school on Ames street. Tower Hill, in 1902, about $100,000; the Gilbert E. Hood grammar

Development Of Public School System 99

In June, 191 5, the construction of the new central (Oliver) grammar school was started, and the building was completed in the fall of 191 7, at an estimated cost of $210,000. The structure is the last word in school house construction. It contains 36 class rooms, besides an assembly hall, four manual training and domestic science rooms, teachers' rooms, etc. It also contains a fine suite of offices for the school department. The building occupies the sites of the original Oliver grammar. Oak street and old High school buildings, and extends from Haverhill street to Oak street, with a frontage of 152 feet on Haverhill street.

The Packard school was named for Rev. George Packard, first rector of the Grace church ; the Oliver for Gen. Henry K. Oliver, former mayor and superintendent of schools ; the Harrington for Rev. Henry F. Harrington, first pastor of the Unitarian church; the Walton for George A. \\ alton, first principal of the Oliver school ; the Storrow for Hon. Charles S. Storrow, first mayor of the city ; the Saunders for Hon. Daniel Saunders, known as the founder of the city ; the Rollins for Hon. John R. Rollins, a member of the school board for 30 years ; the Tarbox for Hon. John K. Tarbox, another highly respected citizen ; the Hood for Gilbert E. Hood, donor of the Hood prizes and former superintendent of schools ; the Bruce and the Breen for former mayors of the city, Hon. Alexander B. Bruce and Hon. John Breen. The other schools received their names from the streets on which they are located.

From its earliest inception the educational advancement of the city has kept pace with her material progress. Changes in courses of study and in methods of instruction have been made as the advantage became apparent, and the best features of the new education have been incorporated into the school system. Besides the regular subjects, music, drawing and sewing are taught in the various grades under the supervision of special teachers, and in connection with the work of the High school a four years' course in manual training is maintained.

Eight years constitute the elementary course of study, below the High school, the first three years of which are spent in the primary schools. The grammar grade course covers five years, though the first two grades of the course are commonly referred to as "middle" grades. In 191 7 there were 511 graduates from the grammar schools, the largest number in the history of the city. Departmental work has been established in all the grammar schools, and here a firm foundation is laid for the higher education to come. Each school is under the control of an experienced master.

English and Literature being more than excei)tionally prominent. It is probable that more thorough work in Literature is done in Lawrenee than elsewhere in the state. Ciood training is also given in the sciences, languages and commercial subjects, besides the course in manual training. Promotion is bv subject, intpils being classihed according to their ca|)acity. and four, five or even six years w.ay be spent there before graduation. The great majority, however, complete the course in four vears. The school has earned such an excellent reputation among the colleges that it has been accorded a place upon the privileged list l)y those colleges which accept certificates in lieu of examinations. In 1917 there were 164 graduates. Based on the figures for 191 7, the Lligh school costs about $6c,oco a year for its maintenance. Of this amount the sum of $44,980 goes for salaries alone. The expenditure per pupil is $53.54 ^ year.

Occupying a unique place among the schools, and doing most vital work, is the Lawrence Practice school which since 1905 has occupied the Gilbert E. Hood school house. For many years prior to the establishment of the Normal school at Lowell, and for a few years subsequent to that, Lawrence maintained its own independent training school. To it graduates of our High school or other High schools were admitted after examination, and graduated for teaching after a course of a year and a half. In 1901 an agreement was reached between the city and the commonwealth, l)y wliich the Training school (as it was then called) was incorporated into the State Normal school svstem as a school for observation and practice. Lender this agreement, graduates of our High school took a two years' course of academic work at Lowell, during which they spent one period of three months in ])ractice teaching in the Hood school. After graduation from Lowell, residents of Lav\rence were entitled to take up a supplementarv course of practice teaching, five months in duration, after which thev l)ecame eligible to teach in the elementary schools of the city. In i90(j the term of undergraduate practice was eliminated. Graduates of Massachusetts Normal schools are now required to spend a period of five months practice teaching in the Hood school before they are eligible to appointment.

In addition to the day schools, Lawrence has a great system of c-vening schools, one of the largest in the state. This valuable and now indispensal)le adjunct of the school department was first inaugurated in the winter of 1859 - 60. A committee of the board of advice to the city missionary, consisting of Rev. George Packard and Hon. Charles S. Storrow, petitioned the City Council in 1859 for an appropriation to assist them in establisliing an evening school. They reported that the city missionary would act as principal of the school, and that he was able to obtain teachers who would gratuitously -and cheerfuUv gi\e the necessary time for the instruction of the pupils. Thev proposed to use the cast ott furniture of the regular school department and to secure some convenient room where the school could be held.

The City Council gave them the munificent sum of $ioo. Quarters were secured in Odd Fellows hall which was then located at the south-westerly corner of Common and Hampshire streets. The room rent amounted to about $50, and that and the cost of supplies caused an expense of about $216 the first term, part of which was met by the aitl of ])roceeds from several benefit entertainments. It was necessary to ask the City Council for $41 more to meet the deficit.

More than 200 scholars were taught that first winter, who from want or neglect of early privileges needed and desired the instruction such as the school gave. The school, thus begun, prospered and increased greatlv in attendance as the years went by, and the first quarters became so crowded in 1863 that a request was made for the use of a portion of the basement of the City Hall. A room, 25 feet wide and extending the length of the basement on the north side, was fitted up. With the exception of two or three small portions cut ofif from this room for other purposes, it is still in a condition similar to that as at first finished, and it is now occupied by the city grocery.

In May, 1870, the school committee took charge of the school and accommodations for the girls were provided in the Oliver grammar school building. The boys, for a time, remained in the old quarters in the basement of the City Hall. Later, the disturbances and interruptions, in the use of this room for caucuses and elections and in connection with the performances in the hall, became so great that the school was not held there after the winter of 1876 - "jy, accommodations for the boys also being found in one of the school buildings.

The evening schools are now maintained fhree evenings in the week from October until Alarch. During the term ended in 1917, there were employed "jz teachers, including a supervisor. The total expense, excluding costs of heating and lighting which are very considerable items, amounted to $16,950.54. The elementary evening schools in 1881 occupied eight rooms in the Oliver and Packard school buildings. The record does not give the number attending. The committee spent $1,700 for evening schools that year. In 1882 the evening High school had 18 pupils. Besides the High school, four other buildings are now occupied by the evening schools. During the school year ending in March, 191 7, there were 1.7-7 pupils enrolled, of which number 538 attended the evening High school. In 19 1 6 there were 132 evening High school pupils awarded diplomas after completing the three years' course. In 1917 the four-year course went into efifect and there was, consequently, no graduation this year.

except in the amount of time given the various subjects. Many young men and women, who have been compelled to take up the task of earning a livelihood upon reaching the working age, avail themselves of the opportunity afforded thereby for advanced education. In the High school building, but distinct in organization, are the advanced evening grammar school classes, doing work parallel to that of the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades of the day schools. Pupils completing the work of the eighth grade class are given certificates of advancement and are entitled to entrance to the regular High school course. In the basement of the building, occupying the quarters of the manual training department, is located the evening drawing school. Here well filled classes of men are nightly at work during the evening school season. The courses, architectural and mechanical, are in charge of veteran instructors of the day High school.

A new and interesting feature of the evening school system is the Naturalization school, the first of its kind in the country. In January, 1914, this department was opened in the High school building, on Tuesday and Friday evenings, for men desiring to make preparation to become naturalized citizens and for foreigners over 21 years of age wishing to learn the English language or to improve their knowledge of it by further study. The school was organized by Cornelius F. Sullivan, the master of the Oliver school, and he is assisted in the experiment by several experienced teachers. The success of the project thus far has been gratifying, and the school has come to be regarded as a permanent institution. It has proved of great assistance in the work of naturalization and has been an incentive to many aliens to become citizens. At the end of the term the certificates of naturalization are publicly awarded, with appropriate exercises, to those who have qualified therefor through the course of instruction offered by the school.

Lawrence was the first city to avail itself of the commonwealth's invitation to open an independent industrial evening school, half of the expense of maintenance to be paid from the state treasury. Under the management of a local board of trustees, a fine training is imparted in mechanical, textile and domestic science subjects. During the term ending in May, 1917, there were over 1,500 pupils enrolled, and there were 54 instructors, including a principal. The city's share of the cost of maintenance was about $10,000. The evening trade extension work covers a wide field. It gives those employed during the day an opportunity of advancing themselves along their lines of work. While this school is wholly independent of the public school system, it may be properly included in the story of the educational opportunities which Lawrence so lavishly offers to every individual, young or old, who is ambitious to improve his mind or increase his earning power.

The Parochial Schools

The parochial schools are regarded as a valuable aid in the educational work of the city. Excellent training is imparted in all the desirable educational subjects up to and including the grammar grades in all of these schools, while St. Mary's High School enables the girls to complete their education or preparation for college and advanced study, in an atmosphere whose religious influence helps greatly in the development of sound moral character.

Eleven well equipped school buildings provide accommodations for the 5,878 parochial school pupils. Based on the estimated cost per pupil of $41.20 a year for maintaining the public schools for the school year ending in 191 7, the maintenance of the parochial schools, which are supported by the Catholic parishes, saves the City of Lawrence the sum of nearly a quarter of a million dollars a year. This sum does not include the interest on the capital invested in school buildings.

The parochial school system had its beginning here in the St. Mary's schools, the first parochial schools established in this city, although there had been in the early days a small private school conducted by Catholic laymen. In August, 1859, five sisters of the Notre Dame were brought to Lawrence by Rev. James O'Donnell, Sister Constance who died July i, 1878, being the superior. An ordinary dwelling house. No. 346 Oak street, was given them for a residence, in which, with additions made at two dififerent times, they remained for nearly 35 years. On September 5, following, St. Mary's school for girls was opened under their teaching. They commenced with 200 pupils in three departments, viz., primary, intermediate and grammar, with accommodations on the first floor of what, for over a score of years, was known as the "Girls School", in a wooden building on Haverhill street, since removed, and which was situated about half way between the present stone school building (then St. Mary's church) and the new convent.

Ten years after that beginning, Father Edge opened a school for boys in old "St. James' Hall", also since removed, but then standing at the corner of Haverhill and White streets. This, also numbering about 200 pupils at the start, was placed in charge of the same sisters who were allowed for some years to teach the boys until they had received their first communion.

quate. On Septeir.btr 19, i88c. Father Gilmore had the stone buildingwhich since the erection of the new echhce had l)een known as "St. Mary's Old Church", transformed into a school and hall. The exterior of this building- now occupied by the Ijoys' department of the school, and in wdiich are located the quarters of the Catliolic Young Men's Association, organized in 1886, has been but slightly changed in appearance.

In accordance with their rules, the Sisters of Notre Dame were obliged to relinquish the teaching of all but the youngest of the boys in St. Mary's schools, so in 1889 Rev. James T. O'Reilly secured the services of the Xaverian Brothers to take charge of the older ones. As a residence for them he remodelled the old parochial house of the Immaculate Conception church on W hite street.

On December 20, 1893, the Sisters moved into the new convent at the corner of Haverhi'l and Hampshire streets, upon the completion of that handsome and commodious structiu'e. The convent is one of the finest of its kind in the state and cost about $48,000. The old convent on Oak street has been replaced by a modernly constructed brick school building of 16 class rooms. This is occupied exclusively by girls. The stone building has 1 1 class rooms.

During the term ended in June, 191 /, St. Mary's schools were attended by 2,103 pupils. In the high school for girls there were 141 pupils, and at the commencement exercises 25 were aw^arded diplomas. In conjunction wdth the schools on Haverhill street, St. Mary's parish also supports St. Rita's school for boys and girls. This is also in charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame. It has about 500 pupils. The Assumption school for boys and girls, in charge of Sisters of St. Domenic, is connected with St. Mary's schools. It has 80 pupils.

A remarkable feature in the development of St. Mary's schools, and which is a forceful demonstration of the influence of the parochial school system, is the annual May Procession, held in honor of the Blessed A'irgin. This institution was established in the early days of the parish, and it has grown bigger and more attractive each year. This year, 1918, fully 3,500 children took part.

Other parishes, following the lead of St. Marv's, have established schools, all of which have become important factors in the educational work of the church. Besides St. Mary's schools, there are: - St. Anne's ( for boys ) , in charge of Marist Brothers, and St. Joseph's (for girls), in charge of Sisters of Good Shepherd; 1,793 pupils. St. Laurence's (for boys and girls), in charge of Sisters of Notre Dame, 321 ])updls. St. Patrick's (for boys and girls), in charge of Sisters of Charity; 551 pupils. Sacred Heart (for boys and girls), in charge of Sisters of Holy Union of Sacred Heart; 539 pupils. Holy Rosary (for Italian boys and girls), in charge of Sisters of Notre Dame ; 346 pupils. Holy Trinity ( for Polish boys and girls), in charge of Felician Sisters of St. Francis; 225 pupils.

A Group Of Parochial Schools The Public Library

The Franklin Library which was the nucleus of the present Lawrence Public Library was incorporated in April, 1847. Capt. Charles H. Bigelow, the engineer under whose direction the dam was built, was its first president.

Hon. Abbott Lawrence donated $1,000 to it, to be expended in the purchase of such books that would "tend to create mechanics, good Christians and good patriots", and at his death, in 1855, Mr. Lawrence bequeathed an additional $5,000 to the institution.

The Franklin Library Association was the solitary literary society in Lawrence for many years. The "Lawrence Athenaeum" sustained a course of lectures for two seasons, and the "Lawrence Lyceum" a course for one or two seasons, but both were finally merged into the Franklin Library Association. A course of 12 lectures was sustained for several years by this organization.

In 1872 the library and funds of the association were turned over to the city by definite arrangement, and the Free Public Library, aided by the White Fund, was successfully established. Library and reading room found immediate favor with the people. Circulation books reached an almost unprecedented average ; patrons outgrew accommodations, and, in three years from the first opening, the library was removed from the Saunders block to spacious rooms in the new Odd Fellows block.

The present library building at the corner of Hampshire and Haverhill streets was opened to the public in 1892. Originally it cost $50,000, but in 1902 it was enlarged at an additional cost of $37,300.86. Today it has 70,475 volumes (including 7000 volumes turned over in 1895 from a library conducted by the Pacific mills), a valuable reference department and as modern facilities as any institution in a city the size of Lawrence in the country. On August I, 1898, a branch library was opened on South Broadway, and this gives good service to the people of South Lawrence.

The land upon which the library building stands is a plot saved from the original White tract. The main library building was given to the city by Mrs. Nathaniel G. White and her daughter. Miss Elizabeth W. White. While there is a similarity of names the donors were not related to Judge Daniel Appleton White who made possible the White Fund which provides for a course of lectures annually and defrays the cost of other educational enterprises.

The Public Library Io7

The White Fund has given thousands of dollars toward the maintenance of the public library, besides having provided the land on which the building is located. The present librarian is William A. Walsh.

Judge Daniel Appleton White, whose name is so familiar with educational matters in Lawrence, was born in June, 1776, in an old farmhouse which stood on the site of the present high school at the corner of Haverhill and Lawrence streets. He was graduated from Harvard college in 1797. For many years he was judge of probate in Essex county, residing in Salem, where he was first president of the Essex Institute. He also served one term in Congress, while a resident of Salem.

Judge White's old homestead, with the lands lying between the Merrimack and Spicket rivers and Appleton and Franklin streets, was first conveyed in January, 1845, t)y a conditional deed, \ to the Water Power Association. The first conveyance by Judge \ White embraced all his holdings without restriction. He soon afterwards became aware that provisions in old deeds required that part of the lands should be reserved as a family burial ground. In consequence of this, at his earnest solicitation, the associates in taking their absolute s deed, dated March 28, 1845, relinquished their claims to a lot of about six acres, nearly in the centre of the tract they had purchased. It was provided, however, that these six acres should be restricted as to use, or reserved as a public or private burial ground. Immediately after the organization of the Essex Company, the associates conveyed to that company all the land they had purchased ; consequently their deed contained the reservations and restrictions.

Judge White seemed to have had little enjoyment in the possession of the property, constantly increasing taxes becoming a burden. There was no income from the property ; sanitary considerations prevented its use for a cemetery ; no one would purchase any part * of it in the condition in which the title then stood. It became evident that the land could only be utilized by joint action of both Judge White and the Essex Company. There were upon the land but three graves (still undisturbed, near the corner of Hampshire and Concord streets, surrounded by dwellings ) , occupying together a space not larger than an ordinary burial lot. This left nearly six acres of unoccupied land in the heart of the city. Joint action of the two parties might have given to this land a value of many thousands of dollars, to be divided between them. Happily, at the suggestion of Judge White, he and the Essex Company, joined in devoting this property to a purpose which would benefit, not a class or a single generation, but all who might dwell in Lawrence in time to come. The indenture conveying the land to trustees, with power to sell and invest proceeds in a fund, for a purpose clearly stated, is a model of precise wording and clearness in detail, so far as it relates to the character of the lectures and use of the fund for that purpose. The language is that of fudge White.

The original proposition of Judge \\diite, as explained in his letter of June 19, 1852, to Treasurer Storrow of the Essex Company, proposed simply the establishment of an annual course of lectures, the special subjects being those first specified in the indenture or deed of trust. Being confident that the value of the land and the sum that would eventually be derived from it would far exceed the expectations of Judge White, Mr. Storrow suggested that, while the original object which he had in mind should first be fully provided for, precisely as Judge White intended, it might be well to allow the trustees to select other methods for promoting morality and education, especially to authorize liberal appropriations from the income in aid of a free library and provide for the gift of a building site for such an institution. Thus originated the Wdiite Fund, and thus Lawrence obtained valuable help for its public library.

The Lawrence Common

Few communities la}- claim to a public park more l)eautiful than the Lawrence Common. This reservation, located in the very heart of the city, and comprising i/z'S acres, was deeded to the people of Lawrence in 1848, by the Essex Company, the deed being dated October 1, of that year. Traversing the common, in every direction, arc broad paths, lined with stately elm and maple trees which enclose expansive grass plots, set off with attractive flower beds. The last report of the Park Department gives the number of trees on the reservation as 421.

The common was originally, in the greater part of its area, a sand heap. The high ground was sown occasionally with buckwheat which was ploughed in as a fertilizer. At one time, near the northeastern corner, two acres were set out with cabbages. The eastern section, along Jackson street, was an alder swamp with a brook running through it. The willows in the southeastern corner, the last of which Vv'ere removed several years ago, were some of the original trees that grew up by the wall which was one of the boundary lines, of the Gage farm that stretched away to the eastward. One of these willow trees, cut down in 1899, had 69 rings in the trtink, denoting an age of 69 years.

In 1874-75, the old fence which enclosed the park was removed, and the granite curbing was provided. The present concrete w^aterbasin, or artificial pond, built in 19 14, replaced the original goldfish pond for which ground was broken in August, 1857.

The Soldiers' and Sailors' monimient was erected on the common in 1881. The initiatory steps for this purpose were taken by Post 39 of the Grand Army of the Republic in September, 1879, when $500 was contributed by the Civil War veterans. This action was followed by a meeting of citizens on November 13, when a committee was appointed to consider the matter. This committee reported to a large assemblage of people on November 24. recommending that a monument of granite be placed in some central position on the common, and that contributions be solicited in small sums in order that the monument might literally be the people's memorial to the deceased soldiers and sailors.

Tewksbury ; vice presidents, John R. Rollins and Thomas Cornelie ; secretary, Frank O. Kendall ; trustees to receive and invest funds, Mayor James R. Simpson, Hezekiah Plummer, Waldo L. Abbott, Joseph Shattuck, Frederick E. Clarke, James S. Hutchinson, Byron Truell, John Hart, Edmund R. Hayden. Subsequently a society of women was organized in aid of the association, and active work was commenced on the project.

The several corporations, by their agents and treasurers, contributed $3,000. The school children, through the efiforts of Capt. Horatio G. Herrick.by a penny and dime contribution, raised over $2GO. A concert by the Ladies' Choral Union, under the direction of Reuben Merrill, added about $200 more, and the remainder was contributed by the people generally, in the mills, workshops, stores, municipal departments, etc., the Grand Army members raising their donation to $700. The total cost of the monument was $11,111.75, the total number of subscribers being 9,136, and in this list the names of three Chinese residents appear.

The crowning figure of the monument, representing "Union", was designed by David Richards. The figure was cut from Concord granite by Theodore M. Perry, at the Quincy granite works. The shield bears the legend of the Lawrence municipal seal, "Industria", and the emblematic bee. On the buttresses at the base of the column stand three figures in bronze. The first representing an infantry soldier, nearly a duplicate of one in Albany, N. Y., was designed and modelled by Henry EUicott of New York. The other two, one representing a sailor and the other a dismounted cavalry officer, were modelled by William R. O'Donovan at the foundry of the general designer of the monument, Maurice J. Power, in New York where all were cast.

The monument was dedicated on the evening of November 2, 1881, amid a brilliant display of fireworks and calcium lights. It was accepted in behalf of the city by the Mayor, Hon. Henry K. Webster, who delivered an appropriate address. -' -.- _ .......

The Lawrence Common Iii

As one of the results of the great Flag Day demonstration on October 12, 191 2, following the big strike earlier in the year, Lawrence has a permanent and elaborate flagstaff on the common, the gift of Joseph Shattuck. This flagstaff replaced a less costly one which was destroyed in a storm of hurricane proportions, that swept through the city on the night of August 4, 1910, entailing considerable damage, especially on the common where a number of large trees were uprooted.

The gift was offered to the city on October 18, 191 2, and on December 18 Mr. Shattuck wrote a second letter to the government, stating that he would deposit with the city treasurer a check for $4,000, the money to be expended upon the flagstaff, its base and approaches, and another check for $1,000 in the Essex Savings Bank in the name of the City of Lawrence, the income only to be drawn by the city treasurer and to be used for the perpetual replacement of flags for said staff or any other erected in its place.

The city government accepted the gift on December 23, 191 2. On January 6, 191 3, the following commission was appointed to carry out the deed of the gift: - Rev. George E. Lovejoy. Joseph McCarthy, James D. Home, Fred H. Eaton, William T. Kimball, IVIichael S. O'Brien, James R. Menzie and Alderman Alfred Bradbury, the last named being director of public property and parks. Alderman Bradbury was elected chairman, and Mr. Kimball, secretary of the commission.

The commission, after investigating the qualifications of architects of country- wide reputation, finally decided unanimously upon R. Clipston Sturgis of Boston to furnish the design. It was the desire of the commission to have the memorial flagstaff dedicated on October 12, 1913, the first anniversary of the memorable Flag Day parade, but circumstances compelled a postponement, and it was not until the observance of Patriots' Day on Monday, April 20, 1914, that the unveiling and dedicatory exercises were held.

Prior to the ceremonies there was a great civic and military parade in which thousands participated. The procession terminated on the common where, amid the booming of cannon and the crashing of bands, the cheers of the multitude and the grateful beating of thousands of hearts, the memorial was uncovered by little Dorothy Shattuck, daughter of the late Joseph Shattuck, then president of the Third National Bank of Springfield, and granddaughter of the donor. John Campbell, commander of Needham Post, 39, G. A. R., and John H, Gilman, past junior vice commander of General Lawton Post, 146, G. A. R., raised the first flag to fly from the staffhead. Alderman Bradbury presented the gift, in behalf of its donor, and Mayor Michael A. Scanlon delivered the speech of acceptance.

"The gift of Josiri.h Shattuck, to the peopk- of Lawrence, as a perpetual remembrance of October u. 1912, when 32,000 men, women and children of the city marched under the flag for God and Country."

The granite base is surmounted by one of bronze, symbohc of the City of Lawrence and its industries. This base is supported by four cogwheels. The first band is ornamented by threads. (Jn the four corners are wound spindles from which the thread leads to .-mailer spindles and is then transformed to cloth. Wdiat represent four folds of cloth are spread on the four sides, and on these are inscribed appropriate quotations from ancient and modern authors.

Above these inscriptions, the next band is composed of shuttles. Up to this point, the design is symbolic of the industries of Lawrence. Further above are designed flowers and fruits, symbolic of the jov and pleasure of living, and the fruits of industry. On the stall, itself, are carved arrows, symbolizing war. They are bound together with laurel. At the very pinnacle of the staff stands the emblem of peace, with her hand outstretched, symbolic of the blessing of our industrial community.

The present bandstand on the common was Iniilt in June, 1904, replacing the old structure which for so many years occupied a site near the location of the Shattuck flagstaff".

Besides the common, the city's park system includes parks and l)lavsteads in every ward, which are of great beneht in keeping the children oft" the streets and in providing breathing spots.

Note : As a recognition of the nearly 3,600 young men from Lawrence, who had entered the service of the L'nited States during the first year of the war against Germany, a handsome service roll, bearing their names, was erected on the common, near the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument. This was dedicated with patriotic exercises on April 19, 191 8. The celebration included a great parade through the city's streets.

The Playground Movement

Lawrence had its playgrounds and recreation spots away back in 1848 when the Essex Company deeded the present Common to the city, but it was not until 191 2 that the Municipal Department of Parks, under Alderman Michael S. O'Brien who was elected a member of the first City Council under the commission form of government and served as Director of Public Property and Parks, installed for the first time in the city's history a system of supervised play and public recreation.

Before proceeding, however, with a brief story of the playground movement in Lawrence it might be well to look back a little. The Essex Company, following its liberal gift of the Common, from time to time deeded other tracts of land to the city, which are now favorite breathing spots, and, incidentally it might be added, made possible the development of the playground movement. There is Storrow Park, a reservation of 10 acres on the highlands of Prospect Hill, in Ward One, which was deeded to Lawrence December 3, 1853. By a deed dated November 19, 1873, the Essex Company made another gift of a tract of land, containing seven acres and closed on three sides by low ridges lying in Ward Five south of Bodwell street, which is known as "The Amphitheatre", or Bodwell Park. The conditions of this grant required that the city appropriate at least $200 a year for a term of 10 years in improving and embellishing the grounds, and forever keep the same as a public park. In addition to these gifts, the Essex Company laid out as a public park a beautiful reservation of 11^ acres, extending easterly from South Union street in Ward Six and known as Union Park. The public park ofT Hampshire street, familiarly known as "The Jail Common", is another gift from the Essex Company, besides the small Stockton Park at the junction of South Union street and Winthrop avenue. All of these parks were given outright to the city and are today valuable assets.

As has been stated, the supervised playground movement was begun in Lawrence early in the summer of 1912, the first cost being borne by the city with some financial assistance from private citizens who were interested in bringing it about. For the purpose of experimentation only four stations were established that year. The principal playground was located on the Common where an average of 500 children of both sexes were accommodated daily. The other experimental stations were located at the Tarbox school playstead, Union Park and on land leased for the purpose from the Essex Company off Rowe street and along the Merrimack River. Expert men and women instructors were employed, and the boys and girls were not only afiforded instruction in helpful physical exercises but other educational features were introduced, especially for the girls who were taught basketry, needlework and the like. These playgrounds are equipped with paraphernalia for amusement and muscular exercise.

The physiological value of the supervised playgrounds was instantly recognized as a powerful influence for good, and the idea met with popular favor in Lawrence with the result that each succeeding year has seen new activity in this line. There are now 17 public parks and play steads in the city, containing 164.67 acres. This number includes *Riverside Park.

* Shortly after the beginning of 191 8 the city secured by purchase Riverside Park ball grounds on Water street. By a vote of the City Council the park was named for the late Hon. Edward F. O'Sullivan.

Church History

An All-wise Providence has put it into the hearts of all His rational creatures to worship, and it was only natural that the first comers to the "new city" should have their thoughts turned religiously.

Church history in Lawrence really began with the founding of the town. Religion has always been a most potent factor in the life of the community. Its importance today is evidenced in the great number of houses of worship here.

The development of the religious organizations has kept pace with the growth of the town and the city. There are now established in Lawrence 43 churches and 10 smaller organizations, making in all 53 religious bodies. The 43 churches are included in 12 distinct denominations.

The leading religious sects made almost simultaneous beginning in Lawrence, although 15 years before the founding of the town, on May 12, 1832, a church was duly organized in that part of Methuen now North Lawrence, in the old Prospect Hill school house. It was called "The First Protestant Episcopal Church of Methuen". Several months later it became known as "Mount Zion Church". An effort was made to have constructed a church building on the old Methuen Orthodox church site on Clover Hill, but the movement failed, and during the four or five years that this church existed services were held in the old Prospect Hill school house, in the old brick school house on Howe street at Grosvenor's Corner, and in a hall at Methuen village. The first Christmas service ever celebrated in this locality was held by this church. The communion service ware in use by this church served at Grace church in the early years of its organization, and was afterward loaned to the Lawrence Street church for use at the first communion of members thereof.

The importance of Lawrence as a field for religious teaching was fully comprehended by Catholic leaders, and they sent here, as pioneer workers for the church, men of large capacity and untiring energy.

We cannot fix with certainty the exact date when pioneers of this faith held first service here. Mass was probably first offered in Lawrence by Father McDermott of Lowell in the dwelling of Michael Murphy on Newton street in South Lawrence, in December, 1845, or early in January, 1846.

In April, 1846, Rev. Charles French commenced ministering to Catholics in Lawrence. He was the first clergyman of any denomination to actually purchase land for a church building. In a few months a modest wooden edifice was erected upon Chestnut street at the corner of White street, where regular services were held and quite a large school was maintained. About 35 percent, of the population of Lawrence in 1848 was naturally Catholic in religious tendency. Today this denomination predominates.

Father French died in January, 1851, being succeeded by Rev. James H. D. Taaffe, during whose pastorate, in 1854, the brick church (Immaculate Conception) was built. In 1861 the fine-toned bell was placed in the tower, the first church bell to sound in the city.

The first building dedicated to religious worship in the city by Protestant worshipers was erected by Grace Episcopal Church on the lot near the corner of Jackson and Common streets, just north of the present stone edifice. It was a chapel of wood. Divine service was held in the building in October, 1846, and it was consecrated the following November. Later it was removed to Garden street and used as a vestry until torn down to make room for the new and commodious brick chapel there erected.

The church edifice of stone was built in 185 1, and consecrated in May, 1852. The building was enlarged in 1896. From the first gathering of this pioneer church until his death in 1876, the Rev. Dr. George Packard was rector of the church and parish. The present rector is Rev. Arthur Wheelock Moulton.

The Methodists, Congregationalists, Baptists, Unitarians and Universalists were also pioneers in the religious life of the community, all having become established here prior to 1850.

In June, 1846, the first Methodist preaching service in Lawrence was held at the house of Charles Barnes, No. 5 Turnpike street (Broadway). The Essex IMission (so called) was organized June I, 1846. Two months later, the Methodists moved across the street into the attic of an unfinished building which was called "Concert Hall". The church building at the corner of Haverhill and Hampshire streets was dedicated February 20. 1848. In 191 1 this society, the First Methodist Episcopal church, consolidated with the Garden Street Methodist Episcopal church, forming the Central Methodist church which now occupies the new attractive stone edifice on Haverhill street just east of Lawrence street. The Garden Street M. E. Church was for many years located in the brick structure at the corner of Garden and Newbury streets.

The Merrimack Congregational Society (so called) was organized August I, 1846, but the name was changed to the Lawrence Street Congregational Church the following year, and January 5, 1847, meetings were begun in a small wooden building at the corner of Haverhill and Lawrence streets. On October ii, 1848, the old wooden church which for so many years occupied this site was dedicated. This structure was totally destroyed by fire in 1912, and was replaced by the present handsome stone edifice which was dedicated in May, 191 5.

The pioneer Baptist organization was the First Free Baptist church which was organized January 17, 1847, although services were first held by this sect in the boarding house of Timothy Osgood on Turnpike street (Broadway) in April, 1846. The church worshiped in a small chapel at the corner of Haverhill and White streets. This property was sold in 1857; the building was cut in two and made into two dwelling houses. The present church building, at the corner of Common and Pemberton streets, was dedicated April 21, 1857.

The First Baptist church had its beginning in the spring of 1847. Services were held irregularly in private homes or school houses until June, 1847, when a permanent church organization was effected, the new body taking the name of the Amesbury Street Baptist Church. A temporary building was erected on a lot in the rear of the site of the present structure. But this was soon found to be inadequate, and the Essex Company gave the lot of land at the corner of Haverhill and Amesbury streets, where the society commenced the work of building the church it now occupies, which was completed and dedicated October 20, 1850.

On August 30, 1847, the Unitarian church was organized. The first meetings were held in the Odd Fellows hall on Hampshire street, and later in a chapel which had been erected for that purpose. In May, 1850, the old wooden church building at the corner of Jackson and Haverhill streets was dedicated, the tower and spire of which was destroyed by fire August 12, 1859, and had not been replaced. This structure was torn down in 1916 and a much smaller building erected.

On November 15, 1847, the First Universalist Society was organized and the first meetings held in a school house on the southerly side of Haverhill street near where the Battery building now stands. Meetings were afterwards held in Bridgman hall, on Oak street, and later in Lawrence hall (since known as Music hall) on Common street. In 1852 a church edifice was erected on Haverhill street, and in 1865 the building was remodelled and enlarged, and a spire added, forming the present structure.

In touching on the pioneer churches, mention should be made of the Central Congregational Church, since merged in the Trinitv 'Congregational Church. This society was organized December 25, 1849, ^^^ meetings were held in the City Hall from that date until August 5, 1854, when a new church at the corner of Essex and Appleton streets was dedicated. Here regular services were held until August 12, 1859, when the structure was totally destroyed by fire. In the fall of the same year the society commenced work on the stone church (now Trinity church) fronting the common on Haverhill street, which was dedicated June i, i860. On June 28, 1883, the Central and Eliot Congregational churches were consolidated, and the name changed to Trinity Congregational Church. The Eliot Congregational society had been organized September 28, 1865, by some members of the Lawrence Street and Central churches. Services were held in the City Hall and Grace church until September 6, 1866, when the brick church building at the corner of Appleton and IMethuen streets was dedicated. For a number of years this structure was the home of the Young Men's Christian Association. It is now occupied by the appliance department of the Lawrence Gas Company.

St. Mary's Catholic Church, another pioneer, had its beginning in November, 1848, when Rev. James O'Donnell came to Lawrence and celebrated mass in old Merrimack hall at the corner of Jackson and Common streets. He secured the central site now occupied by St. Mary's granite school building on Haverhill street. Here on the first Sunday in January, 1849, ^^^ ^^^t held service in an unfinished rough church edifice constructed of wood. It was winter, the roof was open, and snow came down upon the congregation as they knelt ; the pulpit was a pile of shingles. In 185 1, the granite church building went up, over and about the little chapel before its removal. This structure is a part of the present stone school building.

In August, 1859, Father O'Donnell introduced the Sisters of Notre Dame who established the parochial school that has developed to such great proportions. Father O'Donnell was the real founder of St. Mary's church, although the corner stone of the present magnificent edifice (the largest and most imposing in the city, and one of the best specimens of Gothic architecture in the country) was laid on August 19, 1866, during the pastorate of Rev. Louis M. Edge. While in Philadelphia arranging for raising the cross on the new St. Mary's church, Father Edge was thrown from a carriage, and death resulted on February 24, 1870.

The present St. Mary's church was completed under the direction of Father Galberry and was dedicated September 3, 1871. The parochial residence on Haverhill street, occupied by Augustinian Fathers who now have charge of all the English-speaking Catholic churches on the north side of the Merrimack River, w^as completed October 5, 1873. The chime of bells in St. Mary's church tower was placed in position December 12, 1884.

Rev. James T. O'Reilly, the present pastor, came to Lawrence in 1886. His indefatigable energy and business acumen have brought the parish to a most remarkable state of development. Father O'Reilly was interested in promoting the organization of nearly every non-English speaking Catholic parish of the city. St. Mary's parish over which he has jurisdiction, includes St. Mary's, Immaculate Conception, St. Augustine's and Assumption of Mary churches.

United Presbyterian: - Organized in June. 1854. Church edifice on Concord street, now occupied by the Armenian Congregational church, built in 1870. Society moved into the old Haverhill Street Methodist Episcopal Church building, corner of Haverhill and Hampshire streets, on ( )ctober i, 191 1, following the merging of that church in the present Central Methodist Episcopal church.

St. John's Episcopal: - Organized May 14, 1866. For many years located on I'radford street in the building now occupied by the Lithuanian Catholic church. Corner stone of present edifice on Broadway laid < )ctober 11, 1903.

St. Patrick's ( Catholic ): - Parish formed in 1868. First church building of wood, built on site of present substantial structure, was dedicated March 17, 1870. Corner stone of brick edifice on South Broadway laid in 1881 and building was dedicated June 17, 1894.

United Congregational: - Lowell street. Organized as Primitive Methodist church in 1871. Name changed to Tower Hill Congregational in 1877, and since March 2, 1886, has been called the LInited Congregational. Church building erected and occupied in 1872.

1871. Construction of old church on Haverhill street commenced in 1873. Completed and dedicated in 1883. In the meantime, mass was said in the basement of the building. First service in commodious edifice on Franklin street held January 7, 1906.

St. Laurence's (Catholic): - Old structure at the corner of Essex and L'nion streets, now occupied by the Holy Rosary church (Italian Catholic), was dedicated as St. Laurence-( )'Toole's church July 12, 1873. Present brick edifice at the junction of Newbury and East Haverhill streets erected in 1903.

Church History 121

Riverside Congregational: - Water street. Sunday school established in April, 1862. Church organized as Union Evangelical church in Tune, 1875. Became a Congregational church ^larch 9, 1878.

German Presbyterian : - East Haverhill street. Had its beginning in 1872. Church building dedicated December 12, 1875. Organized as a Presbvterian church in 1879. There had been a split in the congregation in 1878, members of Methodist inclination forming the German Alethodist Episcopal church.

St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal: - First known as the Bodwell Street ^Methodist Episcopal church. Organized in December, 1879. Name changed to St. Mark's Alethodist Episcopal church in 1890. Edifice at the corner of Essex and Margin streets dedicated ]vlay 22, 1890.

St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal : - Wyman street. Organized December 3c, 1885, as the Arlington Union Church in a building known as the Lake Street chapel. Became a Methodist Episcopal church April 30, 1891.

First Church of Christ (Scientist): - Sunday school established in 1887. Church organized in March, 1896. Edifice on Green street dedicated in August, 1896.

St. Joseph's Syrian (Greek Catholic Rite): - Parish formed by Rev. James T. O'Reilly of St. Mary's in 1898. First worshiped in St. ]^Iary's stone school building. Church on Oak street dedicated in K)05.

Wood ^lemorial Free Baptist : - Sunday school established in 1898. First service held in church building on Coolidge street in November, 1899.

St. Anthony's Syrian jMaronite (Catholic) : - Parish formed in May, 1902. First worshiped in St. Mary's stone school building. Church on Elm street dedicated in 1906.

St. Francis (Lithuanian Catholic) : - Parish formed in 1903 by Rev. James T. O'Reilly of St. Mary's. Building on Bradford street, formerly occupied by St. John's Episcopal church, bought the same vear and congregation became established there.

Holy Trinity (Polish Catholic): - Parish formed in December, 1904. First worshiped in the basement of the Holy Rosary (Italian) church. Church on Avon street dedicated February 5, 1905.

Sts. Peter and Paul (Portuguese Catholic) : - Parish formed by Rev. James T. O'Reilly of St. Mary's in 1905. First worshiped in the basement of the Immaculate Conception church. Edifice on Chestnut street dedicated in 1907.

St. Augustine's Episcopal : - Established as a mission of Grace church in 1905 when the chapel was built at the corner of South Union and Boxford streets. Became a separate parish in 1907, and in 1910 occupied the basement of the proposed church.

Church of Holy Rosary (Italian Catholic): - Parish formed March 4, 1908, when congregation became established in old St. Laurence's church building at the corner of Essex and Union streets.

Salem Street Primitive Methodist: - Organized as a mission station in September, 191 5. and became established in the present building on Salem street the same year.

Bethel Armenian Congregational : - Started as a mission of the Lawrence Street Congregational church about 1902. Organized as a church in 191 6. Became established the same year in the building on Concord street, formerly occupied by the United Presbyterian church.

Besides the above mentioned, there is a number of smaller religious organizations established in the city, including: Armenian National Apostolic Church, First Spiritual Church, Lighthouse Mission, Lithuanian National Catholic Church, St. George Syrian Greek Orthodox Church, St. John Baptist Russian Greek Catholic Church, Salvation Army, Spiritualist Temple, Swedish Lutheran Church, Syrian Protestant Church.

Besides the churches there is a number of semi-religious organizations identified with the moral uplift of the community, notable among which are the Young Women's Christian Association and the Young Men's Christian Association. Both associations provide fine facilities for physical and mental development and comfort, in addition to the religious instruction which is carried on through bible classes. The new Y. M. C. A. building is one of the attractive structures of the city. In 1909, during a whirlwind campaign of ten days $169,000 was raised by popular subscription for this building. Besides all the usual equipment and activities of a Y. M. C. A., there is a large swimming pool. The Y. M. C. A. was organized in 1876, and reorganized in 1893. It was incorporated January 14, 1880. The early Y. M. C. A. of 1856 did not survive the hard times of that period and the Arlington Y. M. C. A. was merged in the present organization. The Y. W. C. A., for young women, was organized June 6, 1892. The aim of the organization is to do spiritual work among young women, recognizing at the same time their intellectual, social and physical needs. The association has had a steady growth, and it is especially helpful to young women who have no home ties here.

Lawrence has a war record of which any community might well be proud. Her responses to the country's calls have been quick and generous, and manv of her sons have been sacrificed in the defense of the nation's integritv and honor.

For several vears prior to 1861, Lawrence had maintained two well organized and disciplined com]ianies in the State Militia. These companies were among the first to offer their services when the Rebellion reared its head. Early in January, 1861, and long before the blow fell upon Fort Sumpter. the Lawrence companies, together with the others composing the Sixth Regiment, tendered their services to the Governor whenever they might be needed. This was the first ofifer of organized troops for the defense of the national government. Lawrence blood w'as the first to be spilled in that famous passage^oL the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment through Baltimore on April 19, 1861, when Sumner H. Needham. a citizen of Lawrence and a member of Company L gave his life for his country.

Statistics show that Lawrence did her full duty in the Civil War, and from 1861 to 1865 furnished 2,617 volunteers and drafted men, a surplus of 224 above all calls made upon her. This was a little less than one-seventh of the population which in 1861 was but 18,000. Of this quota 255 w^ere killed in battle or died of wounds.

As in the epoch days of the Civil War, so in a later generation did Lawrence acquit herself, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Her sons were among the first to volunteer. Although the citv furnished many men to the regular army, the navy and other volunteer organizations, the part which Lawrence took in the brief but glorious campaign of '98 must be largely confined to her two representative infantry organizations, viz.. Company F of the 9th, and Company L of the 8th Regt. Lifantry, :\1. \'. M. On :\lay 4, 1898, Companv F left for the state camj) grounds at South Framingham. On the following day Company L departed, joining Company F at the muster field. Battery C of the Field Artillery was not called, as the national government neetled no volunteer light batteries then.

Loth infantry companies were mustered into the service of the Laiited States on May 10 and were duly ordered south. Company L was sent to Chicamauga, Ga., and Company F to Camp Alger, Dunn Loring, \'a. The 9th ^lassachusetts, which was brigaded with two Michigan regiments, the 33d and the 34th, experienced the vicis- situdes of a siege in the trenches around Santiago de Cuba, and afterward the dreaded fevers of a tropical cHmate. It left Camp Alger on June 24, and on July i reached Siboney, some seven miles east of Morro Castle. The regiment had hardly disembarked when they were ordered to the front. After an all night tramp over a tortuous trail they arrived at the battleground, to the accompaniment of whistling mausers and screaming shrapnel. With the rest of the regiment. Company F was assigned by General Shafter to General Kent's division, and General Bates' brigade with the 3d and 20th regular infantry. It took a position at the extreme left of the line. On July 17 it witnessed the surrender of Santiago.

Company F left Cuba the latter part of August, sailing on the "Alleghaney" for Montauk Point. During the voyage, on August 28, Stephen J. Ryan, for whom the local camp of Spanish War Veterans is named, died of heart failure which was superinduced by malaria. His body was consigned to the deep off Cape Hatteras, making one of the fifteen ghastly milestones that marked the route of the transport from Santiago Bay to the Sound. A portion of the company arrived in Lawrence at midnight September 8. The rest were left behind, some in hospitals at Santiago and Montauk and others scattered from New York to Boston, victims of malaria. The company was furloughed for two months, and was mustered out of the United States service November 26. 1898, having served six months and lost four of its members from the effects of tropical fevers.

Longing for a taste of actual warfare and chafing under the humdrum routine of a rigid camp life. Company L spent several months at Chicamauga, guarding against typhoid fever. On July 18 Harvey A. Dunn, a member of the company, succumbed to the disease, the first Lawrence volunteer to die in his country's service. In January, 1899, the 8th Regiment was ordered to Alatanzas, Cuba, on provost duty. The last of April it was sent home and mustered out, having completed a year in the service of the United States.

When trouble with Mexico threatened in 1916, the Lawrence militia units readily responded to the call. Companies F and L of the 9th and 8th infantry, respectively, and Battery C of the Field Artillery joining the troops assembled on the Mexican border. The local boys left the city in June. They returned the following October, looking a picture of health, a fine example of the results of presentday military sanitation. Not a man was lost through disease, and, since the embroglio with Mexico did not reach a very serious stage, none died in action.

In 191 7, Lawrence, with the rest of the country, faced a most serious crisis in her history, when on April 6 the United States declared a state of war with Germany and the nation became involved in the great European conflict.

Lawrence In The World War

In the World War, Lawrence achieved, and, at this writing, is still achieving a record for service, which will compare favorably with that of any other community of her size in the country. In every activity for a successful prosecution of the war the city has responded nobly, and she is prepared to go the limit for the cause.

With the declaration of war against Germany on April 6, 191 7, and the plunging of the United States into the great European conflict, Lawrence quickly rallied to the support of; the nation in her fight, that the world might be made safe for Democracy. In men, money and labor the city has contributed generously and wholeheartedly. Already ^2 young men from Lawrence, in the forces of the United States and the armies of the Allies, have made the supreme sacrifice. These martyrs to the cause of Democracy have, with few exceptions, been killed in action, or have died of wounds received while on the firing lines.

The first step for the cause, and the forerunner of the call to arms, was the formation, on April 2, 191 7, of a Public Safety Committee, which followed the appointment by legislative act of a State Committee on Public Safety that contemplated adjuncts in the different cities and large towns of the commonwealth. The local committee was composed of 45 members, divided into nine sub-committees.

At that time, with the sudden entrance of our country into the World W'ar, with stories of plots threatening the safety of our manufacturing and producing sections, the committee devoted itself, first of all, with other cities, towards perfecting measures that would conduce as far as possible to a continuance of public safety and the maintenance of order. Funds were raised by public subscription to meet the expenses of the committee, and later the municipalitv took up the support of the organization, appropriations of money being made for the purpose as the necessity presented itself. This money was expended to relieve conditions growing out of the war. Every precaution was taken against the activity of enemy propagandists.

Under the order of the President, Lawrence conducted her selective draft registration on June 5, 191 7, without expense to the Federal government. No disorder accompanied this first important step in the movement for the mobilization of the manpower of the country.

Lawrence Boys Who Have Made Supreme Sacrifice

While the draft was going on, four local units of the National Guard were sent to training camps, where they were merged into new regiments, and subsequently sent to France to take their places in the fighting lines on the western battle front. These units were Battery C, ist Field Artillery; Company L, 8th Massachusetts Infantry; Company F, 9th Massachusetts Infantry, and Headquarters Company, Field Artillery. They arrived at the front line trenches early in February, 191 8. Battery C fired its first shell into the German lines on February 8th.

Drafted men were sent to cantonments, as the National Guard companies were sent overseas, until after one year of the declaration of war Lawrence had given all told 3,550 men to the army and navy forces of the United States. Of this number about 3,000 were volunteers. Besides, a great number of Lawrence young men had enlisted in the armies of England, France and Italy. Officially, the city aided in the recruiting of residents of British allegiance. From Lawrence, 610 of such joined the British colors.

Unstinted was the response of Lawrence to the many calls for money to back up at home the sacrifices her soldiers were in part making across seas. Three Liberty Loans, asked for by the National government, were oversubscribed far beyond the quotas named. The third loan drive in Lawrence was the most remarkable success. While the amount subscribed was smaller than in the second loan drive, in which the corporations bought heavily of bonds, the number of subscribers was more than doubled. In the third loan drive there were 31,000 subscribers, a little less than one-third of the city's population. In two Red Cross drives for funds Lawrence gave generously. Likewise did the city respond in the raising of money to support the Y. M. C. A., Knights of Columbus and several other organizations in their activities for the moral and physical comforts of our soldiers, and the succor of the suffering people of war-ridden Europe.

The chairmen of the organizations in charge of the major movements for the raising of money, and the amounts raised were as follows: - First Liberty Loan, Fred H. Eaton, $3,387,100; second Liberty Loan, Albert I. Couch, $6,368,000; third Liberty Loan George Fred Russell, $4,600,000 ; first American Red Cross War Fund, Leonard E. Bennink, $32,000 ; second American Red Cross War Fund, George Fred Russell, $138,867; Y. U. C. A. Red Triangle War Fund, George Fred Russell, $104,792 ; Knights of Columbus War Fund, James H. Bride, $46,000. During a drive for membership in the American Red Cross 21,353 joined the organization in Lawrence. George Fred Russell was also chairman of the local committee in charge of this movement.

The Draft Exemi)ticn Beards comi^rised : - Division i - H. Christopher Chubb, chairman ; Fred E. Twiss, Dr. Granville S. Allen. Division 2 - Wilbur E. Rowell, chairman ; Clinton O. Andrews, Dr. George W. Dow. Division 3 - John Hendrv. chairman ; Nathaniel E. Rankin, Dr. John J. O'Sullivan. On the District Board of Appeals Lawrence was represented by Matthew A. Cregg.

Appeals for soldiers' benefits were met in innumerable cases by the people of Lawrence. School children, societies, churches and individuals joined in the work of knitting and sending comforts of many kinds to the soldiers in camps, while the boys in active service across the Atlantic were not forgotten. Three score calls of a smaller nature were all generously responded to. When disaster overtook Halifax, Lawrence officially had a relief committee appointed, and, besides sending clothing, forwarded a large money contribution to the stricken Nova Scotia city.

There has been from among the poorest to the wealthiest in the city a spirit to aid in every way to a winning of the war, and a kindred spirit to accept with cheer the burdens that the war of necessity imposed.

The municipality, in honor of the Lawrence boys in the service, erected on the common a handsome large tablet bearing the names of those who have joined the colors. This so-called service roll was dedicated with appropriate exercises on Patriots' Day, April 19, 1918. After the war it is intended to replace this memorial by a more permanent monument.

Lawrence early realized that food would be an important item in the prosecution of the war, and she increased the production of food supplies by preparing land, free of cost, for tillage in both -city and suburbs. In all 720 such garden plots were prepared in the summer of 191 /. These aggregated 98 acres, and the yield was bountiful. A fuel committee was organized to regulate the fuel supply. Steps were taken to conserve the supply, and many difficulties, caused by inadequate transportation facilities, were mitigated.

With the regular companies of the National Guard in the service, home protection was assured by the forming of a company of the Massachusetts State Guard, which was equipped partially by the state and partially by the city. This organization has regular drills at the State armory, and has become practically another contribution from Lawrence to the needs of the war. An emergency poHce force of 1000 men has been formed, consisting of nine companies, all officered, assigned to stations, and under a chief. This force also meets and drills regularly. It has been equipped for any required action, but it is to be called into service only in case an emergency might arise which would cause the police authorities to believe that its assistance was needed.

Volunteer enlistments are still going on, selective draftees still going away to join the colors, and with no fault-finding or attempt at back-sliding. Lawrence is behind the President 100,000 strong, ready to make any sacrifice for our country's cause. All hope for an early peace, but it must be peace with honor, and with assurance that the principles which gave America her birth and happiness shall not perish from the earth.

Public Buildings And Institutions Post Office

The Post Office, located in a handsome sandstone structure at the corner of Broadway and Essex street, was estabhshed under the name of "Merrimack" on September 7, 1846. The present building was occupied in 1905, and provides excellent facilities for the enormous amount of business of the office. The parcel post and postal savings departments, recent additions to the service, have become important branches. In 1917 the postal savings department had deposits of about $200,000. In the handling of the mail, there are 33 clerks and ^2 carriers regularly employed.

County Court House

At first the people of Lawrence were obliged to travel either to Salem or Newburyport when concerned with matters having to do with the superior court. After the Town House or City Hall was built quarters were provided for the court, then known as the court of common pleas, in the audience hall of the building. Later sessions of the court were held in old Lawrence hall (Music hall), but this was inadequate and in 1858 the first county court house was erected, the Essex Company giving the land, the city ])roviding the foundation and the Essex county commissioners erecting the building. James K. Barker who was mayor of the city in 1861, was the architect. In the fire which destroyed the United States hotel in 1859, this building which stood at the corner of Common and Appleton streets, about on the site of the present court house, was ruined. It was rebuilt in i860. In 1900 the Lawrence Bar Association inaugurated a movement for larger quarters and finally the legislature authorized the expenditure of $100,000 for an addition. George G. Adams was selected as architect, and J. N. Peterson &- Co. of Salem was awarded the contract. Another $100,000 was required to finish the addition and when it was completed the appearance of the original portion was so much at variance with the newly constructed part that an additional $50,000 was set aside to provide the handsome, commodious court house that is in use today. The building furnishes accommodations for a superior criminal, a superior civil and a probate court, a registry of deeds, a law library, besides offices for various county officials, grand jury and petit jury rooms, etc. The law library is the finest in New England, outside of Boston. It has 13,000 volumes. The structure is fire-proof, built of brick with freestone trimmings.

House Of Correction

The Jail or House of Correction was built in 1853, and has since been very much enlarged by additions and improvements. The original structure cost $ioo,coo. The building, located on Auburn street, is built of stone and is imposing in appearance. The main portion is octagon in shape with wings extending north, east and west. It has 116 cells with accommodations for about 180 prisoners. The town purchased the site for $2,000, and also an acre of land, in front of the building, laid out as a park, for $1,280.

County Training School

The Essex County Training School, located ofT Marston street, w'as established as a county school in 1891. It was first opened as an industrial school for refractory boys by the City of Lawrence in i860, and became known as the Lawrence Reform School in 1870. In 1 891 the county took over the school and later it became known as the Essex County Training School. (July truants and those who have committed school offences are admitted. There arc several well appointed buildings and also extensive grounds. Besides the common school instruction, attention is given to trade subjects and practical gardening is taught. In 191 7 the inmates included 132 boys and six girls.

State Armory

The State Armory, on Amesbury street, was opened in 1893, when the large brick structure was completed and the local units of the State Militia took up quarters there. In the building are officers' and company rooms, drill and gun sheds, shooting gallery, -mess hall, and other necessary accommodations. In 19 13 an annex to the Lawrence armory was built for the battery on the Lowell road in Methuen. It is of brick construction, and includes assembly, company and officers' rooms, gun shed and stable, besides having .an extensive drill field. The annex was established for outdoor drilling, and it was the first of its kind in the state.

Poor Farm And Municipal Hospital Public Buildings And Institutions I33

the Lawrence Almshouse and Ahnshouse Hospital, are located on Marston street. The institution includes several roomy buildings, and it has a large acreage of cultivatable land. The Almshouse was opened by the town on February 20, 1849, when seven persons were admitted. It now averages 130 inmates. Provisions are also made for the care of indigent people in the hospital department where there are four wards, with 33 beds, for their accommodation. In 191 2 a movement was started for the establishment of a hospital section free from the stigma of pauperism. Fourteen rooms in this portion are now fitted up with 24 beds for private patients. The hospital has since been called the Municipal Hospital, having been known prior to then as the "Cottage" Hospital. It has a resident physician, a surgical stafif and twelve nurses, and it is well equipped for the treatment of all kinds of medical and surgical cases. In addition to the medical service at the hospital, the Charities Department of the city employs six ward physicians who treat the outdoor poor in need of such attention.

Isolation Hospital

The Isolation Hospital, located off Marston street, is used by the Health Department in cases of highly contagious and infectious diseases. It has two wards and nine rooms, and can accommodate as many as 2^ people. When it was established, in 1902, small-pox epidemics were not uncommon, and the local institution was prepared for the proper isolation of Lawrence cases. For several years past there has been little occasion to use the hospital.

Tuberculosis Hospital

The Tuberculosis Hospital on Chickering street was established by the city in 1909. Prior to that time provisions were made for tuberculosis cases in the day camp at the General Hospital. The patients used to stay at the camp during the day and went to their homes at night. Through the efforts of the Anti-Tuberculosis League the hospital was established. In 191 7 the Municipal Health Department took over the Tuberculosis Dispensary, maintained by the league, and this is now conducted in connection with the Tuberculosis Hospital. The institution occupies a commodious building, situated on sandy ground and having a southern exposure. There are plenty of windows so arranged that patients get all the fresh air and sun possible. It has four wards with 22 beds each, and has averaged 75 patients. There are in attendance a superintendent and seven nurses, besides two visiting doctors.

Dental Clinic

In April, 191 /, the Health Department established a Dental Clinic, well equipped for the examination and treatment of children with defective teeth. Two dentists are regularly employed in connection with the work which also includes visits to the schools and instructions on the care of the teeth. This is an adjunct to the system of medical inspection carried on in the schools, in which the services of six physicians, one for each ward of the city, are employed.

White Fund And Lectures

In 1852 Hon. Daniel A. White of Salem, and a native of one of the pioneer farms that had occupied the site of Lawrence, gave a large tract of land extending from the vicinity of Amesbury street westerly, and now intersected by Haverhill, Bradford and Concord streets, the proceeds from the sale of which were to be devoted for educational purposes, including a free course of six lectures each year for the industrial classes of Lawrence. The income was to be known as the White Fund. Trustees were appointed under a deed of trust to carry out the provisions of the gift, and the original trustees were Charles S. Storrow, Nathaniel G. White and Henry K. Oliver. It was suggested by Judge White, the trustees seeing tit, that a lot of land be reserved for a public library building. The intentions of the donor were carried out, and the proceeds, derived from the sale of the land, formed the nucleus of the proposed fund. The White Fund lectures were established in 1864 and have since continued from year to year. The lot of land whereon the Public Library building stands was reserved as intended. The introductory lecture of the White Fund course was by Dr. James Walker, president of Harvard University. Among the other lecturers of that year were Ralph Waldo Emerson and (Oliver Wendell Holmes. It has been the aim of the trustees to secure the very best talent obtainable, and the courses have been of a high degree of excellence. The subjects are varied, and there is something interesting and instructive for all. Beginning with the establishment of the Public Library in 1872 the White Fund has made an annual appropriation, usually of $1,000, for the purchase of books and pictures for the library. The proceeds from the fund, greatly exceeding the amount required for the lectures, and the language of the indenture being broad in its scope, the trustees have been enabled to use a part of the proceeds for a number of purposes tending to the moral and intellectual uplift of the inhabitants of the city. Among other notable undertakings for which the income of the fund has been used was the survey of the housing conditions of Lawrence, made in 191 1. This survey was the means of bringing about a great improvement in the building and sanitary regulations of the city. Besides the three original trustees mentioned, George D. Cabot, James H. Eaton, Charles U. Bell, Wilbur E. Rowell, Walter E. Parker and *Charles G. Saunders have acted as trustees of the Wliite Fund, the last three named serving at present.

The People'S Forum

One of the popular and instructive institutions in the winter life of Lawrence is the People's Forum. The purpose of this activity is a free and sane discussion of the questions of the day with the view of breaking down the walls of prejudice and engendering a regard for one another's opinion. A great employer of labor once said, after listening to an expression of the views of the other side in what had become a bitter industrial dispute, that most of the misunderstanding in life was due to failure to show proper respect and regard for the other fellow's opinion. In creating an opportunity for an interchange of opinions the Forum is of great benefit. No church, political combination or "ism" controls it. It brings together people of different nations and creeds, from all the walks of life, and it is regarded as having a broadening influence on the minds of many. Capable lecturers and good selection of subjects have made the meetings attractive. The Forum was established January 31, 1915, by a number of public spirited citizens. Its chairman from the beginning has been Leonard E. Bennink to whose commendable zeal and indefatigable energy is largely due the success of the project.

The Orphan Asylum

The Orphan Asylum and Home for Invalids, known as the Protectorate of Mary Immaculate, on Ma])le street, was the first purely charitable institution permanently established and located in Lawrence. The house was opened by the Sisters of Charity, or the "Gray Nuns", on January 2q, 1868. In recent years large additions have been made to the original building. The inmates include 221 boys and girls, besides 22 aged women who at this writing are cared for by the sacrificing nuns. There are 19 sisters in charge of the institution. Everything possible is being done for the moral. intellectual and physical development of the children. A system of education is maintained which enables them to finish the grammar school course at the asylum. When the boys reach the age of 12 years good homes for them are found outside the institution. The girls may stay as long as they wish. An excellent course in domestic science is given. On January 29, 191 8, the asylum celebrated its golden jubilee, or fiftieth anniversary of its establishment. The receipts of the "Patriots' Tea", held April 19, of each year, are given toward the support of the institution.

Lawrence General Hospital

The Lawrence General Hospital, a private institution but one of great benefit to the community, was established in 1883 in a building erected for the purpose on Methuen street. In 1902, the hospital moved to the present ideal location on the summit of Prospect Hill, away from the hum of industry about the old location. The institution is one of the best equipped of its size in the state. It has 137 beds, with wards for acute medical and surgical cases, a maternity ward, a children's ward and an isolation ward for diphtheria and scarlet fever, with a staff of 27 physicians and surgeons and a large corps of trained nurses, besides an ambulance service. Also connected with it is a training school for nurses. The institution is partly supported by contributions and donations. The proceeds from the annual "^lay Breakfast", begun in 1876 and primarily conducted in support of the Children's Nursery and Home, are given in aid of the hospital which also has received many bequests. The Children's Home referred to was abandoned in 1912, when the property on Howard street was purchased by the Ruth Verein and devoted to the use of the German Old Folks Home.

Lawrence Home For Aged

The Lawrence Home for Aged is located in a handsome brick structure on top of Clover Hill, built in 1909 on land donated by Edward F. Searles, Methuen's millionaire philanthropist. Spacious grounds surround the home, and together with the great elm trees and beautiful flower beds add much to the attractiveness of the place. The home was incorporated in 1897. It was for many years situated in South Lawrence and had been familiarly known as the Wood Home, named for its first benefactors. It has 28 inmates. It is supported mostly by gifts from charitable people.