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7: 1904.eiaDIJCESTE8.Hollar Has PromisedjSupt Coffin,Profits of the Winter FisheriesNotable Musical Festival.V1tB1iieeisGLOUCESTER, Feb 6 - Fifty years ago last Saturday gas was first lighted 1n this town. This event was duly celebrated at the time by a grand gas ball in the old town hall, the hall being gayly illuminated with the newly introduced ligi ting agent, which was the object of much admiration.It was a far step in those days from the tallow candle and the whale andthe herring distributing company, which resulted on the whole favorably.Now it appears that the Newfoundland herring fishermen have become “wise” to the situation and really reap theerpnm r»f tv«* The N'cwfoundland government has stepped in and established the minimum price and tnesize of a barrel, with inspectors to enforce the law, while trie fishermenthemselves drive as sharp bargains as possible.With the exception of a limited number of vessels the off-shore winter fishery has* never brought in great returns, and on the whole there is an argumentin the situation to justify many in tying up their vessels to the wharves during the winter. Some have done so this winter, especially those who formerly sent their vessels to Newfoundland.But the modern fisherman is nothing if not energetic, and the complete cessation of business in winter might not be quite in accord with his taste.It is among the probabilities that now the digging of the Panama canal is as-EffoCitysurfed, a realignment of the winter fisheries may follow. When this water-clG0feeaother forms of oil lamps with their smoke and annoyance to the newer and cleanlier form of illuminant, for petroleum had not come into general use ats«e6*-that time.The introduction of gas was quite an ambitious project and required some courage on the part of the projectorsto enter into the matter. The foreign commerce of the town was then in its decadence, and the fisheries were in their infancy as regards importance. The population at the time was less than 10,000 and there was more or less risk in the venture. However, the plant has grown until now it is recognized asIIni-one of the best paying in proportion to capital invested In the state.The first meeting of those interested:eoISr1In the matter was on Fob 2G, 1853, when it was voted to accept an act of the legislature, by which George Odiornc, George B. Parrott and William B. Parrott were empowered to form a corporation known as the Gloucester gas light company. The first meeting of thestockholders was held March 2, 18oo,a31nisw fen the capital stock of 142,000 was3-d■9- ♦\*rlt;1lt;leitti-subscribed for in 840 shares of $5t) each. The directors were B. K. Hough.. Hll H. Stacy, William P. Dale, Frederick G. Low, John Woodward Lowe, J. B. Winchester and George Odlorne. These men were the representatives of the important business interests of the town and with one exception were residents. Mr Odiorne came from Malden. He was the contractor who built the plant. The first president was Benjamin K. Hough and John B. Thomas of Boston was the first superintendent and treasurer.Immediately after organization the construction of the works was commenced. The manufacturing plant was located where it is at present, on Duncans point, and no wiser selection could have been made. The mains coveredway is opened it would be entirely a feasible matter to send the fleet to the Pacific waters in the winter and back again in the spring, in fact it would be a comparatively easy matter for a mackerel catcher.While on the way south a vessel could drop off its seines and boats at Charleston or some southern port and on their return in the spring secure them within a. short distance from where the mackerel fishery is reopened in the spring without first coming home.As to th© competition from Pacific cod, it is stated that there is nothing to fear The fish are of smaller size and much inferior in meat When salted and dried the flesh turns yellow, and it is said compares in no way with the Atlantic product. In the codflshery the Atlantic coast bids fair to retain its supremacy.The most ambitious musical festival in local history will be that which will be given the coming weejt by the choral section of the Cape Ann literary and scientific society, comprising 126 voices under the direction of Arthur S. Won-son.The program will include a public rehearsal Tuesday afternoon and a concert in the evening, when the “Gallia” march from “Aida” will be given. Wednesday morning at 10 there will be a public rehearsal and in the afternoon at 2;30 a matinee concert, and at 7:45 m the evening concert, the selection eing “Elijah.” The artists who will have the solo parts will be Miss Anita Rio soprano, Mrs Helen Allen Huntalto, Clarence B. Shirley tenor, E. Willard Flint basso, Carl Webster cellist.only the populous part of the city, and up to 1882 there were but four miles ofThe chords has been working faithfully during the winter, and it is expected that the production will eclipse anything before attempted here.dti-yyGr,adar-3A£ItV,le*3gibr-ity:s3-ItV-10sdit31-yloe-re•bitIss-mrsaa•drelo?c\3313fetesan-yr-1Gii-leleieidmrestida-rytoinpiping. To that date the limit of the mains was on Washington 'st as far as Pearl to the northward, as far as Orlando Merchant’s fishing establishment to the eastward and a little beyond the Surfside to the westward.The new enterprise at first evidently was not a success, judged from a significant entry on the records, for on July 3, 1855, it was voted to suspend operations at the works for repairs. On Sept 12 the works were again reopened and have since continued open to this day. Had there been any great inconvenience thereby the consuming public of that day would have surely protested, but there is no evidence in the records of the local press of any protests in consequence. Mr Thomas was succeeded as superintendent Nov 5, 1858, by Charles W. Cochrane, who served in that capacity 23 years, until 1882.Up to that time the management of the works had been very conservative.Very few extensions were made.In 1882 John A. Coffin of Nantucketwas secured a3 a superintendent. The coming of Mr Coffin injected young blood into the concern. About that time the late George K. Bradford became interested in the concern. Mr Coffin believed there was a great field for Improvement and extension in the .scope of the work. In this he was Indorsed by Mr Bradford and other influential stockholders and he was told to go ahead. He did so.Since that time the works have been practically rebuilt and the pipe lines extended from four miles to 22, extending as far north as Riverdale and east to Days pond, on Eastern av, while this summer the mains will be continued to the tip end of Eastern point.in 1882 whcji Mr Collin first assumed charge there were between seven and eight million feet of gas consumed annually and the rate was $2.50 per thousand. Now the annual consumption is 45.000,000 feet and the rate is $1.20 net. Mr Cofiln .authorizes the statement that he hopes to announce that the rate is t\ fiat, the rallying cry of some who nave made this matter a political issue, but this, of course, depends upon the question of consumption.This increase of nearly six times in consumption and a reduction of from $2.50 to $1.20. with the promise of dollar gas, is all the more notable when the fact is taken into consideration thatin 1882 the population was about 20,000while today it is less than 27,000, all this increase in consumption and decrease in cost being effected with but about 6000 gain in population. In fact the company now occupies a somewhat unique position. When the gas commissioners were here and gave a hearing relative to a decrease in the price of gas one stated that the financial showing of the company was something notable as compared with other corporations in this state.During the incumbency of Mr Coffin the electric lighting company has come into existence and while it has made afield tor itself in street lighting, yet it has not succeeded in displacing gas as an illuminant or for other domestic purposes. People now consider gas and electricity a necessity where before it wns accounted a luxury.The company has found a profitable field at Bass rocks and Eastern point, which territory could be profitably tapped. It is a question whether it would be a profitable operation to go to Magnolia or Squam. To Magnolia th *re would be practically five miles of dead piping before the village is reached and some of the hotels have their private electric light generating plants. Similarly there would be quite an expensive dead stretch in going to Squam.Representative Molntire had an imposing array of master mariners along the Massachusetts seacoast assembledThursday at the state house hearing in favor of his resolution to congress for a bounty on dogfish. These practical men gave some convincing testimony why such action should be taken nnd there is a feeling that congress will give a favorable ear to the petitioners.Mr Mclntire has interested himself in another bill—which has passed the house-providing for an appropriationfor the state to continue its manufacture of antitoxin.Mr Mclntire is a druggist and therefore has some understanding of this matter. Recently the press dispatches have brought news of the fact that in Chicago, where diphtheria is raging, a trust controlled this antitoxin . and charged excessive rates for it during the epidemic, so that the people of that city appealed to this'state for a supply.It is stated that the medicine trust is working in the legislature to prevent the control of and manufacture of this antitoxin by the state, and succeeded in the senate in curtailing the appropriation for this purpcae. Mr Mclntire is now doing some valuable missionary work in favor of an appropriation to continue this work, to the end that the state furnish its citizens antitoxin as inexpensively as possible, and, as he believes, to prevent the citizens of Massachusetts from having a similar experience to that of Chicago.James R. Pringle.NETCrock*and tible, aigottenprovinriver.Duribusimcity happealand hdeepeiunderFor modtc to rei far u hopes days lt;Lawn Thethat (dentalotherteted.Georghavinjwas i: come Whf a mo range the v equab the ri ice th water tion.As i an aj It is cfeasib struct ■ navigbe so It iiWill 3after assurj If twronfbig su i It v 1828 tlitribromade-Sine been In thnendelittlea sren1870—rInthis rsince of $32 be bo of thlt; at thexperharbcand fROCHESTER, N H.The public library has just roundedout. 10 years’ existence as a free publicinstitution, and during this period ithas had a rapid growth. The library opened its doors to the public Jan 22, 1894. It contained then 3058 volumes, 2429 of which had been given by the stockholders of the Social library that formed the nucleus of the public library. At present the library has 9396 volumes. During the first year the circulation was 21,936 volumes, while during the year just closed the circulation was 30,398, or 2559 less than it was the preceding year. •The library will by another year, it is thought, be installed in the new Carnegie library building, which the city fathers at their meeting Tuesday evening decided to locate on the old Main-st schoolhouse site.It is hoped that before procuring plans for the library an additional sum maybe raised so that a $25,000 structure can be built. It is understood that effortsare being made to that end by the library trustees, and that preparations for building will be deferred until this is decided.At Tuesday’s meeting of the citv council, it was voted to locate the new central fire station on the north side of the city lot on Wakefield St. The question of location ha^ been hanging fire nearly two years. Even now the site selected does not appear to meet with general approval. The work of building is expected to begin early this spring.;TDoes winter fishing pay? That is the question which many are asking in view of the unsatisfactory outcome of the fishing business during the past 10 or 15yearFormerly when a large fleet resorted ; to Georges for the early spring school of codfish it was the custom for vessels to be hauled up at the wharves at the end of the fall fishing, thus escaping the dangers of the winter months, although it happened that at the latter end of the winter gales were encountered whichx-id10lev-toasswept many of the fleet away in its path. However, the scheme of winterfishing has radically changed during the past 20 years. Hardly a handful of vessels pursue the Georges fishery comill?herinus;t.3p~O-eereheasheeredvehtpared' with the imposing fleet of 20 years ago. The same is tru% of the Grandbank halibut fleet, which has perceptiblydecreased.The falling off in the winter halibut fishery is undoubtedly due to the development of the Pacific fisheries, winchnow m great measure supplies the winter demand. _ , , • _These fish are so plentiful in the Pacific that they can be caught, and shipped to the east and sold under the prices which the cost of producing and the risk entailed makes it neces-The council has authorized the city clerk to hire $50,000 for the purpose of refunding city notes.At a recent special meeting of the school board it was voted that the mayor appoint a committee to revise the high school course of study, and that a matron be employed by the superintendent of schools to remain in the light school building during the noon hour. The evening school will bo continued not exceeding six weeks.Col Walter S. Scruton. son of Councilman Stephen B. Scruton, died Thursday at his home on Congress st, aged 88. He received his military title through appointment as a member of Gov John B. Smith’s staff, while he was a resident of Hillsboro Bridge. Col Scruton graduated from Dartmouth in 1887, and after teaching school at Hillsboro Bridge, entered the drug business there. He represented the town in the legislature and was town clerk. He returned to Rochester a few years ago. In college lie was a star pitcher on the varsity team, and he afterward pitched in the Newf England league and other minornecesprojeiToseme migh three about a lar being ing t ora in In : dally on.an i i Engl: steanWhwouhonlyKielBalt!ships Hot only no f servifortu and whic just i chan It isomeaccoibegirnewrush*rightThlt; it is tidy have law £Qnlt;wealtownthanennuiThlt;is leioomeexpelt; ent y T h lt;gOVC]not irthe cas tc out 3 whic'Ittang the 1sque*intlirpayelargetheyHonothtax ] tion Toleagues.ochester lt;nighring Tuesday. Elaborate preparations.. „ ,, ..The Rochester cycle club’s annual fair will be held four nights this Week, begin*have been made for it.The marriage of Miss Bessie M. GIuI-den to Mr Montgomery L. Sturgis of Snow Hill, Md, took place at the home of the bride’s parents. Mr and MrsCharles W. Glidden, Wakefield st, Wednesday afternoon, Rev John Man ter, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. The couple will reside at Hartford, Conn.SOMERSWORTH.The first week of St Martin’s Frenchsary to charge for the Atlantic caught product, and although the intelligentconsumer will pay a somewhat higher price for the eastern product he will not pay what Is asked on this end. \ When Capt Solomon Jacobs with his fleet of three vessels set sail from this•e-i t-n-rdsalil-drodnoia!iatrl-Sn-3tbetobengn-ryort for the Pacific about 1 years agoP1ness which has proved a serious comport ror trie racmc anour m years agohe blazed a path and opened up a busi-etitor to the eastern halibut fishery, 'his thing may result all right In time.imbWith a decrease in the number of vessels pursuing the Atlantic halibut fishery. by reason of the cheaper Pacificproduct, an opportunity will be givenh havefor the restocking of banks whicbeen fished barren.In the 30s halibut were very plentiful right oft the Cape. As the demand for the fish rose the banks were cleaned up. and it became necessary to go far ther and farther for them until the waters of Greenland and Iceland wereinvaded.It has been a debatable question whether the Newfoundland frozen herring business ever benefited the city. There is no question but the salted herring traffic has been a great boon, with the demand for smoked bloaters which has increased /by leaps and boundsCatholic parish carnival, which beganlast Tuesday, passed successfully. Theparish was favored with good weatherfor the outdoor sports and the openin evening’s parade, and this also insure the attendance of crowds at the evening bazars in St Joseph’s hall. Next Tuesday evening the second week of thecarnival will open, and there will be a torchlight street parade similar to that of last week. The most elaborate parade will be on the evening of Mardi Gras, Feb 16. A round of pleasure is in£rospect for the coming- week and on imai Gras and Mardi Gras next week.The main outdoor sport event will be an oat race for 100 bushels of oats, Feb 16, between Dover, Somersworth and Rochester horses. It will be held on the Main-st speedway. Every afternoon, however, until Mardi Gras, there will be exciting brushes by local horses, it';til• giftv'/■-% C: ” j.- .. ’■Rev Fr Arthur Demers, vicar of St Francis Xavier’s church, Nashua, and Rev Fr Ulduric Gaudin, vicar of St Louis de Gonzague’s church, Nashua, were guests of Fr Cleophas Demers, pastor of St Martin’s last week. (The trial of the cases against Rev Frank W. Sami ford is receiving close attention from Somersworth people, for the Shiloh founder is well known here, having formerly been a pastor here.Among those mentioned as mayoralty candidates in this city are Mayor Haines for a third term, Hon James A. Edgerly, Charles H, Harmon, Dr Thomas J. Dougherty, Napoleon H. Gilbert, Dr J. Mongo, Dr Napoleon Loduc, Dr Tessier. As the French population is rapidly increasing, ft is being regarded a comingpossibility that Somersworth will some time have a French mayor. ,a no meai equi\ Atell 11 fore tion, It 1 laturoper: and authi $100$, Thi ed aefforEvenmearever the iand jThi in n actio been, ly, abring eausi tion ' ing dLa:e-con*nati\of thcityexpe$pcnlt;each show It to o nowThlt;givedaylarg€oust*the 'thisDistigranAtMoil'curr* a de not lt;keep reslt; ala backcaus for l won] othe:lessam 03 two Ac of h therledmt1stialuttistl-in-But the risks of securing a cargo ofufrozen herring, with the danger of being frozen in or caught In the ice floes, hasbeen so great and ttte loss of propertyh of theho heavy as to neutralize mucfinancial returns.When the fish were plentiful andcould be obtained at a low figure the owners here had the question or an oversupply to contend with, and the result was that the middlemen In Boston, New York and Philadelphia reaped the profits. In one year only did the dealersassert themselves when they formedUp in Yonkers,Harry-Well, now that wo are engaged, my girl 1b beginning to economize. You see, I used to take a pound of 90-cent bonbons to her every Sundayevening.Fred—Ah ha, and now she insists ona cheaper sort, I suppose.Harry—Oh, no. You can get twopounds of the 90-cent kind for $1.75, soshe insists on a two-pound box.—Yonkers {statesman.avermildAliOUSAle*missloveternto aituaThciatlW'hhthestro'give
Newspaper Details
Boston Sunday Globe
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Sun, Feb 07, 1904
Page 89
Full Page
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Boston P.
NA, USA 03 Nov 2022
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