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King's Pocket-book of Providence, R.I.

Moses King, Cambridge, Mass., 1882. Tibbitts, Shaw & Co., Providence, RI
p. 73 - 75.

NEWSPAPERS.  --  There are nearly 20 local newspapers, of various kinds. The dailies, arranged in the order of their seniority, are as follows: --

'Providence Daily Journal', a Republican morning newspaper, published by Knowles, Anthony, & Danielson, and edited by George W. Danielson, 2 Weybosset St.; established in 1829.  Until the summer of 1881, the paper was a large folio in form; but on July 1 it appeared as a quarto, 24 x 37 1/2. The 'Journal' was the first paper to introduce in this city the stereotype system, which it adopted in 1881.  Its printing-machinery consists of two Hoe-web perfecting presses, with a capacity of 15,000 papers per hour each. Terms, $8 a year, 3 cents a copy.

'Providence Evening Press', established in 1859, is a Republican paper of liberal tone, published by the Providence Press Company, and edited by Z. L. White, 22 Weybosset St.  It is issued in folio form, with supplement.  Size of sheet, 25 x 39 1/4.  Terms, $6 a year, 2 cents a copy.

'Evening Bulletin', issued by the publishers of the 'Journal', first appeared in 1863, at which time it was printed upon a single-cylinder press capable of making about 800 impressions an hour.  Owing to the rapid increase of its circulation, it has outgrown, successively, 2, 4 and 6 cylinder machines, and is now printed on the presses used for the 'Journal', giving a combined capacity of 60,000 papers per hour.  It is properly a single folio sheet, though appearing usually with a supplement, or in quarto form.  Its circulation is the largest of any paper in Rhode Island.  Terms, $6 a year, 2 cents a copy.

'Providence Morning Star', established in 1869, and published by the proprietors of the 'Press', has the largest circulation of any morning paper in the State.  Size of sheet, 25 x 39 1/4.  Terms, $5 a year, 2 cents a copy.  The 'Press' and also the 'Star' are printed from stereotyped plates on a Scott-web perfecting printing and folding machine, with capacity of from 30,000 to 35,000 sheets an hour.

'Evening Telegram' is published by David O. Black, and edited by Henry Mann, 39 Weybosset St.  It is independent in politics.  It first appeared April 5, 1880.  It is a folio.  Sheet, 25 x 39.  Terms, $5 a year, 2 cents a copy.

'Manufacturers' and Farmers' Journal' (semi-weekly), established in 1820, terms $3.50 a year; and the 'Rhode-Island Country Journal' (weekly), established in 1823, terms $2.50 a year, are issued by the publishers of the 'Journal'; the 'Rhode-Island Press' (weekly), established in 1859, terms $2 a year; and the 'Sunday Star', established in 1881, terms $2 a year, by the Providence Press Company; and the 'Sunday Telegram', established in 1875, terms $2 a year, by the publisher of the 'Evening Telegram'.

Other papers are the 'Providence Dispatch ($2.50 a year) and the 'Transcript' ($2 a year); the 'Visitor' (Sunday $2 a year, weekly $1.50 a year), the 'General Advertiser and Weekly Gazette' ($1 a year), 'Rhode-Island Democrat' ($2 a year), and the 'Providence Herald' ($1.50 a year), all weeklies; the 'Brunonioan', fort-nightly ($2.50 a year, $2 when paid in advance), Brown University students editors and publishers; and the 'Free Masons' Repository', monthly, ($2.50 a year).

NONOTUCK SILK CO., although its works are a hundred miles away, is well known to the people of Rhode Island, who are the constant purchasers of immense quantities of its knitting, sewing, etching, and other silks known as the 'Nonotuck', 'Corticelli' and 'Florence' brands.  The business of the Nonotuck Co. was established forty years ago, and here was made the first sewing-machine twist produced anywhere in the world.  The works are in the villages of Florence and Leeds, in the town of Northampton, Mass.  They are some of the prettiest and most interesting mills in this country.  Their floor surface is upwards of 100,000 sq. ft.   800 persons are employed, and 175,000 pounds of raw silk are consumed each year.  A great specialty is made of the 'Florence Knitting-Silk'.  The Co. received medals at Philadephia in 1876, at Paris in 1878, and at many other exhibitions and fairs.  The New-England agent is Geo. D. Atkins of Boston.

NORTH BURIAL-GROUND.  --  See Cemeteries.

NORTH MAIN ST.  --  See Main St.

OAKLAND CEMETERY.  --  See Cemeteries.

OBSERVATORY, THE PRIVATE., of Frank E. Seagrave, 119 Benefit St., contains the finest telescope in the city.  It is a Clark instrument, with 8 1/4-inch object-glass, and a focal length of 9 feet.

ODD FELLOWS' BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION of the State of Rhode Island was org. in 1868, for 'the creation and perpetuation of a fund for the widows and orphans of its members.'    It is composed exclusively of Odd Fellows, who must have attained the third degree, but who may be residents of this or any other New-England State.  It numbers over 1,000 members, and pays a death benefit of $1,000.  Its management is intrusted  to a board of directors elected annually, representing each lodge in the State of Rhode Island. Sec'y, Wm. F. Whiting, Butler Exchange.

ODD FELLOWS, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF.  --  There are 15 lodges in the city, besides one in E. Providence and one in Olneyville (Johnston), numbering in all some 2,200 members.  They have an invested fund of more than $86,000. Friendly Union Lodge No. 1, received its original charter in 1829.  Although its charter has been twice revoked and renewed, it may justly claim to be the oldest in the State of Rhode Island, in which there are 43 lodges, 17 encampments, and nearly 4,800 members.  In addition to the lodges, there are in Providence 6 encampments, and 6 degrees of the Daughters of Rebekah.

The Grand Lodge holds its annual meeting the first Tuesday in February, its semi-annual meeting the first Tuesday in August.  R. W. G., Sec'y, Allen Jenckes, 97 Weybosset St.  The Grand Encampment of Rhode Island meets annually on the first Wednesday in March.  R. W. G.  Scribe, Allen Jenckes, 97 Weybosset St.  Both Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment meet in Odd Fellows' Hall, 97 Weybosset St.

6 Lodges and 2 encampments meet at 97 Weybosset St.  The lodges are:  Eagle, No. 2; Roger Williams, No. 3; Hope, No. 4; Conanicus, No. 9; Franklin, No. 23; and Olive Branch, No. 37.  The encampments are Narragansett, No. 1; and Moshassuck No. 2.  The other lodges meet as follows:  Manufacturers', No. 15, in Iron's Hall, Olneyville; Swarts, No. 18, at 207 Westminster St.; Pilgrim, No. 19, at 373 High St.; Unity, No. 20, at Unity Hall, Ocean St.; Crescent, No. 24, at 346 High St.; North Star, No. 25, in Headly's Block, Charles St.; Westminster, No. 27, 188 Westminster St.; James Wood, No. 30, at 441 Cranston St.; Mayflower, No. 31, at 346 High St.

The other encampments meet as follows:  Woonasquatucket, No. 10, at Iron's Hall, Olneyville; Plymouth, No. 11, at 373 High St.; Mazeppa, No. 12, at Unity Hall, Ocean St.; Uncas, No. 14, at 188 Westminster St.; Mennehaha, No. 16, in Hedley's [sic] Block, Charles St.; Fraternity, No. 17, in Ray's Block, Watchemoket.  The D. of R. Lodge meet as follows:   Charity, No. 3, at 217 Westminster St.; Dorcas, No. 7, in Unity Hall, Ocean St.; Ruth, No. 8, in Hedley's Block, Charles St.; Rose Standish, No. 9, at 373 High St.; Rachel, No. 15, in Odd-Fellows' Hall.

OLD BRICK HOUSE, An, stands at Nos. 537 and 539 N. Main St.  It is a three-story structure, with a gambrel roof, and was built in 1752 or 1753, by Elisha Brown.  About one-third of its length on the north side has been taken down, and a wooden cottage built on its site.  The central window of the three now remaining on the north side was evidently the original centre of the building.

OLD BURIAL-GROUND. --  See Cemeteries.

OLD STATE PRISON.  --  See Prison.

p. 75 - 79.

OLD STREETS.  --  The first street, at the first, was merely a shore road, on the east side of the Providence River, running along in front of the 'plantations', or 'home lots', afterwards called the 'Towne Streete', now known as S. and N. Main Sts.  It led from Fox Point up into the country. Gradually lanes, finally widened and fenced as streets, were opened eastward, such as 'Olney's Lane', now Olney St.; Power's Lane, now Power St. Roads were opened to the ferries on the two rivers, Seekonk and Blackstone, leading to Massachusetts.  After the building of Weybosset Bridge (Great Bridge), in 1704, roads were opened westward, now Weybosset St., Broad St., and High St., leading to Pawtuxet and Johnston.  Westminster St. was opened in 1763, when a movement was proposed to establish a new township on the west side named Westminster.  Streets were gradually opened in every direction as the town grew till it became a city.  --  Frederic Dennison.

'OLD TOWN HOUSE', THE, stood at the cor. of College and Benefit Sts, where the Court House is now located.  A plain wooden structure, it was built for a church in 1723, and seventy years later purchased for a townhouse.  It was taken down in 1860.

OMNIBUSES AND STAGES.  --  In the times before the introduction of railroads, the stage-coach was an important institution.  During the summer of 1829 there were 328 stage-coaches a week running bet. Boston and Providence, besides the local stages running to points within a dozen miles of the city.  The contrast bet. those days and these is well illustrated by the small number of such conveyances at present in use, and especially when the population has since then increased more than five times.  At present there are not more than a score of stages running from the city, and these only to places comparatively near.  The longest route run by a stage out of the city at present is to Danielsonville, Conn., a distance of about 25 miles.  The following are the chief points to which stages are run: --

Note:  --  For time of omnibuses and full particulars, consult the latest number of J. A. & R. A. Reid's Railroad Time-tables and Handy Reference Book.

OPERA HOUSE.  --  See Low's Opera House, Music Hall, and Providence Opera House.

ORPHEUS CLUB, org'd in 1860, was strictly a musical society until 1879, when it became a Masonic lodge.  It has about 45 members, active and honorary, all of whom are professional musicians.

OVERSEER OF THE POOR, Charity Building, 3 North Court St.   Hours from 9 A.M. to 12.30 P.M.  George W. Wightman has been the Overseer of the Poor since June, 1858.

PARK GARDEN, Broad St., is a carefully planned summer garden, several acres in extent, and well laid out in lawns, lakes, paths, etc.  The grounds contain a pavilion for theatrical and other entertainments, summer-houses, and other buildings, chiefly in the Japanese style.  In the evening, the electric light, hundreds of gas-jets, and pyrotechnic displays furnish brilliant illuminations.  'Pinafore' on the lake made a decided hit in 1879. In the season the grounds are open afternoons and evenings. Horse-cars marked 'Park Garden' start from Market Sq.

PARKS.  --  Providence needs perhaps, fewer large public parks and breathing-spaces than any city of its size in the Union. For, situated as it is upon a number of steep hills and gentle slopes, nearly all parts ore open to the influence of the salt breezes from the harbor and bay; while in the very heart of the town the large body of water called the Cove, with the regular ebb and flow of its tide, is thought to contribute materially to the general health.  In addition to these natural advantages, few houses in Providence are built in blocks; a large majority of the dwellings being detached, and surrounded with more or less ground.  The freedom and fresh air which this mode of building insures go far to compensate for the limited number and small size of parks in the city, though several of these are not unworthy of notice.  Providence may, however, soon be presented by one of its citizens, Henry T. Beckwith, with about 30 acres in the N. part of the city, bordering upon North St. and East Av., to be used as a public park, commemorative of the valuable services rendered the State by the French troops during 1780-81, when they encamped here under the brave commander-in-chief, Count de Rochambeau.  Of the three names proposed for this valuable and appropriate gift, - French, Layfayette, or Rochambeau Park, - the last is the most approved.  The obstacle in the way of Providence getting this park is made apparent in the following note (Oct. 11, 1882) from Mr. Beckwith to the editor of this book: --

'I have fully intended to give the 30 acres mentioned for a public park, but now don't know whether I shall or not.  The people are so foolish as to talk of filling the Cove (which you also mention in the enclosed proof), and devoting it to railroad purposes, mainly freight-yards.  I want to add to the public grounds the city has; but if any is to be destroyed I shall not furnish a substitute for it, so must wait and see.  I am very sorry that it is so.  No other city would have such ideas.  Park Rochambeau we have called my land, as being a more euphonious expression that Rochambeau Park, and it is also according to the French idiom.  The city owns 37 acres land at Field Point, at the entrance of the harbor, being the quarantine station.  There is nothing to prevent that being made a park if they are so disposed. Abbott Park and the two  that dignified with the names of Washington and Franklin are very small pieces of ground.  Resp'y yours,   H. T. Beckwith.'

See Abbott Park, Blackstone Park, Dexter Training-Ground, Franklin Sq., Prospect Terrace, Richmond Park, Roger Williams Park, Washington Sq.

PAWTUCKET:  at the falls on Blackstone's or Pawtucket River, 'which river is called in Indian Pautuck (which signifies a fall) because there the fresh water falls into the salt water'.  -- J. Hammond Trumbull.

PAWTUCKET is an important manufacturing town, on the Blackstone River, about 5 miles from Providence.  The manufacture of cotton cloth, yarns, and thread, and many kinds of machinery, are the chief industries.  The Boston and Providence and the Providence and Worcester railroads pass through the place.  The population in 1880 was over 19,000. An attempt in 1882 to incorporate it as a city was unsuccessful.  Pawtucket is practically a part of Providence, and Central Falls in the town of Lincoln is practically a part of Pawtucket.

PAWTUXET is a small village at the mouth of the Pawtuxet River, about 5 miles from Providence.  It is mainly a place of residence for Providence people, and is reached from the city by the horse-cars.  A settlement was made here in 1638, two years after Roger Williams settled at Providence, by four men from Providence; and the place has had since then a distinct existence.

PAWTUXET RIVER rises in the north-western part of the State , and empties into Narragansett Bay.  It is the source of the city's water-supply.  For 3 1/2 miles from the village of Pawtuxet to the Pettaconsett pumping-station, it is a great resort in summer for boating-parties.  Some of the scenery is extremely picturesque.

PAWTUXET WATER is furnished to the city at the rate of about 3,700,000 gallons per day.  The average cost to consumers is 3 cts per 100 gallons. Besides Providence, several suburban towns are supplied with this water.

p. 79 - 81.

PEACE SOCIETY, THE RHODE ISLAND, org'd in 1818 and incorp'd in 1825, is interesting as the oldest peace-society in the country.  It has been active and influential, has been represented at most of the large peace conventions that have been held on both sides of the ocean, and has repeatedly exerted its influence by various means for the establishment of an international congress.  Amos Perry, sec'y.

PEOPLE'S COFFEE-HOUSE.  --  See Women's Christian Temperance Union.

PETTACONSETT PUMPING-STATION is on the Pawtuxet River, in the town of Cranston, about 6 miles from Providence City Hall.  The erection of the works here was begun in April, 1870.  A temporary engine-house on the bank of the river, containing a 'Worthington Duplex' engine with pumping capacity of 5,000,000 gallons a day, was first built, and still continues in use. The permanent engine-house - a beautiful structure of brick and stone, with a standpipe rising above the roof for a height of 186 ft. - was built in 1873, and holds a Cornish engine.  Beneath this house a bed of quicksand of great depth was found; and the motion of the engine has caused the standpipe to settle to such an extent that in the autumn of 1879 it became necessary to drive 40 piles, about 25 ft. in length and 10 in. in diameter, under and around the pump, and also around the standpipe.  After this work, which occupied about 2 months, the engine was again started Nov. 22, 1879; and although it worked better than before the repair was made, the capacity of 9,000,000 gallons, first intended could not be attained, and it soon became evident that new machinery must be substituted.  This fact was set forth by Mayor Hayward in his address in Jan., 1881.  To meet this want a contract was made June 7, 1881, with the Hon. Geo. H. Corliss, to furnish one of his engines; and soon afterwards preparations for its erection were begun.  This engine, which is housed on the river-bank almost in the rear of the Cornish engine-house, when tested May 22 to 27, 1882, pumped at the rate of 9,000,000 gallons in 24 hours, and even higher at times, and proved very satisfactory in every respect.  It consumed far less fuel than the Cornish engine for the same amount of work done, and in various other ways was more effective.  A test of the Cornish engine, made in the beginning of 1882, showed that it pumped but a little over 6,000,000 gallons per 24 hours; which unfavorable result is to be attributed partly, at least, to the settling of the pumping well in 1879.

PHARMACEUTICAL ASS'N, THE RHODE ISLAND, established in 1874, has for its object the diffusion of scientific knowledge among pharmacists and others. It encourages the system of apprenticeship now in vogue in the State.  Any registered pharmacist or assistant registered pharmacist, active or retired, may become a member.  Initiation fee, $3 annual tax, $2.  Chas. A. Gladding, sec'y.

PHILIP, or Metacomet, son of Massasoit, the chief of the Pokanokets, was one of the most troublesome Indians in the early days of R. I., and carried on the 'King Philip's War'.

PHILLIPS & CO., THOMAS, is the oldest, most prominent, and most successful house in its line in the State.  The business was established in 1804 by Josiah Keene, who conducted it until 1830, when he was succeeded by Calder & Phillips, whose successors in 1853 were the present firm of Thomas Phillips & Co.  Although new departments have been added from time to time, the successive firms have always ranked prominent among their competitors in each of the several departments.  The business now comprises the manufacturing of lead pipe and plumbers' supplies, and also of all kinds of copper work and brass findings.  In copper work the firm have important specialties, such as drying-machinery, boiling-worms, slasher cylinders, vacuum-pans, and other apparatus used in print-works, bleacheries, sugar-refineries, etc.  In connection with manufacturing and extensively dealing in lead pipe, sheet lead, tin pipe, pig lead, solder, sheet and bolt copper, and plumbers' supplies, the firm do the greatest amount of local plumbing work for factories, places of business, and residences.  Moreover, they rank as eminent sanitary and hydraulic engineers, and in this department have accomplished many noteworthy undertakings particularly so in Boston's palatial Hotel Vendome, and Providence's magnificent Narragansett Hotel, for both of which they supplied all the plumbing and ventilating apparatus.  In supplying apparatus for mills and factories the firm show great ingenuity in contriving innumerable different devices for copper and brass apparatus which various industries require.  In this department the firm's patrons are scattered throughout America, Cuba, and the West Indies. The buildings in which is carried on this industry make no imposing appearance.  They are old and of wood, but they are thoroughly equipped with approved machinery and appliances.  They occupy the whole of the block on the west side of South Main St., Nos. 73 to 85 inclusive, extending from Mark Lane to Crawford St.  They are two stories high above the basement, and have a frontage of 80 feet, and an average depth of about 70 feet.  There are nearly 125 employees, among whom are quite a number who have been employed upwards of twenty consecutive years.  Although the style of the firm has remained unchanged for the past thirty years, the sole manager during the past fifteen years has been George R. Phillips, who is recognized as a philanthropic and patriotic citizen.  He is a son of Thomas Phillips, and a native of Providence.  In many noteworthy  local enterprises of recent times he has taken a foremost and an active interest.  In public life, too, he has held various local offices of trust, bestowing on all of them his utmost fidelity, although at the same time occupied with the minute details of his own large and intricate business, of which he is in reality the actual head, and with which he has been connected ever since 1848.

PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.  --  See Amateur Dramatic Hall, Base-Ball Grounds, Infantry Skating-Rink, Low's Opera House, Music Hall, Narragansett Trotting Park, Park Garden, Providence Opera House, Providence Roller-Skating-Rink, Sans Souci Garden, Theatre Comique.

POINT-ST. BRIDGE is a fine iron structure, with a steam draw, which spans the Providence River at a distance of about half a mile below Great Bridge. It is 548 ft. long, was opened to traffic Oct. 22, 1872, and has cost for construction alone over $150,000.

POINT-ST. GRAMMAR SCHOOL, cor. of Point and Plain Sts, is a building of fine proportions, with basement of rough Westerly granite, walls of pressed brick trimmed with Frear stone, and cornices, dormer windows, etc., of galvanized iron.  The interior arrangements are most commodious and complete, particular attention having been given to ventilation and hygiene; and it is believed that this schoolhouse is surpassed by none of similar grade in the country.  Its total cost was $135,000.

p. 81 - 83.

POLICE ASSOCIATION, The Providence, incorp'd 1870, furnishes pecuniary aid to disabled officers, amounting to $1 a day before their pay is cut off by the city, and $2 a day afterwards; pays $200 upon the death of the wife of a member, and $700 upon the death of a member, the sums to meet which are procured by assessment and from the treasury fund.  Excursions in summer, and entertainments in winter are given to accumulate funds for the ass'n. The membership includes nearly the entire police-force.

POLICE-DEPARTMENT.  --  The executive officer is the Chief of Police, elected annually by the city council.  All other superior officers are recommended by the chief, appointed by the mayor, and approved by the board of aldermen.  The patrolmen are appointed by the chief, and confirmed by the board of aldermen.  The 185 patrolmen, including 10 horsemen, are directly controlled by 6 captains, 6 lieutenants, and 7 sergeants.  Other superior officers are, a deputy chief and a clerk of police.  Detailed officers are 2 detectives, 2 warrant-officers, a property clerk, and a sup't of hacks. There are 6 districts in the city, each having its own station-house to which a certain number of patrolmen report.  The number of arrests in 1881 was 7,714.  Of these, 5,177 were for drunkenness.  The total cost of the dep't in 1880-81 was $186,890.66.  The appropriation for 1882-83 is $200,000.

POLICE-STATIONS.  --  Chief of Police, City Hall.  Police Ambulance at Station 1.  The six district stations are situated as follows:
1.  Canal, cor. Haymarket St.
2.  Mill, junc. of Back St.
3.  181 Wickenden St.
4.  33 Knight St.
5.  88 Richmond St.
6.  Capron St., near Olneyville.

POPULATION.  --  The first census, taken in 1708, showed a population of 1,446.  In 1730, 3,916 names were enrolled;  in 1748,  3,452;  1755,  3,159; 1774, 4,321; 1776, 4,355;  1782, 4,310;  1790, 6,380;  1800,  7,614;  1810, 10,071;  1820, 11,767;  1830, 16,836;  1840, 23,172;  1850,  41,513;  1860, 50,666;  1865, 54,595;  1870, 68,904;  1875, 100,675; 1880, 104,857.  Of the population of 1880 there were 48,311 of American parentage, 56,546 of foreign parentage, 76,885 of American nativity, 27,972 of foreign nativity. There 101,211 white, and 3,646 colored inhabitants.  The estimated population in 1881 was 112,000, and in 1882 is 116,000.

POST-OFFICE.  See Custom-House.

PRESIDENT HAYES'S VISIT TO PROVIDENCE.  --  The Hoppin Mansion, N. E. cor. Benefit and John Sts., was the scene of President Hayes's reception during the visit to the city in connection with the meetings of the Grand Army of the Republic, June 26-28, 1877.

PRISONERS' AID ASSOCIATION (incorp. 1874) is composed of ladies and gentlemen aiming (1) to aid discharged prisoners in such way and by such means as will enable them to gain an honest and reputable livelihood; and (2) to adopt such measures as shall seem conducive to the prevention of crime.  A Ladies' Auxilary Society (The Woman's Society for aiding released Female Prisoners), formed in Jan., 1881, under whose auspices was established the Sophia Little Home (which see), was merged in the ass'n at the annual meeting.  The following officers of the Auxilary Society were then chosen as the officers of the consolidated org. for the ensuing year: Honorary Prest., Mrs. Sophia L. Little;  Prest., Mrs. Francis W. Goddard; Vice-Prests., Mrs. J. K. Barney, Mrs. F. K. Howland, Mrs. Louis J. Doyle, Mrs. Andrew Comstock; Sec., Miss J. W. Bucklin; Treas., Miss A. De F. Lockwood;  Asst. Treas., Miss Mary E. Arnold.

PRISON, THE NEW STATE, in the town of Cranston, was completed in 1878.  It is a handsome edifice constructed of blue-stone, (taken from grounds belonging to the State institutions) with granite trimmings.  The prison consists of a central building and two wings connected with the keeper's house in front, and with the mess-room, kitchen, and hospital in the rear, by means of two iron bridges.  The cells, 252 in number, occupy the middle of each wing.  In the rear is the prison-yard with an area of 240,000 sq. ft.; enclosed by a wall 20 ft. in height, at each corner of which is a granite sentry tower.  Within the yard is a two story workshop.  Cost of erection, about $450,000.  The architects were Stone & Carpenter.  Reached by Pawtucket Valley Branch of New York, Providence and Boston Railroad.

PRISON, THE OLD STATE, Gaspee St., N. of the Cove, is a massive granite structure, two stories in height, completed in 1838 at a cost of $51,500, or an average of about $1,300 per cell.  In 1839 the county jail, a smaller and more compact building, was added, adjoining the keeper's house on the E. The unhealthiness and inadequacy of both buildings, constant sources of complaint almost from the first, were the causes which led to the erection of the new State Prison in Cranston, whither the prisoners were transferred in 1878.

PRO-CATHEDRAL, on Broad St., bet. Claverick and Foster Sts., is a large wooden structure, built for the temporary use of the Society of the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, while the new Cathedral is in process of erection.

PROSPECT HILL is the name applied to the broad, steep slope, on the East Side, rising from North and South Main Sts., and comprised within the limits of Olney and Transit Sts.  It attains its greatest height of 190 feet near the cor. of Prospect and Meeting Sts., from which a fine view of the West Side of the city is obtained.

PROSPECT TERRACE, Congdon St., East Side, was presented to the city by citizens of Ward II in 1869.  Half-way up the hillside, it commands a fine view of the north, south, and western portion of the city.  A small fountain, also the gift of citizens, adorns the spot.  Area, 12,000 sq. feet.

PROTECTIVE DEPARTMENT.  --  See Fire-Department.

p. 83 - 86.

PROVIDENCE is situated on Providence River, at the head of Narragansett Bay.  It is a port of entry, one of the two capitals of Rhode Island, and the seat of justice for Providence County.  It is the second city in size in New England, and the first in Rhode Island.  Its latitude is 41* 49' 22" N.; longitude, 71* 24' 48" W.    Its area comprises about 16 sq. miles, distributed among ten wards nearly as follows:  the East Side, Wards I., II., and III., 3.11 sq. miles; the West Side, Wards IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., and IX., 5.81 sq. miles; and the north-western part, Ward X., upwards of 6 sq. miles.  The extreme length, from north to south, is about 5 1/4 miles; and the extreme breadth from east to west, about 4 3/5 miles.  By a census taken in 1875 (population at the time 100,675), of the 13,275 dwellings enumerated, all but 351 were of wood.  The average number of persons to each dwelling was 7.58, and to each family, 4.55.  The tax assessor's valuation of real ($88,987,900) and personal ($30,208,500) property was in 1882 $110,196,200, the rate of taxation $14.50 per $1,000, and the amount of taxation $1,626,825.  The funded city debt according to the last report was $9,806,188, which is partly offset by a sinking fund amounting to $1,397,558.  The city's floating debt on Sept. 30, 1881, was $294,410, and the city's treasury balance at the same time was $323,189. The gross funded water debt is $5,500,000, with a sinking fund of $119,457; the net water debt being $5,380,542; while the net cost of the water-works to Sept. 30, 1881, was $6,101,268.  The city directory for 1882, on the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of Providence as a city, makes an interesting statistical exhibit from which it is seen that in fifty years the population of Providence has increased 100,000.  In the last Directory there are 43,523 names, showing an increase of 2,147 over the preceeding year, and indicating a present population of fully 116,000.  Providence and vicinity is one of the most extensive manufacturing districts in the United States; the products are of great variety, and rank well in all the markets of the world.  The homes of the poeple, and the suburbs on every side, always draw forth the praises of visitors.  The public institutions are maintained on generous principles, and the public buildings are noteworthy for their architecture.  The social, charitable, educational, and religious interests are all sedulously and carefully provided for; and the prosperity of the city, in its many details, is at present surpassed by no city in the country.  See A Batch of Historical Notes.

PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION FOR BAPTIST CHURCHES was formed in 1843, of churches formerly in the Warren Association.  The churches in Providence belonging to this association, are the Fourth, Jefferson-st., Stewart-st., Cranston-st., and Roger Williams (Wanskuck).  The total membership of these churches, by report of 1882, was 1,592.  The number of churches in the ass'n is 16.  See Warren Association.

PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION OF FIREMEN, incorporated in 1829, comprises all the members of the fire department.  It was formed 'for the purpose of mutual aid and assistance under the calamities to which their public duties may expose them.'  Fifty cents a year secures to each member, if disabled in the performance of his duty, a weekly allowance of $9.00 beside payment of all medical charges.

PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION OF MECHANICS AND MANUFACTURERS (meets quarterly, 54 North Main St.) was formed in 1789 to promote home manufacturers, to cement the mechanic interest, and to raise a fund for supporting the distressed. Until 1825 the business meetings were generally held in the State House. After various removals, it located at Bank Building, on Weybosset St.  In 1821 it established a library, and later a reading-room for use of its members and their apprentices.  The volumes collected, upwards of 6,000, were transferred in 1877 to the Providence Public Library.

PROVIDENCE DISPENSARY.  --  See Dispensaries.

PROVIDENCE INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS, 76 South Main St., incorp. in 1819, is the oldest savings bank in the State.  It occupies a handsome granite building.

PROVIDENCE NATIONAL BANK, 70 South Main St., incorp. Oct., 1791, is the oldest banking-institution in the State.

PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE, adjoining the Narragansett Hotel on Dorrance St., cor. of Pine, is a cosey and well-constructed theatre, 111 ft. long, 83 ft. wide, with a stage 45 by 75 ft.  It has 2 galleries, with a total seating capacity of 1,500.  It is of brick with a modest exterior.  It has 3 exits, one on Dorrance, one on Pine, and the other on Eddy St., thus affording ample facilities for a speedy clearing of the house in case of need.  It was opened under the management of Wm. H. Henderson, now of the Standard Theatre in New York.  It was dedicated Nov. 4, 1871, by a Stock Co. in 'Fashion'. The co. was withdrawn in 1876, but the house has ever since been the headquarters for leading combinations.  Three years ago Geo. Hackett became lessee and manager.  The treas. is F. A. Hackett.

PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.  --  See Rhode Island.

PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY occupies the ground floor of the large brick building built for Mowry & Goff's school, on Snow St., bet. Washington and Westminster Sts.  It is open daily (except Sundays and holidays) from 10 A.M. to 9 P.M.  It is now in its fifth year, having been opened to the public Feb. 4, 1878, in the Butler Exchange, and removed to its present commodious quarters in the summer of 1880.  The vigorous growth of the institution appears destined to overcome in time the surprising backwardness which left a city of this size without a public library until 1878.  Several interesting features of this institution may be mentioned here.  First, its management is in the hands of an incorp'd body of trustees, who represent gifts to the library in sums of $10,000 or more, received from Joseph A. Barker, the late Mrs. Anna Richmond, Wm. S. Slater, Alexander Duncan, Joseph R. Brown, Moses B. Lockwood, and others.  The management is independent of the city government, although the library is conducted wholly for the free use of all the people of all ages (over 14 years) and races.  It is strange, therefore, that the city has never contributed any aid to its support, -- particularly so, as such noteworthy precedents have been established in Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, and many other cities, and more so because a statute of the State of Rhode Island makes it possible for such support to be given whenever the necessary steps shall be taken.  Second, a feature of this library is its attempt to render definite and specific assistance to readers.  With this in view, it has planned its various catalogues, and arranged for special methods of furnishing to readers the information which is available on current and standard topics.  For instance, the library, from its first opening to the public, has posted a daily manuscript bulletin of references to some topics of current interest. Naturally these bulletins have grown, step by step, into, (1) a longer list copied by the hektograph; (2) a weekly printed list in the daily papers, and (3) a regularly issued monthly periodical, the 'Monthly Reference Lists', - the latter having a subscription-list of over 250 names.  A large part of these are in Providence, but some are in nearly every State in the Union, and one each in Canada, England, and Germany.  This institution, although it its infancy, has made its influence widely felt, and well deserves a hearty support from the public.  The present number of volumes (Aug. 1, 1882) is 20,567, besides about 2,000 pamphlets.  384,624 books have been drawn from the library since the opening.  The number of readers is now 18,803, 10,260 of whom have registered since Aug. 1, 1878.  The library force comprises a librarian, an assistant librarian, and four clerks.  The annual reports of the librarian, William E. Foster, contain full information concerning the working of the library, with very complete statistical tables.  Four of these have been issued, the last one being for the year ending Dec. 31, 1881.  Other information about the library will be found in 'The Library Journal', vol 3, pp. 25, 26; vol. 4, pp. 57, 169, 447, 448; vol. 5, pp. 151, 204, 205, 326, 327; vol. 6, pp. 164, 165.

p. 86 - 88.

PROVIDENCE RIVER issues from the Cove, and enters the harbor at Fox Point, one mile from Great Bridge.  It increases in width gradually from 100 to 900 ft., and, owing to the sewage which enters it, is usually of a muddy hue. It is crossed by seven bridges in Providence.  Extensive dredging operations in 1881-82 have secured a channel 17 ft. deep at mean low water, extending from Crawford-st. Bridge to Fox Point.

PROVIDENCE ROLLER-SKATING RINK, Aborn, near Fountain St., built in 1879, is said to be one of the best in the country.  It occupies a wooden building, 210 ft. long and 101 ft. wide.  Excepting the suitable ante-rooms, offices, etc., at one end, all this space is taken up by a large hall, with galleries on two sides, and in the centre a rink 145 by 73 ft.  Open from 10 to 12 A.M., 2.30 to 5 and 8 to 10.30 P.M.  Broadway or Mt. Pleasant H. C.

PROVIDENCE TEMPERANCE CADETS,  a literary and military org. composed of Catholic young men, which has been in existence 11 years.  Meets at 114 High St.  Pres't, Jas. J. Murray; sec'y, John L. Lindsay.

PROVIDENCE WASHINGTON INSURANCE CO. is the oldest joint-stock fire and marine ins. co. in New England, and the sixth oldest in the world.  It is the largest in Rhode Island, the second being the Equitable Fire and Marine (noticed elsewhere).  Its gross assets, including its paid-up capital of $400,000, amount to about $900,000.  It is doing the largest and most extended business; its income of over three-quarters of a million dollars coming chiefly from premiums received by upwards of 300 agents scattered throughout the United States.  The Co.'s charter was granted in 1799, when the insurance business, although in its primitive state, was seen as to be of such necessity to the commercial world that very liberal privileges were granted.  The offices of the Co. are at No. 20 Market Sq., in the 'What Cheer Building', owned by the What Cheer corporation in which this Co. is a large stockholder.  The Providence Washington has had only four prests., since its incorporation 83 years ago.  The first was Richard Jackson, father of Gov. Jackson; the second, Sullivan Dorr; and the third, John Kingsbury, who served till his death in 1874.  The following year the Newport Fire and Marine Ins. Co. was consolidated with the Providence Washington; and J. H. De Wolf was elected prest.   J. B. Branch is sec'y, and George E. Bixby ass't sec'y.  The directors are chiefly men who have a wide-spread reputation for prominence in various industries, and include Wm. S. Slater, Resolved Waterman, Rowland Hazard, J. H. De Wolf, Wm. Grosvenor, jun., Chas. E. Paine, F. W. Carpenter, R. I. Gammell, E. Philip Mason, John S. Palmer, Daniel Day.

PROVIDENCE WORSTED-MILLS, owned by Charles Fletcher, are probably the largest of thier class in America.  The buildings are all of brick, well constructed and admirably arranged, and cover three acres on Valley St. They are almost all new, the oldest having been erected in 1875, and are supplied with both steam and water power.  The machinery is extremely interesting, and much of it is to be seen nowhere else in this country.  It was imported chiefly from England, Scotland, and France, by Mr. Fletcher, who has devoted a lifetime to the study of this one industry; sixteen years having been spent in it in the city of Providence, where he has earned a well-deserved reputation for business capacity, industry and integrity.  His mills are models in their line.  He gives employment to 600 persons, who are occupied wholly in making worsted, mohair, and genappe yarns, in white, mixed, and fancy colors, made up on bobbins or dresser-spools, and in skeins.  All work necessary to make the finest yarn out of the wool as it is clipped from the sheep, is done on these premises.  This necessitates sorting, scouring and drying, carding and preparing, combing, drawing, twisting, reeling and spooling, finishing and binding, coloring and bleaching.  The various processes are well worth seeing, and the cleanliness of the several departments is worthy of imitation by other manufacturers.

PROVIDENCE YACHT-CLUB, org'd in 1875. --  See Yacht-Club.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.  --  See Providence Public Library; also Libraries.

RAILROADS.

Attleboro Branch R. R. for Falls Village and No. Attleboro, Mass.  Connects at Attleboro with Boston & Providence R. R. Leave from west end of Union Depot.

Boston & Providence R. R. for Boston, via Mansfield and points N. and E.  A. A. Folsom, sup't.  Leave from west end of Union Depot.

Hopkinton, Milford, & Woonsocket R. R. for Ashland, Mass.  Connects at Woonsocket with Providence & Worcester R. R.   W. E. Chamberlain, sup't. Leave from east end of Union Station.

Moshassuck Valley R. R. for Saylesville.  Connects at Woodlwn with Providence & Worcester R. R.

Narragansett Pier R. R. for Narragansett Pier.  Connects at Kingston with New-York, Providence, & Boston R. R.  Leave from west end of Union Dept.  G. T. Lamphear, sup't.

Newport & Wickford R. R. & Steamboat Co. for Wickford and Newport.  Connects at Wickford Junction with New-York, Providence & Boston R. R.  Leave from west end of Union Depot.  Theo. Warren, sup't.

New York & New-England R. R. for Hartford, Newburgh, Norwich, New York via Hartford, and South and West.  L. W. Palmer, sup't.  Providence Division. Leave from west end of Union Depot.

New York & New England R. R. ("Providence & Boston New Line") for Boston. Connects at Valley Falls with Providence and Worcester R. R., and at Franklin, Mass., with main line of New-York & New-England R. R.  Leave via Providence & Worcester R. R., from the east end of Union Depot.

New-York, Providence & Boston R. R. for Stonington and New London, also Narragansett Pier via Kingston, and Newport via Wickford.  J. B. Gardiner, sup't.  Leave from west end of Union Depot.  Trains of the Shore Line route in New York pass over this line to New London, and then over the lines of the Shore Line Division, and the New-York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.

Old-Colony R. R.  Leave via Boston and Providence R. R. from west end of Union Depot, and connects at Attleboro for Taunton, New Bedford, and points Eastern and Southern Massachusetts, and at Mansfield with Northern Division O. C. for Fitchburg and the North.  Leave via Providence, Warren, & Bristol R. R. from India-st. Depot, and connects at Warren for Fall River and Newport.

Pawtuxet-Valley Branch R. R. for Hope, R.I.  Leave via New York, Providence, & Boston R. R. from west end of Union Depot.  J. B. Gardiner, sup't.

Providence & Boston New Line.  --  See New-York & New-England R. R.

Providence & Springfield R. R. for Pascoag, R. I.  Wm. Tinkham, pres't. Leave from Gaspee-st. Depot.

Providence & Worcester R. R. for Worcester and points north and west.  W. E. Chamberlain, sup't.  Leave from east end of Union Depot.

Providence, Warren, & Bristol R. R. for Bristol, Fall River, and Newport. Waterman Stone, sup't.  Leave from India-st. Depot.

Shore Line.  --  See New-York, Providence, & Boston R. R.

Stonington & Providence R. R. --  See New-York, Providence, & Boston R. R.

Stonington Line for New York, via New-York, Providence, & Boston R. R. to Stonington Landing, then by steamer to New York.  One trip each way daily, Sundays excepted.

Stoughton Branch R. R. for Canton and Stoughton, Mass.  Connects at Canton Junction with Boston and Providence R. R. Leave from west end of Union Depot.

Warwick Railroad for Oakland Beach and Buttonwoods, R. I.  Leave via New-York, Providence, & Boston R. R., from west end of Union Depot.  J. B. Gardiner, sup't.

Wood River Branch R. R. for Hope Valley, R. I.  Connects at Wood River Junction with New York, Providence, & Boston R. R.  Leave from west end of Union Depot.  L. M. Barber, sup't.

RAILROAD DEPOTS.

Gaspee-st. Depot, at the Gaspee-st. railroad-crossing about one-fourth of a mile west of the Union Depot, Exchange Place, is the terminus of the Providence and Springfield R. R.

India-st. Depot, near Fox Point, is the terminus of the Providence, Warren, & Bristol R. R.  It is reached by horse-cars marked 'Bristol & Fall River Railroad', which leave Exchange Place 20 minutes before the departure of a train.

Union Depot, popularly known as 'The Depot', is on Exchange Place in the heart of the city.  All horse-cars pass by or very close to it.  It is practically a double depot, the two parts being designated as the 'east end' and 'west end'.  It is a brick structure 625 ft. long, in the Norman-Gothic style, erected in 1848.  In the east end are the termini of the Providence and Worcester R. R., and the  New-York and New-England R. R. (to Hartford and the Hudson River); the Boston & Providence R. R., and the Old Colony R. R. (to New Bedford and Fitchburg).

RAILROAD TIME-TABLE and Handy Reference Book, a monthly publication of 144 pp., issued by J. A. and R. A. Reid, which contains complete time-tables of all railroads running to or from Providence; tables of all railroads in Boston and Worcester; the time of all steamers, both freight and passenger; stages, omnibuses, expresses, both local and general, to and from Providence and all points in Rhode Island; horse-car tables, fire-alarm lists, hack and express rates for Rhode Island, etc.

p. 88 - 92.

RAWSON FOUNTAIN SOCIETY was org'd 1772, to supply the town with pure water from a spring near Dean St., still in existence.  Since the introduction of Pawtuxet water, but few families are supplied from this source.

READING-ROOMS.  --  Of reading-rooms open to the public, those of the Providence Public Library, the Union for Christian Work, and the Young Men's Christian Association, are the most important.  The last two are supplied with the daily papers, while that of the Providence Public Library is only for magazines and weekly papers.  The Public Library reading-room is spacious, attractive, and exceptionally well-lighted room, and a most attractive place in which to spend an hour.   That of the Young Men's Christian Association is open daily, Sundays excepted, from 9 A.M. to 9.30 P.M., and has, besides the daily papers, secular and religious weeklies and popular magazines.  The various libraries (see heading  Libraries) also have reading-rooms.  At the offices of the Providence 'Journal' and 'Press', files of a score or so of papers and periodicals may readily be consulted. At the rooms of the Board of Trade an extensive list of papers from all parts of the country is received for the benefit of those who enjoy the priviledges of that institution.  The Prov. Medical Ass'n rooms (open at all hours) contain 120 medical publications.

RED BRIDGE.  --  See Central Bridge.

REFINING OF GOLD AND SILVER.  --  See Carpenter's Gold and Silver Refinery.

REFORM-CLUB.  --  See Temperance Organizations.

REGISTRY TAX.  --  See Suffrage.

REPRESENTATIVES OF PROVIDENCE for 1882.
United States Senate.  --  Henry B. Anthony of Providence, Nelson W. Aldrich of Providence.
United States House of Representatives.  -- (First District).  Henry J. Spooner of Providence.
Governor of Rhode Island.  --  Alfred H. Littlefield of Lincoln.
Rhode Island Senate.  --  John F. Tobey.  [Died Oct. 5, 1882.]
Rhode Island House of Representatives.  --  Stillman White, Elisha Dyer, jun., John Carter Brown Woods, Fitz-James Rice, Gilbert F. Robbins, Israel B. Mason, Royal C. Taft, Daniel R. Ballou, Amos M. Bowen, Joseph F. Brown, Charles Edward Paine, James H. Tower.

REPUBLICAN CITY COMMITTEE, having charge of the local affairs of the Republican party, is composed of five members from each of the ten wards. The headquarters are at Central Police Station on Canal St.  The chairman is Hon. Henry J. Spooner.

RHODE ISLAND, one of the 13 original States of the Union.  Although the smallest in area, it is nevertheless one of the wealthiest in the Union. Its area is 1,306 sq. miles, nearly one-fifth of which is water surface.  It lies bet. the parallels of latitude 41* and 42* N, and bet. the meridians of longitude 71*8' and 71*53' W. from Greenwich.  Although it has an ocean frontage of but 45 miles, about 350 miles of its territory are washed by tide-water.  The State, having an extreme length of nearly 50 miles, and an average breadth of 35 miles, is divided into two unequal divisions by Narragansett Bay.  The soil, though somewhat rocky, is moderately fertile. A fine quality of granite is quarried in Westerly.  Cumberland, Lincoln, and Johnston furnish an excellent limestone; and an extremely hard anthracite coal is mined to some extent in Portsmouth.  There are also beds of iron-ore, and stone quarries, in the northern part of the State.  Extensive manufactures are carried on in Providence and the neighboring towns.  In the central and southern portion of the State, the farming and fishing industries are the most important.  The first settlements in Rhode Island was at Providence, followed by Portsmouth and Newport.  The colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations dates from the year 1647, when the four towns of Providence, Newport, Portsmouth and Warwick were united under a patent or charter granted by Parliament in 1643, at the solicitation of Roger Williams.  In the year 1651 Providence and Warwick separated from the other two towns, but in 1654 re-united.  In 1663 a charter of unusual liberality was granted by Charles II, which remained in force until the adoption of the State Constitution in 1842.  Rhode Island bore a conspicuous part in the Revolution, furnishing to the Continental forces, among other distinguished patriots, the first native commander, Esek Hopkins, and one of the most illustrious generals, Nathaniel Greene.  In 1842 occurred the 'Dorr Rebellion', an effort of a strong party, headed by Thomas Wilson Dorr, to obtain, by irregular methods, a new State Constitution.  This produced a conflict bet. the adherents of the legal State government and the 'Dorrites', which terminated fortunately without serious bloodshed.  Though the leader was afterwards imprisoned, this movement resulted in the framing of a new Constitution, which went into effect in May, 1843.  During the Civil War, out of a population of but 175,000, Rhode Island sent nearly 25,000 men to the support of the Union cause.  These included the Governor of the State, William Sprague, and the late Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside.  The State is divided into five counties, -  Providence, Newport, Washington, Kent, and Bristol, named in order according to population.  Providence and Newport are the State capitals, and the most importants cities:  Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Lincoln, and Warwick, the most populous towns.  The population of the State by the census of 1880 is 276,531.  The name of 'Rhode Island', applied first to the island of the same name, - also called Aquidnick, - is said to have been given by Adrian Block, a Dutch trader (from whom Block Island, near the mouth of Narragansett Bay, derives its name), who called it 'Roodt Eylandt' (Red Island), from the reddish color of the soil; or, as some authorities state, 'from its marshy estuaries, red with cranberries'.

RHODE ISLAND BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION was incorporated by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1826, for missionary and educational purposes.  Its membership is composed of delegates from the various Baptist churches and auxilary societies.  Annual meetings are held.  The convention collects and disburses money for missionary purposes, and supports a missionary and colporter.

RHODE ISLAND CATHOLIC BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION is a branch of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union of America, meets at 98 Weybosset St. semi-monthly.  Members are entitled to a weekly sick-benefit of $5.00, and on the death of a member the burial expenses are paid.  Pre's, Thomas Cullen; sec'y, John Wins.

RHODE ISLAND CLUB, org'd in 1875, is a social club composed of about 65 members, including many leading professional and business men of this city. The club-house, well arranged and handsomely furnished, is at 171 Broad St. Entrance fee, $100; annual assessment, $50.  Pres't, Hon. Henry B. Anthony, U. S. Senator from R. I.; Sec'y, Morris Ulmann.  Admission procured through members.

RHODE ISLAND EXCHANGE FOR WOMAN'S WORK headquarters at 75 Westminster St., provided a salesroom for various kinds of women's handiwork, the objects contributed varying from jellies and cakes to Kensington embroideries and painted plaques.  Each article is subject to the approval of managers who require a certain quality of work for acceptance.  The exchange is supported by annual subscription of patrons or consignors, and a commission of 10 per cent charged on sales.

RHODE ISLAND HARVARD CLUB was org'd in 1882, to bring into closer social relations the graduates of the various academic and professional departments of Harvard University.  The annual meeting and dinner is held at Newport in September, and the semi-annual meeting at Providence in February.  Fifty graduates of Harvard reside in Providence and vicinity.  The sec'y of the club is John H. Storer of Newport.

p. 92 - 95.

RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY held its first meeting June 29, 1822, in the old Manufacturers' Hotel. Twenty-two years later the plain stone edifice which it now occupies was erected on Waterman St., near Prospect, next to the present Brown University Library building; the lawns of the two estates being pleasantly continuous, without a barrier.  The greater part of the 9,000 volumes and 20,000 pamphlets here collected relates directly to the history of Rhode Island.  The society is also rich in ancient documents, collections of MSS., etc., some of which have been printed in its published volumes of 'Collections' and 'Proceedings', and others of which will doubtless be published at no distant day.  Many miscellaneous articles of historical interest are also gathered by the society.  An important service has been done for the public by the series of lectures on topics of specific historic interest, which have been delivered before the society during the past few winters.  Visitors admitted from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. and from 2.30 to 5 P.M.  Prof. Wm. Gammell, pres't; and Amos Perry, sec'y and librarian.

RHODE ISLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY was an offshoot of the Franklin Society, org'd in Oct., 1845.  At its first exhibition, in that year, most of its contributors were from Massachusetts.  It has held fairs in June and Oct., with few exceptions.  The June fair, omitted for a time, has recently been restored.  Monthly meetings are also held at the Lyceum Building, 62 Westminster St., for the purpose of testing and discussing specimens of fruit and flowers.

RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL, completed in 1868 at a cost of about $500,000, from plans by A. C. Morse, occupies ample grounds on Eddy St., bet. Lockwood and Dudley Sts.  It is a private charity, owing its origin to a generous gift of $75,000 from members of a single family ($40,000 being from the trustees of Moses B. Ives, $25,000 from Robert H. Ives, and $10,000 from their sister Mrs. Charlotte R. Goddard), to which sum liberal additions have been made by the people of the city and State.

The hospital structure consists of a central building connected by corridors with two large wings, each of which is ornamented by a tower.  The wings contain the hospital wards and private rooms for pay-patients; the central building, the sup't's rooms; the operating and instrument rooms, museum of anatomy, library, chapel, and other departments.  The staff of the institution is composed of 19 physicians, assisted by a consulting staff of 12 physicians.  There are also one medical and one surgical interne, and two externes, one medical and one surgical; all of whom are regular physicians. 552 patients were admitted in the year ending Sept. 30, 1881; 136 of whom were pay-patients.  There are 43 endowments for permanent free beds.  Over 4,500  out-patients were treated in 1881.  A 'children's ward' was opened Feb. 15, 1882.  Children between the ages of 2 and 10 years, if not afflicted with incurable disease, are here received.  A training-school for nurses was established in 1882.  The hospital is supported by the income of a fund of about $360,000 (over one-third of which is invested in stock of the R. I. Hospital Trust Co.), and by annual collections made in the city churches.  Guarantors of deficiency supply any deficiency in the income. The pres't of the hospital is Prof. George I. Chace; the sup't and admitting physician, Charles E. Woodbury, M. D.   Visitors admitted bet. 1 and 2 P.M., and at other times on order from one of the officers.

RHODE ISLAND LOCOMOTIVE WORKS is the largest establishment of its kind in New England, and the third largest in America.  It is one of the greatest of the many manufactories in Providence, and second to none in importance.  The group of buildings and the grounds used and owned by this company were formerly the property of the Burnside Rifle Co., of which the Locomotive Works is a certain sense the successor.  The Rifle Co. was practically founded, and for a time conducted, by Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, whose name it bore.  During the war about 600,000 rifles were made here; but at the close of the war, the demand for rifles having ceased, and the company seeking other uses for its capital and plant, was re-incorp'd for the manufacture of locomotives.  The new company was was org'd in 1866, with a capital of $500,000; the stockholders being chiefly the old stockholders of the Rifle Co., and most prominent among them being Earl P. Mason (an original stockholder and the pres't and treas. of the Rifle Co.) and Wm. S. Slater.  Mr. Slater became the first pres't of the Co., and held the position until his death in 1882, and the vacancy has not yet been filled; and Mr. Mason became the first treas., and continued until his death in 1876.  The directors are John W. Slater, Chas. F. Mason (vice-pres't of the Co.), Earl P. Mason, and Arthur Young.  John W. Slater is the only son of the late pres't, and the Messrs. Mason are the sons of the late treas.  The works are under the immediate supervision of the agt. and supt., J. Aug. Durgin, who was formerly connected with the Mason Locomotive Works of Taunton, Mass., and more recently with the Pittsburg Locomotive Works of Pittsburg, Penn.   Francis L. Bullard (formerly of the Hinkley Locomotive Works of Boston) is treas. and sec'y.  The buildings are an attractive group, chiefly of brick, in the vicinity of Hemlock and Valley Sts.  The buildings and yards cover an area of eight acres owned by the company.  The earliest were built in 1861, but additions have been made from time to time as necessity demanded.  The equipment is most complete, and provides ample facilities for making 250 locomotives a year.  Employment is given to 1,100 skilled men; the pay-roll amounting to about $600,000 a year.  The locomotives made here are of all sizes, and for the various kinds of railroads; broad-gauge, narrow-gauge, elevated, etc.  It is not possible to enumerate the railroads using the Rhode Island locomotives; but they include almost all of the elevated railroads in New York, the Boston & Providence, the Canadian Pacific, the St. Paul, Minneapolis, & Manitoba, the St. Paul, Minneapolis, & Omaha, and the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul;  the last-named alone using about 140 of these locomotives.  The establishment has been an uninterrupted success from the start, and to-day it is taxed to its utmost capacity to fill the orders from all parts of the world.

RHODE ISLAND LOTTERIES.  --  The newspapers about 75 years ago were 'full of lottery advertisements, and every year several charters for lotteries were granted by the Rhode Island General Assembly.  No one's moral sense was shocked by them.'

RHODE ISLAND MILITIA.  --  Adjutant General's office, North Main St.  The State militia is a brigade of about 1,400 men, 151 being commissioned officers.  Four battalions of infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery of artillery, constitute the force, which is a consolidation of one brigade of militia, composed of various local military organizations, under a State law enacted in 1879.  The State furnishes arms and equipments, a neat uniform of blue for each soldier, beside a small remuneration.  One of the duties annually performed by the brigade is a camp service of five consecutive days in July, Aug., or Sept.  Oakland Beach, a shore resort about 10 miles from the city, has been the ground for several years.  The Providence organizations, represented in the various battalions, are: --

First Battalion of infantry, companies A, B, C, and D.  First Light Infantry Regiment, chartered 1818, about 200 officers and men.

Second Battalion of infantry, Co. E, Slocum Light Guards, org'd 1842; about 50 officers and men.

Fourth Battalion of infantry, companies A and B, Burnside Guards (colored), org'd 1867; 115 officers and men.

Fifth Battalion of infantry, Rhode Island Guards Regiment, org'd 1865 (chiefly Irish-American), companies A, B, and D, Providence, company C, Central Falls, about 210 officers and men.

First Battalion of cavalry, companies A and B, Providence Horse Guards, chartered 1842; about 50 men.

First Battalion of light artillery, battery A, Providence Marine Corps of Artillery, chartered 1801, about 60 officers and men.  The United Train of Artillery is an independent company, has 120 officers and men.  The adj't gen'l is Elisha Dyer, jun.; and the ass't adj't gen'l is Col. Hunter C. White.

RHODE ISLAND PEACE SOCIETY.  --  See Peace Society.

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, cor. Fountain and Beverly Sts., is a State institution, supervised by the State Board of Education.  It is 'for the benefit of children incapacitated through deafness or deaf-mutism, total or partial, from receiving instruction in common schools'.  Since it was opened, April 2, 1877, over 40 pupils have been instructed here, the number at present being 26.  The method of teaching is founded largely on the German system of education for deaf-mutes.  Miss Katharine H. Austin, principal.

p. 95 - 97.

RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF DOMESTIC INDUSTRY, 128 North Main St., was org'd in 1820, to promote industry within the State, as necessary to its best interests.  Its annual meetings were held for nearly 30 years at Pawtuxet; now the yearly meeings of this society take place on the third Wednesday in January, in Providence.  The fairs of the society are held at Narragansett Park in September, and the week following the New-England Fair.  The society owns a museum and library.  It has about 1,500 members.

RHODE ISLAND TEMPERANCE UNION was org'd in Oct., 1868, to promote 'total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage; the suppression of their manufacture and the traffic therein; and the alleviation of the sufferings of those who are under the curse of intemperance'.  It has kept one or more agents at work for over fourteen years.  It labors in public and sabbath at schools, on the platform and in the pulpit, to create and emphasize a correct public sentiment.  In 1881 it declared in favor of a prohibitory constitutional amendment.  The office is at Westminster St. Rev. H. W. Conant, sec'y.

RHODE ISLAND UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION is the name under which the Equitable and Merchants Insurance Cos. of this city issue a joint policy through their agents in the Western States.  The business of the ass'n is transacted in Chicago through the general agents, Buckman & Tillinghast.

RICHMOND PARK is the name designating an enclosure on Butler Av., bet. Waterman and Pitman Sts., the free use of which, though private property, is given to the public by its owner, Walter Richmond.  It is a wooded slope overlooking the Seekonk River, somewhat improved, and provided with seats.

RICHMOND-ST. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, The Old, or 'Tin Top' church as it was called, probably from the tin roof of its belfry, cor. of Richmond and Pine Sts., was begun in 1795, but not completed until 1807.  On the erection of a finer structure opposite, this building was abandoned by the Richmond-st. society, and for several years was a temporary home for various new societies until their churches should be built.  It has since been used as a brewery, and now shelters within its walls a junk-shop and dining-saloon. The style of the building is that of the ordinary church of its period, plain and rectangular, with sloping roof, and belfry in front.

RIVERSIDE CEMETERY.  --  See Cemeteries.

ROGER WILLIAMS, the founder of Providence, built his house on the east side of the river, a little north of what is now the cor. of North Main and Howland Sts.  In the Recorder's office, in the City Hall, may be seen the original deeds from the Indians, conveying to him the whole tract of the land of the Providence Plantations, and also the original deed by Roger Williams, conveying the same to his loving friends and associates.

ROGER WILLIAMS MONUMENT (dedicated Oct. 16, 1877), is in Roger Williams Park, on a plateau in front of the old Williams House.  A flight of steps leads to a pedestal crowned by a statue of Roger Williams.  Below, History inscribes his name and '1636'.  The monument is granite, the figures are bronze.  Total height, 27 1/2 ft.  Cost, $18,500.  Sculptor, Franklin Simmons.

ROGER WILLIAMS MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, incorp'd in 1860, was formed at the suggestion of Stephen Randall, a lineal descendant of Roger Williams, and the discoverer of his place of sepulture.  The ass'n proposes, as soon as sufficient funds shall have been raised, to erect a monument to the founder of Rhode Island at some suitable spot on Prospect Hill, bet. Angell and Halsey Sts.  It is to be of granite, 170 ft. in height.  Sec'y, Amos Perry.

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK is a tract of land comprising about 103 acres, situated bet. Elmwood Av. and Broad St., near the Cranston line.  It was the farm of the late Miss Betsey Williams, a lineal descendant of Roger Williams, who, at her death in 1871, bequeathed it to the city for a public park, on condition that a memorial to her celebrated ancestor should be erected within it, at a cost of not less than $500.  A fine monument, costing much more than the sum specified, stands near the Elmwood-ave. entrance; and a granite memorial has also been placed in the ancient Williams burial-ground, on the western margin of the park.  Though new and but partially improved, the Park is still an attractive place for visitors.  Its 'Crystal Lake', an artificial pond, covered in summer with row-boats, is visited in winter by crowds of merry skaters and spectators.  There are croquet-grounds, patent swings, pleasant summer-houses for picnic-parties, and a small, interesting collection of animals and birds.  The gambrel-roofed cottage of Betsey Williams, carefully preserved, is still standing on the grounds, and near it the ancient well-sweep.  What Cheer Cottage, a picturesque building erected by the Union Horse Railroad Co. in 1878, is a place for resting and refreshments.  Private parties are frequently given in its upper rooms.  The Union Horse Railroad Co. has also erected a tasteful pavilion at the Park terminus of the Elmwood route.  The Park is reached by 4 lines of cars: viz., the Elmwood, - most direct, - and the 3 South-Providence routes.

ROGER WILLIAMS SPRING, near which tradition says he landed, is hidden from view in the basement of the house on the N. W. cor. of No. Main St. and Allen's Lane.

ROLLER-SKATING RINKS.  --  There are two of these in the city, the 'Providence' and the 'Infantry Hall'.  An opportunity to indulge in roller-skating is also afforded at Work's Gymnasium.  See separate topics, on the above.

ROUND-TOP CHURCH, the popular name given to the Beneficent Congregational Church.  Described in its alphabetical place.

ROYAL ARCANUM, THE, is a secret beneficiary org., similar in character to the Knights of Honor.  There are two councils in Providence.  Total membership, 116.

p. 97 - 99.

RUMFORD CHEMICAL WORKS is certainly one of the most prominent and apparently one of the most prosperous manufacturing establishments in Providence.  Its history and success are noteworthy.  In 1854 George F. Wilson and Eben N. Horsford, under the firm name of Geo. F. Wilson & Co., built a chemical laboratory at Rumford, a busy New England village, near Providence.  The chemical works, and also the village, were named in honor of Count Rumford, who had founded at Harvard University a professorship on the application of science to the useful arts.  In 1858 the establishment was incorporated as the Rumford Chemical Works; and since then it has become known throughout this country as the manufacturer of superior general chemicals, besides several specialties of paramount value.  The company's tract of land comprises about two square miles, situated about three miles from the city.  Through it pass the Boston & Providence, and the Eastern Branch of the Providence & Worcester Railroads, and also the Ten-Mile and Seekonk rivers.  The buildings cover an area of nearly eight acres.  The main offices, packing and printing rooms, occupy two large, fine brick buildings, Nos. 57, 58, 59, and 60, South Water St., in Providence.  The specialties of the Rumford Works are as follows: --

Horsford''s Cream of Tartar Substitute.
Horsford's Bread Preparation.
Horsford's Phosphatic Baking Powder.
Rumford Yeast Powder.
Horsford's Acid Phosphate.
Horsford's Anti-Chlorine.
Horsford's Sulphite for Preserving Cider.

Nearly all of these preparations are favorably known to the whole of the American people; and perhaps justly so, for they were chiefly the results of many years' study by Professor Horsford, who has always been regarded as an eminent chemist.  His title of professor is not one assumed for commercial purposes, but was conferred in 1847 by Harvard University, where he held the Rumford Professorship for 16 years; and when he retired in 1863 his successor was the Dr. Wolcott Gibbs who still holds the position.  In 1843 Professor Horsford received the degree of Master of Arts from Union College, and in 1847 Harvard University conferred the same degree.  Although his home is in Cambridge, Mass., he is frequently to be seen in Providence, actively attending to his duties as president and director of the corporation.  The treasurer and business manager is Newton D. Arnold.  The extensive operations of the company are facilitated by a corps of general agents in various cities, as follows: --
W. G. Shillaber, Boston.
H. M. Anthony, New York.
M. Clark, Philadelphia.
W. H. Crawford & Co., Baltimore.
Spotts & Gibson, Richmond.
Rumford Chemical Works Branch, St. Louis.
Rumford Chemical Works Branch, Chicago.

It is difficult to give figures which would convey a idea of the magnitude or the progress of the company.  But the sales of Acid Phosphate alone, which was first offered to the public in 1877, amounted in 1881 to thirty times as much as they did four years previously.

ST. ALOYSIUS ORPHAN ASYLUM (Roman Catholic), on Prairie Av., South Providence, is a fine brick building, erected in 1858, for orphans of both sexes.  The institution is under the charge of the Sisters of Mercy, and is maintained by voluntary offerings from the various Catholic churches in the Diocese of Providence.  An average of about 220 orphans is annually provided for.  Visitors admitted Thursdays, from 2 to 4 P.M.  Prairie Av. H. C.

ST. ELIZABETH'S HOME, Atlantic, cor. Melrose St., established in April, 1882, provides a home for women incurably sick, or convalescent.  Its aim is to meet the wants of a class for whom the hospitals do not provide, and who are unable to pay for necessary care and medical attendance.  Though its object is charitable, those that can are expected to pay.  The Home has been established under the auspices of Grace Church Society, but the expense of its maintenance is to be shared by other Episcopal churches in the diocese.

ST. FRANCIS CEMETERY.  --  See Cemeteries.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER ACADEMY FOR YOUNG LADIES, Claverick St., near Broad, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, is the oldest Catholic School of the kind in the State.  It was established in 1851, as a private school, in the stone building, cor. of Claverick and Broad Sts.  A part of the present fine school edifice was erected in 1854, but the building as it now stands was not finished until 1865.  This institution was a day and boarding school until 1873, when the boarding-school was removed to St. Mary's Seminary, Bay View, East Providence.  The reason for this removal was the increasing number of pupils.  At present only a day-school is maintained, with an average attendance of about 125.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, the oldest Episcopal church in Providence, stands on North Main St., cor. of Church, the site of the previous edifice erected in 1722.  The latter, in the steeple of which was hung the first church-bell in Providence, was first named King's Church, in honor of George I., but in 1794, for patriotic reasons, was changed to St. John's.  A chapel adjoins the church.  On the west side is a burial-ground, interesting for its antiquity.  The organ is the Hook & Hastings pattern, made about 1837.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH BURIAL-GROUND.  --  See Cemeteries.

ST. JOHN'S TOTAL ABSTINENCE BENEFICIAL SOCIETY meets semi-monthly at St. John's Church.  Is a branch of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union of America.  Members are entitled to a weekly sick benefit of $4.00, and on the death of a member the burial expenses are paid.  Pres't, Thomas Cullen; sec'y, George F. Cottrell.

ST. MARY'S BENEVOLENT SOCIETY meets semi-monthly in St. Mary's Church, Broadway.  Is a branch of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union of America. Members are entitled to weekly sick benefits, and the society also pay the expenses of burial.  Pres't, John Hanley; sec'y, John Walsh.

ST. MARY'S SEMINARY, Bay View, East Providence, about 2 1/2 miles form the city, on the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay, was opened as a boarding-school for young ladies, in 1873, by the Sisters of Mercy from Claverick St.  Average number of pupils about 60.

ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, George St., near Brown, is a fine specimen of Gothic architecture, with rough gray stone walls, largely covered with English ivy. Important features of the interior are its stone pillars, fine stained-glass windows, and a handsome brass tablet memorial of the late Henry Waterman, D. D., a former rector.  The church was consecrated in 1862, having removed in that year from what is now the Church of the Saviour.  The organ was made by Hook & Hastings in 1856.

SACRED HEART, THE FEMALE ACADEMY OF THE, Smith St., opp. Elmhurst Av., incorp. 1873, is a large boarding-school conducted by ladies of the Roman-Catholic Order of the Sacred Heart.  It is situated in the midst of a beautiful undulating tract of land, about 28 acres in extent, and was formerly the residence of Dr. Wm. Grosvenor, who gave to the estate the name 'Elmhurst', which is still retained.  A free school connected with this institution was opened in October, 1881.

SAFE-DEPOSIT CO.  --  R. I. Safe-Deposit Co., 47 Westminster, and 2 Exchange St.

SANATORY GYMNASIUM.  --  See Ladies' Sanatory Gymnasium.

Continued
These documents are made available free to the public for non-commercial purposes by the Rhode Island USGenWeb Project. Transcribed by Beth Hurd, 2001 .
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