
SANS-SOUCI GARDEN, Broadway, opp. Jackson St., is a popular place of resort during the summer. The garden, though small, is well arranged, and contains a theatre, just rebuilt (seating 1,200), in which comic operas and light comedies are given. There is a shooting-gallery, with other attractions. Flowers, fountains, rustic-work, and colored lights adorn the spot, and make it an inviting place on a summer's evening. Broadway or Mount Pleasant H. C.
SAVING-FUND AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, THE ROGER WILLIAMS, org. in 1880, is the first association started here under the system as established in Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and other cities, by societies generally called Building Associations. It has an authorized capital (to be accumulated) of $500,000, divided into 2,500 equal shares, which are issued in series, and sold in any number not exceeding twenty-five, to be paid for in monthly installments of $1 each, until the payments with earnings from interest amount to $200 per share. Then the shares being fully paid up, the money is to be withdrawn. The total accumulations from dues, interest, premiums, and fines, are loaned only to members, at six per cent interest; the security being either first mortgage or the shares themselves, - provided that the sum desired is not more than is limited by the by-laws. The loans are made at auction to shareholders offering the highest premium. No person can bid on more than $2,000. This association enables persons of small incomes to build homes, and also to derive profits from their 'deposits'. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month, at Lyceum Hall, 62 Westminster St. Cyrus C. Armstrong, sec'y.
SCHOOLS. -- In Providence, at the head of educational institutions, is Brown University. There are also three commercial colleges, - Scholfield's, Perry's, and Bryant & Stratton's; several English and classical schools, including Mowry & Goff's (noticed elsewhere), J. P. C. Shaw's, and the University Grammar School; Miss J. L. Abbott's school for girls, and Mrs. Fielden and Miss Chace's school for girls, and Mrs. C. M. N. Alden's kindergarten for boys and girls; and a variety of other private and semi-public schools, such as the Rhode Island School of Design, State Normal School, Rhode Island School for the Deaf, Mt. Pleasant Academy, Berlitz School of Languages, Providence Conservatory of Music, School of Elocution, La Salle Academy, St. Francis Xavier Academy, Sacred Heart Seminary, Society of Friends School, and several Roman-Catholic parochial schools. In addition to these are public-school system, regarding which some statistics are given below.
SCHOOLS (Public). -- A free public school system was inaugurated in 1800, when 4 schools-houses were opened, and attended by nearly 1,000 pupils. In 1882 there are 85 schools, with about 13,000 pupils. The city is divided into 7 school-districts, and the scholars are distributed among the various grades nearly as follows: in 11 grammar schools, 3,700; in 35 intermediate schools, 3,300; and in 38 primary schools, 5,600 pupils. Nine evening schools are maintained during the winter, with an attendence of about 2,000 scholars. The upper grade schools have separate buildings; but the primary and intermediate grades occupy, as a rule, the same building, making the number of structures in actual use 49, beside which are two or three old buildings now disused. A new edifice is now in process of completion.
The school-buildings are generally well adapted to their purposes, and some are elegant and costly. The High School and the Point-st. Grammar School are magnificent specimens of their class; and the Doyle-av., Federal-st., and Thayer-st. Grammar Schools, and a few others, are also fine architectural structures. There are 283 teachers, whose salaries range from $350 to $2,100. The average public-school course is 12 years. The management of the public schools is in the hands of a school-committee, composed of 6 members from each ward, two of whom are chosen annually by the electors of their respective wards for a term of three years. The general oversight and direction of teachers and pupils is intrusted to the sup't of public schools, and the care of the buildings to the sup't of public buildings. The total expenditure for the year ending Sept. 30, 1881, was $198,507.14 for general expenses and salaries; and $25,833.30 for schoolhouses and lands. Daniel Leach has been the sup't of public schools ever since Feb., 1855.
SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY, The Providence, was formed in 1841, to furnish religious instruction to seamen. It supports and controls the management of the Seamen's Bethel, distributes religious papers aboard vessels, and by other means accomplishes its purpose.
SEEKONK (misspelled 'Seekhouk') RIVER rises near Worcester, Mass., and enters Providence Harbor at India Point. It is known at Pawtucket as the Pawtucket River, and above the Pawtucket as the Blackstone. Where it washes the city shores, it is broad and beautiful. In the city limits it is crossed by three bridges, - Central, Washington, and the Providence, Warren, and Bristol R. R. bridge, - and is navigable to Pawtucket, 4 miles. The Brown University boat-house is on the river, near Central Bridge.
SEEKHOUK, the spelling given the name Seekonk River, by John Howard Hinton in his History of the United States. See Seekonk River.
SEPTEMBER GALE. -- In 1815 occurred one of the most important events in the history of the State, - the 'Great September Gale', a terrible storm, commencing Sept. 22, and reaching the height of its fury on the 23d. Previous to the gale, the atmosphere became very hot, and the clouds settled remarkably low. As the storm increased, the water from the harbor was driven in, and rose some 10 or 12 ft. above its usual height. Many of the business sts. were flooded to a considerable depth, blockading stores and houses in the vicinity. Some of the smaller sailing-craft were thrown into the Cove - then of much larger dimensions - or forced into the streets. Great damage was done both to private and public property, though in this terrible wreck but two persons were lost. Such was the fury of the storm, that salt spray was thrown inland some 40 miles.
In 1869 occurred the second 'September Gale'. Though of much shorter duration, it was thought to be as severe as its predecessor, and, had it been prolonged, would have been equally disastrous in its results. As it was, much property was destroyed, large trees were uprooted, wharves and streets flooded, cellars and stores submerged.
SETTLERS OF PROVIDENCE. -- See 'A Batch of Historical Notes', and also 'First Settlers'.
SEWERAGE. -- The present system of sewerage was devised by J. Herbert Shedd, and adopted by the city in 1872. Up to the present time about 44 1/4 miles of pipe have been laid. In the Tenth Ward and a large part of the Ninth no sewers have, as yet, been introduced. The rest of the city is divided into 12 districts, named from the streets in which the principal mains are placed. On the East Side, E. of Prospect Hill, the sewage is conducted to the Seekonk River and the harbor through the Brook-st., Ives-st., and Pitman-st. sewers; the north portion is drained by the Lippitt-st. sewer, emptying into the Moshassuck River; the sewers in North and South Main Sts. empty into the Providence River. The Charles-st. sewer conducts to the Moshassuck River; the Dorrance, Pearl, Eddy and Point sts. sewers, directly to the Providence River; and a lateral or intercepting sewer, built to relieve the pressure upon the 4 last-named, empties into the harbor. The sewers range in size from 12 to 66 in. in diameter, circular construction, and from 16 x 24 to 66 x 72 oval construction. For the fiscal year 1880-81 the total cost of sewer construction was $10,913.16; and of maintenance, $16,442.35.
p. 102 - 105.
SHELTER, THE, 20 Olive St., (East Side) receives colored children between the ages of 3 and 12 years, who are deprived by death of one or both parents, or are exposed to evil parental influence. Respectable parents living out at service may place their children in the institution as boarders. The 'Shelter' is managed by the Prov. Ass'n for the Benefit of Colored Children, formed in 1838, which in 1839 secured a small dwelling on North Main St., and in the face of violent prejudice opened a home for the care of the two children then under its charge, and such others as might come to it. In 1849 the society had won friends enough to enable it to commence the erection of the present plain but comfortable edifice, upon land previously donated by Mrs. Maria Jenkins, and thus to meet its want of increased as well as of better accommodations. Visitors admitted daily, except Sundays. Brook-st. H. C.
SHOO-FLY VILLAGE is the euphonious name applied to Eiswald St., a short street in the Eighth Ward, adjacent to the N. Y., P. and B., N. Y. and N. E., and P. and Sp. R. R. tracks which here run parallel.
SIGNAL SERVICE. -- The U. S. Governament maintains no signal-station in Providence; but, by an arrangement with the War Department, storm-signals are displayed in the daytime, when required, from the 'Journal' and 'Bulletin' flagstaff. They consist of a 'danger or storm signal', -- a red flag, white centre, - used when indications are received of an approaching storm, accompanied by a wind with a velocity exceeding 20 miles an hour; and the 'cautionary or off-shore signal', - a white flag, black centre, placed over the red flag, - used when the wind is expected to blow from the land to the ocean with a velocity which would be perilous to navigation.
SKATING-RINKS. -- See Infantry Hall Skating Rink, and Providence Roller-Skating Rink.
'SKY-HIGH' hill is a name formerly used to designate what is now Mt. Pleasant.
SLATE ROCK. -- See What Cheer Netop, and What Cheer Square.
SMALL-POX HOSPITAL. -- See Field's Point.
SMITH'S HILL is a steep elevation north of the Cove. It reaches its highest altitude, 80 feet, near the cor. of Smith and Carroll Sts. It commands a good view of the city. There are several fine estates upon this eminence.
SOCIALISTIC LABOR PARTY, Providence Section of the, was org'd Feb. 22, 1881. This party has a national org'n, and has for its objects, 'that the sources of life - viz., land, the means of production, public transportation and exchange - become the property of the whole people', and is also in favor of universal suffrage. The Providence section holds monthly meetings, and has a membership of about 60. Philip J. Murphy, organizer; Frank Fowler, sec'y.
SOCIETA DI UNIONE E BENEVOLENZA ITALIANA, DI PROVIDENCE, R.I., is composed of Italian residents of Providence. It was founded Jan. 8, 1881; incorporated by the General Assembly, March 30, 1882. Its object is to aid members in case of sickness or misfortune.
SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, RHODE ISLAND, org. in 1870, is a properous association, and, by its careful surveillance and punishment of offences, has done much to prevent ill-treatment and neglect to dumb animals. The Ladies' Auxiliary of this society, org. in 1872, aids the cause by various enterprises for raising funds; and has contributed to rouse an additional interest in the subject, by awarding prizes for best compositions on this and kindred subjects. Rev. Frederic Denison, sec'y and general agent.
SOCKANOSSET RESERVOIR, on Sockanosset Hill, in the town of Cranston, 6 miles from Providence, 1 mile from Pettaconset pumping-station, covers about 14 acres, and has a capacity of over 51,000,000 gallons. A brick conduit, passing through the embankment, connects the inlet and outlet chambers, independent of the reservoir. The building of this reservoir was begun May 3, 1870. Water was first introduced into the city Nov. 30, 1871. See Water-Works.
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RHODE ISLAND was incorp. in 1875, to collect and preserve mementos, relics, and a true history of the War of the Rebellion. All honorably discharged soldiers and sailors of the war, and their sons, are eligible to membership. Monthly meetings are held, at which original papers, relating to personal experiences during the war, are read by members, and a copy of each, after publication by the society, placed in the archives. A cabinet of trophies and other articles connected with the history of the war is owned by the society, and a library has been begun. Wm. F. Hutchinson, M. D., sec'y.
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT, Exchange Place, erected by the State to the memory of the officers and men who fell in the War of the Rebellion. A statue of America (America militant), 10 feet high, stands upon a pedestal 32 feet above the ground. The figure rests upon a sword, and with the right hand extends a wreath of laurels. In the left she holds a wreath of immortelles. Below, upon projecting abutments at each corner, stand statues representing the infantry, cavalry, artillery, and naval service. On the panels of the abutments is the 'roll of honor', and between the projections are bas-reliefs typifying War, Victory, Peace, and History. The platform of the base is reached by a flight of five steps, broken at each corner by pedestals bearing mortars and mortar-balls. The statues, tablets, etc., are of bronze. The monument is of granite, and stands in a small grass-plat enclosed by a handsome fence of granite and iron. Dedicated Sept. 16, 1871. Cost, $60,000. Sculptor, Randolph Rogers, who had the designs cast in Munich.
SONS OF JONADAB is a national secret temp. org., with two 'Councils' in Providence, - the Washington No. 2, and the South Providence, No. 3. The members take an 'iron-clad' oath for life not to use any liquors whatever. A member once breaking his oath is expelled without recourse. It is a flourishing org. in the Southern States.
SOPHIA-LITTLE TEMPORARY HOME, Broad near Eddy St., provides a temporary home for women discharged from the penal institutions of the State. It receives women who show a desire for reformation, and affords a shelter from all vicious influences until an opportunity is presented for starting afresh upon a better path of life. The work of the house is done by the inmates, who also maintain a laundry. The temporary character of the Home renders it dependent almost wholly upon donations for support. It was opened May 6, 1881, occupies a brick building formerly a hotel, and is managed by The Prisoners's Aid Ass'n (which see). The Home is the result of the untiring efforts of Mrs. Sophia Little, in whose honor it has been named.
SOUTH MAIN STREET. -- See Main Street.
SOUTH PROVIDENCE designates that portion of the Ninth Ward lying bet. Broad St. and the harbor. Formerly in the town of Cranston, it was annexed to the city, together with Elmwood, in 1868. It is chiefly a place of residence. Field's Point is in the extreme south-eastern part of the district.
SQUANTUM CLUB, incorporated March 13, 1872, composed of Rhode Island gentlemen, is an ass'n for culture and recreation. Its capital stock is not to exceed $15,000, to be divided into shares of $100 each. It owns a club-house and other buildings at Squantum, a rocky promontory almost opposite Field's Point, about ten miles below the city, on the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay. The buildings are gayly painted, and with the ruggedness of the natural surroundings present a very picturesque appearance to the traveller on the bay. The club originated with a number of Rhode Islanders, who were wont to enjoy an old-fashioned clam-bake among the rocks at Squantum. And now during the season clam-bakes are indulged in about once a week; and on Saturdays in the middle of the months, ladies are invited. Only stockholders are entitled to the privileges of the club. Invited guests are paid for by those who invite them. Many distinguished people have been the guests of the club; among them was President Arthur in his visit to the city in Oct. 1882. Shubael H. Cady is pres't, and F. M. Burroughs is sec'y.
SQUAW HOLLOW is the name given to a district bet. Orms and Martin Sts. and adjacent to Bull-dog Hill. It was formerly inhabited almost wholly by negroes and a low class of white people. The introduction of a horse-car route in this section of the city, and the building of a better class of dwellings in the vicinity, are fast changing the character of the locality.
STAGES. -- See Omnibuses and Stages.
p. 105 - 107.
STAMPERS HILL is a bluff W. of Stampers St., and derives its name, according to tradition, from an event which occurred soon after the settlement of Providence. A body of Indians were seen approaching the town with evidently hostile intentions. Some of the townspeople, by running and stamping on this hill, produced the impression that a large force was stationed there, whereupon the enemy retired without making an attack. Previous to the burning of the town by the Indians in 1676, this hill was fortified.
STATE FARM, THE, in the town of Cranston, 6 miles from Providence, 421 acres in extent, was purchased in 1869. The buildings upon it comprise a State house of correction, State work-house, State asylum for the incurable insane, and a State almshouse. These are ornamental structures of stone, supplied with water and gas, and well adapted to their respective requirements. Reached by the Pawtuxet Valley branch of the N. Y., Prov., & Boston R. R.
STATE HOUSE, on the site of the Old Colony House (burnt in 1758), occupies an entire sq. bet. Benefit and North Main Sts. It was built in 1762, and is a plain two-story building of painted brick with stone facings, surmounted by a belfry. It was used as both Court and State House until 1877, when the Courts were removed to the new house on College St. In 1881 the interior was remodelled and handsomely fitted up. The first floor contains the Hall of Representatives; the second, the Senate Chamber, office of the sec'y of state, State library, and governor's room. Among interesting relics of the past, may be seen here a collection of battle-flags, 24 State flags, 35 guidons, and 2 Revolutionary standards, representing all the military organizations of the State, excepting the Ninth and Tenth Infantry regiments. Portraits in oil of ex-governors and other notables adorn the rooms. In the Sec'y of State's room is a portrait of Washington by Gilbert Stuart; here also may be seen the 'Gaspee' commission, the State Charter of 1663, - in force until 1842, - and the deed of the State House lot.
STATE INSTITUTIONS, THE, at Cranston, 6 miles from Providence, comprise the State Farm and buildings thereon; State Prison and Providence-County Jail; and the State Reform Schools.
STATE LEGISLATURE. -- See General Assembly and also State Officers.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, THE, was opened Sept. 6, 1871, at 265 High St., near Dean. On the removal of the High School in 1878 to its present building, the Normal School took possession of the old High School building on Benefit St., bet. Angell and Waterman Sts. It is a training school for teachers, and requires examinations from all candidates for admission, excepting High School graduates. J. C. Greenough, A.M., is the principal.
STATE OFFICERS, 1882 - 83. --
Governor and ex-officio President of the Senate. -- Alfred
H. Littlefield of Lincoln.
Lieutenant-Governor. -- Henry H. Fay of Newport.
Secretary of State. -- Joshua M. Addeman of Providence.
Office at State House.
Attorney-General. -- Samuel P. Colt of Bristol. Office,
Providence-County Court House.
General Treasurer. -- Samuel Clark of Lincoln. Office,
104 North Main St.
Auditor. -- Sam'l H. Cross of Westerly. Office, 104
North Main St.
STATE PRISON. -- See Prison.
STATE REFORM SCHOOL, THE, Tockwotton St., cor. East, as the name implies, is a school of reformation, where minors sentenced by the courts, together with those intrusted to it by parents or guardians, are instructed in virtue and morality, the common branches of learning, and some useful kind of labor. There are two buildings: the main building of brick, painted white, with a fine portico on two sides in the Doric style, and containing the dormitories, chapel, library, dining-room, etc.; and a brick structure in the rear, used as a workshop. The buildings (with the exception of the workshop) were formerly the Tockwotton Hotel. The property was purchased by the city in 1850, and held by it until July 1, 1880, when it was transferred to the State. The inmates average 190 (170 boys and 20 girls), and the system of management is known as the 'congregate'. Visitors admitted from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Governor-st. H. C. In the winter of 1882, the Reform School will be removed to a site near the other State institutions in Cranston, where two cottages for the boys, one for the girls, a workshop, and a superintendent's house, all of stone have been erected at an expense of about $110,000. Here the 'open' or family system will probably be adopted.
STATISTICS OF PROVIDENCE. --
Valuation (personal), $30,208.300. Valuation (real), $88,987,900.
City tax for 1882, $1,728,345. Receipts in 1881, $2,030,832.
Expenditures in 1881, $2,080,002. Dexter Donation, assessor's valuation
of real estate, $528,982. Dexter Donation Fund, $70,437.88. No. of
street-lamps (gas and fluid), 4,380. No. of births in 1881, 2,806.
No. of marriages, 1,202. No. of deaths in 1881, 2,145.
See Population.
STATUE OF FRANKLIN, A, of bronze, and life size, ornaments the Lyceum Building. It is interesting as the first public statue in Rhode Island, and was unveiled Nov. 19, 1858.
STEAMERS.
For Philadelphia, Charleston, and the South. -- Clyde Lines, office, 12 Westminster St. Sail from Fall River. Goods sent by Providence, Warren, and Bristol R. R.
For Norfolk and Baltimore. -- Providence, Norfolk, and Baltimore S. S. Line. Leave Lonsdale Wharf, India St., semi-weekly. (Freight and passengers.) E. H. Rockwell, agent.
For Philadelphia. -- Winsor's Line. Leaves Ives Wharf, India St., semi-weekly. (Freight only.) G. A. Kilton, agent.
For New York. -- Providence and Stonington S. S. Co. Ticket office, 5 Weybosset St. Providence Line. Leave Fox-Point Wharf, foot of South Water St., daily (Sundays excepted). Freight in winter; passengers and freight in summer. Z. Williams, agent. Stonington Line. Passengers leave New York, Providence, and Boston R. R. depot daily (Sundays excepted); connecting at Stonington with steamers. J. B. Gardiner, agent.
For Fall River and Bristol. -- Fall River & Providence Steamboat Line leave Fall River Iron-Works Wharf, opp 71 South Water St., daily (Sundays excepted). T. H. Brownell, agent.
Steamer 'Wm. Marvel', a small propeller, carries freight twice a week to Fall River.
For Newport and Rocky Point. -- Continental Steamboat Co. Leave Wharf, 136 Dyer St. daily (Sundays excepted). In summer frequent trips are made daily bet. these points; and steamers run hourly to Field's Point, Ocean Cottage, Silver Spring, Riverside, and Bullock's Point. N. F. Hallett, sup't.
For Block Island. -- Steamer 'Geo. W. Danielson' leaves Crawford-st. Bridge semi-weekly in winter, and leaves Newport daily in summer. Connecting with steamers of Continental Steamboat Co.
For Block Island. -- Steamer 'Canonicus' leaves Fall River Iron-Works Wharf, opp 71 South Water St., semi-weekly in summer.
p. 107 - 110.
STONE & CARPENTER have been the architects and builders of many
of the finest buildings in the State. These buildings, by reason
of their number and variety, show for themselves the versatile talent,
ripened experience, and excellent judgment of the members of the firm;
which is composed of Alfred Stone, who came as an architect to Providence
in 1864, and Charles E. Carpenter, who became associated with him in 1873.
Among their many buildings may be mentioned the following:
Public Buildings: -- Rhode Island State Prison, Providence County
Court House, Brown University Slater Hall, Thayer-st. Schoolhouse, Hope-Reservoir
Pumping-Station, Pettaconsett Pumping-Station, and the David Duncan Wing
of the Butler Hospital. Manufactories. -- Crompton Company's
[sic] at Crompton, Coventry Company's at Anthony, Owen's Jewelry Man'f'y
at Providence. Hotels. -- Hotel Dorrance and Franklin-st.
House. Business Blocks. -- Wheaton & Anthony; Macullar,
Parker, & Co.; Elizabeth Building; Amasa Mason Block; Barnaby Building;
Congdon, Carpenter & Co.'s warehouse; Owen Building; Wood's Building;
Cheapside; Tefft Block. Of Dwellings the firm have a great number;
notably those of Henry W. Gardiner on Waterman St., Mrs. Esther H. Baker
on Hope St., Walter Richmond on Waterman St., F. W. Goddard on George St.,
J. B. Barnaby on Broadway, Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside on Benefit St., Benjamin
F. Thurston on Waterman St., Samuel R. Dorrance on Prospect St., Walter
J. Comstock on Parkis Av., Amos D. Lockwood on Waterman St.; and of Blocks
of Dwellings they were architects of St. Stephen's Row on George St., Mason
Block on Aborn St., and Knowles Block on Greene St. Two of their
small unique structures are the Kindergarten on Angell St., and Passenger-Shelter
at Roger Williams Park. The above list of structures designed and
built by Stone & Carpenter suffices to show their prominence as architects;
but it is by no means an catalogue of their work, merely an indication
of their successful industry during the past twenty years. They have
been progressive all the time, constantly keeping pace with all worthy
improvements. The passenger-elevator now in such common use, they
introduced into this city, by putting one into the Wheaton & Anthony
Building, 65 Westminster St., where they have had their office since 1872.
STREET-LIGHTING. -- Gas is used for illuminating purposes throughout the city, and also for the main thoroughfares in the remote districts. Upon the less-frequented streets of these districts, naphtha lamps are employed. There are nearly 4,400 lights in use in the city, a little over a third of which are fluid. The system of lamp-lighting is regulated by the moon, whose light is utilized as much as possible. This brings the time of lighting and extinguishing the lamps at different hours, except when the moon is invisible. If the sky be clouded on full-moon nights, a flag displayed from the staff on Prospect Terrace is the signal to light. By an arrangement with the R. I. Electric Light Co., a six-months test is being made of the electric light; ten arc lamps being distributed for this purpose upon the lower portion of Westminster St., and on Market Square.
STREETS. -- There are over 1,000 streets in Providence, most of them well paved and lighted. The principal business streets are Westminster, Weybosset, High, Broad, North Main St., and a part of South Main St. Custom House St. presents a fine array of solid commercial blocks. Dorrance is a fine, broad street. On the East Side, Benefit, Hope, Cooke, and their intersecting streets contain many beautiful private residences. On the West Side, Elmwood, parts of Cranston, High, and Washington Sts., and Broadway are very attractive. In the Tenth Ward, on Chalkstone Av., and Smith St., are some fine estates. Many of the streets have curious names, some of Indian origin. Some of special interst are mentioned elsewhere. A noticeable feature is their cleanliness. Under direction of the Board of Public Works, the main thoroughfares are swept and washed, and nearly all the streets are kept in good condition. They are generally narrow, and rather irregularly laid out; some, too, are quite crooked. The chief streets in the centre of the city radiate from Market Sq.
SUBURBS. -- See Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, North Providence, and Pawtucket.
SUFFRAGE. -- Foreign-born citizens are required by the constitution of Rhode Island to be possessed of real estate taxed for at least $134 [sic], to entitle them to vote. Native-born citizens who are not taxed for $1.34, of either real or personal property, cannot vote in any town or city, on any question involving the expenditure of the money or the imposition of a tax, nor in the city of Providence for members of the city council. Such native-born citizens, if they wish to vote, are required to register their names with the city or town clerk on or before the last day of December, in the year next preceding the time of voting, and to pay $1 as a registry-tax. An organization known as the Equal Rights Association, having for its objects the repeal of the property qualifications, and the procuring of equal rights for all men in a political sense, was formed in the spring of 1881, and, with this end in view, has since then carried on an agitation by means of public meetings, addresses, petitions to the General Assembly, etc. The main organization is in Providence, and there are branches in Pawtucket, Newport, and several of the towns. The membership is not large, and the movement appears to meet with but little favor.
SUPERINTENDENT OF HEALTH is the advisory and executive officer of the Board of Health. It is his duty to investigate and report upon nuisances and all other matters connected with the public health. He is also quarantine health-officer for the city. Dr. Edwin M. Snow has filled the position of city registrar (of births, marriages, and deaths) for the past 27 years.
SWAN-POINT CEMETERY. -- See Cemeteries.
SYMPHONY SOCIETY, THE PROVIDENCE, org. in 1880, is composed of local amateur and professional musicians. It meets weekly for rehearsals; and, during the season, gives three subscription concerts when the orchestra is increased by outside talent, bringing the number of performances up to sixty. Robert Bonner is musical director and conductor.
TAILORS are numerous in Providence, and so are ready-made clothing establishments; but probably the most highly esteemed firm in both these branches in Macullar, Parker, & Company, whose establishment at No. 112 Westminster St. has already been described as the most noteworthy of its kind in all New England.
TAXATION IN PROVIDENCE, 1882. -- $14.50 per thousand.
TELEGRAPH OFFICES. --
American Rapid, 18 Westminster St.
Mutual Union, 7 Weybosset St.
Western Union, 6 Weybosset.
Telegraph instruments are operated at the Narragansett Hotel; Butler's
Exchange; Boston & Providence R. R. Depot; and at many steamboat,
railroad, and other offices.
The first line of telegraph from Providence was run in 1848, to Worcester,
Mass., to connect with the line of the NewYork & Boston Telegraph Association.
This was 4 years after Morse had built the first telegraph line in the
United States.
p. 110 - 112.
TELEPHONE COMPANY. -- Two telephone exchanges were established in Providence in 1878, one under Western Union, the other under Bell Telephone, management. After the consolidation of the two great interests presented by these exchanges, they became in the winter of 1879 one corporation, under the name of the Providence Telephone Co. The headquarters of this company are in Butler Exchange, 103 Westminster St. It controls over 1,000 miles of wire in the city, mantains lines to nearly every important town in the State, and also operates the line of the Inter-State Co. to Boston. It also holds communication with Fall River, New Bedford, and other places. The company makes over 2,100 connections, about two-thirds of which are in the city. Public telephones are stationed in the following places: C. G. A. Peterson's, ground floor, Butler Exchange; William R. Greene's apothecary-store, 1 Westminster St.; H. J. Alfred's, 811 Eddy St.; and at the Base Ball Grounds, - for the use of 15 cts. within the city limits, 25 cts. to all other points within the company's territory. Subscribers also must pay at all but the first mentioned station.
TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS. -- There are in Providence 2 lodges of I. O. of Good Templars, with a membership of about 200, G. Sec'y, J. N. Todd; 5 divisions of Sons of Temperance, with 316 members, G. Scribe, Mrs. J. H. Scholfield; 3 Temples of Honor, numbering 151 members, G. W. R., J. C. Lester; and 2 Councils of Jons of Jonadab. All these organizations hold weekly meetings in their separate halls, which are scattered in various portions of the city. The Providence Reform-Club, comprising over 500 members, also holds weekly meetings, Sec'y, E. W. Boynton. Other temperance associations in this city are the Rhode Island Temperance Union, Cor. Sec'y, Rev. H. W. Conant; Women's Christian Temperance Union of Providence, Cor. Sec'y, Miss L. W. Thompson; State Temperance Reform-Club; Knights of the Golden Cross, J. N. Todd, sec'y, Arcade; and Catholic Total Abstinence Union.
TENTH WARD lies in the north-western part of the city, N. of the Woonasquatucket and W. of the Moshassuck rivers. It is mostly an extensive and undulating farming region, but, on the whole, sparsely populated. Smith's Hill, Mt. Pleasant, and several small manufacturing villages, as Dyerville, Geneva, Wanskuck, are in this district.
THEATRES. -- Isaiah Thomas, in his 'History of Printing', says that the first play publicly performed in New England was acted in Providence in 1762. But Charles Blake, in his elaborate 'History of the Providence Stage', says this is an erroneous statement. He maintains that the first theatrical performance took place in Newport in 1761, when the Virginia comedians appeared there; and the next year the same troupe appeared in Providence, and gave the first theatrical performance ever given in this city. In 1795 the first theatre was erected at the cor. of Westminster and Mathewson Sts., which was occupied until 1832, and then converted into what is now known as Grace Church. A second theatre was erected in 1839, but, proving unprofitable, was abandoned to business pursuits. This building is still standing at 89 Dorrance St., nearly opposite the Providence Opera House. See 'Places of Amusement'.
THEATRE COMIQUE, 83 Weybosset St., is a small theatre, remodelled and re-furnished in 1881. The performances are chiefly of the 'variety' class.
TIBBITTS, SHAW, & CO., the leading and longest-established house in the bookselling and stationery trade, occupy a site which for upwards of half a century has been occupied for the same business. Before the estuary of the Narragansett was solidly built over at the present Market Sq., before the Union depot was the centripetal horse-car point of the city, and before the 'Cove' was the focus ground of the N. S. and W. railway lines, a three-story wooden dwelling stood on the site of Tibbitts, Shaw, and Co.'s store, at No. 21 Westminster St., near Market Sq. The lower part of this dwelling was submerged in 1817 by the waters of Narragansett Bay, driven back by the gale of that year. In 1830 the dwelling began to be utilized as a bookstore, printing-office and bindery of Wm. Marshall & Co. In 1836 John B. Gough, then a long and lank youth of 19 years, came from Bristol, R.I., where he had been apprenticed to a man he describes as 'sexton of a meeting-house, sawer of wood, had a bookbindery, and kept boiled eggs to sell'. He went to work in Marshall's bindery, and, as an English biographer has said, 'learned the trade of bookbinder, and fell into the habits of intemperance'. Even at that early date he displayed great oratorical ability. While he himself kept at work, he mimicked men and narrated events so graphically and so dramatically that his employers often caught the other workmen neglecting their work to listen to him. In 1840 the wooden building was moved to Dorrance St., where it is still used for business purposes. On its site stands a plain, substantial, four-story brick building, which has always been occupied by a line of successful and highly trustworthy booksellers, stationers, and binders. In 1830 the firm was Wm. Marshall & Co.; in 1837 Mr. Marshall retired, and was succeeded by his partner, John Edwin Brown, who, in 1838, sold out to Isaac H. Cady, who associated with him Mr. Brown's brother, William Brown. In 1842 the business came into possession of Gladding & Proud, whose successors have been successively, Gladding Brothers, Gladding Brothers & Co., Gladding Brothers & Tibbits [sic], Tibbitts & Randall, Tibbitts & Shaw; and finally the present firm, Tibbitts, Shaw, & Co., composed of Wm. T. Tibbitts, Joseph A. Shaw, and W. B. Swarts, who may well be proud of their business ancestors, and be well pleased with the extensive patronage which they now enjoy.
TILLINGHAST HOUSE is an ancient landmark standing on South Main St., just N. of Transit St. It was built by Philip Tillinghast, probably about 1710; and, when erected, was one of the only 3 or 4 dwelling-houses in that part of the town. It is a wooden house, two stories high, with western basements, a hipped roof, dormer windows, and an immense chimney in the centre, 5 ft. sq. at the top.
TIME. -- Providence time is 1 min. and 22 secs. behind Boston time. One stroke of the electric fire-alarm is struck at 12 M. and 8.30 P.M. automatically from the clock in City Hall, and gives in each case Providence time as corrected by Boston time, telegraphed from the Harvard Observatory at Cambridge.
TIN-TOP CHURCH. -- See Richmond-st. Congregational Church.
TOCKWOTTON HILL. -- The plateau, 50 ft. high, on which the State Reform School stands, was formerly a bluff, known as Tockwotton Hill, a name of Indian origin.
TOOLEVILLE is a term vaguely applied to the district adjacent to the Moshassuck River, bet. Charles St. and Branch Av. A large portion of this part of the town was formerly owned by Barney Toole.
p. 112 - 114.
'TOWN MEETING', is held by the 'freemen' of the city on the third Saturday in December, in the Council Chamber, City Hall, to transact business relating to the donations of Ebenezer Knight Dexter.
TOWN STREET. -- See Main St.
TRANSIT STREET commemorates the transit of Venus, June 3, 1769. Here an observatory for the event was constructed a little south of Benefit St.
TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH is a handsome brick edifice on Broad St., near Bridgham. The society was org'd under its present name, April 24, 1859, but had a short time previous been begun as a mission of the Mathewson-st. Church. Services were held in Lester Hall on Cranston St., until the completion of the present edifice in 1865. Present pastor, G. W. Anderson.
TRINITY SQUARE is the name of the triangular space at the junc. of Broad, Greenwich, Bridgham, and Linden Sts. Grace Church Cemetery, Trinity M. E., and the New Jerusalem Churches front on this sq.
TRUST COMPANIES. -- Rhode Island Hospital Trust Co., 60 South Main St.
'TURK'S HEAD', by which name the junc. of Weybosset and Westminster Sts. is known, received this name from an unsightly image which, with open mouth and turban-crowned head, formerly stood here.
UNION AMERICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (colored), L. V. St., was org'd in 1874, and incorp'd June 1, 1882. The present house of worship was purchased May, 1881. Before that time services were held at junc. of Mill and North Main Sts., in a hired room. Present membership, 63; pastor, Rev. W. A. Jackson. Membership of Sunday school, 76.
UNION CLUB is centrally located at No. 90 South Main St. Org'd in 1856 as the 'S. B.' society, it adopted its present name in 1875, and in 1876 removed to the quarters now occupied. It is social in character, and numbers upon its roll about 80 prominent citizens. The initiation fee is $50, annual dues $40. Admission to the rooms on invitation of members only. Sec'y, Lemuel Hayward.
UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH on Broad St. near Stewart St., completed in 1872, is a fine brick edifice in Gothic style, designed by Wm. R. Walker. Its trimmings are of stone. It has two towers or steeples of unequal height. Its interior is handsomely finished, and the seats are arranged as in an amphitheatre. The society worshipping here was formed by the union of the Richmond-st. and High-st. Congregational Churches in 1871. In the rear of the church is a chapel, similar in architecture, used for Sunday-school purposes.
UNION FOR CHRISTIAN WORK, occupying pleasant quarters at 135 Broad St., is a benevolent organization, asking only, as a qualification for membership, 'a sincere desire to do good and help men upwards'. The active members pay $1 a year, and carry on the work. Fine members pay not less than $5 a year, and may vote for officers, but need not take active part in the work. The rooms comprise a reading-room and a library of 3,000 vols. These are free to all, week-days from 4 to 10 P.M.; and the reading-room is open Sundays from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. A room open Saturday nights during the winter months furnishes to street-boys books, games, and kind influences. The Union also maintains three branch-rooms for this purpose in other sections of the city. A Flower Mission collects and distributes on Saturdays flowers to the sick and infirm, in the hospital, the homes for aged men and women, etc.
UNION RAILROAD COMPANY. -- See Horse-cars.
UNITARIAN DENOMINATION is represented in Providence by three churches, -- the First Congregational, the Westminster Congregational, and the Olney-st. Congregational. The First Congregational was formed in 1720, not without an earnest protest on the part of leading members of the Baptist Church. In 1721 the erection of a house of worship was begun on High St., but the edifice was torn down when in an unfinished state. In 1723 another house was built, on the cor. of College and Benefit Sts., which in 1794 was sold to the town for a town-house. In 1794-95 a fine church edifice was built on the cor. of Benefit and Benevolent Sts., which was burnt June 14, 1814. In 1815-16, the spacious and elegant structure now occupied by the society was erected, being dedicated Oct. 31, 1816. The pastors have been Josiah Cotton, 1728 - 1747; John Bass, 1752 - 1758; David S. Rowland, 1761 - 1774; Enos Hitchcock, 1783 - 1803; Henry Edes, 1805 - 1832; Edward Brooks Hall, 1832 - 1866; Arthur May Knapp, 1868 - 1871; Carlton Albert Staples, 1872 - 1881; Thomas Roberts Slicer, 1881, now filling the pastorate.
The Westminster Congregational was org'd in 1828. A church edifice was built in 1829, on Mathewson St., near Westminster St., and is still occupied by the society. The pastors have been Frederic Augustus Farley, 1828 - 1841; Samuel Osgood, 1841 - 1849; Frederic Henry Hedge, 1850 - 1856; Augustus Woodbury, 1857, who is the present incumbent.
The Olney-st. Congregational grew out of the Benefit-st. Ministry at Large, which was org'd in 1841. A chapel was built on the cor. of Benefit and Halsey Sts. in 1846. A more commodious and larger edifice was built on Olney St. in 1871. The Ministry at Large has been mainly supported by the members of the First Society and the Westminster Society, and its ministers have been Henry Francis Harrington, 1842 - 1844; William Gustavus Babcock, 1844 - 1847; Edwin Martin Stone, 1847 - 1877; Alfred Manchester, 1878. In 1879 the Olney-st. Congregational Society was incorporated, and Alfred Manchester became its pastor.
The three churches and their ministers have labored earnestly and faithfully in the illustration and enforcement of the principles of Liberal Christianity. The Ministry at Large still continues in existence, supported by the Unitarian churches. It has had a noble history of beneficent Christian work. -- Augustus Woodbury.
UNITED ORDER OF THE TRAIN OF ARTILLERY OF THE TOWN OF PROVIDENCE, an independent infantry org'n, numbering about 100 officers and man, with flute and drum corps of 18 pieces, was chartered in 1775. Armory, 121 Canal St.
p. 114 - 117.
UNIVERSALISTS. -- The Rev. John Murray, the father of American Universalism, preached frequently in Providence as early as A.D. 1772, and other preachers of the denomination held services here from time to time. But the first society was not incorporated until Oct. 1821. Since then this society has had a prosperous existence. It occupied two churches on Westminster St. before erecting the spacious building which it occupies at the cor. of Greene and Washington Sts. The second society, known as 'The Church of the Mediator', was established A.D. 1845, and occupies the substantial edifice on Cranston St., cor. of Burgess St. Besides these two parishes there are in Rhode Island three Universalist parishes: one in Woonsocket, one in Pawtucket, and one in East Providence where a new church edifice was dedicated Oct. 24, 1882. There are Universalist chapels at Valley Falls and Cumberland; and for some years a State missionary has been maintained, who has preached at Burrillville, Anthony, Harmony, and other places in the State. The number of Universalist families in the State is about 700; of church-members, about 1,650; and of attendants in the Sunday schools, about 1,500. The value of the church property of the denomination in the State is about $250,000. H. I. Cushman.
VACCINATION. -- The first succcessful arm-to-arm inoculation with the virus of cow-pox, as a prevention in infection from small-pox, was performed in 1796, by Dr. Edward Jenner of Berkely, Gloucester, England. This new method of inoculation was soon after introduced into this country, and was undoubtedly practised, in a private way, in Providence. A vote passed in town-meeting June 9, 1810, furnishes the earliest record of a public vaccination. It was voted 'that James Burrill, jun., Tristam Burgess, Thomas P. Ives, John Carlisle, John Markin, David Leonard Barnes, and Wheeler Martin, be a committee to employ some suitable person or persons to inoculate with kinepock such inhabitants of this town as may be desirous thereof. That said inoculation be conducted under the direction of said committee, and the expense thereof be paid out of the town treasury.' Mr. Sylvanus Fransher, 'an experienced vaccine inoculator', was selected to perform this duty; and the work of vaccination, commenced July 2, was continued at different times and places for six weeks. At the close of their labors the committee reported that 4,305 persons had been vaccinated. From this large proportion out of a population of but 10,000 souls, it is evident that but little prejudice existed against vaccination. Until the year 1856, public vaccinations were performed at irregular intervals; but on April 26, of that year, the present system of weekly vaccinations, performed at the office of the Board of Health and free to all residents of the city, was inaugurated. In the period from 1856 to 1882, over 26,000 persons have availed themselves of the means of vaccination.
The records of the different years show a great variation in the number vaccinated. This is due to partly to the growth of population, but more especially to the presence or absence, as it may happen, of cases of small-pox. The largest number vaccinated in any one year was 2,798 (in 1872); the smallest, 136 (in 1857). There were 1,156 vaccinations in 1879, 1,343 in 1880, and 2,307 in 1881.
Children attending the public schools of this city are required to present evidence of having been successfully vaccinated.
Every Saturday (the warm summer months alone excepted), vaccination is performed at the office of Superintendent of Health, City Hall, from 2 to 3 P.M.
VALUATION OF PROVIDENCE. -- See Providence.
VETERAN ASSOCIATIONS, The, of the United Train of Artillery, Providence Marine Corps of Artillery, and First Light Infantry Association, consist of past and honorary members of the respective military bodies whose names they bear. Their object is to afford opportunities for reviving the memories of the past, and to secure for the active corps the benefit of their interest and influence.
Providence Association of Firemen has also a Veteran Association.
VOTING. -- See Suffrage.
WALKER & SON, WM. R., are among the most prominent and most highly esteemed architects in Rhode Island; the senior partner, Major-Gen. Wm. R. Walker, having been, during the past twenty consecutive years, the architect of a large number of notable structures of many kinds. It is impossible in this small volume to even enumerate the buildings constructed under the superintendence of this firm; but the following meagre list is ample enough to indicate their unlimited variety, and also to give an idea of the ingenuity, experience, and judgment which Gen. Walker, as a representative architect, must possess. The several classes necessarily require wholly different treatment from each other, and then only a casual glance at the various structures in each of the several classes will make apparent the versatile and refined taste of this firm of architects. Among their buildings are the following: --
Manufactories.
Ponemah Mills, at Taftville.
Goff's Braid Mill, at Pawtucket.
Pawtucket Hair Cloth Co.'s Mill.
Slater Cotton Co.'s (old mill) at Pawtucket.
Social Manufacturing Co.'s Office, at Woonsocket.
Churches.
Union Congregational, Providence.
First Universalist, N. Attleboro.
First Baptist, Pawtucket.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic, Warren.
Methodist Episcopal, E. Attleboro.
First Baptist, E. Providence.
First Baptist, at Central Falls.
Public Buildings.
Town Hall, Whitinsville.
Town Record Building, Pawtucket.
Brown University Library, Providence.
High School, Providence.
High School, Woonsocket.
Engine House and Ward Room, Ward I, Providence.
School, E. Attleboro.
Vineyard-street Grammar School, Providence.
Hotels.
Narragansett Hotel, Providence.
Wamsutta House, N. Attleboro.
Oakland Beach Hotel, Oakland Beach.
Benedict House, Pawtucket.
Business Blocks.
Vaughan Building, Providence.
Daniels Building, Providence.
Equitable Building, Providence.
Aldrich Building, Providence.
Boston Store.
Callender, McAuslan, & Troup, Providence.
Waldron, Wightman, & Co., Providence.
Dwellings.
D. G. Littlefield, Central Falls.
W. F. Sayles, East Av., Pawtucket.
F. C. Sayles, East Av., Pawtucket.
John C. Whitin, Whitinsville.
Gen. Olney Arnold, Pawtucket.
T. S. Steele, Hartford.
Henry F. Barrows, N. Attleboro.
Col. Amasa Sprague, Warwick.
Alfred A. Reed, 'Coweset', Warwick.
A. F. Lamb, Angell St., Providence.
John McAuslan, Elmwood Av., Providence.
B. B. Knight, Broad St., Providence.
H. N. Campbell, Waterman St., Providence.
Gov. Wm. Sprague's summer residence, 'Canonchet', at Narragansett Pier.
George A. Dean, Attleboro.
A. W. Sturdy, Attleboro.
H. Conant, Central Falls.
Col. Wm. H. Reynolds, Broadway, Providence.
H. B. Metcalf, Pawtucket.
John J. White, Litchfield, Conn.
Miscellaneous.
Music Hall, Danielsonville, Conn.
Providence & Springfield R. R. Depot, Providence.
Narragansett Trotting Park buildings.
Rhode Island Headquarters at Centennial Exposition.
Sprague Tomb at Swan Point Cemetery.
The above is merely a list of some of the notable structures which have been erected by this firm, which is to-day one of the the most active in its line in this country; the founder being now in the prime of his life, the actual as well as nominal head of the firm, while his son, Wm. Howard Walker, who came into the business eight years ago, and in 1880 acquired a partnership interest, is already one of the foremost young architects in America. The firm's offices occupy the larger part of the fourth floor of the Vaughan Building, No. 27 Custom House St. They are admirably adapted to their uses, and thoroughly fitted out with an exceptionally fine architect's library, models, plans, and other essentials of a model architect's office.
p. 117 - 119.
WANSKUCK, formerly a manufacturing village belonging to the town of North Providence, is now part of the Tenth Ward.
WARD BOUNDARIES. --
Ward 1. -- The southern boundary of the First Ward is a line
commencing at the intersection of the old line of North Providence with
the Woonasquatucket River, and running thence easterly along said river
to its junction with the Moshassuck; thence up to the Moshassuck River
to Church St., up Church to Benefit; thence in a direct line to Lloyd St.,
through Lloyd St. and a line in continuation thereof, to Seekonk River,
near the junc. of Rhode Island Av., with Oriole Av. The eastern boundary
is the Seekonk River. The western and northern boundary is a line
commencing at the intersection of the old line of North Providence with
the Woonasquatucket River, thence running north-westerly in a straight
line to a stone on Branch Av., near junc. with Smithfield Av., thence northerly
on Smithfield Av. to North Grove St., thence through North Grove St. to
Cemetery St., through Cemetery St. to Pawtucket Av., through Pawtucket
Av. to North St., through North St. and Swan Point or Neck Road to a point
opposite the east end of Methyl St., thence easterly on the old northern
boundary of Swan Point Cemetery to the Seekonk River.
Ward 2. -- Includes that portion north and east of the Woonasquatucket and Providence Rivers, bet. the line the First Ward as above described, and a line drawn from Providence River up Power St. to Brown, through Brown to Charles Field, through Charles Field to Hope, up Hope to Benevolent, through Benevolent to Govenor, through Govenor to Pitman, through Pitman to East River St., through East River to Waterman, and through Waterman to Central Bridge.
Ward 3. -- Includes that portion of the city bet. the Providence and Seekonk Rivers lying south of the Second Ward, as above described.
Ward 4. -- Includes that portion of the city bounded by the following lines, to wit: Commencing at Weybosset Bridge, and running thence up Westminster St. to Weybosset, up Weybosset to Broad, up Broad to High, up High to Dean, through Dean to Atwell's Av., through Atwell's Av. to Acorn St., through Acorn St. to the Woonasquatucket River, thence down said river to the point of beginning.
Ward 5. -- Includes that portion of the city bounded by the following lines, to wit: Commencing at Weybosset Bridge, and running thence up Westminster St. to Weybosset, up Weybosset to Broad, up Broad to High, up High to Fenner, through Fenner to Broad, up Broad to Beacon, through Beacon and Plain to the northerly line of the Ninth Ward, thence along said line to the river, thence up said river to the point of the beginning.
Ward 6. -- Includes that portion of the city bounded by the following lines, to wit: Commencing at the intersection of Fenner and High Sts., and running thence up High to Cranston, up Cranston to B, through B to Central, down Central to Major, through Major to Broad, up Broad to Linden, through Linden to West Clifford, up West Clifford to Dudley, through Dudley to the northerly line of the Ninth Ward, thence along said line to Plain St., through Plain to Broad, down Broad to Fenner, through Fenner to the point of beginning.
Ward 7. -- Includes that portion of the city bounded by the following lines, to wit: Commencing at the intersection of Dean and High Sts., and running thence up High St. to Cranston, up Cranston to Codding, through Codding to High, up High to Almy, through Almy to Gesler, up Gesler to Ridge, through Ridge to Atwell's Av., through Atwell's Av. to the Woonasquatucket River, along said river to Acorn St., through Acorn St. to Atwell's Av., down Atwell's Av. to Dean St., through Dean St. to the point of beginning.
Ward 8. -- Includes all that portion of the city lying westerly of the following line, to wit: Commencing at the intersection of Dudley St. with the northerly line of the Ninth Ward, and running thence through West Clifford to Linden, through Linden to Broad, down Broad to Major, through Major to Central, through Central to B, through B and Codding Sts. to High St., up High to Almy, through Almy to Gesler, through Gesler to Ridge, through Ridge to Atwell's Av., through Atwell's Av. to the Woonasquatucket River.
Warwick 9. -- Includes all that portion of the city lying south of the southerly line of the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Wards. Commencing at the dividing line of the town of Johnston and the Eighth Ward; then running southerly to the westerly line of the N. Y., P., & Boston R. R.; thence on the westerly line of said railroad to Cranston St., and across said st. to the westerly line of Fenner Av.; thence along the westerly line of said av. to Reservoir Av.; thence in a straight line easterly to the South-westerly corner of Jonas Manton's farm, so called, on the easterly side of Eddy St. (including the whole of Roger Williams Park, part of which lies south of this line); thence on the southerly side of said farm to Providence River; and thence in a straight line easterly, passing through the most southerly portion of Starve-Goat Island at low-water mark, to the channel of the river.
Ward 10. -- Includes that portion of the city bounded by the following lines, to wit: Commencing at the intersection of the boundary-line of Ward 1 with the Woonasquatucket River, up said river to a point on the easterly bank of the pond north of the village of Manton, being a large elm-tree marked; running thence north-easterly in a straight line to a chestnut tree marked, on Wilbur Hill, on the easterly side of, and on, the Woodward road, so called; thence on a straight line to and across the Smithfield turnpike, near the slaughter-houses, where a post of fence bounding said turnpike is marked, and an iron spike driven therein; thence southerly, on the easterly side of said turnpike, and the Power road, so called, to the north-easterly corner of the railroad-bridge crossing the Providence and Worcester Railroad; thence easterly on a straight line to the north-west corner of Swan Point Cemetery; thence following the northern boundary of said Swan Point Cemetery to the Seekonk River; thence southerly to the boundary-line of Ward 1; thence along the northerly and westerly boundary-line of Ward 1, to the point of beginning.
WARREN ASSOCIATION of Baptist churches was formed at Warren, R. I., in 1767, and until 1843 was the only organization of its kind in the State. In that year the Providence Association, formed of churches that had belonged to the Warren Association, was organized. In 1859 the churches in the southern part of the State separated, and formed the Narragansett Association. The churches in Providence belonging to the Warren Association are, the First, Central, Congdon-st., Friendship-st., Union, South and Broadway. The total membership of these churches, by report of 1882, was 2,242; this number, with total membership of churches in Providence, belonging to the Providence Association, makes the membership of the regular Baptist churches for 1882, 3,834. The number of churches in the Warren Association is 22. Yearly anniversaries are held by each association.
p. 119 - 122.
WASHINGTON BRIDGE, or India Bridge, an old wooden structure, the only covered bridge for foot-passengers and vehicles in the city, crosses the Seekonk River at India Point, about 3/4 of mile below Central Bridge. It is said to have derived its name from a wooden statue of Washington, which adorned a bridge built here by John Brown in 1793. The bridge and statue were carried away by a freshet in 1807. The present structure has a draw 38 feet wide, operated by hand. A short distance below is a railroad-bridge, also of wood, used by the Providence, Warren, and Bristol, and the Boston and Providence Railroads.
WASHINGTON SQUARE, Benefit, cor. India St., is a small grass-plat much resorted to by the poor people who live near it. It was set apart for a public square by the Fox-Point Ass'n in 1816; deeded to the city in 1830; it was graded, fenced, and planted in 1852, and received its present title in 1857.
WASHINGTON TROTTING-PARK. -- This race-course, which was in a flourishing condition about 40 years ago, and was in use until within 15 years, is now an open field on Broad St., near the city line.
WATER-WORKS. -- Four times, in 1853, 1856, 1864, 1866, attempts to supply the city with pure water were made, and defeated by the popular vote. A committee appointed by the Common Council in July, 1866, authorized J. Herbert Shedd, civil engineer, then of Boston, to make surveys, and present plans and estimates. Mr. Shedd's report, made in 1868, treated of four different souces of supply; the most expensive of which, the Pawtuxet-river plan, was adopted by the tax-payers, Feb. 15, 1869. A Board of Water Commissioners was chosen in Oct., 1869, and the preparatory work of introduction began at once. Water began to flow ino the city Nov. 18, 1871; and 12 days later, - Thanksgiving Day, - the event was celebrated by sending up great jets of water from service-pipes conducted to the bridges which cross the river. The total cost of construction to Sept. 30, 1881, was about $5,100,000; over 160 miles of main pipes had been laid. In 1880 the control of the water-works passed into the hands of the Board of Public Works. See also Hope Reservoir, Pawtuxet River, Pawtuxet Water, Pettaconset Pumping-Station, and Sockanosset Reservoir.
WEST BURIAL-GROUND. -- See Cemeteries.
WESTMINSTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (Unitarian), Mathewson St. The church edifice is a cement-covered, stone building, with a fine portico in the Ionic style. Judge Staples in his 'Annals of Providence', published in 1843, says , 'There is no church in the city which is more chaste in its style of architecture, or which exhibits more classic taste in its exterior, than this.' About ten years ago, the interior of the building was greatly improved so as to carry out the architectural design in its completeness. The church has had only 4 different pastors since its completion in 1829. Rev. Augustus Woodbury, the present incumbent, has served the society since 1857.
WESTMINSTER STREET, from Great Bridge to High St., five-eighths of a mile in length, is the main thoroughfare and the centre of the retail trade.
WEST SIDE is a natural division, rather than a term in common use. It may be considered as comprising all that portion of the city west of the Providence and south of the Woonasquatucket Rivers. It is the most important district, contains nearly one-half of the population, and embraces the centre of the mercantile intersts. Elmwood, So. Providence, and Roger Williams Park, are some of the localities, and the City Hall, Cathedral, High School, and R. I. Hospital, some of the edifices, in this section, mentioned elsewhere.
WEYBOSSET BRIDGE. -- See Great Bridge.
WHARVES. -- The principle wharves in Providence River and Harbor at present are Lonsdale Wharf, used by the steamers of Providence, Norfolk, and Baltimore Line; Ives' Wharf, used by Winsor-Line steamers (these, and some others not much used, are between India and Fox Points); the pier of the N. Y., P. & B. R. R. in S. Providence; the Wilkes-barre Coal Pier, E. Providence. Between Crawford-st. Bridge and Hill's Wharf, on the west side of the river, is a series of wharves, piers, and docks, at which most of the coal, lumber, grain, etc., brought to the city in coasting vessels, is unloaded. Between Crawford-st. Bridge and Fox Point there are no docks, and the only important landing-place is the quay of the Fall River Steam-boat Co. In the early history of Providence the first wharves were on the east side of the river. During the last century many wharves and docks existed between Town St. and the river. By the end of the century the docks 'north of Crawford St. had been filled up, and had become highways.' The Sept. gale of 1815 destroyed many of the remaining wharves, and resulted in the filling-up of the docks. Daniel Anthony's map of 1803 shows the space now bounded by a line drawn from the Crawford-st. Bridge through Harkness, Pine, Eddy, and Ship Sts., to have been a cove. A plat dated 1815 shows wharves existing in this cove. Until the building of the Crawford-st. Bridge, and the widening of Dyer and S. Water Sts., a few years ago, vessels came up to the Great Bridge. In 1877 the project was broached of building a sea-wall from Hill's Wharf to Sassafras Point, and then to construct a series of piers running from this wall to harbor line. Drawings of the proposed improvements were made, copies of which may be seen in the mayor's office, City Hall. As yet no part of the project has been realized except the pier of the N.Y., P. & B. R. R.
'WHAT CHEER NETOP', was the friendly salutation with which the Indians greeted Roger Williams at his first landing upon Slate Rock on the bank of the Seekonk River.
WHAT CHEER SQUARE is a deep hollow at the cor. of Gano and Fremont Sts. It marks the first landing-place of Roger Williams on our shores. In 1878 a new street was laid out bet. this spot and the Seekonk River, and the Committee on Parks was authorized to raise a portion of 'Slate Rock', - so called - until the street was brought to a grade. This had never been done, and a board fence ten ft. high still protects this cherished relic.
WHIPPLE HOUSE on the north side of Abbott St., east of North Main, is the oldest dwelling in the city, dating back more than 200 years. Its original owner, Samuel Whipple, born in 1643, was the first person buried in the North Burial-Ground. Roger Williams and his associates are said to have held religious meetings here; and possibly for this reason the building was spared by the Indians when they burned the town, March 30, 1676. It is still in good preservation, though somewhat altered from its original plan.
WOLFE TONE GUARDS is an Irish-American militia organization, named in honor of Theobald Wolfe Tone, the celebrated Irish patriot. It is Co. B in the Fifth Battalion R. I. militia, and has an armory at 54 North Main St.
WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION, aided by benevolent ladies, opened, Feb. 23, 1882, the 'People's Coffee House' at 227 Eddy St. The objects are to provide a place where workmen and apprentices can obtain meals at reasonable rates, away from the allurements of the run-shops; and also to feed, clothe, provide work, etc., for homeless strangers and poor people. The rooms are large and well situated for the objects in view. The enterprise is supported by contributions. Rev. Samuel Davis, manager.
WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. -- The Providence Branch of this society, composed of the eight M. E. churches and the Haven M. E. Church in East Providence, pledges a certain annual sum towards the support of the Female Hospital in Bareilly, India, and raises a fund for contingencies, called the Contingent Fund.
WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION, The Rhode Island, holds regular monthly meetings at its rooms in the Hoppin Homestead Building, 283 Westminster St. Here papers are read and discussed, and usually followed by an informal tea. Mrs. E. B. Chace, pres't, Mrs. M. J. Channing, cor. sec'y.
p. 122 - 124.
WOMAN'S UNION MISSIONARY SOCIETY, with its headquarters in New York City, has in Providence a branch, with 100 members. This association is undenominational, and directs its efforts to the spiritual development of the women in the East. Three American mission homes in India - viz,., at Calutta, Allahabad, and Cawnpore - are in most successful operation; and special women's work is done in Burmah, China, Japan, Syria, Greece, and Cyprus. The Providence branch was established in 1870. Miss Emily Waterman, pres.; Miss Mary S. Stockbridge, sec. and treas.
WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION AND YOUNG WOMEN'S BOARDING HOME, org'd in 1867, established in the same year a boarding-home for business women, where home comforts and privileges should be enjoyed at moderate rates. This home, in 1872, was permanently located at 66 Fountain St., and is a desirable residence for young women desiring to live economically and well, and also an agreeable temporary home for ladies travelling alone. In the summer of 1878, the ass'n opened a 'Seaside Cottage' at Conanicut Park, on the bay, as a resort 'for women requiring rest and change of air, unable to pay the high prices of hotels and boarding-houses.' Many a person has gained renewed health and strength here, and the institution is worthy of liberal support. The ass'n was incorporated in 1870, and an act passed in 1877 exempts its property from taxation so long as it is used for the benevolent purposes specified in the charter.
WOMEN'S CITY MISSIONARY SOCIETY, an important local charity, was org'd in 1867, 'to assist the poor in efforts to help themselves, and to engage in general missionary work in the city.' A visiting committee is appointed for each ward, and all cases are carefully investigated; thus preventing, to a great extent, imposture and misapplied aid. During the year ending Nov. 14, 1881, 2,018 visits were made, and assistance rendered to 707 families, with an expenditure of nearly [$] 2,500. The society is supported by annual subscriptions and donations.
WOMEN'S CLUB, THE RHODE ISLAND, established spring of 1876, 'to form a recognized centre for social and mental culture'. Meetings are held twice a month, at Franklin Society Rooms, at which scientific and literary papers are read, followed occasionally by discussions. Many representative New England women, as well as eminent gentlemen have addressed the club Mrs. E. K. Churchill was instrumental in its organization. The Churchill Memorial lectures were established by this society. Present membership, 135. Pres't, Miss Sarah E. Doyle; sec'y, Miss L. P. Bucklin.
WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. Nearly ever religious denomination has one or more of this class.
WOMEN'S SOCIETY FOR AIDING RELEASED FEMALE PRISONERS. -- See Prisoners' Aid Association.
WOONASQUATUCKET LIBRARY, Atwell's Av., at junc. of Harris Av., has a collection of over 1,600 well-selected vols., and a reading room supplied with the leading periodicals. It is the private property of the Richmond Manuf. Co., whose print-works are in this vicinity, and has existed as a reading-room for nearly 15 years, as a library for about 10 years. It is open every week-day evening except Saturday, and from 4 to 6 P.M. on Saturdays. Though intended for the especial benefit of employees of the Richmond Co., residents in its neighborhood are allowed to enjoy its priviledges. The Co. reserves the right to forbid its use by objectionable persons.
WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER, The, rising in the north-eastern part of the State, flows in a generally south-westerly direction until it enters the 'Cove'. Early in the century, its water-power was used to run saw and grist mills; but, on the springing up of various small cotton-factories, the water supply in the summer was found to be insufficient. To obviate this serious hinderance to business, bet. 1823 and 1838, four reservoirs were built for storing the surplus water until needed. From its source to its outlet, it is essentially a manufacturing stream; and some important manufactories are along its banks. The Providence and Springfield R. R. follows its course for several miles.
WORK'S GYMNASIUM, 26 Washington St., open daily from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. Visitors admitted.
YACHT-CLUB, THE PROVIDENCE, was org'd in 1875. Thirty-seven members were enrolled, and 21 schooner, sloop, and cat-rigged yachts. A club-flag - a red triangular pennant, crossed by a blue stripe with a white star in the centre, - was adopted, a club-house built at the foot of Allen's Avenue, and for several years regattas were regularly held. Owing to the withdrawal of several boats to other waters, lack of interest on the part of some of the members, and other causes, the membership has been considerably decreased; and the club-house has passed into other hands. Benjamin Davis, commodore. See Narragansett Yacht-Club.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, org'd 1853, removed to its present quarters, in Music Hall Building, at 276 Westminster St., in Feb., 1881. It aims to provide for the social, spiritual, physical, and intellectual enjoyments of its members, and to assist them to situations, to find good boarding-places, and to care for them when ill. It has a library of over 4,000 vols., a reading-room, parlor, study, a gymnasium, and a hall seating 400 persons. Classes in penmanship, phonography, elocuation, vocal music, and literature, are formed, and musical and literary entertainments given during the winter evenings. Ladies admitted to membership. Annual tax, $1.00; (gymnasium, $6.00 extra). Membership, 1,244. A daily noonday prayer-meeting and other religious services are sustained. G. M. Hersey, gen't sec'y.
YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY AND SOCIAL CLUB of Olneyville, R. I., was org'd in 1878. The quarters of the club are 1049 High St., third floor; consist of a large well-furnished reading-room, in which are to be found the daily papers and a library of about 500 volumes, and a small room for the use of those who wish to play games. Membership about 150. The rooms are opened every evening. Debates are held Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The object of the club is 'to promote the moral, mental, and social welfare' of its members.
YOUNG MEN'S POLITICAL CLUB OF RHODE ISLAND, was org. March 25, 1880, under the name of the Young Men's Republican Club; then having for its object 'to nominate and vote for such men as were fit for office, and to oppose machine-work'. March 2, 1881, the present name was taken; and May 31, 1881, a new constitution was adopted. The club aims to promote a reform of the civil service, and also seeks to educate its members in the fundamental principles of political and economic science. To further these objects, it acts as an 'affiliated society' with the Civil Service Reform Association, and with the Society for Political Education. Meetings are held monthly, except in summer; and papers are read by members of the club, or invited speakers. The membership is about 85. Any resident of the State, in sympathy with the objects, eligible to membershp. The pres. is Arnold B. Chace, and the sec. Isaac H. Southwick, jun.
YOUNG WOMEN'S BOARDING HOME. -- See Women's Christian Association.
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The Newport County
Reading Room Index More Biographies & History .