Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-31


ienss and slightly heritage, II would require TO be
n,;,-ed with richer and heavier soils 4 small LOT
OF loan was procured for top dressing. but the
ouantify altogether inadequate to modify es-
sqntisy the nature OF the whole deposit II still
remained of an arid heating character by no means
favorable to the nutrition Of the choicer grasses a
thorough conviction OF this, however, was not
reached until later in the season, when the progress
of Improvement, in other portions Of the Common
had advanced to q degree which would admit of
neither intermission or delay. The tract had been
thicky seeded, at the earliest moment practicable
and a speedy growth OF tender heritage offered its
pleasant verdure in exchange for dTeary waste
The frosts and snow Of winter could be safely de
pended upon TO settle the mass well together, if not
to reduce it TO a homogeneous whole; 1t was
thought best, therefore TO postpone until the ensu-
ing spring. The final grading Of that tract for which,
meanwhile material was steadily accumulated.
Encouraged by the evident success OF this attempt
1t was resolved TO defer the work of improvement
no longer, but commence and complete at once
what must sooner or later, be undertaken As the
execution Of this purpose involved the expenditure
of considerable sums of money, it was deemed alike
prudent and courteous to secure the cooperation of
the city council by which body all appropriations
must be made. The following resolution was there
fore submitted for the consideration OF the MEN,
bers and, upon the Sd of April, A. D. 1871, i. re-
ceived the unanimous assent OF both branches.
"Resoyed that the city council assures the COM
missioners of their cordial cooperation in any
effort for the improvement OF the common, and to
that end will appropriate sucn necessary means
and facilities as shall promise the most efficient and
rapid execution of the work consistent with q jul
dicious economy"
rangement, Mr.. Anthony Chase signifed to the
commission his willingness that earth should be
taken from the high bank lying west of Main street,
where his residence was formerly situated. No
more timely, and certainly no greater, assistance
could have been offered than this; not only on ac-
count of the quantity of MATERIAL but because of its
proximity and facilities for excavation. The pro-
posal of Mr. Chase was at once thankfully accept
ed A bargain was made with Mr. tIichael McGrath
by which, tor the sum of twenty (2Gl cents per
square yard, he engaged to dig and convey said
earth to the Common. Work was begun on the
18th day Of April, and continued steadily, without
interruption save from the weather, until the It'll
day of August. Large and almost inexhaustible as
that bank of dirt had appeared to the casual OBJ
server, ii became evident that it would prove
inadequate for the wants of the Common. Four
thousand and one hundred and thirty-siX (4136)
yards were obtained from it before 1t finally sue
cumbed to the pick and shovel. Six hundred and
nine t609l yards were subsequently procured from
lot of AIR, Chase, upon High street, and one hum
dred and ninetyf0ur il94) yards from still another
lot, of the same gentleman, upon Chatham street,
all being eXcavated npon similar terms, 1t has
been complained by the queruous gossips of the
streets and by their congeners the snarllng raters
of corner paint shops, that Mr. Chase derived Incl
dental benefit from the operation. Such is doubt
less the st and 1t Is one that very gratifying to
this commission, which can conceive OF an hOnora-
BILE transaction between two parties, resulting In
mutual advantage and of no possible detriment to
either. But even this accumulation was INSULT
Client. Nor was 1t until after the deposit of four
hundred and thirty.fVe (435) yards, from the new
cellar OF White & Conant, upon Main street, at an
expense of fourteen 4) cents per yard and of TIRES
hundred and fifty l2501 yards furnished by Mr,
George Sessions, costing twelve and one
half cents d21a) per yard, that the task of ill
ing that yawning hollow gave token of accomplish
ment Even then, small lots of good soil were
made use of, they could be obtained, to supply
deficiencies in spots which seemed TO demand ull-
usual care TO remedy their natural barrenness. In
| addition to all this, large amount of loan was
required for topdressing; the hard-pan or clay, of
which the bulk of the filling consisted aitording
but poor encouragement for grass-seed. Thanks
are due to DR.. Henry Clark, who allowed tine COM
mission to take great quantity of quite rich dirt
from the cellar of old stable upon Waldo street,
without which the labor OF preparing considera-
BILE portion of the g unds could Lot have been
completed. One hundred and twelve i112) cords of
tine Joan also obtained from the esete of
the late John G. Ripley at a cost but slightly ex.
ceeding seyepty-iVe 75) cents per cord. Nor must
credit be omitted for the generosity of Mr.. H. H.
Houghton, who, besides his constant encourage
ment during the progress of the work. permitted
the gravel with which almost all the walks were
built, and without which their construction would
have been impractlcable, save at greatly enhanced
expense and trouble, to be taken from the cellar of
his new block of buildings upon Salem street Aid
of similar nature, extended by Col. Levi Barker,
is also gratefully RENE injected and acknowledged
Indeed there was scarcely exception to the gem
eral desire and effort to promote, in all possible
ways, the accomplishment of work which, as was
the concurrent opinion, had been too long de-
layed.
At the outset, it was not contemplated to do
more than bring up TO their proper level those
portions of the Common that abut upon the south
line of Front street. Bat as the work advanced
and as the alteration wrought in the appearance of
manifest, there was scarcely dlssentlent from the
appeal to the commission 70 push on with the task
to its completion: Sustained as this appeal was by
the members of the city council with more or less
of whom almost daily conferences were held, it in-
luenced the final adoption of resolve to finish the
work And the task was accomplished lust as the
last load of available MATERIAL required for its sue
cessful achievement, was exhausted
During this whole time the foot-paths, or walks,
had to be reconstructed, and this too, with lit
tie hindrance to public passage as possible. In
nearly every instance the allotted space was first
ploughed and then shoveled out to
depth of about two feet. the bottom OF the
track being crowded full with coarse stones that
were found in the hardlpaU, and of which there
was always suifciency., Over these was placed a
layer Of pebbles, covered in its turn with rough,
and thereafter screened gravel. Repeated rolling
yielded firm surface, although the excessive
drought during the progress of this part OF the
work was great hindrance to success, The walks
will require careful repair; and renovation where
washed, in the spring, to make them pleasant for
pedestrians. But they never be made perma-
nenty dry until after the construction of a sewer
across the Common, beneath the present short
lived location of the railways. in to that sewer
should be made to empty all the cutters that
alongside the western and central foot-paths and
by it also must be drained the spot that will have
to be selected Tor the permanent position of the SOL
dierS' monument. For the cutters themselves, it
will be absolutely essential that they should be
paved, with view to economy well as neatness.
That such an edging to the walks, besides protect
ing them from abrasion by every rain fall may also
be ornamental small cargo, consisting OF fifty
eight (59 tuns of small beach stones has been pro-
cured, AT tOtal cost, SlZ.DU Tor railway
tolls oRthree hundred and four ana one-half dol
lars (S304.50l. With these it has been computed
that several hundred yards of gutter can be paved
but of sufficient width for utility, and long
enough to test the question of their cheapnes! Too
much pains cannot be taken to render the loot |
paths dry. By this it Is not meont that they |
should be imperyious to water, which would not be |
desirable. but merely that they shall absorb mois-
ture rapidly or otherwise be relieved from the ex-
cess OF summer showers. There was not sufficient |
time in the working season Of 1871 to complete this
part OF the task thoroughly could be desired
1t is hoped however, in the early spring to profit
by the experience of the winter which, with its al
formations of frost and thaw is thorough If some
what radical leveler. When the walks shall have
been elevated to their proposed height in the CEN
ter, thereby rendering them crOwning instead Of as
now, depressed by myriad feet; and shall, at the
same time be eiectually freed from superfuous wa
ter; the greatest source Of anxiety to the commits
sion will have been entirely removed.
During the progress of the work upon the north
ern path, it became necessary to settle upon the
proper disposition to be made of the ancient well
that has so long and faithfully mnistered to the
popular necessities. The evidence was irresistible
that the well could not be dispensed with being i'll
use, conclusiyely shown, throughout the twenty
| four hours. A thorough cleansing was therefore
ordered, dense mass of fibre being removed which
had been attracted from the roots of the adjacent
elnis by the proximity OF moisture. huge stone
placed over the top, its edges being dressed to
level with the surrounding pathway. In the judg-
meDt OF this commission, such Jobs are done cheap
est when done to last. Ii is not doubted that
the dwelers In the vicinity will be luled TO their
Yirtuous sumbers, for many year to come by the
Upon Application from tins commission three t3l
inlets 70 the Front street sewer, with their accom-
DaHying and Indispensable cateh-baslns, were con.
strsct.d b. ;s department. Of sewers at total cost
% two hEsArea aad fifty dollars and eighty-nne
gsas s,Z4Iat Ias original intention wag. 70 coll
stJ sac siluigs sGrs9s drainage Of the Common and
aiashssFgs 81. trfuuga appropriate channels, into
6dess rlefs. Ers % VII do1btiess be found expe-
d3eag ~ GrrwG pass X hat overflow to the main
ff2li. Walc, A heretofore iniimatpd, Will
BE gsrslft4 f1f TIE westerly aide Of the Common
1eindaz the ate f Tie f9lndztiOu Of the sodiers'
monument, tie stability VI which must not be- lett
IN question for moment The general grade Of the
whole tract Is SUCH nevertheless that the surface
| water can be directed until shorter courses are
| offered into the inlets TO the Front street sewer
Especially Is such the fact in regard TO the rainfall
upon tine knoll before whicl, "fnll high advanced"
| the Blgelow monument discloses It's graceful pro-
| portions.
| The roper treatment Of that knoll occasioned as
much, if not more, embarrassment than any other
| problem which was presented for solution. A
tbleket Of unsighty trees had been suffered to grow
| up, receiving no other than the occasional
pruning OF limb that had first been fractured by
/ nature IN rough but ehecual fashion. Scarcely
| one Of those trees. by itself was worth
Ing. Had the commission felt free TO disregard all
Other considerations, consulting only the require
meuts 0! correct taste, not tree would have
been spared which interfsred with the plan Of re-
! dnclng the knoll to the level OF the southern
plateau, continuing the northerly grade by an easy
descent, until Ii merged the walk nj III ha4e