The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-16
PUBLIC lighthouses.
Date Of the Opening at
the Lake Not Yet
Determined.

N"tA4iAS 10 uOl SlIlCIly dCCoiuluS W lHS
CODE
The time is too early to discard the
bathtub for the lake basin as means
to cleanliness, and the board realizing
that if the house were open they would
be patronized to a certain extent, the
number who would avail themselves of
the privileges would be small There
has been considerable swimming at
the lake so far this season, but the
greater part of it has been done by
clubmen who would not patronize the
public bathing house.
Worcester has operated a public
bathhouse for two years, and the apa
probation the people have shown, for
1t has clearly demonstrated the wisdom
of the city government in its creation.
The first house was built in the spring
of 1897 in answer to a strong demand
for bathing facilities from people who
were not fortunate to enjoy the ad-
Vantages of membership in any of the
lake clubs. The city received permits
sion from the state to use a part of its
land, and the house was built on tanks
north of the causeway from land owned
by the state.
The house was opened July 20, 1897,
and its use devoted almost exclusively
to men. Women were given one day a
week, but the patronage from this
class was so large that subsequently
they were given two hours every day
except Sunday. These hours were
from Z to a. m. and during the time
many women, despite the early hour,
journeyed to the lake for instruction.
David L. Rigby was placed in direct
oh Of nd
instruction of men and boys who could
not swim, and kept a watchful eye on
others to see that they did not take too
many ranks. Miss Anna c. Wallberg
was in charge of the house during the
time given to women, and her work
resulted in many girls and women
learning to swim. Several went to the
house mornings for instruction before
enteriAg upon their work in office or
school.
An extract from the report of the
board 0f health shows to what extent
the house was patronized.
The number of bathers was as
follows: From July 20, when the
house was opened to the end of the
month, 1903 men and boys availed
themselves of it's privileges. In
August the number was 1852, and in
September it was 1888, a total of
La
of an exceptionally cool summer.
The number of girls who used the
house was as follows: In July, IL,
they having one day in that month.
In August $40 used it, and in Sep
TENDER 237, a total of 619, remark
able showing when it is considered
that 1t was an entirely new expert
ence for the women and girls of
Worcester, and that but one day
latterly a few hours additional in
the early morning. The total num-
Der using the house during the sea-
son was 12417 The largest single
days record for men and boys was
on Friday, July %, when AIS used
it, The largest days record for
women and girls was 1875.
Last year Mr.. Rigby and Miss Wall
berg continued in charge of the house
until September, upon the completion
of house for the exclusive use of Wo-
men, when Miss Wallberg assumed
charge of the new building. 1t was
erected on the south side of the cause
way east of the Belmont House. Its
cost was $3500, and it was opened Sept.
2. Until that time the arrangement
which was in vogue the previous year
continued at the other house. The
record for the year was: Men and boys
June, 1855; July, 1915; August, S416;
September, 29S7; total, 23,529. Women
and girls: June, 20; July, 423; August,
SIS; September, 5l4; total, 1872. Total
number Of bathers for season, 25,1O0
On account of complaints from pro-
prietors of the Belmont House, it is
intended to move the women's house
farther east this year The board of
health will open the buildings about
June 1, and applications for positions
are hocking in. For the women
house, Miss Wallberg is the only ap-
plicant, and it is we'll so, as it would
take an exceptional woman to equal the
work she has done.
Dave Rigby has left Worcester and
the number of applicants for his posi-
ton are increasing every day. Among
the number are John w. Mullin, Mr.
Connors. Austin Maynard, William G.
Norton and James H Baldwin. Many
OF these applications are accompanied
by letters attesting to the applicants
capability to do the work. The most
formidable application comes from Jer-
emiah ]. DAILY who is known to every
body who crequents the lake. Daily has
been q seasons at the lake and in that
time has won an eEViable record as
life saver, having Il rescues to his cred
it. Through the efforts of Frederick b.
Harlow, the Massachusetts Humane
society recognized Days life saving
work by presenting him a silver medal.
The society does not make a practice
of recognizing rescue work later than
two years after the rescue but the ef-
fort to get recognition for DAILY was
backed by substantial evidence and
was supported by prominent men of the
city. In his application for the position
of bathhouse tender DAILY has substan-
TALLY the same backing among the
signers to his petition being Senator
Hoar, Hon. Charles G. Washburn, Hon.
E. B. Stoddard, and about 20 others
Since DAILY received his medal he has
pulled four others from watery graves,
three Of them at great risk to his life.
r. NJ. Washburn, member of the Wor-
cester county bar. tipped out of a shell
and being unable to swim owes his life
to DAILY. Later a colored inmate of the
insane hospital with suicidal intent
tried to drown himself and was saved
bv DAILY The lunatic was in a frenzy
and weighing 200 pounds it required
much courage and a cool head to tackle
him. But DAILY although weighing only
100 pounds was nothing daunted and
brought the lunatic to shore where he
was secured by attendants.
On Memorial day sc. DAILY figured in
a double rescue. He was employed, at
the Wapiti clubhouse at the time and
a party Of Swedes were bathing off
sandy Bar. Two of the men rodata
horse into the water and getting be-
vond the animals depth were thrown
of. The horse drowned and the men
we're saved from the same fate solely
through Days efforts who put off in
a boat from Wapiti Island and got
them in an unconscious condition.
DAILY was born in Worcester Jan. l,
1869, and started his career at the lake
when years old. He was employed at