122 Years Ago

The Holliston Fire Department more than a century ago was still without mechanized apparatus. The entire department consisted of Steamers 1&2, Hook & Ladder and Hydrant 3. Chief G. H. Hart drew a yearly salary of $35.

Chemical fire extinguishers were new, and one was used at the fire in Talbot’s Block, whereby the Chief Hart recommended purchasing several more for positioning in East Holliston and the Metcalf Stations. Twenty fires were reported in 1900.  J.L. Whitney had 5 forest fires between June 1^st and June 6^th. Property fires included C.E. Woodbury hen house, the card room at Holliston Mills, and J.M. Fair’s billiard hall.

A report of the Overseers of the Poor in 1900 listed 21 inmates at the Town Home. Under the heading of “Tramp Room”, A.D. Francis received a tidy sum of $34.16 for the care of tramps. The overseers recommended to the Board of Selectmen “some other way to care for tramps”. “We have lodged over 1,000 tramps the past year, and some nights as high as 18. They are let out in the morning and visit the houses in the centre of the town to be fed.”

With a population of 2,598 in 1900 there was no lack of organizations in town. They included: Mt. Hollis Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Order of the Eastern Star, Ancient Order of Hibernian, AOH Ladies Auxiliary, Ancient Order of United Workers, Grand Army of the Republic, Home Club, Woman’s Relief Corps Sons of Veterans, Jasper Rebekah Lodge, Knights of Honor, Knights of Pythias, Lake Grove Cemetery Association, Mass. Catholic Order of Forresters, Patrons of Husbandry, and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

The town had four postmasters in 1900, three of which were located at train depots in East Holliston, Braggville, and Metcalf. The fourth was located in the town center and opened at 6:30 am till 7:30 pm.

The graduating class of 1900 consisted of 6 pupils. The Superintendent of Schools received $581.56 for the year and the teachers’ salaries amounted to $6,504.10