The Bay State Monthly, Volume 3, No. 3 | Page 8

the Public Library is a well-arranged reading-room,
supplied with periodicals and daily papers, accessible at all times to the
public; also the valuable library of the Worcester District Medical
Society, containing about 6,000 volumes. The able and accomplished
librarian is Mr. S.S. Green, who not only supplies its shelves with the
newest and most desirable books for reading and reference, but is a
fountain-head of information in himself, and ever ready and willing to
answer the many questions put to him constantly by a steady concourse
of applicants.
[Illustration: THE WASHBURN & MOEN MANUFACTURING
COMPANY.]
The public-school system has been the occasion of much compliment,
and is regarded both here and elsewhere as a model one. In 1733 it was
voted, "that a school-house be built in the centre half, and that said
school house be 24 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 7 feet stud, and be
completely finished with good chimney glass," This was the first
school-house built in Worcester, and it stood at the north end of Main
street, near the middle of the present street, and there remained until
after the close of the Revolution. In 1740 £100 were granted for the
support of schools. The first Grammar school was established in 1752.
In 1755 John Adams, afterward President of the United States, taught
the Latin Grammar school here, and remained until 1758. There are
now twenty-six different school-houses, including the High School, a
large effective building, situated on Walnut street. Further
accommodations at the present time are greatly needed, the existing

houses being overcrowded. The amount last appropriated for the
schools was $184,500 for maintenance, and $20,000 for the purchase of
free textbooks. Beside the public schools there are several large and
well-known educational institutions,--the College of the Holy Cross,
the Free Institute, the Worcester Academy, the Highland Military
Academy, the Oread Institute, the State Normal School, and the Roman
Catholic Parochial schools. There are also several private schools of
note. The educational interests of the city have kept pace with its rapid
and astonishing growth.
[Illustration: OLD PAINE HOMESTEAD, LINCOLN STREET.]
Worcester has seven national banks, four savings-banks, and one safety
deposit and trust company.
Among a number of newspapers the chief ones have been the "Spy"
and "Evening Gazette." The "Massachusetts Spy" is one of the oldest
papers in this country, and has been published with unbroken numbers
for 115 years. It was established in Boston, in July, 1770, but was
removed to Worcester by its proprietor, Isaiah Thomas, in May, 1775.
It was in those days outspoken with regard to the difficulties between
the mother country and the colonies, and, owing to its urgent appeals
for freedom from tyranny, it became necessary to remove press and
paper. Mr. Thomas was certainly one of the most remarkable men of
his day. His patriotism never waned during the most trying days of the
Revolution, and the "Massachusetts Spy" and its editor are a part of the
history of the country. July 22, 1845, the "Daily Spy" was first issued.
The first number was on a sheet 18 by 23 inches, a trifle larger than the
first number of the "Massachusetts Spy," which was 16 by 20 inches. It
has been enlarged several times. The "National Ægis," published in
1801, in 1833 merged into the "Massachusetts Yeoman," a paper
started in 1823. The name was changed to the "Worcester Palladium."
In 1829 the "Worcester County Republican" was started, and also
merged into the "Palladium," in 1834. It was a successful paper for
years, but in 1876 it was sold to the "Spy." The "Gazette," begun in
1801 as a weekly, became a daily in 1843, and is now an eight-page
paper, the only one in the city. In 1851 the "Daily Morning Transcript"

was issued. Early in 1866 its name was changed to the "Evening
Gazette," and it is now the representative afternoon sheet of the city.
There are two able and well-conducted French weekly journals,--"Le
Travailleur," and "Le Courier de Worcester."
[Illustration: HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.]
In 1719 the first church was built, near the present Old South Church,
on Main street. Previous to that time the inhabitants had held service in
their different houses, where their prayers were often interrupted by the
presence of hostile Indians, who took the occasion when the people
were absorbed in their devotions to molest them. In 1763 the present
Old South Meeting-House was built. The original dimensions were
seventy feet long, fifty-five wide, with a tower on the north side
surmounted by a spire one hundred and thirty feet high. It was
commenced June 21, 1763, and first occupied Dec. 8, 1763. There were
sixty-one large square box pews and seven long ones on each side of
the broad aisle, which were free. The building committee consisted of
John Chandler,