DOCSLIB.ORG

Report of the Attorney General for the Year Ending

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Report of the Attorney General for the Year Ending : PUBLIC DOCUMENT. No. 12. ANNUAL REPORT ATTORNEY- GENEEAL ^ YEAR COMMENCING FROM THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF JANUARY, 1890, AND ENDING WITH THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF JANUARY, 1891. I. BOSTON WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRIN 18 Post Office Square. 1891. 4 dToinmonfocalt^ 0f Utassatlwtsitts. Attorney-General's Department, Commonwealth Building, Boston, Jan. 21, 1891. Hon. William E. Barrett, Speaker of the Hotcse of Representatives. Sir : — I have the honor to submit to the General Court the report of this department, herewith enclosed, for the year commencing from the third Wednesday of January, 1890, and ending with the third Wednesday of January, 1891. Very respectfully, A. J. WATERMAN, Attorney- General. — Commontaca;It!) of ^msuthnBtttB. Attorney-General's Department, Commonwealth Building, Boston, Jan. 21, 1891. To the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives. In accordance with section 9 of chapter 17 of the Public Statutes, I have the honor to submit to the General Court the annual report of this department. The total number of cases that have required the attention of the department is 744. The following table is a classifi- cation thereof: 6 ATTORNEY- GENERAL'S REPORT. [Jan. Saladin Cook of Wrcntham, in Norfolk County, was indicted for the murder of Dennis Ryan, by shooting with a gun, July 17, 1889. This indictment was found and returned into the superior court at Dedham, September 6, and a copy thereof was received by me Oct. 22, 1889. On Jan. 18, 1890, after counsel had been assigned for the defendant, upon suggestion that he was insane, and incapa- ble in law of being tried, at Dedham a hearing and inquiry was had before Mr. Justice Field of the supreme judicial court, as to the mental condition of the defendant ; and, after hearing divers witnesses, some of whom were experts upon the questions considered, the said Cook was adjudged to be an insane person, and was ordered to be committed to the Taunton Lunatic Hospital till further order of court, and he was so committed. He has since been transferred to the State Farm at Bridgewater, by order of the State Board of Lunacy and Charity, under the statute authorizing the same in such cases. William Hennessey of Boston, in Suffolk County, was indicted for the murder of Catherine Hennessey, Sept. 29, 1889, by kicking and beating. This indictment was found and returned into the superior court in Boston, November 6, and a copy thereof was received by me Nov. 13, 1S89. Upon examination of the case and the evidence appliable thereto, and after consultation with the Hon. Oliver Stevens, district attorney for Suffolk County, I was of the opinion, in Avhich the district attorney concurred, that the defendant was only guilty of manslaughter; and the defendant was indicted for that offence, and tried and convicted and sen- tenced in the superior court for Suffolk County. I after- wards entered a nolle prosequi of the indictment for murder. Walter H. Pray of .Weymouth, in Norfolk County, was indicted Dec. 5, 1889, for the murder at said AVey- raouth, on November 21, 1889, of Varner U. Fisher, and a copy of the indictment was received at the Attorney- General's office, Jan. 10, 1890. After counsel had l)een assigned for the defendant, upon suggestion of his counsel before Mr. Justice Devens of the supreme judicial court, on February 18, 1890, a hearing and inquiry as to the mental condition of the defendant was had ; and, after hearing 1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT— No. 12. 7 divers witnesses, some of whom were experts upon questions of insanity, it was adjudged by the court tliat the defendant was an insane person, and he was ordered committed to the Taunton Lunatic Hospital till further order of court, and was so committed. He has since been transferred to the State Farm at Bridgewater, b}^ order of the State Board of Lunacy and Charity, under the statute in such case provided. Since my last report, the following-named persons have been indicted for murder, and copies of the indictments have been received by me, and the cases have been disposed of as follows, to wit : — Thomas J. Dempsey of Bradford, in Essex County, was indicted Feb. 3, 1890, for the murder of Clarence J. Willey, at said Bradford, on Oct. 25, 1889. A copy of the indict- ment was received at the Attorney-General's office Fel:». 7, 1890. After the court had assigned John P. Sweeney, Esq., and John J. Winn, Esq., attorneys-at-law, to be counsel for the defendant, and after due consultations held, the defend- ant, at Salem, March 22, 1890, was set to the bar and arraigned, and pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree, which was accepted by the Commonwealth ; and thereupon the defendant — Mr. Justice Devens presiding — was sentenced to imprisonment in the State Prison for life. Charles C. Cowlishaw of Boston, in Suflblk County, was indicted April 14, 1890, for the murder of Elizabeth M. Cowlishaw, his wife, at said Boston, on March 26, 1890, and a copy of the indictment was received at the Attorney- General's office April 19, 1890. On Oct. 25, 1890, Mr. Justice Holmes of the supreme judicial court presiding, the defendant was arraigned, and pleaded not guilty. S. J. Elder, Esq., and K. W. Shea, Esq., attorneys-at-law, were assigned as his counsel; and on Nov. 7, 1890, after consul- tations in court at Boston, Mr. Justice Charles Allen of the supreme judicial court presiding, the defendant at his own request was allowed to retract his former plea, and he then pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree, which plea was accepted by the Commonwealth, and the defendant there- upon was sentenced to imprisonment in the State Prison for life. 8 ATTORNEY- GENERAL'S REPORT. [Jan. llNDISrOSED-OF MUKDEK INDICTMENTS. The following-named of the indictments for murder which have been received since my last annual report, are the only ones not yet disposed of, the prisoners being held in jail, to wit : — John Bessette of Ludlow, in Hampden County, was indicted May 8, 1890, for the murder of his wife, Sophia Bessette, at Ludlow, on Dec. 26, 1889, and a copy of the indictment was received at the Attorney-General's office May 9, 1890. After an ineffectual effort, made May 20, 1890, to have counsel assigned for the defendant, by desire of the defendant, the matter was postponed until Dec. 1, 1890, at Springfield, when, Mr. Justice Kno'wlton of the supreme judicial court presiding, William H. Brooks, Esq., and William Hamilton, Esq., attorneys-at-law, were assigned to be counsel for the defendant. The defendant was then arraigned and pleaded not guilty, since which nothing fur- ther has been done in the case, the defendant remaining in jail at Springfield. Edward F. Costello of Palmer, in Hampden County, Sept. 24, 1890, for the murder of his child, AVilliam A. Costello, at Palmer, on June 11, 1890. A copy of the indictment was received at the Attorney-General's office Sept. 27, 1890. At Springfield, Dec. 1, 1890, Mr. Justice Knowlton presiding, F. W. Gillette, Esq., and C. H. Bar- rows, Esq., attorneys-at-law, were assigned to be counsel for the defendant and he was then arraigned and pleaded not guilty, since which nothing further has been done in the case, the defendant remaining in jail at Springfield. Benjamin F. Taylor of Boston, Suffolk County, was indicted Dec. 8, 1890, for the nmrder of Wilder F. Hutcli- ings, at Boston, on Nov. 14, 1890. A copy of the indict- ment was received at the Attorney-General's office Dec. 10, 1890, and nothing has yet been done in the case, the defendant being held in jail at Boston. Daniel H. Wilson of Boston, Suffolk County, was indicted Dec. 8, 1890, for the murder of Annie C. Wilson, alias Annie C. Noyes, at Boston, Oct. 18, 1890. A copy 181)1.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 12. 9 of the indictment was received at the Attorney-General's office Dec. 10, 1890, and nothing has yet been done in the case, the defendant being held in jail in Boston. Jonathan Brigham Davis of Enfield, in Hampshire County, was indicted Dec. 19, 1890, for the murder of Eva Mabel Holden, at Amherst, on Sept. 20, 1890. A copy of the indictment was received at the Attorney-General's office Dec. 28, 1890, and nothing has yet been done in the case, the defendant l)eing held in jail at Northampton. Capital Trials. — I would again respectfully call the attention of the Legislature to the propriety of changing the law so that these trials may be had in the superior court before two or three justices, as may be deemed best. As I stated in my last report, the increased and increasing duties of the justices of the supreme judicial court call for a change, which, if will not made, endanger the rights of prisoners ; and trials could be more readily obtained at stated terms, and, I believe; more economically conducted. Suits against the Com3ionwealth. [Under chapter 195 of the Public Statutes.] Under chapter 195 of the Public Statutes, as amended by the Acts of 1887, chapter 246, authorizing suits to be brought against the Commonwealth, the following cases have been filed : — • William Washburn vs. The Commonwealth, com- menced Dec. 10, 1887, noticed in my last report, involving the right of the plaintifi* to recover, on equitable ground, for certain services alleged to have been rendered at the request of the joint standing committee on the State House, of the General Court of 1878. An appropriation of one thousand and fifty dollars was made by the Legislature of 1885 to settle the claim, that sum representing the value of the plans of the petitioner actually taken and used by the State.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • General Notice Letter (Gnl) Response
    RUBIN AND RUDMAN LLP COUNSELLORS AT LAW 50 ROWES WHARF • BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110-3319 TELEPHONE: (6i7)330-7000 • FACSIMILE: (617)4-39-9556 • EMAIL: [email protected] Margaret Van Deusen Direct Dial: (617) 330-7154 E-mail: [email protected] June 26, 2000 BY MESSENGER Richard Haworth United States Environmental Protection Agency Site Evaluation and Response Section II 1 Congress Street Suite 1100 Mail Code HBR Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2023 Re: EPA Notice Letter, Old Colony Railroad Site, East Bridgewater, MA Dear Mr. Haworth: This firm is counsel to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority ("MBTA") with respect to the above matter. By letter dated June 5, 2000, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") notified the MBTA of its potential liability regarding the Old Colony Railroad Site in East Bridgewater, MA ("Site") pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), 42 U.S.C. § 9607(a). The letter also informed the MBTA that EPA plans to conduct immediate removal activities involving installation of a perimeter fence, elimination of direct contact with contaminated soils and prevention of off-site migration via soil transport. EPA is asking the MBTA to perform or to finance these activities. Pursuant to conversations with Marcia Lamel, Senior Enforcement Counsel, EPA, the MBTA was given until today to respond to EPA's letter. As discussed below, even though the MBTA does not believe that it is a responsible party at this Site, it is willing to participate in fencing the perimeter of the Site and posting signage. The MBTA is also willing to discuss with EPA covering "hot spots" of contaminated soil on the Site with some sort of synthetic cover.
    [Show full text]
  • Technical Memorandum Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Concord, MA
    Technical Memorandum Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Concord, MA Cultural Resources Survey January 10, 2008 Submitted to: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. 530 Broadway Providence, Rhode Island 02909 Introduction The Town of Concord, Massachusetts has contracted with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) for professional design and engineering services for a non-motorized multi-use recreational path/rail trail over the 3.5 mile section of the proposed Bruce Freeman Rail Trail from the southerly side of Route 2 south to the Sudbury town line (Figure 1). The design and engineering services include a survey and documentation of the historic resources along the proposed trail alignment. PAL entered into a Subconsultant Contract with VHB for the historic resources survey and documentation. The survey’s purpose is to identify historic railroad-related resources along the rail corridor, to document these resources in writing and with photographs, and to provide recommendations for incorporating existing railroad infrastructure in and creating educational opportunities along the rail corridor. This technical memorandum describes the field and research methodologies employed by PAL in conducting fieldwork and archival research, presents the results of the field survey, and provides recommendations for the integration of railroad-related resources into the landscape design and interpretive programming elements of the finished rail trail. Methodology PAL employees John Daly (industrial historian) and Quinn Stuart (architectural assistant) completed a site walk of the 3.5-mile proposed rail trail corridor on August 23, 2007. Prior to the site walk, PAL employees met representatives of the Town of Concord to discuss priorities for the survey. Valarie Kinkade of the Concord Historical Commission, Ashley Galvin of the Concord Historic District Commission, and Henry T.
    [Show full text]
  • Invests$'Jlom Into Restoring Railroadservice
    Paga46 • August2015 26, • www.oonotructlonoquipmenlgUlcle.com • CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMEriTGUIIE � Invests$'JlOM Into Restoring Railroad Service ByJay Adams problems. While the Commonwealth of CEO CORRESPONDENT Cardi Corp. crews work 011 rat/over Massachusetts provided an emergency sub­ PresidentAve1n1e tn FaU Rive,: sidy to continue service to tl1e Soud1 Coast in A long-dead mode of transportation is 1958, it was not enough. Passenger service coming back to life in several cities in on the Old Colony line was abandooed in Massachusetts.. 1959, with the exception of the main line Months of summer work have begun to between Boston and Providence,R.l. repair vital rail bridgesin the FallRiver area, The currentone-year phase of lhe project partof the 120-month South Coast Rail proj­ is seeingrailways shoredup forthe firsttime ect d1at is restoring52 mi. (83.6 km)of com­ in 56 years. muter rail service between Boston and lhe With the first year design phase complete. Massachusetts South Coast. The entirecost involving state discussions with communi­ of die decade-long plan is estimated to be tiesfrom Stoughton to FallRiver. tons of soil $2l0million. samples are being taken over many months "We are thrilled about the three Fall River to discerntoxic conte111 and other vital infor­ bridges and the Warnsutta Bridge in New mation. When the design phase is complete Bedford. These are solid investments that and the samples in hand, MassDOT will will provide immediate benefit to the begin replacing four bridges - New expanding freightrail sector. along the same Bedford's Wan�utta Bridge. Fall River's route as lhe future South Coast Rail com­ Golf Club Road.
    [Show full text]
  • Northeast Corridor New York to Philadelphia
    Northeast Corridor New York to Philadelphia 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................2 2 A HISTORY..............................................................................................3 3 ROLLING STOCK......................................................................................4 3.1 EMD AEM-7 Electric Locomotive .......................................................................................4 3.2 Amtrak Amfleet Coaches .................................................................................................5 4 SCENARIOS.............................................................................................6 4.1 Go Newark....................................................................................................................6 4.2 New Jersey Trenton .......................................................................................................6 4.3 Spirit or Transportation ..................................................................................................6 4.4 The Big Apple................................................................................................................6 4.5 Early Clocker.................................................................................................................7 4.6 Evening Clocker.............................................................................................................7 4.7 Northeast Regional ........................................................................................................7
    [Show full text]
  • Standard Metal for LOCOMOTIVE WEARING PARTS
    AUGUST, 1909 .~;, Railroad - Dep~rtm(n-l ,. .: ~:- .· , . y. JV\. (. A. , .. BUILDERS' HARDWARE ABSOLUTELY EUROPEAN FIREF;tOOF TH£ PLAN ~o't'EL Ess~~ For every need and of the highest BOSTON quality in every class New Britain, Conn. DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE SOUTH STATION CONVENIENT TO BUSINESSCENTii:RB AND RUBLIC INSTITUTIONS ACCOMMODATIONS, CATERING AND OUR HOME DOOR CHECK SERVICE UNSURPASSED is the only appliance of its kind that with­ WRITE FOR BOOKLET. stands the hard use of railway service. 1-- ~ - ' . PINT~Cn LltiHT (LfCTRIC LltiHT Car Lighting by the PINT~cn Axle Driven Dqnomo~y~tem ~ \'~ Tf)1 with perfected -;iO­ of electric lighting. l:quip­ gle mantle lamp~. ment~ either ~old or oper­ Co~t-Ooe cent per hour. ated under contract. , ~T(A~ HfAT Car Heating by controllable direct steam and water circulating systems, steam tight couplers, traps, train pipe valves and other appliances. Thermo- Jet System where pressure is not desired. , SAF.ETY CAR HEATING & LIGHTING COMPANY,.. 2 RECTOR STREET, NEW YORK ,- Chicago Philadelphia St. Louis Boston Berkeley, Cal. Atlanta Montreal I T - ' 1Rew lJlorlit 1Rew lba"en anb lbartforb 1Railroab 1Rews. VoL. XII NEW HAVEN, CONN., AUGUST, 1909 No. 10 Train Service To_ The Boats. Brockton) anrl :\liddleboro to the "new road" (just completed under title of Dighton & "Old Colony Passenger Station. Fall River Line to New York" was the way the big signs Somerset) through Randolph and Taunton. used to read which hung for years on either The following in regard to the steamboat train over the "new road" and a description side of the Old Colony Depot at the corner of the towns through which it passed is taken of South and Kneeland streets in Boston.
    [Show full text]
  • Transportation in Bridgewater, 1900-1910 Benjamin A
    Bridgewater State University Virtual Commons - Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, Massachusetts: A oT wn in Transition Local History 2009 Transportation in Bridgewater, 1900-1910 Benjamin A. Spence Recommended Citation Spence, Benjamin A. (2009). Transportation in Bridgewater, 1900-1910. In Bridgewater, Massachusetts: A oT wn in Transition. Monograph 2. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/spence/2 This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Bridgewater, Massachusetts A Town in Transition Transportation 1900-1910 (Including Extensive Historical Background) Dr. Benjamin A. Spence © 2009 An Explanation For several years I have had the pleasure of delving into the history of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, concentrating on the first quarter of the twentieth century and providing, when appropriate, historical background to make my discussions clearer. Although my research and writing are ongoing, I have decided to make available drafts of a number of topics which I have explored at length, with the hope that the material presented will prove helpful to many readers. I would request that credit be given if my findings are used by other writers or those making oral presentations. As my study has proceeded, many people have been helpful and, hopefully, I will be able to thank all of them during the course of my writing. At this point, let me mention just a few who have been especially supportive. Many thanks to the Trustees of Bridgewater’s Public Library for allowing me free access to the sources in the town’s library, made easier by the aid given to me by the research librarians under the competent direction of Mary O’Connell.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter XIX. Custom House. Post Office. Public Utilities
    Chapter XIX CUSTOM HOUSE POST OFFICE PUBLIC UTILITIES Custom House Soon after the Revolution the Federal Government established the first custom house, in what was known as the Dighton District . It was near the shore of Taunton Estuary, just south of Muddy Cove . The Fall River District replaced the Dighton District in 1837 and the custom house wa s located in the town hall on Central Street . When the new town hall was built, it was located there for a few years and then moved to the secon d floor of a building at the northeast corner of Anawan and Water Streets , where it remained until a Federal building was erected on Bedford Stree t in 1880. Post Office The first general issue of postage stamps by the United States was i n 1847. Stamps were used before that time in some localities but were issue d at the expense of the postmasters . The price of letter postage was accord- ing to the number of sheets used ; consequently letters were written on large sheets, then folded and sealed, leaving a space for the address. Envelopes and blotting paper did not come into general use until 1845 . The first mail was handled in Fall River, then Troy, in 1811 . Charles Pitman was the first postmaster ; at first located in the village, he moved his post office to Steep Brook in 1813.1 W. W. Howes, First Assistant Postmaster General reports that th e first United States Post Office was "established in Fall River, Massachu- setts, on March 14, 1816 . The first Postmaster was Abraham Bowen.
    [Show full text]
  • MBTA Awards Major Construction Contracts for South Coast Rail
    www.mass.gov/southcoastrail MBTA Awards Major Construction Contracts for South Coast Rail The MBTA has awarded two major contracts that The Fall River Secondary contract also includes signal the beginning of Phase 1 construction of upgrades to twelve miles of track, including new rail, South Coast Rail (SCR). On May 11, the MBTA’s ballast and ties and installing vibration mitigation Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) where necessary. The contract will rebuild eight approved a nearly $159 million contract with Skanska railroad bridges in Lakeville, Freetown and Fall River, DW White JV to build the Fall River Secondary, one under-grade bridge, ten grade crossings, four the first major construction package. On August interlockings, ten culverts, and preparations for 24, the FMCB approved the award of a $403.5 systems infrastructure. million construction package to SCR Constructors to build the New Bedford Main Line and the The MBTA has obtained all required permits to begin Middleborough Secondary, along with the signal construction, which is expected to take 30 months and communications systems for the entire line. and be completed by the end of 2022. When complete in late 2023, Phase 1 will connect New Bedford Main Line/Middleborough Secondary southeastern Massachusetts and Boston, providing With the August 24 contract awarded to SCR riders with a one-seat trip from Taunton, Fall River, Constructors, mobilization for work on the New and New Bedford to Boston. Bedford Main Line and Middleborough Secondary Elements of the Contracts will move forward. The contract for this Line was advertised in early May 2020 and bids opened on Fall River Secondary August 13, 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • New Haven to Boston
    _final cover.3 5/26/04 10:44 Page 1 AMTRAK’S HIGH SPEED RAIL PROGRAM NEW HAVEN TO BOSTON HISTORY AND HISTORIC RESOURCES _final cover.3 5/26/04 10:44 Page 2 PAL Final 5/26/04 11:21 Page 1 AMTRAK’S HIGH SPEED RAIL PROGRAM NEW HAVEN TO BOSTON HISTORY AND HISTORIC RESOURCES This document was prepared by PAL (The Public Archaeology Laboratory,Inc.) with funding provided by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak. Printed in Rhode Island 2001 PAL Final 5/26/04 11:21 Page 2 2 CONTENTS NEW HAVEN TO BOSTON NEW HAVEN 3 Introduction 7 History 39 Stations 52 Railroad Maintenance and Service Facilities 55 Signals and Switches 61 Grade Crossing Eliminations 65 Bridges 73 Freight and Industries 80 Image Credits 80 Recommended Reading In the year 2000, Amtrak inaugurated its new Acela Express high-speed rail service on the Northeast Corridor, ushering in a premium level of service that will set the standard for transportation in this country. Achieving this mile- stone has required a Herculean effort by many states, agencies, companies and individuals. Indeed, between 1992 and 1999, the railroad between New Haven and Boston was transformed from a sleepy, 1940s era line to the INTRODUCTION premier rail line in North America, capable of train speeds up to 150 mph. This has required some $1.7 billion in new rails and ties, signal system upgrades, In the year 2000, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak, ushered bridge replacements, capacity and station improvements, curve realignments, in a new era of railroading in America with the initiation of Acela high-speed and at-grade crossing upgrades.
    [Show full text]
  • THE PROVINCETOWN Railroad Heritage Trail
    THE PROVINCETOWN Railroad Heritage Trail Self-guided Provincetown Railroad Tour TRURO HISTORICAL SOCIETY Introduction List of Stops Before 1873, traveling to Provincetown was an arduous and long journey 1. Depot Square .................................................4 over rutted dirt roads or by sea voyage. Although there was regular passen- ger steamship service from Boston to Provincetown, there were few other 2. On the Way to the Wharf .......................................7 destinations and few options for freight. Then in 1873, train service came to Provincetown. This connection to the rest of the Cape, Boston, and New 3. Railroad Square ...............................................8 York enabled an isolated fishing village to transform itself into a resort and artist community. Passenger service to Provincetown ran for 65 years, 4. MacMillan Wharf ..............................................9 ending in 1938 with a brief revival in the summer of 1940. Freight trains provided service for 87 years, also starting in 1873 and ending in 1960. 5. Chamber of Commerce........................................10 The building of the 14-mile railroad extension from Wellfleet to Provincetown 6. The New York Store ...........................................11 started in the fall of 1872 and finished the following year. On Tuesday, July 22, 1873, two inaugural trains brought local and state dignitaries to Provincetown 7. The Provincetown Public Library................................11 for a flag-waving celebration. The Town, in holiday attire, joined in for speech- es, a banquet, and an evening of dancing. The train had come to Provincetown, 8. The Stationmaster House and Railroad Yard......................12 traveling 120.3 miles from Boston. The run from Boston to Provincetown took between 5 hours 10 minutes and 5 hours 45 minutes.
    [Show full text]
  • The Renovation of Boston's South Station
    The Renovation of Boston’s South Station Term Project 1.011 - Project Evaluation Alexander French & William Fowler 1.011 - Project Evaluation Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 1.011 - Project Evaluation Cover Photo: South Station, May 6, 2003, Will Fowler Table of Contents Section 1: Background ..........................................................4 History of the Station .....................................................4 First Renovation ........................................................6 Decline of the Railroads ..................................................7 South Station Sold to the MBTA ............................................8 Section 2: Concept of the Renovation ..............................................9 The 1980s Renovation of South Station ......................................9 Opposition and Controversy ..............................................13 Risks and Uncertainty ...................................................14 Section 3: Financial Analysis ...................................................15 Funding and Costs ......................................................15 Revenues and Benefits ...................................................18 Actual Results .........................................................22 Other Points Of View ....................................................23 Section 4: Conclusion .........................................................27 Future Development.....................................................28
    [Show full text]
  • Railroad Depots of New Bedford's Past
    Railroad Depots of New Bedford’s Past With all the speculation that the MBTA will extend the commuter rail line to New Bedford (and Fall River), it seems appropriate to survey New Bedford’s rail history as well as the buildings that once served as its terminal. The city has a distinguished past regarding this indispensable metropolitan service. Two depots were constructed in adjacent locations, near the site of the proposed new station. The New Bedford & Taunton Railroad opened for business on July 1, 1840 to significant fanfare which included many local and state dignitaries including the Governor. Joseph Grinnell, the great man of vision who promoted and invested in nearly every civic improvement of the day, was the driving force behind establishing the line. Other prominent investors of the railroad included William Rotch, Jr, John Avery Parker, George Howland, Jr and William W. Swain. The rails for the track were imported at great expense from England but the line from New Bedford to Taunton was constructed in only 18 months. Regular service began on July 2 and included two departures and arrivals per day. The branch line to Fall River was completed in 1876. Eventually, all the assets passed to the Old Colony Railroad and then to the New Haven Railroad. When the NHRR sold the station in the fall of 1959, passenger service ceased from the city. The first train station built in New Bedford was the Pearl Street Depot, 1840 by Russell Warren (1783-1860). Built in the very rare Egyptian Revival Style, it was referred to as “the tombs.” (The Egyptian Revival was a style meant to evoke the grandeur of ancient Egypt and was used extensively in cemeteries.
    [Show full text]