from
"King's Pocket-book of Providence, R.I."
Moses King, Cambridge, Mass., 1882
Tibbitts, Shaw & Co., Providence, RI
pp. 36 - 39.
"EQUITABLE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE CO. is the second largest joint-stock
fire and marine insurance co. in Rhode Island, the largest being the
Providence Washington, noticed elsewhere. Although the Equitable is the
youngest, it is one of the most prosperous, of the joint-stock co.'s. It
was org. in 1860, the president being the Hon. Thomas G. Turner, who had
been governor of the State the preceeding year. The stockholders were
chiefly the personal friends of the president and the first secretary,
Augustus M. Turner. The original capital was $100,000; and this was
increased first in 1864 to $200,000; again in 1872 to $300,000. In the
latter year occurred the great Boston fire, which involved the Equitable in
a loss of $305,000, although its assets were only $345,000. This was a
severe test of the strength and integrity of the Co.; but the result was in
every way creditable, every loss being unequivocally met and promptly paid
in full. From that time its progress has been almost uninterrupted; its
gross assets on Jan. 1, 1882, amounting to $468, 651; while its gross
liabilities, excluding its capital, were only $86,549, and its net surplus
was $81,511. The Co. owns its own building, known as the Equitable
Building, on the cor. of Custom-House and Weybosset Sts. It is an
attractive and well constructed iron-front structure, wholly occupied by
offices on the various floors, all of which are made readily accessible by a
Whittier passenger-elevator. The building, besides being an ornament to the
city, and providing commodious and conveniently situated offices for the
Co., proves to be also a good investment. Mr. Turner was president for 15
years, until his death in 1875. His successor was Frederick W. Arnold, who
had previously been the secretary for 14 years, having succeeded Mr. Turner
about a year after the Co. was organized. Mr. Arnold has therefore been
connected with the Co. upwards of 21 years. The sec'y is James E.
Tillinghast, who was elected in 1875, after eight years' service in the
employ of the Equitable.
EXCHANGE PLACE, a broad sq. (900 ft. long), extends from Washington Row to
Dorrance St. At the W. end stand the City Hall and Soldiers' Monument. The
Union R. R. Depot fills the N. side. Opposite are the Butler Exchange, and
many wholesale houses. Engine-Station No. 1 faces the City Hall. Many
military and other reviews are held in this place.
EXCURSIONS. -- During the summer season ample opportunities are afforded
for visiting the various shore resorts and other attractive localities in
and about the city. Excellent steamers ply at frequent intervals up and
down the bay, stopping at all important points. Several of these are
reached by railroads, which issue excursion-tickets. Enjoyable trips to
nearer points of interest in the suburbs may be taken in open horse-carts.
Newport and Block Island are within 2 and 4 hours' sail, respectively, from
the city. A ride by rail of a little more than an hour brings one to
Narragansett Pier, which is also reached by steamer from Newport. Mt. Hope,
the ancient seat of the famous Indian chief, King Philip, may be visited by
the boats of the Fall River Steam-boat Co. Rocky Point, with its mammoth
dining-hall for shore dinners, lofty tower, summer theatre, groves and other
attractions, is distant but an hour from the city. Other noticeable shore
resorts are Oakland Beach, Buttonwood, Bullock's Point, Riverside, Silver
Spring, Ocean Cottage, and Field's Point, the last mentioned elsewhere.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, City Hall, open from 9 A. M. to 4:30 P. M. The mayor
transacts business from 11 A. M. to 1 P. M.
EXPRESS CHARGES.
For the transportation of any article weighing not more than three hundred
pounds from one place to another within the city, not exceeding one mile, 30
cts.
For the transportation of any article weighing as aforesaid, more than one
mile, 50 cts.
For each additional article weighing as aforesaid, 15 cts.
All distances shall be computed by straight lines on the map of the city;
and each owner or driver having charge of such express-wagon shall at all
times, when using the same, have a copy of said map in said wagon, which
shall be exhibited when demanded.
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
Adams, Dorrance St., cor. Broad.
Earl & Prew, 66 Eddy St.
Erie and New England, Washington St., cor. Eddy.
New Express Co., 17 Eddy St.
FARMER & CO., E. G., successors to Farmer, Livermore, & Co., are the only
steel-engravers in Rhode Island, and one of the few firms in this line whose
customers extend throughout the United States. They have been established
four years, and have already earned a reputation for executing the highest
grades of steel-engraving. The senior partner, E. G. Farmer, jrn., has been
in this same business for 12 years, having been connected at various times
with the American and Continental Bank-Note Companies of New York, and with
John A. Lowell & Co. of Boston. The premises of E. G. Farmer & Co. include
the third floor of the Rose Building, a fine brick structure with granite
trimmings, situated at No. 18 Custom-house St., directly opposite the Custom
House. The equipment of the establishment embraces all the machinery and
appliances requisite for executing all varieties of steel-engraving for
corporations, societies, firms, and individuals. Bonds, certificates of
stock, stationery, wedding and social invitations, business and personal
cards, circulars, etc., comprise part of the regular work constantly doing;
while elaborate engraving for programmes, menus, and special occasions, is
promptly and exquisitely executed. Steel-engraving has become recognized as
one of the fine arts; and, in order to compete successfully with all firms,
E. G. Farmer & Co. constantly employ noted and artistic designers, and
experienced and skilled engravers, use the best materials, and put the
finest finish on all their work.
FEDERAL HILL, north-west of Broadway, on the W. side, reaches its highest
eminence of about 75 ft. nr. the Federal-st. School.
FEMALE ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART. -- See Sacred Heart.
FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY, org. in 1800, applies the income of an invested
fund to the relief of needy and deserving women. Mrs. C. C. Carrington, sec'y.
FERRY. -- A ferry has been in operation for many years from James St.
(East Side) to Ship St. (West Side). The toll is 2 cents. The ferry-boat
is simply a large rowboat accommodating some half-dozen persons besides the
oarsman.
FIELD'S POINT, 3 miles from Great Bridge, came into possession of the town
in 1825, and in 1868 became a part of Ward IX. It comprises a farm of 37
acres, occupied by the sentinel for a quarantine-station and by the
small-pox hospital. The latter, a white cottage on a bluff overlooking the
water, has received but two patients in the last nine years. Most of the
farm is leased as a shore resort, where shore dinners are served daily
during the excursion season. Reached by the Continental line of steamers.
The 'point' is a narrow strip of land, extending almost to the opposite
shore, and forming a natural boundary bet. the harbor and the bay."
continued in part 18; Part 17 is just a list of fire-alarm boxes (pp. 39 - 41).
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Beth Hurd
Johnston, RI USA
beth(a)the-hurds.com
http://www.the-hurds.com
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