The first city government established a police department, and appointed a city marshal and six assistants.  As at present organized, there is a chief-of-police, two deputies, and fifteen patrol-men, whose duties are to keep watch over the city day and night, keep the peace, and protect property, and observe and report any defects in the public way which could by any chance result in injury to either man or beast.

In 1842, at the annual town-meeting the selectmen were authorized to erect twelve street-lamps.  Their number has been increased from time to time until there are now over five hundred and fifty lamps, besides two large lanterns:  one on the Square, the other in front of the Academy of Music.

[Illustration:  MAGEE FURNACE COMPANY’S FOUNDRY.]

[Illustration:  HIGH SCHOOL.  ERECTED IN 1872.  F.A.  HILL, PRINCIPAL.]

[Illustration:  FIRING THE KILN. (Low’s Art Tile Works.)]

A board of health was first elected in 1846.  From 1850, to the organization of the city government, the selectmen acted as the board.  From 1857 to 1878 the duties of the board were in the hands of the mayor and board of aldermen.  Since 1878, a board has been annually elected.  Their supervision and oversight have been of great advantage to the city.

In 1863, the Chelsea Library Association presented the city with about one thousand volumes, which became the nucleus of the Public Library.  Eight thousand books have already been collected; they are soon to be gathered within an appropriate and spacious building generously donated to the city.

There is much of romance in the history of such an ancient settlement as Winnisimmet and Rumney Marsh, although most of the incidents worthy of note have long since passed into oblivion.

The Indian wars never affected directly the early settlers, for before hostilities commenced the frontier had been advanced some miles into the interior; but the brave sons of the pioneers were called upon for the defence of more exposed localities, and promptly responded.

“In military affairs Rumney Marsh, for many years, was associated with the neighboring towns in Essex and Middlesex, in an organization called the ‘Three County Troop.’” The company appears to have been formed as early as May, 1659.  Edward Hutchinson was confirmed as the first captain.  Captain John Tuttle was in command of the company in 1673.

In the war of 1676, the Three County Troop sent ten men, “well fitted with long arms,” to the rendezvous at Concord.

“In the year 1677, about April the 7th, six or seven men were slain by the Indians, near York, while they were at work two miles from the town, whereof one was the son of Lieutenant Smith of Winnisimmet, a hopeful young man....  Five Indians paddled their canoes down towards York, where they killed six of the English, and took one captive, May 19 following; and, May 23, four days after, one was killed at Wells, and one taken by them betwixt York and Wells; amongst whom was the eldest son of Lieutenant Smith, forementioned; his younger brother was slain in the same town not long before.”