Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-20
The Chelsea Tragedy.

On Saturday night, another murder was
committed, not more than a stones throw
from the spot where Police Officer Wilbur
was assassinated on the seventh of last July.
More than year ago, DIR. Sydney B. West,
in company with woman named Mrs. Susan
d. Gilbert, took rooms on the second floor of
the building at the corner of Broadway and
Third street, and established a mandatory
of DIR. Vests Medicated Candy. Suisse
quently, Mr.. Charles f. Storer, a we'll. known
citizen of Chelsea, took an interest III the
business, DIR. West occupied room adjoin-
ing the place of business, and being rather
feeble and subject to apoplectic fits, and not
considering it safe to be left alone, a room in
the same building was subsequently, fitted up
for Mrs. Gilbert. Some time ago, Mrs. Gill
bert formed the acquaintance of man
named AFRO b. Bartholomew, and warm
friendship sprang up between them. After
Mrs. Gilbert had moved to Chelsea, Barthol-
omew, used to spend many of his evenings
there, until Storer was taken into the firm,
who formed great antipathy against Bar
tholomew, as he did against many of Mrs.
Gilbert's friends, and Bartholomew visits
were made generally when StOrer was alb
sent. Storer has been known to threaten
the life of Bartholomew several times.
At about a quarter-past six on Saturday
night Bartholomew came running bareheaded
down Broadway, and excitedly accosted
Officer johnson, who stood IN the door of the
city marshals office, saying he wanted him to
come with him as he was afraid he had got
himself into a scrape. Officer johnson ac-
companied him to the rooms of DIR. West
and there found Storer lying on the lounge,
with two deep stabs in the left-breast in the
region of the heart. Officer Veazie went
after johnson and City Marshal Drury soon
followed. Bartholomew was arrested, DIR.
West and Mrs. Gilbert were detained as wit
nesses, and all three were put into the con-
venient and filthy little locker.
The most concerning the affair is learned
from Mrs. Gilbert, who says she had been to
Boston and had just returned when Bartholo-
new entered. He was evidently intoxicated.
knowing that Storer was in another room,
and having heard him say that if he ever
caugh bartholomew there he would kill him,
she besought him to go. He refused to GO,
and on her urging him she says that in the
twilight she saw him take knife from his
pocket, open it, and make feint as If to
strike himself. She grasped his arm SO fore
IDLY that his fist struck her in the breast.
Storer then entered and, using a vile epiihet,
| STdSpeu W thS S~~s SoA"A'
Mrs. Gilbert entreated him to use no violence
but let him go, as he was in liquor and knew
not what he was doing Meanwhile they had
grappled, and Bartholomew was thrown on
his back while Storer was above nm. Whiie
! in that position it must have been that Storer
received the stabs, for on Mrs. Gilberts con-
tinued entreaties Storer jumped up and ran
toward the entry saying, '.Ill see if l can't
get policemen enough to take him away"
At the head of the stairs he fell, and Barthol-
omew ran past and down the stairs. DIR.
West and Mrs. Gilbert ran out and found
Storer lying on the floor face downwards.
They picked him up apparently unconscious
and attempted to drag him on to the sofa. In
two or three minutes he Strengthened up and
exclaimed, "What's the matter!" twice.
Then he sank down again, and they seeing
no blood did not know what to think. He
exclaimed again, whats the matter!" his
eyes became CLASSY and fixed, and he fell
dead, DIR. West saw no blood and did not
then known that Storer had been stabbed.
| Bartholomew is sixty-one years old and a
widower. He il a machinist by trade, and
formerly worked at the shop of the Boston &
| Albany Railroad. He was once member o
the Boston police force, but was discharged
some time ago. He was at one time men,
her of the lodge of Odd Fellows at Taunton.
He is highly spoken of by those who know
him, and he is said to be of very amiable
disposition, and always treated his wife with
great affection. The murder appears to be
unprecedented, as Bartholomew always
made his visits when Storer was absent, and