The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-18
E0uud Dead.

| Yesterday about noon man reported to the
| police Office that Mrs. Written residing in No
| 81 Bracket street had not been seen for two or
three weeks, and it was feared that she was
| dead inside as she could not be reused and the
| doors and windows were fastened and the latter
blinded. Deputy Bridges went to the no use
and failing to arouse any one in the house, with
some difficulty forced window open and en-
tered the house. The room was dark and he
came near stumbling over what proved to be
the dead body of the woman laying on bed on
the floor. Coroner Gould was called
but an inquest was deemed unneces-
sary, as it was evident that the
poor woman had died of hunger and cold or
feebleness induced by both. She was mere
skeleton and there were evidences that dssolu-
ton was attended With severe struggles. The
sight was painful one, and certainly not one
to dwell upon. How long the woman had been
dead could not be told. The neighbors did not
| remember to have seen her for three weeks or
more. For some time she has refused to have
any one live with her and to allow neighbors to
enter the house. She would hardly speak with
auy one and wanted no communication with
her fellow creatures, being partially deranged
in consequence of her belief in what is called
Spirtualism. She had an idea that her hus-
band and other deceased relatives were present
with her and she lived and communed with
them in her darkened house, shutting out the
light of day with heavy curtains and having no
lamp by night. In no part of the house was
particle of food or fuel to be found-not even a
bit of crust or small chip of wood. A book in
the room bore the name of the unfortunate
woman-"Mary A. Written" In chair near
where she lay were two cups and glass tum-
bier, all empty. She was sixty eight years old
or more. Her husbands name was Nathan
Written He was moulder and died some
years since. Her only surviving relative is
son now in the Treasury Department in Wash
ington. 1t is said that he made frequent at
tempts to care for her but she insisted on living
as she did. Last winter he wrote her but she
would not take it from the door. A letter from
her son to friend to look out for her led to her
discovery yesterday. Last winter the police
officer was notified that she had not been seen
for two weeks. Marshal Parker then went to
the house and after some difficulty found her
apparently well in the house, wanting nothing
but to be alone 1t is supposed that she had
money about the house as her son has contrib.
uted to her support and she has alwas been in
comfortable circumstances. owning the house
in which she died, which is very good build
ing. She is remembered by several that we
have seen as a woman. of unusual intelligence
and brightness quarter of a century since.
No disposition will be made of the body nti
the son is heard from.
FAST DAV WuAT I'm To
Day was observed in this city in very leisure.
ly way. Most places of business were closed,
and the occupants betook themselves to vari-
GUS places of amusement or improvement. In
the morning the several churches holding ser.
vices were thronged with worshippers, there
being an unusually large number in attendance
at them all.
In the afternoon very many attended the
grand matinee given by Wards variety troupe
at Music Hall. Others took their dear ones
and rode into the country or about town, or
promenaded the streets and got their eyes full
OF dust. Certain young men and boys engaged
horses and galloped up and down Congress
street. each trying to outride the other. There
was larger class engaged in this sport than
has been seen for number of years on Fast
ed the several games of bass ball, which we're
played.
In the evening all felt as though they want
ed to ego somewhere" consequently the sever
al places of amusement were we'll patronized.
Music Hall was literally packed, the aisles be-
ing filled with chairs The entertainment was
frstclass in every particular The Blues had
good company at their ball at City Hall.
Chandler furnished excellent music and the
dance did not break up until early in the morn
ing, About seventy-five couples were present.
Lancaster Hall was filled with party of dam
GERS, who. judging by their appearance, enjoyed
themselves very much Cole furnished
the music. Upon the whole it was an unusu-
lily quiet day. there was no. a single arrest
during the day, and but few in the evening.
PRESENTATION Thursday afternoon the
committee of the G.. A. r. sociables met at the
Prebe House and were presented with $45 by
Mr. Joseph Bonney ON behalf of the committee
of the complimentary hop given to them last
Tuesday. In presenting the money Mr.. Bon
ney made a few remarks complimentary to
them, and their management dnring the past
winter, which was responded TO in happy
manner by Mr.. Douglass. The committee
have worked hard to make their course enjoya-
BILE to its patrons, and that they have succeeded
is evident from this token of their esteem. The
committee are as follows: Chas. G. Douglass
E. C Miiken, G. H. Poor, I. H. Bibber, A.
M SAWYER q H. Poor.