The Portland daily press., 1880-04-19
MAINE CITIES.
lettings by Press Correspondents.
BATH.
Short Notes-A Sketch of the Black
Maria-His fastest Mischief

SATURDAY, April II.
First snow storm of the season.
Weeks mortality four deaths.
The Boston boat was delayed by the Storm
not arriving until this evening.
Mr.. Geo. Hanscom, telegraph operator for
this city for the past 25 years, died at his resi-
dence this morning. He was genial gentle
man and a worthy man, whose loss will be
greatly mourned.
Capt. Samuel Morrison with his family leave
town for New York, where the Capt joins his
ship Oracle.
There are fourteen vessels on the Bath
stocks
The Prussian will load ice at the 4 rctic for
New Orleans.
Mr.. and Mrs. S. j. Goldstein's golden we'd
ding invitations for Tuesday evening next,
April 9th, are printed on crimson wooden.
The funeral of the late Deacon Thomas
Simpson occurred from his late residence this
afternoon, DR.. Fiske officiating.
Since last August from time to time ladies
have been assaulted and frightened on the
street by a man dressed in disguise During
the first part of his career credence was not
generally given to the stories that frightened
girls and women told, so no decisive action was
taken. During the winter he has dressed in a
long black ulster with cape, which costume
has given him the familiar title of "The
Black Maria.'' His mode of operations is to
frequent cross streets concealed from view.
From this position he discerns whether ladies
and girls are unattended by gentlemen. If
they are he chases them takes hold of them
and insults Them To our actual knowledge
but two gentlemen have seen such a person.
Both of these agree in their description with
the ladies, of whom there are very MANY who
have had dealing with the scoundreL Tues
day afternoon a lady came into our office and
stated that she had been frightened by the
scamp the previous evening on Winter Street
hill. A man approaching frightened away
the scamp. The lady gave us a minute de-
scription of the fellow and it tallies in impor-
tant respects with all preceding. Tuesday
evening last ladies coming from a private resi-.
dence on Middle street were stopped in the
gateway by this person. One of the ladies ran
back, the other requested the right of way and
pushed him aside. He raised both arms as if
to embrace her, whereupon she ran roaming
to the house. Afterwards she was accompan-
led home and was afflicted with hysteria from
the fright. Another lady was chased recently
and the villain bore her shawl away before she
escaped A young girl in mid winter return
ing from the High School was roughly used
and frightened SO by the fellow that she was
out OF school three days from the effects of the
scare. We have mentioned some of the many
cases of which complaint has been made. Of
course mention OF names is not desired, but we
can prove to suitable persons, if proof be
wanted, ourfassertions While not all the bows
talk and other gossip current is credited, and
while of course the sensation is made greater
by many untrue and wild stories, still suffi-
Gent that is true is known to establish the fact
that such mysterious nuisance remains a
mystery and carries on his annoying and scan
dalous mischief in cur city. reward of $50
for his apprehension would be, we be ieve, in
strumental in nipping the Black Maria's career
in the bud.