Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-18
BosroN, Dec. II, 1885.

| PATRONAGE OF THE DRAMA.
BosroS, Dec. H. 1885.
The city election was q surprise to every
body. The more sanguine of Mayor
O'Bren's Supporters did not look for over
5000 majority for him, and when the count
showed that he led his competitor by $3.50
votes the Clark men had little to say beyond
expressing the hope that O'Brien's constitu-
ents would not be disappointed with his ad-
ministraton. The total vote was compare
lively light, only $4,000 of the $1,000 regis
tered voters exercising their right of suffrage.
Last year the total registration was 65, 900
and the total vote 81 900 Mayor O'Brien
received 9l8 less votes than in 1884, while
MIR. Clark received 6,O9l less than Gen.
Martin at the same election. The gains made
by Mr.. O'Brien were largely in republican
solid support from citizens who believe that
he is, and will continue to be independent of
ring rule. At the smallest calculation from
| 9, 900 to 1000 republicans must have rallied
| to his support, while, perhaps. as many hun
dred democrats voted against him. 1t is
generally conceded that no man better under
stands the citys business than Mr.. O'Brien,
and as he has shown his honesty of purpose
| in his year of service he will enter upon his
second term with a support such as it has
| been the favor of but few officials to enjoy.
| The republicans gain one member in the
board of aldermen, the composition being ak
to six, against seven to five last year. The
Il L-.,
the Common Council, SO the city government
of 1886 is virtually in the hands of that party,
which must be held responsible for all it's
shortcoming, though under the new charter a
large share of the responsibility rests upon
the mayor.
The CARLTON MURDER.
The Evening Record states that the ruins
of the Carlton house at Watertown, the scene
of the Norwood park tragedy, are being re-
moved, and that probably a new dwelling
will be erected upon the site. The fact re-
calls one of the most brutal and mysterious
murders that has shocked eastern Massachu-
sets for half century. 1t occurred early
in the evening of March 10, 1883. Mrs Eta
G. Carlton, a young woman and the mother
Of several children, responded to q ring of
the front door bell to meet her death at the
hands of villain who crushed in her head
with a large stone. Her little daughter, with
wonderful presence of mind for child of five
or six years of age, alarmed one of the
neighborinR families, and directed the horri-
fed people to the spot where the poor woman
lay weltering in her gore. Search for the
murderer was prosecuted with vigor and .
large reward was offered for his spprehen-
sion. which resulted in the arrest Of one
Roger Amero, man from the provinces,
| who was reported to have been seen in the
vicinity of the tragedy on the fatal evening.
No case could be made out against him, how
| ever, and he was discharged as an innocent
man. Then suspicion was directed to the
husband of the murdered woman, particular
" after he collected quite large insurance
upon her life. There was not sufficient
direct evidence against him, however, to lead
to his conviction, and the Carlton murder 10
to-day as great a mystery as ever. One of
the most singular circumstances pertaining
to the tragedy is that soon after the the muir
der the house was fired and partially destroy
ed. Holes were bored in the rear wall and
| filed with kerosene and set ablaze. The
flames darted up to the second story,
burning the upper part Of the building,
| but leaving the lower story almost intact.
| The ruins have stood until now, an object of
sad curiosity to visitors and q repugnant
sight to the people of the town. The DWELL
| ing was insured for $4,000, sum in excess
OF its value in the opinion of many but it
was not owned by Carlton. Quite recently
the insurance vas adjusted for $50. MUIR
der more completely shrouded in mystery has
never occurred in the State. The absence of
the brutal tragedy adds to the mysterious cir
cumstances which surround it.
THEATRE GOING.
Boston is essentially an amusement loving
city. and when it is not dancing attendance
upon Parson DOwnes, patronizes the theatres
pretty literally. 1t has been said that no city
in the country gives more liberal support to the
drama than Boston. In considering this fact
we must bear in mind that the thickly popu-
| lated suburbs are brought in constant and
rapid communication with the club. Be-
sides 40O, 900 souls in Boston, the city thea
tres can draw upon q population of 60, 900 in
| Cambridge, %, 600 in Somerville. $4,000 in
Newton, 1000 in Waltham, 10000 or more
| in Maiden, and three times a. many more in
cities little more remote from Boston and in
| the towns within a radius of ten miles of the
| State House. The drama pays well in Bos-
| ton, and believe there is not play house
! which is not making money from the spacious
| Boston Theatre to the coy BUou. 1.-The
| Mikado" is having good run at the Hollis
Street Theatre. the latest addition to our
| play houses. Dime museums have sprung
up like mushrooms, and without an exception
they are reported to be making money, and
they ill continue to coin the ducats ~ long
as the American people love to be hum
plugged. The holiday trade tends to increase
| the attendance at the theatres. since it brings
people to town who only come once . year,
and who want to see all they can in twenty
four or forty-eight hours. F.
Artificial Eggs.