This Week in Marblehead History: 1884

Every week, Marblehead Patch digs through the Marblehead Messenger microfilm archives at Abbot Public Library to find out what was happening on this week in local history.

On this week in 1884:

Register to Vote

Election is less than two weeks off.

Politics will boil for the next ten days. See that your name is on the voting list.

Rubber Slings

The use of rubber slings by boys about the streets has become such a serious nuisance that the Selectmen have instructed the police to look after the matter. Much damage has been done with these weapons. At Abbot Hall a number of the large lights of glass have been broken besides several of the colored glasses in the window over the southern entrance. The lanterns on the same end of the hall have also been broken. At the Universalist Church, Town Hall and other places, glass has been broken by missiles from these slings and the authorities feel justified in their efforts to stop further damage.

From Under the Rubbish

The men engaged in clearing the cellar of the Manataug house, last week, found several napkins beneath the debris which probably belonged to the hotel and were buried in the rubbish at the time of the fire. They were in good condition when found but a small portion of the being slightly charred.

Eastern Railroad Schedule

On Oct. 19, 1884, trains would be leaving Marblehead for Boston at 6:45 a.m.; 7:55 a.m.; 9:55 a.m.; 12:40 p.m.; 3:55 p.m.; 4:55 p.m.; and 6 p.m.

Butler Rally

The Butler party had a flag raising and rally last evening. A procession was formed and headed by the National Band of Lynn a parade was made through the principal streets, halting at the head-quarters, corner of Washington and Darling streets, where a Butler flag was unfarled, with fire-works and music. After the dropping of the bunting a speech was made at Abbot Hall by Rev. Willard Spaulding of Peabody.

New Ballot Box Arrives

The patent ballot-box has been received by the Selectmen and placed in the custody of the Town Clerk. The machine is about three feet high and about twelve by twenty inches square on the base. The case is of white wood stained to imitate walnut and is made in two sections, the upper one containing the registering and canceling mechanism and the lower part for the reception of the ballots. The upper section has a door which gives access to the register and inking apparatus.

Important Sale of House Lots

The Sally Goodwin estate was sold at auction last Wednesday afternoon. This estate comprised the house and land at the corner of Pleasant and Village streets and included the large unoccupied tract reaching from Village street to the town's land on which the Almshouse is situated. The whole tract was cut into thirteen house loots by the administrator, Mr. William Reynolds, and sold by the foot, the auctioneer being William Gilley.

Did you have family in Marblehead in 1884? Do you recognize any of these names, locations or events? Let us know in the comments section below.