This Week in Marblehead History: 1881

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

On this week in 1881:

A Big Bass: Judge Carter, who is stopping at the Atlantic House on the Neck, caught a 50-pound striped bass off the rocks on the back of the Neck. Mr. Carter has caught a number of these fish every summer he has adjourned at Marblehead, but this last one is probably the heaviest.

Dory Recovered: Peter Union has recovered his dory that was stolen a short time since. A resident of The Neck, seeing the boat in Boston, telegraphed to Mr. Union, who went to the city and brought his boat home.

A Shark: John P. Bailey has on exhibition at his fish market on Front Street, a species of small shark. The fish is four feet long and is dark blue color on the back and sides with the under parts nearly white. It is called "blue dog" by the fishermen. It was caught by Alexander Perry.

On The Wave: By invitation of one of the editors of The Messenger, the ladies and gentlemen connected with this office, and their friends, making a party of about 55 in all, enjoyed an excursion on Capt. Pitman's steam-boat the Escort last Saturday evening. The sail was extended a few miles beyond Halfway Rock, but fortunately not one of the party was in the least seasick.

Discovery of a New Comet: A group of astronomically-inclined gentlemen were taking observations of a strange-looking object in the heavens, from South street on Tuesday evening and endeavoring to find out whether or not they had discovered a new comet. All eyes were bend on a bright light some distance off in the sky, which some of the gentlemen insisted must be a comet because it didn't move, while the others were certain it was a fire balloon because it did move. The object, whatever it was, could be plainly seen - now apparently motionless, now swaying slightly in the breeze. The excitement grew stronger as to what the strange light really was when a passer-by put an end to further wondering by informing the assemblage that what they were gazing at was "nothing but a lantern tied to a kite's tail."

Business Directory:

• American House, I. W. Kimball, Washington, opp. School Street
• Apothecary and Druggist, W. H. Shepard, Washington Street
• Blacksmith and Horseshoer, Peter Cortee, School Street
• Boat Builder, John Keating, Keating's Wharf, Lee Street
• Boatman and Jobber, P.B. Tucker, Tucker's Wharf
• Boots and Shoes Repaired, William Lamson, 22 School St.
• Carpenter and Contractor, Horace Goodwin, Reed's Hill
• Coal and Wood, B.D. Dixie, Wharf, Front Street
• Crackers, N.B. Lindsay, Pleasant Court
• Dentist, P.B. Laskey, Pleasant Street
• Dining Saloon, Nellie J. Rodgers, 117 Pleasant St.
• Florist, James B. Reynolds, 128 Pleasant St.
• Undertaker, Horace W. C. Sweet, Washington St.

Police Court: 

• On Monday, Cornelius Goshen, one of the crew of a ballast-lighter, was before Justice Nutting for being drunk and was fined $1 and costs, which he paid.
• Timothy Carrigan, a shipmate of Goshen's, was also brought in for being drunk. He was fined $1 and costs, which he paid.
• The case of Benjamin H. Swett, for assault, came up Monday, having been brought over from last week. Swett was fined $2 and costs.
• Richard Dermody went before the court for intoxication. He was fined $1 plus costs.
• W.C. Swain was arraigned in court Tuesday for an alleged attempt to burn his store in W.C. Woodfin's building last Sunday. Mr. Swain waived an examination and was ordered to furnish bail to the sum of $5,000 or appear in court next Tuesday.

Do you recognize any of these names, businesses, locations or events? Let us know in the comments section below.