I took it upon myself to read the entire chapter..seems Boston residents and visitors had a really hard time understanding how gas worked that year. Even if you did figure out the keys, and remember not to blow it out, you still had the risk of giant gas leaks from poorly installed mains. As many as ten people would get drunk and pass out..several even used the gas available at hotels to commit suicide.

'94 - '97 range

By Dave on Tue, 07/12/2016 - 2:00pm.

http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.hoey/130/mb.ashx

1894: Poster advertising "Old Hoss" Bill Hoey in "The Flams."

21 September 1896: Ziegfeld's musicalized version and revival of A Parlor Match opened at the Herald Square Theater.

WILLIAM HOEY (1955-1897)
Actor, Comedian
Known as "Old Hoss", Hoey was a successful Vaudevillian. He partnered with Charles Evans and they first appeared in A Parlor Match. His inventions of traps and other mechanisms allowed him to be "thrown around the stage," ; Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY, Hemlock Section.

http://webcache

By Dave on Tue, 07/12/2016 - 2:45pm.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:WxACmxMcuGkJ:cambri...
Cambridge Tribune, Volume XVII, Number 45, 12 January 1895

On Monday night next, January 14, the very popular comedian, "Old Hoss" "Bill" Hoey, will begin a fortnight's engagement at the Tremont theatre. He will present a new musical farce comedy entitled "The Flams,"written lor him by theauthorsol "Erminie," "Niobe," etc., Harry and Edward Paulton. From ..all accounts and many places, "The Flams" appears to be full ol uproarious fun, and all concede that Mr. Hoey never had a better character part given him than in this play. In the first act Hoey will sing one of the new songs, called "Ours is a Happy Little Home." During the progress of the second act he will sing two more, one of which is called "I'm a Dandy Colored Coon." In the last act he is busy front the beginning lo the end presenting new specialties and keeping himself out of trouble. He has a new lot of grotesque costumes this season. Miss Cheridah Simpson, who last year distinguished herself by singing the role of Maid Marion in "Kobin Hood," will render a difficult piano solo in the first act and several new soprano solos afterward. The (Jucr buxom and buoyant English girls—the Sisters Merrilees —will appear in the second act in their latest hit called "The Naughty Continong," which is the successor in popularity to "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-aye" and "Marguerite." John C. Rice, who is the principal support in Hoey's new company, will engage in a new and astonishing dance with Miss Carrie Mcrrilccs, and a glistening grist of other specialties will be introduced. Wednesday and Saturday matinees will be given during this engagement.

So, 2 Shawmut Ave. is a given

By anon on Tue, 07/12/2016 - 3:07pm.

So, 2 Shawmut Ave. is a given... Theater District, circa 1902.

Theatre District

By Charles Bahne on Tue, 07/12/2016 - 5:16pm.

Old maps show that 2 Shawmut Ave. was immediately adjacent to 286 Tremont St. in what's now known as the Theatre District. This would place it across the street from the apartment building that's just south of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel (former Tremont House, former Bradford Hotel, former Elks Hotel). There's a parking lot on the site today.

https://goo.gl/maps/bXPDPmRtx212

The Answer!

By Boston City Archives on Tue, 07/12/2016 - 7:07pm.

Thanks for playing, folk! This photo was easier than usual, but we loved the music lesson advertisements too much to not use it. This does indeed show 2-4 Shawmut Avenue, circa 1895.

They knew how to pluck at your heartstrings back in the day

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