Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-07-12
A SAP Evlsy1',
Drowning Of Rev. Charles a. Curtis In
MoOsehead Lake.

received telegram from Mr.. Horace Il.
True, at Dexter, stating that Rev. Charles
A. Curtis, pastor of the Unitarian church in
this city, was drowned at Mooschcad lake.
The despatch became nosed about the street.
and the startling intelligence caused universal
sorrow. The body came ON the ten o'clock
train, yesterday forenoon, accompanied hv
and in care of Mr.. Charles Shaw of Green
Vile, and Mr.. Horace Il. True of this city.
A large number of bcreayed friends gathered
at the depot, on the arrival OF the train. ana
many tears were shed and expressions of
sorrow manifested. From Mr. Shaw and
Mr.. True We gather the particulars of the
sad event.
Some six weeks since, failing in health,
through his arduous duties and the care at
tendant upon raising the funds necessary
for building new church for his
society, Mr.. Curtis went to Moosehead lake
for rest and recreation. He located himself
in Greenyile, at the foot of the lake, max
ing his home in the family of Mrs. Il. :. Big
ncy. At that time he was scarcely able to
ascend II hill without help. but during these
weeks of rest steadily gained in health and
strength, as our readers already know. Mrs
Curtis visited friends beyond the State re-
turning to the city last week and ritng to
her husband that his time was out and he
he was improving So rapidly he had conclud-
ed to remain another week. looking forward
to his return and happy meeting with wife
and little children the first of next week.
pn "Wednesday morning, remarking that he
had but IA little while longer to stay. and
must improve Iii, time he started from his
boarding house, in company with Mr.. True.
They started in sail boat, taking birch
canoe in tow. Mr.. True left him on the
pond at ten minutes past ten. Wednesday
forenoon, Mr.. Curtis going forward alone in
the birch canoe to indulge in the pastimc of
fishing. This was the last seen of him alive.
In the afternoon, between one and two
O'Clock, gentleman named Grips, accom-
panied by his wife and another lady, was
rowing down the lake, to attend the funeral
of boy who was drowned a day or two
previously. When about one and
half mile above the foot of the lake
below Ledge island, Mr.. Grips dis
covered canoe behind the l;tle
island. with no one in it he soon saw that j,
was bottom side up, and he conjccturcd
that its occupant had been capsized. Rowing
alongside, he noticed that the canoe didn't
float, but was anchored. A gentlemans over
coat and dress coat were in the boat, held
by the cross bars. 1t was then clear that the
occupant of the boat was drowned. Mr..
-
boat, and put the canoe into his own to row
ashore. when he discovered n fishing line fa>-
tened to the canoe. Taking hold of this, and
drawing gently upon it, he raised to partial
view the body of man. The body had been
lying at the bottom of the lake, directly I'M
der the canoe, the water being there between
ten and twelve feet deep. The ladies in the
boat screamed, and he was compelled to let
the body sink again till the ladies could be
put ashore. He then gave the alarm, and
the steamer Twilight. with Mr.. True and
others, went 10 the spot and raised the body
by means Of the fishing line which was tan
.led once around the leg. TWAS found to be
The body of Mr.. Curtis. and was taken ten
'lcrly up and prepared to he taken home He
had on all the clothes with which he started
from his boarding house with the exception
OF his coats and hat His watch had
stopped III quarter to ~ O'Clock, in
dicating probably about the time at
which he fell into the water. The
body was in a complete state of preservation.
and was placed in IA receptacle provided for
it Messrs. Shaw and True started from
Greenville with their precious charge with
private team, Wednesday evening AT half past
seven, travelling all night, reaching Dexter in
the morning in season tn take the train cons
Meeting with the forenoon train from Bangor.
day forenoon.
Such are the particulars of this sad affair.
The real cause of the accident no one can
tell, and it is useless to conjecture. Mr..
Curtis was alone, and no eye but that of the
Almighty witnessed his struggles a. the
waters of the lake closed over him. He had
laid aside his coat, and had rowed some dis
lance, and possibly he might have soon after
been seized with fainting, and fallen over
board He was a good swimmer and was
about four rods from the shore, which he
could have reached, had he not become ex-
hausted from some cause. The birch canoe is
treacherous at best, especially to those not
entirely familiar with its management, and
sudden lurch may have carried it over. 1t
was between two and three o'clock in the af
ternoon, when he was taken from the water.
Mr.. Curtis pastor of the Unitarian
church in this city, Chaplain of Capital
Lodge Knights of Honor. one of the Grand
Chaplains of the Grand Lodge of Maine
Most Excellent Prelate in Trinity Command
cry, Master of Augusta Lodge of Masons and
member of Seth Williams Post, having
served in the army during the rebellion,
filling the several stations to which he was
called with great fidelity and honor. He be-
gan preaching in this city in January. 1873,
and was ordained and formally installed Jan.
10, 1876. His love for the society was warm.
ardent and devoted as preacher ne was clear
and convincing in his sermons; as a friend,
true and steadfast; as a citizen enterprising.
social, and keenly alive to all that would adj
vance the material and moral interests of the
town that he had adopted as his home. The
church edifice which is now being built will
be fitting monument to his industry and
perseverance and the faith the people had
in him and his enterprise. Let