Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-17

4
thursday morning, about 6. Is O'Clock. Mr..
Andrew Berry. one of the most respectable
citizens of Gardiner, was found dead .u..
pended by the neck from beam in the harm
chamber of Mr.. Edward Peacock. on Cen.
"ai street,one of his neighbors. A coroner
was Immediately sent for and the conclusion
reached was that Mr.. Berry had ended his life
oy hanging during fit of temporary INSANITY.
FOR several previous mornings Mr.. Berry
mad visited Mr.. Peacock's house, and had been
noticed to go up the barn chamber stairs and
soon after to come down again: hut At
the time nothing was thought of il. and il did
not cause remark. Now it seems that he had
| been contemplating the suicide for seve,a,
days, and had had this place under consider.
alton for some time as the place to commit
the deed. Wednesday morning. about nina
CLOCK, he was seen to come out of his own
mousse and pass down the street in his slipper,
| out on It's being remarked by a passer by he
started as If to go back to his house. Instead
OF doing this, he must, as circumstances sbow
have gone into Mr.. Peacock barn and some.
time between nine and II o'clock A. NJ, hang
ed himself. When found he was cold. having
hung about "a hours. As Mr.. Berry did
not return home at night his family became
alarmed, but were unable to find him. but
when Mr.. Peacock recollected Mr.. BIS. fire..
quent visits to his barn-chamber, he went up
and found him.
Upon the floor found piece of old
clothes line, which he had broken, evident
ly while testing its strength. A piece of new
line was used, which he fastened to the
beam by repeatedly throwing it over till it
was firmly secured. Lying upon the floor
we're two light quilting horses and short
board which he used to secure height effect
i've for hanging. short distance off wa,
his jack knife, but he had evidently not used
1t, for no marks were found on his per-
son or anything about him. In his
pockets were found the articles which he
usually carried with the exception of his
pocket book, which was found locked ND at
home.
Sometime Wednesday forenoon neighbor
came into the barn, and heard something
that sounded like hens scratching on the
floor above, but thought nothing strange
The noise was probably caused by the rope
being drawn over the floor, while fastening it
to the beam. Sometime afterward noise
was heard, but nothing was thought of that:
and it was probably caused by the falling of
the horses. The feet of the deceased barely
touched the floor, caused by the stretching of
the rope which was new and unstraned
Mr.. Berry was man about Ga years of age,
honest, Industrious, and respected by all who
knew him. He has always lived in Gardiner,
and had acquired a comfortable property.
For the past four or five years he has been
great sufferer from dyspepsia, and has at
times exhibited signs of insanity, becoming
moody and gloomy, often wishing he was
dead, but still it was not regarded as serious
and was known only to his friends and neigh
bors. At other times he was as merry and
social as anybody, so his friends were I'M
willing to call him insane.
He leaves a wife and two daughters.
His bereaved family are n early distracted
with grief Their numerous friends are ten
dering them their heartfelt sympathy in their
oreat affliction