The Portland daily press., 1891-08-04
SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD.
Wilford e. casselis Commits Suicide
at the PrebIe House.

Saturday a we'll dressed gentleman ar
rived at the Preble House and registered as
"W. Cassells, Boston," He carried light
spring oyercoat and vallse. After break
fast he left the hotel and went about MS
business. He retired to his room late Satur-
day night and did not arise until late Sunday
forenoon chamber maid noticed that he
was sleeping rather late, and spoVe 10 tne pIo-
prietor, Mr.. Gibson, who called MIN. lie an
swered and soon dressed and came down
stairs TO the office. He remained about the
hotel Sunday afternoon, and was out late at
night. The clerk, Mr. Perkins, says he did
not come in until about midnight, and was
the last guest that night to whom Mr.. Per-
kins delivered the key to his room.
Early yesterday morning Mr.. Perkins
heard shot fired. but supposed that some
body had fired at cat or something in the
rear of the hotel. No attention was paid To
the matter until later, when Mr.. Cassells was
called. There was no response to the re-
peated rapping at his door by the chamber
girl. and she reported the matter al the office.
An investigation was made and when the
hotel men entered the room the dead body of
Cassells was found lying upon the bed In a
pool OF blood. with 80 calibre revolver by
the side and the room presented a sickening
appearance. wound In Cassells' temple
revealed the method he took to end his life.
The police, Coroner Perry and Undertaken
Rich were notified. Coroner Perry made a
thorough Investigation and deemed an in
quest unnecessary. The coroner found two
chambers In the revolver .empty, and an
empty she'll lay upon the wash stand. Cas-
sells had received two wounds In almost the
same place, in the head. little in front Of
and over the ear. The first bullet glanced
and made the wound which bled so freely.
Then the man had shot himself again and
the second bullet must have ended his life
instantly. The first bullet was found In the
wall.
In the room were three empty whiskey
TASKS which, combined, would hold about a
pint and half. There were only few
drops in each. The deceased left no message
nor was there anything to indicate the mo.
tive that prompted him to commit the terri
BILE deed. A business card found in his pocket
read: "Wilfred E. Cassells, representing
Wilson. Cassells & Co., Sc Sudbury street,
Boston. Mass, dealers In Hall Safes" In
another pocket was type written copy of
articles of agreement between him and his
partner. The only money on his person was
81 cents. He had letters signed ",Becca,"
two of them were from Brattleboro, VT,
and the third from Bonny Eagle In this state.
His valise contained a complete travelling
outfit.
There was pawn ticket for a diamond
ring on which he had raised $35 last Janu-
airy. There was also an envelope bearing
the address Of the proprietor of a leading
pawnbroker's establishment, A reporter
called on this pawnbroker, who stated that
July 20, a man answering the description of
Cassells came into his place hurriedly, and,
taking his watch from his pocket, saide,that
he was In great hurry as he wanted to get
away on train. He asked for six dollars
on the watch, and remarked that he would
return the money on the following day and
did not care for ticket. He was given the
money and the proprietor has not seen him
since.
Mr.. Cassells was man about 40 years of
age and leaves wife, He came here the
middle OF last week, and among others called
on +. o. Bailey Sc Co. on Thursday. He
talked business for an hour or more, and said
he was going to Boston that night. He
asked Mr.. Walter Bailey to telephone to the
Boston steamer Office and secure stateroom
for him. This was done and Mr.. Cassels
left the store, with a parting invitation to
Mr.. Bailey to call on him when he came to
Boston. Mr.. Bailey saw nothing more of
him and supposed he had gone to Boston. A
gentleman who saw Cassells that day said he
had been drinking but not to excess. 1t ap-
pears that Cassells went to the Preble house
and did not 60 to Boston.
An Associated Press despatch yesterday
afternoon from Boston stated that j. w.
Wilson, the senior partner of the firm Of
Wilson, Cassells &c Co., said yesterday fore.
noon that the business Of the firm has of late
been left almost wholly In the hands of Mr..
Cassells. Mr.. Wilson did not know Of his
partners visit to Portland. The cause of
the suicide is not known for certain, but Mr.
Wilson thought that the business affairs Of
the firm have been crooked, but in just what
respect he did not know as yet. 1t was ex-
pected some of the family of Mr.. Cassells
would arrive in this city yesterday afternoon
or last evening. but they did not appear.