Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-07-29
SUICIDE o. aAssnall-


BosroS, July sS.-Nystery sill shsouds
the motive that prompted John W. =
Marshall 70 deliberately take bis ME-
Having few trieasis, AID being man who
said very little TO anyone. il i not unnain-
raj that the police have failed 10 find even
| .hs slightest clue that throws any hSht
| aror the strange and terrible affair.
The police Of station made n thorough
| search Il Mr.. .lsrsha,ls apartments st Is
| Afisson street yesterday and discovered
papers that prove teyond the slightest
| doubt that the suicide could not have In
any way arisen from financial troubles
Two ha,.k books, one on the National
Security and the other on the Washington
National, which in themselves represented
| a cash deposit Of over ~, ga, were found
/ in the bureau drawer.
Papers and deeds were also discovered
which go TO show that in addition there Is
| bipek Of buildings on Washington street
and another hlO.k on fremont street.
which will swell the earthly possessions
Of the eccentric old gentleman TO within
The Naixhborhood Of ~. DOC, 900
| In the present lively condition OF the real
estate market il Is thought by many
| people that his wealth will figure much
larger. Two watches, quantity 81 small
| coins aud a large bag full of old coins
| were also found.
| While living the life Of recluse and
| being Of a very eccentric disposition, Mr..
Marshall WAS far from being miser. lie
| had never married. and son.e four years
ago he came 10 the house in which he was
| discovered and engaged four rooms Two
| were upon the second floor. One he used
| for sitting room. while the other was
| furnished a. a chamber
| He had rented the two rooms directly
| over these in order that no one could oc-
cupy them, aud by so doing disturb him.
| The fear Of being robbed had caused MN
| to make precautionary effort, and he had
placed upon the front door Of the house an
| iron chain. When the dag for cleaning
bis apartments CAME around he always IN
sisted upon being present while the cham
hermaid swept and busted. and would FOL
low her around with his eyes. it is said, as
IL in fear that she might relieve him Of
some article of value.
| When anyone had occasion to approach
| the door Of his room he
| Would Tind 1t Securely Fastened
and would he met with the low-roiced
| question, w Do Is III! before any dtteHips
| was made tu open the door. Few Of the
people who saw him knew, or even for an
instant dre.nIt, that the quiet old man
who never complained was in reality a
millionaire.
| The deliberate manner in which the sui
eide WAS planned was plainly evident to
the police AS they gazed upon the scene of
the tragedy. lie had evidently made up
his mind to die, and had taken the great
est care to avoid the slightest danger OF a
| failure to carry out his plan.
| The rope which suspended him when
| found was fastened to a trunk strap
| Attached to a Closet Door.
| This door was at right angles to the one
leading into the adjoining room. The
rope was passed up over the top portal
| and then across the door of his cham Der.
Fastening the rope about his neck, he had
| mounted chair, and when all was in
readiness had kicked it from beneath his
| feet and slowly strangled to death.
| A brother of the dead man and Rev
James Reed have had the matter in
charge. The property is being held until
| the usual legal formalities are gone
| through with, when it will be turned
| over to the relatives.