The Somerset reporter., 1895-08-29
EDWIN c. HESELTON.
The Well known Proprietor of
Hotel Heselton Drowned in
Boothbay Harbor.

Body Recovered and Brought Home. Fun
eral Tuesday. August 18th
Saturday evening the startling intelli-
gence was received by wire that Z. c.
Heselton was drowned that afternoon in
Boothbay Harbor.
1t seems that Mr. Heselton in company
with Henry Fuller Saunders, Mrs. Saund-
ers, Henry's mother, and Miss Mnta
Powers were returning to Mouse Island
from Boothbay in the yacht Mollie r.,
in charge of Captain David Reed. The
squall struck the yacht with terrific
force, capsizing and instantly sinking
her.
The British schooner Hattie c., Capt.
Alfred Dole, bound east, was at anchor
in the harbor, having just been taking
in ballast. Their yawl was alongside,
and the crew were fortunately on deck
putting on their oil clothes when their
attention was attracted by cries for
help, and they saw the yacht about 100
yards away. Mrs. Saunders, diss Minta
Powers and Capt. Reed were clinging to
cushion that floated from the boat.
They were saved in a very exhausted
condition, and with difficulty were re-
susciated and taken to Samoset Hotel.
Mrs. Saunders was dragged down with
the boat entangled by rope which
caught her foot.
Mr.. Heselton was one OF the most
widely known hotel proprietors in
Maine. lie was born in Auson, about
thirty-two years ago, but the most OF
his life was passed in Skowhegan, his
parents moving to this town when he
was year old. He went into business
when quite young, his first venture be-
ing a five and ten cent store under Hes
elton Hall where he continued in trade
until the big fire of 1881. Then in COM
pany with his brother, NJ. B. Heselton,
by the New England Clothing Co.
Later the firm moved to the lower end
of Water street, occupying store in the
old rink building. Upon going into the
hotel the firm was dissolved, NJ. b. Hes
elton continuing the business alone.
OF Mr. Heselton's success in the hotel
business no comment is necessary.
Since assuming charge of the Heselton
he has not allowed year to pass with
o,,+ ,,,,l,;no Soma mot hla improvpmpnt
until today the house ranks with the
best in New England. He was push
ing, energetic business man, man
whose varied enterprises made business
good for those in other branches OF
trade in town.
Mr.. Heselton was a member of Cara
basset Lodge, No. "a, Parmenas En-
campment No. Is, and Canton Somerset
No. 26 of the |. O. O. F., Oosoola Divi-
sion, Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias,
the Milburn Club and the Portland
Lodge of Elks, No. 1SS.
His parents Mr.. and Mrs. William
EIeselton and four brothers, w. H., +.
B., NJ. B. and Alphonzo survive him,
and have the sympathy of host OF
friends in their sad afiiction.
The remains of Mr.. Hesellon frtived
here Monday forenoon on the lO.3s train
accompanied by Martin b. Heselton,
brother of the deceased, aud delegation
of Knights of Pythias from Boothbav
Harbor, and were Immediately taken to
the home of w. G. Heselton. father OF
the deceased, escorted by delegation OF
Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
The tragic death of so young man in
the prime of life with so much of vigor
and with prospects so bright, surround
ed with so many friends, is one of the
saddest events our town has experienced
for many years, and has been, since its
occurance prominent topic of conversa
ton among all classes, citizens and visi-
tors, and without exception deep sadness
is manifest and genuine regret expressed
at the loss of one so widely known and
so generally admired.
Reports in some of the papers seem to
reflect somewhat upon Capt. Reed of the
unfortunate sail boat "Nolly Il" by the
capszing of which Edwin c. Heselton
met his death, but NJ. b. Heselton,
brother of. the deceased upon the best
information he could obtain at Boothbay
Harbor, is satisfied that Mr.. Reed is not
blameworthy. He has for years been
considered the most reliable and best
qualified man to run sail boat in that
harbor and his boat was a favorite.
The trip made from Mouse Island to
Boothbay Harbor by Mr.. Heselton was
not for pleasure but to do some errands
at that, the nearest market town. 1t
was very calm going over and when the
boat started TO return they were obliged to
use the oars to make any progress. The
squal came down upon them without
warning when they had got about a halt
mile on the return trip.
The boom of the sail evidently struck
Mr. Heselton when the squall struck the
boat and this accounts for the briei
struggle he made when he came To the
surface. But for this he would pro.
badly have been saved with the others.
The recovering Of the body WAS d
very fortunate circumstance as it was
1 I. 10 .