The Portland daily press., 1896-05-07
ENDED His TROUBLES.
Haterville Shocked by the Suicide
Of George A. Phillips.
WORRY OVER BUSINESS AFFAIRS
PROBABLY THE CAUSE.
He Had Mag Dified His Troubles Until 1t is
Believed His Mind Was Affected-A
Done Much for Waterville.
Q Much for Waterville.

AieVeu HIS MIND was Affected-A
Prominent Business Man Who Had
Done Much for waterville.
Especial TO TIE PREss.1
Watervilie, May 6.-There was death
here this morning which occurred under
singularly sad circumstances. Fer many
years Mr. George A. Phillips has been
one OF the leaders among the enterprising
business men of this section. He has been
prime mover in enterprises which have
resulted in increased prosperity in the
community in which he lived, bat Of late
series of unfortunate occurrences has
caused him so much anxiety and distress
that many of his friends here believe that
he has of late been mentally deranged.
Mr.. Phillips was among the losers by
she tire which swept away the lumber
mills. at Fairfield last summer. After
that he transferred his extensive lumber
business to Randolph, where he leased an
old mill. In the meantime he was build
ing new mill at Gardiner and il was
nearing gcompletion when the foods Eof
last March wrecked it. The freshet also
swept down stream many logs owned by
MI. Phillips. At the time of the freshet,
however, he expressed satisfaction that
not having been put into the new mill.
But since then, the business has been
dull and it is believed that Mr. Phillips
has been brooding over his troubles and,
imagining them to be greater than was
the fact. Several nights ago. it is said,
Mr.. Phillips Was seen walking back and
forth on one of the railroad bridges here,
his manner betoken ing his detection.
This morning he was found in his room,
dying. with a bullet wound in his
temple.
Mr.. Phillips has been boarding at AZ
Silver street in this city. This morning
he did not come down to breakfast at the
usual hour and when his room was
visited he was found lying on the floor.
He had evidently aimed the pistol with
which he took his life while he was
standing before small mirror. With the
mirror to aid him, he could not miss, and
the bullet entered the right temple, lodg-
ing at the base Of the brain. Mr..
Phillips did not recover consciousness,
and at about IL q. m. brsathed his last.
Mr.. Phillips son, Charles NJ, who was
in partnership with his father, arrived
home today from Anson and was, of
course, greatly affected by the news of
his fathers death. He said to the PRESS
correspondent, that he could assign no
reason for his fathers act except that he
had worried and magnified his troubles
Mr.. Phillips said that while business was
dull now, the firm was not embarrassed.
This statement was in accordance with
that of a Waterville bank official, who
said that the affairs Of the late Mr..
Philips, SO far as the officers of the bank
knew were all right.
The suicide was followed by many re-
ports on the street as to Mr.. Phillips
financial affairs, local paper stating
that they were said to be in a critical
condition. Mr.. Charles M. Phillips stated
that not only WAS this not so, but that
the liabilities. AS near as Mr.. Philips
can estimate, the firm owes about $50, 900,
and has property to the extent of $3.50, 600.
This includes valuable timber landssand
mill property and logs now in the river
which are easily worth $4,000.
Mr.. Phillips was born In Waterville
slxty-nine years ago. In 1S48 Mr.. Phillips
went into the dry goods business with r..
G. Meader and the firm of Meader and
Phillips was prominent one for eighteen
years. In 1866, Mr.. Phillips began the
movement to develope the water power
here, which led to the establishment of
the great Lockwood mills. Mr.. Phillips
was made treasurer of the Tioonio Water
Power and Manufacturing company AS
treasurer he purchased four hundred acres
Of land near the falls and in 1868 a dam
was built at an expense of $4,000. After
wards the property was turned over to
the Lockwood concern, and the mills
were erected. In this enterprise Mr..
Phillips displayed great business foresight
and ability. Mr.. Phillips was for u mum
ber Of years purchasing agent for the
Maine Central. Later he went into the
lumber business. and was large dealer.
Mr.. Phillips was widower. He leaves
three sons. Edward, who is in business
at Westbrook; Charles M, who is men,
ber Of the firm of Phillips and Son, and
John. =
Breach of Promise Case Settled