Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-10
ANOTHER SUICIDE.
Postmaster W. H. Mccartney
Of Oakland, Shoots Himself.
Sends Bullet Crashing Into Brain and
Dies in a Few Hours.
No Cause known for the Oeed-Ierr'b'e
Shock to Family.

Oakland Nov. 9.-(SpecaD.-The COM
munity in the business part of this town
was terribly shocked al about 1.30 l.. NJ,
today, by the report that Postmaster
William H. Mccartney had committed
suicide by shooting himself. The horror
of the report was such a shock as has
never visited this town. 1t was too true,
however, as investigation showed. The
story of Mr. Macartney's last day is as
follows:
Early in the forenoon, he went Cat to
Watervi!le to see about bringing home Il
colt that he had out there in training.
He returned, however, without the colt
and as he was driving into Silver street
of that city he overlook "a friend who like
himself was coming to this place, and
Mr.. Mccartney was in the best of spirits,
for he sang out to the other gentleman
Give me half the road and fair show
and | will beat you down Silver street.
The deceased was always Il jolly good
natured fellow. given some to telling FUN
ny stories and joking. He wis known
throughout the entire town as "Hen
Mccartney. one of the best fellows thai
ever lived He was IA good friend. an
esteemed citizen. Il fond father and hus-
band. The past few years he had moi
been in the best of health. a result of his
service in the war OF the Rebellion and
overwork, but il was nothing that he
was ever heard to complain about beyond
the mere mention of the fact that his
health was not as good as formerly.
On his RETURN from Waterviile he was
in the best of spirits, joked with few
friends on the street and went home. This
was about l O'Clock +. M. He had not
taken luncheon and almost Immediately
after entering the house he went into. the
bedroom which opens off the kitchen.
This was at Ito o'clock. He had been in
the sleeping room but Il few minutes
when the family were startled by the re-
port of firearm of some kind. Rushing
the Slppnlng and nnpniu0 the
door. they We're Mortified at seeing Mr..
Mccartney on his knees with his head
resting on the edge of the bed and the
blood flowing from a wound behind and
slightly above the right ear.
The sight was one 10 strike terror to
the hearts of the wife. som and daughter.
Frustrated, and although the daughter.
Miss Mae. q young lady of q years was
nearly stunned by the shock. she bore up
sufficiently to summon help Drs. Plum
mer and Parsons We're called but the in
jured man was past all human aid and
he breathed his last at 2.2o o'clock.
The revolver used was of the Smith K
Wesson '93 model. and 30 calibre. The
bullet entered his head just above the ear
and little back of it. but did not come
out and is lodged somewhere in the brain,
in the opinion of the surgeons.
Mr.. Mccartney was 60 years of age. be-
ing born, July 6. 1896. He is survived by
a wife, son. Dwight, aged 2S and Ii
daughter, % years Old. He was a mem
"A
U. W.. the Masons, Patrons of. Husband
ry and |. 0. 0. F. He was appointed
postmaster under Cleveland's first ad-
ministration and held the office for the
full term. Two years ago, upon the reSig-
nation of Postmaster f. NJ. Stacey. he
was appointed to serve as postmaster for
the uneXpred term which would eXp.r,.
some time in the spring OF next year.
Clerk Cummings of the post office was
seen by the Journal and from him ii was
learned that there could be no possibility
of any Irregularities in the Office bust
ness. Mr.. Cummings had seen MIR. Ma
appeared in the best of spirits and left
for Waterville. saying that he guessed he
would bring his colt home.
Lawyer Field who had done more or
less of the dead mans business and who
knows probably as much as any one the
condition of his financial affairs, says he
knows of no reason why Mr.. Mccartney
should commit the rash deed
The Journal representative found tie
family Frustrated, except Miss Mae. Who
was making Il wonderful effort at self
control but she was on the verge of col
lapse.
1t was evident that the suicide hal
knelt beside the bed rested his head upon
the edge of it, and had placed the revolver
to his head and fired the fatal shot.
The story that the reason for the act
might have been disappointment over the
result of the election. which precludes all
possibility of his being re-appointed to
the office is senseless, as it is very Well
known to those who have been intimate
with the dead man that he often said he
wished he did not have the office and did
not care IL picayune for re-appolntnent