Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-11-18
SKOWHEGAN GseATLY EXCITED
Over Mr.. cofiin's suicide-Sketch Of Lie and
Trouble Leading to Deed.

Skowhegan, Me-. Nov. 17.-(SpeciaD.
Great excitement was occasioned in
this quiet town, this morning. by the
receipt of a telegram, from Boston.
town, had attempted to commit suicide
in the Quincy house. in that city, this
morning early. The first telegram
stated that Mr.. Coffin was alive but
not expected to last long. Later in the
day word was sent here that he had
died between II and 1 o'clock. this
afternoon, at the Massachusetts Cen
eral hospital to which place he had
been conveyed. The news was broken
to Mrs. Coffin as easily as possible and
though the schOck nearly Frustrated
her at first, she bore up wonderfully
and began to make preparations to go
at once to her husband. She left here
on the noon train for Boston. Much
sympathy is felt for the lady as she is
a most estimable woman. with large
circle of friends in town.
This affair had been threatening for
some time. 1t was known that Mr..
Stock Exchange. Investigation, today.
shows that Mr.. Coffin had been a win
ner for long time and had grown over
confident. perhaps, and had lost all.
The Journal has it on the best author
ity that in one bucket shop in a Maine
city. Mr. Coffin made over 5000 in two
days.
The first indication that anything
was wrong in his business affairs was
when Lawyer Forrest Goodwin, acting
for Hon. c. A. Marston. called on Mr..
Coffin for the amount due Mr.. MarstOn,
which as the latter's attorney, Mr..
Coffin had collected but had failed to
turn over. Mr.. Coffin told Mr.. Good
win that he had lost his money. had
nothing to pay with and did not known
what to do. He said there was one per-
son in the wide world that could and
possibly would help him, but he would
not ask that person. 1t appears that Mr.
Coffin as attorney for Mr.. Marston had
collected 1854 on an insurance policy
and had told Mr.. Marston that the
company would fix the matter in few
months. Mr.. Marston, subsequently
went to Boston and learned from the
agent of the company that the pre-
MUM had been paid and showed Mr..
Coffiins receipt in full for the same.
OF course Mr.. Marston, at once changed
attorneys.
Then on Monday last, came to this
city the high officers of the order of
Foresters, accompanied by an attorney
who called Mr. Coffin into consultation.
The party met at Hotel Coburn and
were closeted all day. the officials hav-
ing taken the precaution to have Sher-
iff Viles and Chief of Police Tufts in
the corridors of the hotel, as provi-
sion in case Coffin attempted to evade
them. 1t is known that Mr.. Coffin adj
mitted his speculations and that he
had lost all his money. and could not
make good the deficit in the cash Of the
Order of Foresters. Here he was again
forced to the alternative Of going to his
cousin in Boston or taking the conse-
quences with the court. Here again,
probably, was brought up before him,
the picture of his wife and small child,
his social station, the terror of the dis
grace and its consequent results, and,
as last resort, he appealed to the
gentlemen who We're his accusers, for
time and opportunity to see that rela-
tive in all the world who could, if he
only would, help him.
With the intention of calling on that
relative in view, and accompanied by
Mr. Scott, the attorney for the order of
Forresters, he left town, Tuesday
morning, going to Waterville. where he
called on few friends during the fore
noon, and took the wes,t bound ex-
press in the afternoon. Whether or not
he ever had the interview with his