The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-14
DROWNED IN JAIL,
Tragic End of a Wor-
cester Prisoner at
Fitchburg,
MICHAEL SEAMAN THE VICTIM.
Tore Open Door and Jumped
Into Ten Feet of
Water.
MICHAEL SEAMAN THE VICTIM.

Fitchburg July 13-Michacl Seaman,
a Swede of Worcester, committed sui
eide at the county Jail at South Fitch
burg about 7.SO a. m. today by drown
ing himself in spring house.
He had been in company with an
other prisoner, accompanied by Turn
key Caswell, gathering vegetables for
today's dinner and was coming around
the corner of the shop, headed for the
entrance, when he suddenly dropped
what he was carrying and bolted tow
ard one of the spring houses. Arrived
out the staples, and jumped into the
water, which is about 10 feet deep.
The rest of the party went to him at
once, but when he was taken from the
water life was extinct. The usual
emergency rules were followed, but re-
suscitation was impossible.
Seaman was sent to the local jail
from Worcester, about three months
ago, and was serving a sentence for
drunkenness, which would have ex-
pired Aug. 8. He had been somewhat
melancholy since he had been there,
but no more than any chafing under
confinement. He made a request a
short time ago that he be allowed to
speak to the county commissioners
when the opportunity presented itself,
and his request was granted. Major
Dwinnell also promised him that he
would speak to his former employer in
Worcester a stone mason, about giving
him employment again. Seaman was
IS years old, and was born in Sweden,
where he leaves a wife. He also has a
half brother named John Anderson
living in Worcester.N Medical Examiner
Thompson viewed the body, and Under
taker Sawyer took charge of it.
Col. Rice, formerly of the Sixth Mas
sachusetts u. S. ", and now commits
stoned colonel of the new Twenty sixth
infantry regiment, made a flying visit
to this city today, arriving on the five
o'clock train this morning. over the
Cheshire branch of De eitchburg rail-
road. He procured a carriage and i'm
mediately drove to the summer resid-
ence of Congressman Weymouth, at
Pearl Hill. He arrived back to the city
about $50, and went to the local ar
mory for a time.
He expressed a desire to see Captain
Mcdowell Of the Guards who has ex-
pressed desire to go to the Philippines
thought that he should establish a
recruiting station in this city for the
regiment, and said that while he
should like to have a good many of his
old command go with him, that they
should consider the matter carefully
before deciding, he left the city at 8.55
a. m, saying that he would make an
other visit to the city in the near flu
ture
Attorney A. e. Levy of this city APP
piled to Judge Lathrop of the supreme
court at Boston yesterday, for an in
junction restraining the city of Fitch
burg from paying any more taxes to
the town of Westminster upon a dam
at Wyman's reservoir, which Is held by
the city as part of its water system
The petition was signed by Jacob H.
Fairbanks, and nine others of this city
and the respondents are the city of
Fitchburg, the mayor, city treasurer
city auditor and the water board. The
hearing resulted in the issuance of a
preliminary injunction, and the papers
were served on the city treasurer this
morning"
City Solicitor Pierce is not disturbed
over the action, as the action was ex-
pected several days ago, but thinks
that the town of Westminster may miss
the money, and the next move in the
controversy Is likely to come from that
town. Mr.. Pierce does not think the
city has cause to complain if the supe-
rior court thinks the city should not
pay the money to the town.