Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-21
DIED INSTANTLY.
Suicide Of Frank Crowley at
His Home, Saturday.
He First Sent His Wife Out Of
the Room,
Then Placed the Pistol to His Head and
Fired.

III tl4lS city, at 1l.iD. MT. Crowley mad
been in poor health for some time
past.
Before going to his home, Friday
afternoon, he went TO the hardware
store of J. II. Cogan, where he asked
to look at a revolver. At that time
appeared in his usual happy frame Of
mind and the clerks could not detect
anything unusual about him.
a cheap self-acting revolver was
first shown but that he said would not
do as he wanted to present his pur-
chase to friend. Then heavy So
calibre revolver of the latest and best
pattern in stock was shown. This he
took and while explanations were be
ing made as to its workings. it was
loaded and he Slipped it into his
pocket. He also made a purchase of
cartridges. That was during the latter
part of the afternoon, and as he was
in the habit Of going into the store,
frequently on business. the prop ictor
and clerks had no idea that he intend
Cd suicide.
i!e went home, Friday night. about 6
o",coi, ana announced to his wife
that he did not want any supper. as
he was feeling very badly. Shortly
after. he went to the bath room. where
his wife. anxious concerning his con
dition. followed him. He said to her:
Keep away from me Carrie. for
am feeling so badly that | do not know
what I might do. | am afraid l might
shoot. My head feels very badly
There is hole right through the center
of my forehead"
Mrs Crowley endeavored to reassurn
him. and in doing 50. she discovered
that he carried a revolver i'll his hip
pocket. 1t was a 5-shot snlf-cocking
weapon Of 3S-calibre.
Soon after. she persuaded him to lie
down upon a couch in the sitting room.
and to give up his revolver and box
Of cartridges which he had with him
During the night he was exceedingly
restless and secured very little sleep
complaining constantly of his head
ana declaring his conviction that there
was hole through the center Of his
forehead.
In the morning he was restless and
nervous and unable to eat any bre ak
fast. but announced his purpose Of 60
ing to the Office He asked his daugh-
ter to return his revolver ANA car
tridges. His wife demonstrated With
him. but he said to her. do NOS he
foolish. Carrie: l simply want to re-
turn them to the office where I have
kept them" Later. he declared that
h. felt too poorly to go In the office.
that day. He endeavOTed to secure his
place Of business by telephone. hut for
some reason was unable to do so. His
wife told him that he might send in
the order by one Of his daughters, but
he said that he could probably get
them later by telephone.
His wife. anxious to restore his peace
of mind and make him comfortable.
asked if he did not want something to
eat. as he had not eaten anything in
the morning. and finally suggested a
particular kind Of food. In reply 70
her question he said he would like
some of that and she at once started
down stairs for it. No sooner had she
reached the foot of the stairs than she
heard the single shot from the pistol.
At once hurrying UP stairs. she found
her husband lying in front Of a bureau
with a bullet hole through his head.
he having placed the revolver at his
right temple Death was instantlne-
Gus.
Mr. Crowley was born at Crowley $
Junction, AZ years ago. For a number
of years he was station agent of the
Maine Central Railroad at Belfast. and
was one Of the most popular young men
i'll that city. among tn people Of
which his bright qualities Of mind. uni
form courtesy and warm sympathetic
nature made him a host Of friends. SO
popular was he that At one time he
was candidate for mayor Of that place.
He was a gentleman under all circum-
stances. and was. himself. his worst,
and it may be said. his only enemy.
About two years ago last November,
Mr.. Crowley came. with his family e
this CITY to assume the position Of 10
cal manager for the Standard OH Co,
which established its tank and place
of business on the East side Of the
river. near the Lawrence Newhall
n1ant. During his stay in this city he
| has sustained several sad beroaVe-
ments. losing his father and mother
and his wife's mother. within the TWO
years.
Mr.. Crowley leaves VIE anu 'i'i -
daughters. He was Il member OF the
| Augusta Abnaki Club. and all of the
Masonic orders in Belfast in which n
had during his residence in that city
| taken a prominent part. He was
Young man Of many brilliant QUALITIES
With rare faculty for making an'
holding friends. 1t is said OF hlm' tina
no one ever heard him speak i'll Of an!
man His charities We're broad and IN
sympathies warm, :,
Prayers will he conducted from ~
late home. at o'clock this afternoon
,f+a,, which the remains will be take
Il his former home in Belfast on n
s45 train. where the funeral Will ?
held. at $50 p NJ. Thursday. at TN
! Tniversalist church under the dlrecto
Of the Knights Templar
T. $. Wingate and Harry Southaf
~ IIaIlowel. went to Lake CobboSsee
cantee. Thursday afternoon ana rs