Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-23
COULDN'T FACE 1T.
F. c. Foster, Suspected Of Dy-
namiting Cambridge Bank,
Fatally Shoots Himself in Officer:
and His Wife's Presence.
Had Always Borne Good Reputation and Com
munily Is Shocked.


roster. a citizen who had been sus-
pected OF dynamitinS the Cambridge
port National Bank. yesterday, shot
himself. at l1.30 O'Clock today.
The tragedy occurred at Fosters
residence. No. A Cottage street, and in
the presence of Police Inspector James
II. Murray, who had come to question
MIN with reference to his supposed
connection with the explosion.
roster was 40 years of age, a carpcn-
ter by trade. and had a wife and three
children. He had been under surveil-
ancc since y s.erday afternoon when il
became known that he had presented a
check at the bank. calling for slIOO for
which he had no deposit and no ac-
count in the bank. He had not been
placed under arrest. and, this forenoon.
when he entered the house he was ac-
| companicd by Chief Inspector Murray.
While Inspector Murray was talking
with Mrs. Foster Mr. Foster stepped
| out for drink. and suspecting his
motive. the inspector followed Just in
time to see Foster place n revolver at
his breast and shoot himself.
Officer Cox. who was watching out
side the house, was called in and the
wounded man was at once taken to the
Cambridge hospital, where he died in
| few moments.
Mr.. Foster had always borne an ex-
cellent reputation and the sudden de-
nounccmcnt of the case came as sur
prise to the officers.
Foster was treasurer Of Harvard Lodge
q. L. 4. NJ. The suspicious Of the police
were directed towards Foster yesterday
afternoon. by Theodore II. Raymond. who
visited Lawyer Jose few moments be
fore the explosion occurred. III describ-
ing the conditions prevailing at the time
of his call, Mr. Raymond mentioned the
fact that he met Foster on the stairs in
| the bank building and that Foster said
he was looking for the ianitor
Mr.. Raymond said Foster. who was half
way up the stairs. accompanied him u
| the top. where they separated When
office he saw nothing of Foster. At frs;
| this was considered nothing unusual. as
Foster always had been considered a rep
utablc citizen. but laterit developed that
| the ianitor had not seen Mr.. Foster.
This prompted further Investigation an 4
It was learned that as the treasurer OF
the lodge Foster had business with the
Cambridscport National BaBu
The next thing that came to light was
the fact that lodge check for $50 com
ing through the regular channels was re
with which to meet the check and ii was
returned Yesterday. il was stated. FoS-
ter presented TO the bank check for
$500 made payable to the National Car
and Slater Co Like the previous check.
this one was found to be drawn To an
account having no funds. and in the
course of business. yesterday. 1t would
have been returned had not the explosion
interfered with the matter. In addition II
this the police learned that Mr. Foster
had been investing in stocks. although he
had been out Of work for several weeks.
In possession of this evidence the police.
today. decided to summon MIR. Foster II
headquarters. He offered no objection to
appearing before the police and of making
certain explanation concerning his al
airs. He denied positively that he had
any connection with the explosion at the
explosion at the bank but admitted the in
cidcnts concerning both the $50 check
and the slloo check. He also admitted
that he had purchased 100 shares of the
National Fire Initiation Co. s stock and
that yesterdays check was drawn to pay
for them.
Farther questions were asked in connec-
ton with the case. when the authorities
decided that i would be adylsabie TO
question Mrs. Foster. Her husband oh
iected to this arrangement. saying that
She was III. and suggested that she be
seen at the house He said he was per
fectly willing to SO with the inspector
Accompanied by Chief Inspector Muir
ray and Special officer Cox. Mr.. Foster
went home. Leaving MIR. COX OUTSIDE tne
house. MIR Foster and chief Murray en-
tered Mrs. Foster mot them in the han.
standing near the door. The insDector en-
planned lis GRAND. Foster kissed his wife
and told her not 10 worry. as the police
could prove nothing against him.
As the conversation progressed. roster
said that he would like to change his
coat and he stepped up TO a hat rack in
the hall. He fumbied around among the
clothing there and then saying he was
going to get a drink. stepped into the din
ing room.
He. had been out of sight only few
moments when the inspector. fearing that
something might be wrong. walked into
the dining room. He was just IN tune
to sec Foster. who was in chamber
opening out of the dining room. place a
revolver against his breast and discharge
it, The Inspector sprang into the room
as the man dropped to the floor and Mrs
Foster followed.
Foster was quickly taken to the hospi-
tai. but he barely lived to reach there.
death coming only a few minutes after
the ambulance arrived at the institution.