Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-29
CRAZY OR DRUNK?
VIM. A. Kay, Formerly Deputy
Sheriff of Aroostook County,
Shoots Hotel Keeper at New London
and Then Commits Suicide.
Woman With Him Tells Story-He
Was Probably Deranged.

New London, Conn, April 2s.-Wm.
A. Kay of Eastport, Me-, a guest. at
the Hotel Royal, shot the proprietor of
the hotel. Fred Gavitt. tonight, and
then committed suicide. Gavitt has a
scalp wound and his condition is not
considered serious.
Kay was AZ years old, and Is said
to have been at one time sheriff in
Maine. and a man of considerable
property. He came to New London,
last evening, accompanied by woman,
and registered at Hotel Royal as IS.
B. Millinowinan and wife, Portland,
Maine"
The couple remained at the hotel, to-
day. This evening, the man APP
preached the landlord with request
regarding the room he occupied. and
in the conversation which followed, an
altercat ton is said to have arisen, dur
ing which the guest suddenly pulled a
revolver and fired at Gavitt. AS the
latter fell. the guest turned the revol-
yer upon himself, placing the muzzle
behind his right ear and pulled the
Trigger. The bullet penetrated the
brain and he died instantly.
Gavitt was attended by physician
lat the hotel. 1t was found that though
he was suffering from a bad scalp
wound the skull was not penetrated
and it is believed that he will recover.
From the woman the police learned
that the dead mans name was VIM. A.
Kay. She said he came from Eastport,
Me. She said her name was Mrs. Car
rc Green and that she lived in Wor-
lcester. Mass. Mrs. Green told the po-
lice that since she had been with Kay
he had acted queerly at times and that
she had been afraid of the revolver
which he carried. She gave her age
as IS years. She will be held as wit
ness pending the arrival of Coroner
Brown from Norwich, tomorrow.
Mrs Green made the following state
ment:
II am a married woman and Kay is
not my husband. i have known him
since l was young girl He is 48 years
old and 1 am SO. first knew him in
Portland, Me. He was wellto-do then
and my folks lived in house owned
by him. He was prominent there in
politics and for four years was the
high sheriff of Aroostook county. My
UuSDd1u, ~. w. IIctIl, NOlheu III ali
insurance office in Worcester and
| worked in a factory. We moved to
Worcester. last November. A few
weeks after our arrival Kay came to
Southhridge and secured work at his
| trade, that of a machinist. He roomed
! at rs Coombs street, Southbridge.
-Four weeks ago 1 stopped working
at the factory and remained at home,
| keeping house for my husband. Last
| Sunday night. Kay came TO the house
drunk and wanted to see me. My hus-
| band ordered him away. Monday
morning, he came to the house and per-
suaded me finally to go out with him.
| When we were on the street he told me
that | must leave Worcester with him
| or he would kill me. He had a revolt
Yer and showed it to me. He had
| threatened to kill me before. In fear
of being shot l accompanied him to this
| city.
"All day, today, he watched me-
tried to get away several times. but
was afraid of the revolver He told me
he would kill me if left him. He has
been addicted to the use of drugs for
several years. l think he used NOR
pune. re also drank great deal. L
don't know of any reason for his shoot
ing the hotel keeper. Mr.. Gavitt had
but entered the room when he shot
him. | did not see the revolver until
he pointed it at himself"
Mrs. Green said further that Kay
was widower with three daughters.
two of whom lived in PASSPORT, Me-, and
The other in New Haven. Although
Kay had been well-to-do at one time,
she said he had nothing now. but was
insured in favor his daughters for
$4,000.