Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-19
DISCOURAGED.
leo. A. French, Auburn, Had
Enough of Lies Turmoil.
Found Dead, Monday, Hanging to
Tree in West Pitch Grove.
Letters Show That He Was Discour-
aged and Disheartened.

Lewiston, Me-, May 1S-George A.
FRENCH, aged about 33 years, hung him.
self to a tree in the grove at West
fitch, Auburn, sometime Sunday night,
| the body being found at $40 this morn
ing. He was unmarried, and from let
tiers left it would seem that the man
was thoroughly discouraged and dis
heartcned.
His father, Geo. F. French, was for
merly in the book business here and
now represents publishing firm.
In frenchS pockets were several let
tiers, One OF which was addressed to the
police department. The matter in this
envelope was written on several differ
ent sheets, apparently at different
times. Statements of his financial af-
fairs We're also contained within this
envelope, with careful instructions as
to the settlements of all bills. A paid
up life insurance policy of $4,000 was
ample to settle ali bills.
The following are abstracts of the
letters to the police department:
Il have lost my job at the Turner
incompetency. AS 1 can't take care of
myself, | don't want others to do so.
Il have been rooming at Al Highland
avenue, Auburn, Mr.. Partridge's place.
He works at the Elm House.
please notify my father, Mr. George
+. French, Augusta, general delivery;
Mrs. George +. French, Fairbanks, care
of her father, Mr.. j. |. Norton, and
L
| A. French
Excerpts from another letter enclosed
| in the same envelope addressed ITO
| the police, etc." evidently meaning
| the general public by the and so forth)
| follows:
Il have tried and tried to be and do
something; but l never outgrew a frail
| childhood, especially in the matter of
| brains.
| Il have seen no clear evidence in my
own affairs, or of those around me, that
| there is a personal God-much less a
Heavenly Father; and Providence is a
| matter for the fortunate to believe; it
! is fate for the rest.
| Il don't believe il q personal devil.
| Primitive humanity personified its
| ideas of good and evil, and we have
kept it up in God and devil.
II have not desired first to have much
money, but to be useful and generous.
| All is denied me. Now let me be Il
! burden to my friends in memory alone,
! but not in fact Perhaps those near
est me may follow me quickly and rest
| from their too greVous woes.
Il do not fear suicide; do not think
the Bible condemns it as it does muir
der; it is a later social prohibition than
those developed in Bible times. Max
| ing life hard for folks will some time
be criminal, then suicide and murder
will pass away. All hail that time.
Il go in camness, believing that if
| there is any life in Christ it must come
upOn all souls after their correction
and illumination. However, we know
nothing. Religion is 80 per cent. feel
ing, and theology is 80 per cent. speru-
lation. But BE We kind, one to an
other is 100 per cent. reality.
Il would have been kind, but others
Numbered in their mistaken Kindness
TO me. | leplore the day that saw me
taken from my early home in Vermont
and put to school in Portland. Had it
been otherwise | might have developed
naturally. | was Stultified in those
cruel days, and have remained so.
| will forgive. forget and end it, tonight.
with malice toward none.
(Signed George A. French"