Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-15
DIED AT SEA.
Cause Of Death, a Bullet
Through His Heart.
Suicide Of Capt. F. S. Israel Of
! the Admiral Dewey.
Temporary Insanity Is Only Cause
That Can Be Imagined.

Boston, Nov. 14-Capt. Frank s. Is
Tael, commander of the United Fruit
sos. steamship Admiral Dewey. com
mitted suicide by shooting h!n1stf
through the heart In the chartroom OF
his vessel. last Thursday morning. The
steamer reached port. y"st.rday' on
her regular trip from jamaican ports,
arriving at Long wharf at noon.
From those on board il VAS learned
that the tragic death of IN. captain
occurred when the vessel vas IN III"
vicinity Of the Bahamas. 'apt israel
had been called for breakfast ANA AT
7.55. when on. Of tn" stewards was sent
10 call him again, his lie! IS bpty was
found living on tine Chatt1Oom floor, u
revolver graSped III his right hand. y
few minutes previously some of the Of
ficers had heard a pistol shot, 50 thai
death must have been instantaneous.
The bullet pen.t r:t.,i thu heart.
Cant Israel had been in his usual
good spirits and the previous evening
had entertained some of the paSsri-
gers In his cabin. The only cause that
can be assigned for the act is Temporal
nv mental q liberation.
holds a masters certificate, assumed
command of the ship and brought her
safely into port. reaching here several
hours in advance Of The time she was
expected.
Medical Examiner Harris viewed tn"
remains. after which the body Was re-
moved 10 the residence Of capt. Israel
on Highland avenue. Maiden. 4 widow
and two daughters survive him.
Of jovial disposition, capt. Israel
was beloved 10y his officers and men,
ard was extremely popular with tn"
Passengers. He WIS an experienced and
SkilIful navigator and enjoyed the on
tire confidence. of the officials Of the
line. Twelve years ago he entered the
employ Of the fruit company as second
officer Of the steamer Eth"lrcd, ana
at that time he held Il captains r''rtI-
fcatc, having been master Of sailing
vessels III the West Indian trade. Tie
was soon promoted TO first officer Of
III" Ethclrcd and aftcrWard to captain
of the same vessel. For seven years
he had been in command of the com
rany's steamers. having been master
of the Ethrlrcd. Beverly and Buchanan
before being assigned TO the Admiral
Dewey nearly three vars ago.
Capt Israel was u native Of Nova
Scotia. having been born near Var
mouth 81 years ago. ". had been Il
resident of Maiden for many years,
making his home in the Maplewcod dis
trict until d few months ago, when
b" moved to Highland ave.
The news of tn" captains death was
d, l., inIc of M.
company auh there was profound sor-
row among all the attaches.
capt. Israel had, it appears. made de-
liberate preparations for the rash act.
as he had wound his chr"nomc. Nr md
l"ft a letter for his wife and son" in
strlcttons relative to In" disposition Of
his body.
The Tags of the Dewey We're dis
PLAYED at half mast and will remain
80 until after the funeral. The com
pany's steamer san Jose. lying at their
terminal. also lowered her flag to half
mast when the news Of the sad death
of the captain was made known.
The Admiral Dewey left Port Morant
last Tuesday evening. under the guild
an,e of capt. Israel. who was then APP
parcntly In the best Of spirits. The
weather was fair throughout, moderate
winds and smooth seas prevailing.
Among the saloon passengers We're
Edward II. Grabow. manager of the
hotel Titchfield at Port Antonio: Gill
man f. Jorp. Charles 3. Jopp, Henry
A. TilIen. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence f..
BOYLE. Walter L. W"rdcn. Fred l.. car
yentcr. Francis f. La Brisch, Haldrett
IAl, cor