Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-04
SHOCKING DEATH
Of Private at Fort Hami!ton-Strange
Stories of Soldiers Treatment.

New York, Feb. 3.-With the buria
in Cypress Hills cemetery, yesterday
of Private Frank Smith of the SSH
Battery, United States Artillery, there
was revealed the story of his death
Monday, in the Fort Hamilton mill
tary reservation. Smiths comrades
say that he put an end to his life be-
cause he was ordered to do duty by
Surgeon Major Junius l.. Powell when
he was sick and unfit to work. The
officers at the post decline to discuss
the case.
Smiths death, it is alleged, has
brought to light cases of iIl-treatment
of sick soldiers at the reservation and
an investigation is being conducted by
a board of inquiry made up of Capt.
COnnorS, Capt. Stone and Lieut.. Kill
berth. Since Monday afternoon. scores
of soldiers have been brought before
the board to tell what they know con-
corning the death of Smith and other
matters, and the inquiry, it was said.
by an officer, last night. will not end
until every private. corporal and SER
geant at the reservation is examined.
No information concerning the death
of Smith has been given to the Fort
Hamilton police and Coroner Michael
]. Flaherty of Brooklyn, up to a late
hour, last night. knew nothing about it.
1t is admitted by officers at the fort
that the dead man asked Major Powell
10 be releaved from guard duty, Satur-
day morning, because of illness, and
that the latter refused the request.
Smith. it is said, appeared downcast
when he left Major Powell's quarters.
and, going to the guard-rOOm, secured
heavy rifle from the rack and calmly
loaded it. Several soldiers who We're
in the room at the time believed that
he intended taking the rifle with him
when he went on duty, but a few min
utes later they We're Mortified when
the sun was discharged and Smith fel!
to the floor with his face completely
blown off. From what can be learned.
he removed his shoes, placed the gun
under his chin, and then pulled the
trigger with his toe.
Lieut.. William kilbreth, who was in
charge of the guard-house. was soon
on the scene, and he called Major Pow
ell and Surgeon StOney.
Smith unable to see or utter a sound
removed one of his leggins and with
his own blood scrawled cn it, Il am
cold" A blanket was wrapped around
him and he was taken to the post nos
pitai. He was conscious until about
an hour before his death. When
Major Hamilton Rowan, commanding
the post in the absence of Col. Green
ough. put questions to him about the
he made signs for a pencil
and paper and wrote the answer out
This writing is in the hands of the
Board of Inquiry.
The Board of Inquiry was in session
for several hours, yesterday. After
certain soldiers testified, Major Pow
ell was sent for. 1t will sit again, to-
day.
Several friends of Smith declare that
When he left the post hospital they
heard him remark, well, this is the
last time that 1 will report to him as
being sick. I'll pass in my checks"
The body of Smith was escorted
from the reservation to Cypress Hills
cemetery by squad of men from his
company, who fired a volley> over his
grave.
Major Rowan when asked last night.
ABOUT the death of Smith appeared
surprised that the matter had become
public.
IAN I know" said Major Rowan, sis
that this shooting case of Smiths is one
Oh the most mysterious that has ever
come 10 my notice. When l first heard
inc particulars l had every reason to be-
iieVe mat he fired the shot with the inten-