Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-08
But What David K. Phil
lips Committed Suicide.
The Suspicious Circumstances
Cleared Away by Autopsy.
Worry Over Business Attributed As
Cause Of Deed.

ton which occupied but two hours
coEclusirely established the fact that
David X. Phillips a wealthy banker
and real estate man of Swampscott,
near this city, whose body was found
on the beach at his home. yesterday,
committed suicide by drowning. A
number of circumstances which were
regarded. last night, as suspicious,
were cleared away. today, by an au-
topsy which showed that the banker
had met death by drowning. and by an
inspection of the beach led to the find
ing of Phillips waistcoat, containing
his watch. The absence of the outer
garments. yesterday. did not at first
harmoniZe with the suicide theory.
Phillips was seen making his way to-
wards the beach and it is believed that
after reaching the water he discarded
his outer wearing apparel. 1t is sup
posed that he had been worrying over
slight business matterS. although there,
was no great financial loss involved
and that, together with other mental
depression. this induced him to end
his life.
Phillips business interests are in ex-
he leaves 4 large fortune.
Previous to the autopsy arranged to
be held. this afternoon. over the body
of David II. Phillips. the wealthy bank
er of SWampscOtt, which was found.
yesterday. on the beach near his home
there We're no further Developments in
the case. Medical Examiner Joseph ].
Pinkham. who was to perform the au-
tOpsy. continued to adhere to the be-
lief that Mr.. Phillips committed suicide
while temporarily insane and this the
Dry was held by most of the friends
and neighbOrs Of the family. The alb
Sence of outer garments when the body
was found. however and the appar-
ent disappearance of a watch and a
sum of money. induced the Immediate
relatives of the dead man TO REQUEST
that an autopsy be performed. and the
medical examiner made preuarati ions
to comply with their wishes. this fore
non. at the local undertaking cytab-
lishment. where the body is lying.
Up to that time no trace of the miss
ing articles had been discovered, but
shortly after the beginning of the au-
topsy, just after 9 o'clock. word was
received from Swampscott that Phil
lips waistcoat and his watch had been
found on the beach. This information
tended to support the suicide theory
which the officials have entertained
from the time the body was found.
At the conclusion of the autopsy
Medical Examiner Pinkham signed
the death certificate which bears the
words "death by drowning" In a
statement. DIR. Pinkham said that
death was due to drowning and that
there were no indications whatever of
foul play. AS to the cause which led
to the drowning the medical examiner
said he was willing to give the family
the benefit of any doubt. The drowning
might have been accidental. it might
have been suicide, added the eXan,in-
err, although the circumstances would
indicate that the drowning was delib-
crate.
Dr. Pinkham said that the lungs con
tanned water. The body was found to b.
in a healthy condition and the slight
abrasions on the forehead did not pene-
tratc the skull. but were apparently
caused by the body scraping the rocks
to be healthy. The medical examiner
says that he first saw the body at 5
o'clock yesterday afternoon and at that
time the condition known rigor mortis
had not set in. The examiner was as
sisted in performing the autopsy by DIR.
Herbert Ncwhall and Chief of Police Har
rs of Swampscott. was present.
Chief Harris began a systematic search
early in the day for Phillips coat. waist
coat and other articles which were miss
ing when the body was dragged ashore.
The meadow lands III the vicinity, bath
ing payilions and 4 long stretch of beach
were closely inspected. Shortly after =
o'clock the waistcoat, containing Phil
lips watch was washed ashore near the
spot where the body was first seen. II
IS understood that beyond the sos which |
he bank president got at the Marblehcad |
Bank. he carried no large sum OF money |
1t develops that in making his way to |
he beach. yesterday. the banker instead |
If following his customary path. a con
.rete walk. to his property. went across |
/ field. Those who knew Phillips well |
,ay that they never knew him TO go TO
he beach by this route. Before leaving |
lis house he shut up his two dogs, which |
,e invariably took with him on his walks.
\ nan named jackson was the last per
ION. so far as known. to see the banker |
live. When jackson passed him. Phil
Ups remarked:
1T is pleasant day.
At that time he had his hat and coat
m.
The family accepted the suicide theory L
rom the first, but ir view of many ru-
nors which were circulated, last evening II
,frs. Phillips requested the chief of po-
ice to arrange for ar autopsy in order
D satisfy everyone as to the exact cause
+ her husbands death.
During the day several other articles
;ere washed up by the sea. tending to
ear out the suicide theory. Among them
las a s. bill, also a check for SIS paid |
} D. K and L. B. Phillips and signed
y L. n Thomas. A fragment of paper
lso was found, apparently part Of the
CONTINUED on Page Two.)