Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-17
TAKES own LIFE.
A|phonso F. McCury Com
mits Suicide by Hanging
BODY Found in Cellar at Court
Street Home, Tuesday.
Rash Act Supposed to Have Been
Due to Dependency.

Augusta people were shocked Tues
day forenoon on learning that Alpnon-
SO F.. McCurdy had taken his life by
hanging himself in the cellar at MS
home at 81 Court street. Just when
the act was committed is not known,
but as Mr.. McCurdy was seen at $40
Monday morning the time of his death
is fixed at some time between that hour
and the hour of discovery of his BODY,
which was about II o'clock yesterday
forenoon.
The discovery was made by Officer
Lawrence Colgan who in company with
City Marshal Fletcher had gone to the
house at the request of William BOyn-
ton of Hotel North. Mr.. McCurdy had
for some two months past been en-
ployed at the hotel in the capacity of
porter but had not been there since
Sunday noon. He had in possession
some of the keys of the hotel, and City
Marshal Fletcher and Officer Colgan
went to the house, for the purpose of
getting the keys.
On their arrival they found the doors
locked and all the windows securely
fastened, and no one at home. Extra
precautions seemed to have been taken
to fastcn the doors and windows. and
the officers were only able to effect an
entrance by taking out a cellar win
dow. BY this means Officer Colgan
lowered himself into the coal bin and
as soon as his eyes had become ac-
custOmed to the darkness discovered
the body hanging just outside the bin.
Coroner II. w. Plummcr was sum-
moned by telephone and soon arrived.
but OH viewing the remains the case
was SO plainly one of suicide that no
inquest was deemed necessary. The
unfortunate man had accomplished his
purpose by fastening a piece of clothes
line to beam overhead and after ty-
ing the other end about his neck had
kicked over q chair on which he stood,
death ensuing from strangulation. Af-
ter the coroner had view the remains
they were removed to the undertaking
rooms of the II. w. Piummer Co. on
Bridge street where they now are.
Mrs. McCurly was away ut the time.
having gone down river Saturday, and
of the four little girls who completed
the family circle two were said to be
at Woolwich and the other two at the
house of a friend in this city. Funeral
arrangements will be announced later.
Mr.. McCurdy was about 40 years of
age and enjoyed the friendship Of a
host of acquaintance. When a young
man he was employed for a long time
at the Cony House in the capacity of
porter, waiter. and also doing other
work about the house. At the time
that the Augusta. Hallowell & Gardi-
ncr Railroad was built in 1890 he en-
tered the employ of the company and
during the winter before the cars were
placed on the route drove one of the
busses between this city and Gardiner,
afterward going on to the cars.
For the past II years and until about
two months ago he had been employed
as waiter In the Viewer dining room,
and at the time of his death was porter
at Hotel North. He was a member of
Augusta Lodge, A. o. L. W.
Mr.. McCurdy was a man liked by all
who knew him, and they were many,
as his long experience in hotels
brought him in touch with the travel
ling public in general. Possessed of
a genial disposition, kind hearted. and
always obliging and courteous in the
discharge of his duties, he could but
win friends, and many arc they who
will feel sincere regret that he should
so as he did before his allotted time.