Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-22
Chas. Bailey Found Dead
Wednesday in Chelsea.
Hanging by Line in Position
Peculiar for a Suicide.
No Foul Play Charged but Officials
Will Investigate.

Charles. alias Briggs, Bailey. aged
about 65 years. was found dead, pos
sihly by hanging. in the house known
as the Clara vaughan house i'll Clel-
sea on the Hallowell road about 11a
miles from the National Home, about
6 O'Clock Wednesday evening and Coro-
ner H. F. Plnmmer has ordered an
autopsy held this morning to determine
whether the man died from strangula-
ton through suicide. or was dead when
the body was placed in the position
found.
Bailey had been a member of the
Home hut was absent without leave.
He haG heen stopping at this house
for some time ana the, place has borne
an unSavOr.' reputation. 1t is known
that frequent disturbances took place
there and it is also known that a good
| sized disturbance took place Sunday
| last
| Bailey was last seen about the place
sometime Tuesday. During the Gay
Wednesday, Humane Officer Blaisdell
called there to look after a horse be-
ing kept in the shed about which COM
| plants had been made. but was unable
to arouse any of the inmates of the
house.
| 1t is understood that a woman has
keen stopping there but recently, the
exact date unknown, left for Lewiston
| Mrs. Vaughan is stopping in Augusta
for a while. SO it is unknown just who
| the inmates of the house have beer
tor the last few lays
| a man working at the Home, who
has been having washing done at the
| Vaughan house. went there about {
}o'clock Wednesday night but was un-
| able to gain an entrance or arouse any
one. Looking in a kitchen window he
was shocked to see the body of mar
hanging by rope near the kitchen
door. F!e at once notified the Home of
ficials. they notified Coroner Plummel
and he notified Sheriff Getchell and the
two proceeded to the scene.
The remains of Bailey We're fount
frily clothed. hanging by piece OIL
clothesline with the head near the fool
and both knees and hands resting OF
| the floor. I've rope was made fast tt
the door handle on the front hallway
side. thrown over the top to such
| length as to bring the moose very low
for e case Of deliberate suicide.
1t might appear to some that the
non:e could have been placed about tn,
mans neck after death but that some
one Was not strong enough to raise the
body far from the floor.
| DR.. StinSon. one OF tie Home sur
gems. was called and an examination
made SO far as darkness would permit
The man. il was Judged. had been deat
at least y hours. NJ indications 81
Il struggle was found but certain alb
ra sicns on the scalp, about the left ear
" I'll 70 more closely examined
| Blood vas found on the pillow ani
hAdCing in the bedroom. blood spots
lead from the bedroom into the kitchen
and blood was found on the LETT h;nt
Of the G2ad man.
Nc special disorder was noticed
a.aong III. furniture .r other house.
hold goods.
| in" officials do not charge that fou
play has taken place but in view OF
| several peculiar features of the case
| have decided that thorough nvesti
eaticn shall be made. and accordngl,
ICoraner Plummcr and q surgeon will &c
to Togus early this morning to conduct
| an autopsy.