Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-08-19
Fl 4 NIX CLIFFORD
OF BENTON TAKES
HIS 0 " N LIFE

Fairfield, Me-, Aug. 1s.-(special).-
Frank Clifford. resident Of West Ben
ton and a well-known person in this
town. committed suicide at his home
on the River road on Friday morning.
first by drinking a solution of Paris
green and followed by a shot from a
S2-calibre revolver through his tenn
pie, death being instantly.
Mr. Clifford appeared in his usual
good health Friday morning and having
done his morning chores about the
farm, told his wife that he was going
to look over his field of oats which was
located on the road past his farm. He
left the house about o'clock. At 10
o'clock John Reed called at the Gift
ford home and wanted to see Mr. Gif-
ford on business, but Mrs. Clifford
stated that her husband had gone to
the further part of the farm to look
over his crops and expected him to re-
turn at any moment. Mr.. Reed waited
at the house for about an hour when
upon a request from Mrs. Clifford,
started in search Of Mr.. Clifford, who
had been gone two hours. Mr.. Reed
journeyed to the further part of the
farm and in the barn that marks the
eastern boundary of the farm lot.
found the body of Mr.. Clifford with a
revolver and cup of Paris green at his
side. He Immediately returned to the
farm house and broke the sad news to
Mrs. Clifford. Officials were called, a
doctor being on the scene at 11.3O A. M.
and stated that Mr.. Clifford had been
dead for at least two hours.
That Mr.. Clifford had thoroughly plan
ned his death is shown in the way he
had matters adjusted. The doctor stated
that the suicide victim had mixed Paris
green in water and taken a dose of that
before using the revolver. 1t appears
that after taking the poison he laid on
a pile Of hay in the barn, crossed his legs
and fired the fatal shot. Death was In
stantoneous, as he was found in this po-
siton with the pistol at his side and a
shot through his temple. On a beam in
the barn was found the victims glasses,
which he had laid there, also important
papers regarding his property and note
to the family in which he stated that
his nerves were snarled up and that TAX
ing his life seemed his only relief. He
bade goodbye to members Of his family
and also stated that he had purchased
his revolver at Furber's hardware store
in Fairfield on Tuesday for this sole pur.
pose.
Mr.. Clifford was IS years old and an
active member of the Benton Grange, be-
ing a regular attendant at all meetings
and taking a leading part in all business
concerning this organization. He was a
well-known character among the business
men in Fairfield and was fond Of ming
ling among them and discussing topics
of the day.
He was a man Of exceptional dispo-
stion, always wearing a smile under
any conditions and always having
good word to say to all. He was a
man of fine business ability and es-
pecially interested in real estate. He
had lived in Fairfield for several
months, after selling his old home on
the Winslow road, and only recently
did he purchase the Berry farm on
the River road and move there. He
will be greatly missed as neighbor,
church member and business man.
Beside wife, he leaves one daugh-
ter, Mrs. George Weber Of Winslow.
two sisters, Mrs. Wilbur Mitchell Of
this town and Mrs. Bertha Hammond
Of Bangor, three brothers. Earle Gif-
ford Of this town, Fred Clifford Of SOL
dier, Idaho, and Willis Clifford of Den
Yer. Col. Funeral services will be held
from the home Of his sister, Mr.. and
Mrs. Wilbur Mitchell Of West street
in this town. on Sunday afternoon at
o'clock.