Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-24
JUDGE HARR!E |,
WEBER, AUBURN
TAKES own LIFE

Lewiston. Ne. Aug. cS.-Harrie J..
Weber. aged IS. judge Of the Auburn
municipal court, committed suicide by
shooting this morning at his residence.
Dependency due to business troubles
is believed to have been the cause.
Judge Weber was appointed by Gov
ernor Plaisted and was reappointed by
Governor Curtis. He was prominent IN
Democratic circles.
Although young and ambitious, pos
sessed Of a wide circle Of loyal friends
and having an ideal home, Judge Weo-
Der had of late been troubled by busi-
ness matters and i'll health-a recent
fire in the stock rooms of an Auburn
firm in which he was interested seem
ing to have especially disturbed him.
Although the public at large may not
have suspected. his intimate friends Sc
riously feared that he was upon the
verge of nervous breakdown.
An example of Judge Webbers ner-
vous il-health was shown at a meeting
in the interests of the Maine State Fair.
held two months ago in Music hall He
was one of the speakers and his ad-
dress was brilliant-a bit of almost i'm
FASHIONED oratory, which aroused a fu-
ror of enthusiasm. But upon returning
TO his seat on the stage he said to Carl
T. Getchell. who sat next him: Il have
terrible pain in the side OF my head.
Do you know, l can't remember one
word that have spoken" The pain in
creased to so alarming an extent that
DR.. Weber was told of it. and he at
once had his brother taken home.
On Thursday night Judge Weber.
who was high in the councils Of the
Democratic party and was always in
demand as political speaker, address
ed rally In New Auburn. Many Of his
listeners said IT was the best address
he ever gave; but on the same day he
made at least two remarks that, in view
of his tragic death. seem highly sig
nificant. One was to the conductor of a
street car, who casually inquired con,
corning his health.
II am tired" he responded. list.
lessly. Very. very tired
The other was to a newspaper re.
porter with whom he was talk.
ing. "Other men have automobiles
and prosperity" he said, in effect
Look at me! Here I have worked
hard all my life, and I just barrel,
get along" There was more than ,
touch Of bitterness in his usual,
cheerful tones.
News Of the tragedy quickly spread
and became the sensation of the da,
especially in Auburn. where judy,
| weber was personally known te
every business man. In the stores
the hotels and everywhere men gath
cred they recalled his untiring en-
ergy and genial companionship-hi
| political activities, his ability ant
Willingness as a speaker, and tn
| justice tempered by leniency which
! marked his decisions in his court. n,
local happening i'll years has bee1
| so widely and so sorrowfulIy dis
| cussed.
Judge Weber was born in Lewis
F! ton in $780, son of Arista Weber.
well-known real estate agent ant
business man. He was one of a fam
| lily that was distinguished for activ
| ity in business and great executiv
| force. His brother. Major George &
| Weber, is now in the service, an,
another brother. DR.. Wallace f
| Weber, is one of the leading sur
| geons and physicians in this part B
f! Maine.
| He graduated from the Lewiston
| schools and went to Bowdoin college
| graduating in 1901. In college he wa
distinguished as a debater and pub
| lie reader. He led the winning de
batting team Of that year and wa
leader in the college Slee club, which
toured New England. He studied Law
| and was admitted to the bar in 1906
entering into partnership with hi
| brother, George c.. Weber, who ha,
an established practice in Auburn.
Early In his career Judge Webbe
| became affiliated with political mat
| ters and in Gov. Plaisteds admins
tration was appointed judge Of tn
| Auburn municipal court. He serve,
his term and made an excellen
| judge. He was succeeded by a Re
| publican when his term expired. blu
| was reappointed by Governor Curti
| to succeed Judge Manser on the ex
| piration Of the term Of the latter. H
had two more years to serve.
| tn Fill Vocancv If