The independent-reporter., 1918-06-06
SUDDEN DEATH OF F.
DANFORTH
Found Dead In His Room, Last
Thursday Morning

Thursday Morning
This community was greatly shock
ed, last Thursday morning, by the
news that Franklin Danforth. son of
Judge Edward F. Danforth, had been
found dead in his room, about 1890
that morning He had retired the
night before, in very much his usual
health While he customarily rose at
an earlier hour, the family supposed
that he was taking the opportunity
for little extra rest the day being a
holiday, and did not go to his room
until the time mentioned He had
but recently expired Death was
caused by a pistol wound in the tenn
pie, which may have been accidental
and possibly may have been self-in-
ficted. Mr. Danforth was for time
in business in Taunton, Mass. He
roomed alone, during his residence
there, in building connected with his
poultry establishment, and the weapon
was purchased at that time He had
made plans only recently, extending
a good way into the future. These and
many other circumstances would seem
to make it impossible that he took his
own life. In the absence of any
definite determination of the matter,
it is certainly permissible to suppose
that he may have taken out the wea-
pom for examination and that an acci-
dental discharge resulted thus fatal
ly The father had been in the stable
and the other members of the house
hold in the garden for some minutes
preceding the discovery above re-
ferred to, and the discharge of the
pistol was not heard The deceased
had been for years a great sufferer
from rheumatism, sometimes so much
afflicted as to be able to move about
only with the aid of crutches. This
acute condition had been somewhat re
lieved of late, and he had been able
to do large amount of work. but the
disease was always present, causing
him great inconvenience and suffer
ing This malady is known to all to
be more troublesome during cold,
cloudy weather; and that the last few
days preceding Thursday, which had
been overcast and unpleasant, had
been specially trying for the deceas-
ed. was apparent. During the con-
versation at the noon meal Wednes-
day, he spoke of his health and of not
feeling as we'll as usual, expressing
disappointment and Encouragement at
his condition.
Franklin Danforth was born in this
town. February Is, 1885, in the house
on Norridgewock avenue, where his
death occurred His mother was. be
fore her marriage. Miss Hattie COwan
ha I'D IN,
1912 When Franklin was only a babe.
his mother and sister Annie then four
years of age, were both seriously i'll
with typhoid fever. The disease ter
minated fatally in the case of the
daughter, thus leaving him the only
child. His life was probably saved
by sending him to reside with his
grandparents in NorridgewOck during
the illness of his mother and sister.
He passed thru the various grades of
the Skowhegan schools, graduating
from the high school with class of
1902 The fall of the same year. he
became student at the University Of
Maine. entering the classical course.
His classmates and teachers of his
high school and university days, will
especially recall his work in Greek
and Latin, his translations showing
remarkable aptitude for these studies.
He had planned to complete the
course at Orono, and to enter upon
one of the professions for his life
work, but the rheumatic trouble al
ready referred to interfered with
these as it did with many of his sub
sequent plans. After repeated at
tempts he was obliged to abandon his
college studies, having completed but
three years of the course For the
years 1907 to 1910 inclusive, he was
employed as an accountant by the
Skowhegan Trust Company but this
work he was also Obliged to give up
on account of his health. In the ef-
fort to find something which would
usefully occupy his time and keep
MIN out of doors, he took up poultry
raising, applying the same earnestness
and energy TO it which he had to
everything else previously tried. This
seemed. on the whole, to agree fairly
well with his health, and he continued
it. on quite an extensive scale. up to
the time of his death.
I'pon his father being appointed a
member 0f the L. 81 registration
Board for Somerset County, the need
for competent help being very great,
Mr.. Danforth entered the office and
has done an important work for that
organization.
Franklin Danforth was always gen
tlemanly and courteous in his rela-
tions toward others. He was devot-
ed to his father and especially thotful
and courteous at all times in his home