Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-10

Skowhegan. May "a long career
was suddenly ended Friday shortly
after IL o'clock when Hon. Edward
n. Merrill. an attorney widely known
in various parts of New England and
one of the most prominent members
of the Somerset County Bar, was
killed by a freight train near the
Maine Central Railroad station in
Skowhegan Mr. Merrill and his son.
Edward F. Merrill. had left their Of
fees together to go to their homes
for the noon hour. They walked only
a short distance down the street.
however, when the younger Mr.. Mer-
rili returned to do an errand in one
Of the stores. The freight train at
that time was being made up, pre-
paratory to pulling out, and was
standing on the Water street rail-
road crossing, when Mr.. Merrill near
ed the track. The rear caboose was
only a short distance up and for the
sake Of expediency he climbed the
steps of that car and descended to
the other side. Just as he was allght-
ing the train suddenly jolted and Mr..
Merrill was thrown between the cars
and before recovering his balance
was so terribly crushed that he met
practically an instantaneous death
Various stories were told of the trag-
edy. one being that his son was near
nv and another that he was follow
ing I'D the platform walking with
his hand against the car, but these
are evidently incorrect and the
Younger Mr. Merrill did not witness
the death of his father. The body
was quickly removed as the train
was Immediately brought to stand
still and was taken to Somerset hos
pitsA where it was given attention
The left arm was broken in several
places, the body badly crushed and
there were no signs of life.F
Mr.. Merrill was born in the town
ef harmony. April IL. 1S49. the son
Of Ell and Mary daughton) Merrill
He was one of eight children, the
order of their ages being: Eli Mer-
rilI. who died in New York. where
he was engaged in business; Joseph
Merrill. who likewise passed away In
New York, where he was in busl-
ness: DR.. John y. Merrill. who died
IN Skowhegan several years ago; Mrs.
Sarah F.. Foster of Cornvil!c and
Skowhegan. also deceased; Marcel
lus J. Merrill postmaster at Main
stream; Edward n. Merrill. just
now deceased: w. Scott Merrill. VINO
lived on the home farm in Harmony
for many years but who subsequent
Nv removed to Skowhegan. where his
death occurred and DR.. Fred G. Mer-
ri,, a physician in New York CITY,
who nassed away many years ago.
Alter completing the educational ad-
yantaKes of the schools in his home
town Mr. Merrill continued his studies
at the Nichols Latin school in Lewiston:
studies at Bates college for two years
and followed this with course at bow
doin college, from which institution ne
was graduated in 1874. Subsequently he
went abroad and studied at the Cniver-
s;ty of Heidelberg and the University
Of Paris, remaining overseas for aooHt
two years. Returning to this country
he Immediately located in Skowhegan
and read law in the office of the late
William Folsom. an early attorne of
Hartland and Skowhegan. He later be-
came partner of Mr. Folsom and on
ried Miss Anna Folsom, the daughter
o! his business associate. Eventually,
owing to i'll health. Mr.. Folsom retired
from the firm and Mr.. Merrill formed
partnership with Edward P. Coffin
This partnership was later dissolved
and George W. Cover, a we'll known
attorney Of this place at the present
time. was associated with him under
the firm name of Merrill & Cover. This
partnership was dissolved and Mr.,
Merrill until the return Of his son. Ed
ward r. Merrill. from college. was with.
out business associate. At that time
the younger man became a member Of
the Arm Of Merrill & Merrill and sub.
sequently William Folsom Merrill. the
youngest son, following his graduation
from Harvard Law school WAS also
added to the arm with no change In
the business name.
Mr.. Merrill was staunch Republi-
can and was a prominent man in his