Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-24
DIR, FRANK WHITTIER
PHYSICAL DIRECTOR
At B0WD0IN, DIES

Portland, Dec. 23-Dr. Frank ".
Whittier. physical director at Bow
dom College and one Of the most
noted pathelogists and criminolo-
gists in the country, died of acute
heart trouble on a train between
Brunswick and this city.
DIR. Whittier was credited with
having made two OF the most i'm
portant discoveries in the history Of
criminal Investigation. He was aid
to have been the first man in this
country to be able to tell positively
whether blood examined was animal
or human blood, and to demonstrate
that the firing of every rifle and re-
volyer has q distinct individuality
which Identifies bullet or cartridge
as having been used in a given wea-
pom. This knowledge enabled him
to give expert testimony in many
criminal trials.
DIR. Whittier was born In Farming
ton in 1861. He fitted for college at
Wilton Academy and graduated
from Bowdoin in 1885. For two
years he studied law, then physical
training until 1883 under the la.e
Or. Dudley A. Sargent of Cambridge,
Mass. The next year he took his de-
gree from Bowdoin Medical school.
During his post graduate wears
ana until 1908 he was director of
Bowdoin gymnasium. Then he was
maze professor OF hygiene and ply
sicai training. He was professor of
pathology and bacteriology from
iooo until the medical school was
discontinued q few years ago.
AL the outbreak of the World War
he already was enrolled in the Medf-
cal reserve Corps of the army. He
was commissioned major in 1919,
LIT. winters work during the war
was important and varied. In Nav
1917, he was appointed president of
medical examining board for the
examination of Maine physicians for
commissions in the Medical Reserve
corps. lie was medical examiner
Tor the first plattsburg camp. From
June IL. 1917, to Jan. 20, 1919, he was
IN charge of the post hospital at
Fort Preble in Portland harbor. be-
ing at times also in charge of the
hospitals at Forts Mckinley and Will
Hams. Until his honorable discharge
from active service on Jan. 90. 1919,
he also was medical supply officer
for the Port of Portland and senior
surgeon of the port.
DIR. Whittier was n member of the
American Association of Pathoio-
gists and psychologists, the Maine
Medical society, the Society"of GYM
nasium Directors and the Society for
the Advancement of Physical Train
ing.
One OF his most important services
to Bowdoin college was In securing
the Hyde Athletic Building. He al
SO was instrumental in securing the
Whittier Athletic Field at Bruins
wick. y..,.
He had been in falling health for
some time, so that his death was not
entirely unexpected. He was taken
from a FORENOON train when it reach
ed here by three physicians. who
found he had died shortly before the
train reached Union Station.
The funeral of DIR. Whittier will be
held Saturday forenoon at his home
at Brunswick. Burial will be in Pine
Grove cemetery in what is common
ly known as Bowdoin Pines, near the
campus, where all of Bowdoin's pres
idents. including the late General
Joshua L. Chamberlain. and a num-
Der of professors, are buried.
AS the Christmas recess began to-
day, a memorial service will not be
held until after the New Year.