Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-09-15
KIRBY A SUICIDE
(Continued from PAGE Onel

NSoutinpSu " oHi Y oSS S''S/
man lying upon his cot in cell No. 10,
on the third tier, with vein of his
left wrist laid open and his life
blood staining the floor. The sher-
iff hastily summoned DR.. c. w. Dyer
and DR.. Warren B. Sanborn who ad-
ministered what aid they could to
the self confessed murderer. AL
though he had lost over a quart of
blood it was thought at that time he
had a chance for his life.
At noon he was apparently very
little stronger than when he was
found. His heart action at that time
was slightly better and the doctors
felt much encouraged. He then re-
quested another hypodermic injec-
ton and it was given to him. About
1 o'clock he began to sink and by
1.30 he had passed away. He was
attended when he died by Turnkey
John Barrows and one or two others.
Had Attempted to Conceal His Act
When found by the sheriff, Kirby
was lying on his side, upon his cot.
His left wrist was suspended over
the edge of the bed and he had
thrown a blanket over the pool of
blood on the floor in order that it
might be hidden from view. He was
making no sound and would not
have been discovered if it had not
been for the visit of the sheriff.
Knowing that he sometimes stayed
in bed until about 8 o'clock, Sheriff
Cummings when he approached the
cell door, looked through the bars
and saw that Kirby apparently had
done so that morning. His cot was
so placed that clear view was not
to be had of it from the cell door
and only his feet were visible. The
sheriff then moved along to small
window in the cell wall and upon
looking into the interior of the cell
again the sight which met his eyes
caused him to spring to the door
and enter as quickly as he could.
White as death, with the greater
part Of his life blood upon the floor
and wall of the little stone room in
which he has been confined since he
was brought to this city, Harry Kir-
by lay stretched out, awaiting the
death which would solve the prob
lens into which his life had evolved
itself.
Leaves Letter Addressed to Sheriff
Henry Cummings, High Sheriff of
kennebec Co., Augusta, Me-" and
marked personal" contained the last
be RENE rendered as the perpetrator of
one of the most fiendish crimes in the
history of the State of Maine.
At the time the attempt at suicide
was discovered, the weapon with which
Kirby had slashed himself could not
be found. Later a careful search of
the cell brought to light a safety razor
blade which he had used This was
apparently an old blade and 1t is
thought that he either had it with him
all the time he was in Jail or else that
that he perhaps found it in crack in
his cell where it may have lain for
many months. When using his own
razor the turnkey has always checked
the number of blades with great care
to see that he kept none back when re-
turning il to the Office, and while he
was shaving he has always been
watched most carefully. Sheriff Cum
mings stated last night that he did
not expect to start any investigation
as to the origin of the instrument with
which Kirby took his life.
County officials were busy the entire
afternoon and evening Monday trying
to locate Mrs. Kirby. Kirby in his let
ter to the sheriff left her address. say
ing that she might be reached under
the name of Ruby Howe Crawford at
Saco. Telephone calls to the place
named brought the information that
she had not been in Saco since she left
this city, and efforts to reach her were
fruitless up to late hour last night
Pending location CT Mrs. Kirby. the
body of her husband was taken to the
parlors of Knowlton & Hewins, where
it was prepared for burial Kirby re-
quested that in the event 1t was not
claimed by Mrs. Kirby his remains be
sent to the Bowdoin College Medical
school for the use of science. He did
not remember that that school has
been discontinued. Therefore If Mrs.
Kirby enters no claim, burial will be
left to the town of Winthrop, where
he had lived for some time and In
which is situated the scene of his das-
tardly crime which resulted in the
murder of one woman, the serious in
jury of another and the firing of the
cottage in which they had lived.