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Post by benotforgot on Feb 11, 2008 13:49:39 GMT -6
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Post by benotforgot on Feb 11, 2008 13:50:05 GMT -6
Biddeford Saco. Kennebunk & Kennebunkport. Souvenir. 1907.
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Post by benotforgot on Feb 11, 2008 13:50:26 GMT -6
Biddeford Daily Journal, Friday Evening, February 13, 1920, Page Eight.
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Connected Tube to Gas Range
at Home on Prospect Street -
Was Dead When Found by Wife
Thomas Warren A. Smith, the landscape gardener & retired florist, during a short absence of his wife, asphyxiated himself with gas at his home, 43 Prospect street, Thursday afternoon, between 4 & 5 o'clock.
His lifeless body was found by his wife, sitting in a large easy chair, with gas escaping from a rubber tube, which was connected with the gas range in the kitchen & held close to his mouth. The end of the rubber tubing had been tied by Mr. Smith on his breast with the end about half an inch from his mouth. The end attached to the gas range had also been tied on, as Mr. Smith, who had made two other attempts to end his life, it is claimed, evidently wanted to make sure he would succeed this time.
Mrs. Smith left her husband in the home about 4 o'clock to come downtown & make purchases of food & articles for the family. When she returned she found al the doors leading to the house locked & her suspicions became aroused at once.
Hurrying to the home of ex-Councilman Daniel B. Finnell across the street, Mrs. Smith secured the loan of a shovel in order that she might remove some snow which prevented her getting a ladder which was under the barn. With the aid of the ladder Mrs. Smith was able to get into the house through a chamber room window on the second floor. When she went downstairs the odor of gas was very noticeable. Quickly opening her breath, as the odor of gas was something terrible.
Quickly opening windows & shutting off the gas cock, Mrs. Smith went to her husband, who sat in a large easy chair in front of the range & one look satisfied her that he had been successful in taking his life.
Mrs. Finnell arrived at the house & she was followed by Carl Hall, also a neighbor, & Dr. J. F. Trull was called by telephone. The physician on his arrival found that Mr. Smith was beyond all aid. Medical Examiner Charles F. Trayneg was notified & after learning the facts of the case, concluded it was a case of suicide.
Mr. Smith had carefully planned taking his life, according to the way he arranged everything. He removed a shelf from the range & used papers to keep the rubber tubing from touching the stove. The end of the tubing was tied to the gas cock of the gas stove, while the other end was securely held with string on his breast so that the end would come close to his mouth & nose.
Incurable illness is given as the cause for the rash act. Mr. Smith suffered an attack of influenza 14 months ago & double pneumonia set in & his life was saved only by a hard battle, in which his kind & devoted wife took a prominent part. Heart trouble developed & his condition was such that it was plain to his many friends that he would not be able to do much more work. Only recently in talking with a friend he said he could walk but little & had to ride if he wanted to go any distance.
T.W.A. Smith was well known in the two cities & the news of his death was received with profound sorrow. He had made other unsuccessful attempts to end his life, by inhaling illuminating gas, while a revolver was taken from him only a few days ago.
Everybody has a good word for Mr. Smith. Friends knew that he was suffering physically & that everything was being done for him in the line of medical aid, but his condition could not be helped.
He was prominent in Masonic & Odd Fellows circles & was a member of the First Baptist church. Mr. Smith was born in Lewiston 15 Sep 1866, & was the son of the late Atwood & J. Morilla Baker Smith. He received a public school education, & was employed in the Pepperell mills before entering the florist business.
He was located on Prospect street, next to his home, for many years. As a landscape gardener he was in great demand, especially at the Pool, & his work was always highly spoken of. He was affiliated with many organizations, among them Laconia lodge, I.O.O.F.; York Encampment, J. H. Dearborn canton, Mavoshen lodge, K. of P.; Dunlap Lodge of Masons, Squando Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, & Simon S. Andrews camp, Sons of Veterans.
Mr. Smith is survived by his widow, one son, Thomas W. A. Smith, Jr., & one daughter, Miss Elizabeth M. Smith. The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon with services at 2 o'clock at the late home, 43 Prospect street. Relatives & friends are invited without further notice.
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Post by benotforgot on Feb 11, 2008 16:33:28 GMT -6
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Friends & relatives as well as brother lodge & society members, gathered at 43 Prospect street, Sunday afternoon to attend the last sad rites for Thomas Warren A. Smith. The services were conducted by Rev. Lester C. Holmes of the First Baptist church, where Mr. Smith was a devout attendant. The Odd Fellows also performed their impressive funeral service. All the lodges & societies of which Mr. Smith was a member were represented by delegations. There was a most beautiful display of floral tributes, included among them being set pieces from various organizations. The pallbearers were Charles Whitworth, representing Mavoshen lodge, K. of P., Joseph B. Gough from the Red Men, William Ross from the Odd Fellows & Masons & Charles W. Bowley from Simon S. Andrews camp, Sons of Veterans. The body was taken to Laurel Hill cemetery & entombed.
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Post by benotforgot on Feb 12, 2008 14:05:22 GMT -6
These documents were all researched and transcribed by benotforgot, BEFORE any of it was available on the internet, i.e., ca. 1977, in person, in Massachusetts and Maine.
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