| Stillman W. Edgell of Waltham, formerly of this city, but for the past 28 years doorkeeper of the state senate, left the state house about three weeks ago and has nopt since been seen. He had been a sufferer from nervous dyspepsia some years and had an attack of la grippe about three weeks ago. He served three years in the war with the Fusiliers (Co. B, 15th regiment) and lost an arm at the battle of Cold Harbor. |
| Chief of police Locke has received a circular from the Boston police department giving a photograph and description of Stillman W. Edgell, who has been missing since Jan. 24. A reward of $100 is offered for information that will lead to his discovery. He is thought to be temporarily deranged. Captain Edgell is 62 years old, about 5 ft., 10 inches in height, weighs 180 lbs., short gray hair, gray moustache, right arm off at shoulder; always dresses well. |
| All efforts to discover any trace of Stillman W. Edgell, since he left the state house on Sunday, Jan. 24, about 6:15 p.m., have proved unavailing. There is evidence that he had money and valuables to the amount of about $800 in his possession when he left the building. Mr. Edgell was appointed a messenger at the state house in 1865 and had continued in the public service at the state house up to the time of his disappearance, having been for many years doorkeeper at the senate chamber. |
| A West Gardner Man Confident that He saw Stillman W. Edgell. The only real clue to the missing state house doorkeeper, Stillman W. Edgell, who disappeared several weeks ago, comes from West Gardner, by a letter written by J. F. Carroll to Mrs. E. J. Stone of Waltham, an aunt of Edgell, and with whom he has lived for a long time. Carroll saw a man at West Gardner, over a week ago, who attracted his attention by his singular actions, and who answered to the general description of Edgell. He reported what he saw to Inspector O'Day of Worcester, who sent him a picture of Edgell, whereupon Carroll wrote Mrs. Stone, expressing his positive conviction that the man he saw was Edgell. Nothing has been seen or heard of the man he saw since then. |
| Capt. Stillman W. Edgell's Body Found
The body of Capt. Edgell was found floating in Charles river, near the draw in Harvard bridge, Sunday afternoon. He was last seen alive on Sunday, Jan. 24, and Medical Examiner Swan thinks the body had been in the water three months. It was probably a case of suicide while temporarily insane. Medical Examiner Swan made a careful examination of the body. The clothing consisted of an overcoat, dark blue suit, white shirt, turn-down collar, tie boots and overshoes. Upon the body were found a bunch of keys, with a stencil marked "S. W. Edgell, State House, Boston." There were also found the gold watch and chain and charm, his diamond ring, two gold studs and a diamond stud, two pairs of eyeglasses, two pocket knives, $24,06 in money, a silk handkerchief and two linen ones, a time table of the Fitchburg road and a horse chestnut. On the watch pocket of his trousers was plainly marked in indelible ink the word "Edgell." Capt. Edgell was born in Winchester (sic, it is actually Westminster), Mass., in 1832. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Fitchburg, after which he was employed here till the war broke out. He enlisted in the Fitchburg Fusiliers, 15th Mass. Vol. and 15th Massachusetts Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, where he lost an arm. After his resignation from the army he accepted an appointment in the custom house, which he held until he was appointed doorkeeper of the senate of Massachusetts, which he held for 28 years, in fact up to the time of his disapparance. He was never married, but lived with his niece, Mrs. Stone in Waltham. |
| The funeral of Stillman W. Edgell will be held at Westminster, his native town on Wednesday. A special car, attached to the 10:30 a.m. train out of Boston, will bring the body from Waltham -- arrangements having been made for this train, which leaves here at 11.52, to stop at Westminster. A delegation from Post 19, G. A. R. of which deceased was a member, will leave the city in a barge at 11.15 a.m. |
| In Memory of Stillman W. Edgell Post 19, G. A. R., at their meeting on Monday evening, adopted the following memorial:
Again the enemy has made an assault and broken our lines. Death has taken another veteran from our ranks. Stillman W. Edgell was a worthy man, a brave soldier, a true comrade. Well does he deserve a tribute of affection from his comrades, and a grateful remembrance, for what he was, and all he dared. We remember him with kindly feelings of true comradeship, as well recall his long and faithful work in the service of his country, and his state. As he goes from us to be mustered in and join the rapidly increasing army of comrades on the other side of the thin vail, which separates us from the, with tender thoughts we will bid him, "Rest on his sheaves, his harvest task is done, Soldier go home; with thee, the fight is won," Resolved, That this testimonial of our soldierly affection for Comrade Edgell he entered upon the records of the Post, and printed in the newspapers of this city. J. W. Kimball,A. A. Givson, R. J. Parker, Committee. A true copy, Charles W. Gale, Adjutant. |