Believed to have been despondent over domestic troubles which recently culminated in a divorce, Ansel W. Withee, 59, of Brewer swallowed four bichloride of mercury tablets yesterday. Taken ill from the poison about 6 o’clock, Withee died at 9:35 last night at the Eastern Maine General hospital, where he was rushed for emergency treatment as soon as his condition was discovered.

Withee, who had a small independent trucking business in Bangor, was divorced by his wife, Ella S. Withee, at the term of superior court just closed. He had been boarding with a Mrs. Hall at 200 Center street, Brewer. On Thursday he asked Mrs. Hall’s son, Winifred Patterson to go downtown for the poison tablets but the youth refused.

The first indication that something was wrong came to the family when Withee refused food at the supper table and went into the next room to lie down on a couch. Suddenly the family was startled by hearing him fall off the couch and immediately go into convulsions.

Lester R. Priest, 204 Center street, was called and assisted in holding Withee until the arrival of Dr. Calvin M. Thomas who ordered him to the hospital. Three hours he died.

He is survived by his former wife, two sons, Roland of Brewer and Norman of outer State street, Bangor.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS (Bangor, Maine) Friday, 7 December 1934

Funeral service for Ansel W. Withee of Brewer will be in Mt. Hope cemetery chapel Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. Friends may call at the funeral parlor of White and Hayes anytime Saturday. Mr. Withee is survived by his sons Roland W., Norman A., and Harold G.. One brother and two sisters, Simeon Withee and Mrs. Azuba W. Randlett of Newport. There are five grandchildren.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS (Bangor, Maine) Saturday, 8 December 1934