Dr. Frederick W. Devitt, 59, committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart with a .32 calibre revolver as he lay in his bed this noon. Ill health is believed to be the cause. Dr. Devitt, who had been a practicing physician here since 1897, had been ill for about six months and a month ago had returned home from Hartford Hospital. Since his return, he was under the care of a nurse. While the nurse was out of the house for a short time Dr. Devitt shot himself. Mrs. Devitt heard the shot and she notified the Medical Examiner.

Dr. Devitt was born in Onandaga Hill, N.Y. in 1872 and attended public schools there. He attended also Friend's Academy at Union Springs, N.Y. and was a graduate of Cleveland Medical College. In 1897 he came to Deep River and began his practice there. Two years later he was married to Hattie G. Joy of Deep River.

Besides his wife, he leaves five brothers, Dr. Ellis K. Devitt of Lyme and Edward B. , Alfred F., Wesley J. and George H. Devitt, and a sister, Mrs. William Church ‏[Margaret]‏. He was a member of the Connecticut Homeopathic Medical Society, Webb Lodge IOOF of Deep River, Trinity Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Deep River, Cyrene Commandery of Middletown, and various Masonic societies, and the Woodmen of America.