WARD, John

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Suicide by Drowning.

John Ward, an old and respected citizen of Edinburg, committed suicide last Saturday by drowning in Blue River. He left home in the afternoon and nothing was thought of his absence until evening when he did not return for supper. A searching party started out and soon learned that he had been seen going up the river above the railroad bridge. On making a search in that direction they found his hat floating on the water and a card on the bank near this point with the word “Here” written on it in pencil mark. These discoveries were reported in town and a party went out to recover the body. It was soon found in the water near the point where the hat had been found. On his body was found a paper on which he had written: “Going crazy. God will for­give.”

An inquest was held conducted by A. S. Helms, the verdict being that de­ceased had taken his own life by drowning. Coroner Jones went to Edin­burg Sunday evening and accepted the verdict.

Mr. Ward was born in Pennsylvania and came to Edinburg in 1857, where he continued to reside until his death. For many years he was successfully engaged in the furniture business. He leaves a wife, one son and a daughter. Funeral services were held Tuesday at one o’clock, conducted by Rev. G. W. Cohogan and under the auspices of Herndon Lodge I. O. O. F.

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Link to John Ward’s grave

Submitted by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry