Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 November 1908 — FUNERAL OF JAY W. WILLIAMS [ARTICLE]

FUNERAL OF JAY W. WILLIAMS

• Was Held Thursday Afternoon and Was Largely Attended The funeral of Jay W. Williams, the well known furniture dealer who committed suicide Tuesday forenoon, as reported In Wednesday’s Democrat, was held from the M. E. church at 2:30 p. m., Thurs- [ day and burial made in Weston •emetery. * Deceased was a member of the F. A A. M.; and K. of P., lodges and also a member of the O. A. R. Post, all of which orders were in attendance at the funeral, the burial ceremonies being conducted by the Masons. The business houses dosed during the funeral and the remains were followed to their last resting Slice by an unusually large num-* her of relatives and friends, several of the latter being from out of town, and all were sincere mourners with .the immediate family, as Mr. Williams was held in very high esteem and enjoyed a large acquaintance. a Mrs. Williams, who completely collapsed soon after the news of the suicide of her husband reached her and was in a critical condition Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday, had so far recovered that she was able to attend the funeral with her daughter, Mrs. C. H. Porter. The surviving brother of deceased, **f Cleveland, Ohio, was also in attendance, but a sister living at East Hampton, N. Y., was unable to be here because of poor health. There is not much of anything new to say regarding the suicide ‘ more than was given in the hurriedly written acccount in Wednesday's Democrat. An older brother, •f whom he especially thought a great , deal, died recently in Ohio. t ln fact only two weeks to a day before he shot himself Mr. Williams had returned from attending the funeral. Snee then he had seemed rather depressed and cast down, and this, together with his own ill health, is supposed to have caused him - to take his life: :• A nephew residing in Ohio also died hut a few months ago. : > As was his custom nearly every day, he had written his daughter in Chicago that morning as usual ’ and mailed the letter, but she had left there in response to a telegram telling of his death before reoelvlng the letter, and at this writing it is not known whether any hint of his contemplated act was given in this letter. Not a .line was left by him so far as now known regarding what he intended to do, and whatever preyed upon his mind that caused the suicide wftl probably rorever remain a mystery. ' After purchasing the cartridges that morning at Rhoades’ hardware Mr. Williams returned to his store dud made several trips up to the gallery at the north end of the main room, and Mr. Colvert now thinks that he was only waiting for someone to come in, that the clerks, Mr. Colvert and son Clint, might not be there alone when he did the deed. Dr. Loy and Charley Rhoads coming In gave him the ’ opportunity, as he again went up there ' soon after Dr. Loy entered the room, and soon the fatal shot was heard. Mr. Williams was about 63 years of age, • and was one of the last men one would have thought would take his own life. He was always of a cheerful disposition and was one of r the best known men in Jasper county. His act can only be attributed to a fit of temporary insanity caused from sorrow over the death of hit brother and his own poor health.