Columbus (GA) Daily Enquirer
April 18, 1901
page 4

FOUND DEAD IN HOTEL – Lawyer Willard of New Bedford, Ind. The Cause a Mystery

New York, April 17 – James Hazleton Willard, a lawyer of Bedford, Ind., was found dead in his room in the Clarendon Hotel today by his brother-in-law, Samuel A. Russell, who occupied an adjoining room. Someone at the hotel notified the coroner's office that the man had died from opium poisoning. The allegation probably was based on the fact that Mr. Willard had taken 15 grains of quinine and 25 grains of Dover's powders yesterday afternoon.

Mr. Willard came here a few days ago. Mr. Russell said Mr. Willard had no reason whatever for killing himself. He was a prosperous man and in fairly good health. He had come to the city in good spirits and had written to his sister, Mr. Russell's wife, in Clinton, Conn., that he intended to spend a few days there.

Mr. Willard was 53 years of age. He was a widower without any family and was interested in some onyx mines in Kentucky. His father was Ashbel T. Willard who was at one time governor of Indiana.

Typed and donated by Randi Richardson.