Submitted by Dan Rich

 

Edward E. Willard

Abt. 1868 – Feb. 7, 1890

 

The Mishawaka Enterprise 2/14/1890
Mrs. E. E. Willard, formerly Miss Blanche Eberhart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Eberhart, residing just northeast of town, received the following shocking telegram last Friday evening: "Your husband shot and killed himself this morning. What shall we do with the body?"

About the same time another message was received here as follows: LANCASTER, CAL. 27:8:23 p.m. Sheriff of Mishawaka: Is there anyone in your town by the name of Willard? E. E. Willard, a druggist, shot and killed himself this morning. State what to do with the body. JOSEPH L. JOHNSON, CONSTABLE.

Beyond this meager information nothing has been received to explain the sad affair, though a request was immediately sent for further particulars. Whether it is a case of suicide or an accident is unknown, although suicide is conjectured although no reasons can be given for such a rash act.

Word was immediately forwarded to the father of the deceased, Mr. E. P. Willard of Elkhart. We quote from the Elkhart Review the following brief biography of the deceased:

Mr. Ed. E. Willard, only child of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Willard grew to manhood in Elkhart and was well and favorably known as any young gentleman who has ever spent his youthful days in the city. He had clerked at different time in the drugstores here, and about three years ago began to learn the profession of dentistry, going into Dr. Short's office. He afterwards attended the dental college at Baltimore, and come from there to his home here to spend the holiday vacation. Something more than a year ago he was married to Miss Blanche Eberhart, an only child of Mr. Henry Eberhart, a wealthy resident of Mishawaka. On the 2nd of January he left here for California, and finally located at Lancaster, a small town near Los Angeles. He had written frequent letters home stating that he was happy and contented and doing well. He had asked his wife to get ready to join him at an early day. The news of his death in such a tragic manner, following so closely on the heels of these letters, fell like a pall on the hopes of those most nearly and dearly interested in him. To the young widow and parents of the deceased the community will extend sincere sympathy. The writer personally knew Mr. Willard to be a young gentleman of uncommon sunny disposition and jovial turn of mind and unquestionable integrity.

The remains were expected to arrive in Elkhart last night and the funeral was to have been at 1 o'clock today, but word was received this morning that the body on the train first supposed to be his belonged to South Bend and Mr. Willard's remains will not arrive until later.