HEDRICK, John P.
Source: Attica-Fountain-Warren-Democrat Oct 19, 1922 p 1
John P. Hedrick, aged 35 a former resident of Warren County son of Edward and the late Mary Pittman Hedrick died Saturday night at 12:30 o’clock at the Lakeview hospital in Danville, Ill. Death was caused by pneumonia which developed following gun shot wounds which he said were made by his wife whom he killed after she shot him. Hedrick and his wife had trouble and in September Hedrick filed divorce proceedings, name Jake Clem as co-respondent. A number of conferences were held in an effort to settle the affair as far as possible out of court. The last conference was held the afternoon of Sept 26 it resulting in a failure to reach terms. Unable to reach an agreement both parties left the court house, Mrs. Hedrick going to the Hedrick Home on Chandler Street and Mr. Hedrick going to his room on Grant Street. Less than an hour after they had separated at the court house, neighbors heard a number of shots at the Hedrick home. The police were called and brok in. In the bathroom was found the dead body of Mrs. Hedrick. She had been shot 5 times, four bullets having entered the body and one grazing her neck. Hedrick was found at the rear of the house, a few feet from the steps of the rear porch. He had two bullet holes in the abdomen. In a statement which Hedrick made to the officers he stated he had first gone to his room on Grant Street and remained awhile and that then he had gone to his home to see if any mail had been delivered him there as he had left no forwarding address. He further stated that he had fried some eggs and had heated a pot of coffee when his wife arrived. While he was busy with the eggs, he said he wife went to his coat which was hanging on a chair, got the revolver and coming over close to him fired two shots, both taking effect in the abdomen. He said he wrested the revolver from her, fired three shots at her as she fled, followed her into the bathroom where he fell, reloaded the gun and fired again. He then left the house, walking to the rear threw the revolver away and collapsed. Some doubted his story but he never changed his version of the tragedy. - kbz