Hardee - William B. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The hundreds of friends and acquaintances of William B. Hardee were shocked Tuesday morning to learn that he had met a tragic accidental death late Monday afternoon. His body was not found until after midnight, so the sad affair was not generally known until Tuesday.

Monday morning Mr. Hardee expressed his intention of going rabbit hunting and rented of D. L. Lee & Son a 32 caliber Remington rifle for that purpose. He went home to dinner at the usual hour and before leaving for his hunt he affectionately kissed his wife and daughter, as was his wont, and stated that he would be home at 3 o’clock or shortly thereafter, as he intended going only out about a mile to his farm on the Danville Road, near the Vandalia crossing. He arrived there and spoke with members of the family of Mr. Croy, who lives on the place, after which he cut across the field into the woods of F. M. Dice. This was the last seen of him alive.

When Mr. Hardee did not return as he promised, his wife was slightly uneasy and when darkness had come and he was still absent she became greatly worried and spoke to George Vance of her uneasiness and fear lest something might have happened to him. Mr. Vance mounted his bicycle and rode out to Mr. Hardee’s place, where he learned merely that Mr. Hardee had been seen early in the afternoon. Mr. Vance returned to town and a searching party was organized to institute search, all knowing Mr. Hardee being by that time confirmed in the fear that he had met with some accident. Shortly after nine o’clock some twenty persons started out with lanterns and this number was reinforced later on by constant arrivals. Every inch of the Hardee farm and the Dice woods was gone over as well as the contiguous field and groves. Still it was not until 12:05 a.m. that the dread discovery was made. William Sanders and Officer Ben Bannister were walking along the rail fence which runs east and west just south of the southern terminus of Green Street, when Mr. Sanders suddenly came upon the body of the man they sought. It was lying about two feet from the fence on the south side, and on the north side of the fence lay the rifle. Death had been instantaneous, as the large ball had entered Mr. Hardee’s temple and torn its way through his head. The cause of the accident was shown by a displaced rail. Mr. Hardee had evidently come down to the fence expecting to climb it and go out onto Green Street. He was in the act of climbing over when the top rail slipped from its position, throwing Mr. Hardee back and discharging the rifle with fatal effect. The rail, one end of which rested on the ground and the other on the fence top, was spattered with blood. The body lay on its side, the hat still being on the head. The side of the face was slightly powder burned showing that the rifle had been in rather close proximity to his head when discharged.

Messrs. Sanders and Bannister quickly called out and the large crowd of searchers begun to collect from every quarter, their flitting lanterns making a weird spectacle as they approached from all directions. Rev. S. H. Creighton was delegated to the sad duty of informing Mr. Hardee’s wife and child, who awaited at home in the agony of suspense the result of the search. Barnhill’s undertaking ambulance was called for and upon its arrival; the body was taken to the family residence on Morgan Street.

William Bailey Hardee was 49 years of age and was born in this township on a farm in the Balhinch neighborhood, his father being the late Joseph Hardee. Mr. Hardee came to Crawfordsville when quite young and engaged in several pursuits during his business career here, his last business being the maintenance of the well known Green Street cigar and tobacco store, which he sold last August to Fred Sinnamon. Mr. Hardee was married twice. His first wife was Miss Belle Whitsett, who died between two and three years ago, leaving one daughter, Miss Blanche. His second wife was Miss Dora Fouts, whom he married only last September, and upon whom, as upon his daughter, his death falls with telling force.

Mr. Hardee was a devoted member of the Christian Church and one of its leading workers, holding the office of deacon. He was a member of the Tribe Ben-Hur and the Modern Woodmen, having a life insurance of $2,000 in the latter order. Mr. Hardee leaves four sisters and two brothers, John A. Hardee, of Indianapolis, George Hardee, Mrs. Hood Nelson, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. S. A. Stilwell and Mrs. Alice Neff, of this county. His death is sincerely mourned by all for he was a good citizen and a gentleman possessed of many excellent traits of character.

The funeral occurred from the residence on Morgan Street Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. S. H. Creighton officiating. The interment occurred at Oak Hill. - thanks so very much to S for all her great work