HARDY, William B. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Monday afternoon WB Hardy, formerly in the cigar business on Green Street left town taking with him a small rifle, saying he would go down to his place which consists of a few acres of ground two miles southeast of town, and that he would be back shortly after dark.  He never returned by early on Tuesday morning his body cold in death, was found at the extreme south end of Elm Street near the corporation line.  A frightful wound made by the load from the gun was discovered over his left temple, the entire charge entering his head causing death probably at once.  The gun was found six or eight feet from the body and on the opposite side of a fence.  Whether Mr. Hardy’s death was the result of an accident or suicide will never be known, many inclining to the latter theory.  His somewhat peculiar actions just before leaving home are thought by some to indicate his intentions to make way with himself, while others think that in seeking to climb the fence the trigger of the gun may have become entangled in his clothing and caused its explosion before he could remove it.  Mr. Hardy was a native of this county and has resided here all his life.  He is the fourth member in a family of seven children.  His age was about 49 years.  John A. Hardy, ex-treasurer of the county now a resident of Indianapolis is a brother, while another brother, George resides in the northwest part of town.  His sisters, four in number reside here.  Mr. Hardy was a quiet unassuming gentleman and had many friends who regret the untimely fate that overcame him.  He resided on Morgan street.  He leaves a wife and a daughter some 16 years of age. The funeral occurred on Wednesday.     --- kbz