Myers - Elmer - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Again death has slipped into a happy home and robbed it of one of its brightest members. Without a moment’s warning to parents, sisters, or brothers, the news came that the much loved brother and son had met death by his own hand. Elmer U. Myers, son of Davison and Sarah Myers, was born in Montgomery County, Ind., Feb. 2, 1882, and died April 6, 1900. A more sad or shocking case has not been witnessed in this neighborhood for years. How sad to think that one so young, with a bright future before him, despaired of life and in the darkness of the night, out in the hard and frosty road drank the fatal drink, carbolic acid. The cause is still a mystery that none can solve, and being an obedient son, a kind and thoughtful brother, naturally he was loved devotedly by his parents and all who knew him. His home was so bright; kindness reigned supreme therein. Then comes that question, “why did he take his life?” For one so young, life held some pleasure. He was one of the most intelligent young men around here. His disposition was not of the wild and reckless kind. He enjoyed life, but gave more thought to business and to making a future for himself. His young friends sadly miss him, and time only can heal the sorrow of his loved ones at home. Short services were held at the home Sunday morning at ten o’clock, conducted by Rev. Daugherty, of Yountsville, and Miller, of Waynetown. His lifeless form was placed in the Masonic Cemetery at Crawfordsville. The pall bearers were Lawson Stull, Fred Wilkinson, Alonzo Brown, Ed Hall, Charles Hughes, and Hurly Ingersoll. – thanks so much to “S” for all her great obit work on this site

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 13 April 1900

Last Thursday night Elmer V. Myers, the 18 year old son of David Myers, of some five miles west of Yountsville, went to call on Alice Hendricks, the daughter of Wesley Hendricks. The young people were to have been married last Sunday and spent the evening talking over their future happiness. They evidently had much to discuss, for it was two o’clock in the morning before young Myers took his leave. He seemed in his usual spirits and gave no evidence of the rash step he had in mind, namely, the taking of his own life in a horrible manner. After leaving his sweetheart Myers walked down the road some two hundred yards and deliberately swallowed several ounces of carbolic acid, throwing the bottle to the roadside. He must have died almost immediately, for his body was found Friday morning lying face down in the road. The funeral took place last Sunday, his appointed wedding day, the burial occurring at Oak Hill. Myers had taken the bottle of acid from his mother’s closet before leaving home and evidently had his finish mapped out. All are at a loss to explain the sad and tragic affair. – thanks so much to “S” for all her great obit work on this site