LaPierre, Edward M.

Edward M. LaPierre

 

    There went through this city a feeling of sadness and sincere regret when it was announced last Friday night that Edward M. La Pierre had shot himself, causing instant death.  Although it had been noticed for a few days that he seemed to be depressed and given to spells of melancholy, even his most intimate acquaintances hardly thought he was contemplating self destruction.
    On the night when the fatal shot was fired he eat[sic] a hearty supper, and later visited his friend, Henry Lardner, with whom he had a pleasant conversation.  Mr. Lardner came to Mr. Lapierre's store about 8 o'clock and told Guy LaPierre that his father had called and that he seemed somewhat nervous.  This aroused suspicion, and the son, accompanied by Dr. Clark, started in search of Mr. LaPierre.  As the latter was known to make frequent nightly visits to Silver Brook cemetery, the two started for that place.  After a short search the dead body of Mr. LaPierre was found on the top of the steps on the north side of the cemetery.  He was lying in an easy position, with hands clasped across his breast. In one hand was still held a revolver which told the story of the deed.  In the right side of the head was a bullet hole. The ball had passed through the head and struck the skull on the opposite side.
    Just what prompted the rash act will probably never be known, and we draw the mantle of charity over the memory of one who was honest in his dealings, true to his friends, kind hearted and generous. He was born in South Bend 45 years ago, and came with his father, the late A.M. LaPierre, to this city when but a child.  For the past 24 years he had conducted the jewelry business here.  He was a Mason, a Knight Templar, a member of the Royal Arcanum, a Knight of the Maccabees and a Knight of Pythias.
    The funeral occurred Monday afternoon from his late home, and was in charge of St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, F.& A. M., with Niles Commandery, K.T., as escort.
(Source:  Niles Republican, Thursday, December 5, 1895, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)


    Saturday morning our citizens were startled by the intelligence that Mr. E. M. LaPierre of Niles, who was well-known in Buchanan, had ended his life by shooting himself through the head, Friday night.
    During the day Mr. LaPierre had appeared to be in the best of spirits, and seemed to give no indication whatever of contemplating any such rash act. He ate supper as usual, after supper calling at a friend's house, and going to his store.  About 8 o'clock he left the store bidding his son Guy good night as was his custom. Shortly after, Guy LaPierre, became alarmed about his father, and in company with Dr. Clark, drove off in search of Mr. LaPierre, going direct to Silver Brook cemetery, where the bodies of Mr. LaPierre's parents are buried.  A search through the cemetery discovered the lifeless body of Mr. LaPierre with a 38 caliber revolver in his right hand and a bullet hole in the right temple.
    The following sketch of Mr. LaPierre is copied from Saturday's Niles Star:
    Deceased was born in South Bend, Ind., was 45 years of age on May 2 last. For twenty-four years he has conducted a successful business in Niles, owning his jewelry store, which was always a model of neatness.  Mr. LaPierre has resided in Niles since he was 1 year old.  He was a very conservative man, possessed with good business qualifications, and his friends are numbered among our best citizens. In manners, he was a refined gentle man, possessed with honor and staunch integrity, hating meanness and dishonesty. He was enterprising, upright and just in all his dealings, and was well liked by the whole community. He will be sadly missed.  The wife and son have the sympathy of all. Mr. LaPierre was a member of the Blue Lodge of Masons, a member of the Chapter and Niles Commandery, Knights Templar.  He also belonged to the orders of Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Maccabees with an insurance of $2,000, and a charter member of the Royal Arcanum, insurance $3,000.  The jury impanelled to determine the cause of his death, reached the verdict that he came to his death by his own hand, while temporarily insane, by shooting himself through the head.
    The funeral of Mr. LaPierre occur[sic] Monday afternoon under the auspices of the Blue Lodge of Masons, with a Knights Templar escort of forty-four swords.  At the cemetery a short service was read by Rev. R.H.F. Gairdner, and two selections were rendered by a quartette. The beautiful and impresive service of the Blue Lodge was held, and the remains of Edward M. LaPierre were left to rest, until the final summons of that great day is heard.
(Source:  Buchanan Record, Thursday, December 5, 1895, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)