W.J. Gilbert
Jan. 28, 1847-March 22, 1901
Niles Republican, Thursday, March 28, 1901, page 1, col. 3-6, reprinted from Niles Daily Sun, Monday, March 25, 1901, microfilm Niles District Library
W.J. GILBERT SUICIDES
Well-Known Niles Attorney Fires a Shot Into His Brain
LAST FRIDAY MORNING
Cause of the Deed is Attributed to the Bank Failure
From Monday’s Sun.
About 9:30 yesterday morning the citizens of Niles were startled and amazed by the news that W.J. Gilbert had committed suicide, and had been found dead in a barn at his place on Broadway. The new spread rapidly and soon there was an excited throng gathered at the scene.
A careful inquiry disclosed the following facts:
Friday morning about 8 o’clock just after breakfast Mr. Gilbert left his home and started to his office, was his usual custom. Mr. Gilbert did not return to dinner, but little was thought of that fact, as his business relations had frequently called him away for a short time. However, his continued absence alarmed his daughter, Julia, and Saturday evening she notified N. H. Bacon of his absence, and requested Mr. Bacon to get W.G. Blish and go to her father’s office to see if some clew could not be found as to his whereabouts.
Mr. Bacon and Mr. Blish at once went to Mr. Gilbert’s office, and finding the door locked, opened it with a key which Mr. Blish had. There they were unable to find any trace of the missing man, and soon after went home. Sunday morning, search was again instituted. Mr. Bacon went to Mr. Gilbert’s home and obtaining a key to the barn, went there to investigate. Nothing unusual was found on the lower floor, but after climbing a short ladder leading to the loft, Mr. Bacon was confronted by a startling sight.
On the straw with a revolver by his side lay W.J. Gilbert, dead. Mr. Bacon made but a hasty examination of the body. He at once returned to the house and notified Mr. Gilbert’s daughter and Mr. Blish what he had discovered. Mr. Bacon, accompanied by Mr. Blish, then went back to the barn and made a further examination, which revealed the fact that Mr. Gilbert had shot himself.
The position of the body and the surroundings indicated the fact that the deed had not been committed without due deliberation.
Mr. Gilbert, after going to the barn had climbed to the loft, and lying down on his back, had removed his false teeth and placed them in his hat by his side. He then placed the muzzle of a revolver in his mouth and pulled the trigger, sending a ball crashing through his brain.
The revolver, an ancient, but wicked looking weapon of .32 calibre, was found by his side. The position of the body showed that death must have been instantaneous. The ball had taken an upward course through the soft pallet a little to the left side and lodged in the base of the brain.
Mr. Blish at once went after Undertaker Price, while Mr. Bacon notified Justice Beaver, and a coroner’s jury was summoned, consisting of the following: W.T. Dougan, S. Ostrander, Will Wills, E.C. Griffin, I.D. VanGorder and Arza Gage. The jury and the undertaker were soon on the scene, and after making a careful inspection of the surroundings the body was removed to the house, where an inquest was begun, but adjourned until 9 o’clock this morning at Justice Beaver’s office.
Mr. Douglas, father-in-law of the deceased, was the first witness call this morning, and stated that he was the owner of the revolver found by Mr. Gilbert’s side and that it had been in his possession for over 30 years. For some time it had been kept in a bureau drawer in an unoccupied room in the Gilbert residence. Friday afternoon or morning, he had noticed the barn door open and at once closed and locked the same, as it was customary to keep the door locked. He stated that Mr. Gilbert carried a key to the barn. He had not noticed anything unusual in Mr. Gilbert’s actions previous to his disappearance. He stated that he had always kept the revolver loaded and that the cartridges had been put in a long time ago. When he heard that Mr. Gilbert had shot himself he went to the bureau drawer and found the revolver gone. N.H. Bacon, the next witness, testified to the facts as shown above.
W.G. Blish testified to going to Gilbert’s office with Mr. Bacon Saturday evening, and also to the finding of the body Sunday morning about 9: 30
Dr. S. Belknap stated that he had examined the body and found the wound to have been caused by a pistol shot in the mouth, the bullet lodging at the base of the brain. He stated that there were powder stains on the upper lip and also on the thumb, first and second fingers of the right hand and thought that death had been instantaneous.
Several of the witnesses stated that Mr. Gilbert had seemed distressed for several days.
The exact causes leading up to this tragic deed are at this time unknown, although there is little question that it was caused b the failure of the First national bank. Mr. Gilbert for many years had been closely associated with Chas. A. Johnson, the defaulting cashier, acting, as was supposed, as legal advisor for the bank. Mr. Gilbert was administrator for but one estate, and at the time of his death was not the guardian of any estate. He had less than $70 deposited in his own name in the bank at the time of its failure. It is also a fact that a guardian or administrator it not liable for any funds deposited as administrator or guardian.
His business frequently was to make loans for other parties and large sums passed through his hands in this manner. Just how these loans were placed and the security for same cannot at this time be ascertained. Mr. Gilbert was a man who enjoyed the utmost confidence of all and seemed to have great confidence in Johnson. Whether this confidence was betrayed by Johnson, or that the two were responsible for the bank trouble, will no doubt become known on further investigation. By some it is thought that sorrow over Johnson’s downfall caused the act.
The deed was undoubtedly done with due deliberation, and the reason must have been great that would cause him to leave his daughter, to whom he was devotedly attached.
Mr. Gilbert, for some days had been active in trying to secure the appointment as receiver of the bank, and his failure to get the appointment may be directly responsible for his actions.
There is little doubt that he shot himself Friday forenoon. After leaving his home at 8:30 he came to town and was seen by several persons. At a little after 9 o’clock he was seen returning home. He appeared to be laboring under a great stain and undoubtedly went directly to the barn, where he shot himself.
The coroner’s jury rendered a verdict that the said Wm. J. Gilbert at the city of Niles in the said Berrien county, then and there in a barn situated on the premises of said Wm. J. Gilbert, did then and there take his own life and came to his death at about the hour of between 9 o’clock and 10 o’clock in the forenoon of Friday, the twenty-second day of March, A.D., 1901, by shooting himself with a pistol held in his own hands, and that at the time of committing said act the said Wm. J. Gilbert was temporarily insane.
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William J. Gilbert was born the 28th day of January, 1847, in Cavendish, Vermont, and attended Middlebury college from which institution he was graduated in 1869. While here he was a classmate of Judge Grinnell of Chicago. In 1870 he settled in Niles and began the study of law with the late Joseph S. Bacon. He was admitted to the bar in 1872 and shortly after formed a law partnership with Franklin Muzzy. This firm was dissolved after a few years, since which time Mr. Gilbert has practiced alone, his chosen profession, successfully, in this city.
Later he married Miss Fannie Douglass of Niles, whose father still resides here. Mr. Gilbert leaves one daughter, Miss Julia, besides his mother and two brothers residing in Dorset, Vermont, also a brother, the Rev. H.H. Gilbert, who is an instructor in the Congregational Seminary in Chicago, and now in Vermont on leave of absence.
Mr. Gilbert was a member of many fraternal societies, among them being St. Joseph Valley lodge No. 4, of which he was Past Master; Niles Chapter No. 9, Royal Select master of Niles Council No. 10 and Past Eminent Commander of Niles Commandery No. 12 K.T. He was also a member of the Royal Arcanum, in which institution he carried $3,000 insurance.
In affairs, public, Mr. Gilbert was always foremost and he held successively the offices of circuit court commissioner, director of school board, city attorney, alderman and mayor of the city, which latter office he held two terms, being elected in 1898 and re-elected in 1899. His management of affairs of this city while its mayor, shows his good judgment and his ability to handle matters that need a masterful financier.
Mr. Gilbert, as a citizen and lawyer, was beyond reproach. His career was one of usefulness to himself and the community. His honesty was his pride, his generosity was far reaching his counsel always wise.
We can but mourn his loss. Thus has ended the life of a leader who has passed from earthly coast to the invisible shores of the voiceless beyond.
His daughter, Miss Julia, is overcome with grief and has the sympathy of the entire community.
The funeral will be held at the Presbyterian church tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock, the Rev. J.G. Lowrie officiating and Asylum Niles Commandery No. 12, K.T. acting as escort. St. Joseph Valley lodge No. 4 F. and A.M., will have charge of the services.
