BEDFORD MAIL BEDFORD, INDIANA FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1901 SENATOR WILLARD DEAD DIED WEDNESDAY FROM OPIUM POISONING AT CLARENDON HOTEL IN NEW YORK. The Indianapolis News received a telegram Wednesday a.m. from New York, saying that J. H. Willard, of Bedford, Ind., had died at Clarendon Hotel in that city Wednesday from opium poisoning, with indications pointing to suicide. The News immediately queried its correspondent here to establish the identity of the dead man. Enquiry shows that Senator Willard left this city Sunday forenoon, April 7th, saying that he was going to Kentucky, and from there to Indianapolis, and would be absent two or three weeks. John Caley, who lives in Mr. Willard's house, received a letter from him last week, dated at the Bates House, Indianapolis, Wednesday, the 11th, in which he said he was going to Cleveland, O., to visit O. H. Baker, formerly of this city; and from there would go to New York, where he would arrive Sunday morning and his address would be the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Mr. Caley received a postal card from him Wednesday a.m. dated at the Clarendon Hotel, on which he gave his address, said he was well, and probably would not be home for two weeks, and possibly might stay three weeks. Mr. Willard did not state to his friends here his mission in New York; but it is understood he was interested in a body of land in Kentucky on which there is a valuable deposit of onyx, and had made several trips to the East in the last year, or two, in an effort to promote the development of the property. He suffered severely from rheumatism last summer, but had about recovered from the malady, and seemed in much better spirits the last few months than at any other time since the death of his wife, which occurred about two years ago. It is believed his death was caused from an accidental over dose. Mr. Willard was born in New Albany April 1, 1848, and was 53 years old the first day of this month. He was married to Miss Kate Newland Dec. 31, 1877. Mrs. Willard died Dec. 5, 1898. **************** NOT SUICIDE DEATH OF SENATOR JAMES H. WILLARD RESULT OF NATURAL CAUSES. New York, April 17. – James Hazelton Willard, a lawyer, of Bedford, Ind., was found dead in his room in the Clarendon Hotel today, by his brother-in-law, Samuel A. Russell, who occupied an adjoining room. Someone at the hotel notified the coroner's office that the man had died from opium poisoning. This allegation probably was based on the fact that Mr. Willard had taken fifteen grains of quinine and twenty five grains of Dover's powders, yesterday afternoon. Mr. Willard came here a few days ago. He told Mr. Russell he did not feel well and he took the quinine and powders late yesterday afternoon. At night he complained of feeling dizzy and Mr. Russell says he visited him several times during the night. At 1:30 this morning Willard was, apparently, dozing, and he did not go in again until today, when he found him dead. Mr. Russell said Mr. Willard had no reason, whatever, for killing himself. He was a prosperous man and in fairly good health. He had come to the city in good spirits and had written to his sister, Mr. Russell's wife, in Clinton, Conn., that he intended to spend a few days there. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS At the time of his wife's death Senator Willard remarked in the presence of friends that in case of his death, either here or away from home, he desired that his body be buried at Bedford, in Green Hill Cemetery, beside Mrs. Willard, and that the burial be conducted by the Masonic order, of which he was a member. Probably his wishes in the matter will be carried out, unless his sister, who lives in Connecticut, prefers otherwise. H. Conklin, Secretary of the Bedford Masonic lodge, wired the Clarendon Hotel Wednesday night, and received a reply that morning from Willard's brother-in-law, Samuel A. Russell, confirming the press reports of the death, and promising to wire further in a short time concerning funeral arrangements. Senator Willard was the son of Governor A. P. Willard, who died in office On Oct. 4, 1860. Losing both of his parents at an early age, James attended Colton's Institute at Middletown, Conn., where also, in 1864, he was admitted to the Wesleyan University. Later he entered Hamilton College, graduating with high honors. He fitted himself for the bar at Columbia College Law School, thence went on a foreign tour, taking his degree in 1870 from the College of France and the Law School of Paris. In 1871 he graduated from the School of Law at Vienna, where he obtained the prize medal for his disquisition on the Roman law. He also went 900 miles up the river Nile on an adventurous tour. Returning to New Albany at the close of 1871, he began the practice of law. In 1872 he was elected to the Legislature as a Democrat from Floyd county. He declined re-election and for a time devoted himself to the practice of law, though taking part in political campaigns and making a reputation as an orator. On Dec. 31, 1877, he married Kate L. Newland, daughter of the late Dr. B. Newland. In 1878 he was again elected to the Legislature. At the session of 1879 his presentation of Daniel W. Voorhees for United States Senator established his reputation for eloquence throughout the States. In May, 1879, he removed to Bedford, which from that time forward was his home. He served in the Legislatures of 1887 and 1889 as Senator from Lawrence, Orange and Dubois counties. For many years he attended the sessions of the Legislature when not a member, as the attorney of some interest. ************** FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1901 WILLARD FUNERAL AT BEDFORD. H. Conklin, Secretary of the Masonic lodge, received a letter Monday morning from Samuel A. Russell, brother-in-law of Senator Willard, dated at New York on Saturday, in which Mr. Russell said he and Mrs. Russell would leave that city that morning, for Bedford, with Senator Willard's body, and would arrive here, Tuesday evening from the north. About 9 o'clock that forenoon a telegram was received from Mr. Russell, stating that Mrs. Russell was sick and they could not leave New York as soon as expected. ******** FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1901 CONCERNING THE FUNERAL OF SENATOR JAMES H. WILLARD. We now have to announce to the public as well as to the Masons that the remains of Senator James H. Willard are buried at Haddam, Connecticut. The arrangements were first to lay his remains to rest here, but on account of the serious and continued illness of Mrs. Russell, his sister, the change was made and interment made at Haddam, Conn. McHENRY OWEN, W. M. H. CONKLIN, Sec'y. ************* SENATOR WILLARD BURIED IN CONNECTICUT. Mrs. John J. Cook, who came here from North Dakota to attend the funeral of Senator James H. Willard, received a telegram about 10 o'clock Saturday, from her brother, Samuel A. Russell, stating that the body of Senator Willard had been buried at Haddam, Conn., Friday. This was done because the continued illness of Mrs. Russell, Senator Willard's sister, made the journey to Bedford impossible for her. ****** Samuel A. Russell arrived here Monday from Connecticut, to look after the arrangements of the late Senator Willard's affairs. *** Mrs. John J. Cook, sister of Samuel A. Russell, who is brother-in-law of the late Senator James H. Willard, arrived here last week, from North Dakota, to attend the funeral of Mr. Willard. ************* IN MEMORIAM – JAMES H. WILLARD. Brother James H. Willard, a member of Bedford Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., died in New York City April 17th, 1901. Brother Willard was the only son of former Governor A. P. Willard and was born at New Albany, Indiana, April 1, 1848, being at the time of his death 53 years and 16 days of age. He was a man of polish and learning. He graduated at Hamilton College and Columbia Law School after which he spent three years in College work in Paris and Vienna, there taking degrees in both law and medicine. After returning from Europe he married Miss Kate L. Newland in 1877. In 1872 Brother Willard represented Floyd county in the State Legislature and was again elected to the same office in 1879. After moving to Lawrence county, his record and ability as a Legislator were such that he was elected to the State Senate where he served in 1883 and 1885. In 1889 he was again elected as Representative from Lawrence county. He was honored in 1896 by being chosen as Grand Instructor of the Knights of Pythias of Indiana. He has for years been recognized as one of the brightest lights of the Lawrence County Bar. He has been a Mason for many years, and by reason of his extraordinary learning and his Masonic research, he has ever brought to the discharge of his duties the adjunct of his force of character. Ever ready to discharge his duties to the craft, it was his delight to mingle with his brothers of mystic tie in the Lodge Room and elsewhere in any official character or other relations he bore to the craft. Therefore be it Resolved: That we as a Lodge and the individual members thereof deplore his sudden and untimely death. Resolved: That Masonry in general and especially Bedford Lodge No. 14 has lost one of its brightest Ornaments; one who had the craft near at heart; and one who loved and revered the Order, his zeal and attachment therefore, being excelled by few. Resolved: That the State of his birth and in which his life has passed and in whose Legislative bodies he served with rare ability has lost an able and distinguished citizen. Resolved: That we tender his bereaved sister and relatives our condolence in this, their time of sorrow, and that a copy of this Memorial, under the hand of the Secretary and Seal of the Lodge be forwarded to the sister at Clinton, Connecticut, and as a further evidence of our sorrow, on account of the death of our brother, that the Lodge be draped in mourning and the brethren wear the usual badge of mourning, and that this Memorial be published in the daily papers of Bedford and be spread of record in the records of the Lodge. J. A. ZARING, NEWTON CROOKE, JAMES WILDER. Committee ************** RESOLUTIONS Castle Hall of Palestine Lodge No. 137, K. of P. Bedford Ind., April 18, 1901, P. P. XXXVIII. The sad messenger, Death, again comes into our fraternal circles, and informs us that our Brother Past Chancellor James H. Willard, will be with us no more. This lodge is in sorrow. Brother Willard was born April 1, 1848, and died April 17, 1901, P. P. XXXVIII. His father, Hon. Ashbel P. Willard, was at one time Governor of Indiana. The son was educated at Cotton's Institute, Middleton, Conn., Wesleyan University and Hamilton College, graduating with high honors. He was a graduate of Columbia law school, also from the College of France and the law schools of Paris and likewise from the school of law at Vienna. In 1870 and again 1878 he was elected Senator from the counties of Lawrence, Martin and Dubois. He was Grand Instructor of the Grand Lodge K. of P., of Indiana for the years 1896 and 1897. December 31, 1877 he was married to Miss Kate Newland, of this city, who departed this life December, 1898. He moved from New Albany to Bedford in May, 1879. Resolved, By this lodge that in the death of Brother James H. Willard, the State, county and city have lost a brilliant and cultured citizen; the legal profession an able lawyer, and forcible and impressive orator; literature a bright light and society in general a most courteous, polished and entertaining gentleman. Resolved, By his lodge, that Pythianism has lost a most zealous and intellectual votary; this lodge a bright, instructive, enthusiastic and most impressive worker, and the individual members a chivalric, companionable and agreeable Knight and Brother. Resolved, By this lodge, that as a token in part of our sorrow at this time the book of laws and the charter be draped in mourning for thirty days; that the members of this lodge wear the usual badge of mourning; that a copy of this memorial be sent to the sister of our departed brother, and that a copy be likewise furnished the daily newspapers of this city for publication. Respectfully submitted, McHENRY OWEN, BOONE LEONARD, JOE WINTERHALTER, Committee. ************* A CARD. To the Masons, the ladies of the Eastern Star, to Mr. and Mrs. Caley, and the citizens in general of Bedford who were near our brother, James H. Willard: We, his nearest, wish to express our appreciation of the many kindnesses shown us, in the sorrow of his death and in their efforts to assist us. MR. AND MRS. S. A. RUSSELL. MRS. ANNA L. R. CROOKE.