Edwin L. Gillette
June 5, 1850-June 22, 1905
Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 23, 1905, page 1, col. 2-4, microfilm Niles District Library
TOOK HIS OWN LIFE
Alderman E.L. Gillette Cuts Short His Existence
GREAT SHOCK TO ALL
His Body Was Discovered about 6:30 O'clock Last Evening in the Cellar at His Home
Like a crashing thunderbolt out of a cloudless sky came the report last night that Alderman Edwin L. Gillette had sent a bullet into his brain with suicidal intent.
About 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, Mr. Gillette, who was at his grocery store, asked his clerk, Jacob Jennings, where he could get a good revolver. The young man replied that he had one at home and that if he, Gillette, so desired, he would bring it to him when he returned from supper. Mr. Gillette then said: "I wish you would go and get it now. There are some rats in my barn that I want to shoot and I intend to go up to the house pretty soon."
Mr. Jennings says he suggested that a rifle he has would answer the purpose much better, but that Mr. Gillette said, "No, I prefer the revolver."
The young man went home and got the gun, which is of the hammerless variety and of 32 calibre. Upon returning to the store, he gave the gun to Mr. Gillette, who did not seem to understand how it worked, whereupon Jennings said: "You simply pull the trigger and the gun will do the rest."
Jennings says that each chamber in the cylinder of the gun contained a cartridge, but that he thought that if his employer intended to attempt to exterminate a lot of rats, he would need more ammunition, hence he brought a box of cartridges from home and tendered them to him, but that the deceased laid them on a shelf, saying, "I won't need these, Jake."
Mr. Gillette then placed the gun in his inside coat pocket and proceeded to a barber shop and was shaved, after which he visited the office of Attorney N.H. Bacon. he then went to his home at 501 south Fourth street, got the key from where his wife and daughter, who were attending a social affair at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Gillette, had left it, and entered the house, locking the door behind him.
Clerk Becomes Suspicious
It has been customary for Mr. Jennings to go home to supper at 5 o'clock each afternoon, but Mr. Gillette failed to return to relieve him at that hour, and as time wore on and his employer failed to put in an appearance, the young man became suspicious that something had happened and about 6 o'clock, communicated his fears to W.H. Bullard, who went to the Gillette home and looked about the yard and stable, but found no trace of the missing man, whereupon he returned to the store.
At about 6:30 o'clock, Miss Ethel Gillette drove down to the store and stated to Messrs. Jennings and Bullard that she and her mother had just returned home, but that her father had evidently taken the key to the house and that she left her mother sitting on the porch while she came down after the key. Mr. Bullard advised the young lady that her father was not at the store, but said that he had a key in his pocket which might unlock the door at the house, and that he would go back with her and try it.
Find Note on Table
A few minutes later an entrance was effected at the Gillette residence, and the daughter spied a note on the dining room table, alongside of which was her father's spectacles and watch and chain. The note contained the startling intelligence that the writer's body would be found in the cellar; that he regretted the step he was about to take; that his business matters would be found all straight, etc. The note contained some advice for the children, but no reference was made to the motive which caused the writer to take his own life.
Body in Cellar
Mr. Bullard went down cellar and found the body lying on the floor, with the head resting on a sofa pillow. There was a hole over the right temple, where the bullet had entered, causing instant death.
Coroner Alonzo Platt was notified and upon his arrival the following jury was impanelled: John Burge, Chas Case, Fred Powell, Walter Smith, D. Sheehand and James Hatch.
After reviewing the remains, the jury took an adjournment until this morning at 9 o'clock.
Sketch of His Life
Edwin Gillette was born on a farm in Bertrand township, about three and a half miles southwest of here, 55 years ago. He continued to reside on the homestead until about 12 years ago, when he came to Niles and engaged in the retail grocery business, the firm name being Gillette & Hatfield, until a couple of years ago, when Mr. Gillette bought his partner's interest in the business.
The deceased was identified with Tent No. 99 of the K.O.T.M.M, of which order he was finance keeper; also with the Knights of Pythias. He was also a member of the congregation of the Baptist church, and was active in church work.
Politically the deceased was prominent in local republican politics and was serving a second term in the council as alderman from the Third ward.
Mr. Gillette was fair and honorable in his business dealings and was respected by all who knew him. He leaves a wife, one daughter and two sons, Miss Ethel and William and Ralph, all of this place.
Was in Poor Health
The deceased had been suffering with stomach trouble for some time, and had not eaten anything yesterday, hence it is the opinion of his family that he became despondent and temporarily deranged.
Verdict of Jury.
The coroner's jury reconvened at Miss Belle Cross' office at 9 o'clock this morning and listened to the testimony of W.H. Bullard, Jacob Jennings and Silas Gorton, the two having been clerk and driver respectively for the deceased. The testimony of these witnesses brought out nothing further than what is stated in the foregoing and some fo the jurymen were in for sending for other witnesses, with a view to getting at the true inwardness of the case, but after considerable discussion, it was decided that it was a plain case of suicide and that the motive was of no particular consequence.
After deliberating for a few minutes, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased took his own life during a fit of temporary aberration.
Funeral Announcement
The funeral of the late Edwin L. Gillette will take place from the home at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, under the auspices of the Maccabees and Knights of Pythias. The service will be conducted by Rev. James McGee of Kalamazoo, assisted by Rev. Mr. Strickland of this city. Interment at Silver Brook.