William Hillman 1826-1891

HILLMAN, RENNIE, BROOKS

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 6/1/2011 at 10:53:07

April 15, 1891 - Carroll Sentinel - Our quiet little city was stirred to the utmost pitch of excitement this morning when the news was spread that Wm. Hillman had shot himself. Our reporter in company with Dr. Gockley left for the scene of the accident as soon as the report was heard and found that the news was shockingly true. We found quite a number of people congregated around the body, which was lying by the side of the road some forty or fifty rods south of Murdock's residence, northwest of town. The gun was lying about five feet from the body on opposite side of the fence, and an examination of the wound by the doctor disclosed the fact that the entire charge from the gun had entered the left side completely destroying the lower portion of the heart, causing instant death.

Mr. Hillman had been in very poor health the past winter, so bad that he had become almost discouraged, that dread disease the grippe having been the principal cause of his suffering. This morning about 9 o'clock, feeling some better he borrowed a breach loading shot gun of B. Crone and started out for a few hours recreation. As he was leaving his home on West street he met J. Marple and Mr. Russell, of West Side, and, having never been a sporting man, inquired of them how to load the gun. After being informed and the gun loaded, he started northward and was seen by several parties in the neighborhood, wending his way across the corn stubble between Murdock's place and town. D.C. Murdock, who was working near, saw him as he started to climb over the barb wire fence straight east of the brick yard and says that when partially through Mr. Hillman's clothes caught and he turned around to free himself.

At that moment Mr. Murdock resumed his work, the dull report of a gun shot came to his ears and he glanced up in time to see Mr. Hillman stagger and fall to the ground on his face. The alarm was immediately spread and in a short time the crowd above mentioned had gathered around the body. Willing hands lifted the body into a conveyance summoned for the purpose and the remains of the deceased were conveyed to his home, where kind friends had preceded him with the sad intelligence of the accident, and sympathizing neighbors had gathered to make arrangements for his last earthly coming down and endeavored as best they could to reconcile the almost crazed and grief stricken family who could hardly be made to believe that the terrible report was true.

The deceased was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1826. He was married to his present wife in Lewis county, N.Y., and last fall they celebrated their fortieth anniversary. They moved to Carroll from Oneida county about fourteen years ago, where they have since resided up to the death of the deceased.

Four children were the result of this happy, life long union, two sons and two daughters. The two sons, Henry and Delaine, are at present residing in California. Mrs. J.F. Brooks, the oldest daughter, is their next door neighbor, and Ada, the youngest, resides at home.

The sorrowing family have the sympathy of a large number of friends in their sad affliction. Coroner Deshler was telephoned and arrived on the afternoon train from Glidden. Witnesses were summoned and at this writing an investigation of the accident is being had. It is not thought necessary to hold a coroner's inquest, and as it is the expressed wish of the family that none should be held, the coroner will be as informal as possible.