A Miami County Newspaper
November 6, 1923

WILLIAM J. MERIDITH IS FOUND DEAD IN BED

Despondency Following Years of Suffering Causes Aged Trojan to Take Own Life

Lying in bed at his home in Meredith heights, the ridge just north of the Miami river in Troy, the body of William J. Meridith, widely known and respected citizen, was found about 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon. He had committed suicide, the Iver Johnson revolver, with which he had fired the bullet that penetrated his heart, being still clutched in his right hand.

Mr. Meridith, who, is reported had, on account of his physical condition, considered suicide at various times, had seemed in excellent spirits during the last week.

The body was found by Charles W. Smith, who had been living with Mr. Meridith and taking care of him, about 1:30 o'clock, but it was not realized at the time that death had been self inflicted.

Mrs. Smith was in Dayton attending to her mother who is ill, and Mr. Smith has spent most of the morning in the garage working on his automobile. He was in the house numerous times during the morning and each time looked into Mr. Meridith's room to see that he was all right. Mr. Meridith had electric bells connected with his room so that he could summon the members of the household if he wanted anything, and for that reason the family seldom called him in the morning.

At 9 o'clock Mr. Smith saw the age man and found him all right. On other occasions during the morning he looked into the room, and finally, when the body had remained in one position for some time, he went into the room. He then saw that apparently Mr. Meridith was dead. The body was growing cold.

In his excitement, Mr. Smith rushed from the room and being unable to use the telephone due to the shock, took his care and drove to the office of Dr. J. W. Means. Dr. Means returned with him to the Meridith home and it was then that the cause of death was discovered. Dr. Means turned down the bed clothing and the ghastly spectacle confronted the men.

It is thought that the deed was committed between 9 o'clock and noon, probably around 10 o'clock. It is supposed that Mr. Meridith got up, removed the gun from the drawer of a dresser, returned to bed, covering himself over with the bed clothing, and fired the shot.

Coroner Harold O. Brower was called and made an investigation, but suicide was evident. Instant death was apparent. The gun was held in the right hand, with the thumb through the trigger guard. The thumb had been put through the trigger guard past the thumb joint and the gun remained in the hand. Powder burns on the index and middle fingers of the left hand, indicated that the man had used his left hand to place the muzzle of the gun to his heart.

The bullet penetrated the heart, passed through the body and came out on the right side below the shoulder. The missile was marked so that appears that bones had been pierced.

It is thought that ill health and suffering for a long period of years was the cause of his act.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon and burial will be in Riverside cemetery. Rev. I. L. Dungan will officiate. Both the funeral and the burial will be private.

Mr. Meridith was 80 years old. He was born in Lafayette, Ind., in October, 1843, and was reared in that city. After attending Hanover college until he was in his junior(?) year, he enlisted in the army (can't read several words) was appointed on the general staff of the commissionary department and served up until 1865.

After the war he moved to the Chippewa river in northern Wisconsin and engaged in the lumber business. He later lost everything in a fire and moved to Milwankee(?), where he was in the retail shoe business. Still later was treasurer of a company constructing a railroad in Kentucky and assistant cashier of a bank in Lincoln, Neb.

He left the service of the bank to become secretary of the Troy Wagon and Spring Works. He was identified with that concern for a quarter of a century and became one of the principal stock holders.

He was married to Miss Louisa Coles in January 2873. His wife died about 18 years ago. John C. Meridith, of Dayton, the only son, survives his father.

Mr. Meridith's death comes as a shock to many friends and acquaintances although he outlived most of his contemporaries. He was a constant reader of good literature, thought much and enjoyed discussing literature and public affairs with those with whom he came into contact, seeming to seek the companionship of his fellows. For years he was a daily attendant at the Troy club which seemed to furnish his chief place of contact with others. He delighted in his beautiful home on the hill and repeatedly refused tempting offers to sell it, declaring that its settling was worth more to him that any money that could be paid him. He was ever proud of his home city of Troy and interested in its progress.

For a decade or more he had been a great sufferer, underwent numerous operations and spent much time in hospitals, but he kept up a gallant fight, and kept his sufferings to himself. It is believed that the outlook of a continuing of this suffering finally became more than he could face and he gave up the battle.