The People's Defender
West Union, Ohio
Thursday, September 30, 1909
Pg. 1ILL HEALTH
Drove A. W. Baldridge to His Death.
Hanged Himself in a Barn in the East End Last Saturday Morning.
He Had Been Ailing for Years and Showed Evidence of insanity.
The Body Was Left Suspended Until the Arrival of a Physician - Coroner Littleton's Verdict.
Dispondent because of continued ill health A. W. Baldridge, well known citizen, committed suicide Saturday morning by hanging himself in a barn in the rear of his residence on Popular street. Mr. Baldridge had been ill for many months and it is said had talked frequently of preferring death to life. Saturday morning the family arose early and after breakfast he disappeared. Mrs. Baldridge became alarmed over his absence and asked James Russell, who lives next door, to assist her and other members of the family in a search for him. Russell went out to the barn and was horrified to see Baldridge's lifeless from hanging from a pole across the entrance to the building. He had obtained a rope used to tie a cow and tieing one end around his neck threw the other end over the pole. Then he climbed upon a small box and kicked it out from under his feet. His feet were only a few inches from the floor of the barn - almost touching it, when he was found about 7 o'clock. Russell gave the ___and neighbors rushed in. Th__ ____ E. M. Gaston was summoned ______ by telephone. Baldridge was still _____ the physician arrived. ______ rope and pronounced him dead ____ Coroner Littleton, or Rome, was summoned by telephone. He arrived here later in the day and after an examination of the body and a few witnesses, rendered a verdict of in accordance with the facts in the case suicide. Mr. Baldridge was 62 years old and was a native of Liberty township, where he engaged in farming for a number of years. He moved to West Union several years ago and had been doing odd jobs about town when he was able. For years his health had been very bad and at times he gave evidence of falling mentally. He is survived by a widow and two daughters, Miss Bertha, and Mrs. Florence Hatfield, and two brothers, John L. and James Baldridge. The funeral services were held at the family residence Sunday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. Emil Baumann, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Interment took place in Kirker's cemetery in Liberty township.
The People's Defender
West Union, Ohio
Thursday, December 13, 1917
Pg. 5 Elizabeth Adaline, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Mosier, was born May 31, 1847, died October 24, 1917, aged 70 years, 4 months and 23 days. She was united in marriage to Aldo Baldridge August 31, 1871. Six children were born to this union. The husband and four children having preceded her in death. The two daughters left are Mrs. H. G. Piatt and Mrs. Florence Hatfield, both of West Union. She united with the Presbyterian church in early life and lived a consistent, devoted, useful; Christian life until the close. She leaves three brothers: Will Mosier, of Logan county, George Mosier and Sherman Mosier, of Adams county. Besides these there are left four grandchildren and a number of relatives with a host of friends to mourn their loss.