The Hancock Democrat, Greenfield, IN, Thursday, September 10, 1903

MR. EDGAR A. BINFORD ENDS HIS LIFE

A telegraphed message was received Wednesday by Mr. J. H. Binford, stating that his son, Edgar A. Binford, who has been employed by the Deering Harvester Company, at Atlanta, Ga., was dead. Mr. Binford and Mr. Nathan C. Binford left at once for Georgia, and will arrive with the remains Friday afternoon.

Later it was learned that young Binford had ended his own life, having become discouraged over his physical condition. He had poor health and this is the cause of his unhappiness. The officers found the body early Wednesday morning in Grant Park and identified it by letters in his pockets. Mr. Harry Strickland, of this city, wired the commander of the Knights Templar at Atlanta and that order will take charge of the body until Mr. Binford arrives.

Edgar A. Binford was twenty-eight years old, and was the eldest son of Mr. John H. Binford. He was born in this city November 27, 1875, and lived here until he was twenty-five years old when he accepted a position as representative on the road of the Deering Harvester Company. He graduated from the city high schools in '93 and from Indiana University in '97. He distinguished himself while in college, by playing quarter on the football team for three years. He was editor of the college paper and business manager of the book store. He was also a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He was elected lieutenant of a company at Bloomington. When the war broke out they enlisted and were ordered to Cuba. After his stay in Cuba he accepted a position with the Deering Harvester Company, and a few years ago had charge of the business at Atlanta, Ga.

The shock was a severe one to his many friends in this city, as he was exceedingly popular. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having advanced to the Knight Templar degree. This order will have charge of the funeral.

Thursday, September 17, 1903

FUNERAL OF EDGAR A. BINFORD

Mr. J. H. Binford and Nathan Binford arrived Friday last from Atlanta, Georgia, where they went to bring back the body of Edgar Binford. The funeral was held at the Bradley M. E. church Saturday morning by the Knights Templar. Rev. P. E. Powell and former pastor, Rev. J. K. Walta, of Fort Wayne, had charge of the services. The pallbearers were E. W. Felt, John Rhine, Horace Boyd, Chas. Vaughn, H. D. Barrett and W. S. Fries. The floral offerings of the Knights Templar, Deering Harvester Company and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity were especially beautiful.

The Knightstown (IN) Banner, Friday, September 11, 1903

COMMITTED SUICIDE

PROMINENT GREENFIELD MAN TAKES HIS OWN LIFE AT ATLANTA, GA.

Edgar A. Binford, of Greenfield, Ind., committed suicide Tuesday night at Atlanta, Ga., by shooting. His body was found in Grant park Wednesday morning.

He went to the Piedmont hotel Tuesday night and said:

"I want a room in which to kill myself."

The proprietor saw that he was acting strangely and refused him accommodations. Binford then left the hotel and nothing more was heard of him until his body was discovered Wednesday morning.

Edgar A. Binford was one of the most prominent young men of Greenfield and was well-known here and throughout the state. He was a lieutenant of the Greenfield company of volunteers during the Spanish American was and was stationed at Camp Mount for several weeks.

Binford is the son of John H. Binford, one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of Hancock county. He had clerked in one of the Greenfield banks, had been in the employ of the Deering Harvester Company and was interested in the lumber business. He went to Atlanta last week to buy lumber.

People of Greenfield were startled when information came of his death, and many believe that he was temporarily disoriented when he fired the fatal shot.