Next to 3 Infant Brick unknown
Son of Alfred Green McCRARY. Probably died in Georgia Militia District #772 (Nance's, a.k.a. McCrary, District) of Muscogee County - apparently called McCrary District for his grandfather, Captain Timothy Green McCRARY.
Per entry in Sexton's card file for Riverdale Cemetery: Walter E. McCRARY died aged 28 years in Muscogee Co., Ga., of a gunshot; interred 9-12-1909 in Section 1, north half of Lot 159.
"W. E. M'CRARY'S LIFELESS BODY FOUND IN THE WOODS: Pistol by His Side and a Brief Note Told the Sad Story. // THE CORONER's JURY SAID IT WAS SUICIDE: Young Man Was Shot Through the Roof of His Mouth--No Cause Whatever For the Tragic Deed Has Been Assigned--Funeral Very Largely Attended. // With a bullet hole in his head, his body reclining on his coat, which had previously been carefully folded and laid on the ground at that spot, with his collard and tie, which had been previously removed, lying in his hat nearby, and with a .22 calibre Smith & Weston pistol, the grim instrument of the tragedy, lying almost under his head, the body of Walter E. McCRARY was found Sunday about noon in the woods just in the rear of the old HOWARD place, northeast of Columbus. // The gruesome discovery was made by Mr. Marshall HILL, a youngman who was walking through the woods looking for muscadines. Mr. McCRARY had been missing since Saturday afternoon. // The coroner's jury, after an investigation Sunday afternoon, declared that it was a case of suicide. // There was no known reason whatever why Mr. McCRARY should have ended his life, and his employer and business associates, and members of the family are as much mystified as they are grieved by the terrible tragedy. // Mr. McCRARY was well known throughout the city and was an unusually popular young man, and the entire community was saddened and shocked Sunday afternoon when the news spread that his lifeless body had been found out in the woods. // Rode Off On Wheel. // Mr. McCRARY, who was one of the ______ of the Newman & Flournoy agency, left that office about 3 o'clock, borrowing a bicycle belonging to Mr. Reid BARR, another young man employed there. He did not return late in the afternoon, but Mr. FLOURNOY did not pay much attention to the matter, simply supposing that he was out attending to some business transaction which prevented his returning to the office. The first inclination that Mr. FLOURNOY had of the tragedy was when he was phoned early Sunday afternoon that Mr. McCRARY's lifeless body had been found, and he was never more shocked or horrified, as well as utterly astonished, in his life than when this message was received. // Mr. McCRARY was first missed by his family, when he did not return home Saturday evening. It seems that there were visitors at the home that evening and the young man had been expect to be present, and his absence was noted with surprise, although it was not supposed for a moment that anything serious had happened. // His Body Found. // Mr. Marshall HALL was strolling through the woods in the back of the old HOWARD place Sunday morning between 10 and 11 o'clock when he came upon Mr. McCRARY's body. At first he did not think that it was a dead person, but supposed that it was someone who had been drinking. He went and told Mr. Charles [?] RODGERS of his find, and they went tot he home of Mr. E. C. MURRAH and told him of the discovery. The three of them went back to the spot and found that it was a dead body, although at first they could not identify it at all, owing to there being so much blood about the fact [or face?]. Later the remains were identified as those of Mr. McCRARY. County Officer C[icero] A. ELLISON was notified, and he in turn notified Coroner CLEMENTS. The latter empaneled a jury and an inquest was held at the spot where the body was found. The jury was composed of Messrs. T. R. KEITH, S. R. JAMES, Marshall HILL, Ed RODGERS, C[icero] A. ELLISON and C[hristopher] C[olumbus] LAYFIELD. // Left a Note. // The testimony submitted consister of the statements of those who found the body. A note that had evidently been written by the unfortunate young man and which was found in his hat, was produced as evidence. This note, which was written on the back of an envelope, the handwriting apparently being that of Mr. McCRARY, read as follows: // 'I am crazy. W. E.' // Placed Pistol in Mouth. // Examination of the young man's body showed that only one bullet had been fired, the pistol was inserted in the mouth and the bullet fired through the roof of the mouth. The ball did not go entirely through the head, but it is believed that death was practically instantaneous. Blood flowed freely from the eyes and ears, as well as the mouth. When the young man was found he was lying on his back with his head turned slightly to one side, and the pistol partly under it. // The coroner's jury brought in the following verdict: 'We, the jury, find the deceased came to his death from a gunshot wound by, or from his own hand.' // The remains were taken to the undertaking establishment of Mr. C. L. TORBETT where they were prepared for burial and afterwards conveyed to the family residence, 1933 Hamilton avenue. // A Valued Employe. // Mr. McCRARY had been employed at the Newman & Flournoy agency for quite a number of years, and was highly thought of by his employers and business associates. Mr. FLOURNOY was profoundly shocked at his death as he was very much attached to Mr. McCRARY. They had been working side by side in the office for nearly a half-dozen years and a very warm friendship existed between them. Mr. FLOURNOY held the young man's faithfulness and complete reliability in high appreciation and Mr. McCRARY's steadfast qualities were the subject of much comment among all who had business with the Newman & Flournoy agency. The young man's duties were of a varied character, as he did some collecting and bookkeeping, and also looked after rentals and insurance. // Was Very Popular. // In a personal way no young man in Columbus was more popular than Walter McCRARY. He was noted for his bright and cheerful disposition and was very keenly liked. He was a member of the Stonewall lodge Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellow and was also a Woodman of the World. // He was also one of the oldest members of teh Columbus Guards since its reorganization since the Spanish-American war and was a sergeant in the company. He was one of the most popular members of the company and every member of the command held Sergeant McCRARY in the highest esteem. // His Father [D]ied Recently. // The deceased was 26 years of age and was reared in Columbus, being a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. G. McCRARY. His father's death occurred only a few weeks ago and this renders his tragic passing away all the sadder. He is survived by three brothers, as follows: Messrs. Harry M. McCRARY, of Atlanta, and George and Early McCRARY, of this city, and five sisters, Mrs. Charles W. MIZELL, Mrs. E. A. MURRAY, Misses Eva and Mollie McCRARY, of this city, and Mrs. W. F. SULLIVAN, of Atlanta. // No Couse [sic] Assigned. // No cause whatever can be assigned for the young man's suicide, for suicide it surely seems to have been. The theory of foul play was at first suggested, but all the circumstances seem to indicate that the unfortunate young man, while undoubtedly mentally unbalanced for the time being, took his life. // The funeral took place at 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon fromt he late residence on Hamilton avenue, and was exceedingly largely attended. There were many beautiful flowers in evidence, and teh designs were exquitsite. The Columbus Guards were present in a body, as were the members of the Stonewall lodge, Knights of Pythias. The Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World were also represented. The services were conducted in touching manner by the Rev. R. C. GRANBERRY, pastor of the Rose Hill Baptist church, Miss Kate SHERIDAN sang, 'Asleep in Jesus' quite tenderly and a quartette composed of Messrs. Clinton COLEMAN, Dupont KIRVEN, J. R. HENDLEY and Dr. Homer LYNCH sang 'Some Time We'll Understand. // Rests in Riverdale. // In Riverdale cemetery all that was mortal of Mr. McCRARY was laid to rest, and after services by the Knights of Pythias, which were very touching, the Columbus Guards fired the usual military salute over the grave of their comrade. Marion Schley DAVIS and Gurdin [?] F. DAVIS sounded "Taps,' the soldier's last farewell, this feature of the services being very impressive, indeed. // The pallbearers were Messrs. Tom YOUNG, Tom HAGIN, Frank KIRVEN, Lawrence MURRAY, H. M. HICKS and Frank D. KIRVEN." [Columbus (GA) Enquirer-Sun newspaper, Tuesday, 14 SEP 1909, pp. 1-4.]
Son of Alfred Green McCRARY. Probably died in Georgia Militia District #772 (Nance's, a.k.a. McCrary, District) of Muscogee County - apparently called McCrary District for his grandfather, Captain Timothy Green McCRARY.
Per entry in Sexton's card file for Riverdale Cemetery: Walter E. McCRARY died aged 28 years in Muscogee Co., Ga., of a gunshot; interred 9-12-1909 in Section 1, north half of Lot 159.
"W. E. M'CRARY'S LIFELESS BODY FOUND IN THE WOODS: Pistol by His Side and a Brief Note Told the Sad Story. // THE CORONER's JURY SAID IT WAS SUICIDE: Young Man Was Shot Through the Roof of His Mouth--No Cause Whatever For the Tragic Deed Has Been Assigned--Funeral Very Largely Attended. // With a bullet hole in his head, his body reclining on his coat, which had previously been carefully folded and laid on the ground at that spot, with his collard and tie, which had been previously removed, lying in his hat nearby, and with a .22 calibre Smith & Weston pistol, the grim instrument of the tragedy, lying almost under his head, the body of Walter E. McCRARY was found Sunday about noon in the woods just in the rear of the old HOWARD place, northeast of Columbus. // The gruesome discovery was made by Mr. Marshall HILL, a youngman who was walking through the woods looking for muscadines. Mr. McCRARY had been missing since Saturday afternoon. // The coroner's jury, after an investigation Sunday afternoon, declared that it was a case of suicide. // There was no known reason whatever why Mr. McCRARY should have ended his life, and his employer and business associates, and members of the family are as much mystified as they are grieved by the terrible tragedy. // Mr. McCRARY was well known throughout the city and was an unusually popular young man, and the entire community was saddened and shocked Sunday afternoon when the news spread that his lifeless body had been found out in the woods. // Rode Off On Wheel. // Mr. McCRARY, who was one of the ______ of the Newman & Flournoy agency, left that office about 3 o'clock, borrowing a bicycle belonging to Mr. Reid BARR, another young man employed there. He did not return late in the afternoon, but Mr. FLOURNOY did not pay much attention to the matter, simply supposing that he was out attending to some business transaction which prevented his returning to the office. The first inclination that Mr. FLOURNOY had of the tragedy was when he was phoned early Sunday afternoon that Mr. McCRARY's lifeless body had been found, and he was never more shocked or horrified, as well as utterly astonished, in his life than when this message was received. // Mr. McCRARY was first missed by his family, when he did not return home Saturday evening. It seems that there were visitors at the home that evening and the young man had been expect to be present, and his absence was noted with surprise, although it was not supposed for a moment that anything serious had happened. // His Body Found. // Mr. Marshall HALL was strolling through the woods in the back of the old HOWARD place Sunday morning between 10 and 11 o'clock when he came upon Mr. McCRARY's body. At first he did not think that it was a dead person, but supposed that it was someone who had been drinking. He went and told Mr. Charles [?] RODGERS of his find, and they went tot he home of Mr. E. C. MURRAH and told him of the discovery. The three of them went back to the spot and found that it was a dead body, although at first they could not identify it at all, owing to there being so much blood about the fact [or face?]. Later the remains were identified as those of Mr. McCRARY. County Officer C[icero] A. ELLISON was notified, and he in turn notified Coroner CLEMENTS. The latter empaneled a jury and an inquest was held at the spot where the body was found. The jury was composed of Messrs. T. R. KEITH, S. R. JAMES, Marshall HILL, Ed RODGERS, C[icero] A. ELLISON and C[hristopher] C[olumbus] LAYFIELD. // Left a Note. // The testimony submitted consister of the statements of those who found the body. A note that had evidently been written by the unfortunate young man and which was found in his hat, was produced as evidence. This note, which was written on the back of an envelope, the handwriting apparently being that of Mr. McCRARY, read as follows: // 'I am crazy. W. E.' // Placed Pistol in Mouth. // Examination of the young man's body showed that only one bullet had been fired, the pistol was inserted in the mouth and the bullet fired through the roof of the mouth. The ball did not go entirely through the head, but it is believed that death was practically instantaneous. Blood flowed freely from the eyes and ears, as well as the mouth. When the young man was found he was lying on his back with his head turned slightly to one side, and the pistol partly under it. // The coroner's jury brought in the following verdict: 'We, the jury, find the deceased came to his death from a gunshot wound by, or from his own hand.' // The remains were taken to the undertaking establishment of Mr. C. L. TORBETT where they were prepared for burial and afterwards conveyed to the family residence, 1933 Hamilton avenue. // A Valued Employe. // Mr. McCRARY had been employed at the Newman & Flournoy agency for quite a number of years, and was highly thought of by his employers and business associates. Mr. FLOURNOY was profoundly shocked at his death as he was very much attached to Mr. McCRARY. They had been working side by side in the office for nearly a half-dozen years and a very warm friendship existed between them. Mr. FLOURNOY held the young man's faithfulness and complete reliability in high appreciation and Mr. McCRARY's steadfast qualities were the subject of much comment among all who had business with the Newman & Flournoy agency. The young man's duties were of a varied character, as he did some collecting and bookkeeping, and also looked after rentals and insurance. // Was Very Popular. // In a personal way no young man in Columbus was more popular than Walter McCRARY. He was noted for his bright and cheerful disposition and was very keenly liked. He was a member of the Stonewall lodge Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellow and was also a Woodman of the World. // He was also one of the oldest members of teh Columbus Guards since its reorganization since the Spanish-American war and was a sergeant in the company. He was one of the most popular members of the company and every member of the command held Sergeant McCRARY in the highest esteem. // His Father [D]ied Recently. // The deceased was 26 years of age and was reared in Columbus, being a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. G. McCRARY. His father's death occurred only a few weeks ago and this renders his tragic passing away all the sadder. He is survived by three brothers, as follows: Messrs. Harry M. McCRARY, of Atlanta, and George and Early McCRARY, of this city, and five sisters, Mrs. Charles W. MIZELL, Mrs. E. A. MURRAY, Misses Eva and Mollie McCRARY, of this city, and Mrs. W. F. SULLIVAN, of Atlanta. // No Couse [sic] Assigned. // No cause whatever can be assigned for the young man's suicide, for suicide it surely seems to have been. The theory of foul play was at first suggested, but all the circumstances seem to indicate that the unfortunate young man, while undoubtedly mentally unbalanced for the time being, took his life. // The funeral took place at 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon fromt he late residence on Hamilton avenue, and was exceedingly largely attended. There were many beautiful flowers in evidence, and teh designs were exquitsite. The Columbus Guards were present in a body, as were the members of the Stonewall lodge, Knights of Pythias. The Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World were also represented. The services were conducted in touching manner by the Rev. R. C. GRANBERRY, pastor of the Rose Hill Baptist church, Miss Kate SHERIDAN sang, 'Asleep in Jesus' quite tenderly and a quartette composed of Messrs. Clinton COLEMAN, Dupont KIRVEN, J. R. HENDLEY and Dr. Homer LYNCH sang 'Some Time We'll Understand. // Rests in Riverdale. // In Riverdale cemetery all that was mortal of Mr. McCRARY was laid to rest, and after services by the Knights of Pythias, which were very touching, the Columbus Guards fired the usual military salute over the grave of their comrade. Marion Schley DAVIS and Gurdin [?] F. DAVIS sounded "Taps,' the soldier's last farewell, this feature of the services being very impressive, indeed. // The pallbearers were Messrs. Tom YOUNG, Tom HAGIN, Frank KIRVEN, Lawrence MURRAY, H. M. HICKS and Frank D. KIRVEN." [Columbus (GA) Enquirer-Sun newspaper, Tuesday, 14 SEP 1909, pp. 1-4.]
Next to 3 Infant Brick unknown
Son of Alfred Green McCRARY. Probably died in Georgia Militia District #772 (Nance's, a.k.a. McCrary, District) of Muscogee County - apparently called McCrary District for his grandfather, Captain Timothy Green McCRARY.
Per entry in Sexton's card file for Riverdale Cemetery: Walter E. McCRARY died aged 28 years in Muscogee Co., Ga., of a gunshot; interred 9-12-1909 in Section 1, north half of Lot 159.
"W. E. M'CRARY'S LIFELESS BODY FOUND IN THE WOODS: Pistol by His Side and a Brief Note Told the Sad Story. // THE CORONER's JURY SAID IT WAS SUICIDE: Young Man Was Shot Through the Roof of His Mouth--No Cause Whatever For the Tragic Deed Has Been Assigned--Funeral Very Largely Attended. // With a bullet hole in his head, his body reclining on his coat, which had previously been carefully folded and laid on the ground at that spot, with his collard and tie, which had been previously removed, lying in his hat nearby, and with a .22 calibre Smith & Weston pistol, the grim instrument of the tragedy, lying almost under his head, the body of Walter E. McCRARY was found Sunday about noon in the woods just in the rear of the old HOWARD place, northeast of Columbus. // The gruesome discovery was made by Mr. Marshall HILL, a youngman who was walking through the woods looking for muscadines. Mr. McCRARY had been missing since Saturday afternoon. // The coroner's jury, after an investigation Sunday afternoon, declared that it was a case of suicide. // There was no known reason whatever why Mr. McCRARY should have ended his life, and his employer and business associates, and members of the family are as much mystified as they are grieved by the terrible tragedy. // Mr. McCRARY was well known throughout the city and was an unusually popular young man, and the entire community was saddened and shocked Sunday afternoon when the news spread that his lifeless body had been found out in the woods. // Rode Off On Wheel. // Mr. McCRARY, who was one of the ______ of the Newman & Flournoy agency, left that office about 3 o'clock, borrowing a bicycle belonging to Mr. Reid BARR, another young man employed there. He did not return late in the afternoon, but Mr. FLOURNOY did not pay much attention to the matter, simply supposing that he was out attending to some business transaction which prevented his returning to the office. The first inclination that Mr. FLOURNOY had of the tragedy was when he was phoned early Sunday afternoon that Mr. McCRARY's lifeless body had been found, and he was never more shocked or horrified, as well as utterly astonished, in his life than when this message was received. // Mr. McCRARY was first missed by his family, when he did not return home Saturday evening. It seems that there were visitors at the home that evening and the young man had been expect to be present, and his absence was noted with surprise, although it was not supposed for a moment that anything serious had happened. // His Body Found. // Mr. Marshall HALL was strolling through the woods in the back of the old HOWARD place Sunday morning between 10 and 11 o'clock when he came upon Mr. McCRARY's body. At first he did not think that it was a dead person, but supposed that it was someone who had been drinking. He went and told Mr. Charles [?] RODGERS of his find, and they went tot he home of Mr. E. C. MURRAH and told him of the discovery. The three of them went back to the spot and found that it was a dead body, although at first they could not identify it at all, owing to there being so much blood about the fact [or face?]. Later the remains were identified as those of Mr. McCRARY. County Officer C[icero] A. ELLISON was notified, and he in turn notified Coroner CLEMENTS. The latter empaneled a jury and an inquest was held at the spot where the body was found. The jury was composed of Messrs. T. R. KEITH, S. R. JAMES, Marshall HILL, Ed RODGERS, C[icero] A. ELLISON and C[hristopher] C[olumbus] LAYFIELD. // Left a Note. // The testimony submitted consister of the statements of those who found the body. A note that had evidently been written by the unfortunate young man and which was found in his hat, was produced as evidence. This note, which was written on the back of an envelope, the handwriting apparently being that of Mr. McCRARY, read as follows: // 'I am crazy. W. E.' // Placed Pistol in Mouth. // Examination of the young man's body showed that only one bullet had been fired, the pistol was inserted in the mouth and the bullet fired through the roof of the mouth. The ball did not go entirely through the head, but it is believed that death was practically instantaneous. Blood flowed freely from the eyes and ears, as well as the mouth. When the young man was found he was lying on his back with his head turned slightly to one side, and the pistol partly under it. // The coroner's jury brought in the following verdict: 'We, the jury, find the deceased came to his death from a gunshot wound by, or from his own hand.' // The remains were taken to the undertaking establishment of Mr. C. L. TORBETT where they were prepared for burial and afterwards conveyed to the family residence, 1933 Hamilton avenue. // A Valued Employe. // Mr. McCRARY had been employed at the Newman & Flournoy agency for quite a number of years, and was highly thought of by his employers and business associates. Mr. FLOURNOY was profoundly shocked at his death as he was very much attached to Mr. McCRARY. They had been working side by side in the office for nearly a half-dozen years and a very warm friendship existed between them. Mr. FLOURNOY held the young man's faithfulness and complete reliability in high appreciation and Mr. McCRARY's steadfast qualities were the subject of much comment among all who had business with the Newman & Flournoy agency. The young man's duties were of a varied character, as he did some collecting and bookkeeping, and also looked after rentals and insurance. // Was Very Popular. // In a personal way no young man in Columbus was more popular than Walter McCRARY. He was noted for his bright and cheerful disposition and was very keenly liked. He was a member of the Stonewall lodge Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellow and was also a Woodman of the World. // He was also one of the oldest members of teh Columbus Guards since its reorganization since the Spanish-American war and was a sergeant in the company. He was one of the most popular members of the company and every member of the command held Sergeant McCRARY in the highest esteem. // His Father [D]ied Recently. // The deceased was 26 years of age and was reared in Columbus, being a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. G. McCRARY. His father's death occurred only a few weeks ago and this renders his tragic passing away all the sadder. He is survived by three brothers, as follows: Messrs. Harry M. McCRARY, of Atlanta, and George and Early McCRARY, of this city, and five sisters, Mrs. Charles W. MIZELL, Mrs. E. A. MURRAY, Misses Eva and Mollie McCRARY, of this city, and Mrs. W. F. SULLIVAN, of Atlanta. // No Couse [sic] Assigned. // No cause whatever can be assigned for the young man's suicide, for suicide it surely seems to have been. The theory of foul play was at first suggested, but all the circumstances seem to indicate that the unfortunate young man, while undoubtedly mentally unbalanced for the time being, took his life. // The funeral took place at 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon fromt he late residence on Hamilton avenue, and was exceedingly largely attended. There were many beautiful flowers in evidence, and teh designs were exquitsite. The Columbus Guards were present in a body, as were the members of the Stonewall lodge, Knights of Pythias. The Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World were also represented. The services were conducted in touching manner by the Rev. R. C. GRANBERRY, pastor of the Rose Hill Baptist church, Miss Kate SHERIDAN sang, 'Asleep in Jesus' quite tenderly and a quartette composed of Messrs. Clinton COLEMAN, Dupont KIRVEN, J. R. HENDLEY and Dr. Homer LYNCH sang 'Some Time We'll Understand. // Rests in Riverdale. // In Riverdale cemetery all that was mortal of Mr. McCRARY was laid to rest, and after services by the Knights of Pythias, which were very touching, the Columbus Guards fired the usual military salute over the grave of their comrade. Marion Schley DAVIS and Gurdin [?] F. DAVIS sounded "Taps,' the soldier's last farewell, this feature of the services being very impressive, indeed. // The pallbearers were Messrs. Tom YOUNG, Tom HAGIN, Frank KIRVEN, Lawrence MURRAY, H. M. HICKS and Frank D. KIRVEN." [Columbus (GA) Enquirer-Sun newspaper, Tuesday, 14 SEP 1909, pp. 1-4.]
Son of Alfred Green McCRARY. Probably died in Georgia Militia District #772 (Nance's, a.k.a. McCrary, District) of Muscogee County - apparently called McCrary District for his grandfather, Captain Timothy Green McCRARY.
Per entry in Sexton's card file for Riverdale Cemetery: Walter E. McCRARY died aged 28 years in Muscogee Co., Ga., of a gunshot; interred 9-12-1909 in Section 1, north half of Lot 159.
"W. E. M'CRARY'S LIFELESS BODY FOUND IN THE WOODS: Pistol by His Side and a Brief Note Told the Sad Story. // THE CORONER's JURY SAID IT WAS SUICIDE: Young Man Was Shot Through the Roof of His Mouth--No Cause Whatever For the Tragic Deed Has Been Assigned--Funeral Very Largely Attended. // With a bullet hole in his head, his body reclining on his coat, which had previously been carefully folded and laid on the ground at that spot, with his collard and tie, which had been previously removed, lying in his hat nearby, and with a .22 calibre Smith & Weston pistol, the grim instrument of the tragedy, lying almost under his head, the body of Walter E. McCRARY was found Sunday about noon in the woods just in the rear of the old HOWARD place, northeast of Columbus. // The gruesome discovery was made by Mr. Marshall HILL, a youngman who was walking through the woods looking for muscadines. Mr. McCRARY had been missing since Saturday afternoon. // The coroner's jury, after an investigation Sunday afternoon, declared that it was a case of suicide. // There was no known reason whatever why Mr. McCRARY should have ended his life, and his employer and business associates, and members of the family are as much mystified as they are grieved by the terrible tragedy. // Mr. McCRARY was well known throughout the city and was an unusually popular young man, and the entire community was saddened and shocked Sunday afternoon when the news spread that his lifeless body had been found out in the woods. // Rode Off On Wheel. // Mr. McCRARY, who was one of the ______ of the Newman & Flournoy agency, left that office about 3 o'clock, borrowing a bicycle belonging to Mr. Reid BARR, another young man employed there. He did not return late in the afternoon, but Mr. FLOURNOY did not pay much attention to the matter, simply supposing that he was out attending to some business transaction which prevented his returning to the office. The first inclination that Mr. FLOURNOY had of the tragedy was when he was phoned early Sunday afternoon that Mr. McCRARY's lifeless body had been found, and he was never more shocked or horrified, as well as utterly astonished, in his life than when this message was received. // Mr. McCRARY was first missed by his family, when he did not return home Saturday evening. It seems that there were visitors at the home that evening and the young man had been expect to be present, and his absence was noted with surprise, although it was not supposed for a moment that anything serious had happened. // His Body Found. // Mr. Marshall HALL was strolling through the woods in the back of the old HOWARD place Sunday morning between 10 and 11 o'clock when he came upon Mr. McCRARY's body. At first he did not think that it was a dead person, but supposed that it was someone who had been drinking. He went and told Mr. Charles [?] RODGERS of his find, and they went tot he home of Mr. E. C. MURRAH and told him of the discovery. The three of them went back to the spot and found that it was a dead body, although at first they could not identify it at all, owing to there being so much blood about the fact [or face?]. Later the remains were identified as those of Mr. McCRARY. County Officer C[icero] A. ELLISON was notified, and he in turn notified Coroner CLEMENTS. The latter empaneled a jury and an inquest was held at the spot where the body was found. The jury was composed of Messrs. T. R. KEITH, S. R. JAMES, Marshall HILL, Ed RODGERS, C[icero] A. ELLISON and C[hristopher] C[olumbus] LAYFIELD. // Left a Note. // The testimony submitted consister of the statements of those who found the body. A note that had evidently been written by the unfortunate young man and which was found in his hat, was produced as evidence. This note, which was written on the back of an envelope, the handwriting apparently being that of Mr. McCRARY, read as follows: // 'I am crazy. W. E.' // Placed Pistol in Mouth. // Examination of the young man's body showed that only one bullet had been fired, the pistol was inserted in the mouth and the bullet fired through the roof of the mouth. The ball did not go entirely through the head, but it is believed that death was practically instantaneous. Blood flowed freely from the eyes and ears, as well as the mouth. When the young man was found he was lying on his back with his head turned slightly to one side, and the pistol partly under it. // The coroner's jury brought in the following verdict: 'We, the jury, find the deceased came to his death from a gunshot wound by, or from his own hand.' // The remains were taken to the undertaking establishment of Mr. C. L. TORBETT where they were prepared for burial and afterwards conveyed to the family residence, 1933 Hamilton avenue. // A Valued Employe. // Mr. McCRARY had been employed at the Newman & Flournoy agency for quite a number of years, and was highly thought of by his employers and business associates. Mr. FLOURNOY was profoundly shocked at his death as he was very much attached to Mr. McCRARY. They had been working side by side in the office for nearly a half-dozen years and a very warm friendship existed between them. Mr. FLOURNOY held the young man's faithfulness and complete reliability in high appreciation and Mr. McCRARY's steadfast qualities were the subject of much comment among all who had business with the Newman & Flournoy agency. The young man's duties were of a varied character, as he did some collecting and bookkeeping, and also looked after rentals and insurance. // Was Very Popular. // In a personal way no young man in Columbus was more popular than Walter McCRARY. He was noted for his bright and cheerful disposition and was very keenly liked. He was a member of the Stonewall lodge Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellow and was also a Woodman of the World. // He was also one of the oldest members of teh Columbus Guards since its reorganization since the Spanish-American war and was a sergeant in the company. He was one of the most popular members of the company and every member of the command held Sergeant McCRARY in the highest esteem. // His Father [D]ied Recently. // The deceased was 26 years of age and was reared in Columbus, being a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. G. McCRARY. His father's death occurred only a few weeks ago and this renders his tragic passing away all the sadder. He is survived by three brothers, as follows: Messrs. Harry M. McCRARY, of Atlanta, and George and Early McCRARY, of this city, and five sisters, Mrs. Charles W. MIZELL, Mrs. E. A. MURRAY, Misses Eva and Mollie McCRARY, of this city, and Mrs. W. F. SULLIVAN, of Atlanta. // No Couse [sic] Assigned. // No cause whatever can be assigned for the young man's suicide, for suicide it surely seems to have been. The theory of foul play was at first suggested, but all the circumstances seem to indicate that the unfortunate young man, while undoubtedly mentally unbalanced for the time being, took his life. // The funeral took place at 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon fromt he late residence on Hamilton avenue, and was exceedingly largely attended. There were many beautiful flowers in evidence, and teh designs were exquitsite. The Columbus Guards were present in a body, as were the members of the Stonewall lodge, Knights of Pythias. The Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World were also represented. The services were conducted in touching manner by the Rev. R. C. GRANBERRY, pastor of the Rose Hill Baptist church, Miss Kate SHERIDAN sang, 'Asleep in Jesus' quite tenderly and a quartette composed of Messrs. Clinton COLEMAN, Dupont KIRVEN, J. R. HENDLEY and Dr. Homer LYNCH sang 'Some Time We'll Understand. // Rests in Riverdale. // In Riverdale cemetery all that was mortal of Mr. McCRARY was laid to rest, and after services by the Knights of Pythias, which were very touching, the Columbus Guards fired the usual military salute over the grave of their comrade. Marion Schley DAVIS and Gurdin [?] F. DAVIS sounded "Taps,' the soldier's last farewell, this feature of the services being very impressive, indeed. // The pallbearers were Messrs. Tom YOUNG, Tom HAGIN, Frank KIRVEN, Lawrence MURRAY, H. M. HICKS and Frank D. KIRVEN." [Columbus (GA) Enquirer-Sun newspaper, Tuesday, 14 SEP 1909, pp. 1-4.]
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