The Death Of Gilbert Hand
August 20, 1886
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
BY HIS OWN HAND
Gilbert Hand Enters the Unknown World and All for a Trifling Defalcation
Clinton was startled yesterday afternoon, about half-past four o'clock, by the report that Gilbert HAND had committed suicide at his home in the south part of town. When the word first came no one would believe it, for he was about the last man in the world that one would think of as being guilty of such an act, but Mr. Charles McCUDDY immediately came driving up on the square in search of a doctor and confirmed the story. Who could have dreamed that Gil. Hand, one of the most light-hearted and jolliest of men would have taken his own life! It is hard yet to realize that the poor fellow lies at his home this morning stiff and cold in death, when less than twenty-four hours ago he was in the full enjoyment of life and health, and with that bodily vigor that would reasonably insure a long life. But even those who are apparently the most light-hearted and free from care may have a canker in their heart that will incite them to a rash act.
Gilbert Hand has been a resident of this city for a number of years. When he first came here he was employed as a clerk in the hardware store of Hand & Lisenby, and he remained with that firm till they retired from business. After that he accepted an agency for two cooperative life insurance companies doing business in Bloomington and was successful. The profits of an agent are great, and the writing of only a few policies each week brought him a handsome income. Gil Hand was adapted to the business; he had a genial, sunny temper, and he had carefully studied the best methods of presenting the advantages of life insurance. Through his efforts the Bloomington cooperative companies did a large business in this city and county. Nearly two years ago he substantially abandoned the cooperative companies and began business for the Phoenix, of Hartford, Conn., a regular life insurance company. At first he began on a salary of $100 a month, but the amount of business he accrued not being sufficient to justify the payment of a regular salary he continued to work on commission. To depend merely upon the income for work done for a regular life insurance company in a small city is a precarious living at the best, for while the commissions are large when an agent does secure a policy, there are few who can be induced to insure their lives on account of the amount of premiums they are required to pay down. Where twenty men will insure in a cooperative company because of its cheapness, it is hard to find one man who is willing to invest in a permanent life company even if he knows it is more reliable. This Gil Hand found to be the case. Unfortunately for him, instead of paying over all the cash he received for the little business he did have, he appropriated some of the company's money to his own use. At the beginning of this year, he was behind a couple of hundred dollars, and when Mr. W. S. SWYMMER, of Chicago, the general agent in the west of the Phoenix, came to enforce settlement, Gill Hand promised to get everything square within a few weeks. Mr. Swymmer felt perfectly easy in the matter, as he had confidence in Hand, and besides that his bond was good for more than ten times the amount owed the company. His bondmen were Gus LISENBY and Frank BURROUGHS. Matters drifted on and Hand did not settle up and was getting a little more in arrears all of the time. Mr. Swymmer received a letter from Clinton which caused him to become more aggressive in demanding a settlement, but he could not accomplish anything. He made one or two visits here, and every time Hand promised to make matters straight when he should receive money that he expected. Finally Mr. Swymmer came to this city on Wednesday and had another interview with Hand. He advised Hand to secure the company in some way, tell his bondsmen the strait he was in, and then go to work and get business enough to pay the small amount he was short. Mr. Swymmer also had an interview with the bondsmen, and of course to save themselves from loss they were anxious to have the matter fixed up. Hand told Mr. Swymmer that he would go to Decatur on Wednesday and get the money from his sister and the next day would have everything straight. He went down to the depot, and instead of going to Decatur he went to Bloomington. Indeed there was no necessity for him to go to Decatur, for the sister he said he was going to see was then in Clinton and had been at Hand's house for some time on a visit. Yesterday morning Hand came back from Bloomington. There was a large crowd at the depot when the train came in, and instead of getting off, he rode as far as the Wabash depot. From there he rode up as far as his house with Ed ALLYN. He did not come up town during the day, but remained at home.
When the afternoon train came in from Decatur, Mr. Swymmer was at the depot to meet him. Not seeing him there Mr. Swymmer came back to the square and then walked down toward Hand's house. Hand was sitting at the door when he saw Mr. Swymmer approaching the house, and he told his wife to receive him while he went into another room to put on his coat, so as to be presentable. By the time Mr. Swymmer reached the house, and while he was talking to Mrs. Hand, he heard the report of a pistol. The chickens in the yard fluttered around, and he thought that some boy in the neighboring yard had been shooting at them. Mrs. Hand then started to call her husband. Not finding him in the house, she went out in the back yard and kept calling for him. All at once she rushed frantically back to Mr. Swymmer and shrieked: "My God, Gilbert has shot himself."
Mr. Swymmer hurried out into the yard and there he found the poor fellow laying dead on the ground. The shrieks of Mrs. Hand and of Miss Hand attracted the attention of Mr. McCuddy, who was driving past the house in his buggy, and he went in and saw the terrible sight. With all haste, Mr. McCuddy came up town for a doctor. It was too late. The fatal shot had proved instantaneous in its effects. Lying beside Mr. Hand on the ground was a new revolver, which he had evidently bought in Bloomington, for he did not own one before. Being a left-handed man Mr. Hand fired the ball into his left temple, just by the ear.
He could not face Mr. Swymmer after all the promises he had made him. He could not raise the money, and he was too proud to tell his wife or sister of the difficulty he was in. That he intended to commit suicide there is no doubt, for in his pocket were two two-ounce bottles of chloroform. The coming of Mr. Swymmer only hastened his end. Some four weeks ago while in conversation with Captain McGraw, Mr. Hand said that he knew a large, healthy man who was in financial difficulties who was contemplating suicide, and he asked Capt. McGraw what he thought of a man who would commit such an act. The Captain told him that a man must be crazy who would think of such a thing. It is evident that for weeks Mr. Hand had been contemplating the act of yesterday afternoon, and yet one to meet him would never dream that such a thought ever entered his head. At the revival meeting in the Methodist Church on Tuesday night Mr. Hand was present with his wife. He sang the hymns and seemed to enjoy the meeting. All at once he stopped singing, dropped his hand to his side and seemed to be buried in deep thought. A lady friend thought this an indication that Mr. Hand was seriously impressed with the services, and talking with another lady after the services said she hoped it would end in his conversion. Probably he was then contemplating the act he was so soon to commit.
Yesterday afternoon Mrs. and Miss Hand were invited to a tea party at Mrs. DeLEVIS' to meet a number of lady friends. Mr. Hand prevailed upon them not to go, saying that he did not feel well. The poor fellow did not want to be left alone for a moment. He had a happy home and a kind and affectionate wife. There was nothing but the paltry sum of $367.87 to incite him to put an end to his life. Had he the courage to have told his wife and sister his troubles they could have relieved him, for Miss Hand has means of her own. He buried his sorrows in his own breast and brooded over them till he became maddened at his own foolishness in using funds that did not belong to him. He had friends enough who would have helped him had he made known his troubles. Poor Gil lacked the courage to tell of the mistake he had made.
The coroner held an inquest last night, and the verdict of the jury was that he died by his own hand. His brothers have been telegraphed for, and as soon as they arrive arrangements will be made for the funeral.
This morning Mrs. Hand received a letter, dated at Bloomington, which was written by her husband. In it he told her that he intended to commit suicide; that his life was ruined and that he could never again face anybody with disgrace resting upon him. He told her that out of the proceeds of his life insurance to pay the claim against him and release his bondsmen from all responsibility, and that she was to entrust Gus Lisenby with the settlement of her business, as he would act for her best interest. This letter would indicate that he intended to kill himself while in Bloomington, but the impulse to see his wife once more evidently restrained him for the time being.
Gil Hand had three policies of insurance on his life, amounting to over $7000. Two of them are in the Bloomington companies and one in the Matoon Masonic association. His home is mortgaged in the Clinton building association, and he is in arrears for eight months interest and principal.
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August 27, 1886
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Brad and John HAND came to Clinton last Saturday to attend the funeral of their brother Gilbert. John left for his home in Beaver Dam, Wis., the first part of this week, but Brad is yet in town settling up his brother's affairs. When he goes to his home in Kansas, Mrs. Gilbert HAND will accompany him.
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January 21, 1887
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
SUING FOR HER HUSBAND'S LIFE INSURANCE.
From the Pantagraph we learn that Mrs. Sylvia W. HAND, of Clinton, by her attorney, commenced suit against the Northwestern Benevolent and Mutual Aid Association, of Bloomington, for $2,000. Her husband, Gilbert HAND, who committed suicide last August, had been insured in the association, but had allowed his dues to elapse. The day before he killed himself he went to Bloomington, paid his arrearages, and asked Gen. DICK, the manager, if the policy would be paid provided he suicided. The General read him a clause in the bylaws which stated that in such cases the policy became null and void. Hand remarked that he believed that companies had been made to pay under such circumstances, came home and shot himself dead. The widow now sues for the amount, and the case will be made a test. Gen. McNULTA, attorney for the company, states that there is no dispute whatever as to the facts and that a statement of them will be agreed upon. The object is merely to obtain a decision as to the law on the case under the stated facts.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
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