Frederic A. Edwards (1855-1909)

EDWARDS, HOWARD, CARSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/23/2025 at 16:07:19

From Webster City Tribune November 26, 1909 (page 1)

SAD DEATH OF F. A. EDWARDS

Lived Only Eight Hours After the Fatal Accident--Expected Death from the First.

WOUND CAUSED MUCH PAIN

Tragic Death Casts Deep Pall Over the Entire Community--Was Very Popular.

The accident which befell one of Webster City's most popular and well known citizens Tuesday morning cast a pall over the entire community. From the first very little hope was entertained for his recovery, still it as felt that the injured man had some slight chance for his life and the people grasped eagerly at every bit of information coming from the hospital, but at three o'clock the news flashed over the town that "Fred Edwards is dead." It was all over. The end had come.

There had been much speculation as to just how the accident happened. It is probable the revolver became entangled in the woolen duster with which he was dusting the counter and he did not know it until it dropped to the counter and exploded. From the first Mr. Edwards realized that he was mortally wounded and had no hope of recovery. The accident happened at eight o'clock in the morning and the injured man was at once taken to the hospital. He was in so much pain that little thought was given to the details of the accident. When he was found in the bank he said nothing more about it than that it was accidental. He remained conscious until put under the influence of opiates and after the physicians had made examination of the wound they announced there was little or no hope for his recovery. He regained consciousness after the examination by the surgeons, but later lapsed into unconsciousness and passed away.

In the death of Mr. Edwards the community sustains a real loss. He was a progressive and successful business man and gave substantial encouragement to many of the business enterprises of the town. He was born in Wethersfield Springs, New York, on the 10th of January, 1855, and came to Webster City with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Edwards, in 1868, arriving here on the 2nd of October. For a few years he attended the local schools and after quitting school helped his father on the farm. Later he and his two brothers, F. E. and W. H. engaged in the dry goods business in Webster City and were very successful. He retired from mercantile pursuits on account of his health and returned to the farm. In 1886 he was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland and held the position four years. Upon retiring from the postmastership he engaged in the harness business and continued in that business until 1897, when he retired to accept the cashiership of the Webster City Savings Bank, later becoming its president. From early manhood he had been engaged in stockraising in addition to his other business enterprises and had won an enviable reputation as a successful breeder of thoroughbred Short Horn cattle. He was known to stockmen all over the state and held many successful live stock sales at his fine Bluff View Stock Farm of 320 acres within the city limits. Mr. Edwards held many positions of public trust and always gave satisfactory service and proper accounting of his stewardship. For many years he was a member of the school board and was three times mayor of Webster City. He was very popular with all classes of people and his tragic taking off has caused genuine and universal sorrow throughout the circle of his acquaintance.

In 1879, on the 15th of October, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Geneva Howard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Howard, old and highly respected residents of this city. To this union one daughter was born, Miss Jessie Delia, now the wife of Harry M. Carson. B. F. Edwards, father of the deceased, died in this city in May, 1880, and the mother died here in October, 1899. One brother, W. H. Edwards, survives and lives in Hastings, Nebraska.

The funeral services will be held at the family home on First street this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. N. E. Spicer of the Universalist church. Friends may view the remains from 1:30 to 2:30 o'clock.