"SPARTA FARMER IS FOUND DEAD NEAR HIS HOME - William A Walford, Aged Sixty, Goes to Pasture Monday Afternoon, Taking Gun With Him - WELL KNOWN IN COMMUNITY - The large acquaintance of William [A Walford who has resided] for many years about 2 1/2 miles west of Spartansburg, were shocked to learn of his death yesterday, which probably occurred some time Monday afternoon, as his body was found by his wife in a clump of trees in the pasture on the farm, at about 11 o'clock Tuesday forenoon. Beside the body laid Mr Walford's double-barrel shotgun, one chamber of which had been discharged. Following discovery of the body, Coroner W E Byham of Meadville was notified and he deputized Justice of the Peace H L Bowen of Spartansburg to conduct an investigation. Justice Bowen, after thoroughly looking into the case, decided that an inquest was unnecessary and his announcement was that 'There seems to be no way of determining whether Mr Walford's death was accidental or otherwise.' The body was removed to the undertaking rooms of Charles E Torrey in Spartansburg, to be prepared for interment, and arrangements for the funeral were not completed last evening. Had Been In Ill Health - Justice Bowen ascertained that Mr Walford had not been in good health for some time, but so far as known he was no worse than usual on Monday afternoon, when he told Mrs Walford he was going out in the pasture. He took his shotgun as he often did to shoot crows or woodchucks. When Mr Walford did not return at supper time, Mrs Walford thought he might have gone to the home of a neighbor or perhaps to the home of one of their children, although she worried during the evening when no word was received from him. She made a search for him after dark and again yesterday morning, finding the body as stated above at about 11 o'clock. Mrs Walford heard no report of the gun's discharge although Mr Walford was not so far away but that the shot could have been heard by her. Mr and Mrs Walford came to Sparta township from Iowa a number of years ago and made many friends who sincerely regret Mr Walford's tragic death. The deceased was a member of the Spartansburg M E church and held in high esteem by all who knew him. Besides the widow he leaves two sons, William Jr and Harold Walford, and two daughters, Mrs John Rose of Union City and Mrs Harold Rose of Waterford."

(Titusville Herald, Sept 10, 1930, p.2)