The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA), Saturday, December 10, 1904; pg. 6
Joseph Bear, son of Francis Bear, of West Pennsboro, was married to a young lady of the west recently in Kansas City, Missouri.
==============================
Joseph F. Bear, 35, son of Francis & Catharine Bear, and Nellie S. Swartz, 32, daughter of Samuel & Margaret Swartz, were married December 23, 1912 at Harrisburg, PA. Joseph's former marriage ended in divorce in 1906 in Kansas City, MO; Nellie had no former marriage. (Source: Dauphin County, PA Marriage Records)
==============================
Carlisle Evening Herald (Carlisle, PA), Friday, December 27, 1912; pg. 5
Joseph Bear, Proprietor of the Troy Laundry on North Pitt street (sic), and Miss Nellie Swartz, of this place, were married on Christmas day. Miss Swartz was formerly a saleslady in the Behney store and later at Brown Brothers'. The wedding was a surprise to the closest friends of the couple.
============================
Carlisle Evening Herald (Carlisle, PA), Friday, January 23, 1914; pgs. 1 & 2
Joseph Bear Found; Head Blown Away
Ghastly Discovery in Office of Troy Laundry
Verdict, "Accidental"
He Had Been Waiting For the Return of Burglars
JOHN SHEAFER AND JOHN BROWN FIND THE BODY
About 12:30 the Two Men Went to The Laundry As Bear Had Requested And There Found the Proprietor with Face Blown Away
With the top of his head entirely blown away by the discharge from a shot gun which he still held clasped in his hand, the walls about the corner where he was sitting spattered with blood and pieces of brain and skull, Joseph Bear, proprietor of the Troy Steam Laundry, was found dead in the office at his place of business about 12:30 o'clock this morning by Constable John T. Sheafer and John Brown, a foreman at the plant of the Frog, Switch and Manufacturing Company.
After a view and a hearing of the testimony of the various witnesses held this morning, Corner (sic) Deardorff decided that death had been accidental. It is believed that while waiting for burglars who recently attempted to enter the place, the gun was accidentally discharged and this was the opinion of the corner (sic) who did not deem it necessary to summon a jury.
Watching for Burglars
On Monday an effort had been made to enter the place and on Tuesday in the hopes that the men would return, a trap was set for them. Mr. Bear and Constable Sheafer waited in the office for several hours. On Wednesday the former watched by himself for the great part of the night, although Mr. Sheafer was with him for a short time about midnight. About 10 o'clock last night he left for the office saying he was going to watch for the burglars.
Mr. Sheaffer (sic) had been given a key to the laundry and had been asked to keep an eye on the place. At about 12:30 o'clock this morning Mr. Sheaffer and Mr. Brown went to the office. Unlocking the door Mr. Sheafer and Mr. Brown entered the office. He struck a match and lit the gas jet but not seeing the proprietor at first glance went into the main part of the plant to find him.
Brown was a short distance behind and, according to the story, was "struck dumb" by the sight that met his eyes. He was unable to articulate for a moment, he says and followed Mr. Sheafer into the main part of the plant; then he managed to gasp "Did you see what was in the Corner?"
The hastened back and looked into the office. The site (sic) that met their gaze was appalling. In a corner of the office in the rear of a large stove that furnished the heat of the place was the huddled figure of the proprietor. His head, from the lower part of the nose up, was blown entirely away and pieces of the skull and brain were spattered on the walls of the room in the rear of where he had been sitting. Blood stains were on all the walls of the large room as were specks of flesh and brain. A portion of the skull was later found underneath the sewing machine. Death, it is believed had been instaneous (sic).
Held Gun in Hand
In his hand was the gun, a 12-gauge pump. His left hand, according to the statements of the men and of others who helped to move the body was clasped near the muzzle and was blackened by the stains of the discharge. The window at the side of the body was broken and the blind torn by the contents of the shell which after tearing through the man's skull, had gone through this opening.
The men, both of whom were personal friends of the dead man, stood motionless for a few moments. Then, with one accord, they hastened out of the building. At the North street (sic) corner they met Patrolman Myers and told him of the occurrence. He summoned Chief Fought and later Francis Bear, the father of the dead man. In the meantime Sheafer and Brown had sent for the coroner. Constable Sheafer broke the news as gently as possible to the father of the man when he arrived but for a few moments he seemed dazed by the occurrence. The father as well as the other men, believed at the time it was a case of pure accident and not of suicide as some persons maintained.
After a telephoned conversation with the coroner it was finally decided to move the body as there was no suspicion of foul play. The body was taken to the office of Funeral Director Ewing and the ghastly remains in some extent removed although when viewed by the coroner the blood stains had not been moved.
Coroner Arrives
This morning Coroner Deardorff arrived and held a view of the remains and took testimony. John Brown, Constable Sheafer, Newton Myers, fourth ward patrolman, Chief Fought, and H.A. Ewing all testified. The stories of the first two men were substantially the same as those told to a Herald reporter earlier in the day and which are given above. Newton Myers told of passing the house at about 12 o'clock and of not finding anything wrong. Daniel L. Fought stated the position of the body and what had happened after he had taken charge of the case. H.A. Ewing told of the condition of the body.
After hearing the testimony in the office of funeral director Ewing, Coroner Deardorf (sic) went to the place of the accident. Although an effort had been made to clean up the place it still gave vivid evidence of the tragedy. The chair where Bear had been seated still bore blood stains as did the weapon. For the first time the gun was opened and the shells taken out. There were four full, and one empty, the latter being filled with the blood which had had run down the barrel of the gun after the explosion.
The story of the condition in which the body had been found was retold. It is believed that either some chance movement of his hand which was found near the lock of the weapon or the gun striking against the leg of the stove caused the discharge. Coroner Deardorff did not call a jury but stated that death was accidental.
Mr. Bear was 39 years old. He has been in charge of the laundry here for several years and prior to this time was a traveling salesman for a laundry supply firm. In this capacity he visited all part of this and other countries. While in South America he contracted a fever which caused him to loose his hearing. He was a member of the F.O.E.
He was probably the most widely traveled man in this section of the state and had a large circle of acquaintances. He had visited and was familiar with Mexico and the various countries of South America and had visited practically all European and Asiatic countries. He was at work on a scheme of commercial organization of great magnitude. It was his idea to have all exporting firms join together and form a stock company which would have agents in all parts of the globe. They would care for American interests in the various countries and would be a practical duplicate of the consular system.
He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Swartz, his father, Francis Bear, and two sisters, Mrs. John Wert, and Mrs. Scott Alter, both of near Plainfield.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 o'clock, with interment in the Bethel Cemetery at Plainfield.
==============================
The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA), Tuesday, January 27, 1914; pg. 8
The funeral of Joseph Bear, South West street (sic), was held Monday afternoon, Revs. Lehman and Miller officiating. The pallbearers were members of the Eagles, John Brown, W.G. Snyder, James Martin, Ray L. Early, James Sheafer, Harry Sheafer, B.A. Clepper, Robert Sheafer. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful, among them a large wreath from the Eagles. Interment was in Plainfield.
Joseph Bear, son of Francis Bear, of West Pennsboro, was married to a young lady of the west recently in Kansas City, Missouri.
==============================
Joseph F. Bear, 35, son of Francis & Catharine Bear, and Nellie S. Swartz, 32, daughter of Samuel & Margaret Swartz, were married December 23, 1912 at Harrisburg, PA. Joseph's former marriage ended in divorce in 1906 in Kansas City, MO; Nellie had no former marriage. (Source: Dauphin County, PA Marriage Records)
==============================
Carlisle Evening Herald (Carlisle, PA), Friday, December 27, 1912; pg. 5
Joseph Bear, Proprietor of the Troy Laundry on North Pitt street (sic), and Miss Nellie Swartz, of this place, were married on Christmas day. Miss Swartz was formerly a saleslady in the Behney store and later at Brown Brothers'. The wedding was a surprise to the closest friends of the couple.
============================
Carlisle Evening Herald (Carlisle, PA), Friday, January 23, 1914; pgs. 1 & 2
Joseph Bear Found; Head Blown Away
Ghastly Discovery in Office of Troy Laundry
Verdict, "Accidental"
He Had Been Waiting For the Return of Burglars
JOHN SHEAFER AND JOHN BROWN FIND THE BODY
About 12:30 the Two Men Went to The Laundry As Bear Had Requested And There Found the Proprietor with Face Blown Away
With the top of his head entirely blown away by the discharge from a shot gun which he still held clasped in his hand, the walls about the corner where he was sitting spattered with blood and pieces of brain and skull, Joseph Bear, proprietor of the Troy Steam Laundry, was found dead in the office at his place of business about 12:30 o'clock this morning by Constable John T. Sheafer and John Brown, a foreman at the plant of the Frog, Switch and Manufacturing Company.
After a view and a hearing of the testimony of the various witnesses held this morning, Corner (sic) Deardorff decided that death had been accidental. It is believed that while waiting for burglars who recently attempted to enter the place, the gun was accidentally discharged and this was the opinion of the corner (sic) who did not deem it necessary to summon a jury.
Watching for Burglars
On Monday an effort had been made to enter the place and on Tuesday in the hopes that the men would return, a trap was set for them. Mr. Bear and Constable Sheafer waited in the office for several hours. On Wednesday the former watched by himself for the great part of the night, although Mr. Sheafer was with him for a short time about midnight. About 10 o'clock last night he left for the office saying he was going to watch for the burglars.
Mr. Sheaffer (sic) had been given a key to the laundry and had been asked to keep an eye on the place. At about 12:30 o'clock this morning Mr. Sheaffer and Mr. Brown went to the office. Unlocking the door Mr. Sheafer and Mr. Brown entered the office. He struck a match and lit the gas jet but not seeing the proprietor at first glance went into the main part of the plant to find him.
Brown was a short distance behind and, according to the story, was "struck dumb" by the sight that met his eyes. He was unable to articulate for a moment, he says and followed Mr. Sheafer into the main part of the plant; then he managed to gasp "Did you see what was in the Corner?"
The hastened back and looked into the office. The site (sic) that met their gaze was appalling. In a corner of the office in the rear of a large stove that furnished the heat of the place was the huddled figure of the proprietor. His head, from the lower part of the nose up, was blown entirely away and pieces of the skull and brain were spattered on the walls of the room in the rear of where he had been sitting. Blood stains were on all the walls of the large room as were specks of flesh and brain. A portion of the skull was later found underneath the sewing machine. Death, it is believed had been instaneous (sic).
Held Gun in Hand
In his hand was the gun, a 12-gauge pump. His left hand, according to the statements of the men and of others who helped to move the body was clasped near the muzzle and was blackened by the stains of the discharge. The window at the side of the body was broken and the blind torn by the contents of the shell which after tearing through the man's skull, had gone through this opening.
The men, both of whom were personal friends of the dead man, stood motionless for a few moments. Then, with one accord, they hastened out of the building. At the North street (sic) corner they met Patrolman Myers and told him of the occurrence. He summoned Chief Fought and later Francis Bear, the father of the dead man. In the meantime Sheafer and Brown had sent for the coroner. Constable Sheafer broke the news as gently as possible to the father of the man when he arrived but for a few moments he seemed dazed by the occurrence. The father as well as the other men, believed at the time it was a case of pure accident and not of suicide as some persons maintained.
After a telephoned conversation with the coroner it was finally decided to move the body as there was no suspicion of foul play. The body was taken to the office of Funeral Director Ewing and the ghastly remains in some extent removed although when viewed by the coroner the blood stains had not been moved.
Coroner Arrives
This morning Coroner Deardorff arrived and held a view of the remains and took testimony. John Brown, Constable Sheafer, Newton Myers, fourth ward patrolman, Chief Fought, and H.A. Ewing all testified. The stories of the first two men were substantially the same as those told to a Herald reporter earlier in the day and which are given above. Newton Myers told of passing the house at about 12 o'clock and of not finding anything wrong. Daniel L. Fought stated the position of the body and what had happened after he had taken charge of the case. H.A. Ewing told of the condition of the body.
After hearing the testimony in the office of funeral director Ewing, Coroner Deardorf (sic) went to the place of the accident. Although an effort had been made to clean up the place it still gave vivid evidence of the tragedy. The chair where Bear had been seated still bore blood stains as did the weapon. For the first time the gun was opened and the shells taken out. There were four full, and one empty, the latter being filled with the blood which had had run down the barrel of the gun after the explosion.
The story of the condition in which the body had been found was retold. It is believed that either some chance movement of his hand which was found near the lock of the weapon or the gun striking against the leg of the stove caused the discharge. Coroner Deardorff did not call a jury but stated that death was accidental.
Mr. Bear was 39 years old. He has been in charge of the laundry here for several years and prior to this time was a traveling salesman for a laundry supply firm. In this capacity he visited all part of this and other countries. While in South America he contracted a fever which caused him to loose his hearing. He was a member of the F.O.E.
He was probably the most widely traveled man in this section of the state and had a large circle of acquaintances. He had visited and was familiar with Mexico and the various countries of South America and had visited practically all European and Asiatic countries. He was at work on a scheme of commercial organization of great magnitude. It was his idea to have all exporting firms join together and form a stock company which would have agents in all parts of the globe. They would care for American interests in the various countries and would be a practical duplicate of the consular system.
He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Swartz, his father, Francis Bear, and two sisters, Mrs. John Wert, and Mrs. Scott Alter, both of near Plainfield.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 o'clock, with interment in the Bethel Cemetery at Plainfield.
==============================
The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA), Tuesday, January 27, 1914; pg. 8
The funeral of Joseph Bear, South West street (sic), was held Monday afternoon, Revs. Lehman and Miller officiating. The pallbearers were members of the Eagles, John Brown, W.G. Snyder, James Martin, Ray L. Early, James Sheafer, Harry Sheafer, B.A. Clepper, Robert Sheafer. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful, among them a large wreath from the Eagles. Interment was in Plainfield.
The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA), Saturday, December 10, 1904; pg. 6
Joseph Bear, son of Francis Bear, of West Pennsboro, was married to a young lady of the west recently in Kansas City, Missouri.
==============================
Joseph F. Bear, 35, son of Francis & Catharine Bear, and Nellie S. Swartz, 32, daughter of Samuel & Margaret Swartz, were married December 23, 1912 at Harrisburg, PA. Joseph's former marriage ended in divorce in 1906 in Kansas City, MO; Nellie had no former marriage. (Source: Dauphin County, PA Marriage Records)
==============================
Carlisle Evening Herald (Carlisle, PA), Friday, December 27, 1912; pg. 5
Joseph Bear, Proprietor of the Troy Laundry on North Pitt street (sic), and Miss Nellie Swartz, of this place, were married on Christmas day. Miss Swartz was formerly a saleslady in the Behney store and later at Brown Brothers'. The wedding was a surprise to the closest friends of the couple.
============================
Carlisle Evening Herald (Carlisle, PA), Friday, January 23, 1914; pgs. 1 & 2
Joseph Bear Found; Head Blown Away
Ghastly Discovery in Office of Troy Laundry
Verdict, "Accidental"
He Had Been Waiting For the Return of Burglars
JOHN SHEAFER AND JOHN BROWN FIND THE BODY
About 12:30 the Two Men Went to The Laundry As Bear Had Requested And There Found the Proprietor with Face Blown Away
With the top of his head entirely blown away by the discharge from a shot gun which he still held clasped in his hand, the walls about the corner where he was sitting spattered with blood and pieces of brain and skull, Joseph Bear, proprietor of the Troy Steam Laundry, was found dead in the office at his place of business about 12:30 o'clock this morning by Constable John T. Sheafer and John Brown, a foreman at the plant of the Frog, Switch and Manufacturing Company.
After a view and a hearing of the testimony of the various witnesses held this morning, Corner (sic) Deardorff decided that death had been accidental. It is believed that while waiting for burglars who recently attempted to enter the place, the gun was accidentally discharged and this was the opinion of the corner (sic) who did not deem it necessary to summon a jury.
Watching for Burglars
On Monday an effort had been made to enter the place and on Tuesday in the hopes that the men would return, a trap was set for them. Mr. Bear and Constable Sheafer waited in the office for several hours. On Wednesday the former watched by himself for the great part of the night, although Mr. Sheafer was with him for a short time about midnight. About 10 o'clock last night he left for the office saying he was going to watch for the burglars.
Mr. Sheaffer (sic) had been given a key to the laundry and had been asked to keep an eye on the place. At about 12:30 o'clock this morning Mr. Sheaffer and Mr. Brown went to the office. Unlocking the door Mr. Sheafer and Mr. Brown entered the office. He struck a match and lit the gas jet but not seeing the proprietor at first glance went into the main part of the plant to find him.
Brown was a short distance behind and, according to the story, was "struck dumb" by the sight that met his eyes. He was unable to articulate for a moment, he says and followed Mr. Sheafer into the main part of the plant; then he managed to gasp "Did you see what was in the Corner?"
The hastened back and looked into the office. The site (sic) that met their gaze was appalling. In a corner of the office in the rear of a large stove that furnished the heat of the place was the huddled figure of the proprietor. His head, from the lower part of the nose up, was blown entirely away and pieces of the skull and brain were spattered on the walls of the room in the rear of where he had been sitting. Blood stains were on all the walls of the large room as were specks of flesh and brain. A portion of the skull was later found underneath the sewing machine. Death, it is believed had been instaneous (sic).
Held Gun in Hand
In his hand was the gun, a 12-gauge pump. His left hand, according to the statements of the men and of others who helped to move the body was clasped near the muzzle and was blackened by the stains of the discharge. The window at the side of the body was broken and the blind torn by the contents of the shell which after tearing through the man's skull, had gone through this opening.
The men, both of whom were personal friends of the dead man, stood motionless for a few moments. Then, with one accord, they hastened out of the building. At the North street (sic) corner they met Patrolman Myers and told him of the occurrence. He summoned Chief Fought and later Francis Bear, the father of the dead man. In the meantime Sheafer and Brown had sent for the coroner. Constable Sheafer broke the news as gently as possible to the father of the man when he arrived but for a few moments he seemed dazed by the occurrence. The father as well as the other men, believed at the time it was a case of pure accident and not of suicide as some persons maintained.
After a telephoned conversation with the coroner it was finally decided to move the body as there was no suspicion of foul play. The body was taken to the office of Funeral Director Ewing and the ghastly remains in some extent removed although when viewed by the coroner the blood stains had not been moved.
Coroner Arrives
This morning Coroner Deardorff arrived and held a view of the remains and took testimony. John Brown, Constable Sheafer, Newton Myers, fourth ward patrolman, Chief Fought, and H.A. Ewing all testified. The stories of the first two men were substantially the same as those told to a Herald reporter earlier in the day and which are given above. Newton Myers told of passing the house at about 12 o'clock and of not finding anything wrong. Daniel L. Fought stated the position of the body and what had happened after he had taken charge of the case. H.A. Ewing told of the condition of the body.
After hearing the testimony in the office of funeral director Ewing, Coroner Deardorf (sic) went to the place of the accident. Although an effort had been made to clean up the place it still gave vivid evidence of the tragedy. The chair where Bear had been seated still bore blood stains as did the weapon. For the first time the gun was opened and the shells taken out. There were four full, and one empty, the latter being filled with the blood which had had run down the barrel of the gun after the explosion.
The story of the condition in which the body had been found was retold. It is believed that either some chance movement of his hand which was found near the lock of the weapon or the gun striking against the leg of the stove caused the discharge. Coroner Deardorff did not call a jury but stated that death was accidental.
Mr. Bear was 39 years old. He has been in charge of the laundry here for several years and prior to this time was a traveling salesman for a laundry supply firm. In this capacity he visited all part of this and other countries. While in South America he contracted a fever which caused him to loose his hearing. He was a member of the F.O.E.
He was probably the most widely traveled man in this section of the state and had a large circle of acquaintances. He had visited and was familiar with Mexico and the various countries of South America and had visited practically all European and Asiatic countries. He was at work on a scheme of commercial organization of great magnitude. It was his idea to have all exporting firms join together and form a stock company which would have agents in all parts of the globe. They would care for American interests in the various countries and would be a practical duplicate of the consular system.
He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Swartz, his father, Francis Bear, and two sisters, Mrs. John Wert, and Mrs. Scott Alter, both of near Plainfield.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 o'clock, with interment in the Bethel Cemetery at Plainfield.
==============================
The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA), Tuesday, January 27, 1914; pg. 8
The funeral of Joseph Bear, South West street (sic), was held Monday afternoon, Revs. Lehman and Miller officiating. The pallbearers were members of the Eagles, John Brown, W.G. Snyder, James Martin, Ray L. Early, James Sheafer, Harry Sheafer, B.A. Clepper, Robert Sheafer. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful, among them a large wreath from the Eagles. Interment was in Plainfield.
Joseph Bear, son of Francis Bear, of West Pennsboro, was married to a young lady of the west recently in Kansas City, Missouri.
==============================
Joseph F. Bear, 35, son of Francis & Catharine Bear, and Nellie S. Swartz, 32, daughter of Samuel & Margaret Swartz, were married December 23, 1912 at Harrisburg, PA. Joseph's former marriage ended in divorce in 1906 in Kansas City, MO; Nellie had no former marriage. (Source: Dauphin County, PA Marriage Records)
==============================
Carlisle Evening Herald (Carlisle, PA), Friday, December 27, 1912; pg. 5
Joseph Bear, Proprietor of the Troy Laundry on North Pitt street (sic), and Miss Nellie Swartz, of this place, were married on Christmas day. Miss Swartz was formerly a saleslady in the Behney store and later at Brown Brothers'. The wedding was a surprise to the closest friends of the couple.
============================
Carlisle Evening Herald (Carlisle, PA), Friday, January 23, 1914; pgs. 1 & 2
Joseph Bear Found; Head Blown Away
Ghastly Discovery in Office of Troy Laundry
Verdict, "Accidental"
He Had Been Waiting For the Return of Burglars
JOHN SHEAFER AND JOHN BROWN FIND THE BODY
About 12:30 the Two Men Went to The Laundry As Bear Had Requested And There Found the Proprietor with Face Blown Away
With the top of his head entirely blown away by the discharge from a shot gun which he still held clasped in his hand, the walls about the corner where he was sitting spattered with blood and pieces of brain and skull, Joseph Bear, proprietor of the Troy Steam Laundry, was found dead in the office at his place of business about 12:30 o'clock this morning by Constable John T. Sheafer and John Brown, a foreman at the plant of the Frog, Switch and Manufacturing Company.
After a view and a hearing of the testimony of the various witnesses held this morning, Corner (sic) Deardorff decided that death had been accidental. It is believed that while waiting for burglars who recently attempted to enter the place, the gun was accidentally discharged and this was the opinion of the corner (sic) who did not deem it necessary to summon a jury.
Watching for Burglars
On Monday an effort had been made to enter the place and on Tuesday in the hopes that the men would return, a trap was set for them. Mr. Bear and Constable Sheafer waited in the office for several hours. On Wednesday the former watched by himself for the great part of the night, although Mr. Sheafer was with him for a short time about midnight. About 10 o'clock last night he left for the office saying he was going to watch for the burglars.
Mr. Sheaffer (sic) had been given a key to the laundry and had been asked to keep an eye on the place. At about 12:30 o'clock this morning Mr. Sheaffer and Mr. Brown went to the office. Unlocking the door Mr. Sheafer and Mr. Brown entered the office. He struck a match and lit the gas jet but not seeing the proprietor at first glance went into the main part of the plant to find him.
Brown was a short distance behind and, according to the story, was "struck dumb" by the sight that met his eyes. He was unable to articulate for a moment, he says and followed Mr. Sheafer into the main part of the plant; then he managed to gasp "Did you see what was in the Corner?"
The hastened back and looked into the office. The site (sic) that met their gaze was appalling. In a corner of the office in the rear of a large stove that furnished the heat of the place was the huddled figure of the proprietor. His head, from the lower part of the nose up, was blown entirely away and pieces of the skull and brain were spattered on the walls of the room in the rear of where he had been sitting. Blood stains were on all the walls of the large room as were specks of flesh and brain. A portion of the skull was later found underneath the sewing machine. Death, it is believed had been instaneous (sic).
Held Gun in Hand
In his hand was the gun, a 12-gauge pump. His left hand, according to the statements of the men and of others who helped to move the body was clasped near the muzzle and was blackened by the stains of the discharge. The window at the side of the body was broken and the blind torn by the contents of the shell which after tearing through the man's skull, had gone through this opening.
The men, both of whom were personal friends of the dead man, stood motionless for a few moments. Then, with one accord, they hastened out of the building. At the North street (sic) corner they met Patrolman Myers and told him of the occurrence. He summoned Chief Fought and later Francis Bear, the father of the dead man. In the meantime Sheafer and Brown had sent for the coroner. Constable Sheafer broke the news as gently as possible to the father of the man when he arrived but for a few moments he seemed dazed by the occurrence. The father as well as the other men, believed at the time it was a case of pure accident and not of suicide as some persons maintained.
After a telephoned conversation with the coroner it was finally decided to move the body as there was no suspicion of foul play. The body was taken to the office of Funeral Director Ewing and the ghastly remains in some extent removed although when viewed by the coroner the blood stains had not been moved.
Coroner Arrives
This morning Coroner Deardorff arrived and held a view of the remains and took testimony. John Brown, Constable Sheafer, Newton Myers, fourth ward patrolman, Chief Fought, and H.A. Ewing all testified. The stories of the first two men were substantially the same as those told to a Herald reporter earlier in the day and which are given above. Newton Myers told of passing the house at about 12 o'clock and of not finding anything wrong. Daniel L. Fought stated the position of the body and what had happened after he had taken charge of the case. H.A. Ewing told of the condition of the body.
After hearing the testimony in the office of funeral director Ewing, Coroner Deardorf (sic) went to the place of the accident. Although an effort had been made to clean up the place it still gave vivid evidence of the tragedy. The chair where Bear had been seated still bore blood stains as did the weapon. For the first time the gun was opened and the shells taken out. There were four full, and one empty, the latter being filled with the blood which had had run down the barrel of the gun after the explosion.
The story of the condition in which the body had been found was retold. It is believed that either some chance movement of his hand which was found near the lock of the weapon or the gun striking against the leg of the stove caused the discharge. Coroner Deardorff did not call a jury but stated that death was accidental.
Mr. Bear was 39 years old. He has been in charge of the laundry here for several years and prior to this time was a traveling salesman for a laundry supply firm. In this capacity he visited all part of this and other countries. While in South America he contracted a fever which caused him to loose his hearing. He was a member of the F.O.E.
He was probably the most widely traveled man in this section of the state and had a large circle of acquaintances. He had visited and was familiar with Mexico and the various countries of South America and had visited practically all European and Asiatic countries. He was at work on a scheme of commercial organization of great magnitude. It was his idea to have all exporting firms join together and form a stock company which would have agents in all parts of the globe. They would care for American interests in the various countries and would be a practical duplicate of the consular system.
He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Swartz, his father, Francis Bear, and two sisters, Mrs. John Wert, and Mrs. Scott Alter, both of near Plainfield.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 o'clock, with interment in the Bethel Cemetery at Plainfield.
==============================
The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA), Tuesday, January 27, 1914; pg. 8
The funeral of Joseph Bear, South West street (sic), was held Monday afternoon, Revs. Lehman and Miller officiating. The pallbearers were members of the Eagles, John Brown, W.G. Snyder, James Martin, Ray L. Early, James Sheafer, Harry Sheafer, B.A. Clepper, Robert Sheafer. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful, among them a large wreath from the Eagles. Interment was in Plainfield.
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