Earl Blair

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EARL BLAIR EX-SERVICE MAN, DIES OF SELF-INFLICTED WOUND

Ill Health Caused By Being Shell Shocked and Gassed Led To Rash Act

    Earl Blair, age 46, of East Point took his own life by firing a bullet through his brain. The tragedy took place near his home near the hour of midnight Friday, January 17, 1941. Two other men were witnesses to the tragedy. Dr. C. E. Johnson conducted an inquest and the Coroner's jury returned a verdict of death by self-inflicted wounds.

    Mr. Blair was a prominent railroad man and had many friends along the Big Sandy Division of the C & O and his untimely death has brought sorrow to many.

    The cause of the rash act is attributed to ill health. Mr. Blair was an ex-service man and was with the American Expeditionary forces in France. During his stay in France he participated in a number of battles and was badly shell shocked and gassed and this is believed to have caused Mr. Blair to have designs on his own life.

    Mr. Blair had no children. Besides his widow, Mrs. Glady (Greer) Blair, he is survived by the following brothers and sisters.

    Chas Blair, Jenkins, Ky.; Watt Blair, Frank Blair, Mrs. Seldon Smith and Mrs. Fronza McCloud, of West Van Lear; Mrs. Lon Rice, Collista and Mrs. Luther Fitch, of Hager Hill. He is also survived by a large number of other relatives throughout Johnson County.

Mr. Blair had spent the greater part of his life in and around East Point.

    Funeral services were held at the home at 1:30 Sunday afternoon, January 19, 1941, in charge of Rev. Prentis Spear, pastor of the East Point Methodist Church. Burial was made in the family cemetery near the home. The undertaking department of the Paintsville Furniture Company.

The American Legion of which Mr. Blair was a member, conducted the impressive Legion services at the grave.

Paintsville Herald

Thursday

01-23-1941