The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-08-27
George S. Hardy.

News of the death of Geo S. Hard
Wednesday morning, the 25th inst,
has caused widespread sorrow and turne'
the city into mourning.
Mr.. Hardy was in his usual gooC
health and the family, residing on Main
street, retired as usual Tuesday night
Between and 4 O'Clock Wednesday
morning Mr. Hardy was aroused by The
bowling and barking of dogs in his yard
disturbing the rest of his little baby
daughter, Mary Louise, who was
frightened and crying, and he got up
and went out, fired several shots at the
dogs and getting rid of them returned
to the house. With the pistol in hand
he started back to the family room, and
entering the door stumbled over chair
In the fall the pistol was accidently dis
charged, the ball entering the stomach
between the lower ribs, in all probability
ploughing its way through several vital
points. In falling Mr.. Hardy's arm
struck a cot, which is thought to have
caused the discharge of the pistol. Mrs.
Hardy inquired the trouble, and Mr..
Hardy told her that he had fallen over
a chair, but said nothing of being
wounded, not knowing that he was
shot. He thought he was simply
powder burned and answered to that
effect. Going to the bed, Mrs. Hardy
noticed some blood on his clothing and
Immediately called TO Mr. Chas Hardy
next door to come at once. The latter
gentleman discovered the real danger
and summoned the physicians. The
case was pronounced extremely danger
Gus and wire was forwarded to DR..
Barr at Nashville to arrange for special
train and come at once. The train, in
charge of Conductor Bone and Engi-
neer Gibbons, left Nashville at 40 with
the celebrated surgeon, an assistant and
nurse as passengers and reached this city
at S:52, a run of 154 miles in 3 hours
and II minutes. Dr. Barr reached the
bedside to find upon examination that
the patient was beyond reach of human
aid, and soon impaired the information
to the relatives and friends. Death |
occurred at II O'Clock, but Mr.. Hardy |
was conscious up to the last hour.
The wounded man was aware of the |
fact that he had very short time to
live, and characteristic of methodicaI
business life, sent for his attorney, Judge
Swiggart, and arranged his affairs ac-
cordingly.
Friends gathered early around the
home in numbers, eager and anxious
IN the hope that news of reaction and
returning strength might be vouch-
safed, but the returns brought disap-
pointment, At II O'Clock death was
announced and the city was shrouded
in gloom.
Geo. S. Hardy was a son of the late
VIM. Hardy, resident of the First
Civil District of Obion County, and
there the young man was born Sept. IS,
1868. He was therefore nearly forty
six years of age. The senior Mr.. Hardy
was a man of sturdy character and
thrifty habits and the son was trained
in these useful ways. From the farm
he ventured to Missouri and accumu-
lated some experience in what is known
in common parlance as trading.
From Missouri he returned to Union
City and entered business as partner :
with Mr.. Brummell in a. retail shoe :
store. W. S. Moore succeeded Mr..
and c. P Hardy succeeded
Mr.. Moore. The firm then became
Hardy Brothers.
TWAS about nineteen years ago when
Mr.. Hardy came to Union City. A few Y
years after this the interests of Hardy +
Brothers were consolidated with those
Of ]. R. Morgan and the style of the +
firm was Morgan & Hardy Brothers. +
The business continued to prosper, but
j division soon took place, Mr.. Morgan
buying the interests of Hardy Broth g
rs Then the Hardy Brothers & Sher- \
Ill department stores were established,