Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-26
EX-GOV. EDWARDS
KILLS HIMSELF IN
NEW JERSEY HOME
Former Senator's Son Says
Father Had Been III and
DeSpondent.
WOUND INFLICTED LAST
NIGHT TAKES HIS LIFE
Had Long Career as Banker, Public
Official and Builder in His
Home State.

BY the Associated Press
JERSEY CITY, N. j., January 90
Edward I. Edwards former Governor of
New Jersey and former United States
Senator. died today from self-inf1icted
bullet wound.
He shot himself last night while alone
In his bed room at his Kensington
avenue home.
His son, Irving Edwards, said he had
been suffering from i'll health and
dependency for several months.
Until few years ago Mr.. Edwards
was a power in both politics and fin
ance in New Jersey. In 1920 his as
sertion that he would make New Jer-
sey las wet as the Atlantic Ocean
caused him to be mentioned as an anti
prohibition hope for the Democratic
presidential nomination. But in 1928 he
was defeated for reelection to the
United States Senate and later he had
a falling out with Mayor Frank Hague
of Jersey City, Democratic leader OF the
State, that ended his political proml-
nence.
Had Financial Reverses.
His financial position suffered be-
cause of the troubles of the New Jer-
sey Securities Co., of which he was
president. The organization, which
owned several banks in Northern New
Jersey, went into receivership in 1929
and its chief stakeholder, Harry H.
Weinberger, subsequently was indicted
on charges of fraud.
Mr.. Edwards body was not dis
covered until today, after he had died.
Charles j. Baumgarten, an old friend
and legal adviser, had called to con-
fer with him.
Mr.. Baumgarten thought it strange
when a servant told him Mr.. Edwards
still was in bed and with Walter West
fail, a neighbor, he went to the bed
room.
On the floor was .38-caliber re-
volver from which one bullet had been
fired. There was a wound in the left
forehead Police said Mr.. Edwards
lived several hours after the shot was
fired.
Was Not Feeling Well.
The former Senator was in the apart
ment when he killed himself. His son,
Edward 1. Edwards, jr., was in Caldwell,
N j.. and his daughter, Elizabeth, was
spending the week end with relatives
on Long Island.
The son talked with his father by
telephone yesterday asking him to go
to Caldwell, but Mr. Edwards said he
was not feeling well and thought he
had best stay indoors.
Members of the family explained that
Mr.. Edwards had been subject to fire.
quent fits of dependency because OF his
health.
The former New Jersey Governor
was one of the wettest of the vets
during his tenure in the Senate. but
his opposition to prohibition was solely
on social grounds. He was personal
abstainer.
Wife Died in 1928.
In 1928 Mr.. Edwards went to Houston
as a delegate to the Democratic Ma
ticral Convention. but was called home
by the critical illness of his wife, who
died shortly after he reached her bed
side
He is survived by a daughter, Miss
Elizabeth Edwards. and by his son.
Mr.. Edwards was one of the men who
achieved political prominence in New
Jersey in the rise of Woodrow Wilson.
Native of Jersey City.
Senator Edwards was born at Jersey
City, December /, 1863 the son of VIII
liam w and Emma j. Nation Edwards.
After his public school education he
entered New York University in the
class of 1884. but quit at the end of his
Junior year to study law in the ONCE
OF his brother, William D. Edwards.
After determining that the legal pro-
fession did not appeal to him. he OBJ
tanned a minor position in the First
National Bank Of Jersey City and while
there devoted himself to the study OF
banking and taxation. He left the
bank to form a partnership with MS
brother in the construction and build
ing business, but in 1908 returned 10
the bank as assistant to the president.
He was advanced to cashier in 1911, TO
president in 1916 and became chairman
of the board in 1925.
on November IA, 1883 Senator
Edwards married Miss julie Blanche
Smith of Jersey City, They had a son,
Edward 1. Edwards jr., and daughter,
Mrs. Edwards died August 3, 1923.
Became State Controller.
Senator Edwards began his political
career as a member of the Hudson
County. N. j., Democratic Committee.
He was elected State controller in 1911.
He was reelected in 1914, and at the
conclusion of that term went TO the
State Senate.
In 1919. in contest for his party IS
nomination for Governor OF New Jer-
sey, Senator Edwards defeated James
r Nugent one of the Democratic
leaders of the State. He then was
elected Governor over Newton A. K.
Bugbee, Republican.
In addition to his connection with
the First National Bank of Jersey City
Senator Edwards also served as vice
president Of the Merchants National
Bank and was a director in number
OF commercial corporations.
SERVED ON d. c. COMMITTEE.