#1-Published in the Tribune December 6, 1917

Elmond Friend Found With Throat Cut and Head Caved In

Elmond Friend, thirty-eight years old, was found in a vacant lot northeast of the passenger depot about 10 o’clock this (Thursday) morning with his throat cut from ear to ear, the back of his head caved in and his face bruised as though struck with some blunt instrument.

A razor and a knife scabbard were found near the body. His mother, Mrs. Bartholomew, who lives out near the ball park, claims the knife scabbard belongs to her son, but she had never seen the razor. The ground in the vicinity of where the body was found show evidence of a struggle. Friend’s cap was found about twenty feet from where the body lay, and his gloves were found somewhat near the body. The murder was committed some time during Wednesday night, and when the body was found it was lying face downward, the arms crossed under the breast, and knees rested on the ground as though the unfortunate man had tried to get up before his life’s blood was spent. Elmond Friend was quite well known around Blair where he has made his home at different time during the past fifteen years. He and his mother moved here from Pender only a few weeks ago.

#2-Published in the Enterprise December 7, 1917

Murder of Suicide?-Edmund Friend Found Dead, With His Throat Cut, Near Passenger Depot

The body of Edmund Friend, son of Mrs. Mary Bartholomew, of the North Side, was found, frozen stiff and his throat cut, in an alley a hundred yards or so northeast of the Blair railroad passenger station, yesterday forenoon about 10:30. He had been living in Omaha for some time and was a painter, though he had worked at the barber trade. The body was taken to Pierce’s undertaking rooms. Upon examination, it was found that there are abrasions on the back of the head and bruises on the face. A razor with which the throat evidently was cut was found near the body as was also a scabbard with a little further from his cap and his gloves. He left his mother’s home about 5 o’clock, Wednesday evening to take the north-bound evening train for Pender where his brother lives and was not seen alive by anyone again as far as known.

The general opinion expressed by those who have investigated, is that it was premeditated case of self-destruction.

#3-Published in the Pilot December 12, 1917

The body of Elvin Friend was found on the railroad land not far north of the passenger depot by George Staben about 11 o’clock last Thursday morning. It was hard to decide whether he had been murdered or had committed suicide, but the coroner’s jury decided the evidence that he killed himself was preponde rant and gave that as their verdict. A razor was found near the body and his throat had been cut from ear to ear.

The funeral was held at the home of his mother, Mrs. Mary E. Bartholomew, in North Blair at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, Rev. Underwood officiating. His brother, Wm. B. Friend, of Pender, and his wife, who goes by the name of Cora B. Holderness, attended the services. He was 38 years of age and had led a rather strange career. His wife testified that he had threatened to kill himself and identified the razor with which the deed was committed as his own.

#4-Published in the Tribune December 13, 1917

Jury Say Elvin Friend Dead By His Own Hand

The jury, empaneled to investigate the cause of death of the late Elvin H. Friend brought in a verdict that Friend came to his death from a wound in the neck severing the jugular vein, caused by a razor wielded by his own hand. The jury, composed of H. N. Thone, as foreman; N. E. Noyse, Geo. A. Love, J. W. Lewis, Taylor Brunton, and James O. Huddleson, met on Dec. 7 and listened to testimony from witnesses, and not being entirely satisfied adjourned until Dec. 8. In the meantime Dr. Langstaff examined the wound, and after the doctor’s testimony as to the nature of the wounds, it left no doubt in the minds of the jury that it was a case of suicide. County Attorney Mencke interviewed his wife, Cora B. Holderness, and a Mrs. J. L. Breards, who conducted a rooming house in Omaha, and both stated that Friend had on several occasions expressed a desire to “end it all.” The funeral was held at the home of his mother, Mrs. Mary Bartholomew, in north Blair, on Saturday afternoon, and was conducted by Rev. Underwood of the M. E. Church. Burial was in the Blair Cemetery.

Find A Grave Memorial # 114632951 ~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~