Kate's Notes: These three news articles covered the story of Edward Gilliland's murder in Springfield, Illinois in November of 1908 and have been presented in an order that creates a timeline of events. For that fact I must explain the date of 1910 on the first article; it was actually a reprint of the initial 1908 report and appeared in a special, first page feature of the Daily Review (Decatur, Ill) recapping a wave of violence in the area during that time period. Splashed with sensationlist declarations as "violent deaths and suicides by the score!" the front page was replete with accounts of each murder and suicide, sparing no gruesome detail.

The Daily Review
Decatur, Illinois
Monday, April 4, 1910

GILLILAND MURDERED

   Edward Gilliland died in St. John's hospital as the result of wounds received when he was assaulted on East Madison street early Monday morning.
   Edward Gilliland, in company with M.S. Chandler of Flora, fireman on the B. & O. S-W. road, met James Carver, ex-policeman, and George Wilkin late Saturday night, Nov. 15. The men had been drinking together, it is stated, in Wiley Grant's saloon, 716 East Madison street, and Chandler is said to have become quarrelsome before the men left.

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The Daily Herald, Chicago, Illinois
December 4, 1908

POLICE HAVE MURDER MYSTERY
________________________

Uncle of Edward Gilliland, Who Died from 
Injuries, Gets Warrants

    The death of Edward Gilliland, aged 26, of Xenia, leaves a murder mystery for the local authorities to solve. Eight days ago he was picked up on East Madison street, Springfield, unconscious, with his skull crushed. Physicians worked in vain to arouse him to get a statement. Edward Gilliland of Pawnee, and uncle of the dead man, swore out warrants charging James Carver, former Springfield policeman, and George Wilkin with murder. They are held without bail. These men are alleged to have had a fight with Gilliland. A large sum of money which it is believed Gilliland had when he came to Springfield was missing.

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The Daily Herald, Chicago
April 9, 1909

FIND PAIR GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER

   George Wilkin and James Carver must serve a term of years in the state penitentiary for the killing of Edward Gilliland, if the verdict of the jury in Circuit Court in Springfield stands. The twelve men found Wilkin and Carver guilty of manslaughter. The two prisoners were charged jointly with the murder of Edward Gilliland, a railroad man, whose home was at Xenia.

-- contributed and transcribed by Kate Maynard, 2009