From The Gettysburg Times (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) 
April 23, 1934 

Samuel A. Gilliland, 
Passing at 35, 
Buried in Pittsburgh Today
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Death of Former Resident, Officer in World
War and Star Athlete at College, Occurs
In Home City Saturday
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MET SUCCESS IN
SECURITY WORK
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   Samuel Alexander Gilliland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Flem N. Gilliland, Carlisle street, officer in the United States army during the World war, graduate of Gettysburg college with the class of 1919, and star football player during his four years at the institution, was laid to his final rest in Pittsburgh this afternoon.
   News of his death, at the age of 35 years, in the city of his adoption, where he attained unusual success after his graduation from college here, came Saturday with a distinct shock to his host of friends here, and particularly to the members of his immediate family in Gettysburg who were devoted to him.
Last Thoughts Of Mother.
   He apparently died by his own hand in a moment of lonesomeness and temporary despondency. His body was found at the steering wheel of his automobile in Frick park near the fine home he owned and occupied at 6623 Kinsman Road, Pittsburgh, with a fatal bullet in it.
   Tied to the steering wheel was a note directing the notification of Mrs. George L. Farrell, of 362 South Highland avenue, Pittsburgh, mother of Miss Margaret Farrell to whom he was married in 1923. His former wife, with their two children, Georgianna, nine, and Samuel Alexander, Jr., four, were in Atlantic City when they received word of the death of the former husband and father, and returned immediately to Pittsburgh.
   Two notes were found in his pocket, one addressed to his former wife briefly stating that he did not feel that he could “carry on” without his two children with him, and advising of the existence of insurance policies and other legacies which would provide for the maintenance of the children, and the other note addressed to his mother assuring her that “you have been a good mother” and reiterating his love and loyalty to his home folks, and also stating that he did not feel that he could continue living without those he loved best around him.
   Pressley M. McCance, a close friend, identified his body after it had been found and reported by Miss Evaline Chalfant, daughter of Dr. Sidney A. Chalfant, of 2104 William Penn highway, Pittsburgh.
Commissioned In Army
   Samuel Alexander Gilliland was born on October 10, 1898. He prepared for entrance to college at Gettysburg academy, graduating in 1915. He entered the Officers’ Training camp at Plattsburgh, New York, and received a commission as lieutenant of infantry early in the summer of 1918. He served his country until after the close of the war. He returned to Gettysburg college the last semester of the 1918-19 years and graduated with his class in 1919. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity on the college campus.
   He was an outstanding football player during his college career, playing four years. As an end on the varsity eleven, he played opposite Victor Emmanuel, and their records are well known to followers of college sports.
In Security Business
   He went to the Pittsburgh area soon after finnishing college, having obtained a position as a chemist, in which he specialized with the Duquesne Steel works. Later, he entered the security business in Pittsburgh and met with instant success, continuing in that business until his death. He maintained offices in the Union Trust building, Pittsburgh.
   Besides his children, he is survived by his father, a Baltimore street grocery store proprietor for many years; his mother, two sisters, Miss Anne Gilliland, at home, and Mrs. Walter Morris, formerly Miss Margaret Gilliland of Punxsutawney, Pa., and one brother, James Gilliland, Esq., a member of a prominent Philadelphia law firm.
Burial In Pittsburgh
   As soon as detailed arrangements for the funeral were completed, members of the immediate family left Sunday morning for Pittsburgh. The services were held at 2 o’clock this afternoon from his late residence and burial took place in Pittsburgh.
   While in Gettysburg, Mr. Gilliland was an active member of the Gettysburg Presbyterian church, in which he was raised. After his marriage, he joined the Episcopal church in Pittsburgh, of which his wife was a member and held his membership there until his passing.
   His family is one of the best known and most highly respected in Adams county and news of the untimely death of “Sam,” as he was best known locally and to college alumni aroused an instant wave of sympathy in the hour of trial and bereavement of those dearest to him. -- H. L. G.

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2010