Reed, Ellis A. 1869-1894

REED

Posted By: Ken Johnson (email)
Date: 9/29/2021 at 21:25:49

from the Thurs., 3 May 1894 issue of "Lancaster Teller" (Lancaster, WI), Obituary section, page 5, columns 4-5:

ELLIS REED.

Two telegrams were flashed over the wires from Washington, D. C., and received here on Monday, April 23d, by friends of Mrs. M. A. Reed. The first announced that her son Ellis was very sick; the second brought the sad intelligence of his death. Such tidings were wholly unexpected and gave a severe shock to the mother who was confined to her bed with sickness at the time. The letters she had received from him were full of enthusiasm and good cheer, and bright anticipations; there was not the slightest intimations of poor health and he was himself unconscious that he was in the toils of a fatal disease that was fast ravaging his physical vitality. He was a member of the Tuxedo Mandolin club of Chicago. The other members were A. E. Yundt, H. J. Ramseyer and J. R. Currier. The club was making a tour through the east and south. They were at Chattanooga, Tenn., when the insidious Bright’s disease, which had been secretly undermining his health for a number of months, manifested itself openly. He was unable to fulfill his engagement with the club at that point and as his sickness grew steadily worse, he requested that he might be sent back to Washington, D. C., where they made their headquarters. The others were unwilling that he should go alone; they therefore cancelled all their engagements and returned to Washington with him. He was taken to hotel Normandy and the best physicians were summoned. They pronounced his case hopeless and said that it had been so for six months. He received the very best of care. The other members of the club were with him night and day; the lady in charge of the house gave him every attention. Mrs. Kidd, formerly of Lancaster, was in attendance much of the time; many others manifested their sympathy and their desire to help, among whom were Mrs. Senator Blanchard, Mrs. Vice President Stevenson, and the athletic club; they called often and sent boquets [sic] of flowers to his room. At the news of his death which occurred on Saturday the 21st, the athletic club placed their flag at half-mast, draped his portrait which hung in their room, and adjourned. Some members of the club also ordered a large floral emblem to be sent from Chicago to Lancaster with the remains.

From the time of the news of his death until the arrival of the body on Wednesday evening, April 25, was a period of great suspense to the sick mother. Nothing but the meager telegrams had reached her and the cause of his death was unknown. The many friends here realized the peculiar sadness of the circumstances and neglected no opportunity to express their sympathy and to alleviate the burden of her sorrow.

Sixty friends assembled at the depot at Washington to witness the departure of the remains and many friends gathered at the depot here to witness their arrival. By request the engineer did not blow the whistle. The body was borne by the hearse, accompanied by the pall-bearers and the pastors of the Congregational and M. E. churches, quietly through the middle of the street and placed in the house without the knowledge of the mother. She was then informed that the body was here, the cause of death was related to her and her suspense relieved.

The elder brother, Earnest, arrived from Durango, Col., on Thursday noon and the funeral services was [sic] held on Friday afternoon at 2 p. m. conducted by Rev. P. H. Mason, of the Congregational church assisted by Rev. H. D. Smith of the M. E. church. The remarks were based upon the words of David in 1 Samuel 20:3, “But truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.”

Ellis A. Reed was born at Garnaville [sic], Iowa, May 21st, 1869, and died April 21st, 1894. It is a somewhat surprising coincidence that the oldest child was born on March 21 and died on May 21, and that the father died on March 21.

Ellis left his home here some seven years ago much of which time he devoted to the study and practice of music, especially to the guitar. In preparation for his concert work, he gave eight hours a day to practice, and he attained such proficiency that he was estimated without a peer as a guitarist. The club seem to have had a worthy ambition to succeed and to have realized the cost of success; their time and strength were not wasted in the extravagances of amusements, but economized and devoted to practice and their concerts; they were not satisfied with inferior proficiency; they wanted a high grade and they were willing to pay the price. If a man wants a high grade of character (and no one ought to be satisfied with anything less), he must pay the price; his time and strength, like his money have a limit, and they must be economized and expended upon the cultivation of character.

We have the word of his intimate friend and companion for four years, that Ellis was thoroughly christian in his religious convictions. He expressed himself frequently and freely to the members of the club and was wont to say that his mother’s religion was his religion. He was regarded by his intimate friends as christian in will as well as in conviction, and when the death struggle was passed his physician remarked that he had gone to a better place than this world. He died in the arms of Mr. Ramseyer; Mrs. Kidd stood next to them; about these as the center were gathered the other members of the club and friends. Thus a young life passed away. Youth is no guarantee against death. “Tomorrow thy soul shall be required of thee,” is warning to every individual. Prudence says, watch, be ready, for ye know not the hour.

The body was accompanied home from Washington by Mr. Ramseyer.

A very pretty and sympathetic letter written by Mrs. Glennie A. Kidd to Mrs. Reed was re-ceived on Tuesday. It describes graphically and pleasantly Ellis’s frequent calls while the club was in Washington and how nobly he conducted himself and how pleased they were with his visits. On his return from the south, ill, Mrs. Kidd went and took care of him as if he was her own son and offered to take him to her house, but the physicians said he could not be moved. Mrs. Kidd says the morning of the day he died he was asked how he felt. His reply was, “I feel all out of tune.” The following beautiful lines were enclosed by Mrs. Kidd, with the remark that they were composed by a gentleman friend who rooms with them, was an admirer of the club and was present at Ellis’s death:

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TUXEDO CLUB, IN MEMORY OF ELLIS REED.

The silent chariot standeth at the door.
The house is hushed and still from roof to floor.
None heard the sounds of its mysterious wheels;
Yes, each its presence knows and sadly feels.
No champing bit, no tramp of paying steed.
All’s dark and silent up and down the street.
Alas! ye cannot keep it waiting there
For one last lingering look or loving prayer.
His words with some strange other interchanged,
Strike cold upon you, like loved eyes estranged;
With things that are not fraught, or things that are,
Fade like a darkening, erstwhile brilliant star.
And he, too weak and agonized to lift
The cup to quench his dying thirst, or shift
His pillows, now without your help must rise
Nor wait your further anxious ministries.
He, loved and cherished must go forth alone.
None see him t’ eternal door, not one.
No head is turned to see him go. You stay
Where he is not and fondly pray,
No panel bars his white resistless fee.
Your walls are mist to him. Out on the street
It waits for him, for him—alone.
Arise! make haste! detain the love one!
No no; alone he goes upon his awful way.
Do any bid him tarry? any sooth, or stay
His heart? or does the silent charioteer
Whisper: “Ellis come—be of good cheer?” [sic]
Ye know not! None may follow him afar;
None hear the sound of the retreating car.
Only one vast silence, like a wide, black band
Rolls on, twixt you and yonder unknown land—
Where Ellis dwells.

A FRIEND.

Washington, D. C., April 23d, 1894.