M. W. Reaves (1901)

REAVES

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 6/2/2020 at 10:30:02

The Stuart Herald
Stuart, Iowa
February 8, 1901
Page 3, Column 3

Atlantic, Iowa, Feb. 6 (Special)—M. W. Reeves, of Valley Junction, yardmaster for the Rock Island railroad at this point, who was caught between the “dead woods” of the coupling apparatus of two freight cars yesterday afternoon, died at the Trilby hotel yesterday evening at nine o’clock. The accident occurred at four.

Reeves was sealing a car and was about to climb up to the seal the end door, when the cars were struck by a wild one. He was caught between the blocks at a point just below the heart, several ribs were broken and he sustained such internal injuries that his recovery was impossible. He was carried into the freight house, where his great presence of mind was remarkable. He requested some of his attendants to go out to close a main line switch before he was cared for.

As soon as arrangements could be made the injured man was taken to the Trilby hotel and there made comfortable but he soon began to sink and death resulted at nine o’clock.

M. W. Reeves was for several years a citizen of this city. His family was among the last of the railroad people to move to Valley Junction. He was among our best citizens and himself and family were highly respected. It had been his desire for several years to retire from the Rock Island service and settle down on his farm east of town. This he would have done this winter only for the fact that he secured the position of yard master at Atlantic, which was an easier position than a main line freight run. Mrs. Reeves, who has just returned to her home in Valley Junction from a visit to this city, was notified of the accident as soon as it occurred. She left Valley Junction on a freight train, but did not arrive in Atlantic until her husband had died. Mrs. Reeves returned from Atlantic with the remains of her husband on No. 4 Wednesday afternoon. The funeral occurred Thursday at Valley Junction at his late home. His remains were brought to Stuart and taken to the Dexter cemetery for interment. The deceased was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Avoca and members of that lodge accompanied his remains. The Odd Fellows of Stuart and Dexter united with the Avoca brethren in the funeral services at the grave.