The Telegraph Bulletin - Letter to Editor re: Drowning of Jack Reaves

Date: Dec. 1999
Submitted by: Lora Peppers <lpeppers@ouachita.lib.la.us>




**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 




The Telegraph-Bulletin
Saturday, October 10, 1891
Page 3, Column 1

The Drowning of Jack Reaves.
NOBLES, October 8, 1891.
Editor TELEGRAPH-BULLETIN:
        Your report of the drowning of Mr. Jack Reaves at this place
on Wednesday night, the 23rd ult., did him a very great injustice.  He was not
nor never was in the employ of Henry, Forrest & Co., and was not a mere
stockman.  He and his brother, Frank Reaves, were contractors themselves on
the H., C.A. & N. railroad.  There was only one negro in the boat with us. 
The reason why he did not swim out will never be known.  The doctor says there
was no indication of cramps as reported to you.  His limbs were in a swimming
position.  We were both smoking cigars at the time that boat capsized.
After we got in the water I asked Jack if he could make it and he
answered "yes."  I told him I would have to throw my cigar out, which I did.
He made no reply.  I had no thought of his drowning until I got out and called
him and he did not answer.  My notion is that the cigar stub was drawn
down his throat and ( ) strangulation as he made no noise as I could hear.
Being very dark I could not see him.  He was 37(?) Years of age, a man of high
moral culture.  His remains were shipped home to his parents and not to
Memphis.
        Respectfully yours,
           W.H. RUFFIN.

#  #  #