Mecklenburg County NcArchives Obituaries.....Reid, John McD. And William W. December 17, 1841
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Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com January 14, 2008, 6:01 pm

Dec. 23, 1841   Charlotte Journal
   DIED, in Mecklenburg County, by drowning on Friday, the 17th instant, JOHN 
McD. REID, in the 18th year of his age, and his youngest brother, Wm. W. REID, 
in the 16th year of his age, sons of MR. JONATHAN REID of Steel Creek. This 
very afflictive calamity took place under the following circumtances: JOHN had 
been pursuing a course of classical education at New Providence Acadey under 
the direction of the REV. CYRUS JOHNSTON for the last two years. His brother, 
WILLIAM, came down to Providence, the 16th inst., with a horse for JOHN to 
return home during the recess at Christmas. But the incessant rains of that 
evening, and other circumstances, prevented their return on that day. On the 
morning of the 17th, they set out from Providence for home, "their sweet 
home," and contrary to their uniform practice of going by bridges when the 
creeks were flush, and contrary to express determination made that morning of 
going by way of the bridges, they attempted crossing McALPIN'S Creek at MRS. 
BOYCE'S ford. But the attempt proved fatal to both. The particulars connected 
with their distressing and untimely end, cannot be stated: As no human being 
was then in view. The presumption is that JOHN had crossed in safety, but 
seeing his young brother, in the attempt to cross, becoming endangered, JOHN, 
who could swim well, rushed in again to his assistance; and thus both were 
lost. Some hours had passed away, when an alarm was excited in the 
neighborhood by a discovery of the horses on which they rode. Diligent search 
was made for their bodies -- and on the 18th, about 24 hours after the fatal 
catastrophe, that of JOHN was raised from the channel of the creek, some 300 
or 400 yards below the ford. Most diligent search was kept up, but ther body 
of WILLIAM was not found until the 20th.
   Thus by a mysterious providence, the hearts of parents are made to bleed at 
every pore; and society at one dash becomes deprived of two most interesting 
youths.
   JOHN was preparing for college, which he was expected, by his fond parents, 
to enter next Spring. During his stay at Providence Academy of two years, his 
teacher found him uniformly respectfull, studious and attentive -- and in 
point of morals he stood so high that he was above suspicion.
   His brother, equally upright in his deportment, and thought to be even more 
talented, expected to become a member of the Academy on the 1st of January 
next. 

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