Mercer County WV Archives News.....Meets A Violent Death After Three Score Years And Ten July 4, 1905
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Jessie Clarkson genbuggie@sbcglobal.net July 18, 2008, 3:46 am

Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 4, 1905
Hon. Thomas Reed Killed On Double Track Near His Home

A distressing accident occurred yesterday morning about two and a half miles 
east of Ingleside.  Thomas Reed, one of the most widely known and best 
citizens of the county, was instantly killed by a passenger train.  "Uncle 
Tom" as Mr. Reed was familiarly called by those who knew him, had been to see 
a sick neighbor and was returning to his home near Oakvale.  An eastbound 
freight train came up with him and he stepped on the westbound track to let it 
pass.  The noise made by the freight and the fact that there was a short curve 
at that point, it is thought, prevented Uncle Tom from observing the 
approaching passenger train.  He was knocked from the track and down an 
embankment, killing him instantly.  The back of his skull was crushed in, one 
arm and his hip broken.  The body was picked up and laid beside the track and 
those living near by notified.  The hour for the funeral could not be learned 
last night.  Thomas Reed was eighty years of age.  He was a native of Campbell 
County, Virginia, coming to Mercer County over a half century ago, where he 
has lived ever since, holding the esteem and confidence of all who knew him.  
While he had no educational advantage he was one of the most remarkable men in 
the state.  He was an orator of some statements, and could repeat almost word 
for word any speech that he heard.  He could remember statistics, and had a 
wide knowledge of current politics in state and nation.  He was a Republican 
from the organization of the party, and several years ago the Republican 
leaders thought it would be a fitting compliment to a life spent in working 
for the party to send him to the legislature.  He was nominated and the people 
entering into the spirit of the leaders, elected him by a handsome majority.  
He was ill during the greater part of the regular session, but the short time 
he attended gained a statewide acquaintance.  He was present at the extra 
session when the new tax laws were passed.  He leaves a wife and a number of 
children and grandchildren.  One of his sons, R.E. Reed, is postmaster at 
Oakvale.  

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