The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-07-19


In his early youth Mr. Reese started to
work in the mines at the age OF eight years
in his native home on the opposite side of the
Atlantic iean at Backwood, Wales, starting
as boy without any education, except which
he received in Sunday school, but full of am
hilton and energy he started for this country
at the tender age of %, and settled at Mount
Lafiee, where he worked as a miner with his
brother. BY strict attention to his occupation
he received his first appointment as inside
foreman, which he served for a number of
years and afterwards placed in charge outside.
While living at Mount Laffee he was com.
m'ssioned by Governor Geary as captain of
the Moorehead Rifles, 9th Division, N.
G.. P. From Mt Laffee he was removed to
funnel colliery, as inside boss, where he
served in the same capacity for some time.
He was then sent to Alaska, near Mt Carmel,
to take charge of the sinking of the shaft and
placing the colliery in working ORDER which
stands to-day as one of the model collieries
which the Philadelphia and Reading c. &
Co. operates. His work being done so satis-
factory that he was appointed by General
Harris as Superintendent of the Girardville
District comprising six collieries. He was
then stationed at Ashland, having had the
mines at Ashland added to his district.
As superintendent Mr.. Reese served ten
years, and during all the trying times of the
Mollie Mcguire seige he always stood out as a
bold champion for right and justice, regard.
less of the notices which he received at his
door and many other threats to leave the
country. But through Gods protective care
he was spared to help crush this evil. He
was later appointed Mine Inspector, having
charge of all the collieries north of the Broad
mountain operated by the Reading Company,
which position he filled with credit and
ability up to the year $780, On his de-
parture from Ashland the people of that town
together with the officers of the Reading
Company, gave grand concert in his honor
in Odd Fellows hall, and on that very occa-
sion he was presented with beautiful gold
headed cane, which he priced very highly
He was later employed by l.. A. Riley & Co.,
who were just commencing to open up their
two large collieries at Centralia, the Logan
and Centralil, at which place he has been
stationed for the past twelve years, also
having charge of two colleries for Lentz
Lilly & Co., at Park Place.
Mr. Reese was appointed by Gov. Hoyt as
Trustee of the Miners Hospital located at
Fountain Springs near Ashland and is serv-
ing in that capacity 10 this day. By his per-
sonal efforts, always ready to promote the
higher branches of education, there has been
placed in that institution a fine library, which
can only be appreciated by the unfortunate
men and boys who are crippled about the
mines. Mr.. Reese is also president of the
Centralia Borough Council and President of
the Board of Trustees ofthe Methodist Episco.
pal church, a member of the Odd Fellows.and
willing to take an interest in most everything
that is for the good and welfare of his fellow
men, and stands high as an example of one
who without education or friends, has work ed
through the ranks to a position which has not
only won respect and honor among the people
Of his own home, but all over the state. The
visit to his native land is a much deserved
recreation after years of the faithful discharge
of the duties connected with the many posi-
tions of trust which he has held.
Mr.. Reese has been called as arbitrator in
many cases throughout the coal region, nota.
bly, in the cases of the Bear Ridge accident,