The Wichita daily eagle., 1895-11-02

Homecoming of the Young Husband
when the Terrible Nessageis is Received
She is Frustrated with Grief.
Ed Petrie. the clothing man, had a
hard task 10 perform yesterday. and
one which he hopes VIII never fall 10 his
lot again.
The following telegram viii explain
the sad duty which ne had 10 perform
the receipt Of which prostrated q low
ing wife with grief and ore young
child is left fatherless. The dispatch
reads:
Grand Junction. Col, Oct. Twill
lam Reed was killed here this morning
by q train. Please notify his wife. The
inquest is being held now. Do you
want the body embalmed and shipped
10 Wichita.
J. P. SWEENEY. Coroner.
William Reed the man killed was
son-in-law OF Daniel Jones, hte well
known farmer Of Delano township. He
had left home for the purpose Of dis
posing OF a carload OF sweet potatoes
which he had raised the past year. He
extended his trip not only 70 Colorado
but TO Salt Lake City, and had been
successful in disposing Of a large num-
Der Of potatoes and was on his way
home when the fatal accident occurred.
During his absence mis- wife was stay
ing with her father, Mr.. Jones, whose
farm adjoins that Of his son-in-law.
How anxious the wife looked for the
return Of her husband. and yesterday
morning visited her home for the pur-
pose Of making things ready for the
Homecoming Of the young husband
''Win is coming home tomorrow" was
the very thought Of her soul, and she
counted the hours until she would again
welcome her husband back There was
not e thought of an accident and she
busted herself about her duties getting
the baby ready 10 go 10 the depot 10
meet papa
When Mr.. Petrie arrived az the house
and saw the preparations Of the young
wife for the homecoming Of her hus-
band his heart failed him. He could
not tell her the sad, heart-brealdng
news thai the one she loved so dearly
was at that moment cold in death. He
put off the task as long as possible.
On how gay she was, little dreaming
that her friend carried in his pocket
message that would stab her very heart
No wonder the mans courage failed
him. She talked Of nothing else but
that VIII was coming back and would
be at the house tomorrow She showed
her friend the letter received from him
saying he would start for home Thurs
day. Yes, every hour was bringing her
husband nearer and nearer 10 the wife
who loved him dearly.
ED, you Will go 10 the depot with
ne to meet VIII tomorrow, won't you7'
Ed made the promise but still could
not break the news. Just at this mo-
ment he CHANGED 10 look out OF the
window and saw Mr.. Jones, the father,
coming. He lost no time in making :he
man acquainted with the sad message.
The fathers heart yearned for the
daughter. How could he break the
sad news? 1T Will almost kill her"
said the father, but she must be gold.
The two men were met al the fcor
by the young wife who for the first
time was startled by the sad look UFon
their faces ''Oh, what is it?" Ed
have you come 20 bring me bad news
concerning VIII? Oh. tell me-
With tears in their eyes and with
hearts beating in sympathy for the
poor woman, they laid the message in
her hands There was a blank look.
The eyes were dry. Tears did not come
TO her relief. She started toward her
babe and fell.
II was the saddest blow OF all. and
the two men bathed her head, and II
seemed for a time as though she would
die also. On what sadness was convey
ed by the little message. The few
words had perished all the hope and
joy Of the household.
Soon friends were at the bedside Of
the poor woman, and last night when
a messenger came 70 the Eagle Office
she was lying in a precarious condi-
ton.
The body will arrive in wichita this
evening. All speak in the highest
terms OF the young man and his death
viii be mourned by many who read the
Eagle today.
At one o'clock the following message
was received az the Eagle Office which
gives additional news concerning the
unfortunate man:
Denver, Nov. IA special TO the
Republican from Grand Junction. Col, [
says; Early this morning a man was
found dead on the Midland track IN this
city. Papers on his person show that /
he was William Reed Of Wichita. Kan, |
and that he had just received $500 from
the Hanpson Produce company OF Salt |
Lake. but il was not on his person.
Appearances indicate that he was kill
ed by a train.