Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-05
In MemOriam
BY J. n. Tedford Of the Mount Ayr
Record-NeWS
A TRIBUTE TO CITIZEN WILLIAM
M. REECE.

Record-News.
Editor Ottumwa Courier: | am in
the eighty-ffth year of my age and
have passed through many death sur
prises and yet have not gotten used
to them. A death summons always
surprises us no matter where, when,
how the death messenger comes. We
pause a moment and gaze at the dark
shadows, reflect little and then calm
ly or stolidly submit to the inevitable.
The highest, the purest and best moral
philosophy In the world is the biblical
kind, that meets all permiss1ve provi-
dences saving: Even so, 0 Father
for so it seems good in thy sight
The man of Uz, profound moral phil
osopher says: ''Why dost thou strive
against him. For he giveth no &C
count of any Of his matters"
On Monday morning, July "a, 1916,
I received a telegram from Harlan
Reece of Ottumwa, saying: "W. M.
Reece was drowned yesterday" Later
clippings from The Courier, confirmed
the sad news and told the incidents OF
the death tragedy. "The tragical In
nature" is hard to understand and
probably is never understood. Only
when we are caught up" do we get
fitting glimpses Of the truth, the real
truth. It is only those who gaze stead
fly at the light, that by and by see the
light and enjoy It.
But much more surprising Is sudden
death, passing in few moments from
vigorous life to the stiffness of death.
Reason and philosophy stand dumb at
the bar Of Providence. There can
scarcely be said to be room for choice
between a sudden and possibly pain
full death and a slow, miserable decay.
It is true that the prayer book has
among it's petitions this one: From
sudden death, good Lord deliver u.s."
But let it not be forgotten that that
was put in to keep in repair the idea
that time in which to secure the min
istrations of priest Is desirable. Bet
ter is the wisdom of the parable Of the
Great Teacher: BE We therefore ready
also; for the Son of Man cometh at an
hour when we think not
Mr.. Reece was faithful friend and
companion. We first met on our way
to Washington, in dining car. He
was going to the national capital, to
serve as the clerk of the committee OF
public lands, called to place by John
F. Lacey, the chairman of that COM
mittee. I was going to serve as the
clerk of the committee of interstate
and foreign commerce, called by W..
P. Hepburn, the chairman of that COM
mittee. 1t was in 1895. Mr.. Reece in
troduced himself to me and we at once
became firm friends, a friendship that
grew in fervor and brightness to the
end. At our last parting at Ottumwa
assured him that had never met a
better friend. Being myself lame and
aged and often needing assistance, he
proposed to look after me and did so
faithfully. He made all arrangements
for my safety and comfort. l found his
friendship invaluable. He was con.
slant in season and out of season. l
went out into the world a lone boy,
went through Hanover college, a theo-
logical seminary, the business world,
and other kinds of life, and can truly
say that outside of few intimate re,
lations I have not found better. and
more faithful friend than w. M. Reece
of Ottumwa He proved to be the very
man spoken of in Proverbs 1924,
"And there is friend that sticketh
closer than a brother" No greater
compliment can be conferred on any
one than to say that, "he had obtained
grace from the Lord to be faithful
It is given to most men to have but
one or two close friends in life, to
whom they can trust everything and
to whom they may speak all the in,
! timacies Of life, Such a friend when
found is great blessing and should
| be esteemed as above all price.
could lean on Mr.. Reece with perfect
assurance that the staff would not
|, pierce my hand. He never deceived
me or disappointed me. He was noted
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