REED, Clifford A. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Clifford A. REED, who was born in Veedersburg where he grew to young manhood later moving to Danville Ill was found in a pool of blood in a hotel at Newcastle, Ind Thursday with a revolver clutched in his hand he having committed suicide several hours previous. The body of Clifford Reed formerly a cigar manufacturer and labor organizer of Danville Ill was found in a pool of clotted and frozen blood in a room at Newcastle, Ind hotel early Thursday morning. A bullet hole through the head and a revolver grasped in the right hand of the dead man told in what manner he had come to his death. The deceased recently started a cigar factory in Newcastle and occupied a room in a hotel adjoining which led in the discovery of its lifeless body was started after he had failed to appear at the hotel for his meals. The body was found by a policeman shortly after 3 yesterday morning. (this doesn't make a lot of sense but typed as was). The shot which caused Reed's death is believed to have been fired early Wed. morning. During a conversation between the policeman who found the body and the night counter man employed in the cafe underneath the room occupied by Reed the waiter remarked that he had heart shot fired Wednesday morning and that the sound seemed to have come from Reed's quarters. He also recalled that Reed had not appeared for his meals during Wed. The officer then went to the room and peering over the transom, saw the unfortunate man's body in the bed. The door was broken down by the policeman who notified the coroner as soon as he discovered that Reed was dead. In the right hand was a revolver with one shell empty. The deceased left no note or other message in his room giving a reason for his rash act. When last seen Tuesday night he was apparently in his usual good health and spirits and to his intimate friends and acquaintances had made no mention of ill health, financial or domestic troubles. When Mrs. Reed who is a department manager at the Emery Store in Danville, Ill received the message announcing the tragic death of her husband, she collapsed and for some time was in a serious condition. She recovered later, however and as soon as was able to travel, departed for Newcastle. Clifford A. Reed was a resident of Danville for 15 years. He was employed as cigarmaker in various cigar factories of this city for several years and about 2 years ago started a factory of his own. He later opened a factory in Attica, Ind but returned to Danville. Later he opened a shop at Batesville but soon moved it to Newcastle, where he is said to have been very successful. He was in Danville recently and called on a number of his customers to whom he stated that his Newcastle factory was doing a splendid business. Mr. Reed was born in Veedersburg 41 years ago and resided in that town until he became a resident of Danville, Ill. about 15 years ago. He is survived by his wife and one daughter, who resides at the family home, 35 Pine Street. The deceased was a member of Damascus Lodge Knights of Pythias and Danville Aerie, FOE.