Charles W. Reed

Obituary Lowell Sun 13 May 1910

Chas. Reed of Westford

Killed Last Night

Charles Reed, aged 65, a well known Westford farmer, was the victim of a fatal accident while driving home about 9 o’clock last evening. He was thrown from his wagon into an excavation, his horse falling in on top of him. He lived but a few minutes after the accident and was dead when taken out of the excavation. For the past week workmen have been settling a catch basin in the street directly in front of John C. Abbott’s residence. While passing this point last evening the horse which Mr. Reed was driving shied suddenly to one side, throwing the driver from his seat into the excavation. In its effort to get away the animal attempted to jump the hole and fell in on the unfortunate man, crushing him severely and causing internal injuries which resulted in his death a few moments later. The horse struggled and finally released itself from the wagon and reached the surface again. The commotion attracted the attention of several people and they removed the body of Mr. Reed to a nearby house and a physician was called. Undertaker D. L. Greig took charge of the body. It was said that several lanterns were placed about the excavation so that to drive into the hole unknowingly would be quite impossible. Deceased was a veteran of the Civil War and had no living relatives, so far as is known.

Funeral -Lowell Sun 17 May 1910

Reed- The funeral services of Charles W. Reed, who was thrown from his carriage last week and instantly killed, were held from his home in Westford at 2 o’clock Sunday. There was a large attendance of relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Rev David W. Wallace of the Union Congregational church was the officiating clergyman. The bearers were George A. Reed, William E. Reed, Murray Lynds, Harry Weston, George Voter, and Sumner Lyncoln. Undertaker David L. Greig was in charge. Burial was at Littleton.

Deceased was a member of the old Sixth Massachusetts regiment, Company E, and afterward reenlisted and served during the remainder of the war in the 35th Massachusetts regiment. He is survived by a widow, one brother Hon. George A. Reed, of Framingham, Mass and four sisters, Mrs. L.A. Rhoads of Ayer, Mrs. N. R. Gerald of Cochituate, Mrs. W.H. Swallow of Campden, NJ and Miss Mary Reed of Cochituate.

Among the floral offerings were: spray, feverfew and pinks, from wife; spray lillies and sweet peas, from Mrs. Lucy Rhoads; crescent of roses and pinks, Mr. and Mrs. George Reed; bouquet of white roses, Mrs. Gerald and Miss Mary Reed; spray narcissus, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Lynds; spray pinks and roses, Dr. and Mrs. W. Reed; spray of palms and pinks, Dr. and Mrs. H. Weston; spray pinks, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis and son; spray of pinks, Mr. and Mrs. Kahlo and Mr. and Mrs. Krouse; wreath, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Jeune; bouquet of pinks, Mrs. Weston and Mrs. Mothrup; spray of pinks Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Wright; wreath, Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson.

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Charles W Reed