A SAD FATALITY.
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TRAGIC DEATH OF A PIONEER.
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Mysterious Disappearance of C. P. Reynolds.
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The Sea Finally Gives Up Its Dead.
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This community has not been more shocked over any event that has occurred here in many years than it was last week when it became known that Charles P. Reynolds had met a tragic death under the most deplorable circumstances.
The dead man had been making preparations for some time past to go to the state of Ohio to work territory in the interest of one of the leading nursery concerns of Rochester, N. Y. A life-long study of fruits and horticulture and a deep interest in everything pertaining to the subject led him to look forward to this business venture with a degree of pleasure which was heightened by the hope that removal for a brief period from the vicinity of the lake would relived the distress he experienced by reason of a severe case of nasal catarrh from which he was a great sufferer. His preparations were about completed and he had announced to his friends that he would take the Atlantic last Wednesday for Ohio. He had collected considerable money with which to defray his expenses, and was apparently in the best of spirits for several weeks prior to his death. Tuesday last he was drinking more or less all day and at nightfall he was considerably intoxicated much to the surprise of his friends who say that while he made no pretence to total abstinence yet he seldom, if ever, became intoxicated. He was seen by different persons about 11 o'clock that night; once he was seen on Main-st., apparently on his way home, but when near the residence of county clerk Rutson he seemed undecided which way to go finally turning around and retracing his steps down town. The last time that he was seen alive doubtless was about the hour named when he was seen sitting on the steps of Cowley & Lott's store. A day or two passed and nothing more was seen of him. His disappearance did not cause any great alarm until Friday when his continued absence from the village began to excite the worst fears of those who knew him best. Saturday morning a telephone message was received from Greenbush that the body of a man had been found on the beach a short distance below the dock. A young lad named Danny McCrae had discovered it while patrolling the beach for lumber which usually washes ashore after such a gale as that of last Thursday and Friday. He ran immediately to the mill and notified some men working there of his discovery. They were unable at first to establish the identity of the unfortunate man but when they were informed that Reynolds had disappeared they knew by the clothing that it was he. Justice Beede was notified and he repaired at once to the scene of the ghastly discovery. A jury was impaneled which after hearing what meager testimony there was as to the last seen of him returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death by accidental drowning. The dead man must have fallen into the lake at a point about half way down Cowley and Lott's dock as a hat was found there the next day which was afterwards identified as having belonged to him.
The terrible northeaster that raged all day Thursday and Friday created a terrific undertow down the shore which accounts for the finding of his body so far away from the point at which he went into the water. A deep gash extending from the forehead around over the left ear led to suspicions of foul play but this idea is not generally entertained. A post mortem examination by Dr. Mitchell shows that the gash must have been made before he went into the water, and it is supposed that he must have fallen against one of the heavy timbers of which the dock is built. His watch and chain were gone and but a few cents were found in his pockets.
The remains were brought to the deceased's late home in Harrisville Saturday night and interred Sunday afternoon in the family lot in West Harrisville cemetery. The funeral services were conducted under the auspices of Harrisville Lodge No. 218, I. O. O. F., the Rev. L. Hazard officiating. Although so short a time had elapsed since the news of the deceased's tragic death had become known an immense concourse of citizens gathered about the residence to show by their presence their respect for and sympathy with the bereaved family.
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Charles P. Reynolds was born at Penn Yann, Yates county, N. Y., in 1828, and was, therefore, at the time of his death in his sixty-first year. In 1866 he came to Alcona county and entered the employ of Harris Bros. until the sale of their property to Weston, Colwell & Co. by whom he was employed until 1869. In 1867 he was elected town clerk and justice of the peace the latter of which offices he still held at the time of his death. In 1868 he is credited with the organization of a joint stock company which built the first public dock in Harrisville that being the first work done on Cowley & Lott's dock. In 1873 he assisted at the organization of the Alcona County Agricultural Society, in which he at different times held the offices of secretary, director and president; he was indefatigable in his devotion to the interests represented by that society. He held a membership in the State Pomological Society. He was a member of the state board of corrections and charities for Alcona county having received the appointment from the governor in 1880. In 1870 he was elected register of deeds and was re-elected in 1879 when he transcribed the county records. Last fall he was admitted to the bar and received a nomination for prosecuting attorney but was defeated. The deceased was public spirited to a fault and to his disinterested efforts is due many of the substantial benefits enjoyed by this community. He wrote the history of Alcona county which was published by order of the board of supervisors in pamphlet form. He is entitled to credit for planting most of the shade trees in this village including those in and around the court yard. He early introduced improved machinery among our farmers and took a deep interest in the welfare of agricultural interest. The good that he did will live after him. He leaves a wife and three children, two sons and a daughter.