The Blue Rapids Times – Dec 6, 1888
The sad news of the accidental killing of Wm. T Reed of north Blue Rapids and Jesse Kirkbride, of this city rapidly spread over town on Friday morning last.  The men were both employed in Fowler Bros. Gypsum quarries, and while at work a large quaintly of slate rock fell upon them, crushing them to death.  Mr. Reed had been a resident of this place for a number of years, had a grown family, and on the morning of his death, a daughter who had not seen him for some nine years reached town — only to find her father dead.  A coroners report said that Wm. T Reed and Jesse Kirkbride met their death on November 30, 1888 as the result of a rock slide that was caused by negligence on the part of the owners of the quarry.  No criminal negligence was believed, only the failure to change some of the things that both Reed and Kirkbride had requested because they feared something of this nature might occur.  William Thomas Reed was the father of Camay Adaline Reed Vail.  Charles Theodore “Cord” Vail died November 30, 1888 of pneumonia.  He was the husband of Camay Adaline Reed Vail and father of Fred Corden Vail.  So Camay Adaline lost her husband and her father both on the same day.

On Aug 22, 1862, William enrolled as a Unknown in Co. G, 81st Regiment, Indiana Volunteers at Derby, Indiana for military service of the United States in the Civil War.  He was mustered out at Camp Harker, Tennessee June 13, 1865, having served almost three years.  Sometime after 1875, Sara and William with their family left Indiana and moved to Kansas, settling in Marshall County.  On Nov 30, 1888, William was accidentally killed in a gypsum quarry, where he worked as a minor.

Son of Wm T Reed killed

Old Miner Had His Leg Crushed Under 9,000 Pounds of Gyp Rock Yesterday.

A distressing accident occurred at American mine number one shortly before seven o’clock yester morning, which caused the death of Frank Reed about three hours later.  A piece of gyp rock that weighed not less then three thousand pounds caught one of Mr. Reed’s legs, crushing it in a frightful manner, and in an effort to remove the dying man from beneath the immense weight, Wm. Taylor, member miner, amputated the leg with his pocket knife, after many attempts had been made to move the rock.  While the miners were fighting desperately to get Reed out, another large piece of rock stood in a balance, and the workmen know that it was liable to fall any moment and crush them to death.  But they were courageous fellows and they worked on, with death looking them in the face. Finally, realizing that efforts to remove the rock from the dying man’s leg were futile, it was quickly agreed by all that the only chance of saving Reed’s life would be the amputation of the leg with a pocket knife, and Wm. Taylor severed the limb between the ankle and knee.  The leg was almost cut off by the rock and Taylor soon had his gruesome task performed.  Reed was carried out of his death room and taken to the office of American Cement Company, where first aid was given.  Nothing was left undone by the miners to save Frank Reed’s life.  The leg was bandaged and the bandage was twisted with a stick so tight that little blood was lost after the leg was amputated.  Doctors R. S. Fillmore and C. R. McFarland had the injured man removed to his home west of the race track.  Arrangements were made to operate, but the doctors agreed that i would be useless as death was near.  The other leg was found to be broken and there were bad cuts on the head and face.  A few minutes before Reed called for help, other miners heard him announce in the usual manner that he was firing a shot of dynamite.  It is presumed that after he fired the shot to break up the big piece of gyp he was inspecting it when it fell. While Reed was pinned underneath the rock he conversed with the miners in his usual manner, only that he was suffering intense pain.  “I stayed a few days too long, boys” he said, “let this be your last day in the mines.”  Reed had planned to quit next week and was arranging to do truck gardening next summer.  He leaves a wife and several children.  Frank Reed was a reliable and industrious man and had many friends, who were deeply shocked over his death.  He was a member of the Later Day Saints church and his life insured for $1,000 with the Knights and Ladies of Security.  In addition to this, the widow will receive $3,500 under the employer’s liability law.  Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock in the Latter Day Saints church, Rev. Twombley officiating.