The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-03-31
wYLY BENTON MILLIKIN.

I'VE publish again this week the article
on the death of Benton Millikin by request
OF bis parents, who wished to get = large
number of the papers and who did not
speak for them in time last week.
On Friday night Of last week, II 9
o'clock, Benton Millikin passed away
at home, after q short but terrible ILL.,
ness. The disease with which he died
was cerebral meningitis. he went
home ON Monday Of last week, com.
planning Of feeling badly, and after
reaching home had hard chill. From
the beginning he was a very sick boy
aud a. early as the third day Of his
illness bis case was pronounced hope
less by the physicians Every effort
possible was made to restore him TO
consciousness, but il was Of no avail,
and he died In an unconscious state,
surrounded by bis father aud mother
aud little sisters.
The shock 10 the community cannot
be described. Men, women and chill
dren, all alike, shed tears upon the sad
tidings of his death. One Of the
nobles,, purest, gentlesi aud best of
our Young lads has been called away
With life before him, strong, energetic
aud ambitious, he was suatched away
in an hour when death was least ex-
pected. He was a magnificent charac-
ter. To his Ii,tlc sisters he was kind
aud gentle. lie was both a father and
a brother TO them, and provided for
their wants in the absence Of Mr. Mil
likin just as he would have done. He
possessed many virtues, bu, above
them all rose that strong. yet tender
love for bis mother which was the
chief characteristic Of bis life. lie vas
her staff upon which she leaned, her
comfort, her pride, her Joy. To the
father he was the rising hope Of his
advancing years. Mr. Millikin vas
justly proud Of bis son, aud looked
upon him as the one who would in
time take bis place Ia the business
world.
When the young. the noble and the
good arc taken away, We are al loss
10 understand why it IL; yet we can do
nothing but bow 10 that mysterious
power in ,hs hollow Of whose hand is
the destiny of men. Benton had no
superior among the young lads in
Providence, and few equals. He was
justly beloved by them all. and The old
a. well ~ the young were sndeared TO
him, not only for bis own sake, but for
that uncsasing solicisuds which he
slways manifested for his christian
mother.
His remains were taken TO the
Methodist Church. where services were
held by the Rev. II. o. White, in the
midst Of packed congregation. The
choir could hardly sing for weeping,
aud there was scarcely q dry ey in the
church. From the church the remains
were escorted TO the Ceme,ery by the
Providence Fire Company. The pub
lie school marched out In Q body also.
The pail bearers were Nimmo White,
Vail Pittmsn, Fred Egslly, John Mont
gomery. Conery Purdy, Willie Moore,
Dee Mckee, Charley Hall. Dan O'Sul-
Ivan, Eddie Hamley, Tommis Powell
aud Robert Ksnnedy-his companions
and associates.
The coffin was lowered ia the cemen-
led grave, covered with floral ON
blems woven BY loving handle.
Among them was q beautiful design
Of yellow and purple hyaeinths, tied
with strssmers of yellow aud purple
ribbon, the coiors Of the Sigma Alpha
Epsilon Fraternity, Of which Benton
IVES . member.
The impressive ceremony OF the
MeihodIst Church was read over his
remains, the bensdiction pronounced,
aud those who loved him in life babe
farew we'll to him in death. A hard rain
was falling while the ceremony took
place. but the spirit of the young lad
has gone 10 where no clouds ever gath
er, where the eternal sunshine Of .
Heavenly Faiher's glory never fades
away into the shadows of night. May
the peace Of God which pnsseih ell nm
ders,auding settle upon the broken
hearts Of The bersaved parents and
sanciify this calamity unto them in
the hour Of woe
The universal love which all who
knew Benton Millikiu bore unto him
10 the highest commendation If bis
life, and this alone will be
unto his parents, in the years TO come,