The leader., 1900-03-21
FRANK y. IARKIN.


Lincoln county entered upon that
long, dreamless sleep called death.
For several years he had been subject
to periodic attacks of paralysis, and
the last, with advancing age, too great
ly strained the vital cord and it snap
ped
The funeral took place from the
family residence Friday morning at 10
o'clock and was attended by large
concourse of loving friends and grief
stricken relatives. Revs. 7. w. Adams
and h. j. Boone paid true and touching
tributes to the life and character of
the lamented dead, and then all that
was mortal of this CHEEKY, gladstone,
sunny faced old man (who never seem
ed old was laid to rest in Rose Hill
Cemetery to await the resurrection
trump.
In common with every one who
knew him, this writer would fain stop
amid the busy activities of life, to lay
a flower upon the little mound which
covers his pulseless clay and pay low
ing tribute to his cherished memory.
Frank J. Larkin was born in Monti-
cello, Lawrence county, Miss, in 1922,
and had he lived until next August,
would have been 7S years old. In 1874
he was married to Miss Mary Keegan,
with whom he lived most happily 56
years, and who survives him. Eight
children were born to them, ) of whom
are still living. During the forties,
Mr.. Larkin lived in Jackson, Miss, for
a few years, then returned to Monti-
cello, and in 1858 moved to Brook
haven, where he continued to reside
until the time of his death. For sew
eral years after he moved to Brook
haven he engaged in merchandising,
being engaged in that business before
the war with his brother-in law, the late
Jesse Warren, and afterward with Judge
w. p. Baggett. Many of the older cit
izens of Brookhaven and Lincoln coun-
ty still remember the firm of Larkin d
Baggett In all his business dealings
indeed in all the varied relations of
life, he was honest, upright and just,
and nothing disreputable could be laid
to his charge.
But no biographical sketch of Mr..
Larkin, however brief or extended,
would be half complete that did not
refer to his unique individuality. Like
Sam Jones, he was sal generis, and
when the sorrowful watchers at his
bed side ON last Wednesday night
He is dead it could be
truly said no one who knew him will
ever look upon his like again. His
ready wit and unfailing humor were
like some sparkling, laughing brook
which flowed on forever, and his joyous,
cheerful spirits were contagious where
ever he went. He reminded one of
Dickens immortal character, Mr..
without Mr.. Micawber's os-
tentation and shiftlessGess. He could
see ludicrous side to nearly every
thing, and usually preferred to see
that only, He never appeared to have
the blues" even under the most try
ing circumstances, and short while
in his presence would cure the most
obstinate case in any one else. He
could extract more fun out of his own
troubles than most men can out of
their happiest experiences. 1t must
not be supposed, however, that he was
lacking in the sterner or more serious
Underneath the exterior of
levity and genial humor which charac
teriZed him there was a nature full of
moral earnestness, lofty purpose, love
of principle, and religious devotion,
and a warm current of human sympa-
thy as broad and deep and strong as
the Great Father of Waters.
He was passionately devoted to wife
and children, and no man was ever
truer to his friends. He never betray-
ed a friend nor forgot kindness His
truly noble nature was incapable of a
little or unworthy act, and he was al
ways considerate and charitable in his
judgments of others. In his younger
and more prosperous days his hospital
ity was unbounded and he kept "open
house." When the writer of these
lines first came to Brookhaven, young
man and stranger, his was one of the
first homes to welcome him, and many
were the happy, joyous hours afterward
spent under that hospitable roof.
The greatest shadow which ever fell
upon his life was the loss, few years
ago, of his youngest son Frank, just
then entering upon the threshold of a
promising young manhood. Only
those close to him knew what a blow
this was to his great, tender heart, and
how at times he staggered under it
even to the end.
For 16 years past, Mr.. Larkin's famil-
lar face has been seen at every Circuit
Court of Lincoln county. Commen-
cling with the first administration of
Sheriff X. w. McNair, every
sheriff since has regularly ap-
pointed him bailiff of the grand jury.
1t is place of great responsibility,
and it was always compliment to our
sheriffs as well as to him, that man of
his proven integrity and fidelity was
chosen for this important Office. Come
heat or cold, storm or sunshine, he
was always at his post-many times
when he was scarcely physically able
to discharge its duties, but only those
knew this whom he took into his con-
fidence. Whatever might be said of
others no secrets ever 'leaked" out of
the grand jury room through Bailiff
Larkin. He knew nearly every man in