The Laclede blade. (Laclede, Mo.) 1890-1945, 1906-02-24
BEN EDWARDS PASSES AWAY.
The End Came Peacefully at His Home In
unneus Wednesday Morning.

five years against an incurable NAL.
acknowledgement of the spleen
Benjamin B. Edwards surrendered
his life and, surrounded by loving
family and friends, passed peacefully
away at his home in Linneus last
Wednesday morning, February 81,
1906. During his years of suffering
everything known to medical science
and devoted wife and loving friends
was done, but not even check could
be placed on the ravages of the dis
ease.
He was conscious to the end and
made all funeral arrangements, Civ
ing instructions and making requests,
to even the smallest details. His
kindly nature and appreciation of
friendship was shown when a few
hours before he died he had them call
Laclede over the telephone and sent
a farewell message to his many
friends. Ben was jovial, good natured
and natural mixer among men, and
was loved and respected by all who
knew him.
Deceased was member of Garfield
lodge Knights of Pythias of Brook
field and had a $1,000 policy i'll the
endowment rank Of that order, and
was also a member of Laclede camp
Modern Woodmen of America, in
which he carried $4,000 policy.
AS mark of respect the public
school adjourned and the business
houses closed yesterday during the
which was one of the largest
ever held in Laclede, there being
present sorrowing friends from all
Darts of the county. The floral offer
ngs were large and most beautiful, ,~
represen ting the kipfolk, the two lod-
ges to which he belonged, the La
clede fishing club, the county officers
and many individuals.
Benjamin B. Edwards was born in
Laclede April 10, 1869, and with the
of a few years, this place
las always been his home. His bust
less life began early. At the age of
8 he was appointed assistant post
naster under W. r. Barton. His
trict attention to duty and rare busi-
ess qualifications won for him the
'osition of assistant postmaster at
Jarrollton, where he was universally
popular and made for himself many
riends. Later he was appointed to a
lace in the registry department of
he Kansas City postoffice, which he
eld for time, resigning to engage
1 business in Laclede, in which he
ontinued till 1902, when he made the
ace on the democratic ticket and was
lected county clerk, serving in that
flee at the time of his death. AL
nough hampered by ill health, he
as a good official and left a model
ecord for fidelity to trust and duty
ell performed.
On May %, 1894, he was united
| marriage to Miss Daisy Presson, of
aclede. To them three children
ere born-Edmund, Jeane and
,eal. The wife and two children
lrvive him, Keal having died in in
.ncy. Besides these, he leaves two
rothers and a sister-D. 7. Edwards,
Marceline; III. G. Edwards, of
rosser, Neb., and Mrs. E. B. Nc
uillen, of Burlington, all of whom
ere at his bedside when the dissolu-
On came.
The remains were brought to La
ede Thursday afternoon and accord
g to his request were taken to the
'me of Mr.. and Mrs. c. c. Bigger.
he funeral services were held at the
E. church Friday morning under
e auspices of Garfield lodge Knights
Pythias of Brookfeld, assisted by
lclede camp Modern Woodmen Of