Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-11-04
j. S. POLK DEAD
Head of Street Car and lnterurban
Systems at Des Moines Passes
Away--Was Prominent and Wealthy
Citixen

Citizen.
Des Moines, Nov. Al. S. Polk, organ
izer and president of the Des MONIES
CITY Railway Co, for ifty-two years
a leading citizen Of Des Molncs. ana
one of Iowas wealthiest men. died at
his residence, 1000 West Grand ave-
nue Sunday morning at 1885 O'Clock.
At his bedside during the final hours
were gathered all the members OF the
immediate family. The end came
peacefully after a sl,tmber of several
hours. At IL o'clock Saturday night
the wife and children were called 10
him, and after bidding them good-b by
he passed into q calm slumber from
which he never awakened.
While his death was not unexpected,
owing to the critical phase when ms
last illness early assumed, the an
nouncement came as a surprise ana
sad shock to Des Moines people. The
passing of the man who had taken
such an important part for so long
term of years in framing the future
OF the city produced a general wave OF
sorrow that has seldom, II ever, been
felt in Des Moines. Old business men
find 1t difficult to express the grief
caused by the breaking of the assoc
Citations Of years during which they
had been enabled to appreciate the re-
markable qualities that Jefferson S.
Polk possessed. Everywhere were
words or tokens OF sympathy for the
bereavcd family.
| AS n citizen. Mr.. Polk always iden-
titled himself with every effort to adj
vance the interests of the city, espec-
| tally that of temperance and sobriety.
While he builded for himself, he build
| ed for the home of his adoption, which
was his most cherished place, and
constant source Of endeavor. His
street railway system will be an on
! during testimonial Of his ability per-
severance, optimism, and puplic spirit.
| He was a man Of few words; plain If
| speech: called things by their right
name: measured other men by their
acts rather than by their profession;
had the courage Of his conviction 81;
was OF positive temperament; method
ical and scrupulously exact In business
transactions; intolerant Of shams; en-
nobled honest labor: possessed a warm
and generous heart for whatever was
worthy of his impulses.
Partial arrangements have been
made for the funeral. which will be
held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock
from the residence. The Rev. J. A.
Writ of ST. Johns Lutheran church,
will have charge OF the services.
Tuesday afternoon while Mr.. Polk
is being conveyed to his last resting
place, service on the Des Moines City
railway, the Interurban railway and
Des Moines, Fort Dodge & Southern,
will be halted for fifteen minutes. The
power will be shut off at the central
power plant to give all who have been
associated with Mr.. Folks enterprise
an opportunity to pay tribute to the
memory of their departed leader.
The indirect causes Of Mr.. Folks
death were injuries sustained by a fall
near his home two years ago. While
passing wagon he stepped on rope
that was dragging behind. His feet
were jerl1ed out from under him and
he was thrown violently to the pave
ment. At the time he suffered for
some time Since then he has never
enjoyed the excellent health that he
had known all his life. His extra
ordinary physical strength bore up
we'll. however
His last Illness was Of about two
weeks duration.