The Mena weekly star., 1911-08-03
EMINENT MINISTER
 DIES SUDDENLY
THE REV. ]. S. EDMONDS MADE HIS FINAL SURRENDER EARLY
 WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Had Been in Failing Health for a Long Time and Was Expect ing the CalI-Will Re
 Buried Here.

The Rev. J. $. Edmonds, who,
 during the first four months of this
 year acted as pastor of the Baptist church of this city, passed away at 2:30 "Wednesday morning in his room at Hotel Mena. He was about
 5i years of age, and had been in bad
 health for q long time. The fun
 eral arrangements have not been
 made, but was the known desire
 of deceased that he be buried here,
 and his wishes doubtless will be needed. His son, Robert E. Ed
 monds, and daughter. Katie, of
 Boulder, Col, and another daughter,
 Mrs. J. R. Richards, of Memphis, Tenn, have been notified.
 The Rev. Mir. Edmonds came to
 Mena early in January this year, assuming charge of the Baptist church.
 After serving the local church for
 four months, Mr. Edmonds found |the work beyond his strength and
 resigned, going at once to Boulder,
 Col, to rest and see his son and
 laughter, who are living there with
 their grandparents. From there he returned to Memphis, where he had
 a severe attack, suffering with kid
 neys and heart, an intense nervous condition, and came very nearly dy-
 ing. As soon as possible to travel,
 he returned to Mena, arriving on June 2S, took rooms at Hotel Mena,
 and has rested very quietly since,
 with the exception of a few days
 just after arrival, being able to go about and be regular at his meals.
 Tuesday he was about as usual,
 eating his meals, and after supper
 reading the evening paper before |going to his room. Before bedtime ne came back downstairs for a pitcher of water.
 Between i2 and i o'clock this morning Mrs. Maggie Sublett, sis |ter of Mrs. w. w. Harrison, the proprietor of tho hotel, was awak- ened by terrible scream. One aw- ful scream followed another, and Is. A. Arnold and others were quick Iy awakened Mrs. Sublett was the first to recognize that the sounds came from Mr. Edmonds' room, and that he was in terrible suffering. Hurrying to his door, they found 1t bolted, and were unable to open it. Taking a chair MT. Arnold look
 ed through the transom and saw the suffering man standing in the mid- dle of the room, screaming and ap- parently working at his chest with both hands. He fell across the bed,
 rose again and pitched headlong against the closed door.
 By the use of broom handle Mir.
 Arnold finally succeeded in pushing back the bolt of the door. Dr. P. R. Watkins, who had been sent for ar rived and at once said the seal of Death was upon the man. He breathed his last at 2:30 o'clock. That death was not unexpected was plainly shown by an unfinished letter to MT. Edmonds son and daughter in Boulder, Col, which was found in his room. It is as follows:
 Mena, Ark, July 27, 1911. Robert s. Edmonds,
 2i07 18th. St., Boulder, Colo. Dear Robert and Katie: l have delayed writing you hoping I might be able to tell you that I lam able to take up my work again. ! Bnl ! still have nervous trembling spells, and they seem to get worse each time. I have had a peculiar sensation around my heart for two days that reminds me that possibly | I may die at any time.
 Should such be the case. friends | will bury me here and MT. w. l.. Holt will write you. If it is the will of God for me Co go before we meet again, do not forget what have al- ways hoped for you.
 want you--
 The letter ended with the request ltfnfnada