The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-03-28
{. N. CLARK DROPS DEAD
IN |. {. ROB|NSON'S OFFICE
Prominent Planter and Canal Owner
Dies Without a Moments Warn
ing. Entire Community
Shocked.

This entire community was shocked
and Saddened last Friday, by the sudden
death of Mr.. Edwin M. Clark, one of the
pioneer planters and canal men of the
southwestern part of the state. Mr..
CLARK, who was in apparently good
health walked from his home about a
mile and quarter out of town to the
post office Friday morning, and getting
his mail went across to the office of Mr..
L. E. Robinson, where he sat down to
read his mail, when, almost before he
mad concluded the mornings greetings,
ne threw up his hands and died without
a moments warning.
The news of his death was immndi.
ately taken to his family, who could
hardly believe the sad report.
In order to permit, if possible the ar.
rival Of relatives from Missouri and
other distant states the funeral ser.
vices were delayed until Sunday after.
noon, when short service was held at
the late home of the deceased, by the
members of the Lake Charles Benevo.
lent Order of ElkS, of which lodge he
was member, assisted by Rev. Thos.
E. Webb, OF the Methodist Church of
this city, Following this service the
body was conveyed to the Methodist
Church. where Rev. Webb preached a
sympathetic and touching funeral
sermon, assisted in the services by Rev.
E. M. Stewaet, of the Presbyterian
Church. Beautiful banks and Wreaths
of flowers, contributed by friends and
members of the Elks almost hid the
casket from view.
Following the service at the church,
the ElkS resumed charge of the body,
prominent members of that order act
ing as pail bearers, and conveyed the
same to the cemetery, where accom-.
panying the solemn ritualistic services
Of the Order, they lowered it to its last
resting place.
Edwin M. Clark was born in the state
of Iowa, June %, 1865. He grew to
manhood in the state of his birth, and
in the year 1885, at the age of twenty
he cast his lot with the pioneers, who
were beginning to come to Louisiana
He first settled north of Welsh, in the
Meadow Prairie neighborhood, later he
purchased, what is now known as the
Clark Canal and pumping plant, to the
development and extention of which he
has been devoting the past ten years OF
his life. At the time of his death he was
owner of one of the largest rice irriga.
ton systems owned by any single
individual in this section of the state
On July 18th. 1892 he was united in
marriage to Miss Vina Fuller, of this
locality, to which union five children,
two girls and three boys were born, OF
whom the boys only, Ed, Guy and Ray
aged l6, IA and 5 survive. Deceased is
also survived by his wife, and three
brothers, H. F. Clark, of Goodell, Iowa
j. B. Clark, of Freeburg, Mo. and A. B
Clark of this place.
In the business world, Mr.. Clark was
recognized as man of sterling in
tegrity, indomnitable will, and tenacity
Of purpose, meeting and overcoming
obstacles that would have deferred a
man of any less courage and determin
alton. He was an ideal citizen, dealing
fairly with all men, giving more, rather
than less than;the full measure at all
times. He was an ideal and devoted
husband, a loving father and q true and
sincere friend. His death is loss thai
will be felt by hundreds, throughout
this entire community, as a personal
one. while the sympathy of thousands
will be extended to his bereaved family