The Natchitoches enterprise., 1914-10-08
Mr.. J. W. Freeman

man last Friday evening, marked
the passing or one of the most
prominent and influential figures
in tile pubic life of Natchitoches
and was a shock to his family and
friends, as it removes one OF the
best and strongest characters that
our citizens have ever known.
The deceased was about his usual
avocations on Monday, which were
manifold as he was connected with
some of our biggest business en-
terprises and apparently in good
health, out he went home late in
the evening complaining of feel
ing badly and thinking it was
but a passing lndisposition, the
family physician was not sum-
moned until next morning when he
at once realized that his patient was
sick man and after couple of
davis treatment, with other phySl-
clans in consultation it was decl-
ded to take him to Shreveport for
an operation for appendicitis
which was performed almost i'm
mediately after he reached the
Sanitarium. But peritonitis set
in and tho heroic measures were
taken, nought ayailed and he sue
cumbed and in less than thirty
hours after be was taken away,
his remains were brought home.
The funeral on Sunday morning
was about the largest ever seen in
Natchitoches as people from every
walk of life and from every sec
ton of the parish assembled to
pay the last sad tribute of respect,
and the cortege that followed from
the house to the church in which
there was not standing room filled
blocks below the sacred editice,
and when the cemetery was
reached where the Masons had
charge of the ceremony, the walks
and drives were filed to overflow
Ing and throughout the long and
beautiful service, the tender SYM
pathy of the hundreds who stood
with uncovered heads, testified to
The high esteem IN which he was
leld.
Never were such beautiful and
many floral offerings seen as COW
red the bier, filled surveys and
automobiles and were borne in the
lands of the people.
MIR. Freeman was born in this |
'arish a little oyer fifty-6ve years
go and was a self-made man cary !
nut his own career by dint of per-
everance and indomitable pluck |
nd courage; a man who never
sked quarter and who leaves
'ehind him splendid record of |
and a spotless repu-
alton OF personal integrity. At |
he time of his death, he was
oming to the close of his fourth |
ERIN as sheriff and during the !
Eighteen years of his incumbency |
he affairs of his office ressed
wonderfully under his administra-
ion, with never a word but of
raise for his splendid business
1ethods, and good judgement,
nd his name was a familiar one
n many homes, where his good
eeds as public official succored |
nany a needy one in the hour OF
lis greatest need.
His presidency Of the Merchants
nd Farmers Bank, Grand Ecore
Dill Co, Building and Loan Asso-
iation, Natchitoches Gas Co., tes-
flied to the confidence and respect
hat the stockholders of these var
Gus associations had in his bust
ess acumen and wonderful admin
ability.
MIR. Freeman was public spir
led man always one of the first to
AXE a substantial interest in any
hing that tended to the welfare
f his people and being a man of
trOng character. his influence was
ride and far reaching and was al
rays used for the greatest good
+ the greatest number. The half
{ his charitable deeds will never
e known as his kind, sympathetic
nature invited conf
ences which were never mis-
laced and none were ever turned
way empty-handed He was a
ian of simple tastes, but full of
mbition for those he loved and
1T nothing undone to give his
hildren every advantage that ed