Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-01-25
EDITORIAL COMMENT.
A LEADER HAS FALLEN.

Mr.. Elisha Milan Flack, who died
Monday, Jan. %, was for nearly
forty years one Of HopkinsviIle's
most prominent, useful and highly
steemed citizens. He came to the
<ity from Elkton in 1873 to engage in
the tobacco business. In Todd coun-
- he had been sheriff and circuit
ERIK and was a leader Of the Demo-
'atic party in the Third district He
as not stranger in Hopkinsville,
he had married here and was con-
cted with some OF the most promi-
fnt families. He at once became
flder in commercial, municipal and
iigious affairs. His business pros
red and he was soon known as one
4 the leading tobacco brokers of
western Kentucky and Tennessee,
Tor in 1884 he opened an office in
tlarksville with his lifelong friend,
lorman Smith, in charge. The local
frm OF E. M. Flack & Co. continued
fltil his death. He became identified
18th the First Baptist church and was
ne OF the members who strongly adj
lsised against the mistake afterwards
made of selling portions Of the new
church lot and building the church on
g lot soon found to be too small. He
had been for the last fifteen years a
trustee of the church. Early in the
nineties he became a member of the
City Council and served in that posi-
ton for many years. He was one Of
the best councilmen the city ever had
and had much to do in the work Of
transforming the town of 1880 into
the city of 1900. During the same
period he was for several years a
commissioner of the Western Ken
lucky Asylum. He took a prominent
part in all prominent affairs. He was
leader in the beginning Of our good
roads system, helping to promote the
movement to free the toll pixies and
afterwards to carry every succeeding
bond issue. He was one of the di-
rectors of the company that erected
Hotel Latham and was leader in the
graded school movement in 1880'and
later was a school trustee. He was
also a trustee OF Bethel Female Col
lege for several years. In 1860 Mr..
Flack was appointed. census super
visor for the Second district and was
complimented by Commissioner E.
Dana Durand for his excellent work.
Mr.. Flack, up TO the yeryhour Of
his death, was noted for the rigor of
his mind. Naturally of strong intel
lect, he was close student of public
affairs and possessed wonderful
store of Information on wide range
of subjects. He was quick to see in
to proposition, his integrity was a
dominant trait of his character and
once fixed in his .opinionshe was firm
in his convictions Personally he was
courteous, genial and affable to every
one. OF late years he had been a
great sufferer from chronic asthma,
but he was always optimistic and
cheerful. In his home life he was
model husband and father, gentle,
kind and considerate. His home had
long been. one of the city's typical
centers of hospitality. He will be
greatly missed in every walk of life.
To the writer, hiss death comes as a
personal sorrow. Intimately associat-
ed for many years. living near neigh
.bors, his wise counsel was often
Sought. In the city's darkest days
ten years ago he was tower of
strength for law and order and his
courage was without flaw. His place
will be hard to fill in many ways.
May his memory be long kept green.
Peace TO his ashes.