Obits and other clippings found in old scrapbook in Clinton, East Feliciana, La.
Part Two, Submitted and prepared by Claude B. Slaton

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Year of death not always given, but seems to be in the 1894-1900
time period.

Prepared and contributed by Claude B. Slaton, 9/8/98

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Judge W. F. Kernan, Distinguished Louisiana Jurist and Citizen,
Passes Away

The East Feliciana Leader Succumbs in a Surgical Operation Yesterday
Afternoon

Judge William Fergus Kernan, of East Feliciana, a respected citizen
of the town of Clinton, as one of the foremost lawyers and ripest
scholars of this state, died yesterday in this city at the New Orleans
Sanitarium, after having undergone a surgical operation. He had been
suffering with enlargement of the prostate glad for a long time,
but it was only a few weeks ago that his ailment showed severe and
serious symptoms, and it was decided to call a surgeon into
consultation. Dr. Emmet Lea Irwin, of Clinton, his son-in-law,
who had attended him up to that time, sent for Dr. F. W. Parham,
of New Orleans, and after having been under their joint care,
Judge Kernan appeared to be improving.
Gradually, however, the acute symptoms returned, and the sufferer
was moved to New Orleans, and he arrived there on a special train
May 5. He was placed under the care of the physicians in the new
Orleans Sanitarium. His condition was not improved in spite of
most skillful and eminent surgical and medical attention, and on
the 11th Inst., an operation, in extremis, was performed.
The venerable sufferer did not rally from the shock, and at 1
o'clock yesterday afternoon he died. There was very little hop
for his recovery when it was decided to go on with the operation,
which was undertaken as the last and bare chance to prolong life.
Judge Kernan was born May 10, 1825, at Rosehill, Mass. His mother,
Martha Lyle, died when he was a child under 10 years of age. His
father, John Kernan, removed to Jackson, La., and when the subject
of this sketch had gone through his preliminary education, he was
entered as a student at Centenary College, Jackson, La., where he
graduated. he chose the profession of law, and studied in the office
of the late Chief Justice E. T. Merrick, who was then a resident of
Clinton, La. He was admitted to the bar in the supreme court in May,
1852. April 13, 1853, he married Sarah Wall, a granddaughter of
William Winans, a celebrated Methodist preacher. Mrs. Kernan died
in 1881.
Judge Kernan rose to the front rank in his profession. He was judge
of the district court and of the court of appeals until 1888. Since
that time he has taken very little interest in politics. In his
early manhood, Judge Kernan edited a paper called the Floridian.
He represented East Feliciana in the legislature...[part of paper
missing]
Judge Kernan was of commanding appearance and dignified bearing,
the very incarnation of chivalry and courtesy. He was esteemed by
all classes and conditions of men. After the death of Mrs. Kernan,
he devoted himself more assiduously to his chosen profession, and
was considered a most learned jurist and eloquent lawyer. He was
a life-long and consistent Democrat, ever foremost to assist, advise
and encourage when the people needed his services.
Judge Kernan leaves six children, three sons and three daughters,
as follows:
Thomas J. Kernan, the well-known scholar and lawyer, of Baton Rouge;
Mary, the wife of Henry P. Dart, a lawyer in New Orleans; William
Fergus Kernan and Benjamin Wall Kernan, both lawyers in New Orleans,
the latter in partnership with Mr. Dart; Darling, the wife of Dr.
Emmet Lee Irwin, a well-beloved physician of Clinton, and Dimple,
the wife of Mr. Joseph W. Joffrion, a prominent attorney of Marksville,
La.
The remains of the distinguished jurist have been taken to Clinton,
where the interment will take place today at 5 o'clock. The whole
population, black and white, men, women and children, will pay the
last tribute of respect to the memory of their eminent fellow-citizen.

[Headstones in the Rosehill Cemetery, Clinton, La.:

William Fergus Kernan
May 10, 1825
May 13, 1898

Sarah C. Wall, w/o W. F. Kernan
Feb. 28, 1834
Dec. 17, 1881]

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Died

D'ARMOND--In Clinton, La., Monday, July 10, 1899, Frank D'Armond,
aged 55 years, 11 months, and 14 days. Interment in Clinton Cemetery
Tuesday, July 11, 1899, at 4:30 p.m.
The deceased was a native of Arkansas, having been born in that state
in 1844. When quite small his parents moved to this place, where his
father, Mr. J. G. D'Armond, became engaged in mercantile pursuits.
Mr. Frank D'Armond was in business with his father for a time, and
afterwards in his own name. In 1898 he formed a partnership with Mr.
R. L. Shelton, and up to the time of his untimely death, was the
senior partner of the firm. He was honorable, upright and liberal
in his business relations, and enjoyed the esteem and respect of
everyone.
In 1860, at the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted in the
Hunter Rifles, and from that time until the close of the terrible
struggle he fought for our noble cause. He was in many battles,
notably those of Peachtree Creek, Shiloh, and Baton Rouge. At
Kennesaw mountain he was one of the brave few who assisted our
heroic Capt. Geo. H. Packwood to pull the heavy guns up the mountain.
He was wounded before Atlanta, being shot through the side. His
war record is unapproachable--he was earnest and zealous, and was
never known to shirk a duty or desert a friend. He was an honored
member of S. E. Hunter Camp No. 1185, U.C.V. among whose members
are many of the old comrades who mourn his death as that of a
dear brother, and a true friend.
In December, 1884, he was married to Miss Florence Rhea. During
their union five children were born, all of whom survive him.
Their home life was an ideal one. he loved his home and family,
and was ever indulgent, kind and affectionate. Now that he is
gone the anguish of the bereaved wife and fatherless children
must be terrible indeed, and we pray that God who "tempers the
wind to the shorn lamb" will spread over them the mantle of his
everlasting love, and will heal their broken hearts.
The funeral service took place at 4:30 o'clock at the family
residence on Bank Street, and were conducted by the Rev. Mr.
Gresham of Baton Rouge. The interment was under the auspices
of Olive Lodge No. 52, F&AM, of whose body he was an honored
member. The remains were followed to the grave by a large
concourse of people who gathered from far and near to pay
this last sad tribute to his memory. [last sentence illegible]

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MARRIED.

ATKINSON--BILGER
At the residence of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.
Bilger, in Clinton, La., on Wednesday, July 27, at 4:30 p.m.,
Prof. Thos. W. Atkinson to Miss Antoinette M. Bilger, Rev.
T. Wilmer Gresham officiating.
The wedding was attended only by the immediate family and a
few select friends of the bridal couple. Immediately after
the ceremony they left for the north. Their home will be in
Baton Rouge, where the bridegroom fills a chair in the State
University.

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IN MEMORIUM

W. A. Sadler, died October 13th, 1898, aged 40 years. Seldom
have I been called upon to record the death of a dear friend,
one with whom I have been so intimate in private life, and one
whose death is so lamented by his friends and the community.
W. A. Sadler was a most estimable man, upright and honorable
in all his transactions. A reverence for the spirit of truth
and goodness formed the crown and glory of his nature. Retiring
in his disposition, yet always awake and willing to administer
to the wants and distresses of his fellow-man. Warm hearted
and sincere in his friendship. Personally, he was one of my
most cherished friends. As a Christian, he was among the purest
minded that I ever knew; and as an Odd Fellow, I have met but
few who equaled him in zeal and devotion to the interest of
our order, ever practicing the noble tenants of Friendship
Love and Truth. He gave us an example worthy of imitation.
In him, I feel I have lost a brother, Odd-Fellowship, a
shining light and devoted member. The Episcopal church,
to which he was attached from almost his infancy, has lost
one who would have been an ornament to any church; the
parish an upright and conscientious citizen. Thus has
departed an affectionate husband, a worthy son and a good
man. We cherish the memory and virtue of the departed as
among the hallowed recollections of the past. His life and
Christian character is a memorial more lasting than bronze
in costly monument. Peace be to thy memory, thou friend and
brother, and when we shall be called to follow thee, may we
leave behind us a name as precious, and a character as pure
as thine.

G. M. Hochenedel.

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HAINES--Wednesday, July 12, 1899, Mrs. C. B. Haines. Interment
in Scott graveyard. We have been unable to learn the particulars
of Mrs. Haines' death, but we understand that it was quite sudden
and unexpected. We sympathize with Mr. Haines in his great loss.

*******************************************************

LANE--At Eureka Springs, Ark., Saturday, July 15, 1899, Miss
Louisia Tyson Lane. Funeral services were conducted at Clinton
Baptist Church on Thursday evening. Interment in Clinton Cemetery.

IN MEMORIUM.

Miss Louisa T. Lane

"God's finger touched her and she slept." Slept, a stranger,
where only strangers were.
Seeing only with our poor human sight; knowing only of our
poor human knowledge; inscrutable indeed and past finding
out seem to us God's ways, that she whom the whole parish
unite in mourning, thus should pass into the Great Beyond
with none who loved her near.
God's finger touched her into sleep; and He doeth all things
well. We will be satisfied, we who loved her, whose love would
have chosen that it be not so.
Small need to tell East Felicianans of the life that has gone.
Identified with every interest of the parish as no other woman
has been; managing her own affairs and those of her sisters,
with more success than could the average man, she asked no
help nor needed that it be given her.
A member of the Baptist Church she was of the staunchest;
taking voice in all of its business affairs; giving, with
a lavish hand, to all of its charities. To those who were
athirst she gave them drink; she fed the hungry and to the
naked she gave clothes.
All these things she did, and of them all could the Master
say, "Well done; good and faithful servant."
Yet I think me not that because of these, are the brightest
jewels in her crown of glory.
Is it not, has it not always been, that those who lend
happiness to little children, especially to those children
whose lives else had known naught of happiness, lend most
unto that Lord of little children? Of this that she has done,
only those children and the great God know.
Even fortunate children with happy homes, and much of those
things so dear to the child heart; felt that, somehow, things
Miss Louie brought were better things; rides in Miss Louie's
carriage, nicer rides; days at Miss Louie's house, happier
days.
To those others, whose only days of plenty and comfort, days
spent there; whose only rides, rides in her carriage; whose
only danties, those she gave; what they were to these children,
they, themselves could scarcely tell. A something akin to
Paradise and She, some great high saint.
To what Clinton child does not Death take on a new meaning
now that she is dead? She was Miss Louie, Death cannot be
a thing so dread when she has died; nor that Other Land be
wholly strange, when she is there. And we of older growth,
whose childhood knew her loving thought, will feel it so.
Only those who knew the family in its loving unity can know
what her going means to the sisters to whom she has been for
so long a time both as father and sister.
"No more, with mortal eye, may they again behold her;" yet,
in the old home where her place has been, will it always be;
where, erstwhile, was filled with her earthly presence her
spirit lingers. To those who held her dear:
"She will not die
Nor lose her mortal sympathy,
Nor change to them, although
     She change."

E.D.H.

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A MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY

Baptist Chronicle,

A letter today from my far-off home in Louisiana, brings
the sad news of the death of two of my dearest friends I
ever had on earth, Miss Louie Lane and Dr. F. D. Wood, both
of Clinton. For Miss Louie, our only little boy is named. As
her pastor for nearly three years, I knew her well. She was
one of the dearest, sweetest Christian women it was ever my
pleasure to know. Our acquaintance with her had ripened into
a warm personal attachment, and her friendship for us had been
shown in every substantial way. To our entire family, even
to our little children, her death is a heavy stroke of personal
grief. Thousands will miss her, but none more than the Clinton
Baptist church. She had been a life-long supporter, and loved
it with her whole heart.
Dr. Wood was also my bosom friend. I saw him converted, took
his hand when he gave his heart to God, and buried him with
Christ in baptism. He was our family physician and we were
drawn very close together.
But these are not all. They only remind me of a number of others,
dear friends, whom God in His providence has called from earth
since my departure from Louisiana little more than a year ago.
I think of Bro. Norwood Perkins, Dr. S. J. Perkins, Sister
Hettie Rist, my old neighbor Col. Jno. H. Stone, Judge Kernan,
Mr. D'Armond, and others equally beloved for whom I have formed
strong personal attachments. That which makes their memory doubly
sacred to me, is that they are mostly of the families of the
old pioneer days around my early home, and the friends of my
now sainted father and mother. They knew me in childhood, watched
me in youth and heard me I must believe, with some degree of
gladness when I became a man. My interest in them has not been
lessened by time, nor dissolved by distance, and now from the
far off Empire state I send back to all whose hearts are sad,
this message of consolation. Let it bear to you the assurance
of true sympathy from one who will never cease to love you and
who oft commends you to God in his prayer.

Yours in sorrow,
M. T. Andrews
Marshall, Texas, July 22, 1899.

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DIED

COOK--In Cleveland, Ohio, June 15, 1899, W. H. Cook, aged 35 years.
Mr. Cook was a son of Mr. Allen Cook of the second ward, of
East Feliciana Parish. Prior to his removal to Cleveland, he
was associated with Mr. Geo. Hays in the drug business in Clinton.
He was a member, in good standing, of the I.O.O.F., E. of P.,
and Masonic lodges, and was buried under the auspices of the
latter. He was married to Miss Mary Hays of Clinton, and leaves
one bright and winsome little boy which bears his name.
The remains arrived in Clinton Tuesday morning, and the funeral
took place at the Methodist Church at 10 o'clock a.m. Interment
in Clinton Cemetery.
To the bereaved family the Watchman extends sincere sympathy.

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Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Ridgely, of Mexico, are guests at the residence
of Mrs. G. A. Knox. Mrs. Ridgely was formerly Miss Allain Clinton,
of this village.

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GALLANT--August 23, 1899, Draxy Viola Gallant, aged 1 year, 9
months, 18 days. Interment in Clinton Cemetery Aug. 24th, at 11
a.m., Rev. H. W. Rickey officiating.

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THOS. SCOTT ADAMS

Unexpected death of the Ex-Secretary of State

At His Farm in East Feliciana--His Career in Louisiana Politics

Clinton, La., Aug. 7--Thomas Scott Adams, ex-secretary of state,
died at his home here this morning. He has been in bad health
for many months.
Thomas Scott Adams, who has been state commissioner of agriculture,
president of the Farmers' State Union and secretary of state,
was born in Richland District, S.C., in 1840. His father
purchased a plantation in Clinton, East Feliciana Parish, in
this state, in 1853, and moved there with his family, consisting
of a wife and four sons, in the winter of that year. In 1859,
Mr. Adams was sent to Furman University, in South Carolina, and
he graduated from that school in 1861.
He was a warm friend and schoolmate of Ex-Sheriff Lake, of Caddo,
who introduced Mr. Adams to Miss Holloway, whom he subsequently
married. Miss Holloway was a grandniece of Colonel Travis, the
celebrated Texan. From their marriage there were five children.
Mr. Adams is of English stock, a paternal ancestor having been a
British admiral. One of his cousins was lieutenant governor of
South Carolina.
When scarcely of age, Thomas Scott Adams entered a South Carolina
regiment of the confederate army, known as the Hampton Legion,
organized by Wade Hampton. He served through the entire war, and
took part in many hard-fought battles, and rose to the rank of
captain. After the war he returned with shattered health and
shattered fortune, but he went manfully to work, and soon
acquired a competency. He owns a plantation in East Feliciana,
and is engaged in cotton and stock raising. He was elected to
the general assembly from East Feliciana Parish in 1884 by a
large majority over four competitors. He introduced measures
establishing an industrial school for white girls, making
dealings in futures a felony and a joint resolution remodeling
the judiciary system of the state. His crowning act was securing
the United States barracks at Baton Rouge to the state. He
refused to go back to the legislature. he won a great deal
of credit as vice president and president of the State Union
of the farmers.
In 1891-2, the years of the lottery fight, Captain Adams was
the Farmer's Alliance candidate for governor in the agreement
with the anti-Lottery Democrats. He withdrew before the
nominating convention in Baton Rouge, saying that he immolated
himself on the altar of sacrifice for the good of his own state
and the success of the anti-lottery cause. He was nominated
and elected secretary of state, and served in an efficient
manner, and retired when the new state officials took their
places last Spring.

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IN MEMORIA.

Another Masonic Light has been extinguished, and Silent
Brotherhood Lodge No. 146, F&AM, is again called upon to
mourn the loss of a departed Brother in the death of Bro.
Thomas J. Bell, who was born April 2nd 1852, Raised April
3rd, 1876, and died May 4th, 1895.
Whereas, Bro. T. J. Bell was an earnest and zealous Mason,
a kind and affectionate Son and Brother, a worthy citizen
who had the confidence and esteem of this community,
Therefore, Resolved; That we bow in humble submission to
the will of our Heavenly Father, and while we deplore his
loss, and deeply sympathize with his aged mother and
affectionate brothers and sisters, yet we would commend
them to the Giver of all good; that they may bow in humble
submission to His will, trusting that their loss is his
Eternal gain.
Resolved, that a page of our minute book be set apart to
the memory of our departed brother; that a copy of these
resolutions be furnished the family of the deceased, that
we wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days, and
that they be published in the Coushatta CITIZEN.
Respectfully submitted, D. H. Hayes, J. J. Stanfill, J. R.
Monk, Committee. May 14, '95.

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DIED
In New Orleans, on Saturday, December 14th, 1895, at 3
o'clock a.m., Lorenzo Baines Morgan, aged 45 years and
5 months.
Baines Morgan was born and reared in the town of Clinton
and it is probable that no man of the present generation
has been more thoroughly identified with the history of
our town during the years that have lapsed since his boyhood.
Known to every man, woman and child of the community; so
kindly was his disposition, so upright and honorable was
his walk in life, so just and fair his treatment of all
that he absolutely had no enemy and there was probably
not one in all the circle of acquaintance who did not
sincerely mourn his death.
Always fearless and frank in the expression of his opinions,
he had at all times the moral courage to make amends where
he might have inadvertently have given just grounds for
offense and he was one whose rule of life was that golden
rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."
Possessed with a physical courage that knew no faltering or
hesitation in the face of danger, yet this kindly disposition,
his innate charity, his perfect sense of justice made him
naturally a peace maker and through his intervention many
deplorable misunderstandings have been set aright and many
rankling enmities have been healed.
Stricken with the cruel disease that so prematurely ended
his life he met the consciousness of the approach of the
grim angel of death with unflinching courage and to the
end he was the same true-hearted, brave, generous, noble
fellow. May he rest in peace.

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A TRIFLE TOO MUCH

How an Old Darky's Sympathy Was Imposed Upon

General Nichols of Louisiana commanded a brigade of infantry
during the valley campaign in Virginia, which so immortalized
the name of Stonewall Jackson. In one of the three famous
victories over Banks, Milroy and Shields, says the Nashville
American, the Louisiana Brigade bore a conspicuous part, and
its gallant commander was carried from the field mortally
wounded, as everyone supposed, but good nursing and skillful
surgery saved the life of the General. He left a leg and an
arm on the battlefield, and lost one of his eyes. He wears an
artificial leg on one side of his body and an arm on the opposite.
The pluck which enabled him to withstand these terrible wounds
and to which he is indebted for his life, perhaps, more than
to any other cause, sticks to him yet; and he is one of the
most jovial of men, enjoying a good joke as much as anybody.
He tells this on himself:

When canvassing for Governor he was invited by a lady who
knew of his loss of limbs to make her house his home and
he accepted. She ordered her man servant, who knew nothing
of the General's misfortune, to see that he was comfortably
put to bed. The servant felt proud of the honor of serving
a distinguished General and the next governor, and the
General was inclined to be communicative, which delighted
the him very much, and made him feel at home with his guest.
When he took the General's arm off and laid it on the table,
he commenced to express great sympathy, saying: "It sho' is
bad for a man to lose he arm dat erway! An' de Yankees done
dis', did dey?" When the General told him to take his leg
off the servant thought he was joking, but went at it in a
businesslike way, though he was almost ready to shed tears
of sympathy by this time. Placing the leg on the table by
the side of the arm, and looking at the General, he said:
"Umph! Leg off on one side, an' arm off on t'other. Dat is
too bad, to cut a man up in dat sort o' way!" The General
saw his opportunity for a little fun had come, so, leaning
his body forward, said: "Come, now, take my head off!"

But the servant was gone.

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CAPT. JOHN S. LANIER

Sudden Death of the Registrar of the State Land Office

Found in His Room in a Comatose Condition and Never
Recovered--Apoplexy the Cause

Special to the Picayune.

Baton Rouge, La., July 16--The many friends of Captain
John S. Lanier, registrar of the state land office, were
surprised and shocked to learn of his sudden death, which
occurred at the residence of his son, John S. Lanier, Jr.,
at 11 o'clock this forenoon. Captain Lanier came up from
New Orleans last evening, and on reaching home he complained
of feeling badly. He retired early, saying that he intended
to take a dose of calomel. He did not arise for breakfast,
but nothing was thought of this, and his breakfast was
placed aside for him. The servant who had gone into the
room to get his shoes said the captain was sleeping. As
the hour grew late it was thought well to ascertain if
he wanted anything. Then it was discovered that he was
in a comatose condition. Physicians were hastily summoned
but the patient never regained consciousness, passing
quietly away at 11 o'clock. The physicians gave a
certificate that death resulted from apoplexy.
Captain Lanier was born of a prominent Mississippi family,
many of whom are now living in and about Columbus, in that
state. He enlisted early in the Confederate service and
proved a gallant Confederate soldier. He came to East
Feliciana during the war as a captain of a company in
the Confederate service. There he met and afterwards
married Miss Chambers, the daughter of a prominent East
Feliciana planter. After the war he engaged in planting
in East Feliciana until 1872, when by an arrangement
between the Democrats and the Republicans, the incumbent
of the clerk's office resigned and Lanier was appointed
in his stead. This office he filled acceptably, being
repeatedly elected thereto until 1888, when he was
appointed registrar of the state land office, a position
he held at the time of his death.
The deceased was a man of commanding appearance and had
many personal and political friends throughout the state.
For many years he has been prominent in the counsels of
the Democratic party, and in 1888 to 1892 was chairman
of the state executive committee. He was of a genial
temperament and attached to himself many warm friends.
He leaves a wife, three sons and a daughter, who are
plunged into the deepest grief by his untimely death.
The remains were conveyed to New Orleans this afternoon,
where they will be interred tomorrow from the family
residence on St. Charles St.

*******************************************************

At the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Hardesty, near
Clinton, occurred the marriage of Mrs. M. H. Brown to Mr.
J. W. Jackson of Athens, Texas. The ceremony was performed
by the Rev. M. T. Andrews, pastor of the Baptist church,
Monday evening.

*******************************************************

DIED

DIXON--At the family residence near Clinton on Thursday, Nov.
28th, 1901, at 10 o'clock a.m., Mrs. Lula T. Dixon, wife of
L. N. Dixon, aged 42 years, 1 month and 21 days. The funeral
services and burial at the Lewis place, one mile south of
Clinton, today (Friday, Nov. 29th) at 3 o'clock p.m.
To the bereaved family the Watchman extends its sincere
sympathy.

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.

To be continued.....