L.L. McAlpin, Vernon Parish Louisiana Submitted by Jane Parker McManus Date: June 4, 2007 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Obit – L.L. McAlpin – 16 Jan 1897 Vernon Baptist Associational Records Alexandria LA In Memory of L.L. McAlpin When the dark clouds of war were still hovering over us and we were forced to look out upon the shattered fortunes of the champions of a lost cause; when the South was enshrouded in gloom and our people were beginning to gather up the fragments and make new plans for the future. It was, then that Lewis L. McAlpin first saw the light, March 18, 1865, but when peace again hovered over us and promised remuneration for our losses by making us self reliant. This spirit seemed to be infused into the mind of the boy, for when a mere youth his father died, leaving his mother, with the assistance of her boys, to fight life’s battles and train up her children in the way they should go and she like Eunice of old, had that unfeigned faith. There is nothing in all the universe so sweet as a Christian woman, as she who has received into her heart, until it shines forth in her character and life, the love of the divine Master, and such was Mrs. Emily McAlpin, mother of deceased. The influence of his noble mother seemed to be ever present from his childhood down to the day of his decease; which was marked by one uninterrupted series of kindly acts and expressions, by earnest labor and devoted work in behalf of his fellow men. These have left their impress upon those among whom he moved; yes, and this influence will go forth in every widening circle. He was fairly educated, besides he took a course in a business college in St. Louis MO which changed his occupation from a farmer boy. His mind was not swallowed up in this world’s affairs for he loved his church (Baptist), of which he had been a consistent member for several years. He was married to Mrs. Ella Liles, nee Ella Burr, on May 14, 1890, who had three children which he seemed to love as though they were his own; and they in return treated him as though he was their own father. In the year 1891 he became a member of the Masonic Fraternity, he also belonged to the People’s Party, and right or wrong he was an honest and earnest member; and who will dare say he was wrong in wanting to better the condition of his fellow man. He was naturally a reformer, and he made a heroic effort to rid his parish of that greatest of all curses that the human family have ever been burdened with, the national evil, the liquor traffic. He failed in his efforts, but the seed are sown, the example is left for his family and friends. He has had contrl of the People’s Friend for seven years, and those who read it know how to appreciate him as a journalist. It is not my purpose to suggest that Lewis was a saint, but I feel that the word is better and those in whom he came in contact with were made better by his association and character, which was free from every stain of dishonor, in a conscience ever true to the right as he saw it; in a soul grand in its loyalty to duty and to God – you would search in vain for his superior. His unattractive dress and simple manners would cause his noble qualities to be overlooked by those unacquainted with him. But go to the widow and orphan, the poor and humble, of his neighborhood, ask them who was their friend in the hour of need. Precious to those who live, is the legacy of such a life. I see him watching, oh; how tenderly, beside the couch of his dying sainated mother, and then I remembered the injunction: “Be not weary in doing well, for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not.” He contracted that dreaded continued fever, and being already mentally and physically exhausted his constitution gave way, and on January 16, 1897, he closed his eyes in that dreamless sleep which men call death. He leaves a wife and three small children, three step children, and a host of relatives and friends. My heart-beats responsive to the grief of his devoted wife (my darling sister) and the fatherless little ones, but we are assured that he still lives. “Thy dead men shall live together, with my dead body shall they rise,” Isaiah 26:19. It is sweet to go when the Master calls, If your work is all well done; It is sweet to rest when the day is past, If that rest has been fairly won. Theodosia Smart [Note:Lewis L. McAlpin was son of Mark McAlpin and Emily Smart. He is buried in Leesville Cemetery. He was editor of “The Friend” (forerunner of the Leesville Leader) in 1896. His wife, Ella Burr was born 1 Jan 1860, died 12 Mar 1939, buried in Old Anacoco Cemetery. Ella Burr was married first to W. D. Lyles; second to Lewis L. McAlpin, and third to Jordan Merritt Taylor.]