Obituaries: Arnold Bernstein, 1937, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: December 23, 1937 Winn Parish Enterprise

Arnold Bernstein, Mayor of Monroe, 19 Years, Dies

Former Winnfield Citizen Succumbs Suddenly From Heart Attack

Mayor Arnold Bernstein of Monroe died suddenly from a heart attack at his
residence in that city early Monday.  He was 63 years old and had served as
mayor for the past 19 years and as city commissioner for 21 years.

Mr. Bernstein died 35 minutes after he had been stricken.  He appeared in good
health and spent the evening at dinner with a group of friends.

After dinner Mayor and Mrs. Bernstein sent to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar
Florsheim and played cards until about 11 o'clock, when they returned home. 
He was stricken shortly after midnight.

Miss Adele Lutz, a nurse who has been a companion to Mrs. Bernstein, said the
mayor complained of a sudden choking as he was preparing to go to bed, and
collapsed.

His body lay in state Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Funeral services were
held Wednesday at 2 p.m. from Temple B'nai Israel.

Associates of Mayor Bernstein said he had served longer than any other
Louisiana mayor.  He was elected in 1919 and served continuously ever since. 
The major growth of the city occurred under his administration.

Mayor Bernstein was born at Montgomery, Grant Parish, on May 2, 1874.  His
parents were among the early settlers of Louisiana and were planters.  The
father of Mr. Bernstein was a Confederate veteran.

Young Bernstein received his education in the public schools of Grant Parish
and at Soule College in New Orleans.  In 1896 he went to Monroe and entered
the insurance business.

Prior to his election to mayor in 1919 he served in the city council. 
Bernstein was active in promoting the change from aldermanic to commission
form of city government and was the first mayor of Monroe under the commission
form.  His present term would expire June, 1939.

The mayor's associates pointed to a large growth of industry and commerce
under the Bernstein administration.  During his tenure the city assumed
ownership of its public utility systems and brought to completion the system
of paved streets and a modern drainage and sewerage system.

He was active head of the city's public school system and expanded it from one
central school to five, including the handsome Neville High School.

Mayor Bernstein was always active in flood control work and was president of
the Tensas Basin Control Association, the organization which functioned after
the 1927 flood to protect Monroe against overflows.

Bernstein, his friends said, took a leading part in religious and charitable
work regardless of race or creed.  He was a member of Temple B'nai Israel.

He is survived by his wife who is the former Miss Corrine Steinman; two
brothers, Julian Bernstein of Winnfield and Rudolph Bernstein of Monroe; one
sister, Miss Nettie Bernstein of Winnfield.