Obituaries: Marvin Caldwell, 1957, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: November 28, 1957 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American M. Caldwell Found Dead After Three Day Hunt Searchers found Marvin Caldwell, 41 year old Winnfield auto mechanic, dead in a field about three-fourths of a mile from where he had last been seen alive, about 5 miles east of Ruston in Lincoln Parish it was reported Tuesday afternoon. His body was found around 3 p.m. Tuesday, where he apparently had stumbled on a terrace in the field, and fallen under a wire fence. Officers theorized he was exhausted from walking, and died of exposure. Sheriff R. S. Jordan said Tuesday after returning from the search that Caldwell's body was spotted from a helicopter from Barksdale Air Force Base. Two helicopters were used in the search, the other from England Air Force Base in Alexandria. DOGS STAY WITH BODY The helicopter searchers first saw two of the hunting dogs, and on recircling, saw Caldwell, lying face down, under a single strand of barbed wire, where he had fallen. Two of his dogs were still with him, one so weak from hunger he barely could rise. Lincoln Parish Deputy Sheriff Wimberly told the Enterprise by telephone that Caldwell was dressed for outdoors, but the weather extremely bad Saturday night, being rainy and cold, Lincoln Parish deputy coroner Johnson ruled Caldwell died of exhaustion and exposure. It was believed he died sometimes during the night Saturday or early Sunday. Reports said Caldwell was an avid coon hunter, and came up often on weekends to hunt in the area. Sheriff Jordan of Winn Parish said searchers found Caldwell's body about 10 minutes after it was spotted from the helicopter. A Southern Funeral Home ambulance brought the body here Tuesday. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lincoln Parish. No other details were known. THREE DAY SEARCH Finding Caldwell's body climaxed a three day manhunt involving peace officers and volunteers from six parishes. Search parties from Winn Parish went Monday and Tuesday headed by Sheriff R. S. Jordan and Deputy D. C. Machen, who is also commander of the Winnfield National Guard unit. Caldwell was employed as a mechanic at Winn Motor Co., and has worked here for several years. His wife is employed at Court House Pharmacy in Winnfield. The local man reportedly went to Ruston Saturday night, accompanied by his two young sons. He left his sons at the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Thomas Caldwell of Choudrant, six miles east of Ruston. He left to go hunting about 9 p.m. Saturday, with four dogs. A Negro woman reported a man came to her house about midnight asking directions saying he was lost. The man was presumably Caldwell. Some footprints of a man and dogs were seen in the area, and three of the dogs came in before the man was found. The area is reportedly marked by numerous small roads and is mostly hardwood timber. Directing the search was Lincoln Parish Sheriff Jesse Riser, assisted by Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department, Claiborne and Winn Parish Sheriff's Departments, State Police, Ruston City Police, and National Guardsmen. Mr. Caldwell is survived by his wife; two sons, Learohn, and Kenny; a sister, Mrs. U. B. Carpenter of Winnfield, his father and other relatives, names of whom could not be obtained as this newspaper went to press.