Extracted from The The St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, LA)
Saturday, July 9, 1921

MYSTERY SCENTED IN SUDDEN DEATH OF JOHN W. CLARK

Fourth Ward Alderman Discovered Dead in His Bathroom Wednesday

ATTENDED MEETING OF BOARD TUESDAY NIGHT

Funeral Held Thursday Morning Under Asupcies [sic Auspices] of Several Orders

John W. Clark, prominent jeweler of this city and member of the city board of aldermen from the fourth ward, was discovered death in his bathroom Wednesday afternoon at about 4 o'clock, his death evidently having occurred twelve or more hours previous to the discovery of his lifeless body by a friend, Pickens Butler.

The cause of his death is wrapped in mystery that is puzzling the minds of everyone. While the funeral notices issued Thursday morning gave the time of his death at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning, many think he had been dead longer than that. His body was badly decomposed when discovered and it is stated by several who assisted in removing it from the bathroom and aided in preparing it for burial that there were a number of bruises and contusions about the head. The body was jammed between the bathtub and the wall of the room and was covered with ants.

Tuesday Mr. Clark was at his place of business as usual and that night he was present at the regular meeting of the board of aldermen. In connection with his presence at the meeting it is stated that he told an intimate friend after the meeting had adjourned that he felt very badly. To this friend he complained that he was suffering pains in the region of the abdomen and a newspaper reporter, who was present at the meeting, noted that Mr. Clark had a drawn look about his face, had little to say in the meeting and made frequent trips to the ice cooler to get a drink of water. After the meeting Mr. Clark and the friend above referred to went to a soft drink stand for a cooling drink. He went home about 10:30 and that was the last seen of him alive by his friends.

His place of business was not opened Wednesday morning but many though[t] he was ill or indisposed and little note was taken of the fact. The discovery of the body in the late afternoon brought the horrible realization that he had met death in a strangely mysterious manner at some unknown hour the night before.

The funeral was held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, with services at the Methodist church and interment in the public cemetery. The following organizations, of which the deceased was a member, participated in the ceremonies: The Masons, Elks, Woodmen of the Wolrd [sic World], Columbian Woodmen, Eastern Star and the fire company.

Mr. Clark was an enthusiastic member of all these organizations and was a regular attendant at all meetings. He was tyler of the local Masonic lodge.

Mr. Clark was a native of Mississippi but has resided in this state, parish and city for many years, in fact, ever since early boyhood. He was 41 years, 10 months and 27 days old at the time of his death.

He leaves a wife, who was a Miss Richard, also a brother, Roland W. Clark of Palmetto, former mayor of that village. He has other relatives in Mississippi. It is believed that his father is still alive and a resident of that state.

The deceased was a man of splendid personality and had endeared himself to a large circle of friends. Always conscientious and upright in all his dealings with patrons and friends he won the confidence and respect of all who knew him. Starting with little or nothing, by dint of patience and perseverance he accumulated a fair estate. Elected to the Opelousas city council from the fourth ward slightly more than a year ago, he immediately took a leading place in the administration of the city's affairs. His motto was to do what was right and he acted on that principle always regardless of who or what interests were affected by his decision and stand. He was ever reliable and when he announced for anything the general public knew that John Clark acted according to the dictates of his conscience and not according to the mandates of some other individual or set of individuals.

His place in this city will be hard to fill and his presence will be sadly missed by many. It is deplorable that he should have passed so silently, so mysteriously and without the helping hand of friends to aid him in his battle with the Grim Reaper, but such was the decree of fate, and while we mourn his passing we can stop a moment to shed a tear over his grave.