Extracted from The Alexandria Town Talk (Alexandria, LA)
Wednesday, May 6, 1925

S. E. Thomas, Confederate Veteran, Dies at Columbia

Special to Town Talk

COLUMBIA, La., May 6. -- Samuel E. Thomas, who was born in Maringo [sic Marengo] county, Ala., on April 23, 1845, died here yesterday at 7 a.m., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. T. M. Fant. Mr. Thomas suffered a stroke of paralysis about two weeks ago, while visiting his daughter, Mrs. Dottie Mecom, at Wisner, La. Mr. Thomas was taken to the Riverside Sanitarium at Monroe, where he was pronounced incurable and from there he was brought to the home of Mrs. Fant.

Mr. Thomas came to Louisiana with his father, Godfrey Thomas in 1861 and soon thereafter he joined the Confederate army under Capt. J. A. Boyd, and was in active service until he lost his right arm in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., there being taken a prisoner by the Federals, remaining in prison until he was exchanged in the latter days of the conflict. At the close of the war Mr. Thomas was honorably discharged, returning to this parish.

Soon after his return, he was wed to Mrs. Aletha Lusk, a young widow, of which union was born nine children, three of whom, Mrs. Malissa Meredith, Mrs. Alma Fant and Mrs. Dottie Mecom, survive him.

Interment was had Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock in Hillside cemetery, Rev. C. B. Gates of the Columbia Baptist church conducting the services.