ROBERT W. FORDYCE TAKEN BY DEATH AT AGE OF 83 CAME FROM INDIANA TO ARKADELPHIA ON BICYCLE FIFTY YEARS AGO Another one of Arkadelphia's well known citizens, greatly beloved by everybody, Robert Willis Fordyce, age 83, has been called by death. Mr. Fordyce, infirm for more than two years because of being struck on the street by an automobile, succumbed at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday at his home a 1006 Main Street. He was born in Webster, Ind., May 22, 1862, son of James J. and Margaret Susan Buel Fordyce. He studied tailoring in Chicago, and he and a young friend set out on bicycles for a journey into the Southwest. After tarrying for a while in Hot Springs, they started for Texas. Mr. Fordyce's bicycle broke down here October 26, 1895, and while awaiting repairs, he took a liking to the city. His Knights of Pythias pin attracted the attention of Jack Wilson, owner of the electric light and water system here, who gave him his first employment. He was the leading tailor here for many years. On January 26, 1898, he was married to Miss Cordelia Elizabeth Dale of this city, and their long life together was happy, even though saddened by the death, while quite young, of their son and daughter. Funeral services will be conducted by Dr. B. Houston Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church, at Murry's Funeral Church, at 5:00 p.m. Friday. burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Southern Standard, September 27, 1945 (Arkadelphia, Arkansas)

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