In February 1940 , Couch developed a severe case of influenza , but insisted on attending the Democratic National Convention that summer in Chicago even though he had not recovered . After the convention , he traveled to Baltimore , Maryland , and Washington , D.C. , where he suffered a heart attack . After several months of recuperation , he returned to Couchwood , his vacation estate near Jones Mills , between Malvern and Hot Springs . The severity of Couch 's condition was concealed from the public , and he continued as director of Arkansas ' Infantile Paralysis Campaign against polio even as his condition worsened . Harvey Couch died at Couchwood from complications of cardiovascular disease . At 11 a.m. on the day of his funeral at Lakeside Methodist Church in Pine Bluff , all trains on his railroad network halted their route for a minute of silence in his honor . Diesel locomotives and a number of the cars from Couch 's beloved K.C.S.-L . & A. system , including the '' Southern Belle '' passenger train , which had 120 mph capabilities and air-conditioned compartments , were diverted to Pine Bluff , Arkansas , to serve as a funeral train to carry Couch 's body from funeral services in Pine Bluff to Magnolia for burial there in Magnolia Cemetery
Democratic National Convention
1940 Democratic National Convention
Harvey C. Couch