The New York herald., 1874-12-29
GERRI1' SMITH.
Death of the Lifelong AbOlitlOniSt in
This City Yesterday.
HIS LAST MOMENTS.
A Sketch of the Life of One of Our Most Re-
markable Men.

twenty minntes TO one O'Clock yesterday after
noon. The body was soon after gwen in charge
OF the undertakers who placed II on Ice and pre-
pared IL for transfer TO the casket in which it viii
be inferred. Preparations for the funeral VIII be
made on Wednesday, and on cue afternoon OF that
day the remains VIII be conveyed TO Peterboro,
accompanied by General Cocnrane and the rea-
ives OF deceased. Mr.. smith arrived at the house
in which he died on Christmas Eve. His wife had
been there on and Tor the past two months
Being in delicate state OF health she was desir-
GUS OF remaining as near the physicians under
whose care she had placed herself as possible,
and she made General Cochrane's house her home.
Mr.. Smith, hearing very good accounts OF the I'M
provement In Mrs Smiths health, desired TO pass
Christmas and the holidays with ner and the
other members OF the family. For that purpose
he came TO the city from Peterboro on Thursday
evening LAST and spent the time. up TO the moment
he was attacked, within the family circle. He was
in his usual excellent spirits On Christmas Day
and seemed TO take almost new interest in she
SOCIETY OF HIS FRIENDS.
At four O'Clock IN the afternoon the entire family
sat down 10 dinner, and when the cloth was re-
moved tney continued around the table recalling
and discussing pleasant memories OF anniversaries
OF the day long rolled up IN the past. Mr.. Smith
retired early to bed, after making arrangements
with General Cochrane for several visits to old
friends during the following cay. One Of these
was to be TO Mr.. Thuriow Weed, who Is about the
same age as Mr.. Smith and another was TO Mr..
Charles O'Conor. When he reached his room Mr..
Smith retired at once and slept soundly until
shortly after six O'Clock on saturday morning.
Mr. Smith rose at nalf-past six O'Clock. Pre-
vtous TO that fire had been lighted IN the room,
and 1t was burning brightly when he got out OF
bed. Mrs. Smith was awake, but continued lying
NaA nha ,y,laa tIv fnrn
hour During that time Mr.. Smith shaved at the
glass in the dressing bureau and partially dressed
himself He mad palled chair
BEFORE THE TIRE,
and appeared to be IN the act OF drawing on his
0ndergarments, when Mrs. Smith noticed that his
hands were working without producing any effect.
Fearing some momentary distress had come upon
him, she quickly left her bed and went to his assist
ancs He complained 10 her OF being very weak,
and with her help returned 10 his bed. From that
moment he never spoke or appeared to return 10
consciousness
Mrs. Smith called Tor assistance as soon as she
had placed her husband IN the bed, and several
members OF the family went promptly to answer
her summons. General Cocnrane had gone out o
short time before. He was engaged to
1sit Mr. Charles O'Conor with Mr.. Smith
soon after breakfast and he went TO
order carriage TO convey them 10 Mr.. O'Conor's
house. When he went back to the house
he found Mr.. Smith in the comatose condition
IRON which he never woke to the moment OF his
death. The attack struck him at about half-past
seven O'Clock. Dr. Bay ard OF No. West Fortieth-
street, the family physician, was once sent Tor,
and within an hour he was at the house. DR..
Bayard tound his patient as Mrs. Smith had
settled him and his entire right side paralyzeo.
Ii was apparent In his opinion. that there had
constant pressure upon which produced the
paralysis in the side OF the body. All that could
possibly be done Tor the Invalid was done by his
friends, but
he NEVER RALLIED
He was almost precisely IN the same condition
until WITHIN about an hour before he died, when
be showed symptoms or sinking, and at twenty
minutes past one o'clock yesterday afternoon he
passed away.
There were present at the moment OF dssolu.
ton, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Miller, Mr.. SMITHS
daughter; Mrs. Ellen Walters, his niece MRS.
Kemeys another niece; General Cochrane, his
nephew andJ. W. Cochrane, the Generals brother.
Owing to the precarious state OF Mrs. Smiths
health General Cocnrane used all hts endeavors
TO keep the knowledge of Mr. Smiths illness
strictly within the family circle. he successful
in doing this up to sunday night when tae hope
lessness OF Mr.. Smiths recovery becoming
established II was resolved to avoid any further
concealment. All the immediate friends of the
family at present IN town called at General Cocn-
rane's residence during the afternoon. when the
news OF Mr.. Smiths death was announced. Those
VINO were not aoe TO be there in person Jee-
graphed their coincidence to the widow and Gen.
eral Cochrane was engaged up TO q late hour last
hight receiving those messages. AIRS. Smith was
al first, as VIII naturally be supposed very shocked
At the sudden striking down OF ner husband. but
she had grown much calmer last evening.
The bed IN which Mr.. Smith died was removed
by the undertaKers. In its stead the remains
placed IN an iceoox on trestes filed up the space
yesterday. white winding sheet MD the entire
box, leaving but the face visible. The countenance
was very white and transparent. unmarried by
MARK OR STAIN
OF the fierce blow that struck the strong man
down. Nothing could be more calm or peaceful
than the rest the dead appeared to be taxing the
closed eyes and smiling mouth giving an idea more
OF reposing life than mmovable death. The now-
ing, whitening beard tnat lramed the face hung
outside the shroudng, giving 70 the quick SEM
biaDce additional Illusion.
Mr.. SMITHS death, though very painful 20 his
friends, VINO stood beside his bed day and night
watching and waiting, with ANXIOUS hoping
hearts Tor a moments supremacy OF his mental
FACULTIES, III only ioHR enough 10 Diu Dim l2St
farewell, was 20 MIN a painless, peaceful passing
away, and when he rested out OF his wife's arms
upon the couch which was 70 be his last mis-
spirit had gone. The great strong frame
had battea with the giant Disease, hight
ing at every point, but yielding by degrees
and growing weaker with the struggling
until, 81 last death rose supreme and
Claimed his own. Two days and two nights TINS
distressing struggle lasted. torturlng the friends
who followed It's every phase, suffering more
themselves than the quiet patient in whom they
were SO much bound up. The physicians warning
tnat dissolution was approaching was OF no avail
they hoped against hope, grounding on their de-
sires a belief that science would be deceived. AT
last the imminent moment came, and the great
man who had fought so many and fierce battles
during life in the cause OF the suffering and OPP
pressed passed within the veil. His religion was
M .lax lArIls mn