The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-02-10
BRADFORD +. SMITH.

in its sable folds The life of one who held
an equally warm and affectionate place
in the hearts Of all who knew him.
more. In the midst of pleasure and the
full enjoyments Of life, surrounded by
friends and aoquaintances, death touch
ed his heart, and its beating ceased for
ever. The writer OF those lines has
known Brad for many years-we were
once lads together, built air castles ard
plans for the future, and though our
ways in life branched off in different Iii
rections, and we but rarely met in after
years, the writer takes an honest pride
IL observing that the many noble quail
lies OF heart and mind characterizing
the boy, were all brought forward into
manhood, and won for him the esteem
and respect of all. We cannot express
our sentiments in this regard with more
trnth or sincerity than Judge Pier
pont of the Chronicle, who has known
Brad from boyhood up, has done. We
take the following from his
OBITUARY.
''The sudden death Of Is. II. Smith,
last Thursday evening, was the most ter
rible shock that las ever visited this
community. Though it was known to
many of his friends that he was subject
to a disease OF the heart which might at
any time terminate his useful career,
they, as well as those who were ignorant
OF his peculiar malady, were unpreparea
to hear Of his being stricken III the midst
OF enjoying social party with ZestEthat
WAS characteristic Of Ills ardent, whole
souied nature, q nature seldom equaled
III its capacity for social enjoyment, or
the readiness shown to contribute to
that of others. We are told that the
band at the club dance in the Windia5e
House had barely commenced a waltz
which they were playing at his request,
when he only half around the hall, fell
with what al first was supposed to be
fainting lit. He was quickly supported,
and seemed for the moment TO rally but
before redcbinG the corridor, without
uttering word, but with Il faint smile
Of apology, this present life was for him
ended forever. This, of course, ,lispers-
Ell the party, and before nine O'Clock
tie terror, grief stricken guests compris-
ing the elite of Janitowoc, had depart
ell for their homes. Only few remain
al with Mrs. Smith, who had accompan-
ell her husband, and who could not be
persuaded that her loved one would go
40 further with her III the journey Of
life. Some OF the friends OF deccaced
from Two River also remained to render
such assistance IS was required, while
others fastened to break the sad news
to heart-brcken relatives and anguish
stricken friends here. Soon the re-
mains OF deceased with those who had
stayed TO assist, accompanied by some
of the Manitowoc people, among whom
we noticed Hon. r. D. Smart, arriAed
at Two Rivers, confirming by the awful
presence os death the terrible intelli-
gellce that preceded it. no pen can de-
scribe the scene followed. Ia one room
stored with the Objects Of cultivated
taste, slcepiess love dnd thoughtful care
for wife and little one, lies in death the
form OF one, who but 4 few hours before,
had salutad rs in some little neighborly
act, full OF apparent life and vigor. At
the side Of his remains stand the wife of
his hearts best love and most sangnine
homes, FLIED; with a dumb, fearless grief
that ciings to fain hope against al
y
stands the aged father, Deacon Smith,
whose nearly four score years and many
Affections have taught lessons Of Chris
tian patience, the whole force Of which he
has need of to remember as he looks at
the still remains of the last Of his sons.
Two Of the sisters are there with lamenta-
lions mingling with those of relatives
and neighbors who have always regard
ed the deceased more as brother than
as 8 friend.
THAT these feelings Of grief were not
confined to immediate friends and rela-
tives OF deceased was apparent when tie
next morning revealed tue extent Of
their loss to the whole village. Every
one received the intelligence that Brad
the name by which he was familiarly
known by old and young-had died
suddenly, the night before, as if it was
to each personal loss and an individual
affection. Flags were displayed at half
mast through the day, business suspend
ed, and from the night of death till the
day OF burial our village wore the badge
of mourning. The writer has known
the deceased for the last twenty years.
From fifteen to tilirty-fve he has lived
mostly in Two Rivers. As boy, but
more particularly since reaching mans
estate, he has been noted for having
most amiablo disposition; for being
charitable almost to prodiSality; for
having keen and inq1iring mind into
every department of machinery, with
considerable inventive genius that need
cd only little more exercise to confer
distinction upon the possessor. That
he was universally esteemed is attested
by the number and deep sympathy of
the mourners over his untimely end.