Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-07-05


been our lot to chronicle is the acciden-
tai drowning of our deeply mourned
citizen and physician, DIR. John A.
Smith, from the steamboat Matte, last
Saturday night, between 9 and $50
o'clock.
He was one of the livliest and most
animated members of the excursion
party to Belle Isle, entering into the
pleasures of that occasion with that
zest and heartiness which characterized
his every act Throughout the day his
merry laugh and genuine appreciation of
whatever occurred to enliven or in
struct was as ever, the remark of his &C
quaiutances and friends The remark
was frequently made CDR. Smith, seems
to be enjoying himself thoroughly.
AT Belle Isle, when the party who had
visited the springs returned discounted
and drenched with rain, DR.. Smith met
them at the stage of the boat. and, with
the tenderness and solioitude which
ever distinguished him as humane
gentleman, inquired as to their condi-
ton, aud advised as to the course they
ought to pursue to avoid cold. The
boat left the landing and the doctor
sought the cabin deck, where he stood,
apparently gazing in admiration upon
the vast expanse of water on the right
of the Matte, when she had reached
Atchafalaya Bay, the high hills Of
Belle Isle on the left and the great sea
marshes in the direction Of Shell
Island. The Matte reached Shell
Island Bayou; the run through it was
accomplished and we were in Berwick
BAY. At this time The doctor was seen
on the lower deck with child Of Den
mis- Shannon on his knee, caressing and
fondliDg it. lie was great lover of
children. Half an hour later it was
quite dark, and he was observed doing
in chair in the engineers room. His
friends saw him there and would not
disturb him.
In the meantime small groups of ex-
cursouists had gathered here aid there
about the boat and were singing,
talking, dancing, or otherwise engaged,
About six miles below Morgan City
tie Matte passed luggar which con-
tanned a number of people The Mat
tie blew her whistle, the people cheered
and loud ncise was made by those in
the luggar. The luggar passed on and
was forgotten, The singing on the
Ma>tie was resumed.
Some fifteen minutes later whis
pered inquiry was made for DR.. Smith;
no one had seen him since he had been
seen resting in the engineers room.
Search was instantly and thoroughly
made, but he was indeed gone where
or how none could tell. A solemn
hush fell upon all and with trembling
limbs and blanched faces the excursion
lists landed in Morgan City.
An official search of the boat was
then instituted but resulted in disclos.
ing nothing that could throw light
upon the mysterious disappearance.
All efforts to recover the BODY prov
cd futile until during the forenoon on
Wednesday the remains were found
near the residence OF Mr.. VIM. Written,
eight miles below this place liz East
Reach.
a tugboat was dispatched with Cor
oner Lenaux and some friends, and the
body brought here in the evening and
buried by the Masonic order in their
lot in the City Cemetery, Thursday
forenoon.
John Augustiu Smith was born in
Winchester, Va, in 1915: and was Cd
years of age at time Of death. He was
graduate of the University of Virgin
ia, from which Institution OF learning
he received his diploma in 1885. In
1912 he came to Louisiana and located
in ST. Martinsyille, where he practiced
his profession successfully for number
of years; in 1871 he returned to Virgin
la and spent four years in that state, re-
turning to Louisiana, he settled in Nor
gan City in 1875. He identified HIM
self with all movements of public inter
est while citizen of this place and no
man was better known than DIR. John
a. Smith. A Mason, an Odd Fellow,
President of Chas. A. Whitney Fire
Company No. |, and Quarantine Physi-
clan, at the hour of his unfortunate
death, he leaves vacant position as q
man in this community hard to fill.
Thus, in the midst of merriment, life
and gladness he suddenly passed from
life 70 death. As an incidents About
the time lie was first missed, group
on the hurricane roof was singing the
song ''Safe in the Arms of Jesus.
May his soul rest in peace.-Morgan
Gig Reuicw, Louisiana.
B9- DR.. Smith was a brother to the
wife OF Col VIM. a. Morgan, of this
place, who has the sympathy Of This Ell
tire community, in her sad affection.
BD TEACHERS INsTIrUrEs-Prof.