The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-14
Death of Maj. chas. Maurice Smith

Death of Maj. Chas. Maurice Smith.
We were much panied to learn OF the sud
den death of Maj Charles Maurice Smith, a
notice of some of the more prominent Incl
dents of whose life IS appended, taken from
the Richmond State of the 14th. We were
well and intimately acquainted with the de-
ceased, and never knew more gentle, genial
and accomplished gentleman. A few weeks
ago we met him in his office in Washington,
when he was, to all appearances, in robust
health with the promise of years of active
usefulness. His sudden death has stirred the
sympathies and occasioned pain with numer-
Gus others w..o knew him as we did only to
esteem and admire. He was an uncle OF Hon
J. Amber Smith and Chas Maurice Smith. ir.,
practicing lawyers at the Washington bar, and
brother of DIR. E. H. Smith, now United States
Consul at Naples. The Richmond State refers
to his eventtul life as follows:
Intelligence was received here this morning
of the killing of Maj. G. Maurice Smith, near
Port Royal. 1t seems that Maj. Smith was on
his way to the residence of his brother-in-law
DR.. Gravatt, in Port Royal Friday. He was
riding in small spring cart and the driver
got out of the vehi lie, leaving Mai Smith in it
and went up to the door of the residence Of
DR.. Gravatt The horse became frightened, it
is supposed by the knocking on the door, and
ran off, throwing Maj. Smith out. The untol-
tunate gentleman fell with such force as to
break his neck. This intelligence will be re-
ceived with profound sorrow in this city
where the deceased spent so large portion of
his life and had in that time won the esteem of
large circle of acquaintance
Mai. Smith had led an adventurous life He
was born in Lynchburg, his family moving to
Richmond while he was an infant When II
young man he entered the Virginia Land OF
flee as chief clerk. He afterwards studied law
and began the practice of his profession in
this city, but later moved to Caroline county
He subsequently abandoned his profession for
the more congenial one OF journalism and be
came connected with the Washington Sentinel
which was conducted by Mr. Beverly Tucker
From Washington he removed to Utah Terri
tory, where he led an adventurous life and
one at that time full of danger In Salt Lake
City he filled the position Of United States dis
trict attorney under Judge Sinclair, also of
Virginia and until recently Virginia senator
from the Fairfax district. He went out to Utah
with the expedition commanded by Gen. AL
bert Sidney Johnston sent to treat with the
Mormons. The feeling of the Mormons against
the United States authorities at that time ran
high, and more than one attempt was made to
assassinate Maj Smith, who, by his bold and
unwavering prosecutions, incurred their enmi-
ty The position of himself and Judge Sinclair
was full of risk, and more than once they re-
ceived intimidation that it would be well for
them to leave the place. Maj. Smith was the
first lawyer who ever prosecuted and Judge
Sinclair the first judge who tried Brigham
Young, the leader of the MOrmons, and this
xr,r;for hoe hoo rd bOtb of bo ~,
their graphic accounts of the trial. Brigham
Young came into court with his head tied up
in red handkerchief. JUDGE Sinclair ordered
him to uncover his head. The Mormon Apos-
tie said he never uncovered his head in the
presence of the people, whereupon the Judge
told him it did not matter whetherhe uncover
ed his head in the presence OF the people or
not, but one thing was certain, he had to I'M
cover his head in the presence of the United
States Court and if he did not do it at once he
would make him. The apostle did not hest
tate longer
Few men knew more of the early history of
the Mormons than did Major Smith, and he
had written book upon the subject, the man
uscript of which was destroyed by fire at the
evacuation of Richmond in 1865. After fig-
uring prominently in Utah during the troub-
lous times there. Maj Smith came back neaie r
home and became connected with Col. J. w.
Forney on the Philadelphia Press.
When the late war began he came South,
and was chief in charge of the Transportation
Bureau, with the rank of major which office
he administered with signal ability and accu-
racy. Before the war Maj. Smith was connect
ed with the different newspapers. aud was for
long period one of the editorial writers on
the Whig He was there when the celebrated
Peasants Richie duel took place.
Soon after the war he renewed his connec-
ton as associate editor with the Wing and re
manned there until few years since, when he
removed to Washington and resumed the
practice of law
Mai. Smith was in his sixty-tifth year, and
was the son of the late John Hill Smith, who
was member of the Executive Council for
many years and distinguished lawyer. His
grandfather was Col. Larkin Smith, of Rick