West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-12-07

VI law, OF some hired professional
outlaw, earning his wages without
personal malice.
THE SEWARD REPORTER,
paying a high tribute to the de-
ceased, and relating incidents in
his noble life showing his christian
courage in the line of duty, con-
cludes as to the occasion of his
death, as follows:
ut IS evident that the affair has
grown out of the contest over en-
forcing the Slocumb law in Omaha.
Col. Smith was the leading spirit
OF the Temperance Alliance com
mlttee appointed to see to it that
the law would be enforced"
LINCOLN NEWS.
After referring eloquently to the
sacrifice Of Christ, and the death of
noted martyrs, who suffered death
for principle, the Lincoln Neaos says:
But it remains for Nebraska to
furnish an honorable gentleman, a
high official, an honored and early
resident of the State, as sacrifice
to the temperance cause. From the
death of our Savior christianity
was established, and upon this rock
are all the churches, and morality,
intelligence and educational insti-
buttons founded From the sacri-
fees of the War and the assassina-
ton Of Lincoln, the soul of freedom
has pervaded the dark places of the
enslaved and the blot of constituted
slavery on Columbia's soil is no
longer stain upon the nations
record. Slavery was abolished and
the name of Lincoln covers one of
history's proudest pages 1t now
remains to record a tragedy which
shakes the treacherous foundation
upon which the most formidable
foes of advancement of our enlight-
ened people is fixed. Watson B.
Smith, a veteran leader in subduing
this terrible curse has been assas-
sinated, and from this date a more
vigorous warfare will wage against
the demon alcohol than ever AVA
kened the State, or moved to action
a nation in sympathy with moral
reform. The death of Watson B.
Smith will be avenged, and every
violator of the law held to answer
the charge of murder.
PAWNEE CITY ENTERPRISE.
Rum did it. One of the most
dastardly deeds that ever stained
the fair name of the State Of Ne
braska was committed at Omaha
last Friday night, when Watson B
Smith, clerk of the U. S. District
court, was foully murdered. The
Enterprise has occasionally spoken
of the efforts of the temperance PEG
pie of Omaha to close saloons on the
Sabbath, and the action that this
led to, in closing other places Of
business on that day. In this
movement Col. Smith was one OF
the recognized leaders, as he was in
every movement for the suppres-
sion of vice and the promotion OF
morality. By his course, Jealous,
self-sacrifcing and earnest, he had
made many enemies, especially
among saloon men. From these
he received many threatening let
ters, but still he went bravely on.
There can be no doubt it was one
of these base enemies who murdered
this brave, true man at the dead Of
night. Rum did it; there can be
no other Interpretation. The days
of martyrdom are not yet past. But
the memory of this brave man,
who shrank not from duty, though
his life was threatened, and his ex-
ample will nerve every temperance
man or woman in Nebraska to re-
newed and redoubled efforts.
PAWNEE CITY REPUBLICAN.
A full account Of the most das-
tardlv assassination which ever
disqraced our State, and which took
nlace in Omaha last Friday night,
appears on the first page OF this
naper. The terrible deed is the
outgrowth of the open law-breakers
Of Omaha, who have fought the Slo-
cumb liquor law so desperately, as
- n IL VOC o,,,ono ba foremost