The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-04-14
Death of James Smith.

- e'@7eVh, nnost vile Is niece oil Mr.
james Smith. 1t was well-known that he
had been in a precarious condition for
several months, and hence the announce
ment OF his death was momentarily ex-
Pected. DIR. Hunter took occasion to pay
an appropriate tribute to his memory,
which will ever be gratefully cherished in
this community.
Mr.. Smith came to Jackson, from Scot
land, in 1884. He prospered in business
here, and was one of the most public
spirited citizens of the place. In 1854, he
visited his native land, and while there he
concluded to return permanently to Scot
land. In April, 1856, he left his business
here in charge OF his younger brother.
Robert A. Smith. 1t was on his trip to
Scotland, in September. 1854, that he was
wrecked on the Steamer Artic. and the
story OF his rescue has been preserved in a
large engraving and in pamphlet. The
basket in which he was when found by a
passing vessel is sacredly treasured by the
family.
Mr.. Smith has not only never forgotten
his old home and friends in Jackson. but
he has, in many substantial ways, remem-
bered them. During the war, be was an
ardent advocate of the Southern cause,
defending it through the press. and invest
ing in its bonds. He sent to this city, lust
before the blockade was established. six
FOUNDER cannon and twenty-five Belgium
rifles, and the monument in our CITY
Cemetery, to his gallant brother, was sent
to this city by him, and on which is in
scribed, Erected by his feIlow-citizens.' =
The community, through its Board OF
Mayor and Aldermen, wanted to erect a
monument to the hero OF Munfordville,
but military rule prevailed at that time,
and objection was made, and so Mr. Smith
did what the people wished to do.
His visit 10 Jackson, in 1884, is fresh in
the memory OF our people, who rendered
him public reception and banquet at the
home OF his lifelong friend, Chas H.
Manship, Esq. While in this country, he
caused to be erected on the spot where
Col. Smith fell, at Munfordville, massive
and costly cenotaph, to perpetuate the
Memory of the sacrifice of the Tenth
Mississippi Regiment, commanded by Col.
Robert A. Smith" This immense block
weighs about thirty tons, and with the ex-
ception of Cleopatra's Needle, is said to
be the largest single stone in America.
And thanks to the patriotic action of the
Mississippi Legislature, the remains of
twenty of the Seventh, Ninth, Tenth,
Twenty ninth, and Forty-fourth Missis-
sippi regiments, were removed from various
parts OF the field. and now rest by the
monument.
During Mr.. Smiths last visit to jackson
he expressed to Mayor McGilI wish that
the public square north OF the Governors
Mansion should be enclosed, and by way
OF giving force to the suggestion, handed
the Mayor one hundred dollars toward the
erection of fence, In view of this, anC
the fact that the square was Immediately
| thereafter enclosed, and is now being
| beautitied, the suggestion has been made
that it shall hereafter he known as james
Smith Park" and we hope the Board 0
Aldermen will SO name it, by special ordi
nance.
Mr.. Smith, when he resided here, was
member OF the Presbyterian Church,
| a. Soht .
School. In 1916, he was a member of tn
Building Committee who superintendet
the erection of the present edifice. He ha
never forgotten the "auld kirke." Som
twelve years ago, when considerable sun
was needed for its repair, he sent drai
for fifty pounds sterling and two year
ago, when the congregation was commend
rating DR.. Hunters pastorate of twenty. iiv
years, Mr.. Smith contributed not only a
expression of kindly remembrance, bu
enclosed in his letter another draft fo
fifty pounds. His private benefaction
to his relatives and intimate friends i
this city and elsew here, were generous an
unceasing. Soon after the war, he di
rected the proceeds OF some property of h
in this city, amounting to two thousan
dollars, to be applied toward the publ
schools
Mr. Smith was one OF the wealthiest cit
zens of Glasgow, his estate being est
mated at several million pounds. He 10
about fifty thousand pounds by the failul
OF the City of Glasgow Bank. He con
menced business in Glasgow, in 1S5
when he introduced the American stow
and obtained patent right to manufa
/ ture it in Great Britain for fifteen year
, In 1857, he had large contracts to supp
the British Army in the Crimea. II
/ foundries at Bonnybrig, eighteen mil
I from Glasgow, give employment to abo
i five hundred persons, and all his emplo
: ees have the advantages of night-schoo
established by him. His wholesale sto
e in London, is a spacious and imposing
tablishment, and does an immense bu
ness.
A pnblic meeting will be held at t
City Hall at o'clock this afterno,
;, with a view to the adoption
- appropriate resolutions OF respect
,r the memory OF this truly good and u
a fGl man, and when some of our old eitizt
il who knew him best, will speak OF his ma
:, noble traits of character