The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-22

and Bond at Iynchburg- democratic
Primary at Danvinc-Gaihercd at Many
Points,
LEXINGTON, Va. Mar. 2l.- Special. F.
General Francis H. Smith, for fifty years
the superintendent of the Virginia Military
Institute, and its founder, died This evening
at O'Clock from a strukc of paralysis.
which Frustrated him early Saturday morn
ing. lie was born in Norfolk. Va, ON the
18th Of October, 1912, and was scyonty-cicht
years old. lie was appointed q cadet ,o
West Point from The Norfolk district in
1890, and four years later graduated with
distinguished honors, receiving the APP
pontmcnt Of Lieutenant Of artillery. and
was placed on duty at New London. Conn.
His next appointment was assistant Pro-
icssOr Of ethics at the nited States Military
Academy at West Point. I'm ls,,, he was
called 10 the Chair Of Mathematics at llamp-
den-sidney College, the Presbyterian thco-
logical school for Virginia.
While acting in that capacity in July.
1889. he was appointed by the Governor of
Virginia superintendent of the Virginia
Military Institute. then just organized.
With the rank of major. and such he organ
lied that widely known military school and
took command of the first corp. of cadets
On the llth day Of November. 1850.
With Colonel John r. Preston, husband
Of Margaret j. Preston. the pOcfcs-.
as his assistant. Tie held that position from
the date of his appointment until the lst
day Of January. 1890. when be- voluntarily
resigned, receiving the appointment of
Emeritus Professor of Mathematics. Moral
and Political Philosophy. during his liic.
with a salary of fifteen thousand annually.
Since bis retirement. Colonel scott ~hipn
succeeding him, De has lived "a quiet life.
and physically and Intellectually Dee was
the peer Of any man of fifty mp 90 tine day
be was stricken with paralysis.
He was appointed Colonel of a Virginia
regiment soon after the beginning of the
civil war. and was stationed at Norfolk.
and i'm command of the fort at Craney
Island. During the campaigns against
Richmond i'm 1864. with his corps of cadets
he aided i'm lis defence. and was subse-
quently transferred 20 lynchburg to- pro-
toct that city against the National forces
under General David Hunter.
The barracks mess hin and the residence.
Of the professors of the Virginia Military
Institute, were burned July nth. 1864, Oy
Gen David Hunter. /. =. A., in his famous
t
the funds by his personal eXcrtiOn~. hy
which the buildings were reconstructed and
the school re0rganizcd in 1866 and tine nsti-
tute reached grander proportions BOO the next
seven years than it had ever had previously.
its corps of cadets in 1873 reaching tue
number of about four hundred. iy reason
of the financial crisis of 1879 IT'S patronage
was largely diminished and the institute
became involved in financial trouble, from
which it was relieved by liberal appr0pria-
tiOns from the state Treasury. General
Smith, on his retirement. left the institute
in a most prosperous condition.
In 1885 he married Sarah Henderson,
daughter Of General Thomas Henderson.
United States Army. stationed az West
Point. The children hy this marriage are
Anna Marsden. dead; Mrs. Major j. IT. Nor
risOn. Lexington; Thomas II. smith, nited
states Treasury. Washington. ID. C.: Rev.
Mrs. Otis a. Glalebr00k. Elizabeth. y. J.:
Major +. II. Smith. Virginia Military lnsil-
tute: Miss ~allie l.. Smith. LeXingion y Na.:
Rev. James Henderson smith. deceased.
Mrs. Smith died about seven years ago.
William and Mary gave him the decree of
| IL. ID. in 1875. He published. with Robert
NJ. 4. Duke. a series of ariihmetlcs lNtW
York. 1851. series of alechras Osi~J: and
is the author of "'lhe Best Method of Com
ducting Common Schools" l~iJl. "Coiic-c
Reform" OSjOl. and "Rep0rt 90 the Leeis-
lature of \irgnia ON Scientific Education
i'm Europe" OSjD. He translated Bicot IS
"Analytical Geometry" from the French
| Osl0).
Arrangements for the funeral have not
been made. but military hon0rs Will Doe me-
corded. Flags ON the institute are at haii
mast.