The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-03-27
Death Of General F. II. Smith.

General Smith died at Lexington Fri
day last from Il stroke of paralysis which
Frustrated him about II week before and
from which he never rallied. General
Smith was born in Norfolk, Va, in 1872
He was n years old in October last. He
was appointed a cadet to West Point
from the Norfolk district in 1929, gradua-
ted with distinguished honors in 1889,
and entered the military service OF the
United States as Il lieutenant of arti-
lery. He was called to the Chair of
Mathematics of Hampdon- Sidney Col
lege in 1887. In 1889 he was appointed
by the Governor of Virginia Superinten-
dent of the Virginia Military Institute,
which had just been created by the
Legislature. He took charge of the
first corps of cadets, numbering 20
young Virginia boys. November 18th,
1889. John B. Strange, of Norfolk, was
first cadet sentinel posted, relieving the
guard of soldiers so long stationed at
the old barracks. General Smith was
superintendent of the Virginia Military
Institute for 80 consecutive years, and
was one of the most distinguished edu-
Gators in the country. His long and
successful career gave him national
reputation. Graduates under his adj
ministration are to be found in every
State in the Union. He was most re-
markable man. His capacity for work
was boundless. AT various periods in
the history of the Virginia Military In
stitute he taught in every department
of the school. Hepublished also several
useful books In 1915 Smith and Dukes
Arithmetic-1S4S Smiths Algebra-1S49,
"Best Method of Conducting Common
Schools"-1S50, College Reform-1S59, a
Report on Scientific Education in Eu-
rope" He translated ''Biot's Analytical
His mathematical works were very supe-
rior, clear and direct, and were used as
text books at the Virginia Military In
stitute. At the grand Semi Centennial
which took place at the Virginian Mill
tary Institute the 4th of July last. the
ex cadets came up from all over the land
to gather around the altar of their be-
loved and honored Alma Mater On
that altar, with one voice, the old boys
placed "Old Specs" and with loving
hands and tender hearts, they placed
upon his brow the chaplet of victory,
with the benediction of we'll done good
and faithful servant. 1t was then an
nounced that "Old Specs" would lay
list, 1890 1t was felt by all t. be crisis
in the history of the V. M. I. His had
been the creative work. His genius
had guided it's affairs amid many dan
gers from its inception. When the bar
racks, buildings, library, apparatus, and
all the necessary outfit of SO large an in
stitution were destroyed by ruth ess
enemy in 1864 his courage, fidelity and
devotion to his work, built again the
crumbling walls, restored the lost treas
ures, and reared upon the burnt ruins,
and in the waste places, stronger and
nobler institution, which is the proudest
monument that can ever be erected to
so glorious and worthy work. Monu-
mental brass will tarnish and wear with
time, but the self-sacrificing devotion of
General Francis HI. Smith, which built
again the Virginia Military Institute
and presented it as a Christian home
and scientific training school for the
youth of our land, will grow brighter as
-.
duty of the alumni of the V. NJ. l. to
see that no harm comes to this precious
legacy. To every graduate of the V. M.
|. General Smith gave Bible at the end
of his graduating year. On he fy-leaf
of his Bible each graduate will find some
verse written in the familiar handwrit-
ing of the Christian man as guide and
for instruction. Let each one read again
the sacred words given him by his faith
full superintendent, and in the light of
the past, pledge anew his devotion to
the care Of the V. NJ. l., than which no
more enduring or prouder monument
can ever be erected to his memory.
He has "passed over the river and
rests under the shade of the trees with
his faithful colleague, Stonewall Jack
son-hoth earnest and faithful men of
God: and in the great resurrection morn
thousands will rise up to bless them for
their noble deeds while in the flesh.
In 1885 General Smith married Sarah
Henderson, daughter of General Thomas
A
ed at West Point. The children by this
marriage are Annie Marsden, dead Mrs.
Major J. H. Morrison, Lexington; Thos.
H. Smith, United States Treasury, Wash
ington, d. c.; Rev. Mrs. Otis A. Glaze
brook, Elizabeth. N. j.; Major F. H.
Smith, Virginia Military Institute; Miss
Sallie E. Smith, Lexington, Va. Rev.
James Henderson Smith, deceased Mrs.
Smith died about seven years ago.