The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-11
DIR. SMART is DEAD.
He Expired While Talking to
an Office Caller.
FELL OVER AND GASPED THRICE.
Death Camo Without Warning-A Greek
Fisherman Falls Over Dead
In His Boat.
FELL OVER AND oAsPED THRICE

Dr. j. 8. NJ. Smart, ex-coroner of King county
and prominent physician in Seattle, dropped
dead in his Office at the Union block about IL
o'clock yesterday.
Mrs Laura Hepburn, of O'Brien station, a
patient, called on the doctor few moments be-
fore noon, and found him seated at his desk eat
ing grapes. As she entered DR.. Smart arose and
offered her his chair. He seated himself upon
the sofa on the left side of the room and spoke
o few words, but not in his usual brisk, cheerful
raarncr. Suddenly he swayed TO and fro and
became black in the face. He gasped for
breath, and Mrs Hepburn, thinking he had
tainted, rubbed his wrists. Becoming alarmed
at the want OF pulse, she ran into the hall, rang
the elevator bell aud cried for help. John Hanson,
the janitor, heard her call and ran TO the room,
and seeing the condition of the doctor ran be-
low for Dr. James Shannon, who entered the
room just as DR.. Smart drew three long breaths
and fell back apparently lifeless. Il q
moments work to feel of the pulse and listen
for the beating OF the heart. The little crowd
which had gathered in the loom waited in
breathless silence for Dr. shannon to speak, and
az he said, "He is dead" those present seemed
stricken dumb. At this point DR.. E. l. Smith
entered the room with Mrs. Hepburn, who had
fastened TO his Office for his assistance. The
two doctors now made close examination for
any spark of life that might remain, but their
efforts were unavailing, as the cold paid
Smart was dead.
Coroner George NJ Horton, partner of Dr.
Smart, was at Falls CITY attending an inquest
SO Deputy Coroner j. A. Greene was notified
and the body was removed TO the undertaking
rooms of Bonney & Stewart, corner Columbia
and Third streets, where it lies awaiting
arrangements for the funeral services.
DR.. Joseph Stedman MiIledge Smart was of
Scotch descent, ana was born March q. 1854, in
Charlotte county, New Brunswick. At the age
of Is he was so far advanced in his studies that
he was a successful candidate for admission to
Bowdoin college, Maine At this time James G.
Blaine was trustee of the college and at the
time of DIR. Smart's graduation stepped forward
took him by the hand and congratulated him on
being the youngest person ever graduated from
the college. His desire to study medicine aud
surgery led him to enter Bellevue Hospital col
lege, New York city. Here he graduated second
in class of over 100 students. At the final ex-
animation failure to answer one question was
all that prevented his leading the class.
The mining excitement at Carson City, New,
attracted his attention and he Immediately went
to that city and commenced the practice of his
profession. His marked ability and genial man.
ners made him . great favorite, and he soon en-
loved an extensive and lucrative practice
Mining speculations also claimed portion OF his
time and in this he very successful
for q considerable time, but toward the latter
part of his stay in the city he lost greater por
ton of $40 000fn the same manner as he had OBJ
tanned it. When he had been in the city one
year he was made surgeon of the Virginia &
Truckee railroad, which position he held until
the dizziness of the town led him, in company
with Colonel George G. Lyon, to seek other
fields. At first they went to Humboldt county,
California, and thence To Portland, Or The
Puget sound country attracted their attention,
and on coming to Seattle they were SO well
MIA ,vitb he t0U bar ed bare
Dr. Smart soon went into partnership with DR..
E. l. Smith. 1t was while practicing in this
city that he became acquainted with George
Horton, then boy, and took him into his office
as student Mr.. Horton went to Bellevue
Hospital college, and on his return to Seattle
entered into partnership with DR.. Smart
As physiciyn and surgeon DIR. Smart ranked
among the first in the city. He served one term
as health officer and later became coroner,
which Office he filed for three years ending
January Il. 1891
He leaves a mother, three sisters and three
brothers. His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Smart,
lives at Green lake with her daughter, Mrs. W..
h Merwin. Mrs J. W. Young is also resident
of Seattle, and Mrs. Sarah Reynolds, his third
sister, lives in Carson City. New. Of mis- three
brothers. John W. Smart is electrician in
this city, J. c. Smart one of the proprietors of
the Express, Ballard newspaper, and Nathan
Smart is in business at Montesano.
Dr. Smart WAS a member of the Ancient Order
of United Workmen, and carried life insurance
made payable to his mother.
Arrangements for the funeral services are as
yet uncompleted.
All meeting of the Seattle Medical Society,
held last evening in reference 10 the death of
DR.. Smart, il was decided to hold q meeting
this evening at O'Clock in room 22S, Pioneer
building, TO which all physicians of King
county are invited II is the desire of the society