News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-11-12
Death of Ex-Governor smith.

Ex-Governor John Gregory smith,
died of heart disease at his home in
st. Adams. Governor Smith had
been in failing health for more than
q year. He was born July D, 1918,
in st. Adams, where he has made his
! home during his entire life. In 1872
he was graduated from the univer-
sity of Vermont, and then pursued a
course at the Yale law school. Upon
graduation he began the practice OF
his profession with his father, who
was then a prominent member OF the
Franklin county bar. His father af-
ter became interested in railroads,
and the son was high in the manage
ment of the Vermont and Canada
railroads for more than thirty years.
! He was forty years old when made
| trustee and manager of these two
roads, and heretained these positions
until 1861, when both roads went in
to receivership, the receivers being
Mr.. Smith, Joseph Clark and Law
renee Brainard. Upon the reOrgan-
| ization of the roads he became Dresi-
dent of the Central Vermont railroad
and retained the position to the time
| of his death. He was also at one
time president of the Northern Pa
cific railroad Mr.. Smith was also
prominent in politics and made an
eminent record. His services to the
Republican party of the state and
nation were of such character as to
entitle him to the thanks of members
of that party In 1859 he served
with distinction in the state senate,
and in 1851 he was confidential cOun-
| sci for Governor Fairbanks and was
associated with him in organizing
troops for the war. He afterward
became governor Of the state and
was chairman of the Vermont delega-
tions at several Republican national
conventions Governor sSTith was
a true and loyal VermoS---r, and was
| influential not only in railroad cir
cles and in politics, but IN his bust
ness life. His influence was felt in
everything in which he engaged and
was second to that of no other citi-
zen of the state.
His palatial residence in st. Adams
| has been the scene of many gather
ings, at which Gov. and Mrs. Sn tn
| have dispensed a courteous hospital
ity.
EX-Gov. Smith leaves five children ;
George g., in business at MinneapO-
| lis, Mimi; Edward c., acting presi-
dent, vice president and general man
ager of the Central Vermont railroad;
Mrs. O. C. Stevens ofBoston and Mrs.
Rev. d. S. Mackay of st. Adams.
The funeral was held in, the Con-
gregatioal church Tuesday after
noon, the services being conducted
by President NJ. H. Buckham of the
University of Vermont. The bearers
were j. w. Hobert, eX-general man
ager; j. NJ. Foss, general superin-
tendant; E. A. Chittenden, superinten-
dent of local freight traffic; ID. ID.
Raulett, treasurer; S. W. Cummings,
general passenger agent, and &. G.
Lucas, general auditor OF the Central
Vermont railroad.
The honorary pail bearers were
Senator Proctor, Gov. Page, J. D.
Hatch of Burlington, James r. Lang
don of Berlin, and DeacOns H. NJ.
Stevens, Charles WymaD, Homer E.
Bently and B. D. Hopkins of the
Congregational church.
From the st. Adams Messenger of
last Saturday we take the following
regarding the Governors last days:
Gov Smith had been in comparatively
good health up to the close of the year 1890.
Early in the new year he contracted a Sc
we're cold which confined him to the house
several days He partially recovered from
this attack and visited his Office almost
daily, until the first of March, when he
made a trip to New York city for his health
On the goth of March he was taken serious
~ i'll in New York. remaining there until the
9th of the month, when he returned to st.
Adams. He subsequently became GONZALES
cent, and was frequently at his office during
the summer months.
On the occasion of the visit of President
Harrison to st. Adams, August % and 20,
Gov. Smith entertained the president at his
home.
On September 16 he went to the Adiron-
fafr'T't ~ ~as4
ton, returning home on the 3Oths Since
that time he had been in failing sAealth.
but he took a carriage ride almost daily
through October During the present month
he grew worse. More particularly were the
evidences of his fast failing health observable
in the night time. when, on several occasions,
it was though that the end was but a ques
tion ola few hours.
But his great vitality would not so easily
yield to the power of disease and lingering
traces of his old-time tenacity and force
were still apparent in the mighty struggle
which he made for life. By day he rallied
against his fast retreating strength to cope
with the dread dangers of the night to come,
but, little by little, the weakening forces sur
rendered and the great battle ended in vie
torious rest.
Since Saturday last, he has Peposed during
the day time in an easy chair in his room,
occupying his bed only at night, and it
was not until late yesterday afternoon that
he was taken to his couch before the hour
when he was wont to seek repose.
Yesterday morning there were no indica-
tions observable but what gave reason to
believe his condition of health had expert
eneed no material change from the few pre-
ceding days. But at 4 o'clock in the after
noon he was. overcome by fainting SPELL
from which he temporarily rallied only few
hours later to sink gradually into his last
sleep. DR.. JENNIE, who has been almost a
constant attendant, night and day, was
hastily summoned, but reached his bedside
only as-he breathed his last.