Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-11-12
EX-GOV. SMITH DEAD.
PRESIDENT OF THE CENTRAL VER-
MONT, IN HIS 73O YEAR.
Most Prominent Railway Man in the
State-Last of the War Governors
Speaker of the Vermont House-Chair-
man of Three state Delegations to Ma
tional Conventions

ST. ALBAXs, Nov. 6.-Ex-Gov. J. Greg
Dry Smith, president of the Central Yer
mope railroad, died at o'clock tonight of
heart allure. Last February Gov. Smith
contracted severe cold, and had been i'll
failing health ever since. fbout three
months ago he practically gave Up busi-
ness, and, although able TO ride out occa
.ionaliy until within two weeks his condi-
tor was such as 10 cause his frieu.,s much
anxiety. While the townspeople have been
in n measure prepared for the sud event, it
came suddenly at last, and has shocked the
entire community.
Early ia tho evening he was thought to
be somewhat more comfortable than for "a
day or two past and the crisis came with
crushing force upon tha imnedate family
All Of his family were present al his death
bed save one son. George g., OF Minnsa-
polls
Hon j. Gregory Smith was born at St.
Absns. VI, July % 1918, and was the
son of Hon. John Smith, a prominent fig
ure in Vermont railroad and political cir
cics. Gregory studied law and was ai-
mitted to the bar in l64l. In 1919 he be-
gan his railroad career as council for the
Vermont Central railroad and the Vermont
Bud Canada railroad. From 1893 to
1858 he was OF the reviewers Of the
Vermont Central railroad ftomlo66 to 1872
lie was president of the Northern Pacific
railroad beng. one of the incorporstors,
and since 1873 he has been president OF the
Central Vermont railroad.
He was speaker of the Vermont House in
1861 and '62, and chairman Of the
Sta,e de egation to the national republic an
conventions in 1872. 1880 aud 1854. He
presided over several State conventions, and
presidential campaigns. He was prominent
ly interested In several local business enter-
prises, aud was president of the Welden
National bank, the Peope's Trust company
and the Franklin County Creamery a,socia-
ton. In those positions his business
capacity and influence were far reaching
and will be greatly missed
Ex-Gov. Smith was a man Of marked OK
ecutiye ability Gni achieved notable poiiti-
cal and b uslncss successes. AS governor Of
the State during the dark days o. tae rebel
lICu he was staunch and true to the best in
terests of the nation and most loyal and
friendly to the Nermonters who rallied a
the call of the president. In fact, Yer
mont's splendid war record was due in no
small measure to Gov. Smiths iudefatiga-
bic efforts and he has often since been re-
ferrcd to as the "war GOVERNOR
ond to none in the State Called upon to
pass through vast amount Of litigation in
connection with the Central Vermont rail-
road, he became master of the situation,
and the advanced condition of that corpora
tion to- day with lis ample facilities for
transportation, is but tho re ult of close
personal attention and management on the
part of its president, entaiiing upon him a
strain under the force OF which many an
other man would have gone down.
Of genial presence and alfabe in his
dealings with men, Gov. Smith made a host
of friends all over the State and eisew here
throughout the country, even among those
who were his political or business opponents.
His palatal residence in St. Albans has
been the scene OF many social gatherings at
which Governor and Mrs. Smith have dis
pensed courteous hospitality. Ex-Gov.
Smith leaves five children namely: George
e., in business at Minneapolis, Mimi; Ed
ward c., at present. vce-presdeut and gen
eral manager of the Central Vermont rail
road Mrs, o. c. Stevens of Boston aut
Mrs. Rev. d. S. Mackay of St. AlDans.