Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-18
AMERICAS" AUTHOR DEAD.
Rev. Samuel F. Smith Dies Suddenly in Depot
at Boston.

Boston, Nov. I7.-Rev. Samuel F.
Smith, d. D., of Newton Centre, the ven
cradle author of the hymn . America. .
died suddenly at the New York & New
England Railroad station, about $40
o'clock, yesterday afternoon.
Dr. Smith was on his way to Readville
at the time. accompanied by Benjamin
McKendry of the American Baptist Mis-
sionary Union OF this city. DIR. Smith
had accepted an invitation to preach to
the congregation of the Blue Hill chapel,
Readville, this afternoon, and was to
spend the night at the home of Mr.. Nc
Kendry, which is in that section of Hyde
Park.
The two gentlemen had planned to go
out ON the 5 40 O'Clock train. They
reached the depot in ample time, and,
having purchased their tickets, seated
themselves in one of the cars and con-
tinued their conversation.
A minute or two before the train was
to leavA DIR. Smith gasped for breath,
raised his hands and fell back in his seat.
The occurrence was witnessed by several
persons in the car besides MIR. McKendry.
The latter was naturally very much
startled, but he assisted Conductor Fred
Hunt and one of the brakemen to bear
the body to the women's waiting room.
When they reached there DR.. Smith was
dead
1t was at first proposed to await the ar
rival of the medical examiner before re-
moving the body, but the room became SC
crowded that at the suggestion of Gen.
Martin, chairman of the police commits
sion, who was going to his home in Dor
chester, call was sent to the Emergency
hospital.
This was received at the hospital at
5 O'Clock, and the ambulance arrived at
the depot within few minutes. DR..
Phohl of the hospital staff thought that
the cause of death was probably heart
trouble
The body was then taken to the hos
pital and placed by DR.. Calvin in the doc
tors room.
MIR McKendry, in the meantime took
the first train from the Albany depot fol
Newton Centre, to break the bad news to
Mrs. Smith.
The news of the sudden death of Rev.
DR.. Smith caused a severe shock to his
many friends in Newton Centre His late
residence was, last evening, besieged with
callers, who offered their sympathy to the
grief-stricken family.
Among those who called was DR.. Alvah
Hovey, a lifelong friend of Rev. DIR.
Smith.
Mr. Matthews, another old friend OF
Rev, DR.. Smith, was also among the
callers.
No arrangements have yet been made
for the funeral, but it will probably be
held, next Tuesday afternoon.
DR.. Samuel Francis Smith, whose
hymn America" has been source of in
spiration to the patriotism of millions of
Americans during the past 60 years, was
born in Boston, Friday, Oct. 81, 1908, in
house on Sheafe street, at the North
end, near the old Christ church.
Graduating from the Eliot school. he
went to the Latin school at the age of 10.
He took rank as leader in intellectual
attachments even at this early age, and
later took the franklin medal, and a gold
medal for an English poem.
At the age of II, he entered Harvard
College, and with his companions of that
year formed what was afterward known
| as the famous class of '29''
1t was while at Andover that Mr..
Smith wrote the words that made him
famous.
He was translating German book of
patriotic songs, and one so captivated him
that in half an hour he wrote and adapted
its music to his song, My Country, Ills
of Thee, . Notwithstanding that the same
tune had been adapted to the words of
God Save the King" in England.
The first time the author ever heard his
song was WHEN it was sung by children at
the Park Street church in Boston, at a
Fourth of July celebration While the
children were singing young woman
passed down Park street, heard the echo
of the music. and stopped to admire it..
This young woman later became Mrs.
Smith.
The funeral will be held from the New
ton Centre Baptist church, Tuesday, at
100 2. NJ. The complete details have not
been arranged.
The officiating clergyman will be Rev.
J. n. Murdoch Of fremont Temple, Bos-
ton, assisted by DR.. Alvah Hovey, presi-
dent of the Newton theological Institute
and DR.. Daniel L. Furner Newton
Centre.
The pail bearers will probably be S. F.
smith of Davenport, Iowa, and Edgar W
Smith, Arlington, sons Of thu deceased !;
Harry W. Jones of Minnesota, and Apple
ton W. Smith, Newton Centre, his grand
SON.
The burial will be in Newton cemetery
and will be private Music will be fur
nished at the church by the choir
There have been many inquiries re-
garjing the singing CT America" at the
funeral. His grandson Informed a re-