Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-28

| Memory Of the Late Editor Of the
Akron Tribune.
'The Geographic announcement of
the death of John a. Smith came as
shock to this community, where the
deceased was we'll known a few years
since. 1t revived many brighS and
tender memories which the cruelty of
time cannot effacc. 1t recalled rec
objections of a young man, strong in
intellect, brave in spirit, tender in
sympathy and generous in friend ship.
1t called to mind paragraphs in the
earlier files of the Beacon which spread
the balm of consolation over wounded
Ispirits and made the earth brighter all
about.
I'm 1869, we believe, he came to this
county, locating with his parents on
the homestead in Westport. now owned
by Wallace Smith, and busying him
self chiefly at Milford, the town then
springing up at the new Seymour-Fo Foster
mill. Al home in any company, able
to talk science, politics or literature
wisely and we'll, a master at story
telling, at ease in parlor or saw mill,
John was popular among all his asSO-
ciates.
when Orson Rice brought in a
printing Office in the fall of 1871 he
promptly installed John as foreman.
and from the first issue he did most of
|, the editorial writing in the paper,
, soon attracting attention with his
bright paragraphs and able editorials.
A year later he assumed proprietary
interest in the Beacon, which he re.
+ tanned until the spring of 1881. For
years he was quite power in politics
at home and abroad. In the broader
field Of district and state politics he
was particularly strong. A number OF
! politically strong men in the north
west got their start to considerable
extent by the good management and
smooth, clean tactics of this man.
''For a number of years he was in the
land business. In 1858 he moved to
Sioux City to take the local editorship
OF the Journal. His experience in the
city was varied until little more than
year ago, when, in partnership with
his two older sons, he established the
F, Tribune at Akron, with which he
: labOred until The end.
Gin the old days Spirit Lake and
, Dickinson county had no better friend
J than John A.. Smith. He bore alOft
. their banner through the storms OF
t winter and the plaques of summer.
His hopeful spirit wavered not when
darkness was blacklist, and his pro-
phetic sodl confidently pointed to the
better days sure to come. OF his time
] and talent and meager means he gave
J ungrudgingly to the public and to his
friends, and in his cOmradeship there
was much to prize.
/. ITO this writer he was, in those
earlier days, truly guide, philosopher
and FRIEND We began almost together
. on the Beacon one a finished printer
t and practical newspaper man, the other
. just taking his first lessons. A change
: in prOprietorship threw out the latter,
but when John got grip on the bust
n ness he called back his boy friend, who
' was eager to come on any terms. For
. q year tine relations of employer and
' elnploye were sustained, and the friend.
$ ship grew apace. John had been skill
Q fully trained, as were few frontier news
paper and how to print it. He had
high ideals and was uncompromisiDg
In their pursuit. There was nothing
]. cheap or narrow in his editorial work.
= He had read widely and thought deep.
}, ly. Verify, there was an inspiration in
!. his comradeship and character in his
teachings. At the end Of q year his
partner withdrew, and we never can
forget the day when John came over to
= the case where we were at work and
took our breath with the query: Abe,
do you want a half interest in the
! Beacon?' The reply was: Why, John,
9 have no money nor friends to back
. me. How can I buy anything?' Never
mind said John. in his strong, cheerful
: way, come in and we'll manage to
p swing her. And we did, through a
seven years partnership mutually salts
factory.
This man, born to life Of useful
ness and developed into the fullness OF
able and forceful manhood, died when
q he should have been at the zenith Of
: his power and influence, but really at
, the end OF fifteen dark and tempestuous
years-years OF humiliation, remOrse
, and torment to his own over-shadowed
Dsoul, and grief unspeaksble to those he