Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-11-26

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Z n
itor and proprietor
OF the Mount Pleasant Times Review,
who writes editorials with pen held
in his mouth or between his toes
writes them with ease, too, and says
he does not think it very much of
feat, at all events. not worth talking
about.
Editor Smith is compelled to resort
to this unusual method because nature
neglected to provide him with arms.
His birthplace was in Miller county,
Arkansas, and he was born July %,
1868. His father, Alexander Smith,
native of North Carolina, was wagon
and carriage maker by trade, but in
later years a farmer. He was married
to Martha E. Phillips, daughter Of the
Rev. Joseph E. Phillips, a leading
Methodist minister of Alabama. To
them were born ten children, Aaron be-
ing the second.
Aaron was born without arms, and
he early acquired the remarkable gift
of using his feet for hands, and as
naturally as other children learn to
use their hands. 1t might be supposed
that one born without arms would lead
a solitary and lonely life, but he early
learned to substitute his feet for hands
and engage heartily in games and pas
times with his companions. When
quite small he learned to feed himself
with his feet, and at the age of seven
had learned to write. About this time
he entered school, standing at the head
of his classes. He was no less at home
on the playground, where he engaged
in games of marbles, croquet and ball,
becoming an expert in marbles and
croquet. AS a matter of pastime, in
youth he acquired some proficiency in
performing on the guitar and piano.
At a very early age he began to map
out a course in life and to realize the
Importance of a thorough education.
Want of funds, however, prevented
he afterward finished the courses of
philosophy and logic and others at
home. To this fund of knowledge he
added by extensive reading.
Mr.. Smiths boyhOod days were spent
in Cass county, Texas. He moved to
Mount Pleasant, Texas, in November,
1888, where he studied law and was
admitted to the bar the following
spring, at the age of twenty.
Success attended his efforts from the
first. He built up a good law practice
and was particularly strong in his ar
guments before a jury. In September,
1898, he formed the idea that the news
paper business offered a more inviting /
field to one of his physical disabilities, |
and, finding the Mount Pleasant Times
Review for sale, purchased it, He has
it with great success, making
It one Of the best county papers in
Texas. All this time he has taken an
active interest in politics. In 1894 he
was the Democratic nominee for cOun
y Judge and was a member from Ii
us tOuuLy VI Tie SldtE OtulOtIdtlC COu-
7ention in 1896, which elected dele
gates to the Chicago convention. He
S also a member of the Texas Press
Association.
Sept. a, 1895, he was married to
Hiss Carrie P. Sweet, daughter Of the
Rev. E. NJ Sweet, a prominent mem
Der Of the Northwest Texas conference
# the N. E. Church South, the we'd
ling being the elimination of a happy
omance Of his boyhood days To this
marriage has been born a lovely little
irl
Mr. Smith is editor and business
manager of his paper. In writing he
ODDS the pen in his teeth, working
t an ordinary desk. He also writes
nth his toes, either with pen or on
he typewriter. By holding a leadpen-
il in his teeth and striking the type
ritter keys with it he is enabled to
rite at a fair rate of speed Mr.
NTH has been so long accustomed to
-riting in these unusual ways that he s
onders that people think it mar E
elOus.