Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05
A VALUED: OFFICIAL
Death Of Joseph FsSm3th This Morn
ing in Florida.
CONSUMPTION AND HEART DISEASE
Director Of the Bureau of Amer
can Republics.
MAN OF WIDE LEARNING

MIAMI, Fla, February 5-Hon Joseph
P. Smith, director of the bureau of Amer
lean republics, died here at $40 this morn
ing, after a prolonged illness, caused by
overwork. He came to Miami early in the
season in order to recuperate his falling
health on the shore of Bay Biscayne. For
time his condition was so much improv-
ed as to give his friends no cause for anx-
fety, but later he suffered a severe relapse,
and his friend, DR.. Mosgrove of Ohio, came
down to attend him, and until few hours
ago it was reasonably hoped that he would
recover.
The body will be taken to Urbana, Ohio,
tomorrow morning.
Joseph P. Smith, director of the bureau
of the American republics, died at the
Hotel Royal Palm, Miami, Fla, early this
morning, after a prolonged illness from
consumption, complicated with heart dis
ease. Word to that effect was received by
the President, the Secretary of State and
other personal friends at early hour
this morning. Although Director Smith
was known to be in very bad health, the
news of his death came decided shock
to his many friends in this city, inasmuch
as recent reports indicated an improvement
il, his condition to such an extent as to en-
courage the belief that he might eventual
ly regain his health. The news of his
death was telegraphed here by Mr.. w. s.
Maginnis who had been in attendance upon
him for some time.
Director Smiths Illness.
Mr. Smiths illness dates from last Oc-
tober, when he was stricken with an at
tack of pneumonia, which was attended
by symptoms of heart trouble with the
result that he was obliged to seek health
in warmer climate. Early in December
he went to Florida, and, according to re-
ports, steadily improved In health until
about week ego, when he sustained an
other attack of pneumonia. 1t was feared
the second attack would prove immedi-
ately fatal, but he again rallied, and his
friends began to hope for his ultimate re-
covery. His system, much enfeebed by
his long illness and weak heart, was not
able, however to stand the severe physi-
cal strain and he sank gradually but sure
ly until this morning, when death came to
his relief. y..,l
His Career.
Mr.. Smith was born in West Union. Ad-
ans county, Ohio, August Z. 1856, and had
an active and honorable career. At sixteen
years of age he took employment in nail
mill at Bellaire, Ohio, and soon after be-
Sd"S iuSHlllSu III d Capacity with
newspaper at Greencastle, Ind. He
worked on the paper at night and attended
college in the daytime. He did not gradu-
ate, however, as he left college to teach in
country schools in both Ohio and Illinois
In 1876 he became special correspondent of
the Cincinnati Commercial in the congress
sional district in which President McKin-
ley was a candidate for Congress for the
first time. The acquaintance then begun
continued ever since, and time only served
to strengthen it.. In 1888 Mr.. Smith became
part proprietor of the Urbana Citizen and
did most of it's editorial work. Prior to
this, however he had peen clerk of the
Ohio state house of representatives. he
was in charge of the Crbana Citizen at the
time the state gerrymander deprived Mr.
Mckinley of the chance of reelection to
Congress, and it is said that Mr.. Mckin-
leys subsequent nomination and election as
governor of the state were due in great
measure to the foresight and efforts of Di-
rector Smith. who began to work to that
end Immediately after his defeat for Con-
gress.
Work In the 1896 Campaign.
During a part of Mr. McKinley's guber-
material administration Mr.. Smith held the
office of state librarian. He resigned this
office in order to devote himself exclusive
ly to the Mckinley campaign committee
during the last presidential election. The
President naturally had high regard and
friendship for Mr.. Smith, and soon after
his Inauguration he appointed him director
of the bureau of American republics, the
affairs of which he administered with signal
ability.
Mr. Smith leaves a widow and seven chill
dren, having been married in Galveston,
Tex, in 1884 to Miss Hutches.
The President Deeply Affected.
President Mckinley was deeply affected
at the news of the death of Mr.. Smith.
He Immediately sent a telegram of con-
dolence to Mrs. Smith, who was with her
husband. To friends who called during the
day the President recalled his affection for
the dead man. 1t is well known that no
man was closer to President Mckinley than
Mr.. Smith. The President regarded him
possessing political sagacity unequaled and
heart as warm and true as ever beat.
The President some time ago warned Mr.
Smith against his long hours of labor, and
finally induced him to go to Florida.
The Solicitor Generals Tribute.
Solicitor General Richards of the Depart
ment Of Justice was attorney general of
Ohio when Joseph Smith was state libra
rian and President Mckinley was govern
or Mr.. Richards and Mr.. Smith were
warm friends, and the first news of the
death of Mr.. Smith was received in a tele-
gram to Mr.. Richards early this morning.
Mr.. Richards paid touching tribute to
Mr.. Smith today, briefly telling of the life
history of the man loved by so many for
his sterling qualities. Mr.. Richards said:
Joe Smith was born in the same dis
trict / was, the tenth Ohio. When I first
met him, some seventeen years ago, we
were both republicans and both interested
in politics, he as the editor of a country
paper and as young lawyer. From that
day to this l had growing love and ad-
miration for him. He came of good, sturdy
stock, was industrious and ambitious. a
hard worker and a hard fighter. true