The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1902-07-11

The above note, found on a table
IN his room at Little Rock
hotel explained the manner Of death
OF Col. J. n. Smithee, one Of the best
known newspaper writers in the
southwest On the bed lay the body
Of Col. Smithee, in his right hand
elasped a 3s-calibre revolver, with one
chamber empty, the leaden missile
having went straight through his
temple. entering the right side. Col.
Smithee was last seen alive on the az
ternoon of the 4th. and his body was
not discovered until about twenty
hours after death and his many
friends were dumbfounded al the news.
About two months ago Col. Smithee,
while in New York city, fell on slip
perry pavement and sustained frae-
ture Of the right ankle, which caused
him intense suffering. He returned
10 Little Rock apparently on the road
TO recovery, when he was stricken with
fever A few weeks spent at Hot
Springs greatly benefited him, hut he
was still a sufferer from the accident
that befell him in New York. His
was such character that would not
permit of appeals to friends for
aid, under the circumstances. and he
deliberately planned 10 take his own
life. Col. Smithee was native of
Arkansas. and numbered among his
81 frf bHT nj nj
citizens. and TO all OF them II would
have been a pleasure to have rendered
him assistance had they but known OF
his circumstances.
A longtime associate Of the de
ceased. referring to his life. says:
The tragic death Of Col. j. y.
Smithee has unnerYed all his friends.
Every person who knew him-and
thousands knew him-should be his
friend for be never did aught. in his
long career in which he held position
that gave him opportunity, TO exercise
influence against the individual He
had an affection for Arkansas that
know no bounds. II all the money
that he had contributed 10 relieve the
pressing wants OF the mendiCant,' the
tramp and cripple were available il
would pay for the most costly monu-
ment that marks the resting place OF
any dead citizen of Arkansas The
n.ors. t1o,, 10, cnoi,bo, 40, .at.
WI nv" mat ON ever Ell ueh
his friends was administered when he
touched the trigger Of the weapon
which sent the leaden missile through
his manly brain. He died like
nbilosorbsr {, ;s tr,a ~. he at,
more sorrow In this world hv that
sinele A., ~ no., ren ,"sn . .pe
rros+ aooraeef,e do ia "a 1;t,.;xu
AoS' aggressive uo IL lIe'lihe.
hiographieAi
col James Newton smithee born ii
g., Is, ,.,.,,ssa 80 ~ t.,,r.1 I'D
- ~ - ~ "-s @'I'-"' "''1
His father. native Of Tennessee wac farm.
er by occupation. and his mother was d native
rum Of virginia prominent Baptist minister
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