The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-26
A soldier and a Gentleman.

1t is with grief that announcement is
made in the Journal this morning of the
death of Col z. A. Smith, member of its
editorial staff. He came to the paper thir-
teen years ago, an entire stranger to all
connected with it and to the State and
city. So great were his social qualities,
however, and so, keen his interest in the
affairs of his new abiding place, that 1t
was but little time until his acquaintance
with public men and with the concerns Of
city and State was wider than that of
many men whose lives had been spent here
A native of Maine, where the greater part
of his life had been spent up to that time,
he transferred his regard to his new home
without losing his loyalty to the State of
his birth, and took active and earnest part
in promoting Indiana's interest so far as
lay in his power
Two interests were predominant with
him-affairs of the civil war veterans and
politics. He had served as a soldier
through the four years of the war, part
of the time in command of a regiment.
Always modest concerning his own
achievements, ii became known to his as
sociates only through others that his serv-
ices were those of an especially faithful
and brave officer; but it was secret to
them that the survivors of that war were
very near to his heart or that he was
quick to act in matters concerning them.
Association with his comrades in the c.
A. r. and the Loyal Legion was one of
the constant pleasures of his life. In the
latter order he was particularly inter-
ested, serving as its recorder for several
years and regarding almost as a recrea-
ton the sometimes exacting duties con-
nected with it. Some details in regard to
its affairs occupied his attention almost
to his last hours.
OF the study of state and national pol
itics he never wearied AS secretary of
the Republican central committee Of Maine
for eight years while Mr.. Blaine was in
Congress, he was thrown into intimate
association with that statesman, and &C
quired then an interest in public affairs
which remained keen to the last. To Mr.
Blaine he always remained loyal; though
not entirely approving his later political
course he had for him feeling of person
al friendship and admiration that often
found expression.
Loyalty to his friends was. in fact, one
of Colonel Smiths marked traits on which
his associates soon learned to depend. OF
sanguine temperament and sunny dispo-
sition, he brought good cheer and his pres
ence was always welcome.
Not an avowedly religious man, his SIM
pie honesty, his stern morality, his con-
sistent and upright career gave him rank
as religious in the real and best sense.
During his last hours he called for the
reading OF Whittier's Eternal Goodness, -
and that he shared the poets faith there is
no doubt
And so beside the Silent Sea
| wait the muffied oar;
No harm from Him can come to me
On ocean or on shore.
1 know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
/ only know / cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.
This good man, this loyal citizen and
faithful friend has now passed beyond the
Silent Sea, and in this early hour of be-
reavement his associates. offering made
qua,e tribute. can only say that they are
glad his life touched theirs. and that they
can think OF him not as one whose steps
have ended, but as one faring forward
braveiy in the onward trail" He died as
he lived, a soldier and gentleman. and no
man need care for worthier record.
A few years ago, when some person
claimed to have discovered that bee stings
were a cure for rheumatism. the announce
ment caused amusement. but now comes a
reputable German physician who says the
cure has been known from time immemo-
and that he has proved its efficacy in hun
antfc ho- haox 40