Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1905-09-14
In Loving Remembrance.

John L. Smith, son Of Mr.. and Mrs.
w. X. Smith Of Sweet Springs, Mo-. was
born in Saline county, Missouri, March
l, 1882. God called him to the home
above from his post Of duty as Great
Northern brakeman, on July s, 1905.
He came to North Dakota with the
Missouri colony three years ago. He
won the hearts Of all who knew him by
his light sunny disposition, was known
by his free, joyous song and whistle in
the valley and on the plain. scattering
seeds of kindness and smiles of sun
shine through his path of life. His
affectionate disposition won the hearts
of the children who idelized him. The
grand, noble heart went out in generous
sympathy with distress and to relieve
would have given bounteously of his
store. - -
While spending a weeks vacation
with relatives and friends, just before
his death. he expressed himself very
freely to friend, of his past, present
and future life. His handsome face
sbone hwitha Heavenly light as he said:
Il believe I am better boy now, than
have ever been before. I am going to
quit the railroad. can't live the life
I want to and stay on the road"
But as he builded his plans for the
future and a happy home. Angels were
beckoning him to the Heavenly hills,
where saints are blessed above, aud Joy
like morning dew distills, and all the
air is love.
There had been great change going
on in his life for several months, pos
sibly since his snarrow escape from
being killed some months before.
Those who knew him best, knew his
inner life; his loye and reverence for all
that was noble and true, always frank,
honest and reasonable on religious
| m alters.
He loved nature in all her pbas; the
| fields, the forests and the flowers, and
as the seasons came and went, each
| had a song for him. The
keen sense of humor lay hidden in hit
heart, and often times dubbed DER
| He was not given to talk of others OF
make harsh accusations against others
and while indignant at injustice, he was
more disturbed because Of injustice tc
others than to himself. His soul famed
up in defense of the helpless and the
weak. There was never truer, noble1
friend.
His favorite song, "Well meyer say
goodby in Heaven" and sang at the
funeral service conducted by Rev. W
J. Snow, was emblamatical of his life
always happy and looking on the
bright side OF life, where inspiration
zeal and friendship met and songs O.
praise and mingled VOWS, made Their
| communion sweet. While be had s
score of friends he had only few con
fdents. His loye to his mother wal
beautiful, always speaking Of her in the
We cannot understand why Goo
called him at the early age of % from
his dear ones and friends, leaving 8
vacancy that cannot be filled. ''Oh! fol
the touch of the vanished hand and the
sound Of the voice forever stilled'
But the Loving Father knoweth bes'
and will some day draw aside the cur.
tain that enyails all the mysteries and
we shall know and understand.
His remains were taken to Swee,
Springs, Mo-, accompanied by hit
brothers Hiram and Walter and sister
Mrs. J. E. Westbrook and Miss Laurs
Brady. The funeral service held al
Rose Valley church was very impress
sive., The beautiful drab colored cas-
ket, rested at the alter in an embank'
ment of beautiful flowers, tokens O.
love from sorrowing friends and rela
tives. He was the first of family O.
ten children to be taken. His 'remaint
we're laid to rest in the Rose Valley
cemetery, at Sweet Springs, Mo. He
leaves father, mother, six brothers.
J. s. of Eldorado, Kansas; W. H. and
G. C. of Sweet Springs, Mo; c. B. Of
Pueblo, Colorado; II. NJ. and w. L. Of
Minot, N. D; and three sisters, Mrs
]. E. Westbrook, of Trenton, N. D
Mrs. B. F. Ratlif. of Saline, N. D., and
Mrs. T. A. Westbrook. of Austonia, Mo
A Friend.