The Washington herald., 1907-04-16
]. 4. SMITHS DEATH SUDDEN
Body of Washingtonian Will Be
Brought from Italy.
Was Confederate Veteran, Finaneier,
Historical Value Given TO Library.

Friends in this city of J. Henley Smith. /
who died last Saturday in Florence, Italy,
are unable to add anything TO the
dispatches eabled from the Italian city
concerning his demise. They assume that
it was some sudden illness. like heart
trouble or apOplexy. but no one in Wash
lngton has heard definitely concerning
the cause Of his death or the circum-
stances attending his last hours
/. Kemp Duval, an intimate friend OF
the family, received two cable dispatches
yesterday from Mrs. Henley Smith, re-
questing him 10 come 10 Italy and assist
her in bringing home the body. Mr.. Duval
has answered the dispatches, but viii not
60 to Italy unless specially requested TO
do so. upon the receipt Of his message.
NIr. Duval said last night that he re-
celyed a letter from M Smith last Fri
day. I'm which he wrote NJ length concern
ing MS plans of traTcl during Che summer.
The letter was full OF cheerfulness and
/ expectancy. and Mr.. Duval is certain that
when il was written. not more than
/ fortnight ago, Mr. smith was in his usual
health and spirits. lie spoke of going on
/ 10 Switzerland TO spend the early summer
mouths He expected TO return 20 Paris
/ I'm August. and had engaged passage on
the steamer Provence foT his return To
/ America Mr.. Smith said he would NJ up
/ his house. at 1924 Connecticut avenue
! northwest, and spend next winter IL
/ Washington
J. Henley smith was well known in
! Washington. lie was member OF the
Metropolitan, Chevy Chase. and Cosmos
! al. 81
age, devoted 10 his wife and home. ana
had lived here in retirement for about
fifteen years. after having amassed for
/ tune in railroad operations in the West,
in connection with Coils Huntington
Mr.. Smith was a grandson OF Samuel
Harrison Smith, who established the Ma
tiouaI Intolligeucer In 1899, and spent his
life here His father was Jonathan Bay
ard Smith. member or the District Bar,
and also a well-knOWu lawyer in Bditl-
more for many years. J. Henley Smith
was born iu that city siXty-one years
ago. Father and son We're tTeasurers Of
the Washington Monument Society, al
most from its beginning,
J. Henley Smith. at the opening OF the
civil war, was in Princeton College He
ran away at the bugle call of the seces-
sion Of Virginia and joined the army o'
the COnfedersCy. fighting in Mosbys s d.
vision and having many brave encoun-
ters during the war
Mr. Smith was member of the Co
lumbia Historical Society, aud gave much
time during mis- residence I'm Washington
TO the collection of historical material
His private papers are said 10 be most
, valuable. comprising autograph letters
, from the Presidents OF the United states
and the earlier papers concerning Wash
ington down to about the middle of tht
last century. His collection also included
! the records of Dr.. William Thornton and
those pertaining particularly 20 the Monu
, ment Association. Before ne left hom'
, for Europe the last tine these valuable
papers were deposited with the Librarian
, of Congress. with the request that the
be made accessible to students Of history
under proper restrictions.
Ar Duval stated last night that the r.
mains Of Mr.. Smith would be brought q
Washington as soon as arrangement
could be completed fOT the journey o
Mrs Smith. and that the burial would b
1 in Rock Creek Cemtery, where Mr.. Smitl
purchased a burial lot few years ago