The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1907-10-18
Francis Hopkinson Smith.

/
AS we read the popular fiction of
the day, we often would like to
know more about the writer's than
we do. For instance, how many
know that r. Hopkinson Smith, the
creator of Colonel Carter, is not only
an author, but an artist, lecturer,
and engineer.
The "Book News" gives sketch
which tells us some interesting things
about him.
A Baltimorean by birth, ones first
impression of Hopkinson Smith is
that he is true hearted Southern
gentleman of what is commonly call
ed the "old school," In truth, he
displays, in his general compartment,
the salient attributes of his own Col
mel Carter.
| Francis Hopkinson Smith awoke
to life in an old-fashioned house in
st. Paul's street, Baltimore, on Oc-
tober %, 1898. He is descended from
the famous old Hopkinsons Of Colon
ial days, Of whom the Francis Hop
kinson whose name is signed to the
Declaration of Independence is the
most widely remembered. At an
early age Francis Hopkinson Smith
was compelled to shift for himself
which he proceeded to do with an ex-
penditure of nervous energy and a
practice Of adaptaBility that have
made him a foremost American novel;
ist-among contemporaries and an
artist of recognized standing. Be
ginning as mechanical engineer,
after due preliminary training, he
became an expert bridge constructor,
and was trusted, in the exercise of
his profession, to the point Of re-
ceiving work as important as the
building of the Race Rock Light
house, and the foundations for the
statue of Liberty in, New York harbor.
OF his engineering work, Mr..
Smith is Justly proud; indeed, he is
inclined to regard novel writing and
picture painting as forms Of amuse-
ment rather than as serious occupa-
tion-though no one can help re-
membering what profitable amuse-
ments, in Mr.. Smiths case, the writ
ing and painting are. A man who
can command a price Of seven hun
dred and fifty dollars for every short
story he writes can afford to indulge
in pastimes. Most of his novels have
been best sellers in their time, and
i MI n
ketable value.
| For a number Of years Mr.. Smith
has made his home at $50 East Thir-
ty-fourth street, in New York City.
In the summer he travels-and
paints. His conversation is laden
with entertaining anecdotes; his
books show the variety of experiences
that have gievn his life such an
abundance of color. He has a keen
sense of humor that vitalizes both
his speech and his written work.
Yet, with all the prominence that
Mr.. Smith has gained, he is a man
who makes friends with everybody,
who has cordial word even for the
most humble, and whose pleasant
manner gives him great charm. He
is vital and no one can come into
contact with him without being slim
ulated to new appreciation Of he
Joys of living.
Mr.. Smith has proven popular as
a platform entertainer, having read
from his own works before numerous
appreciatsve audiences, women's
clubs, and other organizations Of the
kind.
so.ne Of his best known books are:
Colonel Carter of Cartersville.' 2
Colonel Carter's Christmas" s.Ca.
leb West. /" Fortunes of Oliver
Horn, = The Under Dog "a Gentle.
man Vagabond, D." and Tides ot
Barneygat."