The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-23
W. |. SMITH DIES
 OF HEART DISEASE Among WeaIthiest and Best
 Known Citizens CHARITIES ARE EXTENSIVE Retired from Active Business Several Years Ago-Timber and Milling !. Interests Among Largest in
 the State.
CHARITIES ARE EXTENSIVE

w. T. Smith, one of Birminghams fore most citizens, died suddenly yesterday morning at the residence of his son-in- law, J. ". Farrior, 1921 South Nine teenth street. MT. Smith was in his usual health. but shortly after breakfast com plained of indigestion and severe pain over the heart from which he suffered and which had sometimes resulted in se- rious attacks Dr. J. D. S. Davis the family physician, reached him d few minutes before his death, which was caused by heart failure
 The funeral will be conducted from the Farrior residence by the Rev. Dr. A. J. Dickerson at o'clock this afternoon. The list of active pallbearers is as fol- lows: Dr. J. D. S. Davis, Col. T. O. Smith, MT. Eugene F. Enslen, Mr. D. H. Mar bury, MT W. M. Malone. Mir W. E. Leake.
 The following gentlemen will act as an honorary escort: Capt. w. C. Ward, Col. T. G, Bush, Gen. Rufus N. Rhodes, MT. Edward H. Cabaniss pr. A. P. Montague Col. R. H. Pearson, MT. B. F. Moore and MT. W. P. G. Harding
 
 four children, Mrs. John Kyser, Mr Ed ward Smith, -Mr. ". T. Smith, Jr.. and MT. Frank Smith. all of whom reside near 7 Mobile The late Mrs. J. W. Farror was also a daughter of Mir. Smith.
 The death of MT. Smith removes from active life one of Birmingham's most representative citizens, and will bring deep sorrow to hundreds of personal friends in this city, to his business as- sociates, and to a wide circle of friends throughout the state. When 1t became known that he had passed away. the suddenness of his death his close per sonal friends were stunned by the news Grief-strcken, they gathered at his late residence. and throughout the day many called to express their sorrow and to extend confidence to the family When the news became more general expres- sions of sadness and tributes of love and esteem in which MT. Smith was held by the hundreds who knew him personally, were expressed on all sides.
 One of Wealthiest Citizens.
 Mir. Smith had been identified with business interests in this city since the early days of Birmingham. He had ex- tensive holdings and was one of the wealthiest citizens in the city, his for tune being estimated at over a half mill lion. He was the owner of probably the largest lumber. properties in the state, his milling interests embracing thousands of acres of timber.
 Beginning as the foreman in q car pentiy shop of the old Selma and Mont gomery road, in the early seventies, he soon started upon the business career along the channels in which he was sig nally successful. He established large milling concerns at Marbury, being a member of the firm of Smith & Marbury The firm was afterward dissolved and MT. Smith removed to this city. He contem- plated at that time the erection of a pa latial home, but abandoned the idea. all though he has made his residence in this city since 1SS6
 He erected the old Eagle hotel, which al that time was the best hotel in the city. It is now the Jefferson. Mir Smith subsequently, bought about 5000 acres of timber lands in Butler county. While he had retired from active business with in the last year or two he was interested in extensive lumber interests near Mo- bile, which are managed by his sons At one time MT. Smiths lumber firm had branch office in Boston, no firm in the southern states doing a more extensive business. Mir Smiths real estate in this city is valued at over s30oOoo.
 Well Known as Phlanthropist.
 
 and character that all Birmingham will pay tribute. He was one of the citys truest philanthropists.
 Churchman. he gave generously to the building of churches and their mainten- ance He donated the site upon which the Twenty seventh Street Baptist church is erected. In building their handsome new church, MT. Smith gave generously to the First Baptist church and also to the Southside church.
 Deeply interested in the educational in- stitutions fostered by the Baptist de- nomination, Mir. Smith gave largely of his means to the rebuilding of the Jud- son institute at Marion, one of the old est and most splendidly equipped institu- tions in the south. Howard college at East Lake also has received generous aid, and while these two colleges Rare mentioned especially, there are many other institutions of lesser importance to which he has given generous support.
 Alert also to the educational work of the Baptist denomination in far mission fields MT. Smith erected on the eastern coast of China a home for Baptist mis- sionarles. Institutions like these, dowed by MT. Smith, form only a part of his benevolent work. He had a large citizen in the whole city made 1t more of business to find the destitute. He did not depend alone upon the numerous charitable organizations to whom he sent generous checks, but he always knew personally many cases which needed as- sistance. He gave without ostentation to the large institutions and those es- abolished through channels of philan- throphy, but it will never be known how many persons in the humblest cir cumstances have known him as a friend in need. He saw that they had proper medical assistance. had them sent to hos pitals at his own expense, and it was a life work with him, this ready assistance to those whom he believed to be worthy and in need
 Tribute By Captain Ward.
 Among the tributes paid to MT. Smith yesterday was that of Capt. W. c. Ward. a life long friend.