Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-21
JOURNALIST OF
 FAME DEAD.
Major Orlando Jay Smith, Founder of American
 Press Association.
KNOWN THROUGHOUT LAND

As President of Country's Largest Newspaper Syndicate He Kept In Touch With Publishers All Over Amesca - Thinker, Philosopher and Writer as We'll as Executive Head of
 Extensive Enterprise-Served In the Civil War-Mads Great Collections of
 Fine Trees.
 Dobbs Ferry x. r., Dec, 21.-zMaJof Orlando Jay Smith, president and gen eral manager of the American Press Association, died at 6;01 o'clock Sun day evening at his home on the Hud- son. He had been i'll since September, at which time he was operated upon for cancer of the stomach. Through his long illness he retained his inter est in daily events. He was attended by Dr. Walter B. James, Dr. Blake and Dr. DenniStOn.
 Major Orlando Jay Smith, the found. CT of the American Press Association and it's president and general manager from it's inception until his death, was journalist of national reputation To his training and guidance many Of the men prominent in the newspaper world during the past two decades owe their position and fame.
 As head of the largest newspaper syndicate in America, Major Smith came into intimate contact with writ CTS and journalists connected with newspapers of every grade of influ- ence and importance. They have ire quently testified to the sterling worth of his character, his own ability and his capacity for developing ability in others. His subordinates in the Amer ican Press Association. many of whom were associated with him for twenty years or more, looked up to him as an unfailing source of inspiration in their work, as guide. mentor and friend.
 Major Smith was born June 14, 1S42, on farm near Terre Haute, Ind, of Vermont ancestry His father, Hiram Smith. was one of lndiana's pioneers. He sent his son to the public schools and later to Asbury college, now De Pauw university In later years the university conferred on it's distinguish cd alumnus the degree of IL. D.
 Major of Sixth Indiana Cavalry.
 At the outbreak of the civil war Ma> To until the end of the war in the armies of the Potomac, Ohio and Cumberland, rising to the rank of major in the Sixth Indiana cavalry. He was wound ed near Atlanta, Ga, and was taken prisoner. After a confinement in Confederate prison at Augusta, Ga, Major smith was exchanged and re- joined his regiment. He was a mem Der of the Loyal Legion. After the war Maj jor Smith engaged for three years in cotton planting at Enterprise, Miss.
 Major Smith began his journalistic career at Terre Haute. Ind. as editor of the Terre Haute Mail Later he ac- ouired the Terre Haute Express. In 1878 he removed the latter newspaper to Chicago. continuing it's publication as the Chicago Express. In 1882 he founded in Chicago the American Press Association, the monument to his fame Later the main offices of the American Press Association were re- moved to New York, where they re- main. The association has branch of fees throughout the country, serving thousands of newspapers. In all the 1 association's work he was the head and front and moving spirit
 Author and HorticuIturist.
 Major Smith possessed the broadest of minds. He was keenly interested in life and its problems in all their manifold phases. He found relaxation from material cares in the study and exposition of religion and philosophy and economics. He embodied his views in several volumes which have received serious attention from the worlds thinkers. The most prominent of Major Smiths books are "A Short View of Great Questions,' The Com. ing Democracy" "Eternalism," Bal. ance" and Agreement Between Sci ence and Religion"
 Major Smith added to a love of learn. ing and study love of nature and life in the open. He was a successful horticulturist, and his farm at Anna walk, x. Y, and his home at Dobba Ferry N Y., contained some of the finest specimens of arboriculture in America.
 In person Major Smith was distin guished among men. Tall and well built, he bore himself with dignity and ease. and his clean shaven face bor, the impress of his splendid mind IT his later years his abundant hair be came silvery white, adding an inde scribable charm to his appearance His manner was kindly and genial without effusiveness He had a kser sense of justice. to which testimony i, borne by host of employees, in who's,
 welfare he took an active interest.
 Major Smith is survived by a widow two daughters aud son. The las
 named, Courtland Smith. is vice presi dent and assistant general manager o
 tha American prpss Ascocio otiop