Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-13
SOLDIER-JUDGE
LAID TO REST
FRIENDS GATHER FOR LAST
FAREWELL
TRIBUTES PAID TO MEMORY OF
JUDGE 9. NJ. SMITH
Members Of Bar and Fraternal Orders
Honor Man Who Had Presided In
Superior Court for Eight
cen Years


funeral of Judge B. N. Smith, held yes
terday afternoon at the First Metho-
dist church, was one of the largest
funerals ever held In Los Angeles.
The great auditorium of the church
was crowded with friends and admirers.
The Bar association. the G. A. r. and
Relief corps and the Masonic orders
entered in a body.
The altar rail was hidden from view
by the many beautiful floral tributes
which were banked about 1t. At inter-
walls tall ported plants lent a sentinel
like appearance to the chancel which
had been prepared to do honor to the
judge and man whose form, stilled In
death, was to be brought into the
church he had attended so many years.
The solemn services at the church
were intently followed by the great
audience and many a tear was seen to
drop In memory of the Judge and the
man.
Preceding the services the members
of the Grand Army of the Republic en-
tered. led by the American flag draped
in Grape. The Bar association followed
and then the Woman's Relief corps, the
Masons and the knights Templars, all
marching in with softened tread, walk
ing two by two to the reserved seats.
Colleagues Carry Casket
Following this the casket was borne
by Judge Smiths colleagues and was
placed in front of the altar rail. The
silver gray casket was covered with
pail of violets. waxen white flowers and
smilax. Resting on the lid was the
knights Templars helmet of Judge
Smith.
The Bar association had sent as
floral piece an open book composed of
pure white flowers, across the pages in
red letters being the words Bar Asso-
citation" This piece was 15x24 inches
and was very beautiful. The G.. A. f.
sent a floral flag. and the Shriners'
piece was the well known crescent and
pendant, giving the effect of gold.
These were but few among the many
beautiful floral pieces which were
banked about the rail and casket.
The service was opened by selection
by a male quartet, Heaven Is MY
Home" Rev. Will A. Knighten, pastor
of the Union Avenue Methodist church,
read a passage of scripture, which was
followed by. a prayer by Chaplain o. J..
Nave, acting pastor of the First Metho-
dist church.
Rev. ]. l.. Pitner, presiding elder of
the San Diego district of the Methodist
church. delivered an eloquent eulogy on
the life and work of the deceased judge.
He said in part:
True to Himself
1--WE are placed at this time in an
attitude that gives q chill to the heart
when we think of the loved one who
has gone from us and no more to asso-
ciate with us nor we to receive his
counsel.
But withal the past and what we
know of the present. what is it to be
a man If it is not to rise to duty with
a smile and sense of well doing ac-
cording to the best impulses. The de-
parted had been true to himself, and
therefore with this as fundamental
principle was true to others. These
facts have been fully exemplified during
the eighteen years of his service at the
bar of justice. But with these points
in view ! have been told that his for
mer decisions were much more severe
than those of his last days, but at all
times according to what he considered
the demands In the cases.
"As friend and man he was out
spoken, with warm grasp of the hand
and word of cheer. He was so stu
ated he was able to get an insight into
the pecularities of human nature, and
deal with it accordingly, and yet he
did not overlook the fact that it was the
office and not the person that gave dig
nifty to the situation.
Served In Volunteers
"He was a soldier of the Ninety-fifth
Illinois infantry. He became acquaint-
ed with the hardships of army life.
He knew the excitement, hopes and
fears of the soldier, but it was his ma
ture to be brave.
II imagine that at the time of the
Spanish American war his patriotism
manifested itself in his Willingness that
his son should don the blue as he had
done many years before He was de-
cidedly practical in his patriotism.
He lived for the propagation to make
men better. He belonged to various
orders and freely met the demands of
charity.
His home life was a happy one. A
little book, soiled and worn by use, was
in evidence, and he loved to read this
book, the Bible"
Former Pastor Speaks
The service closed with benediction
by Rev. Mr.. Plumb, a former pastor in
Illinois of Judge Smith.
The Knights reassempled in line and
slowly and sorrowfully passed the cas-
ket which contained the body of their
friend and brother. The Knights were
followed by the other fraternal bodies
and bar association, and then the great
concourse of people passed the casket
for last farewell
Following this the casket was borne
from the church and followed by long
procession was taken to Rosedale GEM
etery, where interment was made.
At the grave the last rites We're con-
Quoted by the Masons, the Knights
Templar, the Grand Army and the Re-
lief Corps.
The active pail bearers were: Justice
M. I. Allen of the district court of ap-
peals, former Judge d. X. Trask, judge
N. p Conrey, j. A. Anderson, Sheriff W.
A. Hammel and C. C. McComas, deputy
district attorney.
The honorary pail bearers We're as
follows: Judges Charles Monroe, Curtis
ID. Wilbur, r. w. Houser. George II.
Hutton, Walter Bordwell, James c.
Rives and w. p. James; William
Young, John Davis. Supervisor Charles
e. Patterson, District Attorney J. ID.
Fredericks and County Clerk c. @.
Keyes.
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