Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-26
MRS, SMOOT IN PERIL
Washington Woman Tells of
:. Republic Wreck.
HAD TUMBLE INTO SEA
Missed Jump in Boarding Baltic
From Small Boat.
SHE CHUNG TO SHIP LADDER
With Daughter, on Way to Italy.
Their Wardrobe Gone-Hard-
ships Encountered.

with composure and clearness of recol-
lection marvellous in view Of their recent
experiences as passengers of the wrecked
Republic. Mrs. John D. Smoot and her
daughter. Miss Julia p. Smoot, told a re-
porter for The Star today a graphic story
of the happenings of three tragic days Of
peril at sea.
Two weeks ago they leased their apart
ment and began preparations for trip
to Italy over the winter. Today they are
at the home of Mrs. Shoots son, Lloyd
D. Smoot. 323J r street northwest. having
come out OF the diseaster with only the
scant clothes they had opportunity to don
in excitement and turmoil when they left
their unlighted stateroom on the Republic.
One, would expect under such circum-
stances OF find women still nervous and
overweight and dreading to speak of the
dangers they had passed through Most
women would retain only confused. patchy
recollections of what occurred
Mrs. Shoots Story Graphic.
With Mrs. Smoot and Miss Smoot no
such mental conditions obtain. Without
having to be questioned. once she had con-
scented to speak. with certain restrictions
of what she observed during the events
that covered the ramming of the Republic
ny the itdidH Gamer. the tIOrl0d. ana
the subsequent rescue of the passengers.
Mrs. Smoot described most infinitely. step
by step, with interesting circumstance,
her remarkable experiences.
Tired out by the trip from Washing
ton to New York and the hustle and
hustle of getting aboard the Republic. my
daughter and ! went to bed early Friday
night. Our stateroom was on the side of
the Republic which was rammed by the
Florida, on the deck below and just four
sfaterooms aft of the point off contact
between the two vessels.
II slept so soundly ! did not hear the
fog horns that were blown throughout
the night. My first recollection after I
dropped off to sleep was the sound of the
crash and the accompanying Jar.
We had an outside stateroom. In an
instant We noticed a light spring up in the
room next to US, which was occupied BY
a man Then we heard voice: What
is the natter
Then. after brief silence. the voice
OF one of the stewards was heard reply
ing TO the question: Everything is all
right We were barely scraped, and the
lights will all be turned on In few min
utes.'
Told to Dress and Hurry.
BY this time l had arisen from my
berth. l went to the door in my night
dress and looked down the long hallway
AT the other end of II I saw a man
with his back against one of the walls,
kicking with all his might at the door OF
a stateroom. He was calling to some one
within, evidently friend. to get up at
once.
Il asked him what the matter was. He
replied: Madame, put on your clothes
as quickly as possible and come on deck
Be as quiet as you can, but waste no
time
Il re-entered my stateroom and my
daughter and l dressed. With that clear
n N t10f IN 70
Of US in such circumstances we realized
we would better dress ourselves COM
pletely and be prepared for anything.
When We. were dressed asked my
had q small amount of jewelry which we
had not turned over to the pun ser, but
which had been placed In a steamer trunk
for the night, our intention being to place