The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-02
TRIBUTE TO
] @ lin I.
SMYT TIL
PIONEER OF OGDEN LEFT HOST
OF FRIENDS TO MOURN.
Memories OF tho OIdtime Chester
fleIdian Gentleman Recalled BY
Prominent Persons.

The following tribute to John T.
Smyth Is contributed by DR.. A. s. Con-
don:
"A few weeks ago all that was NOR
tai of an Ogden oldtimer and much
respected citizen, Mr., John T. Smyth.
was tenderly laid away Under the low
green turf whose curtain never out
ward swings and sorrowfulIy the
mourners took their ways along the
brown paths that lead from the city
of the dead, and the lone sleeper was
left to silence and pathetic dust
Mr.. John T. Smyth was an unus-
ual man. a typical Irishman OF we
olden time, and his ready wit, su-
nerb good nature and strong physical
Eanhood were redolent of his native
soil. Keen. indeed, was his sense or
honor, a kindness was never for
gotten, and none sought to do him
Injury for an ever-bubbling fountain
or bonhomie, coupled with a sort or
fomespun dignity of the real Ches-
terfieldian brew, disarmed the enemy
ere the attack was begun.
And so, Mr.. John T Smyth lived
a friend to everybody. and when he
cied 'mourners went about the
streets. He was born and reared TO
carly manhood where the shamrock
is holy symbol, and though he
loved his adopted country with a low
eI's devotion, yet his love for old Ire
land was almost an alteration, and
the theme of her ancient glory and
tho dream OF her future liberation
never ceased to warm the cookies OF
his heart. With equal constance he
loved the land of his adoption and
his native soil, even as a mothers
love grows with ever expanding and
Hpervading affection for her ever in
Ycreasing brood.
He was educated and in a way,
was brilliant; he spoke his native
tongue, the ancient Gaelic with facil-
ity, and Oscians sonorous periods
were his delight. He was familiar
with the legends, the traditions, the
folklore of the land of Emmett and
O'Connell,- land where his father
and mother sleep with their kindred.
and whose dust mingles with that OF
their medieval ancestors. All these
he loved, for a love of early days and
bygone scenes is an Inspiration OF
patriotism; and who does not love
these, whether 1t be the EsquimauX
In his hut OF ice, or the South Sea
Islander under roof OF dried grass,
who does not thrill at the recollection
of the room where he first saw the
light and heard his mothers voice
will not be patriot under the aegls
OF any flag
John T. Smyth was a good neigh
Dor, and link in the family circle Is
broken and will be mended never. Age
but added wisdom to somewhat re-
markable memory, which made him
most interesting recounter OF incl
dents and events when the spirit
iong syne was on, and the ready foun-
tain OF his conversational powers were
iosened by the presence OF family and
friends around the ruddy flreside In
the long winter evenings. The jour
ney OF life Is short however many
the years. and though the daily events
seem important to the individual. yet
on the scroll Of time and among the
daily wonders that absorb the mind
of the great world they are so trit1ing
and ephemeral that we cry out with
good Rip Van Winkle. alas, that we
are SO soon forgotten But while
they live, those who best knew the
subject of this sketch will remember
with pleasure the genial nature OF him
we shall see no more In this world.
So quietly and peacefully did he pass
away that instinctiyely would one
think of Alfred Tennyson's Crossing
the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me;
And may there be no moaning OF the
bar
When | put out to sea-
"Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark;
And may there be no sadness OF fare
well,
When ] embark.
For tho from out our bourne OF time
and place
The food may bear me far,
hope to see my pilot face to face
When | have crossed the bar,