The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1911-06-08
the civiI war.

I
South who survived the grert strug
gle, Lieut.. Smith, then about thir
ty years old, returned home Il
fight the greatest of all fights, thai
for bread and meat. Under mos
adverse circumstances he not only
overcame difficulties encountered
but bore a manful part In the solu.
ton of the many civil question;
which followed the war.
May 18TH, 1866, he married Miss
c. G. Jones. From that day to the
day of his death she has been his
constant companion, bearing her
part in all the trials which in young
manhood and declining years he
underwent, counselling him as only
a good woman can.
He was three times elected May
or of the town of Port Gibson.
While serving his first term as such
the county was under radical DOM
ination. This fact brought to his
court a large number of
cases. His courage, judgment,
fair-mindedness, and quick grasp
of questions coming up for hearing,
gave him great prominence. In
1875, when the county was almost
on the verge of terrific outbreaks,
he exercised the duties of his office
with frmness and ability. An at
tack was made by a negro mob,
numbering about $500, on the
Board of Registrars, at the Old
Fair Grounds. Complaint was
made by afidavlts before Mayor
Smith. Before the sun set his
warrants were executed and about
which gave back Claiborne county
to the control of the white people.
III 1880 he was elected clerk of
the Circuit Court, and held that
office for eight years. In the dis
charge of his duties as such he re-
,eived the commentator of bench
md bar. Had he desired, he could
rave been elected his own successor
or as many more years.
After leaving the office of Circuit
Clerk he was again elected Mayor
IF the Town OF Port Gibson with
tut dissenting voice. So much
lid he enjoy the high regard of
lis associates on the Board of May
,r and Aldermen. that he was.
ome years afterwards, chosen Clerk
# the Board of Mayor and Alder
men, and exercised the duties Of
hat office for four years. That,
90, at time it became necessary
O effect change in manner of
,eeping the official records, SO as
o conform to the varying interests
growing out of the installation OF
and electric lighting
plants.
At the date of his death he held
he States commission as a Justice
If the Peace in the First Justices
District. His friends had induced
1im to stand for election to the of
ice of Circuit Clerk, in the coming
primary; and 1t was generally be-
ieved that "Uncle Jeff" would
have had almost a solid vote had
not the Great Reaper taken him
hence.
He was a member of Camp No.
of Confederate Veterans. His
old comrades met twice during his
last illness, and each of those who
not only eagerly enquired
as to his chances of recovery, but
had some kind word In memory Of
the old man, whose life of service
was nearing its end. Many of the
Camp attended his funeral, and
some, as Masons, participated in
the beautiful burial service at his
grave, performed by bis brother
Masons, and dropped the green
twigs above his coffin, repeating
the solemn "Alas, my Brother"
which marks the parting between
the living craftsmen and the dead
Of their number, who have passed
into immortality,
A cOMRADE.
The Sutherland Amendment
Again.
In the first speech made by