Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-10-23
Centennial of General F. II. Smiths
Birth Observed

The centennial OF the birth OF
General Francis II. Smith, founder
OF the Virginia Military Institu te and
for half century its distinguished
superintendent, was fittingly OBJ
served last Friday, October 18th.
General <. w. Nichols. the present
superintendent, published an order
Wednesday before the corps OF Ca
diets. commemorative of the event.
in which high tribute was paid to
General Smith, father and founder
builder and rebuilder OF the Virgin
la Military Institute. - In
the lives Of thousands of alumni he
lives, and coming generations Of
youth who pass through these halls
and receive the benefits OF the sys-
tenn OF instruction here afforded will
rise up to bless the man who made
such benefits possible"
Formal exercises were held at IL
O'Clock Friday morning in the Jack
son Memorial Hall, with an address
on the life and work OF General
Smith by Hon. William A. Amber
son. At $40 o'clock in the after
noon the First Class, under com.
msnd of Cadet Captain Hardaway,
marched to the cemetery, led by the
post band, and laid floral tribu ties Oh
the grave OF General Smith.
General Francis Henley Smith
was born in Norfolk October Is,
1872; graduated from the West Point
Military Academy July 4, 1888; CON-
missioned End lieutenant in First
Regiment of Artillery; for some time
assistant professor OF Ethics in the
Academy; professor OF mathematics
in Hsmpden-Sidney College, and was
elected by the Board OF Visitors
superintendent of the Virginia Mill
tary Institute June 8, 1899. On
July 3, 1889, he rendered his resig.
nation as superintendent, effective
January L, 1890, and was succeeded
by General Scott Ship. He died
March 81, 1890.
Mr.. Anderson gave q comprehen-
sive and exhaustive history OF the
life of General Smith and of the Vir-
ginia Military Institute during his
incumbency, and concluded as fol-
lows:
This great achievement, the es-
adjustment OF this school for the
training OF men. was, in large meas
ure, the result of the labors and
struggles of the great and good man
whose memory we are commemorate
ing today.
Il am taking much more time
than / expected to. my friends, in
giving you this imperfect and mad
eQuate outline OF some of the servi-
ces and achievements in the life
work of Francis H. Smith.
For fifty years he was the most
conspicuous figure, and his, largely,
the dominant influence in this insti-
tuition. For fifty years none ever
looked upon his alert and intelligent
countenance without connecting him
with, and thinking OF, the Virginia
Military Institute.
He loved this Institute. If ever
the name OF the object of a man. de-
voted affection was written on TIE
tablets OF his heart. there would, in |
life, have been found inscribed on |
the heart of Francis H. Smith the
name of the Virginia Militsry Insti- |
tute.
AS in the past. so through CON-
ing time, his influence will continue
to be potential here. J
Throughout the generations and |
ages to come. as thousands OF the in
genius youth Of the land shall year
after year assemble here, and in |
endless procession pass in and out
OF the portals of these sacred pre-
cincts, precincts sacred because
consecrated by high service to man
kind, there will be engraved on the
hearts and memories OF the Cadets,
and the friends of this institu ton,
and of the people of Virginia, and
cherished in grateful and everlast-
ing remembrance of the name, the
and the character of Fran
o;z II C.o:kl