Omaha daily bee., 1912-07-24
A. B, SMITH DIES
WORKING At DESK
FOR 'Q' RAILROAD
Apoplexy Takes Veteran Omaha
Railroad Man in Service Thirty
eight Years.
FEELING WELL BEFORE DEATH
Remarks Hot Weather, But Says He
- Doesn't Mind Heat.
WADES INTO LABORERs AS USUAL
Stenographer Thinks Dead Chief
Sleeping in His Chair.
TARTS CAREER IN CHICAGO
Wife and Three ChfIdrenSurvtve--
Children Out of City on Way
Here-Daushter Visiting
Parents.
INTO LABORERs AS USUAL
stenographer Thinks Dead Chief
Sleeping in His Chair.
rARTs CAREER IN CHICAGO

Allen B. Smith. aged IS years. assistant
general freight agent Of the Burlington
in Omaha and tor thirty-eight years
connected with that company. died of
apoplexy shortly after $50 Tuesday
morning. Death came without any warn
ing and Mr.. Smith died sitting at his
desk, where moment before he had
been transacting business Il"
When he came to his office in the morn
ing Mr.. Smith was apparently in good
health and excellent spirits. He reached
there little before o'clock and as he
passed along the corridor he greeted
his associates cordially. expressing the
opinion that this was going to be hot
day, but that he was not worrying. as
he was standing the warm weather re-
markably well. He dictated a number Of
letters to his stenographers and then
turned to some matters relative to freight
shipments and receipts. While thus en-
gagged. Assistant General Freight Agent
Mentmorency called and held confer
ence with him. When Mr.. Montmorency
left the office Mr.. Smith seemed to be
feeling we'll and did not complain.
Dies Suddenly.
A moment later he arose from his chair
and walked across the room, remarking
to his stenographer that he guessed that
he had eaten something that did not
agree with him, as his stomach was not
feeling just right. After this MIR. Smith
sat down in the chair and the steno-
grapher went on with his work. Shortly
afterward he looked around and saw Mr..
Smith leaning back In his chair, his head
thrown back. He paid no attention.
thinking his chief was taking nap.
About this time Mr.. Montmorency re-
turned to the room to secure some infor-
nation and noticed Mr.. smith In the
reclining position. He thought some
thing wrong and, went to the room Of
Assistant General Freight Agent John
son and together the two men returned
to Mr.. Smiths room, spoke to him and
tried to arouse him. but he was dead.
DR.. Fitzgibbons was called, but his SER
vices were not needed. He pronounced
Mr.. Smith dead and attributed death to
apopiexy. ....
Daughter IL Here.
Allen B. Smith is survived by his wife
and three grown children, two sons
and q daughter. One son, Allen. is a
resident OF Florida, where he Is conduct
ing fruit farm. The second son, w. A.
Smith, is railroad travelling freight
agent with headquarters at Davenport
la. Both, have been notified Of the
death Of their father. The daughter is
Mrs. Clarence Richmond Day, wife of
Lieutenant Day Of Fort Leavenworth.
She 10 in the city, visiting -ner parents.
Arrangements for the funeral will not
be made until word has been. received
from the sons. l,'s
Mr.. Smiths railroad career began with
the Illinois Central in Chicago. and as
a clerk in the auditors office. Subse-
quently he went to the Kansas City &
st. Joe line, a part of the Burlington
system, and in 1877 came to the Burl-
ington proper, as agent at Falls City.
December 8, 1881. he was promoted to
agent at Atchison, Kan, and after that
his rise was rapid. February 1, 1882, he
was appointed travelling freight agent:
May %, 1882 he was appointed agent at
Hastings; August II, 1882, agent at
Omaha; September l. 1888, chief clerk
IN the general freight offices. Omaha;
March IS, 1884, second assistant general
freight agent, and September Is. first
assistant general freight agent, posi-
ton that he held at the time Of his
death.