The Washington times., 1912-07-09
HIGH TRIBUTE IS
PAID DEAD CHIEF
OF BOTANIC GARDEN
Floral Pieces Will Attest
Love and Respect at Fu-
neral of Late William
R. Smith Today.

The funeral of William Robertson
Smith, superintendent of the National
Botanic Garden since its foundation, and
known to his fellow scientists as the
Father of American Horticulturists," I"
was held from the Scottish Rite
Cathedral, 433 Third street.northwest, at
2:so o'clock this afternoon. In accord
ance with the wishes of the dead man
the services were carried out in the
utmost simplicity under the auspices
of the Scottish Rite and Blue Lodge
Masons.
The services at the cathedral were
conducted by the four local Scottish
Rite bodies. Before the Masonic cere-
monies. however, a simple Episcopal
service was conducted by the Rev.
William Tayloe Snyder. pastor Of the
Church of the Incarnation, who spoke
very briefly on the exemplary life
of the aged botanist-a life of love
and of service.
Rites At Cathedral.
The beautiful Rose Croix ceremonies
of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite Masonry were carried through
with impressive solemnity.
At the completion of the services at
In charge by Washington Centennial
Lodge, mo. IA. f. A. A. M, which
conducted the last rites at the grave,
Worshipful Master Wallace Streater
presiding.
The grave and ground surrounding
the grave were decked with fow-
ers from friends all over this country.
Many of the handsomest offerings were
from the Masonic and horticultural or
ganizations Of which Mr.. Smith was a
member.
Active and Honorary Bearers.
The active pallbearers were Andrew
w. Kelley, representing DeMolay
Mounted Commandery, No 4. Knights
Templars; William F. GUIDE. represent
ing the Society of American Florists
and Ornamental Horticulturists: Ed
ward 8. Schmid. and David Grilbortzer.
form the Florists Club of Washington;
w. A. Singleton, from the Association
OF Oldest Inhabitants; Emmett C. Ell
more, and John Henry Small, repre-
senting Washington Centennial Lodge,
No. IA. F. A. A. M, and Sprtgg Perry,
representing the Lafayette Royal Arch
Chapter.
The list of honorary pallbearers was
dents of the Society of American Flor
lists and Ornamental Horticulturists, and
the following eight men from the AS
sociation of Oldest Inhabitants: Fred
L: Moore. A. H. Ragan, John T. CLANCY,
Judge G. S. Bundy, F. w. Kahlert. An
thony Gaegler, DIR. 3. w. Sunny, and
Ben. w. Reiss.
., Tributes Of Friends.
In reply to twenty odd messages sent
30 frla
GUIDE, who has had charge Of all the
funeral arrangements, a number Of re-
plies have been received, all expressing
erable scientist.
Edwin Lonsdale, of Lompoc, CAL, a
former president of the Society of Amer.
can Florists and Ornamental Horticul-
turists, wires that he finds Consolation
in the fact that our good friend has gone
to his just reward, for he left the world
better than he found it. His oontribu-
tions to Its betterment will be more ap-
preciated in the future than in the
past"
w. A. Manda, of the Universal Horti-
cultural Esta biishment, South Orange,
the society, writes of Mr.. Smith as
''the grand old horticulturist Of Amer
ica, who has been spared more than
threescore and ten Of the allotted time
10 ttAu ana give US an cXaHiple Wn1Cn
I trust both the present and future
generations will follow. While dead In
body. his spirit will be with us and his
memory ever green TO all those who
had the pleasure Of knowing him per-
sonally."
Many other kilograms and letters are
being received by Mr.. GUIDE and other
friends OF Mr.. Smith, who are unable
TO attend his funeral
Florists Resolutions.
The Florists Club of Washington held
a called meeting yesterday afternoon a,
s O'Clock for the purpose of adopting
resolutions on the death of the botanic
chief.
The attendance at the meeting was
large and the resolutions as adopted
refer to Superintendent Smith as one
who during his long and honored car
eer did much to benefit the individual
florists by his dissemination of a vast
amount of information and instruction
and who by research work, thorough
and complete, by his learning, integrity
and nobility Of character raised the
standard of our profession"
The resolution further states that 'iI
his death the florists of the world have
lost a beloved, honored and reveret
friend and leader. and the country ha!
lost a citizen of exemplary life"
n