The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-09-24
TO THE MEMORY OF
J. BACHMAN SMELTzER
STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF NEW.
RERRY COLLEGE PAY TRIBUTE.
Beautiful Tributes Paid Memory OF
Former Student by His College
Mates.

NaIeSs
One of the most beautiful and i'm
pressive services ever held in the
chapel of NeWberry college was held
last Friday morning. liz memory OF j..
Bachman Smeltzer, whose untlmely
and tragic death occurred on Septem-
ber II in the Y. N. c. A. building at
Columbia. He was to have returned
to the college at the opening to- take
charge of the gymnasium as physical
director and pursue his studies for the
masters degree. The whole student
body was looking forward to his COM
ing with anticipations of keen delight,
for Bach Sneltzer" was genuine ia
vorite with all the college boys, and
no less so with the Newberry commu-
nifty at large. His death cast gloom
over the college in the opening days
and last Friday the hour was given to
the expression of deep esteem in which
he was held by both the faculty and
student body. President Harms, pre-
siding, read the Goth Psalm and offer
ed the prayer. After fitting intro
duction of the ceremonies he asked
Prof. Bowers to read tribute adopted
by the faculty to the memory of Mr..
Smeltzer Beginning he said: "1t has
always been a prayer at the opening
of the session that it might be good
session. This session, In the providence
of God, will be a good one, because 1t
has had a baptism of sorrow at its be-
ginning" He then read the following
and offered it for adoption by the
whole student body:
Prof. Bowers Tribute.
'John Bachman Smeltzer first saw
the light of earthly day March 16,
1892, and closed his eyes upon it and
opened them to the glorious light OF
eternal day at noon, September IL,
1912. Six months and four days before
he reached manhoodis majority he en-
tered the heavenly life, and the cruel
water closing in over that dear boy
opened wide the way for his bright
spirit in its quick flight to divlner
and perpetual youth.
while yet in love with life and
raptured with the world, he passed TO
silence and pathetic dust.
ALIAS, we had forgot that he could
die, we loved him So He was a brave
and tender man and friend to all;
and so our hearts, refusing all re-
straint, will bleed to think that we
shall see his face no more, so Still and
quiet beneath the clods of Elmwood
cemetery in Columbia.
eff every one of US who loved and
honored him could lay blossom on
his grave he would sleep tonight be-
meath a wilderness of flowers.
''He was the grandson of that de-
voted president who long time with
unwavering zeal kept aglow in times
that tried mems souls the dying en-
bers of this schools life, and 1t was
a proud day for his alma mater When,
on last commencement, she crowned
young Smeltzer, and we rejolced to-
gether in the fine promise OF his pure
life.
"He has left us in this place holy
heritage and by his sudden passage
made it impossible to forget how truly
gentle strong youth may be:
but he
To whom a thousand memories call,
Not being less but more than all
The gentleness he seemed to be.
"'Best seemed the thing he was, and
Joined each office Of the social hour
To noble manners, as the flower
And native growth Of noble mind
Nor ever narrowness or spirit,
Or william fancy's feeting by
Drew in the expression of an eye,
Where God and Nature met In light;
"'And thus he bore without abuse
The grand old name of gentleman.
Therefore, Resolved:
81. We, the faculty and students OF
Newberry college, bereaved as never
before but once in the history OF our
school. bear loving tribute to the
memory of our friend and thank God
that he lived and wrought among US.
so That, bCwing submissively to
the heavenly will, We will seek to iml-
tate his grace and virtue and so live
IlaL some SOOu uos' pio@s9S wv W
shall see him face TO face again.
'3. That We will send copy OF this
tribute to his family and copy to the
press"
President Harms then invited the
students to participate and the fol-
lowing responded. Mr.. Allan Edison
said:
eve all have heard the fame that
Bachman Smeltzer gained on the ath-
letic fields of our college. AS tennis
basketball and baseball player, ne
was surpassed by none at Ne"oerry
college And l think | can say ne
was surpassed by no one in the State
in his athletic ability.
"Our success in athletics last year
was due to a great extent to Bachman
smeltzer. He was one of the cham
pion tennis players. He was the main
man on our successful basketball team,