Yazoo City herald. [volume] (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1878-1976, 1914-09-11
Death Of MIR. NJ. I. Smith.

county's oldest ana best citizens, died
at his home in this city in the evening
Of September 4th, at qnartcr past
nine o'clock.
He was born November lS. 1870 in
Shelby county, Tenn, and was there
fore within two months and nine days
of his sevcnty-fourth birthday.
He was the son Of William Thomas
Smith and Elias Graves. His parents
were Metnodists Of the old type, in
sisting upon his regular attendance at
Sabbath School and church service.
His father served as steward in the
church for many years, and no doubt
Martin Smiths long and useful life
under the grace Of Ged, was due TO
this early training of his pious par
ents. When mere boy his father NOV
ed to Benton, Miss, and Yazoo county.
his adopted home, became dearer to
him than Shelby county Tenn, the
place of his birth.
A large pa,t Of the plantation sur
/ rounding his county home Hes in
Holmes county. and some friends
thought a plateau there was a better
building lot, than tbs one which he
built in Yazoo county, But he gave
as his reason that he loved Yazoo
county the best and would often laugh
ingly say that he could tell by the
air he breathcd, when he stepped
across the line into his beloved Yazoo
county.
His fellow citizens rewarded his
patriotic love for his home county by
twice electing him member of the
Board of Supervisors, this, too, with
out his soliciting the honor. They
further showed their confidence in him
by electing him treasurer by an ex-
trcmely fattering vote which Office he
served four years.
He served throughout the civil war
cnlisting at Benton in Company h.
Withers' artillery, with Capt. Herrod.
This in his passing another Of the old
Confederates answers the last call.
Their ranks are growing thinner year
by year, but the hold of glory sur
rounding the lost cause brightens with
the passing years.
The milk of human kindness flowed
th'oagAuask1 ''eins of Martiig Smith
! and az I.oer Of men, who are now
heads OF families and successful in
, their work, remember with the deep
est gratitude that their association
and service with him started them on
the road to success. He was well
, balanced man. He never got into q
panic.
Others about him might los their
heads and 20 off at thoughts, but he
held the reins of his feelings and
guided them whittier he he would have
them go. He stood four square tc
every wind that blows and therefore
men had confidence in him. Foi
twenty-five years he was a consistent
| member of the Methodist church. His
heart was the home Of friendships anf
| he numbered his friends by the hun
/ dreds. Men like Martin T. Smith ar.
the bone and sincws Of country
He was a good citizen, a loyal church
member. a loving husband, kind anr
tender father and the friendiiest o.
men.
The death of such a man is not Al
unmingled sorrow 1t is a sorrow
Ruthless death cannot snap earthl!
human ties without the laceration o.
the souls deep affections. But whel
age and feebleness extreme creep up
m the body and the active work o
:, 'ife is over, tn ere s a joy in Roini
down to the grave "as shock Of corr
cometh in it's seasons"
Nov 2s. 1865, he was married t.
Emily MeCreles Shell. and she witt
their children. William Graves, Le
Alfonso. Thomas Martin. James Bos
we'll George Reuis, Emily EVELYN
Ftheluda Eleanora, Pattie, Vroinia
Pugh and Rebecca Dulcina, with
LARGE COMPANY Of relatives an
friends are left to mourn his de
narture.
"Now the laborcr's task is DER
Now the hattie dav is past;
. Now upon the farther shore
I.ards the vova0er at last;
- Father. in thv gracious keening;
8 Leave me now thv servant sleening.
It NOLAN B. HARMON.