The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-04-01
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THE BR0wN.HART co.
DEATH OF FORMER
BLACKrooT BOY.

1t was with profund shock that the
many friends of the family in the city
learned that Walter Smith, one of the
best known young men in Pocatello,
and Blackfoot, died at o clock Sunday
evening. g.
| His death was due to strychninG
poisoning, and while there is some indi-
cation that it may have been taken
with intent, still it is known to his
many friends that he was in the habit
of taking small doses of the drug to
stimulate his heart action, as he had
been experiencing trouble at times with
his heart, and while powerful man
physically, and apparently in the best
Of health and robust condition, there
were times when his vigor forsook him
and he was compelled to remain in
doors. But whatever the cause, his
death is sincerelyregretted, as he was
a young man Of fine qualities and wide
friendship.
He would have been twenty nine
years old on the third of next June,
and was the youngest son of Mr.. and
Mrs. G. S. Smith, old time residents of
Pocatello, and a brother to County At
torney C. Douglas Smith, Parke 8.
Smith and Arthur L. Smith. The latter
will arrive from MarSsville, California,
tomorrow night.
Deceased also leaves a wife and three
children, two boys and girl. He was
practically raised in l'ocatello and for
many years has been directly interested
with his father in the coal and ice bust
ness. He was one of the most active
members of Pocatello Lodge No. 674,
B. p. 0. Elks, and took keen interest
in all affairs of the organization,
especially along the line of maintaining
the reputation Of the lodge team in
baseball or other outdoor sport.
1t appears that early yesterday after
noon Mrs. Smith ana the children had
made arrangements to spend the day
with friends ON the east side Of town,
and she desired that Walter accompany
her. He stated, however, that he
wanted to take shave and look after
some other affairs, and was reading at
the time she left the house.
Shortly after O'Clock he tphoned
his brother, Parke, that he was not feel
ing we'll, and was "abouts gone. -
Parke Immediately informed his father
and then went for a physician. Ac-
companied by DR.. w. F. Howard, he
rushed to Walters home, where the
young man was found in bed, and his
commissions revealed to the practiced
eye of the physician that he was be-
yond recovery, though every measure
was taken to revive him. He died
shortly after o'clock.
Seemingly he had taken a shave, and
bath and changed his clothes and had
gone to bed, but whether from sick
spell or with other cause will perhaps
never be known. An empty strychnine
lphial was found in the bed with him.
1t is apparent that he had 'phoned
Parke after taking the poison, and
realizing that he had taken an overdose
had held in his convulsed hand the bot
tie which was later found in the bed.
The funeral will be held at clock
Wednesday afternoon, under jurisdic.
ton of the Elks lodge, and will be
beld at the lodge room.
Many friends of the family through
out this part of the state will feel deep
est grief and sympathy in the death of
the young man.-Pocatello Tribune.
Twenty years ago when Bingham
county was limited by Oneida on the
south, and the Yellowstone Park on
the north, the deceased's father was
sheriff for term, and he is authority
for the statement that 500 or $500
mileage fees were not very uncommon.