The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-26
CHAPLAIN SMITH
At Fl. BARRANCA5
POPULAR OFFICER, WHO HAS
BEEN SERVING AT FORT SMITH
NEAR PORTLAND, ARRIVES AT
PENSACOLA.

Chaplain Samuel ]. Smith, who has
been serving at Fort Smith, near
Portland, has arrived at Pensacola,
and is now attached to Fort Barran-
cas-. Of his departure from Fort
Smith the Daily Eastern Argus says:
The Fort Williams gymnasium was
crowded to the very doors with the
friends of Chaplain and Mrs. Samuel
]. Smith, who came to bid them fare
well at the reception given in their
honor last evening. A splendid pro-
gram was first in order, the Second
band orchestra opening with a very
pleasing military selection. Little
Edna Wilcox, the wonderful child
performer, gave a reading and
solo, which was applauded again and
again. Little Edna is a great favor
tie with the soldier boys and is al
ways a welcome feature on the pro-
gram. Private Tanguey sang very
delightful solo and Miss Charlotte
Jordon gave a selected reading; Miss
Gladys Gatchell sang very beautifully
and Chas. F. Weber rendered vio-
| lin selection, and Miss Irene Bell Of
Portland gave two very pleasing
readings. The orchestra again played
followed by a beautifully rendetion of
"Where the Ways Parted" by Miss
Anna Place. Hon. E. G. Reynolds of
South Portland gave an extremely in
teresting address on Civilian Life
and Col. George Gatchell responded
with talk on the Military Life.
For an hour after the program a
reception was given to Chaplain and
Mrs. Smith, both honored guests
standing alone in the reception line.
Everything was carried out with
full military honors, the chaplain and
officers being in full dress uniform.
All during the reception the band
played softly. The ushers were six
of the soldiers who were also in uni
form, and the whole occasion was
wonderfully pleasing, except for the
regret which comes with parting from
such good friends as the chaplain and
his wife.
After the reception a social hour
passed and then the guests left for
their homes, wishing Chaplain and
Mrs. Smith the best Of wishes for a
bright future. The arrangements of
the entire event was in the hands of
Miss Anna Place, Sergeant Estabook
and Charles Weber.
Rev. Samuel J. Smith who was
Chaplain of the coast defenses
around Pensacola for the past two
years will leave this morning for
Boston, Washington, D. C. and Pet
ersburg, Va, enroute to his new sta
ton at Barrancas, Florida, which is
near Pensacola. In Boston, Chaplain
Smith, who will be accompanied by
Mrs. Smith, will visit B. J. Martin
and A. w. Chesterton, relatives of his
and at Petersburg, Va, they will be
the guests of their son who is a
mechanical engineer at the Dupont
plant there.
Two years ago, September Both
Chaplain and Mrs. Smith came to
this district direct from the Philip
pines, where they had been at Cor
regidore, one of the greatest forti-
fications in the east. The story of his
work accomplished in this district by
the chaplain reads like book and it
would take days to relate all the de-
lightful affairs given under his per
sonal direction for the benefit of the
soldiers and their civilian friends.
The chaplain was pastor in Yer
mont when he first became interested
in the army. It was during the
Spanish war and he Immediately Of
fered his services as navy chaplain
but failed to receive an appointment
Ger the war through the efforts OF
| Senator Proctor of that state and a
number of prominent men who had
noticed the work accomplished by
this minister among the men over the
entire state, an appointment in the
Infantry was given to Rev. Samue
]. Smith and be became an army
chaplain.
!