Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-09
FRANCIS /. SMITH DIES
At HOME IN LEXINGTON
Was Son OF Founder of Virginia Mil
itary Institute and Long
Professor There.
SERVED THE CoNEEDERAcY
Was an Officer of Institute for Over
Forty Ecars-His Death Distinct
Shock to u Long Line OF Cadets
and Other Acquaintance.
Especial to The Timos-Dispatch. ]

Especial to The Times Dspa tch.1
LEXINGTON, VA. November s.
Colonel Francis III. Smith. until June.
1917 professor OF secondary mathe-
mates at the Virginia Military 1nsti-
tutc. and son of General Francis H..
Smith. founder and first president OF
the institute, died late last night at
his residence on Letchcr Avenue, q
few doors from tho entrance 10 the in
stitute grounds.
Last June. Colonel Smith retired from
active duty, owing to i'll health. In
making official announcement of the
death OF Colonel Smith, General Il. w.
Nichols, superintendent of the insti-
tute. issued the following statement
this morning:
ut becomes tho sad duty OF tho
superintendent to announce to officers
and cadets the death OF Colonel Francis
II. Smith. professor OF secondary math-
cmatics in the Virginia Military Insti-
tute up to june 1917. at which time
i'll health prompted his voluntary re-
tirement.
Colonel Smith passed away at his
residence on Letcher Avenue at 1915
o'clock last night.
Associated with this faithful officer
for over forty years. his departure
comes to the superintendent as both
n personal and an official bereavement.
To thousands Of old cadets the an
nouncement will come with n distinct
shock.
BORN AND REARED ON
INSTITUTES GROUNDS
Born on the institute grounds
reared in the home OF the superin-
tcndent. General Francis II. Smith.
whose son he was. and whose name he
bore. serving on the line around Rich
mond during the winter and spring OF
IS as a member Of the corps of cadets,
and later serving the institute in va
rious positions OF trust and confidence.
Francis II. Smith. Jr., embodied more
Of the institute, more OF institute ira
ditions, more of the aims and purposes
OF its builders and founders, more, in
deed. OF its atmosphere. OF its esprit
de corps. more OF those intangible
ideals that constitute the pride and
glory OF tho institute, as we'll as the
heritage OF It's elcvcs and alumni, than
any ono OF the old cadets OF this or
any other day.
Ills love for the institute was in
ordinate, and amounted almost to n
mania.
Now he Is gone from us: and the
name of Francis II. Smith, father and
son. actively associated with the In
stitutc from it's foundation to the pres
cnt day. a period OF sevcnty-eish;
years. remains TO us as a tradition
and as priceless heritage.
"IIc was faithful"
Tho funeral services will nc held at
Colonel Smiths late residence at
o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
The first and second classes will at
tend AS classes. and from their mem
bcrship a detail Of ten men will be So
icctcd to serve as active pallbcarcrs.
Tho academic board including all
officers. tactical and administrative,
will attend as honorary paIlhearcrs.
officers will assemble at headquarters
al $40 o'clock tomorrow.
In honor of the memory of this cfIl-
cient officer. there will be a suspension
OF duties until after the interment. and
during this interval the colors, national
and State. Will be displayed at half
mast.