The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-08-09

The service held late Friday after
noon was a fitting memorial of Charles
Coburn Smith 1t took place in the
Bethany Church, in the beautiful
Children's Room, built three years ago
as a memorial of little Elizabeth Co
burn Smith, younger sister,
The oak-mantel in this room, with
its Sistine Madonna, formed the back
ground for the many offerings of love-
ly flowers The mantel itself was
banked with sweet peas from Skowhe-
gan gardens and maidenhair ferns;
tall stalks of white lilies stood below
in mass of green, while roses, car
nations, and pond lilies were massed
In front. A large bunch of roses
tied with a ribbon inscribed "U. s.
Geological Survey" and other flowers
from his fellow workers of the Sur
yey party in New Hampshire were a
special tribute to Charles Coburn
Smiths connection with Government
work the past few weeks, and these
flowers rested upon the Stars and
Stripes and the Geological Survey
banner. There were also flowers
from his fathers associates in the
Department of the Interior, from the
Bureau of Mines, from Major Sutton
the geographer in charge of the North
Atlantic field work for the Army, and
from Mr.. Bryn the Norwegian Minis
ter, whose son Sigmund now in Nor
way, was Charles most intimate
friend in Washington.
ed by Rev. George Merriam, assisted
by Principal Drew T. Harthorn of the
Coburn Classical Institute, who read
the account of Christ's life-giving
visit to the home at Bethany. Presi-
dent Roberts of Colby College spoke
feelingly of Charles year at College,
of the many friends he had made
there by his winning personality, and
of his clean record as a student.
President Roberts concluding tribute
was: Charles was the sort of boy l
should want a son of mine to be"
Thornton w. Merriam, secretary
of the Y. NJ. c. A. at Cleveland, Ohio,
made brief address on Charles as a
friend, referring to the capacity for
friendship as the finest possible activ-
ity Of human soul. This God-given
capacity Charles had to an unusual
degree. Three characteristics Of his
friendships were Constancy-he was
always the same to his friends; de-
mocracy-all kinds of people attract
ed and interested him, whether at
Plattsburg, at college, in the woods,
or at his two homes; and useful
ness-best of all, he enjoyed max
Ing himself of service to his
friends From this genius for
friendship was beginning to blossom
the qualities which are veritaby the
marks of man.. Always interest
ed in the study of history, he early
decided to take the Plattsburg train
Ing as his part in the responsibility
OF citizenship. When the declaration
of war was imminent he wrote of his
intention to enlist, but knowing his
fathers wish, postponed this until he
should reach the age set by law for
selective military service. The survey
Ing work on which he entered for the
held season was part of the General
Staffs program Of national defense
and so appealed to his patriotism. A
friend of his father, about to leave for
France as a Major on Gen. Pershing's
staff has written "The thought Is
strong within me that your boy has
given his life to further as he could |
the great Cause for which ceach of us
Is trying to do our part. Charles
as member Of the Bethany Church