The Snowflake herald., 1920-04-16
Death Of Robert c. Smith, Proprietor
Of The Snowflake Herald

Not only the residents of Snowflake but the
people of Navajo county in general were shocked
last Friday to hear of the death Of r. C. Smith,
which occurred at $50 a. m. on that day in
Los Angeles Calf, where he went on April 4th
to consult specialist regarding his ailment,
that OF cancer Of the stomach, which he had
been troubled with for about year. When he
left for California it was not thought by his
relatives and friends that he was in SO danger
Gus condition and SO near the end. Probably
he did not realize either the situation, yet even
II he had-eVen if he suffered great torment
from the ailment-he was prone to show no
outward sign. His wife accompanied him on
the trip and was with him continuously through
out the last sad hours.
Robert Christian Smith, son of Jesse N
and Augusta NJ Smith, was born Nov. 27, 1874
at Parowan, Iron county, Utah. His fathers
family later moved to Arizona arriving in
Snowflake on May p, 1880, and where he spent
his boyhood days. He attended district school
and the S. S. Academy, and also took two
years course in the L. d. S. business college in
Salt Lake City. A large portion of his time
before going away to school was spent working
on his fathers farm, where he showed his ability
Of doing things WE'LL which was characteristic
all through his life While attending school in
Salt Lake City he spent the summers working
on farms near the city. Here he suffered
sunstroke and never had the best of health from
that time on, although before going to Salt
Lake City he could pitch more hay in a day than
anyone in Silver Greek Valley.
Deceased was married to Sarah Tenney on
Feb. 5, 1900, at Snowflake by Pres. Heber j.
Grant. Six children have blessed this union,
five of whom are living, namely: Helen, Efie,
William Mckinley, Ralph Cameron and Pearl
Their married life was spent in Holbrook.
Mr. Smith held various positions of trust
and realizing the responsibilities imposed upon
him by the ''vOice of the people" he performed
his duties to the satisfaction of the majority, at
no time showing favortes, either to party,
friend or foe. He was elected probate judge
of NaVa 10 county while Arizona was yet ter
ritory and later elected county school superin-
tendent, serving three terms in succession.
During his leisure moments he studied law and
although he never practced the profession, yet
even attorneys sought his counsel and were glad
to get his advice. After retiring from office he
still took an active part in politics, for years
being either member Of the state republican
central committee or acting on the county COM
mittee He was great atreader and often spoken
of as the best informed man in the county,
He was the sole nstgator of the greatest enterprise
vet to come to Snowflake of establishing news
paper in the He launched Ihe Snowflake Herald
in June 1914 His ability a writer Marked
though he had had previous experience in this line
before starting the Herald Either humorous other
wise people always got something to remember after
reading the efforts from his pen Up to the time of
his death his articles aside from the Herald, in
demand by several leading Arizona papers.
Besides being devoted father to his own family,
he was proud of his fathers family, which excep
tonaly large and honored and respected his fathers
wives He revered his mother and dutiful and
obedient
He was reserved unassuming, man Of few words
and sound Judgment but loved and appreciated by
those who knew him best Manly and dignifed, hon
orabe in financial deals, liberal in purse modest and
consistent in religion wise in politics, and true to
his friends.
In the passing of R. c. Smith Navajo county has
lost one of its foremost citizens
The remains were prepared for shipment in Los
Angeles arriving in Hobrook last Sunday morning and
brought to Snowflake for their last resting place The
funeral services were held at o'clock Sunday after
noon in the Stake House and attended by large
concourse of relatives and friends several from dis
tance. The speakers were: John H. Miller c. H.
Rallard Judge J. E. Crosby, Sas L. Fish, R. B.
Walton Bp. VIM G. Smith and A. L. Rogers. The
hodv was inferred in the family lot of the Snowflake
cemetery.
The floral offerings were beautiful and ten
- follo.ziro. 3 ? O E LODGE of MinsloMz.