Obituaries: Dr. H. A. Smith, 1906, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: The Genesis of John Smith the Scot by Loyce Margaret Smith Robbins (pub. Dec., 1970 - on file at Winn Parish Library, Winnfield, LA); January 12, 1906 Dodson Times Death of Dr. H. A. Smith At an early hour last Sunday morning a deep gloom was cast over Dodson when it was announced that Dr. H. A. Smith, the subject of this sketch, was dead at the home of his father in law, Mr. J. J. Stovall, he having very suddenly and quietly died at about the hour of six o'clock. He had been in failing health for a long time and to those of his friends who understood the nature of his troubles the news of his death was no surprise. When Dodson was first located Dr. Smith came here and bought property and erected a nice residence. He removed to this place and continued in the practice of medicine, which he had already been pursuing at Stovall, in Jackson Parish. His name and fame as a successful doctor spread far and wide till he had soon built up a larger practice than he was able to successfully handle. Finding that his health was failing he sold his residence and other interests at Dodson and went West in the hope of regaining his health. He spent several months in New Mexico and other places, finally returning to Dodson, and appearing to have been somewhat benefitted, he engaged in the drug business under the firm name of Smith-Hardy Drug Co. After continuing business under the above name for sometime he bought the interest of Mr. Hardy and continued the business in his own name till shortly before his death. Dr. Smith well knew for many months prior to his death that he could not live very long at best, and he went to work to get his business affairs in proper shape, and just a few days after everything had been satisfactorily adjusted he passed away so quickly and quietly that his wife hardly had the time to think about the serious situation that she was confronted with. And then she was so full of hope and trust that she really expected her husband to live with her many more days, yea, even many years - this was but natural - she could not realize that he was so near to death's door. In the death of Dr. Smith the medical profession has lost an able doctor, the town and country a good citizen and friend, his wife and little girl an affectionate husband and father. He was possessed of excellent business qualifications aside from his fitness for the chosen line of his life work. His remains were laid to their last earthly resting place last Monday at old Transport Cemetery, in Jackson Parish (actually I think Winn-GED), amid a host of admiring friends and mourning relatives, the last sad rites and ceremonies being performed under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a lively member. The Dodson Times joins with the many relatives and friends of the deceased on account of the sorrow thus wrought by death's visitation and would not forget to sympathize with the sorrow-stricken wife, mother, and only surviving sister, the two latter being unable to get here to attend his funeral. We gladly give space to the following tribute to the memory of Dr. Smith, the same having been written by his friend, Joe Barksdale of Ruston, and published in the Ruston Leader of the 10th inst: There was many a man lost a friend when Hugh Smith died at Dodson, La., last Sunday morning. There is many a good woman knows that her secret sorrow, her dearest confidences are safely locked within the cold cells of his brain, and there is a little circle who were boys and girls together who feel that something has gone out of their lives. His death threw a veil of sorrow over more than one community that had felt then influence of his valiant soul and knew the pathos of his struggle with an adverse destiny. With an unshaken will and inviolable poise he withstood the advance of one fatal malady only to be struck down by another just at the passing of his thirty-third year - an all too short life for one into whose soul had burnt the truth that the only happiness is in doing good for others. He died bravely as he lived. As the poor body weakened through the multiplied sufferings of the lengthening years his sure mentality and his soul of honor strengthened and flowered even into the very chill of dissolution. He knew he was dying for long hours before any one else but true to the habit of his thinking, his mind was not on others to the last. With his sure physician's hand he felt his last pulse-throb and with his last breath calmly told them that the end had come. Holding the hand of the woman he loved he turned his eyes to their little girl and fell asleep so softly that they thought it could not be death. His body was left in the lower hills of Jackson Parish where his happiest days were spent, where he was wont to ride through the night on his mission of relief, where he looked up at the stars through the swaying pines and pondered the mysteries of life and death and destiny. And they came in scores through the wintry day, those who would be grateful for the poor privilege of lightly closing the earth upon his fragile form. He had his faults but he had friends to whom his defects were as graces. He had the charity that is charitable to the uncharitable. He had an apprehension of the right almost as sure and absolute as it was instantaneous and though his years were unfulfilled there are those who will not forget that they are better because he lived. (Joe Barksdale - Ruston Leader). Masonic Memorial It is with melancholy pleasure we approach the task of drafting this memorial and resolution on the death of Dr. H. A. Smith, for we feel that in his death our Lodge has lost a most helpful member and officer, and that Masonry has lost a most loyal supporter. Brother Smith, having been reared in our midst, and having given is life's work for and among us, it is unnecessary to repeat his history. In this life every attribute of true manliness was characterized. In the practice of medicine he ever reflected credit on the profession, and as a husband and father he was a model in his care and devotion. As a citizen he was always found striving for the elevation of his people and for the upbuilding of the state. As a Mason he was an inspiration to the brethren and an ornament for the order. His strength of character was most beautifully shown in his calm submission to a fate of which he was aware long before his death. To the finite mind it seems hard to lose a man of such worth in the prime of his manhood, but we are submissive to the will of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, in calling our most worthy brother from labor to refreshments we deeply mourn our loss and extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family in their sore bereavement. Be it further resolved that a copy of this memorial and resolution be recorded on our minutes, a copy be sent to his family, and that a copy be sent to the Dodson Times for publication. Committee: Jno. Stinson, C. L. Shell, J. M. Peters Dodson, La., Jan. 20, 1906.