Stephen L. Smith died at about noon on Monday, February 23, 1909, at his home in Powell tp., this county. The news of his death was a severe shock to his neighbors and friends, as but few knew that his condition was critical.About 10 days before his death, Mr. Smith took sick with la grippe, and not until the day before his death was his condition considered alarming. On Monday pneumonia developed and from that time his decline was rapid. The best of medical assistance was secured, but all efforts to stay the disease proved futile. He was conscious to the end and died peacefully, surrounded by all the members of his family, except the oldest son, Lawson, who was unable to arrive in time from Viola where he is station agent for the Santa Fe. A. W. Smith of Medicine Lodge, a brother of the deceased, arrived an hour or so before death occurred.
Mr. Smith was born in Callaway co., Mo., on January 25, 1850. He was, therefore, at the time of his death, 59 years and 29 days old. At the age of 22 he went from Missouri to Chicago where he lived until the spring of 1886 when he came to Comanche co., settling on a claim a few miles east of Wilmore. There he continued to live, and he had built up a comfortable home and had begun to reap some of the fruits of several years of industry and of frugality. He married soon after coming to Comanche co. to Miss Mary Sunderland who, with six sons and two daughters, survive him. The names of the children are: Lawson, Miss Maude Lee, Leslie, Lewis, Edna, Fay, Clarence and Kahren.
In the death of Mr. Smith the county loses one of its best citizens. Mr. Smith was thoroughly in sympathy with every movement for its aim temperance, morality and good citizenship. In his home he was faithful to every duty as husband and father. To the sorrowing relatives we can only say: "For thy wounded heart trust in the Lord who doeth all things well." Funeral services were conducted in Wilmore yesterday forenoon by Rev. Stull, and at 3 p.m. the body was laid to rest in the Coldwater cemetery.
Celia Ann (Smith) Kime, sister of Stephen L. Smith.
S. Fay Smith, son of Stephen L. & Mary (Sunderland) Smith.
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