|  |  |
|
| | |
© Alex Tribune Alex, Oklahoma Friday, October 16, 1925 John Mortimer Smith October 25, 1894 ~ October 10, 1925 John Smith Found Dead At His Home Saturday J. M. Smith passed away at his home in the north part of town, Saturday, shortly after the noon hour and was found by his wife about 1:30 o'clock when she went home from the café to do some work at the house. Mr. Smith had not been feeling quite well for several days, but continued about his work as usual and even did some chores at the restaurant before eating his lunch. It is not known whether he was feeling worse than he had been when he went home or whether he grew worse after he reached home and laid down hoping to recover soon. As Mrs. Smith went upon the porch she saw her husband lying on the bed with his face toward the door, apparently asleep. Entering the room she spoke to him but he did not answer. She called again, but meeting no response she went to his bed and found him cold in death. She ran out crying for help and the neighbors and physicians soon arrived. Examinations revealed the fact that he had been dead for more than an hour, and that his death was due to heart trouble. It is probably that he went to sleep soon after lying down and died, as there was no indication of a struggle. John M. Smith was born in Arkansas, Nov. 25, 1893 and later moved to Caddo, Oklahoma. He was married to Miss Stella May Phillips, August 21, 1914. To them was born one child, a daughter who died in infancy. They came to Alex from near Lindsay about eight years ago and for a time lived on a farm, but later moved to town and engaged in the dray and transfer business and also the restaurant business. He sold his business last spring and bought a small farm, but he recently sold out and moved back to town, again buying an interest in the New State Café. His dealings with the public in these capacities had enabled him to get acquainted with nearly everyone in the community and his death brought sadness to every home. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church, a Mason, Odd Fellow and Rebekah. The funeral services were held at the Baptist church, Sunday afternoon conducted by his pastor, Rev. C. A. Smith, in the presence of the largest congregation ever attending a funeral at this place, which with the many beautiful floral offerings bore testimony of the esteem in which he was held and sympathy for the bereaved which their hearts could not speak. The remains were laid to rest in the Morris cemetery under the auspices of the Masonic lodge. He is survived by his widow, mother, one brother and six sisters. The out of town relatives attending the funeral were: Mrs. N. J. Smith, Bokchito, Henry Smith, Caddo, Ernest Lievsay and family, Chickasha, Clarence Arnold and family, Duncan, Otis Phillips and wife, Bokchito, and Cecil Phillips of Galveston, Texas. |