RICHARD SMITH FORMER BLAIRITE PASSES AWAY

Richard Smith Passes Away at His Home in Washington

A letter received by the W. G. Harrison family brought the sad news of the death of Richard Smith at Wenatchee, Washington.

Richard was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Smith who came here when the townsite was laid out and when the town lots were sold on March 10, 1869. Richard was born and raised here and both he and his father worked long years in the livery barn for Mr. Harrison.

He was born December 15, 1870, and in 1901 left Blair and went to Downs, Washington. Here he bought land, and at the time of his death owned something like eight hundred acres; besides this he owned a group of cottages at Soap Lake, his home.

He came back to Blair two years ago, and spent several days visiting at the Harrison home and with relatives and friends. While here he called at The Enterprise office and was a most welcome visitor.

Besides the wife, he leaves to mourn him four sisters: Mrs. May Rose of Newton, Iowa; Mrs. Clara Beardsley of Omaha; Mrs. Anna McCracken of Omaha and Mrs. Margaret Stratton of Stanton, California and one brother, Al Smith of Omaha.

He was a man highly respected in his community, and the words of the correspondent who sent the news aptly express the sentiment of those who knew him: “The death of a man as well known and loved as he in several communities was a distinct shock”.

The Masonic lodges of Wenatchee and Harrington were in charge of the ceremonies which were held at Soap Lake.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

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