| From the Valley Virginian (Staunton, Va.) |
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| April 14, 1881 |
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| Death of Maj. Chas. Maurice Smith |
| We were much pained to learn of the sudden death of
Maj. Charles Maurice Smith, a notice of some of the more prominent
incidents of whose life is appended, taken from the Richmond State
of the 14th. We were well and intimately acquainted with the deceased,
and never knew a more gentle, genial and accomplished gentleman. A few
weeks ago we met him in his office in Washington, where he was, to all
appearances, in robust health, with the promise of year of active
usefulness. His sudden death has stirred the sympathies and occasional
pain with numerous others who knew him as we did only to esteem and
admire. He was an uncle to Hon. J. Ambler Smith and Chars. Maurice
Smith, jr., practicing lawyers at the Washington bar, and brother to Dr.
E. H. Smith, now United States Consul at Naples. The Richmond State
refers to his eventual life as follows: |
| Intelligence was received here this
morning of the killing of Maj. C. Maurice Smith, near Port Royal. It
seems that Maj. Smith was on his way to the residence of his
brother-in-law, Dr. Gravatt, in Port Royal, Friday. He was riding in a
small spring cart and the driver got out of the vehicle, leaving Maj.
Smith in it and went up to the door of the residence of Dr. Gravatt. The
horse became frightened, it is supposed by the knocking on the door, and
ran off, throwing Maj. Smith out. The unfortunate gentleman fell with
such force as to break his neck. This intelligence will be received with
profound sorrow in this city where the deceased spent so large a portion
of his life and had in that time won the esteem of a large circle of
acquaintances. |
| Maj. Smith had led an adventurous life. He
was born in Lynchburg, his family moving to Richmond while he was an
infant. When a young man he entered the Virginia Land Office as chief
clerk. He afterwards studied law and began the practice of his
profession in this city, but later moved to Caroline county. He
subsequently abandoned his profession for the more congenial one of
journalism and became connected with the Washington Sentinel
which was conducted by Mr. Beverly Tucker. From Washington he removed to
Utah Territory, where he led an adventurous life and one at that time
full of danger. In Salt Lake City he filled the position of United
States district attorney under Judge Sinclair, also of Virginia and
until recently Virginia senator from the Fairfax district. He went our
to Utah with the expedition commanded by Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston
sent to treat with the Mormons. The feeling of the Mormons against the
Unite States authorities at that time ran high, and more than one
attempt was made to assassinate Maj. Smith, who, by his bold and
unwavering prosecutions, incurred their enmity. The position of himself
and Judge Sinclair was full of risk, and more than once they received
intimidation that it would be well for them to leave the place. Maj.
Smith was the first lawyer who ever prosecuted and Judge Sinclair the
first judge who tried Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormons, and this
writer has head both of the gentlemen in their graphic accounts of the
trial. Brigham Young came into court with his head tied up in a red
handkerchief. Judge Sinclair ordered him to uncover his head. The Mormon
Apostle said he never uncovered his head in the presence of the people,
whereupon the Judge told him it did not matter whether he uncovered his
head in the presence of of the people or not, but one thing was certain,
he had to uncover his head in the presence of the United States Court,
and if he did not do it at once he would make him. The apostle did not
hesitate longer. |
| Few men knew more of the early history of
the Mormons than did Major Smith, and he had written a book upon the
subject, the manuscript of which was destroyed by fire at the evacuation
of Richmond in 1865. After figuring prominently in Utah during the
troublous times there, Maj. Smith came back nearer home and became
connected with Col. J. W. Forney on the Philadelphia Press. |
| When the late war began he came South, and
was chief in charge of the Transportation Bureau, with the rank major,
which office he administered with signal ability and accuracy. Before
the war Maj. Smith was connected with the different newspapers, and was
for a long period one of the editorial writers on the Whig. He
was there when the celebrated Pleasants-Ritchie duel took place. |
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Soon after the war he renewed his connection as associate
editor with the Whig and remained there until a few years
since, when he removed to Washington and resumed the practice of
law. |
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Major Smith was in his sixty-fifth year, and was the son
of the late John HR Smith, who was a member of the Executive Council
for ??ing years and a distinguished lawyer. His grand father was
Col. Larking Smith, of "Hickhock," in King William county. His
mother was a daughter of Col. John Ambler, of Richmond. |
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The following is the letter received by Dr. V. P. Palmer
this morning from Mr. J. B. Lightfoot, giving the particulars of
this distressing affair: |
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"Port Royal, April 2, 1881. |
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Dear Doctor, |
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With infinite regret I have to announce to you the death
of our mutual and noble-hearted friend, Maj. Charles Maurice Smith,
which took place at the residence of Dr. Gravatt last night at 9
o'clock. Yesterday morning (April 1st) Maj. Smith left Washington
for Port Royal, and reached Dr. Gravott's door at 9 o'clock in a
spring wagon, which he had hired in Fredericksburg. On reaching the
door the driver got out to give notice of the arrival, when the
horses started off, ran against a tree, broke the pole, upset the
wagon, and Maj. Smith being thrown violently on his head, was
instantly killed." |
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The funeral took place yesterday at Port Royal. |
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