Eugene Smith

SMITH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/20/2020 at 09:09:26

19 December 1890 - The Clarence Sun

We had heard of the death and burial of Eugene Smith, who resided near Fairview church, and the doubt expressed of his being dead. From the Conservative we glean the following particulars: Mr. S. had been to Tipton with a load of turkeys and returned home in the evening with a barrel of apples, which he carried into the house. After eating supper and playing with the children he retired. Soon his wife noticed a strange noise and going to the bed found him unconscious. Mr. Pritchard, who lived with them, was called and they decided he was dead and let the body lie till morning, when Mr. Heltibridle and another neighbor was called in and laid it out. When they first saw the body, lying on its side, the face looked like one quietly sleeping but on being moved the face turned black. A coffin was procured, the body placed therein and the cover tightly screwed down. When the coffin lid was raised it was found that blood had flowed freely from the nose and one eye and the mouth was open. The discoloration had disappeared from the face and the skin bore a life like appearance. In spite of all this and the belief expressed by the neighbors that he was not dead he was buried, without even summoning a physician to settle their doubts. Deceased was 45 years of age.