Smith, Claude 1897-1915

SMITH, GOOGIN

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/5/2015 at 12:42:44

Note: His mother's maiden name was Googin.

Claude, 18, Year-Old Son of Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Smith, Ends His Life at Home in Vermillion, S. D.

A great and crushing grief came to the family of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Smith at Vermillion, S. D., Monday evening, November 15, in the death of their eldest son Clause under sad and almost unexplainable conditions. For three or four days he had been slightly indisposed and was absent from his studies at the Vermillion High School. A physician who was consulted advised them that his ailment appeared to be nothing worse than a bad cold in the head. Monday the young man returned to school, but upon arriving home in the afternoon complained of severe pains in his head.

After supper Mrs. Smith went to a neighbor on an errand an dher youngest son went to basketball practice. Mr. Smith was at Tyndall, S. D. at the time. Clause went to his room to make up some lost time on his lessons. When his mother returned she was attracted to his room by his groans. His serious condition was all too plainly apparent and the distracted mother hurried for help and medical assistance. A physician quickly arrived, but notherin could be done to save the life of the unfortunate young man. It was apparent that he had taken a 38-callbre from the drawer of his desk and fired a bullet into his head just back of and a little abouve one ear. This took place at about 8 o'clock Monday evening and he lingered in an unconscious condition for about three hours. The oly plausible explanation of the terrible tragedy is that possibly the pain in the young man's head became so acute as to temporarily dethrone his reason and that while under this mental aberration the poor boy was moved to find relief the that the manner. He had had no know grief or trouble, lived in the happiest of homes and enjoyed his school work and companionships.

Claude Smith was born in Sioux City, Iowa, July 16, 1897, and died at the age of 18 years, 3 months, and 30 days. At the time of his birth his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Smith lived northwest of Akron, in Union County, S. D., and except for a few years at armour, S. D., Beresford and Chatsworth, continued to live here until last spring, when they moved to Vermillion, where the boys, Claude and Ralph might have advantage of the best educational opportunities. Claude was of a rather quiet disposition, but unusually bright and studious, and by his pleasant and maly ways made may friends.

To the parents, broter and other relatives so sadly and suddenly bereaved, the communities of Vermillion and Akron extent most sincere sympathy and condolence.

The remains were brought to the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Agness, of this city, uncle and aunt of deceased, Tuesday evening. Funeral services, held in the Akron Baptist Chruch yesterday afternoon, were largely attended by friends and former neighbors of the family. The service was conducted by their pastor Rev. Jas. Gagnier, of the Baptist church at Vermillion, assisted by Rev. F. E. Voick, the local Baptist pastor. The pallbearers were young men who were close friends of the departed in this vicinity. Interment in Riverside Cemetery.

Mrs. Wm. Boden, of Tyndall, S. D., came from Vermilion with her brother H. B. Smith, and family to attend the funeral.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, November 18, 1915
Akron, Iowa