Smith, Harold 1912-1934

SMITH, DEMPSTER

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 1/24/2006 at 11:16:24

From the LeMars Sentinel, Tuesday, April 3, 1934, Page 1, Column 5:

Life Thread Is Abruptly Broken In Early Youth
Harold Smith, LeMars Youth, Succumbs To Malady After Brief Sickness
Dies Far From Home
Engaged In Reforestation Work At Missouri Camp

Harold Smith, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Smith, of LeMars, died in Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., Friday, March 30, following an attack of spinal meninigitis. He was ill only a few days. His parents were notified Friday of his serious illness and started from LeMars to be with him. They were interrupted on their journey by a message they received on the way, saying their son was dead.

Harold Smith left LeMars last October to enter reforestation work under the government and was assigned to a camp at Fort Snelling, Minn., and later was transferred to a camp at Salem, Mo. When he was taken sick he was conveyed to the Jefferson Barracks hospital, where he died.
Born in Plymouth County

Harold Wayne Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Smith, was born in Union township, May 10, 1912, and when nine years of age moved to LeMars with his parents.

As a lad he attended the Union township Consolidated school and the LeMars public school and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1930. He was an outstanding student and popular among his associates. He was a member of the Baptist church and a scholar in the Sunday school and was respected as a good Christian and conscientious young man. He was a member of Company K, Iowa National Guard, and active in Boy Scout work. He was always willing to work and never at a loss for employment. His pleasant ways and attitude gained him friends among the old and young alike.

He leaves to mourn his death his parents, and many relatives and friends.

The youth was in LeMars at Christmas time to spend a vacation.
Funeral Held Monday

The body was shipped here for interment, arriving Sunday night. Owing to the nature of the disease which took his life, the funeral was strictly private.

Services were conducted at the graveside in the city cemetery, Rev. H. P. Grahl, pastor of the Full Gospel Mission church, conducting a brief service.

A number of other cases of spinal meningitis are reported in the camp at Salem, Mo., and a quarantine is enforced.