Ira Fuller Smith

SMITH, TOLLESON, STONE

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/10/2014 at 12:59:06

IRA FULLER SMITH DROPS AT HIS POST.
PILOT SMITH OF THE VERN SWAIN IS STRICKEN.

Apoplexy Causes Him to Fall in the Pilot House--Steamer Starts Up Stream, but is Checked and Landed by Capt. Knaack.

Capt. Ira Fuller Smith, the efficient pilot of the natty steamer, Verne Swain, fell at his post about noon today, stricken with deadly apoplexy. The steamer for a moment or so was left without a guiding hand and her course led on toward the government bridge. The trouble was discovered in time, however, and before any accident had occurred she was brought safely to land.

The steamer was just returning from Rock Island, where she had discharged her cargo, and was preparing to land at the Davenport bank and to lay there until time for her departure for the north. There are always a number of spectators on shore, and they had their eyes on the little steamers as she made for the land. Nothing out of the usual course was expected, and consequently when the steamer’s prow was seen to turn up stream there was much wonderment as to the cause. The guiding hand in the pilot house could not be seen, and the steamer seemed to be going ahead undirected. Such was the case. Her pilot had fallen to the floor of the pilot house under the influence of some malady or other.

Capt. William Knaack was standing on the forward part of the top deck near the head light. When he saw the steamer was not heading as she should, he made his way to the pilot house where he found that no hand was upon the wheel. He at once turned the boat around and landed her as speedily as possible after which calling a number of men to his assistance he had the pilot taken to his state room. Dr. E. S. Bowman was called and pronounced the case a stroke of apoplexy, although not a very serious one. The sick man was taken to his home on Iowa street near Eighth, and it is thought that with proper care and nursing, which he will receive, the sick man will be able to be about in a week or two.

The weakness of Pilot Smith did not cause the Vern to lose a trip, and she left as usual at 3 o’clock, with Pilot Zach Suiter at the wheel. Capt. Suiter is a regular rapids pilot, who makes his headquarters at the office on the Rock Island levee, near the ferry.

Source: Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Ia., 26 Aug 1896, p. 6.

FELL AT THE WHEEL.

Capt. Fuller Smith Suffers a Stroke of Apoplexy.

Captain Fuller Smith, one of the oldest pilots on the river had a stroke of apoplexy yesterday afternoon while at the wheel of the Vern Swain. For several days Captain Smith has been complaining of not feeling well, but yesterday he seemed as well as ever, and took the Vern over the rapids in the same way that he has done for years. The Vern came first to Davenport as is the custom, and then went to Rock Island where she unloaded the remainder of her passengers. After this she coaled up at the Cable Coal company.

After 2 p.m. the Vern started for this side of the river, with Captain Smith in the pilot house. All went as usual till the boat was about in the middle of the stream, when Captain Knaack came out of the cabin and noticed that the Verne was headed squarely for the bar which lies across the Rock Island slough. Captain Knaack made a straight shoot for the pilot house, and when he got there found Pilot Smith lying unconscious on the floor beside the wheel. The engines were stopped immediately, and Captain Knaack and those on board did all they could for the relief of the unconscious man. Captain Knaack brought the boat to the Iowa shore and Dr. Ed Bowman was summoned. Dr. Bowman pronounced the case to be only a slight attack of apoplexy caused by indigestion.

After lying in the state room of the Vern for about two hours and a half, Captain Smith was taken to his residence at 715 Iowa street. Dr. Bowman state that there is nothing very serious about the attack, but that Captain Smith needs rest, and should have a long one before he goes back to work. Captain Smith has been the Vern Swain’s pilot or the last seven years and there is no more cautious or reliable pilot on the rapids. He has a host of friends along the river men and is very well known in Davenport. Captain Zach Suiter will take his place at the Vern’s wheel.

Source: The Davenport Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 25 Aug 1896.

FORMER RIVER PILOT PASSES AWAY SATURDAY.

Captain Fuller Smith of Steamer
Verne Swain Dies in Chicago.

According to word received late Saturday, Captain Fuller Smith, former well known river pilot, and for years captain of the steamer “Verne Swain” passed away at 8 o’clock Saturday morning at the home of one of his daughters in Chicago.

The remains will be brought to Le Claire for burial, and interment will take place there, announcement of the time to be made later.
Captain Smith’s old home was in Le Claire, and during the long period that he spent in navigation the river he resided there, but removed to Davenport. He has however, made his home in Chicago for the past ten years.
The survivors are two daughters Mrs. Grace Tolleson and Mrs. Lola A. Stone, both of Chicago ; two sisters, Mrs. Net Holsappple and Mrs. Cynthia Becker, of Le Claire: also two brothers, Peter of Le Claire and George of Moline, Ill.

Source: Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, Ia., 15 Dec 1918.

Capt. Smith Funeral Held
The funeral of Capt. Ira Fuller Smith, who died in Chicago , Saturday, was held Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Le Claire, Rev. M. E. Kroster officiated at the service. The pallbearers were six nephews of the deceased. They were Orrin Smith, Nelson Smith, Frank Smith, George Holsapple and Frank Becker. Interment was in Le Claire cemetery.

Source: The Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 17 Dec 1918, p. 12.