William Lyle SMITH

SMITH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/24/2016 at 00:52:18

May, 1892 --- October 17, 1908

Our community has never been stirred more deeply than by the sudden death of William Smith, coming as it does, so close to all.

Last Saturday a goodly number of our people accompanied the football team to Clarion, to see the game and cheer our young heroes. Eagle Grove has been justly proud of her High School athletes, and among them all there was not one who had fairer laurels than he. It was with shouts and waving colors that they departed only to return, shrouded in the deepest gloom of sadness. In that brief space, the Reaper had mown down one who was young and strong and fair. Young in years, strong in the strength of all things that promise the best and purest manhood, fair in the record of all things he touched, fair his ideals, fair in his lofty faith — all this can truly be said of him.

The "touch of nature that makes the whole world kin" was evident in the mourning throng that came home.

William Lysle Smith was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Smith and lived in Eagle Grove from his earliest childhood. He was a boy of most exemplary habits, careful and conscientious in all that he did, his life, tho but sixteen short years, was long enough to leave a marvelous influence upon his fellows. His quiet, undemonstrative manner covered a deeply thoughtful nature, he cultivated the best thoughts, read the best books and lived thoroughly in the things that make for good.

He was always in his place, ready to perform his duty, whether at home, at church, in school or at play. In the home his death comes as a crushing blow to all the fond associations of life, to all the plans for a useful and happy future. All these dreams have come to naught, for we realize that there is "no hearth so well defended but has one vacant chair," and this chair cannot be filled.

The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon. Shortly after one o'clock the High School which was accompanied by the football team of Clarion, marched in a body to the Smith home, to look a last farewell upon one whom they all loved.

Rev. Chapler conducted the services, and paid a most fitting and beautiful tribute to the memory of the departed. His message that life is like ships, coming into port coming safely and well guided as was this life by the Pilot, was a helpful one indeed.

James Russel Lowell fitly expresses his view of life in:—
"Life is a leaf of piper white
Whereon each one of us may write
His word or two and then comes night.
Greatly begin the then hast time
But for a line be that sublime;
Not failure, but low aim, is crime."
This was a life whose "word or two" was written with the loftiest purpose;
A life in which there was no failure,
A life well spent in living up to its fullest measure all the possibilities of his individuality.

The following account of William Smith, during the progress of the football game at Clarion on Saturday is taken from the Monitor:

"The first fatality attending the game of football occurred Saturday afternoon during the progress of the game between Clarion and Eagle Grove, when Will Smith of the visiting team dropped on the field and died a short time after being removed to a doctor's office. It was during the last half of the game. Eagle Grove had the ball and young Smith was called upon to carry it around Clarion's right end. The attempt proved unsuccessful, Smith being tackled and downed before he made the distance. His headgear was torn off in the scrimmage, but apparently he suffered no injury in the play. Eagle Grove then punted the ball into Clarion territory, and after the latter had lined up for play Smith was discovered on his back several yards distant from the teams. When the players and officials reached his side he was unconscious. An automobile was called and the young man taken up town to a doctor's office, where the skill of two or three physicians was exerted to revive him. Their efforts were in vain, however, and the young man died shortly before six o'clock. He remained unconscious to the end.

"A coroner's jury held an inquest over the remains and as a result of the autopsy physicians declared that his death was due to dilation or enlargement of the heart, attended by congestion of the lungs. An examination of the body revealed no physical injuries of any kind, and it was apparent that his death was due to a week heart, caused doubtless by overexertion."

The Clarion football team sent the following resolutions to the Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Smith.

"Resolved, That the teachers, the football team and the student body of the Clarion high school express to the Eagle Grove school our sorrow at the untimely death of Mr. Smith, and we extend to the family and friends our condolences and sympathy."

TIMES GAZETTE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
October 22, 1908

Source -- Paul Wilde