Item

Adam Smith, Edtitor and Publisher, Standard

Beacon
Feb 27/1896
Death of A. W. Smith
The Veteran Editor Passes to his Eternal Rest at a Ripe Old Age
The community was greatly shocked on Tuesday morning when the sad news became known that Adam W. Smith, the veteran newspapers editor—the “father of the press”—as he liked to be termed—was dead. His soul took its flight from earth just as the hour of seven o’clock struck, that morning. Few knew that he was sick, and even those who did know of his illness did not apprehend how serious it was. On Friday last he drove down town for the purpose of showing to some of his intimate friends a kindly letter he had received from Sir Charles Tupper, in reply to one of had written to that gentleman respecting the development of Saint Andrews. While in the Post Office talking with the Postmaster concerning the subject so near his heart he experienced a sudden chill and remarked that he must get home at once as he had never felt so queer in all his life. Mr. Stevenson, noticing the pallor that overspread his countenance, urged him to obtain a stimulant at one of the drug stores and hasten home. This he did. When he was driven home he took to his bed and remained there until he died, death being caused by pneumonia.
            The deceased was a native of Limerick, Ireland, his mother being a Waterford lady. Early in life he removed to this country with his family. His father, George, N. Smith, was for a number of years connected with the Crown Land Department at Fredericton. The St. Andrews Standard newspaper was started b his father, and in that office the late A. W. Smith acquired his knowledge of the art preservative. On the death of his father, Mr. A. W. Smith took charge of the Standard, and for forty-seven years he was its editor. About fifteen years ago, he felt the necessity for retiring from active editorial life, and he ceased the publication of his paper. But his pen was never idle. Through the columns of the Beacon and the other Provincial newspapers he was constantly urging the claims of St. Andrews. He loved the place as he loved his own flesh and blood, and he had the most unbounded confidence in its future. It may almost be said that he laid down his life for his beloved town. Even in his last moments this theme was one of the uppermost in his thoughts.
            The deceased was united in marriage 54 years ago to Miss Willard, of St. Andrews. A large family of son sand daughters were born to them. Three of his sons now reside in California, and the fourth, Mr. E. A. Smith, in St. John. Willard, his eldest son, died in Sherbrooke a few years ago and his body was interred here. Four daughters are living, Miss Ottie Smith, of the Normal School, Truro, N.S.; Mrs. N. D. Hooper and Mrs. Charles S. Everett, of St. John, and Miss Eliza Smith, who resides with her parents. Mrs. Smith is still alive, and though suffering from a severe attack of la grippe, was able to wait upon her husband until the grim messenger called for hi. All the members of the family were devotedly attached to each other, and the death of the head of the house has been a severe blow to them.
            The deceased was connected with the Masonic order for many years, being a Knight Templar. He was an honored member of society and was regarded as one of the few links that bound us to an honorable past. He saw St. Andrews in its palmy days and he saw it in its darkest hours, and to its memory he was ever faithful. An active member of the Presbyterian church, his removal will be greatly felt in that denomination. In his death the own has suffered the loss of one of its best friends. Many of its residents, too, feel that they have lost a warm-hearted friend, and one whose like they shall never look upon again.
            Mr. Smith’s funeral will take place at 3:30 this afternoon.

Death of Mr. A. W. Smith
We feel that the Beacon is but echoing the sentiments of the people of St. Andrews when we say that the town has lost on of its best friends in the death of Adam W. Smith, for many years the honored editor of the Saint Andrews Standard news paper. He loved the place, and it was the desire of his life that he should be spared until he should see its sun of prosperity rise again. But, though in the dim future he could almost see the dawn of better days, the pleasure of witnessing the rising of that glorious sun was to be denied him. It cannot be said of him that he was one who sat down and wrung his hands in grim despair. No! Until the very last moment of his life;; until his active brain had become stricken by disease; until his tongue had been robbed of its power to frame speech, he never ceased to labor in the interest of he home of his adoption. Of him it may well be said, he hath done what he could. Though he is gone, his works will live after him, and mayhap in the not distant future his labors will bear the full fruitage that he so longed to see. As a newspaper man, but more particularly as a personal friend, the editor of the Beacon feels that he has sustained a great and irreparable loss. We shall miss his kindly, hopeful words, his hearty, cheerful hand shake, and his bright, encouraging presence, but great as we feel our personal loss to be, it is as nothing compared to the loss that his family has experienced. To them we would extend our sincerest consolation and sympathy in their hour of bereavement.