Capt. Leslie Smith At Rest

Another of Boonville’s well-known citizens has passed to his reward. Capt. Leslie Smith died at his home in this city on the morning of December 29, 1894, aged sixty years. For several years he was a prominent figure in Cooper county politics and he leaves very many warm personal friends in this city and throughout the county to mourn his death.

Capt. Leslie Smith was born in Bradford county, Virginia, May 1, 1834. His mother was left a widow when he was quite young, and removed to Missouri, making her home near Wellington. Capt. Smith went to California in 1850 and returned to Missouri in 1859. He joined the Confederate army at the beginning of the late war, and served with distinction till its close. He came to Boonville soon after and engaged in the livery business. On February 13, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary Davis, of this county, and to them were born eight children – four sons, and four daughters. Of these, four sons and two daughters survive him. His wife died in 1889.

Capt. Smith was appointed sheriff of Cooper county in 1878, to fill an unexpired term, and was elected to the same office in 1884. In September, 1887, he married Miss Fannie Pope Thompson, of this city, and to them were born two children who survive him. He united with the M.E. church, South, and was one of its most faithful and active members. Last September, he had a surgical operation performed to remove a tumor from his side. It soon re-appeared, and was again removed on December 13^th. From this he seemed to rally, but septic poison became evident in a few days, and through all that medical skill could do, or the care of loved ones suggest was done, it proved unavailing. Aware from the first of the serious nature of his illness, he made a brave fight for life, willing to do anything that would aid his recovery. He said he was not afraid to die, but wanted to live for his wife and children. When the end came, he testified that he was ready. Almost his last words were, “Peace, peace!”