--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young, Seymour B. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 25 number: 11 published: 1922-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Seymour B. Young, "Lest We Forget: Captain Lot Smith", *Improvement Era* 25, no. 11 (September 1922): 1005–1008.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera25011unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera25011unse start_page: 1005 end_page: 1008 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1922-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera25011unse publication_year: 1922 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1922, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Lest We Forget: Captain Lot Smith Lest We Forget By Dr. Seymour B. Young, of the First Council of Seventy X — Captain Lot fimith (Concluded) Under date of April, 1902, the Deserel News contained an account of Captain Smith's funeral, from which the facts herein are largely gathered : "Ten years have elapsed since the death of Lot Smith the famous pioneer and soldier, (he died June 21, 1892) yet at the memorial service yesterday (April 7, 1902) it seemed as if that heroic spirit was hovering near to stir in the breasts of his old comrades that love and devotion with which he inspired them a half century ago. The occurrence of yester- day was a memorable event, touching not only the life of the departed man and the members of his family but also a score of those old veterans who struggled and fought with him, and to this day cherish the memory as one of the dearest tenants of their hearts. Many of them had the opportunity yesterday to testify of the character of their captain, and their words of love touched the hearts of all present, and tears flowed freely from many eyes. "If the spirit of Captain Smith had been permitted to re-enter his body he would have been surrounded by more of his men than had been with him since the Indian campaign on the Snake river in 1862, and they would all have been prepared to follow him wherever he led. The spirit of the entire party of veterans was manifest jn the expression of one of their number who exclaimed, that he never wished for a better leader; and if, on the other side of the veil, it became necessary to fight for the protection of friends his only wish would be to be led by Captain Lot Smith. "In all the eulogies pronounced yesterday over the remains of him who was one of Utah's bravest of the brave, the conclusion would be forced upon one, that for care and forethought exercised in behalf of his men, Lot Smith never had a superior. The master impulse of his nature was fidelity to duty, self sacrifice and all unremitting thought for the comfort and safety of those who followed him. If to display these qualities in the highest degrees is to be a great leader, then Lot Smith has a clear title to the name. "Although his body has been mouldering in the grave for a decade, it was as if his spirit had just taken its flight, and the services bore all the aspects of a funeral following immediately after death. "There were present his immediate family including nine grandchil- dren, and as the speakers would relate one after the other the noble acts of their captain, tears would suffuse the eyes of the members of his house- hold, and not only they but many others went, including many of the grey-haired veterans who had not wiped tears from their eves for years. "These circumstances together with the crowded meetinghouse, the presence of some of the! leading men in the community, including Presi- dent Joseph F. Smith, together with the fact that the remains had been brought from Arizona, after lying there for so long, called up the reflec- 1006 IMPROVEMENT ERA tion of how great must have been the love that effected this change in the hero's last resting] place. It all tended to add to the pathos of the scene. )\\ \ jj1 ' "There was not that deep and almost insufferable sorrow that follows the passing of a young spirit, jbut rather the pathos that lies in the trib- ute that brave men pay to a brave man." The funeral party left ;Salt Lake, at 12:50 p. m. and numbered about one hundred. Among them were President Joseph F. Smith, President John R. Winder, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, M. F. Cowley, A. O. Woodruff, Presidents Seymour B. Young, Joseph W. McMurrin, A. Milton Musser, L. John Nuttall, Charles H. Wilcken. Fifteen of the company present served under Captain Smith in the Civil War campaign of 1862. Their names are as follows, Seymour B. Young, Joseph H. Felt, Charles Crismon, J. I. Atkinson, T. H. Harris, A. S. Rose, William Longstroth, James Sharp, James Larkins, Solomon Hale, Laconius Barnard, W. C. Allen, Ira N. Hinckley, Samuel Bateman, and Samuel H. Hill. Of those who were with Lot Smith in the campaign of 1857, during the Johnston Army invasion, were James P. Terry, Joseph Parry, Orson P. Arnold, and John Bagley. These men served personally under the famous captain, but there were many others who fought in Indian cam- paigns of later years, for it is doubtful if there has been a more notable gathering of the representatives of the old Utah Militia for years, and it was fitting that such a gathering should be about the remains of the master martial spirit of that period. The remains were in charge of Joseph William Taylor, and were on the train from Salt Lake. At the Farmington depot they and the escort- ing party were met by a score or more of carriages and driven to the tabernacle where the services were held. The stores were all closed in honor of the deceased, and it looked as if the entire populace had turned out to pay their last respects to one whose home was once among them. The casket was draped in the American flag, and was borne to and from the wagon by Samuel Bateman, James Sharp, Charles H. Wilcken, Orson P. Arnold, Joseph H. Felt and Samuel Hill. These were all mem- bers of Captain Smith's company and performed these last sad offices with more than passing love. The services began at 2 o'clock and were presided over by Bishop J. M. Secrist, of Farmington. The music was furnished by the Farmington choir under the direction of Joseph Robinson, and the opening hymn was, "Gates Ajar." Prayer was offered by Presi- dent Seymour B. Young, followed by the rendition of the hymn, "God is Just." The first speaker was President John R. Winder, who began by reading a letter of regret from Bishop R. T. Burton, who explained that he was unable to be present on account of a severe cold, but wished to reassure the family of the departed leader of his never failing love and esteem for his memory. President Winder, then stated that he had looked forward with inter- est for some time to the bringing home of the remains of Lot Smith. "I always admired Lot Smith,"' said he, "for his bravery; he always stood ready to do his part, and his men loved and obeyed him, for he was kind to them and always in the lead." The next speaker was Samuel Bateman, of West Jordan, whose tribute was very impressive. He said that this was one of the most joyful days he had ever experienced, as it was the consummation of the efforts of months. A kinder or more fearless man than Lot Smith never lived. "I have seen him under the most trying circumstances, but I have never known him to lose his self possession; and if conditions were such that any of the LEST WE FORGET 1007 men must go hungry, he was always one that went without. I have been working for months to have these dear remains brought from their lonesome resting place in Arizona, and now that this is accomplished, I am unable to express my joy." Lot Smith never slept, said the speaker, at least it seemed so to me. He was always ready, and knew when to strike, and his blows always counted. "I do not want and never expect to find, a better leader, and when I reach the other side, if it ever be- comes necessary to fight for the protection of friends, I want to follow Lot Smith." Elder Solomon Hale, the next speaker was a member of Captain Smith's company, in 1862, and was with him under many trying cir- cumstances. "Lot Smith was a man who never knew fear — he never faltered, he was not a driver. Drivers go behind, but he was a leader, always in the front, except when the danger was in the rear, then he was behind." Elder Hale stated that he slept with Captain Smith for three months. One night he walked the camp all night, broken-hearted, be- cause of the death of one of his men who had been drowned in the Snake river. Captain Smith was a brave, true, and good man and was always ready to lay down his life for his friends, he will always live and will never die in the hearts of his men who were with him and knew him as he was. President Seymour B. Young, pronounced a striking eulogy upon his dead captain. Before doing so, however, he read a letter from Comrade S. H. W. Riter in which he expressed his keen regret at being unable to attend the memorial services. President Young then, proceeded to relate many interesting anecdotes connected with the Civil War service of 1862, in which the cool bravery of Captain Smith stood out so conspicuously. On one occasion the speaker and the captain rode out in advance of the company in quest of something to eat, as the men had been with- out rations for several days. They finally met up with a company of emigrants who insisted that Captain Smith and his comrade were members of a band of robbers, and informed them that they were to be hanged to the end of a wagon tongue; not much impression was made apparently upon the two soldiers, and Captain Smith stated that if they would fur- nish some provisions that would be the thing for them to do. President Young declared that Captain Smith refused to eat and that day after day he went without, that others might have to satisfy their hunger. Captain Smith seemed full of the spirit of self denial, he was a natural born leader, though he was humble as a child, and filled that beautiful poetic expression, the bravest are the tenderest. "I have this to say of my comrade, our commander," said comrade James Sharp: "There lies a man who never knew fear. He was gentle as a woman and as brave as a lion. I knew him as a citizen, as a soldier, and also as a missionary of the Church, when he was a humble preacher of the gospel in a foreign land, and he was always the same brave, true, genial, kind-hearted man. His soul was full of good cheer and of love." Other eulogies breathing the same testimony as those already given of the bravery, unselfishness, devotion, and tenderness of Captain Lot Smith were spoken by Orson P. Arnold who was accidently shot in the leg at the time of his service under Captain Smith during the Echo Canyon war. Joseph H. Felt, Samuel Hill, President Ira N. Hinckley of the Millard stake, James P. Terry, Thomas Abbott, Joseph Parry of Ogden who was with Lot Smith at Ham's Fork when he led his men out of a trap set by Captain Marcey who later became secretary of war, also Presi- dent Hess of Davis stake whose tribute was a glowing one. President A. W. Ivins of Mexico, who was associated with Lot Smith in Arizona in 1008 IMPROVEMENT ERA 1875, testified of the kindness of Captain Smith, being ever ready to help those who stood in need, whether he be Jew or Gentile. The last address was made by President Joseph F. Smith who s>aid he was thankful that the remains of Captain Lot Smith had been brought home where they might rest among friends. "He was a generous, noble- hearted man. Hiotory will record the fact that Lot Smith was one of the notable figures of the past. In every instance he discharged his duty to the very best of his ability." G. W. Palmer, a son-indaw of the deceased, expressed in behalf of the family their deep appreciation of the words and acts of love for their husband and father, manifested by his former comrades. Thanks were also extended to the special committee that had the funeral in hand. This com- mittee consisted of John Walsh, David Hess, E. F. Richards, Mrs. Ardella Walsh and Esther Meadows. The services closed with the rendition of the hymn, "Nearer, my God to Thee," and the benediction was pronounced by President Jesse N. Smith. The remains, followed to the cemetery by a large cortege of carriages, were interred for the final rest in the family plot. The grave was dedicated by President Joseph E. Taylor, and the closing prayer was of- fered by Joseph H. Felt. "Thus a most notable incident in the history of one of the picturesque figures of the pioneer days was closed." The Spirit of the Age Do you ever stop to ponder why man is so prone to covet the things of another and care less for his own? Why is he constantly searching for faults in others? Why do his own eyes seem so perfect, while the other man's are to him always blind. Why is it that he can tell so clearly what errors the other man makes? In failures, he appears to know from the beginning as to the Other man's idea, that it was nonsense and the wrong step to take. He prides himself that he has imparted to others the very stepg to their success, and usurps the toiler's credit while climbing above the rest. Have you ever thought how his mind finds contentment while tearing another man down, when it would be easier and better to give him a boost that would help him along? Why does he fail to give en- couragement and neglect to give due praise? Justi a little of either helps a man in a thousand ways. Why does he see in life's picture the blotches, the mistakes, the shades in the life of another; never seeing his own mis- takes? Why is he generally willing to side in with scandal unproved, in- stead of weighing the question or trying on the other man's shoes? Why does he so quickly form an opinion without hearing the stories of two sides? for where there is just a little prejudice, he uses this method to decide. He always appears to have wisdom and throws it out to the wind, but never pushes out a sail to gather the knowledge of the greatest minds. In conclusion, it seems a fact, and it is difficult to place the blame, that this spirit of the age is growing* and undermining the char- acter of man. — Glen R. Bailey, Silver City, Utah.