Place of Birth: San Antonio, TX
Date of Death: March 30, 1902
Age at Death: 31 years, 4 months 21 days
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Interment source:
Bay View Cemetery Association, Corpus Christi, Texas, Record of Interments
NO HEADSTONE
Thomas Stribling Smythe
Richard M. Pettigrew
John Benjamin Hardwicke
Thanksgiving Day
It was pretty generally observed by the Corpus Christi people
Thanksgiving Day, as it usually is, was pretty generally observed by the Corpus people and passed off as pleasantly as could be expected. The Stars and Stripes waved gaily from many housetops and most of the places of business closed their doors at noon and gave their clerks a half-day off. At the Presbyterian church union services were held in the morning by the Methodist, Baptists and Presbyterians. Rev. Dr. Hardwicke of the Baptist church delivering the Thanksgiving sermon. At the Episcopal interesting exercises were conducted by Rev. Dr. Clarke, the aged pastor. At noon the proverbial Thanksgiving turkey played an important part in the day's programme by adorning many of festal board around which ______ at peace with all the world and thankful that they were able to provide a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. In the afternoon the colored brass band paraded the streets and played a few national airs, and at night a delightful Thanksgiving dance was given at Market Hall. The dance was somewhat of an impromptu affair but for all that it was one of the most elegant and unique given in the city in a long time. Falvella's Italian band furnished music for the occasion and at nine o'clock the grand march was formed. Mr. Thos. Smythe and his sister, Miss Gertrude, led the march and the new and varied evolutions performed by the participants gave to the march some delightfully pleasing features. The march ended in a dreamy waltz thorough which the dancers seemed to float in ecstatic delight, and this was followed by other dances which did not cease until the wee _____ began to roll around. The following is a list of the ladies present with the costumes they wore: Miss Katie Ricklefsen, an elegant evening toilet of white damask, patterned with narcissus blossoms, the trimming was of costly feathered bordering enriched with mother of pearl sequins; a feather ruche supported by plain white satin laid in irregular pleats, trimmed the lower edge of the skirt. Corded sarcenet ribbon around the bodice fell down the back in long loops and ends. Her hair was held by a magnificent diamond pin. Miss Selma Lichtenstein, a beautiful evening costume of cream mousseline-de-soie, trimmed with moiré satin-edge ribbon tied in Directories bows. The skirt was trimmed with chiffon headed with a row of crystal-bead passementerie. The neck was edged with festoon passementerie. This was considered one of the most elegant costumes in the ballroom. Miss Blanche Rivera, a very beautiful evening toilet of faneuce-blue crepe-de-Chine, with Persian trimming. Butterfly bows of white moiré ribbon and jewels. Miss Mittie Reynolds, a very pretty dress of pink silk, Henrietta, Empire style, garnished with pink moiré ribbon. Diamond ornaments. Miss Adelaide Lovenskiold, a costly toilette of black embroidered chiffon, en train, with red roses and diamonds. Miss Nellie Chapman, a beautiful evening dress of cream crepon, the Empire style décolleté, en train, with pearl ornaments. Miss Edna Halsey, a delicate costume of pink Gloria, which was a prefect picture of loveliness. Miss Josie Almond, an elegant black gauze with grey trimmings and diamonds. Mrs. Belle Skinner, a lovely costume of black and crimson gauze, red velvet, flower and diamond ornaments. Miss Tassie Spann, a lovely dress of cream atostross with white chiffon and Persian trimmings and pearls. Miss May Ward, a pretty costume cashmere with Watteau in back and chiffon trimmings. Miss Nellie Ricklefsen, a lovely baby blue crepe with blue moss trimmings. Corsage bouquet of chrysanthemums. Miss Bertha Halsey, a beautiful crepon ashes of roses, décolleté. Emerald ornaments. Miss Gertrude Smyth, a beautiful light bengaline, crushed pink roses and jewels. Miss Nettle Barnard, a very pretty costume of red bengaline with slippers and ribbons to match. Miss Jennie McManus, a white nun's veiling Empire waist with ribbon bows. Miss Mamie Allen, a pretty dress of garnet silk with lace trimmings. The chaperones were Mrs. C. L. Heath and Mrs. W. H. Griffen, who were both costumed in accordance with the occasion. The gentlemen present were Mssrs. A. Y. Blum, Horatio Gussett, T. S. Smythe, Bert Blum, W. B. McCampbell, Dudley Ward, Watson Mcmanus, F. J. Puig, Jeff McLemore, F. W. Moore, Harry Dale, Henry Spann, Jno. Weymouth, Sidney Allen, Will Hassell, Julius Lichtenstein, Will Shely, Albert Lichtenstein, R. M. Pettigrew, Ray Smythe, C. L. Heath, Chas. Meuly, Mr. McWilliams, and Mr. Baily.
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, December 2, 1892, p. 6, col. 4
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces county Historical Commission
TOM STRIBBLING SMYTHE
Sad Fate of a Former Corpus Christi Boy
New was received in this city Sunday night by telephone announcing the death of Mr. Tom Smythe in Lade Charles, La. No particulars could be had that night only that he had been shot and killed. Tuesday night the remains were brought to this city on Aransas Pass train accompanied from Houston by the mother and two sisters who reside there, and Dr. Cutler who met the remains in Yoakum. There are several reports about the shooting which occurred Sunday night March 30, at 7:30 o'clock; one is that it was an accident; that the man W. A. Kirkwood, who did the shooting, did not intend to shoot Smyth, only struck at him with this pistol. This is very strange for Smythe was shot in the back of the neck, we are told. It is said that Smythe and Kirkwood, the former employed in the pool room there and the latter running a livery stable, had some words some time before the trouble, commencing again on the side walk where the shooting took place, Smythe living only about five minutes after being shot. Kirkwood was arrested and afterwards let out of jail on a three thousand dollar bond.
Deceased was born in San Antonio, November 9, 1870, and came to Corpus Christi when five years of age residing here until about four years ago. He was a good hearted boy, bright and full of public spirit and well liked. His sad death is greatly deplored. The funeral which took place Tuesday at 10 o'clock was largely attended, services being held by Reverends Chandler and Linn, the remains being laid to rest in the old Bay View cemetery by the side of those of the father and brother Ray. Deceased leaves besides his mother, three brothers, Peyton, Herff and Howard Smythe, also five sisters, Mrs. Walter Woessner, Miss Emma Smythe, Mrs. C. L. Heath, Mrs. K. R. Cutler, and Miss Regina Smythe.
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, April 4, 1902, p. 5, col. 3
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission