The James Thomas Smith Family - Part 13

 

Ollie Perry Smith

Born Feb 6, 1894 – Died Aug 25, 1898

Age 4

          Ollie Perry Smith was born February 6, 1894 to James Thomas and Sarah (Sanders) Smith, at Select, Ohio County, Kentucky.

           He was five years younger than my grandmother, Eva (Smith) Cox, in age and she told me it was her job every day to look after him. 

          Tape March 7, 1977:  Grandmother:  “Ollie died when he was four years old…a little boy.  He died from spinal meningitis.   I was about 12, I guess…maybe 10. (Actually, she was nine.)   He wasn’t sick very long – maybe for a day and a night…maybe two days.” 

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          In The Hartford Herald, Wednesday, August 31, 1898 issue, on page 3, column 7, under the community of Select, mention was made of the death of Ollie Perry Smith, age four: 

Select, KY 

“A little child of Mr. James Smith, of near this place, died Thursday morning and was buried Friday.  The sympathy of the community is extended to the bereaved family.” 

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          Tape Oct. 10, 1977:  Grandmother:  Yes, Ollie was four years old, and he passed away at the time mother had typhoid fever.  I guess I was about eight or ten years old, maybe.  So I had to take care of Harb when he was a baby.  Mother was unconscious.  She never did even know when Ollie died.  And after she got well, I can remember her going to the door, and she said at night, and looked out…she always wanted the children in, you know.  But, she said, “He never came.”  It was hard for her to realize.  She didn’t see him sick or anything.  And they tried to tell her.  I believe it was Cicero Crowder was the one.  And she was unconscious…she never did know.  She was just too sick.”  

(Excerpt from letter of Evelyn Elmore, age 94, daughter of Aunt Della Catherine Smith Taylor (the oldest sister of Eva Caroline Smith Cox):  (Sarah below is their mother). 

          “Mother got her horse and went to Select - (pronounced SEE-lect per Grandmother Cox- JB) after grocery’s, etc.  Grandmother “Sarah” had typhoid fever – was in the parlor – away from the family.  She went into a coma for about two days and nights and Mrs. Raley would set by her bed day and night and take wet cotton and keep her lips damp – no response – and Grandpa was worried sick.  They would keep the children in the yard a lot.  

          “So when Mother got back from Select (store), the children ran to her and said Ollie Perry is acting and talking strange – (saying “see moon, see stars”).  She hurried to him.  He called her “Detta” and said, “see moon and stars” – as he pointed to the blue sky.  She grabbed him and felt of his head.  (Aunt Della, his oldest sister, would have been eighteen then. JB) 

          “She said he was hot with fever and they called the Doctor and he said Ollie had spinal meningitis – and to isolate him.  Keep the children away.  So she said she had such a load on her.  Grandmother Sarah in a coma and Ollie dying, and Grandpa walking the yard, wringing his hands.  He thought they both would die. 

          “Ollie died and Uncles and Aunts (Sanders) all gathered in for Ollie’s funeral – ready to load the Box (caskets were homemade back then – padded with cotton and lined with Sateene).   So Uncle John and Uncle Tom was standing at the foot of their sister’s bed (Sarah).  So sad.  Suddenly she opened her eyes and looked at them.  Said, “Tom, why are you here?  What a pretty tie you have on.  Grandpa rushed to her side.  She looked at him.  “Jim, why do you look so sad?  Is everyone all right?”  He said, “Duck, I have to tell you – Ollie Perry is dead.  We are ready to take him to the Brick house cemetery.  They are here to go with me.”  She said, “Bring him to me so I can see him.  They brought the casket to her bedside, she looked at him, his clothes, said he looked nice, touched his hair – closed her eyes and was in the coma again. 

          “(I used to weep when mother would tell this – not a tear…never could cry, not when Eldred, Jewell or Dad) died).  (Eldred and Jewell were her two sons. JB)   A very sad and caring person.  She touched each and said, “So sweet, I love them.”  So maybe Grandma just didn’t shed tears either…my mother-in-law didn’t shed a tear when she lost a little four-year-old boy and a daughter and oldest son.  But no tears.  I’m like my Dad - tears come easy – as we would start to leave to come back home, he would kiss us on the forehead and get his handkerchief. 

          “So Grandmother came out of the coma and no one else got typhoid fever.  Your grandmother has probably told you all this.  I love to think of those times we’d sit by the fireside or table and talk.”    ( The above is an excerpt from letter of Evelyn Elmore, age 94, daughter of Aunt Della Catherine Smith Taylor (the oldest sister of Eva Caroline Smith Cox.  Letter written to Janice Brown). 

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Thanks to Janice Brown.