Charlie Webster Smith was born near Lafayette Springs in Lafayette County, Mississippi on February 8, 1895 to Joseph J. and Mickey Ann Smith.  His younger brother was W.H. (Hiram) Smith Sr.   The family moved to De Leon in 1905 when he was ten years old.

   “He was a natural born mechanic--a genius in that line--could make almost anything he wanted of iron or steel, and some years ago bought the De Leon Sheet Metal Works and owned and managed the business successfully until he was called into the service of his country, September 19, 1917, to which call he responded cheerfully without a murmur or complaint.  He was sent at once to Camp Travis, San Antonio, for training.  While in camp he contacted pneumonia and was seriously sick for about one month, after which he was permitted to visit home from March 11 to 19.  During the time of his illness at Camp Travis he was visited by his mother, younger brother Hiram , who is now in training a Mare, California, and by his friend Miss Mary Kimble.

    Young Mr. Smith possessed the characteristic element of true greatness.  In business he was businesslike, industrious, honest, and polite; in society he was social, courteous and very pleasant; in school he was studious, thoughtful and obedient; in the home he was tender, kind and loving.  He was the pride of his father and mother and the joy of the home.  His mother said: ‘Charlie never gave me any trouble.  Was always a good boy.  He wrote to me affectionately once a week while in camps and often after he went to France.’  She also said he professed a hope in Christ when about 10 years of age, and since had loved and reverenced those things which are Sacred and Holy--the church, the Bible and religion, showing that he loved and trusted God.  He was a member of the Woodmen of the World.

  Charlie, as his many friends familiarly called him, was modest, quiet and reserved but unusually bright, exceptionally promising and very popular.  Every one was his friend and spoke so highly of him.

  Of course in the training camp, he made good.  It was just like him to do so.   His trustworthiness, his mechanical genius and his rapid progress in training won for him the esteem and confidence of his superior officers and they soon conferred upon him the honor of a non-commissioned officer, which was Sergeant of a Machine Gun Battalion.  He held this important position till the sad day of his tragic death, having under his special management quite a number of men and several machine guns.

    The hearts of our people are all torn and bleeding at the sacrifice of such a noble life--we have have lost a valued citizen and the Allied Army a true and brave soldier.  But he fell in battle at his post of duty fighting for home, native land and for the highest and best interest of the whole world and his service as a valiant soldier has helped to win glorious victories for God and the the right in one of the greatest wars of all history.  It is a great honor to be the parents of a son like that.

   One of those dark blue stars on the front door of J.J. Smith’s home will be changed to a golden and also one of the blue stars on the service flag at the Methodist Church will be changed to golden and Charlie’s beautiful and eventful life shall be a bright shining star in our memories as long as life last and his soul, no doubt, will be a brilliant Star in that constellation above to illuminate the firmament in Go’s kingdom for ever and for ever.

   Young Mr. Smith gave his precious life for us and the world.  May we too in some way and every way we can, give our lives to make the world better.

  May God bless the bereaved family and others.”----De Leon Free Press clipping, ironically addressed to H.C. Heath, father of Burrell Heath.

   W.H. Smith Jr. said that at the dedication of the Smith Heath American Legion Post at the then new city hall, it was said that Charlie Smith had volunteered to go wipe out a German machine gun nest.  He and others jumped in a shell crater for protection but another shell burst behind them, killing Charlie with the impact of the explosion. (2009)

Left:  A picture of Charlie W. Smith, drawn by his younger brother Hiram Smith Sr. 

Right:  Charlie W. Smith in his shop located on the ground floor of the old Masonic Hall.

Washington D.C. 5:03 p.m.,

October 20, 1918

Mrs. Mickey Smith,

    De Leon, Texas

  Deeply regret to inform you that Sergeant Charlie W. Smith, Machine Gun Battalion is officially reported as killed in action, Sept. 29,

                                                            Harris Adjt. Gen.

FEB. 8, 1895--SEPT. 29, 1918