SMITH, Grover Cleveland

Source: The obituary is from a collection of newspaper (paper names not recorded) obituaries saved, by Fauniel Hershberger, during the 1950's, 60's, 70's and 80's. She was a life long resident of Fountain County Indiana. The collection is now housed at Crawfordsville District Public Library.

Newtown, June 16— “For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (Cor. 13:12.) Grover C. Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Smith, was born near Belmont near Bloomington, Ind., on January 3, 1885. At the age of three years he and a sister were left without a mother, a baby brother preceding him in death. Grover and his sister were lovingly cared for in the home of an aunt, Mrs. Catherine Whisennand, of Indianapolis. In this city he grew to manhood. When just a lad he became interested and engaged actively in church work, serving as usher and in other capacities. When eighteen years of age he united with the Fletcher Place Methodist church in which he had served. He spent several years in North Dakota and from this state he enlisted in the world war, as a member of the 164th infantry. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant and gave hard and faithful service in the front lines for several months. After being gassed he was confined to a hospital in France for some time and upon receiving his discharge he returned to his Indiana home and friends locating in Mellott with his father and sister. On March 4th, 1920 he was united in marriage to Miss Oveta Abolt to which union was born one daughter, Martha Jean. During their entire married life they have resided on the farm with Mrs. Smith's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Abolt. On October 1925 he united with the Newtown Baptist church and was baptised by Rev. H. H. Elmore. The pastor and the church found Grover ever ready and willing to serve in any capacity. The beautiful voice which had been given him was used in the service of his Master, and whenever called upon to bring cheer and comfort and make the world richer and happier, he responded. Newtown chapter 282 Order of Eastern Star had last January conferred upon the deceased one of the highest honors that can be given a member, that of Worthy Patron. He was Senior Deacon in the Masonic lodge. He was a member of the Odd Fellows at Hillsboro, of the Red Men and Pocahontas lodges at Mellott and a member of the Veedersburg American Legion Post. In each of these organizations he had been found to be a loyal, faithful member. Grover was much loved by companions in the social circle. One of his most intimate friends and one associated with him in his musical work said: "Grover's going has left a vacant place which cannot be filled." His charming personality, the little mannerisms in his daily contact with people won a place in the hearts of all who knew him. He learned early in life that service is the measure of greatness and he spent his whole life in the service of mankind. His unusually kind and helpful disposition endeared him to relatives and friends and his sudden tragic death which occurred early on June 8th, has brought bereavement to the community in general. There is universal sorrow limited only by the bounds of his acquaintances. Relatives left to mourn his loss are the wife and one daughter, Martha Jean, the father, J. T. Smith, the sister, Mrs. George Bishop, of Mellott, and aunt, Mrs. Catherine Whisennand and family, and a host of friends. --typed by Walt W

The Passing of Grover Smith

By Enos Bacon:

Hark, there's the sound of a passing bell,

Tolling so sad and slow, Tolling for one we loved so well,

Who's gone from us all below.

Merry his eyes so cheerfully looked,

Merry his laugh rang out,

Now he is gone and will smile no more,

Gone the courageous shout.

Ready, aye always to lend a hand,

To cause so much in need.

Ready always to take a stand,

For right against all greed.

Ever his heart beat with tender throb,

Open his mind for good,

He lived his life in the open day,

And died as a true man should.

Loud toll the bell, aye the passing bell,

Place him beneath the sod.

Living we knew him, dying, tis well,

He's home with his Father, God,

While we are sad he is throned on high.

His joy is now no myth,

Farewell, dear friend, we sob and sigh,

Farewell, to Grover Smith.

GROVER T.(sp) SMITH

Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Friday June 13, 1930

The tragedy at Newtown in which Grover T. Smith was shot to death by his brother-in-law, Jasper N. Bales has a local interest because Smith played with the Newtown band and was with it here last summer. He sang some solos. --- kbz

Source: The Lafayette Leader Friday June 13, 1930 (note the picture is terrible but the article was good)

The above pictures published by the courtesy of the Attica Ledger-Tribune show the scene of the shooting new Newtown last Saturday night in which Grover C. Smith (in uniform) was fatally wounded by Jasper N. Bales who is shown at the top center of the picture. The spot near the porch with the group of five men are standing is where Smith was standing when he was shot the first time. The second shot was fired just as he reached the spot in the roadway at the extreme right of the picture where the large group is shown. Bales later killed himself at the home of his father-in-law, Marion Abolt, county commissioner of Fountain County about a half mile up the road from the Bales home and where the shooting of Smith occurred. Bales and Smith married sisters. The trouble is said to have started over Mrs. Bales filing suit for divorce because Bales abused her when she refused to mortgage some of her property and give him the money. --transcribed by kbz

Source: The Lafayette Leader Friday June 13, 1930 p1

Trapped in a corn crib by an armed posse, Jasper Bales, age 47 committed suicide by shooting himself through the head on the farm of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Marion Abolt, a mile and a half southwest of Newtown over in Fountain County last Sunday night. The suicide terminated a hunt for Bales as the one who killed Grover Smith, his brother-in-law, age 45, Newtown World War Veteran and wounded Mrs. Abolt at her home Saturday night when he became infuriated at an attempt of his wife to obtain a divorce and carried out an oft repeated threat to kill. Three small boys at play found Bales hiding in a wagon-bed in the crib and reported the fact to neighbors who armed themselves and surrounded the out-building. Commanded to come out, Bales replied: “It’s no use,” and shot himself through the ear, dying instantly. Two rifles, a shotgun and a revolver were found near his body. The shooting of Smith followed warnings which Mrs. Bales had received from her husband after filing suit for divorce in the Fountain Circuit Court at Covington. Saturday evening Mr. and Mrs. Abolt, Mrs. Bales and Mr. and Mrs. Smith with the latter’s daughter motored to Newtown to do some shopping. Returning to the Bales home to let out Mrs. Bales, the car was parked in the driveway at the side of the house while Mrs. Bales went to pen up some chickens. A dog was making a great deal of fuss and Mrs. Bales followed it into a wood house. She discovered an armed man who turned out to be her husband. Smith meanwhile had gotten out of the car and when Bales fired a shotgun the charge struck Smith in the left side, inflicting a serious wound. A second shot was fired, striking him in the right breast and shoulder. Smith ran into the road and Bales followed and is reported to have said to Smith that he did not intend to kill him and was sorry, remarking “I’ll get them yet.” Mrs. Abolt was struck by several shot but her wounds were serious. The frightened women got back in the car and drove to Newtown for help. Smith was taken to a Danville, Ill hospital where he died about three hours after the shooting. He was a Lt. in the World War and was a prominent Newtown member of the American Legion and played in the Newtown band. He was engaged as an auto salesman by a Newtown firm. He belonged to the Masonic, K of P, Red Men and Eastern Star lodges. The widow, the father and a daughter survive. Bales and his wife parted about four months ago they had two sons, Melvin and Burton one of whom was in Attica and the other in Perrysville at the time of the tragedy. Bales had been working in Lafayette and later in Paxton, Ill. He had no car and is thought to have reached Newtown by walking. Sunday was a most exciting day in the Newtown-Mellott neighborhood and the situation was tense until Bales was found and ended his life. The funeral of Grover Smith was held Tuesday and Jasper Bales on Wednesday. Both were buried in the Newtown cemetery. --transcribed by kbz