by Elmer J. Smith, son of David A. – Julina

I have many fond memories of the seven years of my life lived while Grandpapa was still with us, but the one that stands out most vividly and shows the quality of thoughtfulness of the man for his family (all generations) is one that occurred in about my 4th, 5th, or 6th year, in December, the month of my birthday anniversary. I was in the bathtub taking a much needed bath when my mother came in and announced that our grandfather was there in our home, and that he had brought a surprise for us. I jumped out of the tub and ran to the front room, dripping bath water as I ran, right into his arms and a hearty greeting. Clothes or no clothes, dripping or not, it mattered not to him. He was still very gracious. He had brought a gift for us, a little wooden kiddie kar, as they were known in those days. I got on it and went racing around the house through the various rooms. It was a time of great joy for me, my feet peddling across the carpeting, leaving wet spots as I went, and no one too disturbed about that, but they showed pleasure at the sight of me racing around on that kiddie kar.

We had many visits with our grandfather in our home and at the Beehive house, and I can still close my eyes and enjoy some of those personal impressions indelibly on my mind–since those very early years of my life.