Minis John Henry Smith

Former Chief of Police Minis Smith Dies Here Tuesday

Minis J. H. Smith, former Lusk chief of police and well known Niobrara citizen, died early Tuesday morning as a result of stomach cancer.

An operation had been performed in an attempt to save his life. He died soon after the operation.

Mr. Smith first came to Niobrara County to settle on a homestead in the Cheyenne River area in 1919, coming from Missouri Valley, Ia. In 1937 he took a position with the Newcastle police force and in 1940 he became a guard at the Wyoming State Penitentiary at Rawlins.

During 1943 he became the chief of police of Lusk, a position which he held until recently. Since leaving Lusk he had been employed as police officer in Edgemont.

Funeral services were held at the Peet Chapel in Lusk Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be made in Edgemont.

Minis Smith is survived by his wife, Lilly L.; one son, Everette Smith of Lusk; as well as four daughters; Eva Evans of Edgemont, Mrs. Esther Morris of Chadron, Mrs. Ethel Morris of Milton, Ore. and Mrs. Ella Fisher of Winnemuca, Nev. Among the local survivors is a grandson, Kester Akers of Lusk, who had made his home with the Minis Smith family. One brother Albert Smith of Lusk is also among the survivors.

The Lusk Herald
November 22, 1951
Last Rites Held For Minis Smith

Last rites for Minis J. H. Smith were conducted from the Peet Chapel Sunday afternoon at one o'clock with the Rev. Billy Hughes, pastor of the Church of Christ officiating.

The bearers were M. S. Jordan, Matt Bast, Leonard Seegrist, Dan Webster, Clint Morehouse and C. E. Marvin. Interment was made in the cemetery of Edgemont, S. Dak.

Mr. Smith was born Nov. 15, 1883 in Cherokee County, Kansas, the son of Moses and Josephine Smith. He died in Lusk Tuesday morning, Nov. 13, just two days before reaching his 68th birthday.

When he was two years old his family moved to Harrison County, Iowa. In September of 1902 he married Lillie McEvers and in 1919 the family came to Wyoming and located on a homestead some 50 miles north of Lusk. They have continued to make this state their home.

In 1943 Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved into Lusk where they bought a home and Mr. Smith became chief of police. For the past year he has been in the same empoyment at Edgemont.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife at the family home in Lusk and by their five children: Everette Smith of Lusk, Mrs. Eva Evans, Edgemont, S. Dak, Mrs. Ethel Morris, Milton, Ore., Mrs. Esther Morris, Chadron, Nebr.,and Mrs. Ella Fisher, Winnemucca, Nevada. All the children were here for the services.

He is also survived by three brothers, George Smith, Chamberlain, S. Dak., James Smith, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Albert Smith, Lusk, 29 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

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