ART
SMITH.
Arkansas
City.
RKW obtained the following information
from Mr. Smith many years ago...
I was born March 23, 1887, in the 100
block on South Third Street. I started schooling in the old Third Ward school
building in the first grade under Miss Emily Hyatt. I quit school in the tenth
grade after my father died.
I worked for C. C. Scott in the old CCC
Drug Store on the corner of the 300 block on south Summit Street now occupied
by the Dye Drug Co. I then worked for Ben Curtis in the Curtis Fruit and News
Stand, located in the 100 block on south Summit; then for F. O. Thomas Drug Co.
in the same block.
I then started to work as file clerk in
the office of the Superintendent of the AT&SF railroad, which was located
at that time upstairs over the Home National Bank. I then worked as
Roadmaster’s clerk for William Eglington.
I resigned to go to College or school at
Southwestern College in Winfield, where I studied shorthand and typing during
the winter of 1906-07. During the time I went to College in Winfield, I played
the piano in Jim McClain’s skating rink on East 9th street to defray expenses.
I played afternoon and night and went to college in the morning.
I got my first job with the Frisco
Railroad at Enid about May 1907 under Supt. A. J. Sams, and then went to
Amarillo, Texas, for a short time as Trainmaster’s clerk for the Santa Fe and
returned to Arkansas City in August 1907 on account of the illness of my
mother. I took a job here during the same month as Steno in the
Superintendent’s office. I handled various jobs since that time such as Claim
Clerk, Chief Clerk to the Asst. Supt., George H. Saunders, and assistant Chief
Clerk to the Superintendent of the AT&SF, which job I still hold.
I play the piano by ear, and my first job
as a pianist was for Mrs. Carl Mac at her Dancing School in the old Fifth
Avenue Hotel about 1905. I stopped playing for dances when I married Cecil
Hendryx in November 1911, but had to start at it again when our first baby came
in December 1915. I played the Orchestrarian in the old Strand Theater operated
by Ben Conrad in the 100 block of South Summit Street. After that I had a dance
orchestra for about 14 years when I stopped playing for dances. I thought I
belonged at home with my family.
In September 1924, after living at 627
North C for twenty years, I traded my residence to Jim Bradley for the east
half of lot 5, Eastview Addition, which is about 3 miles south of town. I later
bought the other half from William M Gullet.
I have three children: Mrs. J. W.
Oliphant; my son, Billy Joe, and daughter, Bonnie Jean.
Above written January 11, 1945, by Art
Smith.
Arthur Lee Smith was born March 23, 1887,
and died Feb. 16, 1961. He is buried in 8-31-K at Riverview cemetery. Erdman
was in charge. His parents were Joseph G. Smith and Ida C. Woods.