Smith, Harold Benson

A hard rock lead and zinc miner, shot and killed himself Nov 22, 1942, age 25, about 3:30 Sunday afternoon at his North Miami Oklahoma home, county officers said today. The North Miamian, who had just returned to his home from his job in the mining field, was alone at the time. No motive for the action could be learned, county attorney Charles Chesnut said. Smith, who was pronounced dead by county physician A. R. Hughes upon his arrival at the home with deputy sheriff Milt McCullough and Chesnut, lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alva Smith. He was employed by the Kansas Exploration, Inc., at a Cardin Oklahoma mine. Using a revolver, Smith had apparently fired one shot into his head, Chesnut said, shortly after being brought from work by a fellow miner, Ransom Jameson, who lives in the North Fairview district. Neighbors of the family saw the miner arrive home, heard the shot and, after immediate investigation, called county officers, the prosecutor said. The victim is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alva Smith; two brothers, Ralph Smith, 105 B Street southeast, Miami, and Leon Smith, Miami Route 3; and two sisters, Hazel Smith and Mamie Smith, both of the home. Mitchelson funeral home will have charge of the service.

Funeral services for Harold B. Smith, North Miami Oklahoma miner, will be held at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the Christian church in North Miami. Smith, who worked for the Kansas Exploration, Inc. was said by county authorities to have committed suicide at his home about 3:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon. The Rev. A. Dwight Tweedy will officiate. Pallbearers will be Jack Gilstrap, Ralph Long, Jim Adams, Edwin Sharp, Ralph Mills and Ransom Jameson. Burial will be Nov 25, 1952 in G.A.R. cemetery, Miami. Mitchelson funeral home is in charge.