Smith, Otto Melvin "Ott"

A former master mechanic at the old Anna Beaver Mine, who has been ill at his home in Commerce Oklahoma since last February has conveyed "Christmas Greetings" to all his old friends. Smith was the first operator of a skip hoist in the Tri-State district, operating a skip at the Oronogo Circle Mine for Guy Waring in 1917. He had learned to operate a skip hoist when sent to Mascot Tennessee by the American Zinc, Lead and Smelting Company. He spent two years in Tennessee, returning to Carterville Missouri in 1916. He worked at the Anna Beaver Mine under Lee Fillius and George Hayward. [that was long before George entered politics] From the Anna Beaver Mine, Smith went to the Adams Mine lease. Since 1933 he and his son, Melvin Smith, have operated a filling station and bar in Commerce. Mr. Smith derives much pleasure from visiting with his old hard rock lead and zinc mining friends as they drop in from time to time. Although he is getting along as well as can be expected, his condition is serious.

A long illness was fatal late last night Dec 31, 1938, age 59, to Otto Melvin "Ott" Smith, veteran miner and former Commerce Oklahoma city councilman. Said to be the first operator of a skip hoist, in the Tri-State field, Mr. Smith was a long time employee of the Anna Beaver Mine and later the Adams Mining Company. He served as hoisterman at the Oronogo Missouri Circle in 1907. For the last few years, he was operated a filling station and caf? at Commerce. Prior to that he operated the Commerce water works. Funeral services are to be conducted at 10 am Monday at the First Methodist church. The Rev. C. W. Templin will officiate. Burial Jan 2, 1939, in the Carterville Missouri cemetery, under the direction of the Durnil funeral home, Picher. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Laura Smith; three sons, Otto Smith, Jr., of Picher, Melvin Smith of Commerce and Adolph Smith of Los Angeles; four daughters, Mrs. Roy Johnson and Mrs. Opal James of Commerce, Mrs. Charles Cartwright of McFerron Kansas, and Mrs. Melton Abrams, living in Nebraska; three sisters, Mrs. John Souter of Carterville Missouri, Mrs. Cynthia Moody of Boise Idaho and Mrs. Jennie Smith of Joplin Missouri , and five grandchildren.

Funeral service for Otto Melvin Smith, were held at 10 o'clock this morning at the First Methodist church in Commerce. The Rev. W. T. Templin, pastor officiated. Pallbearers were: Grover Ferguson, Gene Ferguson, Junior White, Bert Davison, Jim Gries and Percy Boyd. Honorary pallbearers were Jim Jackson, John Wilkerson, Ed Campbell, George Martin, Dr. L. W. Cochrane and William Carlile. Burial was in the Carterville Missouri cemetery with the Durnil funeral home of Picher in charge.