RETIRED RAILROAD AGENT, FRED SMITHSON, DIES AT 79
C.F. (Fred) Smithson, a lifetime San Bernardino resident whose life story reflected the color of the old Southwest, died yesterday morning at a Los Angeles hospital.
Smithson, 79, a native of San Bernardino, served for nearly a half century as a law enforcement officer and special agent for the Santa Fe Railroad.
His career, spanning from 1907 through 1955, brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the history of San Bernardino.
A part of the private police force hired to protect the passengers and freight of the railroad, Smithson tracked the men who caused the famous railroad wrecks of the early 20th century.
His pursuits took him across the deserts of California and Arizona as he served as a Special Deputy under the more than a dozen sheriffs.
Smithson's parents were early developers of the valley and surrounding mountains. His father, John B. Smithson, came to San Bernardino in 1850.
Smithson retired from Santa Fe service in 1955 to open the Crystal Delicatessen in San Bernardino. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 348
Survivors include the widow, Lela A., a son, Fred B. and a sister, Mrs. Lena McGarvey, all of San Bernardino, three grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 1 P.M. tomorrow at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery,. Friends may call the chapel after noon today
TAKEN FROM A NEWSPAPER OBITUARY 7 DEC. 1967
C.F. (Fred) Smithson, a lifetime San Bernardino resident whose life story reflected the color of the old Southwest, died yesterday morning at a Los Angeles hospital.
Smithson, 79, a native of San Bernardino, served for nearly a half century as a law enforcement officer and special agent for the Santa Fe Railroad.
His career, spanning from 1907 through 1955, brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the history of San Bernardino.
A part of the private police force hired to protect the passengers and freight of the railroad, Smithson tracked the men who caused the famous railroad wrecks of the early 20th century.
His pursuits took him across the deserts of California and Arizona as he served as a Special Deputy under the more than a dozen sheriffs.
Smithson's parents were early developers of the valley and surrounding mountains. His father, John B. Smithson, came to San Bernardino in 1850.
Smithson retired from Santa Fe service in 1955 to open the Crystal Delicatessen in San Bernardino. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 348
Survivors include the widow, Lela A., a son, Fred B. and a sister, Mrs. Lena McGarvey, all of San Bernardino, three grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 1 P.M. tomorrow at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery,. Friends may call the chapel after noon today
TAKEN FROM A NEWSPAPER OBITUARY 7 DEC. 1967
RETIRED RAILROAD AGENT, FRED SMITHSON, DIES AT 79
C.F. (Fred) Smithson, a lifetime San Bernardino resident whose life story reflected the color of the old Southwest, died yesterday morning at a Los Angeles hospital.
Smithson, 79, a native of San Bernardino, served for nearly a half century as a law enforcement officer and special agent for the Santa Fe Railroad.
His career, spanning from 1907 through 1955, brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the history of San Bernardino.
A part of the private police force hired to protect the passengers and freight of the railroad, Smithson tracked the men who caused the famous railroad wrecks of the early 20th century.
His pursuits took him across the deserts of California and Arizona as he served as a Special Deputy under the more than a dozen sheriffs.
Smithson's parents were early developers of the valley and surrounding mountains. His father, John B. Smithson, came to San Bernardino in 1850.
Smithson retired from Santa Fe service in 1955 to open the Crystal Delicatessen in San Bernardino. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 348
Survivors include the widow, Lela A., a son, Fred B. and a sister, Mrs. Lena McGarvey, all of San Bernardino, three grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 1 P.M. tomorrow at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery,. Friends may call the chapel after noon today
TAKEN FROM A NEWSPAPER OBITUARY 7 DEC. 1967
C.F. (Fred) Smithson, a lifetime San Bernardino resident whose life story reflected the color of the old Southwest, died yesterday morning at a Los Angeles hospital.
Smithson, 79, a native of San Bernardino, served for nearly a half century as a law enforcement officer and special agent for the Santa Fe Railroad.
His career, spanning from 1907 through 1955, brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the history of San Bernardino.
A part of the private police force hired to protect the passengers and freight of the railroad, Smithson tracked the men who caused the famous railroad wrecks of the early 20th century.
His pursuits took him across the deserts of California and Arizona as he served as a Special Deputy under the more than a dozen sheriffs.
Smithson's parents were early developers of the valley and surrounding mountains. His father, John B. Smithson, came to San Bernardino in 1850.
Smithson retired from Santa Fe service in 1955 to open the Crystal Delicatessen in San Bernardino. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 348
Survivors include the widow, Lela A., a son, Fred B. and a sister, Mrs. Lena McGarvey, all of San Bernardino, three grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 1 P.M. tomorrow at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery,. Friends may call the chapel after noon today
TAKEN FROM A NEWSPAPER OBITUARY 7 DEC. 1967
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