Preacher Smith
Henry Weston Smith was born in Ellington, Connecticut, on January 10, 1827. At an early age, Smith was licensed by the Methodist Church to preach and was given a pastorate. He married Ruth Yeomans in 1847. She later died in childbirth. By 1858, Smith married Lydia Ann Joslin.

During the American Civil War, Smith enlisted in Company H, 52nd Massachusetts Infantry. Following the war, he became a doctor, and by 1876 he moved his wife and three children to Louisville, Kentucky. Smith then headed to Dakota Territory to do religious work. Once established in Deadwood, Smith intended to send for his family.

Arriving in the mining camp during the summer of 1876, Preacher Smith worked a number of manual jobs during the week and preached on Sundays. On August 20, 1876, he left a note pinned to his cabin door stating that he had gone to Crook City to preach. He never returned.

The murdered preacher was discovered by a rancher who came upon his body about three miles northwest of Deadwood. Native Americans were blamed for Smith’s death, but others believe he was yet another victim of road agents or people who conspired to keep Deadwood lawless and immoral.

Smith’s body was laid to rest in Ingleside Cemetery with Seth Bullock presiding at his service. Like Wild Bill’s, Smith’s coffin was eventually moved to Mount Moriah.