George M. Smiley
About George M. Smiley
George M. Smiley, the namesake of Smiley Memorial Library, was a professor of Greek and Latin at Central College (later Central Methodist University) from his graduation in 1884 until 1886. Even now, his portrait still hangs in the Library's lobby.
George Merrill Smiley was born in Pettis County, Missouri, to Martha E. Whereley (1827 – 1911) and Henry Walker Smiley on December 1, 1858. He graduated from Central Methodist University (then called just “Central College”) with a bachelor’s degree in 1881, and a master’s degree in 1884. In his career at Central, G. M. Smiley, as he was known, was recognized as the “best declaimer” and received the Fayette Prize Award for the year of 1884, which is a yearly prize of a Gold Medal with a value of $20, or roughly over $600 today.
Soon after his graduation in 1884, Prof. Smiley was hired by Central Methodist University as the Fellow and Adjunct professor of Greek and Latin. As it was reported on the college’s financial record, G. M. Smiley had received $50 salary per term. After he worked at Central for few years, he returned home in 1886, to Sedalia, Missouri, planning to have a short visit and then head to Colorado, Texas. Unfortunately, Prof. Smiley was ill with "Pulmonary Consumption," now known as tuberculosis, and never managed to reach his Texas destination. He died on March 3, 1888, at the age of 29, and is buried at Salem Cemetery in Smithton, Missouri.
In 1925, Mary L. Pollard of Carthage, Missouri gave $25,000-- which has a present-day value of $389,000-- to house the library in memory of her nephew, George M. Smiley. Mary L. Pollard’s gift enabled the Board of Central College to use Cupples Hall as a library with the nameplate “Geo. M. Smiley Memorial Library”.
Tuberculosis in the 19th Century United States
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it can infect many organ systems in the human body, the most common variety is pulmonary tuberculosis, which effects the lungs.
Also known as "consumption," or "phthisis," tuberculosis was one of the leading causes of death in the United States through the 18th and 19th centuries. It is estimated that by the year 1800, tuberculosis had killed 1 in every 7 people who had ever lived. Exposure to the disease was rampant, as well: by the 1900, anywhere from 70% to 90% of the population of Europe and North America's cities was infected. Eighty percent of these people infected would die as a result-- some infections wearing their victims down over years.
In 1882, Robert Koch identified the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus, which changed prior public understanding of tuberculosis, which was previously believed to be hereditary. With new understanding of the disease came new treatment, with tuberculosis patients traveling for sanitariums and "open air" treatments in rural areas.
Today, with modern medicine and vaccinations, tuberculosis is easily diagnosed and treated, with a recovery rate of 95% of all patients.
