Group Injured, One Fatally in Automobile Accident

Unknown Newspaper
November 1960

Friday, November 17 was an exciting day in Forney. The air was electric with expectancy. Everyone was talking of the big game scheduled for that night when Forney would go to Honey Grove to play for the 13A-14A championship. Time came for the team, band and fans to leave. Then tragedy struck. While en route to the game the car driven by T.J. Davidson, Forney High school Agricultural Instructor, was struck by a car driven by a Ladonia resident. The accident occurring at 5:25 p.m. on Highway 34 between Ladonia and Honey Grove was a head-on collision, sending Johnny Morris, Martin Popp, Lonnie Moore, Mr. Davidson, Mike Smith and the driver of the other car to Marcom Hospital in Ladonia.

It was reported at first that the extent of the injuries was not completely known. Mike Smith, a Senior student at Forney High school, expired about an hour or so after arriving at the hospital. Lonnie Moore was found to have a broken foot, on which surgery was performed Wednesday, November 23, at Alexander hospital, Terrell. Martin Popp lost a tooth and has a bruised foot and knee and other cuts and bruises. Johnny Morris suffered a severely injured arm and other cuts and bruises. Mr. Davidson is in a Terrell hospital with some internal injuries, a broken right leg and other cuts and bruises.

Mike Smith, 17, lived with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. F. Roycroft of Sunnyvale. His mother, Mrs. Ed Morton, lives in Arizona. Mike had only recently gone out for football, but loved it dearly. He started the Wylie game along with all the senior boys. He played seven quarters on the B team.

Funeral rites were held Monday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock at the First Baptist Church in Mesquite, with interment at Grove Hill Cemetery. His classmates, teachers and friends will truly miss him.

Note: The Texas Death Index shows Michael Ray Smith died on November 18, 1960 in Fannin County. Since the 18th was a Friday, I believe that date is more accurate than the one mentioned in the article.

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In Memoriam

Unknown Newspaper
1960

In answer to many requests for a copy of the “Tribute to Mike Smith” especially written and prepared for the Forney High School banquet earlier this month. Jimmy Johnson has submitted the text in its entirety.

“Tonight as we gather here to pay tribute to the finest group of young athletes to be found anywhere, we should consider ourselves fortunate to be associated with these fine boys.

“As we look around the room tonight we see the familiar faces of the speedy backfield, the hard charging line and the bench warmers. We also see boys who did not make the “A” team this year, and we see, of course, the Junior High team. They will be the stars of tomorrow.

“Yet with the air of a promise of better days to come, there seems to be present a spirit unlike that we have ever been accustomed to. We see the football team in its entirety… yet, one is missing. The number “42” is vacant.

“We often pay tribute to those boys who excel in sports, but tonight I believe tribute is due to one more. He is the tall, lanky, friendly, redheaded member of the Forney High School football team who did not make it tonight. Yet, I am sure we are aware of his very presence.

“The lad I refer to is, of course, Mike Smith, who took his last football trip November 18. Mike was the boy who knew he would not get to play, but he still wanted to make the trip. He wanted to give everything he had, moral support.

“To those of you who did not know Mike, we would say he possessed something of all of us should carry at all times… a huge smile. It was Mike who greeted you with a friendly, “Hi, wanna buy a ribbon?” at the Jackrabbit home games. Then came his trademark, the great big smile. But tonight due to circumstances we can’t explain (we wonder why things like this have to happen) he is not here with us and we grieve that it is so. But I am sure we all agree and say we are not the judge and our fate lies in a higher power. Some have said his death is a terrible thing, what if… But stop… Think a moment… Is this the attitude Mike would want us to take? No, I believe if Mike could speak to us tonight he would say, in unison with the guests present, that we are fortunate to be honoring, first of all the boys who worked so hard during the football season, the staff of fine coaches, the best to be found anywhere, the student body and the administration. I also believe Mike would leave one final word. He would say, ‘Alright Jackrabbits, lot’s go all the way next year. Big team, let’s go all the way. It’s going to take lots of desire and determination.’ So in tribute to Number 42 who did not make it tonight I will say for the sports fans present, as well as the coaches and the boys that I believe we will go all the way… No…. we WILL go all the way in 1961 in memory of Mike Smith, Big Number 42…. the boy who did not make it to the banquet tonight.”