Date:  ca. 1920's

Image Number:  Roll5Neg20A

Comments:  William Day Smith served as principal of Scottsville School for 30 years (1907-1937). Under his leadership, Scottsville High School became the first Virginia high school accredited by the University of Virginia and the State Department of Education.  William Day Smith was a beloved classroom teacher and wrote the lyrics to "The Scottsville School Song."   A quiet Yankee from Massachusetts, Smith also was an excellent skater who gave lessons on the ice at Miss Hannah Moore's Bottom.

According to his niece, Katherine (McFarland) Ellis of Scottsville: "It was a joy to have grown up around William Day Smith.  His life seemed to revolve around young people and their education, though I must say that the way he taught was painless for the recipient.   Mr. Smith was a botanist, a naturalist, an herpetologist, a Latin scholar -- many other things, but above all, he was a teacher. It was his theory that if a child did not learn, it was the fault of the teacher -- not the student."

"Mr. Smith was a noted authority on ferns and often was consulted by some of the faculty at the University of Virginia.  To be taken on a hike through the woods with him was an education in itself because he knew the name and habits of every wild flower that grew.  He thought that wild plants should be left alone -- not dug up and taken away from their natural home."

"Mr. Smith encouraged his students to participate in sports.  When 'Rally Day' came around and the Albemarle County schools got together to compete in various games, he was always there to cheer on his students"

"During the summer months, when Scottsville School was out, Mr. Smith taught at Virginia Tech to supplement his painfully small salary as Principal of Scottsville High School.   Through his friendship with Paul Goodloe McIntire, Scottsville schools received a number of financial gifts which they otherwise might not have received.  Mr. Smith did much to raise the level of education in Scottsville.  Many people admired him and felt that the town was fortunate to have such an outstanding scholar."

"Mr. Smith had one son and two daughters by his first wife.  On June 3, 1910, he married secondly Annie Parker 'Parke' Harris, and from this union there were two children, Frances Crafton Smith and Charles William Smith."

As one of his former students, Mayor Raymon Thacker remembers William Day Smith fondly:  "Nicest man I ever knew.  He was dedicated to the school and dedicated to every student that was in it.  It didn't matter what your problem was, he would meet with you and help you if there was any possible way on earth he could do it.  He was a very good and honorable man. I talked to Mr. Smith many times. I hated algebra and never did know anything about algebra.   Mr. Smith said, "Raymond, if I were you, to get your points in, go on to geometry."  "Alright, Mr. Smith, if you'll help me."  "Yes, I'll help you.  If you'll come to me after class, I try to straighten things out for you."  "And so Mr. Smith taught me geometry, and we were great friends."

"Morris Anderson had a Model A Ford coupe, and Mr. Smith borrowed it one day.  I took him up to Crab Tree Falls.  He loved horticulture, and it was springtime.  We were looking for new plants around the falls.  When we got up there, it was cold with freezing rain and sleet.  It got so cold and icy -- we had to move the wind shield wiper by hand -- that the ice froze on the windshield.  I couldn't see anything, and Mr. Smith hung his head out the window to get a better view.  His moustache froze and stood straight out.  And I had to laugh at him.  We stopped in Steels Tavern to get warm and drink some coffee.  I'll never forget that trip, and I told Mr. Smith, "Next time, let's wait until summertime comes before we go looking for new plants."

"And the kids all loved William Day Smith.  I don't think you'll find anyone who disliked him - he was a good man."