Ralph (Skeet) Alfred Smith was the son of Harry Alfred and Myrtle Forshee
     Smith. Harry was born in Exchange, Pennsylvania, in 1874. Myrtle Forshee
     was born in 1882 at Kay Springs, Missouri. They were married in 1899 and
     three children blessed their home: Frank, Ralph, and Mary (Mrs. Everett
     Hudson). Myrtle died July 28, 1913.
       In February 1918, Harry married Myrtle (White) Olmstead, who had a son
     Virgil Olmstead. To this union were born two daughters, Etta (Mrs. Thomas
     McCullough) and June (Mrs. Amos Prothroe). Together they reared their families.
     Harry died at age 74 and Myrtle at 61 years.
       Ralph was born in 1904 at the home of his uncle and aunt, Richard and Ollie
     Beckley, near Old Kiowa, Kansas. He lived for some time near Sun City, then
     moved to Medicine Lodge where his father was a hostler at the Santa Fe depot.
     Ralph united with the Sun City Baptist Church before his mother's death. He
     grew to manhood and was educated in the schools of Barber County.
       Vesta Coutman, the oldest child of George William and Martha Jarrett 
     (Williams) Cloutman, was born at Kling, Kansas, southwest of Sun City and
     moved to Medicine Lodge when a year and a half old. She grew up with two
     sisters: Dona (Strong) and Mildred (Cagle0Malloy) and a brother George. 
     The Sun City area and Medicine Lodge have always been her home.
       Ralph and VEsta married May 20, 1925. There were two chilren born to this
     union: William Alfred who died at birth, and a daughter Cecelia.
       Ralph worked at Tom Jewel's Grocery Store many years, then at Parker's
     IGA. In 1945 he went to work for Kansas Power and Light, took a year off
     while he operated the "Snack Shop," then returned to KPL where he worked
     as a pressure operator in the gas fields.
       The most memorable vacation was one near Brookfield, Missouri, spent
     with his many cousins in the area. Such Fun!! And such hospitality!
       Ralph was a wiry, jolly fellow, on the small side (stature wise) but he
     could "hold his own" with the best of them! He thoroughly enjoyed hunting,
     fishing and gardening, especially his flowers.
       They built their home on South Main Street in 1932. He had overcome a
     bout with tyroid trouble, but his life ended abruptly from a heart attack
     when he was but 50 years of age.
       Ralph and Vesta's daughter, Cecelia, married Jim Wise, son of Charles
     and Helen (Bragg) Wise. The Medicine Lodge area has alays been their home.
     They're engaged in farming and Jim works in the oil fields in various
     capacities. They have two children, Mike and Sherri Lynn. Cecelia and Jim
     live in the South Main Street home built by her parents.
       Vesta married Hollis Wilson in 1967 and follwoing his decease in 1970,
     she continued her residence in their home. She did some practical nursing
     for awhile and was a member of Garden Club. She now enjoys her card club,
     Pleasant Hill EHU, OES, is a member of the United Methodist Church and
     Wesleyan Circle.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 427 
     Submitted by: Vesta Smith Wilson