If the scan is available, you can send it to me at AEParshall {at} aol {dot} com, and I’ll post it immediately.

In an editorial on October 14, 1911, the Tribune again paid tribute to John Henry Smith…: “In general it may be said that Apostle Smith belonged to that branch of the church which reached out for a new departure, a turning away from the bigotries, the intolerances, and the exclusiveness of the past, and for getting into touch with American life and American institutions.”

A review of the diaries in BYU Studies characterized him as follows:

Though reluctant to talk about himself, the sheer number of his recordings affords us some glimpses into his character. Diary entries reveal that he was a highly literate (but not especially literary) man. A voracious reader, he apparently spent every free day reading. While interested in many subjects, he seemed to be singularly fond of history and biography. He also enjoyed theater and attended performances whenever he could. But John Henry’s greatest loves were reserved for his wives, family, and Church. His devotion to his wives and children and his dedication to his Church set him apart as a man of strong loyalties. He was also endowed with a remarkable ability to relate to the broad spectrum of humanity. As White notes in her prefatory biographical sketch, the Salt Lake Tribune was not in the habit of lavishing praise on Mormon leaders in the early twentieth century but was unabashed in its praise of this particular Mormon Apostle. I was also impressed with how often John Henry was able to solve internal squabbles in the various stakes and wards of Zion. Clearly, Elder Smith was a peacemaker.

As to the question about the earrings, the diary mentions that after his mother’s death, he was raised by other wives of his father, George A. Smith. In his youth he worked on the railroad and as a telegraph operator. He served his first mission at age 26, which is when his diaries began.

Perhaps his work on the railroad or the telegraph is the pertinent factor here.