I found this very interesting. From the 1910 catalogue of G.H. Peterson "A Little Book About Roses":

"WM. R. SMITH (very vigorous). Shellem 1907.
Our own country has at last achieved the honor of producing one of the very greatest - if not the greatest - of all outdoor blooming roses. The general color effect is blush, gradually assuming a yellowish tint after being cut a day or two. The buds are exquisitely moulded (see cut on last cover page), opening to a very full and perfect flower. The stems are long, with superb foliage, absolutely disease proof. The new growths are rich reddish, the foliage and wood changing to glossy green at maturity, with red thorns. Each strong growth usually produces four buds, three at the terminal and one lower down; all but the center terminal one should be pinched off. The vigor and constitution of this rose is simply marvelous. Has withstood several northern winters without protection. "Jeannette Heller" is this rose, and has no right to that name. Disinterested authorities claim that "Charles Dingee" is also this rose, but I have not yet flowered that variety. Knowing the interest and discussion this rose is bound to arouse, I personally spent several days in travel tracing it from the time it was named at a Philadelphia dinner party in honor of the head of the U. S. floral department at Washington back to the sowing of the seed in 1898 by an obscure florist, Richard Bagg, then at Bridgeton, N. J. I have known this rose, which is a seedling from Maman Cochet and Mad. Hoste, since the summer of 1905. (On own roots). 60c.; extra selected, 75c."


I've uploaded the photo on the back cover mentioned in the text above.

This description appears much the same in Peterson's catalogues in different years but with minor additions and alterations, which I'll add here one by one.