Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a solitary drinker or drug-taker; a solitary drink.

1930		G. Williams Logger-Talk 22: Dick Smith: A drink of liquor taken privately; suggested by the famous Dick Smith who was given to such a sneaking practice to avoid buying a round.
1942		Berrey & Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Sl. 102.16, Private or surreptitious drink. Dick Smith, lonesome, quiet one, sneaker. [Ibid.] 670.1: Dick Smith, a quiet, self-centered [baseball] player.
1955		H. Braddy ‘Narcotic Argot Along the Mexican Border’ in AS XXX:2 87: DICK SMITH, n. An addict who is a lone wolf.
1959		Tallman Dict. Amer. Folklore 92: ‘Dick Smith’ – A term the lumberjacks of the Michigan peninsula used for a man who bought himself a drink alone, a rare situation. When such an occasion arose, six ‘honest’ jacks would toss.

2. in ext. use, a mean, sponging or reclusive person.

1876		Congressional Record 29 June 4260/2: Provide that out of that fund this House may receive that pittance which shall enable it to supply the necessary wants of its members, without [...] playing ‘Dick Smith’ on the Senate.
1966–9		in DARE.