Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04
The Late Col. Ja,nes Crawford.

Ane LAKE Oets James CrASr-NFu.
Or community will require long time to re-
cover from the blow whlca it received at the sud
den decease Of this prominent citizen and excel
le0t man. And. although the public mind needs
nothing ihat your present Correspondent can say,
TO rearouse It's esteem for the character OF the do
pared, yet il seems RIGHT that some more extend
ed notice Of his psrSiaiI history aud domestic dnd
civil relations than any that has hitherto been Civ
81, should be placed ia the columns OF widely
Q rcu,at ny newspaper.
il ia remarGabIe. that, since the year 1851 3.
daa,h after death has occurred in the family Of
which COL Crawford was the honored head, ua-
oil az last the terrible c0nlNer0r Of Us all struck
him down als1. A daughter (Susan W died On
tia 4,h day Of July Of that year; aud upon the
same day belssod grand child daughter Of MI.
T. c. BurTell) was made ready 70 be deposited
in the same grage. rhe friends Of these dear de-
CEASED had just time ia recover, by slow reacion,
trou the shock of this double bereavement when
they were again plunged into mourning by tie
death of that estimabe lady. Mrs. MARGARET \.
BURwGLL, waaIape,ted tbs life May 24ih. 1854.
In November Of the same year, another Of Air.
Bnrwel'S family 6. Trgna) died at the res'-
daoce of COL Crawford just as she had rearh"d
the Interesting aye Of ebout three years. And.
early in May, 1855, another grand Child. { Jas.
Ciurchman.) who had become the light OF the
household. was suddenly stricken down in the
inoss proniSUg bloom Of his childhood. To
crown all, the ravercd father and grandfather was
most unexpectedly removed on the moruing of the
liza o; the moath last mentioned. Surely this
bereaYed family has need Of all the gospel conso
lations!
The Immediate subject Of this notice had been
practising lawyer for many Of the earliest years
Of his pu0Ijc life and in TINS trying profession he
exhibited all the characteristics of that excellent
and harmonious character which afterwards round
ed niu such large and consistent propurtious.-
The experience which he had acquired in the sta
dy aGl practice OF the law. admirably fttrd him
fox me mlgisir.cy .aich. wjlh much wisdom,
he exercised during twenty years Of his uSeiu,
life. !: was amid the duties of t&is responsible
Office that the public virtues of our be,nyed friend
Bhone n st steadily, and wen for him lie esteem
Sad love of ali good men. Under the new State
Constitution, he was chosen, by n most cordial
uaoUi0lIy. the presiding officer upln he bench OF
lnagis;r1tes. AJj those who are best qualified to
Judge OF the peculiar eXceiloncjes Of head aud
heart which are REQUIRED 10 such aH officer cF the
law tufH'sh tdeir aap.est testimony % the entire
fitness, 10 the extraordinary adaptation, Of Col
Cfaw0ri's character 10 such a station as this
We all remember with what decorum, wilh what
decision, with what straignt.otWarduess he pre-
sided over the inp0rtaa: court when adjourned
only day or two before his dece,se.
Col. Crawford did not live in the public eye
for the sake Of aollreiy, or applause. He serv-
cd in oil ,dl capacities because his Eigh sense Of
duty constrained han 90 deny hjmself the pleas
ursS OF that ro.iracy which ne always lDyej.-
lie resided, amid the Swcs. inHUanceS Of most
happy ;.oue, on 4 well cultivated farm. 4 few
miles in the country. This was the place where
his true heart showed its depths and revealed lis
treasures Here was the Splt where his friends
were enabled to draw nearest 70 him. and realize
ihe greatness of his more quiet worth. Here it
was that his more Immediate relations found ties
OF love attaching themselves stronger and strong
or to him. whose strength they never fully knew
until death came To tear them from their bleeding
hearts. But there were many drops OF sweetness
lo the cup Vi bitterness which Gud had thus put to
tho lips OF hose who loved the ceased 50 dearly.
IneY Ind hope-the brightest h1pe-ia bis death.
Iney Knew the consistency Of his christian lite
through period Of II years They every day,
saw hm ripeniGg for heaven. And when the
last scene cane; when in the siilaesS and gloom
vi hat night In which ha was called away. they
saw his face lJJ'sd IN PRAYER. heard his words of
lnyiag eXhorl'ioa adlretsad Ia such of his hmy
as weto present, and Witnessed the. cheerful sub
mission with which he fecoga'zad the wall Of God
in his SulIen call ir1n all he held delc ON earth
they must have been perniltel - see the very
path Of shining Hight with which he aScended tJ
the abide of saints
Words clnno, describe ,hc greatness Of the ca
lanity wdjch the death. in 50 short tine. nf two
snel tried msn rs Col. Crawford and DE-. Wad-
deli has hfjuEAt up,n the entire cIm nuu;ty.-
ILev seemed entirely essential 10 US We hard