Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-02
NEWS OF THE DAY.
80 sto1o the rety age and Jooy Of the Time

A dispatch from New York says that the
Camden and Amboy and the Philadelphia
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Compa-
mics have discontinued the sale of tickets from
New York or Philadelphia to the South. and
that passengers from the Southern States are
now forwarded by the Bay Line from Baltl-
more.
The japanese Assistant Secretary of FL
nance, who has come to this country with a
view of examining our system of finance. was
presented to the President at the White House
Yesterday. The President stated that he would
be happy to afford him any facilities for the
fulflment of his mission.
\ bow assassin made his appearance on
Grand street. near Busltwick avenue, Williams
burg. New York. last night. and meeting L
German girl, stabbed her twice in the face. in
across her face. Several citizens pursued him.
but he made his escape
Gen. Capron, Commissioner of Agriculture,
Yesterday received telegram from one Of his
sons in Illinois stating that his General C.'sl
residence had been burned to the ground and
that his Youngest son was terribly if not fatally
burned
The National Racing Congress convened ut
Buffalo last night. and r. c. Barker; Of Gin
cinnati. was elected President. The Conven-
ton is expected to take some important action
regarding the rules and regulations Of the turf.
The nomination of Willis Drummond. to be
Commissioner of the Land Office, was yester-
dav confirmed by the Senate. Mr.. Wilson, IN
whom the President said some time since he
had no confidence, retires.
Jay Cooke has just endowed thirty thou
sand dollar professorship in Gambler College,
and named Rev. DR.. Bronson, Episcopal minis
ter Mansfield. Ohio, rs the man to Till the
chair.
Dispatches from Ashland, Pa, state that the
work in the Schuylkil coal regions will pre- ba-
blv be resumed between the 18th and 10Th OF
February.
The Massachusetts Legislature is Investigate
ing the subject Of the seizure Of fishing vessels
BELONGING to citizens Of that State by the Cana
dian authorities.
John Ross, President Of the Grand Trunk
Railroad. and i very prominent member of the
Government of Canada died at Toronto OH
Tuesday
Strong efforts are being made BY the people
of Colorado and New Mexico to have these
Territories admitted is Safes
During january the public debt WI; reduced
S4.U40.9SG, -
\ VIRGINIA CuNvICT's CAREER. A North
ern newspaper has recently called attention TO
the fact that one K. Clay Crawford who Is now
in Kent county, Maryland, and is quite poll
ticiln. was formerly convict in the Virginia
pcnitentiary. The said Crawford WAS indeed
known here in times past. and We are indebted
to prominent exConicdcratc officer for an i'll
terestng sketch of his career.
Crawford entered West Point Academy in
July, 1850: was dismissed in March, ISL,
when he took up his line Of march for new
places and profitable adventures. In lS3I-I
we hear Of him in Trinity county: California
where he kept Il faro bank.
In October. 1885, r. Clay Crawford WAS con
vcted in Wythc county, Va, of burglary, and
sentenced to the penitentlary in Richmond Tor
five years. lie was here about three months
then broke prison and escaped. We next hear
of him in SG2 as I captain in the Federal army.
He rose to be colonel Of artillery.
In 1854 he was court -martialed and tried for
procuring large amount Of unsi gned notes of
a bank in Tennessee, and Of signing. or having
them signed and circulating them as money
in other words, counterfeiting. He was also
charged with approprlating two horses belong
ing to the Government for his own Use: was
found guilty, and sentenced to be dismissed the
service with the loss Of two months pay
President johnson, probably because Crawford
was originally from Tennessee and secured his
appointment to West Point through johnson,
disapproved themilitary sentence. allowed Craw-
ford to resign, and thus save his pay. 1T is
quite well understood that he travelled through
California and Mexico: picking up stray proper
ty by quaint devices and hazardous means.
A few days ago, John NJ. Butler, of this
city, who for many years had been officer in
the penitentiary on learning that man named
R. Clay Crawford was at ChcStcrtown. Md,
visited that place to see if he was the same that
broke prison in Virginia some years ago. Mr..
Butler DECLARED at first view that he was the
identical convict, and related to several the
manner of his escape. Previous to his seeing
Crawford he decribcd him accurately-so &C
curately that those who saw the man on the
streets daily recognized the picture. -Rlci'-
mond Dispatch.
VIRGINIA MILITARY INsTlTUTE.-The Com
mittee on Schools and Colleges Of the House Of
Delegates has submitted a report rs to what