Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-09-08
A&efanorla 6az&tt&
SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER
OS7llan Pasha.

| w hi!e Il IS Impossible just D0W 10 dcu0tely
identify Osman Pasha aud K. Clay Crawford al
one and the same pelson. there is no doubt
that Il. Clay Crawford is remarkable mac,
and oue to whom such achievements as Ojmau
Pasha is credited with would have 10 no way
been impossible. Mr. Crawford has been a
resideut of Maryland. and in Kent county an |
Cbestertown particularly he is we'll kuown, ,aal,
indeed. has many acqualutauees throughout the
Eastern Shore who speak OF him as being thu
most crratc Of men OF remarkable genius and
extraordinary versatility. file tlourished as 4.
| journalist, manufacturer, a politician aud a
society man Of high standjog tor q while.
| From gentlemen who knew him we'll reporter
Of the Baltimore American gathered the follow.
ing facts regarding his career 10 Maryland,
which was as brilliant as it was short -
| lie came to Chestertown. Kent county, ia
| 1867 or 1865 10 a steam yacht (the Tennessee
small but handsome boat, that he claimed to
OVID, bailing from Philadelphia. Almost tho
first thing he did was to purchase the homestead
of Judge Ezekiel Chamberlain for 5000.
| a foe old plscc, although somewhat out Of re-
pair, 90 which he expended some $4,000, fit.
ting it UP 10 elegant style, far SURPRISING any
thipg 10 the vicinity. 1t came to be generally
understood that Mr.. Crawford was the happy
possassor OF an income ranging between quar-
ter and a halt million of dollars yearly. This
| 10 addition to his affablc manner, mad: him
great fayorite, and he was admitted to the best
families in the locality and, on tho whole, was
made quite lion OF. Having lived for some
months 10 Chcstertown, during which time he
had become great tavorltc, be began to give to
the ncighbors some insight luto his past lite.
lie spoke Of having command 10 the Federal
army, and having been associated With the
Mexican Republic during the war that ended
iu the execution Of Macmillan at Qderetaro 10
1867. During this time 10 had taken au active
part 10 the capture of Bagdad, near the Rio
Grande river. At that time he came into
possession Of Mexican securities, forming the
basis of his wealth, and which had afterwards
been augmented by successful speculation.
Among the trophies OF his campaign he had 40
elegant outfit OF Mexican rider, comprislog
silver aod gold mounted saddle and bride, and
gold spurs, which were mover falling object OF
curiosity to his visitors. Ol the An OF July.
1869, hc was invited by leading democratic pol
jt;caps TO deliver an oration at the Court
House at Chestcrtowr. Ills known abilities
and extensive fund of reformation were guar.
aztec that the tf)rt wonli be one OF great III
terest, and large crowd gathered. Previous
to this be had not committed himself politically,
but The general opinion was that he was OF deu.
ocrat,c proclivitics. Oa the occasion OF this ora
,ion he dissipated ali such ideas. and declared
himself republican ana denounced State
rights and other democratic tencts 10 way that
entirely disgusted democracy. Erom that day
the republicans took him up ana he affiliated
with them. "slumping" the courly in their in
tcrests, and declaring his views in m outspoken
manner, such as the Eastern Shore had not
hitherto been accustomed to. He then estab
lishod republican weekly paper called tho
Freeman's Journal, which he issued t1r neary
a year. 10 it he ventilated the most liberal
opinions, and in its columns declared himsel
personally responsible fer every assertion that
he made. This venture was not remuneratlVc.
and his roTcr-prcss, the first that had ever
been seen in that county, was seized by tue
manufacturers from whom lie had bought It,
and the light Of The Freeman Journal thus
l!ckcrcd out and was seen DO more Wbat hal
become Of the immense wealth TINS man hau
claimed TO have is not koowo. during the
time this paper was issued 1t was bitterly op
posed to Senator Vckers; 10 Tact, 1t was the
opposition organ, aud its u'tcranccs werc OF the
most scathinc, not to say villiyng naturc.
After closing out tue paper Crawford started
iurc was also failure. and poor Crawtorl was
also sold out at shcriffs sale. lie then lett tho
country, and rumor brought back the news that
he was running a faro bank in PhlladeIphIa.
This runner was never verified, however, aud
nerhans was based upon the fact that whilst III
iIhcstcrtowu Col. Crawford kept faro lay out,
and 10 a friendly way. and for the consideration
of the chances OF winning, initiated number
Of residents Of that cheerful village into the 10
t,icacies of the game This statement IS based
upon the assertions OF a gentleman vino has
seen the game in progress 10 CraWtord,s house.
The most wonderful stories are told OF his YER
sstilily and &C his ability to adapt himself to CIR
cumstsuces. His fund OF informst!on was un-
bounded and he discussed sugery Win surgeons
medicine with doctors, law with lawyers. sea
maYship with sailors. fru! culture with peach
orower5. literature with authors. sconce with
Scientists. and faancs with bsnkers and in all
lhc-o subjects seemed to DC as we'll posted as
those with whom he talked. nc was also prac'
tcsl in his Mnn ,h ne DOlsn' u"
mechanic to put togethsr his power ,prcss, and
inf # nm bimsof. Ho set his own type. com
nosng at the case, and in this way was the su'
| thor Of many editorsls which havo place IN tGe
scran books of the dwollars Ct the Eastern Shofs
Iodsv. and are rel erred 10 by their owners az
| nimtab!e speciomons OF purify OF language aGn
cnrcibie EXPRESSION. Personally. Col: Crawford
i9 described as being over six f'ct in height.
weighing over 200 pouods broad shoulders, mar
| row wastcl and frame IN perfect symmetry
iu5;cativc Of superior strength. lie was OF dsr;
comnlexion, with black piercing, eye' and usu'
oiIn wore lila hair and moustache long. Sey'
srs s pieceS EctS Of pspor for small amounts with biz
name attached, in protest or have been pa,a
their endorIs5 Shore are in hopes that
Oemsn Pashs may ga. that share of tho loot
which will enable him to take these documents
rlacnd hthrreto in the account Of profit and loss.
! -, 1Ins ANN nRnhNl