Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-03-22
Captain G. wash. GRAY.

~tohacutdDlC ucdtn II yet IreSl IN the
minds of the many who knew him.
was born in Armstrong county, Pa,
aud was about ffty.0no years of age at
the time of his sad death. He com
menced his career on the river in
early manhood as a coal boatman, long
before the introduction Of towboats
upon our rivers. During the war he
served as lieutenant in a Pennsylvania
regiment, commanded by Colonel
Alex. Hays, one of his comrades in
arms being Captain John Hoffman, of
the firm of Cook & Hoffman, and who
was 2 fellow-boatman with the de-
ceased before and after the war. The
deceased was captured by the confed-
crates, taken to Richmond, Virginia.
atterward paroled, and finally resigned
his commission and returned home to
his family, and resumed his calling
upon the river as a pilot and captain.
After spending a few years plotting on
towboats from Pittsburg to this city.
he became captain on various tow
boats. and soon won for himself an
enviable reputation as a successful
towboat captain and a thorough boat
man. The well-known and extensive
coal firm of Pittsburgh, Messrs.
O'Neil & Co., secured his services to
take charge of the first Fred. Wilson,
which under his charge became famous
as a towboat. 1t was while he was in
command Of the Fred. Wilson that
we first knew him, and as the years
rolled by u regard and friendship
for the man almost ripened into a
warm love, for he was brave, generous,
kind-hearted and good.natured to a
fault. He commanded the first Fred.
Wilson two years, and when the second
boat of that good name was built BY
O'Neil 4 Co., the deceased was placed
in command of her, being on her as
captain until the hour Of his death,
which was about ten years. During
that ten years the boat never had
steam up, turned a wheel or made a
trip that Wash was not at his post of
duty on board, and during the twelve
years he was in the employ of O'NeiI
4 70. he fully and ably represented
his employers in all his business rela-
tons, and won by his energy, pluck,
good management and sound judg-
ment that confidence and esteem
which characterized him in the minds
of men as being a successful boatman
and a brave and worthy gentleman.
He left a wife, family and a host of
warm friends to mourn his untimely
death, and no man felt a keener pang
of sorrow when the sad news Of his
death was announced than did we.
When nature mixed her bed Of cl ~,
As nature only can,
She formed her mOlds to suit herself,
To make a pc, feet man.
And when her handiWork was done,
She left the world to say,
She made a model ofthe man,
And made that man, Wash. Gray.
In all The elements she used,
She did not have a doubt,
But what she'd make q perfect man,
50. che left nothing yut.
Hi heart was big, and full %oiloye,
His eye as bright as day,
And fewer men had larger souls
Than that Of poor, Wash. Gray.
Brave as lion, meek as a child,
And generous to the poor,
When charity made its appeal
He never closed his door;
lie never saw the clouds so dark
But what there was a ray
vi sunshine somewhere, stealing cross
The path Of loved Wash. Gray,
If at the wheel, or on the roof,
When duty called, he came;
At night. or day, on board or shore,
Brave Wash. was all tho same,
His radiant fIee, with pleasant smiles
His heart and life were gay.
never knew in all my life
A man like poor Wash. Gray,
Alas he is no more Of earth;
He'scrossed the river now,
And gone where angels put a crown
Upon his peaceful brow.
He's gone to stand another Watch.n
He runs the "channel way"
And towed his soul safe into port,
Where angels met Wash. GRAY.
feel a tear steal down my cheek,
A sorrow in my heart
l think of Wash, his family, friends
How hard il was to part.
But when | think of those | loved,
cannot drive away
Affections tears. that tell how much
Thought OF poor Wash. Gray.
All Wash, ] loved, I honored YOU
As only true friend can;
l know not why. unless il was
Because you we're q man.
Were | Il Christian, true and good,
I'd kneel me down and pray
To God and angels to receive
The soul Of poor Wash. Gray.
Bright angels nightly vigils keep
Upon his hallowed grave
A form ne'er slept bene.th the sod
More loved, more kind, more brave
And when his soul shall reach the gate
Then let old Peter say;
Here, angels, weleeme home the soul
And crown it for Wash. Gray.
WILL. S. HAYS.