Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-10-27
THIRTEEN OF THEM.
Cragg, the Athlete, and His Thir-
teen Athletic Children.-They
Take to AcrObatIcs as Matt
urally as a Duck Takes
to Water.

"What, thirteen children!" exclaimed
DEMOCRAT reporter, in establishment
repeating statement made to him by
Fred E. Wright, manager of Haverly's
Minstrels.
eyes. sir. The senior Cragg is the
father of thirteen children and he has moi
reached his fortieth birthday. He car
run hundred yards with the best o.
them, is an expert with the foils and
makes some pretensions with the gloves
He is the best swimmer we have in the
company, and can make the second-besi
standing jump; in fact, he is a thorough
athlete
Many who witnessed the Craggs' re-
markable performances at Walkers Opera
House last night will scarcely credit the
statement that the oldest appearing man
of the five is the father of not only the
other four but of nine other children, some
of whom travel with the. company, and
the others are in England. His Oldest
offspring is the 22-year-old boy Edward
one of the acrobats with the company, and
his youngest is little Arthur, not quite 6
years old, who occasionally appears at
matinees only, and is never advertised for
fear of being stopped by humane societies.
"But, said Mr.. Wright, "when Mr. Cragg
was arrested in Pittsburg for allowing the
baby to perform the little fellow cried
bitterly. He is just crazy to go ON the
stage, and the most unhappy child you
ever saw when he is obliged to pass a
week without appearing in public"
"What do you attribute as Mr.. Craggs'
great successY' asked the reporter
Continued practice and confidence.
If he should allow himself and family to
go month or two without practice he
would have to begin all over again before
he would dare venture a public appear
ance. They are not merely satisfied with
one regular public appearance every dav,
but they rehearse and practice new tricks
every morning."
" At what age does Mr.. Cragg COM
mence to train his children ?"
"Just as soon as they are old enough
to notice things. When they are about
six months old Mr. Cragg begins to play
with them in bed, throw them in the air
and catch them with his feet or hands,
and when they are old enough to walk
turning somersaults becomes a second
nature with them and at the age of one
year and half they are ready for public
appearance. Mr.. Cragg has made it
hobby to introduce all his children to the
public at the age have just mentioned
The Cragg family have travelled the world
over, have been on every continent. in
every country, and have appeared before
all the Presidents and crowned
heads. The younger Cragg re-
ceived from Vice-President Hen
bricks at Washinton a beautiful gold
medal. MIR. Graggs' daughter, II years
of age, can turn the most beautiful hand
springs you every saw, and if one of the
boys should happen to get sick he could
replace him instantly with the daughter.
The boys devote so much time each day
to their studies and can discount many of
our American lads in American history.
They speak four different languages and
all write beautifully
"Have they ever missed that fall
where four stand on each others shout
ders ?"
"No! 1 never knew them to do SO.
Mr.. Cragg tells me it is one of his easiest
tricks, although it has been attempted by
many others and none have so far has
been able to accomplish it. Certainly it
is very daring feat, and 1 hardly think
l would be tempted to try it."