The Dawson journal., 1885-06-11
GOVERNOR CRAWFORD.
Rec0llecti0ns Of Incidents in the Ca
reer of One of Georgia's Greatest
Statesmen.

served to terms. He was a mark
ed man In personal appearance,
and there was a kind of magnet
ism about him that invited ap-
proaeh, yet repulsed too much fa-
millarity. There was decision in
hls eye and on his lips, and there
"as also a playful humor in his
manner. His manner was his own
and peculiarly striking, especially
as an officer.
While Governor, a young man
in Columbus killed young lady.
The aot was deliberate, though
born of passion and love. The
young lady would not receive his
attentions, and, burning under the
modification of rejection, he shot
her. The father of the y9ung
man lived in Baldwin county and
was a good, and quiet citizen,
though his son was wild. For the
fathers sake several prominent
citizens of Milledgeville interest
ed themselves in the young man,
who was tried and sentenced to
be hung. They asked Gov. Craw-
ford to give him a reprieve until
the Legislature assembled.
Gov. Crawford listened patient
ly to their plea for mercy. Then
addressing the chief speaker, said:
"How old did you say the young
man is?"
"Only about 20 years ola, Gov
ernor."
Only 20. you say?"
"That is all, Governor"
Gov. Crawford, with his eye
flashing and his lips compressed,
said: Gentlemen, if that be the
bud what will the blossom be?
He hangs"
Hang he did, but it took sever
al men to carry him to the gal
lows, for he fought and resisted
until OverpOWered.
A POINT OF ORTHODOXY.
1t was the duty of the Govern
or to appoint a ministep of the
gospel to preach to the oonvicts
III the penitentiary. The salary
was Sl5Q per year. There was
living in Milledgeville at the time
of Gov. Crawford's administration
DR.. Blake, an eccentric sort of
character, though ? man we'll read,
and who had been at one time q
minister somewhere in England.
There was a mystery about his
life, for he never explained why
he left England. He practiced
medicine, but his cases were gen
orally Of private nature. Being
needy, and withal a good man, of
fair ability, Gov. Crawford ap-
pointed him to preach to the con-
victs.
After a time lie began to criti-
else the different religious faiths,
instead of giving the convicts the
talks suited to their line of
thought and their peculiar condi-
ton. Col. Anderson Redding was
then the principal keeper. He
was also a member Of the Metho-
dist church. When he heard DIR.
Blake telling the convicts that
there was but one church-the
Episcopal.en that was truly or
thodox, and that the other so-eall-
cd churches were but meeting
houses, it was too much for him
to stand without protesting. He
took DIR. Blake to task, but the
doctor stood to his point. The
next Sunday DR.. Blake reiterated
what he had said on the previous
Sunday.
Col. Redding didn't propose to
to have that sort of preaching. On
Monday morning he went to the
capitol and said to the Governor:
Governor, that man Blake
whom you have appointed to
preach to the conyicts is not
preaching orthodox sermons"
"Aqt doing wAat?" asked the
Governor.
"He is moi preaching orthodox
sermons to tho convicts ;he is talk
ing to them about churches, and
calls himself high churchman."
The Governors eye twinkled
with humor, for he knew Col. r.
was very much of a Methodist, and
a very pious one at that.
anoIl L;,o ;1, >, 1r1 IL