Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-22
GOV. CRAWFORD.

RecOlectiOns of Incidents in the Career
of One of GeOrgia's Greatest Stntes-
men-Advice to aPrivAie Secretary
Other Interesting Stories.
Hon. George w. Crawford was elected
Governor In 1S4S, and served two terms.
He was a marked man in personal APP
pearance, and there was kind of mag
netism about him that invited approach,
yet repulsed too much familiarity. There
was decision in his eye and on his lips, and
there was also a playful humor in his
manner. His manner was his own and
eculiarly striking, especially as an officer.
While Governor, a young man in Column
bus killed a young lady. The act was de-
liberate, though born of passion and love.
The young lady would not receive his at
tentions, and, burning under the mortif-
cation OF rejection he shot her. The father
of the young mau lived in Baldwin county
and was good and quiet citizen. though
his son was wild. For the fathers sake
several prominent citizens of Milledge-
VILE interested themselves in the young
man, who was tried and sentenced to be
hung. They asked Gov. Crawford to give
him a reprleve until the Legislature as
sembled
Gov. Crawford listened patiently to
their plea for mercy. Then addressing
the chief speaker. he said: SLOW old did
you say the young man isY
"Only about 20 years old, Governor"
"Only 90, you sayY
"That is. all, Governor"
Gov. Crawford, with his eye flashing
and his lips compressed, said: "Genile-
ha br,1 mill kho
blossom be? He hangs"
Hang he did, but it took several men to
carry him to the gallows, for he fought
and resisted until overpowered.
POINT ON ORTHODOXY.
1t was the duty of the Governor to APP
point minister of the gospel to preach to
the cOnvicts in the penitentiary. The
salary was $3.50 per year. There was
living in Milledceville at the time OF Gov.
Crawf0rd's administration a DR.. Blake,
an eccentric sort of character, though a
man well read, and who had been at ore
time minister somewhere in England.
There was a mystery about his life, for
he never explained why ne left England.
He practiced medicine, but his cases were
generally of a private nature. Being
needy, and withal n good man, of fair
ability, Gov. Crawford appointed him to
preach to the convicts.
After time he began to criticise the
different religious faiths. instead of giving
the copvicts the talks suited to their line
of thought and their peculiar condition.
Col. Anderson Redding was then the
principal keeper. He was also a member
Of the Methodist Church. When he heard
DR.. Blake telling the convicts that there
was but one church--the Episcopalian-
that was truly orthodox. and that the
other sO-ealled churches were but meeting
houses, it was too much for him to stand
without protesting. He took DR.. Blake
TO task, but the doctor stood to his point.
The next Sunday DIR. Blake reiterated
what be had said on the previous Sunday.
Col. Redding didn't propose 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 couyicts
is not preaching orthodox sermons"
mot doing whati' asked the Governor.
Gle Is not preaching orthodox sermons
to the c0nyicts; he is talking to them
about churches, and calls himself high
cburcbman,n ,.,4
The Governors eye twinkled with hui
NOR, for he knew Col. r. was very much
of a Methodist, and very pious one at
that.
"Tell him said" replied the Governor,
'd-n him, if he don't preach orthodox |
will turn him out"
"GovernOr," said Col. R., 81 will carry
no such message."
DIR. Bake, however, heard of the COM
plant made against him, and did not fur
ther enlighten the convicts as to the beau
ties of high churchism.
DIR. Blake bad a good deal Of humor,
and enjoyed the Governors concern for
orthodox summonG and Often Iauphed a Z
the message he gave Col. r. TO give him.
i IS FORAGE ON THE ENEMY.
Gov. Crawford had a secretary whom
he liked very much. and to whom he was
very partial. The secretary was no or IL
nary man Intellectually, and, as a writer,
had but few equals; but, like most men,
he had his failings, and his particular
falling was his great desire to eight the
tiger" Gambling had for him an IRE
sistible fascination, and every dollar he
could get was risked upon the turn of the
cards.
Many times he did not have a dollar,
but he had friend in the Governor, and
to him he would 90 in great distress for
just So to buy food for his family. The
Governor would loan him the money, but
he no doubt knew what disposition was
made OF it. OF course the promise To re-
turn the loan was always made, but the
promise was seldom, If ever, kept.
This loaning business was continued
for six months or more, and the Governor
was out OF pocket very considerable
sum. On one occasion the secretary came
to him as usual in great distress for
small loan. The Governors patience was
about exhausted. and in half petulant
mood he SAID: ON it, forage upon the
enemy. You have foraged upon your
friends long enough