Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-11
GIVE THE PEOPLE. pEAp.
Unexpected Death ut Ell Greater
EarIv This MOrDtnR.

From Every Evening OF yesterday
Eli Crozier, familiarly known as,MWe the
People," died quite unexpectedly this
morning, about a o'clock, at the boarding
house OF Mrs. Ann Kay, No. 800 King street.
He had been indisposed nearly all winter
hut did not become seriously III until sun
day morning, when he was stricken with
paralysis. The remains were embalmed by
Undertaken Mitchell this morning. Mrs.
Sarah Ann Smith of Philadelphia, sister OF
the deceased has been notified OF the death
and is expected here this afternoon, when
The making of the funeral arrangements
will begin.
Mr.. Crozler was a son Of John and Mary
Crozier and was born February Esd, 1903, at
the then Gipin paper mills now the Riddles
mills, Chrstlana hundred. Two weeks ago
Yesterday he celebrated his S3d birthday.
Although patriotic, he did not serve In the
late war, he being prevented by his deaf
ness contracted at New Castle while assist
ing In extinguishing fire. While the war
was in progress he remained in this city
and spent considerable time in assisting
soldiers widows and orphans, He con-
tinued the assistance for years and took
much delight for several seasons IN making
excursions forthe enjoyment OF his charges.
His brother Thomas was killed at Malvern
Hill during the late war His father served
In the Revolution and for 45 years ELI
annually celebrated the battle Of Brandy
wine.
to his father to learn shoemaking. He then
lived in the borough Of Wilmington. Shortly
after he reached his majority he became
railroad and canal contractor. He executed
several large contracts and amassed con-
siderable money therefrom, but being very
generous he soor parted with his wealth
and during late years was dependent on
his friends for support. Some years ago
when the soldiers and sailors monument
on Delaware avenue was in danger OF being
sold by the sheriff Mr.. Crozier raised 900,
paid the Indebtedness, completed the monu-
ment and improved the grounds surround
ing 1t.
In 1910 he vowed that he would wear
white hat until Henry Clay was elected
President. Ever since then he has worn a
white hat. The black band on his hat was
in memory of the death OF Abraham
Lincoln. His first vote at Presidential
election was for John Quincy Adams, in
1924, since which v ar he AFFILIATED with the
Wing and Republican parties. He was
elected coroner of New Castle county In 1884
and 1910, both times by the Wing party. He
was bachelor, an old school Baptist, and
an honorary member OF the American
Rifles and Smyth Post G. A. r., OF this city,
and DUPONT Post Of Philadelphia. Forty
wears ago there was in Wilmington social
club called eve the People," Mr.. Crozier
was president of the organization. After
several years existence 1t was disbanded,
but ever afterwards Mr.. Crozier signed him
self ''president we the People," OF a
large family, his sister is tile surviving
member.
An incident In MFR. Crozier's life was his
visit to the Centennial exhibition, in 1876.
On Delaware Day ihe Christy Senate char
tered car and went in a body, taking Ell
and his curious canvases along. Selecting
favorable place on the brow of hill within
the exhibition grounds, Eli spread out his
strange pictures-the "Bogy Cow and
others familiar to some Whining
tonians but as meaningless to
stranger as Egyptian hieroglyphics : on
the grass and enjoyed the curiosity OF the
csowds that continually gathered to inspect
them and wonder what they portended.
Some one of the party started report that
the strange Delawarean with tho mysterious
pictures was 1902 years old and this heightened
the curiosity and added to the number of
the spectators, much to the amusement of
Eli and his friends