The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1891-02-06
HON. G. a. oRAwFoR0 DEAD
DeatI. y = IEssuszs-abls Ran with q EEeeore
Houna U. In the HIs.orv oE sEanaas-

George A. Crawford, for years one of
the most noted men in Kansas, died
yesterday afternoon at 4;15.
a severe cold contracted last Ssptem-
Der and which settled upon the lungs
was the cause of death
For three months Air. Crawford has
fought Tor his life with . viii rarely
equaled and only suceumbed after q
glorious Eight
BIOGEkPHICAL
George Addison Crawford was born In
Pine Greek township. Clinton County. Pa.
July p. 1877 He came to Kansas BY steam
boat on the Missouri river landing at LeEy-
enWcrthY whence he was accompanied to
Lawrence by Dr.. Norman Eddy United
States COMMISSIONS for the sale OF the
Delaware and other 4zdtHE lands While at
Lawrence they encountered a panty going
TO Fort scott TO secure the town site and at
once accepted an o1fer OF passage by the
mule team aud partnership in the town pro
jet Fort Scott was then an abandoned
military post Megsrs. Crawford, Eddy ana
their associates purchased claims 20 $40
acres of land and organised the Fort Scott
Town Company, of which MI. Crawford was
elected president. in which capacity he
NAMED nearly twenty years He named the
streets after his friends Blgier, Hendricks
and others, and procured a Autograph OF the
town site on which he marked two prospect
i've railways. The two leading railroads en-
tering Fort Scott now occupy those very
lines.
ON frst organizing the town MT. Crawford
bought pro slavery hotel and made IL a
Free state hotel. by which name it was
known far and wide.
During the years from 1857 to 1850 violence
and anarchy reigned in and about Fort Scott.
George w. Clarke had gone there from Le-
compton to take charge of the land -Office,
and was accompanied by Dr. George =. Ham
iltOn, ". B. RrOckett and other pro slavery
men, ATrayed against these were john
Brown, James MONTGOMERY and other Free
State leaders. commanding bands of men
known as ''iayhawkers." Several times
United States troops We're ordered there
slant danger OF destruction. The bOr-
der counties of Missouri We're greatly agi-
tated and at one time the Governor sent
large military force under General Frost to
protect them. Mr. Crawford was opposed to
the agitation kept up by the cOntending
parties AR Crawford was, however, con-
stantly making strong opposition TO the pro-
slavery men and one day he received the
following letter from the president OF the
/ ITO George a. Crawford, William Gallaher
and Charles Dimon:
you respectfully invited to leave town
/ in twenty four hours -
His answer was: Il don't exchange mes
/ sages with horse thieves
Mr.. Crawford in the room with John
/ H Little. ex-deputy United States marshal
upon Fort Scott by the forces under John
Brown and James Montgomery TO rescue
Bentamin Rice, who was held as a prisoner
by Deputy Marshal Campbell Little was
! shot through the head and was killed al
/ most Immediately. Crawford remained im-
/ prisOned in the building. with rifle balls at
/ intervals coming through the windows and
| a cannon standing within a few feet In readi-
| ness to be fred into the building at any mo-
ment. Mr.. Crawford walked into open
door in the face of about 100 Sharp's rifles all
cooked upon him. He was liable to be taken
! for Little by those who did not know him
! One rifle was snapped upon him by HaZlett.
who was afterward killed at HarpeE's Ferry.
Colonel Montgomery, seeing Crawford, sent
| orders for his protection.
CrawfOrd's political views did not change
with the war ana not until long after II. he
became what was then known as a war ID en-
| Ocrat. He followed the lead of Judge Stephen
A. Douglas, who was personal and political
| friend, in support of the administration OF
| Lincoln and his war policy. He assisted in
/ the organization OF the Second Kansas regi-
! meut, taking "A leading part in the caucus OF
| officers which selected its Colonel LIeuten-
! ant Colonel and Major. Owing to the irreg-
/ uIarftfes incident to the first organization OF
| troops and to the many deaths of soldiers at
/ Wilson's creek, the battle cost him thousands
OF dollars, as he had furnished a great share
Of the supplies and clothing.
In 1861, to save expense, petitions were
largely circulated asking the Republican
committee to make nominations Tor state
Olncers. me committee met III IoEleza VIII
| A. Carter Wilder, chairman, and In con-
sultatiOn with leading war Democrats nom
mated George a Crawford for Governor
peculiar question had arisen however,
as to the term of the State officers under
the Constitution. This was on account OF
the admission of the State on January %. 1851
Marty tn rteen months after the terms of the
State officers previously elected had begun
to run The question was, whether those Of
| hcers should continue TO serve two years
! literally with the letter of the CONSTITUTE 0n
or should they have two years from the ad-
mission of the State, or should they be per.
mitted to hold over until che success Of.
clause me outcome WIS Ehe leeSC dOI Lne
| committee to make nominations.
According to the vote cast Crawford was
/ elected the first Governor OF the State Oi
Kansas. He received at least tTO-thiFds oil
the total vote cast The papers and peO-
pie who adhered to the Constitution
adopted by the State Officers ana the
! legislation opposed the election and re-
fused to vote and in some counties the cleo
/ tion Officers refused count the vote. The
State canvassers refused to canvass the vote
/ and MT. Crawford applied to the Supreme
Court for a mandaInus. The election waa
decided Illegal Estate of Kansas ex rel
/ Crawford vs.. Robinson, Kansas 10, and no
| attempt was made TO carry It before the Leg
I islature or tho United States Supreul Court
/ In 1854 AfE. Crawford again permitted the
/ use OF his name for the GubernatOriEl nom.
/ nation Samlsel J. Crawford received the
| nomination. though the relative vote hrst
/ stood: George A. Crawford % $. J. CraW'
| ford 16 Under Governor 8. J. Crawford
/ Mr.. George A. Crawford accepted ap.
l pOintment OF Commissioner OF Immigration
4 subsequently he became an associate editor
/ of the Kansas Farmer which position ne hello
a year and a half In 1867, with Judges King
. | man. Bailey and others he helped TO organ