The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1893-06-30

One Of the Best Known Men In
Indiana Passes Away.


Many Of the COURIER readers 10 Du.
bois county. who were lifelong friends
of Major James A Cravens, will read
with interest the following sketch OF the
soldier, statesman and
and friend of humanity. The Major
had an extensive acquaintance In this
county, where in his younger days be
bought considerable qusnti-
ties OF live stock for shipment to the
eastern markets, and be made friende
of an With whom he dealt. A truer man,
lin every respect, we have never met.
From the indianapolis Sen tinel.
PAoLI. June 22-Gen. James A. Crav-
ems died at the residence Of his son, John
X Cravens, at Hsrdinsburg. Washington
county, Yesterday, in the 10th year
lof his age. Gen. Crsvens was one OF
the leading and proninent citizens OF
the state aud had distinguished himself
lin both public and private life. aud bis
death will cause as much genuine sorrow
a. would that OF almost any citizen OF
the state, and especially is he mourned
IN the neighborhood where he lived and
died. and where during life he ..-rs the
friend, counselor aud advisor Of oil, aud
where he dispensed . generous hospital
Iity with his ample means aud great,
manly, generous heart.
He was born IN Rockingham county,
Virginia, November 4. 1918, and re-
moved with bis father to Indiana in 1870
His BOY days were spent in Wash.
lington county, where he received CON-
mon school education. Much OF bis
life was devoted to agricultural pur-
suits. lie was q msjor Of Indiana vol.
Iunteers In the Mexican war under Gen.
Zachary Taylor and was commended
for galiantry at Buena vista.
In l848 0 be served in the lower house
OF the state legislature. In 1850 he was
elected TO the state senate and served
three years. In 1854 he was commits
stoned brigadier-generalo Of militia. In
1859 he was elected by the legislature 10
to the important position OF state agent,
which he resigned in 1860 and was
elected a member Of the Thirty-seventh
congress from the New Albany district.
lie served asa member Of the commit.
tee on territories. He was reelected to
the Thirty-eightn congress aud retained
his position on the same committee.
! Since his retirement from congress he
: has not held Office, but always took
leading part in the councils OF his party
: lin which he occupied the position OF
trusted and able leader.
J, He was Democrat of the JAcksOnian
type, and IL there ever was man who
) deserved the appellation Of democratic
wheel horse he il was. His time, bis
money and his services were always o.
the command OF his party, and . demo
. cratic national, state or district conven
! ltion without his presence would havt
! resem bled the play Of Hamlet ~itt
} the character Of the Danish prince elimi
! mated therefrom.
Z Gen. Cravens was man Of strong ply
. sique aud portly, handsome presence
{ until February, 1899. when he had an at
tack Of Ia grippe and since gradually do.
/. clined until last November, when hi
heart became effected and finally caused
Q bis death. During the last four days o
!. his life he was so much better t0an h
/ had been that hopes we're entertained 81
i his friends Of his restoration TO some
,Ithing like his former vigor. On th
D morning Of his death be rode in bugg!
Q Ito one OF his farms, Q mile from town
land upon his return drove around tow
4 and called upon his friends, Drs. Chss
. McPheeters, Sandford, Mcintosh AM
c cothers, one OF whom said to him. "Majoi
I.lyou may live fol ten years yet" He re
-lplied. No, I'm only living on borrowe
: time"
. After his ride he returned to his son
k residence. ate . hearty dinner, Wake.
Is around the yard awhile, then went to hl
e room and sat down by an open windo,
l-ls aud commenced reading the life Of M
i lpoleon. Presently his book was hear
{ TO fall on the floor. aud when the men
g bers OF the household got to him he W.
D, breathing his last. lie had amassed
handsome estate. valued at from $3.50
to 100000. His homo farm Was
lpriucely estate Of 1000 acres Of ferti
lands. Less tnsn Q year ago ho distril
utcd $4,000 equally between bis six Gu
y !" viving children.
y His vito died about q year ago an
= was buried at Hardin cemetery. 70,
y, !" miles north Of Hardin burg, where 4
Iday, iu the presence Of vast concour'
:. of people from Washington aud SUI
= 'rounding counties, he was laid to re-
!. by her eide, the site being marked BY
= handsome and costly monument, erccte
'clby Gen. Cravens since her death, with
I. suitable inscription on tho lace next h'
= grave. That next bis grave was left
y. be inscribed after his death aud the frol
= face containing the words "Fsther IN
:, Mother" II Is the old family bnryir
- lNc.|ground Of the Cravens, Hardin, XII
- and Schoonover families, and 10 situate
1" In a lovely and fertile valley, the grav
D. being shaded and protected by mast,
forest oaks.
- Gen. Crsvens leaves six children 81
ne vlviug him: The Hon. A. A. Craven
10 present representative from Wsshingtt
q county; the Hon. Ben II. Crsvens, pre-
ne ent treasurer Of Washington count
as John X. Cravens, Mrs w. @. Davis 81
cy Mrs. w. J. Lspping, OF iIsrdinsbur
~ and Mrs. DR. q. Fouts, OF LsncsviIle, In
rDiscover your false friends 20
true ones will discover you.