The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-09-28
CAPTAIN CRAWFORD
Addresses n Mems Meeting ut tho y. NJ. c.
h.-somethlng OF Ills Career In the Far
Wrst-Iiis Literary Work.

Addresses Mems Meeting ut tho y. ~. c.
h.-somrthing Of Ills Career In the Far
West-Iiis Literary Work.
The regular young mems meeting Mt
the Young Mems Christian Assocla-
ton building yesterday afternoon was
largely attended, Captain Jack Craw-
ford" the Poet Scout" made an I'D
dress. touching and eloquent. His de-
scrlptlons Of church life on the plains
were very Interesting, and the SER
mons by the cowboy preachers. given
In their own vcrnaCular, were intensely
interesting. Captain Crawford believes
that the most good can be done to
humanity by getting down among men
and assOcinting with them, never Nv
ing above them, but on plane with
them.
lie told Of the good accomplished by
brother bush" and PONY Bill" two
converted cowboys. By their plain
talking and earnest lives they have re-
claimed many from the gambling ana
liquor dens, 30 common In western
towns. 4 sermon on the ProdigM Son
by Brother Bush was given In synop-
sis by Captain Crawford. As told In
enjoyed, yet withnl, Il was pathetic.
Captain Jack" gave good, sound
temperance talk also. lie Is not IN ia
vIr OF Prohibition. lie snid that the
American people cannot be compelled
to do thing: but by going around in
practical way, lifting up the fallen
and showing them the misery and
wretChcdncsS. results OF drinking, the
number OF drunkards would lessen.
This must be done by men who have a
thorough love for humanity in general:
not the Kind OF Christians that never
move from out the "amen corner" OF
the church.
Captain Jack" whose full name. by
the way. Is John Wallace Crawford.
gave short history OF his life. a
mothers request, made him promise
never to touch liquor thereafter. This
pledge he has always kept Years after
his mothers death, thoughts Of that
promise given her at her death-bed.
suggested the theme OF II beautiful Ut
tie poem. Mothers Prayers" which
he reclted yesterday.
Captain Crawford was born In Ire
land, In 1876. came to this country
while yet child, settling with his
father in POttgville, Pa. At the break
Ing out Of the war. he donned the coat
OF blue. He was wounded in the leg at
SpOttsylvania. causing him to be lame
ever since. His father was killed six
days later. At the close OF the war he
went 10 the frontier, and became n
great scout. He served through al the
frontier wars. and was wounded twice.
For twenty-threc years he has been
chief Of the government scouts. Re-
fuginr IN lllOw hlS name Ia he uspl In
dime novels Is one reason why he Is not
so generally known. He Is n genuine
product OF the great southwest
Captain Crawford at all times has
taken deep interest In lifting up the
fallen. He claims no particular de-
nomination. but labors for the cause OF
against his southern opponents In the
rebellion, and has many warm Con-
federatc friends He is n poet OF no
mean order. and contributes sketches
and poems to magazines Strange 20
say, he never received any education n
school room, but picked NJ oil his
learning by contact with officers and
their wives whom he met in the west.
He always had 4 talent for vcrS!fy-
Ing. Els first poems were In dialect.
as are the most OF them-for which
lie gives the reason that II he made
any grammatical errors, he would not
be criticised. He was 50 delightfully."-
entertaining yesterday afternoon, that
the large audience was sorry when he
got through. II Is hoped that his
promise given II return. will come true.
II SO, many will enjoy the treat OF lis
tcnIns 20 this eloquent product OF the
plains