Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1900-11-02
DEATH OF DR.. CRAIG.
A Detailed Account of the Sudden Death
Of this distinguished Man.

A Detailed Account of the Sudden Death
Of this Distinguished Man.
Newport News, Va, Oct. 26.-That
was a sad and tragical incident in the
Synod of Virginia yesterday morning
when Rev. DR.. Craig, the well known
and beloved secretary of home missions
fell dead while addressing the body.
DR.. Craig had intended leaving New
port News at 80 a. IN. for Florence,
s. c., where the Synod of South Caro-
lima is in session, which he was to ad-
dress on the same subject he was to
present to this synod. Business was
Ipressing and the time allowed for DR..
lCraigs address was little more than
half an hour, and when he was about
to take the floor be became very rest
less for fear he would not be able to
begin promptly, and moving his seat
near the moderator, and holding his
open watch in his hand. Turning to
the writer he remarked, "Time is up."|
l told him his watch was too fast. But
he was still very nervous, and finally
catching the moderator's eye held up
his watch and called for his time. He
soon got the floor and ascending the
platform, commenced his address. He |
spoke with great earnestness on the
subject of the invalid ministers, their /
widows and orphans, relating with
trcmulous voice several very touching
incidents OF needy and infirm ministers
and reciting particularly the care of
one minister, aged and blind with two
fem.le members of his family calling
on his office for just 5000 for their sup
port, and begging his brethren to come
up to their help and not let the small
fund asked for fail of it's full amount.
As DR.. Craig proceeded he frequent
ly looked at his watch, spoke rapidly
and was restless and excited. Finally,
when he had been speaking about half
hour, he hesitated, leaned over, drop
ped his paper and saying in distinct
voice, audible nearly all over the house I
Brethren, must STOP" sank slowly
down. He was caught in the arms of
Moderator Hamilton, DR.. J. P. Smith !
and Judge Cassell, who sat near, and {
was laid gently upon the floor of the
pulpit. Instantly DIR. Charles Austin,
of Lewisburg. and Dr. Martin, of
Fredericksburg, physicians, who are {
members of the body, hurried to DR.. t
Craig, who without gasp or strug- 2
gle, ceased to breath in about two p
DIR. Austin said his death n
was quicker than if he had been shot, 4
md was painless, and was caused by v
heart failure which was probably v
on by the excitement of speak
ng with bis nervous apprehension of v
Missing bis train, though his heart t.
must have been weak. f,
Synod was greatly moved and agita- ST
ion and sympathy was on every face, ly
'ut being requested to keep their seats, fl
be members did SO until the physic- 9:
ans satisfied themselve that beyond Il
Oubt life was extinct. Then turning n
o the waiting and almost breathless a
ssembly, the moderator said, ''Breth n
en- it is death" A motion was then L
made that synod at once adjourn after G
Dr.. Graham should lead in prayer. DR.. v
iraham shook his head, he could not a.
Ommand his feelings. The moderator a
hen asked DR.. F. M. Woo, Of Balti a.
nore, to pray which he did with much h
ceiling, and the large assembly passed II
uietly out of the house. A lady CT
ainted under the excitement when fl
be doctors were again called upon, ci
ut she recovered. C
At the afternoon session, Rev. DR..
hopkins presented appropriate resolu-
ions, accompanied with brief sketch n
f the deceased, which were adopted d
y a rising vote, subsequently at 5 g
'clock the remains were brought into T
be church in a ahandsome casket and fs
here were brief services conducted by a.
he moderator, DR.. George White and H
)r. Hooper, after which the body was -
arrled to the station followed by the te
Whole synod upwards of 200 men, b,
where it was placed upon the Norfolk Of
'oat and in charge of DR.. Sibley of t1
Winchester, DR.. Martin and DR.. tt
Hooper, it started by the Seaboard line b;
n its last hOmeward journey for At v,
anita, bis son Newton having tele- e,
raphed from there to have his father g tt
emains sent home. T. G. M. si