East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-03-24

Bridgeport, Conn, March ca
Fanny Crosby, the blind author of s.
OOO hymns among them some of the
best known of the worlds sacred
songs, was S5 years old today. one
of the most welcome of the congrau-
latorv letters received by Miss Cros-
by was from former president, Grover
Cleveland. When the hymn writer
was teacher in the New York In
stltute for the Blind many years ago
Grover Cleveland was secretary to
tha president of that institution, and
he has written her a letter in which
he says;
TT is more than 80 years ago that
our acquaintance and friendship be-
gan, and ever since that time have
watched your continuous and disin-
terested labor in uplifting humanity
and pointing out the way to and APP
probation of Gods goodness and
mercy.
"As one proud to call you an old
friend, 1 desire to be early in joining
your other friends and admirers in
congratulating You on your long life
of usefulness, and wishing you i'm the
years yet to be added to you the
peace and comfort born of the love
of God. Please accept besides, the
inclosed contribution of a testimonial
which is richly due to you at the
hands of those who believe you have
IN, of
help
The eyesight of Miss Crosby was
destroyed by the application of hot
pouHices to her eyes when she was a
baby 1t was while she was a young
woman in the thirties that she first
became known as a song writer. She
was spending a vacation i'm Reading,
Pa, when she became acquainted
with Professor George F. Root, who
in after years became the composer
of so many songs. Professor Root
became impressed with Miss Cros-
by's talent, and they formed a combi-
nation in which she wrote the verses
for the songs that he composed. Dur
ing the war Miss Crosby wrote a
number of patriotic songs.
She has joined the friendship of q
number of prominent men. including
Presidents Tyler and Van Buren,
Henry Clay. William H. Seward anC
General Winfield Scott, and she ha
met many of the most conspicuou
figures in American history sine,
those days.
One of the most pathetic incident
of her life is told in connection witt
the friendship that existed betweel
herself and Henry Clay. The grea
statesman had lost son in the Mex
lean battle of Monterey, and Mis-
Crosby wrote a few appropriate stan
zas and sent them to the father
These touched him deeply. A fey
months later while visiting Ney
York, he was received at the insti
tuition where Miss Crosby was teach
ing. She had been delegated to Civ
him a poetical welcome, and after
was over Mr.. Clay drew the blin
girls arm in his and wept as he said
This is not the first poem for whic
am indebted to this lady. She sen
me some beautiful lines on the deaf
of my dear SON"
Mr.. Clay soon recovered himsel
by, when recalling this incident "bu
could not control my tears"
Miss Crosby also had the distinctio
of being the first woman who's
voice was ever publicly heard in tn
Z senate chamber in Washington. Thi
wa. way back in the fifties, when sh
read a poem there.
Some of Miss Crosbys hymns tina
continue popular in addition to "Saf
o.. in the Arms of Jesus" RESCUE tn
Perishing," and "Pass Me Not, o Ger
tie Saviour" are Jesus is. Calling,
blessed Assurance" "All the Wa
MY Saviour Leads Me-" Saved b
r. Grace" "There's a Cry From Mace
donia.' Jesus the Water of Lii
VIII Give,"' "Keep Me Near tn
Cross" LET the Good Angels Com
In," Strike the Harp of Zion
blessed Homeland" "'Twin Not z
Long. Our Journey Here" "Some Da
the Silver Cord Will Break" 9TH
Word is a Lamp to My Feet" "Neve
Say Good-by" Holy. Holy is tn
Land" Savior. More Than Life t
Me-"
complete list of Miss Crosby
hymns and songs is Impossible
compilation. Altogether they are sal
to number more than 5000. She is
rapid and indefatigable worker. Som
of her best known and most popula
hymns it is said, were composed
less than IL minutes
Miss Crosby is stone blind. FC
some years she has, with her siste
Mrs G. ". Ryder. been living vt
an old friend, Mrs. William Becke
in this city. Here, in roomy apart
ments. the aged hymn writer sits
a rocking chair far into the nigh
composing hymns and memorizin
them. so that she can dictate to he
sister next morning..
Half the Tax Paid.
The sheriff's office has been keI