Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-03-28
BLIND SONG
WRITER
HONORED


Crosby, the blind author of 5000
hymns, among them some of the best
known of the worlds sacred songs,
was 50 years old yesterday. She
passed the day quietly at her home in
this city, the greater part of the time
being spent in listening to her sister
read some of the hundreds of mes.
sages and letters of congratulation
that poured in from every part of the
country. One of the most welcome of
the congratulatory letters received by
Miss Crosby was from former Presi-
dent Grover Cleveland. When the
hymn writer was a teacher in the New
York Institute for the Blind many
years ago, Grover Cleveland was sec
retary to the president of that insti-
tuition, and he has written her let
ter, in which he says:
"It is more than 80 years ago that
Gus acquaintance and friendship be-
gan, and ever since that time l have
watched your continuous and disinter.
ested labor in uplifting humanity and
pointing out the way to and apprecia'
tion of Gods goodness and mercy.
AS one proud to call you old friend,
l desire to be early in joining your
other friends and admirers in congrat-
ulating you on your long life of use.
fulness, and wishing you in the years
yet to be added to you the peace and
comfort born of the love of God. Please
accept, besides, the inclosed contribu-
tion of a testimonial which is richly
due to you Mt the hands of those who
believe you have done much for the
souls in need of help"
The eyesight of Miss Crosby was de-
stroyed by the application of hot poul'
tices to her eyes when she was baby.
1t was while she was a young woman
in the '30s that she first became known
as song writer. She was spending a
vacation in Reading, Pa, when she be-
came acquainted with Prof. George +.
Root, who in after years became the
composer of so many songs. Prof. Root
became impressed with Miss Crosby's
talent, and they formed a combination
in which she wrote the verses for the
songs that he composed. During the
war Miss Crosby wrote number of
patriotic songs.
She has enjoyed the friendship of a
number of prominent men, including
Presidents Tyler and Van Buren, Henry
Clay, William II. Seward and General
Winfield Scott, and she has met many
of the most conspicuous figures in
American history since those days.
One of the most pathetic incidents
of her life is told in connection with
the friendship that existed between
herself and Henry Clay. The great
statesman had lost a son in the Mexi-
can battle at Monterey, and Miss
Crosby wrote n few appropriate stanzas
and sent them to the father. These
touched him deeply. A few months
later, while visiting New York, he
was received at the institution where
Miss Crosby was teaching. She had
been delegated to give him poetical
welcome, and after it was over Mr..
Clay drew the blind girls arm in his
and wept as he said: "This is not
the first poem for which l am indebted
to this lady. She sent me some beau
tiful lines on the death of my dear
SON.
"Mr. Clay soon recovered himself
by a splendid effort" said Miss Cros
by, when recalling this incident, "but
could not control my tears"
Miss Crosby also had the distinc'
tion of being the first woman whose
voice was ever publicly heard in the
senate chamber in Washington. This
was way back in the sos when she
read a poem there.
Some of Miss Crosby's hymns that
continue popular in addition to Safe
In the Arms of Jesus" "Reseue the
Perishing," and "Pass Me Not, OI
Gentle Savior" are "Jesus is Cal
linp.v "Blessed Assurance" "All the