The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-03-24
AUTHOR OF EIGHT THOUSAND
RELIGIOUS SONGS is NOW
ElGHTY-TWO.
Hundreds of CongratuIatory Letters
and kilograms Were Received
cleveland Remembers Her.

Fanny Crosby, the blind author of 5000
| hymns, among them some of the best
known of the worlds sacred songs, was
eighty-five years old today. 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 messages
and letters of congratulation that
poured in from every part of the coun-
! try. 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
rotary to the president of that insti-
tuition, and he has written ner a letter
in which he says:
1T is more than fifty years ago that
our acquaintance and friendship be-
gan, and ever since that time 1 have
watched your continuous and disin-
terested labor in uplifting humanity
and pointing out the way to and ap-
probation of Gods goodness and
mercy.
CAS- one proud to call you an old
friend, I desire to be early in joining
ofb wi dc in,
congratulating you on your long life
of usefulness, 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
contribution of a testimonial which is
richly due to you at the hands of those
who believe you have done much for
the souls in need of help"
The eyesight of Miss Crosby was
poultices to ner eyes when she was
baby. 1t was while she was a young
woman in the sos that she first be-
came known as song writer. She
| was spending a vacation in Reading,
| Pa, when she became acquainted with
Professor George F. Root, who in af-
ter years became the composer of so
many songs. Professor Root became
/ impressed with Miss Crosby's talent,
+! and they formed a combination in
! which she wrote the verses for the
songs that ne composed. During the
war Miss Crosby wrote a number of
patriotic songs.
She has enjoyed the friendship of a
number of prominent men, including
Presidents Tyler and Van Buren,, Henry
| 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 her
self and Henry Clay. The great states
man had lost son in the Mexican bat
tie of Monterey and Miss Crosby wrote
a few appropriate stanzas and sent
them to the father. These touched him
deeply. A few months later while he
was visiting in New York, he was re-
ceived at the institution where Miss
Crasby was teaching. She had been
delegated to give him a poetical well
come, and after it was over Mr. Clay
drew the blind girls arm in his and
poem for which I am indebted to this
lady. She sent me some beautiful
lines on the death of my dear son."
Mr.. Clay soon recovered himself by
a splendid effort said Miss Crosby,
when recalling this incident, "but
could not control my tears"
Miss Crosby also had the distinction
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 Rescue the
Perishing'' and Pass Me Not. o Gentle
SAVIOR are Jesus is Calling"
Blessed Assurance" "All the Way My
Savior Leads Me- Saved by Grace"
| There's a Cry from Macedonia"
Jesus the Water of Life Will Give"
Keep Me Near the Cross" Let the
Good Angels Come H." Strike the
Harp of Zion,' Blessed Homeland"
Twill Not be Long, Our Journey
Here" Some Day the Silver Chord
Will Break" Thy Word Is a Leap to
My Feet Never Say Good-By,"
Holy. Holy Is the Land" Savior.
More Than Life to Me-
A complete list of Miss Crasby's
hymns and songs is impossible of COM
pilation. Altogether, they are said to
number more than 5000. She is a
rapid and indefatigable worker. Some
of her best known and most popular