The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-09-14

ford. He and my father, Rev. Jesse
M. Davis, we're the best of friends,
md looking back through the years
ID fraught with memories--back to
the years OF my boyhood.--I can see
these two good and grand men in
friendly association. l know there
were mover two better or nobler char
acters in this world. and although
they lived in different states and their
pathways led them apart in careers
and ia destinies. have never been
able to think of DR.. Crawford with
out also thinking of my father. No
man was ever more loved and hon.
ed than was DR.. John L. Crawford by
the people In Florida. He was sena-
tor from Waukulla county when |
first came to the state to live, and had
often. even before that time, lepre
scented his county either in the senate
or house of representatives in 1881
he was appointed by Gov. VIM. d.
Bloxham, his life long and devoted
friend, to be secretary of state, and
he held that position continuously.
uninterruptedly and efficiently, to the
day OF ais death. He came from a
distinguished southern family. and
amongst those bearing his name and
whose blood cou-sed in his veins.
were Joel Crawford, several times a
member OF congress from Georgia,
shortly after the formation of our gov.
eminent; VIM. III. Crawford, who was
In the public eye along with Webster.
Calhoun and Clay. who was United
Senator from Georgia. secretary of
war. minister to France and candi-
date for president of the United
States: Peter Crawford and Martin
]. Crawford. who were members of
congress.
John L. Crawford came to Flori6a
the year the territory became a
state-1s45. His first location was
nj Newport. Waukulla county, where
ne practiced medicine for time and
then moved to the spot where Craw-
louisville now stands, the village be-
|ins named in his honor. Here he re-
sided for many years. practicing his
Profession and engaging in agricul-
ture ut the same time. representing
his county in the state senate al
most continuously until Governor
Bloxham appointed him secretary of
state. In many respects he was the
1Foblest Roman of them all" With a
heart as tender as a woman's, he
had the courage of lion. He strad-
died his fence on no question. but was
frank and ingenius, while his honesty
and straightforwardness gained for
him universal confidence and esteem.
During reconstruction days, when
the carpetbag and irresponsible ele-
ment dominated the legislatures, DR..
Crawford was always there. with
such associates as John A. Henderson
Henry L. Mitchell. J. l.. F. Cottrell.
George p. Raney. John T. Lesley. VIM.
Miller. the McKinnons. the McCas,
Caskills and a few other determined
men. fought back the tide of cor
ruption. ignorance and peculation
When he believed himself right, he
which threateded to engulf the state.
adhered to his opinion and persisted
In his purpose with a determination
that was almost dogmatic. An Illus
tration /, of this occurred in 1891
while he was secretary of state. The
legislature was trying to elect
United States senator. Daily ballots
and nightly caucuses, characterized by
excitement and bitterness, continued
almost to the end of the session with
out result. wilkerson Call was a
candidate for reelection to his third
term. Strong effort was made TO de-
feat him. He was the choice OF a
majority of the democratic members
and could have been elected in open
session at any time If he had been
his party's caucuses nominee. The
democratic 'two-third rule" however
stood in his way. and. until a caucus
nomination could be had the members
scattered their votes in open joint
sessions of the legislature to prevent
an election. The day for adjournment
was drawing near when the Cali fol
lowers decided to abandon the caucus
and take the matter in regular SEES
sion. Then the opposition determin-
ed upon coup d'etat, and fifteen or
more members of the senate, enough
to break quorum of that body. alb
sented themselves. and, leaving the
city of Tallahassee. took to the woods.
Were the seargent-at-arms could not
ind them-thus gaining for them
selves the sobriquet Of ''babes in the
woods" The theory was that although
the remaining senators might meet
with the members Of the house. and,