New-York tribune., 1909-11-21

PETER McCRARY.
aged 40
native of Ireland
F.F.M.T T.CT.
Born ian. 10 1885
Died Feb. - 1851
\ native of Ireland, But whence in that big isle
had come the brothers McCrary; Then began the
search anew for Peters friends but 20 no purpose
And every day the land OF Ireland appeared TO grow
longer and broader, while the family name McCrary
seemed TO have suddenly become extinct.
initials, F. F. NJ. T. c. T.. had been overlooked.
The letters appeared on the stone directly below
the words, "a native of Ireland"
There came TO the mind of Fox a new plan and
a new purpose. He crossed the East River for
the fourth time and again sought the headstone that
marked the grave of Peter MCCrary. He fell on his
knees at the base of the stone folded back the high
blades OF grass and the upcreeping moss and far down
in corner discovered what he sought. the name OF
the man who had made the lettering and erected
the headStOne.
He found the marble cutter in a little shop near
the gate of the cemetery. His name was Noebus
He was a squat little man, with little head and
was a very busy, nervous person. who hovered
over his work like hive of bees. Moebus refreshed
his memory with the assistance of a battered old
ledger and finally recalled that he remembered
MCCrary. and that il was IOhn who had ordered the
headstOne. After a little persuasion MOebus accom-
panied him 10 the McCrary grave
With his head bobbing first 70 one side and then
70 the other, MOebuS made a profound study he
mysterious initial letters. F. F. " T. e. T.
When l cut that stone. my young friend he
remarked. " may perhaps have inquired what those
letters stood for; but if did and if was told 10 the
time have forgotten it. l admit those letter, seem
queer to YOU, but not 10 me. my young friend
There are lots of queer people who want queer
things put on queer tombstOnes
Now. if YOU look at it in a sensible way con
tlnued MOebuS, You'll find We'll get SOrnev here be
fore we get through. You viii notice that the let
tiers F. F. VI. I. c. T. do not appear under Nc
Crary name; consequently should say they 90 not
refer 70 hiS family And they don't come neN- 70 his
age or his birth or his death; therefore the words
don't refer TO him.
You will observe" he proceeded that those
letters appear under the line a native of Iceland
and consequently that gibberiSh must refer ,r
way 10 Ireland. This is only guess and '-s all
the help can give YOU.
EON shook the little mans hand At the gate and
ran Tor car that would take HIM 10 the terry
lie mentally declared that MOebuS was a marvel
The search for the next of Kin of John VI ,Crary
from that moment went far ateld even into Ireland
where perhaps might be found church. a SOc,etv, a
company OF singers. hundred things. TO which the
letters r +. VI. I. c. I. might apply
The elder lawyer, struck with the whimSiv.. taS
C1ratlOn OF the search out messengers for E,e
books, maps. and railway timetables for copies Of
The Irish World and The Dublin Freeman and
every available printed thing Ireland that ,ould
be secured within half mile of Wall Street
The arduouS work of that period arrar
emily labor lost and Fox went home diSgulutled
and tired. He went 20 bed as the clock StrucN one
but he couldn't sleep.
He got out OF bed lighted a cigar. turned Oh the
electric light prOpped up the pillows, and .ooNed
about tor something read. His hand OrsN
picked up a pOstotice guide and absent Uudcjlv he
began turning the leaves. rs he read the word Ire
land, he developed a sudden interest Here were
names thousands of names Irish names names Ih@I
might possibly give him some mixing some clue th4I
would lead 10 the deCiphering Of the strange initials
on Peter McCrarvS headStone
~ he slowly began 20 read and study Tong cor