The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-05-31
DEATH CLAIMS GOV. CROTHERS
Former State Executive Passed Away AT
Elkton Last Saturday.
LAID TO REST AT WEST NOTTINGHAM

Former Governor Austin Lane Crothers
died at 1910 a. m. Saturday. in Elkton.
at the home of his nephew, State Senator
Omar D. Crothers, after an illness which
developed during the closing days Of his
administration. Bright's disease compli-
Gated with other ailments, hastened bis
death.
While robust in appearance, Governor
Crothers was never a strong or healthy
man. He never fully recovered from an
attack of typhoid fever. which sent him
to his bed 10 August, at the beginning OF
his gubernatorial campaign in 1907.
/ He did not leave his sick bed until after
his election in November of the same
year. While Governor he was prudent
and carefully safeguarded his health.
He never touched stimulants and
avoided social functions and dinners.
His only dissipation was dry smoke.
During the four years when he was Gov
ernor he had frequent attacks of illness
which compelled him to remain indoors.
His last public appearance was at An-
napolis during the closing days Of the
| Legislature. That he was then sick man
was apparent to his friends. He had not
visited his law Office in Elkton for several
weeks. except two or three times before
his death.
| His last appearance at any gathering
was at the wedding Of his cousin, Miss
Lynn M. Shaffer, to Mr.. Cecil E. Ewing
in Rising Sum-, last February. During
his term of office as Governor Miss Shaffer
had been State Librarian and oficiated as
mistress of the Executive Mansion at An
napolis for her bachelor cousin. the
closest bonds of relationship and compan-
ionship existing between them.
Funeral services were conducted Tues
day morning at the home of Omar D.
Crothers. Elkton. Rev. E. P. Roberts. of
Elkton Methodist Episcopal Church; Rev
John McElmoyle, pastor of the Elkton
Presbyterian Church. and Rev. L. E..
Barrett, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, of Chestertown, a warm personal
friend of Mr.. Crothers, officiating.
The body was conveyed by special
train to Co1ora, arriving at a:so p. m. In
terment was made in West Nottingham
Presbyterian cemetery.
The active pail bearers were: John M.
Tucker, William S. Evans, Manly Dren-
men, w. D. Bratton, DR.. w. D. Cawley
James F. Powers, Frederick T. Haines
and Frank R. Scott.
The honorary pail bearers were Gov.
Goldsborough, former Governors Warfeld
and Lloyd. Senator Smith, Congress
men Talbot, Covington and Linthicum,
Mayor Preston, former Mayor Mahool,
Comptroller Harrington, former Com
ptrollers Stanley and Herring, State Treas
urer Vandiver. Senator Blai. Lee, A. p.
German. w. w. Abel, Thos. A. Smith.
Fl. D. Baker, S. A. Williams, VIM. L.
Marbury, Roger Gull. ]. w. Miles, Geo.
Wells, Buchanan schley, Henry M,
Warfeld and N. Winslow Williams.
At West Nottingham church Rev. L. E.
Barrett conducted the services. After
scriptural reading Mrs. w. T. Jenness
sang the hymn. Holy City. Rev. Mr..
Barrett then delivered an able and
eloquent eulogy on the late governor and
was followed by Rev. DR.. De Witt M.
Benham, of Baltimore. After DR.. Ben
hams touching address Rev. John McEl-
moyle delivered an address and prayer.
The many sorrowing friends were then
given an opportunity to take their last
look on the face of the late Governor as
he lay in peaceful repose in the handsome
casket, over and around which were
banked the many beautiful floral tributes
from loving friends and official associates.
The body was then conveyed to the
cemetery and was lowered in the grave
adjoining that occupied by his brother,
the late Senator Charles c. Crotbers.
Nearby in the same cemetery also rest
the remains of his parents, Alpheus and
Margaret Porter Crothers and his grand
parents, John Hart and Mary Ann Toy
Porter.
The large outpouriug of friends from
all over the state and from every station
in life in his home county, both at Elkton
at West Nottingham was glowing
tribute of esteem and affection to their de-
parted friend and counsellor. Every
available team and automobile was used
to convey the hundreds of sorrowing
friends from colora to the church and
cemetery, many of the teams making
several trips each way.
Austin Lane Crothers by dint of appli- |
canton and hard work rose by successive
steps from farmer boy, school teacher,
clerk in country store, law student. mem
ber of Bar. States Attorney. State Senator,
Judge of Circuit Court. to that of Chief
Executive of his State. He was a