The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-04-15
ITEMS FROM THE PILOT FILES
FIFTY YEARS AGO

Death of Jere Crowley.-He died
about 3 o'clock last Monday morning
Our readers already know of his lin
gering illness. For the last two years
he has been slowly passing away
drifting nearer and nearer towards
that haven of rest, prepared for him
and us. He retained the full powers
of his vigorous mind, until about tif
teen minutes before the end, then
passed quietly and peacefully away.
The rites of his own church were ad-
ministered to him, and in the full con-
fidence of life long faith, and with a
willingness and readiness to bid fare
well to earth, he farlessly entered the
dark valley and shadow of DEATH" be-
leving that over there, where he was
going, all would be well with him
that there he would be free from pain,
and find that rest which awaits all on
earth who have suffered and toiled.
And he will find it.
Mr.. Crowley was born in Cork, Ire
land, in 1899, and came to this country
with his parents in lS49, and immedi
ately commenced to learn the printers
art. He was then 20 years of age, and
such was his energy and ability, that in
three years he had so thoroughly mas
tered his profession that he was re-
garded as the best compositor in the
state Al this time U852) he started
his first newSpaper-the Neenah Adyo-
cate-but shortly after, in 1853, he re-
moved to Oshkosh and started the Osh-
kosh Courier. Both papers while Crow
ley was at the helm, took high rank as
local papers. On the l4th day of July,
1859, Mr. Crowley came to our coun-
ty and commenced the publication of
Tire Pilot. He came here when our city
and county were poor, and thinly pop
ulated. He met with active, strong OPP
position from political enemies, of
course, and in addition thereto the
Democracy of the county owed partial
allegiance to the Herald, a Democratic
paper already established. But in the
face of all these difficulties, and with
out money, but with determination
and ability unsurpassed in the history
of newspapers, he went to work, and
day by day saw The Pilot growing in
power, and strength, and support; and
in 1868 hq had annihilated his oppon-
ent-the Herald--and saw it among
the things of the past
He continued at the head of this pa
per until the spring of 1868, when poor
health compelled him to relinquish for
short time his editorial duties.
The readers of The Pilot will re-
member his short farewell to them, but
they can hardly realize the pain it gave
Jere to give up forever the pride, the
toll and labor for years. He saw it all
melting like snow before summer
sun-saw, but had no power to pre-
vent. He could not revoke the stern de
creeS of nature. But hope had not yet
abandoned him. And we promised him,
when we bought The Pilot, that he
should have it back at any time that
he thought himself in health sufficient
to attend to 1t.
From that time until his death he
continued slowly, but surely towards
the end. And yesterday all that re-
mained of him on earth was carefully
and respectfully carried to its last rest
ing place. And there let it rest in
peace. The cold earth will never open
to receive a warmer heart.
May his virtues and his labors be re-
membered gratefully by the people of
our city and county in whose behalf no
man has labored more zealously, than
has Jere Crowley.