The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-09-26
ARTISTS ARRIVE AFTER CLOSELY. ESCAPING DEATH
Reception This Evening for Crawford and His
 Associates

Death in an airplane accident came close to ending the careers of Robert Crawford, Flying Bar rone.n and Miss Ruby Mercer soprano. who arrived in Juneau this morning on the steamship Aleubian to fill concert engage ments in this city tomorrow night and tonight.
 In attempting an emergency re- fusling landing at Cantwell, be- tween Anchorage and Fairbanks, last Monday, a "crack-up" occur- red which completely wrecked MT. Crawford's plane. By great good fortune neither he nor Miss Mer- cer was even hurt. A rescue plane, pnoted by Noel Wien of the Wien Airwavs of Alaska, arrived on the scene. and returned safely to Fairbanks with the vocalists.
 Baked Near Goal
 Thus. when ouly 150 miles short Of his goal, having flown over A. coo miles, did MT Crawford have to abandon his hope of years ot flying into Fairbanks, his former home. though he did arrive by air.
 At the public reception to be held bosween 8 and 10 o'clock tonight in the Northern Light Prez5y5erlan church for MT. Crawford, Miss Mer- cer, Harrison Potter pianist, and Harvey Phillips, business manager of the tour, Mir Crawford will give a brief talk of his flight from New York to Seattle and of the acci- dent that wrecked the craft while he was flying it between Anchor oge and Fairbanks.
 Details Are Completed
 Arrangements have been com p,eted for the concerts tomorrow niglt and Wednesday night in the Presbyterian church. Each night a different program will be given.
 MT. Crawford has many ac' ouaintances in Juneau. He wa: born in Dawson during the golt rush. He was taken by his fam ily to Fairbanks when very young While there he first studied musi on a mail order fiddle under French exile named Vic Durano His first song My Northland, has gained wide popularity. Whe the officials of the Alaska Rail road. for which Bob Crawfor surveyed several years ago, urge him a few months ago to make flying concert tour of Alaska, Gov ernor George A. Parks sent word of encouragement and enthusiasm
 MT. Crawford studied severa years at the New England Con. servatory of Music, spent four years at Princeon University, being ac- tively connected with every musi- cal organization. A two years scholarship to France, and three years at Juilliard in New York rounded out his musical education.
 Attains High Position
 He is now conductor of the 83- piece Newark Symphony Orchestra, soloist at the Bach Festival, Beth lehem, Pa; at St. Thomas's Epis- copal Church, Fifth Ave. New York; soloist with the New York Oratoria Society; guest artist with the Jilliard Orchestra and Opera Company, and baritone soloist with the Chautauqua Opera Company and Symphony Orchestras. He is heard in radio breakfasts over the nationwide hookups many times throughout the year.
 Miss Mercer, young and charm ing, is graduate of Ohio State University. After year of sing ing in the Hawaiian Islands, she was awarded scholarship at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, during which she appeared in lead- ing roles with the Civic Grand Op- era Company. For the past twp years she has been studying at the Juilliard School under Mime. Sem brich, great lyric coloratura so- prano.
 Given Prominent Recognition
 This past winter Miss Mercer was honored by being given the leading role of the Princess in Dr John Erskine's new opera, Jack