2023 Spring Newsletter

At the time of his death, Charles Crawford was the high est ranking military officer that had come out of Miami County. He got to the rank of brigadier general during his tenure of military service. He was actually born in Co shocton, Ohio in 1866. Four years later he came to Miami County with his parents, Thomas and Margaret Crawford. Upon graduation from high school, he taught for some time and then he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. The appoint ment was made by General Frederick Funston who was a ranking general in the Army at that time. This occurred in 1888. In 1889, he graduated from West Point and was com missioned a second lieutenant in the 10th infantry. He worked his way up through the ranks and was promoted to colonel in June of 1917. And then was promoted to brigadier general in the National Army in 1918. His first assignment was in Oklahoma to assist the Unit ed States commissioner who was dealing with the Indian tribes in 1890. He formed the Apache Indian company of the 10th infantry in 1891. General Crawford fought in the battle of San Juan Hill, Cuba in 1898 and he was commended in an official report for his fearlessness un der fire. This happened during the Spanish American War. In 1903 thru 1907, he taught at the Infantry and Cavalry and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Some of his pupils were Dwight Eisenhower and Douglas Mac Arthur. BRIGADIER GENERAL CHARLES CRAWFORD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Greeters, answer phone, if bored can help in other ways or read or knit etc. Computer input of all kinds Clip, Paste and scan obituaries (we have approx. 44,000) G reeters, answer phone, if bored can help in other ways or read or knit etc. Computer input of all kinds Clip, Paste and scan obituary cards (we have approx. 44,000). Log in etc. all incoming museum items

by Vincent Thorpe

He served in the Philippine Islands from 1909 to 1911 and he was on the general staff from 1913 to 1916. After this he served in the Panama Canal Zone for a year and in World War I he commanded the 6th brigade, Third division, American Expedi tionary Force, in the battle of the Marne on July 15, 1918. In 1919, he married. E.M. Miller and retired at the age of 53 because of disabilities. He and his wife had no children Upon returning to Paola for retirement, General Crawford returned to the farm. He was a member of the Paola Presbyterian church and the Mason ic Lodge. He started writing and was the author of two books: “Six Months with the Sixth Brigade” and “Restating Economic Theory”. He was still in terested in military matters and was considered an authority on matters dealing with World War II. He died on Dec. 28, 1945, from an automobile-train accident. He is buried in the Paola cemetery.

Research and answer incoming e-mail requests People with strong backs to help move or reorga nize items Change our monthly displays Write articles for Quarterly Help with binding books — published in-house or otherwise There’s always dusting, running sweeper and gen eral house keeping Docents , “not that stuff that hunters put out to attract buck deer” but a person who leads guided tours especially through a museum or art gallery

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