Page 104 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

100 WISCONSIN IIISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

wish, but sad reverses and losses compelled the President in the
montl~ of September, 1842, to make an assignment for the ben-
efit of the creditors of the company, who, through his exertions,
were all paid, although the capital stock, tlzree hundred thousand
dollars, (of which lie owned two-thirds,) mas swallowed up to
liquidate the debts of the concern.
In 1845, Mr. CROOKS opened a coliimission house for the sale
of fws and skins in New York City. His well known integrit~,
irreproachable character, and great business qualifications, EOOD
secured for him ample employment until the day of his death,
He was a rare exception to the great mass of our mercantile
citizens, being exceedingly plain and modest, yet polite and
agreeable. He seemed, like all conscientious and rcflective men,
to be too humble for his position; tlie fear of intruding with his
experience or opinions, upon any circle of friends, was a marked
featuro in the distinguished life of RANSAY CROOKS; yet the
remarkable gentleness of the venerable merchant, was a beautiful
token of tlie carefulness of his education, and the faith ho had
in the rich rcwards of Time.
As long as he was able, he delighted each summer to make ark
excursion to Lake Superior, and once more breathe its pure air
and drink its pure waters, and talk over old times with a few old
voyagezcrs, trappers and traders with whom he chanced to meet,
and to hear some old Indian chief, whom he knew in former times,
talk of former days; and every where his presence would be
hailed with the most cordial welcome. 1Ic had a kind word for
all. He sympathized with them in sorrow, and rejoiced with
them in success, and manifested a feeling of sympathy and
encouragement for every one.
Few Indian chiefs from the North-West ever came to Nex
York who did not hunt him out. Ile could speak the Chippewa,
and we believe several other Indian dialects. In conversa~tion
he was remarkably intelligent and communicative, and deligkttec?,
in a social way, to relate his adventures in his rambles through
the vast wilds he had traversed. Ilis remarkable travels and
suEerings in some of his trips between the lakes and the Pacific,