Page 105 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

REPORT ON TIIE PICTURE GALLERY. 101
across the mountains, are well described in WASIIINGTON
IRVING'S Astoria. His life among savage Indians was fre-
quently in great jeopardy. BLACIE HAWK, when visiting New
York, and while dining with Mr. CROOIES and a party of friends,
declared that he was the best friend the Indians had ever had.
He was said to be the first white man who passed over a route
and discovered a pass in the Rocky Mountains, which Colonel
mas
FREMONT led to suppose that he had discovered.
EIe was, however, too modest to claim his right to the discov-
ery, in a public manner, through the press of the country, and
it was through his many friends that the fact became well
established and known. Mr. ASTOR formed a high opinion of
MR. CROOKS, who was always a welcome guest at his house,
and at the time of his death acted as one of the pall bearers for
hiel old and much respected employer, who it was supposed
had liberally provided for him in his will; but unexpectedly the
amount was comparatively small. But, while the public found
fault with it, Mr. CROOKS himself never complained. He was
named in the will as one of the trustees of the Astor Library,
on a salary allowed to each trustee, whichposition he held until
the day of his death. He was also, we believe, elected a mem-
ber of the Geographical and Statistical Society, and also a
member of the New York Historical Society, and of the State
Historical Society of Wisconsin. He was likewise a director
in one or more insurance companies and in other institutions.
He had an interview with Dr. RAE, the discoverer of the
relics of Sir JOIIN FRANKLIN'S party, in which he was able to
correct some of the Doctor's opinions regarding the peculiarities
of climate, kc., of high latitudes, together with the natural
traits and instincts of animals inhabiting the colder regions of
country.
He seemed to die of no peculiar disease. He quietly passed
from the world as one retired to sleep. The "sword had worn
out the scabbard." The frame had become too much dilapidated
by an active life to be longer a fit habitation for the occupation
of a noble spirit, and it departed to the God who gave it. His