William Jackson Craig

Indianapolis, April 25.- William Jackson Craig bas had an experience long before he bas touched his fiftieth year that presenta the variety of life to be found in teaching, in the Iaw, the army, flnance and politics. But withal he is better known in the last pursuit, Bince within the past few months he has imparted to The Indianapolis Sentinel a partisan aggressiveness that materially aided the Democracy of. Indiana in the recent paigns. Mr. Craig was bom in Lexington, Riehland county, ü. , July 16, 1844. He was a beardless boy when he taught the villago school ; nor was he much older when he enlisted in the Union army, his enlistment oocurring in the first imonths of the war. His army service began with the Third West Vir ginia cavalry, he having como to that state at tho timo with no particular purpose escept that of adventure. After a while he served with Gen. Fremont's bodyguard when that comruander was in Virginia, but returned to Uis regiment to take part in the second Eull Run. IIo was with Pope on that memorable retreat. Young Craig had a sliare of the glories ia the Antietam and (Jettysburg campaigns. The army of the Potomae always found him with it ia active service until Nov. 24, 18G3, when he was taken prisoner near Culpepper Court House. His prisoa life continued througli. seventeen months, during which he passed from Libby to Andersouville, thenca to MUlin, and in another transfer to Blacksheare and finally to Thomasville. With the general excbange of prisoners he was taken to the ill fated Sultana, but prison life had wrought suoh a severe change in him that the surgeon ordered him from the boat to the Vicksburg hospital. A few days later the steamboat was burned, and with her were moro than 1,300 Union soldiers returning from the outhern prisons. When he recovered bis health Mr. Craig began the Btudy of law with Geddes, Burns & Dickey, at Mansfield, O. A speculation in black walnut lumber led hira to Indiana in 1869, and the next year he began hú newspaper experience, by purchasing Tha Bluffton Banner. 8ix years later he bought The Huntington Democrat, and later was elected clerk of the Twenty-sixth judicial circuit, an office held by him during two terms. All thia time hewas an active politician, retaining year after year a prominent place in the councils of his party. But he found time to conduct largely railroad building, his record in this respect showing 500 miles of iron way in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, constructed under his supervisión. For nearly two years longer he continued his railroad service as receiver of the Toledo and Cincinnati cornpany, which had 783 miles of way. His business ability iu this short time restored the property to a valué that coramanded a good sale. When he took the plant of The Indianapolis Sentinel tast Juno the paper had. an nncertain patronage, but under hia management it has widely increased its business and become a profitable. investment. Mr. Craig is now a member of the Democratio state executive committee, where his advice is always sought in tho conduct of campaigns and the shaping of partr policy.