High Point Enterprise in High Point, North Carolina

Artist Hoffman's Song and Priest Aid at Crawford Tribute

World War veteran Robert Hoffman, a soda clerk from Broadway and 108th Street, wrote Good-bye, Old Pal of Mine in memory of his wife and child. Jesse Crawford, Paramount Theater organist, helped elevate the piece after Hoffman trusted a priest with his letter. The story traces Hoffman's tragedy from army service through loss to his renewed drive to compose and perform. Hoffman pledged his $10,000 government policy to Crawford, who urged him to continue his musical effort and return to work, while Columbia University would use proceeds to aid poor Texans.