Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-07-04
The Man Of the Times.

The Man Of the Times.
We take the snbjoined sketch Of
the lie Of Col. FaEMosr from "Ths
Men Of Me Time" book published
by Redfcld. New York. in 1859. when
the great explorer Of the West bad not
been thought Of as a Presidential cam
d;da,e. In the same work. Mr. Buc.
hanan's life is disposed Of in about
quarter Of the space that is devoted
to Col. Fremont. Nothing is said Of
the Sage Of Wheaslaud." except
that he was born on such q day, and
on such other days was elected TO GER
tain Offices. Not the slightest allusIon
Is made to anything he ever did or
said for the benefit Of the country -
This is a significant fact, and indicates
the relative value Of the two men,
We do no, know who edited the
American edition OF this book. but Il
is not probable that he had any preju-
dices which would make him deal un-
fairly with either Of these gentlemen.
Here is tbs sketch: a
"John Charles Fremont, the Path
finder OF the ROCKY Mountains. a
man who has opened 10 America the
gates Of her Pacific empire. was born
in South Carolina. January, i8i4.--
His father was an emigrant gentleman
from France. and his mother lady of
Virginia. lie received q good educa-
ton. though left an orphan at four
years Of age; and when at the age Of
seventeen he graduated at Challesion
College, he still contributed TO the
support Of bis mothnr and her child
rem From teaching mathematics he
| turned his attention to civil engineer
ing, In which he made so great prof.
cheney that he was recommended to
the government for employment in the
survey. lie was afterwards employed
Mt Washington In constructing maps
Of that region. Having received the
commission of n lieutenant Of engin-
GERS, he proposed TO the secretary Of
war. 10 penetrate the Rocky Noun
tains. Ills plan was approved. and.
\ in e4e. with handful Of men. he
reached and explored the South Pass.
lie not only Fixed the locality Of that
great pass through which myriais nov
press their way TO California. but he
defined the astronomy. geography.
botany, geology and meteorology Of
the country. and described the route
since followed. and the points from
which the dag Of the Union Is now ily.
ing from chain Of wilderness fort
resscs. Ills report was printed by the
Senate. translated into foreign langua-
ges, and Fremont was looked 10 ms
one OF the benefactors Of his country.
Impatient Of other and broader fields.
he planned new expedition TO the
distant e,rilor of Oregon. lie ap.
preached the Rocky Mountains by a
new line. scaled the SUBMITS south Of
he South Pass. detected TO the
Great Salt Lake. and pushed examina-
lions right aud left along the entire
course. lie connected his survey
with that Of Wilkes exploring expedI.
ton. and his orders were fulfilled
But he opened one route TO Columbia.
and he wished TO find another. There
was q vast region south OF this line IN
vested with fabulous interest, "a
which he longed to apply the test Of
exact science. IL was The beginning
Of winter. Without resources. ade-
qua,e supplies. and so much as a
guide, and with only twenty five CON-
panions, he turned his face and made
toward the Rocky Mountains. Then
began that wonderful expedition filled
with romance, daring. and suffering,
in which he was lost TO the world nine
months. trayersing $500 miles Ia
sight Of eternal SHOWS, In which he re-.
veaIed the grand features Of Alta Cal.
ifornia. i,s great basin. Sierra Nevada
the valleys Of San Joaquin and Sacra'
and ss,sh,;shsd ,,,s ,sos,anhv If m.
Western nor,;on Of he continent, I,
A,gns, lad hs vas a,,ain r. Wash
$3.50 "a ~ es,,a w.s ssaIsd n.
49, Us ',."n; a : ,h;r, ~nsd;,;or Nil
r;,;rs the history Of the SECOND. ane
bsforr ne nubI;ca,;on In 1gI5 wa,
sgain on blr wav to The Pacific. eollsc
,;o, his mountain comrades. N exam
80 - Js,s;l Nh. As;a,;o sIo,s Of IN,
continent which resulted 10 giving
a.v yoI,ms ~ ..;snsa n ,hs world
and CsI,fa,n;a 70 The limited Stats
: AGo, ,hs eocorsst NJ California /,