Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-03
New York World.

New York World.
The most positive statements are made to
the effect that Gen. John G. Fremont, who,
with his wife and son Frank, has been for
months in straitened circumstances, has
been in actual personal suffering, through
destitution and lack of food. This is prob
ably in exaggeration, although since the sale
of Gen. Freulont's library, some months ago
by the sheriff, it is true that he has been
without income, and has sought employment
in vain. He has been III Washington fire.
quently, and q dispatch from, that city re-
ceived tonight says that Speaker Randall
| saw him to-day, though it was impossible to
find his quarters. For the past two years
Gen. Fremont has lived at No. 924 Madison
avenue. One Of his nearest neighbors, Gen.
James Grant Wilson, distinguished cavalry
officer during the war, told q reporter: what
rs knew of Gen. Fremont's late life.
s.Ten Or twelve years ago." said this int:
| mate friend, "GeE. Fremont was supposed
| to be millionaire. His family then lived at
| the fine villa formerly owned By Gen. Webb,
on the Hudson, between Iarrytown and Sing
Sing. They had also fine city residence
on Ninth street. At the country villa the
family received the first society, not Of New
| York only, but Of the nation, as the generals
| notoriety Of having been the most success
full candidate for the Presidency in 1856
made him conspicuous character in social
life, if not politics. Besides Mrs. Fremont,
as is well-known, is highly accomplished
| lady, and was always most charming in the
social circle. For the last five or six years
Gen. Fremont's resources have rapidly de-
clined, and two years ago he was obliged to
give up both his city residence and his villa
on the Hudson. With what remained of the
furniture in the country residence a house
On Madison avenue, near Seventy fourth
street, was fitted up, and there the family re-
sided until about two months ago. It was
in the latter part of December, or the early
part Of January, that the sheriff entered the
house and hung out the red flag, the sign
that the household goods were to be sold out
at auction. Well as Gen. Fremont's friends
and neighbors knew That he was in strait
ened circumstances, we never dreamed that
lie was SO utterly wrecked. A natural pride
caused the members Of the family to keep
their troubles to themselves, and when
actually out Of house and home, Mrs. FIRE.
mont Miss Fremont, and Frank accepted in
vitations from friends to go and visit them,
and remain as long as they chose. Gen
Fremont suddenly disappeared from the city
Some thought it was on account of his lack
Of courage to face old friends after the
humiliation of being sold out under the
sheriffs hammer, while others said he had
been obliged to leave to escape warrant fol
his arrest. when, if it had been served, would
have resulted in his being taken into the
sheriffs custody. At the sale which took
place all the furniture, all the pictures, books
and even the family portraits were sold
with the bare exception Of {. large oil portrait
Of Mrs. Fremont and a marble bust of he1
} father, Col. Benton. These were saved
through the kindness of some friends, who
bid them in, thus preventing their being solo
to strangers for almost nothing. heard about
three weeks ago that a gentleman had called
on Mr.. Thurlow Weed and asked for assist
anoe in rescuing Gen. Fremont, who was il
New Jersey very destitute. It was said thai
, he had been without food for two or three
days. understand that some gentlemen
put together and got him some kind of al
appointment which would enable him to carr
living at least His family consists of hi
, son Is in the navy, and the other, Frank
being sickly, has never entered any kind O
business -
elias Gen. Fremont" asked the writer
sheen doing anything from which he coult
, derive an income during the past two
years?''
'He has been engaged with some kind o.
a nickel-plating firm, but what firm it is o.
to what extent he was interested, do moi
know"
Mrr. John D. Townsend, whose family has
been on very intimate terms with the Ere
monts for several years, said the starvation
story was untrue, and Gen. and Mrs. Ere
mont, she added, had spent the winter al
Staten Island. Gen. Fremont is now in
Washington doing she did not know what.
Mrs. Fremont had spent Sunday with her
and was going on to join her husband al
Washington. While they were very much
reduced in circumstances, the Fremonts, she
said, we're not in actual want.
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