The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-03
GEN. JAMES SHIELDS DEAD.
the STORY or A CHALLENGE NE SENT
10 ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Meeting with Rrondswords in Brushwoed
Copse, but Followed by Friends, aud both
swords Shcnthed-Gen, Shields In Mexico.

Meeting With HrondeWorda IN "a BruahWo0d
Copse, but Followed by Friends, aud Both
swords shcnthed-Gen. Shields In Mexico.
Con James Shields, who served ms Senator
OF tho United States from the States OF Illinois.
Minnesota and Missouri. aud as an officer in the
Florida war. tho Mexican war, and the late war
OF the rebellion. died suddenly in Ouumwa.
Iowa. at TO-. o'clock on Sunday evening Ho
delivered a lecture in Ottumwa on Wednesday
last characterized by his customary yiyacIty
and fervor, which were remarkable for man Of
20 and remained to visit friends and relatives,
lie ate o hearty supper Mt O'Clock on sunday
and wrote several letters during the evening
Just before the hour for retiring ho complained
OF pain in his chest. and soon thereafter said
he was diving. He expired thirty minutes later
while sitting In his chair. retaining his con-
seriousness to tho last Tho story Of bis Official
life as n soldier and politician have boon too
often told to noed repetition.
A prominent lawyer. at whose house Gen.
Shields often stayed when in New York. said
last evening"; II first became acquainted with
Con. Shields In 1s49. Just after his election to
tho Senate from Illinois. Ho was very
popular. and had worked his way up by
sheer iorco Of personal attraction. He was
exceedingly we'll informed In English literature
and the classics As speaker he was humor-
Gus. vivid in description roplcte with anecdotc.
familiar with the history OF tho United States,
especially its political events. His lectures were
mostly on Irish topics and to Irish audiences.
The last time no spoke in Now York was at tho
St. Patrcks Society dinner year ago.
Gen. Shields once had difficulty with Abra-
ham Lincoln which resulted in preparations
for duel. Shortly after his return from tho
Mexican war, n newspaper ia Illinois. where
no lived. published an article that displcased
him very much. He called upon the editor.
aud said i was offensive. and insisted upon
knowing the name 81 the author. The editor
asked time 70 consider, and meanwhile con
suited w IAneoll; Informing him that ne
III settle that" said Lincoln. Tell Shields
am personally responsible Tor IT,"
THIS was enough for Shields. and he imme-
| diatrly challenged Lincoln To- mortal combat.
| Brondswords were chosen IA thu weapons most
likely TO placo Thorn on an equal footing. The
crecy. and In order 10 have the amuse.
| ment to themselves hrushwood copse
Ind ,oii0wrd npobseryyed "nd came nm in tine
To catch the bolligerenis In tho act OF clearing
space for the fight by hewing down tho brush;
| tho thing was soon made apparent and the AZ
| fair ended In good humor.
o., There ,yns great deal that was good IN
| Shields. He was downright. He sympath z0d
with Irish liberty, though he came to this coun-
! try when years II age. He was not drawn
England. because he looked upon them with
the vision 81 n practical soldier. He al
/
| ity 81 success than WIS ever made appar.nt 10
| HIM He was approached uusuccessiully for
the purpose OF EettlnE MS aid IN several move
| ments, the result OF which proved the excel
! lenco Of his judgment Yet his military rduca-
| ton. aside from that he got H. tho wars. was
| sef-edncation. He never attended any military
lie was fond Of telling how he got the nine
| battles OF Cerro Gordo and Cheputepec. Tho
! doctors, In order to clean the wounds. passed a
hqpdkerchief CLEAR through his body,
/ Ia aaI la tall at ~ hon -
| he led during tho Mexican war In order 10 re-
lieye some English ladies, who We're suffering
| priyation and indignities In tho City OF Mexico.
| WIN small company ot Kindred spirits ne
penetrated TO the heart " the city and released
the snnerors. VINO were quartered IN tho Amieri.
wero restored to their homes. Con. Scott repri-
manded him for this. but in such slight way
that Il did not prevent his promotion.
Early in the late war Gen. shel1s's friends
| sought 10 raise an Irish brigade for him. Chief
Justice DAILY and others wore foremost in bring
ing him out aud organizing the brigade He
| arrived late from California with the under
sianaing Ln1s ne was 90 oe slyen ne e9mmend;
| noting as General, aud. although he gave Con.
Shields grand dinner and reception, showed
| WAS much disappointed. Rud By no means ap-
| peased with the command Of a brigade under
| however, the credit u winning about the"ny
| battle credited to Banks-the battle ~ Win
chester: ne had : pet project q cap,urine
| Just as his plans were about maturing he was
ordered by Con. Mcdowell to retreat
| Gen. Shields was i've feet eight inches I'm
height Of compact build, and In his youth had
dark hair. His eyes were dark and piercing
gers syo was very ~ aen GSs to women
apd fond Of paying them compliments.
He made made lon Long yisiis to friends in
lie was once, dining, at the house y proml-
ncnt citizen Of New fork whose wife. a mem
Gen. Sheds's rsticence about his domes,
tic relations. She took occasion 10 speak
9q olSS s6b on one sn ocss9bs S5 proG9oSEn H.,
wife" Some OF his military associates
present were quite SURPRISED to learn that he
was married. but the good matron carried her
point, and in this semipublic way took tho
! friends not To lose their hearts Gen Shields
leaves wife and family at Carrollton, Mo. Ono
II regard Cen shieds's career as a singular
| instance OF the facility with which man Of
original power can bravo the difficulties Of for
tune and rise above them. Coming here as an
a schoomaster, finding n field for his talents
such Ne the free institutions OF this country
have opened 10 80 many.
apd yet did not seem 70 take care Of himself,
He would cat and drink almost anything. and
work rs long rs there was work To do. A. Il
conversationalst he wns n marvel Ho
seemed to remainder everything ho ever
re9cdi; ne was vas fond OF Burns and was born
the air OF Scotland waited over 10 him, He had
| no petty national feeling that would prevent
was a great friend OF John Mitchell. us both
| came from the same part OF Ireland. They were
| Of the same cenr steel sort OF nature He was
also intimate with Richard O'Gorman and oitSn
stopped nj his house and at Judge Daly's His
speeches were all extern p0raneous. and his ra-
sources OF exact knowledge never failed him.
He was quite soldierly In bearing. and very
great fIvorte with all who knew him
intimately. strong though unsuccessful
for him pension and 10 have him appointed
| 10 tho sinecure of1ice Of DOorkeeper OF the
House. Ho had not very extensive means and
has boon glad TO lecture during tho past two