Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-06-12
GEN. JAS. SHIELDS DEAD.

Gen. James Shields, who served as
Senator Of the United States from The
States Of Illinois, Minnesota, and Mis-
souri,, and as an officer in the Florida
war, the Mexican war, and the late war
Of the rebellion. died suddenly in OF
tumwa, Iowa, at 104 O'Clock on Sunday
evening. He delivered lecture in OF
tumwa on Wednesday last, character
ized by his customary vivacity and fer
vor, which were remarkable for man
Of 20, and remained to visit friends and
relatives. He ate q hearty supper at
6 o'clock on Sunday, and wrote several
letters during The evening. Just be-
fore the hour Of retiring he complained
OF pain in his chest, and soon there
after SAID he was dying. He expired
thirty minutes later, while sitting in his
chair, retaining his consciousness to the
last. The story Of his official life as a
soldier and a politician have been too
often told TO need repetition.
A prominent lawyer, at whose house
Gen. Shields often stayed when IN New
York, said last evening: 81 first became
acquainted with Gen. Shields in 1S49.
Just after his election 10 the Senate from
Illinois. He was very popular, and had
worked his way mp by sheer force Of
personal attraction. He was exceed
ingIy we'll informed IN English Iitera-
ture and the classics. As speaker he
was humorous, vivid in description, re-
plete with anecdote, familiar with the
history of the United States, especially
its political events. His lectures were
mostly on Irish topics and TO Irish au-
diences. The last time he spoke in
New York was at the St. Patrick's So
ciety dinner year ago.
."Gen. Shields once had difficulty
with Abraham Lincoln which resulted
in preparations for a duel. Shortly af-
ter his return from the Mexican war, a
newspaper in Illinois, where he lived,
published an article that displeased him
very much. He called upon the editor,
and said il was offensive, and insisted
upon knowing The name Of The author.
The editor asked time TO consider, and
meanwhile consulted Mr.. Lincoln, in
forming him that the writer of the artI-
Gle was a young woman. "Oh. I'll set
tie that" said Lincoln. "Tell Shields
I am personally responsible for it."
"Tbis was enough for Shields, and be
immediately challenged Lincoln TO NOR
tai combat. BroadswOrds were chosen
as the weapons most likely TO place
them on an equal footing. The pro-
ccedings were conducted with great Sc
crecy, and in order to have the amuse-
meBt to themselves a brushwoOd eopse |
was chosen for the encounter. But
friends had followed unObserved, and
came up in time to catch the belliger-
ents in the act Of clearing space for |
the fight by hewing down The brush
wood with their swords. The ludI- |
cTousness Of the thing was soon made |
and the affair ended in good |
humor.
''There was q great deal that was
good in Shields. He was downright.
He sympathized with Irish liberty,
though he came 20 this country when 9
years Of age. He was not drawn into
any Of the military movements against
because be looked upon them
with the vision Of practical soldier.
He always wanted to see clearly more
Of success than was ever
made apparent to him. He was sp-
preached unsuccessfuIIy IOr the purpose
Of getting his aid in several movements,
the result Of which proved the excel
lence OF his Judgment. Yet bis militia
~ education, aside from that be got in
the wars, Was seIE-educatiOn. He new
er attended any military school"
ale was fond Of telling how be got
the nine bullets that be carried IN his
body from the battles Of CeFTo Gord0
and ChePultePee- The doctors, in or
der TO clean the wounds. passed = hand
kerehief clear through bis body.
"He usedtO tell STORY Of forIofn J