Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-06-20
FREMONT THE PATHFINDER.'
The Evcntful Career of the Explorer.
Soldier and Presidential Candidate
Nome RccOlleCtiOns of His Life
Why He Withdrew from the Contest
of 1861.
[From the y. Y. Mail and Express.1

Soldier and Presidential Candidate
Some RccOllcCtiOns of His Life
Why He Withdrew from the Contest
of 1861.
[From the y. y. Mail and Express.l
On lower Broadway, within the shadow
of Trinity Church and the new worlds
financial artery, an elderly man NAV be
seen every day edging his way through
tine crowds of men, some of whom turn
to look at him. Occasionally hat is
lifted and the elderly gentleman returns
the salutation. The recipient of these at
tentions is Gen. John G. Fremont, whose
office is close by. The seventy-one years
that he has just completed have dealt ten
derly with him. He walks with the elas-
ticity and vigor of man whose life has
been confnedto but half q century. His
complexion retains the ruddy glow of
earlier years, and his eye still sparkles
with its old-time brilliancy. The famil-
lar, full, but thin, beard and moustache
and his once raven, curly hair have turn
ed snowy white, but his face is as thought
full, his voice as musical and his manner
rs engaging as in the days of his youth
when he was prominent in the affairs of
the nation. The career of Gen. Fremont
affords a striking illustration how the
brilliant intellect, the indefatigable work
er and the man OF intrepidity often fails
to achieve that prominence which SO fire.
quently attaches to the less meritorious
and less deserving of public alteration
His life has been Il romantic and exciting
one. The period covering his entrance
into the Charleston College in 1928 up to
the present time has been a constant Sc
rles OF shifting scenes and experiences.
At 20 we find him as teacher of mathe-
fLn ,l &
lea. We next hear of him in the navy.
lie then became surveyor and engineer
The exploration of moutain passes in
North Carolina and Tennessee next en-.
gage his attention, after which he under
takes military reconnaissance. Tiring
OF adventure in the South, he makes his
way to Missouri, explores the country
thence to the British line and is appoint
ed lieutenant in ,he corps of topograph-
lcal engineers. He forms the acuuaint-
ance of Miss Jessie Benton daughter OF
the great Missouri Senator, and despite
the fact that she has not vet entered hei
10th year engages III marriage with her.
Ihe year following the couple are secret
ly married. Numerous explorations
throughout the West follow. Almost in.
surmountable barriers obstruct his wav,
but undaunted he pushes ahead through
mountains of ice and snow, living fol
many days on horse flesh. High and
rugged mountain chains were crossed by
his party where man had never before
set foot. He planted the American flag
in California just three days ahead of the
British, and thus secured the Colder
State as one of the Federal Union. Ther
he was elected Governor of California
and quarrel with Gen. Kearny and Com
modore Stockton resn'fol IN Fremont
arr"s' nnI MS i,l,i H.. ~. my. Aftei
iulH-, explorations he was elected United
States Senator from California. A years
VISIT to Europe anda fifth expedition follow
and he is selected as the first standart
tearer OF the Republican party for Presi
dent against Buchanan and Fillmore, on,
OF his strongest opponents in the igh
being Benton, his own father-in- law. Hi
career in the army down, the rebellion
and his nomination for the Presidenc,
against Lincoln and Mcclellan in 1856.
are the most important events of hisilate
life
Laying Out The Railroads.
Gen, Fremont was visited by Mai
ana E,tpress writer few days since AM
was found in his usually pleasant mood
When the writer referred to the explora
tions which had made the pathfinder ia
nous, Gen. Fremont said "My entir
plans were regarded at the time as i'm
practicable. The idea of any man at
tempting to cross the continent as pro
posed was laughed at, and the proposition
was declared to be all moonshine. TIL
object of these explorations, as you ar
aware, was for the purpose of testing tn
feasibility of establishing the railways. 4"
Have any of the roads built in late
years followed the line laid out by Won +?
sob yes, The Central Pacific, for in
stance, is built right in sight of my lin
part of the way and many of the rail
roads, generally speaking, are parable
with the line of the explorations / con
Quoted"
What are your views regarding tn
explorations in Africa ?"
81 am watching them with much inter
est. l think there is little doubt that a
immense commerce will be the result O
hese explorations believe African OK