The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-06-25
DIED, JED, ,AGEDl, Dl,.,82.,sY 81 YElAlRs- Y,lE,lAAlR
Vie GAtE coL,IAa5siWATsoN WEBB
A Biographical .Acc9ppt6o of the Nestor o
the American Press-Ap Interesting
W goA sketch for a Notable His
torical Figure. ''''
tChlcago Trlbune.l

many years one Of the most roundly
abused men in the United States, and bis
life was an exceedingly oventful one. he
was born in Clavers6k, Columbia County,
N. Y, February s, 1892. His father, Gen.
eral Samuel b. Webb, of Wethersheld,,
Conn, was Aide-de-Camp to General
Washington, and became distinguished for
bravery in the Revolutionary War. AT
the age of twelve the present General
Webb was sent to Cooperstown, Otsego
County, where mis- education was complet-
ed. 1t was intended that he should have a
profession, but he went into the employ OF
Colonel Magher, merchant OF Cherry
Valley. When he was seventeen years OF
age, being desirous of entering the army
or navy, and being strongly opposed by
the guardian, he escaped from restraint by
going to New York City. He obtained q
letter of introduction from Governor Clin-
ton to John G. Calhoun, then Secretary OF
War, and through persistent efforts se'
cured Lietenantcy in the Fourth Battal
ion OF Artillery, and was ordered to re-
port at Governors Island. General Webb
never forgot Mr.. Calhoun's kindness to
him, and later had an opportunity to show
his gratitude to the distinguished South
Carolinian through the Courier and Enq,nr-
er, which General Webb controlled. In
1899 General Webb married Helen Lispen-
ard dangbter ~ Alexander L. Stewart of
Nsv yort Cstv. and granddaughter OF
An,bonv Iisnenhard ono Of the Oldest
Yug,,enot families OF the Empire State. In
1sa5 he was appointed Adiutant of the
Third Regiment. In 1927 he resigned his
commission In the army and became pro-
prietor and principal editor Of the Mornfng
Tov,ier In 1920 be purchased the New
York Enn1rer from M. M. Noah, and
fo,,nd lanes Gordon Bennett laborine ON
that newspaper as A reporter. Mr.. Ben.
nett wa. retained by General Webb I'm the
,ame eanaoitv. The Nornia1 Courier and
the Eno,i-e, were consolidated, and be-
earn. tnovp AZ the Courier and Eno,tirer.
C;eneraI webb al once began the gathering
of news, I'm a more rapid manner than had
,been the custom hitherto. and eave his
newsn,ner a stsrt that wined four Of the
oid r,o-nino no,vsnon ners ont ~ existence.
csnaroI Webb was charged with having
rsca,vad i,,nronsr facilities from the Rank
N tb. JJnitad States. and a committee of
Conores. e,am,ned him at his own request
co,cern,ng n. accusation made bv poIiti.
cai onnonent.. In Is3s he CHALLENGED Mr..
! rii,ey n roomber of Conpress from Maine.
for aio,srepresentinr this bank transaction
an Tile f,oor Of Congress-. but Mr.. Cillev re-
! frsod 10 yneet hin, Mr. Graves. Of Ksn-
tuckv. General Webb,s friend. became IN.
,olyaJ IN the oontrovarsv. and sbot a ana,
v;th CilIav Tbev used riaes. and CiIIav
fall n was claimed that Henry A. visa.
! .,te,.,vardl Governor of virginia. vas re.
.non.,hle tor (,,aves, challenge to cillev-
.nd General Webb neyer afterward snoke
| n ,Wi,e. In the Presidential contest az
isl4 wise ATTEMPTED 70 make Henry Clav
r,,spon.ibIe for the dcath az CiIiev. hut
nrays. rnade. /. stateuent which onerated
i Ciav, ; In IslI General Webb and THOMAS
! ~ Marshall. a member Of Congress from
kentucky and a nephew of Chief,Justice
4 Marshall. fought a duel at ten PAGES near
WiImineton. Del. General Webb,s brst
shot t,assed under Marshaii's foot. and the
second iust above the foot MarsbaIl,s
srst shot vas wide Of the mark. hut the
second passed through Webb,s knee. The
.1aIr grew ont Of an article which General
Webb had written IN the Courier ana E..
oufrer. The duel created great excItement.
G.neral Webb was arrested IA New Yorl,
citv for the crime ofieayine the State with
the intention of fighting duel. He plead.
sd guilty and remained In the Tombs for
two weeks, When he was pardoned by the
Governor. TadI 10 NlH1
In lS4S General Webb's wife died. He
again married-.Laura Virginia, the young.
est daughter OF Jacob Cram, being the
bride. In 1910 General Webb was appoint
ed Minister TO Austria, but tho Senate re-
\ fused TO confirm him, Mr.. Clay taking the
lead in the opposition TO him. After
eighteen wears OF personal devotion 10 Mr..
Clay, General Webb had advocated the
nomination Of General Taylor for the Pres.
ldency In preference 10 his old chief. = No
one individual IN this country was. 20 in.
timately acquainted with its public men
and so closely connected with all the DO
iftical events OF the day from 1927 10 1859
as was General Webb. He was National
polHician and left State politics TO Thur.
low Weed, William II. Seward and Others.
After the assault upon Charles Summer by
Colonel Brooks, the Courier and Enquirer
contained an article over Colonel Gibbs
signature denouncing the Southerper,s
L i.