The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-10

Ihe fremont Family, and the Literary
Work They Are Doing.

Washington Star.
Inc latest literary candidate for popular favor
emanatlng from this city is Gen .Iohn q Fra-
tnonCS oook' the nrst volume of which is TO be
published this week. For several montbs tba
gallant Pathfinder" has carried. every aver;n1
a package oflcopy. the work of the dav down to
the postofice to be mailed to his publishers
The work is entitled, Memoirs of My Life; a
Retrospect of Fifty Years" The narration in
cludes the story of the young engineers Eve
journeys of adventurous Western exploration.
from the first expedition, in 1912, to the last
great exploit of 1854 The story is of the con-
quest and development of our great West. One
of the most notable and interesting features Of
the book is a sketch Of the life Of Senator Ben
ton. by his daughter, Mrs. Jessie Benton Ere
mont, the Generals wife. But the book, with all
its fine engravings, Photographic views, maps
and portraits, and its fascinating text, will tell
its own tale in due time.
What will most interest the pnblic just now is
the method by which it was written during the
summer days, in this city The Fremonts, be it
known, then, live in a commodious house that
overooks the wooded grounds of the British le-
CATION, the trees of Nineteenth street and the
shrubbery of Dupont Circle. The family at
present here consists of the General and Mrs
Fremont and their daughter The two sons are
married. One is in the navy and the other lives
in Montana. The work room Is on the second
floor of the house. The handsome bedroom fur
nlture OF the apartment was removed TO give
place to the necessary working outfit There is
bay window in the east end of the room, on
the right of which is placed the Generals table,
surmounted by tall set of pigeon-holes, where
letters, notes and papers are kept. On the other
side of the window is placed Mrs. FremOnt's ia
Bile, large plain affair. covered with green
leather The General dictates and Mrs. Free
mont writes down each word of the story as it
falls from his lips. The family group is how
ever, not yet complete. In the a.cove is placed
typewriter. and with it Miss Fremont, who
made herself proficient in its use in two days,
Of hon onfh svok4
legible print
Here they all work together as happy as need
be- all day long. The rule of the house is to rise
at Z. take cup of tea and a ROLL and begin work
at and continue until IL when breakfast is tax
en- At O'Clock they resume work and forge
ahead until g. when the stop for the day and for
dinner is made. In the evening the copy is sent
out, and In the morning other proof sheets are
received from the printer General Fremont has
the two characteristics of most great men-mod-
esty and gentleness of demeanor. He is now
seventy-four years old, but looks scarce sixty.
His hair, short beard and mustache white,
but his brown eyes are clear and bright as stars
and his complexion has the rudy, healthy glow
of happy childhood. His height is medium and
his slight figure is comfortably rounded
1t Is now nearly forty five years since Jessie
Benton stole away from her fathers house, on @
street, in this city. and married the youthful ex.
plorer then lieutenant in the army, against
her parents wish. To-day she sits beside him
proud and happy, with the fond lovelight in her
blue eyes, beaming with an added luster for ev-
cry year they have lived together. Mrs Ere
mont's figure is of generous proportions tall and
impressive Her shapely head is crowned by a
superb suit of beautiful golden white hair. Miss
Fremont is the worthy assistant of her parents
in their pleasant work. The family will remain
in their present quarters during the coming win
ter. and expect to complete then ths second vol
ume of the memoirs. Fifty thousand sets of the
work have been engaged in advance and it is
likely that this number will be doubled when the
book is before the public