The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-01-07
A WONDERFUL LIFE.
Brilliant Career of an American Named
Ward.

The remarkable career of Ward, the
American soldier who preceded Gordon
in command of the foreign legion in
! China, was related to New York
| Tribune reporter recently by friend
of the soldier, who knew him from boy-
| hood. He said: Ward was a most re-
markable mana greater man, in nv
opinion than Gordon, though the hero
OF khartoum commands my deep ad-
mlration. Ward was born in Salem,
Mass, and when he was boy went to
sea with his father, who was a ship
master. When the Crimean war broke
out young Ward enlisted in the French
army, and became a sub-lieutenant.
Unfortunately he became involved in a
quarrel with his captain, and, resign
ing his commission, he challenged that
officer to duel. The challenge was
accepted, and Ward killed the captain.
Years after, when fortune smiled on
him, Ward sent large sum of money
to Paris to be invested for the support
of the widow and child of his former
captain. Wards next venture was
commercial one to Vera Cruz. 1t
proved unsuccessful, and he was then
sent Dy me TO the west coast of Mexico
10 ouy q lot OF brass cannon which had
been condemned. He embarked on this
enterprise i'll vessel which took down
to Central America a lot of Walkers
filibusters. The adventurous charac-
ter OF Walkers enterprise appealed to
Wards fancy, but he saw in it so much
to condemn and so much that was re-
pugnant to him in the character of a
large part of those who made ND the
nllbusterlng party that he did not Join
the expedition.
Having completed his work on the
west coast of Mexico Ward went to
San Francisco and got berth as an
officer OF ship going 10 China. He
received his discharge in China and
entered there the service of the empe-
ror. he rose rapidly in favor and rank,
and organized theForeign legion to fight
Tor the emperor against the Tapping
rebels. He married Chinese lady of
high rank, and was made mandarin
of their most exalted order. In order
10 marry a woman of the rank which
-hs-sii>i- -Le woe -tela- -.I.at- -he-.a.at-rv
nounce Christianity. He declined to
do this, and the matter was finally set
tied BY his marrying her by proxy. He
became citizen of China and subject
of the emperor. Once he was seized
by the English and French admirals
and kept for some time prisoner. He
was told that if he would claim Ameri-
can citizenship he would be liberated.
This he refused to do, saying:
'' Il was born in America, and love
my native land, but have sworn alle-
glance to the emperor and am a Chi
nese.'
HE was finally released, and con-
tinued his most successful and brilliant
military career. He ordered three
gunboats built in America, which were
to 60 up the Pekin river and the canal
and fly the mandarin flag before the
gates of Pekin. / was building the
boats for him when he was killed. He
was the most powerful man in China,
and had he lived l believe he had the
genius and the daring to have made
himself absolute master of the Chinese |
empire. When our civil war broke out |
he wrote to me: My heart is with my
native land in her struggle against |
rebellion. Were free l would return
at once to offer my life and my sword |
to my country. But my work is here |
He was killed while exposing himself |
In 4 reconnaissance before some city |
which he was besieging. He was one |
OF the braVest, most temperate, up
right, and honorable of men; of bound |
less ambition and dazzling genius. He |
Was young, man only SO or 81 at the |
time OF his death. Though he never re-
cciGed Il liberal education he was one |
Of The best-informed men | ever saw. |
u constant student, a good linguist, |
anu 3 great reader OF books OF all |
kinds. "