The new North-west., 1888-04-13

up to a perfect frenzy. The soldier had
no money, but Mr.. Dorsheimer volrn-
teered to defend him; he allowed tho public
clamor to go unchecked, but quietly collected
his evidence and proved the following facts:
The soldier had entered saloon near the
depot and ordered lunch and glass of ale.
In paying for it he exhibited some money,
and the saloon keeper, an convict, grabbed
it; his ''pals" then thrust the soldier into the
street and raised the cry of "stop thiefl" The
disabled man fought them few minutes and
turned to fight; running into blind alley,
he found himself shut in, and, drawing re-
volver, fred on the gang. A policeman who
had just come up was struck and instantly
killed. The trial is still remembered in
Buffalo one of thrilling interest. As Mr..
Dorsheimer brought out the facts public
opinion changed, and after powerful speech
for the defense the jury acquitted the prisoner
without leaving their seats.
The drama of his life now shifts again with
surprising suddenness, and he appears as the
historian of Fremont in Missouri-in articles
in The Atlantic Monthly for January and
February, 1862. He had volunteered early,
and was made on aide-de-camp on Fremonts
staff with the rank of major. He rode
history of it is full Of interest Soon after
the war he entered politics, in which he had
asingularly varied career. His father, Philip
Dorsheimer, native of Hesse Darmstadt,
was a Wing, but the son early became an
Democrat. When the slavery question be-
came prominent, in 1856, like so many
thousand anti-slavery Germans, he Joined
till after the war; then, still acting with q
large clement of liberal Germans, he sup
ported what was called the ''conciliation
policy" In 1867 President johnson ap-
pointed Mr.. Dorsheimer United States dis
trict attorney for the northern district of
New York, an Office he filed with marked
ability for the four years. term. In 1872 ho
took very active and prominent part in
effecting tho cooperation of the liberal Re-
publican and Democratic parties and in 1874
was nominated for lieutenant governor of
New York on the ticket with Samuel j.
Tilden.
His majority over Gen John c. Robinson,
the Republican candidate, was 81 ,48S; and it
was for some time matter of surprise that
his majority was larger than that Of Mr..
Tilden. The explanation was that few Ger
man Republicans here and there scratched"
to the extent of voting for tho popular
Dorsheimer; but it was not pleasant sub
iect with Mr.. Tilden. When Mr. Dorsheimer
once said to him III q jocular way, sYou
know got the biggest majority" Governor
Tilden quickly replied with as much truth as
wit: eyes, you got the 1000 yourself and
lent you tho $4,000" The lieutenant gov
ernor of New York has much moro to do
than that officer in most states, as no is ex-
oficio member of various public boards; and
Governor Dorsheimer filed all these places,
as well as that of president of tho senate,
with such ability as to win the esteem of all
parties. His speech on the opening Of the
senate was highly praised.
In 1876 Governor Dorsheimer was dele
gate to the st. Louis convention, and that
year he was again elected lieutenant gov
ernor, Lucius A. Robinson being chosen
governor. In 1879, however, there was a
bad break, and Governor Dorsheimcr with
Tammany Hall refused to support Governor
Robinson for reelection. Since that date he
has been identified with various public
measures, and he was member of the COM
mission intrusted with the great work of
making Niagara Falls park free to the pub
lic When Grover Cleveland became presi-
dent he appointed Governor Dorsheimer
United States district attorney for the south
ern district of New York; but in the follow
ing August he resigned to become the pro-
prietor and nominal editor of The New York
Star. His wife, daughter of the aged DR.. A.
D: Patchen, of Buffalo, survives him: his only
child, a daughter, died at the age of 8.