Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1888-10-24

plunged for his fortune forced Mr.. Went
worth to the 'front.' and made him typical
bluff and hearty Western character.
He was born March 8 1875 at Sandwich.
might be called Wentworth and the mis-
homer scarce be noticed. Mr.. Wentworth
graduated ut Dartmouth college in 1886 and
was the oldest member Of the Alumni As
sociation Of that college in Chicago.
Having left college he came to Chicago
the following autumn. arriving Oct. 20. 1886.
Mr.. Wentworth had Latin grammar in
his pocket. and expected to teach after he
got settled but always interested in poll
tics, he became within month OF his ar
rival in Chicago editor Of the Chicago DEM
ocyaf. He was stanch friend OF stephen
A. Douglas. Once. when Douglas was to be
billed for speech in Chicago and Long"
John was short OF help. he took hold OF the
while the Little Giant" linked the rollers.
MIR. Wentworth never would be anywhere
except at the head. and when Mr.. Douglas
got too big for him in Illinois. Mr.. Went
worth became the Senator's political en-
envy.
As an editor he was gruff and positive as
In every other relation Of life. Ho was once
challenged by n little man for offensive Ian
guage. signed q retraction, and the next day
ridiculed the duelist into the butt OF the
town. This was the occasion OF the first use
VI "A earicature in Chicago paper. Mr..
Wentworth wanted 10 be "a lawyer. however.
and while publishing his paper began the
study OF Blackstone. In 1871 he went to
Harvard to take course in law. and came
back to hear himself talked of for Congress.
He was not u candidate until ls43. however,
and was elected when only Is years old. He
was the youngest member OF the AXVIIlth
Congress. He was reelected twice, sery-
ing three terms. After an interim of two
years he WAS again returned to Congress.
serving one term. He cut no particular
figure In Congress. but when he became
Mayor In 1857 he had his opportunity. His
imperious will was frequently INDUCED to
it's topmost bent. When he thought he was
right no did not stop to parley about his
power to do the thing he wanted TO do.
Neither did he scruple about the means Of
doing 1t. He got tired OF the disreputabie
people on the "sands"-the lake shore ut
the foot OF Indiana street--and tore down
any petitions, the Council was not asked.
and no authority was given. but the work
was done and Mr.. Wentworth did a part OF
1t with his own hands.
Mr.. Wentworth was member OF the Con-
stitutional Convention In 1861. was elected
to Congress In 1864. and defeated in 1868.
He was shrewd politician. always declin-
ing denomination when he thought he
would be defeated.
As stump speaker he was very effective
sarcastic and abusive rather than argu-
mentative. After he ceased taking an ac-
at the primaries and the conventions.
iHe introduced stage effects when neces-
sary to win, rs he did ut the NOM
nation Of ex-Auditor Swigcrt. The race
Needles-so close that Needles. it is said.
had majority OF the votes when the roll
was concluded. But Mr.. Wentworth induced
some county to change its vote. and taking
the little one-armed soldier in his arms.
carried Mr.. Swigcrt to the platform. He
ckA .fnxv faVg nntrt nj Him MTG hon
the war. meanwhile shaking Swigerts empty
sleeve. The convention was plunged into
an uproar. Scores OF delegates climbed on
their chairs and changed their votes to
Swigert
Mr.. Wentworth was married at Troy. N.
Y. Nov. Is. 1874, to Roxanna Marie Loomis,
daughter OF the Hon. Riley Lewis. of Troy.
After many years Of failing health Mrs.
Wentworth died Feb. 8. 1870. She bore five
children, oil Of whom died young except
Miss Roxanna Atwater Wentworth. who Is
vet living. She and Moses J. Wentworth.
near surviving relatives. The latter has
for some years managed his uncle's large
estate
He was one OF the earliest Masons and
Odd Fellows in Chicago. He was on the
jury which convicted the first white man
CHANGED to be the person who carried the
news Of President Tyler's death to Vice
President Fillmore. He was fond of tell
ing how during his first term in
Congress- he conducted courtship
for a young man In Chicago who
had rendered him material service. The
young lady lived In an Eastern State. Post
age on each letter In those days was Is
cents. In order to secure the franking
privilege the loving pair wrote to Mr.. Went
worth and he In turn wrote what each said
to the other one. They finally arranged a
marriage through him. and then the corr
boarded at the same house in Washington
with Henry Clay. and was on the most in
innate terms with the Kentucky statesman.
He never affected any particular religious
belief. but professed to have no fear OF
death. He was u regular attendant at Prof.
Swings church when the weather or his in
frmities permitted. One day he was sitting
In the rooms OF the Historical Society. and
Secretary Hager related to him vision he
had once had while. as he claimed. he was
in q trance. Mr.. Hager asserted that he
had been In heaven. and had seen and rec
ognized his first wife.
THAT won't do, Hagcr." said he III you
ever got to heaven don't believe you d ever
be willing to come back again to Chicago.
You bet II ever ! got squarely through. much
trip. You're either lynn. Hager. or else
heaven amt the place it's cracked up to be-
While his wealth IL estimated at $1,000. COG
70 S5.OO0.O0O. little 81 his property Is In Chi
cage. though several fine farms are not fur
distant.
The funeral took place from the Second
Presbyterian Church, and was largely at
tended. The services were simple in their
nature.