The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-07-17
THE PATHFINDER DEAD.
Gen. John C. Fremont PasseE Away In New York
City.

City.
Gen. John Charles Fremont, Major General
o. s. Army retired, died,in New York City on
Sunday afternoon after brief illness, caused
by overheating, which produced inflammation
of the bowels, aged N.
Gen. Fremont was born in Savannah, Ga,
and graduated from the Charleston IS. ca Col
lege in 1913. He then passed q rigorous exam
ination Mt Baltimore for prolcssorship in the
United States Navy, ardwas appointed to the
frigate Independence but declined, and became
an Assistant Engineer under Capt. William G..
Williams, of the United States Typographical
Corps on surveys for q projected road between
Charleston and Cincinnati aiding particularly
in the exploration of the mountain passes be-
tween North Carolina and Tennessee. This
work was suspended in 1887, and Fremont
accompanied Capt. Williams in military
reconnaissance Of the mountainous Cherokee
country in Georgia. North Carolina, aud Ten
nessee made rapidly in the depths of Winter
in anticipation of hostilities with tho In
dians. On July z, 1888, while engaged in ex-
ploring under Government authority the
country between the Missouri and the northern
frontier, ho was commissioned by President
Van Buren, as Second Lieutenant of Topo-
graphical Engineers. He went to Washington
in 1910 to prepare his report, and while there
met Jessie, the daughter of Thomas H. Benton,
then Senator from NJ issouri. An engagement
was formed, but rs the lady was only 10 years
of age her parents objected to the match, and
suddenly, probably through the Influence
of Col. Benton. the young officer received
from the War Department an order to make
an examination of tho River Des Moincs on the
Western frontier. The survey was made rap
idly and shortly after his return from this
duty the lovers were secretly married Oct. TO-
1S41.
In 1Si2 Fremont was instructed by the War
Department to take charge of an expedition
81 I. n
ticuarly the South Pass. lie left Washington
on May ., and in four months had carefully
examined the Wind River Mountains, ascend
ing their highest point, since known rs FIRE.
mont's Peak. His report of the expedition
was laid before Congress in the Winter of
1912, 40 and attracted much attention both at
home and abroad
Immediately afterward Fremont determined
to explore tho unknown region between tho
Rocky Mountains and the Pacific, and set out in
May, lSi3, with 80 men. On Sept. @, after travel
ing ], 700 miles, he came in sight Of Great Salt
Lake. His Investigations corrected many
vague and erroneous ideas about this region, of
which no accurate account had over been
given, and had great influence in promoting
the settlement of Utah and the Pacific States.
1t was his report Of this expedition that gave
to the Mormons their first idea of Utah as o
place Of residence.
After leaving Great Salt Lake, he explored
the upper tributaries Of the Columbia, de-
scended the valley of that river to Fort Van
conver, near its mouth, and on November 10
set out on his return. His route lay through
an almost unknown region. leading from tho
Lower Columbia to tho Upper Colorado and
was crossed by high and rugged mountain
chains. Deep snow soon forced him 10 descend
into tho great basin, and he presently found
himself in the depth Of Winter In desert,
With the prospect of death to his whole party
from cold and hunger. Between him and the
valleys of California was a snow. clad range of
mountains, which the Indians declared no man
could cross, and over which no reward would
induce them to attempt to guide him. Ere
mont undertook the passage without guide,
and accomplished 1t in forty days, reaching
Suffers Fort, on the Sacramento, early in
March, with his mep reduced TO skeletons, and
with only thirty three out Of sixty
horses and mules remaining Tho return TO
Kansas was rapidly made. having been absent
fourteen months. For this undertaking no
was given double breyet Of First Lieutenant
and Captain.
In the following year he set out TO explore
Oregon On May o, 1886. he received iustruc-
tons from Washington 10 watch over the in-
forests Of tho United States in California,
trouble being feared from the Mexicans. In
less than month h1 had freed Northern Cali
fornia from Mexican authority. lie was made
n Lieutenant. Colonel on May "a, and was
elected Governor Of California ON July 4.
Learning Of trouble with Mexico he organized
a company Of ritiemen aud proceeded to Mon
terey aud was made Military Commandant and
Civil Governor of California, aud instructed
TO defend IT,
On jan Il, 1877, he concluded articles of
eapitulation with the Moxicans which ended
the war In California aud left the country per-
manonty in the hands Of the United States
conflict of authority arose between Commo-
dore Stockton. under whom Fremont had been
serving, and Gen. kearny, 5ont from Washing
ton 10 command that region. Fremont decided
20 obey Stockton. He was put under arrest and
ordered to Washington. The trial found him
guilty Of mutiny, disobedionce Of the lawful
command OF superior officer and conduct
TO the prejudice Of good order and mill
tary discipline, aud sentenced him TO be
dismissed from tho service. A majority
Of the Court, however. recommended him TO
the clcmency Of President Polk. Notwith-
standing this, Fremont resigned his commits
sion and organized another expedition across
tho continent at his own expense Untold
hardships were endured on this expedition. He
was elected u. s. Senator from California in
1919 lie was nominated by the new Rcpubli-
can party as its candidate for the Presidency
in 1856. but was defeated by Buchanan.
At the outbreak of tho war he was appointed
Major General in the Regular Army, and
| assigned To the West. His headquarters were
| mt ST. Louis, and he took vigorous meas
ures, which aroused many complaints. He
| issued proclamation declaring free the slaves
OF those in rebellion, which President Lincoln
| refused to countenance. SO many charges were
made against him that he was removed from
his command. In 1862 he was restored TO the
| Army, aud conducted u brilliant campaign
against Stonewall Jackson. When assigned TO
Gen. Popc'5 command he asked 10 be relieved.
His request was granted, aud he went TO New
York, whore he remained without command
until the close of the war.
Gen Fremont was placed on the retired list
of the Army by the present Congress but few
months ago, and lived but short time to enjoy
| his long deferred honors.
Managers OF Soldiers Homes.