Los Angeles herald., 1890-07-14
FREMONT DEAD.
The Old Pathfinder Passes
Away.
His Dissolution Was Sudden
and Unexpected.
Only a Few Days Illness Preceded
His Taking Off.
Remarkable Career of the Deceased Sol
dier and Citizen-Comprehensi
Biographical Sketch.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches
New YORK, July. 13-General John
Charles Fremont, the first candidate OF
the Republican party for president, died
at the home of his adopted daughter,
the wife Of Col. H. M. Porter, 49 West
Twenty-ffth street, at 3 80 O'Clock this
afternoon. His death was due to ins
fammation of the bowels. There were
present at his bedside his son, Lieuten-
ant j. G. Fremont of the navy, and his
physician, DR.. William J. Morton. &
His sickness was of comparatively
! brief duration and dated in its first
stages from the excessive heat OF last
Tuesday. The following day, Wednes--
day, he experienced some pain, and
Thursday he was worse but did not COM
plain. Matters assumed so much worse
turn ON Friday, that he sent for physi-
clan. The doctor advised the SICK, man
to take sail and get a little fresh air.
While he was out On the water he got
bad chill. Friday night he sent for DR..
Morton again. On the following morn
ing Saturday the disease developed
enough to show it's true character (peri-
tonitis) But even then his case was
not considered dangerous, anda dispatch
to that effect was sent to Seabrght. His
| final dissolution was sudden.
| The general was n years and SIX
months old to day at the time OF his
death.
John Charles Fremont was born in
| Savannah, Ga, on January Il, 1873, and
| dies at the age of II years. His. father
was Frenchman, who supported him
self after coming to this country by
teaching his native language. Mrs.
Fremont was Virginian, and was left
widow in 1918 with three infant chill
dren. Young Fremont entered Charles
ton college at Is, and after studying
there for some time entered the navy as
professor of mathematics. After quit
ting the sea he engaged as a surveyor on
an eastern railroad, and later entered
the government service as Topographic
cal engineer. In 1S4l he secretly
married Jessie Benton, the sixteen-year-
old daughter of Senator Thomas H.
Benton, OF Missouri, against the wishes
of her parents. Shortly after his
marriage General Fremont undertook
survey of the Rocky mountains and the
country westward. He was the
first to give an accurate de-
scription OF Great Salt lake,
and discovered Fremont peak, after
ward named from him. He proceeded
westward to the coast, following the
Columbia down to Fort Vancouver, and
thence southwark to Suffers fort. He
returned by way of Great Salt lake,
and his report to the government at
tracted great attention.
In 1S45 General Fremont, then captain,
inaugurated another survey of the great
basin" He crossed the Sierra Nevadas
into California for supplies, and obtained
permission to explore California from
the Mexican authorities. This was al
most Immediately revoked, but Fremont
refused to leave the country, and with
stood a siege of four days at Hawks
peak, with only sixty-two men. He
finally withdrew to the north, and at
Klamath lake received dispatches from
the war der artment to look after Amer
lean interests in California, as 1T was
understood that the MeXicans were to
attack the American settlements on the
Sacramento.
Fremont at once proceeded southwark,
and the Americans fiocking to his stand
ard, he soon had control of Northern
California. and was declared governor.
Commodore Stockton having arrived at
Monterey with orders to conquer Cali
fornia, Fremont joined him, and was
made military commandant and civil
governor of the territory. After the
capitulation OF the Mexicans, a conflict
of authority arose between Fremont and
General Kearny, who had arrived in
California overland, and on his return to
the states Fremont was arrested at
Leavenworth and court-martialed at
Washington, being dismissed from the
service. President Polk remitted the
sentence, but Fremont resigned his
commission of lieutenant-colOnel.
In 184S Fremont made a fourth expedi-
tion to the coast at his own expense,
suffering terrible hardships. He now
decided to live in California having
purchased the Mariposa estate, and in
1849 was sent to the United States senate
for the short term. He failed OF re-elec-
ton to the senate and spent two years in
Europe, returning in 1852 to make fifth
trip across the continent. In 1856 he
! was nominated for the presidency by the
Republican convention at Philadelphia
and the National American convention
at New York. He failed of election and
spent several years in Europe before the
breaking out of the war. On the open
, ing Of hostilities he was assigned to the
command of the western district, and
issued an order emancipating the slaves
in his section of the country, but this
was afterward revoked by the president.
After being appointed to another com
mand he fought several battles, but
soon resigned and took no further part
in the war; He was again nominated in
1864 by portion of the Republican
party for the presidency, but shortly
withdrew and has lived retired life
: since.-ED.