Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-03-29

WAohA1NUAONS AAoHOu -NNOnONOA AbOV-
'ort Cummings Schenck, ex-Congressman,
soldier and diplomat and leader In pub
Iic affairs generation or more ago, died
at i've o'clock last evening of pneumo-
mia ct his residence on Massachusetts,
1venue. Just OF Thomas circle. It was
not until yesterday that 1t was known
chat he was seriously i'll, but when his
friends heard Of 1t, they prepared for
che worst, because Of his advanced age.
General Schenck, had been ailing for
about two weeks, but attached very lit
Gle Importance to his complaint Last
week he was out calling with B. h.
Warder, formerly OF Ohio, but for several
years well-known resident Of this city,
and seemed in his usual health, save for Q
slight bronchial cough. 1t was not I'M
ell Tuesday that 1t was thought neces-
ssary to call in q physician. DR.. II. c.
'Yarrow was sent for and found the Gem
seral suffering from capillary bronchitis.
Within twenty-four hours limited pneu-
rnonia OF the right lung set in and later
the left lung also became involved and
Dr.. Yarrow called Dr.. O'Reilly into con-
Aultation.
General Schenck was familiar figure
Mt Republican gatherings in Washing
ton from 1875, when he came here to
niVe, but he took NO active part in poll
Sitics His life had been several times
.despaired of in the last decade, but his
hardy constitution and strong will
pulled him through.
Secretary Blaine was much attached
20 the General and sent an affectionate
mote to him Saturday when he heard Of
! his illness. In his book Mr.. Blaine pays
lthe dead man warm compliment:
mo man in Congress during the pres
~snt generation" he says, has rivalled
General Schenck as five minute de-
gbater. In the five minute discussion in
Committee of the Whole he was an intel.
1ectual marvel The compactness and
clearness Of his statements, the facts
and arguments which he could marshal
in that brief time, were constant sur
rise and delight to his hearers"
BIOGRAPHICAL
Robert Cumming Schenck was born In
iEranklin, o., October L. 1879. was graduated
at Miami University in 1927 and remained as
q resident graduate and tutor tor three years
longer, then studied law with Thomas Cor.
win, was admitted to the bar and estab.
aished himself In practice at Dayton, o. He
was a member OF the Legislature In l6il-a
display ing practical knowledge and pungent
cit in the debates, and was then elected asa
WING to Congress and thrice reelected,
serving from December 1. lsI3, till March 3,
1e5l. He was a memb r OF important commit.
tees and during his third term was the chair.
1nan Of that on roa Q and canals On March
H 1851, he was commissioned as Min ster t.
Brazil. In 1852 with John S. Pendlrton, who
was accredite ed to the Argentine Republic az
Charge d'Affalres, he arranged treaty Of
friendship and commerce with the Govern
,ment of that country and one for the free
uavixation of the river La Pmta and its
great tributaries. They also negotiated
'Hreaties with the Governments OF Uruguay
and Paraguay. He left Rio Janeiro on Oct0.
Der 9, 1858, and after his return TO Onio en-.
Jagged in the railroad business. He offered
ais services TO the Government whom the
civil war began and was one OF the first
Brigadier.G nerals appointed by President
Lincoln, his commission bearing the date Of
May II, 1861. He was attached to the military
department of Washington and on June II
moved forward by railroa with regiment
% dislodge the Confederates at Vienna, but
was surprised by q masked battery and
forced to retreat. On meeting reinforce
tired. His brigade formed part Of General
Daniel Tyler's division at the first Bull Run
battle and was on the point Of crossing the
>Gtone bridge to make secure the occupation
sof the plateau when the arrival OF COnfed.
crate achievements turned the tide Of
ibaetle He next served In West Virginia
under General William 8. ROsecrans and
was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley with
che force that was sent to oppose General
Thomas j. Jackson. Pushing forward by Q
forced march to the relief Of General Robert
q. NIlroy he had q sharp and brilliant en-.
Gagement with the enemy at Mcdowell. Al
Cross Keys he led the Ohio troops In charge
IN the right anu m1lnt aimed the ground that
Ae won until he was ordered to retire. Gen.
4oral John c. Fremont then intrusted him
with the command of q division. At the sec.
end battle of Bull Run he led the first divl-
sI0n of General Franz SigePs corps. He was
wounded In that action by q musket ball
which shattered hi+ right arm, iDcapacitat.
1ng him for active service till December l6
HD6L when he took command Of the middle
department and Eighth corps at d Iltimore
lhavIng been promoted Maj r-General on
september IS. After performing effective
-oervices in the Gettysburg 'mpaign he 70.
signed his commission on December q. 1853
IN order to take his place In the House oil
Representatives in which he served aa
chairman Of the Committee on Military AZ.
Galra. He was reelected In 1864 and was
wlaced at thu head Of the same committee
Uhsre he procured the establishment OF the
National Military ami Naval Asylum. In 1855
,ha was president Of the oari of visitors 60
rehe United states Military Academy and was
enc of the comm ftiee OF Congress on the
. death of President Lincoln, serving also on
Ghe Committee on Retrenchment In 1865 he
attended the loyallsts' convention at Phiia.
T. Aeiphla and the soldiers convention ai
pittsburgh, Pa. He was reelected to Con.
aroas in 1855 and in 1858, when his opponent
wns Clement l. vallandlrgha serving az
{. chairman Of the Committee Of WayJ and
Means and Of tn Ordnance Committee. On
! Dacember 2, 1870, he received the appoint
F, Maent Of Minister TO Grrat Britain. In ISL
he was one e the alabama" Commission
He resigned his post In 1875 in consequence
of the failure OF the Emma Silver Nine Com.
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