Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-03-24
.LIFE'S BATTLE OVER
GENERAL ROBERT CUMMINGS SCHENCK DIES At
HIS HOME IN WASHINGTON
A Congressman, a Soldier and Diplomat Sketch
Of His Early Lite-His Treaty Negotia-
tons While in Brall-His
War Record.

Va las LA4 - AIS AANett -'Nc~----
tons While in Brall-His
War Record.
WAsmINGroN, d. c., March 23.-Gen.
Robert Cumming Schenck. Congress
man. soldier. and diplomat and a leader
i'm public affairs a generation or more
ago, died at o'clock this evening Of
pneumonia, at his residence, on MaSsa-
chusettS avenue, just of Thomas circle.
II was not until yesterday that ii was
known that he was seriously III, but
when his friends heard Of il. they were
prepared for the worst. because Of his
advanced age He had been ailing for
about two weeks but attached very lit
tie importance TO his complaint. On last
Sunday he was ont calling with Mr..
Warder, formerly Of Chicago, but OF
late years a resident of this city and
seemed i'm his usual health save for
slight bronchial cough. 1t was not
until last Tuesday that il was thought
necessary to call in a physician.
| DR.. II. c. FarrOw was sentfOr and found
! Gen. Schenck suffering from capillary
bronchitis. Afterwards pneumonia
Of the right lung set in and later the
left became involved. Dr. Narrow called
| DR.. O'Rcilly I'm consultation. When DIR.
Yarrow visited General Sphcnck this
morning he found him much worse. and
it was discovered that a diphthcric eX-
undation was commencing on the right
side of the throat. He became brighter
about noon. but from that time became
rapidly weaker until the end came. His
mind was clear and bright until tho very
end. His three daughters. Mrs. Bates,
an old friend. and Miss Sedgwck were
with him at the time of his death. The
| funeral arrangements will be- in charge
! of DR.. Wardcr. The intorment will
take place at Dayton, Ohio. In view Of
the diphthcric complications in the case
the funeral will be strictly private.
Gen. Schcncl was I'm his cighty-iirst
year. having been born i'm Franklin. o..
October {. 1909. He was graduated from
Miami University in 1897. and after
spending three additional years at the
college. studied law with Thomas Cor
win. He served two years in the State
| Legislature. and acquitted himself so
well that he was elected to Congress as
Whig. serving from 1913 till 1851.
President Fillmore then sent him to
Brazil aS Minister Plcnipotentiary.
While serving in this capacity he dis
tinguishcd himself as q diplomat by TAX
ing "a conspicuous part in the ncgOtia-
tion Of treaties with Paraguay. Uruguay
and the Argentine Republic.
After two years I'm Brazil he returned
to Ohio. his native State, but took no
part in politics. When the civil war
broke ont he at once offered his services
to the Government. and was commits
stoned Brigadicr-Gcneral by President
Lincoln May Il. 1851. He served with
his bragadc i'm the first battle of Bull
Run. i'm which the Union Army was de-
fcatcd. He next served i'm West Nir-
ginia under Gen. RoSccrans. and did
some brilliant fighting at Mcdowell and
Cross Keys. Gen Fremont then en-
trusted him with the command Of a di-
vision. and while leading the First Di-
vision Of Franz Sigc'S Corps at
| the second battle of Bull Run,
| his right arm was shattered
by musket ball incapacitating
him for service for some time. In
September. 1862. he was promoted To be
a Major General. and in December OF
! that year ne took command Of the Mid
die Department and Eighth Corps at
! Baltimore. Heidi effective work In the
Gettysburg campaign. He was nomi-
mated for Congress against the noted
anti-war Democrat Nallandigham, and,
though the district was Democratic,
ne carried the election and, rcSigning
his post I'm the army. took his seat in
the House of Representatives December
Sd. 1868. He was Immediately made
chairman Of the Committee on Military
Affairs. and during this and the follow
ing Congress. his position enabled him
to do good service TO the Union cause.
HcwaS reelected To the two succeeding
Congresses and throughout those eXcit-
ing times. during and after the war. he
took Il leading part in the proceeding in
the House. During his last term hc
was Chairman Of the Ways and Means
Committee and leader of the House.
succeeding then Stevens in command of
the Republican party, lie was Minis
ter To England in 1870 and IN lsil one
of the Alabama claim commissioners. re-
tanning the last Office for five years.
when ne resigned. Since that time lac
had made his home in this city where
ne was warm favorite. lie was a
familiar figure at Republican gather
ingS here, but took no active part
in politics. His life had been
several times dcspaircd of during
the last decade, but his hardy constltu-
tion and strong will pulled him through.
Sccrctar Blaine was much attached to
him. and sent an atlectionatc note to
| him yesterday when he heard of his ILL
ness. He was kind and genial. Shrcwd
and witty. I'm his book Mr.. Blaine
pays the dead man a warm compliment.
No man iu Congress during the present
generation hc SAYS. has rivallcd Gen
cral Schcnck as a live-minutc dcbater.
In the fyc-minute discussion in Com
mittcc of the Whole me- was an intellect
ual marvel The compactness and
clearncSS of his statement. the facts and
arguments which hc could marshal in
that brief time were constant surprise
and delight to his hearers.
He leaves three daughters. 1t is cX-
pectcd that Bishop Leonard. formerly
rector Of ST. Johns Episcopal Church
of this city. will conduct the services at
/ DAYTON.