The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-14

John Charles Fremont, the first republi.
can candidate for the presidency, was born
in Savannah, Ga. Jan. q, 1873. His father
was Frenchman Who had settled in Nor
folk, Va, and married Virginia lady and
earned 9 livelihood BY giving French L.
sons. He died when his son vas years
old and his widow removed TO Charleston.
s. G., whore the education Of John g. was
completed. He became teacher Of mathe-
mat1cs on the sloop-of-war Matches in 1893
and on his return from two yeam' cruise
became an assistant engineer in the United
States Typographical corps. This was tho
under government authority, chiefly il tho
country between the Missouri and tho
northern frontier. President Van Buren,
appointed him second lieutenant Of enai-
neers, and ia 1850, while on q visit to WASH
ington for the purpose Of preparing biz ~
port he met Jessie. the 16-ysarsuldl
and became engaged TO her. Hsr parents
objected TO the match, and through Ben
toms influence at the war department
yyopnR Fremont got speedy ordere 10 malre
an examination OF the Des M0ines river on
the western frontier. He hurried this work
ineton and eloped with Miss Benton. II
1912 he had charge Of an expedition for tho
exploration of the Rocky mountains, whjcn1
he conducted successfully. The next year,
with thirty-nine men, he set ont to explore
the unknown regions between the Rocky
Mountains and the Pacific coast. The ex-2
pedltion suffered great hardship but mad4
the trip successfully, and Fremont wor|
much fame By it. In 1845 he set out on =
third expedition to explore the great basiuay
of Oregon and California. He left his mem
in the valley of the San Joquin while ha
went TO Monterey: then the capital Of Cali
tornia, to obtain from the Mexican author
ities permission to explore that region.
This was refused and Fremont was ordered
out OF the country. His supplies were ex-
hausted and compliance with the demand
was impossible. The Mexican commander
marched his mon to attack Fremont, but
the latter, with his sixty-two men, built
from Monterey, hoisted the American DAG
and made ready to resist an attack. After
q four days siege hotilities closed and Fro
mont marched northward unnolested, In
the spring Of the following year he received
orders to watch American interests in Cali
fornia and the settlers elected him govern
Sloat, Of the U. s. navy, had seized Nom
terey, fremont marched to join him with
LEO mounted rifemen. January l3. 1847. ha
concluded artlcles Of capitalization with thsa
4exicans which terminated the war in Cali
fornia and left that country in the pos
session of the United States. About this
lime he became engaged in conflict Of
authority with General Phil. Kearney, who
aad been assigned command of the army,
and accompanied that officer across tho
plains to Fort Leavenworth, whore he was
put under arrest and tried by oourt-martial,
de was found guilty of mutiny, disobedi-
NICE and conduct to the prejudice Of good
'rder and discipline. In October 1848. hGss
let out on another expedition across the
'ontlnent Ct his own expense with the OBJ
cot OF finding passage to California by
Ray Of the upper waters of the Rio Grande.
ae iost third of his men by cold and star
1atlon, but the rest reached California in
afety. He bought ranch and made O ali
ornia his home, and few months later
vas elected to the United States senate ON
;ailfornla's admission to the union. He
rev the short term and was senator Just
hree weeks. He failed of reelection,
wing to his anti-slavery opinions. and
pent year in European travel. In 1858
e made fifth expedition across the oonti-
lent, suffering great hardships and having
aany adventures that enhanced his fame
9 q pathfinder. In 1855 he settled in New
ORD and in the following year was nomin-
Ieo Tor the presidency by the first national
epuDllcan convention as compromise
He got ia electoral votes, to
tne OWL war he was made q major gem
raI OF volunteers with headquarters at st.
Ouls. He did not sustain his reputation
3 commander in this larger field and in
ovember, 1861, he was relieved from his
In 1862 he was given command
I the mountain district in Tennessee.
n1a was afterward merged with tho
Pmy OF Virginia under command of Cen
al Pope. Fremont was relieved and went
New York where he waited in vain for
nother command until the war closed. In
.64 few republicans unsatisfed with
lnoo!n's administration nominated Fro
ont tor president. but he withdrew from
% ticket before the campaign closed. For
vera! yeaxs he was engaged in railroad
perationa, notably the Memphis 4 Ell Paao
meme which was unsuccessful. He was
'oaecuted in Paris for alleged fraud in this
after and was sentenced in default of his
,peArance to fine and imprisonment.
Q was Afterwards partly exoneTated for hi
are IN tbs unlucky speculation. His last
ablic service was as governor Of Ari1ona
om lb76 to 1881. His vito survives him.
Q leaves son, Lieuteuant Fremont nov
atioued at Fort Shaw, Montana. Al ~
~ periods in his career GeneEal fIou1pnt
y vary wealthy, but il i undaR1tno9 -
= IN moderate circumstances - tt 49,
his death. :s.
Kllsa By AestAena
GI1nAxrA1. July M-A Bpanioh eaEae
80. .hils Rs.s1in9 a.9ngisn te.s.l
s.aen1ellv shet 80 Md 0El