The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-03-01
rouo or PRESIDENT rsuRE.
The Head % ehe French Republic In the
Days OF the M

The Head Of enc French Republic In the
Days OF the Commune.
M. FaE.s, the president OF the French
republic, is well known by o prominent
French American resident of New Or
leans, who was with M. Faure during
the French commune. He describes the
new president as a man of personal mag
netism, of splendid executive ability and
unquestioned bravery and firmness.
Faure began business IS a small CON-
mission merchant in hides, wool, ETC.,
Rt Havre years ago. From that, by en-
ergy, economy and thrift, he p~rospered,
and his business increased until he was
N of the most extensive commission
merchants in that city. He became also
one of the most prominent men of the
city politically, and just before the
Franco German war he was made first
'~'adjoint" to the mayor Of the city and
was q staff officer of the army, although
his duties did not require his presence
on the battlefield. He took 81 active in
terest, oteonrse, in the war, and it was
owing to his efforts that the commissary
department. of the French soldiery was
kept wen supplied. He was also a close
adviser of the officials of Havre and in
every manner demonstrated great exeeu-
tive talent and a born leadership.
It was in 1871, during the French
commune, however, that his personal
bravery and ability to confront desperate
emergencies were tested. While acting
i'm the capacity'of "adjoint," or adviser
of the mayor at Havre, a request was
made Of him from the mayor Of Paris
for firemen and engines. The city Of
Paris was in flames from one end to the
other, and aid was being asked every
where in engines and firemen. Faure
at once called for volunteers and urged
upon them the necessity of responding
to the call. He thus raised a co1hpany
of firemen to 60 to Paris and fight the
fires that were raging everywhere.
Faure showed his courage and won the
hearts of the firemen and people by 60
ing with the volunteers as their leader.
With all the engines the city could spare
they fastened 10 Paris, and for three
days, without rest or scarcely anything
to eat, fought the flames.
Faure did the duties of a fireman, and
ON one occasion, when me of the men
was asleep from fatigue, rather than
awaken him took his place and did his
work. He was in a dozen perilous posi-
tions during that three days fight with
fire, in company Of his companions, and
never f1inched. In every instance he
proved himself to be q man of determi-
nation and courage. He was first in
every danger, and at the most critical
times he never lost his self possession
and will power, and with his volunteer
tiremen he did yeoman service in trying
to save Paris from the embrace of the
fire iend.
The people of Havre never forgot NJ.
Faure's valiant service on that occasion,
and afterward, as a Republican, he was
elected to the chamber of deputies. He
served with several ministers as private
secretary, and Of late years has had more
important connection with that branch
of the government service. He has pros
pered in business as we'll as in political
affairs and is said to be one OF the
most popular as well as n of the ablest
statesmen of the French republic New
Orleans Times-D Democrat.