Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-10

strong hold on the affections OF Mis-
sourians Among these friends was John
~ Edwards. who served in his COM
mand Edwards was a noted Missouri
editor. with ready how OF magnilo-
ouent English. and he embalmed the
deeds Of Shelby's command In a book.
He once fought duel near Quincy, ILL.,.
with Major Emery Foster. who had
been in the Federal service. Edwards
was on the st. Louis Times. and Foster
on the 81. Louis Journal at the time.
Or. Morrison Munford, Of the Kansas
CITY Times. was Edwards's second. The
duelists were indicted In Illinois, but
the Governor of Missouri refused to ex-
tradite them. Frank James was in
SheIby's Division, and the General testi-
fed in his behalf when he was on trial
for his life years later. Frank and
Jesse James occasionally fed TO Gene
raj Shelbys farm for refuge. While the
old fighter discountenanced their law
lessness. he could not find il i'm his heart
to betray one of his former soldiers
He generally left the farm when tney
came. once going as far as St Louis
The James brothers once paid the oDli-
cation in part by rescuing one OF the
Generals negro servants from an angry
mob OF whites.
AS a commander General Shelby had
peculiar qualifications. He was extra eau
tious in guarding against surprise. and
he always marched as lightly as possi-
bile I'm order to fight or fee, as seemed
advisable. with the best advantage
Wagons were his special aversion, and
baggage he considered as useless as a
womans wardrobe. His men kneaded
| their dough on India-rubber blankets. and
cooked IL upon boards or rocks before the
fire. He insisted that forked hickory
made excellent gridirOns His favorite
way of sleeping was with his feet to a
roaring fire and his head on his saddle. lie
aimed never to get far from his artillery.
When horses failed ne harnessed men TO
drag the guns. Unincumbered by
wagons. streams had no perils. and noun
tain passes but few insurmountable diff
| culties.
DEBONAIR GALLANT
A boon companion and a debonair gall
| liant has Shelby always been, and when
| did ever such a one lack for friends
There was much OF Launcelot's love-
passion about him, with all Of Launcelots
chivalry and knightly bearing. Late
trysts and later woOing had for him much
of glamour and more of wtchery. Around
him camp fire. with the days work done,
he was accessible. kind, bluff, and free
spoken. He sympathized with his soldiers
| troubles. and they idolized him. Whatever
reports might be brought Of an advancing
enemy his invariable question was: did
you see them?" If answered affirmativeiy
| he asked: did you count themT If the
answer came, NO" he would say. with
an oath: Then, by heaven. we'll fight
'eml order the brigade to form line and
| Collins to prepare for action front" Col
| lins was the commander of his battery,
| in NH he
went into a fight rough-and-tumble and
his daring inspired his men to heroic
deeds.
When General Shelby was a candidate
| for the appointment of United States
Marshal Ex-Governor Fletcher was one
of the strongest factors in getting him
the place Governor Fletcher is an ar
dent Republican and was elected the
Chief Executive of Missouri shortly after
the war. He made a voluntary visit to
Washington to urge the appointment OF
Shelby, saying II was the most popular
thing the administration could do In Mis-
souri, Although he was the most dan
gerous man we had 10 deal with during
the war" said Mr.. Fletcher, mo man was
so widely instrumental in helping us tc
bring order out Of chaos when the
war was over. His influence with the
Confederate people of Missouri was in
estimable. and he worked night and day
to restore peace by appealing TO them to
accept the new order of things in a spirit
of resignation"
FREIGHT CONTRACTOR.
General Shelby became freight con-
tractor in Mexico. but in 1861 ne returned
! TO his farm in ADs1JlI,. r'hcr1 he WED 2
retired life until 1898, when President
| Cleveland appointed him United States
| Marshal for the Western District OF Mis-
souri,. During the great strike In 1888
when Marshal Shelby was active In sup
pressing the strikers. he became involved
i'm a controversy with Governor stone
who contended that United States OIL
GERS and troops were being used in viola
! ton Of the doctrine Of States rights, th'
very doctrine which Shelby had fought
so bitterly for during the civil war; Du
| to Governor Stone, General Shelby re-
plied: THAT the question Of States
rights was decided by that war and set
| tied for all time when Lee surrendereo
| at Appomattox."
In the recent campaign General Shelby
was an active supporter OF the policy OF
| President Cleveland.