Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-02-20

Gen. Shelby was taken seriously Ill
ten days ago with pneumonia, and
gradually grew worse. His vitality
was great, however, and his friends
and family had hopes that he would
overcome the disease, and, indeed,
half dozen times since then, when
given up to die, the patients remark.
able recuperative power asserted itself
and he each timo revived
lGen. Joseph Orvlle Shclby was born In
Lexington, KY. In 1881. At 10 years of age he
came with his parents to Missouri Hemp was
the gfoat Missouri staple In those days, and
when his parents settled on farm young 10
secured employment on rope walk at Wayer-
~ lie ultimately became owney Of the works
and OF o big plantation In Lafayette county,
ana as consequence he became slayo own
er' Whom the Kansas dispute came on Mr..
shelby naturally sympathized with the pro-
slavery element, and In the border troubles''
whleh followed Shelby was leader in several
OF the raids into Kansas
when actual hostllities began he was known
among his neishbors as Capt Shelby. He
raised company OF confederate cavalry and
entered the field, starting south to ioin Gen.
Price few weeks later Capt. Shelby was
commissioned Us colonel OF cavalry and ordered
BACK to Missouri to recruit regiment. Re-
turning with his banl OF 100 mon, who had
numerous skirmishes with federal bands, Col.
oheipy quickly organized regiment, to which
were lolnod the thrce Missouri regiments in a
cavalry organization known as Shelby q
brigade This brigade, under Gen. Shelby,
saw much hard service In Missouri, Arkansas.
Louisiana and Texas.
shelby was Identified with the entire his.
tory OF the war west Of the Mississippi riyor.
He actively participated In every hard fought
pattle and was conspicuous as o daring raider,
many Of tho most terrific raids of Prices army
being under his command.
In 1851 Shelby was made colonel of cayalry
In January, 1859, ho was in command of brig
aoo' ana III May, 1864, he became brigadier-
general
Al Al the battlo of Pea Ridge, Mo-, March l.
ieo4' Gcn' Shelby particularly distinguished
himself as he did also at Cone Hin, Wcstpor,
ana at Newtonia, Ark.. where tho last battle OF
the war west Of the Mississippi was fonaht.
When tho news OF Lees surrender came to
the confederate army In the west Gen. Shelby
Iouno himself at tho head Of o well-eauipped
and thoroughly disciplined body of mon, a
great many OF whom would not admit that
tneir cause had been lost. Shelby, however
succeeded In convincing his followers that fur,
tner lighting against the government would bs
useless md when, as an alternative.
ne proposed march to Mexico,
there to espouse the canse of Max.
milan, l,NO men Of his following readily
Joined him, Al Cors.cana an election was
heid and Shelby was elected commander, re-.
ceiylng every vote. The column then moved
on 10 Houston and then on TO Austin, tho capi-
Val OF Iexus, whore the confederate govern.
ment had sub-treasury In which was stored
e'oo'VD In goId and silver. Gen. Shclbys reg.
lment arrived In Austin barely In time to save
.nis treasure from the maraudiDg band OF
guerrllas under Capt Rabb, who cupture1 the
troasury building and started In to loot II
Shelbys men surrounded the place, and after
shooting down a number OF the muraudcrs
drove them of, Con. Shelhy's mon guarded
the treasure until the following day. On the
morning following the mayor Of Austin proposed
70 Gen. Shelby that inasmuch as his was the
last organized body OF the confederecy In
Texas, they should take this confederate
money. Cen Shelby positively refused, say
ing Il went Into the war with clean hands.
and. by Gods blessing, will 20 out of the war
with clean hands"
From Austin, Shelby's band marched to San
Antonio, and to Eagle Pass, where they
crossed Into Mexico, and resumed their march,
When they reached the City OF Mexico, Maxi.
milan had been reignins for o year. Shelby
offered 10 take immediate service with his
band, and to recruit an army Of <O,O0o Ameri.
cans. to supersede the native troops, but Maxi.
milan was suspicious, and Shelby's company
was forced to disband. Many Of them settled
In Mexico, others went on the Pacific coas,
and shipped for California, while some re.
turned 10 their former homes
Gen. Shelby became freight contractor In
Mexico. but In 1907 he returned to his farm In
missouri where be lived q retired life until
1874, when President Cleveland appointed him
United States marshal for the western dis
trick OF Missouri During the great railroad
strike In 1874, when Marshal Shelby was active
IN suppressing the strikers. he became
involved In controversy with
Gov. Stone, who contended that United
States officers and troops were being
used In violation Of the doctrine OF
states rlghts-thc very doctrine which Shelby
had fought so bitterly for during the civil war
but to Gov. Stone Gen. Shelby replied that the
question OF states rights was decided by that
war and settled for all time when Lee surren-
dcred o. Appomattox. In the recent campaign
Gen. Shelby was an active supporter OF the
policy OF President Cieveland.l