The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
GENERAL SHELBY DEAD.
Noted Ex-COnfederate officer Passes
Away at His Missouri Home.

KANSAS CITY, Feb. 13.-Gen. 10" Shell
by died at his country home, eight milee
from Adrian. Mo. at o'clock this morn
ing. The end came peacefully. The patient
had been unconscious since early Monday
morning. and had been slowly dying since
that time. AT consultation Of physicians
last night il was given out that death must
come before morning, and the family was
in constant watch at the bedside OF th8
dying general.
General Shelby was taken seriously III ten
days ago with pneumonia and gradually
grew worse. His vitality was great, how
ever, and his friends and family had hopes
that he would overcome the disease, and.
indeed, half a dozen times since then when
given up 10 die, the patients remarkabls
recuperative powers asserted themselves
and each time he revived. During all OF
last Sunday night and most of Monday the
patient talked continually I'm an irrational
way. AT times he recognized those about
him. but it only for moment, when
he would again relapse into a comatose or
delirious state. He began to sink rapidly
Tuesday morning, and in a few moments
his pulse was almost impercepuble. Until
that moment Mrs. Shelby, who had been
constantly at the generals bedside. believed
-
prostrated with grief and physical and men-
tai strain. Later General Shelby revived
somewhat bit remained unconscious until
death, and practically took no medicine or
nourishment. No definite arrangements for
the funeral have been made but IL is be-
lieved that General Shelby will be buried In
Kansas City, where his family reside
Joseph Orville Shelby was born in Lex-
ington. KY, in 1881. At nineteen years OF
Hemp was the great Missouri staple in
those days, and when his parents settled
on farm, young Joe secured employ
ment on a rope-walk at Waycrly. He ulti-
mately became owner OF the works and OF
q big plantation in Lafayette county, and
as consequence he became slave owner
When the Kansas dispute came on Mr..
Shelby naturally sympathized with the pro-
slavery element, and i'm the border
troubles" which followed Shelby was a
leader in several or the raids into Kansas.
When actual hostilities began he was
known among his neighbOrs as Captain
Shelby. lie raised a company OF Confed-
crate cavalry and entered the field. start
ing TO join General Price. A few weeks
later Captain Shelby was commissioned as
colonel of cavalry and ordered back TO
Missouri TO recruit regiment. Returning
with his band OF one hundred men. who had
numerous skirmishes with federal bands.
Colonel Shelby quickly organized "A rcgi-
ment. TO which was Joined the three Mis-
souri, regiments In cavalry organization
known as shelby Brigade" This brigade.
vice In Missouri, Arkansas. Louisiana and
Texas.
When the news of Lees surrender came
TO the Confederate army in the West, Gen.
eral Shelby found himself at the head OF
a well-equipped and thoroughly disciplined
body OF men. great many OF whom would
not admit that their cause had been lost.
Shelby. however. succeeded in convincing
his followers that further fghting against
the government would be- useless. and
when. an alternative. he proposed a
march TO Mexico. there 10 espouSe the
cause OF Macmillan. one thousand men of
his following readily Joined him. AT Corr
sicana an election was held. and Shelby
was elected commander. receiving every
vote The column then moved on 10 HOus-
ton. and then on TO Austin. the capital OF
Texas. where the Confederate government
Sad "A SUbtreasury. In which was stored
$4,000 In gold and silver. General Shelhy's
regiment arrived at Austin barely In time
- save this treasure from a maraudlns