Evening star., 1900-09-25

more severe. and nothing could be done to
afford relief. The dying man conversed
calmly with his wife for time, then pass
ed away.
Gen. John McCauley Palmer first pres
fdentfal candilste of the national demo-
cratic party. was born at Eagle Creek,
Scott county, Fy., September IS, 1877 He
received a common school education In
1851 his father, strong anti-slavery man,
removed to Illinois, free state settling
seang Alton nf ss1 MsdsSn county In the
Elihu entered Alton College, organized on
the manual labor system; but the want of
money soon compelled him to leave COL
lege. He worked a while in a coopers
shop, then became peddler and finally, in
the fall Of 1893. became a teacher of dis
trict school near Canton. In the following
summer he cast his first vote for the dem
ocratic ticket, Senator Douglas then being
a candidate for Congress.
During the winter of 1889 he obtained
copy of Blackstone, and began reading
with view to the study of law; and the
John l.. Greathouse, then lawyer Of con-
siderable note In Carlinvlle, Macoupin
county. Thither he walked from st. Louis.
and on his arrival found himself possessed
OF $14 in money, an Indifferent suit of
clothes and one extra shirt.
Candidate for County Clerk.
Less than two months after this, at the
he became a candidate for county clerk,
entered actively into the canvass, but was
defeated. He was admitted to the bar in
1889, but had a hard struggle to earn a
sufficient income. In 1910 he engaged ac-
lively in the presidential canvass, support
ing Mr.. Van Buren. He was married in
December, 1912. He was elected probate
Judge in 1S43. In 1S47 he was elected to
the Illinois state constitutional convention,
but owing to combination against him
was defeated for probate justice at the
same election. In 1913, however, his vic
torious competitor having resigned, he was
elected by large majority. In 1919, under
the new constitution, he was elected coun-
ty judge, which office he held until 1851,
when he was elected to the state senate
for four years. In 1854 he opposed the
Nebraska bill: and. differing from his
party, he resigned went before the people
on the new issue and was again returned
to the Senate in 1855, when he became the
warm supporter of the free school system,
homestead law and other important meas
ures. In 1856 he was president of the first
Illinois republican state convention at
Bloomington He was also member of
the national republican convention, and ad-
vocated the nomination of Judge Mclean.
although personally preferring Fremont.
Having resigned his seat in the Senate on
the ground that, having changed his politi-
cal views and connections subsequent to
his election, self-respect and proper re-
gard for the true principles of representa-
tive government demanded such a course,
he engaged actively in the canvass Tor Ere
mont
Nominated for Congress-.
In 1859 he was nominated for Congress.
but was defeated, but in 1850 he was chosen
elector-at-large on the republican ticket
and cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln.
In 1861 he was a delegate to the peace COM
gress at Washington, and favored the COM
promise measures adopted by the conyen-
ton. When the second call for troops was
made he came forward and was unani-
mousy elected colonel of the 14th Illinois
Volunteers. In November, 1861, he was
commissioned brigadier general, and was
in the army under Bragg on its retreat to
Chattanooga. In 1862 he commanded di-
vision under General Pope in the operations
against New Madrid and Island No. 10. and
later took part in the operations against
Corinth He was engaged In the battle
of Murfreesboro, in December. 1862. For
his gallantry at the battle of Stone river
he was promoted to be major general of
volunteers. He commanded a division at
the battle of Chickamauga. and was pro-
NOTED to command the 14th Army Corps in
October, 1863, and took part In the opera
tions around Chattanooga, including the
battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission
ary Ridge in November. He took part in
the Atlanta campaign, and was relieved
at his own request on August A. 1864. He
was placed in command Of the military de-
partment of Kentucky in February. 1865.
year. He resigned his command in 1866.
Governor Of Illinois.
The next year he removed to Springfield.
I'll. In 1893 ne was elected governor Of Illi-s
nois as republican. In 1872 he left the
garded as its tendency toward federal CEN