New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-01-04
MRS. JESSIE B. FREMONT.
Memories OF Her Famous Husband
Recalled by Her Death.
FIGURED IN arHE CRISIS"

In the death of Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont.
the widow Of General John c. Fremont of
Pathfinder fame, which occurred at Los An
eeles CAL last week. the United States loses one
who. in her day. one of the greatest femi-
nine political forces this country has ever
known Her life from the time Of her marriage.
in TS4E until his death, in 1895. entirely
wrapped up in the Kaleidoscope career of her
husband Her hand and touch masterful for a
woman yet delicate. can be seen in many Of
his greatest triurnphs After his death, in this
CITY. she completed his memoirs.
Students OF American history cannot fail TO
note the series Of curious condolences in the
lives of Mrs Fremont and Mrs Julia Dent
Grant who died few days before. They found
husbands in young iieutenants of the army at
about the same time. Both husbands became
military heroes" and both were slated for the
Presidency Of the country, though Fremont
failed even with two trials Both widows spent
most Of their last days in California, whose his
tory they helped to make, and now poth nave
died within q short period
Washington first heard Of Jessie Benton when
her father Senator Thomas II. Benton. brought
her from Missouri. sprightly, well developed
maid Of fifteen. She placed in school at
Georgetown. and had been there little more
than year when she fell in love with John e
Fremont then lieutenant in the corps OF en-
gineers with little reputation and less wealth
The Senator was decidedly opposed TO the affair,
so Jessie eloped and some say that she per-
suadeo Fremont 10 take the step.
That her father thought is shown by this
incident. which is still remembered in Washing
ion The day after the elopement he went to a
washington newspaper Office and handed in a
notice which told of the marriage of Jessie Ben
ton to John c Fremont
The usual form is the reverse OF this" said
the editor. Suppose put Fremont hrst?'
Damn il, SIR he cried hanging his fist down
or the table 1t will go in that way not at all.
John Fremont cid not marry my daughter. She
married him
Eventually they were forgiven. and the Sen
ator helped Fremont his first exploring ex-
petition. It his wife, however. who handled
The intricate political machinery which kept him
3n the field and sent him out on some of the later
expeditions When her husband started on one
of his Western trips he left her at st. Louis,
where they had home and where she was a
society leader. Word came from Washington
that special government messengers had started
West with orders recalling Fremont.
She knew that MS enemies had been at work,
end how much her husbands heart was set on
exploring the wonderful westland- She was
quick TO act but Handicapped because she did
not know Just where he She hired several
messengers and started them west IN search Of
the explorer. She warned him Of the danger Of
recall. and told him to advance rapidly that
he could not be overtaken. One Of her mes
eeugers found him at Fort Leavenworth. Kan,
and Fremont lost no time in getting beyond the
reach Of orders from Washington
After General Fremont's exciting work In Cali
fornia Mrs. Fremont Joined him there. She
helped in his election Of the first two
Senators from the new Golden State. They