The National tribune., 1903-01-08
JESSIE BENTON FREMONT.
Sudden Death Of q Woman Who Played
Great Part in Politics and Society.

Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont, widow of
the late John G. Fremont. and daughter of
the famous Thomas III. Benton, for many
years United States Senator from Mis-
souri,, died at heT residence in Los Angeles,
Cal, Dec. q, aged 1S years. Mrs. Fire.
mont had not been we'll for some time, but
being of an unusually bright, CHEEKY dis
position, her condition was not considered
critical. About three years ago, in de-
mOnstrating to some young friends how
light she still was on her feet, she slipped
on q waxed floor and dislOcated her hip
joint. From this time until her death she
was forced to live in a wheel chair, but
she retained all her mental keelness, and
received the hundreds of prominent people
who visited her with that grace and dig
nifty which had ever been one of her strik-
ing characteristics. She left three chill
dreb. Commodore Fremont, Of the United
States Navy, Capt. Fremont, of the Army,
and daughter who is still unmarried.
The funeral, the arrangements for which
she carefully made and wrote out many
years ago, took place Tuesday, Dec. go at
Christ Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Fremont was very like her dis
tinguished father in character, intellect,
and disposition. She inherited his cour-
age and strength Of will as well as his wit
and rare intellectual qualities. She was a
cOnversationalist Of unusual interest and
brilliancy, and her mind, like magnet, at
tracted to her always people it was an
honor to know.
When only Is years Of age, and at
husband, who was then Lieut.. Fremont
The young couple lost no time in falling
deeply in love. and as her father was de-
cidedly opposed to the match, they took
matters into their own hands and eloped
All through her husbands life Mrs. Ere
mont was devoted to his interests. and her
intellect ever ready to aid him in his plans
and ambitions. She was largely instru-
mental in having him sent West in 1913.
the Rocky Mountains, which gave the
world its first idea Of the immensely of
that region. 1t is said that after he had
started, carrying with him hOwitzer pro-
cured from the St. Louis arsenal, for he
knew that he would have to traverse hos
tile Indian country. he was directed by the
War Department to return to Washington.
The letter was received in his absence by
his wife. who dispatched q messenger to
him on horseback, in the meanwhile with
holding the letter. urging him to push on
with all possible speed to his destination.
and not inquire the reason. He did so.
and made successful exploration. This
was the expedition that gave him the
name of pathfinder"
The beautiful home Of the Fremonts. on
the present site of Black Point, was seiz-
ed by the Government in 1863, and forti-
fed, fearing France might attempt to cap
ture San Francisco to aid the COnfeder-
aey. The Fremonts were never reim-
bursed by the Government, though the at
tempt to obtain justice was continued
after the Generals death.
Mrs. Fremont was born in Virginia. but
spent many years of her life in ST. Louis.
where after her marriage she lived in state
in the old Brant home. which the General
made his headquarters during the War of
the Rebellion. There she was the center
of court over which she uueened it with
all the grace and charm which was natu-
rally hers.