The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-16
WelI-Known Author and
Soldier Dies of Cancer.
SERVED THROUGH CIVIL WAR
Long Illness Finally Results in Death
Lawyer and Diplomat and Con-
spicuous Citizen.

his condiIlon had continued lo grow
worse for the last year, but it was only
within the last three months that the
family had felt any concern.
Assimilation Defective.
For more than year General Wallace
had been unable properly to assimilate
his food, and this. together with his ex-
IRENE age, made his fight against death
the harder.
At no time did he ever confess that he
fer he would not live, and his remark
able vitality and rugged constitution
alone were responsible for proionging
his life several months,
Something more than a year ago Gen
eral Wallace went TO New York and
consulted eminent specialists. They
gave him little encouragement.
While physicians refused to say from
what disease the general was suffering.
II Is known that he had cancel OF the
stomach, but the fact was never told
him. Up TO three days ago he was
working on his autobiography and hoped
TO complete 1t before death.
A Notable Career.
Lew Wallace, major general. former
minister TO Turkey, author of many
books. was seventy-seven years of age,
was born in Brookville, Franklin county.
Ind. on April 10. 1877, and was a son Of
David Wallace, one time governor Of
the State
He got a common school education in
Brookville and then studied law. He
was essentially a self-educated man.
When the Mexican war came he helped
10 raise a company in Franklin coun-
ty-Conpany H of the First India ma
1nfanfry-and was made a second lieu
tenant
AT that time he was writing. the first
Of his books 1.-The Fair God" a story
OF the Aztees. and General Wallace re-
garded it as the most singular coinei-
dence of his life that unforeseen events
should send him TO Mexico When his
OF law in Brookyille. In the next nine
Years he became lawyer of large repu-
tatioa in the State.
State Adiutant General.
When the civil war began Wallace
WAS made adJutant general of the
State forces by Governor Morton. His
services in organizing the militia were
rewarded with a coloneicy early In 1861.
He saw his first lighting IN West yir-
ginia at the head Of the Eleventh In
diana Infantry. On September 1. 1861.
he was made 4 general officer and de-
tailed TO Grants command in the West.
Wallace took an important part In the
siege and capture of Fort Donelson.
Shortly afterward he was made a
major general.
Wallace commanded division on the
second day OF the battle of PtttsbuTg
Landing fShiloh). His failure 10 ar
rive on the field from his headquarters
At Crump's Landing, six miles from
Pittsburg Landing, and take part in
the action of the first day, resulting. as
his critics declared in Grants being
driven back, caused one OF the bittereSt
controversies OF the war.
General Grant. despite Ssie unfortun-
ate misunderstanding, retained the ut
most confidence in him. and had Wallace
sent to the Rio Grande toward the close
of he war to set on foot secret nego-
Siations for the surrender OF the Confed-
crate forces in Texas, and the foresta1l-
ing Of the French designs on New Mex
leo.
Saved Cincinnati.
IN 1863 General Wallace prepared the
defenses of Cincinnati when it was
threatened by raiding Confederate
army He saved the city from capture
by Gen E. Kirby Smith. A little later
Wallace fought the battle OF Monocacy
with Gen. JubaI Early, and prevented
the capture of Washington by the Con-
federate army.
He was member of the court that
tried the assassins OF President Lin
coin, and was also a member of the
court that convicted Henry Wirtz. com
laandant Of The Confederate prison at
AndersonVffie-
his attention for a time to literary work
and the resumption OF his law practice.
Mr.. Hayes made him governor OF the
Territory of New Mexico IN 1875 where
he remained until 1881. President Gar
field then sent him 10 Turkey as min
lister.
General Wallace said frequently that
II WAS owing to President Garfield tnat
his book The Prince OF India. was
written. Adr. Garfiefa had long been
friend of Wallace, .'Ben-Hur" appeared
= III ala ton n TEn
dency, and Was greatly admired by Gar
Held.
Gardeld's Mission.
After his inauguration he sent for
Wallace and said:
II want TO send you as minister to
Turkey. The duties OF the Office will
leave you ample leisure for writing. and
/ want y:1u to give us book on Con-
stantinople"
General Wallace remained at the court
of the Sultan until 1885 He returned to
his home in Crawfordsyille, Ind, and
devoted his time TO writing.
Ife was best known as the author OF
was never denied by Wallace. was that
he had a conversation with Col. Robert
q 1nGersoil one day on train. and
60 some thinking on the question OF re-
ligious belief .-Ben-Hur'' was the re-
suit according to the story.
Wallace was a close friend of the late
President Harrison In 1888 he wrote a
life Of Harrison. His other WelI-known
books were THE Boyhood of Christ.
published in 1855; The Prince OF India. =.
which appeared in 1893, and THE Woo
ing OF Malkatoon." which was published
in 1888. The general was writing his
own memoirs at the time of his death
and they were said 10 have been nearly
completed
The general had fine home in Craw-
louisville. Ind, an old-fasi1ioned. ram
bling house with acres OF ground His
library WIS in a beautiful stone build
ing in the rear. In the library hangs u
portrait IN oil of the Sultan Abdul
Hanid painted by the general 1t WAS
produced from secret sketches made by
Wallace while minister TO Turkey.
Il had to be very sly about it, he
Used to tell his visitors IF / had been
caught il would have made q great
rev, even II / was member OF the
Diplomatic Corps. Mohammedans re-
gard that sort Of thing as sacrtlege.
Thousands Of Indiana people made
annual pilgrinag es 10 era wfordsvflle.
Whenever possible General Wallace
shook hands with everyone. In 1852 he