Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-02-16
GENERAL WALLACE DEAD.

OOus LOW w uAioNS 0tNN -
vile, Ind, last night at 9:l0 O'Clock
He had been a sufferer from cancer OF
tho stomach for some time.
General Wallace was born in Brook
vile. Franklin county, Ind, in 1927,
and he had been in the thick Of political,
military and literary life since the
Mexican war, which he entered before
he had attained his majority and from
which he emerged young lieutenant,
covered with honors. Apparently moth
ing in his whole wonderful career to
which he had set his hand has been done
other than well. Possibly the least sue
cess attained by him was as a lawyer,
which career he embraced in his early
manhood. After the stirring events OF
the civil war, from which he emerged a
maior-geaeral, he took up for brief
period the practice of the legal proies-
sion. But he did not like the law, and
gradually, with diplomatic work inter
spsrsed, he undertook the work OF a
litterateur, in which he had made his
most distinguished success.
As the author OF "Ben-Hur" Cen
ersl Wallace is known in practically
every country of the globe. No other
book since the days of "Pilgrim's Pro-
gress" has been so widely read. An
estimate indicates that from the total
number of editions ofthe book that have
been sold at least 1000, 600 persons
have read and enjoyed the Hoosier SOL
dier's beautiful tale Of the lowly Nazarene.
The dramatization of the work, which
was completed in 1901, further extend
ed the general knowledge of the story
and added largely as well to the fame
and profit of the author.
General Wallace was "to the manor
born," his father, David Wallace, hay-
ing been elected Governor of Indiana in
1887 and to Congress in 1912 from the
Indianapolis district.
In his youthful days General Wallace
displayed a tendency to neglect the op-
portunities which his fathers position
gave him. He hated books and schools,
and remained at school only SO long as
it was impossible TO avoid. In this
manner be acquired but little real foun-
dational education.
Previous to tho outbreak of the Mexi-
can war General Wallace had COM
menced the study of law. When the
call for soldiers came he was among the
first to enlist. He was not then 20 years
old. but his services were so merit0rious
that he came back from the war lieu
tenant AT the close of the war he mar
ried Susan A. IElstoD, widow of pioneer
of Crawiordsville.
When Garfield was elected President
he sent for Wallace, who was a close
personal friend, and during the CONVEX
sation offered to make him Minister Ia
Constautinople on the condition that be
would write another book during hi:
stay in Turkey. The proffer was ac'
cspted by General Wallace. During
his voyage to Europe Garfield was as
sassinated, but Wallace considered bis
promise to write a book as sacree
pledge. "The Prince of India" was The
result.
As diplomat General Wallace wai
eminently successful. During his ser
vice in Turkey he gained the conf
dence of the Ssltan to remarkab'
degree. The Sultan showered him will
presents.
One of the most important events il
the career Of General Wallace WAS the
period Immediately following the clos'
of the civil war, when he was sent t.
Mexico as the secret agent of the gov
ernment to aid the Mexicans in thei
light against the French under Maxi
milan. The close of the war had let
the country in such all unsettled con
dition that it was not advisable to risk {
war with France over the attempted
aggrsudizement of Mexican territory b.
Maximilian, who was backed by Leui
Napoleon. Without the knowledge 9
Secretary Seward, General Wallace va
sent by General Grant to consult will
General Jaurez, the Mexican President
TO see if some way could not be lie
vised whereby the United States coul'
assist Mexico. When General Wallac
arrived at chihuahua he found Genera
Jaurez with few troops and no arms
At the same time every indicatio
pointed to the success of Maximillan
After the consultation between Genera
Wallace and General Juarez the Cover
nor of Tamaulipas was ordered b
Juarex to accompany General Wallac
back to the United States. In compan
with Matias Romero, the Mexica
Minister to Washington, So, 600, 90
worth OF Winchester rifles, cannon an
ether munitions of war were bought an
Maid for with Mexican governmer
bonds. These we're quietly shipped
the mouth of the Rio Grande an
: passsd on to the Mexican troep
From then or the tide turned, and th
Mexicsns finally conquered.
During the administration OF Presldel
Haves General Wallace was appointe
Territorial Governor Of New Mexic'
The Southwest at that time was infeste
with "bsd men," and the severe ta'
. was imposed upon General Wallace
; bringing order and an obedience OF la
4 out Of the chaos of terrorism into whic
:. the lax enforcement of the laws hi
thrown that section. After many storm
: scenes. in which he was almost c0nstan